http://www.broadway.com/buzz/broadway-vet-bryan-batt-will-not-return-tvs-mad-men/

does anyone have a kleenex :-(

Bring Sal back please! I graduated from college in 1963 so I know the era very, very well.

My first job was on Madison Avenue and there were plenty of gay men -- and women working quite successfully. Everybody knew their proclivities but it went unremarked....I mean the fact that Rock Hudson was gay was schoolyard gossip by the time I was 11! It's the era from which Bill Clinton (same age as me) derived "don't ask, don't tell."

If Don Draper gave Peggy a chance, surely he can re-hire Sal in the new agency. It was a lot easier for gays to achieve than it was for women to not be asked how fast they could type.

OK, so now there are no gay people on a show about the advertising industry in New York in the 1960s. What's next for Mr. Weiner, a show about the New York banking industry without any Jewish people?

I'm speechless! Mad Men won't be the same with Salvatore!
Just when his storyline was getting interesting! I'd rather see Betty Draper disappear!

Say it isn't so....I love(d) Sal....not to mention Bryan Batt's great acting.

I guess it's ok to have all the womanizing, drinking, smoking, etc. but not to show a sweet dear man (who happens to be ga) sharing his gifts with us (even if it IS the 60's)....damn....

gay I meant, not "ga"....but you all know that already.....sigh

You know....not only will I miss Sal, but this also means we never know the end of Kitty's story.

We will never know how she would deal with the knowledge of her childhood friend being able to hide something from her all their lives. It would have been a compelling story, too. I have often wondered how I would deal with trust again if I were ever put in that position.

Isn't her story one that began as one dream and would end as something entirely different? Not unlike the storylines of the women remaining in the series, (ie, Betty, Joan, Mona, et al...). I sure will miss Salvatore. He was the one man who loved his mama. Who will take his place as the 'caring' guy? And, we never even got to see his mama!

PS: I apologize, Bryan, for misspelling your last name!

Yeah, agree completely, grey...

Oh, I think maybe we got a glimpse of mama sitting there on the sofa knitting ~~ or whatever ~~ when the Romanos were watching TV (as Sal fondled his "prize" from dinner ~~ Ken's lighter!)....I seem to recall her sitting there kind of in a blur behind him as Sal looked at the lighter....anyone remember that?

Coulda been my imagination, though.....

(This site is still messed up!!!! - says I'm signed in and can post, but when I do, it says I'm not!!)

It's good to hear from you Greytone, but I wish you had better news. I agree that Bryan's leaving will leave so many unanswered questions regarding him and Kitty. Oh, well...........

SCfan, you didn't imagine it. It was a quick scene but Bryan can portray so much emotion with just a look. That scene touched my heart.

Maybe Bryan will go on to bigger and better things - a Broadway show perhaps. Best of luck to him whatever and wherever he appears.

:(

You're right, SXfan... I remember that! She was seen sitting on the sofa. But, did we get to know her? lol

What a shame....

sniffle, sniffle

OMG!!!!! I just heard the news!! Can I hope he will be back in Season 5? :(

I had just started working on Madison Avenue and the Chairman called one of the executives "Sweet Pea" in a non threatening way . I was just starting my career and didn't understand, I was very naive, but he helped me find my way around, especially diamonds at Tiffany, facials at Elizabeth Arden, fabulous clothes at Bergdof Goodman and flowers from Irene Hayes. What great experiences. Now its jeans at Costco playing with my grandchildren in the suburbs and I'm still having great experiences. :)

As compelling as the all the characters are, Sal stood out both for his sense of humanity and the unique problems presented by being a gay professional back then (and even today).

With this, I cannot help being a little less enthusiastic about the show.

Good luck Sal, wherever the sixties take you.

"'We don’t murder people on our show, but for there to be any stakes, there have to be consequences,' Mad Men creator Matthew Weiner said about the loss of Batt.

C'mon, Matthew. You found a way to weave Joan back into the story without him being employed.

What if Sal falls upon hard times and tries to befriend a former colleague? What if he falls into depression and his wife tries support them? He's not dead, so the "consequences" are up to you.

