Benedict Cumberbatch wants us to focus on Egypt instead of his Sherlock curls

Benedict Cumberbatch is still filming the third season of Sherlock. I believe they’ve completed the first two episodes and they’re now filming the third episode (“His Last Vow”) in Wales. Wales Online has a slideshow of Ben and Martin Freeman on set – you can see the slideshow here. All of the sites have grabbed this header photo of Benedict holding out a sign that reads “Go photograph Egypt and show the world something important.” BUT YOUR SHERLOCK HAIR IS IMPORTANT!!!

Anyway, a lot of you emailed me and asked me to cover this. I don’t really understand why THIS is big news in Cumby-land though? I don’t find it pretentious, nor do I find it all that interesting. Benedict knew he was being photographed. He was annoyed. He decided to make a point to the photographer. It’s not the first time he’s held up signs for the paparazzi, nor is it the first time any celebrity has done so. Besides, does he really think that a local photographer in Wales was really thinking to himself, “Golly, should I fly to Egypt and photograph the deadly violence there, or should I just hang out on the set of Sherlock?”

But if you’d like to know how screwed Egyptians are, go here to read some stuff from CNN. The Muslim Brotherhood is in the midst of week-long protests against the military-led interim government (which is looking more and more like a coup d’état and a hopefully-interim military junta). Will Egypt ever have free elections again? Will they ever have a government with checks and balances so they don’t have to go through this every two years?

Photos courtesy of Wales Online, WENN.

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171 Responses to “Benedict Cumberbatch wants us to focus on Egypt instead of his Sherlock curls”

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  1. Marsha says:

    That Egypt situation is serious.

    • Yep says:

      Indeed. :/

    • Anna says:

      Fun fact: the American government gave the army a ton of money for weapons. Hurray. America manages to be apart of every problem in life.

      • Side-Eye says:

        Isn’t the American government funding the Turkish government that they lambasted J.Lo for giving support to? The American government is a damn shame.

      • Yep says:

        Way to focus on what matters in the situation.

      • Leen says:

        Side eye, I think you are talking about Turkmenistan, not Turkish government. Turkey is a NATO country and a big ally of the US in the Mideast.

      • Side-Eye says:

        @Leen, Oh, thank you so much for the clarification! Big whoops on my part. Either way the hypocrisy in that case just made my skin crawl. I know I’m on a tangent here, but the outrage is real funny coming from the same government that’s been funding death squads and dictatorships since the 80s. (And before.)

      • Leen says:

        @Side-Eye, definitely. I mean let’s not forget that Egypt has been bankrolled by the US since the 1980s, and Mubarak had the biggest aid package (esp military) after Israel in the Middle East.

      • Side-Eye says:

        @Leen So glad other people pick this up. RE: your CNN comment, would you mind expanding on that a bit further? In what way did they twist their words. I mean, I know they do that a lot, but it’d be interesting to hear from an eyewitness.

      • Leen says:

        Well they interviewed my mom and asked her what does she think about the current situation, and she was talking about how it’s hard to keep crossing checkpoints every day to see her family, and it is emotionally, physically and mentally draining and constantly trying to avoid getting shot while crossing and she can see why people would despair and end up and carrying out suicide bombings, she then said of course that is also wrong, immortal and bloodshed doesn’t end bloodshed. But CNN obviously took the ‘Ofcourse I can see why people carry out suicide bombings’, completely making it out sound like my mom supported suicide bombings! UGH (By the way, the insult to the injury is both my mom and brother were caught up in a suicide bombing 2 weeks before that stupid coverage). This is why I don’t like CNN, very manipulative.

      • Bijlee says:

        @Leen Thank you Leen. I love having any reason to hate on CNN. They truly truly suck beyond all belief.

      • Tania Santos says:

        Americans (politicians and journalists, not people in general) tend to play the news as they see fit, as if others are always wrong… Egypt is a complicated situation, since some Muslims are extremely radical (thank God and Ala most are actually peaceful…
        I do pity the Egyptians who lived peacefully and found themselves in the middle of a civil war…

  2. Yep says:

    People are acting like he should be in contention for a Nobel prize now.

  3. Riri says:

    This story is so weird but it blew up over the weekend. I mean literally took over the internet.

    • Sixer says:

      I think that must depend on your internet habits. The only place I saw it was in the commentary section here, on the last Cumby post. On the other hand, despite NEVER having searched for nor read content about One Direction, it seemed as though I just couldn’t escape the Larry Shippers/Channel 4 documentary nonsense.

      • gigi says:

        Wait, what was going on with that? Girls killed themselves over a fake relationship?

      • Crumpets & Crotchshots says:

        Not to hijack, but I wanted you to know I have bought Journey into Mystery. 🙂

        i also dug up another book based on Norse myth which sounds very promising: Ragnarok by AS Byatt.

        She’s one of my favorite novelists, and her book Possession deserved all the prizes it reaped, though I felt the film version was dreadful. I haven’t opened it yet, but I think she’s a master storyteller.

        Thought you would like…..

      • Sixer says:

        Hey C&C. Hijack away. I’m sure nobody else will mind a little bit of off-topicking. I had been checking back on the other thread. Lucrezia bought (and liked) the Burgess books but was surprised they were as dark as they were (given the YA label).

        I get so little time to read outside what I read for work but I’ve got a couple of weeks off coming up. I like Byatt too, so I’m going to fire up the Kindle and download Ragnarok. We can share comments later!

      • Sixer says:

        @ gigi – sorry, I forgot you! Insofar as I can see (and I haven’t looked that closely; I tried to avoid it as much as I could), nobody killed themselves.

