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 the show is headed in the right direction…they should wait till season 4 is complete and see if fan base picks up or remains the same or drops. If it drops…cancel it. I’d be dissapointed but i think one more season with sme new writers wouldnt hurt. Actors chemistry is GOOD! Dont run possible CSI.
Desperate Housewives over Lie To Me???? You must be kidding!! Why is it that everytime agood show that can make think is always replaced by some mindless empty crap .the ratings are down? No one asked me or anyone that I know that watches it!!
DON’T cancel Lie To Me!!! Love , love, love this show
Not enough advertising. So many people don’t even know about it. Once you watch it, you’ll love it.
This program is better than
“House” which has a similar character who is arogant but humorous. There isn’t alot of advertisement for this show and I think if there is more advertisement you would have more viewers. I really don’t watch drama’s but for some reason the main character caught my attention. I would love if this program would continue.
DONT CANCELE! I love the show because it’s somthing different! I think that they should give “Lie to me” a second chance!!
Lie to Me is a well written, well acted TV drama with a compelling lead character. I would hate to see it go. There are not nearly enough thoughtful shows that not only make you think about the nature of something as profound as honesty, but can teach you something about it as well.
and another good show is lost in tv land while crap, like Desperate Housewives, goes on forever and forever
Please don’t cancel this show it is amazing!!! It would do the viewers a huge injustice if it was cancelled!!!!!! Most people dvr everything and I believe it difficult to see the ratings in an accurate light! I love this showwwww!!!
I totally agree with you!!! I love this show too. It would be an injustice if the show went off the air. It is a great scientific thriller that is captivating to me. Cal can be blunt but that is part of the uniqueness of the show.
I love Lie to Me. I will be quite sad if the cancel that show.
I think there has been many shows cancelled due to studios cancelling for their benefits and not for the benefits for the viewers…. Las Vegas, Without a Trace, and many others that should have continued but haven’t… i feel this will be another show that is doomed. its sad because like all shows that you get into fall to cancellation..
it was great when it first started but not cal’s character has gotten too excentric and hard to follow
ok let me just say this lie to me is my favorite tv show without it theres nothing on FOX tv why dont the writers do what the people want that would get them more views most people want cal and gillian to be togther why wont they do that and there ratings will go through the roof and as much as i watch it ill be more interested … do what the people want you will see how it goes KEEP LIE TO ME GOING PLEASE!!!!!
I love this show and will continue to watch it. However some of the other characters need development as well though clearly Roth carries the show. The young lady playing his daughter is super. Work her into the show a bit more. She is a natural.
I would re-new and get on with the show. Why wait? Stupid cancellations. Without A Trace – great show and it was cancelled for whatever dumb reason.
i am a true movie, series and theatre fan! it’s my addiction you could say! =)
i haven’t seen a truly good tv show in ages until Lie to Me aired!
please DO NOT cancel it! this is way better than Desperate Housewives and they’re still around…