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.
Loved this show based on Ekman’s science. I did find Tim Roth started acting a bit weird by season 3.. the eccentric hand swaying and body language put me off a little, but I think if he was acting a bit more like the pro we met in season 1, gritty and a bit more scientific, it may have faired better with the viewers. The relationship with Gillian should have developed into something more romantic, her being his centre, and perhaps a contract or two with the NSA and CIA, would have given it more a homeland gritty persona. This… Read more »
I am GUTTED this show has ended. I found it addictive, compulsive viewing and would catch myself in real life closely watching others and picking up clues as to whether they were telling the truth. Fascinating and educational as well as having great story lines and relatable characters. Plus I LOVE Tim Roth. He is amazing in it. Please bring back…
I thought I was just missing a season but it turns out that lie to me had already ended. I love the show so much that I never wanted it to end. I really hope they could create new seasons. 🙁
Just finished season 3 on Netflix. I just love the series. How could Fix leave us with this cliffhanger? Please bring the serie back! Tim Roth alone as Cal Lightman is worth watching, his one of my favorit actors! He’s great!
The t.v. series is amazing. I like it for all of its little things. The main male lead is like a vortex of sorts, he just sucks you in. I think the only reason it wasn’t the best at ratings is because it wasn’t publicized enough. That and the fact that most show that have accents like misfits, Dr. who, Torchwood, and a few others were painting a false image. Those other shows were okay but the majority of people wouldn’t necessarily like them, i do personally. However, Lie to me is in a category of its own people have… Read more »
Love the series. Just starting to watch it on Netflix. Needed a different lead man to generate ratings. Tim Roth is not attractive, and very hard to understand with that thick Cockney accent. Not easy on either the eyes or ears, at least not for an American audience.
Are you serious no season 4? How rude for them to leave the fans of Lie to me in the air with no closure! ! It is a great serious! Please bring it back!
I agree with you!!! Please bring is back Fox
I just finished all three seasons on Netflix. And now I’m reading that it’s canceled! I’m angry because they left me with a huge cliffhanger and I want it to continue!! Bring the show back!!
It seems this is a joke?
http://en.mediamass.net/culture/lie-to-me/reunion.html
Great show, wish it would come back and ot should have gone a bit more in depth with the characters beyond Cal and Emily and the few trist Lightman, foster and torres had on the side and Loker was too cute to be cast as such a loser., All in all people liked the show probably loved it but writers and producers failed to grow the characters in a proper manner to keep viewrs interested.
Lie to me was a great show. Bring it back, please!
Fox replied to my letter about the follow-Lie to me. David P (FOX) Sep 12 07:51 Thank you for contacting us. I’m sorry Lie to Me was cancelled. It’s always so hard when one of your favorite shows goes away! I’m forwarding your email to the FOX team. I can’t promise you that Lie to Me will return, but I can promise that your email has been read. Your opinion matters to us, and can help make decisions on making shows available ON DEMAND or on DVD and Blu-ray. Thanks again for your email! Throw their letters let Fox know… Read more »
UNREAL!!! This was one of the best shows on television. The show was very smart, engaging and I feel that was the reason for it’s demise. There are too many people out that want to watch American Idol, dancing with the stars, and other mindless entertainment. I enjoy watching a show that keeps me on the edge of my chair, and allows me use my brain. The networks should be ashamed of themselves. I am so sick of the reality shows. Are you going to tell me Honey boo boo is still on?? The final of the Glades was a… Read more »
Well said Jim – totally agree with you 200%. The failure of this show’s ratings lies solely with Fox. Yet we are dished up total drivel season after new season to eternity. But when something outstanding comes along and a brilliant one at that, such as Lie to Me – the idiot decision makers axe it mid-way through its 3rd season. I am so anti-Fox now that I won’t watch a single show of theirs …. unless the readdress this wrong and bring Lie to Me back.
I also think that we Lie to me should be a sequel! The creators themselves to blame for the fact that he lost a number of fans. in season 1 Lightman was very charming. He was eccentric, but not irritated his habits. in season 3 made him Jumpy clown forever with an open mouth. season 4 should be similar to the first and spectators to it. For example Lightman had a good time in the mental hospital, got out and started all over again from scratch. Him no one believes that reputation is tarnished and only the old team is… Read more »
Yet another shiny example of what’s wrong with television these days…. They are simply too greedy,they all think that if a serie doesn’t get enough viewers from day one then they might as well cancel it so before people even notice the show it’s cancelled,leaving viewers with a half season & a serie that never ends & then the networks gets surprised when their next big hit fails because no one is watching season 1 but who wants to watch yet another unending serie,and so starts a downwards spiral of crappier shows & even less viewers…