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You are here: Home / Open Threads / Saturday Afternoon Open Thread: Cumberbunny

Saturday Afternoon Open Thread: Cumberbunny

by Anne Laurie|  June 14, 20144:08 pm| 148 Comments

This post is in: Open Threads, Popular Culture

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He’s the Energizer Bunny, per Sophie Gilbert in the Atlantic:

… [P]erhaps 37-year-old Cumberbatch is the physical manifestation of a paradigm shift in a culture that seeks out slender, sensitive Edward Cullen over sweaty Magic Mike and prefers Sherlock Holmes to Superman. Perhaps this is why Cumberbatch is everywhere. This week, he’s in the news because he’s voicing a “super-duper smooth wolf” in DreamWorks’ upcoming Penguins of Madagascar. He’s also playing Hamlet at the London Barbican. He’s playing Richard III, possibly opposite Judi Dench. He’s reading radio news scripts from D-Day on BBC Radio Four (in what seems to be a craven but successful attempt to get millennials interested in history) He’s photo-bombing U2 at the Oscars. He’s reading letters written by Kurt Vonnegut and Iggy Pop at the literary Hay Festival. He’s one of Time’s 100 Most Influential People in the World. He’s officiating at same-sex weddings. He’s crowd-funding short films made by a production company he set up, SunnyMarch Ltd. He’s starring as Alan Turing in The Imitation Game. He’s replacing Brad Pitt in The Lost City of Z. He’s replacing Guy Pearce as Whitey Bulger’s brother in Black Mass. He’s on BuzzFeed surrounded by photoshopped pictures of kittens. And, yes, he’s also doing a fourth season of Sherlock, the cult British series that made detached sociopaths dreamy and Cumberbatch a household name.

It’s not beyond the realm of possibility to conclude that 37-year-old Cumberbatch is the biggest star in the world right now, riding an improbably perfect storm of talent, timing, sensitivity, virality, and our postmodern rejection of conformist standards of beauty—at least insofar as they relate to men…

***********
Apart from getting fatigued just reading all that — and, of course, the World Cup — what’s on the agenda for the evening?

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Reader Interactions

148Comments

  1. 1.

    raven

    June 14, 2014 at 4:10 pm

    I agreed to go to a local production of Steel Magnolia’s thinking England-Italy was last night. BOOOOO.

  2. 2.

    schrodinger's cat

    June 14, 2014 at 4:21 pm

    Cumberbatch fan in the house! What I like about him is how versatile he is, plus the voice! He is not a conventionally handsome himbo but his looks do grow on you.

    For fellow fans: What’s your hair doing Benedict.

  3. 3.

    c u n d gulag

    June 14, 2014 at 4:22 pm

    “It’s not beyond the realm of possibility to conclude that 37-year-old Cumberbatch is the biggest star in the world right now…”

    Not until he marries Brad Pitt – or, what’s her name with the lips. and adopted kids…..

  4. 4.

    JPL

    June 14, 2014 at 4:25 pm

    Cumberbatch could not explain his recent good fortune, except to say that a lot of fans love a sociopath. (sherlock)
    He certainly doesn’t need to continue the Sherlock series and good for him, that he is going to do a series.

  5. 5.

    MomSense

    June 14, 2014 at 4:27 pm

    @schrodinger’s cat:

    I’ve been a Cumberbitch for years now. I remember him in Miss Marple, The Last Enemy, etc. Intelligence is always sexy–and yes that voice!

  6. 6.

    scav

    June 14, 2014 at 4:27 pm

    Just to prove he’s not doing all the jobs, Hiddleston’s reportedly got the Hank Williams Sr biopic. Have they announced the date for Cabin Pressure Z yet to add to the scrum? (been recorded though)

  7. 7.

    schrodinger's cat

    June 14, 2014 at 4:28 pm

    @c u n d gulag: They are both yesterday’s news. In one word, boring.

  8. 8.

    Amir Khalid

    June 14, 2014 at 4:28 pm

    Who is this Cummerbund Bandersnatch you speak of?

    Seriously, I don’t know why anyone gives a damn about TIME’s Annual List of 100 Famous People They Picked At Random. No one should, until TIME actually explains how it picks them: how is this movie actor they picked more influential than that scientist or prime minister or bankster whom they didn’t pick?

  9. 9.

    Alex S.

    June 14, 2014 at 4:29 pm

    @c u n d gulag:

    Indeed. Let’s wait until Cumberbatch can lead a movie to a $70 million opening just by his name alone – then we can talk.

