Join Andy Greenwald, Tim Simons, and Matt Walsh as they dissect the bizarre series finales of '80s classics like 'St. Elsewhere,' 'Dallas,' and 'Dinosaurs.' From shocking reveals to dark messaging, they explore the playful and competitive nature of TV during this era, questioning if these shows truly stuck the landing.
'80s finales were in conversation and competition, showcasing playful TV era.
Shocking reveals in 'St. Elsewhere' to dark messaging in 'Dinosaurs'.
The collaborative effort behind bringing Alf character to life revealed.
Alf's rising fame caused challenges for human actors, mirroring on-screen narrative.
Dinosaurs' finale explores responsibility, legacy, and environmental themes in impactful conclusion.
Deep dives
The Tanner family prepares to say goodbye to Alf as he plans to return to his home planet
Alf, the witty alien living with the Tanner family, decides to go back to his planet, Melmac. The Tanner family expresses sadness about his departure as Alf is considered part of their household. The comedic alien makes jokes about outer space and quirky behavior as he gets ready to leave.
Alf packs his VCR as he departs, bringing humor to his final moments with the Tanner family
As Alf gets ready to depart, he jokingly packs his VCR, adding humor to his final moments with the Tanner family. He teases about stealing the VCR but decides to let them keep it. Alf's lighthearted jests aim to bring laughter and levity to the farewell scene.
A reveal of a disguised Hungarian actor as the full-body Alf puppet in the final moments of the episode
In a behind-the-scenes revelation, a Hungarian actor, Michu Meszaros, is secretly used as the full-body Alf puppet in the episode's final scenes. This detail uncovers the method behind bringing the Alf character to life, showcasing the collaboration between the puppeteer and the hidden performer.
The human actors' frustration with Alf's fame is exposed in the show's narrative through exaggerated scenes with the puppet
Alf's rising fame resulted in frustration among the human actors as they had to work extensively with the puppet in exaggerated scenes, reflecting the challenges faced by the on-screen characters within the narrative. The blurring of reality and fiction shows the impact of Alf's success on the show's cast.
Sledgehammer's Nuclear Finale
In the final season of the show Sledgehammer, the main character, Hammer, finds a stolen nuclear warhead and decides to defuse it. Despite warnings, he proceeds, causing a mushroom cloud and leading to catastrophic consequences. The episode is marked by a darkly humorous tone, with the characters facing impending doom in the face of a global catastrophe.
Emotional Impact of Dinosaurs' Extinction
In the finale of Dinosaurs, the working-class dinosaur family faces the consequences of their patriarch's environmental mismanagement, which triggers an ice age and their extinction. The episode explores themes of responsibility, legacy, and impending doom, leaving viewers with a bleak and impactful conclusion.
Dinosaurs' Existential Finale
The final episode of Dinosaurs features an extinction event caused by the lead dinosaur's actions, leading to the demise of their entire species. The bleak outcome highlights environmental themes and the repercussions of individual decisions on a large scale, creating a powerful and existential conclusion.
Dinosaurs Flannel and Grunge Vibes
Dinosaurs' finale, airing in 1994, encapsulates the grunge aesthetic and flannel vibes of the era, aligning with the transition from the '80s to the '90s. The dark and impactful conclusion resonates with the environmental concerns and emotional depth of the time, marking a memorable and resonant ending for a unique show.
Jim Henson's Animated Dystopia
The memorable ending of Dinosaurs, created by Jim Henson, leaves a lasting impact with its animated dystopian narrative. The finale's emphasis on extinction, caused by individual actions and environmental consequences, aligns with the show's dark humor and societal reflections, offering a poignant and thought-provoking conclusion.
Alf's Lasting Impact on Future Generations
The podcast reflects on the lasting impact of the character Alf and his influence on future pop culture references. The discussion delves into Alf's humorous and unconventional storytelling, highlighting the character's portrayal in different contexts over the years, showcasing the enduring legacy of a beloved TV icon.
Andy Greenwald is joined by Tim Simons and Matt Walsh to discuss a handful of series finales from shows that represent the weird era of ’80s television including ‘St. Elsewhere,’ ‘Newhart,’ ‘ALF,’ ‘Sledge Hammer!,’ ‘Dallas,’ and ‘Dinosaurs.’ They start by talking about their first experiences with finales, how the final episodes of this decade’s shows seemed to both be in conversation and in competition with one another, and the reasons why TV was much more playful during this time (5:07). Along the way, they go through each ending and unpack everything, from the shocking reveal at the end of ‘St. Elsewhere’ to the monolithic nature of ‘Dallas’ to the surprisingly dark messaging in the last scene of ‘Dinosaurs,’ and so much more (13:32). Finally, they answer the titular question: Did it stick the landing? (99:55).
Host: Andy Greenwald
Guest: Tim Simons and Matt Walsh
Producers: Kaya McMullen and Kai Grady
Theme Song and Other Music Credits: Giancarlo Vulcano
