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 hope they renew it. I look forward to watching it each week. I don’t understand why they don’t move it so it doesn’t compete against House, if that’s the problem.
Seen it a few times, downloaded it on netflix and am an addict now! DON’T cancel I love this. It reminds me in a fashion of Columbo
I have been patiently waiting for the return of this program, and now I find out it’s teetering on the edge of returning or not returning. The program is hardly ever on, we never know WHEN you are going to run it, how do you expect to get enough or the correct count of reviewers?? And WHO IS making the decisions? I’m truly disappointed in those that put on the program. This is a a very well made, ballsy series that has a bigger fan following than they (the powers that be) have any idea of. Get a clue people.
This show should never be canceled. Absolutely amazing show sespecially compared to Terriers.
This show should never be canceled. Absolutely amazing show, especially compared to Terriers.
Fabulous show, great writing, great acting . . . love the sarcasm. Tim Roth and cast are terrific. If this show is canceled it just proves that execs are wankers and that the public’s IQ is continuing to drop. Here’s hoping for a Season 4-8!
keep it! Just started watching and love it!
“LIE TO ME” IS A KEEPER!!! Very seldom do I get to see a show that catches my interest these days. I am very picky. “Lie to Me” is a cleverly written show. This formula has been done many times, but, I have yet to see an orchestra as lively as this one! The casting is brilliant! This show is a breath of fresh air… Along with the meaty truth motive and the show’s dynamic eccentricities, the writing also delicately follows the individual lives of each reoccurring character. Pacifiering the viewers along the way with a sexy undertone of romance,… Read more »
Why are all the bad guys white and why are there so many people of colour in this show, every one of them (except Terry) good guys? This is not at all real and is too politically correct. Blecch.
This is my favourite tv show please don’t cancel. This show started right after I took a course dealing with reading body language. I find the show fascinating. Dr. Lightman is off the chain.
please don’t cancel, it is really a great show
It’s one of the few shows I still enjoy…I really hope it stays!
I love this show and would very sad if it is cancelled.
i would keep it it is a good show needs more seasons
LOVE it please dont cancel lie to me!!