Sigh… more Benedict Cumberbatch. Benedict was on Good Morning America this morning, and the interview was strangely all about The Imitation Game rather than Penguins of Madagascar, which premiered last night (I’m including more photos from the premiere in this post). People (Cumberbitches) are talking about this interview because there’s a part at the beginning when Amy Whatsherface asks Benedict about his engagement. Cumberheadquarters has been analyzing Bendy’s response like it’s the most important 15 seconds of film EVER! Amy talks about his engagement announcement and then asks him: “Did you propose the old fashioned way too?” Bendy says: “Sort of but that’s for me to know and no one else to find out.” He’s also asked about “Cumberbabies” and he deflects.
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Yeah, okay. It wasn’t the warmest response ever, but I don’t think it was rude either. My takeaway is that Benedict knew people would talk about his engagement but he’s been a little bit taken aback by the outpouring of craziness that’s come out post-announcement. As for Benedict not talking about the proposal… I mean, that’s not Twihard Proof that the whole thing is a Cumbersham, you know? It’s just proof that he doesn’t want to offer up details of his private life for public consumption.
There’s also this argument being made by some of you claiming that Benedict once said he refused to campaign for an Oscar, like he’s “pulling a Fassbender.” Michael Fassbender came out last year and explicitly said he would never campaign for an Oscar again, and that’s exactly what happened when he got nominated for 12 Years a Slave – Michael barely showed up for anything, even skipping one of the bigger award shows. But you know Benedict never said he wouldn’t campaign or that he wouldn’t do anything to support TIG’s Oscar chances, right? A few months ago, he talked about his availability with filming the Richard III thing and he said he probably wouldn’t be able to take a lot of time off to travel to LA. He didn’t make any pronouncements about “not campaigning.” Which is good because he’s campaigning like a mofo.
Photos courtesy of WENN.
He has every right to deflect. At least he’s not complaining about the questions. THAT would get a major eyebrow raise.
Yup, agree. Why the hell should anyone have to share such a personal thing with the public? Is nothing sacred?
Huh? Is this a joke? He MADE it public himself when he put it in THE TIMES NEWSPAPER two days before a press tour.
I mean…seriously.
No he didn’t. Announcing his engagement in the paper entitles us all to know that he is engaged. It does NOT entitle us to every detail of the man’s relationship.
Where did I say it entitles us to know every detail?
But as for your ‘no he didn’t’. Um, I’m sorry, but he did indeed make the engagement public himself. That clearly does not mean he should tell every detail of whatever’s going on, but to preach that he still wants to be private just doesn’t wash with me. He chose to make it public. Think about it. Nobody would be any the wiser about it right now and there’d be no awkward and totally predictable questions from interviewers.
There’s a difference between the fact of the engagement, and the details of how he proposed.
We had an engagement announcement in our local paper, but only my husband and I know all the details of his proposal–some of them we’ve shared, and some of them we keep to ourselves.
I’m assuming you’re not a famous actor, though? ^
I agree. We aren’t entitled to that information. As a matter of fact, why would it matter? We weren’t on the other end of it, so its a ‘nunya’.
So for famous actors, it’s all or nothing? Keep your engagement a secret, or tell all? I wouldn’t agree with that.
It is if you want to keep your private life completely private.
Good grief. He can’t win. Had they NOT announced it, and he just showed up somewhere with his wife, y’all would be complaining about his fake marriage and that he obviously doesn’t love her because who would HIDE a girlfriend/fiance/wife?
They announced the engagement in a way that worked for them. That is all that he has any responsibility to do (and he didn’t even have to do that, but it is a traditional thing for them, so why not?). Should he expect that he will be asked about it? Sure. Does he have to share every detail? Absolutely not. Famous or not, he doesn’t owe anyone the details of his life. The fact that some people here think that he does is pretty insane.
Eddie Redmayne’s engagement was also announced in The Times.
@abby
Why are you not understanding what I’m saying?
No actually ‘y’all’ wouldn’t have said he as hiding her if he just showed up with her. People who actually look a but further than their noses can see a very deeply thought out press campaign when it presents itself. If he’d have kept it quiet, and not been a hypocrite about his privacy then eyebrows wouldn’t be so raised.
He chose to time the announcement with a massive press tour and the release of his film. Anyone who can’t see what’s going here is frankly a moron.
So to hear people still bleat about how private he is just doesn’t wash with me I’m afraid. He could’ve told friends and family like normal people do and nobody would’ve been any the wiser.
@catherine
Why do people keep bringing up Eddie redmayne’s announcement like that means anything? It’s irrelevant. Eddie didn’t do that two days before his oscar campaign bait film’s press tour.
It’s not irrelevant if it’s a Brit actor with a similar profile who announced his engagement the same way in the same publication.
As for the timing, I can see the argument that its pr – and yet he’s not going the whole Clooney route either. The vibe I’m getting is that he wants to appear respectable to Academy voters, hence the engagement now. Who knows, they may have just decided to get engaged anyway.
I’m agreeing with Abby on this, the guy can’t win. Iirc the BC thread before the announcement where SH was being discussed, a lot of posters didn’t even think they were serious. I saw comments elsewhere from fans who were convincing themselves she was just an fwb or they were just friends and she was working on Hamlet, anything other than they were actually dating.
Benedict Cumberbatch is a public figure, not public property. He has every right to pick and choose which details of his personal life he shares and which ones he does not share.
@sizedoesmatter
Erm, no need to type his full name, we know who you’re talking about.
Try and understand what I’m saying. He is not a private person. He chose to announce that engagement so publicly when he did, unlike other genuinely private actors who keep these things entirely to themselves.
Eh. Proposals are hard to talk about when they’re not particularly romantic. I don’t mean “fake” by not particularly romantic, either, just a “Hey, let’s do this!” agreement. Plenty of good marriages have been started with that sort of thing, but it doesn’t make a good story.
That’s how mine was, for the most part, and I don’t really like talking about it because people get really judge-y. It was in a public park in a pavilion, where we had our first date, which is all well and good, but my reaction was…..people always expect the woman to cry and be all emotional and OMG THIS IS THE HAPPIEST MOMENT OF MY LIFE (because all of us are dramatic crying messes amirite?) and my reaction was to laugh, say ‘are you f*****g kidding me?” and look around because I thought I was being punked. People hear that I didnt cry, and instead I laughed and cursed and they imediately think OMG YOU WERENT OVERJOYED etc etc. Yes, I was very happy, but I’m not a crier and i’m not a dramatic person lol. Which is a big part of why my fiance liked me in the first place. My reaction was just that, me.
I don’t mind talking about Mr Sixer’s unromantic proposals!
Mr Sixer: I think we should get married.
Sixer: What for?
Rinse and repeat over a few months.
Then one day, I was in the bath and he came in to clean his teeth.
Sixer: Oh, ALRIGHT THEN.
Mr Sixer: Alright what?
Sixer: We can get married.
Mr Sixer: If I phone my mother to tell her, are you going to say it was all a trick?
To this day, I’ve no idea what suddenly changed my mind at that moment. And I think we would always have got married once we had the Sixlets. But, as you see, it wasn’t particularly romantic!
Haha, that’s how I want to be proposed to. I hate big romantic gestures.
The former Mr. Coma’s proposal went something like this:
Mr. Coma: [Carefully worded declaration of love and excitement for a lifetime of commitment.]
Lunchie: Mmmmmph. Whaaa? It’s only 6:30. Why are you up? Go back to sleep.
Mr. Coma: [Repetition of previous proposal.]
Lunchie: Oh, um, okay.
I have many complaints to level against him, but the proposal was fine enough.
Sixer- that actually sounds perfect.
LOL mine was my SO moving down here for work from their hometown (we’d been long distance) and me saying “We should shack up” (exact words). We’re not married (been together over a decade now, have a kid and life together, so we’re not married ‘on paper’ but in every other way) but when people ask about proposal stories, we usually say the truth–that I suggested living together so they wouldn’t have to find a place on their own, or we make up an outlandish story involving Elvis impersonators, a huge ring stolen by an eagle, and/or fondue.
Because we need a hobby, lol. And people usually are disappointed in the real story.
Mr Lindy was so nervous, he got very very drunk on a night out and blurted it out 2 weeks earlier than he’d planned because “you might not like the ring I bought youuuuu*sad face*. I told him to shut up, he’d regret it in the morning…which he did.
Went to bed, fuming at him then in the dark I get a very quiet sheepish “*cough*..I love youuuuuu”
It makes me laugh so much telling people about it. It doesn’t need to be a huge romantic gesture, but it’s special whatever way you do it.
(obligatory Cumby needs to lighten the eff up about it)
IKR? My husband never really proposed to me. I just suggested multiple times that we had been together a long time, and we should get married, and he sort of gradually agreed to it. He never did anything formal & there was no engagement ring. So whenever people would ask, “SO, how did he propose to you?” there’s always an uncomfortableness in how to respond in a way that meets their expectations.
Chaine, might I suggest to you to ask him to recreate a proposal, proposing romantically that you stay together?! ?! You hopefully have a lot of years left, and tell him you’d like him to propose to you again sometime this coming year! I know you’re married, but so what?! Then it can be a happy memory for the rest of your lives <3 I've already told Mr. Nikki I want a nice ring on our next big anniversary!
I love these stories! so much more real than grand overtures. My hubby brought me up to a favourite hiking lookout and blurted out ‘this would be a great place to ask you to marry me’. I said yes I suppose it would. he sat in silence and then said ummm, so? and I said so what? I had no clue what he was getting at and he completely lost his composure. ‘I’m trying to say would you marry me?!” I believe my response was along the lines of ‘ well you need to be more clear”. Not perfect but not forgettable.
I love this guy, but I don’t know what’s worse… that ugly red jacket he has on the interview or the fact that he proposed to a woman that he OBVIOUSLY doesn’t want to marry and that he’s being an ass about it to everyone.
Get rid of her already, Benedict. And go back to being your old, wonderful self. All of your fans miss the old you.
@Geemoney – How can you advertise your personal life and then refuse to acknowledge it when asked?
I haven’t an answer for that. I have no idea what he’s doing. Maybe he’s functioning on auto pilot or something… it would be best for him to say something, I guess. But maybe he’s having a hard time talking about someone that he truly doesn’t love. Just my guess.
He gets engaged a week ago and you wish he’d break up? How lovely of you.
Oh, I don’t know…. not once has the man even said his fiancee’s name in the same sentence with the crazy phrase “the woman I love, the woman I proposed to”. Doesn’t sound like he’s happy or really into her.
And… I don’t make any apologies for my loveliness. *wide grin*
“the most incredible woman i’ve ever met”
LOL, Lucifer. LOL.
sure looks like he wants to break up with her
It is his business and no one else’s – and yes, he is campaigning big time!
I say its totally fine. It’s his personal life for one, and he should have the choice not to discuss it, and two, he’s probably acutely aware that for every one person who cares, there is probably ten that don’t.
It’s fine if he doesn’t want to talk about the details. I’m so with you @Kaiser on your take on Ben and what’s been going on lately. There is some genuine next-level crazy out there, and it’s really getting to be too much.
Nope, I don’t there’s ‘genuine crazy’ out there over this. People here are talking at length about it and we have enough self awareness to know we’re wasting out lives, but the talk is around the crazy that has been this whole campaign/announcement and the general inconsistent crap he’s coming out with left right and centre.
Wanting to be private: Fine and dandy, great idea.
Claiming to want privacy after posting announcement in the Times, then being a jerk to anyone who mentions your very public announcement in an international paper two days before the serious part of your Oscar campaign starts and obviously going off a PR script: Dumb as a bag of hair.
And protip: the phrase “We’re very happy, thanks” works well, answers the question, and moves things along to the next. Even if it’s not true *wink*.
TL;DR: Not wanting to talk about it is fine but don’t be an ass to people who bring it up.
I am not on the conspiracy train at all (although I do get a good giggle reading some of the theories!). But it’s so weird. Don’t these people have phones and can call those they want to inform first-hand instead of placing an ad? I get that it’s tradition, etc., but his career is not at ALL traditional.
The ad, I get. It was pure posh ceremony and tradition which is fair enough.
What surprises or intrigues me is this seemingly shocked and slightly miffed attitude that he is being asked about it. Like he was 100% unaware that putting an ad in the Times announcing it, 2 days before a massive PR tour of the US for a Harvey Weinstein picture, this wasn’t going to happen. I thought that they wanted it out there so when she arrived on the red carpet with him, people wouldn’t be shocked with the sight of the ring.
He said they did it also so it would be out there before the ring was papped..well she’s been AWOL since the announcement 2 weeks ago, I presume she’s been living her life and not stuck indoors since so…where is the picture? I truly think he thinks he’s a bigger deal outside of the internet then he is, and she definitely isn’t getting papped without him.
@Lindy: Someone posted she attended a party last weekend (not a private ‘do but one of those “invite this set and some photogs” type) and no one snapped any pics of a ring, or of her. Just some sightings of her going and coming. So she’s not locked in an attic somewhere. I agree with you that he seems to think he’s bigger “In real life” than he really is, and she’s sure not going to get any attention without being by his side.
That’s a good point, too. You’re right – is anyone following her and taking pictures of her if she isn’t with BC?
I am surprised he’s surprised with the attention, too. He knows about Tumblr and Twitter. Did he honestly think an announcement on an actual physical piece of paper wouldn’t make the rounds and create a stir?!?
I just think it shows an insane lack of foresight and basic common sense if privacy was this important to him, knowing he was going into such a high profile few months, and if she isn’t planning on attending stuff with him then, why not keep it quiet?
He chose tradition over privacy and now seems a bit miffed with the results.
And so far, it’s been all the media outlets asking. Something his PR can very well say “He won’t answer this question so let it go” about. And even then, we’re back to a simple “We’re very happy, thanks.” And leaving it at that. If it’d been a leaked, private thing, someone selling it to the tabs or a pap sneaking a pic of a proposal, that’d be a different kettle of fish. BUt he posted it so publicly… people are gonna notice and ask.
@Green Girl: Nope. No pap pics of her *yet* without him. Guess they scheduled it for after the premiere.
Oh give it up already.
@distended
What’s that supposed to mean?
It means : take.a. break. from. the. crazy.
The punctuating was worth the effort was it?
Seriously, get off your high horse. The man’s acted seriously sus, so please don’t try and paint people talking about it as the ‘crazy’. It’s been done. It’s boring. And it’s wrong.
Capitals always follow a full stop.
Cumby would be appalled.
Good ! It’s his business !
Kaiser: thanks for the oscar campaign thingy. WORD.
To those who say he would never get engaged for an Oscar campaign…Ben is extremely ambitious.
I completely agree. I’m not judging him, I’m simply not putting it past him to do such a thing. Actors have done far more (*coughAnnHathawaycough*).
Wwhat did AH do?