  10. 10.

    schrodinger's cat

    June 14, 2014 at 4:29 pm

    @MomSense: I have seen the Ms Marple but not the Last Enemy.
    Did you see Parade’s End? Plus he was wonderful as the Creature in Frankenstein.

  11. 11.

    Omnes Omnibus (the first of his name)

    June 14, 2014 at 4:34 pm

    @schrodinger’s cat: He was miscast as Peter Guillam in Tinker, Tailor, but then, I think they got the whole Guillam character wrong in that movie.

  12. 12.

    MomSense

    June 14, 2014 at 4:36 pm

    @schrodinger’s cat:

    I haven’t seen Parade’s End. On my list. He was also in Amazing Grace and Atonement. Part of the fun of watching UK movies/BBC programs is finding all the actors that are in every other BBC program.

    The plumber on Doc Martin is Churchill on Doctor Who, a Judge in Harry Potter, etc. It’s always fun to see how they turn up next.

  13. 13.

    Cassidy

    June 14, 2014 at 4:36 pm

    @schrodinger’s cat: I prefer my Frankenstein with Aaron Eckhart.

  14. 14.

    MomSense

    June 14, 2014 at 4:39 pm

    @schrodinger’s cat:

    There was an article recently talking about how few good movies Jolie has been in. I’ve never been a Pitt fan. And they should never ever let him try accents. He ruined 7 years in Tibet.

  15. 15.

    Mr. Twister

    June 14, 2014 at 4:40 pm

    Looks like the IRS has lost some of Lois Lerner’s emails. Get ready for the next salvo in the IRS “scandal”.

  16. 16.

    schrodinger's cat

    June 14, 2014 at 4:43 pm

    @Omnes Omnibus (the first of his name): You were right about Tinker Tailor the Alec Guinness version is better. Tinker Tailor was my first exposure to Cumberbatch, I thought he stood out in that ensemble cast. If you ask me Colin Firth was miscast as Bill Hayden.

    ETA: I am not a fan of Tom Hardy either, the man cannot act.

  17. 17.

    Higgs Boson's Mate

    June 14, 2014 at 4:44 pm

    @Mr. Twister:

    Can’t they just phone the NSA for copies?

  18. 18.

    schrodinger's cat

    June 14, 2014 at 4:45 pm

    @MomSense: Me neither, to me he was just another blond pretty boy. Jolie was good in Girl Interrupted, but I can’t think of a single movie of hers other than that one.

  19. 19.

    geg6

    June 14, 2014 at 4:46 pm

    Ugh. The guy looks like a lizard. I can’t watch him. I find him repellant.

    Soon off for my nostalgic Backstreet Boys concert with my niece. She was 9 when I took her to see them for her first concert and now she’s 21 and we’ll have more fun this time around, I think.

  20. 20.

    Mr. Twister

    June 14, 2014 at 4:50 pm

    @Higgs Boson’s Mate: Ha, lots of comments to that effect over at HuffPo. Apparently her laptop went casters up in 2011 and the emails couldn’t be found. Not on backup apparently either.

  21. 21.

    Iowa Old Lady

    June 14, 2014 at 4:50 pm

    You know there’s lots of other actors thinking “Him? He gets all those roles? He’s the only one? How about spreading it around?”

  22. 22.

    schrodinger's cat

    June 14, 2014 at 4:51 pm

    He is in your base, killing your dudes
    Plus the only thing more popular on the intertoobz than the Batch, Caturday Kitteh!

  23. 23.

    dance around in your bones

    June 14, 2014 at 4:52 pm

    @schrodinger’s cat: I love the tousled English schoolboy look of his longer hair.

    I dunno – perhaps because I loved a few tousled English schoolboy looking guys back in the day.

    Also, Goodfellas is on again (A&E).

  24. 24.

    MomSense

    June 14, 2014 at 4:53 pm

    @geg6:

    I remember the brief phase my boys went through with BSB. They only liked the fast songs so I would have to hit the skip button to get past the slow songs. I would drive them wherever we were going and see them bob their little heads to the beat. Have fun tonight!

  25. 25.

    schrodinger's cat

    June 14, 2014 at 4:55 pm

    @dance around in your bones: Me too, especially when the locks are ginger!

  26. 26.

    MomSense

    June 14, 2014 at 4:55 pm

    @Mr. Twister:

    I’m so sick of this whole nontroversy. If anything all those 501 C4s got off easy. The IRS interpretation was much too lenient.

  27. 27.

