Benedict Cumberbatch visits massage parlor, talks about the Cumberbaby

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Benedict Cumberbatch visited a “massage parlor” in Shanghai and these are the (blurry, low-quality) photos. He seems to have gone to the Taipan Oriental Massage & Spa with some friends. Bendy has been in Shanghai for days now – he had a big promotional event for MG (he became a brand ambassador and the face of MG GTS) on Saturday, and he’ll be hosting the Laureus World Sports Awards tomorrow in Shanghai. Apparently, Bendy is also “involved” with the UK-China Year of Cultural Exchange. As for the massage parlor… let’s just be nice and say he received a straight-up massage. And since it’s a spa as well, maybe he also got a mud wrap and a facial. Sure. Why not?

While Benedict was attending the Chinese Grand Prix over the weekend, he spoke to the press about his impending fatherhood and how he’s looking to some of his fellow actors for parenting inspiration.

“I think there are plenty of good actors who are fathers. I mean, you only have to look at Daniel Day-Lewis as an example and a lot of my dear friends: Mark Strong, I mean, I could go on and on. I think what children do is enhance your life, they don’t inhibit it. They don’t limit it, they give you inspiration and depths of understanding of the human condition and what it is to be on this planet and what our purpose is, that goes well beyond anything a childless actor could hope for.

“I’m so excited to meet my child and it’s a huge part of my life and it’ll be the most important part of my life, as it should be. I know, I can speak for many other friends of mine, Martin (Freeman) is another example who springs to mind, who managed to balance a home life and a work life. It’s not easy, but then everyone is doing it, everyone I know who has children is managing it, so it’s not impossible.”

[From ET Canada]

I think he’s genuinely excited about becoming a father, but I also think he’s going to have a tough adjustment, especially since he’s scheduled back-to-back projects for the next year. He couldn’t even stay home and nest with Sophie, that’s how much of a workaholic he is, he just had to fly to Shanghai when Sophie is (likely) ready to give birth any day now. I also think his wording is so strange (DOCTOR STRANGE), from “depths of understanding of the human condition” to “but then everyone is doing it.”

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Photos courtesy of Fame/Flynet.

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177 Responses to “Benedict Cumberbatch visits massage parlor, talks about the Cumberbaby”

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  1. pretty says:

    he looks almost handsome with this short haircut. i have never watched his Sherlock show but his hair on that show is awful. he looks like a middle aged woman. in those phtoes, though, he looks really good!

    • PrincessMe says:

      Yeah, I like his haircut – I think it suits his face.

      Did I miss the announcement of his wife’s due date? I don’t remember it ever being said, but I keep reading about him traveling near to her due date. What did I miss?

      • bread says:

        The pictures from their honeymoon show that she was HEAVILY pregnant at the end of February, definitely third trimester, maybe even seven months.

        So a lot of people assume that she’s due at the end of April or start of May. And it’s just an odd time for him to spend a week on the other side of the planet, selling cars and hosting sports awards.

      • LL says:

        A newspaper article about SH’s new directing job quoted her as saying she was due late May.

    • anon121 says:

      @pretty-those curls played a big part in Ben and Sherlock becoming an international sensation. The Chinese don’t call him curly-fun for nothing.

  2. taterho says:

    Benedict Cumberbatch visits Shanghai massage parlor

    *record scratch*

    • InvaderTak says:

      Lol yeeeeeah…..

    • bettyrose says:

      Well, um, some of those places are legit therapeutic massages…but usually not the ones boasting “oriental massage parlor.” It’s basically the same in Asia or anywhere. Reflexology = massage. Open inviting reception area = massage. Dark windows and pictures of women = rub & tug.

    • Abbott says:

      Maybe it’s a different Benedict Cumberbatch?

    • LL says:

      It was a legit one. His (mainly female) team went with him.

  3. aims says:

    I like his bag. The haircut suits him as well.

  4. Lucy says:

    He looks…younger.

  5. LizLemonGotMarried says:

    This is the only time, ever, in the history of Cumberbatch on CB, that I have found him remotely attractive. Normally he looks like an alien to me.

  6. Linn says:

    I’m surprised that everybody likes the new haircut. I think it doesn’t suit him at all.

    • gg says:

      I don’t like it that short either, but suspect he only did it to get rid of the dark color he had for the Sherlock Special. Hoping it grows out in time for Hamlet…..

      • Lindy79 says:

        I thought he was growing it out but it appears to have been cut again,

        The wording on that interview seems odd, is it a translation?

      • hermi! says:

        Dear gg, I hope so too. I absolutely h*te this awful haircut and I hope he doesn’t bring it to Hamlet.

  7. Juniper says:

    It’s starting to feel like he’s going to show up on HSN next – hawking jewelry or some such shit.

  8. loli says:

    The way he taks about his soon-to-be-baby…Jesus man. If I didn’t know better, I’d think he is adopting, is about to meet whatever child the adoption service has found for him, and is going to be a single parent. All this revolves around Benedict and his child, the most important thing in his life…Mother? What mother?

    • Nayru says:

      I was just about to say the same thing. You’d think people married and having a baby would be talking as a we at least. I could understand the woman using I after all, she is carrying it. Also “meet my baby”? How about “when my baby is born”?

      • Lindy79 says:

        He’s been like that since the engagement was announced. He seems to have trouble using plural pronouns. Serious case of the me,myself and I’s with old Benny. It says a lot about him to be honest, he’s in for a snotty drop when that baby arrives.
        Seriously, go back and read some, its quite funny.

      • loli says:

        It is not the first time he talks solely about himself when referring to things a couple can only do together. Like when he kept talking about ”his” wedding without mentioning Sophie once.

      • **sighs** says:

        “I’m excited to meet MY child.” Like he spored or something. Me, me, me, I, I, I. Random ethereal waffling nonsense.

