Lie to Me (Fox)

common sense media says

Crime drama focuses on the details of deception.


parents & educators say
  • 50% say sexual content is an issue

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this procedural crime drama focuses on an expert in lying and deception who helps law enforcement agencies and private clients determine whether people are telling the truth. The show is fiction but the science is real, and it's fascinating to watch him explain how he can tell when people are being dishonest. There's little outright violence (though characters do visit crime scenes and look at photos of the same), and mostly mild references to sex (though some episodes have more graphic scenes). Parents might be wary that the show could offer kids tips about fooling others, though it could also be just as useful to parents when it comes to spotting falsehoods.

Positive messages: The show's entire focus is determining who's lying and why. As the main characters often say, everyone lies -- so expect plenty of dishonesty, and plenty of interesting discussions about the justification for lies.
Positive role models: Lightman and his associates have no tolerance for dishonesty, and go to great lengths to expose lies, especially from people in positions of power or who use deception to attain wealth or take advantage of others.
Violence: There’s some on-screen violence, including fistfights and threatening conversations. The characters often discuss violent crimes, and sometimes must visit crime scenes and look at photos of crime scenes.
Sex: There are some discussions of sex, including flirting and innuendo. Some episodes also have more explicit scenes, including simulated intercourse, scantily clad characters, multiple partners, etc.
Language: Occasional swearing, including “ass” and “sod off” (from the British lead character).
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Some social drinking by adults.

More on Lie to Me

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Families can talk about lying. Is it ever OK to lie? Do you think some small lies are a necessary part of social interaction?
  • Is it possible to tell, definitively, that someone is lying? Have you ever been caught telling a lie? If so, what gave it away, and what happened?

What's the story?

What's the story?
Cal Lightman (Tim Roth) is an expert in deception who has made a science out of studying the tiny, but telling, behavior patterns and bodily tics that indicate when someone is lying -- at least to people who know what to look for. In LIE TO ME, Lightman is the head of a Washington-based consulting company that's regularly brought in by law enforcement agencies, political agencies, private clients, and other groups when they're embroiled in especially juicy crimes and scandals and need to know whether someone is telling the truth.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

"Everybody lies," seems to be Lightman's motto, and it certainly keeps him in business. He and partner Gillian Foster (Kelli Williams) investigate a constant stream of cases in which the suspect seems so obviously guilty that you know he isn't, sex scandals with a hidden twist, possibly corrupt officials, unexplainable accidents, and other standard TV conflicts. The cases are interesting, but not surprising and will be familiar to anyone who's ever seen a cop show.

The fun in Lie to Me comes from Lightman's explanations about who's lying. The plotlines may be trite, but the show's science is based on rigorous research and is often backed up by pictures of real people trying to hide their feelings. The characters spend a good portion of each episode interviewing suspects and then dissecting the conversations -- examining the hidden meanings in a dilated pupil, a quick glance to the side, a subtle twitch in the corner of the mouth, and other tiny clues. Even more fun are Lightman's on-the-fly assessments of the people he encounters, ferreting out their deepest secrets to share with the world. Because it's true: Everybody lies.

TV themes & details

TV Details
TV Rating: TV-14
Network: Fox
Cast: Kelli Williams, Monica Raymund, Tim Roth
Genre: Drama
Where to watch: Fox

This review was written by Will Wade
 
 

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What parents & educators say

12
Based on 4 parent & educator reviews:
  • 50% say sexual content is an issue

Most useful reviews by all members

Ryder631
teen, 14 years old
 
Lie to me is an excellent show, which shows the fascinating science behind detecting deception. All the acting is great, and the mysteries really keep you guessing. The only episode I would watch out for is the season 1 episode "blinded". It contains a half-naked woman who has just been raped and blinded, with a blood-soaked bandage over her eyes, screaming randomly into the dark for help. Other than that, lie to me isn't that bad

dicapriofreak94
teen, 15 years old
 
Excellent TV-Show!
Lie to Me is one of those shows where if you had a bad day and you just want something to watch that will make your mood all the better! I had heard of this show before, and I had never really thought that much of it -- Then I watched it! And I can tell you that, I watched almost 2 seasons of it in less than a month! It is excellently written/produced/directed/acted, every single episode has been a delight to watch - Not one episode have I watched and not liked. Some of the episodes can get quite voilent sometimes, and there is some sleeping together too, but not much is shown, and if it is, you don't see it for very long. Highly recommended to people who love solving crime mysteries, and who also love a good laugh. Watch it - You won't regret it!

