Benedict Cumberbatch: ‘The only support I really need… is the woman I love’

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I’m a little bit afraid to admit this, but I’m starting to get a little bit bothered by the Twihardy conversations about and around Benedict Cumberbatch. I expect this kind of nonsense about Tom Hiddleston (yes, I remember when some of you spun out of control and threadjacked every post because some mistranslation on some forum “proved” that Hiddles was secretly married). But it’s Benedict Cumberbatch! And it’s getting really silly. Worst case scenario: this is going to be some kind of hilarious Amal Clooney situation where Benedict’s PR tries to convince us that Sophie Hunter is perfect in every way, all while Benedict campaigns for an Oscar. That’s it. That’s literally the worst case scenario. So, with that in mind, here’s the uncomfortable interview Benedict gave to People Mag:

What did you expect, an Instagram photo? Benedict Cumberbatch was never going to announce his engagement to theater director and actress Sophie Hunter on social media. Instead, he announced it in the births, deaths and marriages column of The Times – and told PEOPLE Monday that the decision just “seemed right.”

“It’s what I would have done if I wasn’t sort of famous. It’s what we do. It’s a kind of traditional thing to do,” the actor, 38, said at the premiere of The Imitation Game in Los Angeles, sponsored by Chanel.

“I wanted to have some control over the message. I don’t Tweet or do social media. It’s too impersonal. I would rather do what we did, and have people find it, and not see us from some s—ty, grainy footage staring lovingly into each others eyes with a ring on someone’s finger. I wanted it to be ours.”

He added: “We’re so happy, and we just wanted to let everyone know how happy we are.”

And in turn, fans let the couple know how happy they were.

“One of the most incredible things about getting engaged, which we had no idea would be coming back our way, is the amount of love that just comes flooding back,” the Sherlock Holmes and 12 Years a Slave actor said. “I thought it was just all about us declaring that we were in love and getting married, but actually it’s the world going, ‘We love you too!’ It’s amazing. Family, friends, the world … it’s amazing.”

Finally, PEOPLE mentioned to Benedict that his fans are now expecting something else – so-called “Cumberbabies.”

“Oh my God,” he replied. “Well, my mother is also waiting for Cumberbabies.”

[From People]

Isn’t this exactly what the Cumberloonies wanted? They wanted him to say outright that he’s happy and that no, this engagement is not some kind of fake BS set up by Harvey Weinstein. I mean, I still think he might have gotten Sophie pregnant and they’re just not announcing it yet. But so many Cumber-Twihards (Twibatches?) were bitching about how he hasn’t said anything about his happiness and how he’s seemed so miserable, etc, etc. Couldn’t it just be that Benedict is truly uncomfortable with all of the attention his engagement announcement has garnered? Isn’t it possible that he IS miserable… but not about Sophie? That he’s miserable because some members of his fandom have gone full-tilt cray-cray? Update: I’m trying to walk a fine line between being a genuine fan of Bendy and wanting good things for him and having genuine angst about how crazy SOME people are getting over these stories. Just FYI. I’m sorry if anyone was offended.

Also, Benedict spoke to E! News at the premiere… when asked how he feels about being the biggest heartbreaker of 2014, he said: “There’ll be another one… And I don’t know that I really deserve that title. I think most people are just really happy as we are.” He was also asked about getting “support” from the people he loves and he said it was nice “but the only support I really need to be honest I need is the woman I love who I proposed to.” That made me a little bit barfy, but then again, I’m dead inside. He also joked about whether he would ask Martin Freeman to be his best man, saying: “I think we’ll let the Internet talk to Martin Freeman.” God, that embarrasses me as a Cumberfan. People, tone it down!!!

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Photos courtesy of WENN.

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717 Responses to “Benedict Cumberbatch: ‘The only support I really need… is the woman I love’”

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  1. Mila says:

    It was E! who mentioned Martin Freeman as his Best Man, not Benedict. And there’s this website, Bustle campaigning for Tom Hiddleston to be his Best Man! Eeeeek! Embarassing! He’ll obviously choose Adam Ackland! And his posh public school boy friends will be the ushers! No wonder he feels uncomfortable.

    He just seems really jetlagged to me. I mean, he did days of screenings, interviews, red carpet in LA then he got back to London for two days of filming then he’ll go back to LA for the Hollywood Film Awards then will go to NYC for the TIG prem and do guest appearances. Who wouldn’t be annoyed/fatigued/look miserable with that schedule?! Even with first class flights! Do people people want him to do some couch-jumping like Tom Cruise? He’s loved-up but he’s tired. Tired people, like him, can be really happy inside too, you know?

    Harvey is full on campaigning for TIG, even Keira who doesn’t campaign is working hard right now in LA. Harvey basically has a pregnant woman and a newly-engaged man as his strongest shots this season and he’s making them really work hard for it.

    • Lucifer says:

      Yeah because he has never been jetlagged or overworked before!!

      • Mila says:

        Not at this rate! LA-London-LA-NYC! Non-stop work. Seriously? He has never been this overworked/overbooked before. Even his TIFF trip this year was not as hectic!

      • Lea says:

        Not true, he has worked more in the past without being this cranky.

      • Mila says:

        @Lea Cranky?! Was he bitching about in restaurants? Did he throw a fit or something? He was even given his own standing ovation (apart from the film) in a SAG screening a few days ago which was very rare. He’s charming the crowd. So, he’s not smiling in some photos yada yada. It’s not like it’s uncharacteristic of him to do that. An simple sear on google images will give you photos of him doing a poker face.

        And really, worked more in the past? Mmmm. Remind me of that time then.

      • Lea says:

        Frankenstein time was harder.
        He had few months of holidays before starting Richard III and TIG promo and he takes week ends holidays (Paris, Edinburgh, Brighton) all the time.
        I’m not gonna cry over poor little overworked Benedict Cumberbatch.

      • Mila says:

        @Leah No one’s crying over poor little overworked Benedict! And his rendezvous with Sophie were mostly in between post-LFF press for TIG (phone interviews) and Richard III. That’s not hard to do. A light schedule before a hectic one doesn’t make anything easier. And Frankenstein? He was just doing Frankenstein, one project. He’s travelling from NT to his flat in Hampstead. How can you even compare that to his schedule now? Seriously!

      • Mila says:

        @GuineaPig And? I do know that! I’ve seen the play myself! But it’s one thing to be concentrating in one project (even in alternating roles) and another thing to juggle a dozen tasks (charming the crowd, interviews, networking, presenting, rehearsing for Richard III, etc) while travelling thousands of miles from one place to another.

      • Mila says:

        @GuineaPig “Intensity of an intensively gruelling play” Haha! Wow. Was the play intense or what? I get your point. Actually, with that play, he even got variation because he’s playing two roles. There’s a difference every night, at least. But what he did in LA? Post Q&A screenings? Roundtables? Junkets? Same questions over and over. That’s draining and numbing especially for a guy like him who loves variety. And then you’re expected to smile and network at the red carpet with strangers just to get their approval for votes. And then long air travel.

        Also, really? Not overbooked? When you merely spent a few minutes doing the press line, when you miss the screening and after party of your own film for you not to miss a flight to London because you’re filming the next day (happened at TIFF too). That’s not overbooked to you? Really?! You’re not going to look tired/miserable/fatigued doing what he’s doing? Well, I didn’t realize we have a Wonderwoman over here!

        We just need to agree to disagree here! I don’t know what kind of conspiracy theory you have there but most of the time, the simplest explanation is the right one. I’ve explained myself here. There’s no convincing you. It’s futile so I’m over and out! Ciao!

      • Sandi says:

        Actually, Mila is kind of right, imo. Most people don’t even film while they’re campaigning or take a longer break to film, and I don’t believe he’s ever done anything like this before.

        What he’s doing is filming Richard III, working on Hamlet (no way he just waltzes into prep in June), and entering prep for Sherlock while doing a high level of promo for TIG and a little for PoM. Plus the added of pressure of not being able to having another box office failure and mounting a high-profile play.

        Don’t know if he got bad advice or ignored what he got, but this is foolish to take on all at once.

    • Kit says:

      Is Keira pregnant? I’ve noticed she seems to be styled in a way so as to cover her tummy but nobody ever seems to mention it! She looks radiant but then again she always does! 🙂

      • Mila says:

        Well, I’ll leave you to your deductions…
        https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B2D3ZsJCUAE359e.jpg
        I don’t even think her hubby is with her in LA. Her fab mom is with her though.

      • Felice says:

        She has a baseball under there :p

      • Abby_J says:

        I bet she’d have beautiful babies.

        Hey wait…..maybe Benedict got KEIRA pregnant, and is marrying Sophie to cover it up?! Oh yeah.

        Okay, totally not being serious for many many reasons.

      • Isadora says:

        Yes, she could be pregnant. Or it’s a food baby. Or she’s gassy, no idea. *lol* She is very slender and food babies seem much worse for people with a small frame.

        But whatever it is, I like her and hope she is happy. And she seems quite mature and laid back these days as well as happy in her marriage, I think she would make a good mother.

  2. Abbott says:

    And there you have it! Otter King is happy and in love. Mazel, Bentobox Banglesnatch!

  3. Lindy79 says:

    Today’s Cumberbatch post is proudly brought to you by our sponsors, the letters WTF.

    WTF: When “I don’t get it” just won’t do.

  4. Lilacflowers says:

    Enough! Enough! I surrender! You can have my teapot! Enough!

    • Ellen says:

      We need a rest day from Benny.

      • Lindy79 says:

        We need a rest month I think

      • Abbott says:

        You hush your voice holes! He is very thoughtfully filling in the giant gossip gap left by the Klooneys!

      • Lilacflowers says:

        @Abbott, such a sacrifice he is making and I am being so ungrateful.

      • icerose says:

        I was feeling so contrite I almost offered the happy pair my otter quilt as a wedding present but on reflection I have decided to hibernate with my Tommy quilting project until this mania is over. Lots of dragonflies,glitter, leather and pudding captured with in a blown up of across between his Crimson Peak/Hank image. With luck I should be able to sell it on Ebay for thousands.
        I have however booked a holiday which includes swimming with otters but thank god they are the hairy kind. and more reminiscent of Benny in his old age.

      • mimf says:

        I’m starting to think @Abbot was Marquis de Sade in a former life. A regular Shar-day, if you will.

      • Abbott says:

        mimEf for a second I thought you compared me to Sade, and I had visions of myself twirling on a beach at sunset with beautiful textiles dancing around me… then I read the whole thing.

      • jammypants says:

        I think even Ben wants a rest from Ben.

      • FLORC says:

        These threads will burn people out. And when threads continue when people are burned out they lash out. Just like Lupita got.

        Scale back the Cumby threads! We have a long road of campaigning ahead.

  5. Indira says:

    Lainey’s been calling them CumHards. :s

    • JKL says:

      I thought that was hilarious when I read it. So appropriate.

    • Catherine says:

      I always thought that Twihards were teens, but I read somewhere recently that some of the more er, enthusiastic ones were middle-aged women.

      • Indira says:

        Yep. Thus the reason for the 50 Shades success.

      • M.A.F. says:

        yes. It was the mothers of those teens that pushed Twilight then 50 Shades into what it never should have been.

      • Abby_J says:

        And somewhere literature is sobbing quietly into an abandoned Jane Austin novel.

      • Isadora says:

        If people who were totally stoked about the 50 Shades of Grey alleged “BDSM” sexiness also saw Polanski’s “Venus in Fur”? *lol*

        (and sorry, I don’t want to start any Polanski discussion here. Yes, he’s a swine. Yes, he’s a skilled film maker.)

  6. Sixer says:

    “It’s what we do.”

    I did say…

    … although I am sure there are some fabulous jokes in there about the royal we. We could play wordassociationfootballpsychoanalysisterandbrother with that. Royal wee! Or a game of Mornington Crescent refreshed to a theme of Arrive At The Benny Wedding Venue? That would surely be British enough?

    • ncboudicca says:

      Do we ever refer to our bride-to-be by her name, or just “the woman to whom I proposed” or the “woman I (we) love”?

      Meanwhile, “the support of the woman I love”…it’s like he plagiarized Edward VIII’s abdication speech.

    • icerose says:

      it reminds me of the Queen having acknowledge Diana’s death or announce or Camilla and Charle’s marriage. We do have to have to do the right thing and throw a few titbits to the expectant public, I sometimes think Benny’s PR people spy on Celebitch just to find the right response for his next interview.
      I believe it is “the woman I proposed to ” until the wedding date is actually announced. It allows for major fall outs and red carpet absences.

    • sigh((s)) says:

      Ha. That’s what I thought of the “we” as well. Careful, your posh is showing.

    • Me says:

      You shut your peasant holes! No plebe will ever be able to guess where the Cumbernuptials will take place. How dare you sully the potential wedding garb of “The woman who I love who I proposed to” with your silly assumptions!

  7. Jaderu says:

    Come at us with your Amal 2.0, Mr. Crumblecake.
    Unless you bring doorway tree stumps, wind machines, and Mill Burray, you will lose.
    King George is the master. Don’t even.

    • mimf says:

      I know I’ve been banned from THE COMMITTEE, but is this a formal challenge? Because I am in (only for the absinthe and I think maybe someone was handing out pot brownies the otter day??).

      • Jaderu says:

        I can sneak you into committee meetings if you wear a Mr Potato Head disguise. Not that it would fool Kiddo, but I think you’d look cute. Sh*ts and gigs and all that.

      • Lilacflowers says:

        @mimf, we are almost out of absinthe. Again.

      • icerose says:

        but the pot brownies are still going strong.
        Mr. Crumblecake. will definitely need a little more ” Hugging and squeezing and kissing and pleasing ” to even compete with Clooney.
        Puts the record on and dances with open arms around the committee table.

      • PunkyMomma says:

        Someone mention “Potato”?

      • Abby_J says:

        @Lilacflowers,

        Should we send Colin out to get more?

      • Lilacflowers says:

        @Abbyj, JLM has volunteered to pick some up on your next run. Colin is currently hiding under the stairs, hugging a picture of the Queen Mother, and repeatedly whining: “I told them he must be stopped and they all thought it was so bloody funny.”

  8. sigh((s)) says:

    Alright, alright.

    Omg! Benedict looks so happy! I’m sure Sophie is simply magnificent, because she was, after all, chosen by Benedict. He’s simply beaming. I’m so happy for him! But not so happy for him that I will do anything than utter a happy, sigh, love him! On my twitter.

    Is this the perfect response?

    Idk.

  9. Lea says:

    He really wants to make us believe that putting an announce in the TIMES was the only way for him to tell his friends and family he gonna marry Sophie.
    He must really think people are that dumb.

    I’m so over Mister “I’m not posh. That’s not true” Cumberbatch.
    Good luck for your Oscar campaing and your happy wedding.

    And good luck to Sophie who gonna have to deal with Mister” The World loves me” for the next few years.

    • Lucifer says:

      next FEW years. 😀
      You guys are amazing

      • Lea says:

        He’s so self-centred that I don’t see how it could work….

      • Green Eyes says:

        Yeah, I think most of the Cumbercollective are now breathing a deep sigh of relief that that their CumberLover fantasies never came true. Can you imagine spending any more than a week with this guy? The nonstop chatter and the need to control probably everything in his life would drive me to drink…

        I hope Sophie has plenty of Xanax on hand…

    • Mila says:

      It was family tradition for him. Like, his grandfather had a wedding feature in The Times years ago and The Times doesn’t do that, it was such a glaring exception because he was revered in London’s high society at the time. And I think these things are taught or instilled in posh boarding schools with their gentlemanly lessons and such. Redmayne did it too. I’m betting Hiddles will do it too, when his time comes.

      • Lea says:

        It’s what I understood, he still lives in the 19th century.
        He can stay there with his fiancé.

      • gg says:

        Now that Ginger Spice has done it, the Times thing is ruined now

      • Guinea Pig says:

        Why are people missing the point with this? If he remotely cared about his privacy he would not have that paper announcement. Certainly not at the moment he did, anyway.

      • M.A.F. says:

        I can’t for the life of me see Hiddleston putting his announcement in the newspaper. He barely talks about his time at Eton for crying out loud. And Redmayne? I don’t recall anything but a statement from his PR stating he was engaged and nothing more.

      • icerose says:

        Nah Hiddles will be way to excited and announce it on twitter with a suitable Shakespeare quote.

      • Sandi says:

        Oh, Hiddleston will. He’s actually proper upper-class posh. Redmayne also ran an ad in the Times:

        http://www.marieclaire.co.uk/news/celebrity/546584/eddie-redmayne-engaged-to-girlfriend-hannah-bagshawe.html#index=1

        I do think it’s possibly less about ‘entering society’ for BC since Hunter is the same social class as him, ergo they’re not entering anything by doing it, and more because his parents did it. Not saying it isn’t for PR but he could have given the scoop to People or something instead.

      • Lindy79 says:

        @gg I’d say the Cumbercamp are thrilled they got in there before Geri bloody Halliwell went in and tainted the poor Times “posh folks getting hitched outta the way peasants” section.

      • 'P'enny says:

        Hiddles is society, it will be Times and Telegraph and probably something in Tatler too. He wont be able to get away with a low-key engagement. sorry, i know its getting old. but it’s hard to resist.

      • Me says:

        Stop it, Mila! He’s not posh! He’s NOT!!!!!!

        PS – Does anyone really see Hiddlecycle getting married?

      • Lilacflowers says:

        Was it done for Tom’s sister Sarah? He’ll do whatever family tradition dictates. This has little to do with whether any one of these guys is private or not and more to do with “what is done” in a specific class set. And BC’s mother strikes me as very much wanting to present her family as part of a certain class. Keeping up appearances!

      • sigh((s)) says:

        I dunno. I think Hiddles is going to buck the trend. I think he’s not going to marry posh, and I think he’s going to keep it balanced, but private, a la the McAvoy-Duffs. I think he’s gonna wait a bit though. He’s already gone against the family grain with his chosen profession, and he’s dialed back the fan baiting. I’m calling it, you heard it hear first.

        Hiddlecycle. Lol.

      • You see Mila it’s Hiddles references like that which mean I have to (it’s compulsory) plough my way through hundreds no thousands of otter-related posts to see if there’s any dragonfly-relevant items. It’s tough being a zoologist…

      • Isadora says:

        Not sure if Hiddles will do it or not. Personally I don’t care either way, I think it’s nice and old fashioned, but not much of a big deal. Is it public? Yes, in a way. But so is tweeting it or telling a paper in an interview or something like that. The Times is just more traditional than twitter and I can’t fault anybody for that.

        But you may also call me a naive, ignorant girl, but I also don’t see what’s so horribly wrong with marrying someone from your “class”. I also don’t think there’s anything wrong with not marrying someone from your “class” – do what you want and what makes you happy. However I can understand that people like other people who are in a way similar, may it be because of similar age, background, values, jobs or education. It doesn’t surprise me that such people click in a way and it’s very common – just not as noticeable when for example a school teacher marries another school teacher or dancers marry each other or stuff like that. Benny always struck me as a rather posh theatre/film person and Sophie seems to be a rather posh theatre/film person too. They even look a bit alike. 😉

        And still people think it’s outragous? IIRC Eddie Redmayne also got engaged to a rather posh British girl (her father owns a fine art gallery in London) working in the entertainment industry (as his publicist), he also had a Times announcement and nobody got worked up over it. Quite the contrary, people were congratulating him that he was so “private”.

        Will Hiddles marry soon? I somehow doubt it, but at least I’m pretty sure he won’t get engaged to his publicist. 😉 And I think he will marry within the business, maybe an actress.

      • Me says:

        Isadora: Agreed, people should marry who they want. I’m poking at BC for trying to paint himself as not being posh. Eddie never came off as a snot, but he never tried to sell himself as some sort of a regular guy either. Hannah never tried to sell herself as this majorly accomplished woman.

        http://www.buzzfeed.com/richardhjames/i-just-farted-im-sorry?bffb

        Yah, WILWIPT and BC look similar – maybe they should get a blood test….. Nah! That doesn’t matter to their set. ROFL.

      • Camil says:

        I will marry Tom, I will be The Queen of the Dragonflies! LOL At least in my dreams.