      • Lucrezia says:

        Okay, you’ve (both) talked me into Byatt. (I’m pretty easy when it comes books – literary slut, and proud of it!)

        I’ve read the first J Harris book, and I’m part way through the second. I can definitely see why Sixer said it had a Pratchett/Tiffany Aching vibe. Not as much overt satire, but the character voices are similar. (Do I need to say I’m enjoying it? Since I’ve said it’s Pratchettesque, it seems redundant to also say it’s a good read.)

        Something on-topic: What’s up with the tracksuit Benedict? You look like a Chav! >.<

      • Sixer says:

        Lucrezia – I gotsta say, I like your style. You’re a game gal.

  4. allons-y alonso says:

    I’ve been following what’s going in Egypt very closely. I was there this time last year on holidays just 1 week after the riots in Cairo. It really felt like the calm before the storm. I finally got to visit the one place I’ve been obsessed with all my life (I studied egyptian archaeology and museum studies) and to now see what’s happening there really brakes my heart.

    I understand and appreciate the sentiment but, no offence Batch, the actual journalists are covering what’s going on. Paparazzi don’t give a s**t.

  5. T.fanty says:

    Benedict Cumberbatch. Selfless social crusader. According to Tumblr, anyway.

    • Sixer says:

      I am confused about this. Had tumblr not heard of Egypt’s troubles before? How can Cumby spread (even further) awareness of the top news story of the day with a petulant/crusading* pap-baiting/pap-hating* notice however aloft he bore it? Who the heck wasn’t aware?

      (I think he should just stick to the green shirt, which makes everyone happy).

      • T.fanty says:

        No. Clearly they had not. Maybe about the Pharaohs, you know, and the old stuff. Maybe if he’d pinned his note to a half-open green shirt, it would have been better. Or tattooed it on a thigh that he subsequently waved at the adoring crowd. Although my inner hedgehog always does a little tappy dance of joy whenever Cumby unleashes his inner petulant bitch.

        The good part about Tumblr’s response is how they’re all reassuring themselves about how he’s *obviously* not talking about them.

      • Sixer says:

        Well, I like the inner petulant bitch, too. At least he hasn’t been PRd out of existence. So much easier to concoct fantasies around actual people and not avatars. I mean, we gag him or go splosh and pelt him with custard pies when he whines, right? There isn’t nearly enough splosh on here.

        I think tumblr should start doing melding gifs with the Tutankhamun mask and green-shirted Cumby.

      • Marty says:

        The thing I don’t get is the putting on shades and “wearing the hoodie to hide my face”. I mean he could still hold the sign up and just keep walking you know? If you’re trying to get the message across let the sign speak for itself, when he does the “hiding” stuff, he kind of makes it about him. Just my opionion though.

      • Anna says:

        Remember when ‘petulant bitch’ was Cumby’s defining PR characteristic? How we snarked on his diva comments before the adorbs baby picks came along… I miss that.

      • T.Fanty says:

        @Anna,

        I miss those halcyon days of Cumberbitchiness, too. That guy was fun Interviewers need to start back up asking him about being posh.

      • Lindy79 says:

        I’d be happy if they asked him about the “acting lessons” then watch his inner bitch come screaming out 😀

      • Anna says:

        @Lindy –

        I feel like he’d walk out of that interview. Which would make it worth it, for the gossip factor!

      • Lindy79 says:

        I’d LOVE to see his reaction. His mouth filter would come flying off so fast it would hit the interviewer in the face.
        Agree with what someone said, he’s being asked the same stuff over and over and it’s getting a bit boring.

        (OT but I actually didn’t like that Olivia was brought up again in the Vogue interview. It was the interviewers fault so not blaming him but I just thought, how would I feel if an ex was talking about me 2/3 years after we split, even in nice terms, it’s still dragging it up and she deserves more than to be BC’s ex for her entire life.)

    • Evangeline says:

      Tumblr is just a weird place period. Those are the fans who make his fanbase look childish and dumb. I wonder what the age range on there is. Im thinking 0-25ish maybe.

      • Marty says:

        Yes, but there are a lot of adults on there. Like, people old enough to reason that still take fan apprciation to a whole new level. Not speaking Cumby fans specificly, just in general.

      • Pastyousayyouneverknew says:

        Tumblr LOVES Benedict, like a perpetual Cumberbatch hard-on, I’m pretty sure they eat up everything he does.

      • Lauli says:

        I really hope they are younger than 25, I think they are mainly teenagers.

      • Lizzy says:

        I dared be critical in my tumblr blog about the sign, pointing out how silly it is to tel a paparazi to go to Egypt and throwing shade on real war photographers.

        You will not believe the HATE that got thrown at me. It was incredible. Quite amusing too. How dare I be ignorant to the amazing message that the Batch has put out and the thing is. Its not teenagers on tumblr, nope! Its 30+!!! At the least.

      • Lauli says:

        Lizzy,
        you’re kidding me. They can’t be over 16/18. Well, I hope so.

      • Izzy says:

        I once made the mistake of clicking on a Tom Hiddleston tumblr link.

        I still can’t talk about it to this day. Just… don’t go near the tumblr. Ever.

      • EscapedConvent says:

        @Evangeline,

        I agree. If you want to see how young a lot of his Tumblr fans are, watch this birthday video:

        http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQDUb8BWnbU

    • LadyMTL says:

      This is what gets me…some people on Tumblr are acting like he’s Mother Freaking Teresa because of this, whereas I’m sure most of them couldn’t even explain what is going on in Egypt. (I’m not saying that everyone should follow it on a minute by minute basis, but it is a serious and scary story and it shouldn’t be ignored.)

