Benedict Cumberbatch covers Time Mag’s ‘Genius Issue’: otter realness?

bendy time

I’m sure there are twenty million new Benedict Cumberbatch interviews I’m ignoring, but what can I say? After a relative Cumberdearth for most of the year, we are being gifted with an Excess Batching. And the rumors were true – Benedict and an original Enigma machine cover the new issue of Time Magazine this week. It’s “The Genius Issue.” Time really loves Benedict, right? This is the second time he’s made the cover. Time hasn’t released their cover story online for non-subscribers, but if you do subscribe, go here to read the piece. I’m including one of the Time videos at the end of the post. I do like this cover – it’s not as OTTERFACE REALNESS as some of his other mag covers.

What else… the New York Times had a little write-up about Benedict, Harvey Weinstein, Charles Dance and Keira Knightley at the post-premiere party. Benedict is drinking, Keira is abstaining (probably because she’s totes preggo, at least in my mind), and Charles Dance was comparing her TIG character to Tywin Lannister. Harvey says that his wife, Georgina Chapman (of Marchesa!) thinks Benedict is “the hottest thing in the world.” Cough. Please God, do not let Benedict or Sophie wear any Marchesa.

And there’s this too – Us Weekly got an “exclusive” statement from Bendy about his wedding plans:

Sherlock may keep his wedding a complete secret! Benedict Cumberbatch briefly opened up about his impending nuptials to fiancee Sophie Hunter during the CNN Heroes event in NYC on Tuesday, Nov. 18.

“I think I’ll be having a very private wedding,” the 38-year-old told Us Weekly on the red carpet.

The soon-to-be spouses stepped out following the news for Cumberbatch’s Imitation Game NYC premiere on Nov. 17. There, Hunter showed off her eye-catching halo set diamond ring.

[From Us Weekly]

Well… yeah. I mean, what’s the alternative? A big, splashy public wedding? Otters do like to splash things… but no, he’s not going to, like, sell his wedding photos to People Magazine. But if they do marry, I bet it will be in London and I bet some paparazzi do get some shots.

You can see the behind-the-scenes Time Magazine videos here. Here’s a video of Bendy talking about TIG:

wenn21937049

wenn21939096

Photos courtesy of WENN, cover courtesy of Time Mag.

You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.

532 Responses to “Benedict Cumberbatch covers Time Mag’s ‘Genius Issue’: otter realness?”

Comments are Closed

We close comments on older posts to fight comment spam.

  1. LadyMTL says:

    I just had the strangest-funny visual of Cumberbatch wearing one of those awful, frothy Marchesa gowns. LOL.

  2. don't kill me i'm french says:

    With who has Benedict’s RP sex to do 2 COVERS of Time in one year?

  3. Lilacflowers says:

    I was truly worried about how some people would make it through the day without a Cumberbatch thread. Truly.

    • LadySlippers says:

      •Lilacflowers•

      What?!? No concierge services from you???

      *wrings leaves*

      Oh perhaps I’ll wander back to the Garden Shed…anyone want to join me?

      • Abbott says:

        Think I’ll go sit over at the Uncool Triangle thread where it’s safe.

      • Lilacflowers says:

        LadySlippers, Colin, Mark, the other boys, and I are truly wrung out from it all. Colin keeps pointing out that he warned people when he said “he must be stopped.” But all the cumberwhatevers took it as a joke. He has placed an assortment of beverages and snacks on a table out on the sidewalk. It is self-serve. The staff refuses to replenish it throughout the day out of fear for their very lives. They are threatening to strike but the will refill the table tomorrow morning, so you all have to make it last. Mark insists that we send the bills for all of this to the Otter King himself but Jonny Lee has pointed out that he won’t pay it. So, we’re sending it to Harvey. Colin has thoughtfully arranged for counselors from AA, Narc-Anon (for the absinthe drinkers), and Weight Watchers to set up a table next to the food and beverage table.

      • LadySlippers says:

        •Abbott•

        Just come to the Garden Shed. We’ll nab a lot of the treats •Lilacflowers• left out.

        •Lilacflowers•

        I think charging Harvey is a *genius* idea. I think you should also charge him for island vacation for us all (especially poor poor Colin and Mark). Harvey demands circus bears but forgets that we all get tired of the same ole circus routine. Not only that — it’s exhausting to prance just so.

        And AA you say? Flowers don’t get addicted — at least not outwardly. 😉

      • **sighs** says:

        That Colin. So thoughtful and full of foresight. I volunteer to give him a nice massage and bake him a chocolate cake, as a thank you for all his service.

      • **sighs** says:

        LadySlippers– am very much on board with the island vacation. Jamaica? Bermuda? One of the virgins?

      • LadySlippers says:

        •**sighs**•

        If Harvey is paying, why not all of them?????

      • MountainRunner says:

        I’m still waiting for more Absinthe after draining the last drops from the bottle yesterday. You weren’t kidding about it being *self-serve*. Hrumph.

        *walks away, avoiding eye contact with AA goons*

      • icerose says:

        The Guardian has just blown the inaccuracies in the film sky high saying the additional scenes in which he is accused of spying in the war and covers up for another spy because he is afraid of his homosexuality being revealed is smearing his reputation. And then to continue with the spy scenario in the prosecution scenes after the war is even worse.
        There are a lot of cumber bunnies trying to defend the film but people are not impressed. If it hits the USA headlines and it may have done already because it was an American who posted it on facebook. Harvey and Benny are going to have to work a lot harder
        http://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/nov/20/the-imitation-game-invents-new-slander-to-insult-alan-turing-reel-history?CMP=twt_gu&commentpage=1

      • Lilacflowers says:

        The boys are all taking tomorrow off. People will need to fend for themselves during the daylight hours. In the evening, Colin has arranged for Emeril Lagasse to prepare us all dinner and my second husband Tom will entertain us all with his Hank Williams impersonation in concert. On Sunday, my first husband Chris E. is arranging for pizza delivery while we all watch the Patriots game. Watching Chris explain American football to a bunch of British boys will be very entertaining in and of itself. At no time during the weekend is any one to say the words “Benedict” or “Cumberbatch.” Mark has put in a call to the travel agent to arrange the island getaways. Please do not pester him for details; he just can’t handle questions right now. His mood is rather touchy and he is twitching. He assures me that “All will be lovely.”

      • LadySlippers says:

        •MountainRunner•

        *whispers*

        Just join us in the Garden Shed, we have plenty of ‘fertiliser’ in here. 😉 Hopefully, we steer clear of any goons.

        •icerose•

        Your petals and leaves look thirsty, fertiliser my dear?

        *lights another candle to read paper that •icerose• brought*

      • j says:

        obsessive much lol

        comments are mixed there, with many noting its a movie not a doc and others noticing her title is misleading. Whats funny is people who have seen it are all saying shes completely wrong LOL

        although i got be fair, she doesn’t seem to like anything, gave mr turing a lower entertainment grade than tig, said it was dull and lacked narrative. ouch. maybe she’s on ttoe’s payroll

      • 'P'enny says:

        Just to let you know Lilacflowers, I will be arriving at your home shortly, [i’ll bring flowers and wine] to hear Tom’s private concert and watch said attempt at you guys explaining American football to Brits. Knowing, as a I do, Tom’s rugby past he will no doubt snigger at ‘footballers’ big padding and head guards and call them sissies. Tom has tackled several rugby boys, for their balls, in theatre make-up – without padding but still won the game. 🙂 He has also referred football matches and annoyed our heir to throne. I feel you will have a riot on your hands as you first husband explains football rules.

        therefore I shall feed them beers and take Tom home straight away and stop him from trying to explain the off-side rule in british football, in return, [which no understands] and I will take him back to the UK for the Theatre Awards, via Alexander McQueen’s suit parlour.

      • Grace says:

        @Penny, and you’ll be in the room while he’s getting fitted, I presume? I am easy to please these days; all I am asking is you show and tell.

      • Lilacflowers says:

        @’p’enny, the offside rule isn’t that difficult if you understand hockey. Which I do. Can’t help it, Boston is a hockey town. So Tom will be understood. Do make sure the Alexander McQueen people fit that in-seam just so. We need him looking his best at the Standard awards.

      • icerose says:

        @j the article makes some good points and IG is being sold as a bio and a masterpiece which it obviously is not,The2011 script has been fiddled with and lets face it those in the bidding war probably had no idea of the inaccuracies.

        @Floribunda “sounds like they were trying to acknowledge how gay men were constantly accused of being spies back then without adding a subplot w/o turing, and it works”
        If you know your history you would know that the persecution of gay men linked to spying did not actually take place until the 50’s when the police were advised to make more prosecution as a result of the paranoia about the Cambridge 5 scandal. And they had bigger fish to fry than Turing. People at Bletchley said he was very open about his persuasion so why suggest the he was blackmailed ,During the war they were more worried about people with German links than gay per say.
        I did not think it was unduly Harsh and the fact that she did not like Turner indicates lack of bias and most of the comments agreed with her.Turing isa British hero and the fact that they make it look like he behaved as a traitor to hide his sexuality does not go down well with those who have some knowledge of him prior to the film. It also accuses the British Government of accusing him of spying which is somethinh he never did,

      • j says:

        still happened, the paranoia, icerose, it was a thing. it’s being sold as a drama fyi, and youre not getting a 100% history lesson from a freaking movie

        it’s pretty harsh considering what appears to actually happen in the movie, and the woman’s own byline isn’t in line with what she said. thats not great journalism, thats i want hits or i got paid for this

      • joe spider says:

        @ icerose.

        Just got back from seeing the film this afternoon. It was ok but no more and I’m afraid it was a bit like watching Sherlock play Turing
        .
        Ducks ahead below the parapet.

      • MountainRunner says:

        *LadySlippers*

        Much obliged for the invitation. Will there be any fellas with honey-dripping accents? Tommy can practice his Hank Williams as I’ve been practicing my Audra Mae. Bringing bananas. Just in case.

        *crawling under secret hole under picket fence to avoid goon detection*

      • Lilacflowers says:

        @joe spider, that’s a bit of a relief. After seeing the trailers, I feared I would be watching Little Charles from AOC playing Turing. Sherlock would be a step up from that.

      • icerose says:

        @Lady Slippers your offer is very welcome and as Christmas approaches we iceroses have to guard against melting during this elongated run up to the Oscars, I shall supply ice for cocktails Baileys new dark chocolate liquor on ice cream which helps to offset the overheating caused by the multiple engagements on the horizon,
        The paper is already on route with Harry who has also had a discourse with his great grandfather on satire and fiction.

    • ncboudicca says:

      Crisis averted!

      • Floribunda says:

        @icerose Yes, I read that Guardian piece this morning. Thought it was a bit unduly harsh, but agree it could prove problematic if more people pounce on the spying/cover-up angle. What’s especially difficult is that they’re selling the film as essentially setting straight the historical injustices against Turing, while seeming to add to these injustices with implications of spying. All a bit clumsy, and the Guardian commenters don’t sound happy at all.

      • Grace says:

        This is not the first time the accuracy/inaccuracy being called into question. I hope the article won’t be the first uproar of a collective backlash. Whatever dump moves Benny boy has pulled lately, he’s worked very hard to get where he is now – Times genius issue nonetheless.

      • j says:

        @floribunda, except ppl who have seen it, including critics, are like ? because he turns in the spy asap despite threats, doesn’t cover for him at all lol

        sounds like they were trying to acknowledge how gay men were constantly accused of being spies back then without adding a subplot w/o turing, and it works

        @grace, it’s either a reviewer who just missed the one scene ppl keep referring to or it’s paid oscar smear tbh. there’s 40+ reviews out there, no one thinks he’s a spy/traitor/whatever

        its just so ridiculous, i gotta be honest

      • Floribunda says:

        @j Yes, it did seem a bit joyless and nit-picking (and ITA that that reviewer doesn’t seem to approve of anything!). Just hope it doesn’t get legs.

        For the record, I have seen TIG and didn’t have a particular problem with the spying plotline – as you say, it’s all resolved pretty quickly and the context for it is the paranoia/mistrust surrounding Turing and his sexuality. Both my Other Half (who’s a bit of a Turing geek) and recognised that they played fast and loose with the truth to a certain extent, but the central story (Turing’s role and the injustice done to him) remains intact. And hey – at the end of the day, it’s a movie!

      • LadySlippers says:

        •floribunda•

        I thought the review was unduly harsh as well but the historical accuracy ones usually are.

        •Grace•

        True. And it’s not like plenty of other Oscar worthy films haven’t played a bit loose with the truth to improve the story.

        •j•

        An article trying to create a possible smear? Sad.

      • j says:

        I hate to be that person, ladyslippers, but it’s so common around oscar time like I know everyone blames HW for that but he is totally not the only one who does it.

        its very bizarre to have a click-header saying the film says he’s a spy but then say ‘no, actually, he was covering for one’ in it, especially without acknowledging he turns the guy in

      • icerose says:

        @Floribunda If your are selling yourfilm as a masterpiece , a bio and an Oscar contender it is not nit picking for a writer to point out the innacuracies when they start to rewrite history. A generation will potebntially go away with an inaccurate picture of Turing’s life so good on the Guardian for pointing out the lies within the script.

    • Abby_J says:

      If this keeps up, we really will have to let Colin have a vacation. He can only handle so much.

      JLM has taken to mumbling that at least HE has played an actual Jane Austen character (and one of my favorites!), which is much different than reading a story on the radio, or copying a character for a picture, even if it was for charity.

      Tommy, of course, had to point out that he was in Jane Austen Regrets which, while not a novel of hers, was based on her actual life.

      Colin? He just looked at them both and said, “B&*$h PLEASE!” Then he went back to mumbling to himself and looking up recipes for Christmas pudding.

      I’m going to take Tommy out running after his fitting. Don’t wait up.

    • aly says:

      @icerose: obsessed much? Don’t worry, HW has good PR, he has invested money in the movie, he’ll spin the thing so fast and turn it into something good.

      Man, you’re transparent…

  4. Q says:

    I get that he’s campaigning… but wow, this is overkill. Even George C or Anne H didn’t campaign THIS much. Calm down, Bendy.

