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.
 Loading ... |
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.
Yes bring it back
Yes please!!!!
I LOVED the show Lie To Me !!!! Best show anywhere ! I’m a therapist and I have done work on capital murder cases both with neuropsychological evals and as a mitagator, as well as I own and have studied Paul Ekmans work who life it is based on and I think he consulted with the show. If more individuals understood and had a working knowledge of his work as well as emotional intelligence vocabulary then everyone would increase their interpersonal social skills – obviously I could go on and on however it is not to any benefit.
Pam Leitzell
Just spent the last couple of weeks watching all three seasons of Lie to me. I miss it so much. There is no other character quite like Cal Lightman. The combination of characters are quite unique to Tv and just works. Bring it back!
Apparently we all love the show!!!
Why quiting it!!??
We just realized the show existed!!! We love it!! Please bring it back,we too have been waitingfor Cal and Gilliam to get together. Like someone else stated,you cancel a good show to put on what….more reality bull ****…..I hate the pethetic people on those shows ….so annoying.
100% agreed!!!!
I’m from Denmark and I had no idea that there was only 3 seasons!! I want to know what happens with the caracters (especially Cal and Gillian) and it is a hole new way of tv show. FOX you need to bring back Lie to me season 4! NOT everything is about counting ratings, but about making the ratings count!
My prayer to FOX: PLEASE Bring Lie to me back on tv!!
I honestly don’t know what is wrong with some of these network people. You cancel a perfectly good show! Why? So that you can put some crazy reality show, which I don’t watch. People ask me why I am looking outside the USA for new TV shows, well this is exactly why.
I’m from Germany and i just love this show sooo much. How can you cancel such a great show?!
I want more! Especially because I was hoping since the first episode that cal and Gillian become a couple and after he admits that he loves her the show get cancelled.
I too was recently exposed to this series and I thought it was quirky and absolutely fascinating! I thought the characters worked so well together and even though at times “Cal Lightman” was slightly irritating, there was something there that drew me in and I couldn’t stop watching the show. I am sorely disappointed that it only aired for three seasons.
Bring Lie To Me back ! people love it it has 5 star on Netflix. My whole family watches it. if there were a new season, people would watch it
I was introduced to the show very recently and cannot stop watching it. This is nearly a Game of Thrones level show. What would make anyone consider cancelling such an incredible show so prematurely?
Please resume lie to me series
Great show cancelled. What else is new?
Why would you cancel such a great show?
Loved the show, still watching old seasons, NEED TO BRING IT BACK!
Let there be lightman