Benedict Cumberbatch fan-girls over classical pianist James Rhodes: adorable?

Benedict Cumberbatch. Cumberbatch. Cumby. The Batch. SO MUCH CUMBERBATCH. Anyway, our favorite lizard alien appeared on another TV show (or a “programme”) with his friend James Rhodes, who is a classical pianist. There is SO MUCH hand p0rn in these videos, not just from Cumberbatch, but James Rhodes too. James is a cutie as well, although Benedict getting all fan-girly about classical music is rather adorable.

Part 1:

Part 2:

So many beautiful curls. So much great eye contact. *sigh*

And even though I already covered this yesterday, here’s the teaser trailer for Sherlock Season 3 again. Just because goosebumps.

A few more quotes from Cumberbatch’s Entertainment Weekly interview were revealed too. A producer had complimented The Batch on his “intelligence” and how he brought that intellect to each character, and Cumby said: “I’m very flattered by being thought of as intelligent on screen. But should I ever do a Jeopardy!-type quiz show, I think people would soon see the Swiss-cheese holes in my brain….For me, the first time I got paid to do the thing I love was my big break. And I do mean that. It’s not just some romantic tosh.”

*Thanks to the Cumberfan who sent this in!

Photos courtesy of WENN.

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155 Responses to “Benedict Cumberbatch fan-girls over classical pianist James Rhodes: adorable?”

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  1. Amelia says:

    Love him.
    That is all.

  2. Mima says:

    You looks like a young Will Farel.
    I’n other words pretty unattractive

  3. Noreen says:

    I tried to watch the piano videos. I watched most of it (they are very short and in 2 parts, I think) but Benedict looks SO exhausted. He looks like he just rolled out of bed and went to the taping for this. Terrible. I adore him and say this with zero malice. He’s been wearing the same outfit for 3 weeks. I swear this is the outfit he was in when he arrived at Narita airport and commanded the fans like he was Moses parting the Red Sea. He couldn’t even bother to shave for the piano taping. That’s not a good “beard”. That’s an exhausted 3-day stubble. I don’t love these piano videos. No, these piano videos I do not love. 🙁

    • ncboudicca says:

      Alas, he does look tired – but but close your eyes and just listen to his voice. I had a whole different opinion after I did that. 🙂

      • Noreen says:

        @ ncboudicca

        I tried, I really did. I think his eye contact looks very kind with James. I just don’t like seeing him look this rough. I mean, the contrast between the first photo at the top and the photo from the video is startling.

        And there’s no rational explanation for how he’s dressed.

      • ncboudicca says:

        Yes, I think he drives himself too hard – maybe he just can’t say no when asked to do something.

      • Serena says:

        Who cares how he’s dressed? He looks great whatever he wears and however frequently he wears it. They’re just clothes.

    • MissMary says:

      Despite his best efforts, he’s not really known for his fashion sense, lol. But I think he’s trying to do the “trick” of wearing the same outfit all the time (or very often) to make pap shots less valuable since the shots will all look like they’re taken around the same time and not be as salable.

      • Noreen says:

        This was for a taping for a TV show. There’s no rational explanation for how he’s dressed. None at all. It’s like he was too exhausted to care. I swear, if there was ever a man who needed a partner/wife, it’s this one.

        Yes, I am THAT old-fashioned.

      • MissMary says:

        Yeah, for stuff like this, where it’s not oh hey I’m just walking to the shops so I’ll throw this back on, you’d think he’d at least shave or put on a different shirt for filming then change into his anti-pap outfit before he leaves…

    • EleanorRigby says:

      He does look tired for a guy on vacation which is when this was filmed. He’s got to stop smoking.

    • Janey says:

      To be fair, they’re both dressed and groomed in pretty much the same way – messy hair, stubble, white t shirt – the only difference is that James is wearing a suit type jacket. Perhaps it was deliberate? They’re good friends so maybe the idea was the take the fear out of classical music and present this as 2 friends just chatting? I think it was filmed before his holiday, so maybe that’s why he looks tired?

  4. Cirque28 says:

    It wouldn’t be Monday without a Celebatchy post! 😉

    Love his humble attitude.

  5. Bored suburbanhousewife says:

    Yesterday on the Batch post lots of people were giving shout outs for more posts about new up and coming strangely attractive vs straight out chiseled jaw handsome guys. Batch is the poster boy for this and I love him and agree with those commenters yesterday, specially the call for more Ruperts (Friend & Penry-Jones, not Sanders!)

    Would like to add shout out for Joel Kinnamon after last nights The Killing season finale. Joel is amazing in that role and literally made it worth watching for him alone. I see him with a really bright Batch like future.

    • Leah says:

      I am giving a shout out to adam driver from girls. He is strangely attractive and in the new cohen brother movie and the new noah baumbach movie. Not as mainstream as cumberbatch but just as talented and so damn sexy.

    • Noreen says:

      I watched the entire first season of The Killing. Kinnaman doesn’t have even close to the talent of Benedict. Sorry, that’s just so obvious. That doesn’t mean Kinnaman isn’t good—especially in that role. But I don’t expect much range from him. And he’s pompous and a bit of a douche, but really good-looking and tall.

