I was very disappointed by the interview, it felt so... four years ago, with cumberb...s., impressions and ah... baby's name (ok, this was not 4 years ago, just lame). When he was talking about TIG you could tell from Ellen's impatient face that she wants get rid of it to go to "funny" stuff.

Yes, his five sentences about TIG felt almost tragic to me, because you could really feel that he wanted to at least talk a little bit about it - but yes, you could also see that that's not what Ellen had in mind and what this show is about. I'm not against funny, not at all, but it would be nice if people at least came up with something new. And yes, okay, the Cumberbitches might still be new to a large part of the American audience, but still... it's so cringeworthy.
And I would think that for Benedict shows like these must feel like a complete waste of time, even if they might make a couple of viewers go and see the movie in the end.
 

But these kind of shows ... they are always the same. Only made to get as many laughter as possible. To talk seriously  about a topic you certainly need other shows. And I don't know if there are any on American TV with a really big audience.

Vhanja wrote:

I just figured that TIG has been out for so long now that he wasn't there mainly for promoting the movie, just for fun, really.

TIG is nominated for the Oscars or at that time the nominations were rumoured. Not the right time for NOT talking about it.
 

It definitely is work. Well, it's okay if he has a laugh in this shows now and then and I also think that's genuine ... a lot of times. But this shows also mean a lot of stress for him.

Right, as you said it's a must for him, not really fun.

The thing is, there were quite a few moments in which he didn't appear all that light-hearted to me, but rather a bit umcomfortable. 
But in the end none of us knows what goes on in his head and in his heart. It's just that I'm not even sure he does have a real choice when it comes to such tv shows. I doubt it's all that easy for him to say 'No' to them, even if he'd like to.
 

Last edited by SolarSystem (January 16, 2015 9:33 am)

Saying "No" to Ellen would not be a good move at all, I think. Publicity in the US while having an Oscar nomination is gold, and he knows it. Ellen is vastly popular, and he knows that too.

I agree he looked a bit uncomfortable. I guess it's one of those things he has to endure with his job, I guess. All jobs have their downsides, stuff you would rather not do but that you just get on with because you know it's part of the job. And this is it for him, I imagine.

SusiGo wrote:

The worst moments are when he is shoved in for about three minutes and interviewed by someone who hardly knows his name. 

Any three minutes appearance filled with the Cumberb*tches topic is absolutely needless.

It's all about widening the demographic for the film as much as possible.  With only few rare exceptions most people connected with creative endevours like films, TV programmes, books, plays, etc. are contractually obligated to do PR for the company that puts up the money to make it.  I think it is quite evident that BC cares a lot about this film and wants it to do well and get Turing's story out to a wider audience.  So he does as much publicity as his busy schedule will allow.

About it being repetative... that is the nature of the beast.  It is only very pale in comparison but my hubby has gone on a number of publicity junkets for his books (TV, radio, newspaper, magazine interviews) and it was grinding and it wears you down, but if you care about your work, you do it regardless.  It isn't easy flying all over the place and living away from familiar surroundings. 

And he repeated the same info many times over because for each interview it is the first time they are asking you that question, so you do tend to stick with familiar phrases and topics to get your point across when you are tired and just really want to go home but still feel passionate about your work. 

Some interviews are surprisingly pleasant and refreshing, others are downright embarrassing (one fellow hadn't read anything more than the dustjacket and asked completely inane questions) and yes, Dan was more comfortable talking with some interviewers than others (you can always tell when you see the videos). 

That happens but it isn't really a big deal.  It's part of the process. 

I thought the Ellen show went well enough.  He did look a bit nervous and a tad uncomfortable at times but nothing overtly so.  It wasn't the best interview he has had and it was "fluffy" for the majority of it but it was the first time he has been on her show so it really isn't comparable to something like the Graham Norton show, is it? 

If I had my druthers I would prefer BC to be on something like The Tavis Smiley Show on PBS.  He's a great interviewer, serious and yet relaxing for him guests and he just does interviews (no comedy sketches or stand up routines).  He usually has only two guests (and sometimes just a single guest) and they come out separately for their own segment for a one-on-one interview and that's it.  But it is aired very late and so it doesn't get as huge as audience as something like one of the talk shows (Ellen or one of the late night comedian show - sorry I don't watch them so I don't know their names... Jimmie something). 

Still I do hope someday BC will be on the Tavis Smiley show.  It would be great.

-Val