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Lifetime Television Celebrates Six Seasons of the Popular Drama 'Strong Medicine' With the Series' Final Episode, Airing Sunday, February 5
Groundbreaking Show is the Longest-Running Original Drama
Ever Created for Basic Cable
PASADENA, Calif., Jan. 11 -- After six successful seasons,
"Strong Medicine," which premiered on Lifetime in July 2000, is putting away
its stethoscopes and treating its last patient on Sunday, February 5 at 9PM
(ET/PT) on Lifetime Television. The much-honored series, which consistently
averaged 2.3 million viewers each season, reached a milestone in its sixth
year when it became the longest-running original drama ever created for basic
cable.
Executive produced and created by Whoopi Goldberg and Tammy Ader for Sony
Pictures Television, "Strong Medicine" explored topical health issues and
medical stories from a woman's point of view. Throughout its six-year run,
the drama was led by Rosa Blasi ("Noriega: God's Favorite"), Rick Schroder
("NYPD Blue," "Black Cloud"), Patricia Richardson ("Home Improvement," "West
Wing") and Janina Turner ("Northern Exposure"). Other supporting cast members
included Jenifer Lewis ("What's Love Got To Do With It"), Josh Coxx ("Babylon
5"), Tamera Mowry ("Sister, Sister"), Philip Casnoff ("Sinatra") and Brennan
Elliott ("Double Jeopardy").
"I'm really proud to have been a part of this show," said Goldberg.
"'Strong Medicine' has been a passion project of mine from the beginning and I
pay tribute to all of the people who worked so hard to make the show a
success."
"It was a wonderful experience," added Ader. "I'm enormously pleased of
the work we did and I thank everyone involved."
"The series has meant a lot to Lifetime," commented Susanne Daniels,
President of Entertainment, Lifetime Entertainment Services. "'Strong
Medicine' became one of television's top dramas because it paid attention to
issues that are relevant to women and depicted them in well-told storylines.
The production team, Whoopi, Tammy and everyone at Sony were wonderful
partners."
"We could not be more proud of 'Strong Medicine' and the role it played in
changing the landscape of cable television," said Zack VanAmburg,
co-president, programming & production, Sony Pictures Television. "Tammy Ader
and Whoopi Goldberg created something that resonated with millions of viewers
and we are honored to have been a part of that accomplishment."
The drama has received numerous awards, including the National Hispanic
Media Coalition Award, AWRT Gracie Award and Prism Award. Often planning
events and polling leaders in the women's community for ideas, "Strong
Medicine" has been lauded for its extensive and sensitive handling of medical
stories from organization such as the National Coalition for Women with Heart
Disease to the Rape and Incest National Network (RAINN). "'Strong Medicine'
and Lifetime have consistently delivered accurate and essential information
about sexual assault through dramatic storylines. The show's many fans have
benefited from learning about the crime, the importance and value of reporting
attacks to the police, and that help through the National Sexual Assault
Hotline (1.800.656.HOPE) is just a phone call away," commented Scott Berkowitz
at RAINN.
"Strong Medicine" is produced by Sony Pictures Television for LIFETIME
Television. Whoopi Goldberg and Tammy Ader are the executive producers.
Sony Pictures Television is one of the television industry's leading
content providers. SPT produces and distributes top-rated, award-winning
programming in every genre, including series, movies and family entertainment
for network and cable television; first-run syndicated series; off-network
syndicated programs; and theatrical releases. SPT
(http://www.sonypicturestelevision.com) is a Sony Pictures Entertainment
company.
Lifetime is the leader in women's television and one of the top-rated
basic cable television networks. A diverse, multi-media company, Lifetime is
committed to offering the highest quality entertainment and information
programming, and advocating a wide range of issues affecting women and their
families. Lifetime Television, Lifetime Movie Network, Lifetime Real Women,
Lifetime Home Entertainment and Lifetime Online are part of Lifetime
Entertainment Services, a 50/50 joint venture of The Hearst Corporation and
The Walt Disney Company.
*Photography is available at http://www.lifetimepress.com
SOURCE Lifetime Television
Web Site: http://www.lifetimetv.com
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