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! 
what a disappointment- i really enjoyed MIT. very funny and smart! It was my own hour to enjoy TV. Characteres were cute and interesting. I grew up in a small town and this show really hit the small town atmosphere!…. what a bummer……
ABC who? I will miss MIT and ABC will miss me because i will not watch this network until they bring MITs back.
Not sure why this was cancelled, who cares about the huge ratings, it had good ratings and the fans truley loved this show! I love October Road as well two of my favorit shows. This should be thought over for the loyal fans. It was a good wholesome show!! A fun to watch and look forward to every week. Cant be surprised when you constantly change nights and take off and put back on the air. What does ABC expect? PLEASE PUT BACK ON!
Cancelling MIT is a bad idea – what a fun little show with beautiful scenery. Just a feel good thing and everytime something really good comes along – someone gets a brilliant idea to axe it… VERY DISAPPOINTED MIT has been cancelled.. Please rethink that Decision
I never knew that MIT was filmed through another production company. It comes down to the money. They replaced it with a pathetic show… October Roads, which was a huge bomb. I can’t believe that lifetime didn’t pick it up. How pathetic is that? It’s so frustrating and disappointing to get involved with a show and it’s characters only to have it yanked. Should have known ABC/Disney only cared about the money. Doesn’t surprise me. Just gives me another reason to never watch ABC again. Thus far I’ve done a great job of not watching anything they offer. I’ll continue… Read more »
MIT was clever, entertaining, addressed honest relationship issues humorously and logically. Each character helped make the series fun, thoughtful and heartwarming. The scenery was breathtaking and the writers accomplished all of this without crime scene violence, foul words, reality TV antics or special effects. Could we just have good entertaining TV to watch at least on occasion; such shows as Men In Trees? Please reconsider your mistake in canceling a show worthy of watching.
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 sex?” 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… Read more »
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… Read more »
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
ABC this is money on the Tree. Why are you NOT thinking?
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.
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… Read more »
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.
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
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… Read more »