        And I agree with Isadora, I don’t care if he has a secret girlfriend, a secret boyfriend, a secret baby or a secret pony, I just want him in more movies and interesting projects. Hope one day he plays a roman warrior or a greek god: Hiddles in toga.

      • Isadora says:

        @Camil: As long as he doesn’t have a secret cigarette!!!!! D: *lol* 😀
        @Me: I haven’t followed Ben closely enough to know if he tried to sell himself as anything else, to be honest. In interviews he always seemed to me like a posh, educated, slightly goofy and funny guy.

      • Pretzel says:

        @Isadora Hanna Bagshawe is not EDDIE’S publicist. In fact, she’s not working in the film industry. She’s a FINANCIAL publicist who works with banks and other NBFIs.

      • Catherine says:

        Bustle isn’t exactly an accurate news source. Hannah works for Finsbury, in business pr not in the entertainment industry (that was from a quick Google search).

  10. GeeMoney says:

    What a crock of s#$%. Most of the response to his “engagement” has been that he’s settling and that she’s not the right person for him.

    I can’t wait until this farce of a relationship ends. And I wonder if he actually cracked a smile when he gave that manufactured PR response.

    Probably not.

    • Lucifer says:

      Geemoney
      BEAMING

    • Lea says:

      I don’t doubt it’s a PR response but I think he really gonna marry her.

      • Felice says:

        There’s too much to lose if he doesn’t.

      • GeeMoney says:

        What is he going to lose? Absolutely nothing.

        He will truly lose out if he actually does go through with it. I’m telling you… she’s no good for him.

      • Lea says:

        @GeeMoney
        People will say he can’t keep a girl one more time and he really doesn’t want that.

      • GeeMoney says:

        @Lea
        Who cares what people think?!?!? When you live your life according to what everyone else wants for you, you just end up miserable.

        Benedict = case and point.

      • gg says:

        He better have a good prenup then

      • MissMary says:

        IDK–if he doesn’t, it does make a great narrative post-Oscar. If he wins or is nominated: “It’s been an amazing year for Cumberbatch *prattles on about Oscars,* but it looks like he’s just not lucky in love. *cue audience awwwwwwww response, positioning of him as hard working and dedicated, but still available, maybe a bit wiser and less “ardent” fangirls, more “mature” fans who know what serious LTR break ups are like*. And if he doesn’t get nominated or win, “It’s been a rough year for CUmberbatch so far, not only missing out on the Oscar, but splitting from his fiance Sophie Hunter after they announce work/life schedules are just too tough” or whatever. No witch hunts or “OMG HOW DARE THEYs.” And SH gets a boost being the woman who was engaged to him, her face and name are now always tied to him and she will get an infusion of interest if they split, people who want to find out who broke up with BC or who heard her name in relation to his.

      • gg says:

        @Lea: I think that could be one reason why he looks so miserable. He is stuck between a rock and a hard place, with HW wanting this PR romance and his own desire for a real relationship, which will definitely be jeopardized by this clusterf#ck

      • Me says:

        I buy that he’s in love with WILWIPT. It’s just not who we saw him choosing because of how he used to sell himself to the public. WILWIPT does not seem like a bad person. She just seems like someone who can ride, speak french and play piano forte – and not much else.

        And the media is trying to sell her as Amal 2.0. Downright insulting. Stop. I accept that Mr. Bingleybatch found his plain Jane. But DO NOT desecrate the name of Mrs. Clooney with her mediocre being. Do not! Fall back!

      • sigh((s)) says:

        I was trying to figure out wth wilwipt meant…..hahahaha! I love it! WILWIPT. so precious. New name. 🙂

      • Miss Melissa says:

        @MissMary Isn’t there an Oscar break-up curse?

    • aly says:

      @gg, that’s a given.

    • Annie says:

      Why do normal people act like celebrities are their friends in real life, and you know exactly what is on their mind and heart? Why? Why is this engagement fake? Why do you think you know what’s best for him? You only watch his pictures and read his interviews. That’s only one side of him available to you. Way to wish ill on others. Handsome celebrities have love lives too. Don’t get jealous.

      • GeeMoney says:

        Are you blind? You actually believe he’s happy? Are you actually viewing the same crazy that most people on here are witnessing?

        And if you believe that most people in Hollywood are actually living and breathing the BS that they spout out of their mouths on a daily basis… oh Lord.

      • maria says:

        Don’t bother Annie. You see, they knoooooow him. Or can “read him” based on what he says in interviews. Which apparently is bs now. So…don’t know anything about him at all, then, I assume?

      • Sooth says:

        Omg, the last vestige of the nanny. You is ‘jealous’. Er, no. Try again. Most people are baffled.

      • GeeMoney says:

        @maria
        Sophie, is that you? How nice of you to take a break from your busy work schedule and grace this blog with your presence. Make any good films lately?
        🙂

    • moodgirl says:

      @geemoney – If we say that we sound immature and jealous but if you look at the reality of the situation then one can see that things really don’t add up for even for the most casual observer. I have never seen anything like it.

      • GeeMoney says:

        Some people just don’t apply LOGIC to certain things that are obvious. That’s all I can say about that.

      • V.L.719 says:

        @GeeMoney I have to agree with you 100%. He needs to be himself and not spend another moment being miserable. But if he doesn’t end it, my friend said she might. If not next month then for sure in 2015.

      • GeeMoney says:

        @V.L.719
        She will end it? Hmm. I was hoping he’d be the one to do it.

        And what’s going on next month?

      • V.L.719 says:

        @GeeMoney

        Check out this channel. For SH, her Pisces and Gemini forecasts are on there so that will explain what is going to go down on her end.

        http://www.youtube.com/user/barbaragoldsmith (Sophie’s Sun and Moon Sign)

        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUgBiSdIDKA (Ben’s Moon Sign)
        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PoXNMKredPo (Ben’s Ascending Sign)

        At this point, I understand his perspective and if she ok with providing support from a distance, no harm, no foul in that. BUT, it’s in the stars that this isn’t meant to happen. Whether it’s PR, “settling” or otherwise. With his Libra and Aries forecasts alone are telling that the rest of this year and next are going to be clusterf$%* professionally and personally. In general, he needs to A. Not get caught up in HW “Game of Thrones-Oscar edition” foolery and B. Let his talent speak for himself and focus on himself and his work. If he really wants to have a body of work that shows a “style” and this “leading man” quality we all KNOW he has, he has to let the work be his focus if the pressure/problem is him picking a lane and sticking to it. I think TIG is a good start in that right direction, but this relationship is taking him three steps back from that. If we as his fans are reacting like this over an engagement, God help him if this flops and public opinion gets worse.

      • GeeMoney says:

        @V.L.719
        Well, I hope he finds someone who’s right for him if what you say is going to happen.

        I’ve always liked and followed astrology and like you said, I do believe that certain things are written in the stars. I wish Ben well next year with his work load and all… I swear, he works waaaay too much.

        I have a feeling that TIG will do pretty well. It’s Doctor Strange that’s going to launch him in to stardom (if he takes it, and he should). Just a hunch… 🙂

        PS – And not alienating his fan base (even the crazy ones) would probably go a long way too…

      • Felice says:

        People can take precautions like scanning questions and if people start to get inappropriate they will be escorted out before they finish their questions.

      • Isadora says:

        And now we are back to astrology. *lol*

        We know jackshit about Cumberbatch. Does he look happy on the few photos we see of him? Probably not. Is it because he was caught by the evil witch Sophie Hunter, who got preggers just to snatch up the Cumberbachelor and make his life a misery? Or is it because it’s all an Oscar farce? Or is it because he yearns so much for the Cumberbabies (or is pressured so much by Wanda) that he settled with the next “brood mare” he could find?

        Maybe, it’s all possible. But maybe he’s just gassy or has an inflamed root channel. Or he is nervous and afraid how people will react to the engagement and does all things wrong in handling the situation – and people will jump to interpret it their way. We only see the public Cumberbatch, he could be very different when no cameras are around – but at least we have astrology and other means of proper Hunterbatch relationship divination. Anybody interested in tarot? Or pendulums?

      • GeeMoney says:

        @Isadora
        Ah, skeptics. You guys need to be heard too. Say what you will.

        Believe what you want, you are entitled. Let’s just sit back and enjoy the show, ok? Anything is possible.

  11. MissKris says:

    I’ll admit I was a sceptic in the beginning, but, thinking of work load and the fact that right when he got into lax last week, he was bombarded with paps and fans. I’d be a little ticked off as well. And people calling his fiancée a bunch of names probably isn’t sitting to well with him.

    I hope that we actually get to see sophie at events. Kind of want to see them as we see james mcavoy and anne marie duff. They are adorable and are private.

    • Guinea Pig says:

      Wtf..Nobody is calling his fiancée ‘a bunch of names’ and unless he trawls gossip sites as this, he wouldn’t see it anyway even if they were.

      And no, he’ll never be like James and Anne Marie. They genuinely don’t like the spotlight, hence why you never see them in it. It’s not rocket science, it’s just not being a hypocrite.

      • sigh((s)) says:

        They’re amazing. They’re very private about talking about each other, but they still do red carpet things to show support. They have a great balance.

      • MountainRunner says:

        The MacDuffs are a shining example of how to stay in control of one’s private life and make the focus one’s work. And, how to make marriage and family work with the abnormal and sometimes insane schedules that actors have. Kevin and Kyra are another great example.

    • Lea says:

      So he should stay out of Internet cause I doubt anyone said anything face to face to him or Sophie.

      • Felice says:

        And no one ever will. No one in the real world cares. It’s just the backdoor of the internet so no one. I don’t get why he’s so hyper vigilant on fans who don’t have a direct effect on his personal life.

      • Lindy79 says:

        But…he says he doesn’t pay attention to anything online about him?

        http://media.tumblr.com/8d7e98dec2e2c9b1c705c275ebf004e3/tumblr_inline_navsjryvk11rsow5b.gif

      • Green Eyes says:

        It’s so funny that he’s always, “Oh I don’t do Twitter, I don’t do Instagram, I don’t do social media, blah, blah, blah.” But then he seems to be aware of EVERYTHING that is being said about him on the Interwebs.

        I would bet the farm that he is VERY acquainted with EB and perhaps with this site as well. Because, let’s face it, aside from the crazy black hole that is Tumblr, the only sites that really cater to BC gossip is CB, EB and that crazy nanny miasma that is known as IMDb.

        Hi Ben (waves)!!

      • MissMary says:

        He’s even mentioned his niece and “friends” show him things on social media and relate what the fans are saying (the white shirt thing for the ice bucket challenge, always showing his hands in pics b/c he knows “the female fans like the hands”, etc). He’s aware. He may not be happy this isn’t selling how he wants it to sell, but he’s aware. Because right now it looks like the only ones buying are the ones he’s trying to shake.

      • sigh((s)) says:

        It does seem like he’s already fashioned some responses based on what we’ve all been saying here.

        **waves** hello benedict! Stop emulating grumpy cat. Smile more! We aren’t buying it yet.

        (Damn. I was trying to be a good fan)

        Ahem. Benedict — you look so amazingly happy. I do hope you and Sophie have the most perfect posh wedding ever. I will, in the future, only follow your work and eschew any interviews or extracurricular activities because I only care about your work, like a good fan should. 🙂

      • AG-UK says:

        @Felice
        I like no one in the real world.

      • Me says:

        Yep, sigh((s)). I think that’s pretty much what he would want. Makes sense. I’m good with it. I’m just still having my “Santa Claus isn’t real” moment and I’m going to miss the playful persona he used to project.

  12. Kiddo says:

    He doesn’t want to get by without a reason…dammit!

    *hysterically cries, while shooting fish heads from a rocket launcher, nakedly spins in circles, then launches into bed, sobbing uncontrollably like a dramatic teen*

    Sophie killed the curl! S-0-P-H-I-E….curl, sniffle, snort…

  13. Intro Outro says:

    Stuff that went down in those couple of Hiddleston threads is literally nothing, zilch compared to the tornado that’s going on with Cumberbatch threads lol. In addition, those threads were already rare back then and were closing down virtually on the next day. Hence the attempted highjacking 😉

    • Ellen says:

      Yes Hiddles needs a GF. I think he should pick a nice one this time that is away from the crazy showbiz world and would bring a bit of normality into his life. Their first photos would be of them on a beach with him topless.

    • Lilacflowers says:

      Tom needs to finish this project. Return to London, have a nice Christmas holiday, get himself back to normal size, and continue going about his happy life in his happy manner, as he prepares for his next project, be it Richard II, The Night Manager, Skull Island, Loki 3 Ragnorak, or some bizarre Joanna Hogg flick in which he hangs suspended from his ankles for three hours. Then give us lots of fun promotion for all the nifty projects he worked on this year. I don’t care or need to know about any gf, so long as he is happy.

      • M.A.F. says:

        ^This.

        And more dancing bear. I think I could use a little bit of the dancing bear right about now.

      • Green Eyes says:

        One nice thing about our Tommy is that nothing gets him down for too long! He’s our little ray of sunshine compared to the doom and gloom of BC.

      • icerose says:

        yes to all you said Lilacflowers and yes to dancing bear.
        And when cupid does bite on our dear boy again I hope she is as sexy as Loren, has the wit of K Hepburn and the grace of Audrey with a little bit of Lady Loki thrown in.

      • Ellen says:

        I agree with parts of what Liliacflowers says and what Icerose says. I want to see the happy go lucky Hiddles I truly don’t think we’ve seen him really happy since March last year. I don’t have an issue with him having a GF I think he’s too busy at the moment for a serious relationship . We don’t need to know his relationship status but I do hope he doesn’t get a new GF like his last hookup as she was how I put it very odd and we never saw him happy with her either.

        I hope he does Richard ii

      • Lindy79 says:

        I missed all the Hiddles GF drama. I feel very left out

      • Lilacflowers says:

        @Lindy, it was a festival of nonsense consisting of in-depth analysis of body language in a grand total of two photographs; endless repetition of a statement he made when any relationship would have been only about a month old; and fervent screams of “but Twitter!” The fray calmed down after about a week when he went off to Northern Ireland to renew his bromance with Jeremy Irons and start a fresh one with Luke Evans. All best forgotten.

      • Abby_J says:

        Are we sure that Tommy isn’t still with his old girlfriend, Jane? I mean, how would we know? I am not even sure when he sleeps, at this point.

        I do hope he takes time to attend Cumby’s wedding, though. I don’t believe they are really great friends, like they say they are, so who knows. 🙂

      • Lilacflowers says:

        @icerose, that is the perfect description of me!

      • browniecakes says:

        My sympathies with you Benedict Cumberbatch Fans – your proper name as if your mom was calling you in from outside.
        I noticed TH stopped following about 700 of his Twitter followers, or whoever manages his Twitter account did. Cleaning his social media house.

      • Ellen says:

        So we’re allowed to talk about Benny but not Hiddles? You have got to admit she was a bit odd at least. I didn’t believe it until evidence posted on here back it up.
        @Abby_I as far as I know he’s gone back to being single after hearing implications from co-stars and people in the business but who knows.

        I’m quite old fashioned and maybe it’s where I’m from but you don’t hide people who you care about for whatever reason. This is what’s puts me off People who do it. Live and let live you only have once chance in life. You can’t please everyone.

      • Lilacflowers says:

        @Abby J, I have no idea and it really does not matter. As Sixer and I discussed on another thread, these men have no lives outside of those we imagine for them and when we are done with them, we simply stop thinking about them and they disappear in a POOF of citrus-scented glitter, only to reappear again when we summon them with thoughts.

      • Isadora says:

        @Abby_J: shhhh, don’t stir that particular pot. 😉 No idea who is in his bedroom and I guess it would be rather creepy if I would have an idea (and it’s not myself). *g* So I’m with Lilacflowers, don’t know – don’t care. If he has a girlfriend in the forseeable future then there will be a bit of gossip and I will probably join (because, hey, it’s gossip) and very soon regret that I did so because people will analyse aforementioned body language on blurry photos, “know” something from a board troll who knows someone who’s sisters ex-boss’s brother’s girlfriend worked on set with the guy and heard that she’s a total biatch and of course be convinced that she is not good enough for him (because who is?) and makes him miserable/embarrassed.

      • Abby_J says:

        I only brought her up because everyone seemed to be suggesting he was single, and I thought that perhaps I had missed some serious gossip I don’t actually care who he is or isn’t with, I just like the gossip. 🙂

      • Lilacflowers says:

        Abby_J, actually, I think it is your turn with him tonight. Do enjoy!

      • Abby_J says:

        @Lilacflowers

        Thank you! We had a lovely time. Colin is tending to him now.

    • 'P'enny says:

      I wondered when Benedict said he wont be the first to break hearts this year he may be hinting at something Hiddles has planned. LOL!

      Benny is being rather snidey at the moment, seen the gif of him and Keira Knightly? and the interview asks him about his celebrity bromance with Hiddleston and he says, ‘get over it’ we are friends. But rather wittly, and offering a good save, he says, I have loads of romances with my male friends. 😀 this is the Benedict we all used to know and love. Snide

      But, I do wonder if he is getting a bit fed up of the Hiddleson name dropping in his presence. its been happening a couple of times, ‘cough’ MTV guy and comic-con.

      I wonder if next year when Hiddles get all the Cumby comments if he will roll eyes too.

      • Grace says:

        This is what happens when someone thinks he’s above all the silliness trying to answer random questions… He probably thinks he’s being a good sport too.

      • icerose says:

        nah Hiddles will just smile and do his dancing bear thing and all will be well with the world.
        Maybe he is getting some of Cumbies roles as well at the moment.

      • Lilacflowers says:

        Did he really make yet another reference to a romance with Tom? After complaining only last week about fan fiction? The zygoma comment didn’t go over well with Tom, why can’t BC just say they’re friends without constantly adding that bait-y nonsense?

      • Ellen says:

        Hiddles just plays along with it if he likes it or not. It’s called manners

      • Lilacflowers says:

        @icerose, I suspect Tom may turn them down. He doesn’t seem too keen on limiting himself to posh, emotionally repressed, aging public schoolboy roles.

      • J says:

        LOL hiddleston’s expressed mild annoyance at it already, during the early CP press. it’s probably odd to the both of them, very different actors. cant say I blame them. but i saw the vid and BC doesn’t seem annoyed but amused tbh.

        Tom’s got no issue baiting fans himself so idk why he’d care about zygoma thing.

      • MountainRunner says:

        That Yahoo interview was the happiest I’ve seen Benedict in months. The Keira effect?

        https://screen.yahoo.com/movie-videos/imitation-game-keira-knightley-benedict-133639612.html

      • icerose says:

        @Lilacflowers -I do think you are right the last thing he wants is Posh boy roles but Benny might have shed a tear at the Night Manager. I think Tom is going right where he wants to career wise. He is avoiding type casting and avoiding obvious choices and he looks like he is having the time of his life trying out new experiences. And what really comes over is how despite his background he is able to mix out side his comfort zone and hang out in middle America.
        I love the story of meeting the two young fans in a Shreveport restaurant.Not only does he let them take a selfie with him, he goes over to their table and starts chatting with the parents and grandparents about what food to try. I can see the oldies saying ” What a nice young man “

      • Lilacflowers says:

        @icerose, he rather does seem to be having a great time of it with choosing roles, doesn’t he? Something off-beat, something really American, something Shakespearean, something war or spy-related, back to Loki, repeat cycle. The roles he is being offered and turning down are also all over the place. I’m sorry he didn’t get to do Snowpiercer, that role would have been an interesting one for him, although it started immediately after OLLA finished and he would have been carrying on with John Hurt and Tilda, but he was committed to TDW and had to turn it down. Although I did think Chris Evans was fine in the part. But he also turned down Me Before You (posh, emotionally repressed, suicidal boy confined to wheelchair – the physical change for that would be the challenge) – and Ben-Hur, although he already did a horse film.

      • Isadora says:

        I’m not sure if he was really annoyed with the zygoma comment, to me it seemed more like “oh dear” and “Ben what have you done”, but in a funny way. As J pointed out, he doesn’t seem to be exactly shy about his fandom-fame or has everybody forgotten the “And lots of Loki love”-*wink right into the camera*-stuff to which the interviewer (quite rightfully so) said “Oh come on. You know that’s going straight to tumblr.”

