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« Men in Trees Blog
Week 9
Wow! I was just about to turn in this week's blog, procrastinating as usual and pushing it down to the wire, when I got a call from James Tupper that we are picked up [for the full season]! It was extremely bizarre because I had just finished typing his name moments before. I never thought the words, "I was just blogging about you" would come out of my mouth. Anyway, I promised that you would all know the moment I knew, so here it is. And if that wasn't enough good news, they're moving us to the slot after Grey's Anatomy beginning Nov. 30! Exclamation points are actually warranted here! I know some of you were enjoying having something good to watch on Friday nights, but it looks like you're going to have to go out to dinner instead. So here's this week's blog — and I guess there will be more of them to come!
A new episode of Men in Trees premieres tonight [at 9 pm/ET, on ABC], and so the Bergl blog is back. I'm sorry I didn't post a little warning that there wouldn't be a new episode last week. I know that my mother, for one, was disappointed. But we have a good one tonight, "The Menaissance." During this episode I got to go to a private Jewel concert. (Do they really pay me to do this?) There was no lip-syncing going on that day. Jewel honestly has one of the purest voices I've ever heard, and she's from Alaska, so she lends an additional element of authenticity to the show.
I love tonight's episode because it's all about friendship. It also marks the return of Jane, editor and BFF to Marin (Anne Heche). I can also make some BFF claims on the actress who plays Jane, Seana Kofoed. BFF, in case you didn't know, stands for "best friends forever." Cynthia Stevenson and Lauren Tom BFFs, because they're always hanging out together on set. Seana and I are rarely on set at the same time because we haven't had any scenes together yet, but we live in apartments across the street from one another in Vancouver. With all these great BFFs around me, I started thinking that there isn't a lot of advice out there for friendships. We read books, newspaper columns and TV shows about how to make our relationships work, but rarely our friendships. I'm trying to become a better friend (and often failing in that endeavor), but I thought I'd put together a list of ways to be that best friend forever. After all, with all this new technology, it can be hard to keep a friendship between texts and e-mails and voicemails. I've written it from the perspective of female friendship, but I think you men could find some advice for your BFFs as well.
How to Be a Good BFF
— Try to be good about calling her back, but also try to be understanding when she's busy.
— Turn off your phone when you're hanging out together. Yes, sometimes we need to take calls, but you certainly don't want to spend time hanging with your BFF while you are just talking to other people.
— Have her phone number memorized. If she's really your BFF, you should always be able to call her, even if the batteries die in your cell. I was with a friend of mine recently, and we needed to call her husband. She told me that we couldn't call him because she didn't have her cell phone, and she didn't know his number! I waited for so long to get a cell phone, I actually have all of my friends' numbers memorized. I know that some people think this is a little extreme, but we all knew each others' numbers before we had cell phones — remember those days? OK, I'm not advocating that you memorize everyone's number, but I do think your BFF's number should be committed to memory.
— Texting is fine, but texting alone doesn't constitute a friendship.
— Don't call her when you can't really talk, like when you're ordering at the deli. (Cell-phone etiquette should really have its own subheading.)
— Don't keep her waiting for you too long. I'm of the mind that 10 or 15 minutes is usually fine, but when you start losing the table or missing the beginning of the movie, it's time to make a change.
— Always make sure the compliments you give her are guilt-free. I've noticed that when women compliment each other, they'll often follow it right up by insulting themselves: "Those jeans look great on you. My big butt would never fit into them." Then usually the other woman will say something like, "Oh, no, my butt is so fat right now." How about just ending it at, "Those jeans look great on you," which will be followed up with a thank-you?
— Ladies, if you don't want to sit down to pee, lift the toilet seat up. OK, this might not be BFF advice, but you should be doing this for all BFFs in general. If you're afraid of germs, fine, but don't leave your splash for the sisters after you!
— Let her eat what she wants, when she wants, without a lot of jabber about it. If you're on a diet, don't talk endlessly about carbs while she's eating that bagel. And just because you're getting the fries doesn't mean she has to eat them, too.
— If she breaks up with her boyfriend, wait a while to tell her what a jerk he is, because they might get back together.
— Never blow her off for a man, unless it's an extreme circumstance. If James Tupper's identical twin wants to suddenly whisk you away to Paris, I'm sure she'll understand, in which case, take her out to dinner to make up for it.
— Be understanding if she blows you off for some action, unless it becomes a habit. In such a case, she's no BFF.
— Recognize the times when she needs honesty, and the times when she might not need to know your opinion.
— Fight fair, then move on. If you're really going to be best friends forever, you're going to end up having a fight eventually. I tend to be afraid of conflict, so this one's hard for me. But sometimes avoiding conflict is worse than actually having it, so understand that two people always end up disagreeing about something. If they're your BFF, no disagreement should be too big to get in the way of the friendship.
— Let her know you love her. (I love you, Christa!)
So those are my thoughts on friendship. These certainly aren't hard and fast rules, and I'm sure I'll be violating some of them, but I count myself as extremely lucky to have some amazing friends. And I'm even luckier that some of them are on Men in Trees. In fact, you can enjoy them on tonight's episode!
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Nov 9, 2006 3:03 PM
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Congratulations Emily! Love the show and am very glad to hear that we'll get to watch a full season of it.
I was definitely feeling spoiled with new episodes every week, so with last week's no-show, I'm looking forward to tonight's new episode.
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Nov 10, 2006 10:37 AM
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Congratulations very much on the full-season pickup and the awesome timeslot!!! 
I was getting worried there for a while. I had heard some rumblings that you guys might get moved, but I didn't know if it was educated speculation or just wishful thinking.
Your show is my favorite new 2006 show. Congratulations on surviving the Friday curse.
