Men in Trees Axed

I guess the only thing left of Men in Trees is another broken home courtesy of uber-skank Anne Heche. While Anne's real life coupling with co-star James Tupper will only last until she discovers her true calling as a transgender heart breaker, I am going to miss the quirky rom-com, which the powers that be at ABC never gave a chance:



It has aired on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, at various times, over the course of two seasons, and then there were two long hiatus—one to make room for October Road, and then the writer's strike. Only an inane reality show could have survived that kind of bumping.

At first, I thought I was the only dope in the country that was watching the tale of the NYC author/ relationship coach who, on the rebound from a two timing fiance, was tickled to find herself emotionally stranded in the small town of Elmo, Alaska. But it seems I am smack dab in the middle of the core demographic devotes of the show—18 to 49 year old women.

Smooshy and contrived it often was, but Men in Trees was also soothing like a cup of hot chocolate on a cold winter's night—but smart and sophisticated at the same time.

The show was premised on the idea that Alaska is a mixed blessing for straight women. The odds are good, but the goods are odd. There is enough truth in the observation, that no matter how over the top some of the characters who gathered at the Chieftan were—it worked.

The relationship between the Heche character's BFF, Annie, with innocent odd duck Patrick was so odd—it was sweet.

Patrick's police chief Mom was smart and funny.

There was the requite ex-whore, dating a young minister.

The caricature Manhattan literary agent, who came to rescue her author, and found love in the North country..

As is the case with much of Alaska, the town of Elmo was inhabited with various misfits who are either washed ashore in America's last frontier, or make a conscious decision to relocate to a place where dysfunctional individualism is cool—no questions asked.

Both the best and worst part of the show was Anne Heche. Despite the corny pretentious “Sex in Alaska” voice overs, she is an amusing cutie. Of course, Anne had to bed down the manliest man in Alaska—a hunk named Jack (the guy she also snatched from his wife in real life), who wore great sweaters, but whose voice was perpetually stuck in an annoying gruff husky whisper.

Actually, the best part of the show was Alaska itself—the beauty of the place and its loveable post-train wreck inhabitants, which is perhaps why Miss Heche worked so well as the heroine.

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Note: You can still see some full episodes on ABC's web site. I don't know if it will make any difference but there are some rabid fans attempting to get the network to do a reversal. You can call ABC:

The telephone number is 1-818-460-7477

It is an automated system. Press 2 then 3 for the Primetime menu. Men in Trees is # 636.

or send an email to Stephen McPherson, ABC Entertainment President.

Some people are donating trees at Trees For Life, and then notifying ABC at the Men in Trees Message Board--it looks like, at the very least, a forest will emerge from this whole thing.


P.S.--It is a grotesque understatement to comment how the Myanmar situation is tragic. There are now at least 22,000 and perhaps as many as 100,000 dead in the isolated country, and there will be many many more in the coming days from disease, exposure and starvation .

Last time the ladies of the world sent their panties for Myanmar freedom and human rights. This time the Myanmar people just need food ,shelter and medicine. Little can be expected of the panty-fearing leaders--but it looks like the thugs are finally, reluctantly willing to let in some aid.

If you have a couple dollars left after going to the supermarket and filling your tank---some reputable non-governmental organizations are on the frontline helping the peaceful, oppressed and forsaken people of Myanmar.

~Becky