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.
This was my favourite show on TV, and I’m deeply saddened that FOX has cancelled it. Please PLEASE bring it back…even if it’s only a “summer” series!!
An intelligent show that did not feel the need for having viewers see primarily blood and guts. It was my favorite show in the last 15 years hands down. This was a “family” show for us and our 13-year old and we will miss it.
The problem with season 3 as I saw it – “dumb” content and added violence, too bad it was only analyzed on certain ratings.
this is one of the best shows on tv. bring it back!!
Just watched it on Netflix! Love this show…..goes to show when you take something for granted it may walk away. I always meant to check out this show but never got around to it on television when it was on FOX! Too bad i guess I was too busy watching “Dancing with the Stars” or something I dunno? But I am watching on Netflix now. Tim is soo cute and the writing is witty and smart, love intelligent shows like this and “House” Too bad!
I loved this show. I really am upset they canceled it . I am so tired of the only thing on television anymore are stupid reality shows and cop shows. This one was fresh and interesting. If the show was getting poor ratings according to them they should have moved the air day like they have for so many other crappy shows. Stop putting good shows up against other network shows that you know for show are major hits. Of course its not going to get the ratings you want when you do that.
Thats terrible, it was the only showed that had me glued to my seat. I even saved my shows for when I had to go to college. So disappointed.
I am very sad. They should defintely put it back on, even if it is for another 13 episode season. It’d be better than not at all.
I really have enjoyed Lie to Me. It’s interesting and I love the cast. It’s too bad that Fox is cancelling it.
I completely agree with Kristy. I was looking forward to the next season!! This was one of my favorite shows, bad decision fox!
What on earth is it with your American television networks?? You can produce utter garbage that runs forever (Days of our Lives, The Simpsons for Pete’s sake) or run shows WAY beyond their used-by date (CSI, Law & Order) or produce off-shoots galore… but anything fresh and interesting coming out of those same networks is lucky to make it past 2-3 seasons. This is why I am always reluctant to give any new shows a go when they come out of the US… have learnt the hard lesson that the more I like the initial episodes, the less likely it… Read more »
One of the best shows..I just saw it for the first time on hulu…Had to watch it all…Bring it back..I showed it to several people who never heard of it before they said it had to be one of the best and we were all waiting for the new season…I think your marketing and publicity dept. blew it…Too bad it was a winner…
I am so angry!! I was so looking forward to the next season!! I love Tim Roth and the whole cast! It makes me not want to watch Fox anymore. I know I will not watch on Monday nights when Lie to Me should be airing!!!!!
Sadly, this is absolutely typical of FOX. Another good show joins the (long) list of GOOD shows they have killed. I agree with Oksana – cancel FOX together with its greedy, stupid executives and shareholders. They are assasinations of good shows who want us all to watch trash TV.
I loved the show and wish it would have continued.
This is it. FOX, listen: you’ve officially lost my view. Lie to Me was the only reason why I watched your fucked up network and now you’ve done a retarded thing like this. I hope CBS or USA or TNT picks it up for another season, and you all drown in your fixed ratings. You make room for dumbass shows like X Factor and American Idol and keep actually great shows like Lie to Me just long enough to get a sizable and loyal audience, and then you cancel them. You’re a bunch of ***** who care only about ****.… Read more »