He doesn’t HAVE to talk about his proposal, to be absolutely sure. At all. But the thing is, in a great majority of cases, people who have proposed are so happy that they have to be forcefully stopped to talk about their proposal. Also, they seem to know only one human name, their SO’s and they mention in every sentence, twice.
We can only conclude, BC’s is not the majority of cases.
Edit. I have exaggerated, of course. Basically, people at least don’t act as if their tooth is being pulled out.
Bit he DID talk about his personal life.
He has every right to deflect, and I reserve the right to make fun of how douchey he sounds when he does. Seriously, there are better ways to say these things. Sigh.
The not wanting to talk about his proposal/private life was fine.
Re: campaigning – Lainey has a post on the HFAs today. Her source says that Cumberbatch appears to be “in it to win it” and “played every smile and gesture perfectly – for a politician.” Take that as you will.
I read it, did you have any doubts that he’d be like that? BC is very good at networking and can work a room of his peers like a pro. Personally I’m happy for him, after all his job is his one true love.
No (meaning I’m sure he is like that and have no problems with his being like that). I brought up the Lainey post because someone had to bring it up in one of the Cumberthreads at some point 🙂
This is all so tacky. His job isn’t supposed to schmoozing a bunch of arses in suits and the press just to secure an award. He’s not a sleazy PR man.
Sooth, so far the campaign is *tame* compared to some of the crap other actors and one distributor/producer have pulled in the past. Unfortunately this is part of his job.
I saw that, too. And ya know… I know his previous image was goofy, affable, snarky but funny “Ben” but that was an image. Throw an Oscar in his path and the shark comes out. He’s ambitious and has never really been secretive about his career being number one in his book so I’m not surprised if he is playing the game like a pro.
yeah. I do think he’s genuinely a bit of a dork, a good person, but his ambition has always been crystal clear to me.
for what it’s worth, i don’t believe lainey’s take on anything cumby related. she’s made it clear she disliked him years ago because she doesn’t find him hot enough. i doubt very much he was acting like a politician. he was probably talking to people HW wanted him to talk to.
I feel like he’s in a no win situation. If he talks about it and trots her out and acts lovey then he’s just doing it for an Oscar campaign. If he doesn’t then he’s seen as truculent and discourteous. Maybe he chose a suitable companion for the rest of his life and the moons and Junes and Ferris wheels feeling isn’t what’s important to him. His call, no one else’s.
I agree with Veronica. Some of the comments here remind me why I was only ever a brief poster on this site. This is a man who has always refused to talk about his love life, and who has fiercly protected his privacy. Were you people not listening when he said that his work was for others and his private life was for himself? Or when he was asked about the things worth fighting for and he replied (among other things) ‘privacy’? He has every right not to talk about this, and only by a very wide interpretation of the word could he be considered rude when deflecting the questions. Also, cut the man some slack. He has been working and traveling non stop. He is exhausted, yet tries so hard to give justice to Alan Turing, and not to be rude to idiot interviewers who bring up his supposedly devestated female fans.
I must add that the people who actually think engagement is a stunt or sham are showing an astounding lack of logical ability. If that were the case, he would not be deflecting questions, nor would he announce the engagement in the most traditional and unglamorous way possible. He would be doing the opposite of what he has been doing. He would be using every opportunity to parade his fiancée and to mention her. In reality, they seem to have done almost everything they possibly can to avoid being seen together. She hasn’t commented on the engagement, nor have their families or friends. I don’t know Sophie Hunter personally, but I do know that she is a woman of substance, and someone who has known Benedict for years. The speculation is ridiculous and disrespectful to them both. Frankly, it reeks of bitterness.
Her family commented the day after, directly to a major UK tabloid. His family and friends have remained mum, except some snarky comments.
You know what lacks logic? Protesting about lack of privacy and then putting an ad two days before starting a promotional tour. That defies logic.
If the news had leaked in any other way, I’d say you’re absolutely right. but as it is, it’s obvious that at least the announcement has been made that way for publicity purposes. If he really didn’t want to talk about the engagement, he would make sure , through his PR agency, that any question about his personal life is OFF LIMITS. It can be done.
If he wanted to be private about his private life, which was his right, he could have, IDK, be actually private about it?
eta: I actually applaud him for not answering about how he proposed, that’s very personal and I usually cringe with second hand embarassment when celebrities answer those kind of questions.
alright there are about a million things I could say regarding this but number one?
Her family has commented on it. Her mother and brother gave an interview to the Daily Mail, if I remember correctly, plus some pictures in the people (?) magazine.
So that one is out.
But if his privacy is so important to him (and yes I agree, I do think it is important to him) .. then why post this at the worst possible time if he wanted to keep this down low?
2 days before a huge press tour? If they are really in it for the long deal.. then they may as well have waited a month until announcing it so publicly. I still think the whole “to let our families and friends know” is bullshit.. thats not unglamorous… thats as posh as you can do it.
A million times this. Well said, all of it. Also, he’s working. Think about how bizarre and irritating it would be if you went on business trips and conferences for your job, and colleagues kept asking questions about your romantic life. It’d be weird.
Announcing your engagement in the paper isn’t an attention bid. It’s a traditional thing that plenty of non-famous people do. In the US, they do it in the Sunday New York Times. It’s a pretty unremarkable practice.
Jojo,
His private life was made public by HIM. He admitted he told the ‘world’ about the engagement and he did that two days before his press tour.
Why can’t people see this and are STILL insisting he announced it in the most low key way possible? That would’ve meant keeping it out of the public eye and between close family and friends. THAT is private.
And yes, he HAS been talking about her in very bizarre soundbite type ways in these interviews. And no they didn’t go out of their way to be seen together. She had such a public arrival at the LFF onto the red carpet two minutes before him, it was ridiculous.
And yes HER family have talked about it. His haven’t. And it’s not the first time her mouthy mother has talked about it either.
And no it’s not disrespectful to talk about it, that’s insane reasoning.
But last and no means least.. “She’s a woman of substance”
LMAO. Wtaf?
Ben has always talked about his love life. He openly spoke about OP. He appeared in public, holding hands, with Anna James. He was seen with various other females without hiding behind the drapes. He talked about meeting the mother of his children (gag) and prattled on and on about how his family life would be in the dream world. He put his engagement announcement in a public newspaper read the world over. Now you want to say that he fiercely protected his private life? Come on.
@Jojo: Hi Sophie!! Have you set up a Pinterest board for your wedding planning yet?
“The speculation is ridiculous and disrespectful to them both. Frankly, it reeks of bitterness. ”
“I don’t know Sophie Hunter personally, but I do know that she is a woman of substance…”
LOL!
Lord Cumby, is that you? *Waves*
Yeah, I’m actually kinda surprised how many people are interested in him being engaged, all of the conspiracy theories. I’m no stranger to focusing on a certain set of gossip, to the point of getting all of the dates/quotes down (lol), but I just found it weird that there was a lot of assumption, and not a whole lot of fact.
Like–he’s not brimming with joy, so she’s obviously not ‘the one’. Or with the Russian model that he was photographed with at a friend’s wedding–everyone threw a fit because all of a sudden, he wasn’t the person that they thought he was. Despite the fact that a) they were photographed at a freaking wedding, no making out, nothing like that, b) he simply said that she was a friend (and they’ve never been photographed afterwards, so he was being nice, I think), c) she’s the one who kept talking about their ‘relationship’ (claimed that he was giving her acting lessons), fueling rumors, and then was all wide eyed and ‘ORLY? I have a boyfriend’…
I mean, I side eye him for the announcement then acting all grumpy/surprised that people ask him about it, and the whole baiting the fans thing (seriously, just be glad that you have fans that like to write about your freaking show)…..but I’m surprised with how little people ‘turn’. Or the criticisms of his fiancee. Seriously–this is why normal people don’t date celebrities, and then we complain that celebrities are snooty and special snowflakes…see all the crap that Lucianna Damon gets and I’ve never even heard her speak.
everybody loves Lucianna Damon. Atleast she had a real job not some pretentious artsy fartsy actually feeding on parents money. Woman of substance? BARF
Yeah… who doesn’t like Matt Damon’s wife? I’ve never heard anyone say anything negative about her…
Except for the last few posts about her, I’ve only really read negative things. Like there were people on here calling her a ‘cuban whore’, saying she was a golddigger, that it was OBVIOUS because she was a bartender in Miami (where she met Damon) that she was looking for a sugar daddy, etc.
Wow… I’ve never read that.
I’d like to believe since they’ve been married for almost a decade and that they seem pretty happy, that whoever said or blogged those things was probably just straight up jealous.
And her being a bartender to snag a celebrity?!?! BWHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! That’s got to be the WORST way to go about snagging a rich man. Someone out there must have been INSANELY jealous to write that about her.
There are soooo many people in this world who would do anything to marry a celebrity, including writing hateful things about a woman who snagged the one they wanted. People who write those things are just sad and pathetic. And they wonder why no rich men/celebrities want them…
I don’t think it’s fair to compare comments on Damon’s Mrs like that, which are clearly just trolling and bitchy, to what’s going on here. It’s completely different.
@Tippet: only difference being that Ben *is* famous, by putting an ad (literally an ad) he gave way to journalists to ask him questions. Yes, it’s what non famous people do, but the downside of being famous is, unfortunately, that you can’t do most of the things normal people do. It sucks, but I hear that the perks about being famous are pretty awesome.
Look, I get what you’re saying…but as a private person who doesn’t share anything about my private life, even with friends it boggles my mind how anyone in his position could put on an ad on a national newspaper and not expect any attention or questions. Seriously…it’s like not putting gas in your car and then be surprised when it stops running. Well, duh!
Yep to all this!
Or it’s as if he shot him self in the foot and we’re not supposed to notice that he’s limping.
I couldn’t care less whom he marries. None of my business. The fact that he’s been acting weird and zombified? That worries me. Has anyone else been noticing that he looks wall-eyed in some of his latest pictures? (i.e. his right eye turns out to the side, opposite of cross-eyed). Something is definitely up with him.
FINE so Fine! Totally cool with it.
I think everyone else is doing enough talking about it in general. *looks back at 700-800+ threads)
Good for him.
It’s his business, yes, but it’s rich coming from someone who ANNOUNCED HIS ENGAGEMENT IN THE PAPER, and had a mystery girlfriend for a total of 5 months. He’s not good at playing coy. You don’t have to divulge the details but if you want your privacy you should have kept it, I don’t know, private?
Putting your engagement in the Times (or any other UK newspaper) is normal if you are upper or even middle class. It is usually for the benefit of the Bride’s mother/parents, and nothing to do with the Groom. It harks back to the days when one “showed off” a good marriage/pairing.
It’s pretentious and self important but apart from that, he’s NOT an average member if the public anyway. He’s a famous person who apparently wants to be private, so where is this idea that it’s just a fine and regular thing to do? Not in his case.
Exactly, agree with you Sooth. He can’t even bare to utter her name or discuss his impending marriage without looking ill.
How he proposed, is something normally the women chats about. However, if Sophie talked about it she would get it a fan-bashing for boasting . Its not something he/she can win on.
But, he’s not talking about it because he s setting himself up for [a] a big Hello-type handout because he’s keeping the engagement /photos ring exclusive [b] he wants to keep it private but well end up changing his mind when he is offered a big Hello-mag handout and makes himself look like a tit.
I would gawk openly in the store if I saw he sold pics to Hello! Or something. That would just take the cake.
At this point I think I would burst out laughing
you and me both, Lindy…
actually I’ve been laughing at this whole circus for over a week:)
Well, her mummy and brother had their picture in HELLO the day after sooo…
@Sooth: They had that sh*t ready to go, looks like.
Pretty sure Mummy Hunter already sold those pics to Hello LOL
It was a smiley pic of both them standing outside what looks like a house, presumably talking to reporters.
Considering how everyone has been freaking the hell out about it and dehumanizing him and his fiancée I can’t blame him. The guy deserves his private life and the craziness of this announcement kind of brought a lot out of the woodwork. I think more stars need to not offer their lives up for public consumption and the world would be better for it.
Dehumanizing him and the WILWIP? Where? When did that happen?
Omg, you are joking? Dehumanizing? I think if people used their brains and actually thought about what’s going on instead of swallowing everything they’re fed, then the world might be a little less full of crap.
Please stop with the ‘crazy over the annoucnement’. Nobody gives a £&@? about him being engaged, it’s all the crap that’s come with it that has people talking.
+100000000000000000000
+1
You know what else is dehumanizing? Constantly referring to someone without actually using their given name. Kind of like how Bendy keeps referring to the woman he loves, or the woman he proposed to, etc. Isn’t her name Sophie? At this point, what cardinal violation of privacy is it to use her name? I just find it weird that he never does.
maybe it is nt. 😉
“It rubs the lotion on its skin or else it gets the hose again”
@lindy79 I just spat coffee all over my iPad.
Oh, thank God. I’d say that was a charming interview. Phew. Now let’s just hope he’s not a mess with Jon Stewart tomorrow.
I agree. I thought the interview was good, more like himself. I know it isn’t the most popular opinion on this board, but I do think he really loves Sophie and is very enamoured with her. But I’ll also mention that his penchant for saying things “The most incredible woman I’ve ever met” and “woman I love whom I proposed to” among others tells me this is a man who’s in love with the idea of love. He doesn’t seem to describe her as an equal or a partner, more like he’s put her on a pedestal.
Agreed.
I’ll agree – he’s in love with the idea of love.
But rest assured… he’s not in love with her. The man can’t even put the word “love” and “Sophie” in the same DAMN sentence. Why can’t you see that?!?!?
At this point I don’t even care, I’m bored to tears. Mazel Tov on your engagement, Ben. You look like you’re about to have a root canal, lighten up.
LOL
He could deflect it with one sentence “Thank you, Sophie and I are very happy”. Period. The fact that he cannot bring himself to look happy or speak the woman’s name is bizarre at best and suspicious at worst. I can think of a hundred other celebrities who never banged on about their love lives who were respectful to their new partners in the press without making a big deal of it. It would be very easy to be happy, respectful AND private. If I was the woman and my name had not even been uttered, I’d wonder what kind of a person I was marrying.
I think he thinks not saying her name is protecting her privacy or some weird twisted logic.
Because it was listed in the announcement, but forget you ever saw that. I think he may be trying to keep his options open as far as names…. The way he keeps repeating the same phrases, “grainy picture” etc. is bizarre. He could just talk in a normal conversational way about it and it would sound more authentic, and no one would be suspicious.
@Lindy79
I personally think he can’t say “Sophie” and “love” in the same sentence b/c he might throw up, LOL.
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Beetlejuice
Candyman, Candyman, Candyman, Candyman…..
And I’m out.
I hAvnt heard him call her by name either / he’s so repressed! 😜
@Lindy79 – How can he protect her privacy when he put her name in the Times? Or had her march up the red carpet at LFF? Or had her jacked-up CV put in every form of media in the world. And had her noble beauty talked up to the point that Amal Clooney is now only fit to be my maid? What privacy is he protecting because she sure has nothing left.