      • ella says:

        Kinnaman is an awful actor. I watched some of his work only last night and he terrible.

    • TheOriginalKitten says:

      @ boredsuburban-Kinnaman is EXCELLENT, but he’s pretty classically handsome. He just fugs himself up for the role he plays on The Killing.

  6. Leah says:

    I saw this on tv. My first thought was he looks his old and wrinkly and without the hair would be plain unattractive. There were lots of other interesting people in that programme.

  7. Jaime says:

    He is one of the most unattractive men I’ve ever seen. ugh don’t see the appeal. (his voice is nice though)

    • ncboudicca says:

      Admitting he has a nice voice is the first step on a long, slippery slope, Jaime. LOL

    • judyjudy says:

      He’s not traditionally handsome but I think he’s GORGEOUS . And while I can admit he’s an amazing actor, that’s not what does it for me. I enjoy looking at him and listening to him no matter what he’s doing.

      It doesn’t bother me that others don’t agree or like him foe different reasons. All I know is there’s a primal attraction that makes me swoon when I see his face.

      • miapatagonia says:

        @judyjudy “He’s not traditionally handsome but I think he’s GORGEOUS … All I know is there’s a primal attraction that makes me swoon when I see his face.”

        I agree 100%! There are many handsome men who do nothing for me. Then there are men who touch my basic instincts.

    • Saffie says:

      I have to agree…he’s a very talented actor but I find him absolutely creepy looking. He reminds me of an android. To each their own.

    • haley says:

      you really do need to chill out. people find him unattractive and comment on it all the time. learn to live with it. saying that people who call him unattractive “lack intelligence” and then turning around and talking about maturity……… that’s funny. didnt you insult brad pitt and george clooney’s looks in some other post? how is that any different?

    • Miss M says:

      @Haley: She criticized the looks of Clooney and Pitt. My jaw dropped with that comment.

    • Side-Eye says:

      @ Miss M Personally I have never found Clooney or Pitt attractive in any capacity, but to each their own.

    • Miss M says:

      @Side-eye: I never had a crush on Pitt. But the man is handsome. Yes, beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. But for someone who complained about how immature others are for making comments about Cumby’s looks…Here is the comment she made yesterday:
      “He actually has good features…it’s just that they are so exaggerated. His eyes, in particular, are absolutely gorgeous and they really pop onscreen. And he has nice skin. Can’t say the same for acne-scarred Brad Pitt or perpetually sun-damaged George Clooney.”

    • Side-Eye says:

      @ Miss M Hmm. I don’t know. I can see how they’re conventionally attractive, but they’ve just never done it for me. But yeah, I agree–I don’t think we should put other people down to bring others up. Each have their own groups of fans and dissenters, and people should be able to respect that without getting so crazy.

    • T.fanty says:

      @MissM,

      Clearly your mental deficiency prevents you from seeing true beauty. Four hundred years ago, Michaelangelo forsaw the glory of Cumby; hence we have David. Just step out of your own narrow little mind and see the light. Sheesh.

    • Miss M says:

      @T.Fanty: Shall I blame you for assigning me the task to create FrankenHiddles? It seems I cannot see right from wrong. Your sex God isn’t mine! *walks to the corner of Thornfield and cries as the outsider*

  8. MissMary says:

    I think a lot of fans did come to Rhodes’ music and shows via being BC fans but he also has a good fanbase in his own right as a pianist. He had a fanbase before BC got so huge. I do think their bromance is awesome though lol. Rhodes takes the piss out of BC on twitter, they hang out, etc, but he’s not relying on his popularity coming from knowing BC.

    All that said, Rhodes’ story is pretty interesting and he is a fantastic pianist.

    • sputnik says:

      rhodes’ story is very interesting. did you see ‘notes from the inside’, the show he made about depression? it was very moving.

      • MissMary says:

        I saw some clips of Notes from the Inside but haven’t seen the whole thing yet. i think the fact he’s so open about his mental health issues and honest about healing and dealing being work and hard work is very inspirational. I have some close family with clinical depression and manic depression and it’s scary to see what they go through so seeing someone who has made it so far in life is hopeful, tbh.

      • sputnik says:

        it should be on 4OD. it’s worth watching, though emotionally taxing.

    • Noreen says:

      Rhodes’ story is f*cking sad and depressing as hell. I really can’t even deal with the details of his story. It’s a miracle that he’s even alive. Many people do themselves in for way less pain and suffering.

      • MissMary says:

        All true… In that Notes from the Inside, the bit I saw, he talked about going to this place to kill himself but now he went back to play there as a sort of closure.

  9. Coconut says:

    Too much cumberpatch!! Every day??

    • Noreen says:

      Oh for God’s sake, stop clicking on posts you don’t like. I don’t like every topic that is posted every day either.

      • Manchurian Global says:

        What are you, the thread police?

        Get help.

      • Manchurian Global says:

        I don’t think I’M the one who needs to retreat and regroup.

        You’re bordering on creepy the way you’re juggling plates by replying to almost every negative comment criticizing BC.

