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.