I am not convinced re the conspiracy but I do think that someone who cannot talk about the women he loves in an interview comes across as emotionally constipated. You know if he just said a few simple thing with a smile and a feeling of affection the engagement timing would not come over as a PR move. Sadly the combination of his behaviour and the timing just seems both odd and contradictory.
I am pretty sure that BC said something about keeping the campaigning to the minimum because it was the film that was important not the award. I remember raising my eyebrows when I read it.
Moodgirl, I’m not saying I agree with it but I’m trying to see his logic…that by not saying her name he’s protecting her or something equally stupid.
One thing interests me. Two, actually. Does CB always cover every actor and actress’ Oscar campaigns as aggressively as Cumberbatch’s? And HOW are people supposed to survive this non-stop Cumberbatch onslaught without beginning to resent him?
To answer both questions, see Anne Hathaway circa her 2013 Oscar campaign.
This.
It’s rude.
He could have made a joke of it, he could have brushed off the question, he could have given a generic but vague answer. There are loads of ways for a celeb to avoid answering an intrusive question, and he’s been in the business long enough to be familiar with them. But saying ‘that’s for me to know and noone to find out” is rude. It’s the sort of thing we used to say when we were kids. We thought we were terribly smart, but in fact we were just being silly. Which is fine when you’re ten years old. But for a man pushing 4O, promoting his work, it’s obnoxious.
I’m going to give him credit for that one, can you just imagine the nannies and crazies going bonkers with him describing the exact way he proposed (on one knee, by letter and contract for her to sign, by shouting at her bedroom window from the street, etc. etc….). It would be beyond obnoxious for the fannies to have those kinds of details (pictures afghans knitted of Ben on one knee wearing a crown with a ring on a pillow….)
But like I said, he could have politely deflected the question, laughed it off, given a non-committal answer….. all sorts of options were open to him. Celebs get asked personal questions all the time, and they manage to find a way around it without getting pissy. That’s part of the job, as he should know by now.
I didn’t find ‘that’s for me to know and no one else to find out’ to be rude, some things should be private and he put a little humor on it, they shouldn’t have asked anyway. Details aren’t necessary. Well, unless one of the details is THE NAME OF YOUR GODDAMN FIANCEE WHICH YOU CAN NOT SEEM TO UTTER….
I agree that he didn’t need to answer the question directly. He just could have handled it with a bit more elegance, imho.
”they shouldn’t have asked anyway.”
Thing is, as I said in another post, when a big star – or in Benedict’s case, a big-ish star in a major Harvey Weinstein film – does a TV interview in the US, they usually know what questions to expect. Often their publicist gets to pre-approve the questions, and veto any subjects which their client doesn’t want to talk about. So if he didn’t want to talk about his engagement, he could have let that be known in advance, and I doubt the interviewer would have embarrassed herself by asking about it. He’s out of his depth here imho.
I wish people would stop with the “he’s campaigning hard for the Oscar”. Right now he is doing the normal promotion in the U.S. for a film that is about to open in the U.S.
This is something he has done in the past but now that he might get a Oscar nod everyone has developed this elitist attitude that actors and especially Cumberbatch should be above it all.
As for the engagement, that’s between the two parties actually involved.
Uh…he’s doing more than that: see the SAG and guilds screenings of the past 10 days and to me it’s all fine and good. He deserves an oscar nod, and deserves the recognition of his talent. So no elitism from me….
I know that but the talk show rounds is purely for the film promotion. The SAG and guild screenings are a barometer for your chances of getting an Oscar nod, so if you want one you better work those.
He also going to do ” CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute,” which airs Sunday, December 7, at 8:00 p.m. ET. Now that’s Oscar campaigning!
Nope, not the way that it works. What you see is not what you get this time of year for anyone. There is a reason that I don’t see the films or read actor interviews right now. It is all sell, sell, sell. Some of them are just better at it than others.
Is it just me or is he coming off as a jerk now and Fassbender is suddenly looking better? At least we know he never changes..
No, it’s not just you. Either he’s not well or he thinks he’s some special snowflake (as the Tumblr Kids say.) Neither option is optimal. He’s kind of screwed.
This is my first post, so bear with me. I really have to say something in reference to SH and BC. Did you guys ever think maybe BC has been octo-pussied? HA! Don’t judge a book by its cover! She might appeared reserved and cold on the outside, maybe when the bedroom door closed Octopussy becomes a jungle cat and does her huntress things. Maybe her tentacles are no match for an otter once they hold you, you die a thousand “little deaths”. I really don’t care who he marries or does not marry. Who he loves or does not love… I don’t care about cumberbabies, hunterbabies, batchhuntbabies or octotterbabies. All I care about is that BC continues to grow in his acting career and becomes the great actor that he should be like my 3 favorites Day-Lewis, Firth and Iron.
He is in a bad mood lately, so what! We all have period when we feel things are maybe slipping away from us, due to tiredness, stress at work or whatever and there is not enough time in the day to manage everything. I think he is really tired, stressed, worried that TIG does not become Fifth State disaster like last year. Worst, after all this hype he is not even nominated for an Oscar. That has happened before. He is feeling sorry for himself because he is biting more than he can chew. He was free for most of the first part of the year and now everything is happening all at once. That is life! Things never happen as we planned.
I know some people finds BC curls, cheekbones, eyes, lips or hands attractive, I must confess that I am a cumberneck girl. Every time I see this mole on his neck my fangs sharpen, ready to bite and drink blood. What do you except? I am a vampire after all.
@lindy 79: I am still laughing at Jaws eyes.
What a great post. Too funny.
I honestly think if the sex was that great… he’d be selling this engagement like a PRO. I know I would be!
He claims to be good in bed . so u know. I just dnt see anything here. 😀
The ;ittle death part was subtle.thousands!! thats almost a yr 😀
Oh she is his LONGTERM gf. i forget
Some other site (nameless gossip, can’t recall the name) inferred that he went out with Laura Carmichael of Downton Abbey and went all 50 Shades on her and she went running. Who knows where that came from but since he seems to be so sexually obsessed it could be true…..bad enough having his friends talk him up. Matthew Goode “he’s an animal lover, emphasis on the animal”. Why all the cheerleading, unless he’s trying impress?
#Jawseyes FTW
Can you imagine the #jawseyes in bed?
Damn!! No boatloads of Brits on Thames?! Be that way, Bendy.
I feel flattered…
I stand by what I said tho 😌
His thirst is real.
I don’t know why, but he reminds me of Tony Blair in the top photo. Maybe it’s the odd expression on his face, and the positioning of the hands?
That’s not a compliment btw.
Tony Blair – low blow LMAO
I understand why he’s been deflecting since this happened. Probably doesn’t want to “jinx” it since this has been a big deal for him for so long.
Why would it jinx if they are truly in love? 😛
The award or the engagement?
@Felice @Sooth
I think Victoria meant both. He’s a good actor and I think he deserves it for this movie. If he doesn’t win for TIG, then he’s gonna have to be just as lucky to have the right role at the right time in the future.
It’s what I’ve been alluding to in that, what Ben keeps resisting is persisting with regards to his love life. Talking about, even alluding to it in such a public way gets other people involved in it and when he is able to meet someone, it’s not going to be who he was probably expecting. Time will tell, but it’s understandable. The negativity just from this site alone is enough to off-set anything he’s done romantically to get to this point. If we (as commenters) have reacted badly towards this, imagine how it’s going to come back to him and affect the relationship. What’s done is done and for his sake he can come out of this without being wounded in a karma sense.
Sorry, but are you actually saying the few people on here who are sideeying all of this, will affect his relationship?
@ VL: oh, come on…Angelina Jolie wouldn’t have made another movie, or got any other award recognition based on karma points alone…
@V.L.719
I can imagine the look on his face if actually does meet the “exotic” writer you were talking about… hopefully it’s not disdain!
I think he’s not going to win for this movie b/c of how he’s really going out of his way to win this award (and I also think that Murray and Keaton have more clout with the voters). It just doesn’t seem like him. Maybe I’m just a person who would like to see him win an Oscar in a year where he’s actually being himself? Just my two cents.
@Sooth Yes, don’t just assume that we’re separate from anything. What you put out comes back to you. If you’re sensitive to the energies and moods of others, and if you’re receptive which Ben seems to be, then it’s going to be expressed in your body language, what you DON’T say, etc.
@aly, you have to keep in mind that with Angelina, she was already in a place where she was putting out good karma with her work outside of Hollywood, be in the UN or another organization. The reason why it’s turned out well for her was because she was active about changing her vibration. And as it’s been stated by others, it’s a karma thing he’s working out, sadly, in a very public way.
@GeeMoney, no, at that point disdain won’t be the look as it is going to be utter happiness. He’ll just be genuinely surprised that someone that ethereal could come into his life.
Nope. Just nope. Seriously, it’s too batshit for me to even argue with, sorry. A few people gossiping online. Why would he even need to be aware of it and if he as why would he care?
I always saw A Jolie as a disrespectful homewrecker who is in line for her comeuppance .
I swear, I’m like the only Angelina lover… I think she’s wonderful.
And I agree with V.L.719… she was doing really well and ended up attracting the love of her life into her life b/c she was always honest, she was helping others and she was doing the right thing.
I hate it when people call her a homewrecker, b/c I swear if she was, her relationship with Brad Pitt wouldn’t be going half as well as it has been for the last 9 years. And if she was not being a giving person and helping others, her career would have tanked long ago.
Team Jolie, FTW (and I was Team Jolie long before her and Brad Pitt ever got together).
PS – I’m also Team Cumberbatch too… I’m just waiting for him to get his head out of his ass.
@v.l.719,
I am sorry, I just don’t buy the exotic writer bit or that our commentary on this board is going to affect his finding love. His ambition is and has already affected his love life.
His fate is in his own hands, nothing more, nothing less.
@madly
Oh, I’ll argue fate with you. Some things are meant to happen to us in our life time.
Now, we all have free will. Even if some things are meant to be, the road we take to get there is of our own choosing. And that’s when things are in your hands.
No one likes to believe that they have no control over the things that happen to them in their life. But there are always things that can occur that are out of your hands. Like, you can’t control what other people do or how they behave towards you. All you can do is control how you react to them. You can’t stop someone from hitting you with their car if they aren’t paying attention, just like you can’t predict random violence. B/c we cannot control outside forces.
But like I said earlier, we agree to certain things (fated events) in this life before we are born, including who we marry. And the road one takes to get to that person is on them. I like to think if this is meant to be for him… then good luck to him. Anyone is better for him than Sophie at this point in time!
It’s hard to believe all of this stuff… and you don’t have to believe it if you don’t want to. Oh, and karma is absolutely real. Whatever you put out in the universe will come back to you. Every time. If you don’t believe in anything else… believe in that.
PS – Uh yes… as you can see… I’m on the spiritual train. Long story on how I got there, though.
a bit too spiritual. Geemoney lets go to that “buddist monastry”
take BC with us. flee
@GeeMoney
Thanks for your comments. It’s fine if others don’t see what you and I see. With the Angelina example, I was trying to highlight that through working on herself and building the life she really wanted sent out something that brought Brad to her under the circumstances they were dealing with. They were able to see past the superficial and saw in each other a person they could truly “grow” with and have a healthy relationship. I’m all for whirlwind romances and quick engagements, but they have to have the right tone to it. I don’t, and many others agree, don’t see that. The tone of this has been off and it would have to be due to either his karma or SH’s.
@madly And why would the writer bit be untrue?
@Lucifer
Ready to hop a flight with you to Tibet!
@V.L.719
If Ben has some karma to work out with her, I hope he gets past it soon.
@GeeMoney
Yeah, I’d have to agree that this is some karma biting him in the butt. But yeah, I think he just doesn’t wanna to bring any bad luck to her or the whole situation if he’s in “like” with her (I can’t bring myself to say “love” because all I see is irritability). If it is karma, well, I’d have to say she probably embodied all the stuff with women he never wanted to deal with but HAS to now. It’s possible, I mean, for a man who’s had serious baby-fever for a while, it’d make sense that he’s got to work on and scrub away karmic junk. The timing just sucks.
@V.L.719: I still believe your comments about Benedict falling in love with that writer. Don’t know why, but I do.
Am I the only one who can smell this? It’s the i don’t want attention- attention seeking ploy. He wants you to know. He wants the story out there, he just doesn’t want to look like he does. So obvious, lol.
I think a huge part of the problem is that he is honest to a fault sometimes and this isn’t an honest situation.
+100000000000000000
ITA
+10000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
LOL
ITA
My friend is a so-so BC fan and feels that his makeover into the serious actor man began early in the year. Ed Sheerin said
that BC had agreed to dance in Ed’s video but was stopped by his US management team because it was too goofy for a serious actor. We wouldn’t want to see that BC hip hop routine during the Oscar race. If it walks and quacks like a duck then it’s a duck.
OH that’s right!
Just curious what you all think about his statement that he got engaged to the most incredible woman he ever met. Either she’s pregnant or I feel really bad for Olivia! Thoughts?
I guess that’s the best thing he can say… I mean, he can’t even say her name in the same sentence as that. Shameful.
I feel sorry for him… he’s going the extra mile and saying all of this crap for what? A GD Oscar. Yeesh. He better hope he wins if he’s going all out this way.
But I don’t think he will. Not when he’s acting this way. His time will come to win one when he decides to be more truthful and live a more authentic life… but for now, it’s not his year.
Don’t worry, he’ll say her name soon enough. Lol
My two cents on some of this stuff. I think he campaigned to be HW’s golden child this season. I just don’t think he understood that when you lie down with dogs, you wake up with fleas and no one in that town is as big of a dog as Harvey.
Secondly, he has always prided himself on not being a tabloid fixture and not even reading any of that stuff and here he is becoming what he didn’t want and hated most about the town just for Oscar and it is not sitting well with him.
What is weird is that Hollyweird is a town run in reputation, image and the bottom line. My friends and I read a craigslist announcement back when I was living in LA on a pr firm looking for a model type to go to events with an actor. Setting people up, fake relationships (even for straight men) and doing an image makeover is par for the course. It is not conspiracy, it has been part of the business for decades, not just around Oscar time. So why is it so outlandish to think that might be happening here?
Oh, I know how Hollywood works. I’m well aware that they do these things for stars, and you don’t have to be out there to know that ANY type of corporation in America is all about the bottom line (and Hollywood is definitely a corporation). Hollywood is full of sharks, and I swear, only the strong and backstabby ones truly survive out there.
