It's a new show so I'm giving it a shot. It has the same HD look as other ABC shows such as Grey's Anatomy or Housewives - slightly soft - sort of a film look as opposed to HD video.

Edit - didn't realize the show would be set in Alaska. All the better for an HD viewing experience.

Also - nice 5.1 sound.

I liked the show especially Anne Heche, she's funny and sexy. The only other place I've seen her is in Six days and Seven nights with Harrison Ford.

Wow, I really like the show! There were a number of laugh out loud moments, those are few and far between on 90% of todays shows. It seems to capture just the right amount of quirkiness from Northern Exposure, plus it has a killer soundtrack - I'd rush out and buy it if it was available. It got a Season Pass from me, had to bump StarGate to the second showing.

It was SD here in Hawaii (via Oceanic Time Warner). Nevermind, I thought it was kind of crappy anyway.

I really enjoyed this show. Excellent, especially for a pilot where developing the characters can be tedious.

While watching it I told the wife it was like a cross between Sex in the City and Northern Exposure. At the end they did indicate it had some of the same writers as Sex.

All the critics say this will be a flop. But after my wife insisted we watch it, I realized it was actually kinda entertaining. Probably too much of a copy of Northern Exposure to be really successful, but worth watching for a few weeks to see how it progresses. I don't consider it the same caliber of writing as Lost or West Wing, but it's better than most of the returning "popular" programs.

I thought it was ok....we had multiple audio drop outs that lasted about 15 seconds at a time. Must have been a local issue since nobody else mentioned it.

I had the audio dropouts also, I thought it might have been my signal since I'm ota.

I also had audio problems. I always watch delayed on my DVR by 15 min to avoid
long commercials. When I started watching I got background sounds great but no main channel. Good thing is it repeats Friday with both the pilot and a new show.

there are a few people who's names come to mind that i cant stand, in anything they do... Tea Leoni comes to miind, and so does Anne Heche. While she was tolerable in this show, I thought it was too tedious. If this show had a chance of survival, they should have cut it down to a 30 minute ep. And when was the last time you saw a prostitute look that good... besides in another Hollywood concoction "pretty woman"? the only reason i watched it was due to a lack of options. Also, she came off kinda desperate appeaser who will do quite a bit to save her engagement for someone who's supposed to be such an acclaimed self empowering relationship counselor.

And when was the last time you saw a prostitute look that good... besides in another Hollywood concoction "pretty woman"? .

I think it's an area where you get what you pay for. :D

Back on topic, what do I know the bartender guy from? It's driving me nuts!

Back on topic, what do I know the bartender guy from? It's driving me nuts!

Abraham Benrubi From ER.

I think the critics are wrong. This one is definitely on my record list.

- Tom

To follow up, I also added it to the SP list. My wife commented that we didn't have a show "like this" last season. She compared it to one of my favorite shows, Ed, with Julie Bowen and Tom Cavanaugh. It's certainly not as funny, but I guess the real comparison is that it's an hour long, it's a dramedy, and its shot on film, and, partially at least, on location. All that, and the fact that one of the primary settings is a bar (like the Smiling Goat from Ed). Also, now that I think about it, the inkeeper is sort of like the guy that worked at the bowling alley who ended up doing VH1 I love the 80's commentary. Also, Ed got dumped by his wife and moved from the big city. Anne Heche got dumped by her fiance and moves to Alaska. So, I guess my wife was right. It is pretty close to Ed.

All that said, it's a nice break from the glut of serials and crime dramas that are on TV this year (kidnapped, vanished, runaway, CSI, Bones, L&O, Cold Case, etc.).

And, because it's on ABC as opposed to fox, and its title is not Emily's Reasons Why Not, it actually has a chance of being given some time to find a foothold. The Friday night spot also means that expectations aren't over the top.

Abraham Benrubi From ER.

ITS JERRY!!!! Hahahaha.

Anyone have some screen caps of the show? Never heard of it.

I am not sure where the show goes from here: there are too few interesting characters, and exactly who and how will the Anne Heche character interact with the few folks in that tiny Alaskan town?

(And will we care?)

Nonetheless, if the writing improves from what seemed to me to be pretty standard formulaic stuff, it could be a keeper -- especially in its Friday time slot.

Are there really that few women in small Alaska towns?

My was wife was getting into it until I reminded her of the Anne H. / Ellen D. connection. That ruined it for her!

What I was thinking late in the first episode was this would make a decent romantic comedy film. My other thought was it's criminal for a woman that good looking to be lesbian.

Hoping the writing comes through, as it was an enjoyable show.

