This was unexpectedly A Week of Cumberbatch. I’m so grateful, but I was not expecting it at all. Don’t get me wrong, I’m totally a Cumberbitch, but I don’t track his movements to a level where I knew that he was going to be in LA this week promoting The Desolation of Smaug, so I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of Cumberawesome we got this week. But I know there are a lot of Cumberbitches out there who DO track his movements and get a bit too “extra” when it comes to their Cumberbitching. And Benedict has something to say to you bitches – you are killing him. You are suffocating him. If he was a fluffy little bunny, you would be squeezing him too hard and he would be dead.
Actor Benedict Cumberbatch has revealed that Sherlock fans are some of the most dedicated.
In fact he stressed in an interview with The Independent on Saturday’s Radar, “They don’t teach you how to deal with that. I had a friend who once squeezed her rabbit too much until it started to squeal and she thought it was kind of going, ‘I love you’, when it was really saying, of course, ‘You are the reason I’m dying’.
Cumberbatch, 37, also said that the fans – even the non-obsessive ones – are the reason he loves the show.
“But what I love about the show is that there are lots of people who weren’t outside the hotel today equally excited to see it and are just waiting for it as a quality piece of television.”
“The problem, of course, is he [Sherlock] uses social media and it gives a platform for this fan fiction, which is really creative but it’s not really what we’re doing… It’s part of the love people have for the show even if a few of them are quite fanatical about it.”
[From The Mirror & Digital Spy]
I don’t think Benedict is really whining or anything, I think he’s still trying to wrap his head around his crazy, obsessed, international (CURLY FU) fandom. Stardom (superstardom) came late for Ben (he was well into his 30s when he became a household name with Sherlock), so he’s better equipped to handle it than other stars with obsessed fandoms. He tries to be respectful of his fans while still acknowledging that some of us would totally squeeze him until he died.
In case you need the voice and one lone forehead Cumbercurl, here’s a new interview. THE VOICE. Good God. Just… for the love of… I can’t… my day is ruined. LET ME SQUEEZE THE BUNNY.
Photos courtesy of WENN.
I’m glad he knows not everyone is obsessive.
LOL, for real.
In all seriousness, one of my friends got angry when I pointed out that he’s more “Internet famous” than actually famous-famous. I mean, if you don’t watch Sherlock / aren’t a Cumberloon you probably wouldn’t recognize him if you passed him on the street. I only know him because of Star Trek and the Hobbit and because I visit this site like…65 times a day and have seen how obsessive some people really are, hehehe.
I had a cousin who actually did this to a pet bunny he was given for Easter when he was 4. Terrible memory for all of us.
I know I keep saying this but damn he is turning less alien and more into Thomas Gibson of Criminal Minds and Dharma and Greg fame.
Yes, everyone else just back the hell off. I got this. He’ll be fine. I have very soft arms. >_>
I promise to be gentle! I can’t promise to be less obsessive though.
There should be a NSFW tag for that video. I can’t be caught drooling at my computer screen work.
He looks positively debauched in that interview. Geezus.
He does and I’m loving it.
Makes him look younger too.
He’s not a roll of Charmin, Kaiser! Don’t squeeze the Bandersnatch!
Leave Bagelsugar Crumpet Muffin alone!
Absolutely!
Except he’s a Hot Buttered* Golden Syrup/Marmite Crumpet…. Depending on whether I like Marmite of course. 😉
*Real butter. From Real Cows. Also an ‘of course’. 😉
Martin had some even sharper comments about the crazy Sherlock fans. He was, understandably, upset when his long-time partner received death threats because she’s joined the cast and interrupted the fan fantasy of JohnLock.
It’s really too bad if fans can’t see the difference between fanfic and reality. They’ll end up ruining it for the rest of us. 😉
I agree.
I think both Martin and Benedict are being quite tame as death threats for almost anything, especially a fictional story, goes beyond the pale.
She seems like a hoot too. They’re making the other fans look bad.
Yassss. I’m here for this, and any further, posts for the CumberCollective.
Thanks again, Kaiser, for your unflagging devotion in all things Benedict; today it really is a gift from St. Nick. Since BC strikes a serious note in the above & broaches being loved to death by his fans, allow me to post s.th. like my credo for those who love BC, but more importantly for those skeptics who visit & criticize or who find him physically unattractive, even repulsive.