It’s just frustrating with Benedict b/c he’s not slimy and conniving like some of the other people out there. And he’s definitely not fake, hence the grumpiness and the frowns. He’s stuck shilling a movie for one of the most god awful people in the business, he probably had to propose to a woman he probably didn’t want to just to make someone out in H-town happy… and all of this is showing up on his face. He can’t hide it. I think he’s just trying to muscle through it, even though we all know he wants that Oscar. But I bet he didn’t think that he’d have to go about it this way to get it.
I think he would have been fine to be Harvey’s lap dog for awards season if the fiancee thing wasn’t introduced. I also think he would have no problem gushing about a fiancee… if the relationship was genuine.
Madly: let me love you. I agree with every single word you said!
he ll say her name in one of these days. They’re reading celebitchy.
@Geemoney – Why do you feel that BC isn’t slimy and conniving? From what I can see, he is. We may be casual fans but in reality he has a goal in mind and has decided that he will do what he must to achieve it. People do this every day.
Word is he is extremely ambitious. I don’t fault him but he isn’t going to outsmart everyone with this routine. It’s a duck. Take it for what it is and don’t be disappointed. He is working it.
@Geemoney
”he probably had to propose to a woman he probably didn’t want to just to make someone out in H-town happy”
But….. how could he be forced to propose to someone? Who has that kind of power over him? Sure, his PR people might have dropped a hint about how it looks better for a 38 year old man campaigning for an Oscar to be in a steady relationship. But nobody could have forced him to do it. He’s a grown man.
I agree with Moodgirl. BC seems to be highly ambitious, and probably knows that, pushing 40 and with no major Hollywood hit under his belt, it’s now or never for him if he wants to really hit the big time. And while I doubt the engagement itself is fake, the timing of the very public announcement does seem a tad suspect. But like I say, he’s a big boy and can make his own decisions.
@moodgirl
Just b/c you are ambitious doesn’t mean you are slimy. I’ve never gotten that impression from him. And there are many other actors/actresses in Hollywood that I have never gotten that impression from either (e.g., Hugh Jackman, Brad Pitt, Michael Fassbender, James McAvoy and others) and I’m pretty sure they are just as ambitious as Benedict.
I also go off of what I read about celebrities. Usually I don’t believe gossip or rumors or what not unless I hear it multiple times over a course of a period of time (if anyone out there still thinks that John Travolta is really NOT gay… then whoa). I have never once heard anyone describe Benedict as anything less that thoughtful, charming, full of integrity, gracious and an all around good guy. Some people will say he’s snooty, but that doesn’t equate to backstabbing and conniving in my book.
Most people are ambitious. I know I am. I have goals that I would really like to reach in this life time. But I don’t believe in taking short cuts and hurting people in order to do it. A lot of people out in this world can do that, but I can’t.
He doesn’t strike me as a slimeball. He strikes me as a bit naive and he may get roped into some stuff he doesn’t really process before it all happens… but he’s definitely not a bad guy. I think he’s one of the good ones.
@Etheldreda
Some women prey on a man’s desires to push them into marriage, promising them things they truly want in order to get what they want. That’s all I’ll say about that.
And he’s a man in Hollywood. 38 (for a man) is not old to get your career rolling. Men can usually keep the ball rolling until they are about 50, before they lose a bit of their luster (and don’t forget… both Robert Downey, Jr and Johnny Depp never had big box office hits until they were well into their 40’s). Unfortunately for women… they need to get it going really before age 35ish. Diane Lane is one of the exceptions, though… she really saw her career take off when she was about 40 years old.
And he can make his own decisions, this is true… but Hollywood is a hard world to function in. And sometimes a lot of people out there will bend to what the studios want to get what they want.
@Geemoney
I don’t see any reason to believe he’s been manipulated into marriage by a conniving woman. That’s a bit sexist imho. And even if it’s true, he’s a grown man and can make up his own mind. If he falls for that sort of thing, the more fool him.
And yes, Hollywood isn’t as hard on men as it is on women but still, 38 is quite an advanced age to break out in Tinsel Town. He’s nearly 4O and all he has to show for it – in Hollywood terms – is a few bit parts in successful films, and a starring role in a flop film. And given his, shall we say, unconventional looks, and oh so very English persona, he’s probably never going to be first choice for leading man roles. So yes, this is his big chance, and I think he knows it. It’s unlikely he’s going to get another golden opportunity like this.
”And sometimes a lot of people out there will bend to what the studios want to get what they want. ”
Well yes. But that’s their choice, isn’t it? Nobody is forcing him.
@Etheldreda
Ah, ye of little faith. Another movie will come along for him if he doesn’t win an Oscar for this one. Trust me. His career is on the upswing. And it’s just a matter of time before he really blows up out in Hollywood.
Call me sexist all you want. But I’ll call it like I see it. And I know I see way more things than most, because I actually pay attention. Most people don’t. It’s mind boggling to me how so many people actually don’t see things that are as clear as day that are going on with him and that woman. Oh well.
@Geemoney – I am sure that BC is a nice guy but from what I can see either he has done an awful lot of manipulating or someone has done some on his behalf. I don’t think we really know what goes on behind closed doors until we read autobiographies. Hollywood is a strange place and no one is safe from playing the game.
From where I sit BC has a chance at an Oscar and he is not giving up without a fight. And what do you mean Joh Travolta is gay?
@moodgirl
I think someone is doing the manipulating on his behalf. And his name begins with an H. Don’t underestimate Harvey Weinstein… his PR stunts are legendary.
Ben wants that Oscar, no doubt. But it’s clear he’s not happy with the way his “campaign” is going, or else he’d be all smiles. Like I said in another thread – I’ve never seen a man so UNHAPPY about being engaged before. EVER.
And yes… Travolta is gay. Carrie Fisher confirmed it and Margaret Cho has confirmed it. And if the numerous amounts of rumors concerning his extracurricular activities surrounding men isn’t confirmation enough, the multiple lawsuits filed by multiple men saying that he’s groped them in spa rooms should.
PS – Kevin Spacey is gay, too. Don’t get me started on him.
I don’ think she’s pregnant–I think he’s being hyperbolic to sell the fact he’s engaged and they’re a couple. I’ve heard a lot of people who just got engaged make statements like that, regardless of past relationships or who they’ve met in their lives.
it just does not sound authentic.
I do feel bad for Olivia, but maybe by now she is over it or was always in a different mindset than him (didn’t want to hodl down the fort?)
Fassy didn’t want to play along at all and it cost him the Oscar. He had it in the bag and didn’t want to play the game. So the momentum went elsewhere.
And you don’t have to be set up to play the game. That is just one way to play it.
@ Madly. Yep. Remember Troy McClure and Selma? More of that. With less animation. I’m riding the #CumberSham train. Its like ‘be careful what you wish for’ and ‘deal with the devil’ all in one. Say you hate apples. But want a mansion. So you text the devil (he’s on tindr making the red horns easy to spot) and offer your soul. No probs! But your new mansion is smack dab in the middle of…an apple orchard. And every meal is apple sauce. And everyday at 3 o’clock you have to give a press conference selling your love of… apples. Oh, but you have your mansion. So there’s that. Granny smiths anyone?
I’m riding the #CumberSham train.
Why? Honest question here…I don’t get what’s to shame. He’s doing what many have done before…and are doing. The only difference is that there’s still enough of him underneath the crap they’re selling that we see he’s not completely ok with it.
@ madly I get that they have setups like this but they didn’t do so for Fassbender, so why Cumby? I just think something is fishy here, but it isn’t a setup.
Yep, and the level of control on image is lost on some people.
With regard to tv appearances like he is doing this week, Not only can some questions be left out, but actors get to see the questions beforehand and get coached on how to answer. Those tv appearances are also a performance.
And those print interviews are also viewed by publicists for final approval. And some publications are told to promote someone in order to get access to a bigger name.
Then those tv interviews on those entertainment “news” shows are edited so that the answers aren’t even aligned with the questions that were asked at the time of the interview and the whole thing changed meaning.
And some b logs are on the payroll. And well, you get the idea…
Madly: I thought it was common knowledge. Even actors and singers in my country do that all the time (friends who worked in PR for singers in my country were an eye opener for me)
I agree, Madly.
This is a little off-topic, but I always understood the publicist pre-print approval is a US thing. The UK press is a little wilder when it comes to celebs.
@Madly
I was kind of thinking the same thing. Don’t big stars have their publicists pre-approve the questions asked at interviews? I know BC isn’t actually that big a star – despite what you might think from hanging out here – but he’s part of the Harvey Weinstein machine and has a very hard working publicist. So wouldn’t he have known that he’d be asked about his engagement before agreeing to the interview? If he did, and still reacted in that sniffy ”not your business’ way, that makes his reaction even ruder imho.
@ Aly. (excuse me for answering myself!) I just wanted to add that I have nothing against Cumbers building and riding his very own Showmance CumberSham tram. His press game is getting an A for awkward though. I do get irritated with those who are like ‘He looks and sounds miserable but that’s true love y’all!’ or ‘He can’t answer a normal question normally but he’s totally normal you guys!’ or ‘You ladies are CRAZY and want him to use ur uterus but he won’t so now ur CRAZY!’ Cumbie’s new slogan: OneWomanOneUterus. Okay, its over ladies! Go find your own uterus-user! Cumbie doesn’t want yours! But, oh, how romantic! And how truthful! He hath chosen his uterus. *weeps romantic tears*
@juliar: omg the last paragraph killed me A ++
And I agree with most of what you said.:)
@etheldreda, don’t believe the theories that he was just being traditional and didn’t expect this level of attention. Those excuses defy logic. He has been doing press for years now, just not to the extent Harvey demands, but enough to know that such an announcement means answering questions about it. And for the most part, it worked. Has has another angle to play with than the same things he has said again and again for Turing and the film already. Of course he knew. And those who think he didn’t are suggesting he’s a moron. He is ambitious, I think there is goodness and honesty to him, but sadly he is not above playing the game. He is not Fassbender. He wants a nomination. He is just not comfortable fully with this arrangement, isn’t that a good thing instead of painting him as a naive simpleton? His fans are really odd in how they try to defend him sometimes.
@ Juliar YES Troy McClure and Selma! YES that’s what this reminds me of, lol.
And also WRT the telly shows he’s on this week–with the possible exception of the Daily Show, they’re all the t.v. equivalent of soft tabs (think People and Us Weekly).
I tell my bf that he is the best I’ve ever had. I am lying like a Persian rug but what can I say? He’s meh?
Totally reasonable to not want to talk about those deets. I will make fun of him for not being sufficiently prepared to deflect in a more jolly manner though. All of this stuff goes with the territory. Big kids need to do their homework… Herb.
Yeah, I went there. All the way back to 1995.
“Sort of but that’s for me to know and no one else to find out.”
How about for “US” to know. Was she not present at the proposal?
hahahahaha
+1
“However, while on LIVE! With Kelly and Michael, Kelly Rippa noted many women were sad to hear about his upcoming nuptials.
“One girl wasn’t!” he said smiling. “I’m very happy. I’m a very happy man. I have a great population of fans as well – they’re smart, they’ll get around to the idea…. Your ovaries do still have use, let me tell you!”
Why can’t he say her name? If he is so “happy” then why doesn’t he look happy? Sound happy? When he talks about the engagement, he looks and sounds robotic. If he doesn’t want to talk about the engagement. Then HE should stop talking about it/he should say “Sophie and I are very happy.” End of story!!
Where did that write up come from, Linz?
@Sooth..
(Top) Hollywood Reporter.
(Bottom) My little rant.. lol
Was that one girl Cumberbuddy or Senyorita? LOL 😉
It weirds me out too that he keeps saying “I” and “me”, not “us”. Makes me think the engagement was just him ticking the box saying “Marriage before 40” on a to do list. Its so impersonal. Like he’s just getting married to get it over and done with. Like you could replace SH with any woman and we (or indeed even BC) wouldn’t notice the difference.
Do you think at some point he might just announce that he’s marrying himself? LOL
http://youtu.be/0m4bxQeVg30
This is interesting. He barely acknowledges the interviewer while the clip is playing and barely makes eye contact.
The bit where he talks about the engagement (1.08) without sound, you would have no clue he was talking about how happy he is. No change in expression.
#jawseyes
I found this super interesting as well.
Considering there’s no sound, you can easily focus on his body language and damn… his body language is SO obvious.
No looking at the interviewer.. and you can actually see him lightening up the moment the topic changes.
SO in love… obviously.
He looks like he’s on the verge of tears through the whole thing.
@Elysian: That’s what I thought too
For whatever reason this makes me think of Princess Charlene crying through her wedding.
Reading about kim’s bum is more interesting.Its all cumberyawn now. His attitude has gone straight from droolworthy to barfworthy.
when is gracada gonna post/ M waiting 🙁
enough of this!! 😛
who is on board in the conspiracy train still. After 13 days.
Raise your hands please
I’m in…pr engagement all the way.
Even though I think the relationship is real
The relationship may be real but only months old and, from what I could see, not on the best footing. If we go out to dinner and you leave me sitting in a car while you go inside, there will be pure hell to pay.
Oh, yeah. I’m only really interested in the Oscar campaign and his career, but the way things are going? I don’t think they’ll last long as a couple. Too much pressure.
I am in! *raises hand*
Oh, I’m handing out drinks in the dining car on the conspiracy train, lol. I’m not emotionally invested in the man but this is tripping all my wtf buttons.
Can I get a Cosmo? I am craving one to slurp on while we wait for the next “news”
@Pinky: It’s an open bar, feel free, lol!
Yeah I’m sure the next soundbite will be about how awesome his fans are and maybe some forced eye contact with the interviewer (since he seems to generate a response based on what shows up on gossip sites the previous day).
And hey.. maybe he can get himself to mumble her name..
my best friend suggested that maybe he forgot her name.. and thats why he keep referring to her as…you know… that one…. girl.. I mean.. the WILWIPT…
@Pinky, of course he’s forgotten her name, he hasn’t seen her in two weeks! If that…
I’m not emotionally invested in BC but I love a good mystery and hate bs. My bs-o-meter is sensitive because a guy I dated tried a similar stunt on me years ago. It took me months to untangle it but I finally figured it out.
I FORGOT – COUNT ME IN
AND I WANT A WINDOW SEAT SO I CAN SEE MORE BS BS BS
Choo choo! Pr enGAGment all the way. And also a push to chase away the cumberbitches. I’m with y’all– not emotionally invested, but damn is this a great wtf mystery. I feel like I’m in a murder mystery. And his personality is the murder victim.
I would like a hard lemonade please.
missmary your beverages are a blessing in this trying times.. Hand in the pocket. *no ring*
whatever we speculate here is dissed the next day.We are the driving force in his campaign LMAO
Oh yeah, conspiracy train. Maybe not all the HW conspiracy, but definitely a conspiracy to portray something NQR as normal. WTF alarms went off the day the announcement came out, and Mr. Surly appeared in Benedict’s place…
I hear it is p*ssing down rain in NYC today but the red carpet should start in a few hours. Will we see She who Must Not be Named?