    • Lilacflowers says:

      No, no, no, no! He is NOT campaigning! He is too busy WORKING to campaign. Harvey is making him pose for pictures but what you don’t see is that he is actually sitting on a horse in his Richard III gear. They photoshopped all that out of the Time picture. Benedict is a serious actor. He has no time for an Oscar.

      • don't kill me i'm french says:

        He’s campaigning more hard than AnnE,Nathalie P and Clooney together

      • Lilacflowers says:

        He has reached Melissa Leo proportions.

      • j says:

        lol no

        i wouldnt know about 50% of it if i didn’t come here

      • Cate says:

        @Lilac, the engagement ad in The Times, that was nothing yet. Watch him buy the cover of that very paper and rename it ‘The Benedictimes’ for one day. The headline will be: ‘Benedict Cumberbatch is NOT campaigning’ followed by an interview with the man himself about how he’s certainly not campaigning. I can’t wait to add it to my scrapbook. *Rubs hands*

      • Lilacflowers says:

        @Cate, of course he’s not campaigning. He is working!

      • icerose says:

        No he is not campaigning the poor shy private boy cannot help it if the USA laps up his every word with out a murmur without a questioning eyebrow.
        Do they not realise it is his wax work model fitted with a voice box and dressed up each day by Havey.

    • CM says:

      I agree. He/his people need to pull back asap or I predict a brutal backlash…
      Having said that, I’m loving all this coverage! Can’t stand the man (seriously, I live in Cambridge, UK, and if you walk into town you’d find about 50% of the University population – men AND women – look exactly like BC. Seriously unattractive) but I’m really coming here every day now to read the comments on his posts. Great fun!

    • Selma says:

      It will be hilarious when Keauton wins the Oscar

      • Green Eyes says:

        I am going to stay up just to watch Bendy’s face when he loses. Unfortunately for Sophie, she’ll become the Hollywood version of Anne Boleyn if he doesn’t win.

      • icerose says:

        @Green eyes She will be turned into a wax work model and reside forever by his side in the bedroom to remind him od what could have happened I he had in fact won the Oscar

      • don't kill me i'm french says:

        +1

    • Lucifer says:

      i’m afraid he might win and marry his LADY LUCK too 🙁

      • GeeMoney says:

        I don’t think it’s his year… and let’s keep our fingers crossed that he’ll come to his senses and not get married.

    • Sofia says:

      I sort of liked him but now… It’s just too much. He wants it too much and somehow that disappoints me because I believed really good actors didn’t need validation from something they know has nothing to do about fairness, it’s about who has the best machine and knows how to play the game. Maybe some believe this is the “too cool for this sh*t” approach, but I kind of prefer that, it’s more professional and less celebrity focused.

  5. Lori says:

    I still think him and his missus look like they are related.

  6. Luciana says:

    Alan Turing must be thrilled wherever he is. *sarcasm*

    • Susan says:

      Turing’s genius eclipses any portrayal Hollywood might try to pass off as “genius”. Kind of like little kids playing dress up in mommy and daddy’s clothing, if you know what I mean.

  7. Louise says:

    I am sure he is a nice guy/well educated/nice voice/gentleman but really had enough now. I am not being nasty, really I am not, but I don’t get it. he is not handsome??

    • Jenny Boo says:

      Is this site just for lust? Really? How insulting to our dear scribes.

      He is talented beyond comprehension and has a true die-hard fanbase to beat the bat. None of this is really all that complicated.

      I thought it was a celebrity, nay, actor and singer news site. At least, it was when I began reading it.

      Please go someplace else.

  8. aly says:

    But if they do marry,….

    I see what you did here:)

  9. Lindy79 says:

    #JAWSEYES
    “WE’LL be having a private wedding”, “WE/I/OUR/The TWO of US” Benedict, sound it out, so you sound less like a Bridezilla.

    What in the Renaissance looking painting is this f*ckery?? All it needs is a dog and a bowl of fruit. Actually, a dog playing poker would make this cover.

    Could Time not have put, I dunno, someone who actually f*cking INVENTED something on the cover, or…I dunno a picture of Alan Turing himself instead of Cumby looking like he’s wondering where the smell is coming from, or did he leave the water heater on.
    Oh I forgot, Turing isn’t trying to get an Oscar.

    Christ on a pushbike….

    • Cee says:

      If it’s the “Genius Issue”, why not include Eddie Redmayne on the cover too? It would have been a great Genius face-off! BC vs ER. Turing vs Hawking.

      Having TWC behind you really does make a difference in terms of visibility and mag covers, no?

    • gracada says:

      That looks like the worst sitting for a class picture.

    • Ingrid says:

      @Lindy – A lot of anger issues today, Lindy, LOL. But I agree with you on everything. Putting Turing on the cover would have actually meant something. (*whispers* but I do like the photo…)

      Re:Bridezilla -Reminds me of Monica (Friends) planning HER / THEIR wedding.

      • Lindy79 says:

        He’s annoying me more than I ever thought he would.
        I’d hope he at least suggested putting Turing on the cover instead of himself but more than likely he was pushing folks out of the way to get in front of that camera in his red jacket.

      • **sighs** says:

        That red coat needs to go on the burn pile with the glasses, hats, denim shirts and maroon pants.

      • Lucifer says:

        who BUYS these things? looks like a bathroom rag. eww.
        or is it a freebie

    • Floribunda says:

      @Lindy – Ha, ITA about the cover – nice enough image, but it’s like an homage to Caravaggio, complete with cunning use of chiaroscuro to emphasise those famous cheekbones. (Mind you, BC is officially an ‘art historian’, so maybe that’s his input?)

      And yes – either Turing or Hawking would have been a worthier choice. The BC = intelligence thing is getting old now.

      • Grace says:

        I’m sitting here thinking what his next interview will be focused on. Let’s see, sex symbol, genius…

      • 'P'enny says:

        Grace it will be memory loss ‘my fiancée whose name I can’t remember…’ article

      • Cee says:

        @Grace – We should comply a list of possible themes/subjects, post them in CB or EB, and voila, his PR’s broken machine will get on it.

      • icerose says:

        ‘@Grace he will be giving a little speech about artistic license and the rights of the directors and producers to rewrite history,

    • **sighs** says:

      The third picture down. The #jawseyes is really freaking me out.

    • icerose says:

      Does Lassie count as a genius because it would have been easier on the eyes

    • ogg921 says:

      THANK YOU, @Lindy! The I/We thing has been driving me crazy, “It’s what I would have done if I weren’t famous.” and “I think I’ll be having a very private wedding,”. I don’t know if it’s the result of extreme compartmentalization, (hiding the relationship), or some psychological slip, but those comments came across as bizarre. The engagement announcement thing was odd enough, since the bride’s family traditionally takes care of making the announcement anyway, (I’m hardly Miss Manners, but know the basic protocol – the bride sails the ship). Compounding that with HIS private wedding statement, caused me to have more of a WTF reaction. (Can’t blame it on scripting because his PR people are certainly more saavy than that.)
      The TIME cover is a shame, but not BC’s – or even TIME’s fault, honestly . BC would be a fool to refuse the cover of TIME, and as much as he deserves accolades, Turing (or even Hawking) appearing on the cover wouldn’t sell magazines.

      • Lu says:

        Seriously. He proposed to TWILTWIPT, he made the announcement in a way he would have done if he weren’t famous, he has a vision for the wedding, he thinks he’s going to have a private wedding… Is there going to be a wedding cake with just a groom figurine on top? Maybe two figurines, of BC and Cumberwax? Is he also deciding where the honeymoon will be and going on it by himself? lol

  10. Cee says:

    He. Is. Everywhere. To the point where I can’t tell publication or TV show apart. To the point where I think the movie is about his life instead of AT. That’s how saturated I am. How long until a People Mag cover story?

    I have the impression BC will be the “it’s all about me” groom! (I’m partly joking).

    • GeeMoney says:

      You know what’s funny? I can totally see him taking the reins in the wedding planning. I have a feeling he’s going to be more into than his “fiancee”.

      Congrats to him on his Time mag cover… even though we are a little tired of the PR, he deserves the recognition.

      • Cee says:

        He keeps saying “I” instead of “We” so often, I’m starting to see what you see…

      • GeeMoney says:

        I think he says “I” instead of “we” because he’s not really in love. He’s just mentioning what he would do if this were to be his actual or real engagement/wedding.

        I think if he actually finds the right person, you’ll hear a “we” come out of his mouth more often. But until then…

      • SAKS says:

        @GeeMoney Or, he is pulling a Naya Rivera, where he would separate from Sophie and marry whoever comes his way…

    • Azurea says:

      Glad I’m not the only one who is perplexed by the constant Cumby posts….I have stopped reading them long ago. I mean, he’s just a man….or maybe an alien hybrid or something….

      • Maggie says:

        I know by posting I am adding to the numbers, but the only reason there are so many posts on Benedict is because of the huge, and I mean huge, number of responses to each post.

        If people stopped responding there would be fewer posts.

        Simple.

  11. Freebunny says:

    ENOUGH!!!!!
    The Genius Issue???? Sorry, but BendyBoy doesn’t belong there….

  12. Lindy79 says:

    Come on Benny, do People and Hello next.
    I f*cking dare you!

    http://stream1.gifsoup.com/view5/3861291/smile-you-son-of-a-boom-o.gif

    • Ingrid says:

      People reporter tweeted a photo of him being interviewed earlier this week.

      So prepare. It’s coming!

      • Cee says:

        But OF COURSE it’s coming. He will be everywhere at the same time. I’m perplexed he’s not on some Time Square fluorescent billboard yet. You know those? Those who blind you and makes you believe it’s daylight in the middle of the night LOL

      • gracada says:

        @ingrid I am going to need a barf bag….

      • Lindy79 says:

        http://delaware.spoonuniversity.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/43/2014/10/no-Steve-Carell-The-Office-GIF.gif

        He’s doing the most aggressive non-campaign campaign I think I’ve ever seen.
        Watch, when he’s back in London he’ll be going to the opening of stationery shops and riding the London Eye wearing a union jack suit.

      • Grace says:

        You think the interviews are gonna keep us covered until his next outing?

      • Ingrid says:

        @gracada -Thankfully here at The Conspiracy Train, unlimited supply of barf bags is included in the ticket price. They are located under your seats. It’s going to be a bumpy ride…

      • gg says:

        He’s back in the UK now though, hopefully to stay at least until the SAG/GG noms come out (Dec 10/11). Not sure how much more secondhand embarrassment I can take. I’m supposed to be seeing him in Hamlet next summer, but if this nonsense does not stop I will be depositing a bag of dog turds in the seat where my butt is supposed to be.

      • icerose says:

        @gg me to but part of me has always wanted to see genius play Hamlet so I will keep my front row ticket and take some popcorn and absinthe

  13. Helly says:

    He’s desperate for an Oscar. So sad

    • aly says:

      I don’t get it….all actors are campaigning, they are everywhere, do photoshoots (except Keaton, for now), are on People, sell their images, but somehow Cumberbatch gets stigmatized as if he’s doing tricks or beating up puppies. Why?

      • Selma says:

        Because he’s going over the top while he said that he wouldn’t campaigning. LOL
        Even Hathaway & Portman hadn’t this level of desperation!

      • 'P'enny says:

        also not very british… :-p which is why he says he’s not campaigning, but is. its the british thing to be modest and not showy.

      • aly says:

        He never said he wouldn’t campaign, he said TWO months ago, before TIG got serious buzz, that he didn’t know if he had the time. I remember reading the quote and thinking, “yeah, right.”
        He’s not denying it *now*, which would be ridiculuous. The thirst is real, I agree, but to hang on something he said on September is frankly petty at this point.

      • Lucifer says:

        @aly
        reasons
        not very BRITISH (pun intented)
        Not traditional (again pun)
        he is a serious theatre actor who does not like hollywood nonsense
        fake marriage
        falseness and lies allover
        cumberoverload even us fans are feeling the heat
        and more is coming

      • aly says:

        @Lucifer: I hate the overexposure, it worries me, I hate that he’s acting like a trained monkey…I think the whole fauxmance is hilariously bad. I genuinely think that, unlike what I’ve read in some posts here, Ben doesn’t really like himself lately…and it shows. People say that he said that he wouldn’t campaign, they forgot to mention the last of the quote where he said that Weinstein wasn’t listening…
        He is not a victim, by far, but he’s not doing anything different than many others before him. At least he hasn’t smeared anyone yet, talked about the death of his big love and stuff like that.
        I get that people are getting tired of him, I do…I had to wait months before I could stomach to see Les Mis…(and what do you know, Hathaway was good )
        Anyway, sorry for the ramble…

      • **sighs** says:

        Don’t even get me started on Les Mis. That was a terrible film. (The direction, not necessarily the acting)

    • j says:

      @aly: yep.

      • Floribunda says:

        @aly @j I’m with you on this. There’s a lot of vitriol being (mis)directed at both BC and SH (I’ve found some of the SH stuff in particular pretty misogynistic) when imo actually it’s the whole Hollywood/Oscars machine that’s the real villain in all this. I too get the sense that BC feels torn and uneasy about this campaign (hence the Grumpy-Batch demeanour earlier on this week) and that there’s some kind of clash going on between his drive and ambition (which I think we can all agree he has in spades) and his genuine desire not to succumb to all the Hollywood fakery.

        I don’t think he’s a victim, but the alternative to campaigning is not campaigning – and therefore potentially not winning. I’m sure in an ideal world he’d want to win based on the merits of the film and his own performance, but that’s not how things work, and I think that’s what he’s come to realise.

      • j says:

        its a crappy but true realization, IA, Floribunda. i have seen way worse, so im just ? at some of the overkill

        hes probably also concerned with TIG’s box office. can’t have another bomb but turing is not a super famous person here in the states really, as lame as that is

      • aly says:

        @Floribunda, IA

        @J, I have seen much worse too, have been a fan of far more problematic actors…so I’m ? too 🙂 Yeah, notice how he relaxed after TIG opened in London and it did good. I don’t expect TIG to be big, if Weinstein expects to he’s nuts. Of course, he has made weirder things happen so…

    • aly says:

      @sighs: yeah, terrible direction…I didn’t like particularly some of the actors, but I liked Hathaway and Jackman (but I generally love Jackman)

  14. maudfricker says:

    If he does a Hello spread with herself discussing the engagement and wedding plans then I’m afraid it’s over between us Cumby!

