This evening, FOX is airing the final episode of Lie to Me’s third season. Will the series be back for a fourth season or will it be cancelled? The answer may have a lot to do with how well the show performs tonight.
Last season, Lie to Me averaged a 2.9 rating in the all-important 18-49 demographic and 8.03 million total viewers. This season has been a different story. The series hasn’t been performing nearly as well and FOX declined to give the series an order for the back nine, leaving the season at 13 installments. That’s often a sign that the network has given up on a series and will just use up what they have left.
So far this season, Lie to Me ranks near the bottom on the list of FOX’s scripted shows, averaged a 1.9 rating in the demo and 5.75 million viewers. On January 10th, a pair of episodes averaged a 1.6 in the demo and 5.46 million viewers. Based on those numbers you could be pretty sure that the show’s fate was sealed.
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But then, the next week, Lie to Me registered a 20% gain in the demo. Last week, it saw an astounding 39% gain — moving up to a 2.5 rating and 7.67 million viewers. That represents a season high for the drama. If the series can sustain that rating tonight, it could be encouraging enough for FOX execs to greenlight a fourth season.
Despite the low ratings, the producers certainly don’t feel like the network has given up on Lie to Me. In a recent interview, showrunner Alex Cary said, “Fox has been very clear with us — they know what the show is, they know what it can do. [The ratings bump] shows that people will come watch the show.”
Cary also indicated that tonight’s finale goes to the heart of Lightman and Foster and their strong emotional bond. He noted, “We’re very happy with it. We think it will make the fans only more hungry for a season four.”
What do you think? Will Lie to Me be back for season four or will it be cancelled? Will you be satisfied if this is the end?
I love this show. The only problem I have with it is Cal’s daughter. Ok, that’s not true. She’s a terrific actress – but the WRITING for her really ticks me off. She says the stupidest things and it only serves to make me dislike her character as a snotty little brat, one with good grades, but a brat just the same. I wish they’d make her more of a supporting character to Cal (like a daughter/single dad in RL) instead of someone more interested in getting bad attention from him. Other than that – OH and Cal’s eating habits.… Read more »
Fox would be a fool to cancel Lie to Me. This is one of the best written and acted shows on television. Has the network even looked at the show’s fan page on facebook? Everybody loves this show!!!
I love this show and if Fox would air it on a regular basis, I’m sure people would watch. It’s hard to watch a show you have to chase. If it weren’t for my DVR, I would have missed most of the season. And doing things like airing a few episodes, then coming back MONTHS later with a finale does not help any show. My guess is that they don’t count web-watchers or DVR watchers. The networks need to change the all important age group from 18-49. Kids like kid shows, and guess what else, it’s the adults with the… Read more »
Lie To Me is a great show. But I agree with another poster, Fox has not given it a shot to gain a bigger following, because they keep moving it. I fortunately, always knew when it was on and If I couldn’t catch on tv, I watched it on the web. Television executives don’t give shows a chance, if they don’t get a ratings bonanza within the first few episodes, they’re ready to cancel it. Come on! give it a chance. Lie to Me is an excellent show. I love the dynamics between the father and daughter and I do… Read more »
I am definitely hopeful of a fourth season. It’s a great show, with a great cast, and good writing. It would be a shame if it were canceled now, though from what I’ve heard, there has been a very large decrease in ratings this season. I think that it’s time to start counting DVR watchers, online watchers, and the rest, because very few fans of shows nowadays watch it live on the network. We have modern technology that allows us to watch when we decide, instead of when the episodes actually air, and for that reason, Nielson ratings are insufficient.… Read more »
Keep the show on the air. It is quality entertainment. The cast and writing are great. Tim Roth is amazing.
**Good show but needs a side kick -like the curly hair girl off of the original MONK show.
Once MONK replaced her role with the short hair stuffy blonde the appeal of the show was not the same.
This is what LIE TO ME is lacking a fun character that is completely opposite from the lead male character that totally drives him crazy!
I hope it stays on for several more years. It is entertaining and I love Cal. So let’s keep it on.
It’s a great show, my wife and I watch it all the time. I love the sarcasm Tim puts on the screen! It would be a damn shame if it left. I swear, if Fox drops this show and Fringe, they WILL see a major ratings hit. I think alot of people are DVRing these days, and the Neilson ratings are just not cutting it anymore.
I rarely watch network tv anymore preferring to watch the HBO/Showtime/AMC type of show. This is the one network show I felt had excellent writing and actors who were a little too talented to be on a TV series. The problem was that it was so hard to figure out when the show was on, it debuted at different times would stop in the middle of the season for no reason only to conclude after the regular network season ends. There didn’t seem much effort from Fox to give it a set day and time, then leave it there for… Read more »
I like this show, but I was very surprised — and a bit worried — that after a summer season it kept going for yet another season. I hope they do not cancel it, I’ll be very happy to have something to watch during the summer.
Love this show. Seriously should not be cancelled.
are they counting web watchers??? they did not advertise the return after christmas nearly enough. I completely missed the first night back BECAUSE I DIDN’T KNOW IT WAS BACK. i’m catching up on web and dvr tonight.
I can take this show or leave it.I couldnt care either way if its cancelled or kept.
I think it’ll be back. I’ll be pissed if that’s how they end it. Remember Trauma? That’s gonna suck. But really I think it’ll be back, even if it’s just in the summer. Cal Lightman CAN NOT BE DONE. HE WILL MISSED IF HE’S GONE NOW!!! I LOVE LIE TO ME!! Honestly the best show I watch now. And I watch a lot of shows. DON’T CANCEL!!!!!!