re: Truly alien "aliens"
I would like to see an SF series where none of the characters are human, nor do they look like humans with funny noses and ridges on their foreheads.
Ever try it -- visualize a truly alien species? It might be the hardest thing any serious SF writer can do. I can think of three authors who've done it well: Niven, Brin, and Vernor Vinge. As for visual SF, movies and TV -- wait for it. The technology is place, and when the cost of CGI comes down, you may see more alien-looking aliens. Meanwhile, at least two of the characters in Farscape qualify -- three, if you count Moia the ship -- even though they're Muppets.
The real trick is gettting them not to think or act like humans. IMO, Niven's Moties are the best job done so far.