      • MtnRunner says:

        What Lindy said. The way he talked about his engagement to “the woman I love, the woman I proposed to” (aka TWILTWIPT”), it was as though she was an afterthought. He’s always used distancing language with her. Their body language was pretty off too in those first couple of months on the red carpet. Knowing now that it was a shotgun engagement, made some sense as to why he wasn’t as comfortable or affectionate with Sophie as he was with past girlfriends.

    • **sighs** says:

      Mmmm hmmmmm. Not one word about family life or his helpful tool.

    • PrettyBlueFox says:

      He’s definitely going the full Timberlake.

    • whatever says:

      What bothered me more was talking about if he could be a good actor and a father and how many good actors he knows are fathers. What about if you can be an actor and a good FATHER. He is clearly super ambitious and possibly more focused on how difficult his career will be once the child comes, and not the other way around.

      • j says:

        probably because the question implied you can’t be a good actor when you become a parent

  9. Boston Green Eyes says:

    Lord Bendy sounds weirdly detached about becoming a father.

    • FingerBinger says:

      It’s that stiff upper lip thing.

      • **sighs** says:

        No, he’s doing that weird oddly detached, say a bunch of mumbo jumbo gobbledygook that doesn’t actually mean anything because he can’t say anything heartfelt. Same way with the wife.

    • Blargh says:

      Does he always sound like this? I’ve been following this craziness on CB since his engagement was announced and some of the stuff that comes out of his mouth seems so over the top, sound bitey and fake.

      I remember something not too long ago about him saying how the greatest role he’ll ever have is the role of father.

      Seriously?

      Dude. Just talk normal.

      • MtnRunner says:

        In a word. Yes. Just look at his Nov – Feb quotes whenever he referred to his fiancee or engagement. Not normal at all.

      • EscapedConvent says:

        What…you don’t like “I have a proper devotional love” and “(The engagement)….is a big crazy love bomb, with the whole world sending us love.”

        The whole world.

        I like “Big Crazy Love Bomb” as a 70s porn title though.

      • Blargh says:

        Is Benedict Cumberbatch a cult? I seriously feel like he has drank his own kool-aid. If he starts wearing a black turtle neck sweater, I’m outta here.

      • Vesta says:

        @EsCon – the WHOLE world…but of course, what else?! Seriously, he’s exhausting, isn’t he? Just during when I’ve, v-e-r-y slooowly decided that next I’m going to choose dark blue socks instead of the white ones…BAM! He’s married. With a child…aargh.
        But, I hope you’re still doing fine – or what the hell – excellent! you sinful nun (I like wicked things).

        @Blargh – he definitely IS a cult. I’ve been a member many years. Do not join, if you have the choice.

      • Blargh says:

        @Vesta – Based solely on the weirdness that comes out of his mouth…not a problem.

  10. cas says:

    How about child-free rather than child-less? Another up their own backside parent/parent to be who patronises those without children.

    • RobN says:

      I don’t have kids and I don’t feel patronized by the term. I do, however, prefer the term “Happy go lucky chick who travels and reads and goes out after dark without having to pick cheerios off of her car seats before she can sit down”.

      I think it’s harsh to judge somebody for using a term that has been in general use for centuries instead of the one that people have latched onto in the past decade.

    • Cate says:

      I just think him implying that an actors without kids is missing out on a crucial human experience and therefore has to be a lesser actor. Because they didn’t experience certain emotions. Oh shut your mouth BC, that’s ridiculous…Poor Clooney and DiCaprio. Just give up already. Jennifer Lawrence better have some babies soon too before she gets another Oscar…*sarcasm*

      • hermi! says:

        And what about Helen Mirren??? I am sure she’s definitely overrated, isn’t she? Oh Bendy, why don’t you just put a sock in it?

  11. BendyWindy says:

    SOMEONE TELL ME MORE ABOUT THAT BROWN LEATHER BAG. It is everything.

    • Darya née Dara says:

      Mulberry. Not sure of exact style name but it’s not cheap, which means it was likely gifted to him.

      • Lindy79 says:

        Yep and I hate myself for knowing this but isn’t it the one she is always carrying in the airport pap pictures? (I only know this because I love it as a bag and want one)

      • alice says:

        Didn’t the DM have it at 2800? Dollars or Pounds, can’t remember. Out of my league, either way. But very attractive, yes.

    • Darya née Dara says:

      Bag update- it’s the Mulberry Bayswater Large Double-Zip Tote. Their website lists it at $2,600 USD.

    • Linz says:

      It’s Emily’s bag. (His Niece/PA)

  12. PrettyBlueFox says:

    I guess my childless self will just sit in the corner weeping over the fact that I will never understand the human condition or be able to answer the question of what our purpose is on Earth. Please ignore me, since I have no useful insights into life, the universe, and everything.

    • **sighs** says:

      Right? I’m a parent and I wanted to punch him after that statement. Like actors are better actors because they have children? So I guess he’s admitting that he’s been a $hitty actor up until this moment?

    • Zapp Brannigan says:

      Let me sit down beside you in the childless corner, but I know my purpose in life is to make gin disappear, I will answer my true calling.

      • Lilacflowers says:

        Oh, I’m so glad someone else is responsible for the gin. I can’t do that on top of the red wine and vodka

      • imqrious2 says:

        Mind if I bring my useless, childless self and join if I bring the tonic? I’ll swipe a couple of Goopy’s limes; it’s not like she’s going to use them 😛

      • Lilacflowers says:

        Oh good! Tonic and limes!

      • Jaded says:

        Joining you in useless, dried-up old lady childless hell with Patron and limes.

      • anon121 says:

        I’ll be there as well with the Jim Beam.

      • Boston Green Eyes says:

        I don’t drink but I do make a mean plate of cookies and an awesome pot of Assam tea! So please count me in on the childfree zone!

        Although, truth be told, I do have two children, but they walk around on all fours and are entirely covered in fur – one being in my Avatar: Lord Henry Scuttlebutt the 3rd!

    • Lindy79 says:

      I said it below, if this is actually what he said (and it’s not been run through a bad translator), he’s an arse, but…. if it’s correct given what she was spouting about their wedding being opera and 18th century looms and mood boards it actually makes him sound like he chose his wife well.