  15. Lucifer says:

    late to the party 🙁

  16. Miss Jupitero says:

    Why not have an actual photo of Turing? Cumby is not what I would call a genius.

    • Lilacflowers says:

      Why not May-Britt Moser and Edvard Moser who just won the Nobel Prize for Science? We dumb down so much in this country and then we wonder why our populace knows so little.

    • icerose says:

      I think he has a few more problems coming up if the article in the Guardian today goes viral.It seems they are not happy about the way Turing has been portrayed and the lack of historical accuracy,

      • aly says:

        It won’t go viral and it’ll amount to nothing, like the other bad press they’ve tried to do back in September.

      • j says:

        stop talking sense, aly 🙂

        youre in a thread in which ppl are wondering why time didn’t slap photos of dudes no one knows on the cover, a drama is 100% accurate (is there anything worse than Enigma? i think not) and an oscar campaign merits the same response as violent acts lol.

        i gets hes been annoying but the responses are more aggravating to me now. hes not hard to avoid tbh. just let it go

      • aly says:

        J: oh God, Enigma…don’t even remind me *shudders*

        yeah…I’m confused…yes, he’s been annoying lately, but the reactions are a bit extreme right now…

      • Lilacflowers says:

        Actually, J, I named a woman scientist who just won a Nobel Prize as a suggestion for a cover about an edition devoted to Genius. Genius shouldn’t be promoting movies, it should be promoting brilliant ideas and those who have them.

      • j says:

        i get that lilacflowers, and i really wasn’t directing it personally at you, so sorry, but it’s obviously on Time’s end to get people to buy it and then they can read about the real geniuses inside. time, like many other print publications, is declining so it makes sense to me tbh

      • icerose says:

        Say what you like but it has already reached facebook via an American and the Guardian is a national paper. It certainly is not a 100% accurate and if you followed the posts on various UK national papers other have been questioning it for sometime.
        They could have put a picture a picture of Benedict ,Turing Redmayne ,Spall ,Turner and Hawkings .It would have been far more interesting concept.

      • aly says:

        icerose: re: Times: I know you hate it, but Ben sells more copies. It’s as simple as that.
        Guardian: who cares, Enigma totally glossed over Turing’s whole existence. It’ll be spun and reduced to nothing in no time. *shrugs*
        A question: would you have complauned if Redmayne had got the cover?
        You just don’t like it that Ben got the cover:)

      • j says:

        I do like your concept, icerose, for the cover. like I said, they’re just trying to sell issues and that would have packed even more punch

        being serious, its not going to seriously harm the movie anymore than other worse smear-based stuff in the past, like A Beautiful Mind, Slumdog Millionare, hurt locker, Saving Private Ryan, etc. only the people who were already meh on it are going to go nuts over it. more ppl think for themselves that we realize tbh, and no one is coming out of that movie thinking he was a spy or traitor.

        @aly Enigma is TERRIBLE

      • icerose says:

        @j you are probably right but I am just glad someone has at least raised the issues of the inaccuracies in the film because I think it needs to be raised no matter what happens Oscar wise,

    • Catherine says:

      Because he’s not recognisable?

  17. 'P'enny says:

    *bangs head on desk*

    And, I knock myself out and dreams of Hiddles….

    • Grace says:

      New Hiddles thread much needed.

      • icerose says:

        oh Grace if only someone could have got a picture of our Eton boy mooning and telling jokes to keep the extras spirits up during 14 hours of filming . The love of the extras and the dragon flies is undiminished. What a great post that would have made.

      • Grace says:

        Now that’s a picture I can *heart eyes* at. You think we might get to see some of those once the movie is out? Assuming people are not allowed to release them now.

    • **sighs** says:

      You and me both, girl. I’m looking forward to this island vacation. I think we all desperately need one.

    • Lilacflowers says:

      “p”enny, he has promised to do the golden retriever puppy act for you before tomorrow night’s Hank Williams performance. All will be well. Here, have a kahlua brownie.

      • 'P'enny says:

        great stuff, I RSVP with my plan further up the thread, better get it before this said post reaches 1000 comments.

      • Grace says:

        Ha! I highly doubt it. People speculated the hell out of her noble beauty’s attendance before the red carpet. Now it’s like fatigue all over after a big night out. Until the next big bomb, that is. *side-eye*

      • Lilacflowers says:

        @’P’enny, received. Chris wants to know what type of beer you would like?

      • icerose says:

        @Lilacflowers my local is selling some Christmas real Ale with pictures of eves on the label. This would be perfect for the UK brigade because every knows any UK actor worth hIs salt loves real ale.
        We also have a local pub run by the a real ale brewery that sells one of special additions for $20 a bottle if you want to go upmarket, I can recommend the strawberry beer for the ladies. It is exquisite even for those who dislike beer. If you like I will send Harry over in the Burgatti and we can get the parry going with a bit of mooning.

      • Lilacflowers says:

        @icerose, this is for a Patriots game. Although other brands are welcome for some variety and taste-testing, we have a large supply of several varieties of Sam Adams. Captain America insists. He even somehow managed to get a keg of the marathon brew, which is usually only available at the brewery or at bars along the Marathon route on the day of the race. He figured that as a runner, his brother-husband Tom would appreciate it.

  18. Asterix says:

    He will have an enormous backlash LOL

  19. Anne says:

    He’s an Harvey boy now

  20. gracada says:

    From the interview

    You recently announced your engagement in the U.K. newspaper the Times, as many British noncelebrities do. How come?

    “I’m slightly old-fashioned. It’s what I would have done if I weren’t famous. That’s the idea. It’s to normalize it. So it was just about me announcing it in a traditional manner–traditional in the sense that lots of people still do that.”

    Oh look a scripted line…he might as well have added “embarrassment of riches”.

    The normalize it line made me spit up my tea. Nothing about this has been normal Benedict.

    • **sighs** says:

      The number of times he says “I” and “me”.

      #runsophierun

    • Lindy79 says:

      WE, I,US
      Good Lord…

      If you believe him, he seems to keep missing the point on it, that he may want to normalise it but given his particular situation, it did the opposite and he’s getting pissy with people who bring it up.
      So he’s a bit thick really.

    • Ingrid says:

      Normalize is the new IT word for BC. He has been using it a lot lately. But he should look it up from the dictionary because he clearly doesn’t know what it means.

      And to recap, HIS reasons for doing it:
      -It’s traditional
      -Let his friends know
      -No! Scarp that. Let the WORLD know
      -No! To normalize the situation.

      *Someone* cannot keep his story straight. LOL

      • MissMary says:

        The story is being constantly massaged depending on what’s said in his fandom (I’m not kidding–look at what people are saying then look at any soundbites given within the next 72 hours) and to fit what “Middle America” will buy. People thought it was assy to say x? Well, say y and pretend was never even spoken!

    • Green Girl says:

      Ugh, “embarrassment of riches”! I couldn’t watch his acceptance speech from Friday night because he started with “ooh, look what time it is where I’m from” and then continued with “embarrassment of riches.” He or his staff need to write a few different speeches for him, especially as the big awards start up in the new year.

      Honest talk, now: Is TIG really that good? I keep thinking of how everyone was talking up The Fifth Estate last year, BC should get an Oscar nom, etc. And then it came out, and yeah, that never happened.

      • Maxineducamp says:

        I saw a preview screening go TIG Tuesday night. I thought that it was a very powerful and moving film with several great performances (including BC, but Kiera Knightly was esp. good in this film as was the actor who played the young Turing). I haven’t read rhe book it was based on, but I have just finished The Codebreakers of Bletchley Park (great read by the way), which describes a lot of the general atmosphere of the time/place/work at Bletchley, and while Turing is included, he is not the primary focus of the book. Anyway, I felt that the film captured some of that or as much as it could in a movie centered on one man’s experience. I frequently get antsy at movies, especially those on the longer side (TIG clocks in at about 2 hours), but I was thoroughly engaged the entire movie. As for the big movies coming out this season, I’ve seen TTOE and Rosewater. I thought both were very good, TTOE in particular, but of the three, I feel that TIG is the better film. I do still need to see Birdman, Foxcatcher and Mr. Turner, so it’s too soon for me to say if I think it’s the best movie of what appears to be this year’s front runners for award noms.

        FWIW, I am a Cumberbatch fan. He first came to my attention when I saw him in Atonement, but I forgot about him until 2010, when I caught him in a couple of BBC dramas (Small Island and Enemy of the State) that aired on my PBS and Sherlock of course. So perhaps I’m a bit biased, but I’m not obsessive over him. The preview screening that I attended was sponsored by GLAAD and consisted primarily of middle-aged gay men. There was a collective gasp at one emotional point in the film regarding Turing’s childhood friend Christopher and lots of red eyes at the end if the film. And while it wasn’t a room full of Cumberbitches/babes/stans/whatever, I will concede that gay men are another niche group, so their reaction doesn’t necessarily translate to The film’s success in middle America. But I feel bad that people are considering not seeing this film due to Cumberbacklash.

      • joe spider says:

        @ Green Girl,

        as I mentioned up thread (at least I think it is this thread – there have been so many :)) I saw it today and whilst I quite enjoyed it, I wasn’t blown away. And to be honest I thought there was rather a lot of Ben playing Ben.

  21. blended says:

    He’s campaigning agressively now ahead of the worldwide release of TIG because there was talk of the film not making much at the box office, and because he’ll be busy with other things like hobbit and richard III. He’ll tone it down until the awards start to be handed out or until HW forces him again. It was very clear to me that he has not been enjoying himself. But you guys should follow the other actors campaigning for the next little while. You’ll find they are all using similar strategies, except they won’t have the weinstein factor. I.e. Not as openly aggressive.

    • Soothy says:

      Question.

      How much control does weinstein truly have? Could BC conceivably say no to him or does he basically now own him through no fault of his own and there’s nothing he can do about it?

      • j says:

        depends on what the specifics are in BC’s contract, honestly. and also money-wise, it comes to down to how much HW pledged to sink in promoting and his return on that. like if it doesn’t look like its going to make enough, HW can exercise his rights.

      • aly says:

        Well, there’s free will of course. Ben could have said no, and bid goodbye to his movie career in the US. Now, even if he’s snubbed at the Oscars, it won’t be his fault.

      • MissMary says:

        Weinstein, and I am not being hyperbolic here, should not be underestimated because he is a selfish, greedy, horrid person who will manipulate, lie, and force in order to get his way, and have huge childish fits and retaliate when he doesn’t. He is not above ruining a career or two if someone tells him no or refuses to play the game he’s set out. And BC has apparently been “in bed” with him at least since early spring, well enough to “call him out” for the ice bucket challenge and refer to him as “my friend Harvey” (which in H’wood can mean “we took a meeting” to actual friends, so who knows…) I’m sure that, if BC said “eff this, I’m done, it’s all a lie” and refused to do on iota more campaigning, HW would make sure it was damned hard if not impossible for him to get any “good” scripts (i.e. the scripts BC wants to get, the meaty roles and romantic leads) for the foreseeable future. And he also runs the risk of pissing off the other actors and the crew, etc, because if he refused to campaign, any failure of the film, no matter the real reason, would be pinned on him because he didn’t “do his part” to promote.

      • j says:

        nah, you got it MissMary. Weinstein is worse than ppl think. he also buries his own movies if he doesn’t get his way

        there is financial consequences if bc doesnt promote it ‘enough’ to make back harvey’s investment, but that’s like a grey area. like imo bc could prove his case in court if he refused to promote to the level Weinsein wants but just going to court with a distributor makes you look like a liability

      • aly says:

        It’s also a delicate balance because if he campaigns he shows he’s a good trooper, hence more producers/distributors will trust him as a leading man. If he doesn’t, he’d be seen as difficult and that’s not something anyone wants.
        I mean, Meryl – freaking- Streep campaigned. 28 times nominees, 3 oscar wins…and she had to play the game. Daniel Day Lewis campaigned…Ben couldn’t say no — not really.

      • allheavens says:

        Weinstein has LOTS of control and he is not a man you say no to.
        People underestimate Harvey at your own risk.

        Fassbender who everyone brings up as an example of someone who said they would not campaign and did not is a false equivalency. He didn’t have Weinstein nipping at his heels.

        Every one is campaigning and campaigning hard so I don’t see why all this shade is being thrown at Cumberbatch.

        Also, Cumberbatch never said he would not campaign, he said he didn’t think he would have time.

      • Ingrid says:

        1. He never said he wasn’t campaigning, he said he didn’t know if he had time.

        2. Everyone is campaigning hard.

        3. But BC the only one who got engaged to further his campaign (and it is so f*cking obvious he did it for this reason)

        4. He’s being disingenuous which is why people are starting to throw shade. Same thing happened with Hathaway.

    • aly says:

      THIS, Blended.
      Oh, and Focus’ campaign this year is very aggressive (TOE).
      The new bosses there are thirsty…

      • Lindy79 says:

        Main difference is, Eddie doesn’t look like someone just ran over his cat.

      • aly says:

        Oh, Eddie is basking in the attention and the press, true.

      • Lilacflowers says:

        And yet, I haven’t seen nearly as much press about Eddie or Keaton or Carrell of anyone else as I have about BC. Just continued postings on message boards that Eddie is so desperate and so thirsty. Eddie is very, very good in TTOE. Keaton is very, very good in Birdman. I think that’s where the battle is going to be.

      • aly says:

        Lilac…are you kidding? ER has been promoting and schmoozing sag and ampas members since early October.
        The thing is…all the frontrunners at the moment are very, very good. It’s not about being very, very good…it’s about clout and politics. If it was about the talent some actors would have *never* gotten an Oscar.

        eta: I’m in no way dissing Redmayne, just to be clear. More power to him for campaigning for a good movie.

      • blended says:

        umm.. if you don’t think eddie and michael are being covered by the press, you’re not paying attention. just sayin’.

        it sounds like what some of you are saying is that ben isn’t being genuine while campaigning (ie. convincing us of his fauxmance) and that’s a fair point. the way i look at it is, he is way too honest to fake it effectively. it’s showing all over his face and it’s making him miserable to live a lie. i truly feel for him.

    • moodgirl says:

      Is Weinstein really that bad and if so, why would anyone deal with him? They must have done some homework before they signed?