(I feel ridiculous suggesting story lines to Matthew Weiner. In fact, this makes me suspect that Sal will be back when we least expect it. It's not unreasonable to think the producers would extend Mad Men's masterful element of surprise into the the real world milieu surrounding the show).

I came as soon as I heard! Such terrible news!
@Stuart, I concur with your story line suggestions. Something's GOT to be done.
They could even conclude his story for us with a glimpse of what happened with him and Kitty, as someone mentions that they'd ran into him (NYC is dense and small enough for people to run into each other a lot). Sal must have gotten a job at another agency...on MADISON AVE.
I don't like the idea of show runners to "extend the element of surprise into the real world". Not fair.
Maybe they'll give Kurt a bigger slice as the token gay.
Oh, I forgot they left him behind too (no pun intended).

bye Sal your character has to go just has to go.

I liked Sal a lot and really thought he contributed immensely to Seasons 1&2, but I had a feeling after Episode 301 that it would be his last season.

I didn't like the whole scenario of the tryst with the bell boy, hotel fire alarm, and Don seeing the aborted sexual encounter through the window.

But that being said, I understand why MW went in that direction to propel the theme and the way it is a metaphor for Don's perception of himself and the way others see him.

As for Salvator, there is no way for SCDP to survive if he stays because of the Lucky Strike account and Lee Garner,Jr. And I think all Maddicts will agree that SCDP has to survive no matter what.

Too bad, though for Bryan and those of us who like his acting and love Salvator Romano. He will be missed in the same way that Maggie Siff and Rosemarie Dewitt were, but Mad Men will go on and be just as good or perhaps even better.

The show goes on!

I think Matt Weiner is being realistic in not having Salvatore back mainly for economic reasons (Lucky Strike) and for the revelation of Don"s anti-gay sentiment) but come-on, no gay men in advertising in the 1960s!!!!??? I graduated from college in 1959 and gays had an easier time of being accepted in business than women. We all knew and accepted many gays particularly in urban areas (especially, the northeast). We just did not discuss their sexuality as we did later. My gay brother was a copywriter in a large agency and later ran his own small agency. He was responsible for several important accounts and still has several good friends (gay and straight) from that era. MM writers are among the best and I accept that, for the story line, the return of Sal may not be appropriate. They have not been proven wrong yet. However , the reason given is ludicrous. A personal plea..., please Matt, do not return creepy Suzanne Farrell. Still the best show on tv.!!! Britain just got season three and the blogs in the UK Guardian are interesting and also positive. Finally realize we have some good drama to offer.!! Man does not live by Masterpiece theater alone!!!

I think Matt Weiner is being realistic in not having Salvatore back mainly for economic reasons (Lucky Strike) and for the revelation of Don"s anti-gay sentiment) but come-on, no gay men in advertising in the 1960s!!!!??? I graduated from college in 1959 and gays had an easier time of being accepted in business than women. We all knew and accepted many gays particularly in urban areas (especially, the northeast). We just did not discuss their sexuality as we did later. My gay brother was a copywriter in a large agency and later ran his own small agency. He was responsible for several important accounts and still has several good friends (gay and straight) from that era. MM writers are among the best and I accept that, for the story line, the return of Sal may not be appropriate. They have not been proven wrong yet. However , the reason given is ludicrous. A personal plea..., please Matt, do not return creepy Suzanne Farrell. Still the best show on tv.!!! Britain just got season three and the blogs in the UK Guardian are interesting and also positive. Finally realize we have some good drama to offer.!! Man does not live by Masterpiece theater alone!!!

Over time I have learned that people come into our lives so that we can learn a lesson. Once the lesson is learned they will go out of our life, sometimes forever. If not they will be back.

I think Sal came into our lives to show people how objectionable a particular lifestyle was for that time period. Because of Sal, we clearly learned that the intolerance and prejudice of a lifestyle shouldn't exist.,Because of that lesson he taught us how deary he is loved and his mission has been accomplished, perhaps forever.