On YouTube there is a wonderful video of Daniil Trifonov, age 8, taking part in a piano competition (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imGD8UsZxu8). This beautiful little boy marches on stage, sober, earnest, crosses to the piano, settles himself on the bench & with his tiny little hands casts a spell of disbelief. Watching, you already see the man & know this is a wizard with magic in his fingertips. Trifonov today at 22 is often hard to watch, but then you forget him completely in another spell of disbelief when a pianissimo whispers across the keys & is so perfect that it brings tears to your eyes & transports you to a world out of time.
Like Trifonov, our Wizard is a purveyor of magic & is himself the instrument casting the spell of disbelief. BC was born to capture & reproduce the aura of a make-believe figure so perfectly that you are transported to that world out of time. Each new role is a transformation in which the real BC has disappeared. What do I care about chins or cheekbones when confronted with the onscreen charisma of a wizard trading in disbelief.
You see, in my world it’s not the willing suspension of disbelief that matters (you only need that for non-wizards) but rather the artistic power to create disbelief so real that a world out of time is possible. Very few command this gift & BC is one of them.
And so I cherish my musical wizard Trifonov & adore BC, the Wizard who turns movement, gesture & mimicry into its own music.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imGD8UsZxu8
This comment……..holy…………..s**t………..
That’s some very sophisticated spam.
It is not intended as spam. It is a private take on why I think this man is a national treasure. I wrote a second comment in which I halfway regretted the tone since everyone today is into the bunny hop. I find it hard to find the right tone. When I feel silly, everyone is serious. If I’m serious (as today), the comments are lighthearted. in addition I’m battling against a German spelling program (the computer technician was here yesterday—bless his scurvy soul) that underlines every English word in red & capitalizes anything that looks even vaguely familiar to its stupid spelling gizmo. I can only add that we’re swimming in snow, St. Nicholas sends greetings & for God’s sake don’t pluck the CumberBunny to make warm Sweaters.
TheOriginalWaffle, I can only hope you’re kidding, as Late-to-the-Party is full of awesome insight.
LET HER SQUEEZE THE BUNNY!
Bless you, Blower—best offer of the day!
Late-to-the-Party, you are awesome! Thank you for sharing your words!
Oh Late, I do hope you work in PR or something like that. You’ve woven your manic just as effectively as both of them have.
*sighs in bliss*
Oh boy. We’ve got a live one here.
Lol
WHAT does he expect when he’s off reading R. Kelly lyrics on late night TV? I mean I totally understand how it’s scary for him, but he feeds into it too, doesn’t he? Though, I supposed being confronted by it in person is a lot more disconcerting than sort-of understanding what’s going on on the interwebs. Those videos of fans screaming at red carpets are terrifying.
Meanwhile, that mussed hair in the interview, my god. Woooooof. He hasn’t looked that rolled-out-of bed since Greece.
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c292/ramcibella/Actores%20-%20Varios/Series/Sherlock/Benedict%20Cumberbatch/sherlock_c01.jpg
I actually like the Greece look better. Less product in hair.
My woof was an appreciative one. As far as I’m concerned, the more curls, the better. That pic I posted is my all time fave of him.
Got it! Sorry! I’ll woof right along with you!!!
😉
(Hopefully howling together doesn’t make us crazy, right?)
I might be a bit biased curls-wise, but may I join in the woofing?
Ohhh now we’re a pack. Does that mean we’re a CumberCurl Pack??
😉
(Sorry in a goofy mood)
I’m secretly dreaming of a CumberCurl sixpack … but this would involve his Khan body and his Athens out-of-bed hair.
Oh my Curls. That is quite a visual.
*fans face*
Well, a girl can dream …
On a serious note, I was lucky enough to see the National Theatre production of “Frankenstein” at my local cinema yesterday, with a rail-thin Benedict in the role of the Creature (a mesmerizing, jaw-dropping performance, especially the first 15 minutes). As put so well by Late-to-the-Party: What do I care about curls or six packs when confronted with the onscreen charisma of a wizard trading in disbelief?
I don’t think it’s fair at all to say he plays into it. WHAT? He’s having a good time and he is providing an entertainment for people who love his work and who tune in to see his brief interviews. Some of us actually LIKE to hear brilliant actors talk about their work. We are true movie-lovers. And if the actor wants to be cute and funny and tell charming stories or do funny skits then that’s just some icing on the cake. But it doesn’t mean they’re secretly trying to flirt with us through the TV screen, nor does it mean that they are asking to be harassed, objectified, and treated with disrespect.
It doesn’t mean they were “asking for it”. Because that sounds creepy, right?
F_D might have been tongue-in-cheek with those comments. If she wasn’t I’m 100% with you Maureen.
….except Benedict was _clearly_flirting with me. I mean, he was SO obvious about it it’s rather embarrassing. *shyly blushes*
(Okay, more goofiness abounds. Sorry about that.)
