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?
Very upset!! Was so looking forward to watching this series!! Can’t believe that only after 2 seasons it was cancelled. It is possibly the best summer program!
Darn. I was just looking too to see when the third season was going to start too. I was really looking forward to it. Some of the episodes, for instance the pilot, were some of the most moving television drama I’ve ever watched. Benjamin Bratt was terrific. He really shined in that role, which required him to be both tough and vulnerable. I really kind of fell in love with him in that role. Too bad he’s not gay.
I just went on the internet to find out when season 2 was coming out to buy it because i love the show and to my surprise it won’t be back. I can’t belive this, you look forward all winter to sit and enjoy a show over the summer and it won’t be there. Come A&E that show boooming WHAT ARE YOU THINKING??????????????
So sad.. I thought it was an awesome show.. that really showed what life was like with addict in your family. I do agree with above comments about this show being one of the only shows that was worth watching..
man BRING BACK THE CLEANER ONE OF THE BEST SHOW ON TV..PLEASE BRING BACK THE CLEANER
I am sorry to find out the The Cleaner has been cancelled. I hope by the comments coming in that A&E will reconsider. I think there was a drop in viewers for season two because of the economy and politics. Job losses and budget cuts may have led to less interest in TV programs. I hope that A&E will consider picking up a season 3. The Cleaner was inspirational to all who have been “in those shoes” and to all who just appreciate really great acting. My fingers are crossed A& — you can make it happen!
I miss The Cleaner. I really enjoyed the show. Can they show reruns?
A&E is hurting……I cannot believe they dropped the show. There are stupid. This show was and is great. Any chance someone else picks it up ?
I am bummed The Cleaner has been cancelled. I have seen several of the actors on various different shows and figured it had been cancelled. It seems as if shows are disposable anymore. I hate to even start a new show any more because in a year or two it will be cancelled.
Guess I missed the memo about The Cleaner being cancelled. I hope someone else picks it up. A&E has lost its mind. Not much left on that channel for me.
The Cleaner was a creative and entertaining show and it will be missed. When it aired, it did not seem to have a consistent time slot. Therefore, we only were able to view a few episodes a season.
The cheaper shows are mindless and not worth watching!
Rats. And I was just hoping it would return this summer. So sad. I sensed it was declining in the second year when they dropped most the family trouble side of the story in favor of the drug addiction storyline. I liked the wife, the son and the daughter side of the story. They were all good actors and actresses. Benjamin Bratt was fantastic. Grace Park was outstanding. But without the family angle it was just one separate story after another each week. There was no “hook” to keep you watching from week to week as the story progressed. I… Read more »
I am so bummed they cancelled The Cleaner! I use to watch it with my teenage son and talk about different issues in the episodes with him. It was a great bonding time for us both. I really can’t believe they didn’t get enough people to watch it. Oh, well another decent series cancelled.
Wow…I was thinking the new season was starting until I did some research and now i see it’s cancelled!!!…what a crock!
The Cleaner was the only show on A&E that had a brain…and Ben Pratt is just awesome….I defintely will not be tuning in to A&E very much now…lol!
I believe the show should have stayed on ari…I myself have 21 years clean and this show was a great one to watch ..Children now days need to know someone out there cares for them some where and I am sure it helped a lot of using addicts to go and seek help themselves. This show needs to be reconsider and put back on the air..We need programs like this to see on t.v..you have the Dog Bounty Hunter and he was called racial and you put him back on …I am not racial but this needs to be thought… Read more »