@gg – I don’t know if he needs her yet. It may be better that she stays hidden because it keeps people talking. And watching. It’s part of the game. I will be surprised if she is here.
@Moodgirl: Was just about to say the same thing. Keep people guessing, wondering, roll her out for a “big award” situation where he needs to be seriously papped looking like “stable seriousactorman”. BAFTAs, SAG, etc.
PR engagement. she isn’t pregnant. they aren’t in love. they will break up quietly next year. the whole plot devised by harvey weinstein.
It’s not his first go a this sort of thing.
What was his first MissMary???
I understand HW gets involved in all sorts of things but A. Jolie and B. Pitt are supposedly a HW project.
I just have to have some laughs about this whole situation:
You know I love my family, but that’s no reason why I should have to acknowledge them in broad daylight ~ Benedict Bucket
Drive very slowly past number 23. I want her to see my hat. ~ Sophie Bucket
Ooooooooooomg was that a Keeping Up Appearances reference? *squeeee*
🙂
I think he’s really hungry for that Oscar is what I get out of all this, lol.
He was firm but not outright rude, which is fine. People are allowed to set boundaries on how much of their personal life they want to share. Now whether you feel that’s hypocritical after he gave us an incredibly explicit description of his Sherlock sexual technique is a different matter altogether. 😛
Thats what actually turned me on (pun intended), was the Elle UK article. It kind of made my brain explode
Really? I thought his Elle interview was really try-hardy and childish.
@moodgirl I’m a recent convert, so I’m making up for lost time. I havent gone into much depth on other inverviews of his just yet. I liked it, and the pictures, and the word play re: Sherlock as a sexgod. I’m easy to please 😀 😀
Yeah moodgirl, I’m with you. It just seemed really awkward and desperate to me. Especially when he gripes so much about all the Sherlock fanfiction out there. Can you say “lustful cock monster”?
@Just me: My two favorite things to come out of the lustful cock monster brouhaha was someone making a t-shirt on red bubble with the phrase and a logo, and Orlando Jones using it as a hashtag when talking about Sleepy Hollow
But can you establish two sets of boundaries, one that is convenient to manipulation and one that is impenetrable? That is incredibly hypocritical.
Did the gross fathead of Hollywood ever take up BC’s ice bucket challenge, btw? You would’ve thought that’s the least he could’ve done considering the wheel of hell he’s got Cumbers running on right now.
Heh maybe that’s why he’s got him running so hard. “How DARE you nominate me!” lol. (I kid, I kid, but the mental picture of the fury amuses me in a cartoony way).
He reminds me of the bulldog in Tom and Jerry.
Once upon a time in a land called L.g. (Hint), an image of an pretender was sold.
And in the land of L. G., the idea of a man who is in love and any idea that he was not was to be mocked and called crazy.
And in the land of L. G., truth mixed with lies reigned. Ambition acknowledged, but not the length of how far it would go.
And the the leader of L. G. Not only wanted profits and access, but to disquiet what others were saying. It was part of their job.
What in the heck are y’all talking about?
@mood, I can’t be clear because it just vanishes when I do. Think of it as my blind item gift to you. Lol
@Madly: HA! It took me minute, but I got it!
I THINK I got it.
@missmary, knew you would.
One guess where she’s reading. 😉
Interesting….
@Madly: Hasn’t the, ah, person in question been known to provide PR “help” in the past in exchange for compensation? Or am I thinking of someone else?
@missmary, yep, that’s the one.
Ooooh…..I got it! Yeah…*nods*
Totally.
OH NO!! He didn’t really say that, did he? YES, he did!!
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2838220/Benedict-Cumberbatch-reassures-heartbroken-fans.html
Ugh. See this is exactly what I mean. When he says this shit, he gives handy little soundbites and headlines for the press. He’s been in the business long enough to realise this.
God.
ooof.. I think I’ve found my people! New here, love Benny, hello all and sundry.
I think it’s fine that he doesn’t want to discuss the details of his proposal, though a tiny bit of my Cumberbatched heart thinks that this is some serious stunting on his part. Ah well, best to them and feel free to ring me up should it not work out Ben 😉
Hello to the Club! We have free drinks and biscuits!
It’s fine not to want to talk about it.. but being so weird about it? like… he’s talking about it… while not really talking about it.
And can we make him a telephone list? Of people he can call in case…? 😀
Hi Pinky! I totally agree that the way he’s handling it is pretty uncomfortable. He got engaged right at the starting line of award season campaign, not to mention THREE films coming out before the end of the year. You’re going to be asked about your engagement over and over again on the talk show circuit, at least come out with a mildly believable party line to feed.
I really just want more Sherlock. And him reading things and being awkward and beautiful
That NY Mag interview… oh dear god… Is that for real?
Oh god, what now? I can’t bear much more of this press.
I stopped at the photos. Just so done.
Yeah…I’m honest to God gobsmacked. Just….WTAF?
This isn’t the right universe I am in right now.
Amen.
OH….it is too small for me to read….probably for the best…
….uh…the pic…uh…
Oh lordamighty. Some of it is funny and “old BC” but a lot of it is just cringey. And the pics… wtf? Oh and the very minimal blurb about the engagement? Nothing from him, just lifted from gossip sites.
Some of it yes…but God, what’s with shaming the fans? And that photoshoot…it’s embarrassing.
*shakes head*
*needs a mojito*
his quotes are not terrible or fan-shamey imo the reporter is a dick though. at least they got some quotes from fans for once. most of this is the reporter though like what is the point of inteviewing if you re doing most of the talking?
harvey’s team is so driving this car lol
The photoshoot shocked me. Here I thought after years and years of being a fan that nothing could shock me. Ah…jfc….#wtfareyousmokingben ?
And it pisses me off that a small part of fandom is used for pr like this, to drive home the concept that he’s hot stuff to the masses. Really?
Spin, baby, spin… His PR is showing he has fans, he knows it, he’s aware of the attraction, his single comment about the enGAGment is lifted from previous sources–nothing new–but he did gush nicely about Naomi Watts in a way one might expect for one’s fiancee (the “and I’m happy too” was…nice?) But at the same time, nice way to show fans as flibbertigibbits Or however you spell that lol Meh, Not impressed with the interview or the “theme” but it was nice to see some flutters of his old wonky self in there.
What was the naomi watts thing?
He mentioned having a huge crush on her, something about “probably because of her work” and “I know she’s married I’m happy, as well..” It was a bit effusive but not gross when he mentioned it. Three sentences, tops. But it was more effusive than anything we’ve seen for TWILTWIPT
Weird. Why even bother adding that?
I swear, if I didn’t trust my gaydar implicitly, I’d say he’s totally bearding it up.
As it is….*throws hands in the air*
I’ll admit I’m not pearl-clutching over this.
Most interesting thing was the tiny bit of Weinstein shade at the end.
what was the shade?
@Claire: He was talking about Oscar campaigning and how it also raises a film’s profile–same thing as before, very brief–and his production company, but then said: “I want to see if there are other ways of doing this. I might be crashingly disappointing. Or I may realize Harvey is actually a really decent guy and it’s just the only way of doing things.”
Oops delete sorry!
I can only imagine how I would feel if my fiance admitted to having a crush on another woman. In an interview. In a well known magazine. Mentioning her by name. But not mentioning mine. And finishing by saying “I’m happy, too.” I would be crushed.
I am almost tempted say that he is intentionally trying to hurt SHs feelings. They both must be desperate.
Yow! that is…very consistent with the DL commenter.
Haven’t read it, but the pr for him has been inconsistent and all over the place. He is trying to act above the engagement stuff, but then gives over the top comments. He is sold as a politician/ serious actor then turns around and panders. Which one is it? He can’t do both.
Oh god. Just..oh god. Who comes up with this stuff?
Oh and “acclaimed avant garde theater director” LOL
You cannot tell me that was typed with a straight face. Jeeeeesus.
I actually consider this five times worse than the OUT interview… seriously..
I mean most of it is simply down to the fact that the tone of the article is cringe worthy but… god.. whats the point of making him sound like an ass?
The Out interview was worse, but this…I think I need brain bleach.
I see some flutters of “old ben” in there but there’s a lot of cringing going on. A lot of “OMG PISCO SOUR” wtfness
WTF is the perfect caption for this clusterf*ck. Those pictures *facepalms*
Where do you see it?
cumberbatchweb’s tumblr has the scans on there…
Tumblr. Freaking site won’t let me link it:(
Jesus…I can’t…I really, really can’t with this crap.
The pictures…….how patronising! And he actively took part in it.
I couldn’t make it through the interview, my eyes started to itch.
(Link is on imdb)
well yeah ‘hey ben lets do a beatles thing because of this leech quote it’ll be cute’. this is the same guy who agreed to the cigar pics and sat in a tree. not a rocket scientist
nothing bad in the interview from him about fans though. like tbh it’s bizzare the reporter took that angle because the quotes from BC don’t fit it or the overall theme really so i guess HW
Oh J, why did you remind me of the cigar pic? Worst picture ever.
I actually kind of liked the interview but holy mother of god, the photos! So, he wants to be seen as Serious!Actor and dump the “Cumberbitch Crazies” stigma…..so he agreed to those photos??? What version of reality am I in again?
Ask Ben.
No, wait…he hasn’t a clue.:)
Getting more douchey by the moment. He wants people to take him more seriously as an actor, he actively disses his fans and then he does this? Does he have any self awareness? He’s a famewhore who hates his fans. Makes sense to me.
COnsidering how vocal he has been about the term “cumberbitches,” that was unsettling.
OK-important question! Teddy Boy or Lounge Lizard?
I’m really looking forward to Fallon (isn’t it today?). His interviews are basically scripted by PR. He doesn’t do suprise questions and sticks to script. Hence it will be very telling interview on how PR wants to handle this. If they talk about it at lenght, it will be quite telling.
It’s tonight on NBC at 11:34 pm.
And they film early, like around 5 pm NYC time so it’s already filmed and done by this point
Good Lord…
Gracada’s Report on 92Y Event
Okay.
The movie ended at 10pm and Benedict was due out at 10:15. People around me were mentioning how he would probably be late. Well at 10:04 the lights flickered. Having watched previous Reel Pieces talks I knew how it was going to start and sure enough without any announcement the curtain rose and there he was sitting there with the moderator.
There was a gasp from my area.
For me there was a list of expletives that went through my head as I realized there he was in front of me. I am in the same room as him. I was the only person in my area who stood up to give him a standing ovation. He smiled and was very nervous….leg rubbing…..rubbing the back of his neck.
The questions, well, we know Benedict is not known to be brief…and there was one answer that took a good ten minutes to answer (the girl next to me and I looked at each other going “What is he talking about?”). A lot were soundbites we’ve heard before. There was the discussion about Hawking comparing with Eddie Redmayne’s performance and how playing Hawking prepared him for Turing. The last part led to the best reaction to a question Benedict has ever given. Usually you can tell he is ready to answer the question within the first three words, but I got to see stumped Benedict. I mean he looked at her and had NO IDEA how to answer it for a good ten seconds. The audience laughed.
He had cute comments and when she mentioned the fans he turned to the audience and smiled. I didn’t seem fake.
I was in the room with the Benedict I love. Funny, charming, witty, intelligent…all of the qualities I have seen go away over the past few months. I thought it was like a clone stood in for him. Maybe he was really tired or maybe it’s because he is so passionate to talk about Turing. Seriously he gets REALLY into it talking about him. In fact he admitted that he got there early (shock!) and snuck in to watch part of the movie with us. That was cool to hear.
There were people leaving during the Q&A (mostly old people) and at one point Benedict made a comment like “I hope I’m not driving you away!”
The Benedict I don’t like crept back in though (as I go through my notes). The questions were okay (the one about McNally…..wow I got to see him get fired up and he was not happy) but when the one girl mentioned Hamlet, you would THINK he would have smiled at that. You would THINK he would acknowledge the applause. Nope. Deer. In. Headlights. I sat there going “Oh come on….are you excited about that?” Toward the end, he was off again. It was like he faded, but mustered a last bit of energy when he stood up and applauded us and waved. This being the first time I saw him stand….he’s about as tall as I thought.
I am going to need to watch the video when it’s on youtube because I was so in the moment being in the same room with him trying to process everything.
I must say, those were some shiny blinding shoes!
Thank you so much for the report:) you mentioned in another thread that you kinda got why people are on the conspiracy train…can I ask you why?
hmmmmm Wonder if something is askew with Hamlet?
Thanks for sharing. You mentioned you were on board with the pr idea. Can you tell us why?
I think something is off.
I have agreed with the way he has been about his personal life….a lot of you put it far more eloquently than me. I was watching Benedict and I was like Yes! He’s back and then toward the end it was….yeah there he is….I was so hopeful and I get to see that….disconnect I want to call it. I have had a bad vibe about SH since I first saw her at the FO. The way he has been at red carpets….never saying her name….the diss on the fans…..and then the ovaries comment today….really? Now the New York article….I don’t even want to start but that is when things started to turn right? At TIFF?
I mean be proud you’re doing Hamlet, that people want to see you do the role you’ve always wanted to play.
If he was tired, he never let it show….even leaving he was happy and waving….but something….it was like something suddenly shut off in him.
Mom who is not a fan, but knows I am talked to me today and said she saw him on Good Morning America. “Is he okay? I thought he would look happy being engaged.” Even my mom senses something.
@gracada: Thanks for the report! Wow, I wonder what is up with Hamlet? That worries me…..I’m supposed to be seeing it
The live stream of 92Y was really a mess. Fortunately it’s on YT.
Benedict Cumberbatch – YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSnFhU5T6Wk
that was great. he is really in his element talking about his work, especially when he is passionate about something. unfortunately this will take a back seat to the circus that he’s currently a part of.
SH arrives – in same floral gown
https://twitter.com/ellievhall/status/534502740295446529
She couldn’t be bothered to fix her hair?
From the Tweet I just saw as well, Sophie is at the NY premiere.
https://twitter.com/ellievhall/status/534502740295446529
https://twitter.com/SherlocksBees/status/534507061233852416
But not walking with him or anything I don’t believe.
OMG, Sodious has turned up at the NY premiere in the same dress she wore to the LFF. Quelle faux pas…..
how avant-garde
Well, you spend that kind of money on an avant garde theatre director’s salary, even an acclaimed one, gotta get mileage out of the investment piece
Also tells me the dress wasn’t a loaner.
they bought her that dress(which i won’t wear even for free(. yes missmary thats my first reactiom. its not a loaner.
and whats up with the hair and make up?cant she brush her hair once in a lifetime?
Well if she’s wearing same dress as she did two months ago and from the pic of her…pregnancy is off the table?
Yep #abouttime
FINALLY YES. If she’s pregnant, I’ll eat my tinfoil hat.
She looks thin.