      I applaud the Lizard King for trying to get photogs to focus on something other than himself but it’s a pretty futile gesture considering he’s talking to the paps. Like they’d drop everything and run off to Cairo, hah.

      • Sixer says:

        If I were a conflict photo-journalist, I’d probably feel offended. It’s like telling a karaoke singer to go and get a job as principal at the Royal Opera House. But still, I like Cumby for getting his bitch in.

      • Leen says:

        I dunno about that Sixer. A couple of my friends are journalists in Egypt (some photo-journalist) and they are quite happy with the sign Cumberbatch has posted. Mind you in the age of twitter and the Arab Spring, everyone is a journalist now. If you have a camera-phone, that’s how you got the message out in the world. SO I don’t think people are offended about it, atleast not the people I know.

    • Anna says:

      I feel like if this was any other celeb, being a smart-ass and trying to hide while annoyed at the paps, we would be giving him/her a lot more sh*t for their pretentious/obnoxious behavior. But not Cumby Dearest.

      • T.Fanty says:

        Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone did it a while back and I think they just posted links to charities. Which was quite lovely.

      • Marty says:

        Yes! Anna, T.Fanty, couldn’t agree with you more.

      • Anna says:

        Yup, I remember that, but they were also cute and smiley during that, didnt try to hide or be selfrighteous.

      • Algernon says:

        But Andrew and Emma are just as beloved. They’re everyone’s favorite homecoming couple. The questions is, would we be giving someone we don’t like, or are on the fence about, grief over the same move? Imagine if Tom Hiddleston did it, for instance. It’s really hard because I can’t see him blowing off paparazzi…ever…but just try to picture it. Would we still think it’s cute and noteworthy or would we all be rolling our eyes?

      • Anna says:

        I mean, I dont actually see Cumby doing this as ‘cute.’ It’s kind of stupid. If I am only interested in Cumby/celeb gossip, is this REALLY gonna make me care about Egypt? And if I care about current affairs, I am already aware of Egypt and following it no thanks to Cumby. At least the charity thing might drive publicity to a cause that might not get it otherwise.

    • Janey says:

      MWHAHAHAHAHA! I’ve been waiting for this to be posted, because I hoped (Oh, how I hoped) that I wasn’t in the minority when I thought this sign was juvenile and petulant.

      @lizzy – I’m sorry you’re getting hate, that sucks especially when all you did is approach the situation rationally.

      I also wonder about the reaction if Hiddles did something like this, if the reaction to “live below the line” is anything to go by then he’d get called out.

      • Sixer says:

        Hiddles tweeted for UNICEF today, and he’s had a bucketload of replies telling him what an inspiration he is, how he’s changing lives, yadda ad infinitum. How you can call sending a pre-prepared tweet at a pre-arranged time after being fed some information by UNICEF via one’s publicist, inspirational, quite beats me. It must have taken him all of three seconds.

        I think Benny was being Benny the Bitch here, not Benny the Right-on Campaigner, but I will say I’d rather see Benny being a bitch than Hiddles being a re-tweeter paying lip service to a charity.

      • Lindy79 says:

        +1 Sixer!

      • T.fanty says:

        I think I might like Benny the Bitch more than Drunk Uncle Cumby.

      • Janey says:

        At least Hiddleston has actually done something for Unicef – I think live below the line is a crock, anyone can be poor for a week, and I agree Hiddles is at least partly self-serving in his charity, but at least he did something. Benedict was being a bitch, and is still somehow better? And now I’m sticking up for Hiddles. Up is down, black is white.

      • Lindy79 says:

        Definitely. DUC is too naive when it comes to models looking for acting lessons

        Janey, has it come to this??
        http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3ZOKDmorj0

      • Sixer says:

        @ Janey. I do hear you, truly.

        However, my preferences simply spring to a liking for something that looks like the real person (even if it is being a bitch) than something that’s edited to present an image and bears no relation to the person behind the image (re-tweeting for charity).

        So I like this from Benny the Bitch because he probably is one (for these types of things, anyway).

        And I don’t much like this from Hiddles because it isn’t any more than a tweet someone else wrote and someone else told him when to send. NOT evidence of Hiddles the white knight inspiring people to save the leetle cheeldren. And I did actually stick up for the guy when he went below the line and when he actually put some thought into the blogs he wrote for the UNICEF trip. There may have been a self-serving angle there, but it was at least part Real Hiddles. IYKWIM.

      • Side-Eye says:

        @Janey, Not to be a rabid stan here, but Benedict has done plenty of stuff for various charities, if in a quieter and less public manner than Hiddleston. (Which, quite honestly I prefer more often than not, because it kind of hints at doing it for something other than attention, which is why I like people like Christian Bale.) I’m also still side-eyeing Tom for bringing his publicist with him, and I personally think the Live Below the Line thing doesn’t make sense. (Like, I’m sure poor ,starving people would appreciate it more if you went and sent them you know food or money, than just go on about how “in touch” with them you are. At least, that’s what I would’ve preferred when my family was struggling.)

      • Crumpets & Crotchshots says:

        All of Hiddles Unicef tweaks are retweets. All. He does not seem to me to be really engaged or paying attention. It’s all superficial.

      • Janey says:

        Lindy, I don’t want to seem like I’m an over dramatic type, but IT’S SO MUCH WORSE THAN THAT. I must say, though, that your clip has made everything so much better. Bill Murray is my forever dong (do not tell me bad stories about him, just do not. I beg of you)

        Sixer, I know what you mean about Hiddles and his tweets but, to my mind, there’s the same level of engagement in both that tweet and Ben’s sign – not much, really, you know?

