... as a reporter, you probably shouldn't use a word like "obfuscate" with an actor who knows what it means ...

And maybe the reporter shouldn't have expected to get an answer to each and every one of his questions. Just because he's from the press doesn't mean that an interview goes exactly in the direction he wants it to. Benedict (and every other person that gets interviewed for that matter) is not his marionette, he has a brain and he knows how to use it - as we've seen just lately. He has an opinion and he doesn't hesitate to state it. And if that means that he doesn't want to talk about his private life or that some (stupid) questions piss him off, that's totally fine with me. I'm pretty sure that not every question asked in an interview really deserves an answer... reporters can ask rather stupid questions, if you ask me...

SusiGo wrote:

And I think it is wrong to say - though many people do - that once you are famous and privileged you just have to accept the loss of all privacy.

Perfect example that you do not have to accept the loss of all privacy once you are famous: Kevin Spacey. It's really amazing, I'm a huge fan and I know almost nothing about his private life - just because from very early on in his career he simply refused to talk about it. And yes, there are rumours from time to time, but he just doesn't comment on them. The consequence is that you see almost nothing about him in the press, from red carpets and stuff, but in my opinion he's doing the right thing. He let's his work speak for itself, and of course he's doing promotional interviews, but that's about it.
The media (and also a lot of fans) seems to think that cooperating with the media on the media's terms is part of the job of celebrities. I disagree.
 

An actor is a public person, of course, but has the choice how far he exposes himself.
Some do it, even use their children to attract more attention and provoke it with outfit or behaviour.

It's the same with the internet, a forum, facebook or twitter. If you use it, you expose yourself and you get in danger of being abused. You have to ask yourself if you are prepared to live with the dark side of the coin.
If you take the bright side you must also take the risk to see the other. It is the risk of life.


 

That's the thing. They get analysed and categorised as prickly or complicated like in Benedict's case. Apart from all this I think it is quite an honest interview, that's what I like about it. No sugarcoating here. 

*passes Mattlocked a cough drop*

I hope Ben can keep a balance with the press.  Lord knows he's been charming and open in nearly every interview I've ever seen him in.  But as has been said before I do not believe he owes me every detail of his private life just because I'm a fan of his work.

Not really a bullying session as such but nothing new revealed really, except that Benedict does to suffer fools gladly and that he is a real gentleman. I disagree that he may have to sacrifivpce his privacy in order to become a big star. Firstly, that assumes that he does, in fact, WANT to become a big star...there was me thinking that he was an actor because he loves his craft!  secondly, it takes as a given that ALL big stars have sacrificed their privacy...this is nonsense!

Harrow is a Public school NOT NOT NOT a private school! They are NOT NOT NOT the same thing! And did the journalist HAVE to mention it twice?

Love the passion for skydiving and riding motorbikes at maniac speeds...this is garnered by the skydiving photos last year and the fact that he sometimes wears biker gear because he rides a motorbike around London!

I think the interview may have been made at a time when he was quite fed up with the media. Must have been about the time when there was the horrible Daily Mail article and the Facebook publication of the marriage photos. During one of the Toronto interviews he hinted at the fact that the person had posted them without asking. We all know that the Internet can be used for many positive things but also to spread rumour and gossip. Think of the twittering neighbour of his. 
His attitude may seem a bit harsh but maybe it was just getting a bit too much for him. In his thank you address after his birthday he politely told people to care for those next to them and try to make those happy that are really in need of support.  
Finally I think maybe he regards himself still as an actor and not as a star evoking such strong reactions in teenage girls flattering as they may be. 

Last edited by SusiGo (September 12, 2013 4:53 pm)

Davina wrote:

Harrow is a Public school NOT NOT NOT a private school! They are NOT NOT NOT the same thing!

That's becaus ein many countries they use opposite terms!

In Australia public schools are open to everyone and private schools for those with $$.. I understand it is the reverse meaning in the UK?

tonnaree wrote:

So, are we all agreed that  Stephen Galloway can kiss our collective behinds?

God, no.