3rd Rock from the Sun

3RD ROCK FROM THE SUN, which has earned 31 Emmy nominations, is an inspired half-hour comedy series farcically dealing with the human condition. It was created by Bonnie Turner and Terry Turner in association with Carsey-Werner Productions, LLC for NBC-TV. 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 the Turners as "Carl Sagan meets the Marx Brothers," 3RD ROCK has a clever, distinct point of view seen through the extraterrestrial team that has no other worldly powers except absolute truthfulness. As Terry Turner puts it, "The ability to walk in and size up a situation with unclouded judgment is disarming and terrifyingly powerful. There's nothing more alien than the absolute truth." These aliens 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. Viewers see a piece of themselves in 3RD ROCK, the alien that exists in everyone.

At the heart of 3RD ROCK is a commentary on what it truly means to be human; the alien factor provides viewers distance from themselves in order to see the humor in our idiosyncrasies. Aspects of our lives that we have been conditioned not to acknowledge or discuss and issues such as sexuality, desensitization to violence, salary disparities between our country's teachers and sports heroes and the differences between men and women are dealt with from a wholly unique and witty perspective. This series cuts through our taboos and traditions with a childlike inquisitive logic and an impeccably paced humorous twist. When viewed from this new slant, our aliens are no more "alien" than the people with whom they interact. "In the way that 'Seinfeld' said it's about nothing, this show is about everything and driven by the human condition," says Bonnie Turner. The basis of the humor is the constant twisting of the viewpoint to show the angle of an outsider looking in. Thus, the series is aptly titled, as it is the way travelers would look at the world -- an insignificant blue speck that is, indeed, the third rock from the sun.

In his first foray into series television, Tony Award-winner ("The Changing Room"), Emmy Award-winner ("Amazing Stories"/"3rd Rock") and two-time Oscar nominee ("The World According To Garp," "Terms of Endearment") John Lithgow stars in 3RD ROCK in a role that apparently draws many parallels to his own life. After meeting with the Turners and hearing the high-comedy concept, Lithgow felt the role of Dick Solomon was completely written for him, as he admits, "there's a good deal of alien in me. I saw the farce of it all." Along with 3RD ROCK's Golden Globe win for Best Television Show and a Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and Emmy nomination for outstanding performance by an ensemble in a comedy series in 1997, Lithgow has won a Golden Globe, three Emmys, and a Screen Actors Guild award for playing "Dick." Additionally, Lithgow was nominated for an Emmy in 1998, 2000 and 2001 for his performances in 3RD ROCK.

The series is extremely rich in talent, boasting a spectacular supporting cast. Two-time Emmy Award-winner ("Kate and Allie") and original cast member of "Saturday Night Live," Jane Curtin is an enchanting, irresistible puzzle for Lithgow's Dr. Solomon. The decision to return to episodic television was an exciting one, as Curtin explains: "Doing a sitcom is like performing on point. You have to use every wit you have. Your nerve endings are constantly exposed, and it's thrilling." This unique series was created by the Emmy Award-winning husband and wife writing team Bonnie and Terry Turner. They clearly have a talent at writing the popular comedic farce, with credits including the successful films "The Brady Bunch Movie," "Wayne's World" and "Tommy Boy." While working together as writers on "Saturday Night Live," the pair received an Emmy Award and five nominations for sketches including "Wayne's World" (co-written with Mike Myers), "Middle Aged Man," "Lothar of the Hill People" and "Church Lady" (co-written with Dana Carvey).

The creative team behind 3RD ROCK carries impressive credentials. Between executive producers Marcy Carsey, Caryn Mandabach, Bonnie Turner, Terry Turner and Tom Werner, they have garnered practically every award imaginable including Emmys, Golden Globes, CableACE, People's Choice, Peabodys and the prestigious Humanitas Award. Carsey-Werner Productions made television history with "The Cosby Show" and "A Different World" and the animated series "God, the Devil and Bob."

John Lithgow portrays Dick Solomon, the High Commander from another world who, for fun, has given himself a job teaching Physics at a University. Seeing himself as "the tall, dashing one," Dick goes through life trying to figure everything out, getting it all wrong, being hopelessly gullible, and taking everything literally. Jane Curtin portrays Dr. Mary Albright, also a professor at the University and Dick's office-mate. Being both colleagues and lovers, Mary's relationship with Dick is constantly tested, but his zany ways keep her intrigued. Kristen Johnston portrays Sally Solomon, the Security Officer and second-in-command who is frustratingly reduced to an inferior role as a woman in today's society. Kristen won two Emmys for playing Sally. French Stewart portrays Harry Solomon, the sensitive, funny-looking alien who is the most susceptible to human conditioning.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt portrays Tommy Solomon, who has taken on an adolescent human form, but is actually older than Dick. Tommy is reduced to a pimply hormonal teen who isn't allowed to do anything and is sure his raging hormones could explode at any minute. Simbi Khali portrays Nina Campbell, the assistant to and frequent referee between Dick and Dr. Albright. Elmarie Wendel portrays Mrs. Dubcek, the eccentric landlady who rents her attic and former rumpus room to the Solomon's. Wayne Knight portrays Officer Don Orville, who, when in his officer's uniform, fills Sally with desire - and when he's riding the police motorcycle, nearly causes her to burst.