        Side eye, the thing is, Benedict used to do some charity work before he got this big bump of attention but now it’s stopped (publicly at least)now it’s all working and modelising. That’t not to be judgemental on him – he’s an actor and wants to make the most of his opportunities but it’s also part of the reason why I side eyed this photo – he has not particularly engaged with anything charitable since the cumbermadness began. And you don’t seem like a stan. I, on the other hand, seem to be stanning for this thread.

      • Katie says:

        @Janey

        He still does work, but he’s quiet about it. Just meet an ill fan six months ago through a make-a-wish charity sort of thing but didn’t involve his PR. Wouldn’t have known if she hadn’t posted about how great it was and how surprised she was he found the time.

        Honestly, people on both sides made way too much out of this. Their security needs to get rid of that pap, though, if that’s the same guy that was bugging the cast before.

      • Side-Eye says:

        What Katie said. Plus, it’s important to note that this wasn’t even him trying to be an activist–this was him telling some asshole paparazzi to do something important with their lives besides harassing people doing their jobs.

      • Sixer says:

        @ Janey – as Side Eye said, I’m not sure you’re quite seeing my point. My bad – not clear enough. I’m not trying to compare two charitable/activist actions and saying BC’s is better than TH’s.

        I’m saying I’d rather see BC have a bitch about paps because I believe BC is genuinely p!ssed off with paps, than I would see TH retweet a charity message because retweeting makes a celeb look good without requiring any effort or commitment.

  6. Lana says:

    Atleast he brought attention to a serious situation. I mean no one I knew, knew what was happening over there. Fox news and other channels picked it up. Its sooo funny how he takes over the internet lol

    • Sixer says:

      Um… oh. Fox News hadn’t covered Egypt until after Cumby raised his banner? Seriously? (Both Fox News not covering Egypt and then covering it post-Cumby intervention. I use the word intervention in an ironic sense, lest anyone wonders).

      • Lana says:

        No they were covering the situation all ready. They just started to cover Him with the note. Even Glenn Beck said something. But when I say no one knew im talking about my facebook pals. They usually dont pay attention to this stuff until a famous person gets involved.

      • T.fanty says:

        *snigger*

        Although we are talking about Fox News, who are about as bright as the Daily Mail, so possibly.

      • Sixer says:

        Blimey. Seriously. Blimey. A main news channel would include this in their coverage of the top international news story of the day? Colour me genuinely amazed.

        I’ve heard of Fox News but never seen it. If there’s something big internationally going on, I’ll watch reports from channels from different countries to try and get a clearer view of how it’s seen in toto – but I generally choose BBC, France 24, Russia Today, Al Jazeera and, for the States, CNN.

      • lana says:

        Yeah I was surprised myself. Although it was brief it was surprising. I dont like fox news that much anyway. They are sooo obsessed with Obama to the point of vomit.

      • Bijlee says:

        @sixer yeah as an American I hate CNN. Msnbc is better IMO. Or NPR. They have the best coverage of the issues in Egypt and have had it for a while now. For much longer and much better than crapNN.

      • Sixer says:

        @Bijlee. In the UK, I’m limited as to the 24 hour news channels available. US stations, I’ve got CNN, CNBC or Fox to choose from. I can also get English language Chinese, Indian and Japanese 24 hour channels, but I can’t watch everything!

      • Bijlee says:

        @sixer sorry. I just hate CNN so much. NPR is our national public radio. I usually listen on car rides but they stream online too as well as have podcasts for download. They’ve been talking about Egypt for weeks and have done a muh better job than cnn. It sucks they’re considered credible when time and time again they’ve proven themselves to be sensationalist drivel.

      • Sixer says:

        @Bijlee. Oh, don’t be sorry. I always want to know if I say something and someone else disagrees or thinks I might be doing something better.

      • Leen says:

        I’m about to join in with the hate-on on CNN. They actually interviewed my mom once as a passerby im the West Bank during the intifada. They took one sentence out of context and just twisted and manipulated everyone. Ugh I don’t like them at all and thus no one in my family watches it haha.

      • Bijlee says:

        @leen what really gets me is that they have the resources, the potential, the international platform to be amazing. And they just piss it all away for sensationalism, ratings, pretty boy newsmen (sorry coop I for the life if me cannot understand why you still have credibility), and will I am in holograms during the election. I mean ARE YOU BEING SERIOUSLY?

        Their Steubenville coverage was disgusting, their Boston attack reporting was atrocious, their election coverage sucks balls, and on top of that thy spend more time on the most asinine things then actual news.

        Neither of our cable news channels have given appropriate attention to Bradley mannings trial. Jodias arias is who we should be talking about apparently. It just gets my knickers in a twist!

      • Sixer says:

        I’m just going to pipe up and say that every single news channel from every single country I watch is better than CNN. But um… since I was vaguely aware that Fox News is even worse, I just assumed that the standard of US news channels was just incredibly low.

        Sorry Bijlee!

      • LilyRose says:

        I second NPR. I am in South America and follow the news on NPR online. DW the German station or TVE’s sister channel 24 horas. Rupert Murdoch owns Fox News, so that should tell you what their editorial mission is.

      • Bijlee says:

        @Sixer Don’t worry about it. For some bizarre reason CNN is trying to bring in the “younger” viewers. Turns out they think us younger viewers are perpetual idiots that go doe-eyed at the silver fox and love holograms (the day I couldn’t take it seriously anymore).

        When I say MSNBC is better, I do mean only marginally. Yeah American news networks SUCK. Seriously the Daily Show and the Colbert Report should win all the journalism awards because they actually do bring you news. NPR is the best at in depth coverage on a wide variety of things. It’s the best I’ve heard on international news in America at least. And I listen mostly because of convenience.

