3rd Rock from the Sun (1996–2001)

A group of aliens are sent to Earth, disguised as a human family, to experience and report life on the 3rd planet from the sun.

Creators:

Bonnie Turner, Terry Turner

Stars:

John Lithgow, Kristen Johnston, French Stewart

Won 2 Golden Globes. Another 35 wins & 64 nominations.

Cast

Series cast summary:
John Lithgow	...	Dr. Dick Solomon (139 episodes, 1996-2001)
Kristen Johnston	...	Sally Solomon (139 episodes, 1996-2001)
French Stewart	...	Harry Solomon (139 episodes, 1996-2001)
Joseph Gordon-Levitt	...	Tommy Solomon (139 episodes, 1996-2001)
Jane Curtin	...	Dr. Mary Albright (137 episodes, 1996-2001)
Simbi Khali	...	Nina Campbell (134 episodes, 1996-2001)
Elmarie Wendel	...	Mrs. Mamie Dubcek (118 episodes, 1996-2001)
Wayne Knight	...	Officer Don (100 episodes, 1996-2001)

Storyline

A group of aliens has come to Earth to learn about its population, customs, etc. To avoid detection, they have taken on human form which gives them human emotions, physical needs etc. WITHOUT the understanding of what they mean or the inhibitions normally present in humans. Their leader takes the position of a college professor, their military expert as his sister, their intelligence expert, supposedly oldest of group takes form of his teenage son. The uninhibited reactions turn everyday events into unusual situations.

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Plot Keywords:

alien | human form | extraterrestrial | landlady | disembodied head | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Sci-Fi

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Details

Official Sites:

Carsey-Werner [United States]

Country:

USA

Language:

Hungarian English

Release Date:

9 January 1996 (USA)

Also Known As:

3rd Rock

Filming Locations:

CBS Studio Center - 4024 Radford Avenue, Studio City, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Carsey-Werner Company, YBYL Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min 25 min (124 episodes) 60 min (7 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The character Dick Solomon was ranked #24 in TV Guide's list of the "25 Greatest Sci-Fi Legends" (1 August 2004 issue).

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Quotes

Vicki Dubcek: How dare you use your flesh to tempt me?
Harry Solomon: Well, that's what it's there for!

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Connections

Referenced in Saturday Night Live: Game Show Parodies (2000)

User Reviews

Very funny

"3rd Rock from the Show" is a very funny comedy series about a group of aliens disguised as humans. John Lithgow (one of the most underrated actors of all-time) is fabulous as Dick, the confused and overly dramatic alien posing as a college professor (I think - it's been so long since I've seen this on TV!). Sally (Kristen Johnson), Tommy (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) and Harry (French Stewart) all join in on the fun as his clueless, bumbling pals - Tommy is an old alien in a teenager's body, Sally is a male in a female's body (or so we are led to believe). Harry is a walking radio who receives incoming transmissions from their home planet.

It may sound silly but that's the entire point! It has some very funny quotes like, "Last week I didn't even know the difference between Bill Pullman and Bill Paxton!" Dick: "Pullman is the fat one." "I know that now!" (or something like that). A lot of it has to do with pop culture and as a result you may have to be American to "get" some of the jokes.

One of the top ten greatest television shows of all time. Miserably underrated. It gained a strong cult following while on TV and was awarded with many Emmy nominations but never really become as successful or popular as "Seinfeld," etc. Too bad.