The Cleaner: Season 1

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 15 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 24 Ratings

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6.3

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6.3	Your Score
6.3	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 24 Ratings

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Season Details & Credits

A&E | Season Premiere Date: July 15, 2008

Starring: Benjamin Bratt, Kevin Michael Richardson, Liliana Mumy

Summary: William Banks (Benjamin Bratt) is a former drug addict out to help those addicted in this drama based in part on the life of William Boyd.

Creator: Jonathan Prince and Robert Munic

Genre(s): Drama, Arts

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Season 1 Episodes

tbd
S1:E13. Lie With Me
Air Date: October 14, 2008
tbd
S1:E12. Five Little Words
Air Date: October 7, 2008
tbd
S1:E11. Back to One
Air Date: September 30, 2008

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

Misha Davenport

Some may take issue with the cynical tone of both series [Saving grace and The Cleaner] or the fact that there is very little divine intervention in either. Read full review

Alan Sepinwall

It's not a bad show, but the mechanics of how they're going to abduct their latest target are far less engaging than how the team interacts with each other and how each member fights his or her compulsions. Read full review

Ginia Bellafante

You see Mr. Bratt with his goatee and expressions of martyrdom, but you hear the voice of Nancy Reagan. Read full review

Matthew Gilbert

The show is an extremely mixed bag, but he's an extremely likable extreme interventionist. Read full review

Robert Bianco

It's all meant to be exciting, but like everything else about The Cleaner, it comes across as almost profoundly silly. Read full review

Gillian Flynn

I'd describe it as ludicrous, but that might give the impression that it's remotely entertaining. Read full review

Tom Shales

It's the end of the hour, and we're still waiting for the real show to begin, too. Read full review

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User Score

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6.3

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User Reviews

ElinJ.

Aug 3, 2008

I love the show and find Will's trying to balance work and family a really dynamic thing to watch.

0 of 1 users found this helpful

bluemoondog

Oct 10, 2010

One of the most inspiring shows I've seen. Love it. I find it very realistic. The truth is that there are cleaners out there w ho are hired by families to help addicts get clean no matter what it takes. Bratt's portrayal of the ongoing struggle of recovery when you are knee deep in theOne of the most inspiring shows I've seen. Love it. I find it very realistic. The truth is that there are cleaners out there w ho are hired by families to help addicts get clean no matter what it takes. Bratt's portrayal of the ongoing struggle of recovery when you are knee deep in the mess you have made of your life, suffering the consequences, trying to help others, trying to live by the Steps and keep the faith--phenomenal. I think the typical television audience just wasn't ready for this trip.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

AK.

Jul 16, 2008

With the lack quality summer tv, I love that cable channels are taking a stand to produce drama shows. I loved the pilot, I'm going to hold out to rate the season but I thought the pilot was great. I can't believe some of the reviews I have read. Perhaps because I have dealt with With the lack quality summer tv, I love that cable channels are taking a stand to produce drama shows. I loved the pilot, I'm going to hold out to rate the season but I thought the pilot was great. I can't believe some of the reviews I have read. Perhaps because I have dealt with addiction in my life this show hits home. My husband taught me that what makes a good show/movie is conflict. "The Cleaner" has internal and external conflict on many levels. By the end of the show I was crying. For me to feel that deeply after 45 mins, that's a good show in my book.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

lsh

Aug 2, 2008

Surprised by all the negative reviews, I happen to love this show - Bratt's performance is edgy and the show gives a realistic view of the struggles families of drug addicts go through after recovery begins - it's not pretentious nor ridiculous that Bratt's character talks to Surprised by all the negative reviews, I happen to love this show - Bratt's performance is edgy and the show gives a realistic view of the struggles families of drug addicts go through after recovery begins - it's not pretentious nor ridiculous that Bratt's character talks to God; it's reassuring that the writers actually understand that recovering addicts believe in a higher power and need to communicate with that higher power continually to maintain. Critics may not like it, but those of us who've been affected by the abuse of drugs by loved ones appreciate this true to life account of someone who is trying to make a difference.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

RB.

Jul 16, 2008

You lost me in the first twenty minutes. No story line could be understood. Too much superfluous dialog. A real miss

1 of 1 users found this helpful

DaveW

Aug 10, 2008

Veers between stupid sentimentality and grotesque heroic posturing. Waste of time.

1 of 1 users found this helpful

BrandonS.

Jul 24, 2008

Bratt is such a bad actor. How could anyone watch this?

0 of 0 users found this helpful

SEE ALL 17 REVIEWS

Seasons & Episodes

41

Series Overview
Season 2

tbd
- Season 2 Overview
  Air Date: June 23, 2009
Season 1

41
- Season 1 Overview
  Air Date: July 15, 2008
- tbd
  S1:E13. Lie With Me
  Air Date: October 14, 2008
- tbd
  S1:E12. Five Little Words
  Air Date: October 7, 2008
- tbd
  S1:E11. Back to One
  Air Date: September 30, 2008
- tbd
  S1:E10. Rebecca
  Air Date: September 23, 2008
- tbd
  S1:E9. The Eleventh Hour
  Air Date: September 16, 2008
- tbd
  S1:E8. Let It Ride
  Air Date: September 9, 2008
- tbd
  S1:E7. House of Pain
  Air Date: September 2, 2008
- tbd
  S1:E6. To Catch a Fed
  Air Date: August 26, 2008
- tbd
  S1:E5. Here Comes the Boom
  Air Date: August 19, 2008
- tbd
  S1:E4. Chaos Theory
  Air Date: August 5, 2008
- tbd
  S1:E3. Meet the Joneses
  Air Date: July 29, 2008
- tbd
  S1:E2. Rag Dolls
  Air Date: July 22, 2008
- tbd
  S1:E1. Pilot
  Air Date: July 15, 2008