Rita is Rockin' It in the Fall

By LillyKat
PTR Senior Staff Writer

File this under: Listening to own advice.

And: PTR's own version of an upfront announcement.

With all this talk of network upfronts, we recall back in February, I wrote about wanting to bring Lifetime's Rita Rocks to PTR.

It had been one of those "other" shows waiting patiently in line to get a prime spot on my DVR schedule (just like Army Wives).

I even felt bad I wasn't showing my girl Nicole Sullivan much love by leaving her OUT of my schedule given ... well, I was too busy trying to: a) see if John Conner could save mankind; b) playing Pirates of the Caribbean with Philip Winchester; c) determining what in the world a human doll was and why there was a need for a whole house of them; and, d) negotiating a chopped up "summer" and "spring" schedule viewing of Brenda Leigh Johnson and Grace Hanadarko.

What can I say, I'm only one writer.

BUT ... it's official: Rita Rocks WILL be on our slate next fall.

This also leads me to giving a shoutout to Nicole, who I had the pleasure of meeting this past weekend at the 8th Annual Nuts for Mutts dog competition show, presented by New Leash on Life. Nicole - a passionate dog lover in her own right but of whom is currently several months pregnant - dutifully endured sweltering heat at Pierce College in Woodland Hills (the Los Angeles valley) to return as emcee of the show. Those of us in the Love Da Pawz booth had a ringside seat - literally - and were thoroughly entertained.

Seriously, folks.

The sun was unforgiving.

I have the sunburn to prove it.

In getting the chance to speak with Nicole after the show, we're planning for a QA in the fall in support of Rita's second season seeing as when I explained my "other" job as a writer for PTR, she said "Oh! I've heard of you guys! Somebody told me about you!"

Aww, thanks Nicole - rock on!

Rita Rocks will return to Lifetime this coming fall. Watch this space for season premiere dates. In the mean time, head on over to the show's official site for the scoop on the series.

'Rita Rocks' Into Season Finale

By LillyKat
PTR Senior Staff Writer

File this post under: I. Need. To. Watch.

Lifetime's Rita Rocks is one of those "other" shows waiting patiently in line to get a prime spot on my DVR schedule (just like Army Wives). Given my fading interest in a couple of my regulars, Rita may end up taking a prime spot next season.

And besides, I love Nicole Sullivan.

Not JUST from her time over on MADtv.

A while back, she was in this VH1 Original Movie (with PTR Fave Annabeth Gish) called The Way She Moves. It was at that point I thought she was ridiculously cool. But this, of course, was back when VH1 was doing something MORE than coming up with every conceivable and ridiculously tacky reality series to showcase brainless know-nothings.

Needless to say, I was thrilled to see her get her own show over on Lifetime, where she stars as Rita Clemens, an overworked wife and mother in the middle of an identity crisis. This includes trying to maintain romance with her husband Jay (Richard Ruccolo), juggling the demands of her nine-year-old daughter, Shannon (Kelly Gould), and disciplining her defiant teenage daughter Hallie (Natalie Dreyfuss) and her ever-present boyfriend Kip (Raviv Ullman). After being passed over for a promotion at work, Rita is at her wit’s end. In search of "youthful" Rita, she dusts off her old guitar and forms a garage band with her nosy postal carrier Patty (Tisha Campbell-Martin) and unemployed neighbor Owen (guest star Ian Gomez), in the hopes of putting that love back in her life.

The show airs its first season finale Monday, February 23rd at 8 p.m. In the finale, Rita gets a promotion at work that leads to an overwhelming schedule and no time for the band. Jay and the girls notice that she just isn't the same without her music and set out to get her back on track.

Check out a sneak peak:



The Rita Rocks season finale airs Monday at 8 p.m. on Lifetime. Head on over to the official Rita Rocks Web site to learn more about the show - including watching full episodes AND the chance to enter the Shine Like a Rock Star Sweepstakes, where you could win a Nintendo Wii™, Rock Band ® 2, $5,000 and a Pledge ® gift pack.