La vie avant tout

'Strong Medicine' deals with the latest medical findings and procedures. I think that the best part about the show is, other than the great actors, is that Whoopi Goldberg and Tammy Ader (executive producers) appointed the lead characters to be women, very different women. At the end of the show, people get to see the points of view from the down-to-earth free clinic doctor Luisa (Lu) Delgado, played by Emmy nominee Rosa Blasi, and her partner, the high ranking, Dr. Dana Stowe, played by Emmy winner Janine Turner. The acting is superb! The supporting cast has won numerous awards for their work in various shows and movies. People are not blasted over the head with the show saying this is the answer at the end people can think; well I wonder what the answer really is. In every episode I promise that you probably won't make it through without crying. The show also has many funny characters that lighten the mood. Strong Medicine helps you understand what goes on in a hospital and what an ER, OBGYN doctor's day is like, including their personal lives. Right now the show includes doctor who just adopted two children, and another is trying to recover from her . If you are even the slightest bit curious about hospitals or a dramatic show, this is the one for you. Strong Medicine is on Lifetime 8:00 pm Sundays.

Yup, Strong Medicine does go "over the top" frequently, but what hospital show or courtroom or detective/police drama hasn't? And yes, it also flaunts a decidedly feminist perspective, but what else would you expect from Whoopi Goldberg on Lifetime TV?

Strong Medicine is not intended to reflect reality all the time, because if it did, it would either be too gory or too boring to have entertainment value. The acting is very credible, the writing is creative and sensitive and the direction is first-rate though not unusually clever for an emergency room show.

Rittenhouse Hospital doesn't exist (I did a quick search) and its characters and patients are fictitious. But the entertainment industry asks us to suspend our logic and common sense every day for the sake of, well...being entertained. And we do it gladly.

So sit back and relax and watch "Lu", "Andy Campbell" and the rest of the Rittenhouse staff tackle fascinating women's health issues with their usual confidence, expertise and sense of humor -- and OK, a bit more schmaltz and drama, just for fun.

I would recommend anyone to watch this show. Lifetime has an eye for brilliant ideas when it comes to their shows. The storylines are real and open up the viewer's mind to the frailty of life and how other people are coping with things you can't imagine. I lost touch with it a little after Dana left because I didn't think I'd be accustomed to the mom from Home Improvement as her replacement. I don't quite remember why Dana left. I think she wanted to have kids? Anywho, Dr. Delgado is awesome and puts her opinions out there for the world to know. Even in medicine, there are systems of inequality and I like that they let you know that. I love Lana's character and how she fits into the equation. Their lives are pretty interesting too, but the show focuses on the neglected needs of women which is what is really interesting. What's good for the goose isn't necessarily good for the gander.

Produced by Whoopi Goldberg, Strong Medicine is an immensely popular show, currently starring Rosa Blasi and Patricia Richardson. Both are very strong actresses. The rest of the cast is peppered with interesting characters and good acting as well. Jenifer Hawkins is particularly enjoyable as Lana, who always speaks of herself in the third person. The talented Phil Casnoff plays the head of the hospital.

Strong Medicine is a real women's show, and why not - it's on Lifetime, after all. It's preachy and talky as all get-out. Somehow it manages to entertain quite often with compelling stories. It just hits its messages a little too hard. But I imagine if you don't have much medical education and you're a fan of this show's, you've picked up a lot of valuable information. That is, after all, one of its objectives, and it succeeds admirably.

It is the best show every on small screen. Rosa Blasi (Dr. Lu Delgato) and Patricia Richardson (Dr. Andy Campell) are great actors!!!. When Rosa Blasi yells you want to hide, when Patrica turns serious or worries, you are dying to know what is the matter. I know I have cried numerous times during the show. You can watch any episode and know what is happening. That one episode you watch, will not be your last...I guarantee!! Everything that happens is so realistic!!!!! I love that show. Jenifer Hawkins (Lana) is so wonderful!! Peter and Lanna's story can be the funniest and coolest part of the show. I know almost anyone who watches it will love it!!!