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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WHAT THE HECK!? Why would they cancel such a great show? Supposedly from the ratings, but this is just WRONG! The Cleaner was AWESOME! Maybe if they had just marketed it a little – I didn’t even know it existed until I stumbled on it one night! So whose fault is THAT!?
Joni is right. I only found out about this show from a co worker and got to see just the last half dozen episodes. I used to watch A & E at least a couple of hours each week and never saw any ads for this show. I am so sad they cancelled The Cleaner!!!
Me and my GF were so upset they decided to not go with a season 3, we watched The Cleaner every Tuesday night. It actually hit home because my dad has some drug addiction issues and it was such a great show to watch because it helped us understand better about certain addictions. And you see things in each episode that happen at home and it make’s you realize there is a way to beat the addictions and not to ever give up. I am really hoping they bring the show back because I was really looking forward to the 3rd season.
I loved this show. I didn’t know it was cancelled and have been waiting for the next season.
Just Found this out and I am heartbroken.. I liked it better than Intervention.
Its the way of today. Quality programs that don’t get enough buzz don’t survive more then 1 or 2 seasons. Its a real shame. The Cleaner was the one show each week I really looked forward to seeing.
I can’t believe The Cleaner is cancelled it was a quality underrated show. It should really be given a chance and the network should promote it more then they would have the ratings. Cancel Parking Wars what a stupid show.
this is just not right that they cancel the show they did that on another network and they were really sorry they did and gave the guy a new show that is what happen when you jump the gun stupid people the vampire movies came out and they got ride to moon light. so maybe you should stop and think about it who are we only the people who watch it and make it so you have a job to go to ……………………
I agree with Joni-I’ve never heard of the show either! I just happened to be channel-surfing and there it was. I’ve missed so many episodes. The show was excellent; we got to see B. Bratt like we’ve never seen him before!! This sucks-maybe TBS or TNT should pick it up like they’re doing w/Southland-another great show that was cancelled. What the hell is up w/everybody cancelling good shows left and right??!! Is it because they’re not reality or some sh*t??!! STOP CANCELLING DECENT TV SHOWS!!!!!!!!
Why do they keep canceling these good shows. The cleaner had depth, the characters were real, flawed but always attempting to do the right thing. A & E needed to market it and keep it on a consistent night and time.
I can’t not believe they would cancel that show. It was very well done, great cast, great stories, great acting, very compelling. I hope another network picks it up.
A&E CANCELLED THE CLEANER? A&E IS TOTALLY STUPID.
I can tell you that I will not even turn on A&E. They have discontinued probably the best series any channel has had for some time. There is a time, but it isn’t now. The series was even better last summer! I have been waiting anxiously since the last episode. People will not generally say anything because it won’t do any good and there is nothing they can do about it . . . A&E, as a corporation, really doesn’t care what the viewing public thinks . . . They feel that the viewing audience will simply follow A&E’s lead, and they are probably right . . . It has happened before, so I don’t care what A&E thinks either.
I AM DONE WITH THEM!
I CANNOT BELIEVE THEY HAVE CANCELLED THIS AWESOME SHOW AFTER 2 SEASONS. THIS SHOW WAS SO GOOD AND INSPIRATIONAL. I TAPED IT EVERY TUESDAY NIGHT ON MY DVR. THERE’S NO WAY RATINGS WERE THAT BAD THAT THEY HAD TO CANCEL IT.
great show and cast. bring it back.
What a loss. ABC, NBC or CBS or USA of TBS or TNT . . . SOMEONE really should take advantage of this bad move.
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