Parents' Guide to

3rd Rock from the Sun

By Melissa Camacho, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 14+

Slapstick classic offers unique social commentary.

TV Syndicated Comedy 1996
3rd Rock from the Sun Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

Community Reviews

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age 12+

Based on 3 parent reviews

Jesseboo
Jesseboo Parent of 11-year-old
July 24, 2013
age 11+

Amazingly funny - even for moms!

This show is very, very funny. Dialogue is fantastic. My 11-year-old absolutely loves it, but the content of each episode varies and not all are appropriate for him. We screen them before letting him watch, because a lot of the later episodes have sexual content that he's just not mature enough to get (would be too confusing for him). Most of the 1st season seems pretty safe for 10 and up.

This title has:

Too much sex
Too much swearing
Too much consumerism
Chrisj8910
Chrisj8910 Adult
April 2, 2011
age 14+

For older Teenagers

Funny and brilliant. The violence in 3rd rock is pretty slapstick, the language is mild to moderate, but the sex references are very strong.

This title has:

Too much violence
Too much sex
Too much swearing
See all 3 parent reviews

What's the Story?

3RD ROCK FROM THE SUN, which originally aired from 1996-2001, is an award-winning slapstick comedy about a group of aliens exploring life on Earth. John Lithgow stars as the mission's high commander, who lives among humans as physics professor Dr. Dick Solomon. Posing as his sister, Sally, Kristen Johnston plays his first officer in charge of security, while his intelligence officer pretends to be his teenage son, Tommy (Joseph Gordon-Levitt). The team's quirky communications officer poses as Harry (French Stewart), Dick and Sally's rather dimwitted brother. Although mystified by things ranging from gender differences to leaving tips at restaurants, the Solomons must find a way to blend in among humans. But their rather quirky behavior consistently raises the eyebrows of folks like landlady Mrs. Dubcek (Elmarie Wendel) and makes some of Dick's university colleagues -- including anthropologist Mary Albright (Jane Curtin) and administrative assistant Nina Campbell (Simbi Khali) -- absolutely crazy.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (3):
Kids say (8):

Intelligently written and well acted, 3rd Rock generates lots of laughs as viewers look at humanity through the aliens' unique point of view. Much of the humor comes from each character's specific (mis)understandings of how people see themselves and build relationships with one another. But while the space invaders' interpretation of human logic is often flawed, their way of thinking tends to highlight many of today's social ironies.

The show has plenty of silly moments, but it really isn't intended for younger kids, given all of the sophisticated social commentary that lies behind the slapstick. Younger viewers may not get it, but teens and adults will find things to both laugh and think about for years to come.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the different ways that TV shows can offer social commentary. Do all sitcoms offer some sort of social insights? Which ones are particularly known for offering that kind of message? Are the messages as obvious when they're mixed in with broad humor? Families can also discuss what it would be like for aliens to adjust to life on Earth. How do you think they would view the things you do every day? What do we take for granted that might confuse beings from other planets (or even other cultures)?

TV Details

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