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.
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! 
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Men in Trees
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I’ve been away due to a military deployment and returned with the expectation of the show returning. Color me surprised as I kept on waiting to see the commercials announcing the return of the newest season. Finally went searching for some information. I got hooked on MIT and it is definitely aggravating when the networks continually cancel a show that I look forward to so much.
How can we get them to bring back MIT? I love that show, my husband even liked it!
I have really missed this show. I really got into the characters and the scenes were really beautiful. I always made sure I was home in time to watch “my show”! It truly could have gone on much longer had it not been for some poor planning on some other people’s parts…I would love to see a resurrection of this show!!! And add some more relationship writing into it – I think people actually learned some things from this show!!!
I agree completely, I am still waiting to hear news that MIT is back on. I’m also waiting for them to sell seasons 1 & 2 in the stores cause I can’t make myself watch the junk they play now!
I can’t believe there’s not gonna be a 3rd season!!! It’s a brilliant show!!! It’s sooooo different from the rest!! We got the first season played last summer in Spain and the pity is they didn’t give it a chance and scheduled it on tuesday’s, two episodes, on a channel with little audience. I want it back!!!!
Men in Trees was so much fun to watch!!!! I to want this show BACK why do they cancel all the good shows????
I really enjoyed this show. I’m sick to death of forensic medicine police dramas. I don’t even watch the shows – being subjected to the commercials for their programs is enough. This just had great characters interacting with on another. I also thought the commentary thoughtful. I hope it makes a comeback.
I totally agree with Anonymous. All that is aired are those crummy police, lawyer, hospital dramas, and crazy housewives. I have enough drama in my life. I enjoyed watching Men In Trees. It truly was different from the other programs, and something I looked forward to viewing. I wish it would find its way back.
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