3rd Rock from the Sun 

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, Jane Curtin, Kristen Johnston

Won 2 Golden Globes. Another 34 wins & 73 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 139 episodes, 1996-2001
Simbi Kali	...	Nina 135 episodes, 1996-2001
Elmarie Wendel	...	Mrs. Dubcek 120 episodes, 1996-2001
Wayne Knight	...	Officer Don 101 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:

male protagonist | brother sister relationship | brother brother relationship | father son relationship | uncle nephew relationship | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Family | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

TV-PG

Details

Official Sites:

Carsey-Werner [United States]

Country:

USA

Language:

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:

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

Sound Mix:

Stereo Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The Big Giant Head was first the leader of the galaxy, and then later the whole universe.

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Quotes

Sally Solomon: You just can't imagine what it feels like, Dick. It's like he reached in... and pulled all the bones out of my body...
[Sally starts crying]
Dick Solomon: My god, what are you doing?
Sally Solomon: [Wipes her tears] Apparently I'm leaking!

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Alternate Versions

During the filming of the final season, NBC refused to let the producers know whether or not they had been renewed until after the filming of the final episode, in order to try and draw in viewers. To compensate, the creators filmed two different endings. In the first ending, which was shown on network television, the Solomons went back to their homeworld and erased Mary's memory. In late 2001, the second ending was shown in syndication for what was billed as the "first and only time." This "second ending" is actually an extension of the original: Mary wakes up and goes to the Solomon's car and finds that Dick has given her the keys (you can see Dick tucking something in her hand in the original broadcast ending). When she puts the key into the ignition, a naked Dick appears next to her in the car and screams "ALIEN ABDUCTION! ALIEN ABDUCTION!" before grabbing Mary and disappearing with her.

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Connections

Referenced in The Cinema Snob: To Catch a Yeti (2014)

User Reviews

One of the funniest shows in the universe

3rd Rock From the Sun is one of the funniest shows to ever air on televison. The actors are all great, especially John Lithgow who is the funniest. It's a brilliant series with so much originality. Anyone who thinks this show isn't funny, obviously needs their heads examined. This is classic television that will be remembered for years to come.