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! 
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… Read more »
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!
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… Read more »
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.
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, Sex and the City (granted all the mentioned shows are fantastic in their own ways but all consistantly are based around sex 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… Read more »
I am disappointed with the series finale. How could they not let Patricka and Annie back together?
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.
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.
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.
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!
Personally….. we finally get a decent show that makes you laugh and has some really great characters and a wonderful story line and it gets cancelled. How depressing!!! Instead we get to see reality TV which is really not reality, crime shows and stupid game shows. When all I beleive the majority of people would like to be enetertained by what Men In Trees brings. A story of something that we can relate to and escape from the day in and day out hum drum of working at the office. I looked forward to the nights of Men In Trees,… Read more »
There are so many of us that loved this show, it was comforting,funny, and just gave us a “family” feel. So many crazy shows and you take MEN IN TREES OFF? I hope you change your mind soon, or ABC will loose alot of viewers..Put it on and keep it in one spot!!!!
i’m sorry to see that “october road” and “men in trees” are no longer on the air. i’ll be looking forward to their shows when they come on dvds..especially “men on trees”. what i enjoyed is down home feeling when i watched these two shows.
“dancing with the stars”, “grey’s anatomy” and “desperate hussies” are what ruling the airwaves these days.
NBC is no longer the must see tv anymore..lol..
How many time slots did you have MIT in? How many weeks was it taken off air? It is no wonder the show couldn’t get ratings, no one could find it. It was one of 4 network shows that we watched and the only one on ABC so guess what……….now your batting .000 in this household. Keep up the Mickey Mouse work!!!!
I have been an avid supporter of ABC series, however these decisions appall me! Finally you brought us your regular viewers a different content which many have embraced .I could only hope that the indiviuals that make these decisions take the time to read all of our thoughts and comments.otherwise, I fear they are about to lose a enormous audience.