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Lifetime Television Announces Early Full Season Order for New Comedy Series 'Rita Rocks,' Starring Nicole Sullivan
LOS ANGELES, Nov. 10 -- "Rita Rocks," Lifetime
Television's first original comedy in 10 years, has been picked up for a
full season, it was announced today by JoAnn Alfano, Executive Vice
President, Entertainment. Lifetime ordered seven additional episodes,
bringing the first season order to 20.
The family comedy starring Nicole Sullivan premiered on October 20 and,
in a unique programming strategy, stripped original episodes for a full
week before moving into its regular timeslot (Tuesdays, 8:30 p.m. ET/PT).
Said Alfano: "Rita Rocks" was developed as a companion to Lifetime's
most popular comedy "Reba," and "Rita Rocks" has either built on/or held
the "Reba" audience for five of the first six original episodes. Repeats of
the "Rita Rocks" episodes in different dayparts also have performed
strongly.
"Having a nearly 100 percent audience retention rate is unheard of when
launching a new comedy, but "Rita Rocks" has achieved that feat. We are
extremely happy with this early success."
In addition to Sullivan, "Rita Rocks" stars Richard Ruccolo ("Two Guys
and a Girl") as Rita's husband Jay and Tisha Campbell-Martin ("My Wife and
Kids," "Martin") as her friend and band mate. Natalie Dreyfuss ("He's Just
Not That Into You"), Kelly Gould ("Lucky Louie") also star as Rita's
daughters. Raviv Ullman ("Phil of the Future") plays her teenage daughter's
ever-present boyfriend.
In "Rita Rocks," Sullivan stars as Rita Clements, an overworked wife
and mother trying to find time to find herself. Once the lead singer of a
Bangles cover band, Rita traded in a life in rock clubs for carpools and
the PTA. With the hope of getting a little bit of the old Rita back, she
forms a garage band with postal carrier Patty (Campbell-Martin) and
unemployed neighbor Owen (guest-star Ian Gomez).
"Rita Rocks" is produced by Media Rights Capital for Lifetime
Television. Stan Zimmerman and James Berg ("Gilmore Girls," "Roseanne"),
Jeffrey Hodes and Nastaran Dibai ("Hope & Faith, "According to Jim") are
executive producers. Alan Padula ("8 Simple Rules," "Home Improvement") is
producer. Zimmerman and Berg are also the creators.
Lifetime is the leader in women's television and one of the top-rated
basic cable television networks. A diverse, multi-media company, Lifetime
is committed to offering the highest quality entertainment and information
programming, and advocating a wide range of issues affecting women and
their families. Lifetime Television, Lifetime Movie Network, Lifetime Real
Women and Lifetime Digital (including myLifetime.com) are part of Lifetime
Entertainment Services, a 50/50 joint venture of Hearst Corporation and The
Walt Disney Company.
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