Chris Dingess on "The Buddy System"

Original Air Date: October 27, 2006

Hey everybody,

“Buddy System” was all about connections and being tied to people. Crap. Why do I always get the ones about tying and strings? I don’t even like tying and strings. Seriously, as I write this I’m wearing slip on shoes.

Connections are tough. But from the moment we’re born we start making them. We have no choice. We break out of the womb and there’s these people that take us home and we grow up and we get to know them and we get attached to them and they annoy us and we annoy them (and waste their money) until someone either moves out or everyone becomes creepy.

Then we go out in the world and what do we do? Make more connections. We meet people, realize we have stuff in common like a mutual love for films, music or sports teams and we become friends. Or we discover a mutual desire to get naked and do stuff to each other and we become more than friends. Then, after the nakedness and the doing stuff, you wake up one morning and realize you’re in love and attached to this person. Then they annoy us and we annoy them (and we start wasting each other’s money).

Marin’s not like that. She’s all about connections. Since moving to Elmo, she’s managed to create ties with the various guys in town. They know her and, to a degree, have come to respect her. Buzz and Patrick listen to her and try to find common ground; especially Patrick, who follows Buzz up to his cabin/snowy death trap. Then there’s Jack who literally ties himself to Marin and falls into an old mine shaft (that’s right, I said mine shaft). Marin starts to think being connected to him is toxic.

It was important for us to have Marin save Jack in this episode. Up until now he’d pulled her out of the ice, helped her sick raccoon, given her a stink removing tomato bath…We wanted to correct the balance and it came at a good time, when she was having doubts about herself. By being able to rescue Jack, we were hoping that would give her the boost of confidence to propel her forward.

Because really, that’s what connections do, right? They bug us, but they also save us. It’s our connections that help us grow, hold us as we deal with loss, bail us out of the slammer and tell us not to lay any cash on the Chicago Bears.

While we’re on the subject, I’d like to thank all of you guys who’ve made a connection with our little show. We bug the hell out of you by bringing in pregnant ex-girlfriends and you climb on our backs screaming at us to get rid of her. But still, we feel the love under the anger. You’re connected to us. You can’t deny it. We really appreciate all of the letters and e-mails you guys are writing to us here and to ABC. Keep ‘em coming. We know you want more episodes online. That’s not our call. But keep asking for them. Because if you, the people, speak, you the people will be heard. So you guys write and love, and we will keep on writing and loving you for caring. Deal?

This will be our last episode on air for about a month. But please keep coming back here to our site because we will be updating it continually with new stuff—even a podcast where we interview our cast. There’s a lot to look forward to in MIT land. We are shooting our last two episodes now…and let me just tell you…you won’t want to miss them. Another proposal…a wedding that may or may not happen…packs of wolves, a cat, a divorce and a missing eyebrow. Stay tuned!

Chris

Comments

[TJ]

"Our last 2 episodes"??????

For this year or forever?
This is the only decent show left on TV.

The highly touted Grey's Anatomy stretched all believability with the drowning episode (I am a former EMT with 10 years experience and believe me, this WOULDN'T happen...), and I could go on and on about other shows......

I have very limited time to watch any TV at all. This is pretty much the only one I ever watch.

Please let it NOT be cancelled!

[carolyn]

You can't imagine how relieved I was to see that there are more episodes to come ! I got off to a slow start with this series but somewhere along the line it became my one of two favorites for the entire week. ABC has a huge hit on their hands. I hope the people that make the decisions to keep a new series are smart enough to realize it !

[Sandrine]

I have really loved this show from the first episode I viewed and look forward to every episode. I only started watching after MIT moved to Thursdays after Grey's Anatomy so I've enjoyed repeat episodes ... and I will eagerly await your return. I simply wanted to express my commmitment as a viewer while you are off the air for a while!

[Bonnie]

YET ANOTHER WONDERFUL EPISODE OF MIT. ALTHOUGH IT WAS A RERUN IT WAS NICE TO SEE THAT CHEMISTRY BETWEEN JACK AND MARIN. I ALMOST FORGOT HOW WONDERFUL JACK IS. THE SCENE WITH HIM WASHING HER HAIR-WHAT WOMAN WOULDN'T LIKE THAT?

