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 started watching this show just after it’s first season began, and I immediatly loved it. Monday night is a big night for tv so maybe switching to tuesday or wednesday would be better, I’d have to agree that putting it on hiatus is not going to help it, and since information regarding its return is not readily available, it’s going to lose viewers, and that’s a shame.
one of the best new reg network tv shows great acting, orig characters, good plots
Please keep it going!
“Lie to Me” is an absolutely awesome show. My family and I happened onto it by accident and now look forward to new shows as much as we look forward to “House.” The big problem Fox has with shows like this is that they don’t show them consistently. They keep jamming other shows into the timeslot and then wonder why the show doesn’t develop a following. If they had played these games with “House,” I’ll bet even that would have been canceled in its second or third year. WAKE UP, FOX MORONS!! GIVE A QUALITY SHOW LIKE THIS A CHANCE.… Read more »
I love Lie To Me. Please make sure it gets to come back on. I am not an Idol watcher so I really am missing it right now!!
Lie to me is one of the best shows – we have gotten others hooked on it to. Keep the show – don’t care what night it is on.
Lie To Me is one of the better new shows to come out lately. I think it is every bit as good as the Mentalist!!
I have to state that I have found the whole series, to be both compelling and extremely interesting. Fox have a winner here, if they will stop listening to focus groups and give this series their full backing. I have to agree with some of the other comments made about the insane misuse of data to steer a shows survival. It often takes time for a viewing audience to discover what it is that they like about a particular program. American audiences, seem in the main, to lack the critical insight as to what makes for a good TV drama,… Read more »
I am so missing Lie to Me on Mondays after House. I watch it religiously. Well, actually I work evenings, so I tape them both and make sure I don’t miss any episode. I tape ALL my favourite weeknight shows: The Mentalist, Law & Order SVU, The Good Wife, Criminal Minds, The Border, Medium and Flashpoint.. Networks should relook at how they measure ratings. This is not the Fifties, guys. People don’t have to sit in front of a TV set at the time of broadcast anymore. Technology allows us to tape, record or watch on the Internet. So give… Read more »
I really want Lie to Me to come back on! I have been waiting since the tractor episode. I never saw any announcements of the show not returning for SO long. I don’t think it’s very fair for Fox to keep viewers in limbo. I really love this show. I was hooked immediately. PLEASE PUT IT BACK ON ASAP!
the only reason i found this show, is that is came on right after house. NOW, i am totally absorbed by this show as much as house. i watch very little tv, but house and lie to me are the one that i make sure im there for besides sports, thats it. this show is interesting to me on more than one level, i love the science aspect of it, as well as the drama. keep up the good work. i would be greatly proud to hope that lie to me is kept not only as a regular show on… Read more »
Really want “Lie to Me’ to be renewed. It’s a great show!
put lie to me back on
My husband and I have watched Lie to Me since it first arrived on Fox. Please keep this show on the air. We love this show. We came in late to 24 and really love this show. We love House also. But if you cancel Lie to Me, we will not watch any more on the Fox channel. I believe that if you start dropping shows before you even give them a chance, your station will lose out in the end. So please be a winner and keep Lie to Me on the air.
Great TV. Tim Roth et al are superb. Hope it gets renewed.
I love Lie to Me and think it is one of the more original shows out there. I think all the actors are stellar and I really hope FOX doesn’t cancel this show; it seems all the best shows are getting canceled and I will be really disappointed if this one ends up on the list too!