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The Cleaner (TV series)
Encyclopedia
The Cleaner was an A&E
television series starring Benjamin Bratt
. It debuted on Tuesday, July 15, 2008 at 10:00 pm EST and the last episode aired on September 15, 2009, when the show was officially cancelled.
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.
. 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 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
. Banks runs a busy life; besides his addiction fighting capers, he runs shop that primarily sells surfing equipment. His shop is connected to a garage where his business repairs automobiles
and surfboard
s. Besides that he also works at a drug rehabilitation center
called Transitions.
Each episode typically begins with Banks having a one-way conversation with God
(or "talking", as he refers to it), 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.
The show is loosely based on the life of Warren Boyd
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 would pick up a second season of The Cleaner. It went into production of thirteen all-new episodes, and premiered on June 23, 2009. A&E opted not to renew the series for a third season on September 25, 2009.
on June 9, 2009.
on June 1, 2010.
The First season premiered in Bulgaria in 2009 on AXN
and the Second will premiere in January 2010. In 2010 also the First season will start on PRO.BG with different dub.
The first season of the series premiered in Italy on Thursday September 10, 2009, on pay-TV channel Joi
, (Mediaset Premium
).
The First season premiered in Ireland in January 2010, on RTÉ Two
The First season premiered in Kenya in January 2011, on nation tv The First season premiered in Greece in April 2011, on Skai TV
A&E Network
The A&E Network is a United States-based cable and satellite television network with headquarters in New York City and offices in Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, London, Los Angeles and Stamford. A&E also airs in Canada and Latin America. Initially named the Arts & Entertainment Network, A&E launched...
television series starring Benjamin Bratt
Benjamin Bratt
Benjamin Bratt is an American actor. He is most famous for his role as Rey Curtis on the TV series Law & Order; and his appearances in the movies Blood in Blood Out, Miss Congeniality, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, Traffic, and Piñero.-Early life:Bratt was born in San Francisco, California,...
. It debuted on Tuesday, July 15, 2008 at 10:00 pm EST and the last episode aired on September 15, 2009, when the show was officially cancelled.
It was produced by CBS Television Studios, formerly CBS Paramount Network Television
CBS Paramount Network Television
CBS Paramount Network Television was the main production arm of CBS Paramount Television, a division of CBS Corporation. It was known as Paramount Network Television and CBS Productions until 2006.It is now CBS Television Studios, starting in fall 2009....
. It was then the company's only series not airing on a CBS-owned network.
Synopsis
William Banks is a recovering drug addict that lives in Los Angeles, CaliforniaLos Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
. When his daughter Lula was born, Banks "made a deal with God
God
God is the English name given to a singular being in theistic and deistic religions who is either the sole deity in monotheism, or a single deity in polytheism....
", pledging that if he is given a second chance, he will end his drug abuse and help others end their addictions to drugs
Illegal drug trade
The illegal drug trade is a global black market, dedicated to cultivation, manufacture, distribution and sale of those substances which are subject to drug prohibition laws. Most jurisdictions prohibit trade, except under license, of many types of drugs by drug prohibition laws.A UN report said the...
and alcohol
Alcohol
In chemistry, an alcohol is an organic compound in which the hydroxy functional group is bound to a carbon atom. In particular, this carbon center should be saturated, having single bonds to three other atoms....
. The show's intro states that Banks also helps people overcome addictions to sex and gambling, however, neither one has 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
Los Angeles Police Department
The Los Angeles Police Department is the police department of the city of Los Angeles, California. With just under 10,000 officers and more than 3,000 civilian staff, covering an area of with a population of more than 4.1 million people, it is the third largest local law enforcement agency in...
and other officials, who almost always turn a blind eye to the vigilante
Vigilante
A vigilante is a private individual who legally or illegally punishes an alleged lawbreaker, or participates in a group which metes out extralegal punishment to an alleged lawbreaker....
'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
Calling (religious)
A calling, in the religious sense of the word, is a religious vocation that may be professional or voluntary and, idiosyncratic to different religions, may come from another person, from a divine messenger, or from within oneself.-History:The idea of a vocation or "calling" has played a...
and will therefore work pro bono
Pro bono
Pro bono publico is a Latin phrase generally used to describe professional work undertaken voluntarily and without payment or at a reduced fee as a public service. It is common in the legal profession and is increasingly seen in marketing, technology, and strategy consulting firms...
if a client cannot afford his services
Poverty
Poverty is the lack of a certain amount of material possessions or money. Absolute poverty or destitution is inability to afford basic human needs, which commonly includes clean and fresh water, nutrition, health care, education, clothing and shelter. About 1.7 billion people are estimated to live...
