Rita Rocks

[mizzimad]

Since rock-and-roll music and Lifetime Television are practically synonymous with each other, it is only fitting that "MADtv" headbanger extraordinaire Nicole Sullivan be given the chance to strut her stuff in "Rita Rocks," her new pilot for the vagina-friendly network. (Well, at least the second half of the previous sentence is sincere.) Given Nicole's lack of success with major-network pilots, her devoted fans can only hope that this cable-oriented endeavor will at last propel her, or at least help propel her, to the level of success she richly deserves. Start tuning up your Stratocaster as you groove to this series description from the Futon Critic:

"Nicole Sullivan ('The King of Queens'), Richard Ruccolo ('Two Guys and a Girl') and Tisha Campbell Martin ('My Wife and Kids') have been tapped for the lead roles in the comedy pilot, about an overworked wife and mother in the middle of a full-blown identity crisis who starts a garage band with her postwoman and neighbor. Sullivan will play the title role of Rita Clements, who's further detailed in the casting notice as: 'Mid 30s-Mid 40s, any ethnicity.' A straight shooting wife and mother whose charisma shines through her mundane world of minivans and bulk shopping, Rita is a harried working mother of two. She spends every waking hour trying to whittle down her to-do list and in between working for Bed Bath & Beyond, cooking for her family and ferrying her two kids hither and yon, Rita fears that she has no time to herself, and that her killer schedule is taking away the sparkle from her eyes. Very happy in her marriage to Jay, and able to keep her daughter Shannon more or less in line (her daughter Hallie is another, darker story), Rita decides that her life needs a teeny-tiny slice for Rita all alone -- and when she starts her own garage band with Patty [Martin] and Owen, the light comes back into her life."

Shooting for "Rita Rocks" is scheduled to begin this month. Assuming that the series is picked up, we do not yet know whether it would be a summer replacement series or whether Lifetime would prolong diehard Sullivan fans' agony until the fall. (Or would the agony begin then? Time will tell, I guess.) Because Nicole's history of pilots contains more tragedies than a Shakespearean tome, perhaps there is not much reason to get overly excited by her latest venture; then again, maybe cable will be kind to the "MADtv" alum in ways that have eluded her on the major-network circuit. Thus, can one assume that the Golden Lady will use her newest fret-fest of a comedic role to grind an axe with the television industry? At any rate, if you wish to ascend this potential stairway to heaven with Nicole (and in turn bash me over the skull with your own axe for subjecting you to these painful puns), then get ready to plug into Lifetime Television for "Rita Rocks." Thank you, Planet MADtv -- good night!

UPDATE: Let the fret-fest begin! According to this article, "Rita Rocks" has been picked up for thirteen episodes and will premiere this fall. Will this Sully series be the first to make it past December? Tune in (literally) to find out.

[cartman2002]

If its picked up, I would love to see the still photos from the pilot.

[potroastpig]

I hope it goes well for her, she's amazingly talented and deserves to get a show that will show off her talent.

[Dartanian]

Picked up for 13 episodes.

[mizzimad]

Just got the news. Original post updated.

<-- Yeah, they're ready.

[cartman2002]

i'm very happy to see Nicole's new show picked up even though it will be on Lifetime

[potroastpig]

good for her! I hope it works out for her, and it takes off! (I also hope she can find time to come back and give us that Vancome we were promised back in episode 200!)

[seanmathis26]

In "Rita Rocks," Nicole Sullivan stars as Rita Clemens, an overworked wife and mother in the middle of a full-blown identity crisis — which 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 spark back in her life

This is Nicole Sullivan Show.

New Episodes Start October 20, 2008 on LIFETIME.


GO NICOLE!!

[tvmanismadformad]

I hope it's available on the internet. I'll have to break through the proxy to watch it, but I'll do it for Nicole S

[David Growe]

Sounds funny, but this is the first time I've written a television show into my schedule. I'm hoping the show lasts, and that they have some great directors and writers who are able to keep up with Nicole's talent.

[edkedkedk]

This looks like Nicole S.'s big break into the mainstream! Go Nicole!

[cartman2002]

I'll hope to see this show real soon, But I hope this is the show that helps Nicole S. in the near future.

[seanmathis26]

To everyone comment


LIFETIME said they know that the show will do good in ratings, they just know.

[David Growe]

Sounds good. I most certainly hope the show rates well and doesn't wind up like Hot Properties or Talk to Me. I'd love to see Nicole Sullivan have a long running series. Let's hope Rita Rocks is it!

I'll be sure to watch the show, then post on these forums afterwards.

[Scorpiogrrl4405]

Nicole's husband made a group on facebook dedicated to her and this show.

[cartman2002]

I was trying to get to the page but I can't get on because I'm not a Facebook member

[Scorpiogrrl4405]

maybe you should become one then

[potroastpig]

any word yet on how well the show is going? I hope it last for her sake!

[seanmathis26]

The Show Premieres Sometime October 20, 2008 Daily.

[tvmanismadformad]

Lifetime.com has episode 1 up (Part 1 plays through, but parts 2 and 3 only play halfway through and of course if you live outside of the you know what you get the usual "this video cannot be played in your location, or country" shi**y message that I had to break through), and by what I saw, this show is actually pretty funny! I thought it was going to be all girly (which it kind of is), but it's not that much.

*SPOILER ALERT DO NOT GO TO THE BOTTOM IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO KNOW*














































Nicole sings in the episode, and she is fantastic!. Honestly, eather she has been taking lessons recently, or she hid something from us.