What I was thinking late in the first episode was this would make a decent romantic comedy film. My other thought was it's criminal for a woman that good looking to be lesbian.

Hoping the writing comes through, as it was an enjoyable show.


I don't think she's playing for that team anymore.

My was wife was getting into it until I reminded her of the Anne H. / Ellen D. connection. That ruined it for her!

I'm personally distracted by fantasies involving Anne, Ellen, and an undetermined number of space aliens. But I still like the show. ;)

- Tom

I liked the show; kind of surprised me. I wouldn't be surprised if it doesn't last, though. As was posted, they need to go somewhere with characters, etc (other than Anne). Oh, and the Anne H/Ellen D concept doesn't bother me at all:p.

I am not sure where the show goes from here: there are too few interesting characters, and exactly who and how will the Anne Heche character interact with the few folks in that tiny Alaskan town? .

Assuming it is actually written by some folks from the Sex in the City, they didn't seem to have a problem with a small cast. It's not like an Alaskan town has the population of Gilligan's Island.

I watched it last night with the wife...i enjoyed it and the wife did as well. we'll be tuning in next week.

I watched it last night with the wife...i enjoyed it and the wife did as well. we'll be tuning in next week.
I hope you meant Friday night. The show is currently scheduled for Friday nights on ABC with 2 shows this Friday.

I Tivo'ed it and watched it last night. I thought it was very well done ---city girl in the wilds of Alaska -- spraying bear repellant all over herself ---having it out with a raccoon. Some of the shots of the mountains were breathtaking. I hope it lasts. I will season pass this.

Bill

I give it to mid-season cuts. If that long.

Anne is a one-trick pony, she plays the same character (neurotic twitchy smartass just short of beetch) over and over ad nauseum.

And she's not a lesbian. She's an opportunist.

And she's not a lesbian. She's an opportunist.

Even better! :D

The thought of Ellen D. disturbs me. She's just scary looking!

I remember her on one of the OLD HBO comedy shows before she came out... she was doing the standard "My boyfriend..." jokes and all I could think was "What amn would og near that scary looking woman".

On the topic of the show... It did not impress me as going anywhere. My wife thought it was an OK premise for a TV movie but she had no desire to keep up with it as a TV show.

What's better - a pilot that plays like a good movie, after which there's nothing left to do, or a pilot that plays like a TV show that doesn't do much more than introduce the characters and hopefully has years to carry out its story line?

I know it's a different world now with the internet and 250 channels, but have you seen the pilot of Seinfeld? It is by far my favorite sit com of all time but the pilot is absolutely terrible. No wonder it was another year before it aired again, and then only for four episodes.

Anyone see Anne Heche on Letterman where they showed a gag promo for the show, and the man in the tree was Michael Jackson?

I saw that and I thought the "I love lesbians" bit was rather goofy/funny.

Abraham Benrubi From ER.
Isn't this an ER spoiler? ;)

I rather rememer Abraham Benrubi as Francis Larry Kubiac in Parker Lewis Can't Lose....

http://www.epguides.com/parkerlewiscantlose/

I am not sure where the show goes from here: there are too few interesting characters, and exactly who and how will the Anne Heche character interact with the few folks in that tiny Alaskan town?

(And will we care?)

Nonetheless, if the writing improves from what seemed to me to be pretty standard formulaic stuff, it could be a keeper -- especially in its Friday time slot.

I liked this show - Anne Heche is one of the best actresses in the country, with tremendous dramatic and comedic range. As far as characters and setting, all you have to do is remember Northern Exposure to see how stories and relationships could grow from here. And the soundtrack and audio mix were engrossing. It's on my 622 DVR as a Dish Pass after tonight.

If you want to see a show that will tank soon, watch the Brad Garrett snoozer, "Til Death." Now there's a show that has no where to go with setting or characters. It feels like it was shot in a shoe box.

OK, what's up with that bogus racoon? In the shots from behind where it's following her it's obviously a small dog with a racoon skin thrown on its back. It's so bad I'm assuming it's supposed to be a joke, right? I missed the first episode, but that's either a bad joke or an HD Easter egg.

OK, what's up with that bogus racoon? In the shots from behind where it's following her it's obviously a small dog with a racoon skin thrown on its back. It's so bad I'm assuming it's supposed to be a joke, right? I missed the first episode, but that's either a bad joke or an HD Easter egg. :D Yeah, I caught that one right away.

The funny thing was, I was just feeding a raccoon not an hour before that out in back of my house, so I had a really fresh imprint in my mind of what a raccoon REALLY looks like.

