Men in Trees: ABC Cancels Anne Heche Drama
After being ping-ponged around the ABC schedule for two years, the network has cancelled the series about Marin (Anne Heche) and the residents of Elmo, Alaska. In retrospect, the writing’s been on the wall for awhile.
When Men in Trees premiered in the fall of 2006, it attracted a respectable number of viewers. Unfortunately, the show never seemed to be a priority for the network — possibly because it’s not produced by ABC’s in-house production company. Though its viewership was slowly growing, the TV show’s first season was cut short due to ABC’s scheduling of October Road (which is produced by ABC Studios). Instead of airing all 22 episodes, the network opted to air just 17 and added the remaining five episodes to the series’ season two order, in preparation for a possible writers strike.
When the writers strike hit in November 2007, it was expected that Men in Trees would benefit from the lack of original scripted programming on network television. That never seemed to happen and the series was put on hiatus in December. It returned once the strike was over in February and ABC cut Men in Trees’ second season order to 19 episodes, including the five from season one.
There series is on hiatus once again and isn’t scheduled to return until after the May sweeps period is finished — a sure sign that a network has lost faith in a series. ABC sent tapes of both Men in Trees and October Road to Lifetime to see if they’d be interested in taking on either series. They weren’t.
To little surprise, series creator Jenny Bicks was informed of the Men in Trees cancellation last week. She lamented to TV Guide, “I wish the show had not been moved six times and put onto two long hiatuses. No show could survive that.”
She says, “I am really proud of the work we did on MIT… A huge thank you to our supportive fans.”
On the positive side, Bicks realized that the series might not be back for season three and the cast and crew did some extra filming. As a result, an alternative ending for this season’s finale was filmed to serve as a series finale.
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Men in Trees is scheduled to return to ABC on May 28th. If the network lets it remain in that Wednesday night timeslot for three episodes, the series finale should air on June 11, 2008. Based on the network’s track record with this show, it’s hard to say if that will actually happen. Stay tuned! 
39. Julie said,
I am so very bummed. Clearly, Men In Tress isn’t just a women’s show… my husband loved it, too. It is beyond me as to how it can be cancelled when there is so much garbage that stays on… all using the repeated phrase “wanna have ***?” as a a filler for poor writing and supposed quick attention. Here we have a well thought out show that kept you hanging each week. It was so smary and funny. It had great character developemnt. Where are the execs getting their viewership info from? Are we tracked by our digital boxes? I wish they’d give the show a fair chance on a steady night. I am so sad it is going away. Hopefully, they will sell the short series on Dvd so I can cancel my cable service. Everything else on is just junk using the tired old sexual hype. The only way to send a clear message is to write to the executives and then stop watching the garbage that is on. I know that’s all there is on for entertainment, but for me, I am ready to make a stand. Cheers to all who loved MIT!! Julie
38. Melissa Gilbert said,
I was hooked on Men in Trees after watching only two episodes toward the end of the second season. I made it a point to keep that time slot open every Wednesday evening only to be tossed around. I would tune in to find another show airing during MIT’s slot. I thought the show was gone only to find out I missed the finale! If I could get sucked into this show after two episodes, imagine the fans if it was actually given a chance on the same night, at the same time every week. I am sad that I will not get to see more MIT. Bring it back, I’ll watch!
37. Cathy said,
Why is it whenever you find a show that has some substance they cancel it.. Enough of these silly reality shows. Who really cares…. Why not leave on MIT.. that was such a good show… Leave something for the people who have some intelligence and don’t want to watch the trash that is on tv now……….Bring back MIT
36. Sue said,
ABC this is money on the Tree. Why are you NOT thinking?
35. Debbie said,
Once again, an amazing show canceled by a network because they screwed up…..
it was like “where’s waldo?” where is MIT? when is MIT? how many changes could they make without losing viewers?
entertaining, intelligently written, funny, family friendly- there are not too many other series you can say that about on any of the major networks. please reconsider bringing back this quality “dramedy”. Air it on a consistent night at a consistent time and you will attract and retain viewers. As a network, ABC, you do not have much else! very disappointing.
34. Meg and Peg said,
My mom and I are extremely upset and disappointed of the cancellation of Men In Trees! We have highly enjoyed watching this show together and have been devoted viewers since day one. We completely agree with everyone’s posts and ABC needs to bring this show back, or another network needs to pick it up! This show is beyond amazing and it’s great for all viewers, young and old. Quality shows like Men In Trees just don’t exist anymore. The talent of the cast members and crew are spectacular and deserve to be awarded by another season! ABC should pay attention to the viewers opinion, AFTER ALL WE ARE THE ONES WATCHING AND GIVE THEM THEIR RATINGS!
Do away with trash t.v., such as reality shows, and give us some wholesome goodness with Men In Trees! ANY NETWORK that would give this show a chance and keep the same time-slot throughout one season, will see how successful this show will be and the devoted viewers will PROVE IT!!!!