Looks like SH is at the premiere, wearing the same dress she was wearing at LFF…
According to one blog (not eb, the other one)
It was posted by Ellie Hall from Buzzfeed on her twitter (@ellievhall)
Nice of her to remind us of this being her second red carpet and to try to show that she’s frugal too, yo.
Lol, you just have to laugh at this point.
True…oh, Jesus…this is comedy gold…
No, you know guys, that is for the paps and fans – to give them the same opportunity). Just show up dressed the same every time.
Londonphile has a pic of them together. #notimpressed
SH at NY TIF premiere for those of you who are interested. Wearing the Erdem dress worn at LFF.
The ring? THE RING? I mean the grainy pic of it?
Is there one? Or is that too private and we have to wait for an announcement from a jeweler?
No, OK!?! Now stop violating their privacy by asking! In fact stop looking at all, STALKERS! Can’t you see they just want to be hidden, secret and alone! This is what people who want privacy do! Pose for photographers! Oh, why won’t the world leave Otter and his Octopus alone! Whyyy! *shakes fist at unfair world*
OMG I just snorted my wine!
They’re sooooo private, ya know? I mean, sure they’re on the red carpet, and yeah they announced their engagement in an international newspaper but, geez, don’t, like, pay attention, okay?
is that why she kept her hand in the pocket? not to show the ring?
Nothing so far.
I’m squinting at that pic I see no ring
I cant see any ring in that photo.
Hiding her left hand in the photos I saw. Looking very plain, is she even wearing makeup?
EB has a pic, no ring that i can see.
Someone said in one pic it looks like she has something on her left hand but in the pics where you can see her hand clearly, I see nothing So either she put one on toute de suite (maybe Karon slipped her one) or it’s just a fuzzy pic and there’s really no ring (my vote, esp as BC has said he hasn’t had time to one.)
Yeah, there is a ring.
sorry @lola but can you point me in the direction of her with a ring, because I have seen a handful of pics and there is no ring that I can see. Unless she put it on after the red carpet, because I cant see any sign of a ring.
@Lola: It was bad pixels. Unless she put it on for that one pic where you can see her hand on his back, then whipped it off for other pics (like the one of her going in via the side door where you can clearly see her left hand).
And there is a pic of them on the red carpet….wow I am blinded by the chemistry.
I’ve seen people have more chemistry at family reunions.
Ikr? Okay then. Totally sold on twuv wuv. Not
Can someone post a link?
It’s like here is the obligatory PR photo.
@Gracada: I read that as “olfactory PR photo”! Yeah it stinks alright….
That’s just what I thought when I saw the picture. -.-
I should have already gone to sleep but to hell with it…
The chemistry between them is keeping me awake I mean.. It’s obviously so strong… I can feel it all the way to good old england…
I am actually hysterically laughing at this point.
You and me both…
Thank god the other people on twitter that I follow are now spamming my timeline with Tom Hiddleston pics…..the gushing is nauseating….
It looks like a photo of a brother and sister….I don’t see any love….at all
Body language is pretty bad IMO
Oh yes absolutely.. I still think they look alike..
So sorry, Kiera’s Husband, but she makes a very nice match with Ben, and they even like each other!
This is a photo of a loving couple?? OMG…Seriously, is this real?? And is she actually wearing the same dress?? Funnily the Weinstein Co tweeted out this love fest photo. I can’t with this…off to laugh some more….
He looks exactly the same with SH as he does with Keira. I don’t know what to make of it. He doesn’t look, what, relaxed or what? Maybe I’m missing something.
brother sister have more love IMO
God it looks even more awkward the longer I look at it.
It does.
It’s like “I don’t wanna take the pic” – take the pic and be done with it already.
Was it said that if she showed up tonight it was evidence of PR or not?
As far as I remember we all said it could go both ways… Depending how they present themselves…
But looking at this.. It’s looks a lot like “damn they are not buying it… Let’s fly her in quickly…” Same dress and all..
We kind of expexted her to be there tonight.
I don’t see the red carpet pic but I do see the one of her rushing in the side entrance
NGL–if I’m on the conspiracy train tonight, I’m wondering if she was brought in at the last minute (seems to be a popular theory so at least it’s not just me).
I was just thinking that making her use the same dress twice it’s like saying, ” she’s not snob or pretentious…she even wore the same dress twice for a red carpet!”
I guess she was brought in at last moment since she’s wearing the same dress??
They look awkward…like you said MissMary, 8th grade dance, awkward prom photo. I’m actually sorry for laughing. This is just sad. Are all the photos like this?
There’s one of her hustling in the side door but all you can see is her back (and no ring on her left hand)… If I’m going the conspiracy route, she was hustled over asap to make an appearance. Odd that it happened after so many gossip sites, tumblr users, and twitter feeds wondered where she was… *whistles innocently* I’m sure it’s a coincidence. She looked more thrilled at the LFF red carpet walking solo and not being “odious” than she does standing next to her new fiance…
Of course, she’s mastered lady Di look, and she is copying Katherine Middleton’s dress recycling.
*Eating crow* (As I didn’t think she’d show up tonight) I’m not impressed with the dress recycling, but hey, Ben’s frugal. Supposedly I should smile every time I think of BC and fiancee according to some fans on Twitter otherwise ‘bad fan’. For real.
*checks out of Hotel Cumberfornia*
@Cate: Ugh I saw those tweets, too. *eye roll* Want to bet they contributed pages to the scrap book? Or wrote an open letter?
OhHey: Now STFU, get lost and au revoire (the PR photo op)
Looks that way….
Agreed
Actually it reminds me of Scrubs where Ted got a girlfriend and showed her off and was like “I have to show you to people who didn’t think you were real.”
Maximi effect – he could have said this morning that she would be with him at tonight’s premier. This is a stick it in your eye effort. I still get the game playing vibe from them.
Wow okay I braved tumblr’s lovefest and just saw it Wow. I have a pic from an 8th grade dance that looks more loved up than that, and I didn’t like the guy I was standing with at all (he’d told me I was fat like two minutes before the pic was taken).
@MissMary – LOL!
@MissMary
Laughing.My.Ass.Off. I hope you punched him in the balz for that remark.
As far as HunterBatch are concerned, I think I’ve seen all I need to see. I guess PR got the memo on her needing to walk the red carpet.
Get used to it Sophie, This.Is.Your.Life.
I’m off to savor the delicious Hiddles in HC. I’ve got table and saunas coming…
LOL I *did* step on his foot that night, and left him when my mom came to pick us up while he was in the bathroom. Told her he got a ride home with friends. (LOL best you can do in 8th grade and need to flee the scene of emotional drama).
Well, I wouldn’t worry too much about Sophie–this isn’t her life for long. I’m sure the contract is up around March, if not sooner, depending on nominations. Though I may be wrong and this is how they roll and they’re the next Woodward and Newman.
And oooooh, that reminds me–I bought OLLA from Amazon today and dl’d it. I should watch that to cleanse the palate.
Went to look for the redcarpet photos. Took me a while to find it because I had accidentally typed dumberbuddy. Freudian slip, my bad.
@ MissMary
I wanna hear your thoughts after you’ve seen OLLA.
@MissMary
Saw OLLA and tho’ it’s not the kind of film I’d normally watch, I really enjoyed it. I loved how A & E’s relationship was portrayed and practically squeed during that dance scene.
I wouldn’t have pegged Tommy to be able to pull off such a dark and broody character, but he had the chops and won me over. That one’s worth the purchase.
@Grace: It wasn’t what I was expected but entirely in a good way. I loved seeing TH in a darker role that wasn’t Loki (which, as awesome as it can be, is “cartoon-dark” and not…Well, not Adam, lol). The chemistry between TH and TS was amazing and they were just perfect as Adam and Eve. It could’ve been a very tropey schmaltzy movie but it avoided that almost entirely (because there’s always going to be SOME tropes in a vampire movie, lol). At the risk of sounding snooty, I thought it was more a movie about these people who happened to be vampires than a “vampire movie.”
He looks exactly the same with SH as he does with Keira. I don’t know what to make of it. He doesn’t look, what, relaxed or what? Maybe I’m missing something.
I’ve seen BC pictures with fans that showed more chemistry. And yeah, SH was probably dragged to this thing by the PR PTB. But you think they could have sprung for a new dress for her trouble…
Amusing that Weinsteinco was the first to post it. Even beat Getty in getting it online.
Keira kills the fashion game. Her dress looks amazing! Girl, get it!
I love her shoes and that belt
She always looks very effortless, even in her casual looks. And she can seriously work some more daring outfits (not just revealing but like structured looks or heavily embellished things).
How uncomfortable do they look?
Truevlove 5ever?
We need a body language expert.
“One reporter tried asking BC questions about wedding planning and he just stared at her and shook his head. It was amusing.”
Awkward
Jesus. Way to be a dick. God forbid someone would politely ask about a wedding after your conveniently timed engagement announcement and photo op.
Stared at the reporter or stared at Sophie?
Ouch! just….ouch!
He could have politely said “We’re working on it.” Agree he’s just a dick.
More chemistry with BC and KK than with his fiance, TWILTWIPT.
Yuppers. She looks like she really couldn’t be bothered – same dress, no apparent makeup, wtf? Would you not pull out all the stops for your newly beloved fiance?
IDK I’d at least try to put on some lipstick or an “evening face” for a premiere in NYC, even if it was a last minute thing (not saying this was but it certainly looks like it, at least to some folks). She was very done up for LFF and looked happy to be there but here? Not so much. Maybe she’s trying out a new make up look but given her history in pictures and how she presents herself in media photographed situations? Not likely. To me anyway.
True love 6ever! I mean this is just sad, it really is.
Seriously my SO is looking at pics over my shoulder and asking if I’m gaslighting them about KK and BC not being a couple. They legit think SH is his sister or someone he flat dislikes for all the affection he’s showing.
@MissMary – I love getting a man’s point of view because they don’t skirt around the truth.
@moodgirl. Well my husband thought he was marrying Keira from the photos. When I showed him the one with SH, he said, “you’re kidding, right?” Although, Tbh, he doesn’t really care about any of this nonsense. LOL
@Renee: I so misread that as your husband thought he himself was marrying Keira and I was like um, so, how the Hell did that happen? lol But yeah no my SO had the same reaction. Even SO’s BFF (who doesn’t know BC from a hole in the ground unless he’s dressed like Sherlock) was like NO, you’re lying to me, he’s with the Pirates chick!
As much as I dislike her… I almost feel bad for her as well.. Even her smile looks strained..
I think she looks a bit overwhelmed tbh…I don’t want to be catty about her for that reason
Adding a new car to the conspiracy train: She thought it’d be more fun than this and had other plans, was waiting for the big awards shows to show up on his arm and be seen. This is a a trot out “get your ass to NYC because people are talking” thing.
I agree. Make an appearance.
It’s so forced.
She looks more miserable than he does, tbh
Edit: Found the pic.
They do seem awkward. He seems more pleased than she does. She’s got a ‘deer-in-headlights’ look going on. I wonder what she’s thinking?
“Oh god, what have I done?” 😉
She was clever enough to stick her hands in those oh so convenient pockets to avoid those pesky grainy photos…..
…Which makes me think there’s no ring. If she had a ring, she’d be showing it off, wouldn’t she?
She doesn’t really look like she’s beaming, does she? To be fair, she is in a room full of cameras, so maybe she’s nervous?
There’s no visible ring in the pic where you can see her left hand as she’s got her back to the camera and entering the side entrance at the theatre.
She’s not nervous about a room full of strangers. I don’t know where this idea has come from that’s she’s shy and shuns the cameras. Octopus, anyone?
And I saw a pic on tumblr earlier from some press night and she was doing the full frightful hand on hip pose for the photographer. She’s ok with the spotlight and attention. She wouldn’t be having her pic taken tonight of she wasn’t. Let’s face it, there’s no need for her to do that. Many people don’t feel the need to pose for cameras with their partners.
She is a theater director so why would she be uncomfortable with media?
Double post
O.K. Sometimes groups of people tend to adopt each other’s opinions, like group think. I would love to hear your thoughts on this appearance without snark or pressure to appease each other. Roll call please. Who still feels this staged?
thanks for this
Okay. At first I was taken aback because I was like “Finally, they are in the same photo.” but I was really hoping I would see some sort of spark. I was hoping he would be like “Yes, isn’t she grand?” But, I just don’t see that. He looks happi-er (emphasis) but not “over the moon”
I think the fact that Weinstein tweeted it says a lot.
Staged, jury’s out on the veracity of the relationship.
How do you mean? I don’t think there’s any sheeple here and I also don’t think there’s anything in that predictable photo that would sway anybody’s previous opinion. Nobody here seems that susceptible to this kind of thing. As evident by recent discussions.
They look….blah. Stiff.
Can I be on the fence? I still don’t know what to think, other than this is all very weird.
Staged.
Staged. I may be wrong, but that’s my feeling right now. Staged.
They both look slighty embarassed. I’m still on the PR train. It’s just all so weird.
First thought, nothing there either way. Casual observer, conditioned to think they are together will see just that. But for the most part people repeat patterns in relationships. Real relationships. So…Imma leave this here without comment:
http://theatre.wooller.com/?people=1996&id=34470
I apologize for being a dithering idiot, but I think you’re all right. I just don’t *want* this to be all PR. I *like* the idea that they’re happily in love (well, I think he is… SHE on the other hand…).
They will get married, though. I’m calling it. Ben has decided he’s going to be married AND get loads of PR out of it.
IDK. I think Wanda would legit backhand him if he went through with a PR wedding. I think, an engagement, she and Tim would not be thrilled about but they’d sally forth. A wedding? I think she’d hit him with her ring hand.
All you have to go on in terms of him ‘being in love’ is the frankly odd and incongruous things he’s said in interviews this last week.
I find it odd, and I mentioned on a different thread, why he didn’t comment on her like “She’s great and I expect her in the US today for the NY premier.” He had two opportunities to say that today but I feel that it is more of a game with them than a real relationship. Like they are trying to prove their relationship is real. That is never good. He has a smug look on his face and she couldn’t bother to do her hair.
@Juliar: Omg what a difference four years and an upsurge in fame make! It’s like night and day with that pic and more recent ones.
Please take a look at the link posted by juliar rebulico. THAT is what I expect from a couple in love. In their photo BC is just lightly touching SHs’ waist. It’s just so …….odd. This is your fiancee but you are still prim and proper?
@ MissMary. I know, right?! I believe he can get that Ben back. WILWIPT and the CumberSham of 2014 are a symptom not a cause. That Ben still exists. I hope for him. I hope for that level of happiness and authenticity for everyone. Octopussy included.
i m APPALLED by the dress and (lack of / no) make up.. How hard is it to put on an earring. we wear that on regular lives. SHITTY>
and yess m off the pregnancy train.
that photo: nawwwwwwwww hello grandpa
I am absolutely NOT buying whatever it is these 2 are trying to sell. I’m going with the theory that this is a last minute show up for her, hence the same dress and lack of style. Now, more than ever,I am convinced this is PR. They do not resemble to me a newly, happily engaged couple. They look extremely awkward and uncomfortable together.