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE EVERYONE BOYCOTT OCTOBER ROAD TO SEND A VERY CLEAR MESSAGE TO THE SCHEDULING IDIOTS AT ABC!

IT'S GONNA BE A SAD FEW WEEKS FOR ME ON THURSDAYS. GUESS I'LL GET A LITTLE EXTRA SLEEP BECAUSE MIT IS ALL I'M INTERESTED IN WATCHING. IT HELPS KNOWING YOU'LL BE BACK SOON.

KEEP UP THE WONDERFUL WORK! THIS IS THE LITTLE SHOW THAT COULD AND IT WILL BE PROVEN SOON ENOUGH! I TRIED EMAILING ABC BUT I GET THE FEELING THEY IGNORE AT LEAST HALF OF WHAT THEY GET. I HAD SAID TO THEM THAT EVERYONE THOUGHT MARRIED WITH CHILDREN WOULD NEVER MAKE IT AND LOOK HOW LONG IT RAN BY JUST HANGING IN THERE AT THE BEGINNING. I KNOW IT WAS ON ANOTHER CHANNEL BUT AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT A STRONG FAN BASE CAN DO.

KEEP UP THE AWESOME WORK. WE WILL MISS YOU UNTIL APRIL! :( :( :(

[Vicki]

I agree with TJ. PLEASE tell me when you come back there will be more than 2 episodes. We need sooo much more of the story, and I will be so disappointed in ABC if they don't stick with this wonderfully sweet, quirky show.

Where I differ from TJ is that I watch a lot of tv, nearly always spot the winners, and MIT is a winner!!

[Donna, NL, Canada]

I don't see a new schedule date for the next episode.....please tell me MIT will be back on the air soon!!!! My Thursday nights are incomplete without that cast. The re-runs are fun to watch, but nothing like following Marin, Jack and the rest of the crew!!!! I am also praying that ABC is picking up the show for the fall, and that it remains in it's Thursday night time slot. Here's to MIT.......the best show to hit the airwaves in years (can you tell I'm a fan??? *lol*)

[Betty]

Dear Chris,
I enjoyed "The Buddy System" as much last night as I did when it first aired. ABC should air repeats during the "hiatus" so newer viewers can catch up and obsessed fans like me will not suffer MIT withdrawl.
"The Buddy System" was poignant and your blog about connections even more so. You are a terrific writer. I enjoy the blogs and comments throughout the week so I am really glad to hear that you guys will continue to connect with us during the "hiatus".
I have written to ABC, imploring them to nurture this show and have encouraged everyone I know to watch. I want my MIT! Is there anything alse I can do to ensure its continuence?

[cassandra]

This was one of my top three episodes. Marin and Jack are smoking!! and yes, I am one of the one's who is screaming about Lynn. I'm trusting you to make it right and get her the heck out of Elmo. I can't imagine anything more oppressive than having to deal with her weekly. I'm sure all will be well. Can't wait to see how you get us there! Don't know if I can wait until April for a new episode. Hurry back! I am looking forward to many years with Marin and Jack and the other loveable residents of Elmo.

ahhhhh another month :(

[cassandra]

Chris: When you say last two episodes you mean this season, right?

[Kathleen]

Thank you so much for such a great show! Please do whatever it takes to keep it coming! I have been a loyal viewer since the beginnning. My daughter was born the week it aired and I can't tell you how many late night feedings were spent watching taped episodes over and over and over again! This week's episode is one of my favorites! I mean...the hair washing scene at the end....WOW! That's what made Jack so dreamy!

Your fans are like a cult following! None of us just like it a little. All of my friends watch it and are obsessed with it! Thanks again!

[Jessica in WA]

Love MIT! I watch every week and I can't get enough of this show.

I hope this show stays on ABC forever. It has such great characters and scenery in it.

I'm really looking forward to the new episodes. Just like everyone else, I'm not a great Jack/Lynn fan but I'm dying to find out what happens between them two and Marin.

Please keep Men in Trees on air!