        Our newspapers aren’t so bad either, but only the ones that aren’t online. The death of the newspaper was a sad day indeed. Basically every other news outlet is miles better than CNN, MSNBC, and the holy grail of sh-t that is FOX.

      • Sixer says:

        Bijlee – I feel your pain! This is where I’m coming from by watching news sources from various countries: if I see what information is presented by news sources from country X, and how it is presented (depth, angle, etc) then I understand better the people from that country and why, in general, they hold certain opinions and beliefs.

        It’s no secret, for example, that Americans are perceived as quite ignorant about international affairs by people from other countries. It’s infuriating for Americans to read that other people think they’re all stupid. But when you watch a few hours of a US news channel, you start to realise that Americans are presented with a lot less news about international events than many citizens elsewhere in the world. Americans aren’t any more stupid than Germans or Brits or Danes or whoever. But the information flow going to them doesn’t include much in the way of international affairs.

        And similar insights can be gained by watching Russia Today, or al Jazeera, or any other news source that comes from a different perspective.

  7. kcarp says:

    I may be on the late show but I have never clicked on a story about this guy. What is the fascination? He isn’t good looking. Am I missing something? I really don’t even know who he is.

    • Quake says:

      He is a good actor. Thats the fascination. And alot of people do find him attractive. You dont have to be good looking for people to be fascinated with you.

      • Lauli says:

        Quake, I agree with you but maybe for a teenager only the looks counts.

      • Virgilia Coriolanus says:

        Lauli, I am a teenager, and he is hot. Of course, I always thought he was awkward looking, but then I saw him act….
        Whew! Plus, I think he looks better with slicked back hair, than the curls (although I do love them, and am completely jealous that my hair doesn’t do that)…

        Plus I like him because he’s a giant dork. Any dude that goes around in shorts, a fishing hat, and sandals in front of the paparazzi (which is how I would be dressed minus the hat) is okay in my book.

        But yeah, most teens look for how hot a guy is, not necessarily their talent or personality (in actors especially)..just think if Gary Oldman had started out today?

  8. Paula says:

    Not just in cumberland but on every blog this story was posted. Did you see twitter? The lady who broke the story was even trending.

  9. Kate says:

    That pap was stalking them all day saturday. Disturbing filming and being a douche to the fans there. I think he got annoyed and wrote that.

  10. Leah says:

    Oh dear, although his sentiment is right, This is a silly and childish antic that shows that he is not that bright. The paparazzis that photograph him are a far cry away from the photographers that go into war and conflicts zone. If he wants to do something for Egypt there are better ways then holding up a piece of paper in london in from of a celeb paparazzi.

    • Side-Eye says:

      The photographers were harassing the set all day being obstructive and rude, and all he did was hold up a sign that suggesting that they do something important with their lives. It’s really not as deep as a lot of you people are making it out to be, and I have no clue how this comment is an insult to war journalists.

  11. Lola says:

    Did anyone see the new setlock pics? Interesting stuff.

    • Heather says:

      Im more interested in the Setlock pics myself. Those last batch of pics left us questioning what the hell was going on. But I had to unfollow a few people yesterday because they kept posting all these pics with spoilers.

    • Lindy79 says:

      Just looked…

      Still would

      • Heather says:

        Me to..me to. Some people are speculating that he goes back on drugs. But I think he might be undercover doing a case.

  12. Crumpets & Crotchshots says:

    People, he was not trying to do anything for Egypt.

    He was telling an annoying pap to bugger off. Ironically giving that pap the perfect photo.

  13. Kristen says:

    I dont think he was telling the pap to go to Egypt but to go cover more important stuff and leave them the f**k alone.

    • Abby says:

      Exactly!!! People seem to not get his message…he meant to say that there are more important issues like in Egypt to cover for stories rather than filming of sherlock in Wales story

  14. Sandy says:

    I know they have been having problems on the set this year. Its cause the popularity of the show has skyrocketed and the long wait is just making it worse. Which is my only problem with this show. Not 3 episodes but the time in between each series. I get the main actors are busy but still almost 2 years???

  15. Amanda T. says:

    @T.Fanty I would loveeee to interview him myself. I feel like he would tell me everything.. even things we dont know. The interviewers have been asking him the same questions over and over again lately.

  16. Miss M says:

    “Go photograph Egypt and show the world something important.”

    This is the first time I find myself agreeing with him. He is so not interesting/important news.

    • Haley says:

      agreed. this is the first story about him I’ve actually liked and everyone’s reaction is “WHY IS THIS NEWS”

      • Miss M says:

        Can you imagine how burnt out his image will be by the end of the year? He still has two movies to promote: “August: Osage County” and “Assange”. If the Cumb*tches really liked him, they would worry about this overexposure. Posts and posts about him for the sake of talking about him. And dare you say anything against it, you get the ridiculous argument: “If you don’t like it, don’t click it”.

      • Sixer says:

        It depends how well-received his performances are, really. Almost all actors would kill to be in Benny the Bitch’s situation at the moment.

        He’s not in my top ten of faves but I can always find something to say about him. Not sure whether’s that’s good or not!

      • Miss M says:

        @Sixer: True! But, judging “Assange” for what I saw, it seems interesting. Osage County is going to be an award contender and will get the Oscar buzz for sure. Harvey W. and George Clooney are in the producers team and the cast is really good. Whether he performs well or not (I believe the former will happen since he is a tremendous actor), his image will be burnt out, but for the wrong reasons (his curls, his hands, his models, his crotch, his messages to paparazzi). Come on now!