      • Blargh says:

        Hahahahahaha!!!! Touché.

      • MtnRunner says:

        Lindy, once she opened her mouth to Vogue, all I could think was these two pretentious people totally belong together. They both say a whole lotta nothin’ when they’re trying to sound intelligent and artsy.

    • maria says:

      Let’s weep together.

    • Timbuktu says:

      I kind of feel like you’re making a choice to be offended by his statement, though. He didn’t say that children were the ONLY way to understand human condition. But what is wrong with saying that they do change your outlook on life? That is more or less a fact.
      It is like begrudging a pilot for saying that only in flight can one be happy, or getting offended at the extreme sports enthusiast for saying that he only feels alive when assuming crazy risks. For THEM, it is the case. Doesn’t mean that YOU have to climb mountains or fly on a daily basis to be happy, it just means that they found a calling and a purpose there.
      While Cumberbatch does not have a child yet, at this point, it is inevitable. So, yes, he’s contemplating what a child would add to HIS life. Seems reasonable. Notice he didn’t say anything about his life being meaningless until now, and he clearly seemed to be addressing a criticism that implied that actors with children aren’t free to create like they used to, so apparently, the thought of advantages of being child-free has crossed his mind, but since it’s no longer an option for him, he’s looking for deeper meaning in his impending paternity. Again, seems reasonable and human. No need to get offended.

      • Lindy79 says:

        For me it was this part:
        “that goes well beyond anything a childless actor could hope for”

        It implies that he will have a deeper understanding of the human psyche that a childfree actor can’t. Having a child isn’t a guarantee of..well… of anything. Certainly not that it will make him a better actor than someone without kids (and that is pretty much what he says).
        I agree he could be addressing lack of freedom, but he does actually address that in the next paragraph, it makes him sound so naive and idiotic about what having a child will automatically do for him as an actor. I think those both with or without kids can have a laugh at how he sounds here.

        (again maybe there is a translation issue here)

      • anon121 says:

        I think he’s trying to rationalize the whole thing in theoretical and abstract terms. In September he was saying how he could wait for children and how Godchildren were so great. Mind you-Sophie was pregnant. I think he’s had to make some massive life changes/attitude adjustments and it shows in his “mouth faster than brain” statements. He’s about to get a massive eye opener.

      • Timbuktu says:

        Lindy79, on that one, you have a point, that line is too much, you’re right. He became a both very respected and very famous actor without having children. I’m sure his portrayal of DADS may have more depth in the future, but short of that, yeah, no…

      • seesittellsit says:

        Conflating parenthood with some special understanding of the human condition that a childless actor can’t hope to match is pompous beyond belief not say an insult to every actor on the planet who hasn’t bred. Cumberbatch seems to have been born with the “brainfart” switch permanently “on”. There are also quite a few people in the world with understanding of the human condition that the sheltered, wealthy, well-educated, upper middle-class Cumberbatch with ten children will never get: people hungry, people with cancer, people who lost parents young, people in war zones, women who have been raped – people who have had the capricious unfairness of life heaped upon them in a way he will never understand. He really is becoming the most pompous arse in the UK entertainment industry. I hope his childless friend Tom Hiddleston wins the Oscar next year for the Hank Williams bio pic or the childless Eddie Redmayne gets it again for The Danish Girl and so teach Cumberbatch a few lessons.

        Yes, we look forward Mr Cumberbatch to seeing you apply all those tremendous lessons you’ve learned since becoming a father during Hamlet and, of course, Dr. Strange.

        JHC, someone just shut him up.

      • j says:

        not sure why the big hubbub either tbh because he’s talking his own pov, but the question was kinda crappy–it was welp you can’t be a good actor and parent at the same time. he seemed confused and rambly, but wtf you can totally be both

      • An says:

        Yeah, the question was really odd. It implied you can only be a good actor if you’re child-free. So he tried to offer what he viewed as a potential advantage in the face of it, just needed more conditional wording.

        Does his statement have some merit? Yep, it can be that way for some people and certainly isn’t a new sentiment. Don’t care if it’s unpopular here, you learn a lot from your kids. It’s just not the only avenue.

      • denise says:

        Some men get,” baby fever” just like some women. There’s nothing wrong with him being excited about this baby. I wonder about the people who are angry with him. Did they think he was going to have a baby with them? Isn’t this the, “circle of life”. I love children, I don’t have kids. I wouldn’t begrudged someone for being excited about becoming a parent. That’s my two cents.

      • question says:

        @denise but there is a big difference between being excited and being patronizing

      • wahine992 says:

        @denise – Who’s begrudging him being excited about becoming a father? Of course he’s excited to be getting something he’s wanted for a long time. I certainly don’t begrudge him that excitement. However, as someone who doesn’t have children and who thinks she has a damn good understanding of the human condition, I DO begrudge this statement made by him – ” they give you inspiration and depths of understanding of the human condition and what it is to be on this planet and what our purpose is, that goes well beyond anything a childless actor could hope for.” In my 40+ years I’ve met many parents who are compassionless, judgmental, clueless idiots. And many non-parents who are emotionally enlightened, selfless people, with an excellent “understanding”. I’m not a nanny fan by any means, but in the past I have excused some of his other possibly objectionable, foot-in-mouth statements. Not this time. That’s MY two cents.

      • Kay says:

        Well, since it’s his personal viewpoint and–as an actor who is still childless, he feels like something could be added by having children–and it’s not shocking to see expectant parents romanticizing, Denise is kind of right.

        Everyone is taking his opinion personally when it’s a perfectly fine opinion but not a statement of fact. Some people think having children ruins your life/career. Fine too. It depends on how you view children.

        If the question is how I understood it, I can see where this came from.