        Your comment “Wow, with humans like you in this world it’s no wonder we’re engaged in so many wars and conflicts everywhere” down-thread, as a response to someone who said BC looks like a lizard, is indicative of some issues that need to be addressed.

        But thanks for educating me on the Peloponnesian War. All this time I was thinking that the Sparta invasions of Attica were the cause when really the conflict started because someone said that BC’s hair looked a little unkempt during a Japanese photo call.

      • Maria says:

        I used to find these comment threads entertaining, but now it’s getting creepy. Some of you take slights on Benedict way to serious.

        And those who are annoyed about the Benedict posts aren’t allowed there feelings or what? Hell, I think Ben is an amazing actor but I’m fed up. So sorry about that!

      • T.Fanty says:

        I think I love Manchurian Global.

        *smooches*

      • Manchurian Global says:

        You know what? There’s really nothing else I can say to show you how creepy your thread domination seems. You’re doing a fine job showing everyone else without my help.

        Good luck on defending your boyfriend. Oh, wait! He’s not your boyfriend?????

        My bad.

      • Maria says:

        Noreen, everytime someone posts something about Ben you don’t agree with you defend him. Sometimes by calling the other person moron, how charming. You can’t justify your behavior by writing about the things Ben does that bother you.

      • Sixer says:

        @Noreen – can I offer some (hopefully non-confrontational) thoughts?

        From where I’m sitting, in a like-Cumby-but-wouldn’t-miss-him-if-he-disappeared-tomorrow, middle-of-the-road place, it does read as though you’re creating conflict rather than debate.

        I’m not saying you shouldn’t, you mustn’t, you’re doing it on purpose or anything mean. You should do and say whatever you want. I’m jus’ sayin’. I think you’re coming across as more aggressive than I’m sure you actually are in person.

      • haley says:

        manchurian global, i want to marry you. i hope that’s not to forward. but i love you for everything you just typed.

      • Miss M says:

        @Manchurian Global: you nailed it!

      • Coconut says:

        This is the first cumby post I’ve clicked on and I did so expressly to respectfully complain about so many cumby posts. Even not clicking on the cumby posts it gets tiring seeing his face *every* day these days. Sheesh. I want to know when we’re going to get a post on hot Matt Harvey?!

      • miapatagonia says:

        This whole exchange is more entertaining than the original post. Another reason I love Celebitchy!

  10. Lauli says:

    Thanks, Kaiser. Interesting as usual.

  11. Maya Dragunova says:

    You ought to change your name to Celebatchy!

  12. Suse says:

    I don´t get it… he looks like a lizard

    • Manchurian Global says:

      Yes, because all bloody conflicts where millions of people died over thousands of years started because people criticized the looks of other people.

      *rolls eyes*

  13. Schnee says:

    Hm, I don’t know. I don’t buy his ‘wood and tea and whiskey and fireplace and piano music’ stick anymore.

  14. ClaireB says:

    Even if you don’t fancy him, you can admit that the posts are interesting, because the guy is interesting. No?

  15. ella says:

    Benedict is a great friend of James and it was lovely of him to support James with this programme. I like their teasing relationship.

  16. judyjudy says:

    I know you girls like the cumby-curls but I’m more a fan of the short hair. That top pic? Ooooooooh, honey…..

  17. T.Fanty says:

    Am I the only one hoping that the model puts Cumby off women forever so that he and James Rhodes can run off and live a little shaggy-haired woodland life playing piano and drinking whiskey by a log fire (with hedgehogs frolicking at their feet)?

    • Amelia says:

      I’d actually love that.
      And Hiddles could come and visit them in his dragonfly waistcoat with his clingy PA by his side.

      • EscapedConvent says:

        @Amelia,

        I hope Hiddles wears his sassy capris when he visits them.

      • Sixer says:

        The sassy capris should come with a save-Sixer’s-retinas health and safety warning attached. Next time they appear without one, I might use the blinkin’ pot plant as a WMD…

        … well, not really. But I haven’t recovered from seeing the capris the first time.

    • Sixer says:

      Reading the comments on this thread, I had an altogether different wish about people and running off forever…

      …but I can get with that. They could set A Midsummer Night’s Dream to music.

      • T.Fanty says:

        Hahahahahahaha! I hear that!

        Re: MND. Someone already did that. They could play the Mendelssohn though. And maybe score Coriolanus to the dulcet rhythm of Hiddleyanna sobs. Or, I could see Cumby as a kind of Orlando, running around the forest, pinning terrible poems to James Rhodes to trees.

      • Sixer says:

        “Breathe, Tommy-omelette, breathe. All’s well…” “Wrong play, James”.

      • T.Fanty says:

        All’s Well… Sigh.

        Cumby would make a great Bertram in All’s Well. He could follow in the footsteps of my beautiful Toby Stephens. Who might also have to visit the Woodland House of Loincloth.

      • Sixer says:

        Do you have any suitably diaphonous dryad costumes?

      • T.Fanty says:

        Sadly, no. But if we go naked and just hold up a couple of leafy sticks, they might not notice. We could sneak up on them, á la Birnam Wood. Hiddles won’t mind at all as long as there’s a Shakespearean reference in our debauchery. And maybe James Rhodes can play us some dastardly music while we’re at it.