        I only forgive him this kind of behaviour because he’s such a good, genuinely friendly and nice boy in other situations, like in the Shreveport restaurant icerose mentioned. 😉

        But I can imagine that it is annoying when people always try to talk to you about another actor, friend or not. I think at one point you wonder if you are joined at the hip without you noticing it. Hiddles will probably get asked quite a bit about Cumberbatch when CP comes out as he “inherited” the role from him.

  14. Renee says:

    Ok, I surrender. OMG, you guys, I’m so happy. They’re such a wonderful couple, the epitome of what love should be. He’s sooo happy. I can’t wait until the Cumberbabies arrive!!!

    Is that good enough?? BTW, I can’t wait to see them on the red carpet, gazing lovingly into one another’s eyes. I forgot to add that part.

    • Lucifer says:

      with the Ring. Clear shot of the Ring. No grainy shot
      I wonder In which Budget jewellery shop our Frugal BC got the ring(considering it exists) or HW sponsored that too

      • Renee says:

        Ha! How could I forget the ring?? Stupid me. She must flash the BC bling on the red carpet. I have to get back to making that scrapbook for the happy couple with photoshopped pics of them looking happy together.

      • Ingrid says:

        I, in the other hand, cannot wait until SH starts to talk, because that will be just extra special.

        Oh, this is the greatest love story of our generation.

    • moodgirl says:

      @renee

      Will you explain it to me then. I am a fairly new fan of BC , however, ALL I can see, and I do mean All, is pr bs. Seriously. I have graduate degrees in economics so I don’t consider myself dumb and I am good at seeing the abstract in situations AND I can see strange behavior and bs a mile away. I get paid for it. So, I am just really confused by this situation because there is absolutely no logic whatsoever. I like BC but I have no other interest in him.

      • Renee says:

        @moodgirl I was kidding, mocking myself for being one of the doubters of the true love that is Ben and Sophie

      • aly says:

        I’ve been wondering the same. My field of study is linguistics, examining words is what I do, basically…it’s all so…artificial, constructed…*sigh*

      • gg says:

        Believe me it is even stranger if you have been following him a while and have seen his past relationships.

      • aly says:

        @gg: confession time…I’m a new fan, I’ve been a fan since late July, when I watched Star Trek: into darkness and fell in the black hole. I’ve caught up with interviews, videos and his filmography, so maybe some nuances are lost on me, but honestly, up until the other day I was sure he was just stressed and *not* himself because of the Oscar campaign…

      • moodgirl says:

        Oh. For a second I thought WTF – everyone was offered kool aid and drank it without offering me a sip. And I thought I was part of the group. LOL!

      • moodgirl says:

        @gg – Maybe because his previous girlfriends weren’t upper class snobs and he was able to relax a bit more. After all, Olivia and Anna didn’t object to being seen in public with him.

      • Lilacflowers says:

        @moodgirl, we have an assortment of beverages on the sideboard but no Kool-Aid. Please help yourself to whichever you would like. The absinthe seems to be very popular today.

      • gg says:

        @moodgirl: actually Anna James was quite posh and the rumor was that he had proposed but *she* wanted a prenup and he refused. So they broke up.

      • moodgirl says:

        @Lilacflowers – At one time I thought that absinthe was illegal at least in the state where I live.

      • CoCo says:

        @moodgirl I am there with you. I am an auditor-i travel all over looking at inconsistencies in processes and for bs in answers trying to explain inconsistencies away. This situation is not one I understand. Kinda feel like people are insulting my intelligence a bit and trying to sell me swamp land on unicorn island.

      • Lilacflowers says:

        @moodgirl, for a time, it was illegal and in some places, it may still be, but the rules have been relaxed in some places. You still can’t buy it in a liquor store but you can order it in a mixed drink in some bars, although they usually limit the person to one drink. I’ve had it here in Boston.

    • Cate says:

      @Renee *Crochets everything for the Cumberbabies* (I still can’t crochet…)

      ‘Can you feeeeeeeeeeeel the love tonighttttttttttt’

    • Me says:

      No, Renee. He doesn’t want you to see that part. OK!?

  15. Ellen says:

    I’m beginning really not to like Benny, he’s coming over like a petulant child. So he got engaged? Who cares! He’s actually making it a more big deal than it is. My thoughts and prayers are for Sophie who will no doubt have to put up with all this and If she dumps him before the wedding I could honestly say I don’t blame her.

    Waiting for the next Benny thread now. What will it be? Benny sits on a chair? Benny doesn’t like a certain food? This really is too much PR overdrive

    • Zandy says:

      I am beginning really not to like this site for this every day cumhard coverage!

    • Icarus says:

      It seems his facade is fading. He used to be so lovable, given I’ve only been a fan since around 12YAS, but it’s quickly dwidling. Like I said before, I’ll be amazed if they make it down the aisle, and if they do, it will be a quick divorce with a year or two.

      This is the most miserable looking man in love that I have ever seen. Will they ever walk the red carpet together, or keep the ridiculous clock and dagger crap?

      • aly says:

        I think what we’re seeing now is a facade — not the posh thing, because he *is* posh, but who cares? The serious actor thing is more of a facade than the dork we have seen for years. It’s like someone sat him down and said, “So, Ben, time to grow up and stuff…you’re going to play with the grown ups, act accordingly..”
        JMO, MMV and all…

      • Lucifer says:

        To gain more ATTENTION.
        An Erdem dress? seriously? you think BC bought that?
        Have any of his GFs ever worn anything like this.
        Expensive and cheap at the same time

      • Sandi says:

        @aly: YEP. And it’s one he can’t even sell.

      • aly says:

        @Sandi: in a way it’s sweet, it shows he’s still a genuine, good guy…ambitious as hell, but there’s nothing wrong with that.

    • alice says:

      SHE won’t dump HIM. If you were an unemployed, moderately talented show biz hanger on who had the winning lottery ticket in your hands, would you throw it away? Hopefully, he doesn’t do the Christopher Tietjens thing in real life. She comes across as a golddigger who might “accidentally” get pregnant after a couple of months of casual dating. Odd that OP and AJ managed to avoid that.

      • GeeMoney says:

        THANK YOU!

        Why are you, me and and handful of other people on this site the only people that can see that she’s using him?!?!?!?!?

      • aly says:

        At the risk of being attacked I must say that I don’t like these comparisons. We know nothing of SH as a person. She might be a lousy actress, but this doesn’t mean she’s a bad person. IDK, it kinda makes me uncomfortable to read these assumptions. It’s a bit sexist to assume the worst of the woman in this situation. Maybe they’re using each other? Or she’s an okay person? How would we know, if we have seen the grand amount of 10 pictures of her and a couple of blink and you’ll miss it roles?

      • MissMary says:

        Sorry,deleted. Wrong spot.

      • GeeMoney says:

        She’s not a bad person… she just doesn’t have good intentions.

        I’ll always call a spade a spade when I see one, though… and I’m firmly staring right at her.

      • Felice says:

        I’m wondering when she’ll speak. I’ve never heard her talk.

      • aly says:

        @GeeMoney; fair enough…I don’t have enough data at the moment to form an idea about SH, except that she’s a mediocre actress. 🙂

      • NickT says:

        Y’all are batsh*t crazy!

      • GeeMoney says:

        @NickT
        Nope. We just all use our brains.

      • icerose says:

        I can forgive her intentions but she just comes across as so bland.

      • Cornish Pixie says:

        @Renee, long time lurker/reader, first time poster on ANY of this situation. I was a fan before Sherlock and the change in him is remarkable but not for the better.

        Just thought I would add this to the mix. I read elsewhere that there is a blind on CDAN about Octo. Apparently there is speculation that SH is using him to further her career, along the lines of being a fame ho gold digger. Take it as you will.

        I was watching Argo last night and one line in particular struck me, “If you want to sell a lie you get the press to do it for you.” Immediately I thought of this situation.

        And before anyone tells me I know not of what I speak I am a medically – retired legal assistant and have worked in LA, NY and London. Several of my jobs were in the entertainment industry. In fact, that was all I did in London. On a side note, I’d still be there if my daughter had not worn me down about returning to the US.

      • Me says:

        + 10 zillion, icerose.

      • Isadora says:

        Are we now all stating our jobs, degrees or fields of study to show our credentials in relationship-and-female-intentions-analysis-per-photo-and-lack-of-smile? If so, maybe a photographer should speak up. Or a dentist. Or a professional golddigger ho.

  16. Zandy says:

    Enough posts about this man, please?

  17. Madly says:

    There is nothing twihard to say that something is off and all the attention is easily avoidable if it is on the Internet where he can just ignore it. I would think the stalking fans in real life would be worse, so your theory doesn’t hold any weight with me here.

    • Icarus says:

      Exactly, plus anything that is announced publicly when you’re a celebrity is completely free game, if you didn’t want the attention, tradition or not, forgo the announcement in the times, family and friends would understand, mister “I’m so private, I have a sourpuss look at my face that looks more miserable than I know nothing Jon Snow.”

  18. Itsnotthatserious says:

    I have had so much chuckles over the cumberbatch threads since his engagement. Damn, the meltdown was epic….the bitter tears continues to flow. Poor Sophie….

    • Lea says:

      People are bitching more about him than poor invisible fragile Sophie…

      • Renee says:

        She’s a fragile beauty but she’ll show up soon, don’t worry. ☺️

      • Green Eyes says:

        Yes, but for now, Lord Cumby keeps the woman he proposed to in his pocket or under his hat…because he’s protective like that.

    • Icarus says:

      I think it’s more about the way he’s handing the whole situation and the constant coverage since the announcement, that’s where I stand. Whether they get married or not, I don’t care. More power if they do, if not, sucks to go through all this trouble.

      • Isadora says:

        Yes, I agree, he’s not handling the PR side very well – as we can see from the comments here. 😉

    • Madly says:

      Que the omg jealous fatty haters comments in3…2…1…

      Seriously? Some of us do want him to be happy, but we have just said something’s seemed off.

      Don’t get your knickers in a twist.

    • Guinea Pig says:

      I hope the ‘Poor Sophie’ is a joke. It’s so hard to tell on here sometimes.

      • Lucifer says:

        NOBLE BEAUTY

      • MissMary says:

        Noble *DELICATE* beauty!

      • Ingrid says:

        Yes, MissMary, never forget she’s delicate. The fragile woman who rolled around on the floor with a fake baby bump.

      • Grace says:

        Lol. Noble “Delicate” beauty at the tender age of 36. So sheltered and locked in a high tower that she needs to grow her hair out until it reaches the ground, and then there comes Benedict, dressed in a full set of armour, riding on a white stallion for her rescue? This is what it is like when someone wins the marital lottery? It’s his choice who he marries, but this whole noble delicate beauty thing is pure nonsense. We live in the 21st century. This crap has got to be a joke.

      • MissMary says:

        Grace: Someone who posts on EB (and who sounded like SH trying to plump her own image but there’s no proof of that) said SH had a delicate, noble beauty that the untrained eye might take as haughty…. and I haven’t stopped laughing since my SO read that to me.

      • Grace says:

        @ MissMary

        This is probably the wrong place to talk about this. But I’ve been watching ‘Ladies of London’ – trashy TV, I know. Anyway, there are some upper class women talking about Britain like it’s the last civilisation on earth. I’ve lived in the country for 16 years and of course, I don’t encounter these type of people in RL, at least not regularly. But it does make me think if people really still carry that image in their heads and fancy themselves to be ‘above all’?

        And I am not trashing SH. We don’t know if she designed the DNB thing – let’s shorten it so it doesn’t hurt my eyes. But really? How is she noble? Doesn’t she need to be higher on the ladder for that?

      • GeeMoney says:

        I want to SLAP the person who compared her to Princess Diana… WTF.

      • MissMary says:

        @Grace: I honestly think it was more of a Sophie stan that posted the DNB thing but it was just so wtf…

        @GeeMoney: 0_0 Lolwut? Other than being cis-female and British, I don’t think SH and Princess Diana have jack in common…

      • GeeMoney says:

        @MissMary
        Her and Amal don’t have anything in common, rither. Amal actually had a JOB (and is waaaay better looking). Sophie sits at home and does nothing. She doesn’t even work! And she’s an actress! Obviously a BAD one too, b/c she hasn’t been seen in anything in like, 5 years.

        Yes, someone wrote an article putting her name and Princess Diana’s in the same sentence in the Huffington Post or some other BS publication like that. Diana was practically a saint. Sophie is FAR from it. Her PR machine is seriously working some overtime here.

      • MissMary says:

        @GeeMoney: The people trying to conflate or compare her to Amal and Diana need to just STOP. It’s not only cringey, it’s really smacking of “we’re so trying to position her as someone she’s not but just don’t think this is PR! Nope nope nope! “

      • Ingrid says:

        The difference between Amal and SH: Everyone should aspire to be like Amal (have a degree, use their brain and work hard regardless of their career choice) and not like SH (most likely living off family money and occasionally working on some artsy projects.)

      • Felice says:

        Amal is my goddess and I aspire to be half as successful as her.

  19. scout says:

    There you go! Alamooneys British style. Expect boats on Thames soon?! Bendy should learn from Alamooneys, see how quiet they are now since post wedding party pics and Halloween? No new fodder for People mag or from PR anymore. Lessons learnt the hard way for Alamooneys.

  20. t.fanty says:

    You should be afraid to admit it! It’s a self-created monster.

    • j.eyre says:

      I feel like there is an analogy here. I don’t know, I feel like I read a book that sounded similar to this? Maybe I saw a play… gosh, what am I thinking of???

      • t.fanty says:

        *snicker*

        Stick a bolt through this thread’s neck and we’re all set.

      • 'P'enny says:

        Frankenstein’s Bride 🙂

      • j.eyre says:

        We certainly have the electricity for it – now we just need a team of dead sled dogs and a nice torch.

      • Lilacflowers says:

        Mark and Sean will be very happy to gather the torches and sled dogs for you.

        And why isn’t Mark promoting this film too?

      • j.eyre says:

        Excellent – Lilacflowers. Can they procure a mirror as well – we will have need of that, I fear.

        Who is Sean?

        And I assume you mean the Turing film, yes? So Mark Strong? Why Mark Strong is not trotted out on a regular basis has been the bane of my existence for a while now.

      • Lilacflowers says:

        @j.eyre, Sean is Sean Bean. Mark and Tom keep him stowed in the boot of the Jaguar.

        Yes, I mean the Turing film. Where is Mark Strong in the PR? And Charles Dance too? They are both all over the trailers I’ve seen; they make me want to see it, well, them and the story interests me, but they are nowhere to be seen in the promotional appearances.

      • MissMary says:

        @Lilacflowers: I may be wrong but… I think Strong and Dance have made several UK appearances for the film but stateside, BC seems to be “the one” being pushed hard in promos.

      • icerose says:

        they had to pull in someone oozes charm to off set their serious actor and Matthew Goode best fits that description
        Film 14 were not impressed with Turing but thought Benny did the best thing he could manage with what was on offer and at least he did not play him as Sherlock. They just said it was family fodder with nothing exciting about it. They felt there was not enough of the inner feelings and yearnings of Turing on show.
        But they loved Tom Hardy in Drop and think he is turning into one fine actor/

      • Isadora says:

        The US can have Benny, but I’d really love to have Mark Strong and Charles Dance together on Graham Norton’s couch. Come on, that would be great!

      • Lilacflowers says:

        @Isadora, can we get Charles Dance in a Jag commercial? He can have some sort of staring contest with Kingsley while Mark and Tom glare in the background. Hoult can watch through a secret camera or something.

      • Isadora says:

        Yes, please!!!!

  21. aly says:

    you too, uh?

  22. betsy says:

    Why people go on about his work load beats me. He didnt work for at least 6 months in 2014. Get real people. That’s hardly working yourself to death

    • Mila says:

      Even if one had a vacation for months, anyone will still be stressed out if the workload is cramped in two weeks.

    • Lucifer says:

      I dnt Get it too. Here are we working everyday 9-6 thn cooking and cleaning still we smile at random ppl if they are nice to us. Bendy cnt even crack a smile when being congratulated. and its NOT off behaviour!! yeah.sue me

    • Lindy79 says:

      How DARE you!!!!!!
      He was the busiest he’s ever been. Those formula one things wouldn’t have happened on their own you know! Those Sport award thingys don’t HOST themselves!

      Oh wait…..

  23. Madly says:

    Someone is on the payroll.

    • Lucifer says:

      yes

    • blended says:

      yup.

    • MissMary says:

      True story: When I was in grad school, one of my fellow grad assistants had a part time job working for a locally famous sports guy, scouring the internet for posts about him and chiming in whenever things were too negative or on the “potentially damaging to his rep” list. Apparently, it’s not an uncommon thing to do for some PR firms or celebs.

      • moodgirl says:

        I saw an add in the paper for a similar job the other day. They try to negate any unflattering comments by writing good crap.

      • MissMary says:

        Ugh I need to find a job doing that lol. I love academia but something fun would be nice! I can write “omg so and so is perf!” all day…

    • CoCo1 says:

      More than one person in payroll.

  24. Zandy says:

    We, many of us….lol

  25. GeeMoney says:

    I also want to say that actions speak louder than words. A lot of people who tell you they are “happy” in a relationship most of the time are not. They are just saying that to save face. We all know the difference between which friends of ours that actually have good marriages and are happy and the ones who say they are happy too, but we know that they are completely miserable with their significant other.

    This interview he gave was all PR. We’ve all been watching his behavior over the past few months… and he is MISERABLE! And I have never seen a man so miserable about being engaged before. EVER.

    Wake up, people. Pay attention. If a person’s words do not match their behavior… SOMETHING IS WRONG.

    • MissMary says:

      And at this point, if he starts “acting happy,” too many folks will be “riiiiiiiiiiiiight, nice try Oscar Bait.” I think he’s kind of shot his image in the foot.

      • GeeMoney says:

        There are ways he can rehab his image… he could meet the right person, get rid of Sophie, act genuinely in love, and people will go “awwww”. That could help for starters.

      • Ingrid says:

        The thing is, most fans(?) and general public *are buying it* . Just take a look at people.com comment section, for example.

      • Renee says:

        MissMary: but he is happy and we’re just not seeing it. I am a bad person for doubting their love

      • Madly says:

        yeah, you know the Internet is being monitored for reaction, so he will be forcibly happy with her on the red carpet, or they will do some kind of show.

        I wonder if he’s kinda pissed that Harvey is taking this route and removing attention from Turing.

      • Lucifer says:

        You can’t force falling in love. As someone 😉 said “when its right ,its right”

        Nothing will help now. Its completely outta hands. Just hope bendy does not go all the way to the alter just to prove his point and shake off the CRAZY fanbase

      • aly says:

        MissMary…I think some would keep doubting, true…but the majority would shut up;)
        I would have some lingering doubt, because he is a VERY good actor, but at least I’d stop being worried about him. Wouldn’t change the fact that I think it’s PR…

      • Lindy79 says:

        Maybe he needs to dance down every red carpet with Sophie to Pharrell?

      • MissMary says:

        @Geemoney: Very true.

        @Ingrid: I think the ‘buying it’ fan are the “ardent” one on tumblr, ngl. I’ve seen more ‘what the eff is wrong with him/this picture?’ on the usually-BC-frothing twitter and general internet than ever before.

        @Renee: Don’t you mean she’ perf and it’ 5evah and to welcome her to the family? 0_0

        I am still saying it stink of PR involvement, no matter the impetus, and he’s trying for/Harvey is trying for/someone want him to have a “serious actor man” image and ditch the “ardent” fanbase.

    • GeeMoney says:

      @Lucifer
      Your name is funny (funny in a good way… ha ha).

      And nothing is out of anyone’s hands. Come on now, stop being the devil 🙂

      • Lucifer says:

        thnk u 🙂
        i still think its done deal. He is ruined for me atleast for 2-months. Still i’ll keep commenting

    • Me says:

      I can see what you’re saying, Gee Money. But I guess I can also see him just being a defensive, angry papa bear about his personal life. Like, it does seem to me that the majority of people are “buying it” and totally happy for him. But it’s almost as if he doesn’t believe it and he’s ready to fight the fightin’ words that haven’t been coming. That’s what’s weird. There’s definitely a faction doubting him. But the vast majority is all for his news.

  26. M.A.F. says:

    That happened to me yesterday. Nothing wrong with what I posted either.