      • Solanaceae (Nighty) says:

        As teacher, I’ve come across some parents who are totally clueless about human psiche and emotion; on the other hand me, a childless woman, as well as so many other childless colleagues understand our students far better than their parents do,.. Having kids doesn’t make anyone more emotionally intelligent, but ok…

    • question says:

      Well suddenly he knows it all (and is that gracious to share his wisdom with us), when just a few month ago it was not enough wisdom to wrap big ben properly…

    • Cate says:

      No wonder he didn’t get that Oscar and Eddie did…oh wait…
      Also no wonder he’s been acting like a bit of a prat and an idiot. He needs his future child to straighten him out. Good luck w. that, Cumberbaby, maybe you can start off with a dinky toy advert in a year or so. Only room for one free ride in the family!

  13. Lilacflowers says:

    I was so happy that Scarlet was playing it low-key and Zoe repeatedly talked about the role both parents play but here we have Benedict spouting off about how his baby will guide him to acting heights previously unseen by humans? Save us!

  14. Lindy79 says:

    “They don’t limit it, they give you inspiration and depths of understanding of the human condition and what it is to be on this planet and what our purpose is, that goes well beyond anything a childless actor could hope for.”

    HA this sounds so odd, like he’s going to be studying his baby for research for roles. He sounds like someone who has ZERO concept of how hard it is to raise a child. Yes I’m sure it’s amazing and life changing but it’s also bloody hard. He makes it sound so…..romantic.
    I’m REALLY hoping this interview has been lost in translation because he sounds like an arse.

    • loli says:

      “They don’t limit it, they give you inspiration and depths of understanding of the human condition and what it is to be on this planet and what our purpose is, that goes well beyond anything a childless actor could hope for.”

      Really? Whoa. Here I sit speechless. I mean, really, what’s wrong with this guy? This makes no sense. Did I miss something, and there is a surrogate, a gestational carrier for this miraculous baby that is going to learn this single father the mysteries of the human condition? For I cannot imagine a mother who would buy this bs from the father of her child.

      • bread says:

        Maybe they’re crafting the baby on an 18th century loom as we speak.

      • Toodles45 says:

        All his convoluted explanations and weird wording sounds like he’s trying to convince himself.

      • Solanaceae (Nighty) says:

        Toddles.. you’re probably right.. He’s probably (which is natural) quite scared and is trying to disguise it… and convince himself his career will be ok now that he’s about to be a dad..

    • MtnRunner says:

      Mentioning that children don’t inhibit or limits one’s life makes me think that he’s already thinking about all the changes he’ll be experiencing after their baby arrives. Children do limit your choices and there’s all sorts of adjustments that have to be made to accommodate a little person that’s entirely dependent on you. Speaking from personal experience, when we bring our kids on outdoor adventures, we know that the expectations have to be lowered quite a bit. We go slower, take a lot of rest/snack/potty breaks and don’t do as much as we would on our own.

      I think the adjustment to the demands of marriage and family is going to be a rough one for the both of them. The stress will either mature them and make them stronger as a couple or it will tear them apart. Only time will tell.

      • anon121 says:

        It’s almost like they’re going to relive the beginning of the engagement, only on steroids. Dirty diapers, crying in the night-all during Hamlet then Dr. Strange. This is a guy that reads 50 books to get into someone’s head (interview about Turing). Is he going to be doing hands on parenting? Sophie alone? A fleet of nannies? Will be interesting and speak volumes about both of them. As Mountain Runner said above-this baby is going to make or break this marriage-which started on tenuous grounds.

      • Felice says:

        He’ll have a fleet of real nannies along with his fleet of twitter nannies.

      • Boston Green Eyes says:

        They both come across as selfish people, so I can only hope that having a child DOES change the two of them for the better. But as we know, having a child doesn’t guarantee maturity and selflessness in parents – no matter what age they are.

      • whatever says:

        Anon 121 I’m not sure where your evidence is that their relationship started on tenuous grounds. Public reports indicate they started dating in April or May of last year, but we don’t know that for sure, it could be much longer than that because many celebrities keep relationships under cover for a long time before the public finds out. We don’t know what the case is here. Also, they did a film together that was released in 2009, meaning at minimum they’ve known each other for six or seven years. Not sure how any of this is evidence of a tenuous relationship.

      • icerose says:

        Pictures of Tom on the Night Manager set are surfacing with some very young fans-My bet is that Tom knows more about interacting with children than Benny will ever know but then i am just so bored with Benny as his pronouncements.
        I saw an article recently criticising him for putting his name as a person of interest in the private sale of one of Turing’s diaries instead of joining the campaign to insure that UK scientists had access to it.It sold for a million dollars in New York.

      • hermi! says:

        One thing is certain: Tom’s PR people are heaps better than Bendy’s.

    • anon121 says:

      @whatever-can you share public records other than the French Open and Hay Festival pics? I think they started dating but it wasn’t serious. Otherwise how do you explain Sophie camping out in Scotland in August and hanging with other guys? Look we’ll never really know, but the pics at the start of Red Carpet season, along with his refusal (or hers) to walk together at LFF speaks volumes. Both of them looking miserable with each other helps as well.

      • Linz says:

        @anon121- All of that.

        @whatever – He was spending time with other women. I think he was dating around/nothing exclusive. Hay Festival with Sophie then Monaco Grand Prix with Kinvara Balfour then French Open with Sophie.. He was seen out and about with other women (Including Kinvara Balfour) after the French Open. In August 2014 Benedict was at the National Theatre with a “Stunning” blonde. Sophie was camping out in Scotland/hanging out with other guys.

        I think sometime in late August/early September (2014). Benedict and Sophie became “exclusive” because she got knocked up. I think it speaks volumes that they arrived at a restaurant in separate cars. Didn’t walk the red carpet together at LFF. Sat at the same table, but not next to each other at the BYT Gala. In the photos from James Rhodes Wedding. Sophie stood behind Benedict. They didn’t even look like a “couple.”

        Why did it matter so much that they weren’t Engaged? He knocked her up. Yet, he didn’t want to be seen with her in public/at events.

