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.
Lie to me was a great show and rather than try and repeat the success of series one Fox and work harder on the story lines they bottled it as always. Tim Roth should be happy that he’s shot of Fox at least.
As per the norm shows that require a thought pattern are controlled by those who don’t.
I’m so upset this is cancelled!! Stupid!!! Fox doesn’t know a good show!! FYI. 48 episodes are on Netflix. No commercials !! Who needs network TV LIKE Fox to enjoy shows. (not that I’m a big fan of Netflix but at least they put this GREAT show on)
Bring back “Lie to Me”!!!!!. Finally I found a good crime drama that was different from the boring CSIs or Law & Order ! it’s the GREATEST show I’ve watched in years!!!!
I just found this wonderful show on Netflix. I am shocked that a show of this caliber is cancelled when Fox keeps other shows on that have no business even being on. This is the best show on tv since ER. I look at Fox as the problem for not advertising the show enough. I never knew about it. Wrong move Fox. I hope some other network picks it up.
I am SOOOOO upset that this show was cancelled!!! It is AMAZING!!! What are the chances of bring it back????? IT IS SOOOOOO GOOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This was an exciting, intelligent and enjoyable show. I couldn’t watch it every night that it was on and looked forward to catching it in re-runs and/or renting it on DVD to follow the story. I kept waiting for it to come back this last fall and wondered what had happened. I finally just looked it up here and am very disappointed to find that Lie To Me is done. Unbelievable. It seems like the junk stays and the good stuff goes…..
Yes it should have been renewed! I am incredibly disappointted that they canceled it! Maybe Fox shouldn’t have kept interupting it’s normal airing with stupid stuff. I am sure that part of the reason it viewings dropped off is because Fox interupted the regular viewing with specials! BRING THIS SHOW BACK! It was the best thing on TV!!
What a disappointment. I have been waiting for the new season to start and just found out it was cancelled. Maybe FOX should have fired the writers instead of cancelling the show.
Seriously, why???? Lie to Me is awesome and should never have been cancelled. The time slot didn’t help either. Renew it, please!! I wanna know what happens with Foster and Lightman!!
Dude I can’t believed they canceled lie to me. Fox you guys are idiots. It was a fantastic show.
Is totally bummed about the cancellation of season four! 🙁
Yes i do this show is amazing and cancelling it was the stupidist thing ever. So what if people stopped watching, there were still alot more watching and enjoyin it. FOX let down alot of people when they cancelled it. Bring it back and let the people who love it enjoy it.
do the 4th season, please!!!!!!!!!!
love this show love Tim Roth please do a 4th season….