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.
Hi i love the series while living in Portugal i fallow it. Renew it please.
I along with other people LOVE lie to me and for the fox network to pull the rug from under its feet was out of order!! If lie to me was being cancelled it should of ended differently not leaving a opening for season 4
I say let another network buy the rights for the show and bring it back
what the hell fox! I’m from the UK and wait for months for it to come out on sky 1. Now you just turn up and just flat refused your viewers one of the greatest shows out there. Well the jokes on you because some other network who understands good TV will pick it up and you’ll rue the day you cancelled!
Are you kidding? My whole family watched this show! I thought I’d take a look to see when the next season would be starting up. I’m very disappointed in FOX!
Disgusted, Lie to Me was one if the only shows we tuned in for. Shark was a previous one. House used to be excellent but now it’s gone as stupid as Ally McB
Bad call Fox, you need to get some clued up folks on your team
This really sucks! “Lie To Me” was one of the few shows on the non-cable networks that I really looked forward to watching. It seems the new series the cable networks are bringing out are much better than ABC, NBC or CBS have to offer. Then when they do come up with a quality show like LTM they cancel it!
@Simon, I also would have liked to see what was happening with Loker and some more character development, but disagree with your comment about the stories being poor. I thought the consistently strong and varied stories were what made it such a good show!
That and the great characters.. and great everything else.
I think it’s a real shame that these slightly quirky and different programs always come to an end when I see some of this mainstream monotonous rubbish that is repeated 24/7.
Another show bites the dust. It will be missed!
I really love Lie to Me and I am disappointed to see it cancelled but to be honest the 3rd season stories were quite poor. The character storylines did not seem to be developing as much as they had in the previous two seasons. It would have been intriguing to see what the underlying story between Loker and Lightman was as I am sure he was doing some secret work for him but we will never know
Loved this show! Will be missed badly. Maybe someone else will pick it up that cares about what their viewers want.
OH come on!! I really love this show! I really hope season four will release!!
Yes – Renew now 🙂
I own both season one and two on DVD already…guess I’ll own three when it comes out. Loved this show.
For that matter, I loved/own Firefly too.
FOX apparently wants to keep pursuing those “teen choice” awards. Makes sense if they’re looking for eyes with the most time…too bad that demographic has also developed the expectation of everything being “FREE”…hope your advertisers can adjust accordingly.
I loved this show….dont cancel
Lie to me cancelled, really? First, Medium was cancelled, now Lie to me. THis really sux for my family. We would all rally around the TV, just for this show! Bullshitx10000000000000
Tell the truth Fox, Lie to Me has a chance to be reinstated. What will it take to put the best show on TV back on the air. You could even get creative and bring Duchovney back to Fox as a member of Roth’s team. I am in mourning.
Give us a fourth season! Why the hell did you cancel this show? This show could have been a stable and steady item in the line up for years to come. Award winning and all! Lie to me was the highlight of the week! I just don’t understand the logic behind some of these crazy cancellations. All of you who liked this show, get in touch with FOX and pest them all you can to get i t back. It has been done before! ..and strangely, the website for Lie to me is still up on FOX’ website.. I’ve never… Read more »