      • hermi! says:

        Well, I think the final word on this was uttered by SH’s brother (I think, maybe I’m wrong and it was her mother, can’t remember) who said they became serious only in late summer 2014. Which was when she got knocked up. Straight from the horse’s mouth 🙂 It was only later they started embroidering the truth, like the silly, little tricoteuses they are. 🙂

  15. A.Key says:

    “they give you inspiration and depths of understanding of the human condition and what it is to be on this planet and what our purpose is, that goes well beyond anything a childless actor could hope for”

    sounds like he’s having a child to be a better actor, I mean wtf

    • loli says:

      ”sounds like he’s having a child to be a better actor, ”

      It appears so. The guy has issues.

    • Boston Green Eyes says:

      AND he puts himself on the same level as Daniel Day-Lewis, no less!

      Well played, Bendy, well played!

  16. Beth says:

    “They don’t limit it, they give you inspiration and depths of understanding of the human condition and what it is to be on this planet and what our purpose is, that goes well beyond anything a childless actor could hope for.”

    Ehhhh shut up Benedict. This windbaggery is exhausting.

  17. Lilacflowers says:

    Take that, all you childless actors like Eddie Redmayne, Michael Fassbender, and Tom Hiddleston! Benedict’s baby will show him acting skills you can’t begin to comprehend

    • InvaderTak says:

      Oh you birth control users, you.

    • MP says:

      I love the “they don’t limit you” comment. He’s one of those “of course I can take my baby to the rock festival” parents I guess.

      I hope he doesn’t just plan to outsource the actual parenting to nannies and keep traveling the world filming like nothing’s changed. I don’t know if regrets this relationship or marriage but he will most likely regret missing his baby’s early years if he lets it happen.

      • MtnRunner says:

        The only way they kids don’t limit you is if you employ a full time nanny. Otherwise, the fact that they poop at the most inopportune moments, wake you up at 3am with vomit all over their bed, floor and walls and refuse to let YOU be the center of attention means you will have your life turned UPSIDE DOWN and you will never go back to the way it was before children.

        Yes Ben, they do limit you. But it’s worth it if you see them as an investment and not as an obstruction to your goals. There is no harder job than raising a little person into being a kind, caring and productive member of society. It’s not for everyone and I applaud those that know it’s not how they want to spend 20 years of their life. No one should have kids unless they have a burning desire for them. It’s incredibly hard work and there’s no guarantee how well they’ll turn out — too many variables that you can’t control, despite being loving parents.

      • seesittellsit says:

        Of course they’re going to have nannies. That’s what people in his social and economic drawer do. She’s already lined up a gig at Aldeburgh through her recently coincidentally raised profile – after not working for years. You think she’s going to keep the home fires burning when she hooked him in the first place to broaden not only her economic and social but her professional horizons? Sophie home with the baby all the time? Come on, pull the other one.

      • j says:

        they limit you, but not necessarily as an actor

        the question was stupid, it was you can’t be a good parent and a good actor. either/or

      • anon121 says:

        @seesittellsit-Don’t forget that Sophie’s gig will be going on at the same time as Hamlet. They’re not even spacing out their time. Not a good sign.

    • seesittellsit says:

      Really! What a pompous arse he is.

  18. TessD says:

    Looking good! Sophie takes good care of her hubby 🙂

    • anon121 says:

      I think hubby takes good care of himself.

    • seesittellsit says:

      Sophie first and foremost takes care of Sophie. He looked good before she trapped him with her “ooops” pregnancy and if she disappeared tomorrow he would be perfectly able to make himself look good.

    • loli says:

      Yeah, given that the ‘hubby’ prefers hanging out with his pal Adam in massage parlors of Shanghai rather than being with her in the last weeks of her pregnancy, the care she is giving him must be pretty exquisite…

  19. EN says:

    Ben looks good. I like the new haircut. And smart of him to pay attention to his Asian fans.

    As for cumberbaby, speaking from experience, you can prepare all you want , you still don’t know what it is going to be like. Especially for people like Ben who don’t have younger siblings. But Sophie has many younger siblings so she is probably better prepared. In the end, there is no love like the love for one’s child and it can overcome anything. Never fear.

    • bread says:

      He’s not there to pay attention to his Asian fans. He’s there to sell a car and host an awards show. He’s there for the paycheck.

      • EN says:

        Of course, he is there for paycheck and future roles. He is promoting his brand, which is himself – Benedict Cumberbatch. The more visible he is the more roles he gets, the more money he is paid. It is not personal, it is business.

        I don’t get it when people get upset about him making money or think he somehow cheapens himself by doing it.

        I practically starved for 2 years and I will never judge anyone who makes money. When you don’t know where you next meal is coming from it changes you forever.

      • MtnRunner says:

        EN, I think the shade comes from the fact that Ben doesn’t have to worry about where his next meal comes from. He’s not a jobbing actor and will remain gainfully employed for years to come. He has enough to live comfortably for the rest of his life, so the drive to do these types of things probably stems from other issues or anxieties.

        I agree that there’s nothing wrong with him doing this sort of thing per se. It just seems like he doesn’t ever stop promoting himself and he’s had a busy nesting period. He doesn’t seem to want to hang out at home during a break. Plenty of actors stay out of the limelight when they’re not on a project, but Ben never does. Family life is going to be a rude awakening, since he’ll be needed at home more and THAT is at odds with his desire to promote himself.

      • j says:

        yeah to the detriment of his wellbeing though

        it’s past a brand issue, it’s a workaholic who probably needs help tbh

      • anon121 says:

        Ben has spoken many times about down times for his parents and how he fears that. He will do anything to keep working. And he is not just promoting himself-he’s trying to break into producing and directing movies with Sunnymarch. The Asian market is a huge and lucrative one, so it absolutely makes sense that he’s over there.

      • Green Girl says:

        I agree with Anon. I think he remembers the dry spells in his parents’ careers, and that’s probably what keeps him working. I hate using a cliche, but “strike while the iron is hot” is probably especially true in his profession.