That was so bad and obvious, I also wondered if it was some kind of joke or something. The first time they showed it , I laughed outloud and said, "WTF?" :rolleyes: .

OK, what's up with that bogus racoon? In the shots from behind where it's following her it's obviously a small dog with a racoon skin thrown on its back. It's so bad I'm assuming it's supposed to be a joke, right? I missed the first episode, but that's either a bad joke or an HD Easter egg.

No it's not! It's obvious it's a cat with a racoon skin on its back! :D

The local ABC affiliate re-ran the pilot earlier this afternoon. Not in HD, of course. I only watched it initially because it was in HD, but it's not too bad (so far).

Just watched the second ep. Still like it, I think I'll keep watching. I agree Anne Heche is a great actress; I loved her character on Ally McBeal.

I loved her character on Ally McBeal.

Well, that presents in interesting mental image. :D

No it's not! It's obvious it's a cat with a racoon skin on its back! :DI actually only saw it once, but it sure looked and walked like a small dog from behind.

A night game for the Seahawks in Alaska? What time did the game start in Seattle, midnight?
The latest an NFL game would start is 6pm pacific time, which would be 3pm (mid afternoon) in Alaska. Except for deep winter near the artic circle, it wouldn't be dark out.

Alaska is 1 hour back from Pacific time, not 3.

FYI: Not shot in Alaska. Even before Heche said the words on Lettermen, I could have said "Vancouver" for her.

Are any of the shots on location? It looked like the mountains were just outside of Vancouver as well...

Gotta love the incentives the BC government gives to have TV shows and movies shot there. The scenery really is nice though, and with all the outdoor shots it's definitely a show made for HD. I don't know if the show will make it to a second season, but I plan to watch it for the rest of this one at least.

Well I was really hoping to see this show in HD but again they started showing it in HD (with audio problems) then switched to SD for the rest of both shows.
I could not find out if it was a TWC or local station problem.
Makes me mad because any show filmed in BC is beautiful.

I liked this show - Anne Heche is one of the best actresses in the country, with tremendous dramatic and comedic range....
Yes, I believe it was Dorothy Parker, critiquing Katherine Hepburn, who summed it up best: "Her performance covered the entire gamut of emotions from A to B."

Yes, I believe it was Dorothy Parker, critiquing Katherine Hepburn, who summed it up best: "Her performance covered the entire gamut of emotions from A to B."

I doubt, despite your assessment of Anne Heche's performance, that she would mind if anyone compared her to Katherine Hepburn. Like Hepburn, she can make the transition from A to B to J to Q in about 5 seconds, all with her face alone. That's my first measure of range in an actor.

MIT is showing up in my TiVo guide for next Wednesday, September 27. I thought the show was supposed to air Fridays from now on? Anyone know the deal. I'm trying to set up all my fall season passes and it informed me that Kidnapped would get bumped because of MIT. I was confused since Kidnapped is a Wednesday show, until I checked the guide, and sure enought MIT is showing for Sept. 27.

Is it going to air twice a week until Lost premiers or something?

A night game for the Seahawks in Alaska? What time did the game start in Seattle, midnight?
The latest an NFL game would start is 6pm pacific time, which would be 3pm (mid afternoon) in Alaska. Except for deep winter near the artic circle, it wouldn't be dark out.

The pre-season games started at 7PM PDT. That might be night time in Alaska by late August.

Anne was hot and if you were a racoon or( a person )wouldn't you want to follow her around? I liked the show as you can tell and so did my WIFEY! so I will keep watching to make her happy! It is happily tivo'ed from now on....

Saw "For what it's worth" ep tonite, I assume that it's Fri from now on. I actually liked this one even better than the first two. No fake raccoon tonite, tho they did have a skunk (which looked real to me).

Yes, I'd say this was the best one yet too.

My only complaint was who doesn't know what a skunk raising its tail means? But then I discovered my wife didn't know, so I guess it's possible.

Yes, I'd say this was the best one yet too.

My only complaint was who doesn't know what a skunk raising its tail means? But then I discovered my wife didn't know, so I guess it's possible.

I don't know, someone born and raised in a city where some people never even learn how to drive a car? Someone who's never watched Discovery. Someone that's never seen animals in their natural environment (zoo doesn't count)?

I'd take it for granted too, but then...

I think the show is starting to hit its stride now, differentiating itself from Northern Exposure. It's an eclectic group of people in the town, but nowhere near the characters in Northern Exposure--so the storylines go down different paths...

