Shepherd to star in Lifetime comedy series

LOS ANGELES, May 19 (UPI) -- Lifetime Television announced Tuesday it has picked up 12 episodes of the new, multi-camera comedy series "Sherri," starring U.S. comedienne Sherri Shepherd.

Shepherd, a panelist on the daytime talk show "The View," has previously appeared on the TV comedies "30 Rock," "Less Than Perfect" and "Everybody Loves Raymond."

Her new program, which is to be produced in New York by Lifetime Studios, marks the first comedy series ever to be wholly owned by Lifetime. In it, Shepherd will play a newly single mom trying to get back into the dating scene. Tammy Townsend, Kali Rocha, Elizabeth Regen and Kate Reinders are to co-star.

The announcement regarding the show's pickup was made Tuesday by JoAnn Alfano, executive vice president of entertainment at Lifetime Networks.

"I've been a big fan of Sherri's for a long time and am thrilled to work with her again. She is one of the most gifted comedic actresses around, and we are very excited to have her on the Lifetime schedule," Alfano said in a statement. "The best comedy originates from real-life experiences, and Sherri will take a hilarious, no-holds-barred look at life after marriage as only she can do."