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 pilot was originally shot for ABC, but they didn't put it on their fall schedule. NBC took a look and liked what they saw.

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Quotes

Nina Campbell: You think you're the smartest man on the planet, don't you?
Dick Solomon: For the thousandth time, yes!

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Alternate Versions

In an episode entitled "Assault with a Deadly Dick," a line of dialogue was cut after the first airing. Dick is waiting at the police station with Mary to point out the man who mugged him. Officer Don comes in and says "Time to finger your perp." Dick looks awkwardly at Mary and replies "I keep trying, but she won't let me." When the episode was rebroadcast a few months later, Dick's line was omitted and the laugh track was streched. This line is always cut in syndication airings, but when shown outside the US and on the DVD, the line is intact.

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Connections

Featured in The Roseanne Show: Episode #1.17 (1998)

User Reviews

One of the All-Time Greatest TV Shows!

NBC has sinned much. They canceled "Joey," "Four Kings," and "Committed." They let Seinfeld run for nine years (if I'm not mistaken), which felt like an *eternity*. However, this cosmic sitcom almost absolves them... for "Joey," anyway.

When this was first on TV, my family would watch it every single week. We'd then watch it re-run in syndication to rediscover our favorite moments. And now I have some of it on DVD, and, if anything, it's only gained charm as the years have gone by. It's impossible to tell anyone how much I enjoy this show. But here are the basic reasons: a superb premise, a cast with no weak links whatsoever, and the guarantee of something completely and mind-bogglingly funny happening in virtually every episode! John Lithgow is fantastically self-absorbed as High Commander Dick Solomon, a selfish "jackanape" who feels the purpose of the universe is to serve his own needs. Kristen Johnston shines as Sally Solomon, who is *literally* a male trapped in a woman's body ("Next planet, I get to be something big with horns!") Joseph Gordon-Levitt adds another quirky angle as the old man of the crew who is relegated to the task of being a teenager. And French Stewart proves us he can play a loony with his eyes closed... by doing it with his eyes closed. Every episode. As for humans, Jane Curtin gives a fascinatingly nuanced portrayal of Mary Albright, Dick's perpetual object of affection; Elmarie Wendel is simply delightful as landlady Mrs. Dubcek; Wayne Knight lends many interesting facets to the cop who steals Sally's heart; and let's not forget Simbi Khali as Dick and Mary's amazingly sarcastic secretary Nina, who has to be one of the best sitcom characters ever. And who can forget Ileen Getz as the monotone-voiced Judith?

This show deserves to have a rating that's much higher than "7.something". It was one of those rare comedies that was interesting in both concept and execution, while most sitcoms (even the greats!) cash in on making boring concepts entertaining.

Resume normal functions in 3... 2... 1... squeak!