Genres

The show dealt with unusual topics for prime-time television such as abortion, homophobia and homosexual adoption, transsexuality, racism, belief in God, medical ethics, polygamy, polyamory, adolescent sexuality (including nocturnal emission), date rape, cryonics, the Holocaust, shoe fetishism, masturbation, spontaneous human combustion, and constitutional rights. Illustrative of the subject matter is that the regular cast included a judge, two lawyers, and a medical examiner. Religious issues were frequently discussed, and the characters of the towns Roman Catholic and Episcopal priests were frequently recurring roles.