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?
Great show enjoyed every episode, sorry to see it go. Bring it back!
I am so sad to hear that the cleaner is cancelled i loved it and looked forward in seeing it. i think that it was cancelled because i was hard for people to see the real truth on drug addictions and how things are like. I liked Benjamin Bratt.
So sad I love the Cleaner!!! It gave great hope because I was especially close to someone who had a drug addiction. I always felt that maybe this person would find the strength to find the courage to stay clean. I always felt a little ray of hope after every episode!! I love Benjamin Bratt!!! I am his biggest fan!! I hope they bring it back. I will keep my fingers crossed.
the cleaner was a great show. i never missed an episode. why do they cancel good shows and keep on stupid shows? bring the cleaner back. benjamin bratt and the rest of the cast will be missed.
the cleaner was one of the best series on tv, hopefully another network will pick it up and we can just ignore a&e for their stupidity
I am so disappointed to hear that The Cleaner has been cancelled it was a very real, raw story lines and I loved the cast, there are so many silly shows out there that should be cancelled, they A@E should really reconsider there decision
I’m sorry to see the show gone. The cleaner had a very realiztic story
line and to some it was inspiring. The cleaner also had very good actors
who brought the show to life. I would hope that a&e would reconsider
bringing the show back in the near future.
my mom and i loved the cleaner…. its a bummer they cancelled.
Great show. Very realistic and offers hope. Great cast. Bring it back!
The Cleaner was my favorite show. I never missed an episode! Please bring it back! Benjamin Bratt and all of the cast was wonderful.
I LOVE THIS SHOW!!! I have my DVR set to record, and kept wondering why there were no scheduled recordings, then found this website…this is the first I knew this show was over…WHAT A SHAME!!! I can’t believe they have all of these idiotic shows that run for years, and they take this kind of show off after 2. This is one of the best dramas, with so much reality, that I’ve seen in years…I cried during every episode!! 🙂
One of the very BEST! Benjamin Bratt was fantastic, supporting cast was stupendous, plot lines unbelievably believable. Loved William talking to God, just like real life. Bring it BACK, NOW!
BRING IT BACK!!!!! The Cleaner is my FAVORITE SHOW!!! Very powerful messages. LOVE IT!!
Oh I couldn’t help myself. Here I go again . . . I think Bob DeBitetto is an idiot. He says one thing about one of the best series “The Cleaner” and listens to the jerks that invite those “fantastic reality series” to . . . (What network is that?)
I guess I will miss the Grammy Awards this year. Maybe they will switch networks next year.
Please listen to me. Stop turning on this network! Ask TV Series Finale if they have been able to share your comments with USA or some other good network.
My favorite show. I’m sad that cheap shows win out over quality scripted programs.