    Higgs Boson's Mate

    June 14, 2014 at 4:56 pm

    According to the intertrons, after finishing school Cumberbatch taught English in a Tibetan monastery in Darjeeling, India, for a year. Though I fell out on “Sherlock” because of the plethora of how-long-can-you-speak-without-taking-a-breath speeches I’ll watch anything with him in it because the man can act.

  28. 28.

    Amir Khalid

    June 14, 2014 at 4:57 pm

    @schrodinger’s cat:
    She’s pretty good as the title character in Maleficent. There’s also the Lara Croft movies, Salt, A Mighty Heart where she played Daniel Pearl’s widow, the Kung Fu Panda franchise where she’s the Tigress etc…

  29. 29.

    J R in WV

    June 14, 2014 at 4:58 pm

    Who is this Cumberbund person? Climberbatch? Clawingupbitch? Whose it?

    Yesterday never heard of the name, let alone the person(s) involved. Sounds like an interesting person if you’re into that sort of thing. I’m not so much, tho I enjoy when I take the wife to a show.

    I hear Jim Webb (Former Marine combat, Secretary of the Navy, Senator from VA) is considering running as a Dem for President. He’s 69 and doesn’t look a day over 39! I’m only 63 and put away wet compared to him…

    Seems it would be hard to call him soft on defense even if you were a lying Republican, but I repeat myself!

    At least not a member of one of the royal families, a hill country fellow from mountains of SW Virginia. I like hillbillies, as I am one mostly.

  30. 30.

    gogol's wife

    June 14, 2014 at 5:01 pm

    @MomSense:

    I drive my husband crazy with this. “Oh, she’s the one who was the wife of the oil company owner on Foyle.” “Oh, when he was young he was the murderer in the brewery episode of Morse.”

    I love Cumberbatch, especially as Sherlock (he was pretty bland on Marple!). His career explains to me why English actors are so much better than American ones. They don’t spend long months of the year surfing in Hawaii. They work at their profession all the time, the way our actors used to do in the studio system. And my pet peeve is that American professional actors are incapable of preparing by heart a graceful acceptance speech for an award, the way ALL English actors do (and any professional actor should be able to do). They cry and screech and wave their hands up and down — it’s embarrassing. They were doing it on the Tonys, so it’s not just film actors.

  31. 31.

    dance around in your bones

    June 14, 2014 at 5:01 pm

    @schrodinger’s cat: Well, to each their own, but I have always been a sucker for dark locks and blue blue eyes. Or green.

    It’s a personal thing. Gingers have no eyelashes! (Did I mention I love long eyelashes as well?) Oh yeah.

  32. 32.

    FlipYrWhig

    June 14, 2014 at 5:03 pm

    @Amir Khalid: Don’t forget Gia.

    I do not get the Cumberbatch thing at. all. Maybe if he were playing put-upon and sarcastic. But as leading man? Pfft. He’s like a human Kif Kroker.

  33. 33.

    schrodinger's cat

    June 14, 2014 at 5:04 pm

    @dance around in your bones: I like dark locks too. I was talking about ginger locks on Cumberbatch. I also like his dark curly do on Sherlock.

  34. 34.

    FlipYrWhig

    June 14, 2014 at 5:05 pm

    @J R in WV: Jim Webb hated, hated, hated running for Senate. I can’t imagine him running for President.

  35. 35.

    schrodinger's cat

    June 14, 2014 at 5:06 pm

    @gogol’s wife: I guess most Americans don’t believe in learning things by heart. If you ask me, it is a great skill. I can tell you what the tan30 is and sin 45 is without fumbling with my calculator.

  36. 36.

    Morzer

    June 14, 2014 at 5:06 pm

    I hope young Eggs Benedict doesn’t become a serial killer or we’ll be seeing headlines about Cumberbundy.

  37. 37.

    scav

    June 14, 2014 at 5:06 pm

    @Iowa Old Lady: Well, for that issue, they need to gang up on the producers, directors, bean-counters, whoever it is driving casting. It’s sorta the person-based flip-side of nothing but returns.II.III.IV and knockoffs phase. BC’s probably learned from his parents et al that it’s career with dry patches. He’s done a rather solid job of keeping up with a variety of avenues and not skipping out on the lower budget ones just because. Being so BBC radio-based, I’m fond of that. CP plus Neverwhere — the Pillow Book and Mansfield Park stuff were earlier. For the fun with actors appearing together hobby, Fourtysomething has him, Capaldi and Hugh Laurie.

  38. 38.