      • Felice says:

        He is so powerful in Hollywood that he can get away with anything. Do not underestimate that industry.

      • blended says:

        you could ask why does anyone work with any cutthroat businessman or politician. because they want to be in the winners’ circle, or they have no choice if they are expected to toe the company line or risk their jobs. ben is just like any other employee. he has no power in hollywood up against the big players.

  22. Anonymous says:

    They couldn’t find a picture of Alan Turing or an actual genius for their “genius issue”? Nice job Time. This is really insulting to the real geniuses.

  23. Molly says:

    He has reached Chastain levels of self-promotion. Give it a rest FFS.

  24. Ingrid says:

    What makes me truly angry about this whole mess is that Octopussy is getting more press than Turing. A woman who hasn’t done a single significant thing in her life is overshadowing a war hero, gay icon and the father of the computer.

    So a chemical castration wasn’t enough? BC had to piss all over Turing with his ridiculous personal life (real or fake). I really want to punch the person who came up with this plan.

    Alan deserved better than this, Benedict. He deserved better.

    • Felice says:

      It really pisses me off. It also shows that American media doesn’t care about the story. HW may have done this just so BC will get any sort of coverage for his film but it’s starting to backfire.

      I hate the white-washing of her CV. People in those theatre productions worked their bums off and she is being given full credit.

      • Lindy79 says:

        Did you see a theater releasing a statement clarifying a situation where she was being severely over credited.
        It was hilarious.
        I agree, when people try to take credit for work they didn’t do it irks me.

      • Felice says:

        Yeah, it was gorgeous. There was another article about how her play that was under Weinstein *cough* lost them so much money because of how much it flopped.

      • Lindy79 says:

        Well she did say (I’m paraphrasing) that she would rather flop spectacularly than be boring.

      • j says:

        well yeah ingrid most ppl in the us don’t know turing. i have a BA and never heard his name in school once. releasing a movie no one comes to see does nothing to change that, unfortunately

      • Cee says:

        @Lindy79 – Where can I read that?

        She was actually “discredited”? That’s not something I expected to happen so soon.

      • lindy79 says:

        https://m.facebook.com/LacunaTheatreCompany/posts/735322773213587

        Theres also a comment under it about her Broadway experience.

      • blended says:

        i agree. the fiancee angle has been overshadowing everything else. this is how media campaigns work, and now we know why these PR stunts are done: because the masses lap it up. it’s a very sad commentary on what we consider important, and our gossip culture in general. i’m not gonna stand and preach because i’m guilty too. it just sucks.

      • blended says:

        and why isn’t the lacuna theatre statement being circulated more widely. it’s kind of hilarious that they are pretty much saying, don’t believe sophie hunter’s CV.

    • MissMary says:

      The whole shift in focus away from Turing is really grating on me when it’s down to the US promotion. Okay, he’s not as famous here as in the UK (Turing that is–eff BC’s fame at this point), but wouldn’t that be a perfect time to, you know, share his story in interviews instead of talking-not talking about your oh so private not private personal life?

      • aly says:

        He is talking about Turing. He’s doing two type of press: fluff and more serious one…well, three types actually, there’s also Q&A with sag members and stuff. I’ve read all three types; I think it depends on the targeted audience of the press. I doubt People readers willl care about Turing. MMV, IMO, etc

      • Felice says:

        “You know who couldn’t be engaged though? Turing. He was persecuted for loving who he loved.”

      • Soothy says:

        But if he refused to talk about it beyond ‘I’m happy. Thank you’ then they would have nothing to fill the pages of their rags with. Then they’d be forced to write something relevant and interesting.

      • aly says:

        Felice: ITA (get on that PR, make it happen!)

      • MissMary says:

        @Soothy Word. So true…

        @Felice: If we repeat it often enough, PR will pick up on it and it’ll be in his next interview.

    • moodgirl says:

      @Ingrid – They had to know their marketing strategy would overshadow the subject of the movie. They did not care. I hope the academy voters keep this in mind when nomination and final voting comes around.

      • Ingrid says:

        I have no doubt they knew. It was all very calculated.

        If there’s one upside to this, at least they haven’t taken the smear campaign route (yet). Maybe HW gave BC a choice: it’s either this or we are going after Eddie. If that was the case, I probably would have made the same choice as BC.

        But I’m actually starting to hope BC doesn’t win.

      • aly says:

        @moodgirl: they won’t give a crap. They’re actors themselves, they know the score. You don’t get to be a member of AMPAS by playing nice, j/s

  25. Crocuta says:

    Man I (used to?) love him but he’s in the media every single day now and all of it is fluff. Celebitchy has him twice a day sometimes. I’m getting serious Cumberbatch-fatigue.

    With Hobbit and TIG and the Oscars and perhaps Dr. Strange announcement, this will just get worse, right?

    • Lindy79 says:

      Saw a few things about Strange today implying a deal was almost if not done already, so we might hear soon whoever it is.

      • aly says:

        Lindy, I think they’re holding back the announcement for Dr. Strange for some reason …it’ll come in handy (one way or another) in Jan.

      • lindy79 says:

        I think he has it but they’re waiting until after nominations.
        Harvey wont want attention pulled from TIG until the nomination is locked down but once it is, it’ll only raise his profile.

      • aly says:

        Exactly, and if he doesn’t get a nom, the announcement will distract from a snub

  26. misstee says:

    If his girlfriend ends up in Marchesa at the next big Film Awards then its pretty much the confirmation that he is Wiensteins b*tch

  27. ellesbelles says:

    Right.

    I still love the pictures, and I still love the soundbites, and I still think he’s lovely, but I’m getting a bit over saturated. Dare I say it, I need a Benedict break.

    I’ll be over in the corner getting reacquainted with my OG British crush Callum Blue, and learning more about Mr Hiddleston

    • TotallyBiased says:

      Welcome to the Hiddles-Side, ellesbelles!
      We have cookies! And bananas. And Ham and cheese sandwiches, with tomato. Oh, there are some lovely links and even full amusing texts of recent goings-on down in Shreveport over on our boy Tom’s most recent thread.

      • ellesbelles says:

        @TotallyBiased Thanks lovely! Like Ben, hes only recently come on to my radar, but I love what I see so far. Especially the devil-may-care cheekiness. I’ve been hardcore Callum for ages, ever since Dead Like Me. Something about these British lads 🙂

  28. Joanie says:

    “I” think “i” will have a private wedding? Is he marrying himself? He never mentions her by name.

    • Felice says:

      That made me think of Adam West and his hand in Family Guy.

    • Lindy79 says:

      Scrap by name, I’d be happy if he just stopped using “I” and “we” when talking about their relationship/wedding, and referring to letting the world know.

      Funny he always used to refer to Olivia, even after they broke up as “my girlfriend Olivia” or “my girlfriend at the time/ex girlfriend, Olivia”
      Hell, just look at red carpet pics of them Vs the dead fish thing that was going on in NY this week. Hard to believe he’s the same guy. I realise they were 12 years together but, he’s with the woman he proposed marriage to so you’d imagine there should be the same level of intimacy and closeness.

      • aly says:

        When he was with Olivia his use of pronouns reflected the status of his relationship: real deal.
        Now? Meh….

      • MissMary says:

        He even referred to Anna James as “my girlfriend” and they were SUPER private (and she also was *actually* busy and still went to events and managed to look lifelike).

    • Grace says:

      I smell intimacy issue.

      • Felice says:

        No no didn’t you hear? He doesn’t abstain from sex when he’s working. He had to make that perfectly clear. *Creature voice* I AM A MAN NOW.

      • aly says:

        TMI, definitely TMI

      • Soothy says:

        What. When he did say that?

      • Felice says:

        Vulture. So unnecessary. It also contradicts him saying before that he abstains from his normal pleasures when he’s on an intense project.

      • Soothy says:

        So he actually said that he doesn’t abstain from sex? *shocked face*

      • Felice says:

        I have a feeling that quote in the interview was along the lines of Andy in 40 Year Old Virgin talking about sex in the beginning.

      • Soothy says:

        “Y’know when you grab a woman’s breast and it feels like a bag of sand?”

      • Felice says:

        “It was like… anytime of day, she was like, “Yeah, let’s go! I’m so nasty!” And I’d be nailing her and she’d be like, “Oh, you’re nailing me! Cool!””

        I swear B, just be quiet.

      • Soothy says:

        Hahaha.

        That whole movie just fills me with pure joy.

      • moodgirl says:

        @Felice – Where did you hear that comment? Why he is preoccupied with sex all of a sudden?

      • Felice says:

        It’s in Vulture. I can’t link I’ll get marked for spam.

        He’s trying to sell being a symbol and right for romantic roles.

      • blended says:

        the thing is he has said before that when he’s filming sherlock he doesn’t drink, meditates more, does intense yoga, eats healthy (and maybe even gives up smoking), and likes to be alone. now he’s saying something different. i want the old honest ben back.

      • moodgirl says:

        @grace – “I smell intimacy issues.” I smell lunacy. I thought he was sounding better but I think he is going over the edge.

      • moodgirl says:

        @Felice – Did he actually say that? “…any time of day…” I don’t know what to say. I am speechless. Ugh.

        Nailing just doesn’t sound like it would come from a romantic man and even then he sounds like a fourteen year old kid. Beavis without Butthead.

      • MissMary says:

        I think Felice was quoting 40 Year Old Virgin.

      • Felice says:

        Yeah I was quoting it lol

        I had to bring this back one more time but his mannerisms when talking about the engagement are even almost exactly like Steve Carrell’s in that scene.

        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vn3IRHhPXMo

      • j says:

        @moodgirl: No. It’s the same interview that ran in the NY Mag.

  29. Just me says:

    I think I’m really over him now. I used to be a fan, but now, meh, Bored. I don’t want to hear anymore conspiracy stories. I can’t raise enough interest in myself to care. It’s too much.

    I am however gonna reserve the right to laugh at his silly antics though.

    That “I think I’ll just have a private wedding” ….. Priceless. It’s WE, Ben, WE are going to have a private wedding. Unless he is just marrying himself.

    (Wedding March plays, and…..)

    “I, Benedict Timothy Carlton Cumberbatch take you, Benedict Timothy Carlton Cumberbatch to be my lawfully wedded husband……”

    LMFAO

    All I can say is – Get you sh*t together, babe, just get your sh*t together.

  30. gracada says:

    http://entertainment.inquirer.net/156856/its-amazing-to-find-somebody-you-love

    1. He says her name.

    2. All the relationship stuff (the word normal appears again…..)

    3. I need another large barf bag.

    • Lindy79 says:

      He actually sounds more normal here, less pissy but

      “I don’t suffer from being a workaholic,”
      HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

      The announcement excuse remains bullpoop in my mind. He was too busy to call people, could she or his folks not have done it? No,no a Times ad is the better option because everyone automatically reads the announcement section in case someone they know got engaged but was too busy to tell people.

      She’s busy…then lists things all from years ago but nothing current. I genuinely lolled at “she’s an actress, she was in something in 2009”. OK then.
      (Too busy to buy a new dress obviously.)

      • Ingrid says:

        Everything he says nowadays is bullpoop.

        Barf bags needed here as well.

        And major LOL for the “she’s busy” 😀

      • lindy79 says:

        I should point out I’m not shading her, just this obsessive need to make her into some superwoman worthy of him.

        Edit: i cant read it again, has Cumby stopped smoking? ?

      • aly says:

        I loved what he said about Redmayne, if he has stopped smoking he has my sympathy…tried to a lot of times, it’s hell…

      • MissMary says:

        So, which is it? the announcement was to let friends know, or he called them?

        Let’s play a game–let’s say “Why doesn’t he say/do x?” and see how long it takes PR to make that show up in an interview. Like… “Why doesn’t he say her full name, first middle and last? If he really wanted us to believe it…” And see how long that takes to show up in an interview.

      • Felice says:

        This is such a fun game. The fact that they keep changing the story will not make anyone buy it more than before. They planted the seed wrong. They didn’t make it seem like they were a normal couple during the summer. They ruined it.

      • **sighs** says:

        It doesn’t sound like she’s been doing anything since….? Does she even have any projects on the books for the past year? Their busy schedules? *shakes head*

      • **sighs** says:

        Felice- that’s all they had to do. It was so simple. Have them actually be seen on some dates for the last few months. That’s it. Who screws that up?

      • Felice says:

        They really underestimated the internet. You’d think that if people can leak the addresses, numbers, facebook profiles, and emails of the whole police department in Ferguson then they would assume that people can also notice patterns in photos and interviews over the course of a year.

      • moodgirl says:

        He keeps talking, talking, talking. This is what people do when they are lying; they dig a grave by talking up excuses thinking that more words equals realism. The more they talk, the more uncomfortable they are with the truth. He is trying to cover his bases to quell the side-eye that he knows is out there.

      • Beth says:

        “She was an actress, she was in something in 2009…”

        This is what is so off-putting about this engagement. Whatever it is, real or fake, this ridiculous hyping up of her credentials is seriously cringeworthy.

        She directs avant-garde plays! Doesn’t name a single one.
        She is an actress! In something back in 2009. And let’s face it, anyone who has seen her “act” would agree a wax figure can emote better.
        She sings! For some obscure Isis project back in… wait for it… 2005. And oh, did they also forget to mention the super avant-garde music video that comes with her tits out, some gag-inducing images and a very artistic octopus?

        ENOUGH ALREADY. It’s like claiming I am the new Gordon Ramsey just because I passed the salt and pepper to a fellow diner six years ago.

      • Soothy says:

        @beth

        It’s ridiculous isn’t it?

      • moodgirl says:

        @sighs – They did go out on a few dates. They just acted like monkeys while they were out.

        “Who screws that up?” BC DID. WITH A VENGEANCE.

    • Froop says:

      He’s quit smoking. Totally trying to knock her up.

      • lindy79 says:

        Yup

      • Soothy says:

        He’s tried to quit smoking before. If that actually is what he’s doing (quitting smoking), I doubt he’s desperately trying to cram a pregnancy along with an engagement into a few months after most likely not even living together very long (if at all)

      • Froop says:

        She’s nearly 37. He wants babies. They can’t wait for that long.

