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Lifetime picks up 'Rita Rocks'

Networks places order for 13 episodes

By MICHAEL SCHNEIDER

Lifetime will pair orginal sitcom 'Rita Rocks' with its off-net run of 'Reba.'

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Lifetime has picked up its first original comedy in a decade, the laffer "Rita Rocks."

Cabler have a 13-episode order to the sitcom, which comes from Media Rights Capital. "Rita Rocks" will premiere this fall, and be paired in a one-hour block with Lifetime's off-net run of "Reba."

Nicole Sullivan stars in "Rita Rocks" as a working mom who recaptures her youth by forming a garage band. Richard Ruccolo and Tisha Campbell-Martin also star.

"We've assembled a fantastic team in front of and behind the camera," said Lifetime Entertainment topper Susanne Daniels.

MRC TV prexy Keith Samples said Lifetime repped the "perfect home" for "Rita Rocks."

Stan Zimmerman and Jim Berg created the show and are exec producers, along with Jeffrey Hodes and Nastaran Dibai.

Cast also includes Raviv Ullman and Kelly Gould. "Rita Rocks" joins Lifetime's growing stable of original programming, including "Army Wives," which just returned for a second season to smash ratings.