      • Abby says:

        Btw what do you guys think of his oscar chances?? Does it look like he’ll get an Oscar nod this year. I really hope he does ONLY if he nails the character of Assange in that movie.

        I mean I heard JLaw will be up again for an Oscar nod—American Hustle. If tht overrated person can get a nod twice Cumby and Fassy need one ASAP hehehe

      • Felice says:

        Maybe but the US still refuses to acknowledge him. They are extremely stubborn about it actually. It’s like, “Oh cool, there’s that guy again.”

      • Sixer says:

        Honestly? I think the Oscars are nonsense. Generally, I think art gets to a certain standard and after that it’s a matter of taste. So there is no “best”. And specifically, I think the Oscars are corrupted into a mess of lobbying, similar to the awarding of high profile sports events like the Olympics.

        Whether or not Cumby will be the chosen lobbied candidate by enough people that matter, I don’t know enough about the wheeling and dealing to predict!

  17. Izzy says:

    Hmmm he still doesn’t annoy me like that hiddleston guy. Meh..

  18. Abby says:

    It’s not like he wrote something wrong. Why do people have to be cynical about everything?? Though I have to say after seeing that message lot of my Muslim friends have huge respect for Cumberbatch, so yea he gained more fans through this if anything

    • Alex says:

      @abby – I totally agree with you. People are reading wayyyyyy to much into this on here. Cynicism to the extreme. I suppose that’s why it’s celebitchy though…

      • Abby says:

        Thank you for agreeing with me Alex but then again its a gossip site…critcizing is always more fun than praising

  19. Elodie says:

    LOL… whatever dude… there is a difference between a paparazzi and a photojournalist, now come on…

  20. Vesta says:

    I don’t mind him being bitchy cause my inner masochist is in love with his inner bitch, but I’m not giving him style points for mentioning Egypt in this manner.

    I guess I just don’t like this kind of argumenting… You could kind of always use it. Like “Why are you bitch**s reading CB right now? Go read some important Egypt news!” I think he could have just simply said “Let us do our job in peace” or something like that.

    • Lindy79 says:

      I’m not 100% sure how I feel about his sign. I get his point but I think he missed the mark a bit and I dont think he deserves a sainthood, and also he’s now given that pap a much bigger payload at the end of the day.
      There were issues the last time they were filming, with one guy in particular being quite abusive towards cast and crew, Louise Brealey and some crew tweeted about it, so possibly that added to the reason he did this.

      I did have a chuckle at some of his fans freaking out that he might have been aiming it at them and getting all pissy with him. It was like watching an insane person having a fight with themselves.

      • tizzyfizzy says:

        Yeah, kind of agree. And I doubt he thought it’d get this much attention.

        The sentiment I understand… the execution left a little to be desired. Good for him bringing attention to the situation (…although, if you needed BC to bring your attention to it I imagine you haven’t been paying much attention to the news!)

        I wonder what will happen when (if??) he, like, BLOWS up, fame wise, and can’t leave his house without getting STALKED by the papz?

      • Poe says:

        Omg yesss. I was on tumblr saturday and some of the fans got mad thinking he was blowing them off. God I got so angry. I love him and follow his career but the loons on tumblr make me so damn sick.

  21. Dena says:

    This doesn’t bug me – the situation in Egypt has only been getting spotty coverage here in the States and our news so quickly shifts to tr latest thing that I worry they’ll stop covering it at all. One of my friends married a French soldier who’s currently stationed there at the embassy. She keeps saying its not too bad in their neighborhood, though there’s been graffiti spray-painted on their church. She keeps debating whether or not to take her 3 yr old back to France but they’ve stayed put for now. I’m so worried, I just want her to get out :(.

    So, as much as I love my celebrity gossip, Benedict doing this doesn’t bother me in the least.

    • ncboudicca says:

      The trouble seems to be escalating, so it shouldn’t drop off the news too fast (unless Lohan gets arrested again). Meanwhile, best wishes for the continued safety of your friend!

  22. Anne says:

    The stalker asshole pap was being a bitch yet cumby is being blamed? Lol only on the internet.

  23. TheyPromisedMeBeer says:

    I feel bad because there is no way he could have written “F*ck off” on a piece of paper like I’m sure he wanted to. Someone should tell him about “Bless Your Heart”.

    • Anna says:

      That’d be cute! How’s Richard doing? 😉

      • TheyPromisedMeBeer says:

        Aww, sweet of you to ask, lol! But, um … I thought you had him? I was trying to seduce Drew Brees this weekend for some Saints victory nookie (it didn’t work, but it’s okay. I like a challenge). You think Rarms is with Sixer?

        How’s Chemboy? 😉

      • Sixer says:

        I’ll have you know that I was busy with Francois Arnaud last night!

      • Anna says:

        WE LOST RARMY???

        Miss Jane is hogging Prince CHarming as usual >.<

    • ncboudicca says:

      HA! I can totally see him saying it, scorn dripping from every syllable.

      • tizzyfizzy says:

        Is “bless your heart” used in the UK? Or something similar?

        We in the South can wield it pretty well… one can only imagine what the Brits could do with it!

      • TheyPromisedMeBeer says:

        @Tizzyfizzy – Maybe “Brilliant” is the English version of “Bless your heart”? Like, you can use it as a positive AND a negative, just like with “Bless your heart”.

        I tried to say “Bless your heart” with an English accent. It just doesn’t work quite like a Southern accent does. With an English accent, it’s obvious you’re being an asshole. With a Southern one, you can get away with sounding sincere if the person you’re saying it too doesn’t know any better.

