Well, if Space Ghost can host his own talk show, why not space refugee Alf? The 1980s sitcom alien will get his chance behind the desk on July 7 when TV Land airs the optimistically titled ''Alf's Hit Talk Show.'' The smartass extraterrestrial, who resurfaced in recent years as a phone service commercial pitchcreature, has even coaxed another NBC figure out of retirement to serve as his second banana: 81-year-old ''Tonight Show'' mainstay Ed McMahon. Alf's guests include Dennis Franz, Drew Carey, Joan Rivers, and Henry Winkler.
Of TV Land's decision to give him a platform, the feline-flesh-fancying alien said in a statement, ''They have demonstrated superb taste by giving me my own show and it's humbling that they recognize my unequaled genius.'' Of course, for the rerun-driven nostalgia channel, the show is a one-shot, a lead-in that will kick off a marathon of old ''Alf'' episodes from the sitcom's 1986-90 run. Of course, if ''Alf's Hit Talk Show'' really is a hit, it could be the pilot for an ongoing series. America, lock up your cats.