      • Sixer says:

        “thus we clothe our naked villainy”

      • T.Fanty says:

        *doffs hat to Sixer*

        *uses said hat to also clothe Sixer’s naked villainy*

    • Sixer says:

      And CHemboy could come along and say “Let’s put some machismo into this and shoot a film, handheld, guerilla-style,” and all the other three would weep tears into their kerchiefs at the loss of their bucolic idyll.

      • T.Fanty says:

        I like it. I presume that all this is going down shirtless?

        Seriously, though: I think they make an adorable couple. You could imagine having them over to dinner and listening to them happily bicker throughout the evening about who snores loudest.

      • Sixer says:

        Shirtless? Mais bien sur. Or just, y’know, sure. SURE. Surely to God.

        I’m thinking perhaps, oh what are those biblical loin cloths called? Clouts. They can only wear clouts.

        (Yes to adorable).

    • Kronster says:

      Seriously, this thread was going all smooth about the Cumbercurl and Cutiebatch and then – BAM! – T.Fanty appeared and brought along the hedgehogs 😀

      • T.Fanty says:

        I hope that’s a good thing! I just got back from a little trip away and discovered that sychophantic madness has taken over the board (mostly). And why is nobody talking about weird, hedgehog-witnessed carnality? It’s like there’s a hole in the universe – as though a million tiny prickly voices suddenly called out and suddenly fell silent.

      • Sixer says:

        It’s a good thing! I almost cried with relief when I saw you post. I was thinking of setting up a refuge for battered hedgehogs.

      • Kronster says:

        T.Fanty
        It’s not a good thing, it’s an awesome thing!
        The comments on Celebitchy are the reason why I read this site daily.

        You, Eve, Sixer, C&C, Noreen and j.eyre keep the Cumby/Hiddles posts alive 🙂

        Btw, haven’t seen j.eyre in a while. Where she at?

      • T.Fanty says:

        She got overexcited by those pics of Chemboy and Matty D on the boat a few days ago, so I’ve got her tied up in the basement until she stops humping the furniture. I’ve only just managed to fix the wobbly couch from the last party at Thornfield.

        That’s the other reason Sixer and I are retiring with our little male harem to the Woodland House of Loincloth. That little wench can’t be trusted when Chemboy is still in Hong Kong.

      • Kronster says:

        Well, then tell her to get her sh*t together well, and that I miss her <3

      • Crumpets & Crotchshots says:

        I have a fine collection of couture loinclothes embroidered with hummingbirds and dragonflies, enough for everybody. Let’s fix the furniture and go at it again.

        James Rhodes will be a very happy addition. Perhaps I can talk him into playing a glass dulcimer as well? TommyAnnE loves the glass instruments.

    • Crumpets & Crotchshots says:

      This would be my dream come true!

    • Felice says:

      I am totally okay with this because they are seriously the cutest thing ever.

  18. Chrissy says:

    Not gonna lie, I have a pretty good crush on James Rhodes. He’s quite good looking, intelligent, down to earth, and plays piano brilliantly. This clip with him and Benedict just made me smile so much. Their friendship is adorable.

    • Bijlee says:

      Lol someone beat you to it yesterday. the women here trashed that article to pieces. It’s hysterical right? I love him to pieces but that article is just too funny. Someone at the daily mail is really jealous.

    • Ginger says:

      The majority of the article is trashing him for having anxiety, basically. Unless he’s smothered kittens or something, it’s way over the line. Apparently he’s on meds for ADHD and anxiety. Trashing somebody for psychological issues is not cool.

      • Serena says:

        Please stop spreading that rumour about severe anxiety and needing meds for it. It’s not true, there’s no evidence for it. ONE dodgy post reported it on a gossip site, with nothing whatsoever to substantiate it.

      • SamiLynn says:

        Well, the ADHD and meds thing may be a rumour but from what we can see/watch/read (interviews) he does have many (a lot) of the symptoms and behaviour associated with ADHD/Anxiety or related neuro or psychological disorder.

      • Serena says:

        You cannot diagnose a psychological/anxiety condition via watching press *interviews*.

      • EleanorRigby says:

        No, you can’t make a formal diagnosis but you can observe (which is part of making a formal diagnosis) via watching him in interviews and he has said himself in many interviews he’s anxious (friends such as Caitlin Moran have said so as well.) No shame, he’s actually been quite open about it and the fact DM trashes him for it is disgusting. You wouldn’t write such abuse if someone was physically challenged and it’s not okay to do so if someone is struggling emotionally. Whether he is or isn’t, it’s disgusting on Daily Mail’s part.

      • Serena says:

        I think there’s a huge difference in expressing nerves and actually suffering from anxiety.
        When did Caitlin Moran make reference to it?

        I’m not sure what he’s expressed that would convince people he has an anxiety issue. If he did. It wold be nothing to be ashamed of, obviously, but there’s no solid evidence for it at all, IMO.

        And of course, the Daily Mail article was beyond disgusting. He’s lovely and the last person that deserves that treatment. Despicable.