      • hermi! says:

        He just doesn’t understand that he’s a much finer actor than both his parents. And if he doesn’t spoil it by being a complete toss pot, he’s admired and loved by many. His work won’t dry up if he doesn’t go to China to promote a car.
        Maybe he should concentrate on acting (or producing/directing), rather than wasting time with all sorts of side projects.

  20. jammypants says:

    “They don’t limit it, they give you inspiration and depths of understanding of the human condition and what it is to be on this planet and what our purpose is, that goes well beyond anything a childless actor could hope for.”

    What human condition Ben? You’re not popping a baby out of your body. Your purpose (including the childless actors) is a sperm donor on this planet. You can’t understand the human condition when you live well above means that most of the world lives in.

  21. Oy vey says:

    Yah. I’m not on the conspiracy train, but I feel like his quotes hammer it home that this pregnancy was not planned at all. He sounds like he’s trying to convince himself. His old quotes about family & children left one with the impression that he assumed it would all be born out of love. Now that it’s born out of an f-buddyship, he’s got to rewrite his script to be more practical. I just hope they aren’t all miserable, though Sophie seems too distracted by the cameras & designer clothes to feel despair.

    • seesittellsit says:

      I agree – that “don’t limit or inhibit your life” sounds like a prayer made with fingers crossed – it harks back to how stunned he looked on those early red carpets. He’s a workaholic and she’s already busy using his name to up her profile, get gigs, and turn herself into a celebrity. I’m assuming his money will take up the slack, but both of them seem to me to be Class A narcissists unprepared for what is ahead of them.

      • tsmiv2 says:

        @seesittellsit Everything he’s ever said about the baby screams “I’m scared shitless! Help!” Of course, that’s not really unusual from men (or women, either) with an unplanned pregnancy, but he is letting it play out in the public eye. He could tell Karon that he does not want to discuss it and she should convey that to the interviewers. It ain’t that hard. Celebrity interviews are always controlled by the PR reps, but his seems inept.

  22. seesittellsit says:

    Any soon to be parent who has persuaded himself that (even with a good bit of money) children aren’t going to limit or inhibit your life is in for a rough awakening. The only children who don’t limit or inhibit your life are ones you ignore. Cumberbatch strikes me as being profoundly emotionally immature and as having idealized marriage and family life way beyond reality. Children – change – everything, not always for the better, including your relationship with your partner.

    • Nayru says:

      I pity the poor Cumberbatch child who will have to endure his self-centered ahole parents, hopefully the poor kid will have suitable nannies to look up to.

    • **sighs** says:

      My SIL and BIL just found out recently they were expecting. My BIL was talking about it, and he says that they aren’t big partners, so he doesn’t really think his life is going to change much. It was all I could do not to laugh. Don’t get me wrong, he is the sweetest guy and he will be a wonderful dad, but his outlook was precious.
      Benedict’s outlook seems like he’s in crazy denial. But he’ll have a fleet of nannies, so it probably won’t actually change that much for him.

      • **sighs** says:

        Partiers, not partners. Sheesh, autocorrect.

      • Nayru says:

        I see, your comment makes sense now! Who knows maybe they will luck out and get one of those well behaved babies that never cry and sleep fine. Although I think every kid has a terrible phase whether it comes during infancy, toddlerhood, or adolescence it comes.

  23. Bea says:

    Dude is drippy as hell.

  24. Betti says:

    I used to be a fan but success, fortune and fame has changed him for the worst. While he’s always been a bit of a pretentious snob, he got away with it because he always came across as a nice guy with verbal incontinence but since TIG and meeting the comet, the nice guy disappeared and the pretentious snob took over.

    Good luck to them when the baby gets here – they won’t know what hit them. He will find it hard to adjust as others have said, he’s emotionally immature and self obsessed. The comet and her avant garde ways are clearly influencing the new Bendy – only a pretentious artiste would talk about their unborn child like a player in a play.

  25. Pushkar says:

    Think I agree with you Betti, kind of gone off him a bit now. I can see why Olivia Poulet dumped him, so self obsessed and a workaholic.

    He looks bloody hot though, I still would but he would have to keep his mouth shut.

    • Boston Green Eyes says:

      I’ve said the same thing many times, Pushkar. A lovely one night stand with his mouth sealed shut!

      • hermi! says:

        I guess that’s what SH said, and look where she is now 🙂 🙂 🙂

      • Darya née Dara says:

        @Pushkar, @Green Eyes, and @Hermi, I think you just won the Comments of the Day Award! Congratulations.

    • Lilacflowers says:

      We have ball gags!

    • J says:

      only care about his acting, so im always confused by the wild reactions to stuff that’s kinda boring 😀

      that being said pushkar and green eyes, enjoy guilt-free, i say. it’s harmless and it’s not like we know him in reality or he’s out there killing people

  26. Silly goose says:

    He has got the money to idealise parenthood. Nannies will look after the child while Ben promotes himself in every possible way while Sophie does whatever she does as Mrs Divine. I can imagine Ben coming home after a spell of work, changing the happy, burping the baby and then calling himself the father of the year. Only to hand the child back when they start to cry. He and his wife will quickly get a nurse for night time as well as daytime, using Hamlet as an excuse. But maybe caring, selfless nannies will be better for the poor child.

  27. Oy vey says:

    Some context maybe helps? I didn’t think it was so bad: m.tv.sohu.com/v2324559.shtml
    :shrugs: I think he was answering the question to fit the way it was asked. And he references his friends to acknowledge that he actually doesn’t know yet. But really talking about how clueless or terrified you are isn’t really going to help anyone. So…. And, yeah, they’ll probably get a nanny. But most working parents put their kid in daycare.

    It just looks crappy because it looks like Sophie is just choosing to work now. Reality is – she probably would have done a lot more if anyone had wanted her before she became Mrs. Cumberbatch. I think this super pretentious/bitchy/narcissistic thing has always been a part of him. But it’s gotten worse lately. He really needs people in his life who call him on it. I don’t know if his friends/family do. They all seem to revolve around/rely on him for work. It makes me wonder if he prefers that.

