Hooked on a Feeling

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Hooked on a Feeling is the sixth episode of ALF's fourth and final season. It originally aired on Oct. 23, 1989.

Plot Summary[]

When ALF starts using cotton in his recipes, he discovers that it is intoxicating to Melmacians. ALF becomes addicted to consuming cotton. When the addiction gets out of control, it becomes obvious he help breaking the habit. Willie has a support group come to the house and ALF listens in while Willie pretends to be a smoker trying to quit.

Teaser[]

In the kitchen, Lynn comes in from shopping and ALF asks if she got his breath mints. She says she forgot so ALF breaths on her. She says she'll go get some. She did remember to get him his cotton balls. When asked why he wants them he says he's been experimenting new menu ideas... he's eating it

Act One[]

ALF is siting in front of a TV that is turned off and laughing hysterically. Kate snaps him out of it and he doesn't remember doing this. Willie then asks ALF if the cotton has been affecting his mood. When Willie tries to take it from him he gets aggressive in trying to stop him. Late that night, Kate and Willie are awakened to ALF loudly singing "New York, New York" They walk out into the family room to see him wearing a fedora hat with a trench coat flung over his shoulder. He's holding a banana pretending it's a microphone. Lynn is also awakened too. ALF then hands them a pillow he's ripped open to eat the cotton out of.

The next morning the family is having breakfast. ALF comes in having crashed from his cotton high. Kate offers him some aspirin, and Willie catches ALF sneaking the cotton ball from the bottle and eating it. Kate then tells ALF he's got a problem, and he goes into the family room to dance more. He then comes back asking "What if I do have a problem" That night at dinner, Willie and Lynn try to console ALF with his withdraw symptoms and is in denial about being addicted to cotton.

Act Two[]

Kate then thinks about a support group, but upset ALF can't go to one. Kate then suggests that they find a group that can be hosted at their home and ALF and hide in the kitchen and listen. Meanwhile ALF discovers the lint screen in the clothes dryer.

The group is meeting at the house. Kate is preparing paté in the kitchen which ALF thinks is cat food. Kate brings it out and Rita, an overweight lady who is trying to quit smoking takes much of it. Another lady who is holding a lit cigarette chides her for taking so much. They start the meeting and the group leader, Howard, introduces Willie as a new member. He asks Willie what brought them to the meeting, and he as a first-timer says he'd rather listen. When told that's not how it works. He stumbles a bit and say's he's trying to quit smoking. He's still struggling, so he goes into the kitchen to talk to ALF to try and get him to let him know what to say. Willie then comes back out saying that his habit started as something he enjoyed at first but then had a difficult time controlling. Another group member, Ron, says that's the same how it was with his handwashing.. Willie says about not getting out much, Ron asks if it's because afraid of crowds and germs. Willie then says he's afraid of being seen. ALF calls Willie back into the kitchen and asks him to help and that he's scared. ALF then talks about his loneliness, to which Willie empathizes. Howard then comes in, and talks to Willie, and asks him who was talking about being lonely and wanting to go home. Willie then says he's feeling better.

Epilogue[]

ALF is having a nightmare about the family singing and dancing to "New York, New York" Ray Conniff style with tuxedos, batons, top hats and tails.ALF wakes up and tells Lynn that getting sober is going to be harder than he thougth

Background information[]

Production history[]

Premiere airdate: October 23, 1989
Production number: 4005

Title Reference[]

"Hooked on a Feeling" is a 1968 song by Mark James and originally performed by B.J. Thomas.

Trivia[]

Alf's nightmare of the family dancing while scatting the tune of "New York, New York" is based on a cover by the Ray Conniff singers