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 really hope A & E will reconsider cancelling The Cleaner. We all enjoyed the series. Benjamin Bratt and his team were excellent. Please re-think this.
I have been waiting all year for the summer season of The Cleaner. Why did they cancel such a good show. There is that much good on TV.This is one show that had very good actors and good story lines.
Bring it back
This Stinks!! We love the cleaner!!!
The reality is no matter how bad we want it back. The show is gone and has been gone too long for another network to be interested in which goes to show you that unless a network is making a ton of money, they cancel shows at the drop of a hat…sad but true!
PLEASE BRING THE CLEANER BACK !! W THE SAME PEOPLE IN IT !! I never understand why once a good thing is going they want to go and cancel it! This was one of the best shows on TV BIG MISTAKE MAKES ME WNT TO BOYCOTT WATCHING A&E!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I love ” The cleaner.” I am a recovering drug addict myself and shows like these really help and prevent drug abuse. PLEASE BRING IT BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I was wondering why the show was so late coming on it usually starts in the beginning of July. Then I found out they cancelled it. It was a very good show. Its horrible they cancelled it.
It was one the greatest shows…BRING IT BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Why do the good shows get cancelled and replaced with drivel. This was a wonderful show with a lot of good lessons — I am very disappointed that it has been cancelled.
It is one of the best tv shows on. I am 2 years sober. The show has helped and encouraged me to continue on my path and to help others like we should.
Please Please Please consider bringing the show back.
I am over 60 and loved this show. It was hard to watch at times due to the content but was so much better than the realit shows that we are plagued with. I am very dissapointed that ithas been canceled.
I aggree… such an awesome show…. BRING IT BACK!!
I aggree with UNKNOWN there. That they will probably replace with a reality tv show.. I mean i like a good reality show but I would watch this before another reality show.
BRING BACK the Cleaner. It is great TV drama at it’s best. Benjamin Bratt does a great job getting his character across. A&E really needs to rethink this one and bring the show back for Season 3……
i cant believe this, it was one of my favorite shows to watch, it actually had some meaning and the worst of it is they will probably replace it with another reality show, like there isnt already enough of them on television, I am very disapointed if A&E is too cheap to pay them to come back i hope somebody else will pick up the show
Unbelievable!!! An awesome show that really made you want to come back and watch next week. I am sad it is gone and had been excited waiting for the summer season to start so I could watch again. They really should rethink it!!!!!!!!!
I feel the same way, what was the deal my husband and I both watched it everytime it came on….with you on rethinking this out…:-(
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