Q&A - Bryan Batt (Salvatore Romano)
Season 1 saw Sal Romano hiding a secret; Season 2 saw him married to a hometown girl. Actor Bryan Batt talks about the crazy theories he's heard about everyone's favorite Italian-American art director, and his big moments in the Season 3 premiere.
Q: What's it like to have the gang back together? Does everyone pick up where they left of once you return to set?
A: It's like going back to school -- a really fun school. I don't want to sound trite, but we really get along, and have just as much fun off set as we do on set.
Q: Is it easier now that you're in the third season, or harder, since expectations build with each year?
A: You know, expectations, you can't really factor that in, especially for the actors. I can assure everyone the scripts are brilliant, and the stories are even more in depth as people get to know the characters. I don't feel the pressure because of the great working environment. From the get-go, Matthew [Weiner] has had a clear vision of what he wants and is able to articulate that to us. It really makes our jobs so easy.
Q: The premiere episode is a big one for Sal. Had you anticipated that he would have an encounter, much less in the opening episode?
A: No. I was hoping something like this would happen for Sal -- I think everyone was wanting Sal to have some kind of experience, to recognize these feelings he has, and act on them. I was surprised it was in the first episode and that it was such a big storyline. It's a little nerve-wracking because it's the first episode we started filming after a long hiatus. But really, everything came right back together.
Q: How do you think the scene played?
A: We had the screening the other night, and I was very interested in the reaction. I had anticipated a reaction on the kiss with the bellboy; I thought people would think we were crazy for that, but they were really into it. The really big reaction was when Don sees him through the window. There was a big audible gasp. Sometimes the unscripted storytelling is just as effective, or more so than the written word. It's so intelligently written that the nuances that are written in to the script can be interpreted in so many different ways. I love the commentary from the viewers reading into an episode. Some of the comments I don't even think of -- they're so far out there.
Q: Any in particular?
A: Someone thought that Sal was actually not gay. He is married, he's hit on, but never acts on it -- he couldn't possibly be gay.
Q: Is there anything you did to prepare for how it must have been for Sal in terms of being found out?
A: Not really... that fear of discovery, I grew up feeling. Those feelings I could definitely identify with. I think everyone can identify, if there's something they're hiding, a secret, something they don't want anyone to know about. When it's discovered, it's quite earth-shattering.
There's great camaraderie, lots of banter and fun on the set, but when we got to the scene, everyone was so respectful. Anytime there are bedroom scenes, the sets are closed. It really helps the actors produce and puts them at ease. Orestes Arcuni plays the bellboy and he's straight. I told him, "Close your eyes and pretend I'm Christie Brinkley."
Read an interview with Bryan Batt for Season 1 »
Read an interview with Bryan Batt for Season 2 »
Thanks for giving us the name of the actor playing the bellboy. I forgot to look for it in the credits. I remember thinking, while watching for the third time the scene between Sal and the bellboy, that the bellboy resembled a young, more muscular, Al Pacino.
Congrats to Bryan Batt! It was refreshing to have such a major storyline for Sal, and to have such a big move forward in terms of him dealing with his sexuality. The scene was well-acted, and a topic of hot conversation this week... Very interested to what the next step is for Sal.
I just love Sal/Bryan...so real and such a fine actor...love his sense of humor!
I thought that same thing, z....about Al P. -- Mr. Arcuni has that same intensity about him.
Very thoughtful of the MM PTB to give the actors a closed set during all the bedroom scenes. I'm sure they have to have the cameraman, sound, and Matt (or whoever is directing the episode) there, but, I'm sure the less distractions, the better.
Hi, SCfan and Hanna. Good to see you, friends. Know this is off-topic, but the Forum has been so full these last few days with so many old and new Maddicts that a familiar face is good to see. Love your new avatar, SCfan. Is that Colleen Corby?
Afraid so, Z...
Gidget/Sandra Dee decided to stay out in Cali....after the The Big Kahuna tried going mainstream he ended up back at the beach -- and she and he have gotten married and opened a surf shop! One of their best customers is John Slattery!....Moondoggie was left out in the cold...boo hoo!
BTW, I found a recent pic of Colleen on the web not long ago...I'll try to find it again....she's held up very well.
I've been posting away, z, have you? I think some of our posts have been deleted....wonder what the hell is happening with this site??
Orestes Arcuni is so lucky id give anything to do that scene with you.
Now that Sal is developing romantically I think he should have a secret affair with someone at SC and that it turns out to be Pete Campbell. I think that would be an interesting twist
…..That poor guy…..I had read the writers were going to put Sal through some tough times, but that guy just cannot catch a break.
His first big romantic tryst, and not only does the fire alarm go off, his BOSS appears two seconds later IN HIS WINDOW!
What are the odds of them having rooms directly above and below one another?
Oh Bryan... that scene. The acting was magnificent! Bravo!
Hi Bryan! You are a wonderful actor...thanks for this interview. I wish the best for you and Sal this season.
p.s. What did Sal do with Ken's lighter? Does he still have it? (wink!)
Yes, Rozsie, I have wondered about that lighter. And Dry, I agree, poor Sal! I would like to think that after everything calmed down from the fire alarm, he and the bellboy continued as they were. However, I am pretty sure all the shocks (first time, fire alarm, and getting caught by the boss) probably caused him to fall once again face down onto his lonely bed and alternate between fantasy and fear all night.
Whatever else you can say about Don Draper, his treatment of Sal was pretty remarkable for the times they lived in. He let Sal shine in the meeting with the clients and came through with the "limit your exposure" line to calm his fears of returning to the office and getting fired.