      • Bijlee says:

        @theyrpomisedmebeer haha it does sound snarky and almost patronizing in an English accent.

      • MBP says:

        I’m going to have to try out “bless your heart”. Might work in a northern accent, we’re normally more friendly. I don’t think we have a native equivalent.

      • EscapedConvent says:

        @boudicca,

        Yes, he most certainly could. Scorn & disdain, in that voice, with his haughtiest accent?! I would melt.

        & if it happens, I hope someone puts it on Youtube.

        (slinking away, all ashamed of myself)

      • EscapedConvent says:

        I just remembered the way Sherlock looked down at the girl reporter who followed him into the mens’ room & said:

        “You *repel* me.”

        ~shudders~

        Probably wouldn’t work on a paparrazzo, though.

      • Lucrezia says:

        I’m thinking “Bless his/her/your little cotton socks” might be the UK equivalent? Can be used straight, as an endearment or a thankyou, but can also be used in a sarcastic/patronising manner.

    • EscapedConvent says:

      @PromisedBeer,

      Hahahaha! Yes, he does need to be informed of “Bless Your Heart” immediately!

      Good to see you here 🙂

  24. Side-Eye says:

    A lot of you guys are taking this way too deeply. The man’s not trying to be an activist he’s telling the paparazzi that’s been harassing him and the crew all day to bugger off and try doing something important because he’s not the center of the universe.

    What is the controversy and cynicism coming from jesus, at least he’s not acting like a patron saint of the universe like…*some* people…

    • Vesta says:

      I don’t get who you are referring to with “you guys” ? Did you actually read this whole thread ? As far as I understood most people here understood very well his main message – that he was asking the paparazzi madness to cool down.

      • Side-Eye says:

        I’ve seen a lot of comments saying this was childish, or “he’s trying to be an activist” or he’s insulting war photographers, like wtf.

    • LA says:

      +1. That pap was causing trouble for them yesterday and was bothering some fans. I would have reacted in a nastier way then Ben did. He didn’t put his hands on the pap or anything like some celebs do. I don’t see how people are trying to come for him when he did nothing wrong.

    • Belle says:

      Oh please spare us the Hiddleston v Cumberbatch. It’s embarrassingly childish.

      • Side-Eye says:

        I made one comparison upthread in response to somebody else’s thoughts on the issue. Please swerve, because this was a general comment that could’ve been directed at anyone, although considering these two are in the same bracket pretty much it isn’t too far fetched.

      • Belle says:

        I didn’t mean to single you out, it’s just the general pitting of two grown men against each other from a lot of people that drives me mad.

  25. Nicole says:

    I’m just glad we got a Cumby post out of this situation 🙂 Prayers and thoughts to Eygpt too. And YES, I knew about it long before some pap photo.

  26. Cyrus says:

    First time commenting on a Cumberbatch post. I like the guy as an actor. That being said I don’t see what Cumberbatch did that was sooo wrong. Are people really pressed over a piece of paper? Lol. I keep expecting intelligent conversations from people on here but I have to remember this is a gossip site. Everything a celeb does is overblown on gossip sites.

    • mended says:

      i too am shocked that this is news. it’s kinda feeding the haters as well as the crazy fandom. lots of other celebs do similar things, and some do it with much more venom towards the paps. he was just politely saying “eff off”. the sad thing is the a-hole pap got his way and is probably making lots of money from this now.

      • kylie says:

        Its like this all the time on a BC post. His haters always say that hate him yet every article that is posted on him they always waste their precious time commenting. Then you have crazy fans which is expected in every fandom. Im not surprised it made news just surprised at how big the news got.

  27. Rachel says:

    Completely off topic but why do people hate Amanda Abbington? I didn’t know she was hated in the press until I saw some articles from online.

    • Belle says:

      Nobody hates her. She’s lovely and v popular.

    • drea says:

      The tax dodging accusations didn’t do her any favors.

      • Belle says:

        Don’t believe everything you read. That article wasn’t exactly accurately reported.

      • Rachel says:

        Thats exactly what comes up when I saw people talking about her. Something about bankrupt. People told me thats a reason they wont get married. Idk but thanks for responding to me.

    • Lindy79 says:

      Rabid fans of gay fan fiction between sherlock and watson were sending abuse through twitter because shes rumoured to play Mary, Watson’s wife

      • Belle says:

        Haha. Well that’s certainly the deranged and certifiable minority, there. I don’t think the disturbed rumblings of those loons count for very much.

      • Rachel says:

        Haha the johnlock shippers said some nasty things about her to. Its so obvious. I saw some are hoping her character dies on the show.

  28. drea says:

    Remember when you were a kid and someone at the dinner table would tell you to finish everything on your plate because people are starving in Africa, and you’d tell them to go stuff your leftovers in a Fedex packet and send it over there? Yeah, this situation looks kind of like that to me.

  29. MissMary says:

    Bit of backstory to the pic floating around from a credible witness to the situation. Some fans and paps were watching filming and one pap was super obnoxious, using long range lenses, etc, trying to get pics of the actors in costumes and scene specifics so Benedict came out w/the sign where the guy was standing to basically try to shame him.

  30. Dommy Dearest says:

    How about we focus on not just Egypt but also on our rights here in America being trampled on? I like that he is trying to bring attention to it and I wish more ‘celebrities’ would bring up important issues other than who is dating who and what not. Props to the Cumber!

