Here's a prime example of how Hollywood likes to rehash something from the past and make it into a blander, cleaner, more accessible version of something that was brilliant, and then wonder why the ratings aren't there.
It's obvious that "Men in Trees" is a Xerox copy of "Northern Exposure." And like most Xerox copies, you end up missing all of the details that made the original worth replicating. (Remember "It's Like...You Know" which was ABC's Xerox of Seinfeld? ) For those who watched Northern Exposure, it was an amazing program... dealt with very intricate themes. "Men In Trees" has the Northern Exposure play-book down pat, complete with bush pilots, local friendly tavern, radio show, quirky citizens, and transplanted New Yorker. Even the Alaskan town name "Elmo" suggests a flip side to Northern Exposure's "Cicely."
The problem here, is not that they stole from Northern Exposure. Look at how many variations of the same doctor or lawyer programs there are. No, the writers forgot to steal all of the GOOD elements of Northern Exposure. NEX's characters were a vast assortment of oddballs in all shapes and sizes, including age groups. With the exception of the exceptional old guy John Amos, everyone else looks like sexy 30 something's that jumped out of a Eddie Bauer catalog. And what good is featuring a radio program without all of the detailed philosophy? And where's the edgy, quirky music? Also note that NEX's Dr. Joel hated being stuck in Alaska, whereas Heche's character lives there by choice. So much dramatic tension is lost from simple plot devices that were ignored.
In summary, simply snagging the surface elements of great programs does not a television show make. You can still wind up with a decent show, but you'll lose all of the magic from the original.
For those who love the program, and will hate my review of it... I ask that you subscribe to Netflix or Blockbuster and rent Northern Exposure. You'll be glad you did, especially if "Men In Trees" is one step from cancellation. You may not like what I have written, but for many of us, NEX still holds a special place in our hearts. (If NBC aired a television show called "Mashed Potatoes" about two guys nicknamed "Bazooka Joe" and "Sonar" members of the wacky staff of an army hospital during the Gulf War, you'd be upset too.)
It's obvious that "Men in Trees" is a Xerox copy of "Northern Exposure." And like most Xerox copies, you end up missing all of the details that made the original worth replicating. (Remember "It's Like...You Know" which was ABC's Xerox of Seinfeld? ) For those who watched Northern Exposure, it was an amazing program... dealt with very intricate themes. "Men In Trees" has the Northern Exposure play-book down pat, complete with bush pilots, local friendly tavern, radio show, quirky citizens, and transplanted New Yorker. Even the Alaskan town name "Elmo" suggests a flip side to Northern Exposure's "Cicely."
The problem here, is not that they stole from Northern Exposure. Look at how many variations of the same doctor or lawyer programs there are. No, the writers forgot to steal all of the GOOD elements of Northern Exposure. NEX's characters were a vast assortment of oddballs in all shapes and sizes, including age groups. With the exception of the exceptional old guy John Amos, everyone else looks like sexy 30 something's that jumped out of a Eddie Bauer catalog. And what good is featuring a radio program without all of the detailed philosophy? And where's the edgy, quirky music? Also note that NEX's Dr. Joel hated being stuck in Alaska, whereas Heche's character lives there by choice. So much dramatic tension is lost from simple plot devices that were ignored.
In summary, simply snagging the surface elements of great programs does not a television show make. You can still wind up with a decent show, but you'll lose all of the magic from the original.
For those who love the program, and will hate my review of it... I ask that you subscribe to Netflix or Blockbuster and rent Northern Exposure. You'll be glad you did, especially if "Men In Trees" is one step from cancellation. You may not like what I have written, but for many of us, NEX still holds a special place in our hearts. (If NBC aired a television show called "Mashed Potatoes" about two guys nicknamed "Bazooka Joe" and "Sonar" members of the wacky staff of an army hospital during the Gulf War, you'd be upset too.)