3rd Rock from the Sun

Sally and Don's First Kiss - S3-E24

Factual error: When Dick is purchasing his lunch, the cashier tells him the total is $3.75 and he incredulously lays down another coin because he thought his total was going to be $3.50. When he walks away with his tray, you can see that he paid for the meal with 4 coins. Unless he paid with silver dollars (the Sacajawea dollar had not been minted yet) then there is no way he could have covered the $3.75 with just 4 coins. And if he did pay with silver dollars then it would have been completely out of character for him to not have gotten any change, seeing how the show has established him as a cheapskate, as well as he would definitely get change seeing as how upset he was at having to pay an additional 25 cents for his meal.

Phaneron

More mistakes in 3rd Rock from the Sun

Dick, Who's Coming to Dinner - S5-E6

Dick: Does anyone remember why we all decided to be white?
Harry: Oh, um, I went with white ‘cause I thought it'd be a little cooler in the summer.
Tommy: Well don't you remember, Dick? All the television signals that we picked up in outer space were filled with white people.
Sally: Oh, except for that, uh, that black nerd with the hiked-up pants and the oversized glasses. What was his name?
Tommy: Bryant Gumbel.
Sally: Right.

Phaneron

More quotes from 3rd Rock from the Sun
More trivia for 3rd Rock from the Sun

Dick and Taxes - S4-E12

Question: When Mary asks Dick what he expected for not paying his taxes when he learns he owes thousands to the IRS, he responds with, "I certainly didn't expect my girlfriend to wear my ass as a snowshoe!" I'm not sure I have ever understood this joke. What is the meaning behind it?

Phaneron

Answer: The writers often have Dick respond to Mary with a retort that he thinks is in the common vernacular but makes a mistake in wording that is often funny. Dick seems to be imputing a criticism from Mary and responds with a corruption of the more common "I'm going to wear your ass like a hat!" I doubt it has anything to do with owing taxes. Probably just one of the writers assuming a common regional phrase would be universally recognized.

That makes total sense. I always interpreted it as perhaps snowshoes are an expensive item, and given that he was blaming Mary for his newfound financial woes, he was equating her living off his generosity and used snowshoeing as a metaphor.

Phaneron

More questions & answers from 3rd Rock from the Sun

Join the mailing list

Separate from membership, this is to get updates about mistakes in recent releases. Addresses are not passed on to any third party, and are used solely for direct communication from this site. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Check out the mistake & trivia books, on Kindle and in paperback.