😉
I’m glad he realizes not everyone is like the person a few years ago who obsessively stalked him during Frankenstein (and tried to throw him a surprise party wtf…). But the analogy is going to get him grief, I’m sure.
Ew, yuck! I never heard of this. Well, I wouldn’t have because I don’t follow fan groups. But that sounds pathetic to such a level that it actually makes me sad not only for Ben but also for the pitiful woman with the mental illness who would do that.
Like Maureen I’ve not heard that. Ugh. For both of them.
I do agree the bunny analogy may come back to haunt him.
Seriously?!? Whoa. I’ve never heard that story.
I think that bunny story is both sad and hilarious at the same time.
Fame is a double-edged sword. 99% of fans whilst being “dedicated” are able to keep it real. When the bad pennies rise to the surface, it can be scary to watch. These stars have to pander to the public to get the recognition to further their careers then it turns on them and can get nasty quickly. I’m sure a lot of the time they smile and wave and answer stupid questions when really all they want to do is be left alone.
“I will hug him and pet him and squeeze him!”
Anyone remember this classic cartoon?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2JlVqfC8-UI
Definitely! Love it love it love it!!
ha, that’s what I immediately thought of when I read the headline
The little lone curl…aaaaahhhhh……thud
The death threats towards Martin Freeman’s gf were SHAMEFUL. I can’t believe the Sherlock fandom sent those to her.
I love Cumberbatch and secretly wish that he were mine, but I am aware of the fact that there are other fish in the sea (hopefully I can meet one like him). There’s a man out there for everyone, people. His extreme followers need to take it down a few notches.
However, I do enjoy the almost daily Cumber-posts… I can’t help it.
I can’t believe anyone does that to another human being EVER. Good Lord that doesn’t say much about us as a species. Luckily, we also do some crazy wonderful things to balance it all out.
But some people need to bring a little perspective to their life. Sherlock is a fictional story with entirely fictional characters. And real people that play those fictional characters.
I’m still convinced there are a lot of trolls on the internet who love to cause chaos for no reason other than the thrill of watching people explode (via social media) around them. I’m NOT convinced those are real fans of anyone.
I think there is something seriously wrong with people that go to these extremes. This is way beyond mere trolling.
No, actually trolling IS disturbing. There’s no such thing as “mere trolling”. Trolls ARE the bullies of the internet. They are very serious about creating chaos, spreading rumors, pretending to be other people, smearing reputations, and all the while they sit and laugh and get off on the tears and anger and fear they cause.
@Maureen: I meant the death threats go beyond trolling.
I’ve gotten death threats on tumblr and it’s ridiculous (I’ve got two very nasty comments sitting in my inbox as we speak). I simple cannot fathom doing that to another human being (death threats or bullying/trolling). And sadly, death threats and trolls are in plentiful supply on tumblr. It’s why I’m not on there very often.
I almost think trolling is worse than bullying because they can hide behind a mask. Does that make sense?
You know what’s really bad? Amanda Abbington is extremely funny and lovely in her own right, and makes it a point to be gracious and funny to her fans and anyone. People have always treated her shabbily when it came to Martin….which sucks. I’m a huge fan of hers outright, and I was chuffed to bits when she re-tweeted me and thanked me for complimenting her work in Mr. Selfridge, which was excellent. I completely understand why Martin Freeman would be vicious if someone threatened his life partner, especially over a fan fiction only pairing. I think he’s a brilliant actor in the vein of Spencer Tracy, but that so doesn’t give me the right to act as if I am entitled to anything more than the best acting he gives in his performances, nor does any other actor have to give any other fan anything other than good acting.
Really? I know almost nothing about her. If I go and look for her work — anything you’d recommend?
“But what I love about the show is that there are lots of people who weren’t outside the hotel today equally excited to see it and are just waiting for it as a quality piece of television.”
YES. That describes me to a T. Thank you, Ben, for acknowledging those of us who love your work and are firmly in your corner rooting for your success and well-being, but do NOT track your moves, show up to your events, write fan-fic about you, and don’t care who you might date (just be HAPPY).
@ Maureen
I totally agree. That is me as well.
I wouldn’t think of waiting outside venues to catch a glimpse of him or, heaven forbid, scream like a loon and badger him for an autograph. I love his work, I love watching him talk about his craft, I hope he has great success and I am looking forward to seeing where he goes to next.
Yep be happy Benedict!
People can be really lame. At the Kimmel taping, while the audience was being warmed up, the comedian was asking people where they were from, bantering with people, answering questions, etc.
