Comedy Series Review: 3rd Rock from the Sun

“As most intelligent people know, aliens are among us.” 

This is how 3rd Rock from the Sun starts. This American sitcom focuses on a group of alien scouts, trying to learn about earth. Winning dozens of awards and being nominated for many more, this show was a true television hit. Come join us, as we take a look at 3rd Rock from the Sun.

This sitcom is a gem of American comedy. It's absurd, hilarious, fast-paced, popular and it survived for more than 100 episodes. First, let's look at the premise.

The series follows a group of four extraterrestrials named Harry, Sally, Tommy and Dick. They are on Earth on a mission to study Earth life and, so as not to attract attention, they disguise themselves as humans. Since their original alien bodies were asexual, it is quite hard for them to figure out their roles as males or females. Especially Sally, being the only female in the group, has a hard time adjusting. The awkwardness brought about by their lack of understanding of Earth, gender, race etc. often leads to hilarious situations.

The high commander of the group is Dick. Although he is the youngest one as an alien, he is given the oldest human body. Because he really is young he often behaves childish and innocent, which either scares or endears people. He takes a job as a physics professor and, although his understanding of physics is basic compared to his planet's standards, he becomes highly respected as a physicist on Earth. One joke involves Dick laughing hysterically at Stephen Hawking's description of virtual particles.

Sally is the second-in-command to Dick and the security officer. She had to take the female role because she lost a contest or draw of some kind. She isn't all too happy about this at first, although over time she decides she likes being a woman. She does keep struggling with her femininity all throughout the series. Also her role in the 'family' isn't always clear: she has been named Dick's sister, Tommy's sister and Tommy's mother, although she was never Dick's daughter or wife.

The cast of 3rd Rock from the Sun

Tommy is the information officer and third-in-command. Although he has received the body of Dick's adolescent son, he really is the oldest and smartest of the group. He makes sure to bring this up again and again throughout the series. He is forced to enroll in high school, but his vast knowledge of Earth's culture and history makes him a straight-A student. He is charged with gathering as much information as possible on Earth, something he does mainly by watching television and films.

Harry was not actually supposed to join the mission, but was allowed to come because there was a seat left. He has a chip in his body (presumably his brain) which allows him to receive communications from the Big Giant Head; the king of the galaxy. This generally happens without warning and is very noticeable as Harry starts shuddering, garbling and assumes a pose with his knees bent and his arms up, announcing “Incoming message from the Big Giant Head” (or sometimes something similar) and then calling the message in a voice different from his own.

The absurd, out-of-this-world humour combined with the alien's awkwardness and Dick's constant attempts at a relationship make for an amazing show which is still popular and rightly so.