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.
I LOVE ‘Lie To Me’! Why would they want to cancel it? Put it in a decent time slot, promote it better and let it go. As others have noted, it’s intelligently written and has a great cast. Please bring it back for good! I’ve missed seeing it and am glad to read that it’s not a goner.
FOX – Listen to your audience and KEEP ‘Lie To Me’ on the schedule!!!
Bring it back bring it back soon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lie to me has been the best tv-series I have ever enjoyed and believe me it has attracted more audiences that that counted. Been checking the internet at least every week to see if it’s back, pls bring it back…….. pls, it has taught lots of pple more things about life, body language and psychology. pls …pls…. bring it back, you guys can’t imagine how many people are waiting o badly for it. Cnt wait till May…
L.
Good God!! How can anyone not see the that Lie To Me is a very different and interesting, unique and intelligent program. While so many other shows are “cookie-cutter” renditions of worn-out previously done themes in the style of “same story-different faces” stuff. It seems like we get spoon-fed garbage that went out with that 30-Something era. I’m tired of the family squabbles between parents, grand-parents, siblings and children of all of the above that occur in those smugly comfortable, but dysfunctional middle-class-sorts of well-to-do families where everything always works out as long as everyone “talks it out” or whatever… Read more »
I believe that “Lie To Me” is one of the best shows ever. Very interesting indeed!
It’s (sadly) interesting that many of the networks abandon shows that have (at least) some level of acting, interesting story lines, and INTELLECTUAL CONTENT in favor, often, of what I will term brain dead boring soaps, witless comedies, “reality??” shows (whose reality?) and grade school quiz programs. My suspicion is two things are occurring. One, those who actually spend some time reviewing the intelligence of many (certainly not all) that participate on the Internet have probably deduced that there are a lot of competent people out there WHO THINK as opposed to the other community that rant, swear, etc. AND… Read more »
I love Lie to Me. It is very entertaining, full of drama, and always keeps me on th edge of my seat. I enjoy watching every weak. I hope that this show gets many more seasons. Please keep it on the air. I think that it is just as good as House and Bones.
Don’t lie to me… tell me the truth… and BRING IT BACK!
This is one of the “thinking” should on TV that explores what the mind can actually do when specific knowledge is applied. Let me kave a little learning with my entertainment!
Actually, after House should be a great spot, another thinking man’s show. But if that isn’t working, find a good place for it!
Lie to me is a great show!
We all love Lie to Me – the story line is unique, the acting is superb – really leaps and bounds above the usual TV fare. Please, please hurry up and bring it back!!!
I really enjoy “Lie To Me” and have missed it. My husband and I enjoy “House” as well and this was always the show to watch after. It’s a wonderful mixture of wit, drama, comedy, mystery, which is hard to find in most shows these days.
Please keep lie to me! So entertaining, great writing and amazing characters! There are so many tv shows on now that can’t compare! Looking forward to it coming back!
Lie to Me is a great show !!! Superbly written and acted. It imparts knowledge and ethics to the audience which is rare for TV.
I love Lie to me! Its a great show and I cant wait for it to return..
Great show!