‘Lie to Me’ climbs, ‘Life’ returns

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by James Hibberd | February 5, 2009 at 9:05 am | View Comments

Fox's crime drama "Lie to Me" climbed slightly in the ratings Wednesday night and caught up to ABC's "Lost."

"Lie" (13 million viewers, 4.7 preliminary adults 18-49 rating and 12 share) was up three-tenths of a point among the early adult demo numbers, even as lead-in "Idol" (26.3 million, 9.9/27) slipped a couple tenths from its preliminary number last week. Moreover, "Lie" tied ABC's "Lost" after ranking below the mystery thriller for two weeks. "Lie" was aided this time by CBS not airing "Criminal Minds," but it did have some new, if weaker, crime competition from NBC's "Life."

The return of "Life" (6.7 million, 1.8/4) was steady, but that's not a good thing. The cop drama pulled nearly the same low rating as its last original airing in late December. Lead-in "Knight Rider" (4.9 million, 1.4/4) was no help, dropping below its average this week. At 10 p.m., NBC still won the hour with "Law & Order" (8.7 million, 2.4/7).

So Fox won the night. ABC was second with "Lost" (11 million, 4.7/12), down a couple rungs this week, which also helped "Lie to Me" tie for the 9 p.m. hour. And 10 p.m.'s "Life on Mars" (6 million, 2.1/6) matched its lackluster premiere. CBS tied NBC for third with repeats and "Katie Couric's All-Access Grammy Special" (6.8 million, 2.1/5), which performed pretty well what's essentially a promotion for an upcoming event. The CW aired repeats.

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View Comments so far ↓

MrJeff // Feb 5, 2009 at 9:37 am

If CBS wants to goose the ratings for LIFE, they’ll convince the producers to get Sarah Shahi into bathing suits every week.
eliane // Feb 5, 2009 at 11:49 am

Who would have known LIFE was on!!?? NBC DID NO advertising of the show during the superbowl. But I thought it was funny that last nite’s ep of LIFE managed to have several commercials for The Office and Hereos, etc.
Crystal // Feb 6, 2009 at 1:19 am

How is Life being steady bad? Its been off a month+, had no promotion that it was coming back, and has a busy timeslot. I would think holding steady would be good?? Especially for NBC…
Matt S // Feb 7, 2009 at 2:51 am

Crystal—It really should be—it really really really should be…unfortunately the lack of promotion for it pretty much signals their lack of desire to keep it going.
Also in the tv world everyone wants what’s hot and new and young and fresh not what’s holding steady. it sucks cause i effing love this show and badly do not want to see it go anywhere except maybe up an hour to 8 o clock in the fall (cause you know its pretty obvious their gonna bump Law and Order up to the 9 spot in the fall when Leno takes over the 10 slot every night)