This show just keeps getting better and better. There were more laugh out loud moments than last week. Glad the ratings are holding. Interesting, I really didn't see the single serving tomato/alphabet soup thing coming.

Good Nielsen news for those who like the show:

(From Marc Berman’s Monday, September 25, 2006, Programming Insider column at Mediaweek.com )

“…Although ABC’s recently introduced Men in Trees finished third with a 5.6/10 in households, 8.21 million viewers and a 2.5/ 8 among adults 18-49 at 9 p.m., comparably that grew out of the repeat of Grey’s Anatomy by 24 percent in households, 2.14 million viewers and 25 percent among adults 18-49. It also built from one week earlier and has improved the hour for ABC in two telecasts by 3.4 million viewers (4.8 to 8.2 million) and 28 percent among adults 18-49 (1.8/ 6 to 2.3/ 8)….”

http://www.mediaweek.com/mw/newsletters/proginsider/index.jsp

I don't know, someone born and raised in a city where some people never even learn how to drive a car? Someone who's never watched Discovery. Someone that's never seen animals in their natural environment (zoo doesn't count)?

I'd take it for granted too, but then...

I think the show is starting to hit its stride now, differentiating itself from Northern Exposure. It's an eclectic group of people in the town, but nowhere near the characters in Northern Exposure--so the storylines go down different paths...


MarcS: As a transplanted New York, I can attest that here are many New Yorkers who have never learned to drive a car. (And many who have certainly don't act like they have learned much!)

MarcS: As a transplanted New York, I can attest that here are many New Yorkers who have never learned to drive a car. (And many who have certainly don't act like they have learned much!)I need to preface that by saying that might be the case for Manhattan and probably Staten Island, but those of us from the outter burroughs (Bklyn, Queens and The Bronx) are much more familiar with our 4-wheel brethren.;)

Anybody still watching? I still like it, I hope it sticks around, I enjoy the show a lot.

I agree. It is growing on me. I think it might be a better fit out of either "Desperate Housewives" on Sunday.

Perhaps ABC should switch the "Brother & Sisters" (which just got a full-season order late this afternoon) to Thursdays and let "Men In Trees" follow DH Sundays.

It's quirky, but very very much like Northern Exposure. Almost too much like it.

I agree. It is growing on me. I think it might be a better fit out of either "Desperate Housewives" on Sunday.

Perhaps ABC should switch the "Brother & Sisters" (which just got a full-season order late this afternoon) to Thursdays and let "Men In Trees" follow DH Sundays.


I kind of like it on Friday's, but if it has a better chance of survival on Sunday or Thursday, I'd keep up with it. I watch Brothers & Sisters also, glad it got the go ahead. If Men In Trees can latch on for a full season run, I'll have a clean sweep this year on my main shows. (I'm assuming Bones and House are gonna make it along with LOST.)

As far as it being too much like Northern Exposure, that's not necessarily a bad thing, all I know is I like all the supporting characters and it makes me laugh.

My wife and I like this show. I too think its a lot like Northern Exposure. But I liked that show too. Likeable characters, sexual tension, good acting, Great looking women....whats not to like?

Hell, it would make my day if it REPLACED Desperate Houswives on Sunday. I hate that show.

My wife and I like this show. I too think its a lot like Northern Exposure. But I liked that show too. Likeable characters, sexual tension, good acting, Great looking women....whats not to like?

Hell, it would make my day if it REPLACED Desperate Houswives on Sunday. I hate that show.

My wife and I like it as well. It appears that it is showing enough "legs" to at least get a shot. It seems to be consitently growing the audience from the Grey's repeat lead-in. I would also think moving it to Thursday would be a good idea (or Sunday). However, with a Tivo, I don't care.

I saw the ratings for this show today and it doesn't look good. I think it finished last in its time slot among the major networks (if they are still major networks). This week also had a fairly large drop from the previous week so it appears to be losing stream not gaining. Here's hoping it catches on somehow... my wife and I enjoy the show.

I saw the ratings for this show today and it doesn't look good. I think it finished last in its time slot among the major networks (if they are still major networks). This week also had a fairly large drop from the previous week so it appears to be losing stream not gaining. Here's hoping it catches on somehow... my wife and I enjoy the show.Still, it has a major star and AFAIK it's gotten some pretty good reviews, so ABC might give it a chance for a little while longer.

And this is the network that still has According to Jim in its roster.:rolleyes:

From Marc Berman at MediaWeek in his Programming Insider column regarding last week’s “Men In Trees” numbers:

“…the one positive worth noting was growth for Men in Trees out of the Grey’s Anatomy second-run of 1.16 million viewers and 16 percent among adults 18-49. Wouldn’t it make sense for ABC to flip Men in Trees with Six Degrees on Thursday, leading out of Grey’s Anatomy, to try to save the Anne Heche drama?...”

