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.
Please keep this slice of reality based on the real life Dr. Eckman’s brilliant work.
One of the better shows out there today. I do agree that they should move the tme slot if it isn’t drawing the ratings, they do it on other shows..
Please don’t cancel. My husband and I really like this show.
Please do not cancel Lie to Me. It’s an excellent show.
One of my favorite shows of all time. Thought provoking, educational and very entertaining. I’m supprised that the show lasted as long as it did considering what this country watches ie: inane reality shows. Perhaps someone will come to their senses at FOX and continue one of the best tv shows ever.
I just found Lie to Me last season and fell hard. There are many people who do not have time to watch a show at the time it comes on and the use other methods Hulu,netflix etc are being used. Since I discovered this great show I have ordered all seasons. I have also found that MANY of my friends love this show as well. It would be a great lost for it to be cancelled. Unfortunately this is happening so often that shows are not given a chance to either rebound or just get off to a strong start… Read more »
Lie to me is a great show in so many ways, acting, characters and stories. It maybe needs another time slot and some promotion. I really love the show and cannot believe a quality show like that might be cancelled.
Lie to me is one of two shows i watch on fox the other is House. Keep it on the air. if not i really might just have better thing to do on Monday nights. Fox don’t be dumb.
Oh my Gosh! I can’t believe they’re even thinking about canceling “Lie to me”! It is my absolute FAVORITE show! They would be totally idiotic if they did cancel it. I’m tired of FOX constantly airing new shows, letting them be on for a bit and than just canceling them! it’s ridiculous!
I love the show lie to me,what happen to it,was it taken off the air?please bring it back to fox,thats a coolshow!thanks adriana
Lie To Me was one of the few shows I even watched on TV. Intelligent, challenging – fun to watch. Loved the relationship between father and daughter!!
This is one of our favorite shows! It is refreshingly unique. Tim Roth fits the roll perfectly. Please please Do Not Cancel.
Sometimes shows are in the wrong time slot. Before cancellling, Lie to Me, why not try another time slot. I think the show is worth it.
“Lie To Me” star, Tim Roth, is an amazingly gifted actor. I’ve seen enough of his work to know that the characteristics of Doctor Cal Lightman are very much derrived from Roth himself. “Lie To Me” is a brilliant blend of drama and humor, thanks to Roth’s antics and innate ability to internalize. From the opening montage, which includes a close-up of the actors face, his brilliance begins, from within and without! This is a show that has a lot to offer the viewing audience and must survive! René Swan
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Lie to Me. It is hands down one of my favorite shows. It is unbelievable what the networks will keep on the air. But, I am not going to knock what anyone else likes but my goodness Lie to Me is a good show!