      • Soothy says:

        But he’d be flat out insane to have a baby with someone he’s only been with a few month, and in all honesty not spent THAT much time with since he was working etc.

      • Froop says:

        Eh, he moved her into his house after a few weeks of dating. They got engaged after 5 months of dating. It’s gone very fast but this is probably what he wants. They’ve gone public with the relationship. He’s been broody for years, she’s 36.

      • Soothy says:

        Um. Sorry, but how do you know when she moved into his house? And if you are right, he’s out of his tree.

      • moodgirl says:

        How do people know when she moved into his house? Sorry Sooth, we posted at the same time. I think someone has earned their money for today.

      • Cate says:

        TMI alert, *Puts fingers in ears* Lalalalalala, I don’t want to know this stuff. *Rocks back and forth*

        My poor mental images…I need a blanket and some cookies stat!

      • blended says:

        i don’t think the relationship will last. body language never lies. they are not into each other.

    • Soothy says:

      Oh hush up FFS. Firstly, I’ll pop another rib laughing if ‘she directs avant garde plays’ is said again. Do journos not realise how utterly ridiculous that sounds?
      And ‘she’s busy’?!!! Bahahahaha

      Also, the ‘find someone who loves you back, that doesn’t happen in a lifetime’ ..firstly, well what was olivia then? I realise that didn’t work out in the end but during 12 years there was deep and reciprocal love. And secondly, what happened to not talking about his personal life?
      What’s with all these things a that are unnecessary and can be easily used as soundbites for headlines.

      Also ‘he wore a shiny bracelet on his right wrist’. Um…huh?

      • MissMary says:

        WOW… I just “Find someone who loves you back.”

        Nice.

        I hope Olivia spits in his drink next time he comes to one of the events she chairs.

      • **sighs** says:

        Please. I’m sure she’s just happy to be far removed from this circus.

      • Felice says:

        Dear God, he is just nailing his own coffin.

      • Cate says:

        Like I said before, I am so doomed if Benedict and his someone are the face of ‘True Wuvv’. I kind of feel the urge to rebel, jump on a table and sing ‘Anarchy in the UK’ at the top of my lungs. Maybe I should crash his very private wedding and do that?

      • Lu says:

        @Soothy–What you say about Olivia strikes me. It’s as though he is pretending to be some kind of love-virgin, that love is so new and miraculous to him (after seeing her for 5 months). Well, what was that long and loving decade-plus relationship then? You know, the one where they basically grew up together and lived together and shared the beginning of their careers together. It is all Just. So. Weird. Why is he saying so many weird things?

        Oh, and also, “It’s an amazing thing to find somebody you love, let alone somebody who loves you back in the same way and degree. Not everyone can do that in a lifetime.” (after seeing her for 5 months)

        In the SAME WAY AND DEGREE? (after seeing her for 5 months) What on earth does that mean? Well, actually, what I would want to know, if I could see inside his head, is what *he* thinks it means. Because people normally don’t talk that way.

        I don’t know what to make of the phrase “in my life at the moment.” It could be just one of his many awkward things to say; I don’t think it means he’s foreshadowing a breakup. But, again, he has his own language and it’s anyone’s guess what he was thinking.

      • Soothy says:

        Lu, I have no idea. He’s flummoxed me. But anyone who thinks all this private chatter sounds natural for him, is kidding themselves.

      • Alice says:

        @soothy. Maybe it’s so that people who don’t know any better will think TWILWIPT gave it to him and not know he’s been wearing it since TTSS.

      • moodgirl says:

        Subconsciously, people say what they really mean. Especially if they’re not really thinking when they talk. “In the moment” is what his subconscious is telling him this relationship is. In his head it’s temporary.

      • moodgirl says:

        @MissMary – Just spit?

    • Renee says:

      This article sounds like more PR stuff. Weren’t there pics of him smoking on the Hollow Crown set? I do realize that might have been a month ago but it still all sounds like PR.
      Also, he keeps talking about finding love and all that yadda yadda. Take a look at the video of them and tell me that looks like 2 people in love. Whatever. Also more SH whitewash.

      I guess I don’t buy much of what he says anymore.

      • aly says:

        “Take a look at the video of them and tell me that looks like 2 people in love”

        Wish I could…but nope…

        the pics from the set are from early october I think? Unless I missed newer ones.

      • MissMary says:

        He was mentioned as smoking at the LFF after party, outside, IIRC…

      • aly says:

        Personally I don’t think he has quit smoking, but anyway….:)

      • MissMary says:

        Though interestingly, it was mentioned by someone(s) in attendance that he was not drinking at HFA and he is a well known social drinker. I wonder if HW said stop the drunk speeches, stop smoking, make this image stick.

      • Soothy says:

        Tbf I don’t think he’s done any ‘drunk speeches’. Well, none that I’ve seen anyway.

      • MissMary says:

        Soothy: GQ awards, lol. That might be his only one (we know of) but it was pretty well laughed about. Not something serious!Actorman can have following him around.

      • Soothy says:

        Meh, I honestly never thought he was drunk there. Just rambly and weird.

      • Lu says:

        I could never fault anyone for drinking. He gets a pass from me there. Tipsy speeches are fine, too.

      • moodgirl says:

        Loose lips sink ships. Loose lips with alcohol sink PR campaigns.

    • Lucifer says:

      @gracada dnt trust print interviews. I bet he said WILWIPT and the journo added the name as thr is no harm done. She is BUSY!! okay!!
      He has given up smoking? the richard iii photos were of last month where puffs hv been coming outta his mouth. what was that ummm.. pot??
      is it necessary not to be a smoker too to get a freaking oscar?

    • **sighs** says:

      I love this interview. It’s pr a-game!
      Say her name? Check
      Say how busy she is so people don’t think it’s weird she’s never with him? Check
      Say how he called everyone he could immediately after he proposed because of all the questioning that none of his friends or family seemed to know? Check
      Say something to explain the grumpies (quit smoking)? Check

      My favorite, though, was the “Sophie is someone I am incredibly grateful for and very excited about.”

      Awkward? It’s like he’s talking about a new dog. Or a new publicist.
      😉

      • Ingrid says:

        Perfection!

      • Grace says:

        Wow, much passion. Benny boy, I refer you to E. E. Cummings

        i carry your heart with me (i carry it in
        my heart) i am never without it (anywhere
        i go you go, my dear; and whatever is done
        by only me is your doing,my darling)
        i fear
        no fate (for you are my fate, my sweet) i want
        no world (for beautiful you are my world, my true)
        and it’s you are whatever a moon has always meant
        and whatever a sun will always sing is you

        here is the deepest secret nobody knows
        (here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
        and the sky of the sky of a tree called life; which grows
        higher than soul can hope or mind can hide)
        and this is the wonder that’s keeping the stars apart

        i carry your heart (i carry it in my heart)

        Now remember this and tell your lady so.

      • Beth says:

        Poor Benny has been calling everyone he could and Sophie has been soooooo busy that she forgot to call her own mother.

        Her mom being interviewed after the engagement was announced in the papers: “It’s a really fabulous day. It’s only just been announced so we don’t know any more but it’s lovely news.”

        WHOOPSIE!

      • moodgirl says:

        He referred to her as “someone.” “Sophie is someone I’m incredibly grateful for…” vs. “I’m incredibly grateful for Sophie.” IMO the first is very impersonal and removed.

      • lindy79 says:

        Grace. I love that poem!

      • Cate says:

        ‘Someone’ is super impersonal and makes my weirdness alarm go off again. He knows he’s kind of lying and wants to keep some distance between him and the lie.

        Like he could be incredibly grateful for her because she’s willing to go along with whatever this is. I’d be incredible grateful towards a friend too if they’d go that length. So he could be lying, but at the same time telling the truth. Okay, I just gave myself a headache…

      • claire says:

        Gender neutral pronouns are always interesting.

      • Lucifer says:

        @cate i like ur idea . Its headache-worthy

    • Cornish Pixie says:

      “The love that is in my life AT THE MOMENT” (emphasis added). Rather telling statement.

      • Felice says:

        Dear Lord, Benedict. “At the moment”

      • Lucifer says:

        biingo

      • aly says:

        Yep:) nice catch, Cornish:)

      • moodgirl says:

        Did I miss something? He says they’re both busy and it was incredible that they met “this way.” What way? To my knowledge he has NEVER said how they met up the second time that led to the engagement. It’s the same in the VOGUE interview, he just skims over it. Isn’t how you met an important part of your “story.” It’s the first thing I ask. This is bs.

    • Lu says:

      He says in that article that he gave up smoking!
      Someone floated the theory a while ago that that was why he was being so pissy, and … maybe it’s true?

      • lindy79 says:

        I knew that could be used to explain it, the squealer contingent will jump on that to explain all away. Having been around a smoker giving up, yep they are like poked bears but…surely his fiancé, the love of his life can put a smile on his face even temporarily ?

      • Lu says:

        You’d think, but she doesn’t seem like a jolly girl. I actually just meant it as a contributing factor to his behavior, not the whole explanation.

      • Ingrid says:

        Yes, the smoking theory doesn’t explain why he lights up when the subject is Alan, Keira, tea or parents, but not when it’s SH.

        (I hope he’s actually trying to stop. I really do. But this was just after the LA awards where he was very pissy and people noticed. A lot of them noticed. Maybe this is just an excuse to explain his behavior. And also, he stopped now? At this point of time? When he’s more stressed than ever?)

      • Cate says:

        Stopping now doesn’t make sense to me either. And why wouldn’t he switch to electronic cigarettes at least, to make the transition smoother? I thought electronic ciggies are a big thing amongst HW actors. But someone suggested it was, erm, because he, ew…*blegh*…wants to try for Cumberbabies.

        There I said it. Yikes.

        I think he’s still smoking. Or he’ll be smoking again in 1, 2, 3……

    • Just me says:

      It’s that time again:

      Teased that he seemed not to like blank spaces in his work calendar, “No, it just looks that way. But I am getting to the stage where it’s been such an EMBARASSMENT OF RICHES”

      Please get a new line, please.

      Or should we just make a drinking game? We’d all be hammered in no time.

      • **sighs** says:

        Good game! Or, for those teetotalers, they could take a drink every time he says her name. Or actually looks or sounds like he’s in love when speaking of her.

        I’m really sorry for all the super snark today. I don’t know where it’s all coming from.

      • moodgirl says:

        @signs – I wonder where?

    • Megan says:

      More evidence that they keep adjusting to do or say what we are noticing is off. And now they are trying to explain away the bad behavior by saying he quit smoking. Photos prove otherwise bendy boy.

    • Cate says:

      Gosh, according to Benedict logic I’d be some kind of superwoman. A singer (better than Streisand), a top chef/baker (move over Nigella), a writer (Jane Austen who?) and I can go on like that. *Goes and rewrites her CV*

      • Felice says:

        Seriously! Like what about Olivia? Her own play and legit acting credits. He is being an idiot about everything like this is the first gf he’s ever had.

      • Cate says:

        Which the nannies will use as him being totally in love, so much that he forgot all previous women in his life. How to explain their total lack of chemistry then? Ah well, they’ll probably marry and have 10 kids and I’ll be sitting here scratching my head. 😉

      • Soothy says:

        Olivia is genuinely accomplished and talented and has never wriggled around on the floor wearing a pregnancy suit or wrestled an octopus in the name of ‘art’.
        Nor has she done a cripplingly awful mime artist short (seriously, is this 1995, who does the mime art anymore? ..I honestly thought she was going to do the ‘stuck in a box’ mime. It was like a bad sixth form project.

      • Ingrid says:

        Yes. Even Katia E. is more accomplished than SH. And that’s saying something.

      • Soothy says:

        Now steady on there, Ingrid. KE literally has no accomplishments. . 😉
        SH has done stuff and I can’t comment on her ‘avant garde theatre productions’ as I’ve not seen them but the desperation to big her up and overstate her CV is baffling.

      • Ingrid says:

        I stand by my words, Sooth. 😀

        Katia is a model. I have seen her in a few photos and ads. Accomplishments!

        LOL

        Seriously though, these two ladies are there neck and neck. Why, Ben, why? How is it impossible for you to find even a slightly normal woman? They are literally everywhere…

      • moodgirl says:

        @Sooth – Why are you baffled? It was part of HW PR campaign to make BC look like superman – or George Clooney with his Amal.

  31. Domino says:

    I’d be so happy if I didn’t see this guy’s face again for a number of years. So sick of him, and I never thought I would say that!! I have no clue how I will manage to get through Sherlock now with his otter face in it, and after all the crap he’s talked about Sherlock fans. Well… second to Hiddles, Martin Freeman is the actual man of my life after all. Can the show be called John now?

    • Marcy says:

      Domino, exactly. Even he is the heart and soul of the show. NGL, I love Ben, but Martin to me is just WOW. My tumblr dash is full of him.

    • Just me says:

      I know what you man, Domino. BBC America’s been airing reruns of Sherlock. I love the entire cast, especially Gatiss (Mycroft, for anyone who doesn’t know) and Rupert Graves (Lestrade).

      I kept finding myself going “Yeah, there’s Rupert!” and then reaching for the mute button every time his holiness, The Grand Otter, came on. Maybe by the time Series 4 comes around I’ll feel differently and might actually find some enjoyment in the show again, but for right now I just can’t take anymore BC.

      It was fine when I could believe BC was a bumbly dork playing an mildly sociopathic ass. I thought “He’s not really that way in real life,” so I could laugh at Sherlock’s rudeness. The juxtaposition made it OK, if you see what I mean. Now I just see him as an ass playing an ass. Hard to take, ya know?

      • Lu says:

        I totally get you, Just me. Luckily, I’ve always been able to separate BC from Sherlock; I mean, I have a hard time thinking of them as the same person. So it will be easier for me to stand watching him again… at least I hope so! But I agree that it could make a big difference knowing that he really is kind of an a-hole, or at the very least immature, in real life.

  32. Marcy says:

    Martin Freeman is hosting SNL in December!

    Well played Watson, well played…

    • gracada says:

      YES!!!!!

    • Ingrid says:

      +10000

      Oh the joy!

    • ellesbelles says:

      brilliant! I’ll tune in for sure. Love him

    • gg says:

      NO way!!!! Awesome!!!! Any bets on whether BC makes a surprise appearance though??

