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?
This was a great show, I guess all good things come to an end. I really enjoyed Benjamin Bratt and the rest of the crew in this gritty realistic portrail of addiction. I am guessing the network made the decision based on their budget and the draw of the show. I am sorry to see it go, but I am not angry about it. Usually the shows I am drawn to do not last very long, and this show is no exception. I have cable TV and pay over a hundred dollars a month, and can not find anything to… Read more »
I have created a page on Facebook called – Petition to bring back “The Cleaner” TV show. I believe it is self explanatory. If anyone has experience with doing this sort of thing, feel free to give me tips. I am the creator of the page and you can message me from Facebook. Facebook has over 30,000 fans on 2 different pages. So spread the word.
Tommy
Tommy,
Thanks for the information and you bet your bottom dollar the sun’ll come out tomorrow….no wait, channeling Annie again-gotta watch that. Just kidding of course-but I will hit Facebook to sign it on both pages and will hapily spread the word. I will send you a holler there. Thanks my friend.
It figures that this would happen-just when you get a program that is not only good but “real” and mirror image to ills, trials, tribulations, good, etc. we all face in our lives-well, naturally networks will cancel it!. I am really upset by this and angry. I don’t know why they did it and have not researched their reasoning behind this lunacy; however, I am pretty certain it will make no sense at all. I wonder if it had something to do with the fact that the main character William had a relationship with God and was a fairly clean… Read more »
I’m sorry to see it go, with my husband struggling with addiction and getting clean, (Praise God!) it really struck a cord with our family…glad to know people are actually out there helping addicts instead of judging them, until it happens to your once normal family, you never know how it feels. The show had strong storylines which I think some people can’t handle….I miss it and would love to see it come back!!!!
Why do they cancel every good show on tv???? Bring back The Cleaner!!!!
I have been waiting patiently for the third season of “The Cleaner”. I am so disappointed that it will not be returning. The show was so different from everything else out there. My entire family will miss it! I feel the network should rethink their decision. Amazing shows like this one are few and far between.
These days if a TV show doesn’t make “the powers that be” millions of $$$$ instantly, they are off the air. Everything is moving so fast, you don’t even get a chance. The Cleaner was one of my favorite shows as was Saving Grace and many other show were just dropped with no ending or warning. I’m getting pretty close to dropping TV entirely because they don’t care about us, it’s just about money and big ratings. Then after they drop the show, they have the nerve to try to get us to buy the seasons we have already seen… Read more »
Frank, I totally agree with you! Another really good show that mentions God is Friday Night Lights! That got dropped and picked up by another station. Let’s hope that The Cleaner does as well. It’s was very realistic and portrayed real issues.
This is typical of networks today. I honestly believe because the show had the audacity to mention God it was doomed from the start. Touched by an Angel, Joan of Arcadia, Saving Grace, 7th Heaven, now the Cleaner. Great shows, loyal followings and decent ratings all cancelled before they should have. This was the highest ranking original series on A&E. We were lucky enough to even find it on that station! I hope Fox picks it up. They seem to be the only network with half a brain.
this was my favorite show- I cannot believe you have cancelled!!!!!!!!!! WHY???? please reconsider and put it back on!
love the show
I agree with the previous comments. The Cleaner was a groundbreaker and pioneering show like “24”. It was addicting, no pun intended. We should get a Facebook campaign going, if it doesn’t already exist. Cancelled shows have been known to re-air. Perhaps this could be one of those.
Maybe FOX should pick it up!
I’m so disappointed that The Cleaner was cancelled. I have been waiting for it to come back on again. This was one of the most compelling, realistic shows on TV. I truly wish another station would pick it up or that A & E would reconsider and bring it back. We need shows on TV like this that portray the horror of drug addiction and how so many lives are affected by the addict.
I think its sad that money and politics have to enter into television programming. The reality is that the show got cancelled for the two reasons stated. What is consiedered television according to the US or Canada? A bunch of mindless empty headed comedies or a bunch of newscasts where we are forced to see the world we live in? The Cleaner was one of the few good shows on television that was actually very enjoyable but also added a bit of reality to it. I’m surprised by A&E’s decision especially when A&E is pretty much the only station that… Read more »
I am really tee’d off. I’ve been waiting for the 3rd season. I loved this show. It was very different. Probably a bit too honest for some people though. So many people are in denial about their own issues, I’m sure watching this show was not fun for them. It’s really too bad….. it was very well done and I learned so much myself about addiction and what these people go thru as well as the people who love them.