I just read this news in our newspaper this morning. Bryan Batt reported to TV Guide that he didn't know he was being let go. "I was supposed to be notified by December 31, and nothing," he stated. Apparently he fired up a Facebook campaign to save the character.

I didn't mind losing Rachel, Midge or Helen Bishop. They were nice while they were there, but I didn't miss them. But Sal! I feel like he's "our" Sal. I do wish some other storyline could have been concocted to keep him in the show.

So right, egypt, we DO feel protective of "our" Sal....the show just won't be the same.

I also have been holding out hope that Freddie will return....I want them both back....big losses, in this Maddict's opinion.

I so agree SCfan. Assuming Freddy is now "dried out" he'd be working, maybe for himself as a freelancer. I can see him hearing the scuttlebutt on Mad Ave re SC and looking for those let go to add to whatever boutique agency he's running. Sort of SC mini-me. Both wounded ousiders, words and artwork, they'd make a great team.

Am absolutely devastated! Sal was / is one of my favourite MM characters.
Even if he isn't working at the firm I just can't help think that the powers-that-be are wasting a really brilliant story line by dumping Sal - so few shows explore the closeted gay lifestyle (particularly of that generation) and I know plenty of people are fascinated.

I also had a thought - in a weird way, you'd almost thing Bryan could sue! He's an openly gay actor which obviously contributed to him being so perfect for the role and because the character is gay, he's now lost his job... it's like some weird time-space wormhole that has ended up in, essentially, discrimination!

I hope Matt reconsiders! I will miss Sal (Bryan Bratt) desperately!!!

I'd love if that happened, AA....Sal and Freddie opening a small "boutique" agency! What a neat idea....let's see, they could call it R & R....or something.....hmmmmmm

Am absolutely devastated! Sal was / is one of my favourite MM characters.
Even if he isn't working at the firm I just can't help think that the powers-that-be are wasting a really brilliant story line by dumping Sal - so few shows explore the closeted gay lifestyle (particularly of that generation) and I know plenty of people are fascinated.

I also had a thought - in a weird way, you'd almost thing Bryan could sue! He's an openly gay actor which obviously contributed to him being so perfect for the role and because the character is gay, he's now lost his job... it's like some weird time-space wormhole that has ended up in, essentially, discrimination!

Bryan Batt's "Sal" was the most carefully and artfully etched character on the show. He lent dignity and complexity to a difficult role.

That Sal will not return is very unfortunate and I hope it was not a decision made easily or for any other reason than Mr. Batt has better offers.

Sal will be missed.

Joe
NYC

I am very sad to see that Sal is not returning to MadMen. He was certainly an interesting and slick character.

I think that season four is going to be one where a lot of new events are going to happen. We will have a new President, Lyndon Johnson and other factors will most likely have an riveting effect on Sterling Cooper.

This is what I feel.

It's interesting. Everyone is reacting to the news that Bryan Bratt will not be returning. And yet, no one knows if Michael Gladis will be returning . . . or cares.

As for Salvatore, there was no way that the new Sterling Cooper Draper and Pryce agency was going to hire Sal, if one of the clients they managed to steal from the old Sterling Cooper was the very lucrative Lucky Strike.

I agree with 485Madison. People enter and leave our lives whether we like it or not. That's reality. And Sal served an important purpose in personifying the state of being gay in the pre-Stonewall Riots era. I'm sorry to see him go, but the Lord--er, I mean--Matthew Weiner has spoken!

And I'm also with DR76. How is it nobody talks about Paul Kinsey getting shut out of SCDP?

DR76...
Batt (Salvatore Romano) will not return in Season Four, but never fear---Gladis (Paul Kinsey) will be there. There is a video posted by Rich Somer (Harry Crane) that takes you on a tour of the new set. Included in his tour is an interview with Michael Gladis.

Interestingly, the video shows certain things blurred out....keys to what will change or be different when the new season starts. Make note!

http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/fa76d0c6b5/mad-men-spoiler-report

That's too bad about Sal leaving the show. I think he had an intriguing storyline and it was just starting to get really good. They really could've explored the character - how or if his marriage evolves (after Kitty picking up on his sexuality), if he ever decides to enter into a gay relationship (not counting the bell-hop) and if anyone else from work finds out. He will be missed!