    • **sighs** says:

      Oh yay! Some fantastic news in this sea of crap.

      • gracada says:

        I second this. I will be heading to NYC for stand by tickets….Martin Freeman will be great…

    • MissMary says:

      WHAT YES AWESOME!

      yes he’s problematic as f*ck but I still love him.**

      **Ahem, and I do not mean “love” in a delusional sense, nannies. thanks.

      • **sighs** says:

        I adore him. He and his partner. They say whatever is on their mind and they own it. Even if you don’t agree with everything they say/do.

      • gg says:

        I would give my right arm to hear MF and AA’s take on this whole engagement circus

      • MissMary says:

        Word. They’re human and have opinions but that doesn’t mean I (or anyone) has to agree with ’em. They seem like they’d be fun to hang out with lol. And omg I am a horrible person and kind of can’t wait till one of them let’s something pissy slip about this whole circus.

      • Felice says:

        Yeah Martin has said some screwed up things before but at least he doesn’t hide behind bs

      • Lu says:

        I dislike him but I like his work, so I’ll be really interested to tune in and see this.

      • MissMary says:

        I think that’s why I keep coming back to him, lol. He’s problematic as Hell but he doesn’t try to b.s. it or excuse it (*cough* giving up smoking? *cough*). I’m less a fan of Amanda but that’s for different reasons.

      • Just me says:

        Fantastic! I haven’t watched SNL for years, but that I’d tune in for.

      • Alice says:

        I have wondered – isn’t all of this getting back to the UK? I understand there’s some sort of new fangled device that allows for instantaneous communication. Are his colleagues and friends – Martin, Mark, Loo, Steven, Una, Rupert, even Olivia, James, Kinvara – hearing about all this bizarre mess and what can they be thinking? I’d be embarrassed to face them. I visit Loo Brealey’s twitter occasionally because I really like her. I’m certain that she used to have scores of pics of BC there, but last weekend when I looked in, I could see only four pictures of BC. Maybe she regularly does some culling, but it seemed odd.

  33. Margret says:

    Watched “The Game” last night on BBCAmerica. Goodbye Benedict Cumberbatch, hello Tom Hughes!

    • icerose says:

      I saw Tom Hughs on stage and he is gorgeous. He was standing the theatre foyer when I left wearing his flat cap which is so popular with young London actors these days.He was great in Dancing on the Edge if you van find a copy somewhere.

    • joe spider says:

      Did you see him in The Hollow Crown – the Richard II episode?

    • EscapedConvent says:

      Tom Hughes is scrumptious. I wondered when people would notice him! I think he’s going to get LOTS of work.

      • Margret says:

        Yes I’d like to see him get lots of work but a long time ago it seems like, I wished that for BC and as John Lennon put it “now it’s all this.” Don’t want this to happen to TH, just want to admire his looks and watch him act.

    • icerose says:

      @Margaret I just read that he has been cast in something else which sounded good but cannot find the article -if I do I will let you know

  34. Deb says:

    The oversaturation of Cumberbatch in the media right now, coupled with the complete Cumberbitch craziness and all the conspiracies, saddens me. It should be a happy time as a fan to see him get recognition, but I feel like it’s kind of embarrassing. For the non-crazy fans and for him.
    Also, with all the hype, I don’t really see how Lainey or Sarah over at LG can still call him “internet famous.” If he is, I’m thinking more people off the internet will recognize him now that he seems to be on every.single.talkshow.and.magazine.cover.

    • Soothy says:

      Erm, please don’t insult the intelligence of people sideeying this engagement stuff by labelling them as ‘cumberbitches’. That’s deeply offensive and an awful hideous term. Shame on you for throwing it at people. You want to be a ‘happy fan’ then you go ahead. Don’t ever question anything he does if that suits you but don’t accuse other people of being ‘crazy fans’ who decide to not kiss his arse in quite the same unquestioning and docile way. I imagine you’re not giving this little speech to the terrifying weirdos crying over how happy this is making them and how ‘omgs perf they are I’m gonna make him cumbercakes and a scrapbook!!!’? Save the crazy for the likes of those people please.
      And please stop using the term ‘conspiracy’. Its ridiculous. This isn’t watergate FFS.

    • Claire says:

      when i think of cumberbitch, i think of those bitches making cupcakes and squealing over every new photo or interview, and who wait for him on the red carpet and mash half of his last name with an assortment of words to make those stupid portmanteaus like pointybatch. you don’t really get that here.

      • Lisa says:

        Sure you do- over Hiddleston, which honestly I don’t get and never will. He’s not attractive at all.

  35. Kazlock 1307 says:

    Hello my lovelies. Been away for a few days,poorly Mum.
    Just thought I’d pop over and see what’s happening. Saw the pic’s from Monday….. Wtf wear that sack again?!
    More to the point why do they look so forced?(Anyone who says it’s because she’s shy..slap yourself now!)
    Anyone changed their opinion of the relationship?

    • lindy79 says:

      🙁
      Hope your mum is feeling better.

    • gg says:

      I am even more convinced that it is BS, now that I have seen video of them together it is just so obvious.

    • Lucifer says:

      did u c the RING that rules all @kazlock

      • Kazlock 1307 says:

        Lindy79
        She’s doing much better,thanks.
        Lucifer
        I did…..did she borrow it?Because it looked a little big!
        Seen little bits on Eggs.Some body language expert claimed “they looked so in love”.Think she got KK and SH mixed up.Because they looked uncomfortable to me.
        Am I still in denial?Or dies it look set up?

      • Felice says:

        No, Darling. A tabloid said they looked in love. EB and others said they looked in pain.

        The stans are saying they aren’t being affectionate out of “protection and he’s more famous now.” kk…..

      • Soothy says:

        Why are tabloids proclaiming they ‘look in love’

        For whatever reason, they were essentially just two people standing next to each other, so why so desperate to say that indicates being in love?

        “The stans are saying they aren’t being affectionate out of “protection and he’s more famous now.” kk…..”

        What the frig are they talking about? Do they even know?

      • Felice says:

        Fame is not an excuse for not being affectionate. Brad Pitt grabs Angie’s butt.

      • Ingrid says:

        If the tabloids say they are in love, they are in love. Tabloids never lie and they are never wrong. Nor do they ever exaggerate anything. Oh wait…

      • Kazlock 1307 says:

        I have to ask(sorry)..
        Is anyone else noticing the oddness if the enGAGment? Or is it just here and a few(very few) Tumblr blogs?
        The English tabloids were gushing(with a reserved manner) about it yesterday.
        Made me feel quite queasy as I ate my toast and marmalade!

      • Felice says:

        Not the engagement per se but his change of attitude and how they don’t seem to like each other that much.

    • MissMary says:

      Hope your mum is feeling better, Kaz!

      Sidebar The enGAGment nannies are out in full force on the blogs of late so gird yourselves, lol.

      • Felice says:

        Because of the new article where people are really forgetting that absolutely anything can be made positive on print?

      • MissMary says:

        “See? He’s A LOT less snarky! He’s so worried about people being mean to her, y’all! It’s TRULUV!”

        Because print never lies.

        Neither do PR shills, actors, or people who are desperate for something (like, IDK, an Oscar…)

      • Soothy says:

        Sorry, but what is about this article that’s in any way different to all the others?

      • Kazlock 1307 says:

        MissMary.. Thanks,she’s much better.

        Now I need to play catch up with all this!I have questions…
        1)Why wear the same dress?
        2)Did I misread the body language?Because it seemed off,for him anyway.He’s much more touchy feely with Matthew Goode!
        3)Someone said she didn’t have a ring at the beginning of the night.Did he get down on one knee and slip it on just before red carpet?
        4)He’s inconsistent with almost everything he says and does!!
        5) Wtf happened to her after screening?He went to something else(after party?).Did Miss Stickupherarse go?
        6)Did she do anything other than walk with him?Held his hand?Kissed his cheek?.
        And finally(sorry for rambling)
        7)Other than the screening,was she with him?Because he flew home alone. No SH…it was only 2 days after!!
        Was it all too much for her delicate, noble beauty?

      • MissMary says:

        Glad she’s doing better! 🙂

        1.) Running theory is her presence was a last minute demand due to all the “wtf” on fan sites so she hustled over and the dress was what was handy/red carpet appropriate.
        2.) LOL no, most of us think it looked really wtf.
        3.) Also the running theory. Some folks say it was definitely in one early pic but it looks like it was just on when she knew for sure she’d be snapped. And it also looks ill-fitting, like it was a hasty buy. But that’s theory.
        4.) Oh, tremendously so!
        5.) No one knows. He was papped in SoHo that night–solo. And with Karon out in Times Square the next day. Then at JFK. She also didn’t go with him to the Academy screening or the CNN event, where other people did bring their SO’s.
        6) Awkward hand holding for photogs outside the venue or hotel where they were all (including KK) getting ready, then he let her get in the front seat of the car while he got in the back with Karon (HA), and apparently he pecked her on the cheek at one point when cameras were near.
        7.) her octopus missed her and s he had to go home before he did, I’m sure, to make sure her poor tentacley darling was okay.

      • Kazlock 1307 says:

        The whole thing seems strange.
        She went to screening with him but not shopping the next day?And flew home seperately?I assume she’d have been spotted at airport if she had been there?
        Saw down thread that the ring is almost the same as JR’s wife’s….Weird behavior from BC on top of this really isn’t making thus seem any more solid…

      • Ingrid says:

        Re: Shopping – He didn’t go shopping, he was photographed leaving his hotel and going to GMA studios with a gift bag.

        But other than that = pure weirdness.

      • Alice says:

        @MissMary. 7.). Did she actually go home or stick around to hang out with Gambles? He still loves her and wants to hear her voice.

      • MissMary says:

        @Alice: Heh, I’m glad I’m not the only one who thought that.

    • Cornish Pixie says:

      I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. This reminds me of a line from Argo. “If you want to sell a lie, get the press to do it for you.”

      • Kazlock 1307 says:

        Well put Cornish Pixie!
        I’ve been over to FB and removed myself from a load of pages,due to the monumental amount of fawning that’s going on about SH.

        Dare to be negative about her,the enGAGment or his erratic behaviour and the wrath of the fandom is immense!

      • MissMary says:

        FB is full of Nannies and Stans–almost as bad as twitter.

    • Just here says:

      I want to volunteer something (as a ‘fence-sitter’), though I don’t think it’ll be popular.

      Yes tabloids are often wrong… but they’re often right too. Remember when the Mirror posted that BC was dating SH? Clearly they got that right. And we’re all maintaining on this thread that they have only been dating for 5 months– another fact that was also revealed via a ‘friend’ to a tabloid. I think that needs to be pointed out.

      I still maintain that the relationship is real, and that they are very much in love. Do I wish we could see the same level of affection that he displayed towards Olivia, even Anna? Yup, but I don’t think that’s going to happen. Because while yes, BC is certainly gushing about how important and wonderful and special SH is to him, we’re all watching a fairly new, rushed relationship where they’re lacking real levels of intimacy; I think it’s that brilliant ‘flush of love’ stage where you truly can’t see anything wrong with your partner and think it will always be that way. C’mon, most people here are coupled up/married, or at least have experienced that, right? But I wonder what will happen when they start to fight or argue; how are they on communication and genuinely meeting each others needs? If what he says is true (that SH is also VERY busy *rolls eyes*) then how much time have they actually spent together?

      Anyone remember that interview before the engagement, where BC mentions how he’s working with people who are young enough to be his children? How ‘sobering’ that was? BC is desperate to be married. He watched his friends get married. He watched CLOONEY get married before him. He’s with a woman he obviously loves (‘at the moment’) and she looks great on paper. So, I can see him thinking, Why not take the risk? Why NOT take the plunge? And BC, being impulsive, just goes ahead and announces the news in the Times, and leaves his PR people to figure out strategies on the fly (hence all the contradictory statements).

      Sorry for sounding like a relationship counselor, lol. I’m probably just projecting my own experience onto him, but hell, if I had married a certain man after dating him for 5-6 months (and god almighty how I wanted to!) I would be a supremely miserable woman. So while this relationship looks lovely now, I can’t kick what my intuition is saying: that this really won’t end well. And perhaps with the silence from his friends and family, they feel the same?

      • claire says:

        All the tabloids prove is family and friends spoke to the press. We don’t know what they told their family and friends: remember she didn’t even tell her family he’d proposed to her. That suggests some level of withholding of information about their relationship. It doesn’t mean what whoever talked to the tabs was telling the truth. For all we know those stories were planted by bc’s camp to begin with.

      • Soothy says:

        I’m not getting the ‘first flush of love’ or ‘very much in love’ certainty. A few uncharacteristic tabloid quotes aren’t enough to convince me of any of these things.

  36. Floribunda says:

    @icerose (Sorry, wouldn’t post higher up.) Of course, the Guardian is well within its rights to point out inaccuracies within the film – I’d go so far as to say that it’s commendable of them to do so. But, as ever, the film-makers of TIG have had to tread a fine line between providing entertainment and information, and I’d argue that there are very, very few films with a historical/political slant that don’t bend the truth to their own ends – just look at the controversy over the actions of the British/New Zealand embassies in Argo, for example.

    Many contributors to the Guardian thread (most of whom are probably more clued up on this than the population at large) were saying they were now going to avoid seeing the film at all. Not sure whether that’s any better than seeing it and coming out with a slightly skewed impression tbh. Certainly the impression I was left with having seen TIG wasn’t that Turing was a traitor or Soviet sympathiser but rather a genius who saved countless lives. OH and I saw the film, it piqued our interest in Turing and we discovered the inaccuracies ourselves by researching Turing’s life – surely that’s better than not knowing about him at all?

