I always thought it was funny that Dick, who was the youngest, and the one with the least experience, was the titular head of the family, and Tommy was the “old man” of the group. Oh, and Harry was the radio.
I loved the episode where Jane Curtain decided that Dick was a '60’s radical in hiding, and Dick played along in order to win her affections. Which backfired, of course.
My favorite scene was when (I think it was Jane Curtin) made some remark about “I’m not going to let just any Tom, Dick, or Harry (do something)”, and Dick, Tom and Harry all start “nonchalantly” looking around like they hope no one picks up on exactly how lazy they were in choosing their fake identities.
Dick Solomon: “Where would we be without the agitators of the world attaching the electrodes of knowledge to the nipples of ignorance?”
There was also a post-Thanksgiving dinner with Harry and Vicky Ducheck very sensually eating the leftovers. In the end, Harry picked up the turkey carcass and put it on his head. It was hilarious!
I read the Harry was originally conceived as a fat guy who did nothing but pick up the radio transmission. But the producers totally changed that when French Stewart came in to audition because “he looked so much like an alien.”
One of the strengths of the series was that it never became the John Lithgow Show, brilliant as he was. The other characters got their chances to shine, and they took it. French Stewart in particular was outstanding without trying to grab the spotlight.
Also a shout out to Wayne Knight, in his ability to present the shlub who winds up, somehow, with a hot, weird girlfriend, but is never entirely sure why or how he should handle it. And Simbi Khali for being incredibly hot and sarcastic.
Great, great series. Another of the few where I was guaranteed to laugh out loud, literally, in every episode right to the end.
Regards,
Shodan
I think 3rd Rock must hold the record for the most scenes that are hysterically funny without any dialogue. All the actors were fantastic at physically comedy.
There was a minor error regarding Knight’s character late in the show’s run. Tommy acquires a fake ID and tries to enter a dance club, but Knight is working part time as the doorman and stops him, pointing out various flaws with the fake and, as an afterthought, “I used to date your sister.”
Thing is, according to their cover stories, Sally is Tommy’s aunt, not his sister.
I wouldn’t even classify that as a continuity flaw. As weird as that family was, I’d forgive his character for being confused :D.
Besides that, I don’t think the family could keep their own cover story straight. There was an episode where Sally met with one of Tommy’s teachers, and said something like “I know what’s best, I’m his mother.” The teacher said “I thought you were his sister?” And Sally replied “whatever.”
“You know, Sally, we’re not really related. It’s all made up. So how about it? Just you, me, and a stick of butter. What’ya say?”
Dressed as a pirate at a Halloween party:
Someone: Where are your buccaneers?
Dick: Under my buckin’ hat!
A quote that I use on the (very) rare events when I get emotional:
Sally: “I’m leaking!”
I remember watching the show a lot, but this scene is the only one that really made me laugh and remember. The rest is just a haze.
Awwww … that was one of my late husband’s favorite jokes from the show. Sometimes he’d combine it with a Dr. Nick joke from the Simpsons, “Ooops we gotta little leakage. I’ll just cauterize that!!” and it often cheered me up.
He loved that show, too.
How’d we make it over 30 posts without anyone posting the tipping scene.
OMG!! I just saw this one last night. I couldn’t stop laughing.
In his memoirs, Shatner writes that he was cast as The Big Giant Head solely so that joke could be used. The director told him to “just play it as broad as possible,” and dramatic actor Shatner showed his comedy chops. It led to his being cast in Boston Legal.
Shatner was doing comedy and farce long before he was ever known as a dramatic actor. He’s better at the former.
Man, talk about an unnecessary instruction! 