  27. halina says:

    I used to think this site was one of the OK, rational ones, too but then Cumberbatch got engaged and I’ve read the comments section.

  28. Cindy lightballoon says:

    Wow. Some people here reaally have a chip on their shoulder about this

  29. Dani says:

    If he was genuinely happy he’d stop trying to prove to everyone how happy he is. He’s done like a total 180 since he started with his mystery girlfriend. I’m not a total crazy fan but as someone who appreciated his work and thought he seemed like a great person – he’s really grating on my nerves. He went from nice and friendly to closed off and annoyed by his fans. Pick one, stick to it.

    • AG-UK says:

      I was a fan and still am sort of but too much exposure and he is starting to work my last nerve. I don’t care now.

    • aly says:

      pfft…we’re quite tame compared to other fandoms or other corners of *this* fandom. So, a man announces his engagement two days before kicking up his Oscar campaign, but thinking that it might be a PR move is crazy?
      Man, what it must be like in their brains?

    • Pinky says:

      Oh dear god.. Besides that.. If I read one more time that someone “is glad that he found someone his age” I might just have to throw something at somebody…

  30. MeloMelo says:

    Oh, well.
    I believe this will be the end of us, luckily this affair lasted less than a month.
    Redmayne has better style anyway.

  31. AlmaMartyr says:

    I thought some of you might get a kick out of this Telegraph article about him:

    http://www.telegraph.co.uk/men/thinking-man/11223501/Have-we-reached-peak-Benedict-Cumberbatch.html

    It made me laugh anyway!

    • Lucifer says:

      hilarious.

    • Etheldreda says:

      Very funny!

      When I said here a few weeks ago that Cumberbatch’s CV isn’t actually that impressive relative to the amount of attention he gets, I was shouted down. I wonder if I’d get the same reaction today?

      • Coco says:

        Agree. Not saying he is a bad actor because I don’t think he is, but the obsession with this man is f***g crazy and disproportionate if we actually take a look to the work he has done and the films he has been in.

      • Etheldreda says:

        Yeah, he’s had supporting roles in a few well regarded films, but has never been a leading man in a hit Hollywood film. He’s also done some very respected theatre work, but let’s be honest, since when have theatre actors made the front page of magazines? When it comes down to it, if it weren’t for ‘Sherlock’ he’d be just another jobbing actor supplementing his work with TV voiceovers. Which isn’t to say he’s not talented, obviously he is, but given that he’s not far off 4O, his career hasn’t been that outstanding, relative to the amount of hype that surrounds him.

      • Sandi says:

        I just noticed it’s written by a guy, so I really side-eye lines like “an online legion of fawning fans who get their Spanx in a faux-twist but are old enough to know better” TBH.

    • aly says:

      Meh…the journalist seems just bitter to me. Playing with his surname kinda gave it away.
      He’s not the second coming, but he has the charisma, talent and luck. Not impressed by the article.

    • Sixer says:

      “He’s not the Messiah, he’s a very haughty boy.”

      If there is a pun I wish I’d thought of first, that’s the one.

    • moodgirl says:

      He also refers to BC as middle class. Is he considered middle or upper class in the UK?

      • Etheldreda says:

        I would say upper middle class. ”Upper class” would be reserved for titled folks, which Benedict isn’t.

    • Sandi says:

      Honestly I’m on-board with some of the points but it reads like an angry teenager wrote it. It’s pretty cringe-worthy in execution.

      @moodgirl: middle and will remain so even if he marries Hunter.

  32. VanillaIce says:

    So…”the only support I really need is the woman I love”? Ok, so let’s stop “supporting” his work and let Sophie alone watch Sherlock and all of his movies. He doesn’t need fans anymore right? It shouldn’t be a problem because “the whole world loves me” LMAO!
    Seriously now, what an entitled petulant posh b*#$%rd he has become, looking down his nose at us poor peasants. I bet he’s desperate to show up in The Peerage too. Bleh.

    • aly says:

      oh, come on now…

    • GeeMoney says:

      Is it wrong that I really want you to rap Ice Ice Baby right now?

      • VanillaIce says:

        No prob: Yo VIP let’s kick it!

        Actually, right now I feel like singing “Girls just wanna have fun!” cause I’m having a ball with all the Cumberdrama. LOL!

        P.S.: Can’t wait to see him on The Peerage.

      • GeeMoney says:

        You are too funny. Thanks for putting a smile on my face today.

    • Heheheh says:

      @VanillaIce-I’m with you.

      Thing is that he has always been playing this game…”Oh, I am such a private person…hey, Caitlin Moran, come to my home and meet my mum so she can talk about wanting me to find a ‘bird’…but I am a very private person and this publicity I just have such a tough time with”. 😉 That continued with the last few interviews he’s given also…poor Benedict…he had such troubles with the girls in school…his personal feelings poured out on whatever interviewer would listen to his personal woes 😉

      I think he feels he’s bilked the crowds out of enough dough for his charity backings and film projects and now he can be his real self…his posh self…the image he has attempted to in so many ways avoid..because…he is posh…but now he is coming of as a snob. Oh, which is far worse than being posh. Posh is a social attitude while being a snob is much more a personal trait.

      Actually though, there is a plus to it. Regular movie goers really do not give two craps about an actors personal persona. If the movie interests them and/or the acting is good..they will go see it. He may get a more true reality on how much pull he actually has with that? May not be the results he is hoping for though…

      Privacy is one thing. But, he’s always given mixed messages on that and yes, I agree with you ..he is looking down his nose at us poor peasants now…but he always has…he feels he’s ‘made it’ now and he’s gonna let us eat cake now!

      Question though…what is The Peerage? I claim ignorance on this…American here.

      • GeeMoney says:

        He comes off to me like he’s stuck between two worlds. On one hand, I think that he is definitely posh and snooty, and on the other, I think that he is actually down to earth and funny. I think the mixed messages come from him trying to stay somewhere in the middle. It’s really difficult to have two distinct aspects to your personality, and that’s why I think people are confused.

        The anger and crankiness is coming from too much working, too much pressure to have kids, pressure to do extensive PR for TIG (and playing the Hollywood game), being in a bad relationship and just life in general. Like I said on another thread… I think a lot of things are running together at once for him right now. He seems like he’s about to crack. What he needs to do is take a long vacation… and take deep breath. And relax.

      • VanillaIce says:

        Agreed!

        The Peerage is a genealogy record of the British Peerage, quite a distinguished family tree. Marriages, births, etc. Here is Sophie and her family:http://www.thepeerage.com/p57294.htm#i572931 (look for Sophie Irene Hunter). Now he and his babies are going to be in the P, just like his “friend” Tommy! What a classy boy!

      • Felice says:

        Definitely not a factor of choosing SH. Totes.

      • Sandi says:

        Hate to be that person, but fyi she’s in the research one only and not the actual Peerage.

        Military ‘peerage’ doesn’t pass down, so it died out with her grandfather. That’s also why her father has an entry on that site even though he doesn’t merit one. BC still doesn’t get in if he marries her.

        Here’s the actual current registry:

        http://www.burkespeerage.com

        I still can’t believe people think Oscar campaign strategies are ‘be yourself’. I wish lol.

      • Madly says:

        @geemoney, I don’t think you are the only one to see what you see. I can see it too.

        @missmary just because you are awesome

        @sandi, agreed. I don’t speak of it often anymore but I once worked in the industry and was amazed to see how the game worked. That why everyone out there laughing at the naysayers are in the dark. Just how do you know what is real right now when this game is being played?

      • VanillaIce says:

        @Sandi The research site indicates that she showed up at least in the 2003 edition of Burke’s Peerage. May be she doesn’t show up now but if you read many of the latests articles about her, like the ones I posted yesterday in another thread, they just can’t shut up about her “aristocratic” @*s. Read my comments above, I’m having fun and being waaay sarcastic here!

      • Lucifer says:

        The increased snobbishness could be octopussy’s effect. U never know.CANCER male get influenced easily

      • aly says:

        @Madly : I’d love to hear some insight from you about PR. Part of me thinks Ben is rebelling to something here, but I also know that in HW you either are a good trooper and suck it up, or things can get difficult. There aren’t many actors in an actual position of power, who can stick it to the man, so to speak, without consequences…and Ben is not one of them.

      • GeeMoney says:

        @Lucifer
        Octopussy! You are too much today… ha ha ha!

      • Sandi says:

        @VanillaIce:–My fault, it’s getting hard to tell who’s serious and who’s sarcastic now, sorry!! And I’m not saying she isn’t posh–IDK much about her–just in case that it sounds like I am, just being boringly factual lol. This isn’t a move ‘up’ for him social-wise.

        He’s also losing his mind, imo.

      • Madly says:

        @aly, hope this gets through the moderation, lol.

        Well, I won’t get into too much specifics, but I knew people who have both worked on those entertainment news shows and or firms, as well as even gone to a taping of one. I know just how cutthroat the industry is and the relationship that exists between pr, gossip sites, tabloids, the paps and actors. I have seen a bit of stuff. Some of it a lot of people have already guessed at. While not completely aware of what is going on in Ben’s mind (and he probably doesn’t know either), there are a few things that you have to be made aware of.

        1. Gossip sites don’t just report on the news anymore. They are used to influence fans. And by extension are a part of the or package.
        2. Timing is king. When, how, and rollout of announcements are very carefully considered and controlled.
        3. Oscar campaigns are like political ones, nothing is real right now.
        4. Every actor sells something about their personal lives during awards season, actors have to be humanize do and relatable. The or for this film has adjusted from Turing to making Benedict more prominent.
        5. Every major pr firm employs people who not only read what is online, but who also participate. What is said about criticisms will be answered by the next outing or statement.

      • Sooth says:

        Oh no offence everyone but what a load of guff. Who gives a toss about all that peerage crap?

      • sigh((s)) says:

        I can see all of that going on, madly. Thanks for the read.

      • GeeMoney says:

        @madly
        GOOD. I hope his PR is reading what I’m saying right now. I hope he gets rid of Sophie, gets back to his real self, and sits back and lets his destiny play itself out.

        Oh, and if ANYONE on this site believes HALF of the stupid/fake/ridiculous gossip that comes out of Hollywood… oh man. Most of that crap is pure BS to further their careers out there. But the funny thing is that most of it backfires b/c people. aren’t. that. stupid.

        PS – The Daily Mail is NOTORIOUS for making up stories based off of random pictures of celebrities on the street. They suck. Hard.

      • MissMary says:

        @Madly: YES to all of that. Gossip sites move much faster than print tabs and no one should think for one second that PR firms aren’t eyeballing at least the major ones and major fan sites for their clients to “check the temperature” of fandoms and fanbases. And if this is how BC is acting with that going on, he’s either actively trying to commit career suicide or trying to f*ck over the PR machine big time.

      • aly says:

        @Madly: thank you…I guess PR in HW is on a bigger scale (try mastodontic) what PR for showbusiness is like in my country, Cut throat, celeb gossip used as a tool to advance/destroy/shape and reshape careers.
        I think this whole thing will calm itself down, Ben is not stupid and his handlers aren’t either. He will do something adorable, dorky and it’ll all revert to the status quo.
        Part of me thinks that Ben was sincere when he said that he didn’t have the time to campaign and he’s being reminded over and over of his duties — and he hates it.
        The other part is just amused by the whole thing. It’s all very predictable, IMO.

  33. Just Here says:

    I’m with you Kaiser. I, for one, am glad he mentioned they are happy. I think his comment about needing the support of the woman he lives is a reference to his media campaign… It *is* quite grueling and having someone as support is important, even if they’re not there physically.

    What he’s doing is smart. He knew his engagement would be a storm, so he’s dealing with it early and decisively so things can die down somewhat.

    I think the cause of his grumpiness is HW.

    • GeeMoney says:

      I love how she’s supporting him… by not being seen with him in public. Your right… that’s the BEST support a spouse can give. *rolls eyes*

      • Lucifer says:

        oh geemoney u live in my brain.exactly my point.

      • GeeMoney says:

        Glad to oblige…

      • Renee says:

        Geemoney, thanks for saying what I’ve been thinking all along

      • GeeMoney says:

        @Renee
        Thank goodness some people see what I see. For a while there, I thought I was the only person on this site who actually kept their eyes open to the obvious…

      • Renee says:

        @geemoney. I feel the same, like I’m the crazy one. I love your posts,BTW. I still find it amusing that a couple weeks ago, these 2 couldn’t walk into a restaurant together and I’m suddenly supposed to buy into some grand romance.

      • MissMary says:

        @GeeMoney and Renee: YES. I agree with this entirely. And it amuses me how twitter is slowly turning the same direction.

      • Ingrid says:

        @Renee – “I still find it amusing that a couple weeks ago, these 2 couldn’t walk into a restaurant together and I’m suddenly supposed to buy into some grand romance”

        YES! It’s quite ironic that he’s so afraid of being photographed with her, but is okay giving tabloids interviews concerning the engagement.

        I keep thinking that if this is the great romance and engagement and timing was their idea, he’s truly a d*ck. He’s taking focus off from the movie and Alan, the thing he didn’t’ want to do in the first place. (Hence I think this is Harvey, the man has no morals.)

        Hell, even Amalooney waited until the award season was over and Monuments Men released. ( I love those two, they… you know…smile)

      • Meemee says:

        @Ingrid
        That’s what I don’t understand. What’s the harm in waiting to go public about your engagement? You can get engaged, keep the engagement itself private (tell your family and close friends only), then after the award season has ended and the fervor has died down, announce it in the paper.

        Someone upthread said something about him wanting to have it both ways, and I agree. He seems to want a “normal, private life” but doesn’t get that he could have that if he just…acted normal. There are celebrity couples who are hardly ever talked about. They’re seen out together. They have no problem showing affection without going over the top. They keep the details of their private lives to themselves, but are still seen supporting one another. It’s OK to be normal. You don’t have to alienate your fan-base by insinuating that they’re unimportant to you and insisting that all you REALLY need is “the support of the woman you love who you proposed to” (bit of a stilted response). You don’t have to take care to never/hardly ever be seen with your partner. It’s possible to live a balanced life even as a celebrity. Maybe he just hasn’t learned how. But announcing a (speedy) engagement at such a crucial and busy time, knowing that people will react to it and that you’ll be relentlessly questioned about it, isn’t a smart move if you’re all about privacy.

        To be honest, I don’t understand the engagement itself. You can be committed to someone and take the time to get to know them better without rushing to the altar. Then again, some people just want to have a wedding day. It really just depends on your “personal goals” I suppose…

      • Madly says:

        I have a feeling you are going to see plenty of her in no time.

    • GeeMoney says:

      @Renee
      And I love it that you are sane. Thanks for using your brain, lol.

      Hopefully he’ll come around and ditch her. I’m rooting for him to find the right one.

      • Renee says:

        @geemoney. I try to use my brain…lol and some good old-fashioned common sense.

        @missmary. What direction is Twitter turning in?

      • MissMary says:

        @Renee: It’s not mass wtf but there’s a rumbling of “Wait, really? He wants us to think he’s happy and this isn’t PR?” Still nannies in full force scouring the site but there’s rumblings of disbelief.

    • moodgirl says:

      Ahhh….If he were smart he would have waited until after the awards season was over to announce. Or even waited until he got back from LA. All he did was take away from the film. He did, however, make himself the main attraction which, when all the data is analyzed, could be the ONLY conceivable reason why he did it. There is no other plausible explanation other than he is an utter fool. Now he is in People and E ! and Vanity Fair and anywhere else they can stick him. He
      created his own marketing storm before his feet even landed in LA.

      I haven’t heard a word about the rest of the contenders in his category for a few days even though they are probably the front runners. Face it, he purposely stole the show with his engagement announcement and he, Harvey Weinstein and the rest of his people knew exactly how it would go down. Well played.

      • Felice says:

        If that’s true that they’re all just focusing on him I’ll slow clap to that. Interesting he cares so much about an oscar when he “just wants to run away to a sea cottage.”

      • MissMary says:

        @Felice: That, if we’re going with the Oscar PR theory, feeds the narrative. Him saying how he eschews fame, he wants to escape it, etc… It may, in the minds of some voters and movie-goers, paint the image of “Oh, he’s really in this for the art! The picture (esp TIG) is more important than winning!” (I simplified because I’m out of caffeine again, lol, but the gist is there.)

      • Ingrid says:

        @ moodgirl – Yest to all of this.

        Even if the engagement is real, it was partly for PR purposes. And they are winning. I think this drastic measure was needed because he’s busy filming all award seasons and cannot campaign the normal way and attend every cat christening. Harvey said “Well, you have to do *something*”. Plus the long term”SeriousActor” image building.

      • aly says:

        @moodgirl: well, the other contenders have been campaigning longer than him and more aggressively. Ben doesn’t have the time to be everywhere like others are doing, so his handlers are circumnavigating the obstacle. They don’t call them “campaigns” for nothing…
        He cares about the story, about Turing, but the story alone isn’t enough now.
        C’mon, is it truly shocking that Ben is very ambitious? I thought that was quite clear.

      • moodgirl says:

        TIG would not be big in the US. He would have to win on merit alone. Why risk it? He automatically had a fawning, over – interested, mainly FEMALE audience just chomping at the bit when his plane landed. They love him because in the US we all love a good story. We watched Kim Kartrashian’s weddings on television. NOT ONCE BUT TWICE. If they fed us math like they feed us trash the chinese could drop dead.

        Now. SH. My bs meter is pinging off the charts. Five months is an incredibly short period for a relationship to take of however I realize people are different. As a person who gets lost in life without logic, their coupling baffles me. gg just stated that he may have asked Anna James to marry and she said no. As you Brits say – does this bloke propose to every woman he dates? If yes, then he was desperate to be married. No shame as I have been there. I think that BC is more sensitive to that area of his life and wanted to settle it. Who with was not really the issue.

        What blows my logic – and I hate it – is their behavior during the the whole thing. Granted, we now know that he wasn’t doing much during the summer and she sure doesn’t get up off her duff and work every day so they may have had a lot of free time during the past six monthss to hang. That is a lot of free sex. But why were they so surly to each other? Why were they intent on pretending that they had taken hits out on each other? Why act like that when you are in love and getting sex? Why shug, why?

        If you don’t want to be seen then stay at home and make yourself a sandwich. DO NOT GO TO POSH RESTAURANTS AND ACT LIKE PERFECT FOOLS. If you don’t want to be seen dont march to your own drummer down the red carpet at LFF. Whose idea do you think that was anyway because it was definitely orchestrated by someone. It had to be. $÷%# like that doesn’t happen by accident as those events are timed and tightly controlled. Who benefited?

    • Dakota M. says:

      Never thought the engagement was pr but still have a problem with the fact that he doesn’t look at all enthused. Understand tired and over worked making a person grumpy. He still manages to look a bit happier when he talks about his folks. I have to wonder why this is not happening when he talks about the woman he proposed to. He’s an ACTOR for the love of Pete. Act happy about it if nothing else. Talk is cheap. A picture really is worth a 1000 words.

  34. A. Key says:

    Kaiser, I can’t believe you’re actually surprised. Aww, you really thought Benny’s fans weren’t as cray cray about him as Hiddles’ 😀

  35. Beth says:

    I agree. The number of posts on this website’s recent articles about this is kind of embarrassing. Good for Bendy, I’m a giant fan too, now let’s move on.

  36. Madly says:

    i am not a fan who thinks the sun and moon comes from an actor. I don’t read or have tumbler and have stopped going to places that are ott fawning for someone. And having met some celebrities, I have no illusions on wanting to be married, dating or having babies with them as many of them are children themselves.

    I prefer being objective and fair-weathered when it comes to celebs.

    So, I mean it when I say that even if he’s stressed or whatever is going on to make him such a grouch, he needs to grow up already. i can’t fan a guy who is acting like an entitled jackass. Dude, you are no brad Pitt. Kindly get over yourself.

    • Zazie says:

      @Madly: if my English were better I would have liked to say something like that myself. It is just what I thought, without having met any celebrities – grow up already! This isn´t a movie.

    • Lucifer says:

      Last line. Nailed it *bows down*

  37. Ellen says:

    Can we have ‘P’enny’s final thought please? She always talks sense

    • 'P'enny says:

      eh? moi? mixing me up with Lilacflowers, i think.

