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 dont think the series was introduced properly which made it to where no one knew about it. The TV show is amazing! It’s filled with suspence, thril, action, humor, and has a touch of caringness plus more. What more could you ask for in a great TV series! If it was properly introduced on fox and talked about more then just a commercial or two, i think the ratings would have sky rocked. It needs a fourth and in my opinion a fith plus more series! Dont let this show be erased, it has the potential to be a… Read more »
Never heard of this show until it was on Netflix – loved it! Why wasn’t this show promoted more? Terribly disappointed this show has been cancelled. Just went on the web and found out. So many story lines left in limbo . . . Hope someone else picks this up or FOX reconsiders. . .
I had never heard of this show until finding it by accident on Netflix. I rarely find shows I like and avoid most TV. However, after just watching a few episodes I was hooked. Within a few weeks I have watched all 3 sets of the series. I want more. Honestly, I don’t think this show was advertised properly or I’d have promptly watched each and every show. I truly hope they consider bringing it back. My two cents. Advertise it more and the people will come.
My family and I have watched every single episode of Lie To Me. The Cast is just fantastic, the acting, the writing. If Fox canceled Lie To Me, I wish another network would pick them up. Absolutly, an interesting and intelligent program which is so different from anything out there. There are so little quality programs out there as it is. We would love to have Lie To Me back on the air. Tim Roth, you couldn’t ask for a better actor. Fox was lucky to even have him. I also loved all the other cast members, fantastic team. BRING… Read more »
I dont understand why they would cancel this show. This show was great and I could really think about what was happening. This show is sooooo great and educational. How come the good shows get canceled and the corney ones get multiple seasons and they dont deserve it. I wish they would put this show back on. My husband and I really enjoy to watch this together and challenge eachother on who guess whats hapening first. I WANT MORE “LIE TO ME”!!!!!! I am outraged that I can never watch another episode of the best show ever.
This is one of the ‘good’ shows on TV!! i am shocked and appalled at the way they cut the good ones and leave others of questionable content on for 8 or more seasons!!!!!! why do you think ratings go down? its because they mix up the times and days and people cant arrange their schedules to fit the changes….does that take into account the pvr’s and all recording the shows for people to watch later?????
shelley
OMG My family of five in Australia who bought seasons 1 & 2 recently, are mortified that this series has been cancelled. Why are all the interesting and intelligent programs canned? There are so little quality programs out there as it is.
I have no idea why FOX would cancel this show, this is one of the best ever. and like many others said its very educational too, so i dont get it. I’ll be crying and begging for this show to come back.
why do all the really good shows get cancelled. this one provokes thought and is very educational too. good grief, the shows left on the air can be so lame. thank you, at least, for three fabulous seasons. Jayne
My husband and I LOVED this show. The stories were very good and Tim Roth was really great. We liked all of the characters. We were very disappointed that it was cancelled. It figures, the good shows get cancelled and the stupid reality shows go on and on and on…
I have been waiting for Lie to Me to return. When I Goggled it to fined out why it wasn’t on, I was totally surprised!! It was one of the best shows on these days. My husband and I waited each week wondering what the next show would be about. It had a good story line with some good actors. I will miss the show.
I just started to watch this show, i purchased season 1 and I cannot wait until season 2 and 3 get here in the mail. This show is incredible.
This was one of my favorite shows. So dissapointing that it is no longer on…. Very stupid to have cancelled it…
Ya know…it’s not just Fox. The other networks do this all the time too. You get a really great show and just because the ratings dropped for a while, you call it quits. So lets not worry about the 5 to 7 million viewers who follow your programming and are looking forward to another season. I think they enjoy getting us to watch and then breaking our hearts! Really FOX…you should poll your viewers before you just up and pull the plug. You have shows on right now that the ratings go up and down but you don’t cancel them,… Read more »
This was my number 1 show!! This was soooo
stupid to cancel!!! I was really starting to dig FOX. I’ve switched
to ABC and CBS. Screw FOX. Bring it back & you have a fan!
I’ll follow some of your shows. Lie to Me was so awesome.
It clearly shows your inability to select continuing good shows.
Too bad, I know many that booooo you for this poor decision.
Please reconsider & bring it back.!!!!!!!!!!
I’D LOVE TO BE A FAN AGAIN OF FOX!