Lifetime Television Celebrates Six Seasons of the Popular Drama 'Strong Medicine' With the Series' Final Episode, Airing Sunday, February 5

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 /PRNewswire/ -- 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

CONTACT: Neil Schubert, +1-310-556-7535, schubert@lifetimetv.com, or
Lindsay Drewel, +1-202-237-0434, lindsay@lindsaydrewelpr.com, both of Lifetime
Television

Web site: http://www.lifetimetv.com/

-------
Profile: intent