  19. Side-Eye says:

    *opens Benedict Cumberbatch thread*
    “I think he’s cute!”
    “I don’t!”
    “You’re unintelligent!”
    “Well you’re a creep!”

    *closes Benedict Cumberbatch thread*

    • Maria says:

      *lol*

      It’s getting a bit out of hand, isn’t it?

      • Side-Eye says:

        Between the ugly vs hot wars, the extended role playing, and the conspiracy theories, this site has kind of ruined some of my favorite celebrities. It is a gossip site though, so I don’t know what I expected. Can’t we all just agree to disagree? I personally think Benedict is gorgeous, but I can get why people would think he was unattractive. After all, *I* did when I first started.

    • TheOriginalKitten says:

      Yup-*side-eye* nailed it.
      It’s been out-of-hand on these posts for a while now.

      It sucks because there are a group of ladies who post here who have some really witty exchanges with each other. I come here to read them because the posters are not only funny, but level-headed, nice people.

      The fun gets ruined by a handful of mean and angry commenters who insist on dominating the thread, without adding anything interesting or funny.

      • Maria says:

        ” I come here to read them because the posters are not only funny, but level-headed, nice people.”

        And you nailed this, that’s exactly how I feel. Boo! What happened to Celebitchy!?

  20. haley says:

    maybe its because i dont really have celebrity “faves” (although i do really like angelina jolie and mila kunis, i guess) but i don’t understand the absolute devotion some of you have to this guy. he seems very uninteresting to me and– i’m sorry if this makes some of you start crying or whatever– he doesnt strike me as THAT great of an actor, either. and that one chick that seeks out negative BC comments and freaks out all over them just needs a serious reality check.

    • T.Fanty says:

      *sobs and shakes fists in fury as civilization collapses because of Haley’s apocalyptic lack of judgement and inability to recognize perfection when it’s twiddling at a piano in all its poorly-dressed glory*

      WHYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY are you so wrong?

      • haley says:

        that made me laugh. i just dont understand it! maybe i’m just getting too old for this 🙁 before i started college, i thought celebrity gossip was so interesting. i dont know what happened.
        im feeling generous today so i will admit that as far as celebrities go, my biggest crush is ed robertson from barenaked ladies. i dont even know if thats something to be ashamed of, but i’ll leave it here anyway.

      • EscapedConvent says:

        @Oh Fanty, my Fanty,

        I’m so glad to see you here. I appreciate what you bring (the hedgehogs) to Cumby posts. Without your humor & whimsy, & that of Sixer & Manchurian Global, this thread today would go off the rails.

        @Sixer

        Your comments are wonderful & I get a kick out of you. If you need any naiad dresses, I have some here from a recent romp with Apollo & Daphne, where I discovered I was dressed inappropriately. Miss Jane does have some lovely dryad frocks at Thornfield though.

        Manchurian Global,

        I applaud you. I like the way your rational head is attached to your shoulders.

        Oh!….I hear the thundering of high horses. They are frightening the hedgehogs & I am not having any of that.

      • ncboudicca says:

        BWAH HAHAHAHAHA…

      • SIxer says:

        @Es Con – I am not worthy of such praise! But I would love to borrow an outfit. Let the frolicking commence.

      • EscapedConvent says:

        @Sixer,

        All you have to do is decide how transparent you want your billowing, shimmering dress to be! But do be careful–that “prickle of hedgehogs” is always getting underfoot. The sweet little things mean well, but you may still find yourself at the end of the soiree with little hedgehogs stuck to your robes.

        So, yes….frolic! 😉

    • Bijlee says:

      Lol girl run and hide.

    • Kronster says:

      All right ladies, let’s leave it to that.

      How about we focus on real problems here?

      *takes deep breath*

      whatever problems those would be.

    • Side-Eye says:

      Ok, Noreen. I love Benedict Cumberbatch. I think he’s gorgeous, really interesting, and a great actor. But I really do think you need to simmer down.

    • Maria says:

      Are you sure you can’t be a bit more condescending? But maybe we should be grateful you didn’t call her moron this time

  21. ella says:

    Noreen you need glasses. Cumberbatch looked edible in Japan.

    • Ginger says:

      THIS. He looks edible in these clips too…sure, a little bit tired, but nothing that eight hours of sleep and a good f— wouldn’t cure (I volunteer!).

  22. Laura says:

    Seriously since Eve has abandoned the Cumby ship s*it has gotten out of control. I know she’s kinda over him but I definately think that she should come back in some kind of regulatory capacity (i.e. Shank any cumberbitch who get too testy.)

    And by the way… he mine na na a boo boo *sticks tongue out* *is ashamed of childish behaviour (not)*

    • ncboudicca says:

      Laura, I think you’ve nailed it. Let’s start a “Make Eve Un-Divorce Cumberbatch” petition so we can get back to (what delightfully passes as) normal around here!

      • Laura says:

        Hear Hear…Ladies lets get it started. Whoever knows Eve’s address at the Shankmanor please get her here ASAP. @ncboudicca start getting signatures on the petition.

      • T.fanty says:

        Screw you guys. She bequeathed that posh alien to me. She will have to pry him out from in between my cold, dead legs. Don’t make me unleash the hedgehog army of doom on you slutbags (said with love).

