Sometimes the truth hurts — especially when it comes to television ratings. After three seasons, FOX has cancelled Lie to Me.
Starring Tim Roth, Lie to Me revolves around Cal Lightman and members of The Lightman Group. They’re a team of specialists who help law enforcement agencies uncover the truth by using applied psychology. Others in the cast include Kelli Williams, Brendan Hines, Monica Raymund, Hayley McFarland, and Mekhi Phifer.
Last season, Lie to Me averaged a 2.9 rating in the all-important 18-49 demographic and 8.03 million total viewers. That was down from season one and the series found itself on the bubble for renewal. FOX ended up giving the TV series another chance and renewed it for 13 episodes.
Unfortunately, season three didn’t perform nearly as well as season two. It premiered last October to a 2.1 rating in the demo and 5.86 million. Viewership eroded in subsequent weeks and FOX declined to give the show a full season order. Lie to Me then hit a new series low in January, registering a meager 1.5 rating and 5.43 million viewers.
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In its final weeks on the air, viewers seemed to rally behind it and Lie to Me had its best ratings of the season — a 2.5 in the demo and 7.67 million.
Though the ratings had come way down, FOX execs claimed that they still valued the TV series and saw it as a solid utility player. Showrunner Alex Cary said, “Fox has been very clear with us — they know what the show is, they know what it can do. [The ratings bump] shows that people will come watch the show.”
Now, after three seasons on the air, the series is over. FOX has officially cancelled Lie to Me after 48 episodes. All of the installments have aired. Though there are too few episodes for a traditional syndication package, the first two seasons have already been released on DVD.
What do you think? Should Lie to Me have been renewed for season four?
Image courtesy FOX.
Absolutely, we need a new season. It is a great show and it felt like it was cut.
This was an incredible show and I feel that the writers got careless with it. Tim Roth is a rock star that met his match with Kelli Williams’ acting, but they can’t do the whole work by themselves. Should it have been renewed? Yes, absolutely. Even if to gives us a fair finale, unlike Killer App was. Should we have a new season and get on the revival train? Yes, for the absolute same reason I just mentioned: we the people deserve a fitting ending to a wonderful show.
Best prog series and intellectual stimulating.unlike other cop series
I really wish they’d bring it back! I loved the show!
I watch very little tv as I live in Italy but am American. But this series really captured me. I am beyond sad, as I have found little on tv that captures me. so so sad
So much crappy serials are realising those days and the best ones been canceled.Dissapointed by this choice from netflix.Bring it back for those who really enjoyed watching it.Tim Roth trully got me!
The serial is a way different from the all the rest that it’s a real pleasure to keep it watching! So charming, so natural. Bring it back!
Totally with this guy
Tim Roth is an actor I’ve always understood to be clearly underrated. He can carry any performance I’ve seen him in with depth and great lengths. He carried Lie to Me as well, and how the other actors bounced off of his performance (Mekhi Phifer, Kelly Williams and daughter role by Hayley McFarland especially) were genius. The issue I saw was, there was so much room for development on characters as else issues like Agent Reynolds not coming back nor a story line to compel the reason, the “cases” (though solidly played and captivating) began to outweigh a “core” plot… Read more »
I was excited to see Lie to Me on Netflix and was not disappointed as it was just as good as I remembered. I was excited to see the next episode after Lightman said I don’t know why I’m waiting, only to find out that’s the last episode.
WHAAATT was exactly my reaction, and immediately googled why, and I’m still asking WHYYYYY
Lie to Me needs to have another series where Lightman and Gillian finally get together, I need the happily ever after in order to accept the end of this season.
Great cases, but no real character development. If the show had done that it would have gone on for many more seasons. Shame!
Since this show was canceled i have not watched fox not even for news…. i would not care if it was the last standing station on air i would rather turn back to the stone age before doing so…. i still love this show and u should bring it back!!! U made a horrible dicission….
This was a show that kept you captivated. It was intriguing and interesting. There are too many pointless reality t.v. shows clogging up the viewing options.