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3rd Rock from the Sun (1996)
When the show started, I was a teenager and was able to catch some episodes from the national television, when they were able to purchase and broadcast it. The memory of it lingered and, when I could get the DVDs, I just did that and started watching the show as I like to watch them: each episode, with great attention to each and every detail.
The big problem (well, not for me) was that my watching time was usually at midnight (when I’d finish my regular web development work and needed to unwind), so my hysterical laughter didn’t make me too loved among my neighbours. Don’t know .. I’ve got this feeling.
Anyway, my problem aside, this has proved to be ONE OF THE BEST comedy shows I have ever seen in my entire life and I did my share of TV staring, that’s for sure.
It all starts one starry night when 4 aliens assume human form, so that they can study us better. The entire operation should take 1 day, nothing too fancy. At least that’s what they think. This short journey on Earth (the no.3 rock, counting from the Sun) degenerates into a way longer stay and a lot of funny situations.
Naming one of the best actors in the cast is difficult, because they all have achieved greatness with their roles. The main character would be the High Commander Dick Solomon (John Lithgow) who’s a moron when it comes to human relations, but very smart and proud. There’s a constant power struggle with the “young” (in earth terms) Tommy (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), who normally is the information expert, but gets “born” as a horny teenager. Yep, life on earth is a ..itch.
Just when you’re already laughing about such misfortune (being the oldest crew member incarnated as the youngest), you come to realize their fortune has been good, since the military officer (Kristen Johnston) is a woman (Sally). With all the “beauty” that comes from putting a manly officer into a woman’s body.
To have the Zoo team complete, we meet trasmitter Harry (French Stewart), who was taken on the mission, because there was an empty space in the ship and the trasmitter had to be implanted in someone’s brain. Guess who’s carrying it.
And just when we find ourselves rolling on the floor laughing, here enters Mrs. Mamie Dubcek (Elmarie Wendel), their landlady (so that we don’t break any political correctness rules). Well, to be honest they enter her home, more specifically her attic, that’s been in ruins since the Woodstock years. Mrs. Dubceck had been a naughty girl and even now she’s always interested in a fling. With that hoarse voice and trashy outfits, she’s bringing more humor to the show.
What would the series be without some sane educated person though? All these “creatures” need some role-model, as if they’re interested in behaving. Anyway, Dick’s sweetheart is a professor of Anthropology (sense the irony) at the University where Dick is also teaching. Dr. Mary Albright is brought to life by an extraordinary Jane Curtin, together with the “Afro-American” secretary, Nina (Simbi Khali).
And, since Dick is always making a fool of himself in his desperate attempts to catch Mary’s eyes, Sally needs an occupation too and she finds true love in officer Don Orville (Wayne Knight) with all possible complications.
My huge regret is that the show didn’t last for 30 years as it should have deserved. When the final episode ended I just felt sad. It is by far one of the best series I have seen and probably (at the rate idiotic shows are now created and presented as “hits”) will see from now on. The good thing is we can always get back to these crazy aliens just by inserting the DVD and pushing the play button.
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I definitely have some fond memories of 3rd Rock from the Sun. The concept was so ridiculous but it definitely worked and so many of the episodes were packed with laughs. Sorry your neighbors weren’t able to understand…
I thought John Lithgow did an amazing job in his role: his voice and mannerisms seemed to fit his “alien” character perfectly. The entire cast, though, was very solid.
Today, when anyone talks about watching “30 Rock” my brain actually first thinks back to “3rd Rock!”