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?
What were they thinking????? This show was amazing! The only show that was a can’t miss for me. Whomever is making these decisions should give their head a shake! The Cleaner was by far the best show on A&E….someone needs to rethink this very rash and short sighted decision!
The Cleaner was an excellent program! As others have said, get rid of other programs adn bring it back. If other television executives are reading this from another network…Pick up The Cleaner and give it the advertising budget it deserves, it’s such a great show it’s sure to draw a huge following.
I didn’t even know it was canceled until I tried to see when the new season started. I have been waiting for something good to come on TV and A&E took it off!! A great, genuine, drama. What a shame!!
Keep The Cleaner!!!!
Ok, look at the voting! This is one of the best shows and everyone is correct, the people who decide what shows stays and what ones go, have no idea what is going on in the world today. This show best dictates the way lives are effected by the effects of drugs and alochol. Bring back a third season, go after the actors before they are commited to another show.
The people who make the decisions to cancel these shows obviously are not the ones watching, otherwise this show would NOT have been cancelled. The cast was outstanding and the show riveting. I may have to boycott A&E…
this sucks it was one of the best shows ever, they SHOULD NOT have done this…..
Bring back The Cleaner, What an amazing show. I agree get rid of the Reality shows. This was an awesome show!!!
I am so glad people agree. This was the best show on TV, great acting, great characters, and a meaningful plot. The second season lost a little in Bratt’s humanity and how much his family meant to him, but come on. There were so many possibilities, so far the show could have gone. Why is it that night after night, it’s one reality show after another, it’s all crap designed for people who feel the need to live their lives through someone they see on TV. The Shield is gone, Nip Tuck is next, The Cleaner too, I am done… Read more »
it is redusless that they canceled this show i think it helped a lot of people
OMG I can’t beleive they canceled the show, I seriously think they should re-think that and continue making the how again. OMG OMG OMG!!!!!
Just when TV get interesting show like this are cancelled. Get rid of the DOG and other reality shows, bring back some great drama and even greater actors. What are these networks thinking.
It seems like the shows that require any intelligence to understand and enjoy are cancelled. Southland, and now The Cleaner. I’m almost afraid to get attached to a show!
Who are the geniuses that cancel such wonderful shows? Must be the same people who run our banks that keep failing? A small decline in ratings and thats it, they don’t get another shot. Let’s keep all the quality reality shows on, because they are low budget and low quality.
Why doesn’t A&E cancel that ridiculous dog the bounty hunter instead of a great show like the cleaner…I can’t believe they cancelled this great show