The Cleaner

:

Season 1
  • Network: A&E
  • Series Premiere Date: Jul 15, 2008
Season #: 2, 1
User Score
6.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 24 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 24
  3. Negative: 8 out of 24
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User Reviews

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  1. Ted
    Jul 18, 2008
    2
    Virtually unwatchable.
  2. BrianK.
    Dec 9, 2008
    0
    This seriously has to be one the most convoluted things to come to television......at least among the shows I've watched.
  3. ErikM.
    Jul 16, 2008
    1
    Absolute tripe....talking to god every five min isnt good tv....unless you're ON drugs.
  4. RB.
    Jul 16, 2008
    2
    You lost me in the first twenty minutes. No story line could be understood. Too much superfluous dialog. A real miss
  5. DaveW
    Aug 10, 2008
    2
    Veers between stupid sentimentality and grotesque heroic posturing. Waste of time.
  6. AndrewV.
    Jun 30, 2009
    5
    Ambitious concept, unique idea, terrible writing and dialogue. This could be a good show, but the writers need to be fired. A procedural drama about drug addiction is intensely stupid, and borderline offensive.
  7. ElinJ.
    Aug 3, 2008
    10
    I love the show and find Will's trying to balance work and family a really dynamic thing to watch.
  8. SallyH.
    Jul 17, 2008
    9
    This show has some very real moments in it--keeping in mind I was a bartender with a less than glamorous place of employment. The lead character has all the contradictions and bristle in the personality of someone who has struggled with an addiction and is teetering on the razors edge of falling back into the addiction.
  9. AndyP.
    Jul 18, 2009
    10
    What the press doesn't understand, and the viewers commenting here don't seem to get, is that this show is a remarkably real and honest portrayal of a man of faith struggling through life. Here's an idea for everyone going to a nice suburban church in the safe section of town where nobody can intrude on your ideal picture of life... show an episode of this the next time you What the press doesn't understand, and the viewers commenting here don't seem to get, is that this show is a remarkably real and honest portrayal of a man of faith struggling through life. Here's an idea for everyone going to a nice suburban church in the safe section of town where nobody can intrude on your ideal picture of life... show an episode of this the next time you have a study... and discuss. This show gets a remarkable conversation started if you're willing to listen - I think A&E is brave for putting it on the air with how raw it can be at some points - and I really appreciate that. The first season was fantastic and I can only hope that successive seasons will be just as good.… Expand
  10. AK.
    Jul 16, 2008
    9
    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 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
  11. lsh
    Aug 2, 2008
    9
    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 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
  12. Terry
    Jul 23, 2008
    9
    Enjoyed this show and Bratt will have another hit on his hands!!! Hey, and he is still great to look at!
  13. BrandonS.
    Jul 24, 2008
    0
    Bratt is such a bad actor. How could anyone watch this?
  14. NRT
    Jul 23, 2008
    9
    Bratt is a class act.
  15. KateS.
    Jul 28, 2008
    10
    I love this show. It's gritty and intense.
  16. W
    Sep 25, 2008
    1
    This shows paints a very, very wrong picture of what helps someone to achieve recovery. Ex-cons engaging in criminal activity is NOT the way to help people who need help. Thumbs down.
  17. bluemoondog
    Oct 10, 2010
    10
    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 the mess you have made of your life, suffering the consequences, trying to help others, trying to live byOne 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

Awards & Rankings

96
#96 Best TV Season of 2008
53
#53 Most Discussed TV Season of 2008
40
#40 Most Shared TV Season of 2008

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
41

Mixed or average reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 15
  3. Negative: 7 out of 15
  1. Boston Globe
    Reviewed by: Matthew Gilbert
    50
    The show is an extremely mixed bag, but he's an extremely likable extreme interventionist.
    Read full review
  2. Chicago Sun-Times
    Reviewed by: Misha Davenport
    63
    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
  3. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Gillian Flynn
    33
    I'd describe it as ludicrous, but that might give the impression that it's remotely entertaining.
    Read full review
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