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 was very disapointed to hear this show was canceled. Sure would be nice if another channel would pick it up.
Really such a shame that it didn’t get picked up. Much worse shows have been kept around with worse ratings and worse overall ability I’m sure. I sincerely do hope someone has the piece of mind to pick this show back upand hopefully with the same everything. The cast is brilliant and completely own the characters that are developing nicely, the writers are brilliant in their story development which was only getting better and better. Neeeeeeeds to come back!!!!!!
It is a shame!Really!One of the best TV series I have ever watched if not the best! Come on you people!You can’t do that.Not everything can be about money!!!!
I thought Lie to Me was a terrific show and would of picked up more veiwers in time. Lots of people dont usually jump at a show the first couple seasons it airs. The publicity need to grow and flourish among its viewers and spread. Most of the time i personally dont get into a show until i hear from enough people that its good. Sometimes the first episode i watch in a sereis is when its in its 4th or 5th season.
I watched the series on Netflix and fell in love. Then I found out it was not renewed for a fourth season. I’m so angry at Fox. I had never heard of this show even though I watch bones and house regularly. This show was amazing and had POOR advertising. I really can’t believe they didn’t give this show a chance. maybe if they put the show in a better time slot and advertised it better they would have got the ratings they wanted. Fox you suck
Started watching the series on Nexflix, and feel in love right after the first eposide. Starting Googling all about it and if it was an actual career. When I found out it was cancelled I so bummed. American idol needs to be taken off, 12 seasons of the same crap, we get it there are people out there who can sing. Lie to Me is amazing and needs to come back on the air. Along with some others its the only reason I turn to Fox. I didnt know the 7.67 million people watching it wasnt enough to keep it… Read more »
I’ve absolutely love Lie to me. The actor are fantastic, the stories are original and inventive. So sad they cancelled it, they shouldn’t have… There is no show that is as good as it on FOX. They drop a really good one, but hope they will realise their mistake and restart the show…. We are waiting!
We picked up the show on Netflix, and we love this show! The network should get its head out of its ass and get this show online!
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. i dont want this show to cancel… I don’t see how this show would get a low rating ==
I never knew about Lie To Me until I happened across it on Netflix. My family really enjoyed the show and everyone in it. It’s rare to find a show as unusual and as good as this. We hope that some other network will pick Lie To Me up soon with the original cast. I’m surprised that the show was dropped, unless other people didn’t watch Fox either and just did not know that it was available. Good wishes for this caliber of t.v.
I am very sad the series was cancelled. My husband and other family members enjoyed the actors and the program very much. Hopefully, you will revive it to include the original actors.
After watching season 1-3, I anxiously waited for season four… which never came. If FOX wasn’t still airing new episodes of House and Bones, I would NOT watch FOX.
Some other syndacite needs to pick up this show. My wife and I started watching it on NETFLIX and feel in love with the show. the characters are great..FOX really screwed the pooch on this one, what will it take to bring back this show?
Totally disappointed…It is one of the best shows I’ve ever seen!!! I had been waiting and waiting for the show to return and then I find out it has been cancelled!!?? Unbelievable!!! Lots of shows get cancelled and usually there are opinions on both sides but when it comes to Lie To Me all I hear is people complaining about it being cancelled!!! That should mean something, right? FOX should pay attention to their audience opinion not only to the ratings, specially when half the audience found out about the show like a year later it was first aired…and whose… Read more »
im pissed i love this show
fox i hate you