Sherri Shepherd is going back to her sitcom roots with "Sherri" (premiering 7 p.m. Monday, Lifetime).

Based loosely on Shepherd's real life, the series has "The View" co-host playing a struggling actress who works a law-office job in order to pay her rent. She is recently divorced and trying to get back into the dating scene.

In real life, Shepherd is also divorced and a single mom. However, she's been in heavy demand as an actress since joining "The View" two years ago.

Malcolm-Jamal Warner plays Sherri's ex-husband; James Avery has the role as Sherri's father.

Rebuilding her life isn't easy. Her ex cheated on her, and she can't easily move past that.

But with the help of her girlfriends (and co-workers), the TV character Sherri is giving it a try.

"Here's the thing," Shepherd once said in an interview about her life. "If it doesn't kill you, it will make you stronger."

Shepherd's previous sitcom credits include ABC's "Less Than Perfect" in which she often played opposite Andy Dick, and NBC's "30 Rock," where she was cast as Tracy Morgan's long-suffering wife.

"Sherri" will air weeknights at 7 p.m. Oct. 5-9. After that, "Sherri" will move to its new time slot of 10 p.m. Tuesdays.

Other highlights for the week of Oct. 4-10 (all times Eastern; check local listings; listings subject to change):

SUNDAY

n "Three Rivers" (9 p.m. CBS). Alex O'Loughlin plays a doctor in this medical drama about organ donation.

MONDAY

n "Mo'Nique" (11 p.m. BET). The comic brings her sass to late-night, complete with a DJ and full-figured dancers.

TUESDAY

n "Scare Tactics" (9 p.m. Sci-Fi Channel). Tracy Morgan returns as host of this scary pranks reality series.

n "Disaster House" (10 p.m. DIY). Host Josh Temple will destroy homes to demonstrate the kind of punishment our dwellings take over the years naturally.

n "Parking Wars" (10 p.m. A&E). The reality show shifts its focus to the harried work of Detroit's parking authority.

WEDNESDAY

n "South Park" (10 p.m. Comedy Central). Seven new episodes will roll out, tackling everything from Kanye West to the economy.

n "Clean House" (10 p.m. The Style Network). The crew comes to host Niecy Nash's own home, where her mother and her clutter have moved in.

n "Secret Girlfriend" (10:30 p.m. Comedy Central). Spinning out of a web series, this comedy is shot from the audience's point of view and is about a guy who is balancing two women in his life.

SATURDAY

n "Wanda Sykes: I'mA Be Me" (10 p.m. HBO). The comedian cover a wide range in this stand-up, from her controversial White House dinner to her sexuality.

Terry Morrow may be reached at morrowt@knoxville.com or 865-342-6445.

© 2009, Knoxville News Sentinel
Want to use this article? Click here for options!