3rd Rock from the Sun

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Season 1
  • Network: NBC
  • Series Premiere Date: Jan 9, 1996
Season #: 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
Metascore
52

Mixed or average reviews - based on 26 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 26
  3. Negative: 5 out of 26
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Critic Reviews

  1. Deseret News
    Reviewed by: Scott D. Pierce
    Jun 19, 2013
    30
    'Rock' is little more than one big sophomoric sex joke. ... All of this is doubly disappointing because it's such a waste of talent. [9 Jan 1996]
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  2. Orlando Sentinel
    Reviewed by: Hal Boedeker
    Jun 19, 2013
    30
    The show ought to be more than a sophomoric aliens-meet-humans smutcom. It should be an advancement on My Favorite Martian and Mork & Mindy. But it's not. [9 Jan 1996]
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  3. San Diego Union-Tribune
    Reviewed by: Robert P. Laurence
    Jun 19, 2013
    25
    The humor of "3rd Rock" is of I-can't-believe-how-bad-this-is quality. [9 Jan 1996]
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  5. Entertainment Weekly
    Jun 11, 2013
    25
    How sad to see John Lithgow making insipid jokes on 3rd Rock From The Sun.
  6. Baltimore Sun
    Reviewed by: Chris Kaltenbach
    Jun 19, 2013
    20
    It's hard to figure where the makers of "Third Rock" believe they went right. The humor never rises above high-school-lunchroom level, and even then it's not over-the-top enough to make it very appealing. The actors are talented enough -- Lithgow and Curtin certainly have nothing left to prove, and Gordon-Levitt seems to be that rarest of finds, a young actor who knows about timing. What they're doing in this mess is one of those questions for the ages. [9 Jan 1996]
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Awards & Rankings

10
#10 Best TV Season of 1996
2
#2 Most Discussed TV Season of 1996
1
#1 Most Shared TV Season of 1996

User Reviews

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User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 38 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 32 out of 38
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 38
  3. Negative: 6 out of 38
  1. drlowdon
    Apr 8, 2020
    7
    3rd Rock from the Sun followed the Solomons, an investigative team of aliens sent to Earth on a mission to pose as an ordinary family and3rd Rock from the Sun followed the Solomons, an investigative team of aliens sent to Earth on a mission to pose as an ordinary family and learn about humans and their civilisation. There are signs that the show was still finding it’s feet throughout this first season, but thanks in large part to its talented cast (lead by the always brilliant John Lithgow) this first season made for an entertaining watch. Much of the comedy was mined from the aliens misunderstanding of everyday things we just take for granted, and with a little bit of slapstick thrown in on top, every episode raised at least a few laughs.… Full Review »
  2. manningn15
    May 12, 2019
    10
    This show is hilarious. The writing and screenplay are terrific and extremely hilarious. The cast give stupendous performances especially JohnThis show is hilarious. The writing and screenplay are terrific and extremely hilarious. The cast give stupendous performances especially John Lithgow, French Stewart, Kristen Johnston, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Jane Curtin, and Simbi Khali. I love the theme music and all of the music in the show it is fantastic. This is a A+ comedy tv show.… Full Review »
  3. ydnar4
    Nov 13, 2015
    9
    3rd Rock from the Sun is a classic comedy overall and is one of the most recognizable 1990's sitcoms. Its creators eventually created That3rd Rock from the Sun is a classic comedy overall and is one of the most recognizable 1990's sitcoms. Its creators eventually created That 70's show. It does have enough of an original premise that it doesn't fall into a cheap sitcom formula. I love the set of this show, they suit the characters that they place in them. The character bring a different type or humour considering they are not human, just aliens disguised as humans, John Lithgow was an actor that I had always found to be versatile but I was shocked how funny he is in this show. French Stewart offers some great laughs in his most notable role of his career. Kristen Johnston is also noteworthy in a role that would go on to earn her 2 Emmy awards. Jane Curtin offers some relief as most sensible character in the cast. The show is also responsible for introducing Joseph Gordon-Levitt, who has now become one of the biggest actors right now.… Full Review »
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