. Banks runs a busy life; besides his addiction fighting capers, he runs shop that primarily sells surfing equipment. His shop is connected to a garage where his business repairs automobiles
Auto mechanic
An auto mechanic is a mechanic with a variety of car makes or either in a specific area or in a specific make of car. In repairing cars, their main role is to diagnose the problem accurately and quickly...
and surfboard
Surfboard
A surfboard is an elongated platform used in the sport of surfing. Surfboards are relatively light, but are strong enough to support an individual standing on them while riding a breaking wave...
s. Besides that he also works at a drug rehabilitation center
Drug rehabilitation
Drug rehabilitation is a term for the processes of medical or psychotherapeutic treatment, for dependency on psychoactive substances such as alcohol, prescription drugs, and so-called street drugs such as cocaine, heroin or amphetamines...
called Transitions.
Each episode typically begins with Banks having a one-way conversation with God
God
God is the English name given to a singular being in theistic and deistic religions who is either the sole deity in monotheism, or a single deity in polytheism....
(or "talking", as he refers to it), usually asking for guidance and clarity on his mission
Mission (Christian)
Christian missionary activities often involve sending individuals and groups , to foreign countries and to places in their own homeland. This has frequently involved not only evangelization , but also humanitarian work, especially among the poor and disadvantaged...
, the meaning of life
The Meaning of Life
Monty Python's The Meaning of Life is a 1983 comedy film by the Monty Python team. Unlike Holy Grail and Life of Brian, this movie's two immediate predecessors, which each told a single, more or less coherent story, The Meaning of Life returns to the sketch comedy format of the troupe's original...
and human nature
Human nature
Human nature refers to the distinguishing characteristics, including ways of thinking, feeling and acting, that humans tend to have naturally....
, 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
Warren Boyd
Warren Boyd , is an American addiction counselor and recovering drug addict. He is a co-executive producer of the American A&E television series The Cleaner, which is based on his life....
who, as an addictions counselor, has helped such people as Mel Gibson
Mel Gibson
Mel Colm-Cille Gerard Gibson, AO is an American actor, film director, producer and screenwriter. Born in Peekskill, New York, Gibson moved with his parents to Sydney, Australia when he was 12 years old and later studied acting at the Australian National Institute of Dramatic Art.After appearing in...
, Courtney Love
Courtney Love
Courtney Michelle Love is an American rock musician. Love is the lead vocalist, lyricist, and rhythm guitarist for alternative rock band Hole, which she formed in 1989, and is an actress who has moved from bit parts in Alex Cox films to significant and acclaimed roles in The People vs...
, and Whitney Houston
Whitney Houston
Whitney Elizabeth Houston is an American singer, actress, producer and a former model. Houston is the most awarded female act of all time, according to Guinness World Records, and her list of awards include 1 Emmy Award, 6 Grammy Awards, 30 Billboard Music Awards, 22 American Music Awards, among...
. On October 27, 2008 A&E declared they would pick up a second season of The Cleaner. It went into production of thirteen all-new episodes, and premiered on June 23, 2009. A&E opted not to renew the series for a third season on September 25, 2009.
Main cast
- Benjamin BrattBenjamin BrattBenjamin Bratt is an American actor. He is most famous for his role as Rey Curtis on the TV series Law & Order; and his appearances in the movies Blood in Blood Out, Miss Congeniality, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, Traffic, and Piñero.-Early life:Bratt was born in San Francisco, California,...
.. William Banks - Grace ParkGrace Park (actress)Grace Park is an American-born Canadian actress. She gained recognition as Sharon Valerii on Battlestar Galactica, as well as Shannon Ng in the Canadian television series teen soap Edgemont...
... Akani Cuesta - Esteban PowellEsteban PowellEsteban Louis Powell is an American actor.He attended the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Houston, a magnet school of the Houston Independent School District...
... Arnie Swenton - Kevin Michael RichardsonKevin Michael RichardsonKevin Michael Richardson is an American actor and voice actor who currently stars as Cleveland Brown, Jr. in The Cleveland Show...
... Darnell McDowell (Season one only) - Amy Price-FrancisAmy Price-FrancisAmy Price-Francis is an actress who played characters on the television series Little Men, Tracker, Snakes and Ladders, Rumours and, especially, The Cleaner, where she has played the role of Melissa Banks...