[-Mindy]

I, too, am a true blue MiT fan and can't stand knowing that it will be off the air for so long. I do have all episodes taped except the one where she is in the bathtub after being "skunked" so I will not go into total withdrawls during this time. My husband does not get my obsession and just rolls his eyes when I watch it again and again. I love the scenery, I love the story lines, I love the chemistry between all the characters and unlike many I don't hate Lynn. She knows a good thing when she sees it and is going to try and hang on for all she's worth. But, Marin WILL wind up with Jack in the end and I'm looking forward to seeing how they work that out. I hated seeing Jane leave Plow Guy but I think the thing with Danny was a rebound statement - she had to drink to forget Sam and Danny was just there, right? Haven't we all done dumb things??? Thanks so much for this site and the 'info-blogs' that help explain some of our questions. Keep up the great job on MiT and know that we are all waiting for you to come back!!

[BJ]

MIT is a breath of fresh air. It is the only network show that I watch and I look forward to it each week. I can't deal with another "CSI" or what ever cop show is on these days. I get depressed enough about the real cop shows from the News. I am a fan of MIT and look forward to enjoying many more episodes.

[KELLY]

I love this show it's one of my favorites! I can't wait for the next episodes. I wanted to know when they would air and would it still be on thursday nights? I'll keep checking the blogs!

[BJ]

I am praying that MIT is not going to be replaced or cancelled by October Road. I look forward to this show every week. The characters are delightful and the story line isn't burdensome - some one always makes me laugh.

[Don Blackburn]

I think some of us are reading way too much into this blog. If it was really the 2 last shows forever I would have expected a "I will miss you all" sappy tear stained blog. But I'm reading a very upbeat "Can't wait for you to see these shows" type of message. I am one of the guys who watch the show. I enjoy the stories my only complaint is the men share their heart with mother men the way women do. In the beginning I feel you captured the wonderful differences between men and women. Unfortunately now the men are beginning to talk like ladies. As long as the stories are good (and they have been) I'll put up with this annoyance. I guess if you had the men talk the way men really talk it would be pretty boring. It would probably go like this.

Jack walk into local bar. Ben sees him.

Ben: Hey Jack

Jack: Hey. What's up?

Ben: Oh you know trouble in paradice.

Jack: Hey don't I know it.

They both laugh Jack finishes his beer and goes home.

[Peyton]

Okay guys, I am taking it on faith that ya'll will be back in April!! I really don't know how I am going to get through this dry spell. MIT is the only show on TV that I cannot miss. I have school on Thursday nights and only get to watch the last half and I catch the whole episode the next day online. Please, please, please come back soon!!!

[Severine]

I cannot believe ABC is airing a new show in the MIT timeslot. It's very difficult to maintain an audience and grow an audience when a show moves around the schedule and is then removed for weeks. Those who do not read the ABC/MIT website probably think MIT is over.
MIT is the best new show on all the networks.It has fabulous writing,acting,locations and from what I see, a crazily committed fan base.
I sincerely hope ABC returns MIT for many seasons.

[Crystal]

I so hope this show doesn't go away. I LOVE THIS SHOW. Please don't cancel it. I really love everything about it. I look forward to it's return and I was so upset when I heard I was gonna have to wait a few weeks to see new episodes. It is a great night to watch Grey's and then MIT. I will eagerly be waiting to see it back. Thank you.

[Lisa]

This is the best show on television--I look forward to Thursday night all week. I am truly dismayed that we're not able to see it for a month, and hope that it will last for the 5 seasons planned. Everyone I talk to feels the same way!

[Jim]

This is the only show that I watch on regular TV. Please don't cancel it.

[Tess]

I LOVE this show! THANKS!!!!!!!!!!

[GAW]

I am so addicted. MIT is the perfect combination of Sex and the City and Northern Exposure - I'm getting all my friends hooked, too. Could you please PLEASE let me know when the next episode is airing? You said March but now it looks like April?? Thanks.

[Kay]

I have had to download the past episodes off of the internet just to be able to have MIT available to me since the network has decided to deprive me for several weeks....I emailed them and can only hope everyone does and that they listen.....great show!!!