    Nicole

    June 14, 2014 at 5:07 pm

    My husband, an Oklahoma native, was pretty irritated at Cumberbatch being cast in August Osage County (which we both HATED, by the way, though the original play was terrific), but after we saw it he gave him props for doing a better Oklahoma accent than most of the American actors.

    Really miscast as (SPOILER ALERT) Khan in the second Star Trek, though. Good grief, is that even a spoiler? There was no reason for that character even to be Khan, other than fan service.

    I like Cumberbatch, but Helen Mirren brought up recently how acting is becoming a profession only attainable by the children of the rich:
    http://voiceofrussia.com/uk/news/2014_02_19/Has-an-acting-career-become-a-luxury-for-the-affluent-0985/

    Cumberbatch is brilliantly talented, no question, but it’s easier to pursue a career in the arts if your family has a lot of money. Same as it ever was, I guess.

  39. 39.

    Morzer

    June 14, 2014 at 5:07 pm

    @schrodinger’s cat:

    How about cos 17?

  40. 40.

    Higgs Boson's Mate

    June 14, 2014 at 5:07 pm

    @gogol’s wife:
    Surfing has little to do with it. The difference to me is that in British productions even the smallest role is well acted and important. In American productions the lesser roles are just wallpaper for the principals.

  41. 41.

    schrodinger's cat

    June 14, 2014 at 5:09 pm

    @Morzer: 17 is in degrees or radians?

  42. 42.

    Major Major Major Major (formerly J.Ty)

    June 14, 2014 at 5:10 pm

    I once saw cumberbatch described as a ‘surprisingly attractive fish.’

    Here’s a linguistic analysis of what makes a good pun of his name http://the-toast.net/2013/12/02/a-linguist-explains-the-rules-of-summoning-benedict-cumberbatch/

  43. 43.

    gogol's wife

    June 14, 2014 at 5:10 pm

    @Higgs Boson’s Mate:

    So why is that? (I agree, by the way. Every little bit part on Morse, or Sherlock if you want something more recent, is brilliantly acted.)

  44. 44.

    dance around in your bones

    June 14, 2014 at 5:10 pm

    @schrodinger’s cat: I would do his dark curly do. And I’m old enough to be his grandma.

    Sorry, what an image. Please use the brain bleach and rinse rinse rinse!

    eta: perhaps I should say I would gyre and gimble in his wabe.

  45. 45.

    Morzer

    June 14, 2014 at 5:11 pm

    @schrodinger’s cat:

    Are you stalling? Let’s say degrees.

  46. 46.

    Morzer

    June 14, 2014 at 5:12 pm

    @gogol’s wife:

    British actors tend to come out of the theater tradition, while American actors are generally celebrities to goose the box office who play themselves.

  47. 47.

    WereBear

    June 14, 2014 at 5:13 pm

    @Higgs Boson’s Mate: The difference to me is that in British productions even the smallest role is well acted and important.

    Absolutely. In the first episode of Prime Suspect, one actor has a heart attack in the boss’ office simply to clear the way for Helen Mirren’s character moving into the lead on the investigation.

    It was a part that lasted about a minute, but it was the best damn coronary infarction I’ve ever seen.

  48. 48.

    schrodinger's cat

    June 14, 2014 at 5:13 pm

    @Morzer: I don’t know what it is by heart, but I know that it will be fairly close to one. I know 0, 30, 45 and 90. so I have a good guess what the others will be.

    My calculator says 0.95

  49. 49.

    Warren Terra

    June 14, 2014 at 5:14 pm

    I’m always happy to take any mention of Cumberbatch as a reason to plug John Finnemore’s BBC radio four sitcom Cabin Pressure, starring among others Cumberbatch, which really is just about perfect.

    I think you can find most or all of it on YouTube.

  50. 50.

    schrodinger's cat

    June 14, 2014 at 5:15 pm

    @dance around in your bones: Don’t apologize, you have good taste!

  51. 51.

    WereBear

    June 14, 2014 at 5:17 pm

    @Morzer: Not only that, there is lots of theatre they can be working in and learning. Only NYC has those kinds of opportunities in this country.

  52. 52.

    Long Tooth

    June 14, 2014 at 5:18 pm

    Critics. Paul McCartney once swore he ignored them after one referred to an ‘aeolian cadence’ in a review of Rubber Soul (he credited Paul with writing one, and Paul didn’t know what the guy was talking about). I think I’ve seen most of the Sherlock Holmes movies ever made, and tell you, this Cumber-what’s-his-name ranks in a class by himself. In a good way, I mean. The casting is inspired, and the stories well told.

