# "Lie to me" **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 18, 2009, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lie-to-me/489856 "2009-03-18T05:34:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![picunurse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@picunurse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/picunurse)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2009, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lie-to-me/489856/1 "2009-03-18T05:34:25Z")
Did the new series _Lie to Me_ die a quick and painless death? I saw it once and thought it might be good. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2009, 5:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lie-to-me/489856/2 "2009-03-18T05:55:01Z")
It was a fantastic premise with a great deal of potential. See? It works! ---
**Author:** ![LurkMeister](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3da27b/32.png) [@LurkMeister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LurkMeister)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2009, 6:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lie-to-me/489856/3 "2009-03-18T06:25:57Z")
No, it’s still alive. When it first aired it was only on every other week because it kept getting pre-empted by things like two-hour episodes of _American Idol_. But it was on the last two weeks, and I’m pretty sure it’s on again today at 9pm Eastern. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2009, 6:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lie-to-me/489856/4 "2009-03-18T06:31:30Z")
I think it’s doing well. The next episode is [scheduled for tomorrow](http://www.tvcountdown.com/?c172=1), US time. It’s certainly popular here in Australia, I watch it every week and it’s obsessively promoted. ---
**Author:** ![Kaio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c68b51/32.png) [@Kaio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kaio)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2009, 7:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lie-to-me/489856/5 "2009-03-18T07:32:27Z")
[Also available on Hulu.](http://www.hulu.com/lie-to-me) I’m totally hooked. Where do I sign up for deception detection training? ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2009, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lie-to-me/489856/6 "2009-03-18T13:36:35Z")
I believe they moved it up an hour. Here in the midwest it had been Wednesdays at 8 - starting last week it has been at 7. We’ve been watching it. I find it at least mildly amusing. The characters seem to have some depth, and some of the scenarios interesting. Not sure about the long run, tho. I feel you could develop a hell of a drinking game by drinking every time someone says “microexpressions,” every time a suspect touches their face, every time the female doctor sports a sleeveless top, when they quickflash celebs/politicos, shout out the names and the first with each name is the only one who doesn’t drink … ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2009, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lie-to-me/489856/7 "2009-03-18T13:45:56Z")
I wasn’t sure it would stick after the first episode, but I’m lovin’ it. I just can’t walk away from anything Tim Roth. He’s one of my all-time favorites. ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2009, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lie-to-me/489856/8 "2009-03-18T14:21:39Z")
I’m a regular watcher. I love the photos of all the big shots and other creeps. The helpful hints on spotting liars is useful. 10-4 on the Tim Roth thing there, **Kalhoun**. One of those actors convincing in the entire range of characters. If he has enough time to pull it off, I believe he can out-House House in the curmudgeon group. ---
**Author:** ![Kaio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c68b51/32.png) [@Kaio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kaio)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2009, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lie-to-me/489856/9 "2009-03-18T17:42:43Z")
I’m also digging the [commentary by Dr. Ekman](http://fox.com/blogs/lietome/) (their lie detection expert consultant). Well, okay, this week’s was rather lame, being basically a verbal description of what we saw on screen, but normally he adds some further insight or explanation. He’s allowed to have an off week. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Morbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morbo/32/389_2.png) [@Morbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morbo)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2009, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lie-to-me/489856/10 "2009-03-18T18:03:34Z")
I really enjoy this show. But since I’m the Alison LaPlaca of liking new TV shows, I give it another month. And since Alison LaPlaca actually showed up in the last episode, well… ---
**Author:** ![Icarus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icarus/32/72_2.png) [@Icarus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icarus)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2009, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lie-to-me/489856/11 "2009-03-18T18:05:50Z")
I like the show, it engages the intellect in new ways. A few observations: [ul] [li]Interesting challenge for actors, they have to produce the specific facial reactions that the script demands in a convincing way.[/li][li]The rookie gal with mad skillz and chip on her shoulder sub-plot - these kind of scripted “confilcts” always come off as fake and forced to me.[/li][li]I’m a little worried that folks in their personal lives will become “experts” on reading lies - just because they’ve seen a few episodes. I see relationships breaking up over this crap.[/li][/ul] ---
**Author:** ![picunurse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@picunurse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/picunurse)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2009, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lie-to-me/489856/12 "2009-03-19T14:41:59Z")
I’m so glad I started this thread. I would have missed it last night. I haven’t watched CSI since Grissom left, I needed a new fav. Let’s hope it lasts. ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2009, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lie-to-me/489856/13 "2009-03-19T14:44:24Z")
[quote=“Icarus, post:11, topic:489856”] [ul][li]The rookie gal with mad skillz and chip on her shoulder sub-plot - these kind of scripted “confilcts” always come off as fake and forced to me.[/ul][/li][/QUOTE] I’m not digging the A-B plot format too much either. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Fight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/90ced4/32.png) [@Cat\_Fight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Fight)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2009, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lie-to-me/489856/14 "2009-03-19T15:42:35Z")
It’s a bit dull, but I’d watch Tim Roth in anything. ---
**Author:** ![Lakai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9de0a6/32.png) [@Lakai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lakai)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2009, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lie-to-me/489856/15 "2009-03-19T15:49:52Z")
I like the show, but it can do a lot better. It has an excellent premise and really good actors, but the formalistic writing seems to be holding it back. My problem is that the plot is too hyped up. Why do they need to have a super high tech office and solve some of the most high profile cases? The show can have great drama by solving small time stuff. If they keep up with the lying diplomats, murders, and drug companies, people are going to stop caring about the plot. There are so many things the show can explore with a human lie detector and they waste most of the show on boring and unoriginal cases. The the show is at it’s best when the main characters spot each others lies. It’s also pretty cool when they meet a character who doesn’t know what they can do. In the most recent episode they did it with the research scientist. I like how both Ria and Cal immediately grilled him about lying. The show has potential. I’ll keep watching to see where it goes. ---
**Author:** ![wonderlust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonderlust/32/7237_2.png) [@wonderlust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonderlust)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2009, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lie-to-me/489856/16 "2009-03-19T16:28:27Z")
Does anyone know where I can find all the episodes to date? The official site and hulu only have a few. ---
**Author:** ![borschevsky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/97f17d/32.png) [@borschevsky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/borschevsky)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2009, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lie-to-me/489856/17 "2009-03-19T16:31:38Z")
> [@Icarus](#): > > Interesting challenge for actors, they have to produce the specific facial reactions that the script demands in a convincing way. I was actually wondering if some of these are enhanced with CGI. I think there were a couple occasions in the pilot where it looked like something like that was done in the slo-mo shots of the microexpressions. ---
**Author:** ![Kaio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c68b51/32.png) [@Kaio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kaio)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2009, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lie-to-me/489856/18 "2009-03-19T17:50:43Z")
> [@borschevsky](#): > > I was actually wondering if some of these are enhanced with CGI. I think there were a couple occasions in the pilot where it looked like something like that was done in the slo-mo shots of the microexpressions. Or they’re casting for really good actors. If an actor is good at his job, he’s genuinely feeling the emotions, not faking them – because anyone looking can tell the difference. Since facial expressions are universal, if the actor is feeling sad, he’s going to have his sad face on, and it’s going to have the characteristics they’re looking for. Honestly I think it would be harder to do the shoulder-shrug realistically. (And I think the bride in _Love Always_ failed at this. Her shoulder jumped up to her ear, it wasn’t subtle at all.)