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.
My husband and I also just started watching this show and the last season. We are quite surprised that Fox decided to cancel. Outstanding acting and the chemistry between the main characters is amazing, in particularly…Lightman and Emily! Fox….BRING IT BACK! PLEASE!
Wow! Watched all episodes on Netflix and am so disappointed that Fox cancelled….LOVE this show! Tim Roth is amazing. Wish I had known about it sooner so I could have helped boost the ratings!
Excellent show. Just found it on Netflix. Too bad I didn’t know about it when it was airing on tv. Perhaps if more people had known ratings would have been higher. Never saw an ad for it. Perhaps another station that has a better handle on promoting their shows could pick it up. It is nice to find a show that is so well written.
I loved this show, but found myself losing some interest too as the seasons progressed. I think the main problem with the show was that, as the seasons progressed, there were fewer and fewer analyses of body language and vocal language; those analyses were what, in my opinion, captured viewer interest in the first season. For example, in season one, the characters would replay scenes and give a play by play analysis of each movement another character made. By season three, that element was almost forgotten. Pity. I thought it was going to be the end by that point. This… Read more »
kadka;sdsssssss
I see your point and I agree
I am so disappointed had no idea it had been cancelled. I was looking forward to this season . Loved the cast and the show was awesome too bad you are not bring it back Fox.
Please, bring back this serial! Millions people all over the world are love it! Pleease. Bring it back!
Love the show, should bring it back only watch the show on Netflix, so didn’t know about it until it was on there,,,, but it is a great show…
Just found this series on Netflix as well. Fantastic series, sorry it got canceled. But I didn’t support it when it was on because I don’t watch tv except for Netflix and Hulu, Time reasons , and now I got hooked on Once upon a time, but only watch it on Hulu Plus. Maybe they should do ratings for people like that can’t watch the programs when they are airing and catch up with them afterwards.
Just recently, I’ve watched the Lie to Me episodes via Netflix. I had never heard of this series. WAY too bad that Fox has cancelled the series. Just when I started to think TV execs might be in touch with folks, this cancellation proves me wrong – again.
you must not have watched much tv if you think that…
Just got done watching the last of the 48 episodes and loved them all..sad it is not still on. Will watch it again! Bring it back!!!! Love Cal hes awsome.
I also just recently found this show on nextflix and really bummed that there were only 3 seasons. I think FOX made a big mistake by canceling this show. FOX just keeps going downhill.
Honestly, i didn’t even really know anything about this series till this year. My family watches FOX all the time and i never saw any commercials for it. Now i feel like I’ve missed out. I tried and ended up paying for netflix only to see this series and watched every episode, later finding out the series was cancelled, to my great disappointment. This was the only TV series I would, and actually did, pay to see. I love it, and I wanted so bad for there to be a fourth season. If there was a way to get it… Read more »
I love this show sooo much. I hate that they cancelled it and they should absolutely bring it back. It is one of the only decent shows on tv, and even past decent it is a great show! I just started watching it and if it came back I would never miss an episode. Please Bring It Back!!
there are allot of decent tv shows you just need to look for them
Well you know what they say, those genius Fox Executives. If it aint stupid, if it doesn’t contain violence,if it doesn’t contribute to the moral decay of the country then it must not be any good. If it offers good lessons to be used in peoples everydays life, if the acting is good and the script are intelligent well we cant have that, for it only appeals to a small minority of the public, shame om us for allowing this on TV. This is and saddly was a first rate drama. Frst time since the XFiles and Millenium that I… Read more »
Just started watching lie to me on Netflix, never heard of it before, such a great show, they should bring it back its totally addicting!!!