I too am saddened by the absence of Sal. Bryan Batt is an especially gifted actor. I think that Sal and Peggy give a unique perspective to the "Pale/Male" dicotomy of Sterling Cooper. I don't think that the Sal and Lee Jr. situation is entirely realistic given that Lee would be so blatant in expressing his sexuality in such a way. After all from what we have seen in the Lucky stripe episode - would Lee be so careless to come on to a person from his ad agency?. Rumors/News travels fast and I wonder what Lee Sr. (Papa) would say? is Lee Jr. married?. Men at that time too had pressure to marry not just to prove their heterosexuality and masculinity but to uphold that image of stability - the image of the swinging bachelor is something that is not an asset in the business world - Even little Kenny Cosgrove knows this (see My Kentucky Home episode). An unmarried man is seen as unstable and not part of "the club".
That said I think that Sal's talent and the changing society will allow him to explore other avenues. I can easily see him in the area of Fashion Director or Art Direction in a magazine like Vogue or Harper's Bazaar and his sexual orientation will not be seen as a liability. If Don (Bert, Roger, and Lane) is smart he could hire Sal as a freelancer or consultant at the very least. I could easily see Peggy or someone else in creative asking Sal for advice on a particuliar account. I hope that we don't see Sal in a rock bottom situation like Joan at Bonwit Teller. Sal deserves much more than that.

Hi greytone!
Thanks for the link, the video clip was great!
As I said before, I am really upset that Sal (Bryan Batt) won't be back.
I am most interested in the year that Season 3 will be set in...hmmmm it sounded like 1964 or '65?

Is it August yet???

I too am saddened by the absence of Sal. Bryan Batt is an especially gifted actor. I think that Sal and Peggy give a unique perspective to the "Pale/Male" dicotomy of Sterling Cooper. I don't think that the Sal and Lee Jr. situation is entirely realistic given that Lee would be so blatant in expressing his sexuality in such a way. After all from what we have seen in the Lucky stripe episode - would Lee be so careless to come on to a person from his ad agency?. Rumors/News travels fast and I wonder what Lee sr. would say? is Lee Jr. married?. Men at that time too had pressure to marry not just to prove their heterosexuality and masculinity but to uphold that image of stability - the image of the swinging bachelor is something that is not an asset in the business world - Even little Kenny Cosgrove knows this (see My Kentucky Home episode). An unmarried man is seen as unstable and not part of "the club".
That said I think that Sal's talent and the changing society will allow him to explore other avenues. I can easily see him in the area of Fashion Director or Art Direction in a magazine like Vogue or Harper's Bazaar and his sexual orientation will not be seen as a liability. If Don (Bert, Roger, and Lane) is smart he could hire Sal as a freelancer or consultant at the very least. I could easily see Peggy or someone else in creative asking Sal for advice on a particuliar account. I hope that we don't see Sal in a rock bottom situation like Joan at Bonwit Teller. Sal deserves much more than that.

I don't know if Mr. Weiner feels the least bit compelled to chat with or answer to his fans for his artistic decisions. But as a boomer lady who respects the show's exquisite writing and its integrity, I would so appreciate a word of explanation regarding why Sal was written out of the show's story line. Like others who have written here and the even the actor who plays Sal, I understand there's some perfectly good story-driven reason for his character to have left. But truly, it cannot be because he refused another man's advances because in that case, most of the secretaries and women on the show could also be fired at any moment for that reason. And as others have noted, an ad man on the design side of the business on Madison Avenue? I remember them well from my youth during that very time. It's the one aspect of the show that doesn't ring true for me. Besides, he was a riveting character who could have taken the show in some interesting directions. I still hope you will reconsider. I'm going to continue to expect him to suddenly reappear. He lives in New York. It's actually like a small town in many ways. He's talented. Don likes him. Peggy likes him. Sal lives, I say.

I was really surprised when I heard this. I had hoped that Don would bring Sal to the new firm.

I also think Sal may be brought back in some way and selfishly I hope it happens, since like others here, I loved both his character and Batt's portrayal of him.

