NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 12, 2002 Contacts: Lifetime Television Liza Rindge-Peterson (310) 556-7541, rindge-peterson@lifetimetv.com -orKatherine Urbon (212) 424-7489, urbon@lifetimetv.com
LIFETIME TELEVISION UPS THE DOSAGE OF “STRONG MEDICINE” WITH A FOURTH SEASON OF THE POPULAR DRAMA SERIES --One of Cable Television’s Top Rated Original Dramas Returns With a Full Season Pick-up of 22 Episodes -LIFETIME Television‟s original drama series, “Strong Medicine,” has been picked up for a fourth season of 22 episodes, it was announced today by Barbara Fisher, Executive Vice President, Entertainment. Executive produced and created by Whoopi Goldberg and Tammy Ader, “Strong Medicine” is an hour drama that revolves around the ongoing struggles of two dedicated female physicians in the exciting and inspiring world of women‟s health. Part of LIFETIME‟s Sunday night original programming block, “Strong Medicine” is one of the top three rated original dramas on all of basic cable with nearly three million viewers tuning in each Sunday night. The series stars Emmy Award nominee Patricia Richardson (“Home Improvement”), Rosa Blasi (“Noriega: God‟s Favorite”), Jenifer Lewis (“The Brothers,” “What‟s Love Got to Do With It”), Josh Coxx (“Babylon 5”), Philip Casnoff (“Sinatra”) and Brennan Elliott (“Double Jeopardy”). “„Strong Medicine‟ continually creates provocative stories that address today‟s cutting-edge health issues,” said Fisher. “Our viewers are connected to these very identifiable characters and they respond, not only to the entertainment value, but also to the insight they gain into the world of women‟s health.” This season, the show has focused on issues ranging from an HIV-positive couple‟s desire to have a child, a cancer-stricken teenager‟s right to refuse chemotherapy, and a distraught mother‟s anger toward the doctor after complications arise from her daughter‟s illness. Viewers have seen the arrival of a former Army Surgeon, Dr. Andy Campbell (Richardson), who continues to struggle with her failing marriage, while maintaining the demands of her career, and providing for her children. Dr. Luisa Delgado (Blasi) explores a new romance while struggling with her emotions in the aftermath of her assault. Always outspoken and driven, Lana Hawkins (Lewis) expands her horizons by returning to college. Dr. Jackson (Casnoff) deals with his responsibilities as Chief of Staff while, at home, his wife battles Multiple Sclerosis. Dr. Biancavilla (Elliott) increases his responsibilities at the hospital while Peter Riggs (Coxx) provides an ongoing, innovative look in his approach to medicine. --more-309 West 49th Street
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STRONG MEDICINE PICK-UP/Page 2 “„Strong Medicine‟ has been lauded for its extensive handling of medical stories from such organizations as the National Coalition for Women with Hearth Disease to the Rape and Incest National Network (RAINN). “„Strong Medicine‟ is a wonderful way to bring women‟s health issues to the forefront of America‟s consciousness,” concluded Julia Scott of the National Black Women‟s Health Project. “In addition, this groundbreaking show celebrates both racial and gender diversity with its leading female characters who all portray doctors and who are all a bit of strong medicine in their own right. „Strong Medicine‟ is just what the doctor ordered.” The show received the 2001 American Red Cross Spirit Award for demonstrating commitment to public education; Excellence in Media‟s Angel Award, which honors work of outstanding moral, ethical and/or social impact; The Media Project‟s SHINE (Sexual Health In Entertainment) Award for Best Drama; the UCLA Foundation for Cardiovascular and Transplant research Heart of Gold Award, honoring the series‟ compassion and commitment; and the National Council of Jewish Women‟s Hanna G. Solomon Award, honoring women from the community who reflect commitment to social justice. Additionally, the series has been nominated for an Imagen Award, ALMA and NAMIC (the National Association of Minorities in Cable) Awards. “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 (www.sonypicturestelevision.com ) is a Sony Pictures Entertainment company. LIFETIME is the #1 cable television network in primetime and the leader in women‟s television. LIFETIME is committed to offering the highest quality entertainment and information programming, and advocating a wide range of issues affecting women and their families. Launched in 1984, LIFETIME serves over 86 million households nationwide, available on more than 11,000 cable systems and alternative delivery systems. In 1998 LIFETIME launched a 24-hour sister service, the Lifetime Movie Network, now in nearly 36 million homes, and a second sister service, Lifetime Real Women, launched in August 2001. On the web, Lifetime Online (www.lifetimetv.com) features informational resources and interactive entertainment. All four services, LIFETIME Television, Lifetime Movie Network, Lifetime Real Women and Lifetime Online, are part of LIFETIME Entertainment Services, a 50/50 joint venture of The Hearst Corporation and The Walt Disney Company. ###