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.
An amazing and interesting show. It’s very disappointing it’s gone til spring. I looked forward to it each and every week. I recorded it when I couldn’t get home on Monday’s to see it. It has so much application to all real life experiences and should be put back on the air as soon as possible. It’ll be missed my many!
Lie to me is great! it is a don’t miss show for me, a DVR must have! I hate that there is any talk of it canceling. If they would take it off of the same time slot as WWE I believe it would have greater ratings. It is a great show in a bad time slot. The same mistake was made with Dirty Sexy Money! It is just a tragedy that great shows are taken off due to bad planning. Maybe instead of canceling great shows maybe we should cancel the bad decision makers.
Perfect spot after House, great show, gotta keep it on….
Lie to Me is the only show I watch. Now I have nothing to look forward to each week while they film more shows for the next few months. Oh, well. Think of all the electricity I’ll be saving.
I enjoy the show very much and would like to see it continue. It is entertaining and educational, very stimulating. Actual useful information
I love the show. I’m really dissapointed that it’s not coming back on with House now that Christmass is over. Maybe anither night would work better. But PLEASE!! Don’t take it off the air. I love Tim Roth!!!
Love the Show. Please do not take this very entertaining show. Find another time slot!
Love the show! The cast has great chemistry and puts the mind to work in playing out the episodes. It would be so much better to keep it on than put on hold til spring. Maybe another night or time, but it is a super watch!!!!
Lie to Me is the best show on television – really smart, intense and complex. It needs to be kept on the air as there isn’t too much else available for intelligent watchers!
It’s awseome, Poland loves it !! Keep it b smart!
Awesome show, and I love Tim Roth, as well as the rest of the cast. Please so NOT cancel this series. I really would like to see it continue this season and go for a 3rd season. I really believe cancelling some of those reality shows and keeping Lie To Me would be a terrific and successful decision.
Great show, and Tim Roth is excellent in the role of Cal Lightman. Please get rid of those boring reality shows, and KEEP Lie to Me not only for this season, but go for a Season 3!!
Absolutely love this show, and Tim Roth is fantastic. Please do NOT cancel the show!!!
i just started watching this show and i’d be sad to see it stop. Great storylines and very unique from the other shows out there today.
AND I HATE REALITY TV!!!!! So you think you can dance and dancing with the stars………anybody on them should get shot in the knee. that way there would be no more dancing.