  31. Danielle says:

    Ok I gotta stick up for BC in this situation because I was there myself. I just got back from England on vacation. The pap had been harassing the cast, crew and fans that day all day.Being loud and rude. We actually left the filming set early because that angry pap was hurling offensive language to us. One of my friends was called a b**ch and a stupid idiot. Mark Gatiss was not happy. Everyone of the crew was not happy. It wasn’t a good day that day and everyone was frustrated. But they knew they had to get the scenes done. When you have annoying people like that constantly in your ear of course you are gonna have some type of reaction. Im more surprised he didn’t give the douchebag the finger because thats what I would have done.

    -Daniel lol I spelled my name wrong.

    • EscapedConvent says:

      I’m puzzled as to why this is allowed to go on all day, or for any length of time. Isn’t there security in place for things like this? No one has to tolerate this on a film set, or anywhere people are trying to work, do they?

      I would expect that someone harassing the crew & bothering people & disrupting filming would last about 15 minutes before they are “escorted” away, by someone.

      Can anyone shed some light on this? What ever happened to the “disturbing the peace” concept, at the very least? Anyone?

      • Katie says:

        The short explanation I can give is that if they have to film in a public place, they only control the filming parameter as defined by the permits. Parameter is always limited to smallest space necessary to minimum area traffic disruption.

        So if they remove this guy for being loud and rude, it’s like a random business removing someone on a streetcorner they don’t own.

        Also lots of he said, she said, set gets shut down temporarily and other problems. Their security can tell the guy to shut it but they can’t make him without incurring liability.

        I do think they have a serious concern if this is the same guy that was on Twitter a few weeks back who took a bunch of Setlock pics and was nasty. He made some skin-crawling Tweets at the time that implied celebs are plastic, not people, and deserve abuse.

  32. mosty says:

    I’m an Egyptian who’s currently in Egypt, and i can say that what the military government is doing is not a coup. Muslim Brotherhood went nuts when they were removed from the authority and didn’t accpet that the people didn’t want them, and started killing a lot of citizens with no justification, the military is just defending us.

    • Lucrezia says:

      Your English is a bazillion times better than my non-existent Egyptian, so don’t take offense … but you’re misunderstanding the word coup. Reading in criticism where none exists.

      A coup d’état is not necessarily a negative thing: it doesn’t mean bad or violent. It simply means overthrow. The military overthrew the existing government (they didn’t wait for them to be voted out) therefore it is a coup.

      You can call it a people’s revolution if you prefer, but that’s just semantics (with a dash of propaganda). A revolution is still a coup.

      • Mosty says:

        @lucrezia when you put it that way, i agree! Thanks for clearing it up. A reveloution is a coup indeed, but what i wanted to sate is that the majority of Egyptians are with the army on that one! 🙂

    • Tania Santos says:

      @ Mosty and @Lucrezia In my country there was a coup d’etat in 1974, the government (dictator) gave up in a few hours and Portugal became a democracy again… only 4 people died shot by the government police… despite that it was a peaceful overthrown of power done by the military who were tired of dying in a senseless overseas war (Mozambique and Angola). The portuguese colonies became independent countries and Portugal regained democracy… I agree that a coup d’état can actually be something good…

  33. ems says:

    this officially converted me to the cumberbatch sex god bandwagon. AND he’s in a hoodie! the levels… so glad this was covered.

  34. Mew says:

    Wow, suddenly I like this guy a lot more. I’m so sick and tired ppl going uuh aah on him, I’m glad to see he agrees on that.

    • Cindy says:

      I agree. It seems like every little thing he does or says sometimes is picked apart by some people. I can guarantee if that had been me being harassed that day I would of acted the same or wayyy worse. People act like celebs cant do anything wrong sometimes when they are human just like us in the end.

  35. mfmaefh says:

    what happen in Egypt now is terrorism,the Muslim brotherhood burn churches and mosques and museum,when the police arrest the people who involved in this crime,Obama said that that we should release theme or the financial supports Will effected,America support the terrorists group in Egypt,Obama gives the Muslim brotherhood about 45 milliard dollars,what for obama

  36. Laila says:

    I’m Egyptian and I don’t appreciate you describing Egyptians as “screwed.” A lot of people have given up their lives in this fight for democracy and justice. Please show some compassion and sensitivity when writing about this issue.

  37. Barbara says:

    I have some FB friends living in Egypt. One woman daily posts pics of the horrors going on. Sometimes I ask questions when I don’t understand. Due to the language barrier it is difficult to fully know her views. But I know the Muslim Brotherhood is trying to make the nation believe only like them, and they are the minority. Most of them are immigrants and really don’t like the women socializing like they do, and have done for many years in Egypt. That is just one simple example.

  38. Tania Santos says:

    In my opinion. he was just trying to tell the papparazzi to F**k off and let him and his coworkers do their job without being importunated continuously…

  39. Helena says:

    By the way, it was a year ago but Benedict and Adam Ackland raised a hell of a lot of money last July for charity, doing the bike ride for The Prince’s Trust. The money is used to help teenagers.Benedict was the top individual fund raiser.That wasn’t just down to fans. He spent a lot of time raising the money. That sort of thing doesn’t get much publicity of course.

  40. Jed says:

    Hmm a site called celebitchy and the person who typed this post wants to give us an update and general view of the current situation in Egypt – really?

    See guys she/he is capable of posting info more “serious” than celebtertainment. Check out the big words/phrases: interim government, junta, coup d’état .

    Who else highly doubts “a lot” of people emailed and requested the site “cover” Cumberbatch’s sign?

    Clearly the poster was/is dealing with a touch of insecurity. It’s utterly affected and the exasperated tone at the end is absurd. It’s not Belfast !

    Relax author, you have a mega popular site and you get to post about your true passion! It’s impressive and smart and successful – enjoy it and be proud. Please and thanks