And don't worry about whether there's good stuff to watch on Friday nights; that's what the Sci-Fi Channel is for, and with dual-tuner TiVo, you were both always covered in my book. 
Keep up the great work. I hope with a post-Grey's timeslot you guys start getting the attention you deserve and endure long past season one.
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Nov 10, 2006 10:59 AM
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I am thrilled to hear this good news!! I have a season pass on my TIVO to record Men In Trees and usually end up watching it over the weekend, but even better now that is on after Grey's. I actually like Men in Trees better than Grey's this season. Congrats!!
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Nov 10, 2006 11:51 AM
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Yay! What great news! I really love the show and am sooo happy to hear I'm going to be able to get my fix.
I can't wait for the new episode tonight!!!
Also -- love your BFF advice!
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Nov 10, 2006 12:43 PM
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Anne Heche has always been a favorite actress of mine. I have yet to catch the new show, but my wife is a big fan of Grey's, so now I will be sure to catch it. Heche is just one of those actresses who can pull anything off...and hasn't let me down since she was Vicki & Marley on NBC's "Another World".
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Nov 10, 2006 1:22 PM
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Congrats on the full season pickup!
I'm really bummed about the new timeslot though. I hope MIT doesn't get eaten up being opposite ER.
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Nov 10, 2006 4:33 PM
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Congratulations on the move to Thursday night. Two of my favorite new shows this year have been Jericho and Men in Trees. Both shows were not given much chance by the critics but both have come along quite nicely, thank you. Keep up the good work. I'll follow you guys anywhere.
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Nov 10, 2006 5:21 PM
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Great post! Congrats on the move and pick up. I'm really excited about both of them!
But what I think most of this really took from this blog is: Where is James Tupper's identical twin? Seriously!?!
Can't wait for tonights ep.
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Nov 10, 2006 5:40 PM
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thanks for taking time to share your thoughts emily! Always look forward to your blog. I just watched tonights episode and i loved it!!! one of my favorite ones so far. Great character development. I was laughing most of the show especially with the whole "mama mai and blasian sequences." Im so happy for the full season pick-up and thursday move. Wishing your show all the best.
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Nov 10, 2006 11:54 PM
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WOW! Picked up for the whole season....
Congrats on the great news!!! YAY, YAY, YAY!
By the way, I'll follow this wonderful little show any night, any time...I've told everyone about "Men In Trees" since it debuted. "Grey's Anatomy" will be the perfect lead-in for "MIT".
I hate to wait until then; but I definitely know where I'll be on the 30th...
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Nov 11, 2006 12:42 AM
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Congrats, Emily, on being picked up for a full season! I had my fingers crossed! Each week I like the show more and more, and thank the powers-that-be for the addition of more hot guys! (snow-plow guy) Not that James Tupper needs help, but more is great!
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Nov 13, 2006 12:52 PM
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Hey, Emily.
Congratulations to you and all the cast/crew on the full-season pickup.
I'm not a seasoned TV fan, so, admittedly, probably never would have stumbled onto Men in Trees; however, since learning that my childhood neighbour ("Jimmy" Tupper) played a sizeable role, I felt compelled to investigate.
I am happy that I did.
My initial quest was simply to glimpse an adult version of the lanky, scab-kneed, white-blonde-haired boy who drove us to madness with many a late-night session of garage-door basketball. In the wake of my curiosity, I discovered an enjoyable hour of quirky & well-crafted entertainment that I will continue to follow. There is not an unsavoury character in the entire ensemble (perhaps the writers can tackle that "obstacle" next season - heh heh).
Sincere best wishes, Emily & all, for a long, fruitful run. (James, I'll be sure to toast my next Keith's to you!) 
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Nov 14, 2006 3:18 PM
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I am so into Men In Trees it is slightly ridiculous. I also write a blog about the show on an entertianment site (thus the name I chose) and I am thrilled to see this quirky show picked up and moved out of the Friday night Black Hole of scheduling.
I didn't expect to be hooked, in fact I only tuned in at first because there was NOTHING on--as there is mostly always nothing on on Friday's after one watches the stunningly delightful Jennifer Love Hewitt vehicle The Ghost Whisperer--but I was taken in immediately!!
At first I though maybe it was just seeing a snooty NYC chic get some come-uppance (good times). Then I tried to lay it off on those tasty fine treats reflected in the title: the MEN. Who undoubtedly are a singular delight to behold, but then it occured to me that the ENTIRE show has me hooked.
The cast is OMG spectacular-- love your character-- (*ss kissing ensues) but more than that I love all the characters. They are quirky and offbeat and seem so very real. The setting is to die for, the premise is tittilating and offers up so many avenues to pursue that I can see this show going on for many a year. I love the clothes, I love the writing....
Hose me off! I am gushing and that is so totally not me. LOL.
I have been surprised and delighted by the turns away from the norm the show has taken... such as Celia and Buzz being Patrick's parents and oh so amazingly hot Abraham Benrubi's loveable innkeeper falling for the town pump! Too much fun entirely.
Anyway, congratulations! I am going to be keeping up with your blog because I'm a television whore and just can't help myself, but also because this show is such an unexpected (what else?) delight!
Please give my LOVE to your castmates and tell them that in Missouri (at least where I live) we are loving Men In Trees! Can't wait to see each episode and it has been a very long time since one television season captivated this tough old bird as much as this one has... thanks to all of your hard work and a beautiful program.
Belinda
TV Fan Online
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Nov 16, 2006 1:12 PM
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Some of us over at IMDB have been trying to track down the name/artist of a song you guys danced to in episode 3. ben and sara danced to it in the bar and you and patrick danced to it at the auction dance.
please if you could share...you would make some of us very happy
Corinne 
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Nov 20, 2006 10:22 PM
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