Here are the ratings so far, and over the past four weeks they have remained pretty consistent:
Week One: #54 (tie) 8.19 million viewers
Week Two: #58 (tie) 6.92 million viewers
Week Three: #58 7.26 million viewers
Week Four: #66 7.13 million viewers
Week Five: 7.15 million viewers

• Ratings courtesy Nielsen Media Research

I wonder how much longer time slots will remain important with DVRs becoming mainstream. I'm sure they are a help now although for me I never just "accept" what's on next. Even if I'm watching semi-live most of the time I start watching well into the show so I can skip over the commercials.

I DVR everything off of commercial TV now...

TV Notebook
ABC Adds More Men In Trees
Six Degrees on Hold
By Marc Berman Media Week Nov. 8, 2006

ABC has picked up freshman drama Men In Trees for the remainder of the season, with an order for nine additional episodes and a new time period -- Thursday 10 p.m. effective on Nov. 30.

Current occupant Six Degrees, which is down, on average, from lead-in Grey’s Anatomy by a mammoth 12.51 million viewers (22.15 to 9.64 million) and 57 percent among adults 18-49 (9.3 rating/22 share to 4.0/11), according to Nielsen Media Research data, will return in a new time period in January.

No word at present at what will replace Men In Trees, which averaged 7.32 million viewers and a 2.2/ 7 among adults 18-49 in the Friday 9 p.m. hour.

http://www.mediaweek.com/mw/news/recent_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003379454

TV Notebook
ABC Adds More Men In Trees
Six Degrees on Hold
By Marc Berman Media Week Nov. 8, 2006

ABC has picked up freshman drama Men In Trees for the remainder of the season, with an order for nine additional episodes and a new time period -- Thursday 10 p.m. effective on Nov. 30.

Current occupant Six Degrees, which is down, on average, from lead-in Grey’s Anatomy by a mammoth 12.51 million viewers (22.15 to 9.64 million) and 57 percent among adults 18-49 (9.3 rating/22 share to 4.0/11), according to Nielsen Media Research data, will return in a new time period in January.

No word at present at what will replace Men In Trees, which averaged 7.32 million viewers and a 2.2/ 7 among adults 18-49 in the Friday 9 p.m. hour.

http://www.mediaweek.com/mw/news/recent_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003379454


Alright, go Marin, so does that mean 22 episodes total? I know that earlier they had added I believe 4, but I'm taking it that they probably just added a total of 9 to the original 13. That's some tough competition though, ER and Shark, hope it works out.

This show has really found a groove. I look forward to it each week. Very well done.

I'm glad it's on for a whole season. It's enjoyable each week, and the characters continue to get better.

It is a good show, and it's also one of the best shot and best lit shows on TV. It's real eye candy.

okay, this is driving me nuts now. What the hell is with all the music on MIT? Every scene change requires some new track playing constantly. It wouldn't be so bad but most have vocals and they are pretty high in the mix as well.

On some occasions I can barely concentrate on the dialog because of a guy strumming away and crying into the left speaker. When scenes appear without any background music, the silence is so obvious that I'm actually conscious of the lack of music and that's distracting because I'm hoping the next scene stays that way!

I think they're searching for a balance of voices (and music) that works for the show. Overall, I still very much like it, and the photography is some of the best on network TV. I'd like to see it get a chance to grow. Lots of the regulars have the potential for great character growth.

I just got a new projector recently, and I watched again some eps of Men in Trees that I had stored on my Dish 622. The second time around, I saw more and heard more. I still think this is one of the best shot and best lit shows on television. Interiors, exteriors - they all look amazing. And then they throw in the occasional Discovery HD Theater caliber shot. And the sound keeps on growing on me, too. There is a of lot of acoustic guitar, and such full rich sound. Production value on this show is among the best I've ever seen on network television.

Since I'm on a rant, I'll praise the good writing, nuanced acting and characters that are easy to become invested in. This is a very satisfying show.

I hope everyone here is still watching this show - no posts for quite a while. It's been a long time since I felt as strongly about a show visually as I do about this one. It's just stunningly beautiful, and the characters are easy to become invested in. Add clever writing to nuanced acting and you should have a successful run. Let's hope so.

Perhaps surprising some (including me) ABC officially announced today it is picking another season of "Men In Trees".

Great news. Now if they would only show it. Is everyone that afraid of American Idol ???