.. Melissa Banks, William's wife - Liliana MumyLiliana MumyLiliana Berry Davis Mumy is an American teen actress and voice actress. Her most notable roles are as Jessica Baker in the Cheaper by the Dozen movies with Steve Martin, Lucy Miller in The Santa Clause sequels with Tim Allen, Mertle Edmonds on the Disney Channel original series Lilo & Stitch: The...
... Lula Banks, William's daughter - Brett DelBuono ... Ben Banks, William's son
Main Crew
- Steve BoyumSteve BoyumSteve Boyum is a long time Hollywood stunt performer, television director and film director. He has appeared in over 60 films as a stunt performer.-Selected filmography as a director:*Human Target...
- Félix Enríquez AlcaláFélix Enríquez AlcaláFélix Enríquez Alcalá is an American film and television director.-Career:...
(2 episodes, 2008) - Leon IchasoLeon Ichaso-Early life and education:Leon Ichaso was born in Havana August 3, 1948, into a family of well-known writers, journalists and artists. His father, Justo Rodríguez Santos, was one of Cuba's most respected poets and a pioneer in broadcast TV and radio -and his mother Antonia Ichaso had a radio...
(2 episodes, 2008) - Robert Munic (13 episodes, 2008)
- Jonathan PrinceJonathan PrinceJonathan Alexander Prince is an American actor, director, screenwriter and movie producer.-Career:Prince embarked on an acting career following graduation from Harvard University. His most prominent roles include "Leo" in the 1981 CBS series Mr...
(Head WriterHead writerA head writer is a person who oversees the team of writers on a television or radio series. The title is common in the soap opera genre, as well as with sketch comedies and talk shows that feature monologues and comedy skits, but in prime time series this function is generally performed by an...
) - Norman Morrill (3 episodes, 2008)
- Adam Glass
- Eli Talbert
Season one
| Series # | |Original air date |
|---|
Season two
| Series # | |Original air date |
|---|
The Cleaner: The First Season
The first season of The Cleaner was released on DVDDVD
A DVD is an optical disc storage media format, invented and developed by Philips, Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic in 1995. DVDs offer higher storage capacity than Compact Discs while having the same dimensions....
on June 9, 2009.
The Cleaner: The Final Season
The final season of The Cleaner was released on DVDDVD
A DVD is an optical disc storage media format, invented and developed by Philips, Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic in 1995. DVDs offer higher storage capacity than Compact Discs while having the same dimensions....
on June 1, 2010.
Ratings
2008 first-run ratings for The Cleaner were 1.1 million in the 18-49 demographic. The series finale averaged 1.528 million viewers in live+7.International Airing
- The series is broadcast in Latinamerica through the A&E Latinamerica channel, series one premiered on Sunday October 5, 2008. The second season premiered on Tuesday, September 8, 2009.
The First season premiered in Bulgaria in 2009 on AXN
AXN
AXN is a Pay television, cable and satellite television channel owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment, which was first launched on May 22, 1997. The network is now spread across several regions in the world, including Japan, Europe, other parts of Asia and Latin America...
and the Second will premiere in January 2010. In 2010 also the First season will start on PRO.BG with different dub.
The first season of the series premiered in Italy on Thursday September 10, 2009, on pay-TV channel Joi
Joi (TV channel)
Joi is an Italian Entertainment TV channel, owned by Mediaset and broadcast on Premium Gallery, a Digital terrestrial television service in Italy. It is devoted to Family entertainment and broadcasts Movie and TV Series...
, (Mediaset Premium
Mediaset Premium
Mediaset Premium is an Italian digital terrestrial television service provided by Mediaset. It provides pay tv and pay-per-view services through use of a smart card.-History:...
).
The First season premiered in Ireland in January 2010, on RTÉ Two
RTÉ Two
RTÉ Two is a free-to-air general entertainment channel operated by Irish state broadcaster Raidió Teilifís Éireann. RTÉ Two is available throughout the island of Ireland through digital terrestrial service Saorview, VHF and UHF bands, and is also available via satellite to Irish subscribers of...
The First season premiered in Kenya in January 2011, on nation tv The First season premiered in Greece in April 2011, on Skai TV
Skai TV
Skai TV is a Greek TV station, based in Pireus, Athens. It is part of the Skai Group one of the largest media groups in Greece. It was relaunched in its present form on April 1, 2006 in Athens and gradually managed to spread its coverage nationwide. Besides analog over-the-air transmission, it is...