        I am T.Fanty. CB wife to a Lizard King, heir to a shanky Eve, resident at Thornfield, and I will have my Cumby on this post or the next.

      • Laura says:

        *Cowers in the presence of her superiors* Why Miss Tfanty I did not see you lurking in the corner there. I apologise for doubting your ability to keep the CumberCollective under control. It won’t happen again. *scurries away leaving ncboudicca to fend for herself*

      • ncboudicca says:

        Whoa, are you combining/paraphrasing both Eric Cartman and Gladiator in the same post? I acknowledge your superiority and totally take back what I just said.

        *scrambles backward out of throne room*

        Laura, get the horses ready, let’s ditch the manor before we lose our heads!

      • TheOriginalKitten says:

        Knowing how Eve feels about mean-spirited people, I think that might be the driving reason behind her not posting around here anymore.

        I understand the angry comments more when they’re on a controversial/serious thread but I TRULY don’t get it when it’s a thread about a cute (or not cute, depending on who you ask) actor.
        I still long for the days of Hot Guy Friday, when all us ladies were came together to ogle the man-meat in a Kumbaya-like fashion.

        When did that change?

      • T.fanty says:

        All are welcome at Thornfield. If you had taken as many shanks in the ribs as I have in anticipation of this day of glory, you would understand. I’m still giddy from the blood-loss.

      • MBP says:

        I’m not one of the original gang, but even I have noticed the change in tone especially on these threads!

        How about we all calm the f*ck down a bit 🙂

      • tizzyfizzy says:

        Not one of the original gang either, but I’ll throw in my .02…

        I think what brought most of us out of lurkdom- the pics from Ibiza and the KE fallout.

        Previous to Ibiza, Cumby posts were mostly centered around:
        Cumberworking (Fifth Estate! 12 Years! Sherlock! Hobbit! STID! Top Gear! Does this man ever sleep, sheesh!! Stay healthy Cumby!)

        or

        Cumberclothes (boots, jorts, floppy hat? Scarf, shorts, jacket, flip flops? Slicked back helmet hair? The blue shirt that goes with everything and is worn with everything!)

        Then, out of the blue… Cumbersex! Cumberscandal! Russian models with PR boyfriends! Leggy redheads! EVERYONE (really… EVERYONE) is an “old friend!” and dancing dogs and topless dancers and alcohol and good grief, Cumberlush! Cumbercad! Cumberhypocrite! Cumberheartbreak!

        Once it slows down, I think it’ll get back to normal. I say that, of course, and then some article will come out that he’s had a girlfriend stashed away for the last 6 months and she’s a blonde wannabe pop star named Bubbles who is a SRS BZNS “entertainer.”

      • EscapedConvent says:

        @tizzyfizzy,

        Hahaha! Your comment is hysterical! A snapshot of the whirling dervish we call Cumby. This is exactly how it’s been—a carnival of crazy. For just plain old gossip-worthiness, Cumby’s sojourn in Ibiza triggered comedy gold.

        For the first time, we see that the serene English library where Cumby writes poetry (with a quill pen & inkwell) in front of a crackling fire, & yearns over baby-name books for hours (for his future cumber-sprouts) also has…..

        A ~stripper pole~! Where are my pearls?! I must clutch them!

      • ncboudicca says:

        @tizzy fizzy. “SRS BZNS” made me laugh!

        @fanty…OK, thanks for letting me stay. I just want to be allowed to touch his hair every now and again, and I’ll be happy. In the meantime, I’ll make myself useful and help repair the Dragonfly Nets, because I feel certain we’ll have some renewed Hiddles Hysteria the last quarter of this year when TDW and OLLA come out (and Coriolanus, too, right?)

      • TheOriginalKitten says:

        @T. Fanty-bus is there room in Thornfield for Tom Hardy and our love puppy? I have them both in a crate, ready to be shipped out…

        @Tizzyfizzy-I agree with your analysis. What is it about an actor’s love life that makes the ladies lose their sanity?

      • Maria says:

        @ the original kitten

        your Tom and puppy are frauds, the real ones are with me! OH YES THEY ARE!

      • EscapedConvent says:

        @OKitten,

        It changed about two weeks ago.

    • Laura says:

      @ T.fanty Thank you for letting us mere mortals stay. *holds bandages to Tfanty’s ribs and begins blood transfusion*

      @The original Kitten I wasn’t here for hot guy Friday’s but what really drew me to the site and kept me coming back was all the snark to be found in all the comment section. I think it had degenerated to less tongue in cheek snarkiness to more outright meaness and weird behaviour and it honestly makes me sad. I feel like you guys are kinda my friends (creepy I know) and to see CB losing that camraderie makes me 🙁

      • TheOriginalKitten says:

        Not creepy at all because we ARE friends here. A lot of us have been commenting on C/B for years and we look forward to the comment exchange and banter. It ceases to be fun though, when people start in with trolling and name-calling.

        Celeb gossip should be a fun place to escape, not a battlefield.