      • Ellen says:

        @’p’enny and you, I was going to ask Lilacflowers but she was in a bit of a bad mood earlier 🙁 so I’ll wait until she has her Hiddles cookies till she’s back to her awesome self to ask her 🙂

      • Lilacflowers says:

        Bad mood? Moi? Jamais! My thoughts on this? I come to the BC threads because they are generally fun and I enjoy many of the posters but, other than thinking him a decent actor, from what I’ve seen (never seen his stage work, did see him from a few yards away during filming of Black Mass, and he does seem to play the same character over and over but he is very good at playing THAT character), I have no attraction to him. What others claim as a personality change in him, I always saw. I find this whole thing amusing and exhausting. I really see no point to the analysis of every little thing, especially since next to nothing is known about her and he is acting roughly 95% of the time. I wish him (and her) well. I reserve my judgment on Oscar chances until I see the film and compare it to others I’ve seen (so far, Michael Keaton has my vote.)

      • MountainRunner says:

        Boston-based, Lilac? I’ve lived all around that fine town from Cambridge to Newburyport. I’m certifiably jealous and missing too many places there.

        I echo your sentiments. I’ve pretty much said what I felt on the earlier posts. Now find it painfully amusing to sit back and watch. Curious as to what he stirs up when he comes back (and whether we get a SH sighting on the red carpet).

        Saw Birdman today and agree about Keaton. But found Norton even more captivating when they shared scenes. Hoping he gets a nod for his supporting role.

      • Lilacflowers says:

        @MountainRunner, yes, Bostonian to the core. Agree completely about Norton. I think if others weren’t in the way, he would have devoured the entire set and possibly Naomi Watt’s poor character whole and I would have loved watching him do it. He definitely deserves a nod for best supporting. Lindsay Duncan was also perfectly cast in her icy, powerful critic role. And Amy Ryan was perfection, as usual. Although the movie still left me feeling a bit cold.

  38. Cate says:

    What’s next? Tumblr saying that all fandoms should tone down the fangirling?

    Tumblr: ‘Stop making GIFS of every little thing you guys, you’re so embarrassing, jeeeez. We’re far too popular a site, stop drooling over Harry Styles and Hiddles and go do your homework or crochet or something.’ 😉

    • MissMary says:

      @Cate: Oh, you mean the tumblr nannies? They exist…and seem to live only to shame any fan behavior, no matter how benign, because “Omg, guys, this is soooooooooooooo invasive to post that you liked his role in x but liked y better! What if this hurts his feelings?”

      • Cate says:

        LOL MissMary, oh yes, the nannies, I’m well aware of them too. They’re kind of mini dictators, not much freedom of speech there. But I was trying to jokingly compare us being slightly discouraged to talk BC Engagementgate ’14 here, while BC posts have been a bit of the ol’ bread and butter for CB. I’m not all that clever, so that didn’t work out…ha!

      • MissMary says:

        LOL, no I’m just kind of thick sometimes, lol, and missed it!

      • Cate says:

        All this BC talk is scrambling our brains, I say you’re still doing very well. 😉

    • Isis76 says:

      No, she’s a Cap, which is great because Caps and Cancers fit very well together!

      • V.L.719 says:

        That’s interesting since most people who go into the healthcare profession have either strong Scorpio placements in their birth chart or have their Sun sign in Scorpio. But that’s most of the time. I’m curious to know what other astrological details you know of.

      • Eloha says:

        @V.L.719 Is there any way for me to get in touch with your psychic friend without you having to post personal contact info? I’d really like to talk to her/him. Thanks!

  39. Madly says:

    @geemoney, but he would still need to have hope that the right person is still out there and if you settle, you do so because you don’t believe that they are or that you can’t with the kind of life and lack of options that you have.

    • Meemee says:

      “or that you can’t with the kind of life and lack of options that you have.”

      I think I’m on that train. Didn’t he just say in an interview that he could tell when women wanted to “try him out” because of who he is? Maybe he felt like he couldn’t trust anyone outside of his current circle so he decided to stick to the circle in his search for romance.

      • Renee says:

        It’s called settling for someone in his circle who was available and then doing some PR with it. Call me cynical if you want. That’s what it looks like to me.

      • Sooth says:

        Whys everyone so convinced she was part of his ‘circle’? I don’t think they were buddies who saw much Of each other at all tbh. Srsly, dude is acting nuts. I’m a little shocked that even his most ardent followers haven’t registered it. Like I say, that little speech about ‘love bouncing back to him from the world and gazing into each other’s eyes lovingly.’ WHAT THE…

      • Meemee says:

        @Renee
        That’s what I’m saying. Perhaps it wasn’t clear. I think he gave up on making a real go of searching b/c he can’t see past the “crazy” fan stuff (which honestly comes with the territory if this is what you want to do for a living). I already made a comment earlier about the timing of this thing being ridiculous and unnecessary. If you’re really in love, be committed, be private, and do your job without bringing unnecessary attention to your private life. So I definitely think PR has something to do with it.

        @Sooth
        By “circle” I mean people he already knows. He worked with her before, so they were already acquainted. Not saying they were bff just that they already knew each other. I don’t see his behavior as normal by any stretch of the imagination.

      • Cate says:

        @Renee, I agree, it’s probably that simple. But of course he knows that too and then it’s hard to gush. You either gush because you can’t help yourself or you don’t. You can be a great actor, but I’m not sure even Streep could pull off pretend gushing, ha!

      • Sooth says:

        Ikr? I mean.. I cant imagine him actually saying any of that stuff. It was just..odd. I feel sorry for him tbh. He’s being odd and something ain’t right but I don’t know what it is.

      • gg says:

        @Sooth: Exactly! They acted in something together 5 years ago and for much of the time since she was living and working in NYC. It’s not like they went to nursery school together.

      • Nonnie says:

        The Benedict we are used to would crack this half-smug, half-shy loopsided grin, blush slightly and bumble when talking about the woman he loves.
        This Benedict talks about her bussinesslike in third person, in abstract, pompous terms and looks like he’d rather have his tooth pulled than actually mention her name.
        Is this the same person?

      • Ingrid says:

        @Nonnie -Yes. I always though when he got engaged or fell in love, he would show the same level of enthusiasm as he did at the Oscars. At least.

        But then again, I’m romantic and maybe for him:
        attending oscars >>>> getting engaged

    • GeeMoney says:

      Or maybe he thinks that it’s not going to happen? I don’t know how the right person thing works… I guess you are just supposed to be patient or something.

      I don’t know. Life is a mystery to me sometimes.

      • Lucifer says:

        So is bendy

      • GeeMoney says:

        You have to stop with the jokes. My co-workers are looking at me sideways for laughing so hard… LMAO

      • Madly says:

        I think he has lost perspective. The screaming fan girls are not the majority. There are a lot of grounded women out there, he just needed to look for them in better places.

        I think he is strangely lonely in all of this.

      • Grace says:

        All I say is this, if he has a problem with people judging him for not getting married, not being a father, unable to hold onto a relationship, etc, try to be a woman in a culture where it’s unacceptable for women to be unmarried over the age of 30. Those women get judged on a daily basis by their parents, co-workers, neighbours, grandparents, cousins, whoever think they get to have a say in the matter – even complete strangers – and they have to explain themselves every single time to every single person. It’s either that or marry who would have them.

      • V.L.719 says:

        @GeeMoney Finding the right person is pretty much like magic. My friend who did Benedict’s chart said that all of us talking about it (in addition to him staying with his current pool of options and picking SH out of that small pond) is why he can’t have that great love affair. He’s meant to have it, but with all of our minds in his business it’s creating what’s called a “blockage”. Fate can’t do it’s thing if people on both sides of a situation are consciously involved thinking about it.

        When SH is out of the picture, she (and I) both hope he’ll get marriage and babies off his brain so the right one can come in before he becomes resentful about his lack of an authentic love life.

        P.S. My friend is strongly convinced he’s meant to meet and fall in love with someone exotic. She thinks he’s in the realm of Michael Caine, David Bowie, Robert De Niro, and that he needs “to be his real self and stop playing games”.

      • Lucifer says:

        @geemoney the whole scenario is one comedy flick..thnks 😀

      • Lucifer says:

        I want someone exotic for him as well. Such a cutiepie he used to be. My god I miss that guy. And m new here. Can u tell me what chart are we talking about?

      • moodgirl says:

        @V . L.719 – Thanks for letting know. Now I have to figure who is blocking me because I am definitely BLOCKED.

      • GeeMoney says:

        @V.L.719
        Interesting! Well… I guess we’ll all see what happens… good luck to him and his future “exotic” mate.

        And I wish you could send him an e-mail about this… ugh. He just needs to calm down already!

        @moodgirl
        Meditating is a good way to get unblocked… it takes a while to figure out how to quiet your mind, but once you do… it really does help with the blockages.

      • Cate says:

        @Grace, hear, hear!

      • Isis76 says:

        @V.L.719
        I have had 7 psychics all tell me this is a karmic challenge for him to come to know what is for his highest and best good and what he does deserve by first knowing what is not by settling for less than who is his vibrational match and perfect complement. He has placed a condition on love and that is that he wants to be married and have a child by 40 and he is afraid he will never find his Twin Flame so he’s settling. When you act out of ego (fear) or out of alignment with your Higher Self, it will never end well and is always a lesson to overcome your ego (fear). So, this will not end well, but he will ultimately find his Twin Flame. She is aware of him and her connection to him, though he is not. Oddly enough, she was told that she also had to back away from following him because it will create a blockage to her being guided to him.

      • V.L.719 says:

        @Isis76 Tell me more details. That sounds plausible that she would have to leave things alone to let him come to her. I ask because some people can be fake, intentionally or not. “Not” only because some of them can study really hard learning the gift, but sometimes people can be wrong.

        And sorry for the late response. I’m just a humble college girl swamped with homework so I can’t post as much as I like.

      • Zarathustra says:

        @Isis76, I really don’t want to offend you, but did you consult 7 DIFFERENT psychics about Benedict Cumberbatch, how and why? And I’m not a super non-believer concerning all things spiritual, but still, I’m just curious now. Like how do you know his supposed twin flame knows there’s a connection and was told to ‘not to follow him’. By whom was she told? Also by those psychics? Because the way you describe make it sounds like you’re the twin flame in this scenario. Maybe I totally misunderstood you, but it’s all a bit out there. Feel free to tell more though. Hope you’re well.

      • justcurious says:

        @Isis76
        Hi, what did you mean by “She is aware of him and her connection to him, though he is not. Oddly enough, she was told that she also had to back away from following him because it will create a blockage to her being guided to him.”
        Does this mean that she is already in his life, he just doesn´t know about the connection yet?

      • Sooth says:

        I’m biting my tongue over this stuff, people. If only you knew…
        I don’t want to be a dick, but psychics and starsigns? Really?

      • Isis76 says:

        4 of the psychics are my (and her) friends who came to us with this info, it was not originally sought out (the 4 psychics do not know each other). I sought out the other 3 to make sure my friends weren’t getting biased info because it just seemed so crazy. No, I am not her but we are very close friends and she will remain anonymous (for obvious reasons). No, she is not in his life yet. She was told to let the situation go, to surrender, and to just allow it to happen as it is meant to, but that keeping her focus on him and what he’s doing will take her focus off of what she needs to be doing in her own life to be ready for the connection. For those who disbelieve, that’s okay. To each their own.

      • V.L.719 says:

        @Isis76 Did any of them say what kind of time frame this woman would connect with Benedict? Just curious.

      • justcurious says:

        @Isis76
        Hi, is she “exotic” like V.L.719 predicts? Would you care to share some impersonal basic infos about her? Like age, etc. just to get the picture?

      • Isis76 says:

        They didn’t give a time frame because her Angels knew she’d wait and not allow certain experiences to happen that need to happen. They are trying to keep that part a surprise. Though, one told me that it may be some time in 2016, depending on how things go. She’s only 5 months younger than B and, though she has no exotic blood, she is always asked where she is from because she has an exotic and even elemental (fairy/elf) look to her and she has a petite build.

      • V.L.719 says:

        @Isis76 While the time sort of matches up with what my friend found out, you’re correct that she is younger than him, but my friend said she wouldn’t come into his life until after then. Anything can change specifically for him in 2015 to create new conditions for his real love to manifest, but this woman is for sure coming a little while after 2016.

      • lola says:

        Hey guys I am just curious: will BC and Sh marry (according to predictions)?

      • Isis76 says:

        @V.L.719 That very well could be the case! I’m looking forward to seeing this all play out in the physical realm!

      • Isis76 says:

        @lola My understanding is, unfortunately, yes. This saddens me because I hate to see him spend money on a wedding only to have to go through the pains of a divorce and paying any amount of alimony.

      • lola says:

        So, marriage and no children? Then he meets “the one” and divorces? Oh, dear.

      • Isis76 says:

        @lola No, marriage and no children and divorce, then meets his Twin Flame sometime post divorce. He will have a son with his Twin Flame.

      • lola says:

        Well, that is still better than bringing a child into this mess. And the Twin Flame and him would have only 1 child?

        Sorry for so many questions, but this is seriously interesting. Thx for answering.

      • V.L.719 says:

        @Isis76 You’re correct with that info. But someone on another thread mentioned that his Twin Flame would be involved in healthcare. My friend said that his real love works with medicine, sort of. Did the psychics tell you anything about her profession?

      • Isis76 says:

        @lola So far as she’s been shown (twice), yes.

        @ V.L.719 Because I know her personally, I can confirm that she does what could be considered a form of health care. She works with children and adults with special needs and often has to take care of students who have severe seizures, cannot toilet themselves, etc.

      • lola says:

        Just another one:
        How did you find her … Is it that your friend happens to fit the description of his “the one” or he fits the description of her “the one” or it was sth else?

        Again thx for answering (it’s really interesting).

      • Isis76 says:

        @lola She and I have been friends since childhood. The psychic friends of ours came to her (on their own individually because they don’t know each other) telling her at first that they kept getting visions of her being with a light-haired man with light eyes who is 6ft tall and is foreign, but then she became a fan of B and, after seeing pictures of him, they started coming to her saying “That’s who I’m seeing you with!!! Who is that???” She, of course had a very hard time believing this because he is so famous (and she so not famous and no where near his circle of people) that we sought out other local psychics to get confirmation from those who don’t know her. They didn’t know who B was but all said they are going to be together and are Twin Flames (when shown his pic and told his name, so him specifically). She has since received a lot more validation/confirmation in many forms over the past year! It seems @V.L.719’s friend is picking up on her energy very clearly and is being given the same info that she has received! She’s not thrilled to hear she might have to wait until after 2016 but she was told they would meet when her new career (in the spiritual realm) was on the rise and his was plateauing, so that timeline could be quite possible. Though, we keep praying that he be open to receiving guidance from his Higher Self and his Guides and Angels (right now he is in his ego/fear so is closed off from it) and, if it is for his highest and best good, he be able to learn/experience what he is meant to with SH in an expedited manner and avoiding the mess of a divorce and alimony. We also pray that he be filled with Divine Love and Light because, right now, he needs it.

      • justcurious says:

        @Isis76
        Hi, I also find this really interesting and exciting. Since BC’s Juno is in Virgo, that would indicate a partner involved in healthcare.

        On a more personal note: Would it be possible to get in touch with your friends? It has nothing to do with BC, I am looking for my own anwers and I need a little bit of help.

      • lola says:

        @isis76
        Well, best of luck to your lady friend (maybe it is another tall light-haired man with light eyes she is meant to be with and she won’t have to wait for so long).

      • Isis76 says:

        @justcurious Only one of them does it for people other than friends and loved ones so she would be who I would put you into contact with, however, I’m not sure how to get you two in touch without either of us having to post personal contact info.

        @lola It is BC specifically they were seeing and who the other psychics said she’d be with so, no it’s not another light-haired, light-eyed man who is 6ft tall. The amount of effort her Guides and Angels have put forth to make sure she knows it’s specifically him is astounding and continuous over the past year. But, as she says, if they are in fact Twin Flames as she has been told (which is a rare connection as most are with soul mates) and their spiritual connection and relationship is going to be as amazing as she has been told it will be, he is worth the wait.

      • Isis76 says:

        @V.L.719 I almost forgot! She also is a certified Holistic Health Practitioner! She doesn’t currently use her certificate because she can’t afford the cost of insurance and such she would need to have before she can practice ( you don’t make a lot of $ helping those with special needs).

      • V.L.719 says:

        @Isis76

        Is she by chance a Sagittarius or Scorpio?

      • Isis76 says:

        @V.L.719 No, she’s a Cap, which is great because Caps and Cancers are a great fit!

      • V.L.719 says:

        That’s interesting since most people who go into the healthcare profession have either strong Scorpio placements in their birth chart or have their Sun sign in Scorpio. But that’s most of the time. I’m curious to know what other astrological details you know of.

      • Morisot says:

        @Isis76 I hope those psychics all are on the right path with this. Waiting for a potential twin flame is a very weird concept to me though. I can speak from personal experience that twin flame isn’t a term you should use lightly. You might know twin flames aren’t the most easiest of partnerships, most of them don’t come together at all, because one of them is not ready for it. And even if they do, it’s very uncommon for them to marry or have children. Romance and twin flames doesn’t always go hand in hand. A soulmate relationship can be much more fulfilling here on earth. If that’s what your friend wants, a somewhat traditional relationship, the one you kind of described. I’m also not quite sure if it’s a grand idea to come forth with such news in the open. It’s really an intensely private thing. And the concept twin flames/twin souls is very, very hard to understand if you haven’t been part of such an union. It can hurt people quite a bit if they speak about things like this with random people. Esp. if the person on the other end of this line is in the public eye like Benedict. Because that’s what’s happening if all would be legitimate. I do wish your friend nothing but the best and I also hope she’ll be able to go on if this won’t happen in 2016 or whatever year it could happen. And I hope that there’s still a bit room left for doubt, you sound so certain, it scares me a bit. There’s nothing certain in this life and world, believe me. And especially all things concerning love, let alone soul love, are fragile and suspect to influences. I too could tell you something about a connection with a certain gentleman I once met, but I won’t. It doesn’t help anyone. On the contrary. And a little endnote for what it’s worth, the relationship I once had with a Capricorn was not a succes and I’m a Cancer too.

  40. ukbound says:

    I called this behavior over a month ago. He was making rude comments about Downton Abbey being shit when he won that award. That is not something a kind person would do. It seems to me that he is multiple personality or something. I also wonder if Sophie is having a bad effect on him. If he is now complaining bitterly about fans, there has to be a reason why. I suspect she is in the background trying to support him emotionally, saying negative things, and it is rubbing off on him. Some people are just negative and complaining and you catch it when you are around them. No matter how positive you are, they can suck the life out of you.

    I’m not sure he can go back at this point. I can see him wanting to ditch the fans who ask to taste his yumminess. That was probably a final straw for him. No person should be subjected to that asininity. He sees his fans as the enemy now. He is not having fun. He should quit. He has to make a living, but I suspect being famous and successful is not all it is cracked up to be. He looks physically ill in since the start of this year. Too pale, adrenal fatigue…

    • Lucifer says:

      suck out the life. Like a dementor?

    • MissMary says:

      I’m wondering if he’s going to “take a break” after Hamlet or the infamous “hospitalized for fatigue/exhaustion” route, and come back “dedicated to stage work” for the next few years, doing Sherlock every few years because he won’t bite the hand that feeds him (and is probs obligated to a few more seasons/series) but stay away from films for a while.

      • Sandi says:

        MissMary, you’ve called it exactly how it’s going to do down, I feel.

      • Felice says:

        I swear MissMary has a crystal ball

      • Cate says:

        Call me crazy, but I think that’d be the best thing to ever happen to him. I think he truly wanted to be a big HW player for a while, but I’m not so sure anymore.

        Anyone else read that little quote in The Guardian of BC attending the Governor awards? Totally forgot to post it yesterday:
        “Ever grounded, Cumberbatch mused about the unfolding scene and the dangerous allure of Tinseltown. “You have to know your cutoff point,” he murmured, before adding “You can’t walk away from any of this weirdness unscathed.”

