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.
what? c’mon men fox cancelled the best show on tv ever ,truly the have extremely old shows going on that they should remove from tv period who ever decided that lie to me need it to be cancelled should be fired clearly this person its not worried about the audience that its following the show ,nor he does not know jack about television my wife does not speak english that mutch yet she was loving the show
I was very disappointed when I found out there was not a season 4. I watched it on Netfix and I thought the next season may have been too new to be on Netflix. I would have went out and purchased the next season.
It is one of the best shows ever made , BRING IT BACK !!!!!!!!
No way!
I love this show, its diffrent, interesting and refreshing.
These days there is so much crap on tv, all the good stuff get cancled while the stupid singing/talent contests and the shows for slow minded people stay on.
There was a time when I loved watching tv all evening long, now I hardly watch tv, and if I do, its mostly for watching a dvd or because fringe is on… thats the only good show we got left now overhere
I have been looking forward to the next season!!! This stinks!
all i want to say: SCREW FOX!! BRING LIGHTMAN BACK!!
I find it hard to believe that you cancelled this show. It is one of the few shows that I made a lot of effort to watch. I’ve had it with reality tv and all the singing contests. At least this show was different. Bring it back!!
FOX got it wrong AGAIN. Period. It’s amazing all the gems they’ve thrown to the wayside just because of meager ratings. But it’s their OWN FAULT! I would go to work and try to talk about Lie to Me, but no one even knew what show I was talking about because FOX didn’t promote it well enough! JEESH, American Idol gets advertisement started 2 months ahead of time, no wonder it’s the most-watched show they have on TV. Next time FOX gets a good show, with good actors & a good plot they better learn how to promote it better… Read more »
I discovered ‘Lie to me’ only about 3 weeks ago and I have just finished watching the last episode from season 3. I can’t believe that the show was cancelled. I don’t watch TV at all, but this show made me watch. This show was so different and interesting – a show with substance. Even though ratings went down, I think it deserved at least another season! Please reconsider Fox!!!
12/2/11 When I heard about a show where they explain how they can tell if you are lying and they tell and show the audience how they know this, I believed that they would be teaching people how to get away with lying so I did not watch at all. I just cringed at the commercial previews. Time went on. Last month, I noticed the show on Netflix while experiencing intermittent downtime while working on an important project. I had to do something to stay alert during this intermittent downtime. Well, I watched all three seasons in about 1 1/2… Read more »
I really loved this show and the character Tim Roth played and I am sad that it was cancelled! I wish they would really make atleast one more season. Why do the good shows get cancelled??
I loved this show and am so upset that it was cancelled. So many shows on TV are not worth watching, but this show captured me very quickly. I liked that it was different from so many other shows on TV. Fox i think you are crazy for canceling Lie to Me
I do not watch television much at all, somehow I found lie to me on the tv at my mothers house and instantly I was hooked. It is an amazing show with amazing actors and a plot that is not like any other. Usually every other show is just like the last but with lie to me I have never seen anything else like it. I think that the ratings being down has nothing to do with the show, but perhaps the advertisement (or lack thereof) Because I can not see how this show does not deserve to have another… Read more »
I’m from Poland and found Lie to Me a while back. But i can’t imagine why this show have been cancelled. It’s better even than house. please FOX bring it back, there’s nothing better to watch than this!
This was one of the best shows on Fox. I get so exhausted with all of the “cop shows” on the other stations, this one was truly something unique! Bring it back, FOX and this time don’t screw with the schedule so much that loyal fans actually know when it’s going to be on!