    • icerose says:

      She did not say he was a traitor but the film implied he committed a treacherous act which if had been true could have implied he was a traitor and in doing so smears his reputation.
      I think the argument comes down to where you stand on dramatic license as a means to draw in an audience and win an Oscar. I had already seen a brilliant more balanced version of his life in which the characters were less glamorised but truer to the time period so from the moment I read about the created spy scenes I was unhappy. All this article did for me is convince e that the film was far worse than I thought.
      I personally do not think it is better for an audience who will probably not take the time to investigate his life to go away with an inauthentic picture of his life, It ultimately achieves very little and more importantly skews the history of homosexuality. Before Turing’s trial there were higher profile trials which led to people questioning the laws and a turn in public opinions. By confusing to only the facts but the politics and historical timeline it impacts on gay men who campaigned, as a result of the earlier trials,to have the law changed and Turing had very little part to play in that event.
      Fair enough as an actor to interpret the character and his motives for specific actions but to actually change both the events and the actions is just not ethical when we are talking about a film which some are calling a masterpiece or Oscar winner. It is plundering the truth for fame and I think Benny knows it at heart. That is why his focus has been on bringing Turing more recognition and not on who he really was as a person.
      I do think American audiences are far more forgiving of dramatic license which alters history which is why I often look watch in horror some of the recent biographies of Henry VIII ETC. where historical actors are played by actors who glamorise the story beyond reality.

    • Beth says:

      @Floribunda @icerose

      I appreciated the Guardian article as it’s important to set the facts straight. Though I would agree it is a tad harsh as personally, I did not come out of the movie with a tainted impression of Turing as a spy. I can’t recall the details as I watched it more than a month ago but I thought Turing did whistle-blow by informing Stewart Menzies (Mark Strong’s MI6 character) of Cairncross’ duplicity? i.e., the film concocted the Turing spying allegations but did present him as having the moral backbone to expose Cairncross, even at great personal risk to himself. It of course does not absolve the film-makers of fabricating this part, but I don’t think audiences came off with a sullied impression of Turing. At least I didn’t. And while suspicions of spying could have fuelled Nock’s (Rory Kinnear) investigations into Turing’s activities, I thought it was quite clear in the movie that Turing was eventually convicted for gross indecency, not for being a Soviet agent.

      Having said that, I’m not a fan of TIG. As I said in the other thread, it was rather formulaic and the dialogue was cringe-worthy in parts. I like BC’s acting generally but I thought he overacted here, with every sentence punctuated by multiple facial twitches and stilted speech delivery. Turing did have a stammer and was socially awkward so it’s not so much the mannerisms per se which distracted me, but that BC didn’t portray them in a natural, convincing way. It made me VERY conscious of the fact that he was acting, and as a result I couldn’t feel much empathy for his Turing. I was also disappointed TIG didn’t dwell more on the awful effects of Turing’s prosecution. To be sure, I disagree with the straight-washing allegations – the film made it very clear that Turing was a homosexual, and I wasn’t too bothered by the lack of gay sex/attraction scenes. Though I was hoping they would devote more time to the humiliating treatment Turing went through which (allegedly) led to his suicide. IMO the movie gave short shrift to this period in his life.

      I don’t understand the hype about TIG, though I don’t begrudge it too much either as Turing certainly deserves more widespread recognition. I watched several interviews of the cast and crew and believe they are genuinely passionate about Turing, and I’ve also visited Bletchley Park and the staff there are all very proud of and excited about the movie. So even though TIG did not meet my expectations, I do still have a lot of good vibes about the film.

      • icerose says:

        @Beth The point where the article did nick pick was when she said they had changed the way the ness about his friends death was broken to make it more harsh.I do not think people are bothered by the lack of sex scenes but as you say more about the discourse and effects of the prosecution
        But changing the policemen’s motivation for the investigation to spying was a bit much considering Turing came to them. I know from my perspective being a fan of the more honest and down to earth Breaking the Code does not help.
        I would rather his recognition came through that than a film which is a bit sketchy with the truth.
        I think the issue of how one recognises his achievements and contributions apart from the OBE he has already received is more complex than a stamp etc .I had an interesting discussion with some one who was quite knowledgeable on mathematics on a newspaper site s well as watching a TV discussion show on the issue. One of the things that came over is that it to do it because of the film hype is not really honouring Turing. I like the idea of series of stamps either on unsung war heroes of mathematicians and he could be slotted in their.
        I would also like to see more attention others who were convicted and went to prison like Peter Wildeblood who’s book on the conditions and treatment within the prisons was crucial in instigating the of the Wolfenden Report, which recommended de criminalisation. Mind you that would actually make an interesting bio about and unsung advocate.

  37. Dani says:

    They look like brother and sister in that last picture, forced to tolerate each other so mummy and daddy can please their friends.

  38. Megan says:

    You know what they say about a man who has to brag about their sex life, right?

  39. Birdie says:

    so this is the cumberbatch backlash.

  40. Janet says:

    Omigod he’s everywhere. Everywhere! Make it STOPPPPP!!!!!

  41. Lucifer says:

    Too bad they’re so BUSY and its a minor miracle that they met.. Did not they meet 5 years ago??
    another crap selling stunt?
    he is totally losing it!!

    • Felice says:

      That really does nothing for his case that it was a “right place right time” scenario. I would believe it if they nurtured it for another year or, you know, acted like a couple. Also, busy with what?

      • moodgirl says:

        I said up-thread on this post that he said they were so busy he was surprised (or something) that they met “this way.” What way? He acknowledged meeting her in 2009 but is ambiguous as to exactly how they met up again recently that lead to the engagement.

        The exact thing happened in the VOGUE interview. He acknowledged that they have only been dating a few months but NEVER states how they met. To me it is a huge hint that the whole thing is BS.

        HOW DID YOU MEET is a standard question for most couples, especially if they’re engaged. It would be perfectly normal for him to say that they ran into each other recently at ….fill in the blank. Party, the theater, anywhere. But he never touches it because he doesn’t have a meet story that doesn’t include his shenanigans.

        Also, KK was on late night television last night and states that she is afraid of cumber$@!÷×#!. I don’t knowhow that came about but wonder if it is strategy or a hint.

      • Ingrid says:

        @moodgirl – Luckily we will have one as soon as PR reads our concerns and comes up with a (sort of) believable story. Most likely within 72 hours.

      • Cate says:

        @Moodgirl, what on earth do you mean? She fell out of the high heavens, right in front of him. Like the proper angel she is! DUH!

        😉

      • moodgirl says:

        As soon as I read it in two different articles I knew. HUGE MISTAKE. Either they forget or more likely didn’t bother to come up with a meet cute because they feel everyone would be enthralled and wouldn’t bother to ask. BS. BS. BS.

      • Silly goose says:

        the whole Interview is Damage contro – but badly executed. No times to work out details, non-logical statements, inconsistencies… What a sham. I would cut Karon’s salary. Or who writes his lines nowadays?

      • Silly goose says:

        I forgot to add: I work with people with dementia and the vague answers in this interview reminded me of them trying to cover their memory loss when asked a question. “Children? Yes, I do have some… A few… Yeah…” Trailing off in answer.
        So either BC has dementia or he is not quick enough to make up details. He is really disappointing in his performance.

      • MissMary says:

        Something brought up over on octoblog–the mention of the bracelet in the recent interview. Oddly out of place mention of it but just 48 hrs after people wondered why he stopped wearing it… Oh, no, this isn’t PR at ALL. they’re not checking what fans are saying at ALL.

      • CandyK says:

        The bracelet thing was seriously disjointed and out of place!
        I agree with one of the anons on the sophie blog; it was like ticking off a checklist. The whole article may as well have consisted of bloomin’ bullet points!! lol

    • blended says:

      the whole interview is weird. not only does it address all the fandom questions in one go, but some of ben’s sentences are very oddly phrased. i call shenanigans. i would almost swear that ‘sophie’ was put in there by the publication.

      basically, i’m going to take the video evidence of their intense chemistry (sarcasm) as more proof than a print interview.

    • Lucifer says:

      all BS BS BS BS.. Even i can make up better stories. he is either really thick or not into it. How did they meet? everybody knows it ws a match arranged by HW so he does not bother making up new stories.LOL
      again he ll forget what he said in the previous intrvw in the next intrvw so he keeps it vague. He is really short of memory i remember in parade’s end intrvw he forgot adeleide clemns name. I mean hw cn u forget one of the lead’s name?that ws so funny

  42. Lucifer says:

    told you all… Jr’s wife’s ring and octopussy’s ring. I m a jewellery ninja LOL

    http://static.diary.ru/userdir/3/2/8/0/3280991/82122113.jpg

  43. allons-y alonso says:

    Horribly shameless and obvious oscar power game is horribly shameless and obvious. I can’t and won’t support any actor that behaves like a sour Tracey Flick.

    Also, if Time wanted to do a ‘genius’ cover, shouldn’t they have gone with a photo of the real genius Alan Turing? Sorry, CumberPRbatch (the ‘PR’ is silent), but I would appreciate the real Turing.

    • aly says:

      ElleUK sold out in two days with Ben on cover. Look at how much traffic posts about him get. Time needs the money. It’s not rocket science why they put him on the cover. IDG what the problem is.

      • Soothy says:

        I understand it too. Cumberbatch has already had a TIME cover for a start I. The last year and this film is honouring Turing. A genius. Would’ve been a nice touch if they’d honoured him. Elle magazine is a largely vacuous fashion mag. That issue had about 25 ads in the first section for a start. You’d expect more from TIME, but then again they’ve proved themselves to be less than intellectual the last couple of weeks.

      • j says:

        there’s a great feature about turing in the issue

        as alys said, it’s because they need to sell more issues. time’s circulation has been dropping for years, so it’s either lure ’em in or fold. i would have put both but hey they know how it goes sadly

      • Lucifer says:

        atleast they could put both of their pics together.

      • Lindy79 says:

        I think if they wanted that route, I’d have preferred a cover with him and Turing somehow.
        It could have been quite powerful but I do get that it’s all about sales and distribution. Celebs sell.

  44. EscapedConvent says:

    Overheard backstage after the Imitation Game premiere, & the debut of The Ring:

    A proper Englishwoman’s voice saying “I see you got me the biggest ring you could find with an hour’s notice, you cheap son of a bitch.”

    Cumby: “Look at the cameras, darling! Harvey Weinstein said you would help me sell this thing…..”

  45. Hexentanz says:

    Somehow that interview from the Philippine Inquirer sounds made up. Like someone used a few cumber quotes and ran with it, conveniently explaining that the strange behaviour is due to a lack of nicotine…like that’s the only thing he smokes, haha
    First interview with the actual name. Unfortunately there is no video of it. Or will it appear tomorrow after they read CB?
    And of course he did call a bunch of people right after he called the Times. Just forgot to mention that in all the other interviews before.
    He wears track suit bottoms at home?- really, he gives that much private information, but can’t tell a bunch of kids what he likes on his pizza?
    He goes on to blame the poor wardrobe/tailor guy from Sherlock for his style. Does he come to his house every morning to lay out the little hats, tiny glasses and denim shirts? And since about 6 months a black dress with floral embroidery next to it?
    And of course, the lady of the hour is super busy, just like him. How come nobody has mentioned yet what she actually does all the time since the big announcement. They are so busy polishing up stuff she did years ago that they missed finding something really great and worthwile to add to her long list of accomplishments. She could only spare a few hours to fly in for a movie premiere- poor thing. No time to change or brush the hair.

    One more thing, if you want middle America to see the golden boy with his beloved you need to get her on tv. If he had thanked her for all the support and looked at her for a little bit, like in the eyes, while she smiles back at him…and maybe even say her name (say my name, say my name )
    the viewers would have eaten that up like hot cakes.

    • tsmiv says:

      Would somebody from the Phillipine Inquirer really have been in LA last Saturday just for BC? If he really said all this stuff, why hasn’t it appeared in an American or UK mainstream paper or magazine? I think it’s just pieced together from other sources with a lot of embellishment not to mention there could be a language issue. Right after TIFF, there was an Italian paper that printed an interview that said he is a vegetarian. In 4 different articles printed in the last few days from sources you’ve actually heard of, he has eaten fried chicken, tuna, filet mignon, and pork belly! They can make up anything for print and it doesn’t matter because none of it is really important anyway.

      • Lu says:

        Oh, interesting, I just looked up that Corriere della Sera article you referred to, and it also says he’s “single dopo una lunga relazione con l’attrice inglese Olivia Poulet (ma si parla di Sophie Hunter, regista teatrale britannica, come della sua nuova fiamma).” This article was published on September 18… way before any English-language media had him acknowledging her status. I’m not too sure about my reflexive verbs… does that mean “people say” or “he says”? I think it’s the former.

        He also says that after the Turing film, he’s making a film about “the war in Iraq.” Wha’?

        Yeah, the “vegetariano” thing was BS.

      • gg says:

        I think the film about the war in Iraq would be Yellow Birds, although afaik there is still no firm date on that

      • aly says:

        Lu,
        It’s people say, as in rumored to be with. 🙂

      • Lu says:

        Grazie, @aly. 🙂

      • aly says:

        @Lu: prego 🙂

    • Soothy says:

      But why not just send a group text to everyone in your phone? Surely that covers all the people you know well enough to warrant telling about an engagement in the first place?

      • lola says:

        @soothy
        That seems to be to impersonal (even more than the surprise ad in the newspaper).:-)

      • **sighs** says:

        Eh. Send a cute ring pic or something. I’d rather get a text than hear about from the internet. Oops, I mean a newspaper.

  46. Curioser says:

    I just read this parody, 25 reasons why the engagement is fake on this tumblr blog stopstealingmywifebenedict and OMG, the nannies! They love this post soooo much because of course, the Unicorn Prince would *never* do anything like a PR engagement!

    God forbid someone (anyone) questions the behaviour, the actions or the words. Nooo, we just have to sit back and accept whatever is being stuffed down our throats. *sigh* So glad I’m not on tumblr. I think I’d lose my mind!

    • Soothy says:

      Those people just make me shudder with fear. So weird. Show them a woman who immortalises the man in cupcake ten minutes after he so much as takes a dump and they coo and squeak over how adorbs it is but they shriek and attack when anyone gives him a sideeye. I understand if these are the people he’s looking to shake. Thing is, I’m bit sure he’s ever going to do it. They’re stuck to him like glue.

      • CandyK says:

        The funny part of all of this is he’s losing a lot of sane fans whilst reinforcing the crazy. His face if absolutely everywhere now too and the general public are starting to get fed up, at least over here in the UK. Causing a divide in your fanbase is also not smart in the long run either, again, all of the SANE people will think ‘f*** this, ain’t no one got time for this %&*$*’ and they’ll jump ship. I do hope he gets what he wants, hopefully that’s less fans? otherwise he, or his PR, have fudged up somewhere…

      • moodgirl says:

        @CandyK – To be honest, here in the US many of us are addicted to crap television and selfies. The media will make the majority think everything is wonderful and anyone who questions the status quo is crazy.