One woman put her hand up and asked “Could you tell Benedict that I’d like to have a drink with him after the show?”
You could hear the collective eye roll. The delusion was strong with this one.
I mean, I get the fandom, I’m a fan, and as much as I’d love to get my hands on Cumby, I realize that the likelihood of that is akin to a snowball’s chance in hell. Fans need to keep things in perspective, enjoy the man’s talents and cuteness and go on with life.
Fans think they know celebrities because they’ve spent so much time watching and reading about them, but these are real people and fans are strangers to them. Most celebs want to be cool about it, but having fans freaking out, being inappropriate and sometimes stalking are genuinely scary to them. I have a friend who does security for celebs, and you would not believe some of her stories. I’d feel like I was being squeezed to death too.
It’s a good analogy for what it can be like from their perspectives. Hardcore fans are a really determined bunch and some of them do unfortunately think they are owed something by the object of their affections. They feel like they are entitled to special attention just because of their support. It’s a strange mindset.
And doesn’t Lennie in Of Mice and Men accidentally kill a puppy while hugging it? I thought of that with the bunny squeezing analogy.
“Fans think they know celebrities because they’ve spent so much time watching and reading about them, but these are real people and fans are strangers to them.”
Yes, agreed on all counts and I also agree with Janeite, too.
On a somewhat related note, I do feel bad for celebrities who are portrayed as mean because they wouldn’t take a picture or shake hands with a fan. There’s usually a whole lot more to the story!
Agree Joanie. Agree very much.
I have more questions for you but there are not so BC specific. Still game?
Of course, fire away!
Yay!
You said yesterday that you’ve seen lots of celebs living in LA (I’ve seen some too as my hometown has the world famous Mayo Clinic and lots of VIPs come to Rochester, MN for treatment). One of your comments about BC involved an observation about his head size. Do you think that might be why so many people thought he was more attractive with Khan’s body is because he was now ‘balanced’? You also mentioned he seemed earthy — elaborate. Based on watching him — do you think he’s the geek (awkward with people) that some people think he is?
Any theories why so many celebs seem so different in real person? What other celebs have bigger heads than bodies in real life?Which celeb that you’ve encountered do you think is the farthest from their ‘public’ persona? Now I’m drawing a blank. Drats. I had a whole spade of questions along these lines….
Oh well. That’s a start. 🙂
Whew! A tall order.
Ok, I’ll tell you a few things I’ve learned from 10 years of working in entertainment.
Most celebrities have slightly overly large heads. It photographs very well, which is helpful to a Hollywood career. The camera adds 10lbs, so if you can keep yourself fit and have a big noggin, you’re going to look good on film. Cumby is gorgeous on film because he’s got a big head and long, fit limbs. This also makes you look taller, which gives you a sort of majestic, authoritative, elegant quality. We like our actors to be bigger than life, better than us, to look special as well as have a special talent. Their appeal is partly aspirational. It’s part of the psychology of fandom.
I think people liked Cumby’s body as Khan because Americans have a cultural bias towards the hyper masculine, in looks (Bruce Willis, Vin Diesel) or in attitude (Harrison Ford, George Clooney). Englishmen are viewed as feminine by American audiences (the perception of Englishmen as fey intellectuals keeps them playing mostly villains in big Hollywood films). A few English actors, like Jason Statham and Idris Elba, have broken this stereotype, but they’re pretty brawny guys. Christian Bale and Tom Hardy broke through too, but they had to completely transform their bodies to do it. Bulking up for STID literally added more weight to Cumby’s performance, and audiences ate it up. Even people who didn’t think it was a great film thought he was the best part of it, and everyone was impressed that he could go from Sherlock to Khan like that. So I think the ‘balance’ comes from showing that he has brawn as well as brains. It makes him a more marketable commodity, if he wants more big Hollywood projects, which we know he does.
By ‘earthy’ I meant that from first glance, this is a man who’s comfortable in his own skin. People like that have a certain gravity to them. I think he’s a fairly self confident guy. He gets starstruck (like on Graham Norton, so cute) and trips up like the rest of us do. He’s a bit of a dork, but that doesn’t make you awkward with people. It just makes you more real. That’s one of the reasons his fans can get so scary – he seems accessible, like they’d have a shot if he just knew who they were.
Most celebrities seem very different in real life because their public image is basically what you said, a persona, carefully crafted by a team of handlers who control their wardrobes, schedules and media access. People want a piece of celebrities everywhere they go, and many find fan interactions exhausting and annoying at best, because now, in our digital age, it never stops. Imagine people asking for your photo when you were trying to shop for groceries/have a meal with your family/work out like a regular person. Just so someone else can brag on Instagram or get a ton of ‘likes’ on Facebook. The reflected glory of the celebrity is a huge part of fandom.
