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When TV Land recently began showing reruns of "Wyatt Earp," I had forgotten that, apparently in the early episodes, the only music heard was an a cappella male quartet. Not only did they sing the theme song, but periodically during those episodes, to augment certain special "drama," they would chime in, humming either low in the background for sentimentality, or swelling to full volume when the emotions were supposed to be at peak. The only lyrics heard were those of the theme song; otherwise, the musical accompaniment consisted entirely of that periodic humming in four-part harmony. Written out, it appeared, "mmmm-oooooo-AAAAHHHH-OOOOOHHH!!" Bypassing a full orchestra was one sure way to save a chunk of cash for the budget. Then in other, perhaps later, episodes, orchestral music replaced that humming, and the a cappella quartet only sang the theme song. I must admit that the humming contributed a rather corny element to the show.

If Eric Camden were not a protestant minister, the show would be just another pleasant little collection of family ups and downs and would not be much different from other family dramas. But Eric IS a minister, which makes his family and kids the subjects for public scrutiny. The stigma of "preacher's kids" (wild and fast) is certainly appropriate regarding teen daughter Mary, who seems to manifest passive-aggressive rebellion and bent on doing her own thing in life, despite her parents' guidance. Even son Simon, in some of the later episodes, follows in his sister's rebellious footsteps. And oldest son Matt is a free spirit who doesn't really relate to his straight-laced minister-father. Being on TV, the show would not begin to promote a specific Christian doctrine but runs in the middle of the road or maybe more to the left. After all, Matt, despite his "Christian" upbringing, takes a Jewish bride, and daughter Lucy is bent on becoming a female minister, and in her father's church at that. Eric is delighted with the idea and conveniently overlooks the "outmoded" biblical command that forbids women to have positions of authority in the church. No, the series would never be biblically accurate, for TV shows of this kind must be "progressive" and ecumenical. For example, in an earlier episode, after Simon and Ruthie commit some faux pas and cannot get "absolution" from their parents, they travel around the neighborhood visiting others faiths (Catholic church, synagogue, etc.), hoping to find someone in religious authority who will make them feel good about themselves. They are especially attracted to the gorgeous decor of the synagogue (perhaps foreshadowing that they will convert someday?). And when Lucy is of age to take confirmation classes at her church, who should tell her to explore her "options" (she shouldn't necessarily embrace her own family's faith) but one of Eric's preacher buddies who is having second thoughts about the ministry. So Eric nonchalantly gives Lucy books to read on Buddhism and Quakers (perhaps others, but such information is kept from us). Either Eric has complete confidence that his daughter will ultimately follow the family's faith, or he's a free spirit (liberal) when it comes to religion. Despite Eric's weakness as a pastor in general (perhaps a subtle, Hollywood slap at Christianity) and his frequent tendency toward self-doubt when required to make strong, firm decisions as the family's leader and bread-winner, the Camden family fortunately is held together by the strong-willed wife-mother Annie (perhaps a subtle, Hollywood nod toward the feminist persuasion) and rocks down the comfortable road of tepid Christianity.

In the 1970s, TV 'doctor' shows often promoted minority agenda with story lines in which an all-knowing minority MD would come on the scene to save a desperate patient from ignorant white, university docs, who just couldn't come up with the correct 'zebra' diagnosis. Afterwards, all the white docs would grovel at the feet of the hallowed minority doc, and the latter would disappear from the series, never to be seen again. 'Strong Medicine' runs in the same vein, but the 'cause' promoted in this unrealistic series is the super-human female MD, better known as the feminist MD. Again, these femmes are all-knowing, overly familiar with every possible disease known to woman (heaven forbid to man), and have attitudes which go along with the farce. Worst of the lot is Dr. 'Lu' Delgado, made even more unpleasant by the gigantic chips permanently rooted on both of her tiny, Hispanic shoulders. Tiny, yes, but loud-mouthed and ever-ready to jump on a screaming, ranting, raving, feminist soapbox, should ANY man look at her in ANY way remotely romantic or behaves in a non-subservient manner toward her. After all, she was raped at some point earlier in her life, according to the plots, and she's never recovered completely from the ordeal. Therefore, she mentally castrates all men and does little to hide her utter contempt for them. 'Strong Medicine' is perfectly suited for the feminist-oriented Lifetime Channel.