A&E has decided to get rid of another original drama series. After two years on the air, they’re dropping The Cleaner.
In The Cleaner, Benjamin Bratt plays William Banks, a recovering drug addict from Los Angeles. Following the birth of his daughter, Banks made a deal with God that he would end his drug use and help others beat their addictions as well. He and his team of recovering addicts use whatever means necessary to help end others’ addictions. Others in the cast include Grace Park, Esteban Powell, Kevin Michael Richardson, Amy Price-Francis, Liliana Mumy, and Brett DelBuono.
The drama kicked off on July 15, 2008 and attracted 2.58 million viewers with a 1.0 rating in the 18-49 demo. Season one averaged 1.1 million viewers in initial viewings and 4.2 million through multiple airings. A&E boasted that The Cleaner was the network’s highest rated original drama to date among adults 18-49 and 25-54.
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When the show was renewed for a second season, Bob DeBitetto, A&E’s President and General Manager, said, “The Cleaner has garnered critical acclaim and a loyal audience in its first season… Its authentic, dramatic storytelling combined with superb acting, led by an exceptional performance by Benjamin Bratt, has struck a chord with A&E viewers. It is exactly the sort of high quality, engaging programming that our fans have come to expect.”
Now, following a drop in ratings for season two, A&E has changed its mind about The Cleaner. The second round of episodes concluded on September 15th and, according to THR, the cable channel has decided not to order a third.
No reason was given for the cancellation but A&E typically draws more viewers for cheaper, unscripted programming. The Beast, another A&E drama, was cancelled earlier this year, months prior to star Patrick Swayze’s death.
What do you think? Are you sorry to see The Cleaner go? Was the show any less compelling or watchable in season two?
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I am so bummed. Why, oh why? Will I be forced to watch “Steven segal lawman” now?
I have been waiting for the Cleaner to return and I hate to hear it will not be returning. It is one of the few shows I was really looking forward to a new season. I won’t be watching A&E in the future.
Was wondering where this show went. Stinks it was canceled, was really well done.
I am sad that this show got cancelled. It was the best on A & E dealing w. addiction and having a family ect. I could relate to his family and position. I guess when everyone wakes up and realizes what a HUGE problem addiction is in this country. They may spend a little extra money for a positive message.
I am very upset to see that The Cleaner has been dropped. I recently picked up season 1 at the library and I was hooked after the first episode. I am a recovering addict myself and i find the show to be very accurate with exceptional acting. This show brought light to a subject matter that we live with daily. Everyone knows someone who is addicted in one way or another and this show brought hope and a way out for those afflicted with the terrible disease. I only hope that The Cleaner is picked up by another network, because it would be a shame to let this show slip away.
i was so disapointed and upset to read that the cleaner was cancelled ive watched many shows that have to do with drug problems etc. but this one the only one that showed me something and help me understand maybe why my father did do drugs and couldnt stop for himself. it made me not hate him as much becuase of this show. to cancel a show that brought hope inspiration faith etc to millions of people for a few bucks, thats the worst choice A&E could have possibly made.
Why dont we all go to TNT and ask them to pick up the Cleaner. Its obvious that A & E. isnt listening to us.
I absolutely LOVED the cleaner. I have a lot of family members and friends who are suffering from addiction or who are recovering and I just really loved seeing how other people confront these issues. (Fiction or not) I am fascinated by this world because I don’t understand it and being able to have such insight is priceless because talking to an addict is not easy. Understanding the thought process or potential emotions that an addict is feeling is close to impossible. I really appreciated the portrayal provided by The Cleaner and I really think it added to the promotion of awareness that many of the shows on A&E advocate for.
I’m very sad to see it go.
I didn’t start watching The Cleaner untill the second season, and i fell in love. the scenes shown in this show are so accurate, it is amazing. The Cleaner is a show that everyone can learn from. I like how the show depicted how when everything might seem to be fine, there is always a dark side where someone needs help.
please bring this show back!!!
I am so very sorry to see this program go away. It is a great disappointment in the so called decision makers or t.v. , A & E, by keeping other most ridiculous, MINDLESS, NON aspiring, NON helpful programs on. this world NEEDS programs like The Cleaner with all this out of CONTROL drug addition in our country. What were they thinking?~?!?! PUT IT BACK ON!!!!
Why do management teams make decisions that they think is best for all. I only watched A&E because of this show. It was because of this show that my brother-in-law who had been an addict for years decided to clean up his act. This show was inspiring, heart warming and real. It hit home. You need to bring this show back.
I can’t believe they have dropped the cleaner. I loved that show and looked forward to another season. Was wondering where it was. Dog and the exterminator are trash as far as I am concerned and don’t waste my time on them. Please bring this show back…I believe it does give alot of hope for addicts out there.
I am highly disappointed to see the show cancelled. I have been waiting for season 3 and was wondering what happened? This show was inspiring and gave hope to many families dealing with addiction. I can not believe that A&E would cancel an original documentary to save a few bucks.
this was a great show and i am sad that it is gone.
I loved the Cleaner. It helped my recovering drug addicted daughter have hope. What does Dog do for people? How about the exterminator? Is everyone else that shallow? Please bring it back.
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