  28. Trashaddict says:

    Benedict likes babies, and babies appear to like him:
    http://www.celebitchy.com/260562/benedict_cumberbatch_holding_a_friends_baby_the_best_thing_ever/
    If you have any doubts, just google image “Benedict Cumberbatch holding baby”. Made me want to have his alien babies….

  29. Darya née Dara says:

    I can’t view the video, but he gets a partial pass from me based on the crappy way I imagine the question was phrased. Reporters are always trying to find new and creative ways around the ‘no personal questions’ rule that is usually in place for most of these events, so they ask an actor how an event in their life ‘affects your work’ or ‘changes your priorities’. Bleh.

    That said, based on the quotes here he totally blew the answer – in all of the ways already mentioned above. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but Blake Lively’s recent interview about parenthood seemed much more grounded in reality and she actually avoided sounding like she and Ryan had crafted an artisanal fetus.

    And why is no one talking about his visit to the ‘massage’ place? Surely the event sponsors had put him up in a 5-star hotel that had in-house spa services, so why the field trip? Or is the place totally legit and I just have a suspicious streak?

    • An says:

      It’s legit. A handler was with him.

      The question sounds awful. The translation I saw had it as “So, it’s said that you can’t be a good actor once you become a parent” or something.

      I don’t think he wants to talk about any of it but is being told he needs to, since that’s what a lot of actors do, it personalizes them.

      What people have pegged as distancing is coming off as him attempting to be as generic as possible. He’s talking about his personal life without giving out real personal information.

      The downside to that is it sounds odd, and of course it’s going to be “I” language by default.

      • Mosby says:

        I’m hoping this is what his distancing language over the past few months is about, too: A way to fulfill the professional obligation to talk about major life events like a marriage and baby without feeling like he’s pimping them out by actually saying anything specific. Only it’s not quite working. I think he needs some media training on how to let some actual signs of authentic joy and warmth escape while keeping the language generic. Unfortunately, but the opposite has been happening: his language has been an awkward mashup of impersonal hyperbole and “I” statements while his tone has been, um, strangely subdued at best and fully angry at worst (Oscars red carpet after he lost).

  30. jwoolman says:

    I suspect folks are over- analyzing a response to a question. Very few people use the phrase “child-free” except to emphasize that they deliberately decided to not have children. I don’t use “cat-free” to describe my unfortunate catless friends 🙂 but in particular I wouldn’t refer to my occasional catless state as “cat-free” because I was always hoping a cat would find its way here asap and don’t enjoy the catless state. My friends, on the other hand, may be grateful they are truly catfree because they really don’t want a cat around. Same with him, he at least abstractly wanted kids and now has one, so previously he was childless (or more simply and more neutrally, didn’t have children) for lack of opportunity rather than intention. People often forget to add in the endless hedging required to avoid offending people who have taken other paths to happiness, so he really isn’t saying every actor needs to go out and get a child in order to be complete. He’s just speculating about how he thinks children will enhance rather than diminish his abilities as an actor.

    My bet is that he’s so used to first person singular that he hasn’t developed the “we” language when talking about things obviously involving his wife. Some people do early on, but wasn’t he unmarried for a long time? Long habits can be hard to break.

  31. Pushkar says:

    I just don’t think he realises what he is saying, it’s almost like he wants to talk about it (remember when he gushed that he couldn’t wait to talk about his kids in interviews) but something is holding him back, very odd. He’s known on the circuit here as being so lovely and down to earth, but also incredibly naive, I believe that’s the real him but something has changed or fame gone to his head and now he is coming over as a prize twat.

    The thing is if he was such a toss pot he wouldn’t have such down to earth friends, Guy Garvey and Adam Ackland for example, they need a word with him.

    • EN says:

      but something is holding him back, very odd>>>

      He is afraid to say something wrong, it is as simple as that. His every word is scrutinized by thousands of people. After all, he is not a trained politician. And even politicians have speech writers, the minute they go off script , it is a recipe for a disaster. The same with Cumberbatch.

      I am sure he is still reeling from that “colored” shitstorm a couple months ago.

      • Oy vey says:

        I hope he’s not still reeling. The majority of the world understood where he was coming from & knew it was just an unfortunate word choice. Let’s be honest though: if he said child free, everyone would say he was implying that he’s not looking forward to this kid. I agree with Mosby. He’s doing the worst job ever of keeping personal stuff close to the vest while expressing the good emotions around it. Maybe he’s afraid he’ll slip if he relaxes enough to smile? He should pretend it’s some project he’s not allowed to talk about yet. He’s pretty good at looking jovial then. Anyway, the other possibility is that he’s constantly reminded that he fell down this unexpected and unplanned rabbit hole every time he’s asked. But, if so, that will probably change the second he holds the baby.

      • hermi! says:

        The words of most celebrities are scrutinised; he’s not the only famous actor to walk the earth. Yet, he seems to have lost any ability to speak naturally and exude joy and warmth. It’s not rocket science to say very little, yet convey happiness and pride for what’s happened in his personal life, considering he’s always said he was looking forward to having a family.
        He’s a very articulate, clever guy, so I don’t see what’s the problem with him saying “We’re in love, happy and looking forward to the birth of our child.”
        There! How difficult is that? Instead, we got love bombs, somebody who will come into the world as our child (????), devotional love and helpful tool, etc. And what about her, with her mood boards and her unicorns?
        Has anything happened to the English language and we haven’t been told?

      • Linz says:

        @hermi! – Yes! All of that!

        He gets excited/animated talking about Sports stars/Alan Turing/Dr. Strange/etc. Yet, he looks subdued/sad when he talks about becoming a Father/his child.

        More shoehorning. He was asked at the Laureus World Sports Awards.
        “What’s the next big sporting event you’re looking forward to?”
        (Benedict) “The birth of my child.” STRANGE answer. IF he doesn’t want to talk about his private life/Marriage/child. Then why does he shoehorn it in there? What does the birth of his child have to do with sports/sporting events?

