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 has taught me so much! I really connect with the show! It is unique and surprising! BRING IT BACK!! Some people have school,work,and kids and we don’t get to watch it when it aires, but we do watch what we have missed! Fox is making a big mistake taking all of the good shows off! I will no lOnger be a supporter if the viewers dont even get a say!
I’m so disappointed this show was canceled. There was so much more with the characters that hadn’t been developed fully yet! Poor choice by Fox to get rid of a show that actually had intellectual value, good characters, and tons more plot line to explore. I really hope they bring it back for a 4th season!
A show that one can truly learn copious amounts of daily applicable knowledge! Network made a mistake when it was canceled…
its the best serie i have seen. if it gets low views its because its on the verge of being too intelligent for the mass media world of entertainment. hope it would come back.
Such a great show! We just found it on Netflix too an we love it; can’t stop watching it. So disappointed in learning that it stops after Season 3. At least we just started in Season 2, so we’ll keep enjoying it for a few great weeks!! Hope it comes back!
BRING LIE TO ME BACK!!!! Brilliant show how could they cancel a great show?!
I love this show! I hope Fox brings it back. I didn’t know about it before Netflix, but I will definitely watch it when it comes back on.
I love this show! I wish I would have known about it before Netflix. Bring it back!
Yes, Lie To Me was the best show. I would still like to see season four.
I loved this show and am craving more episodes! I wasn’t even aware of this show until I found it on Netflix. RECENTLY, I watch alot of tv and movies now, and I would have remembered if this show were advertised more! Please try another season or more, advertise, and I believe you’ll be happy with your numbers ( ratings), it should have been a soaring success, obviously something was amiss in the promoting or scheduling of the series. I don’t know what exactly but I DO KNOW A GREAT SHOW and is a ‘great show’!
Lie To Me is amazing, the people that watch it LOVE IT like me! I was really sad when it was over and that FOX were cancelling it. I hope that they are just making us hungry for it and will make season 4 🙁
Lie to ME,was too CLOSE to the TRUTH always,is why taken off 2 1/2 seasons,ratings had ZERO to do,with WHY is gone FOREVER now.FOX was FORCED to shut it down,by the REAL powers that be.For US to SEE and KNOW the real TRUTH on people faces,is a danger to national SECURITY as they VIEW it.When I saw all the political faces together with criminals,used in the series,and the 1 UFO sighting episode,,,I knew right away,this GREAT series,will be GONE,for sure,,,FAST
I think the show was one of the most brilliant I have ever seen. I must have watched every episode at least 3 times… It was one of those rare series where it just keeps getting better and not even one episode was poor in comparison to the others.
Okay. Here goes. The marketing exec was to blame for the shows lack of high ratings in my humble opinion, but this show is -was- brilliant! I love it. It goes above and beyond in character development, relating to current issues, and relating to viewers of all ages. It is -was- one of the few shows left in today’s media fishbowl that is -was- entertaining AND educating. It taught lessons that Snookie and her crew will never even hear of, it had a better story line than Adventure Time, and please, can I get someone to agree that Loker’s sexiness… Read more »
Ive never heard of this show till netflix… I think the show didnt have the correct promotion cause a lot of people that now see it love the show n think its an amazing show.. It would be a good thing if a season 4 was to come now that a lot of people are disapointed that theres no more episodes… I cheer for a season 4 n i know the people agree to this.. I really hope we get a season 4 n this time have the correct way to promote this show because its an outstanding show n… Read more »