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.
I can’t believe FOX cancelled Lie To Me. I have all 3 seasons on Amazon.com and I was so excited to watch season 4. I love Tim Roth! My fiance and I watch it at night before bed and he pretends to know how to tell if I’m lieing and It was just a fun show. Im so bummed, I hope Tim Roth shows up somewhere soon on a MUCH BETTER network. If it weren’t for lame family guy and stupid American Idol, I could watch my Lie To Me… jerks
I love this show and watch from the uk. I’ve only just discovered it has been cancelled. I’m very disappointed it’s a great show, very witty and with a good set of characters.
bring it back…come on!!!!!
So disappointed that the execs at FOX have cancelled one of the more smarter shows in their lineup. The stories were intelligent, the acting engaging and compelling to watch, I enjoyed watching this ensemble of actors very much. It made me believe that maybe there were signs of intelligent life at FOX….I am sick that another program with a promising future and solid fan base is thrown away for the almighty dollar.
I loved Lie to Me and referred it to all my family and friends. I watched Season 1 and 2 and I went into withdrawals afterwards for a week, not getting my nightly med of it and finding there was no Season 3.
WHY do networks cancel intelligent creative shows and leave the trash stuff on???
PLEASE bring it back!!!
This is horseshi… This was a great show, FOX has a tendency to cancel great shows (we all remember how they cancelled FAMILY GUY!), it might not have the best ratings but it has a pretty solid fan base (made up of smart people who enjoy Tim Roth’s great acting I should say).
BRING IT BACK!!
It was one of the best shows on tv. Who the hell didn’t watch it?
Cancel Lie to Me ? Another fan-ignoring move on the part of studio execs.
I am joining the crusade to bring this very entertaining show back. Keep the show and I stay with FOX on my line up. Cancel it and I will seek it (hopefully) elsewhere and leave FOX behind.
A call to all the fans: let us speak up. Enough of losing excellent programs that have a huge fan base.
Bring it Back!!! I will thank you now in hopes of seeing it…
Lie to me was intelligent TV. Unfortunately Fox might’ve been the wrong network. TNT or USA should pick it up and put it as a lead-in or after one of their hits ie Royal Pains, Barely Legal, The Closer, White Collar. After Drop Dead Diva on Lifetime would be an excellent placement. Good Luck!! We’ve become big fans.
BOYCOTT FOX!!!! This was the best show in their line-up! Rally and e-mail Fox and let them know that we want this show back on the air for good! It worked when they foolishly cancelled Family Guy after 3 seasons. It can work here, too. It was one of the most intelligent shows on TV. Who needs “Skating with the Stars”? Who needs “The Simpsons” anymore?
Lie to me was a very unique show. It is a pity that Fox decided to cancel it. Perhaps another network will pick it up and give it a future.
“Lie To Me” was a pretty good show with decent character development. Bummer that it got cancelled. I’d like to see them bring it back.
To cancel lie to me is straight ********. I guess some viewers ate not smart enough to understand the meaning or humor in the show. House f io llowed by Lie to me was a Fox 1, 2 punch and the execs at fox screwed that up….they, must have their head up their ass !! Remember the show, Past life ?? They screwed that up too. It was really good too.
Hey, I loved, “Lie To Me”. It was a great show… I think they should put that one back on the air. They had no right to take that from us… What the h-ll?
Bring back Lie to Me! It’s a great show! It’s smart, interesting and unique. Come on Fox! Bring this show back for another season.