Sadly, Lie to Me’s fate is still undecided. The FOX drama was given a full season renewal in November but the network has delayed its return until after the May sweeps period. That’s exactly a show of faith. And now, showrunner Shawn Ryan has jumped ship.
Lie to Me follows Dr. Cal Lightman (Tim Roth), a human lie detector, and his team of experts who help law officials solve their most difficult cases. The cast also includes Kelli Williams, Brendan Hines, Mekhi Phifer, and Monica Raymund.
Last season, Lie to Me had a very healthy series premiere with a 4.9 rating in the 18-49 demographic and 12.37 million viewers. Those numbers slowly melted away though and, by the end of the season, dipped to a low of a 2.3 in the demo and 7.75 million. Despite the decline, FOX renewed Lie to Me for a second season of 13 episodes. Shawn Ryan (The Shield) was brought in as a new showrunner.
Year two kicked off in September to a 2.9 rating and 7.73 million viewers. Though Lie to Me was losing a significant percentage of the House lead-in, FOX gave the series a full season renewal and added nine episodes. Soonafter, Lie to Me hit a new low with a 2.2 rating and 6.64 million viewers.
FOX put the series on hiatus in December and it already looked destined to be on the bubble for a third season renewal.
It was expected that Lie to Me would return before the end of the 2009-10 season but FOX chose instead to hold original episodes until June 7th. That means they won’t air until after the May sweeps period and until after FOX has announced their 2010-11 schedule.
FOX execs could make their decision based on Lie to Me’s existing ratings data. Or, they could wait until after some more original episodes have aired in the lesser-watched summer months. Neither option is likely to put Lie to Me in a very positive light.
Now, it’s been announced that Ryan, the program’s well-respected showrunner, has decided to leave the show. He’s already committed to a new drama he created for FX called Terriers. It also looks likely that FOX will pick up his other new show, Ride Along.
While none of this means that Lie to Me will necessarily be cancelled, it’s certainly not positive news — especially if FOX execs like what they see in Ride Along. Why stick with a show that’s lost Ryan as a showrunner and has been losing viewers when you can pick up Ryan’s new show that’ll get some attention and might do a lot better. FOX may make a decision about season three at the upfronts next Monday or not for a couple months.
Whether Lie to Me is renewed or cancelled, it seems very likely that viewers will still get to see all 12 of the remaining episodes for this season.
What do you think? Does Lie to Me have a good chance of returning for season three? What would you do — keep it or cancel it and go with something new?
Image courtesy FOX.
I think that from a business aspect, it’ll probably be cancelled. However, it would be a mistake because as many other comments express, it is so well written, well done, smart, sophisticated, and funny. Tim Roth is brilliant, he’s natural, believable, and just intense enough. But with ratings the way they are, it seems unlikely that Fox will continue having faith in this show. Lots of people like it and may want to watch but unless they actually tune in with large numbers Fox has to replace the show with one that has better numbers. I personally hope that it… Read more »
The only time I watch FOX is when I’m watching Lie to Me. Please don’t cancel!!!
ARE YOU NUTS? KEEP IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
FOX -the show canceler-
That’s why I dont like FOX!
Fox has a way with making moronic mistakes, and if they cancel Lie to Me it will further prove its Reputation for being the dumbest network on TV. A few years back they had a cop drama called “New Amsterdam” They cancelled it before the season ended. Then they made “Mental” I like the show has potential, BUT they placed it for a summer schedule which will always make a show look bad. The solution to that, Cancelled it. 24 brings good ratings but bad costs, Solution Cancel it. So recap the only shows they have that are worth watching… Read more »
Oh and I love the picture Icon of Donald Trump If fox cancels Lie to Me —- ” Fox Executives YOUR FIRED”
It would be wrong to cancel this show. It’s well acted and with good story lines. Don’t know if that will continue without Shawn Ryan, but it should be given a chance. The time slot was really bad for me, so I only watched it on Hulu, but if they moved it to 8 or 9 pm, I’d be more inclined to watch it (rather than the non-reality shows they televise). The only reason I can guess they would cancel it is that it costs more than they want to spend, since any profit is going into the producers and… Read more »
I love House, but the episode titled “Baggage” was boring and way off base to the usual House shows. Please don’t repeat that kind of format!!!
I love this show and I’m fast running out of shows I like.
Took us while to even find Lie to Me but now that we have, we love it. Only by chance did we even come across it … via Netflix recommendation. Ok, some other show must have held our attention… but if FOX can repromote this show, we’re sure that others will like it as much as we have. … from 59, & 57 year old viewers…
WHY DOES FOX KEEP CANCELING GOOD SHOWS!? I swear they need to learn from their mistakes and listen to their audience. They already canceled their one good animated show that I watched. Don’t cancel one of my favorite drama’s…. again.
KEEP “LIE TO ME”! It’s intelligent, well acted, and interesting.
for pete sake keep it whos idiotic idea was to get rid of it
get rid of them instead
KEEP IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What the hell is wrong with these people, canceling 24 and Til Death, giving Gordon Ramsey a third show, seriously what the HELL???!!!! Fox has time and time again made some STUPID choices. I mean really. What the F**K?????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I’m already committed to not watching another fox sitcom. If they cancel Lie To Me, then any future dramas too. All they’ll have is just their animated comedys. That’ll be it. I will not watch anymore Fox. But of course this seems to keep happening all the time not just on Fox, anyone else notice that.
Your right on! I agree with you on all counts!
Love this show. Would be very disappointed if it ended.
Do NOT cancel Lie To Me – it’s the only thing I watch on Fox.