I hope that helps. If I missed anything, or you have any more questions, just ask!
Alice Eve also said something about accessibility with that really thirsty interviewer. Didn’t help that when he was asked if he would ever date a fan, he said “of sorts.”
Thank you so much for your in depth answers. I would love to be able to sit and chat because you brought up some good points. Plus, it’s just fun to talk about psychology! Lol (I’m a hard vote geek).
Thanks again. 🙂
Alice Eve also said something about accessibility with that really thirsty interviewer. Didn’t help that when he was asked if he would ever date a fan, he said “of sorts.”
I think what he said or implied was that he hoped she would be a fan of sorts, in that he hoped she would like his work. Not that good to go out with someone who thinks your work stinks.
@Maggie: I agree. I always thought he meant he wanted to date someone who could say “Oh, you were great in [project]” but was still low-key about it. I never got the impression he’d want to date a Fan with a capital ‘F’; that might be too intense for him.
@Joanie: Thank you for the insight! So when people say a celebrity has a “big head,” they might also mean in the literal sense, too? 🙂
Green Girl, That’s how I took it too. Not only the intensity but the motives behind the dating would be (at least to me) suspect. Ya know? Is the person dating me because they truly like me? Or do they like the *idea* of dating me the celebrity? Not me the person.
Joanie, I still have so many questions to ask. *sigh* (More clarification — hard part about writing on forums like this is that you can’t hone in on specifics).
Green Girl, you’re welcome, and yes, literally! Especially the women, who diet themselves down to child size, making their heads look like a pumpkin stuck on a chopstick.
LadySlippers, feel free to shoot me more questions if you want.
Fan comes from fanatic and believe me there are some people in the fandom who are downright scary. I do get the suspension of reality during a performance. But the utter disconnect from reality? Ummm, no.
Celebrities are human beings; just because they entertain us and are in some ways dependent upon us, does not give us the right to intrude on their personal space.
I do not ask for autographs or photos. If I see a celebrity who I like, am within speaking distance (I do not interrupt meals or working situations). Generally, I simply say, “I really enjoy your work, film or TV show”, wait for a response, if there is any and then move along.
The only thing actors or musicians owe fans is their best work and respect, nothing more.
I love me some Cumby but we are NOT settling down, buying a house and having babies.
Agreed AllHeavens. I admire a lot of people’s artistic work but that doesn’t make them ‘mine’. I love to be goofy but it’s all for fun. I don’t think the goofiness is real.
AllHeavens, I am officially a fan of this comment.
Where in the blue blazes is Tfanty?!
Lurker asking; Where did TFanty, Eve, and the other regulars go? There’s a lot to respond to here, in fan-fic adjacent way. I miss them, they make BC threads extra fun.
I think Fanty is prof so I’m guessing she’s busy with the end of the semester. Sixer works and went back to school. The others I’m not sure about. Hope that helps. 🙂
I hope you are right LS. After that horrible comment thread the other day, and two missed excellent Cumby posts, I fear Fanty may have left us.
Fanty has pretty thick skin as I’ve seen her go rounds with others. And she posted on a few other threads — although not as often. But I was a part of that conversation and also pulled away. So if she has stepped back, I completely understand why. As I’m sure you do too.
Which comment thread was that? Do I want to know? Shame on whoever makes others feel they have to leave a community(even online). Especially when people share creative joy with other fans.
Mmmm…. Nope.
I love Benedict Cucumber Lizard…..but I get what he is saying. I think the internet has contributed to it a lot, in that fans harass people related to stars via social media (or find satellite photos of their homes…so disturbing) or gossip spreads quickly and without a restraint. I could see how that could be incredibly overwhelming for Cumby, because these people don’t realize they’ve not only crossed a line but jumped 100 yards over it. Wasn’t a friend of his harassed rather badly? As much fun as I have with gossip blogs or twitter or that sort of thing, I do wish they could be tempered a bit…it’s a beast that keeps on growing.
The rumor is that he’s basically signed onto Star Wars but they aren’t releasing his name until Easter….so he’s going to get “squeezed” a lot more. I hope he can handle it. I think a lot of celebs can’t or don’t want too…..Charlize once made a rather astute comment that she wouldn’t have wanted to become famous nowadays in the age of twitter & the proliferation of multiple gossip blogs in addition to tabloids…..
Really? He’s been saying recently that since he’s done Star Trek he can’t do Star Wars….