Balthazar Getty not leaving 'Brothers & Sisters' for good
The tale of Balthazar Getty's alleged exit from "Brothers & Sisters" puts us in mind of the phone tree device used so well on the ABC series to denote how the Walker siblings communicate (not!) with and about each other.
For several weeks it's been rumored that the actor, whose marriage and sex life has been covered by the tabloids, has been acting up on the job and that producers were looking for a way to kick him out of the series. Getty plays Tommy Walker, the brooding brother who has committed illegal acts of late to try to push his dead father's former mistress, Holly (Patricia Wetig), out of the family produce business.
This afternoon, speculation intensified when E! reported that Getty's exit occurs in the 19th episode (five episodes from now). But that is only partially true. Tommy leaves Los Angeles in that episode, but he returns before the season is over in a story line that strips the character of everything and everyone in his life.
"Balthazar is taking time off from the show right now because we felt that character was really on a downward spiral and you see him really go on it," said co-show runner Alison Schapker. "In almost trying to be his dad, he's destroyed by it, and he has lost everything by the end of the year."
Tommy will go through a period of spiritual examination and renewal before the Walker clan can get its hands on him again, Schapker said.
"Tommy is in no way permanently gone," she said. "This is just the logical end to this year's story. What we'd like to do is bring him back next year in a different way."
That is, of course, provided that ABC renews the series for a fourth season, which is likely to happen.
—Maria Elena Fernandez
(Photo: Ann Johansson / For the Los Angeles Times)
What a shame now I can't watch the show next year, I wish somebody just shoot him, but that would be too much to ask. It just shows that HOLLYWOOD easily forgives the scumbags. Mrs. Getty and her humiliation is already forgotten by them.
Posted by: sunseeker | February 11, 2009 at 09:31 PM
I will quit watching B&S when Getty no longer appears. He is the only one who isnt completely whiney and annoying. He is the reason I watched the show in the first place. Without him, who will play the outcast of the family. The new brother Adam looks super gay, btw. There is no way he can make up for Getty's presence.
Posted by: starlighter | February 12, 2009 at 11:22 AM
starlight - your comments make you look like a homophobe. how do you say someone looks "totally gay" when you haven't even seen their character yet? like I said, your comment is homophobic and I bet the cast wouldn't mind if you stopped watching.
Posted by: angela | February 14, 2009 at 12:56 PM
starlighter, Please explain to me how someone "looks gay" to you. In the future, I would encourage you to resist what appear to be homophobic comments, and educate yourself. This is 2009 after all.
Posted by: macgyvr | February 15, 2009 at 10:08 PM
I do not think Star lighter ment it in a bad way. I am a gay man aswell and I think the new brother (Ryan) is going to be gay. His body movement and his speach motivate me to think gay. Theres nothing wrong with that if he is. Its just an opinon. Its up to the writers if he is or not.
Posted by: Superfan23 | April 15, 2009 at 05:57 AM
I hope they dont get rid of Tommy I really like his character, strong, so what about his personal life. If he leaves will stop watching the show..
Posted by: tawney | May 03, 2009 at 10:33 PM
that guy is the only reason i would watch the show. I dont like him, he is not whiney enough like the rest of them.
Posted by: Anna M. | May 04, 2009 at 11:54 AM
I don't understand why people are so down Balthazar Getty. I agree with most that his character is the only one who doesn't get too caught up with his own problems to spend a few minutes feeling sorry for himself. I find it hilarious that people would be down on him but seem to turn a blind eye to that homewrecker Angelina Jolie and her dimwitted "husband" Brad Pitt. I welcome Tommy's return next year and dare anyone who seemingly cares too much about his personal life to continue watching the show, to just leave. I doubt it's as bad as you might think. Last I checked, God wasn't on this message board passing out judgment just yet. As for Ryan being gay or not gay, really now? Totally gay? I forgot this was the LA Times and not Tiger Beat or Seventeen magazine.
Posted by: O-town | May 04, 2009 at 01:33 PM
Am I the only one who things Brother Justin is probably the most annoying of the Walker brood? His former half sister, now fiance, wife should dump him in favor of anyone else. What an annoying character.
Posted by: T.Madden | February 01, 2010 at 08:08 AM