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’m confused as to why The Mentalist would be so popular, but Lie to Me is in a precarious position. It must be that they aren’t promoting it enough. Mentalist is similar, but is complete fiction, and the story lines are ludicrous. Okay, for mental bubble-gum, but it’s a poor cousin to Lie To Me. Lie to Me is based on science, and as such, is the only show I know of like it. They should publicize it on campuses more, psych majors like me love it. So would geeks like my husband and myself that are sticklers for accuracy… Read more »
Please air season 3. Only two shows worth watching are Lie to Me and Fringe
I love Tim Roth and the premise of the show is interesting, but it is getting kind of stale. The writers need to take the show in a completely new direction.
I have been watching season one on netflix and I adore this show. I have been a Tim Roth fan for years and I enjoy the premise of the show. I especially like it when they show photos of famous people exhibiting the expressions that are being discussed during the episode. Too cool! I don’t watch much televison but this is one program that I would truly miss if it were cancelled. Keep it going! I need my shot of Roth on a regular basis!!!!
KEEP IT!!!!!! It’s the only scripted show I watch!! Best show on, no contest!!
they played games with scheduling, and barely promoted the show OR the new time slot. The show is well written, well acted and worthy of a chance to stablize viewership. But this delay shows a total lack of faith in performance and that will be it. I predict that the remaining eps will not even be promo’d and they will be randomly “sprinjkled” throughout the summer …. And this is why I have little respect for Network schedulers & executives. they don;t even know they are being sold aself-fulfilling prophesy by th emarketers and ratings companies. “Viewership is down, commercial… Read more »
LEAVE IT ON!! I love the show!
KEEP LIE TO ME!! It’s the best show on TV – the only one that I make a point NEVER to miss. Not giving it a third season would be a huge mistake.
Renew Lie to Me for a 3rd year – along with Glee, it’s the best show on Fox, let alone TV, since House dipped a little this year. And Fox should promote the hell out of it, like it has it’s lesser show, Fringe. Do right by this show, Fox – you can’t get any better than Tim Roth & co.
FOX needs to keep it on the air. They have changed days and times. Viewers can’t get comfortable. Pick a spot and leave it alone for a season. Tim Roth is wonderful! Supporting cast is great! Stories are excellent!
LEAVE IT ON!! ITS THE BEST SHOW ON T.V. ILL BE LOST WITHOUT IT!!
I hope the networks include online viewership. I often go to CBS.com to watch NCIS, NCIS: Los Angeles and THE GOOD WIFE. I also go to HULU.com to watch LIE TO ME, CASTLE, WHITE COLLAR, DROP DEAD DIVA and ROYAL PAINS.
I live my life, but also make a point to see good quality TV.
I’ve enjoyed “Lie to Me”* so much that I took Dr. Ekman’s online course.
Leave it on!
>:|
Brendan hines is so hot!!he is the reason I watch the series. jajajaja
Great show. Leave it on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!