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.

Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

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?

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?

"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

Based on 4 parent & educator reviews:

50% say sexual content is an issue

Read the reviews

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

What other families should know

TV Details

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Genre

Lie to Me (Fox)

common sense media says

parents & educators say

What parents need to know

More on Lie to Me

What to talk about

Talk to your kids

What's the story?

What's the story?

Is it any good?

Is it any good?

TV themes & details

TV Details

Review It

Review Lie to Me

What parents & educators say

Most useful reviews by all members

Excellent TV-Show!

A fun twist on CSI

Older teens only--no tweens

Some content is scary for younger teens and tweens

An interactive educational show

An informative and enjoyable show

Very entertaining, the House of CSI shows.

Earlier seasons were better

Very Helpful and Exciting

Amazing show that you HAVE TO SEE

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