james tupper

(S01E15) It's men versus women this week in Elmo. I found it laughable that the two New York women (Marin & Jane) kept insisting that they were just like the men in Alaska. Their differences have nothing to do with gender, it has to do with where they're from and how they live their lives. It actually bothered me that these differences were portrayed as differences between men and women. And, Marin's problem with the "no strings attached" relationship is not a girl-only thing.

Grrrrrr.

(S01E14) Ok, first we have to talk about the elephant in the room. The big news this week regarding Men in Trees is that Anne Heche left her husband for co-star James Tupper. I knew they had some steamy chemistry on camera, but I guess that was for real. Sad, really. Their hook-up ruined two marriages-- Tupper's and Heche's. Knowing that kind-of made me bitter toward Heche this week and probably skewed my opinion of this particular episode.

I think the storyline I liked the most this week was Patrick and Annie's. Derek Richardson (Patrick) does a great job playing stressed out. He doesn't breathe and makes me hold my breath as he's freaking out! Anyway, I liked this because Patrick and Annie became independent together, if that makes any sense. they're starting to figure out how to function as a married couple. I imagine this season will end with a wedding, a baby, and a Marin/Jack reunion cliffhanger.

(S01E13) Well, I totally identified with Marin's constant procrastination so she didn't have to face writing her book. As a person who makes her living as a writer, I always found every excuse in the world to avoid writing: laundry, yardwork, etc. Anyway, the town rummage sale served as a metaphor for what was happening with a bunch of the couples in this episode. They were trying to figure out how much old stuff they could throw out before they could start anew.

(S01E12) It's been more than a month since we've seen a new episode of Men in Trees. The last one was a two-parter that started in NYC and ended back in Elmo, Alaska with a very complicated plot twist. Jack's girlfriend, Lynn (Justine Bateman) is back... and she's pregnant. Plus, Annie and Patrick broke up for real this time.

The title of this week's episode refers to the winter solstice, the darkest day in Alaska, so you know it's going to be a downer.

Things are going to get a bit more complicated up in Elmo, Alaska when a new character joins the show. According to TV Guide, actor Orlando Jones is joining the cast of Men in Trees (my fave new show of the fall). Jones will play 'George', the gay son of Buzz. I believe we learned a few episodes ago that Buzz ditched his son and fled to Alaska. Now George and Patrick will be brothers. Weird.

As far as Orlando's television experience, he's all over the map. He has the distinction of being an original cast member of MAD TV, was the 7UP spokesman, played a lead role in the short-lived show Evidence, and hosted the short-lived The Orlando Jones Show on FX in 2003. Bottom line: the guy is hilarious and will make a terrific addition to the cast. Look for him in Elmo early next year.

[Via TV Tattle]

(S01E11) Men in Trees has its very first love triangle, a twist that was necessary to keep the story interesting. This episode picked up right where last week left off. Jack went to meet Marin at the dock to tell her he loves her, but instead his ex-girlfriend, Lynn (Justine Bateman), showed up.

Marin, Jack and Lynn: Yep, Lynn's pregnant. ABC kind-of gave it away in last week's promos (*shakes fist at the sky*). Luckily, it's not Jack's baby. But it still complicates things. Jack obviously feels some sort of responsibility for Lynn's predicament, even though he really doesn't have to. Plus, how hot was that kiss between him and Marin? Steaming hot.

(S01E10) Good news! Men in Trees performed well in its new 10 pm slot last night. It retained 51% of Grey's Anatomy's audience. That is an improvement over the show in the former slot, Six Degrees, which only held onto 38% of Grey's audience.

This whole episode was about Marin's discovery that she belongs in Alaska, and not in New York City. While I think we all knew that Marin wasn't going to stay in NYC, I still found her journey captivating/sweet. There were a lot of signs that NYC wasn't the right place for her: the broken showerhead, the loud parties, all the people. I liked how she kept apologizing to people she bumped into on the street. The dove was obviously a metaphor for Marin's predicament: the city has caused her to lose her way. She came to the conclusion that Alaska was the right place for her without having to be told anything by Jack, a small gesture on the part of the writers that helps strengthen Marin's character. When this series began, I liked Marin but now I like her even more. She has become less girly (although the list comparing Elmo to NYC was super girly) and more of an independent person.

I had so much fun making this list last year that I decided to update it for 2006. Here's how it goes: I choose the five television characters I'd like to meet the mistletoe, if you get my drift. Several fellas have fallen off the list since last year, while new ones have been added. I learned a lot about myself while making this list: I basically go for guys who are emotionally injured or bad asses-- but only slightly bad ass, like Sawyer on Lost and not totally wacko like Tommy on Rescue Me.

Once again, my list is limited to male characters who are currently on television shows. So, for example, Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) and Pacey Witter (Joshua Jackson) cannot be included. Leave your own list in comments!

5. Elliot Stabler (Christopher Meloni) Law & Order SVU How huggably soft is Elliot this season? He ended last season by practically falling head-over-heels in love with his partner, Olivia. When things started to get weird, she disappeared and he was left with a broken heart. Then, Dani came in and gave him hope. The barely got to make out before she left, too. Now he's nursing a broken heart and Olivia is back and everything is weird again. This guy definitely needs a little snuggle time under the mistletoe-- plus, did you notice his smokin' hot body in "Confrontation" earlier this season? Yowza.

I'm hoping that Men in Trees finally gets the attention it deserves when it premieres in its new time slot tonight, following the number one show on television, Grey's Anatomy. Up until now, ABC hasn't given much love to Men in Trees. The network stuck the show on Fridays at nine with only reruns as a lead-in-- originally, Ugly Betty was the lead-in but it was moved to Thursdays. The dramedy stars Anne Heche, a tough choice for a lead actor because of her strange past in the gossip magazines. But, the show not only survived on Friday nights, it did well enough for ABC to order an entire season.

Here's why I like Men in Trees: it makes me happy. But, I wouldn't call it cheesy. It's about Marin Frist, a relationship coach whose own relationship falls to pieces as she's on a book tour in Alaska. She ends up staying in the small town of Elmo, where she's studying men and also learning more about herself. Anne Heche is surprisingly wonderful in the role of Marin, a character who is not flawless but learns from her mistakes. She's not a fumbling, ditzy blonde. And I adore the supporting characters, who are all very complex and not at all stereotypical of a small town.

(S01E09) First of all, let's all give ABC three cheers for finally giving Men in Trees a decent time slot. Actually, it's a pretty terrific time slot-- directly after Grey's Anatomy, which had more than 13 million viewers last week. That's the highest rated show on television right now and it's going to be a lead-in for Men in Trees. Spectacular! ABC has also picked up a full season of Men in Trees. It's funny, really. ABC originally scheduled Ugly Betty and Men in Trees for Friday nights and now they're both on the biggest night of television.

(S01E08) This episode took a dramatic turn about halfway through. Initially, I was a little leery of the unusual turn of events but I think it worked because the writers eased us into the drama. The first half of the show alternated between goofy and dramatic and then it was just all drama up through the ending.

(S01E05) Geez Louise, there sure was a lot of sex in that episode. A lot. Elmo was suffering from a late fall heat wave... double entendre is intended. Basically, everyone is hot and horny. Except the raccoon.

So... the big news is that Jack and Marin hooked up. A lot. In fact, their first tryst happened within the first 15 minutes of the show. So much for the sexual tension, but I think that's a good thing. I guess the writers have a good grasp on how that little storyline was going to get old soon. Although, sleeping together could just add another layer to the sexual tension between Marin and Jack. Only time will tell.