The term E.T. of TV refers to the character ALF, which stands for Alien Life Form. ALF is a fictional alien character from the 1980s sitcom ALF, which aired on NBC. The show follows the adventures of ALF, an extraterrestrial from the planet Melmac, who crash-lands in the garage of the suburban middle-class Tanner family. ALF quickly becomes part of the family and his misadventures with them form the basis of the show.