        I know there are long-time posters here who don’t like me so much, so they simply don’t reply to my comments and vice versa. It doesn’t mean everyone has to like each other or share the same opinion, but I think it’s important to at least respect each other. If you don’t like what someone has to say, you can always just ignore instead of engaging.

      • T.Fanty says:

        @Laura,

        Hold on! We’re still here!

        Here’s a little Hardy goodness for you and ToK to show that we’re still all in it together:
        http://images4.fanpop.com/image/photos/17500000/Tom-tom-hardy-17540447-500-358.jpg

    • EscapedConvent says:

      @Laura,

      Eve did say that she still had a crush on Cumber-Khan. I wonder if she could be lured back with that giant leaf-blower thing he was holding in the movie?

      Now we’ve invoked her name, she is supposed to magically appear: ~POOF!~

    • tizzyfizzy says:

      I think what’s so interesting about BC is that, really, his private life/love life has been relatively quiet thus far. There’s Olivia, and the fashion designer… and then… Liv Tyler? Maybe? (although, one has to wonder how many women he’s given his, ahem, acting advice to…hrm) It’s not like DiCaprio or Clooney where there’s always a girl somewhere in the public eye. So, I DO think, that whenever BC does become serious with someone (in some ways, Olivia P. dodged a bullet) the scrutiny will be immense.

      At the same time… it’s BC. He of the strange hair do’s, questionable fashion choices, and verbal misfires, and somehow awkwardly endearing charm- one can only imagine what a dating, ladies man Cumby would entail. If nothing else, I’d be fascinated by his date place choices.

      Also- did anyone else not laugh HYSTERICALLY at the juxtaposition between the two articles- of SEX GOD CUMBY- take me you intelligent, alpha male – mama wants it and she’s been VERY bad!!11!!11!

      vs.

      Awkward, insecure, hopeless Cumby who can’t get a woman- poor sod will die a lonely, childless miser still seeking his father’s approval and bitter of not going to Oxbridge.

      I imagine it’s probably a strange mix of both (as most humans would be!), and that’s part of the reason I’m somewhat fond of this strange man. Cumby on, Cumby… do you!

      And ladies (and gents?)- if we’re not laughing, we’re obviously taking it all too seriously! 😉

      • Janey says:

        I said that on the previous thread, but in a way less funny way. I doff my cap to you Madame and retreat back to lurkerdom.

  23. Ginger says:

    I’m just going to leave this here: something warm and fuzzy that got posted on a previous thread. I always say that the way people treat wait staff is very reflective of their overall personality…it really does speak volumes.

    http://millions88.tumblr.com/post/57340801727/i-met-benedict-cumberbatch-today

    • MBP says:

      Thanks for posting that. I’ve been avoiding the Daily Mail article, I can sense the spite a mile off from that one.

      • tizzyfizzy says:

        As an American, how seriously do people take the DM? Have they done this kind of thing to others? I find it staggering, actually- to write an article pretty much calling him an insecure, clingy, mediocre, mess with relationship issues, and then turn around and write an article about the newest Sherlock trailer and how exciting it is to see it come back…

        I mean, perhaps they were hoping BC would come out with something after the Ibiza pics, or they asked for a comment, and he was less than nice when turning them down… because it was just a gross and mean article!!

        This is very sweet, though, and great to hear!

      • MBP says:

        @Tizzy fizzy.

        The Daily Mail is also known as The Daily Fail, Daily Wail…

        Their general approach is right wing hysteria with a side order of vitriolic celeb bashing leaning into dodgy appreciation of underage females. And pictures of suicide/accident victims.

        Have a giggle here http://www.qwghlm.co.uk/toys/dailymail/

        They buy and publish intrusive pictures and comments from “sources”, put together some scandal, and keep it going as long as they can.

        Mind you, someone on the Science writing team finds some good stuff.

      • Sixer says:

        @ Tizzy – I said this on another thread but it bears repeating. The Daily Mail *will* take a pop at anyone – especially given an in, as with the PR fiasco/gift of Cumby, several women, skeevy Russians and whatnots. But they also have a very strong anti-BBC agenda (long story) and they will be extra-super-duper happy if they get to have a particular go at the star of a premier BBC production. I doubt their teeth will be withdrawn from Cumby now they’ve got them in.

      • tizzyfizzy says:

        @MBP- oh good grief! I had a chuckle, but whoa nelly!

        @sixer- ugh, unfortunate BC caught their eye. I suppose it’s one of those occasions where you hope Britney Spears or LiLo goes out without their panties on again, and everyone forgets about you!

      • Lucrezia says:

        OMG, thanks for that link MBP! By the time I got “Could child cyclists molest your house?” I was laughing so hard I couldn’t see to click the button again.

        I’m not sure if that particular headline was actually THAT funny if I’d just been worn down by the previous 15 headlines.

        They’re just so true to the Daily Fail spirit. I don’t think they’ve ever asked a headline-question that should be answered “yes”. The correct response is always: “What??? No! Why would you even think that?!”

    • EscapedConvent says:

      @Ginger,

      Thanks for that link. I can believe this about the Cumbies. It sounds like BC’s parents raised him right! It’s sweet that they all go out together like that—makes me smile.

