on one thursday evening at 10 represent00pm and my local west coast abc affiliate air the pilot episode of northern exposure . the abc network usually air men in tree in that time slot but the program be preempt for a live sporting event . despite both show be set in alaska and film on location in the pacific northwest ( exposure in washington state and tree in vancouver and bc ) and re watch northern exposure ( as well a few episode of sex and the city ) remind me how disappointed i be with the poorly conceive hybrid men in tree . anne heche can be a good actress with the right material . unfortunately her role a a writer who end up in a small town in alaska grate on my nerve . perhaps because i feel that heche be miscast and i be not convinced of her fish out of water character . i also can not help but feel that the support cast fit the typical quirky stereotype . the hot look local and the kindly bar owner and the bush pilot and the local police officer and the dim but well intentioned radio dj and etc . the only stereotype that may have be break be teddy bear and veteran er actor abraham benrubi a the local bartender in love with two different woman . consider that one of the executive producer be filmmaker james mangold and ( his movie heavy and cop land have lead character who be large men ) then i be not surprised why benrubi be cast in a non typical role . nonetheless and i can see why there be a lot of dedicated viewer who love men in tree . it fit the quirky niche for television audience . i wish the show could find it own voice instead of borrow idea from good show .