3rd Rock from the Sun

3rd Rock from the Sun: Summary

Originally on:NBC
Status:Ended
Premiered:January 1, 1996
Last Aired:May 1, 2001
Show Categories:Comedy, Science-Fiction

"As many intelligent people know, aliens are all around us. This is a story of a band of four such explorers. In order to blend in, they have assumed human form. This is the High Commander [Dick]. He has assembled an elite team of experts: A decorated military officer [Sally], a seasoned intelligence specialist [Tommy] and [Harry], well, they had an extra seat."

3RD ROCK FROM THE SUN is an inspired half-hour comedy series farcically dealing with the human condition set in the fictional city of Rutherford, Ohio. This gentle-hearted series stars John Lithgow as the High Commander of an investigative team sent to Earth on a mission to learn everything about humans and their so-called advanced civilization. Described by its producers as "Carl Sagan meets the Marx Brothers," 3RD ROCK has a clever, distinct point of view seen through the extraterrestrial team who has no other worldly powers except absolute truthfulness.

Dick (John Lithgow, Don Quixote), Harry (French Stewart, Love Stinks), Sally (Kristen Johnston, Austin Powers) And Tommy (Joseph Gordon-Levitt, 10 thing I Hate About You), arrive in our world completely innocent, while equipped with superior intelligence to analyze every experience. This bizarre vantage point of an innocent seeing everything for the first time is the comic framework from which to satire the human condition and American society, to look at all of the injustices and absurdities and humorously point them out to us. 3RD ROCK cuts through our taboos and traditions with a childlike inquisitive logic and an impeccably paced humorous twist.
We the viewers see ourselves in 3RD ROCK, and we see ourselves as the aliens.

The humor of 3RD ROCK is always twisting the viewpoint to show the angle of an outsider looking in. 3RD ROCK which we know as Earth is the way travellers would look at the world � an insignificant blue speck that is The 3rd Rock from the Sun.

Reruns were last seen on ABC Family on April 15, 2005 at 9:00am ET with the episode "The Big Giant Head Returns Again, Part 1" and may return at some other time. Check listings.

Ratings:
#22 in the 1995-1996 Season
#27 in the 1996-1997 Season "As many intelligent people know, aliens are all around us. This is a story of a band of four such explorers. In order to blend in, they have assumed human form. This is the High Commander [Dick]. He has assembled an elite team of experts: A decorated military officer [Sally], a seasoned intelligence specialist [Tommy] and [Harry], well, they had an extra seat."

3RD...

The Thing That Wouldn't Die (2)

Aired: Tuesday May 22, 2001

As a result of the manner in which Dick settled his dispute with Liam, the group is ordered home. Of course, there are always loose ends to tie up before a long space trip. Dick wants Mary to accompany them, and Sally decides to instill confidence in Don. They organize a farewell party, and Harry and Tommy decide to charge everything and not worry about being around to pay the bill. They even hire Elvis Costello to sing "Fly Me to the Moon."

Les Liaisons Dickgereuses (Episode Clip)

Dick falls in love with Mary's rich, spoiled sister Renata.

Posted: 12/11/06
Views: N/A
Comments: N/A

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NBC moves shows again
Peacock switches Twenty Good Years and 30 Rock time slots as zero hour approaches.
- 09/01/06 11:46 AM
- 16 comments \ add yours

John LithgowDick Solomon (photos)
Kristen JohnstonSally Solomon
French StewartHarry Solomon
Joseph Gordon-LevittTommy Solomon (photos)
Jane CurtinMary Albright (photos)

10
10
LeahHimura24
member since: Sep 14, 2008
The Bottom Line: "My new best friend"
As the High commander I order you to read this review on 3rd Rock from the Sun! ...Continue »
3rd rock really is my new best friend...well more like old friends reunited again after a long time. I used to watch this show when I was a kid and when I found out that it was playing again, I just had to watch it. I tape as many as I can on the DVR and watch them almost everyday. It is no surprise to me why this show was so popular in the 90's it's so original!! Most sitcoms don't put sci-fi to the equation, but this one does. The part about the aliens coming to earth and studying us is no news, but making it a sitcom is! This show is so smart and witty, and it helps you understand human nature, since it is so well explained after ever show when the Solomans learn something. I recommend this show to people who love a good laugh with a slight sci-fi intelligent twist!! Two thumbs way up! d^^b
11/14/08 07:39pm | report abuse
10
10
DarkNinja1994
member since: Mar 7, 2007
The Bottom Line: "My new best friend"
Bwahaha, this is amazing!!! ...Continue »
Granted, I was 1, almost 2, when the show premiered, and I've just now gotten into it. It's like on TV Land or something at 9. Anyway, this show is about a group of aliens, Dick, Sally, Tommy, and Harry, who are sent on assignment on Earth or something, hence the name, 3rd Rock From the Sun. I'm not really sure why they're on Earth. I haven't been watching it that long. Harry is definitely my favorite. Everyone thinks he's just a bumbling idiot and the only reason that he's there is because "they had an extra seat". Well, maybe that's true, but Harry is still amazingly awesome!!!!!
11/07/08 05:06pm | report abuse
7.5
00
scotchex2
member since: Jul 4, 2006
The Bottom Line: "Guilty pleasure"
3rd Rock From the Sun is a fantastic oddball sitcom. It's fast-paced and off-beat and John Lithgow's over the top performance steals the show. ...Continue »
3rd Rock From the Sun is a fantastic oddball sitcom. It's fast-paced and off-beat and John Lithgow's over the top performance steals the show.

The show's premise is that a team of alien scientists (Lithgow and cast) are on a research mission to study humanity, so they are posing as a typical human family. Most episodes revolve around the cast attempting, and failing, to fit in to everyday society.

The key to any TV show is to have likable, interesting characters. John Lithgow was fantastic, but he's surrounded by other interesting characters. Even Newman from Seinfeld is a cast-member, this time as a bumbling cop.

Great show.
10/18/08 11:12am | report abuse
9.5
20
BethanyJoyFan
member since: Sep 20, 2008
The Bottom Line: "Bring it back!"
Great! ...Continue »
One of the best shows ever ! So funny ! With an amasing cast and insane jokes they bring us one of the best comedy shows and I doubt that there will be another one like this . The story is just crazy . A group of aliens who travel to earth to study humans . They pretend to be a family and are fascinated by the tiniest things from witch one of my favorites is Dicks fascination with toilet paper . Basicly it is a great show and is definetly worth watching every single second of your time .
10/18/08 08:41am | report abuse
8.4
00
thedarkknight67
member since: Aug 6, 2004
The Bottom Line: "Bring it back!"
classic laughs ...Continue »
We can always have a bit of a laugh at ourselves when we look at what we do and try to assertain why using a fuctional sociological perspect and third rock made it a art form. What really took a step above was John Lithgow's performance as Dick 'the high commander'
Featuring some great reoccuring guest appearences from the likes of William Shatner as 'the big giant head', Wayne Knight as officer Don and John Cleese as Dr Liam Neeson (Dicks nemisus when dick isn't being his own worst enemy). Even the little details such as the names of the three male aliens (Tom, Dick, and Harry) are a canvis for comidic outlets
10/14/08 02:12am | report abuse