But I also respect MW's decision, because it helped us feel the real tragedies that occurred for gay people before there was protection from discrimination - just as women were often fired from jobs due to sexual harassment. It was the reality of the times, and if it didn't bother us, it wouldn't be true to historical reality. I think MW wants us to feel upset and sad at losing Sal, in order to get the impact that discrimination had and still has. (it's not like it's disappeared!)

I've actually heard MM criticized by people who've worked in advertising because the staff at the agency is too consistent in the 3+ years we've witnessed it. In reality, it's always been a field where people job hop from agency to agency frequently, including because accounts are won or lost. So it could be worse -- we could be losing beloved characters right and left! The whole storyline leading up to the making of the new agency does an end run around that reality, in a very clever fashion.

I'm a playwright. I'm a book worm. I've never had much interest in anything on television save for a brief affair with NYPD Blue in my youth. So, the fact that I am addicted to MM says a lot about the quality of the show from the writing to the acting to the production values, etc. I am, however, deeply disappointed that the character of Sal will not be returning. The character was so heartbreakingly endearing and Bratt's portrayal spot on. Any chance Weiner will reconsider?

(I miss Freddie too, and his office is now empty again...)

Mimi

salvatore romano and joan holloway (and dare i even say carla the maid )serve some of the same purpose on the show in that they both embody the changes happening in the sixties for those who had grown up in an era quickly passing them by. the pete/peggy(/and hollis respectively) generation knows no different, but for characters like sal and joan, it's interesting to watch how they navigate the changing mores of that time.

it's going to be difficult for this show to find another character that has that emotional resonance that can connect us with that essential piece of new york -- and yes, america -- of the sixties. from a writing perspective, if they can manage to bring duck phillips back, they can think of a way to bring sal back. even if it's at mccann (remember the guy from betty's photoshoot at mccann was quite flamboyant as well).

Say it isn't so!!! Please bring Sal back AMC, I was sure he would appear in the episode when Don and crew started own company. I think they missed the boat on this one. I would have liked to see Don bring him back with a personal visit like he did with Peggy. Sal fits the era so well and his struggles to be true to himself.
I kind of knew Sal was not coming back when Roger said he had the cigarette account, ( the guy who hit on Sal). that was my first thought, Well, guess that means no Sal.
Please AMC reconsider and bring back Sal, his story is vital to that era.

They really could've explored the character - how or if his marriage evolves (after Kitty picking up on his sexuality), if he ever decides to enter into a gay relationship (not counting the bell-hop) and if anyone else from work finds out. He will be missed! identity theft protection

NOOO!!!! Sal was my fav at Sterling Cooper :(

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I would say Bring Stan back, he's one of the best actors today.

Bryan
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Bring Sal back! I miss his story line.SAL SAL SAL SAL SAL SAL

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I thought Sal had made comments in season 1 towards Keith over dinner at Sals place, then season 2 Sal w/ bellboy, & the client w/ lucky strikes, he was make'n the show little more interesting, come on Matt W. bring him back, Don is Don, Peggy needs to have a lesiban fetished w/ her friend, make the show more interesting w/ Sal

We asked for it in our photo flashback on the stars of Mad Men, and it looks like our wish may come true: TVguide.com is reporting that Bryan Batt will return to the hit AMC drama as closeted art director Salvatore Romano before the end of the current season.
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This was one of the better episodes of the show. There is nothing better then this. I watch the show every week. orlando car accident lawyers

It is hard to believe that the show would dispose of such a brilliantly conceived character so lightly.

Although the married gay in the closet angle has been done before, I'd like to think that once Sal was pushed (kicking and screaming) into the Gay Lib scene, he would be VERY Don Draper in his attitudes toward sex.

Hoe cool would THAT be?

There is no way on earth that Sal won't be back! Sal is an important character to that era. And he was sooooo good. Don't believe everything you hear.

This is cool! I have been watching Sal since their 1st season.

too bad Sal will not return to Mad Men, I was beginning to like him at season 2. I was surprise about this, but the show must go on.
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This a not good at all. I was starting to like Sal.

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