ALF's rise from quirky alien to network sensation
NBC's ALF roars to popularity with more than 40 million weekly viewers and a booming merchandise market. The alien life form anchors two hit series, a thriving toy line, and global distribution, as executives weigh saturating the market against future longevity.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
E.T
Reese
Alf
C. Everett Koop
Walt Disney
NBC
Melmac
ALF boosts NBC profile amid ratings bounce and irreverent tone
NBC backed ALF with house acts and cross promos on Today Friday Night Videos and NFL 86 as audience awareness grew. The show finished its first season at No 28 and moved toward the Top 10 in season two. Patchett cites irreverence and alien innocence as keys to ALF's appeal and notes parent interest with Make a Wish interviews and ALF dolls, while acknowledging potential darker humor could risk kids’ ratings.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Alf
Mr. Smith
Tartikoff
NBC
Patchett
Bob Newhart
Bob Hartley
Dabney Coleman
Buffalo Bill Bittinger
Punky Brewster
Tanner
Make A Wish Foundation
Scripps Howard News Service
Letterman Returns to NBC Late Night Amid Writers Strike
NBC plans to resume Late Night with David Letterman on Tuesday with or without a guild waiver. Head writer Steve O'Donnell says the show will air with Letterman possibly monologue-free if no exemption is granted, while the Writers Guild continues a four month old strike.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Kathryn Baker
New York
David Letterman
NBC
Steve O’donnell
Writers Guild of America
Letterman
O’donnell
Guild
Johnny Carson
O'Donnell
Nightingales Pilot Targets Nursing Students
Aaron Spelling executive produces the unsold series pilot about eight student nurses facing professional and personal challenges. Cast includes Mimi Kazyk and Susan Walters as key leads with a long time TV history noted. The listing adds a second item featuring NEWHART with a humorous, dreamlike return and a nod to Larry Sanderson as a Carson substitute fantasy.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Nightingales
Aaron
Dynasty
Spelling
Mimi
Kazyk
Susan
Elvis and
Walters
Newhart
Larry
William Sanderson
Critic's Choices and Drama on Designing Women
A TV segment highlights Designing Women focusing on a drama about AIDS spread by a fellow interior decorator. It also previews a documentary titled Some Babies Die hosted by Jane Pauley, tracing grief after stillbirth and crib death.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Jane Pauley
Tips for Tops opens new path in bridge literature
Dr George Rosenkranz author of Tips for Tops from Devyn Press adds a thought provoking contribution to bridge literature. The work explores strategic insights and teaching notes to elevate high level play.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
George Rosenkranz
Devyn Press
Daily Horoscope and Bridge Hand Fragment
Horoscope for Cancer through Aquarius outlines daily themes and cautions. A long bridge hand analysis follows detailing an artificial two bid, spade play, and defensive choices with declarer and West signaling.
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