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 third planet from the sun.

Creators:

Bonnie Turner, Terry Turner

Stars:

John Lithgow, Jane Curtin, Kristen Johnston

Won 2 Golden Globes. Another 34 wins & 74 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, et cetera. To avoid detection, they have taken on human form, which gives them human emotions, physical needs, et cetera, without the understanding of what they mean nor 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 the oldest of group, takes the 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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Taglines:

There's a new family in town. They're not from another city... They're from another planet.

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Genres:

Comedy | Family | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

TV-PG

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

Dick Solomon: I find you pompous, judgmental, and completely self-absorbed. Would you be my friend?

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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

Featured in WatchMojo: Top 10 Male Teachers on TV (2014)

User Reviews

My Favorite TV Show

Pure brilliance is all I can say!!! Pure brilliance! Every time I watch this show, I laugh out loud over and over again. Even episodes I've seen before. Hysterical.

The absolutely perfect cast is part of what makes it so good. John Lithgow is, of course, hilarious. He hits every one of his jokes spot on. Jany Curtin, Symbhi Kali, French Stewart, and even Joseph Gordon-Levitt are all great. But it's Kristen Johnston who really steals the show! She is one of the funniest people I've ever seen, and I only hope I get to see more and more of her.

A great script, done well by great actors. What more can you want? Impossible not to laugh- Really!!! 8/10 stars!!!

Jay Addison

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