        I mean, HEL-LO! (He’s probably walking around mumbling about ‘someone saving him’ as we speak. And now I feel sorry for him again…)

      • MissMary says:

        LOL Just a lot of down time in hospitals for health stuff and nothing to do but read mags over the years–there’s patterns that start to become obvious after a while. And maybe I’m a little psychic. I blame Madame Cleo commercials when I was a kid.

        ETA and if Oscars don’t work out for him, the “break” will come sooner and there will be a blurb about reassesing his priorities, (maybe a break up in there too *cough*), approaching Hamlet refreshed, something how the experience of needing a break gave him fresh perspective for Hamlet, then the “rededicated to stagework” route and avoidance of films.

      • Me says:

        I hope he doesn’t crack up. I would’ve picked someone different. But I kind of hope he and WILWIPT have a quickie December wedding and honeymoon all month long until he starts shooting Sherlock in January. Then, maybe pregnant in March. Baby right after Hamlet. That should pull his head out of his arse after that role.

      • Lucifer says:

        He should really move to LA though. He needs to stay away from his Posh circle where he’ll find only ppl like octopussy. He never ever utters her name. M so shocked n amused at the same time.

      • Sandi says:

        Eerily physic, MissMary, lol! Plus you keep reading my mind.

        I don’t relish it or anything, I keep feeling I sound like I’m rubbing my hands together evilly over here, it’s just really obvious, as you said, there’s clear patterns.

        He doesn’t look or sound ‘right’. And it was probably there before, I don’t think it’s a simple case of ‘Oh, he needs to suck it up’ but a bit more serious.

  41. lindy79 says:

    Hes on Tonight Show with Fallon on 17th…as are U2.

    *sticks on Peaky Blinders betting cap*
    Who’ll give me a bet that Mr Privacy Serious Actor does a photobomb while they’re performing all in the name of Alan Turing?
    Come on folks!!

    • VanillaIce says:

      Actually, I hope Bono & Co. photobomb Benedict.

    • lindy79 says:

      Larry Mullen Jr. would never debase himself so

      • Lilacflowers says:

        Larry Mullen Jr. is a God.

      • Lindy79 says:

        (hugs Lilac)

        Ive loved him for years
        (his sister used to live in the same estate as me, I used to wander around trying to see his bike outside, …. I;m not weird, honest)

      • Lilacflowers says:

        @Lindy, I met him once during High Tea at the local Four Seasons. He was wearing jeans the same color as his eyes, a black leather vest, and a sunburn. I just wanted to touch.

      • Lindy79 says:

        Oh I’m so jealous! Ive never been lucky enough to meet him.
        Huge U2 fan growing up and I’ve always loved how he was never afraid to call Bono on all his bull.
        Best book I ever read about them was by Bill Flanagan from Rolling Stone who toured with them during Zooropa. I got so much more of an insight into Larry and Adam.

    • Renee says:

      I’m more excited to see U2.

    • Cate says:

      I’m on team U2 here! Maybe Larry can scare BC a bit, real Irish vs Posh English. Guess who wins? Guess! 😉

      • lindy79 says:

        Larry is a proper biker too and would slap him silly for saying he’d give it up

      • Cate says:

        Hahaha, yep! A drummer, an Irishman and a biker! I just saw this ‘slapping him silly scene’ play out in my mind’s eye. If only, if only…

      • Lilacflowers says:

        And Larry the God and Adam saw him when he photobombed them. Adam tried to speak to him and he walked right past him without acknowledging he had been caught. Those guys are viciously funny and they won’t hold back.

      • Cate says:

        @Lilacflowers, hahaha, did Larry & Adam catch him in the act? And he ignored Adam?! THE Adam?! (blasphemy) Darn it, I didn’t watch the footage well enough back then. I didn’t mind the photobomb, but as I always loved U2 (like LOVED) it just felt a tiny bit disrespectful to me. Because he didn’t know them personally and I don’t know, it drummed up so much publicity for him too. But that’s just me, U2 and their music just means a lot to me. Weak spot…ha!

      • Lilacflowers says:

        @Cate, yes, they saw him, as did the woman who was with The Adam, and The Adam Clayton said something to him as he walked past but he totally ignored him. I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt that he may not have heard him. U2 is a big weak spot for me, especially Larry the God.

      • Cate says:

        @Lilacflowers, I’ve watched it again, and indeed, The Adam did try to catch his eye. Tsk BC! He maybe was too hyper and/or giddy (and apparently tipsy) to notice that, ha! And Larry the God indeed… 😉

  42. Sooth says:

    Wow. This article is a bit of a turnaround compared to the last few isn’t it? Was only a few days the headlines read ‘has he got engaged to win an oscar?’ Hmmm. Seems some people do truly believe everything they read.
    What people are failing to notice is people aren’t endlessly commenting purely because he’s getting engaged, it’s because he’s acting very very strangely. After reading that people article, do you honestly believe that’s something he would say? It’s waaaayy OTT and not in a loved up way.

  43. MissMary says:

    I think (and as always, this is just my opinion and not based on anything other than what I’ve read and seen online so take it with a grain of salt and maybe a tin foil hat)… I feel like, however PR is involved in this, it’s about to backfire big time. He’s making the general public kind of sick of his face and his soundbites, he’s coming off to even dedicated (read: not the “open letter” tumblrites but the people who have been fans of his work more than his looks) as being a snot and rude and disingenuous… And to paraphrase Johnny Castle in Dirty Dancing (yeah, I so went there), he’s balancing on shit and quick as a snap, he can fall off. All of these fame game things are a balancing act but some are more…intense…and “worth more” than others. No matter if he and SH are in love or not, or even in a contractually binding agreement till March, or whatever, PR is involved and his image is on the line. If this had happened over the summer or basically any time other than Oscar season, he’d get some gasps and maybe some side eye, but not this level of “are you effing kidding me?”

    • Lucifer says:

      Do you think she ll be in the NYCprem?
      I thnk nt

      • Felice says:

        Yup she’ll be there. After all this crap, she’ll probably have to pose with him.

      • MissMary says:

        I think she will but it’ll be LFF all over after one pic of them having tight, pained smiles and holding hands (and she may have on a basic ring–overblown to prove their love, of course).

      • Ingrid says:

        Well, IF she’s there, it will be only for PR / photo op as she has seen the film and he will be working the entire time.

      • Renee says:

        She’ll be there, flashing a ring, not a huge one, this is BC we’re talking about. They’ll play the role of happy couple, if they can manage it.

      • aly says:

        @Renee: I’m confident he’ll sell it like the rent is due. I do think the relationship in itself is real but used for PR; Ben is an excellent actor, he’ll smile, hold her hand, display the appropriate body language.
        I haven’t a clue about SH.

      • Me says:

        Whether it makes sense or not, I think he feels like he has to protect her from his Odious fan base…

      • Sooth says:

        Ugh enough with odious. It seems that’s all I see on here after she used it to describe herself once. She doesn’t need protecting. I really don’t see where this delicate snowflake rubbish with her comes from. And why would she need protecting from fans? If she doesn’t read the gossip sites like this, she’ll be none the wiser. And even if she did all she’d see is people ripping the piss out of her ‘art’ and that is 100% deserved..

    • sigh((s)) says:

      Nobody puts Benny in the corner!

      • MissMary says:

        Heh heh heh… exactly. Now to get rid of the mental picture of him doing a perfect lift in a white dress wile held aloft by Harvey Weinstein…

      • Ingrid says:

        @ MissMary -i cant stop laughing at the mental image of THAT. Thank you 😀

      • MissMary says:

        Hee hee. It’s an image I am going to cherish every time BC opens his mouth and something wtf pops out.

      • Ingrid says:

        😀 I think we need an actual photo of that and I’m *this close* to photo shopping it myself. 😀

      • MissMary says:

        I actually did a “squee hand clap” at that lol. If you shop it, PLEASE post it!

      • Ingrid says:

        I have just enough of integrity left not to do it. But if this WTF-ckery continues at this rate, it will only be a matter of days* before I crack.

        *hours

      • MissMary says:

        lol I can respect that.

    • Linz says:

      I am just going to leave this here.

      The man does not look “Happy/Over the moon.”

      ‘I’m still here, I’m still the same actor’
      (Benedict is exposed to not so nice Twitter comments about his engagement)
      http://www.eonline.com/videos/228380/benedict-cumberbatch-on-his-future-wife

      • Me says:

        Oh, please Team Benedict. You used the same “I am just going to leave this here” line yesterday. Get creative! LOL

      • Ingrid says:

        Isn’t he just beaming again?

        (Although, I think the reporter is an idiot reading those negative comments to him.)

        I’m actually starting to worry about him. Actual true concern.

      • Linz says:

        @Me
        “Team Benedict?” What are you talking about? I am not the one who said “I am just going to leave this here” yesterday.

        I think he is acting f**cking weird. (In the video) He claims he is “over the moon.” He doesn’t look like he is.

      • Sooth says:

        I’m actually angry with him. He’s saturated this promo with his weird behaviour and timely announcent. Everything’s about this engagement and it sucks. I want to hear about the film and the back story. It’s just disrespectful to turings legacy.

      • Me says:

        No worries, Linz. I’m just joking.

        I am trying to go the way of the anti-conspiracy, but I do find his reactions weird. On the one hand, I get how uncomfortable it can be to be confronted with some of your sad fan reactions but the most emotion he seemed to show was when he said “we’ll get through it somehow.”

        Oy.

      • MissMary says:

        I’m waiting for the PR spin to start in 3…2…

        (Namely, I expect the toning down of the sh is the new amal hyperbole and maybe some stern words to E! from Karon/Harvey about only presenting the HAPPY fans who are SO SURE sh is PERF and a NOBLE BEAUTy)

      • Renee says:

        Another video of BC creepiness about his engagement. It’s disturbing to watch. Even though I think this interviewer was stupid, did he actually think no one would ask him about getting engaged? His flat affect is unsettling.

      • sigh((s)) says:

        Linz isn’t team benedict. She’s been here awhile. I’m pretty sure there is one up thread though. Got me in tr**ble methinks. Oh, team benedict. I definitely think he’s getting some reports back though, and trying to fix things ASAP. It’s almost like watching an episode of The Office. Cringing but you can’t stop watching….

      • MissMary says:

        re the video: Strikes me like he either DGAF and is going through the motions and saying what he’s told to say, or he’s (or someone is making him) set up for a flounce if the Oscars don’t work out so he can say he’s tired of how “invested” people are in his “private life” (quotes because people are commenting solely on what he’s putting in the media and not sneaking up on him and spying or something) and he’s taking time away from the media while he works on Hamlet.

      • sigh((s)) says:

        Wow. That’s some icy stares right there, Ben. Loved the I’ve only got one favorite tossed out, complete with icicles hanging off it.
        He really hates his fans, and hates anyone bringing them up. Wow. I know I’ve been joking about his turnaround, but geez. It’s really in full force. I could see hate daggers coming from his eyeballs.
        He’s turned full on serious actor now. Better get off the train, ladies. He doesn’t need you anymore, he’s got a favorite and it ain’t you!

      • Linz says:

        “Which is your favorite name for your fans?”
        “I don’t do favorites. There’s only one favorite in my life.”

        What was the point in saying that? The question had nothing to do with her.

      • MissMary says:

        Methinks he doth protest too much.

        So a note for anyone interviewing him: Don’t bring up his fans (such as they are right now in the face of his hatred), his fiancee, his engagement, his past projects, his future projects, and maybe not even current ones since H’wood is “weird” and apparently makes you give interviews looking like you’re in the process of getting an unlubed rectal exam.

        @Linz: Sounds like he’s really trying to sell a “grand romance” narrative… StG I’d be terrified if my fiance spoke about me like that.

      • Pinky says:

        Where did the video go? 🙁

        I would have loved to see that…

      • sigh((s)) says:

        Linz, he has to keep up the happy fiancé vibe, even if his body language and tone of voice completely belie what he is saying.gotta get those crazies off his back. He’s taken!

        Yeah, we get it Ben.

        I’m starting to feel bad for Sophie.

      • Renee says:

        He def has serious problems with the fans now, wow… Just wow. It’s seriously cold. “I’ve only got one favorite.” All-righty then…

      • Lucifer says:

        i dnt hav the courage to see the interview after reading u guys cmnts. Its late night in my country. I might get nightmares which lll look like him growing tentacles all over the places. I have got only one favourite??who asked him about her?

      • Cate says:

        I can’t bring myself to watch that. The description sounds bad enough. Although showing him negative Twitter comments is stupid. I think that’s a step too far. Keep up the fourth wall. But still, he knows it’ll happen. It’ll be so much better to laugh it off, he shouldn’t take it serious. Or just have your PR step in. IDK.

      • Felice says:

        Don’t mention anything! Sit in silence with him and just say “Should we see your movie?” “Yes” “Okay thanks for stopping by, Benedict”

      • lindy79 says:

        Jay-sus

        Yeah..wow…

        (Guilty lol @ his face when she says Cumberbitches. He looks like he wants to push her over and run)
        Stupid idea to read tweets but they could have been worse, these were less “its all PR” and more “boo I’m so sad!”
        He looks utterly and completely over that element of his fan base.

      • gg says:

        Wow, if that’s him being “over the moon” let’s give him the Oscar now because I could have sworn he was miserable. Please Ben for the love of god, step back. At this point you aren’t doing yourself or the movie any good.

        And dear god at the premiere on Monday he will be coming off a flight from London to LA (Friday) then back to NYC for a Q&A on Sunday.

      • Sooth says:

        “Which is your favorite name for your fans?”
        “I don’t do favorites. There’s only one favorite in my life.”

        He didn’t really say that did he? : |
        That literally makes no sense whatsoever.

      • Renee says:

        Does he still have fans after that smack down?? Geez…I don’t think I want to see any more of his interviews.

      • aly says:

        Man…oh, man…LMAO
        I can’t watch the video, but you ladies are killing me. Oh, Ben….<3

        Dear BC's PR: please, for the love of God, stop him. Talk to him. Scorned fans are not what he needs right now. Not when the movie needs to do well at the box office.
        WTAF?

        eta: I need to clarify that personally I find all of this amusing and I’ll see the movie nevertheless, but dear Lord, Ben, shut up!:)

      • lindy79 says:

        His eyes…nothing there at all.
        Last time I saw eyes that blank they were swimming around Amity Island worrying Roy Schieder and Richard Dreyfuss.

      • Sandi says:

        He’s more annoyed with the interviewer bringing it up, imo, but he just came off like a robot to me. Lights on but no one’s home. The ‘I don’t do favorites’ thing and then having a favorite doesn’t even make sense as a statement.

        @aly: Yep at the scorned fans thing. It doesn’t make sense from any angle, so I’d say he’s pretty close to a breakdown and we’re just seeing it starting

      • MissMary says:

        the part of me still hoping he either turns his PR persona around or comes to his senses likes to think there’s a closed door meeting going on where he’s putting his foot down, but my inner realist is saying nope, he’s going to keep alienating fans and doing the dog and pony show per PR and then have to rebuild after a “break” around March. Again with my theory on “rededicating” to stage work… give people time to get the bad taste out of their mouth and give him time to either rebuild a fanbase or get a new infusion of fans who “rediscover” his “pre-theatre” work.

      • Cate says:

        Wait, wait, WHAT? Someone correct me, but did he seriously say ‘There’s only one favourite in my life’ when asked about his favourite fan name??? *Eyes roll out of head*

        Why am I only noticing now that he’s acting like his fans are some kind of ex-girlfriend?! Soooooooooooooooooo weird. I’m now actually weirded out.

        Are GF/fiancee = fans in his mind? Maybe he actually thinks we all fancied us his GF’s. Or worse. ‘Cumberwives’.

        What is ALL of this? Someone try and explain it to me, because it’s that time of the day again that I just don’t know anymore.

      • Gracada says:

        Forget Oscar race….he deserves a Razzie for this performance.

        Parts of Tumblr (who adored and fawned over the engagement) are starting to turn a bit.

      • Pinky says:

        @lindy: seriously thank god you noticed that as well.

        can I just say that I showed the video to my best friend (who’s not into gossip or celebrity culture at all) and even she asked me (without prompting) what the hell was up with him and if he had any serious problems going on.

        Over the Moon? So thats what that looks like? Really…

      • Madly says:

        I don’t see anger. I see coldness and detachment at the whole thing. Like he is over it all. Also no love or the grand glowing or light in his eyes when he talks about you know who. Weird.

        I am sure he will sell it better next time.

      • Renee says:

        @Cate: Yeah, he actually said that. I don’t know what else to say, other than he’s gone way over to the dark side.

        @Gracada: Is Tumblr finally starting to turn? It’s maybe time they started to wake up from their adoration of this guy.

        And again, I saw him less angry more like there’s nothing in him at all. I also showed the video to coworkers who really don’t know him other than in passing and I got one who said, Is she pregnant? One asked if he was mentally well and another who said he sounds like a douche. So…I don’t know….

      • MissMary says:

        @Lindy: OMG I just said similar to my SO.

        Showed the video to my SO and they asked if that was BC on an episode of Dexter or something as this week’s serial killer. Nothing loving or “over the moon” on that delivery.

      • jp says:

        No where in sight now… error page… … … well that was quickly removed by PR

      • Gracada says:

        @Renee They are turning on him, not Sophie.

      • sigh((s)) says:

        Maybe he’s auditioning for Criminal Minds? That’s all I’ve got at this point.

      • Renee says:

        @Gracada…I did mean, were they turning on him? Sorry if that wasn’t quite clear. I think if Tumblr is starting to turn on him,…well, I’m surprised by that. They’ve always been so overly supportive of him.

      • Renee says:

        @jp I saw it again just a second ago. It’s still there…

        I need to get the image of those dead eyes out of my head. And his pissy need to add that there’s only one favorite in his life.

      • Pinky says:

        @JP – it’s not available outside of the US.

        Had to switch to an US server to see it 🙁

      • Sooth says:

        And his pissy need to add that there’s only one favorite in his life.
        —————

        That has to go down as one of the oddest things he’s said so far.

      • Gracada says:

        @renee They are turning on him. Some of the same stuff mentioned here.

      • moodgirl says:

        LOL on the floor at missmary and lindy79!

        I hope he now realizes that he should have kept his mouth shut about his engagement and he and SH should have continued to play games. He would have been fine. What a disaster.

      • Aiofe says:

        I’m prepared not to judge too harshly: my bet is his pr diagnosis is “the thing preventing you from the oscar/next stage of your career are your rabid fans. Treatment: get a woman, gradually build her profile first among the fanbase then the wider public, which will cull the crazier fans, and set you up as a swoony object among demale movie goers in middle america”.

        Thanks to Sandi for that explanation on this thread. My bet based on her post is the whole sgf rumors were the first stage of his oscar campaign.

      • Old Enough says:

        some of the more invested fans are asking each other not to see it. Not sure if it is because they think it’s “mean” to him, or that they get the message and don’t like it.

    • Me says:

      Hellooooooo, Sooth. It doesn’t need to make sense for him to FEEL that he must protect her… PS. Odious odious odious.

  44. allons-y alonso says:

    I don’t know about you all but I have major Cumberfatigue. I don’t care if he’s over the moon in love or if it’s all just for show; I just want it to stop. Either way, Cumberbatch and his default sourpuss setting just makes him come off a massive twat and it is seriously making me question whether I want to see TIG. Seriously, if you can’t handle the scheduling, the shilling and press and juggling a very public engagement then: a) simply don’t do it; or, b) suck it up, grow a pair and be a professional.

    • Lilacflowers says:

      @alons, would you like some Earl Grey or would you prefer to go straight to the absinthe with the rest of us who share that view?

    • Sooth says:

      Yep. This.

    • allons-y alonso says:

      @lilacflowers: Gin and tonic stat! 🙂

    • Lucifer says:

      i now have serious concerns about the box office success of TIG. First it is meant for an intelligent audience but all the intelligent ppl are questioning his activities, secondly his devoted fanbase have been told to fuck off. Now who ll watch this movie?

      • Felice says:

        I’ve seen no trailers for it either and I go to the movies every week. It’s like a nuke is about to go off and we’re at the safe distance.

      • Lucifer says:

        and he did an engagement for this!!