In other words, they look as awkward together as he does talking about her alone.
Did he stop for fans?
So apparently he doesn’t have a problem talking about the engagement but if it comes to wedding planned he just shakes his head..
Well.. I am sure the huntress is amused about that..
True that…poor girl, I kinda feel bad for her idek why
To be fair, they haven’t given him the script yet regarding the wedding planning.
Please. He’s still trying to get the engagement speech right.
@**sighs** ROTFL
It’s like he might need Mad Libs for those (name of woman I love…..)
@sighs LMAO
Trying to protect his delicate flower from being assaulted with questions……..
I can’t even with this. Nope. So full of absolute no. I see no chemistry at all what so ever, dying at the “brother/sister” comment @Gracada
It’s a Christmas card photo 🙂
@Gracada
I even showed the picture to my grandmother and she agreed with us! She said “Are they siblings?” mind you, she knows nothing of Ben other than my ranting. She also said “She looked like she’s being paid to be there,” elders say what’s on their minds alright!
He does look like he is going to cry in the GMA interview. I think he is cracking. I hope he does not read this site.
Whether it is a sham engagement or not, he is not handling all this well. He can’t seem to decide if he likes to be a heartthrob or not. One minute he uses it for publicity, the next minute he wants to get rid of all the cumberbabes..
I hope to God that I do not log on one day and read bad news about him. It seems everyone wants a piece of him. Some want the marriage to be a sham. Whether it is or not, I just want him to be in one piece at the end of all this. No one deserves this level of crap.
He seemed like such a nice, goofy guy until about a month ago. I hope he gets his mojo back.
I actually hope he (or someone near him) reads it. He needs a bitch slap out of whatever ‘s been going on ASAP.
I think we can now stop speculating what the wedding dress’d look like. We’ve seen it.
BWAHAHAHA! A thousand points to Ravenclaw!
It needs the antlers
Could someone please link the photo?? I can’t find it. 🙁
I had to google it: NY Premier of The Imitation Game photos.
http://sophiehuntergossipblog.tumblr.com/post/102917050035/pardon-i-just-found-this-on-twitter-such
Wait, wait, wait…we’re glossing over the most important thing in that link. She has an entire gossip blog dedicated to her? 0_0
No, it’s kinda like EB, but funnier
*whew* I was about to start my heavy drinking early, lol.
ETA: Omg I am laughing so hard at this…
I”m howling with laughter at the blog……
OhHey: it’s hilarious:)
That gossip blog… pretty funny.
So yeah just went back and checked it out–someone’s posted a sneaky pic of SH and BC talking with Karon (!!!), KK and some others at the after party. SH looks like she’d rather be getting a pelvic exam from Edward Scissorhands. At least IMO.
MissMary, I just spit water all over my iPad. And woke up my poor old dog from laughing so hard.
@gg – Notice the blatant sarcasm in the photo caption in your link:
“Such unmistakable sexual chemistry.” These two can’t fool anyone.
https://twitter.com/RealCumberbum/status/534512133678333952
They both look like they are just so THRILLED to be photographed together. *throws up in mouth*
And her dress… hideous.
No comment on her dress.
http://cumberbum.tumblr.com/
When he stands next to Keira he’s leaning his head slightly in her direction. His feet are pointed in toward her. Signs of likeability and in some cases attraction.
With Sophie, his feet are turned away. He’s even standing ahead of her slightly which seems awkward for posing together. That’s not the body language of someone who’s in love with his partner. She doesn’t look pleased to be there either.
I still think he’s gay and it has nothing to do with the current movie, but what he’s said over the course of his career. He’s lovely. It doesn’t matter who he wants in his private time.
And, no. I’m not one of those slash gay fanfiction supporters. It just seems like he’s been open about who he is, and people simply aren’t paying attention.
Watching him crack is heartbreaking.
Nope. Definitely not gay.
I don’t think he’s gay either
Not gay. Naive and desperate maybe, but not gay.
How can anyone with their marbles straight say someone who was in a decade long relationship before they were famous is gay?
Also this Claire is not the same as me, your first and dedicated Claire 🙂
Don’t think he’s gay either. Every interview he gave prior to this engagement made me think he was a good looking single straight guy enjoying his freedom. If ya know what I mean ! I will say he looks better today, but before today I thought he looked like somebody about to loose his freedom. I sort of think he might have a lady friend who doesn’t meet the requirements of a Weinstein PR tour or who just doesn’t want to do it so HW set him up with SH.
Just go to Londonphile (there’s a lot of pictures : look for the one entitled MARRY FUNERAL).
Still need a link please.
http://londonphile.tumblr.com/
it’s not that hard people. copy and paste the word into a web browser.
Thanks M.F.A.!
You can see daylight between the pair of them in that photo on the blog. My god. THIS is supposed to be a couple in love?
He looks fairly happy, but she looks like “don’t touch me.”
Yeah, Tsmiv. She kind of looks like Princess Diana 6 years into the marriage.
Is that what’s passing for happy now with him?
@ Green Eyes – LOL!!
so are there pics or video of them finally looking at each other? i’m only seeing one pic being recycled everywhere. and they look like they’re being forced at gunpoint (which may be the case lol).
@blended – LOL! HW is holding the gun.
Just you wait, we’ll get the “but they hate being so public about it and she hates the spotlight and that is why she looks so uncomfortable “, lol.
Please tell me other people are seeing what we are seeing?
And the Weinstein people tweeted about it? Tells you all you need to know right there.
Oh it’s already on the Big Name Fan’s blogs/twitters/tumblrs, how it’s so obvious they want to just be private and it’s hurting them *eye roll*
the fact the pic was a Weinstein tweet first and foremost? Yeah, that’s the last dot to be connected, lol.
Gosh, MissMary…really? Fandom polices never change.
The twitter feeds are the worst. “OMG THEY ARE SO GORGEOUS! LOOK HOW HAPPY! *SOBS* PERFECTION! OMG HATERS CAN STFU NOW SEE THEY’RE IN LUV!”
Not even kidding.
I thought you were kidding about that.
The fact that Bnf have to explain the couple’s behavior tells me all I need to know
who’s bnf?
@moodgirl: LOL, did you see it for yourself? Not all the tweets are to that level but lordy…
@CLaire BNF= big name fans. Any fandom has at least a few. Everyone knows who they are, they’re prolific in fan works or in nannying… or both.
Big name fans
“Heart Eyes! Heart Eyes!” Gag me with a spoon. Is that a dentist drill I hear in the distance? RUN!
Where the eff did they see heart eyes? Seriously…it looks like a photo op on a red carpet, nothing more, nothing less.
I couldn’t stand it, I’m unfollowing a lot of people before I vomit from the ‘oh they’re so pretty together!’
Oh SQUEEE! They look so happy [for two people awaiting a root canal]! Most beautiful couple ever [for the fiancee who couldn’t be arsed to make an effort]!
What? He is engaged? I never knew. Isn’t she the girl from Game of Thrones?
No, she is 18 years old.
NGL–I wish, lol. And I think he’d be awesome with Natalie Dormer as well. Then again, I think Natalie Dormer could make anyone awesome.
I agree completely, she’s smart, beautiful, sophisticated, damn damn damn….
Well, that is definitely a sign when he is standing there with his fiancee and you two are trying to ship him with someone else.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B2r0ZfDCUAE43LC.jpg
Even with the pic of them together, I’m still on the PR train. He did ok on Kelly & Michael, but the whole thing is just so weird. I can’t get past her connections to the Weinstein/Chapman social circle, the weird seynorita thing, her weird arrival at LFF, her mother saying “watch this space,” her mother and brother talking to tabloids the next day, it just goes on and on. I really feel bad for the guy. I think he is a genuinely good person, but he’s either caught in a trap he can’t get out of or so Oscar hungry he’s desperate.
I’m waiting for the scoop from those inside or at the after party…what they were like there.
Pictures or it didn’t happen:)
Check out that sophiehuntergossipblog link…someone posted some sneaky pics of the after party. SH looks *so thrilled* to be there.
He seems to be ignoring her in the pics as well…and she looks like she’d much rather be somewhere else.
And she she still managed to look at the camera. Girl has a talent for spotting it.
Do you have a link?
I don’t see why it would be rude for him to not talk about it. He doesn’t owe anyone any information about that.
He looked extremely happy with Olivia and the other ex gf (name escapes me at the moment). He looks dead next to his engaged partner, just lifeless. Suddenly he is engaged to someone he is ecstatic about and he just doesn’t want it to show? If this is true, I don’t get the game he is playing, but I am starting to dislike him. Look happy for god’s sake. It honestly makes me wonder about a PR stunt(and no I am not one of those desperate fans hoping it is) I just don’t get why he’d be happy with two others but look miserable with her. Maybe she/he dislikes the limelight or what people have been saying, if so, this is only the beginning of a very rocky road.
Agreed. He looked happier just being next to Olivia than he looks engaged to SH.
First time poster..Hey everyone 🙂
awkward turtle is all I can say. (My kiddo taught me that you say that when you are in an awkward situation or it gets oddly quiet in a room)
@Becks – LOL!
Welcome Becks! Is this not the craziest shiz you have ever seen? Oh whoops, not supposed to throw around that term so lightly. Awkward turtle, indeed. 😀
Holy crap, just got around to seeing the photos. I feel like I am watching two co-stars and not a future husband and wife. lol.
I have never seen a more disjointed and obvious Oscar campaign before. What the hell. Harvey what is happening with your game? His interviews are all over the place. And his photos are embarrassing. And now this? Come on, you are an actor and you agreed to this game, so at lease show up to it.
His only redeeming grace right now is his ability to schmooze the academy voters because the rest of his game is a mess. His interviews were so good and now they are sloppy.
As pissed as HW *might* get at how he’s interacting (or not interacting) with fans, so long as the academy voters love BC, I think he can skate by with his career in tact in H’wood without HW coming down like the fist of an angry god on him
MissMary – You don’t think the voters will side-eye BC AND HW for this unmitigated disaster? The harder they try the worse they look. She should have stayed home.
I think, so long as BC can charm the voters (and according to some folks at HFA, he really did turn on the charm for “the right people”), he has a chance for a nomination. BUT and this is a big one (ha, I said big but)…a nomination doesn’t mean a win so even if they give him a nomination, sketchy things like this would not make voters kindly disposed towards him. It’s one thing to want the serious!Actorman image but if you’re not getting it, keeping up with the awful PR isn’t going to help. It just makes him look super thirsty and super douchey.
TL;DR: good point. I agree.
Moodgirl: what PR disaster? Look, I’m pissed…but AMPAS won’t give a hoot about Ben pissing off his fans or pulling an awkward showmance. They give Oscars to Polanski and Woody Allen who did a hell of a lot worse. Stuff like this doesn’t even register. 2000 actors who probably know all the tricks in the book won’t care.
Now if Ben does something incredibly stupid and criminal then yeah…
What he’s risking now is fans not going to the cinema and see the movie…and well, he only has himself to blame if this happens.
it’s only the fans who are talking about something being amiss. the People magazine crowd, and pretty much all the blogs, are eating it up, not finding anything unnatural. that’s all that matters to the academy.
i think all he wants is a nom, which is quite prestigious in it’s own right. he knows he’s in a tough category.
Word. But I do wonder, if he gets his nom and IF this is PR and she “goes away” or whatever… what will his fan base look like then?
Box office impacts who wins and who has momentum. Pissing off fans may not matter in a nomination, but it does to win. Maybe the angle is just to be nominated.
I am not buying that he is beating Keaton at the moment.
That’s why I’m lost…HW wants and needs a win. TIG is not strong enough to win BP, Ben is his best shot for a big win, so wth? Granted, it’s a small part of Ben’s fans, but right now all $$ counts.
It is PR.
Madly: there’s a disconnect…he turns on the charm with journalists, sag members, ampas members…but he’s all over the place on red carpets …someone should give him a valium, make him sleep for 12 hours then tell him to get the stick out of his as$
Yep, this campaign is disjointed.
@Madly: Honestly, he agreed to it but I don’t think he was prepared for it. And I admit there’s no way of knowing if something else is going on besides this in his personal life.
Still his problem, yes, but he’s not what I would call media savvy despite his experience. He’s always made novice mistakes, like talking too much in print, and definitely has failed to anticipate things in the past.
@aly: he’s not hitting it with all the journos, either. He’s like the mood swing express.
Also, okay it’s not bad here, but what the hell is with all the sweating?
@Sandi: He has been sweating very noticeably, at least since early Sept (GQ Awards)
@Sandi: He has been sweating very noticeably, at least since early Sept (GQ Awards)
@Sandi: He has been sweating very noticeably, at least since early Sept (GQ Awards)
So here’s what I’m wondering, as I take a mini break from my Hiddles and Malkovitch film fest this evening… How is this going to spin tomorrow? People have already noticed an emerging pattern of new soundbites and “responses” based on internet/fanbase reaction the day or days before so.. what’ll be tomorrow? If he/she/they/PR was smart, and not choking on a campaign IF IF IF that is what’s going on, they’d let this fade fast and still save him some face for the awards season. It’s only going to get worse from here. (Again, that’s MHO. I may be very wrong and I’m not going to cry if I am–it’s no skin off my back but rather a strange little situation to look at from the outside.)
Don’t forget BC is on the Tonight Show at 11:30.
There’s already some pics out online from the ep (hasn’t aired yet but they tape way early)–looks like Fallon is talking about the photobomb of U2 (he’s holding a pic of the incident and BC is looking amused and bored).
Anyone want to guess how much snark and rudeness we will witness on the TS? I will guess boatloads.
rehashed the announcement story and now its all softballs,
Well he’s sticking to the script, once again ‘it’s what I would have done’, no mention of Sodious or anything other than what he did. BC is at least his normal self otherwise, but the enGAGment talk is tedious.
@OhHey: Yeah, I was glad to see “old Ben” make an appearance for Fallon. And he finally seems comfortable with the engagement announcement script.
I was happy to see him laugh, more than he has in a week, I bet, I thought he was going to lose it there. BTW, isn’t it funny that he did this announcement to prevent grainy photos of the ring – that she doesn’t have? No ring, and convenient pockets. What the hell was that all about? More scripting?
@OhHey: With my catty pants on, tinfoil hat firmly in place, and tickets for the conspiracy train in my hand, my guess is that she wasn’t supposed to make her “debut” on the red carpet with him just yet and this was a rush job, so no time to come up with a suitable (loaner) ring for public pics.
I’ll be honest…if he gets comfortable selling the showmance (or twuv wuv, I don’t care), and relaxes, and stops feeding the narrative some journalists are trying to sell, I’ll be a happy fan. I want to enjoy seeing his public appearences and I want to enjoy his interviews.