So any network with half a brain will listen to the posts of MIT’s devoted fans, bring back the show, and in return they’ll be glad they did!
We’ll keep a warm fire burning until you BRING US BACK TO ELMO!!!!!!
33. pam said,
Once again you cancel a great show.I am so tired of the way networks move shows around so you can’t find them and then whine that no one is watching.I only watch a few shows on the big three because of the lousy treatment they afford their shows.
32. Jan McMurdy said,
Loved the show everytime I get hooked on a show it gets canceled These reality shows suck but they keep them coming Thanks to the whole cast of MEN IN TREES
SUPER JOB
31. Markie said,
Good to see other people have to go through the pain that we Cavemen fans had to go through with Cavemen’s unfair and silent cancellation. MIT was another show I enjoyed watching on ABC, next to Cavemen, Carpoolers, Dancing with the Stars and Pushing Daisies. ABC is really ******** up when it comes to quality TV Shows, giving way to cheap, cookie cutter nonsense. They screwed up with Cavemen and Carpoolers and now with MIT. I do not put it past them to screw up on Pushing Daisies because it’s WAY too awesome of a show for ABC. If it isn’t about ******** your neighbors wife or that hawt doctor/lawyer across the hall then it isn’t worth it for TV now-a-days. This is why I read books.
People should really boycott the state of television today. Boycott by GOING OUT AND DOING SOMETHING BESIDES WATCHING TV!
30. HusbandAndWife said,
We are very upset at the cancellation of this show! We were quite upset when ABC stuck October Road in all of a sudden just when the show was growing roots. Then they moved it all over or put it on hold. ABC does not deserve our loyalty any further. MIT was, no, it is a very accomplished, well written, wholesome and inviting show. ABC shouldn’t be so cocky about their Desperate Housewives Lost over this show that will continue to alienate even more viewers by their cancellation of it. If they wisely choose to return it; they need to leave in it’s best time-slot for at least two full seasons before they make another move. ABC, wise up and move us back to Elmo!
29. Dee Stublefield said,
MIT, one of the few good shows on tv. I suppose it was canceled for another blasted reality show or another game show. Whoever is responsible for canceling the show is not too bright. I am also tired ot all the CSI shows (on another channel), but guess I don’t have any choice, unless I want to watch a “Japanese Game Show”. Is that what is replacing MIT? Figures!
28. Florene said,
It’s really sad that the show ended. I loved the laid back atmosphere it offered. With life being so hectic; it provided a real comfort level. I hope ABC will seriously reconsider bringing it back to televison. The show reminded me of northern exposure which I adored but with a sweet twist.What about patrick? Buzz? All of the cast were fantstic in their roles. And one of the great mistakes was not adding Cash into more scenes.We need a great wholesome show to watch. What is wrong with ABC? Please for all of us that live for simplicity in life please find a way to bring Anne back. I will miss her sign offs of each show a lot!!! Loyal fan.
Fprice
27. Dolores said,
What a shame! Men in Trees was never scheduled at a regular time slot; therefore you never knew when it was going to be aired. ABC is dropping the ball on this one. I know of many fans of this show—we are tired of all the CSI shows — now what will we watch - You took October Road off the air too and this was another hit or miss show–never had a regular day or time for viewing. Please reconsider and bring back both shows! Who needs all this CSI nonsense on T.V.
26. Jesi said,
Personally for me, MIT was one of the few shows that was heart felt and all around a good enjoyable show to watch. It wasn’t like all the other shows out there such as Grey’s Anatomy, Desperate Housewives, *** and the City (granted all the mentioned shows are fantastic in their own ways but all consistantly are based around *** and cheating), it had variety and so many excellent and amazing story lines.
I have been a loyal fan since day one when the show first aired, if comes out on DVD you can mark my words that I’ll be purchasing it. I just wish that another network would pick the series up, because it’s an excellent show.
TV just isn’t what it used to be I guess… Let’s see how many more reality shows we can shove down a viewer’s throat…
25. B said,
I am disappointed with the series finale. How could they not let Patricka and Annie back together?
24. Daizey said,
My whole family watches Men In Trees everytime its on and when I saw it said series finalie, I thought it was a mistake. So I pulled it up and found out it was not a minstake. I hope they decide not to get rid of it for good. Please keep it going, with ER leaving, the only other shows we watch are Moonlight and Greys Anatomy. Please keep Men in Trees gloing.
23. Heather said,
MIT, a fun and heartfelt show that I’ll sadly miss. Really wish some network would give this another chance … ABC, cancelling this is a mistake.
22. Anonymous said,
i also loved men in trees. first they really didn’t give it a chance with how they changed the times, the day, etc. then, it got preempted for other shows a few times. it’s not a great show, but it’s a sweet show that you care about and deserves another chance. please change your mind abc. i’m also sick of reality shows.
21. Kelly said,
I loved MIT and am very dissapointed in the cancelation, the only reality TV show I watch is Extreme Hom Make Over addition…. Bring back MIT, WMC and OR!