Rita Rocks is a Lifetime original sitcom that ran from October 20, 2008 to December 7, 2009. It is the network's first original comedy in over a decade. The series debuted alongside re-runs of Reba as part of a new comedy hour for Tuesday nights, which later changed to Monday nights. The show stars Nicole Sullivan as Rita, Tisha Campbell-Martin, Richard Ruccolo, Raviv Ullman, and Kelly Gould. On January 11, 2010, Lifetime cancelled the series after two seasons due to low ratings.
Rita Rocks (Season 2)
A Change is Gonna Come (Episode 1)
Writer: Denise Moss
Air date: 2009-10-05
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: In the second-season opener, Rita takes Hallie to the doctor to discuss birth-control options. But Rita's in for a shock when she discovers she's pregnant.
Breaking Up Is Hard To Do (Episode 2)
Writer: Diane Burroughs
Air date: 2009-10-06
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Rita accidentally tips Kip off to Hallie's plans to attend a concert with a new coworker. Meanwhile, Jay is tired of empty-nester Patty's constant presence.
Nothing's Gonna Change My World (Episode 3)
Air date: 2009-10-07
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: A promotion at work has Rita worrying about her boss's reaction to the news of her pregnancy. Meanwhile, Shannon pursues a scholarship for space camp.
Welcome To The Working Week (Episode 4)
Writer: Denise Moss
Air date: 2009-10-08
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Owen gets a makeover from Rita and Patty to boost his confidence for a job interview. Meanwhile, Hallie wants Rita to boot Kip from the band.
Stuck In The Middle With You (Episode 5)
Air date: 2009-10-09
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Rita plays matchmaker for Patty, but when Patty declares she isn't ready to settle down, Rita sets out to prove that marriage isn't routine. She persuades Jay to go clubbing and makes sure Patty witnesses their married night out.
The Shape Of Things To Come (Episode 6)
Air date: 2009-10-13
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: The family holds a garage sale to clear out junk after Hallie decides to move into the attic so she doesn't have to share a room with the baby. Meanwhile, Jay accidentally learns the baby's sex.
Mr. Bassman (Episode 7)
Air date: 2009-10-20
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Rita contends with new neighbor Chuck (Duane Martin), who enjoys playing loud music at all hours. Patty learns Chuck is a bass player and asks him to join the band, but the outcome isn't good.
Mommy's Alright, Daddy's Alright (Episode 8)
Air date: 2009-10-26
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Shannon's teacher (Jennifer Elise Cox) urges Rita and Jay to enroll their daughter in a school for gifted children. Meanwhile, at Rita's suggestion, a depressed Hallie signs up for a breast-cancer walkathon to take her mind off of being single.
Vogue (Episode 9)
Air date: 2009-10-26
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Budding designer Hallie's work motivates Rita to plan a fashion-show fund-raiser, but Rita has second thoughts when she sees the dress Hallie creates for her. Meanwhile, Jay takes his role as cup-stacking coach for Shannon too far.
Bad Company (Episode 10)
Air date: 2009-11-02
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Hallie attends a college party without permission after Patty's son encourages her to pursue higher education. Meanwhile, bad feelings between Rita and Patty result in a lousy audition for the band, but the two come together to search for Hallie.
Why Can't We Be Friends? (Episode 11)
Air date: 2009-11-02
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Hallie and Kip try to be friends after their breakup. Meanwhile, Rita and Jay befriend the parents of Shannon's classmate Brianna, but are caught in the middle when Shannon decides to end her friendship with the girl.
Mother and Child Reunion (Episode 12)
Air date: 2009-11-09
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Rita's judgmental mother (Swoosie Kurtz) comes for a visit, throwing Rita into a whirlwind of housecleaning and junk-food hiding. But when her mom arrives with a new relaxed attitude, Rita suspects something's amiss.
Anchors Aweigh (Episode 13)
Air date: 2009-11-09
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Rita worries about traveling to attend a work seminar because of Jay and her mother's constant bickering at home. With Rita away, the situation worsens when the two realize the garage door was left open and Rita's guitar has disappeared. Swoosie Kurtz guest stars.
Shower the People (Episode 14)
Air date: 2009-11-16
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Marilyn (Swoosie Kurtz) persuades Patty to let her help plan Rita's baby shower, but the two can't agree on anything. Meanwhile, Kip starts dating a new girl and Hallie isn't pleased.
Is She Really Going Out With Him? (Episode 15)
Air date: 2009-11-16
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Jay sees Rita's mother (Swoosie Kurtz) flirting with a man who isn't her husband. Meanwhile, Kip offers to teach Rita's neighborhood nemesis Jasper how to play the drums as a way to make money for college.
Sympathy For the Devil (Episode 16)
Air date: 2009-11-23
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Rita gets PTA nemesis Jennifer (Melissa Peterman) a job at her store, but soon regrets the kind act when Jennifer proves to be a slacker. Meanwhile, Jay hires Kip to do odd jobs around the house.
Jingle All the Way (Episode 17)
Air date: 2009-11-23
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Rita and Patty enter a jingle contest for a chicken company. Elsewhere, Patty tries to make her ex-husband jealous by attending her high-school reunion with Chuck.
The Jealous Kind (Episode 18)
Air date: 2009-11-30
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Rita's insecurities about her pregnant body heighten when she meets Jay's pretty new colleague Stephanie (Christine Lakin). Stephanie later reveals to Rita that Jay's been confiding in her about his new-baby fears. Meanwhile, old feelings resurface for Hallie and Kip.
Should I Stay or Should I Go? (Episode 19)
Air date: 2009-11-30
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Rita and Patty secretly submit an application for Kip to a performing-arts school and he's offered an audition. But Hallie is upset to learn it is a boarding school and blames her mother for trying to keep her away from Kip.
Born in The USA (Episode 20)
Air date: 2009-12-07
Runtime: 30 min
Seasons
Episodes 20
Episodes 20