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 strongly believe Lie to me should have a season four with imminent directors to take it to the next level. I feel it has been a great series i have ever watched at par with the lost. I wish for season four.
Regardless, There is soooo much education to be gleaned from this program!! I think it could only be a plus for our population. Could you please reconsider giving it another trial run? I had never seen it before last winter on Netflix.
I love it; yes, there should be a season 4 . I think the the show and cast are great
Just discovered Lie to Me on Netflix and was so disappointed to have made it through every episode just to find out the show was cancelled! Tim Roth was really fun to watch. I love his body language.
I agree with Rose that television today is filled with dancing, singing and reality shows. There are actually quite a few of us out there who really enjoy a good tv show!
Please bring it back!
I absolutely have loved ‘Lie to Me’ since it’s first airing. I am saddened by what I just read, that Fox canceled the show. I do not watch much t.v. but I did have a few faithful shows that I watched, ‘Lie to Me’ being one of them. I have to agree with a previous posting, there are way too many loose ends that are just left hanging. Do you need an example? Does Cal and Gillian ever get together? Does Cal and the Detective get involved? What about the involvement or relationship of Loker and Torres? What ends up… Read more »
WHY OH WHY DID THEY DO THAT WHEN ALL THEY HAVE ON NOW IS DANCING SINGING AND ALL THOSE SO CALLED REALITY SHOWS>?????????????????????ONE OR 2 OF THOSE TYPE ARE OK, BUT WHAT ABOUT THE PEOPLE THAT ENJOY A GOOD MYSTERY OR DRAMA SHOW LIKE ‘LIE TO ME’? IS THAT ALL WE WILL BE ABLE TO TURN TO WHEN WE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A CHOICE OF DIFFERENT SHOW TO ENTERTAIN OURSELVES WITH AFTER A HARD DAY? IS REALITY THIS REALITY THAT? WHY NOT GIVE US SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT INSTEAD OF GAZING? AM I ALONE FEELING LIKE THIS?BRING BACK SOME… Read more »
I loved the show. I for the most part never watch TV, ham radio in all, but my wife forced me to watch it during season 1 and I really enjoyed it. It seem real, no fony crap writing, and each eipsode matched the nexted. Damn you Fox!!!
Oh my goodness! Fox made a huge mistake! I have just finished the last episode of season 3. So many loose ends I can’t stand it! Another season is needed to tie everything off. While some of the chemistry between the cast was lost in the beginning of season 3, I feel it redeemed itself by the end. Cal expressing his love about Gillian at the very last moment of the very last episode may be the only resolution we get. I would love to see this series come back. The character of Cal Lightman is, by far, one of… Read more »
I was never able to catch the show when it was on air, but I was able to watch all three seasons on Netflix. I, too, was glued to the the screen. I wish the show was still on air. I prefer it over most of the shows on air right now.
Lie to Me had an element of House to it, and that is why I loved it. I found the characters compelling, the acting superb, and the tension palpable.
I watched the entire series on Netflix and was glued to the screen.
Let there be Lightman..you shall be missed.
Tim Roth, if you are reading this, excellent show, excellent acting, I enjoyed your performance and that of your team.
Saw it on netflix and it is one of the best shows i have seen in a long time.
Bringing it back should be a priority
I have been devoted to this show from the start! I recently found out it had been cancelled..So heartbroken…This is one of the best shows “FOX” has had in a long, long time!
I caught the show on Netflix and found the series to be exceptionally good…Better even than House or Bones. I am disappointed that network execs decided to cancel it. I am hoping that it gets picked up and continued with the same cast.
So, how do we start a campaign to get the show back on?
How is it possible that still producers dont see The big picture? They just focus on themselves and forget that many people all around The globe are even starting to watch The series. I am upset that a great series is dumped yet again. I want to see more episodes of Lie to Me.
we need lie to me back. It’s the best I ever watched.