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?
Wow! What a mistake. I have been waiting patiently to find out when season 3 would air. Wow!
The Cleaner was riveting, the characters were real – it wasn’t always comfortable, but it was always excellent. It was fun watching them grow and change, and take turns supporting one another. What a loss, to not see more seasons of this great show.
The Cleaners was a great show and I’m sad to see it go…Network presidents “think” they have a pulse of their viewers but they really don’t they are a bunch of inward thinkers.
I sent TNT an email requesting they pick up “The Cleaner”. Anyone wanting to do the same can email them at tnt@turner.com.
“The Cleaner” would fit in well with their theme of “We know drama”…
A good show comes along and then before it’s time, it is cancelled, but you insist on renewing crappy shows like Dog the Bounty Hunter, etc. The best shows you have are on this network are old reruns of shows from other networks.
are you kidding me? they cancelled this show? WHAT AN IDIOTIC DECISION!
I’m so disappointed to hear the shows been cancelled! It’s such a great show with good actors, compelling story lines, and was obviously helping others to boot. So sad 🙁
You have got a huge problem A&E, The cleaner was the best show you had on your channel. Are you relly keeping “dog the bounty hunter” over The cleaner??? that show sucks. They pray and then cuss like sailors. That is awful. Me or my family will never watch anything on your channel again. I hope you really know how many veiwers you are loosing.Many people have expressed how they feel. I hope you change your mind.
Me and my babygirl watched this show together when she was hooked on drugs. She said the show made her see that there was hope!!!! Why is it every time a GREAT show comes on you people take it off!!! My young lady is cleaned and maybe this show helped a little! GOD BLESS THE WILLIAM BANK’S OF THIS WORLD. Please Please bring it back
THE CLEANER IS AN EXCELLENT SHOW. I JUST WATCHED SEASON 1 AND 2 WHILE IN AFGHANISTAN AND WAS CHECKING WHEN SEASON 3 VWAS COMING OUT. HOPEFULLY ANOTHER NETWORK WILL PICK IT UP LIKED FX. THE REASON THE SHOW HAD BAD RATING IS BECAUSE IT WAS ON A&E. WHO WATCHES A&E? I NEVER WOULD HAVE WATCHED IT IF I WASNT DEPLOYED, BUT AM VERY GLAD I DID. THANKS A&E!!!
Just looked up “The Cleaner” to see what was up. I am soooooo sorry to find out that it had been canceled. Love, love, love this show!!!!!
Most of television is moronic. The Cleaner WAS reality TV and it was excellent. Cancellation was a very poor decision!!
It upsets me that there is no THIRD season!!! My boyfriend and I watched both seasons faithfully… We would LOVE to see a third season!!! They can do away with quite a few of the shows they be airing on this network and bring “THE CLEANER” back!!!!
You should be ashamed of yourselves A&E. The Cleaner was an excellent show and Benjamin Bratt and the whole cast was awesome. After the first episode I was hooked. I always looked forward to the next episode and or season. You have now taken this away from me. I hope that you are satisfied as I also refuse to watch your network any longer. As for Benjamin Bratt – You did a wonderful job portraying William Banks and I know that another network will soon be glad to snatch you up for another show. Please find something soon because I… Read more »
Was the best show on television, both for real life of addict’s and how hard it is to stop. A great serious to use in drug addiction houses (rehab). Very disappointed with this network.Some of these reality shows are a joke and terrible and they beat out this show. Like to know who makes these decisions and in fact for the network or personnel reasons.