Lifetime has yet another treat for comedy fans out there. The network recently picked up its first original comedy in a decade. Created and executively produced by Stan Zimmerman and Jim Berg,
Rita Rocks is set to hit Lifetime in the fall, with 13 episodes ordered by the network, to be produced by Media Rights Capital. Lifetime has paired Rita Rocks with their off-net run of
Reba in a one-hour block that promises laughter and fun.
Raines star
Nicole Sullivan is set to star as Rita, a woman whose unfulfilled life as a married, working mother who rediscovers her spunk when she becomes a musician in a garage band. Co-starring in the comedy offering are Richard Ruccolo, Tisha Campbell-Martin, Kelly Gould and Raviv Ullman.
Network executives are looking forward to welcoming the new show, especially following the success of
Army Wives.
"Viewers tell us that they love our comedies, our movies, Army Wives. I would argue that more people identify Reba and Will and Grace with our network now than the networks that launched them," Susanne Daniels, the President for Entertainment at the Lifetime Network, told TV Week in April. "And I was at the WB when ‘Reba' launched!"
Moreover, Daniels says that she attributes their success to the content of their shows, which she hopes will carry on with
Rita Rocks.
"I think the most important thing is that we have a very strong brand with really strong content," she says. Lifetime, which is aimed at women of various ages, has indeed built a strong empire through the years. Danels continued to say that the organization aims to "be everywhere a woman wants us to be. Our goal is to expand our leadership position as a media company offering consistent programming across multiple platforms."
In line with this, they are hoping to hit yet another ratings jackpot with
Rita Rocks. Preparations are already underway, and Daniels says that "We've assembled a fantastic team in front of and behind the camera."
The network is in high hopes that Rita will be well-received by audiences, who will have to wait until the fall season to get a glimpse of
Rita Rocks.
-Valerie Anne del Castillo, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source:
Variety,
TV Week
(Photo courtesy of NBC)