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?
You know, there are a couple of shows that look interesting this season on A&E, but I will not even turn that channel on. Please listen to me and watch another channel.
That way maybe they will listen and get rid of the trash and bring back good television like The Cleaner . . . Or maybe USA will pick it up and A&E can go away.
Ted
This show is what got me watching A&E. I watched the show every week! i no longer watch A&E. One of the best shows I’ve seen in a long time. Major mistake by taking it off the air! MAJOR
I agree with everyones comments. This tv show was great. All that is on tv is these stupid reality shows. I am sick of it. I hope another network will pick this show up.
Hopefully someone else will pick it up. It actually happened for another show that was cancelled that I liked-Southland. It was cancelled on Fox or FX ( whichever), and TNT picked it up. I’m glad TNT is around-they pick up the really good shows that are, for whatever dumbass reason, dropped by other stations. I hope a TNT exec reads this and considers adding Cleaner to their schedule.
what a shame, other than paranormal state the cleaner was the only on a&e that I watched. now there is no point. I just wish that another tv channel would pick it up.
No one is listening to the comments made.
They will say that there is not enough interest in The Cleaner show, because people just don’t generally make comments. I am sure that they know no one is listening. The only way anyone is going to listen is good sense is to:
STOP WATCHING A&E. I have.
And by the way, what do they have left to watch .
Dog and Segal???? Oh . . . a lot of good reality shows.
I am sorry to see that this show was canceled, I started watching A&E because of that show, my wife and I would watch it together every week, that was part of our time together. The executives always cancel the good shows and put on a stupid reallity show instead, makes no sense.
TERRIBLE!! BEST SHOW ON TV..EASILY. ERROR ERROR ERROR.
The Cleaner was what got me started watching A & E. That show was one of the most hard hitting shows on tv in a very very long time. I certainly hope they can reconsider and work the show back in somehow. Actually id prefer they drop that trash…dog the bounty hunter.
I hate that The Cleaner has been canceled. It is a very good and uplifting TV show. We need more shows like this one. Very disappointed in A & E for cancelling this one.
This is crazy. This a great show with great acting!!! It is something the country needs to day with all the problems dealing with drugs and alcohol. It gives people hope and shows that other people do really care. Please reconsider and keep the Cleaner on!!!!! You need to just let the people know when the show is starting up again.
I am so disappointed to learn the show has been cancelled!!! I have bragged to everyone about how enjoyable this show is and what an outstanding job A&E has done in bringing “Real Life” to it’s viewers. Bratt is one of my favorites after seeing his performance in this series. I hope A&E changes its mind and brings it BACK!!
My family is so disappointed that the cleaner is dropped, that we won’t be watching A&E anymore. We really enjoyed it because it was so enspiring and captured the real world of how addictions can take over one’s life. Drug use is an epidemic in this country, and it was a very unique show that set itself apart from all the other shows as far as drama goes. I’t was good for america in that it showed the ugly truth what really goes on in families that are ripped apart because of those addictions. I lost my mom, dad, and… Read more »
I’m not sure if anyone having any say in the airing of The Cleaner will ever read this, but to him or her I would say,”In an age when society has lost touch with morality and truth, I found The Cleaner as a show that helped bring real life tragedy into perspective for our society giving understanding and hope. I have been clean from drugs 11 years and enjoy an almost new life. The show put me more in touch with what’s going on all around me and has aided me with motivation to go out and give of myself… Read more »
I loved the cleaner, I can not believe it is cancelled.Whomever it is that runs the network should be fired. They obviously do not know good television. It was an inspirational show that really showed america how bad a drug problem is and I am sure it helped heal families who are dealing with the same issues.