The Cleaner is an
A&E television series starring
Benjamin Bratt. It debuted on Tuesday, July 15, 2008 at 10:00 pm EST.
It was produced by
CBS Television Studios, formerly
CBS Paramount Network Television. It was then the company's only series not airing on a CBS-owned network.
On September 25, 2009,
The Cleaner was cancelled by A&E.
[www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/television/news/e3i470b0d4b36272857a13594d307f29a20]
Synopsis
William Banks is a recovering
drug addict that lives in
Los Angeles, California. When his daughter Lula was born, Banks "made a deal with
God", pledging that if he is given a second chance, he will end his drug abuse and help others end their addictions to
drugs and
alcohol. The show's intro states that Banks also helps people overcome addictions to
sex and
gambling, however, neither one has yet been the focus of an episode. The series centers around Banks and his small team of recovering addicts who work to help others in recovering from their addictions. He and his team will resort to unethical and illegal tactics in order to end their clients' addictions. His success at cleaning people's addictions has gained him the respect of the
LAPD and other officials, who almost always
turn a blind eye to the
vigilante's methods. In fact, the LAPD and other law officials will frequently refer clients to Banks. Banks appears to believe that his work is a
Calling and will therefore work
pro bono if a client
cannot afford his services.
Each episode typically begins with Banks having a one-way conversation with
God, usually asking for guidance and clarity on his
mission,
the meaning of life and
human nature, among other things. Other times Banks will air his grievances to God, asking why He (God) allows bad things to happen. William's one-way communications with God are somewhat of a theme during the series, implying that his faith plays an important role in his sobriety. However, whether all the scenes where Banks is shown praying out loud to God are real or whether they are simply illustrations of what is going on in his mind, are left ambiguous to the viewers.
Production
The Cleaner, whose protagonist, according to A&E, helps others defeat their habits "by any means necessary," is the first original drama for this cable network in over six years.
The show is loosely based on the life of
Warren Boyd[aetv.com/the-cleaner/about] who, as an addictions counselor, has helped such people as
Mel Gibson,
Courtney Love, and
Whitney Houston. On October 27, 2008 A&E declared they will pick up a second season of
The Cleaner. It goes into production of thirteen all-new episodes, premiering on June 23, 2009.
Main cast
Main Crew
Episodes
Season One
Season Two
DVD Release
The Cleaner: The First Season
The first season of
The Cleaner was released on
DVD on June 9, 2009.
Ratings
2008 first-run ratings for
The Cleaner were 1.1 million in the 18-49 demographic.
[www.thefutoncritic.com/news.aspx?date=12/18/08&id=20081218fx01]
International Airing
The series is broadcast on Latinamerica through the A&E Latinamerica channel, the series premiered on Sunday October 5, 2008. The second season premiered on Tuesday, September 8 2009.
The first season of the series premiered in Italy on Thursday September 10, 2009, on pay-TV channel
Joy, (
Mediaset Premium).
