Max Wright later said that while he disliked working on the show, he got satisfaction from fan letters sharing how much joy and happiness the show brought them.
The ALF puppet was operated from various trap doors hidden within the set, making filming more hazardous than a normal sitcom. The cast had to remember where the doors were, so they could avoid them.
In the years since the show was cancelled, Max Wright and Anne Schedeen have said that tensions were very high on the set. The show's technical demands made for very long shooting schedules and none of the actors enjoyed playing supporting roles to a puppet who always had the best lines.
Reportedly during the fourth season tensions on the set were so high that Max Wright attacked the ALF puppet and screamed: "Put us all on sticks. We're all puppets!"
At the time this was one of the most expensive 30-minute sitcoms to produce due to all the technical elements required and long taping schedules. To help recoup costs NBC licensed the character to toys, breakfast cereal, and an animated TV series.