      I could not agree more that the way people treat “service” people & waitstaff says very important thins about them. It tells me a lot of what I want to know about a person.

      BC being nice & kind to the servers fits with what I’ve heard about him in his interactions with “regular folk.”

  24. Nonny says:

    That man fell out of the ugly tree and hit every branch on the way down!

    • Ginger says:

      And I’m sure you look exactly like Gisele Bundchen.

      • Laura says:

        Le Sigh, Ginge, can I call you Ginge? This is what I was talking about, yeah homegirl was being mean about his looks but it’s fine it’s her opinion. I mean I would have appreciated something more original and with more zing, but to get all huffy is totes useless. Leave her to her opinion.

      • Nonny says:

        Yeah actually 🙂

    • Ginger says:

      @Laura, I respond to anything polite!

      Yes, people are entitled to their opinions, but on an open forum, you have to be able to take what you dish out.

      I’m not some rabid fangirl, but I do admire BC, and I doubt that anybody on this thread could withstand the kind of scrutiny and criticism that this article throws his way…the anonymity of the internet makes people think they can be as nasty as they like without any repercussions.

  25. MBP says:

    I’ve got my grubby little paws on tickets so now I’m prepared to share – there are two more dates to see Frankenstein (the play, but streamed to cinemas) with BC and Johnny Lee Miller alternating roles. October 31st and 5th November. A little treat for the UK contingent 😉

  26. SamiLynn says:

    To Serena #19

    “You cannot diagnose a psychological/anxiety condition via watching press *interviews*.”

    The way he expresses himself, his speech – the way he talks, his body language and the things he constantly describes about himself (past and present), etc. speak volumes about it. Sorry.

    I’m not trashing him or anything, I’m not playing armchair psychologist either.

    I think he’s a great actor and seems to be a good guy. I agree with Ginger, it’s not cool to trash someone for psychological issues.

    • Lucrezia says:

      There’s a huge difference between saying “guy seems pretty hyperactive” and “guy is medicated for ADHD”. Same for anxiety. Unless someone actually says they have X problem, then you shouldn’t label them with specific diagnoses.

      I’m not saying you can’t gossip, just avoid the technical labels. Especially since the labels people are throwing around aren’t even proper diagnoses: Which ADHD type? What kind of anxiety disorder?

      Just stick with general laymen’s terms and I doubt anyone will have an issue. (They might disagree, but you won’t get the automatic “don’t be an armchair psychologist” backlash.)

      • Lucrezia says:

        I should add: there’s actually a good reason people (particularly anyone with any psych training) react badly to armchair diagnoses. There’s a nasty history of people being mislabelled and institutionalised, even lobotomised, from an incorrect diagnosis. Once you’re labelled with something, it’s almost impossible to remove that label. Even “normal” behaviour will be interpreted to support the false diagnosis. It’s a really, really, touchy subject, and it’s why any ethical psych will flinch at the idea of casually diagnosing someone off press interviews.

        It’s like implying that sleeping with a client is okay … you’re going to provoke a visceral “Ewww, no! You just don’t do that!” reaction, and MEGA side-eye.

        So that’s why you’re likely to get a strong reaction when you throw around clinical labels without proof. I highly doubt anyone thinks you’re being mean, or casting shade on mental illness (you didn’t come off that way at all). But you are pushing ethical buttons.

      • Van says:

        Chiming in to say Benedict himself has said he has anxiety issues and might have ADHD. He’s also stated that having trouble focusing and memorizing his lines has caused a few meltdowns on sets, particularly Sherlock.

        These rumors didn’t come from nowhere- they came from things he’s actually said:

        http://www.digitalspy.com/celebrity/news/a477763/benedict-cumberbatch-i-probably-have-adhd.html
        (this is actually a press release for a longer interview, but here’s the part I was referring too)

        http://cumberbatchweb.tumblr.com/post/8603606701/benedict-cumberbatch-old-interview-from-the-sunday

        As far as medication’s concerned, that’s purely speculation. But really, anyone watching an interview of him can see how wiggly he is. On an interview he did with Tom Hardy for Stuart: A Life Backwards he spent the entire time fiddling with a paper clip. He’s *constantly* distracted during red carpet events as well.

        If the man doesn’t have classic ADHD I’ll eat my hat. I have it too (though the inattentive kind) so I’m definitely not saying that in a negative manner. I actually think that’s one of the reasons why he has so much energy to do all these projects at once.

        All that said: Yes, that article is incredibly disgusting for sensationalizing these little issues.

  27. syc1 says:

    My mouth is watering at the prospect of a Chastain/Cumberbatch hook up in January.

  28. Helena says:

    Benedict will be voicing a character in the ‘Madagascar’ follow up. He’ll be an animal secret agent chasing a penguin voiced by John Malkovitch.I shall be seeing the film, buying the DVD and any B Cumbs soft toy available, especially if there’s a string to pull and his voice saying, ” Whoo Hoo “. If no one else here will be doing that, that’s fine. Just leave me to my Cumberbliss.

  29. SamiLynn says:

    Some rabid fangirls take things waaay too seriously on this thread. Wow!