Critic Reviews

Goofy and good-hearted, '3rd Rock' winks at the human condition. [8 Jan 1996]

'3rd Rock from the Sun,' besides being viewed as too darn silly by some, may be slagged for being too raunchy by others. But if you're looking for a daffy acting delight, check out John Lithgow's marvelously unhinged performance as Commander Dick. [9 Jan 1996]

The show needs work-—why all the breast jokes?-—but [Lithgow and Curtin] don't.

High-pitched farce is 3rd Rock's stock-in-trade, and sometimes it just wears us out. But we marvel at how skillfully the writers and directors keep the balls in the air as they juggle as many as three situations per episode.

Moliere it's not, but somehow it works as a sort of energized hybrid of "The Beverly Hillbillies," "Mork & Mindy" and those "Coneheads" sketches Curtin spent so much time in while she was with SNL. [7 Jan 1996]

No one will mistake this for cutting-edge comedy but it is well-cast (especially Lithgow) and good-natured enough to please most viewers. [8 Jan 1996]

'Rock' is loud, raucous, silly, sentimental and, just often enough to keep you watching, flat-out funny. It's not a great show, but it's different and it dares to aim for wild laughter instead of mild amusement. [9 Jan 1996]

Relax and go with the goofiness and you could have a good time. [9 Jan 1996]

Well, the show is certainly wacky, but I didn't get a good laugh until the third episode I previewed. [9 Jan 1996]

At best, and most, 3rd Rock might catch on as the silliest of guilty pleasures, a Benny Hill burlesque where the leering material is enlivened by some outstanding physical comedy. ... When goofy, 3rd Rock rolls. When dirty, it's stone-cold bad. [9 Jan 1996]