DropOfLuck
teen, 16 years old
 
A fun twist on CSI
I really love this show! It's got great ideas in it, and it's very entertaining. I like the science element in it, as well as the reality of the show. This show is for a mature audience, and not for kids under thirteen-fourteen. You'll enjoy it! For my above concers, there will always be a viewer warning if the particular episode is more intense. Just watch out!

friend of ...
parent of and 10 , 13 , 15 year old
 
Older teens only--no tweens
My husband and I enjoy this show. Our 14 year old daughter watches it with us. People are frequently caught in their lies and the show makes no excuses for people's weaknesses and dishonesty. You certainly can readily see that good things happen to bad people, etc. The violence, sex, and language is o.k. with it, but it is the subject matter that makes me say no one under 14 should be watching it. We will talk to our daughter about choices people make and the unavoidable consequences that come as a result of the choices. As an adult, I very much enjoy the story lines and characters. It is a well written show. We do not let our 8 and 12 year old watch however.

Nikaida
adult
 
Some content is scary for younger teens and tweens
I love the show, but be careful with younger teens/tweens--I have a very sensitive twelve-year-old sister who decided to like the show as well. I pre-screen each episode so she can know when to skip an episode or a scene. On rare occasions, episode themes will include off-screen rape or non-explicit sex scenes. It covers some scary and disturbing stuff, too. Watch out--they come out of the woodwork when you least expect it. Other than a few episodes, it is pretty clean.

MikaylaaMadisonn
teen, 16 years old
 
Wow. This is one of the best shows ever!!! I love it so much. Can't wait for it to sart again!

 
An interactive educational show
Lie to Me is a fantastic show that is fun for families, it can be very interactive when the family can discuss the plot and try and decipher who is lying and why. Our family of 7, ages 12 - 25 enjoy the show and look forward to our weekly "lie to me" fix. The show has proven extremely educational and we've begun to notice patterns in discussions with individuals in real life. That can be a bit scary for some...

Readingweed
teen, 15 years old
 
An informative and enjoyable show
This is a really really enjoyable show which I watch eagerly every week. It tells me so much about other people's expressions. It does have a few cases that are inappropriate for you really young kids, but its still a great show.

Ph0chiz0
teen, 16 years old
 
Very entertaining, the House of CSI shows.
Very entertaining, the House of CSI shows. Using deception as the base for this innovative CSI show, and very skilled acting, brings new intrigue to the genre.

abermudes
parent of and 7 , 9 , 11 , 13 year old
 
I have to disagree with previous reviewers. Your child is more likely to be able to tell when someone is lying rather than learn how to deceive others. We have become more aware of how these micro expressions are a part of our everyday life! Very interesting and thought provoking.

rebma97
teen, 14 years old
 
Earlier seasons were better
Thisshow started off as a really interesting show, but the later seasons weren't as good. The TV-14 rating is accurate; some episodes are about teens getting pregnant, druken people and other stuff. Violence isn't usually an issue, it really depends on the episode. Profanity is mild; they use words like h-ll, b--ch and bloody (as a British swear, becuase the main character is British). Written on 8.31.11

Rosebud95
teen, 16 years old
 
This show is cool, but it's not for kids because of some, sex, profanity and some violence. It's still cool, though.

kaitlynaline
teen, 17 years old
 
Some talk of sex, only problem I remember. I find this show to actually be somewhat educational. I have used their tactics more then once in my life and it is interesting to see. While the show is about decoding lies I think it has a positive message in the fact that it tells you that it is never ok to lie and that you will eventually be found out if you do lie.

apefacex
teen, 13 years old
 
Very Helpful and Exciting
Lie to Me is a fun drama and mystery, and one of the better new shows on TV. Hardly inappropriate and kids will enjoy it, though I'm not sure if it will appeal to them at first. It didn't to me, but it is one of my favorite shows now.

EverybodyLies108
teen, 15 years old
 
Amazing show that you HAVE TO SEE
Lie to Me is an amazing crime/drama show. The only thing is that it is violent and dark at times, but it is also really funny. there is also a bit of sex and flirting but nothing is shown. amazing show for teens and adults. GREAT SHOW THAT YOU HAVE TO SEE!!

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