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.
Don’t take Lie to Me away!! It’s so clever and unique and I love it!
Lie to Me and House are my two favorite shows. I sure hope Lie to Me doesn’t get axed!
I ABSOLUTELY LOVE LIE TO ME it’s one of my favorite tv shows along with House, Glee, American Idol, Bones and LOST, but if you get rid of it that would be really upsetting. I don’t get a chance to watch shows on tv because of school and work, but i always stream them on the fox website. lie to me, house, and bones, i always miss, but watch online! PLEASE don’t get rid of Lie To Me!!!
Keep Lie to Me on! Finally a show that engages the mind!
I really like “Lie to Me”. It’s very unique, I like the Psychology aspect of it and more of the body language part the most. This is one I would purchase the DVD’s in a few years down the road. It’s as unique as “The Unit” was (bring The Unit back). Hope they keep it on the air for years. Does Neilsen give just one box to the people that participate (I assume that’s what they use) or is it more? Maybe these people also have a VCR or a DVR in another room and it’s not counted. I also… Read more »
Great concept and Roth is magnificent. It would be a shame to dump it. Please continue it.
My husband and I love “Lie to Me’. Bring it back !!!!
I really like Lie To Me and it’s dissapointing that it’s never on. I hope you’ll bring it back. I think it would have better ratings if Fox would just quit preementing it for other stupid shows all the time; how can it get good ratings if we never know if it’s going to be on or not? Why don’t you try shoving some other show out once in a while intstead? Come on you guys, BRING IT BACK… PLEASE??????????????????
I’m really upset that “Lie to Me” may not get a third season and that it is being put on hiatus. That really blows. I have a Psychology minor and this is a really interesting show. PLEASE BRING IT BACK!!!
I don’t know where they get their numbers from. In this day and age, I don’t think they take in the number of people who record and watch later, or watch on the internet. Just because they don’t get the same time watching, doesn’t mean that those of us who love it enough to record while we are busy with our lives and then take time to watch it later should be discounted. I think networks need to look at a new way of deciding what shows to keep and what shows to cancel.
Lie To Me is one of my favorite shows! I look forward to it possibly more than House. I really hope it comes back for a 3rd season. I don’t even like 24…so as soon as House is over I’m done watching FOX now.
Lie to Me is one of the best shows I’ve seen in a while and i intend to continue watching it as long as Fox doesn’t cancel it.
I love lie to me!! Bring it back now!
I really enjoyed the show. Please don’t take it off air. Move it to another night. I hate the fact that 24 replaced it. I never watched 24 and don’t intend to start now. Find somewhere for Lie To Me and put it on. Much more entertaining.
Lie To Me is a great show! The networks need to recognize that the world has changed. I NEVER watch broadcast TV, so it doesn’t matter what night it’s on, but I am watching (internet) and providing a revenue stream through watching internet advertising and purchasing DVDs. Come on FOX…. Support these sharp, witty and fresh shows. Please stop punishing viewers who spend enough time to become invested with premature cancellations, crazy viewing schedules (remember how you killed FIREFLY by airing the episodes out of order), and long hiatuses – too much time elapses and it’s hard to get back… Read more »