At Hand: A New Puppet Regime

By Harriet Barovick

In the '80s, Alf was the star of his own TV sitcom. these days he's making a comeback as the star of TV ads for MCI. But Alf isn't the only puppet for adults that is garnering attention. Triumph the Insult Comic Dog performs this week at New York City's Irving Plaza--a prelude to a comedy album of "dirty doggie songs." Next up: Crank Yankers, a raunchy puppet show from Comedy Central. The appeal? "Puppets can get away with a lot of nonsense live actors can't," says Triumph creator Robert Smigel. A few to watch for:

--By Harriet Barovick

--ALF His comeback is not limited to TV ads. Producer Paul Fusco is pitching the gruff furball as host of a late-night talk show.

--TRIUMPH The put-down pup of Late Night with Conan O'Brien fame finds plenty to insult in his musical debut album, due this fall.

--SPECIAL ED AND SKINNY BLACK GUY With the help of guest comedians, these trash-talking marionettes will make real-life prank phone calls as part of the cast of Comedy Central's new TV show Crank Yankers.

--GREG THE BUNNY Humans and puppets coexist on the Fox show, which features Seth Green as the pal of a slacker rabbit fond of taking baths.