(Love your new avatar, Dry! Kind of Andy Warholish, hmmm?)
I am SO happy Sal is finally coming out. Seriously, the best acting I've seen in a long time in that scene. Great, great job.
Someone help me! Why did Sal utter "Airplane!!" to the bellboy?
And yes, thank you Bryan, your scene was incredible. Very raw, and you could just see a million thoughts crossing your face!
When he opened his vest, his fountain pen had leaked and stained his shirt. That was the reality of the situation. But the metaphor was for what was happening to Sal physically... ahem, in his pants! A brief moment of comedy really.
.....The flopping face-down on the bed thing was pretty cute, actually. We love us some Bryan Batt here.
z.....Yeah, I "Warhol-ized" myself. Kind of the "Easter" version, since the primaries didn't show up too well in that little bitty square.
The pen was a fountain pen, I guess, and the cartridges in those tended to leak at altitude.
Is he going to remove his 'Depends' for the young guy to get full penetration?
Thanks for a great interview, Bryan!
Dry Manhattan..I like the Warhol/Martini effect also. Now, if I can just get my avatar to load, I'm having trouble...any advice? I keep getting an error message.
Hey, I got the avatar to work!
Greetings to Maddicts that I recognize from last season! Great to see you again. :-)
I agree, bellboy looked a lot like young Al Pacino. Interesting that both he and Sal are obviously Italian.
I *LOVE* Bryan Batt---- wicked handsome and a terrific actor. Sal is my favorite character on the show and I am so glad to see his storyline explored. Can't wait to see this season, sounds like it's gonna be great.
For what it's worth...a new fan here, having caught up with seasons 1 and 2 on DVD before TiVo'ing season 3 episode 1...
Straight guy here who finds Sal to be among the most compelling characters on the show. My impressions: extremely talented and very likeable guy, deeply closeted for professional reasons; only to discover he's closeted for personal reasons, too. I found myself rooting for him, happy for him, and then crestfallen for him...to have what appeared to be a life-changing moment crumble the way it did. I'm still rooting for you, Sal!
Bryan, you're a great actor...
I'll echo elscoot57 and add that I LOVE this scene! As a straight woman, seeing two men kiss doesn't typically do anything for me, but I watched this one over and over. Bryan, you captured Sal's surprise, confusion, passion, crushing disappointment and embarrassment (all in a few moments!) so compellingly. What was fascinating also was the way the scene was juxtaposed with the Don/stewardess scene which was so cool and lacking in emotion. You really get the idea that Don does this all the time, and the sleeping around is beginning to lose its luster for him. Once again, superb television!
Hi, Bryan! And thanks again for showing up at our MM get-together at P.J.Clarke's in New York last December! The picture of me with you is my profile picture on Facebook (people think you're my boyfriend - LOL!!!).
Great scene with the bellboy (and yes, I also thought he looked like the young Al Pacino). Even though the act was not consummated, this will only whet Sal's appatite for more gay sex. Maybe he'll get back in touch with the guy from Belle Jolie? In any case, I don't see Sal coming out of the closet until the late 60's - early 70's, but this episode is just the beginning of his sexual exploration. Bravo, Bryan! You're a great actor and a great guy!
And hello to all my fellow Maddicts!
As long as Sal continues his fine artwork here at Sterling Cooper, who he doinks is his business.
Bert Cooper
Ordering sushi
I was disappointed in the season premiere script. They are playing up the quirky side of everyone's character (esp. Pete, who gets crazier every episode) and I find the straight story much more compelling. Seriously, the sixties were weird enough without turning them into some sort of fantasyland.
But with that said, I bought the Sal story. As far-fetched as it was to find Sal sucking face with the bellboy, one could imagine them both seizing that kind of chance because they get so few. And I actually cheered out loud (woke the dog up) when it looked like Sal might finally get some (and groaned when he didn't). You go, Sal!
I hope he gets nominated for an Emmy. Sal's simmering underbelly is well played.
I loved this scene, on so many levels! I adore Sal because he's so well-mannered and just a nice guy. The whole "in-the-closet" thing just draws me in more; I really feel for him. The need, the lust, the awkwardness and the disappointment was all there, and so nicely done. The bellboy was good too, I like how he just took charge of the whole situation and Sal just followed his lead.
I surprised that Sal actually took that opportunity, though and actually spent a lot of that scene waiting for Sal to cut it short! Unfortunately for him, that cursed fire alarm did it instead. However, after all that, I wasn't so surprised at Don's reaction. He's so badly behaved himself that I never would have imagined he'd have a huge problem with Sal's... situation.
I hope Sal doesn't come out just yet, I don't think he will. I love how well and Bryan plays Sal - the secret is so obvious and yet so discreetly portrayed.
Hidey, there, Gail! Long time no read....glad you're back...
Hello Mr. Batt
I really loved the scene with the bell hop, you performed that beautifully! The scene was very hot and I hope that Sal gets an opportunity to fully experience what he so obviously needs. He seems a genuinely nice character and it would be great to see him happy.
;-)
SCfan: Hi! Yes, I'm back, but don't have that much to say about Ep. 1 (I found it very downbeat), but can't wait for tonight! Looking forward to another great season of MM. There are some new bloggers on the Open Thread and some of them are fighting already! Not my style -- I wanna be friends.
Me too!
We go through this every time a new season starts....should we be "used to it"?
I guess so, but, I miss the way the forum used to be....oh so long ago....
sigh
Am I the only one here who thinks that Mr. Batt is achingly beautiful? Suffering Moses, I could watch him eat lunch.
:-)