Though its performance hasn’t been stellar, FOX has finally ordered a full season of Lie to Me. What does this mean for the sophomore drama’s future?
Lie to Me follows Dr. Cal Lightman (Tim Roth), a human lie detector, and his team of experts who help law officials solve their most difficult cases. The cast also includes Kelli Williams, Brendan Hines, Mekhi Phifer, and Monica Raymund.
The dramatic series is currently in a plum spot on the FOX schedule, sitting behind successful House on Monday nights. Unfortunately, it doesn’t hold onto much of the Hugh Laurie show’s audience. This past week, for example, House was first in the 18-49 demographic (4.6) and second in total viewers (11.95 million), opposite the Dancing with the Stars finals. Lie to Me shed 40% of the lead-in audience in both areas, attracting a 2.7 and 7.16 million.
Despite the so-so ratings performance, FOX has finally given the drama a full season and ordered nine additional installments. The decision comes several weeks after the decision to order more episodes of other shows like Glee and The Cleveland Show.
It will be some time before viewers see these episodes of Lie to Me however. The drama will be leaving the airwaves in mid-January, making way for the return of 24. FOX has indicated that Lie to Me will return at some point in the spring.
Unfortunately, the full season order is more likely of an indication that FOX anticipates they’ll be needing more original programming than their being satisfied with Lie to Me’s performance. What’s more, the show being put on hiatus isn’t likely to help the ratings.
At this point, Lie to Me looks like it will be firmly “on the bubble” come May. A third season isn’t assured and the show’s future will likely be decided by the strengths or weaknesses of FOX’s pilots for the 2010-11 season.
What do you think? Is Lie to Me worth watching or do you think FOX could do better? Would you move it to another night rather than put it on hiatus?
Image courtesy FOX.
DO NOT CANCEL THE SHOW!
It is one of the best shows on TV, and although other actors are not so stellar, Tim Roth is worth keeping.
I absolutely love Tim Roth, so he caught my eye at first. Then I learned about the Paul Ekman connection to the show, and that is amazing. Tell FOX it must continue, it is so fascinating. I can’t wait for a third season. If not, you can put Tim Roth in anything and I could watch him all day long, he is a brilliant actor.
The show is amazing. It’s gotten a lot better since season 1. It’s one of those extremely interesting, intelligent shows, very much like House. Unfortunately, those kind of shows generally don’t make it since the vast majority of viewers don’t understand the things that go on in the show, which makes House all the more amazing for making it.
Lie to Me definitely should NOT be cancelled. Fox seems to have a record for canceling for good shows, as does NBC. Hopefully, they won’t make that mistake again.
Absolutely love this show…this is one of my #1 shows that I have to watch weekly!! Don’t cancel it, it is a great show, been watching it since the beginning…I have never missed an episode.
Wow…Lie to Me is the first TV show I’ve been interested enough in years to follow. I think the last one was ER. It is a great premise, and most of all, Tim Roth is just so sexy…..sigh. I can’t take my eyes off of him, or more like it…I can’t stop listening to that wonderful accent! Please, please don’t cancel this show. It’s the only thing I look forward to watching at all on TV anymore
Really love this show! The writing is terrific and Tim Roth is perfect for this roll!
I already bought the first season and I don’t care when it airs or on what station I will always watch!!!
I love this show–please do not cancel “Lie to Me.” It is creative, full of mystery, and I love the characters. I also consider it a learning experience in watching people, their mannerisms, and what this reveals about their personalities, what they’re trying to hide, etc. I think it’s one of the best shows on TV–keep it coming!
OMG! I love this show. I can’t get enough of Cal Lightman’s Genius. The shows stry lines are always top knotch and I think FOX is crazy to keep it at terrible time slot. MOVE IT TO PRIME TIME!!!!!!!!!! (please*) WE NEED MORE LIE TO ME SHOWS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WE THE PEOPLE DEMAND IT>>>>
I really love this show. It did so well last year but the move to opposite Two and A Half Men (even though this one sucks this year) and The Big Bang Theory has hurt it a bit. I am afraid that the new show on ABC “Find My Family” will not help either. Monday night is a hard night with the success of CBS and Monday Night Football. I feel that we would not be having this conversation if Lie to Me was on its original night. Lie to Me had a good, loyal following in the 1st season.… Read more »
I LOVE THIS SHOW IT IS AWSOME AND DESERVES TO BE ON TV AND HAVE ANOTHER SEASON!!!!!! DO NOT CANCEL THE SHOW KEEP IT GOING AND ON AIR, MAYBE YOU SHOULD PUT IT ON ANOTHER NIGHT AND IT WOULD GET BETTER RATINGS BECAUSE MORE PEOPLE WILL WATCH IT IF IT IS ON EARLIER INSTEAD OF LATER.
I absolutely love Lie To Me. I didn’t watch it when it first came on. I watched an episode after it had been on for a few weeks & I absolutely loved it. I’ve been watching ever since. I think it’s a fresh idea for TV & the actors & characters are great. I love it that they have had Jennifer Beals on. I think part of the problem with ratings is that it came on as a midseason replacement last spring got good ratings & then they put it on on Monday nights when there is already so much… Read more »
Love Lie to Me. Why? Because the main character isn’t perfect (struggles with his own life, being a dad and even with handling his ability in non-work situations) and the mysteries are by and large interesting. Like Loker as well. On the fence with the two female leads. Can’t figure out where the show wants to go with Cal and the main female lead. The daughter is actually pretty good … not a throw-away kid role. I look forward to Lie to Me each week … and it deserves a new night with more promos.
OMG! You know it’s articles like this one that makes one think it’s being objective and yet it is quite subjective. Maybe I will take an article like this seriously when a real writer decides to write it. House may be fine for some but I don’t care for it or watch it. If Lie To Me were given the same chance House was given (put on after a viewer rich show and then thrown about till it found a spot) then it would get more viewers. So next time maybe someone a bit less smug should write an article… Read more »
@Julie: I think Lie to Me is lucky to follow a “viewer rich show” like House. Most others shows aren’t given that same advantage.
Love this show. I do feel it’s a pity to have it follow House. It would be a welcome show on another night…..but don’t cancel it. It’s great.
Love it! Damn good show!