Lifetime’s “Rita Rocks” will keep on rolling through a full season.
The cable channel has ordered seven more episodes of the sitcom, its first original prime-time comedy in a decade. That brings the total order to 20 episodes for “Rita,” which stars Nicole Sullivan as a wife and mom who forms a garage band with a couple of friends.
The show is averaging just under a million viewers per episode, which isn’t a world-beating number for a cable series. “Rita” has, however, held or improved on the audience from its lead-in, “Reba,” in five of its first six episodes.
“Having a nearly 100 percent audience retention rate is unheard of when launching a new comedy, but ‘Rita Rocks’ has achieved that feat,” Lifetime’s JoAnn Alfano said. “We are extremely happy with this early success.”
The “Rita Rocks” cast also includes Tisha Campbell-Martin and Ian Gomez as Rita’s bandmates, Richard Ruccolo as her husband, and Natalie Dreyfuss and Kelly Gould as her kids. James Berg and Stan Zimmerman, veterans of “Gilmore Girls” and “Roseanne,” created the show.
In other TV news
“American Idol” has allocated more than $64 million in grants to six U.S. and international charities from contributions to its “Idol Gives Back” fundraising event.
The popular Fox singing competition’s star-studded gala, held at the Kodak Theatre in April, featured musical performances by Miley Cyrus, Fergie, Heart and Snoop Dogg. Brad Pitt, Reese Witherspoon, Billy Crystal and Robin Williams were among the celebrities who also appeared on stage.
“Idol Gives Back” said Wednesday that grants have been made to The Global Fund to Fight Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria; Malaria No More; Children’s Health Fund; U.S. programs of Save the Children; Children’s Defense Fund; and Make It Right, Pitt’s campaign to help New Orleans recover from Hurricane Katrina.
“The fact that ‘American Idol’ has the ability to inspire millions, create hope and change lives is simply remarkable,” said “Idol” creator and executive producer Simon Fuller. “We are extremely thankful to our viewers, sponsors and outstanding talent who continue to motivate each and every one of us to contribute to those who need it the most.”
Last year, the first-ever “Idol Gives Back” fundraiser netted over $75 million. It’s unclear if the eighth “Idol” season, which premieres Jan. 13, will feature a third fundraising event.
