Fans of ABC's 'Men in Trees' plant 7,000 food trees in third world countries in support of their favorite television program, currently wavering on the chopping block.

BURBANK, Calif., April 18, 2008 -- "Men in Trees" fans from around the world have been fighting to save their favorite show with contributions of more than 7,000 food trees planted in impoverished countries. They call the campaign "Plant It Forward."  The trees were collected by a group on the ABC message board, and planted through the non-profit organization Trees For Life International (http://www.treesforlife.org), which has sent each fan a certificate of donation. The collected certificates were delivered to Stephen McPherson, president of ABC Entertainment.

In the tradition of save-our-show campaigns, "Men in Trees" fans have taken a novel approach: Their campaign aims to address the issues of world hunger and the environment while, at the same time, convincing ABC to renew "Men in Trees" for a third season. "Seven-thousand food trees can produce up to 1.75 million pounds of food each year," reported Sally Johnston, a campaign coordinator. "That's 70 million pounds of food over the lifetime of the trees and a lot of fresh air."

Organizer Liz Herdade explained, "In the past, fans of TV shows have sent networks fake bananas, bras, peanuts, Mars Bars, Tabasco Sauce, and other sundry items." Though fans have used such creative methods to express support for their favorite TV program, the "Men in Trees" campaign marks the first to incorporate two prominent world issues to bolster its message.

"Leave it to 'Men in Trees' fans to find a way to fight for our renewal and provide food for third world countries," said creator and producer, Jenny Bicks, previously writer/co-producer of "Sex In The City." Actor Seana Kofoed added, "This is the classiest action ever."

The coastal hamlet of "Elmo" is an erstwhile Alaskan outpost where men outnumber women ten to one. When NYC relationship expert and writer Marin Frist (Anne Heche) visits Elmo on a book tour, she learns of her fiance's infidelity and decides to park her bags, resuscitate her confidence, and learn anew about the opposite sex by joining this community of men's men.

The hour-long dramatic-comedy centers on the lives and romantic complexities of Marin and her individualistic fellow Elmoians, characters who have become as familiar to "Trees" fans as were the denizens of "Cheers" to a former TV generation. Marin's neighbors include Jack Slattery (James Tupper), an outdoorsy animal biologist of few words and quiet intensity; and Cash (Scott Elrod), an uncommonly good-looking loner whose direct, self-assured manner and mysterious past intrigues many viewers.

As the network mulls over what to do with "Men in Trees" next season, TV critics are critiquing. The show has been subject to more than one unexpected hiatus and six timeslot changes during its two seasons, which fueled incentive for fans to organize. Matt Roush of TV Guide wrote, "If ever a show deserved a second (or third or fourth) look, it is ABC's woefully mistreated 'Men in Trees.'" Even so, the show has garnered media praise and boasts a loyal audience that follows it around ABC's ever-shifting schedule.

Trees for Life International, which oversees tree donations, began in the 1980s by planting fruit trees in India. The program has spread to five continents, in part because recipients make a pledge to help at least two others in the same way. “It’s a first-rate organization,” Johnston says “and an effective means to fundraise or support a cause.”

At this time, "Men in Trees" airs Wednesday on ABC at 10 p.m.

Photo of Scott Elrod and more info available at: https://sydney1106.tripod.com/id17.html

Contacts:

Sally Johnston
sallyojohnston@yahoo.com
818.720.1909

Liz Herdade
lherdade@aol.com
603.828.2763

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