I’ll still think this is a PR engagement (not a clue about the relationship in itself), but at least I won’t cringe and be worried about the guy.
Having him make dumb comments and mocking his fans can only go so far. They have to have something else up their sleeves. They wanted the attention and hijacked the first awards show with the engagement announcement ( which was the whole point), now what? They rolled her out so soon. I thought they were going to at least try to milk it first. Probably should have done that and coached them better on how to interact on the red carpet. But not to worry, it will all be addressed soon enough.
Of course the bigger question is if I will keep watching. I am getting bored and won’t even watch or read his interviews anymore. I am bored with this showmance.
youre seeing pushing between him and hw tbh
hes not a moron. regardless of his personal fan feelings, hes still got tig box office concerns because of tfe and a block of held back hamlet tickets to sell. plus sherlock. he doesnt want an angry fanbase and he has his own team to telling whispering why in his ear.
They have to have something else up their sleeves
Any theory what it could be? Also, does anyone know how long Ben will stay in the US?
Fallon brought out the “Old Ben” it was great to watch, giggling over the word Booty. Was great to watch. I laughed myself watching the two of them, yayyyy for Jimmy!
http://sophiehuntergossipblog.tumblr.com/post/102926567000/anon-submission-yeah-no-proof-he-can-act-and#notes
In this one you can see how similar their features are. Also, to be honest, they don’t look unhappy to me. He may very well have something going on and I agree with those who say that it looks like they’re longtime friends marrying out of convenience but a lot of people have done that. If it doesn’t work, fine, maybe they’ll get a divorce or just not get married but I’m not reading anger or misery from these photos.
And I say this as someone who was just laughing hysterically at Sodious’ career with my co-worker (one would say “her career?” And the other would say “where it at doe?” And so on about her ring, appearances and talent. We know we’re bitchy).
Ps. While I think the relationship might be genuine I’m wondering if they’ll last. I can sort of see it and I can also totally believe it going tits up. I wish I could see into the future…
Well, tbh, if they’re going to stand on a red carpet in front of many cameras, they’re not going to be doing grump faces are they? There’s not going to be ‘anger or misery’.
And I don’t get the ‘they look alike’ thing. They really don’t.
Anyway, it kind of shoots any theory about her not wanting to photographed or on red carpets or in the media. She could’ve been there without the (predictable) photo opp.
@Wait I´m typing: I agree.
Has anybody seen this picture yet?
http://instagram.com/p/vhmVwJr_j4/
This pose looks so awkward and strained.
I’m watching him on Jimmy Fallon right now, let’s see how this goes!
*wince*
Sidebar: I just realized who she reminds me of: Mimi Rogers. She looks like a younger Mimi Rogers
He looks like a mannequin…
@MissMary
I agree with you! Looks quite painful, goodness. My neck would hurt xD
Already, they opened with the engagement and Ben tried to already change the subject, but Jimmy went right back around and brought it back up again. And he’s giving the SAME answer he’s been, “Something I would’ve done if I wasn’t famous,” and that was it. Now talking about the movie and he’s brightened up.
I’m glad Jimmy’s been making him laugh a bit more than we’ve seen though, that’s what I’m enjoying watching. He’s been giggling with Jimmy and I love it.
@Sandi – He looks, I don’t know the word, confused? Shocked? Uncomfortable? Compare this to any photo of him and Olivia Poulet. It’s two different worlds. Here he can barely crack a smile or show any type of affection.
@Moodgirl: Even look up some pics of him with Anna James (Venice FIlm Fest, the Grey Goose Winter shindig, pap pics) he’s a lot less stuff and startled-looking.
That dress. I know I am not supposed to criticise someone’s dress, plus she’s arty and all, but that dress… Surely *we* can do better than that!
MissMary! OLLA!
@MissWolfe – He looks so uncomfortable, like he is shocked. It is unexplainable. Compare this to any photo he has taken with Olivia in the past. He had chemistry with Olivia. These two have nothing.
@moodgirl
Oh I know. My neck hurt just looking at it, just incredibly awkward and as you said uncomfortable. I’ve said before I’ve shown more love and affection to the food that I eat. I’m no body language expert, but I’m an illustration major, and I’ve had to draw all KINDS of poses, I think my pencil tip would break if I tried to draw this. Just ouch, and a bit of ewe.
I’ve been driven away from IG, Twitter, etc because I want to slap the people that are like “OMG HE’S SO HAPPY, LOOKIT THEM. THEY’LL MAKE GORGEOUS BABIES,”. Preferably with newspapers. Something, I just cannot fathom how people don’t see what we are, from someone that’s only been a fan of him for maybe 2-3 years, I saw the difference RIGHT AWAY. Plus, I was agitated because he decided to announce it two days after my birthday 😐 *le huff*
@MissWolfe, I know, the comments on IG and Twitter (omg their kids are gonna be highelves because cheekbones! or omg their kids are gonna be sooo gorg!) make me wanna gag. Then you have the nannies (or whatever they are) who make snarky comments towards reporters who ask the ‘wrong’ questions (the wedding one for example).
@MissWolfe:
Notice that his hand around her waist never moves. They only know one pose on the carpet, other than her leaning in, throwing him off and scaring the hell out of him? They are standing there like zombies which is so odd for him. He is usually very relaxed with both women and men. They didn’t rehearse enough and it comes off as unnatural. He looks lost.
I’m no expert, but I’ve done some reading on body language. I found this to be quite interesting:
“How do you know one of the two is lying? Avoiding eye contact, frequent swallowing, sweating and scratching in front of ear and head are some of the nonverbal signs that one is trying to hide something. Alternatively, a poker straight face with zero expressions and minimum speech also shows deceit. If he/she is trying to hide something, they might also shower you with praises.”
Look at the full body shots of SH and BC – their feet are positioned away from each other. I cant see affection between the pair of them. To me, the most telling thing is the way that BC stands next to Keira – feet pointed towards her, hand near to the small of her back (protective, caring) and light in his eyes.
Their pose on the red carpet seems very forced, as if they’re trying to convince themselves that this is what they want. Like moodgirl says it seems very unnatural and lost.
Compared to images of him and Anna/Olivia, there are glaring differences. There’s space between SH and BC, no ‘enfolding’ gesture. With Anna/Olivia, his gestures were more intimate and you can see real affection between them. It’s odd that someone like BC, who is normally ultra affectionate and sparkly shows very little of this with SH.
McAvoy – a private man – at the red carpet with his wife yesterday. The way he look at her.
http://www.justjared.com/photo-gallery/3243896/james-mcavoy-scottish-baftas-02/
adorable.. I alwys lvd anne marie. u c thr is no distance between thm.hugging ti8. but in between Ben and octopussy i could fit myself in with friends.
Footage of them leaving the premiere. If they are in love and engaged….why is she sitting in the front passenger seat while he gets in the backseat. They SHOULD be sitting together and Karon in the front (makes sense if you are in love and newly engaged) but not them.
http://sue-78.tumblr.com/post/102939893437/benedict-cumberbatch-keira-knightley-movie
I also felt the hand holding was a bit…forced, like they’re getting into position but I could be reaching. I truly see no genuine affection here, not talking about grand romantic gestures, they could be a very low key couple but even tenderness or caring, nada.
I thought #jawseyes would take a break if she was there but, nope. Still swimming about looking for someone on a lilo to eat.
Reminds me of the Charlotte Asprey pics where they were holding hands—“here let me guide you this way”. IDK Maybe it’s how they get down but.. 0_o
You aren’t crazy. That’s some awkward hand holding.
Turns out there is a ring, possibly?
http://33.media.tumblr.com/1b1f744599e3423574e0e2f3023aa142/tumblr_nf81ujkyya1u1m810o1_1280.jpg
The Daily Fail zoomed in on the ring..
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2838833/Check-ring-Benedict-Cumberbatch-fianc-e-Sophie-Hunter-make-official-red-carpet-debut-NYC-following-surprise-engagement.html
Things are getting weirder and weirder.. (In the video. They are holding hands on the way out. He stops switches hands. Then they let go. She goes for the front passenger seat and he goes for the back seat. Doesn’t open the door for her or anything…. Why didn’t she sit in the back with him?)
http://sue-78.tumblr.com/post/102939893437/benedict-cumberbatch-keira-knightley-movie
Commented in wrong spot! Sorry!
Why are they being so fucking WEIRD about it? People want to see the ring? So put your hand on his arm and act like you love each other and show it off. Angelina, please give lessons…
I can explain the video: “There are paps out there. Hold hands, ffs! People are wondering! *karon scrolls through gossip sites and fan threads*”.
we talk about the disconnect between all the weirdness we see and how the media is hyping and distorting the facts. i’m wondering if they’re keeping up appearances just enough so the mainstream media that fawns over celebs for copy will never call them out on it, but not so much people like us couldn’t see it for what it is. in which case, carry on you two dbags, and see you, old Ben, hopefully without the talentless personality-less handbag hanging off your arm, on the flip side of the HW.
It makes sense his people are coming here and then changing his game based on it. if what i say above is accurate, we’re kind of like a testing group, seeing the cracks in the wall, and they immediately patch it up. we’re the hackers and his PR people are the service pack.
it’s kinda of pointless from this point to point out all the WTF, it’ll continue in an endless loop and frankly, i don’t want to tax BC’s mental health more than it already is.
Sandi, would love to hear your thoughts. (as always)
Turns out there is a ring, apparently.
http://33.media.tumblr.com/1b1f744599e3423574e0e2f3023aa142/tumblr_nf81ujkyya1u1m810o1_1280.jpg
IDK why you cant see it in the pic of her from the back, but this looks like a ring of some kind.
There is.. The Daily Fail spotted it..
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2838833/Check-ring-Benedict-Cumberbatch-fianc-e-Sophie-Hunter-make-official-red-carpet-debut-NYC-following-surprise-engagement.html
Better photo
http://sophiehuntergossipblog.tumblr.com/post/102957642530/better-view-of-the-ring-its-way-to-big-so-not
It’s pretty enough, why all the secrecy??
You’re right, I see it. It must be a very plain, simple ring.
She looks sad in that photo.
Edit: There’s a pap video of Keira, Ben and Sophie leaving the hotel (or something). Ben and Sophie are holding hands! For a whole 2 seconds. And even I must admit, there’s about 5 feet space between them.
Sophie still looks sad/pissed off and manages a weak smile.
Saw that vid. Also saw that they didn’t sit together in the back – she was in the front passenger, he sat behind her. Odd? One would think that they would sit together?
Alright I can’t believe I am even saying that, considering that I don’t like her particularly …
But what if the whole thing is actually not .. Her “fault”?
Like.. Two old friends.. She’s in love with him and they have a sort of casual fling situation. When HW pressures him to make it more serious he thinks ‘well might as well… Since there’s no one better out there at the moment..” So BC settles for her.
And she knows it. So we have an unhappily in love SH, BC who can probably guess/feel that but who isn’t in love with her… And feels bad for her because of it.
So he’s unhappy to make a friend (however close they were) unhappy, she’s miserable because people congratulate her on an engagement to the man she loves that she knows is not really because ben loves her but because of it being convenient and that will be over as soon as spring comes and award season is over.
Shitty situation. Would explain her constantly looking like she’s completely out of sorts and unhappy.
Saw that. Did anyone else find it odd that they didn’t sit together in the car? She sat in the front passenger side, he sat behind her. Even if Karon travelled with them (couldn’t tell from the vid), surely she (Karon) could have sat in the front?
Or maybe Karon was giving him some last minute tips on how to act on the red carpet with SH. ‘For gods sake at least touch her!’
I wouldn’t say she ‘looks out of sorts’, I don’t know anything about her to know what ‘out of sorts’ is for her. Can’t say I care either. I’m already sick of the sound of her name.
But whatever’s going on, I imagine everyone’s au fait with it.
That video certainly looked…friendly?
Yes, there’s one here, but I really can’t see anything in that pic from back.
Although that pic is not of HQ, but you could see her left hand, especially the ring finger, I can’t see anything. Even if the ring is simple, not big, you could still see something, lights or shades at least.
HAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHHAHA
Oh dear
Indeed.
ring found
http://33.media.tumblr.com/1b1f744599e3423574e0e2f3023aa142/tumblr_nf81ujkyya1u1m810o1_1280.jpg
Ready to see the ring? All zoomed and grainy and fit for instagram?
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B2tV61SCcAAKvQi.jpg
Pretty sure that ring wasn’t on in Ellie halls photo.
Did the ring show up before or after she put her hand in her pocket on the red carpet? I’m wondering if it’s possible she put her hand in to put the ring on, only for when she’s in public.
This is better than an episode of Sherlock.
New conspiracy theory: Christmas special delayed due to benedict’s short hair so instead they’re giving us this to solve. Welcome to season 4, everyone. Who wants to be my john Watson?
@Aiofe: It doesn’t seem to be in Ellie Hall’s photo. Might be a trick of the light but there’s no sparkle or metal looking bits on her left hand that I can see. YMMV.
did the assistance make a quick trip to Tiffany’s ?
although, I will be fair, it looks rather nice from that angle 🙂
One Ring to rule them all, One ring to find them; One ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them.
Never has this made more sense to me
Hmmm Wonder if she had to scramble to find it, lol, or Karon shoved it at her “Put it on! There’s cameras!” Bc it’s definitely not on her hand in the pic where she’s going in the side door (and didn’t he mention just the other day he hadn’t gotten a ring yet?)
Oh, the irony. That grainy picture of the ring he so tried to avoid with his newspaper announcement is THE ONLY ONE THERE IS. WTF, Ben. Really. Get your shit together and get out of this hellish situation while you’re still coherent.
It’s like Karma looked down at Ben, smirked and said, “challenge accepted!”
On an unrelated note: Ben is getting the US cover of TIME this week
They have an excellent long-term prognosis. They look like siblings, and many couples with solid relationships look alike. It seems to be a kind of narcissm, the wish to marry the only important person they know – one self.
so you’re saying two narcissists have a great long term prognosis? lmgdao
we really need to cut this pop-psych nonsense
They really don’t look alike.
“Charles Manson: Imprisoned mass murderer gets license to marry 26-year-old frequent visitor”
OVARIES DEAD EVERYWHERE
lol @Claire
Bet she looks happier than either of them on the red carpet last night
ok the joke i was going to make is a bit esoteric
I think everyone who thinks this is staged or that there’s some obvious PR disaster going on is nuts and needs to back away from the internet. Why would BC stage an engagement? Especially with someone not at all famous? It’s ludicrous–this isn’t the 1950s when studios arranged dates for starlets, and even then they didn’t manufacture engagements. Come on now. We know basically nothing about their relationship, and even if you think they look awkward and there’s something going on, “staged relationship” is not a reasonable possibility.