    • Ingrid says:

      Try IMBd. That’s were the real crazies are. Tumblr is like IMBd-lite.

      I also read that. Worst attempt at humor I have seen in a long time.

      • Curioser says:

        *shudder* Nooo, Ingrid, IMDB scares the hell out of me. I dabbled once and left questioning *my* sanity. Was I seeing things, am I imagining everything, am I really just a jealous, bitter woman because *I’m* not with him…geez.

    • Felice says:

      That was honestly so uncalled for. The fans questioning it do keep it to their own group and don’t lash out at the bnfs or the fans who are really gushing about the engagement.

      • Soothy says:

        It’s hilariously embarrassing. These people that attach themselves to him are as crazy as shit and exactly the kind of nutters he’s (very openly) trying to shake off. But apparently the people who have some level of perspective, intelligence and autonomous thought are the ones to be pointed at? Effing hell, these people don’t realise how insane they are and you can’t even use the excuse of them being crazy teenagers. It’s batshit.

      • Felice says:

        and the worst part is that if they do split, they will blame the people who were raising their eyebrows.

      • moodgirl says:

        Because anyone who questioned their obvious mess is mean. Mannequins don’t have feelings yo.

      • MissMary says:

        @Felice No doubt doing so whilst writing an open letter to BC and pasting pictures in the scrapbook they’re about to send him.

    • Lucifer says:

      attempt at sarcasm!! LOL.. a pc of sht as the nanies.

  47. scout says:

    PLEASE have a private wedding! Can’t handle another spectacle.

  48. Victoria says:

    Has anyone been on EB today? Someone who’s been a reg poster posted something on there. I think it’s @GeeMoney. Look up “Benedict’s Potential Future”.

    • moodgirl says:

      I’m so bored I am ordering off Net-a-Porter. I have no business ordering anything from anywhere. It’s lipstick but still.

    • GeeMoney says:

      I don’t post on there. I just started browsing that crazy site a week ago. Those people are nuts! It’s amazing the amount of stuff those people come up with.

      But what can I say? It’s in his future. Just want to see the guy happy, that’s all.

      And.. wasn’t that post anonymous? Something to think about.

      • Victoria says:

        I’m just saying that from the way it whoever wrote that sounds like you. And I’m a bit unsure of that prediction because you can’t be “a bit psychic”. Either you fully are like vl719 or ya just picking stuff from what she said (let’s not forget mixin’ it up w/Astro stuff from the Internet).

      • moodgirl says:

        Oh my.

      • GeeMoney says:

        I could be a liar and a fake. That’s completely possible. People post stupid crap on the Internet all of the time. Especially people who claim to be psychic.

        All psychic info should be taken with a grain of salt. Believe what you want. I guess we’ll all just have to wait and see how this show plays out.

    • Just me says:

      Anytime someone says the word psychic I run for cover.

  49. Silly goose says:

    You know what just occurred to me? Given that his PR team monitor our criticism and respond accordingly we should soon get a (conveniently) leaked sex tape!

    • **sighs** says:

      Ewe.for the love of god please no. I don’t need to see weird robotic cephalopod sex. I’m sure there are internet sites for that. *shudders*

      • moodgirl says:

        Like the weird metal robots on Dr. Who. I bet they squeak when they screw. Hey, I made a funny.😀

        Anyhoo, by his own admission, at least he would know where to put his fingers. It would be an interesting tape. I guess.

      • **sighs** says:

        I know I’d have to put my fingers in my ears as soon as he started talking about the embarrassment of riches in his wedding plans.

    • gg says:

      SOLO sex tape please, Karon. If you know what I mean wink wink nudge nudge

  50. Megan says:

    OK, starting to get into Hiddles because he’s always happy, doesn’t take himself too seriously, and isn’t involved in some kind of showmance/PR crapfest a la Weinstein.

    Just a question though, is he just a happy, optimistic, people pleasing guy or is there more depth there?

    • moodgirl says:

      I just don’t find him attractive.

    • TotallyBiased says:

      @Megan
      I think there’s more there–try reading some of his older interviews, his treatise on why superhero movies should be valued by society, or his 2013 blog of his Unicef UK trip to Guinea. There’s a video interview where he discusses compassion you might want to investigate. I always enjoy his long form Q and As such as the Popcorn Taxi interviews or 2013 SDCC Nerd HQ (Conversations for a Cause.)
      Then there’s the BBC ‘Nightline’-ish show where he and Mark Rylance go toe to toe with this Shakespearean academic on the relevance of Shakespeare to 2012 London and Modern Politics.

    • MissMary says:

      He’s typically very happy and optimistic with fans and in public but I’m sure he has his not great days and moods like everyone else. He does seem to genuinely appreciate his fans and loves being a ham.

  51. ukbound says:

    This is better than any TV soap opera ever thought of being.. I bet he is a bit irritated that you girls follow his every word and let the world know you think it is all fake. I bet his PR people are not the only people watching this site. I am now less worried he will have a nervous breakdown. I think he is too busy being briefed on how he should answer to think of how tired he is.

    His interviews lately have been so boring. I am not even bothering to watch them. He shows up a few minutes and talks about the gay icon. Does he really think that is what is going to sell this movie? Weird. I also do not see Turing as a gay icon. A gay icon is Liberace, not a scientist who happened to be gay.

    Your sexuality should not be the focus of your life story. He is putting more people off with this gay icon stuff. Middle America will not be interested in his movie.

    I also think it is more than a little condescending to have the photo shoot with him being chased by women. What woman would be interested in a man who played that image? He is no longer goofy and endearing. Unfortunately, he has lost most of the charm that attracted me in the first place. He is dry as a bone. Very sad. It is easier to find someone attractive when he is not acting like he is the sex god of all time. That is so off-putting..

    No actor deserves to act like that. It is just stupid. Who is advising this man?

    • gg says:

      He’s trying way too hard to be “sexy” and it is so unattractive! That WAS his brand – the Unintentional Sex Symbol. And he and his PR have thrown it away.

      • moodgirl says:

        They threw it away and it was spectacular. The problem is they thought that ALL of his fans are screaming, panting cumber!#$@& but that group is just a small part of his fan base. They forgot about the fans who are grown, have a brain in their head and think from time to time. When they concocted this “marketing plan” they had no idea that a good percentage of people would see right through it. Because it’s silly.

        By the way, I am so bored I looked back at all the pictures of BC and SH. THEY DON’T EVEN LOOK AT EACH OTHERl! EVER! WHO DOES THAT? Again, they should have hired a coach to help them critique their presentation and personal skills before they did anything else. They were winging it and that doesn’t work. Another mistake. They weren’t taking things seriously because they thought all B’s fans were dumb girls. Huge miscalculation that could haunt him for while if this keeps rolling downhill.

      • Hexentanz says:

        I could not agree more. He used to be the thinking women’s crumpet, now he has become the thinking women’s annoying nightmare. Nothing is more of a turn off then a guy who thinks he is soooo sexy. And please nobody say” oh they made him do that” . He seems to enjoy himself doing this juvenile crap.

      • ukbound says:

        Exactly, GG. He was supposed to be very smart and goofy. He is not good looking enough to be the blatant sex symbol. He just looks stupid when he tries. It is not a turn on at all. It is try hard.

      • MissMary says:

        I think he’s not only going with a bad PR move (or several of ’em), he’s also believing his own press.

      • coco says:

        @gg Yesssss! It´s a pity.

    • moodgirl says:

      I think they know that this movie would not appeal to Middle America. That is why they resorted to other measures.

      • Dakota M says:

        @moodgirl

        THEY DON’T EVEN LOOK AT EACH OTHERl! EVER!

        They are saving that for the wedding night.

    • CoffeeCat says:

      “He is no longer goofy and endearing. Unfortunately, he has lost most of the charm that attracted me in the first place. He is dry as a bone.”

      Well put, lady, well put, but the question is, did he have said charm in the first place? I for one am starting to suspect it was all an act.

      • ukbound says:

        I went out with an actor a few times. He was so funny and entertaining. Then, he would just turn it off and he was very grumpy. I realized afterwards that the funny guy was an act. His job was to turn it on and off. You just never know what the true person is with someone in showbiz. I think their thing is that they want to be someone else, so pretending that makes them feel free.

    • Just me says:

      A very good question, ukbound. Yes, who in their right mind thought the concept of the NY mag photoshoot was a good idea? There’s nothing more off putting then I’m-a-sex-god cockiness.

      And the other photo, where he’s sprawled in the back of a limo with his shirt half off? Is it just me or does anyone else hear Right Said Fred’s “I’m Too Sexy”?

      I’m too sexy for my shirt / too sexy for my shirt / So sexy it hurts

      The man’s become a joke.

      • moodgirl says:

        I understand the ladies appeared to be younger? Someone really isn’t thinking straight. I probably would have skipped that.

        A marketing manager wrote that they should concentrate on protecting his brand and should be watching every move he makes.

      • MissMary says:

        They looked legal-age but very….young. At least to me, lol, but I’m an old fuddy duddy. I’d say they were aiming at early 20’s look-wise.

      • Just me says:

        I’m starting to wonder if Ben’s people really ever had a concept of his brand. Like maybe they’ve been quietly coasting along all these years, but now that he’s trying to run for an Oscar they feel the need to push him forward this way and it’s completely self-defeating.

        It was better when he was more surprised and bemused when people thought he was sexy. Like he used to say something along the lines of “I’m not sexy .I just play a sexy character” meaning Sherlock. Now it’s like he’s accepting it as his due. That’s the image being put out there anyway. Not cute.

        Of course, I think his PR has to be aware of the problem. (bit late) But how can they fix it now? If he worries about every word that comes out of his mouth he’s gonna come off as wooden and unappealing. Either way he’s screwed. He needs some time away from the limelight so people’s memories can fade a bit but the Hobbits coming out and we still have several more months of Oscar campaigning to go. Like I said, screwed.

      • CandyK says:

        @Just Me, I agree about his PR. Unfortunately, there’s no going back now.

        It’s a right mess! lol

      • ukbound says:

        What is so sad, Just me, is that he is going to think that his female fans don’t like him because he got engaged. He will not realize it is because he has been an ass.

        It was so wrong to say nasty things about Downton Abbey. He denied that he was quoted correctly about that. Then he said on TV that it was shit. I guess not every actor can be in one hit show after another. It is a lot more than his acting that makes a show successful. It is due to the writers more than anything.

        I had started to go off him a couple months ago when I realized he said really nasty things about people, then denied he said it very often. He needs to stop giving so many interviews if he is going to be nasty.

      • j says:

        um, ukbound, he was making fun of himself at the awards, the downtown abbey guy was on stage with him. he was not actually calling it shit LOL.

      • Grace says:

        Okay, okay, here are my two cents. I believe every person is entitled to their opinion. Not everyone is a fan of Downton Abbey; equally not everyone is a fan of his Sherlock. I suppose he could have worded better on occasions, but that’s how he is. It used to be a part of his charm, and people have/had given him a lot of leeway in the past for saying potentially problematic things. They’re much harder on him now because a series of inconsistent acts have made people question his integrity and ethics. It’s possible that he was quoted out of context, and it was easier to overlook when he wasn’t saying all that much and had his face everywhere. But for every artist that’s put their work out there, they know some people will love it, some won’t. Or some would make fun of it.

      • Claire says:

        I don’t want to see those photos. will avoid at all costs. ugh.

      • Lindy79 says:

        I agree with Grace, I was and am a fan of his bitchyness, and given that he’s friends with a lot of the cast I think it’s ribbing a bit which should maybe stay behind the closed doors of their private conversations as it can look a bit rude to folks who don’t know him or that.
        The tone of it has changed a bit in the last few months, the bitchyness is still there but it’s also got genuine snark and annoyance. The Penguins Q&A was very very strange in parts, like he was trying to be his usual bitchy jokey self but it just came across as he was fed up and rude.

      • Soothy says:

        The penguin Q&A was awful. I had a look at the transcript and sweet Jesus.
        “Is there a question you wish people would ask you”

        “No”

        Effing twonk.

  52. moodgirl says:

    They tried too hard instead of letting him be himself.

  53. SAKS says:

    I don’t know why but this picture immediately reminded me of this: http://www.revistaviajeros.es/modulos/usuariosFtp/conexion/imagenes1463a.jpg

  54. 'P'enny says:

    I think he should now back out of any Hobbit promoting, and let the dust settled on TiG. I am not saying he shouldn’t go to the premiere in the UK, but the rest of the stuff, stay away and let Martin Freeman, Luke Evans , Orlando Bloom etc take the runnings. Because, he is going to totally steel their thunder and really over-expose himself. He is a major part of the Hobbit, but I think this is where he is getting into a mess, he cant so close together merge fun buzzfeed stuff and serious Oscar campaigning. I play a big scary dragon guys, yet give me the Oscar for serious biopic. noooo.

    • **sighs** says:

      He’s not even going to be in this one that much. I’m with you. Hopefully he takes a break and let’s everyone else get their limelight. There are so many great actors that I want to hear from for the Hobbit press, and he is not one of them.

    • icerose says:

      Can I ask-what is SNL because Freeman is going to be part of the hosting trio

    • Lindy79 says:

      Time will tell…the fact this one isn’t called Desolation of Smaug, he may well not attend most of the premieres.
      If Harvey has his way he’ll be front and centre though.

  55. Lucifer says:

    don’t u think fassbender should get a nom for FRANK?
    i really liked it

  56. Koodles says:

    Icerose- it’s a Saturday night skit show in the us. It started out in the 70s, many of the comedic actors/actresses we know today were a part of if. Chevy chase, billy crystal, will pherrell, Adam sandler, Tina fey, Kristin wiig, etc. every show they have a celebrity host and musical guest. It used to be a lot funnier than what it is now, well to me anyway.

  57. Koodles says:

    Sighs- I think martin will be good, he has that natural humor vibe with him. Do you know who the musical guest is?

    • Victoria says:

      @Koodles No you’re right. It used to be much funnier and now it avg like, what, 2 funny episodes a year?