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?
\I’m choked that The Cleaner was dropped. I’ve been waiting for season 3 to start and now that I know the bad news, our tv night is spoiled. Where is your sence of reality? We could relate to episodes that there really is troubled people out in the world and mabe this show could be helping. Not impressed!
say its not’s so! – great acting , storylines and subject material – bring back The Cleaner – We need more gritty TV shows like this one.
PLEASE…PLEASE…DO NOT CANCEL “THE CLEANER” THAT SHOW AND THE MESSAGE IT DELIVERS IN THIS DAY & IS TOO IMPORTANT TO DISMISS. I HAVE HAD TO DEAL WITH MY SON WHO WAS AN ADDICT AND EVERYTHING “THE CLEANER’ DELIVERS IS EXACTLY WHAT I HAD TO GO THROUGH TO GET MY SON TO HEALTH AGAIN. TOUGH LOVE IT’S CALLED AND IT WORKS! PLEASE KEEP THIS INFORMATIVE SHOW ON THE AIR. I STRONGLY OBJECT TO CANCELLING A PROGRAM THAT CAN BE SOOOO BENEFICIAL TO MANT WHO ARE NOT AWARE OF THE MAGNITUDE OF THE DRUG ABUSE THAT GOES ON UNDER THEIR VERY NOSES.… Read more »
i also was waiting for the show to come back on. i CAN NOT believe it got CANCELLED!!!!! what are yall thinking???? i agree that just because ratings dropped a little that doesnt mean to cancel the show, sheesh!!!! i also agree that yall have other stupid shows on here that yall can replace with the cleaner. i do hope that all these posts will make a difference.
Seriously??????? I just can not believe this show is canceling too. I just found out Saving Grace from TNT is ALSO being canceled. This is why I hate getting into good shows, should stick to the crappie ones like The Gosslins or lets have another kid for 19 and counting…LOL..Gezzzzzz People wake up and listen to the viewers for once.
I started watching the Cleaner when it first started 2 years ago but then was distracted by school and such so I had to put it on hold. Now, I bought the whole two seasons that were made of it just to find out theyve canceled the show! Im beyond upset, this is by far my favorite series, and my greatest escape. I guess for someone in my position who does bare the weight of these issues it was a relief. I found ease in watching these episodes and still do for hours on end. Its a real pity and… Read more »
Well, THAT sux. I had no idea it was cancelled so here I am, waiting for the next season to start. A dip in ratings and the execs ran scared and cancelled a good show. It’s not like there was anything else as compelling on A&E to watch and once again, there isn’t. Tsk, tsk A&E. Tsk, tsk.
This was one of the best shows on tv and it blows that it got cancelled…dissappointing!!
it is a shock to me that this show has gone off air iv only seen season two but really enjoyed watching a show which delt with real life addiction and all the realms which go with it in a movie/tv show type way its a shame in my own opinion
I, too, kept looking for it to start up again and had no idea it was cancelled. According to me and ALL of my friends, it was the absolute best show that TV had to offer. The insight on the world of addiction was spot on. Shame on A&E for taking it off the air!
I now have no reason to watch anything on A&E.
The Cleaner was a favorite program of mine, particularly because of the acting and the fact that the episodes were based on a “real” person. I liked it so much that I bought the first season when it was released. Just now occurs to me I didn’t see a second season for purchase so will check on that. Southland and Trauma are back and I joined in on those two with fans who wanted the shows continued – because they were good.
You are joking right?!?! what do you mean cancelled. Wow..One great show! I think you need to look a little more closer at some of that crap you still show and replace it with this show. So sad to hear.
Absolutely stunned! I had no idea about the cancellation, so I kept waiting for the series to begin. A&E has someone in charge who has no idea what is going on! One of the biggest disappointments ever!
I cannot believe that they would cancel a show with the appeal of “The Cleaner”. Each cast member was exciting and just beginning to form into an excellent series. I think that it is a huge mistake. I am not one which like crap like the Gosslin family.