Lifetime Announces New Original Sitcom ‘Rita Rocks’

One of the best pieces of television development news last week came from basic cable’s Lifetime. The network that prides itself on its programming geared towards women announced the pickup of its first original sitcom in ten years, a half-hour comedy called Rita Rocks.

The series is slated to premiere this fall and will star Nicole Sullivan (Kim Possible, The King of Queens) as title character Rita Clements, a married working mother of two daughters who attempts to regain her youth by returning to her earlier happy days as a garage-band guitarist.

Other cast members include Richard Ruccolo (Joey, Two Guys and a Girl) as Rita’s husband Jay; Tisha Campbell-Martin (My Wife and Kids, Martin), a personal favorite of mine from back in the day, as post office worker Patty; and guest star Ian Gomez (Jake in Progress, The Drew Carey Show) as the Clements’ out-of-work neighbor Owen.

Lifetime will pair Rita Rocks with Reba in a new hourlong comedy block this fall.