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.
Bring it back!!!
I don’t watch much TV but this…this was a GREAT TV series! FOX needs to take another look. Maybe another station will pick it up.
This was the best series I’ve seen in a long, long while.
Bring it Back! I love that show. I only have 4 shows that I watch and this was #3
It should have been continued. We looked forward to watching it every week. This show was different than other series on television and very disappointing that it will no longer be in the line-up.
we’re so bummed!! one of our many favorite shows and we watched every episode. We will miss the show, as we looked forward to it!
I was look for when the show would be airing and i found out it was being cancel. I watch the tuesday night line up because of this show. I guess that will not be happening now.
For someone who rarely watches tv because of the lack of unintelligent shows available, I religiously watched Lie To Me everytime it aired. It got the family together too! I will miss this show, and hope that another network can pick it up. If the executives want to put crap on tv, at least balance it with good shows in order to please their viewers. After all, we are paying them.
This was an awesome show. I loved the real science, the character development, and the writing. It was one of few shows on TV for intellectuals. Lie to Me wasn’t well marketed and didn’t have enough brand recognition. It was hard to find out about and needed a stronger PR presence online and in traditional media. If enough people knew about it, it would have been up there with CSI.
This show was so well written and the actors were on point portraying the characters. I was always eager to re-watch old episodes and keep up with the new season. How dare these channels cancel a quality show when the rest of television now is solely reality shows that have no effort or creativity behind them?
Really.. That was one of the best shows on TV. THese stupid reality shows are taking more of the time nowadays. I have no idea why people pursue such mindless pursuits as reality TV shows are. I really really miss Lie to Me. I wish Fox bring it back.
Talent? Yes. Believability? Yes.
What the hell is the matter with those execs? I do not understand it.
Reality crap? Blah. Blah……………………………
Talent? Yes. Story line? Yes.
Bring it back!!!!!!!! Put it on the ballot against Obama !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
the television show was one of the most well produced and well-written shows ever on public television network. I agree with Carol that the execs should watch their own programming and start realizing what junk they’re feeding the public. Intelligent television seems to be a thing of the past, quality television is disappearing. Lie to me was and is a great masterpiece of television art and if it doesn’t come back all I can say is there something wrong in the heads of the department’s at Fox.
once again,another great show cancelled while execs keep reality crap and other bad shows. do they even watch what they air anymore? i hope another network(maybe cable) will pick this great show up!! PLEASE,PLEASE!!!
They have talents that they know how to cancel a popular TV show and continue some bad shows.
bring the show back…its better then that other crap on TV….
Bring Back the Show, it was tremendous. How can you keep some not good shows, but yet, the good series, that make you think and wander, how a character lies. FOX, you can do better. A suggestion, cut one show of Cops on Saturday and place Lie to me, there, you know there is always reruns everywhere. Give it another show. The cast works well together cast include:Kelli Williams, Brendan Hines, Monica Raymund, Hayley McFarland, and Mekhi Phifer plus Tim Roth. You are kidding me cancelling this series.