Parents' Guide to

Rita Rocks

By Emily Ashby, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 13+

Mom's midlife woes will tickle adults.

TV Lifetime Television Comedy 2008
Rita Rocks Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

Community Reviews

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age 17+

Based on 1 parent review

rodney1954
rodney1954 Parent of 18+ and 18+-year-old
July 22, 2009
age 17+

good light hearted show

love it

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
See all 1 parent review

What's the Story?

In RITA ROCKS, a disenchanted middle-aged mom tries to reconnect with her own youth by starting a garage band. Happily married for 20 years to her college sweetheart, Jay (Richard Ruccolo), Rita (Nicole Sullivan) is a hardworking mother of two girls who's mastered the fine parental arts of raising a defiant teenager and juggling the demands of a busy 9-year-old. But when she's passed over for a promotion at her lackluster job, Rita gets nostalgic for the dynamic dreamer she was in her younger days. Encouraged by her nosy mail carrier, Patty (Tisha Campbell-Martin), she dusts off her old guitar, determined to recapture some of that fire.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (1 ):
Kids say (2 ):

Rita Rocks' subject matter certainly isn't groundbreaking, but it's still a highly enjoyable comedy about the implications of being a responsible adult. Backed by a strong cast, Sullivan shines as the long-suffering Rita in the throes of a full-fledged identity crisis. Women who can empathize with Rita's emotions and frustration over being their family's underappreciated work horse will find a hero in her -- not to mention get plenty of chuckles over relatable woes like disciplining a difficult teenager, maintaining romance with a husband, and carving out precious personal time.

Rita Rocks has some drinking, salty language ("hell" and "ass," for example), and sexual innuendo (much of which has to do with a teen couple's physical attraction to each other), but none of it is likely to be new to teens. That said, much of the show's humor is likely to be lost on teens, since they can't relate to the midlife troubles that fuel the series' laughs.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about responsibility. What impression does this series give about how family responsibility is divided? Do any of the family's roles deviate from stereotypical gender roles? How relatable do you find these characters? How does their family life compare to yours? How is Rita similar to and different from other sitcom moms? Also, what responsibility do you have in your family? What are your goals for the future? How does family factor into those goals?

TV Details

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