      • aly says:

        @Lucifer, I’m not too worried, I think the most devoted group – the cumberb*tches, or whatever they’re called this week – is not the majority. Sure, some fans might change their mind and not go and see the movie, but the average fan who doesn’t read every interview or doesn’t feel personally insulted by his latest shenigans will go and support him. I will see the movie when it comes out, I love his talent too much to care about clumsy, ham fisted PR soundbytes. To me, that is not the real Ben but Pod!Oscar!Ben!

      • Jen says:

        No actual intelligent people are questioning his activities. Because intelligent people aren’t nutty fangirls who psychoanalyze someone they don’t know.

        I can’t believe this lizard man has inspired such craziness.

      • moodgirl says:

        I don’t think it would be interesting to the average American audience.

      • kashmirgirl1976 says:

        Thanksgiving weekend, too. “..and the rockets red glare, the BOMBs bursting in air.”

        Nope.

  45. Kazlock 1307 says:

    Can we just stop beating about the bush and get to the nitty gritty of this?

    Hands up who thinks BC is batshit crazy?…

  46. Ingrid says:

    BC will be at The Daily Show with Jon Stewart on Nov 18.

    I’m a happy fan again. 🙂

    • MissMary says:

      awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww yisssssssssssssssssssssssssss…

    • Felice says:

      YES!!! Actual interest in Turing. No babies, no woman I proposed to. Just the man of the modern computer.

    • gracada says:

      This is a dream.

      Benedict and Jon Stewart.

      This might already be hands down the best interview he’ll do in NYC (or on the US press tour). Period. Stewart is great – he will be awesome talking about Turing and he doesn’t go for sound bytes, he’ll really get into a conversation with him….I am beyond thrilled.

  47. Victoria says:

    @ukbound I think you and @GeeMoney are right about this whole situation.

    I’m still new to all of this, but yeah, after getting caught up with the EB stuff, old Benedict info, I’m gonna to have to agree that this has gotten out of hand and it’s kind of out of proportion to what he has done so far in his career. It’s like he’s being propped up like Richard Burton to be this next big British actor…but it’s out of synch. I think the Benedict love should have started now and not years ago when his career was gaining steam with Sherlock (which is amazing btw)

    My best friend a few weeks ago brought up a good point: “People tell you how they really are when they’re in relationships”. Maybe we’re seeing the bad sides of him that he can’t control for a reason. I don’t care how good of an actor you are, you can’t hide what you really feel on the inside. If anything, this air of disdain may be a reflection of SH and I believe that since what I’ve seen before is out of sync with what’s happening now. But then again, if he’s really put that much pressure on himself and thought that the HW train was going to be something different, well, it’s biting him in the ass already. It sucks that he has to learn his lesson in such a public way.

    @V.L.719 You’re super right about Ben not being able to be his real self. As they say “any learned man gets himself a black woman”. Maybe when Ben switches PR teams they can make that happen. I’m just saying, if Hollywood can show someone like Lupita nothing but air kisses of love, then Ben can for sure have a successful career recovery with a nice, younger lady. ( I have a hunch he will end up with someone young and pretty so he can have that love he deserves and those babies)

    • Sooth says:

      I’m a little uncomfortable with the ever so slightly racist nature of ‘I hope he finds a black woman’ comments. What’s skin colour got to do with anything?

      • Victoria says:

        @Sooth Didn’t mean to come off that way. Never was the intention.

        I’m a film major whose professors work in the industry part time and it’s just the nature of the business. Most of these actors are forced to be closeted about this and will either be paired with someone of the same ethnicity and are told that it has to be done to make them more “marketable” as if it’s still the 1950s and that being seen with whoever won’t help their career. Hollywood always makes that point. I remember when Robert De Niro was at some awards ceremony and you never saw his wife. At best, people saw her arm or shoulder in the frame but that was it. My grandfather used to work odd jobs in Hollywood as well, so its sadly a racial thing that’s constantly perpetuated. Not just relationships but when celebrities talk about their families and who they’re related to. Again, I’ll say sorry if my comments made you feel offended, but that’s the truth.

    • moodgirl says:

      @Victoria – I find Lupita horrendous.

    • GeeMoney says:

      You have a point. It may be difficult for him to wrap his head around being with someone of a different race. And yes, it was probably rough for Robert DeNiro at first back in the day with his first wife.

      But times have changed. Michael Fassbender has had no problems parading around his girlfriends. Chris Noth, George Lucas and Wolfgang Puck have all married outside of their race. So has Nicolas Cage. And their careers seem to be doing just fine as a result.

      Besides, with the way the public is screaming for more diversity in Hollywood and the way interracial marriage has grown substantially over the years… I think Ben would be just fine, if this is who he is supposed to end up with (Ben dancing with Lupita at the Oscars and running around with her and her brother afterwards gives me a feeling that it probably doesn’t bother him that much). And I think his fans just might be fine with it, too.

      PS – Overseas, it’s less of an issue to marry outside of your race than it is in the United States. White British men marry Asian/Spanish/Black British women a lot over there.

      PPS – And Angelina Jolie, Charlize Theron and Sandra Bullock proudly have their Asian/Black children photographed for the world to see. Times, they are a changin’.

      • Victoria says:

        @GeeMoney Hi there! I love your posts. I think you’re one of the few who sees this for what it is and I like your 2 cents.

        I think Benedict can find that in this “Ms. Exotic” V.L.719 keeps talking about: Super smart but compliments him since she would be from a different background; Mature enough so that he can have an adult relationship with but young enough to give him x amount of kids he’s busting at the seems to have AND handle public events; but most of all he needs someone who has a real “life” to help balance him when his crazy meter starts going off. If he wants that “tennis partner”, well, it won’t hurt to branch out and be diverse to find that player for when it’s “Hollywood Game Time”.

        In my mind he falls in love with a writer. Someone good with words and has imagination. I can see him never getting bored with someone like that. Or grumpy.

      • GeeMoney says:

        Glad you like my posts… I just try to be honest and objective (which I wish more people on comment blogs would do instead of just being out right hateful).

        I could see him with a writer. Perhaps she can write a movie one day that wins him that Oscar (sadly, I don’t think it’s his year… but I could see him winning one in the future)!

        I wish him all the best… I really do. He’s a good guy… he’s just being pulled in the wrong direction right now. But I think he’ll recover. He’s too good of a guy not to.

  48. karen says:

    I’m new here and English is not my nativ language, so sorry if my sentencens are a bit woody.

    I have the feeling this whole “whateveritsupposetobe” started with the first interviews BC did for IG. He has been a big supporter for Gay Rights for quite a while – don’t get me wrong here, I think it’s really great when people stand up for Human Rights (in a way especially celebs when they decide to do that instead having a nice and comfy life). But then BC started to tell how angry he became about the whole “royal pardoning”-thing for Alan Touring and how difficult it is for Gay actors in Hollywood. Maybe he stepped on too many toes with that. Don’t get me wrong here either – I think he was completely right with his opinions in these issues. But HW wants to sell a movie an he wants Oscars. But to sell his leading man to the Academie-Voters (most of them male, more conservative, 60+ of age) he maybe thougth that it needs a bit more than revealing only a GF on BC side. So this engagement-stuff came up and Bang! SH morphed from a loose date to a fiancée. And now BC looks miserabel and grumpy saying all this OTT romantic blahblah because he has HW on his throat and no idea how to get out of this mess without loosing his reputation completely when the Oscars are over.
    I’m normally not into conspiracy theorys, but what happens there at the moment makes so no sense to me…

    • Lu says:

      never mind, already stated

    • moodgirl says:

      @karen – Your English is great and so is your theory. It makes a lot of sense.

    • claire says:

      Personally think he is gay himself. As in glass closet and everything. His handlers told him to rope it in and pretend to be believably straight to climb higher, and he’s very resentful about having to do it in the first place. But ambition got the best of him and here he is.

  49. betsy says:

    I think the yummy and delicious comment in Toronto was the final straw for Benedict. It was disrespectful to him and the woman wouldnt have said that if she hadnt thought him to be single.

    I dont think the engagement is a sham but do think he’s rushed ahead to try and get back some gravitas by being a married man.

    • moodgirl says:

      @betsy – I was mortified. What was she thinking to ask him that at a major international event, in front of all those people. She had to be drunk, high or both. He handled it well but I was embarrassed for him. Beyond belief.

      • Grace says:

        @ moodgirl
        No, she didn’t sound high or drunk. Her question was thought through and structured. Her voice was clear and calm. She was a straight-up nut job who clearly didn’t know or care about boundary. It was completely out of line.

  50. Lucifer says:

    oven fresh from EB
    “1/2Just discovered this blog in august, let me tell you eggsy I love this blog & keep up the great work. At lunch yesturday I ran into my friend and her colleague, as we started talking, BC topic came back. This colleague happens to know BC and his family. I dint want to ask her anything as she might think I am crazy. So I called my friend later that evening to ask her if she has some inside news about BC.
    2/2. I wanted to know why BC has been grumpy and not very happy as one would expect after such a big news . This is what the colleague said. It is a “convenient match” same class, same background,same interests, have known each other for several years.The entire family is very happy and BC is in cloud nine.He doesn’t want any public interference at all.They are very happy together.He doesnt want even his PR involved This is all I have for now.Will be back when I here more.”

    • Sooth says:

      Oh god. What crap. Seriously how do people keep believing the nutter anons on that blog. Everyday there’s always someone who knows/works with etc him. Crazy.

    • MissMary says:

      I automatically call bullshit on any “I have a friend of a friend” posts, esp on EB and similar sites. If he honesty didn’t want public interference, he’d never have put an announcement in the Times, they wouldn’t even be discussing it (a la Tom Hardy and his ladylove). It’s like the people who posted on EB saying they knew “theatre insiders” who were “friends with Ben” and they “all knew” he and KB were super serious and about to get engaged back around the new year… and again in April…

      • Lucifer says:

        Thank you.
        on another note if any bigger actor(depp,pitt,bale,downy legue) would have been showing such behaviour in public they would hav been in national news alrdy. And kaiser thinks we r overreacting

      • MissMary says:

        If an established A-list actor did this, it’d be all over every entertainment news show, every local paper’s “Arts and Entertainment” section, etc.

        And re the “I’m a family friend…” posts on EB (or anywhere)… I do wonder how many of those are PR shills doing their thing.

    • aly says:

      cloud nine? WTAF?
      ok…*takes deep breath* sorry but WHAT?!
      You want to keep your life private?You don’t put an ad on a national newspaper announcing your engagement, you don’t go to a paparazzi hangout, you don’t act like a spoiled brat!
      It’s simple, really!!!

      Good thing I think that blog is full of lying liars…
      Sorry, but really…I can’t with EB

    • Jen says:

      LMFAO do his psycho fans really believe this crap?

    • sigh((s)) says:

      If he didn’t want any public or PR interference at all he wouldn’t have put it in the paper and then had his PR confirm it. End of.

    • Me says:

      It’s a really good ESL post, but it’s still clearly ESL. So, I don’t buy it. He’s “in” cloud nine? He “doesn’t want even his PR involved?” She’ll let us know when she “heres” more? M’kay, thanx, boo.

    • M.A.F. says:

      Folks, that tumblr site is an off-shoot of the Hiddleston site. It was set up by the same woman, it even has the same format. It is all fan-fiction.

  51. lola says:

    Well, I think they will fail. She will do it graciously (and disappear afterwards with a big cheque), he will be mocked for the rest of his life (this time actually rightfully so).

    I have very difficult time watching people destroying their lives and I think I will not follow him anymore.

    • MissMary says:

      I think, if not mocked, it’ll definitely be something that pops up in bios and commentary on him from now on, no matter how this pans out.

    • Me says:

      I think no matter the circumstances, the potential to be forever mocked by this will sit in the dark recesses of his brain. He will stick this out as long as possible, no matter what.

  52. Betti says:

    There are other more graceful ways of dealing with uncomfortable things – other (and bigger) celebs have all been there and got through it. He’s sadly not coming across very well at the moment and his PR team need to step and take control but i suspect that he doesn’t want to play ball with them. He’s tired of it all.

    I personally think the pressure is getting to the poor guy – he’s clearly struggling and is reacting badly because of it. I would if i were in his shoes. When people are under extreme stress or pressure they tend to react in an extreme and out of character way. Some of his fans are rather intense (and as a group have a high profile on the internet) and it isn’t helped that the media have latched onto this and are making a bigger deal out of it than they really need to which could explain the sourpuss attitude when they are brought up. I really don’t want to listen to soundbites about them for them; i want to hear about the movie, the character and why i should go see it – not about things his tumblr/twitter fans are saying, who frankly need to get over themselves.

    I’ve never come across an actor etc.. who gets so much media kerfuffle around his fan base – it’s mental.

    • GeeMoney says:

      I agree. His fan base is rather “passionate”. Very unusual.

      He shouldn’t encourage the crazies, but he should just roll with it though. A “passionate” fan base is better than none at all.

  53. Ellen says:

    Can the cumberhards and TWhards with the haters exit stage left please? Us inbetweens can’t hear us self think over the overexcitment posts, thank you

  54. Nonnie says:

    Don’t you think we would be seeing a very different picture if he were with someone really down to earth, positive, with a good sense of humour? THAT would support him, like he claims. And Sophie…She gives off a vibe of being the kind of person who can ‘understand’ you, deeply sympathize with you when you have problems, but in the end it will be she whose feelings you will have to spare, because the sweet little Sophie get very very unhappy, even depressed from your problems. That’s how you end up not only having your own issues, but also the sacred duty to ‘protect’ her who suffers so much on your behalf.
    You know, she’d just lie on the couch looking like she is about to give birth, and when you ask if she’s ok, she’d just smile weekly and nod, and you leave the house ready to kill anyone who’d say one wrong word about this holy woman.
    I can see how she could have pulled this one off with the noble getleman Benedict.

  55. CoCo on unicorn island says:

    Noticed one other CoCo on site, sorry if I took someone’s name. These are my thoughts because just over BC in general. And it is cold and I am in a hotel waiting for room service.

    1) not that my opinion should matter, but I do think the SH relationship is real.
    2) with that being said, dear Karon and HW-stop comparing SH to Amal. Just stop. That is what pissed off and simultaneously made so many people do major side-eye.
    3) get you boy to shut up about his precious privacy. Seriously. Stop that. Because no matter how traditional he is, if we are to take him at face value, he is the village idiot who chose to announce his engagement the week he kicked off Oscar campaign. Make him take classes to improve strategic thinking/analysis skills.
    4) if the timing was part of Oscar campaign, same. And make him smile.
    5) Karon/Hw peeps: he needs to refer to WTILAIPT by name. Not multi-word phrases. It is not quaint. He comes off as a cold man who would have a wife at home with a child while going to the billiards with his mistress. You are trying to woo middle America, not alienate them.
    6) when we begin being bombarded with pictures of Sophie-i truly hope we see happiness. Right now convinced love is dead. And I hope it is real, because the alternatives are just depressing. If he doesn’t look as happy with her as he does with Keira, all the saints in heaven won’t help him. But God I dread that round of pr. Will begin Friday I suspect.

    • GeeMoney says:

      Anyone else think that he should fire his PR agent?!? B/c I sure as hell want him to. I’ve wanted him to for the LONGEST time.

      And yes… I do think he’s actually dating her. But it’s time for her to go.

      • Madly says:

        Wait, I thought you said he wasn’t dating her.

        Or was it just the not being in love thing.

      • MissMary says:

        I think he’s outgrown Karon. IIRC she/her firm also reps Eddie Izzard, or did, but I don’t think he’s as “problematic” as BC when it comes to managing an image, and I think he’s been in the game long enough to do a lot of “self management” and PR tricks and just let her know what’s up. I think, if he is seriously planning on being “Serious!Actorman” he needs either a bigger PR firm more experienced with that sort of thing, or Karon needs to take some continuing ed courses or something.

    • GeeMoney says:

      He’s just not in love. I believe she’s his gf. My conspiracy theories were that it was for PR. I honestly think this relationship is part romance, part business.

      Except for… the romance isn’t working. And it’s affecting the business part. So she’s got to go.

      • MissMary says:

        I’d be willing to bet, with my now-usual tin hat firmly in place, that they’d have broken up by now if it wasn’t Oscar time and someone, somewhere, didn’t say “get a girl by the time the season starts” for his image campaign. It’d have run it’s course or they’d be FWB but not this. It was never a “grand romance” and forcing it to look like one isn’t working.

      • Madly says:

        Even strong relationships are tested under this much scrutiny so if there is no love, this sucker is doomed.

      • OhHey says:

        Isn’t he more attractive businesswise as a single, swoonworthy bachelor? Why would the PR insist he get hitched up before the Oscars? Surely that would only throw a monkey wrench in his appeal?

      • MissMary says:

        @OhHey: Because as some others have pointed out, H’wood is still run by some fairly conservative folks and Oscar noms tend to go to “safe choices”–even if the movie may be controversial, they give noms to “safe choice” actors. Actors who are or can be portrayed as “settled” and “stable.”

      • Aiofe says:

        I’ll add another log to this fire: I’m not sure how much of a sex symbol he has a potential to be outside his niche. I suspect many will still see him as odd looking. Single may not be bankable

      • Lucifer says:

        @geemoney u think he loves her?
        I thought our views matched 🙁

      • aly says:

        @Aiofe: hence his Elle UK interview…

      • GeeMoney says:

        @Lucifer
        I’d like to believe he proposed b/c he felt something for her. But I think he allowed his fear of never finding the right person get to him, and he just said “Ok.”

        Plus… I think she pressured him into it.

  56. Me says:

    You know, the weirdest thing? All this hog wash about wanting to make sure he had some control and that F&F didn’t see grainy Instagram shots of the ring… The best way to have control over letting others outside of the inner circle know would have been for them to show up arm in arm in LA. Her left hand clasping his bicep, all sparkly and stuff.

    First of all, in a way, Instagram would have been more personal. And controllable. One can control who follows their Instagram. Any leaks could be sussed out pretty easily.

    Secondly, the entertainment and gossip rags he was trying to usurp control from are the ones who probably passed the news on to said friends and family anyway. C’mon. Where would they see it first? The internet or page 57 of the Times? And staring lovingly into each other’s eyes? That would have been nice but I think it would be weird now. Staring lovingly into Ann Veal’s eyes? :Shudders: Men really do just pick someone when they’re ready, huh?

    I believe in the relationship and the engagement. But I think the PR is to make up for the fact that his down to earth persona was a sham. Seriously, a bride like WILWIPT and an announcement in the Times? He’s a posho. If he owned it (with a freaking smile I might add), people would get over it. This sourpuss sh!t is also probably owing to the fact that he thought he’d be able to wriggle out of Weinstein duty. Sucks. But suck it up because real life is more of a b!tch. What a wanker.

    At times, I feel badly for him because he’s clearly sensitive to being ridiculed. But it’s getting annoying. As annoying as the worst of his fans are, he freaking needs them. If the buzz is that his performance is awesome, but the film is meh? He needs his Cum*hards like whoa.

    • GeeMoney says:

      He is down to earth… I believe that he is. The relationship is bringing out his negative side.

      People need to realize that when you are in a bad relationship, it affects EVERYTHING, especially your moods. She is a negative influence in his life… and she’s sucking the life out of him, and ruining his career in the process.

      I’m pretty sure when she’s gone, his down to earth, funny side will return. I have faith.

      And what does WILWIPT mean?

      • --sighs-- says:

        Woman I love who I proposed to. WILWIPT.

      • Me says:

        I wish you were right GeeMoney. I just have a feeling that Woman I Love Who I Proposed To is here to stay.

      • aly says:

        I just read something on DL, and I hope it’s just random trolling, because it’s quite upsetting if true. IDK if I can c/p what’s written there…anyway it’s in the last page of the thread about Ben’s engagement.

      • GeeMoney says:

        @Me
        Call me crazy… but I think V.L. 719 is on to something with his/her astrology post… we’ll see what happens…

        @aly
        What does it say?

    • aly says:

      @GeeMoney: that’s he’s mentally ill, cracking under pressure and Weinstein is being an as***le about it. It’s probably trolling, but it kind of upset me reading it.

      • GeeMoney says:

        That’s not good. I don’t think he’s mentally ill. But the pressure may be getting to him.

        I just feel for him. Fame is hard. All celebrities in Hollywood have my sympathy, really. And a lot of them turn to substance abuse to cope with the pressure, which truly does them no favors.