        “The birth of MY child.” He is talking like a single parent….again. Is it really that hard to say the birth of “OUR” child?

      • An says:

        Not sure I follow you there, Linz. It wasn’t a strange answer. It’s entirely normal for a father to be to be preoccupied by the baby. He joked, clarified he wasn’t sure off the top of his head, and then offered Wimdeldon as the sporting event.

        This is a serious question: who says “our” when the other person isn’t there or even referenced? I don’t, and I’m not a single parent. I just say my son/my child if I’m talking with someone by myself.

      • Linz says:

        @An – IMO it was a strange answer. Because he was not asked about parenting/his child. Yet, he chose to shoehorn it in there. He has done it before.

        He joked? It didn’t seem like he was joking.. Hmmm?
        “The birth of my child”
        “I actually keep checking my phone to see if there’s anything happening back home. I’m not going out much anymore after I get back.”
        “It’d be lovely to see some of Wimbledon, but I might be in deep depths of rehearsals by then and being a Father.”

        ^^More shoehorning.

        I meant in general. Whenever he talks about the child. He talks like he is a single parent/like he is the one giving birth. He never mentions Sophie/his wife. It’s all about HIM and the child. The child is going to change HIS life/It’s a huge part of HIS life/He has to think about HIS child/etc. All this revolves around Benedict and his child, the most important thing in his life. Mother? What Mother?

      • CO says:

        IMO I get An’s point about the wording. It’s natural to say ‘I’, things ‘my’, etc. if you’re alone…most people do that. Plus I’ve no idea what her feelings are on him speaking for or about her when she isn’t around. She herself doesn’t mention him at all in the few more recent things I’ve seen.

        He does smile when he says it and kinda of ties it in, it’s like ‘I’m actually not sure what’s on because I’m kinda focused on the baby rn but hey maybe Wimbeldon’ it’s like he processed it as just ‘event’ at first.

      • Linz says:

        @CO – Different opinions/views. 🙂

        I agree with ogg921. People seem determined to make excuses for him.

      • CO says:

        Mix of both. Sometimes they do, and sometimes ‘excuses’ is a coded way of knocking down differing opinions/personal interpretations.

        In mine, it’s becoming a situation where people are analyzing everything to death and it’s getting a little out of control.

      • Mosby says:

        I wish them the best, especially the baby. The “I” statements and his lack of freely expressed joy about it makes me wonder if they didn’t (a) marry for appearances [i.e., his career] following an “oops” pregnancy with the understanding that they will (b) co-parent but not actually be together and (c) amicably divorce after about a year. There are rumors about him buying a new place in London but not putting his own up for sale, so I wonder if he’s getting a house for her and the baby nearish to him and they’ll keep separate households under the radar.

    • ogg921 says:

      “he seems to have lost any ability to speak naturally and exude joy and warmth” (Well said, hermi!)

      People seem determined to make excuses when he comes off sounding pretentious – he’s “afraid” of being misunderstood, he’s “naive”, he’s trying to protect his privacy. No. He’s lodged his head up his arse and can’t stop spewing BS is more like it.
      I have children & love them desperately, and also work with infants & toddlers, (I love them fiercely too), but if he’s talking about what THEY(babies) give him (“inspiration and depths of understanding of the human condition”), he’s thinking about it the wrong way.
      If the question was about being able to continue being a good actor after his child is born, he SHOULD have replied, “I’m so excited about being a father, but I DO plan to continue working. It’s going to be a big change, but we’ll figure it out like all families do.”

      • CO says:

        Not sure why excuses are needed, everyone’s a little pretentious, us included. The type of gossip/discussion on CB is actually pretentious in nature.

        He does speak in nonspecific ways. It’s interesting. He’s managing to talk about his personal life yet says nothing concrete or private about his personal life.

      • ogg921 says:

        No CO, there is no comparison. BC, (& Mrs. BC too), are inclined toward a very undiluted kind of pretentiousness.
        They both talk about very normal topics, in ways that normal people simply do not. BC acts as if, by virtue of becoming a parent, HE will be better than “childless actors” – “they give you inspiration and depths of understanding of the human condition and what it is to be on this planet and what our purpose is, that goes well beyond anything a childless actor could hope for”. Such twaddle.
        (Similarly, SH spoke of her wedding in terms of “art” and “opera”.)
        Heaven help us if, after “his child” enters the atmosphere, some reporter inquires about the kid’s diapers.

      • Jenni says:

        oh good lord we’re on a gossip site passing judgments on people we don’t even know, it’s pretentious as hell, but at least there’s way worse things to be. We should just ban the damn word 🙂

    • Mosby says:

      @Pushkar – I would just like to thank you for introducing me to the term “toss pot.”

  32. Emma says:

    “I mean, you only have to look at Daniel Day-Lewis as an example ” Oh, yeah… Daniel, who walked out on Isabelle Adjani when she got pregnant after several years together, to live with another woman who he later dumped with as much warning as he had Isabelle, that is, none, to marry Arthur Miller’s daughter. He also didn’t contribute to his son’s upbringing for years, though Isabelle said she never asked him to, and was pretty much a deadbeat dad when his son by Adjani was little. Gabriel Day Lewis has gone through some really bad times emotionally and has even rapped about their relationship and not wanting to be judged by being DDL’s son, obviously not just because he’s a celeb child, but because it’s a strained relationship. You, however, married a woman after dating her for an entire Summer because she became “accidentally” pregnant, Ben, (I want to think) Daniel Day Lewis is not where you’re getting your Daddy Inspiration from.

    • Betti says:

      DDL is an a*hole – great actor but a pretentious knob. There was a period after he got married where he liked to ‘brag’ about marrying the daughter of a great American playwright – it probably helped fuel the massive ego he knows has. He and Bendy sound like 2 peas in a pod.

      • hermia says:

        That was really shocking at the time: he dumped her by fax. Love DDL as an actor, but as a man, nope. He’s clearly very ambitious and wanted a wife with the kind of pedigree that satisfied his massive ego. Yeah, I can totally see why BC likes him.