        I don’t think Ben is on that track… I think he’s trying to stay away from that. He might just be really tired and upset (just speculating here… I don’t know what’s actually going on with him).

        Ups and downs come with the territory of Hollywood. I think he’ll be ok in the long run. He just has to do some serious damage control and ride this thing out for now. The sun will shine again for him sooner or later, as it always does.

      • --sighs-- says:

        They also made reference to HW making jokes about suicides helping with oscar campaigns or something. It was…disturbing.

        Like I said, huge grain of salt.

      • aly says:

        Yeah, it was very disturbing…hopefully it was just a troll.

    • blended says:

      no i still think he’s a good person, with the best intentions. he has been forced into a PR game he is very uncomfortable with, and is not happy. the engagement is very obviously PR, but i don’t think it was his idea. he would have been happy just trotting her out as his date for red carpets. but HW wanted to up the ante. that’s my theory anyway.

  57. --sighs-- says:

    DL tea is that he’s mentally ill, seeing a shrink, on meds and cracking under HW pressure.

    Take it with a huge grain of salt.

    • Me says:

      Oh, that’s it? If BC has depression/anxiety issues, is on meds and seeking treatment, then good for him! More people should. Lots of people struggle with it. It doesn’t mean he’s out to tea with the Mad Hatter. Clearly, it would be better if he didn’t have that stress. But millions of people go through that. As long as he’s seeking treatment and has love around him, he’ll be fine. Lots of artists have depression/anxiety issues.

      • --sighs-- says:

        It would explain the dead eyes thing, but still doesn’t explain the not being able to say her name or the announcement.

      • Me says:

        If he’s going through a bout, then I give him a pass. He’s still more posh than he was saying, but – I send him whatever strength he needs to get through this bout.

      • --sighs-- says:

        I don’t think he’s mentally ill either. And if he were it would be pretty crappy if his family just left him in the lurch like that. His parents have fled the city, his fiancée is nowhere to be found, his friends don’t seem to be vocally supporting him.

        That’s the weird thing I keep coming back to. We’ve heard from James Rhodes and a random cousin from him. We’ve heard statements from her family. No statements at all from most of his family and friends. If it was a blanket “keep silent” why did we get statements from her family? You would think Wanda would be wanting to shout from the rooftops her son finally has a bird.

      • MissMary says:

        @–sighs– Esp since he bangs on about how close he is to his friends and how much he loves his family. At this point, any comment is going to look like a “No, really, we’re so happy for you. *gritted teeth smile*” situation.

      • Sandi says:

        What is DL???

        HW has ‘joked’ about inappropriate things before but I never heard that one.

        I just don’t know. Something is not right.

        The family/friends silence is definitely weird but who knows what’s going on behind the scenes there.

    • aly says:

      very huge grain of salt…

    • MissMary says:

      THat’s been a popular rumor on DL for *years* though with nothing to substantiate it other than “I heard from a friend who knows a guy…”

    • aly says:

      Sandi: DL is datalounge. The poster has come back, telling other horror stories about HW not Cumberbatch related.

  58. OhHey says:

    “lindy79 says:
    November 12, 2014 at 4:15 pm

    His eyes…nothing there at all.
    Last time I saw eyes that blank they were swimming around Amity Island worrying Roy Schieder and Richard Dreyfuss. ”

    I bow to the master………glad I wasn’t drinking when I read that or my new laptop would be on you…….

    • Lindy79 says:

      Sometimes that Cumby, he looks right into you. Right into your eyes. You know the thing about a Cumby in love, he’s got… lifeless eyes, black eyes, like a doll’s eye.

  59. OhHey says:

    None of this angst would be happening now if she wasn’t surprisingly pregnant – I swear that’s it. He’s making the best of a bad situation, that’s why the awkwardness – if he was truly madly in love he’d be gushing and grinning – he can’t even manage to be pleasant. He wouldn’t have proposed otherwise, but what would be more troublesome, a hasty marriage or a Cumberbastard, born out of wedlock??? Bad enough he’s going to have to explain away a premature baby…

    • MissMary says:

      Only if he’s living in 1950…

      • OhHey says:

        I think it matters to him to ‘do it right’ and treat the woman and child respectfully, especially now that all eyes are upon him (whether they are or not). Otherwise he could have announced that he was engaged and expecting his first child at the same time. I could be wrong, but I dinnae think so.

    • blended says:

      i don’t think he’s as traditional as people think, and i don’t think she is either. he’s trying to spin the ‘traditional britishness’ angle regarding the Times announcement so people won’t think it’s for publicity (which is totally is). so now he’s succeeded in making people think he’s all proper and such. the image makeover is working.

      • Lucifer says:

        That.. traditional is part of the play. even Indian Brahmins are not that traditional now a days. heh!!

  60. Intro Outro says:

    550+ comments? Again?? *feels her left eye starting to twitch*

    • Lilacflowers says:

      @Intro, we have some drops for that.

      • Intro Outro says:

        @Lilac: *grabs the drops with one hand while attempting to immobilize her eye with the other*

      • moodgirl says:

        @Lilacflowers – LOL! This site is hilarious BC or not.

      • Dara says:

        @Lilac – you and your emergency supplies have been a godsend in these trying times. My carpal tunnel is flaring up from all the typing and endless scrolling so may I inquire about something to get these hand tremors under control? I will need that treated before you let me anywhere near the eyedrops or it won’t be pretty. Or, and it’s just a random thought, maybe one of your secret husbands would be willing to cradle my head in a tender embrace while they meticulously apply the drops…

      • Lilacflowers says:

        @Dara, my other secret husband Chris Evans will be with you soon to give you a shoulder and hand massage for those carpal tunnel and cramping fingers issues and will also help you with the eyedrops. He is very excited about the Patriots right now so be prepared to hear a lot about football, or at least quite a bit about “Gronk!”

      • Dara says:

        Thank you darling – while I was secretly hoping for some sonnet recitation in a soothing dulcet-toned English accent, I guess I can make do with the sports talk. Not only do I speak fluent football, but I’ve also been known to pepper my speech with a sprinkling of “Dude!” if the occasion warrants so I reckon we’ll get on like a house on fire.

        I’ll wait until after the shoulder and hand massage to tell him I’m a diehard Seahawks fan, I wouldn’t want him to stomp off in a huff before he got to the good part.

    • blended says:

      oh wow. i guess they really are exaggerating sophie’s resume and some people aren’t happy about it.

      • Felice says:

        I’m sorry but good. PR should be called out when people take more credit than they deserve.

      • aly says:

        not gonna lie, I think I chuckled IRL when I read that facebook post. Of course no one will ever know, because since SH’s accomplishment are in the press they are therefore true. “I read it in the paper, so it must be true”

        God, I miss Sherlock

      • MissMary says:

        IDK–this sort of thing can get legs fast, esp if someone sends it to a tab or a tab picks it up. But her stans are hard to get past.

    • Lucifer says:

      any other company would have filed a lawsuit over false claims

      • Catherine says:

        I’m sure I’ve seen this somewhere else; there are 2 companies with the same name, as has already been posted on that fb page it’s most likely lazy journalism.

  61. jammypants says:

    Engagement, weird PR, blah. Anyone seen this? Made me laugh a good bit!

    https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10152455150311701&pnref=story

    • Lindy79 says:

      Its amazing how personable he can be when he feels comfortable with someone. He tolerates sillier questions, which they all have to do on red carpets and press junkets. His tolerance level seems to have dramatically dropped.
      He needs to be like this with everyone, not just the press he likes, get a better poker face with the ones that annoy him or ask him something he doesn’t like.

      Christ, even people who Mr Lindy hates who congratulated him on our engagement/wedding got a genuine smile and a “thanks mate!”. Being happy overrulled his hatred for them lol

      • Sooth says:

        How could he be annoyed at engagement talk though when he chose to announce it when he did and as publicly as he did?

      • Ingrid says:

        Regardless whether the engagement is real/pr/pregnancy/whatever, BC *doesn’t* want to talk about it but HW is making him. That much is clear.

        And if the engagement is real, BC is an idiot. Why give HW more ammunition?

        (It also looks like Keira might be pregnant and I don’t think HW knows. Smart, Keira, very smart.)

      • Sooth says:

        But, Ingrid, he chose to make that announcement. Nobody could’ve forced him to do that and nobody had to know. Not the public anyway. And his comments from The People don’t sit with the idea of someone who doesn’t want to talk about it. If he didn’t want to talk about it,he’d just politely say “I’m very happy, and it’s as private as I can keep it” or something..

      • Lindy79 says:

        Oh I completely agree with you both, he did the Times because as SIxer said and he confirmed “its what we do”, he chose tradition and pomp over his own privacy. The issue is that, in doing so he’s put it out there and can’t really act pissy about it being brought up without looking like a total knob. He may not like that it’s being used for PR but the moment he approved it for publication, it became public and he lost the control he had over it. I’d say that pisses him off but he needs to put on his big boy pants and learn from it.

        Same as now he seems totally over his more enthusiastic fans but…he also baits them a bit. I mean the Sherlock sex stuff in Elle was PURE and UTTER fan baiting. He’s hella more aware about his online presence than he will ever admit to but it’s so bleedin’ obvious.

        Can’t have it both ways Benny Boy.

      • Ingrid says:

        Sooth, my point (maybe I wasn’t very clear, English is not my first language, sorry) was that his words don’t match his delivery. He seems absolutely miserable when saying “I’m over the moon” or any other thing he has said about the engagement.

        So, he’s talking about it because Harvey is holding a gun to his head. (Never underestimate that man, he can make anyone do anything.)

        Which is why I personally question the whole legitimacy of the engagement. He wouldn’t have announce it at this exact moment, if he wanted to keep it private.

        Hope I’m making myself clear, it’s too early in the morning…

      • --sighs-- says:

        Right, Lindy. he does need to put on his big boy pants and learn from it. He made his bed and all…

      • jammypants says:

        “It’s what we do.” So he finally admitted he’s posh?

    • blended says:

      this was at tiff. he was still in a good mood then.

  62. ukbound says:

    I have a new idea. I doubt he can really sell the idea he is madly in love, but… I had an agreement with a guy friend of mine that if we had not met someone and married, we would have a child together, as friends. Since I know him very well, I knew he would be a good dad, and I like his family. Possibly he has an arrangement. They both want kids, they get along. Maybe it is not mad love, but they can get along long enough to have kids. Most people get divorced anyway. They are just skipping the fighting part and disappointment part.

    • Lucifer says:

      Oh puhleeseee!!!
      He does not need any arrangement like WE normal ppl. He has a big buffet( to quote my fassylove) of women in front of him. He just needs to look over these phony bitches and admire the real qualities of a woman. He easily gets intimidated by strong woman IMO thats why he is ending up with such phonies like octopussy and real woman like OP(with whom he clearly was happy) are leaving him,

      • Felice says:

        I think the same thing about him and strong women. I think he’s so broody that he can’t handle someone who has their own career that takes up too much time.

      • Lucifer says:

        And can’t stand being NOT right!! Likes Arguements but does not like to lose them. He is a completely domineering person. No strong woman will tolerate that IMHO

  63. Felice says:

    Well he’s in London and hasn’t done or said anything stupid so luckily Kaiser gets to have a break for a few days :p. I hope y’all enjoy this days of peace until we get 1,500 comments from their *such loving* NYC premiere photos.

    • aly says:

      I almost feel sorry for SH…;)

      • **sighs** says:

        I’m almost starting to feel sorry for her, too.

        Must be losing my mind.

      • Felice says:

        I don’t per se. She must have known what she’s getting into but Bendy is being so pissy that I’ve just lost all sympathy at this point. I’m still seeing Hamlet though. I want to see him perform live and you never know what will happen in a year :p

      • MountainRunner says:

        I strongly suspect Sophie’s experiencing some of what we’re seeing with his pissy attitude. It’s better that she gets a strong dose of what she’ll be dealing with day in and day out *now*, being the intimate of someone as moody and neurotic as Bendy, rather than butterflies and rainbows on unicorn island. Full disclosure.

        I don’t judge her personally since I don’t know her and don’t envy her in the least. He’ll be a handful to deal with every damn day for the rest of her life. People need to stop feeling so sorry for BC — SH is the one that will be the most miserable with this union, not him.

        I guess my bias against marrying a celebrity is showing…

  64. Lucifer says:

    http://www.mtv.com/videos/movies/1099700/watch-benedict-cumberbatch-do-11-impersonations-in-under-60-seconds.jhtml#id=1644133

    Adorable. Still cnt ignore the dead eye. Josh is good with him.Talk about anything OTHER thn engagement and he is alright(not happy but ok-ish)

  65. birdy says:

    Um, does the gf know there are engaged or did he just decide? Cause it seems to be ALL about benny boy. The woman I love, my engagement, I put the notice in the paper, I wanted control over the message, blah blah blah. I mean, has he actually publicly said the word “Sophie” since it was confirmed? Or did he get engaged to give himself a further excuse to insert himself into every conversation and then make it all about him? Watch any interview or panel that he is on with other people and Ben can’t shut up talking about himself and jumping in over other people’s stories to draw the focus on him and his little anecdote.

    As for the future Mrs, where are the pap shots of her post confirmation? You know there would be interest in getting the first shot of the ring. I mean, the PR spin is selling her as a woman with her own life, career and pursuits – so where is she? Or has she been forced into hiding so she can be “released” on a red carpet at a future point to help sell/promote the film through media attention and to also give him more talking points with the press to help with the campaigning?

    Is anyone else as exhausted with him as much as I am? I really want to see the film because I think it will be exceptional but the oversell and shameless sales pitch makes me question if I can sit through 2 hours of it and actually see the character and not the annoying celebrity continuously up in my face with a severe case of the TRY.

    • Renee says:

      @birdy Yeah, I’m rapidly approaching the point where I’m getting sick of him, sick of hearing about him, sick of his crappy attitude in interviews though he seems fine as long as no one brings up his engagement to the woman whose name he can’t say. As for her, I’m not sure why paps would want to take pictures of her. Not to be harsh, but no one knows who she is so who cares unless she ever bothers to show up with him.

      I was so excited to see his movie but because of the timing of this announcement, it’s become about him and his engagement which he seems loathe to talk about anyway, so when he’s on the talk show circuit next week, I really hope no one asks him about it and he talks about the movie or anything else but Sophie. Her name is Sophie, Ben. Yeesh…

    • Ingrid says:

      I think we have an answer for this PR clusterf*ck.

      Box office prediction from box office mojo (they are usually right, not always, but most of the time)

      http://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=3948
      “The Imitation Game (Nov. 28): The Weinstein Company has positioned The Imitation Game as this year’s The King’s Speech, though it doesn’t seem quite as broadly-appealing as that 2010 hit ($138.8 million). This is a wide range, but it’s more likely that the World War II drama, starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Keira Knightley, winds up between Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy ($24.1 million) and Atonement ($50.9 million). ”

      Good numbers for this type of film, but not enough for Weinstein.

      • aly says:

        Good thing the movie was low budget, around 15 million dollars, but yeah, hopefully it’ll make around $60 millions…

      • 'P'enny says:

        to be honest I’ll be surprised if it takes more than $25m, are Americans really interested in Turing? Quite often, they only go watch anything to do with 2WW if it is only about their involvement or success. This isn’t a period drama, no romance, I am not sure there is much humour either. And, for all his fanbase, it wont appeal to the geeky-sherlocky crowd.

      • 'P'enny says:

        however, I hope I am wrong.

      • aly says:

        I don’t know, Penny — it’s clear TIG isn’t going to be a box office success like The Avengers. I think it’ll make around the same money of Atonement rather than Tinker Taylor Soldier Spy (movie that I adore, by the way), mostly because of the heavy marketing around it. When Atonement came out it was *everywhere*, it was impossible to ignore its existence, at least in my country.

      • Green Eyes says:

        I never could see TIG being very successful from the start. Much like P’enny said above, I don’t think Americans will be that interested in seeing a period piece about a WW2 codebreaker. At least not in the movie theater. This is something that could do quite well on VOD, Netflix, etc. but the trend is to see action movies in the theater and quiet dramas and comedies at home.

      • Ingrid says:

        Then again, no one believed anyone would be interested in seeing a movie about stuttering king. If the movie is good and gets the right PR (or just right PR in some cases), people will see it.

      • MountainRunner says:

        Ingrid, the King’s Speech starred Colin Firth, whose role in P&P had women of middle America drooling over him, from teens to grannies. He was better known to the average American when his movie came out, than Ben is currently, despite his immense popularity on the internet.

        If TIG only grosses about 50 mill, it may not cover the marketing costs. It’s having to compete against Hunger Games and all the other December releases here in the US. I don’t see it being a huge box office success for the reasons above (tho’ I intend to see it, being a WWII nerd).

    • Lucifer says:

      even I go to the theaters in January I won’t be able to forget the shameless self promotion benny boo has done(whether by choice or by force) . I personally have lost all respects for him. I don’t know how it ll get back.*hint* get rid of the tentacles

      • aly says:

        @Lucifer: many actors do shameless self promotion, it’s part of their jobs, I don’t blame Ben (or any other actor) for doing this. He’s still an excellent actor whose works I love, the fact that, IMO, he’s being a bit of an idiot right now doesn’t change that.

        eta: I don’t even think he’s being shameless about the promotion, or he wouldn’t look so grumpy/angry/sad

  66. altariel says:

    639 comments and still not closed. 640 now, lol. I guess Bendy is the champion of breaking Celebitchy? Worried about my Tommy there….

    I’m happy for Benny, that was a sweet thing to say. And it will be so nice to see him at events with a lovely lady on his arm. But where IS she?

    • Vesta says:

      Don’t worry. If Tommy gets engaged as ‘mysteriously’ as Cumberbatch did, I’m sure it’ll be a similar CB tornado!

      SH is probably still hiding in an underground bunker. That’s where I would be if I was her…

      • OhHey says:

        I would bet any amount of money that if Tommy gets engaged, it will be very public, shared with the world, none of this cloak and dagger shit. Because he’s a happy dude and that’s how he rolls…….

      • altariel says:

        The life of the CumberBride….no small task she’s taken on! Wonder if she’s in hiding because she’s training for a life of stealthy maneuvering and growing a thick skin, lol

    • Sooth says:

      In context, that wasn’t a sweet thing to say. It just didn’t make sense. It was awkward and just odd. Nobody is saying they don’t want to be happy for him, they just think that none of this fits.

  67. Claire says:

    What a new day and no new thread? NOOOOO!

  68. betsy says:

    Benedict has been awarded the BIFA Variety Award

    The Variety Award recognises a director, actor, writer or producer who has helped to focus the international spotlight on the UK. The Variety Award was bestowed on Paul Greengrass last year and has previously been awarded to Jude Law, Kenneth Branagh, Liam Neeson, Sir Michael Caine, Daniel Craig, Dame Helen Mirren and Richard Curtis

    In the lengthy press release it mentions Benedict will be filming Lost City of Z next. The CV part of the press release looks up to date with all the right award nominations etc so I think this is the latest position. The CV looks very impressive. It’s also been published on Variety.

  69. Miss Jupitero says:

    Well, I can’t resist being comment #666, so here we go: Tom Hiddleston.

    • Green Eyes says:

      LOL.

      And then at the bottom – the pond scum, as it were – are all the negative nellys!

      BTW. I love Hiddles. Now. More than evah.

    • Grace says:

      Yay! Can we fast forward a few months and wake up once Oscar is over? #knockknocknoshade – scratch that – #knockknockmajorfatigue Before then, I am just gonna keep replaying Muse of fire. P.S. His voice brings comfort.

      • OhHey says:

        Oh Grace, magical voice, I hear you……Dear Tom, please read me the phone book, starting with “A”…….

  70. OhHey says:

    I’m trying very hard not to vomit ,this twitter handle just showed up on my feed, BENEDICT&SOPHIE4EVA ‏.

    I may not be able to hold back, but I am certainly enjoying blocking. I was a big fan of his, but I cannot take this OTT 12 year old girly crap…..

    • Grace says:

      Lol. Isn’t it cute? I guess fairy tales do exist, just like princes and princesses always live happily ever after.

  71. Mukho-kin says:

    Best news of the week. R.I.P. Cumberbitches.