  53. 53.

    Ruckus

    June 14, 2014 at 5:19 pm

    @schrodinger’s cat:
    How about tan 45?
    How about sec 45?

  54. 54.

    Higgs Boson's Mate

    June 14, 2014 at 5:20 pm

    @gogol’s wife:
    Morse, Inspector Lewis, Murphey’s Law, Miss Marple, Jekyll,Prime Suspect, all are illuminated by dozens of fleeting small roles well played. Why? I can only guess that in Britain acting is viewed as profession while in America it’s viewed as a lottery.

  55. 55.

    Anoniminous

    June 14, 2014 at 5:21 pm

    “why Cumberbatch is everywhere”

    I think we can discover the reason in this thread.

  56. 56.

    schrodinger's cat

    June 14, 2014 at 5:21 pm

    San Francisco BJers, what should I do when I come to your fair city? Any recommendations, this will be my first trip.

  57. 57.

    Emma

    June 14, 2014 at 5:22 pm

    In the meantime, John Barrowman has received the MBE in the latest Honours list. You know what struck me? He put a short thank you video online mentioning his family and “my husband Scott” and it felt so amazingly normal. Everyday normal. In a few years we won’t even notice it.

  58. 58.

    schrodinger's cat

    June 14, 2014 at 5:22 pm

    @Ruckus:tan 45 = 1
    sec 45 = sq root 2

  59. 59.

    Higgs Boson's Mate

    June 14, 2014 at 5:23 pm

    @schrodinger’s cat:
    Bring lots of money.

  60. 60.

    Emma

    June 14, 2014 at 5:24 pm

    @schrodinger’s cat: Hey! Nobody mentioned there would be math!

  61. 61.

    Steeplejack

    June 14, 2014 at 5:25 pm

    @raven:

    Good no-frills schedule that I’ve been using. (Scroll down for text.)

  62. 62.

    Ruckus

    June 14, 2014 at 5:25 pm

    @schrodinger’s cat:
    I confess I know them because I’ve used them so much at work over the decades.

  63. 63.

    max

    June 14, 2014 at 5:25 pm

    @J R in WV: I hear Jim Webb (Former Marine combat, Secretary of the Navy, Senator from VA) is considering running as a Dem for President.

    He considered previously (2007ish). Didn’t go anywhere. Not sure what space he’s going to try and occupy if Hillary has all the white populist lady vote locked up. He’s feinted left a couple of times but didn’t see any follow through.

    max
    [‘Not that it’s bad for him to run. Hillary needs to debate *somebody*.’]

  64. 64.

    Anoniminous

    June 14, 2014 at 5:28 pm

    @Higgs Boson’s Mate:

    Do they still sell Anchor Steam and crab legs on the wharf?

  65. 65.

    Higgs Boson's Mate

    June 14, 2014 at 5:29 pm

    @Anoniminous:
    Yep, except that the crab legs have spent a long time in the freezer.

  66. 66.

    schrodinger's cat

    June 14, 2014 at 5:30 pm

    @Emma: I is showing off!

  67. 67.

    schrodinger's cat

    June 14, 2014 at 5:31 pm

    @Higgs Boson’s Mate: Oh noes, kitteh is on a budget, no has munnies to splurge.

  68. 68.

    Morzer

    June 14, 2014 at 5:32 pm

    @schrodinger’s cat:

    I thought you had learned these things? I am disappointed in you, young Cat.

  69. 69.

    Emma

    June 14, 2014 at 5:33 pm

    @schrodinger’s cat: Good for you! I come from a long line of math people. My great-grandfather was what they used to call a “lightning calculator.” I have never screwed up my checkbook nor any accounts I’ve kept in my various jobs. But I lack patience (same problem with chess).

  70. 70.

    schrodinger's cat

    June 14, 2014 at 5:35 pm

    @Morzer: Physics kitteh no likes arithmetic,prefers equations to actual numbers. I know this stuff because I learned it in grade school and because I learned it by heart. It is singed in my memory. I cannot forget it, even if I want to. My mother who is a math teacher can add fractions in her head, she is much better than me at this thing.

  71. 71.

    Anoniminous

    June 14, 2014 at 5:35 pm

    @Higgs Boson’s Mate:

    Well that sucks. They used to be plopped in boiling water fresh off the boat.

  72. 72.

    Ruckus

    June 14, 2014 at 5:37 pm

    @Emma:
    There’s always maths.
    How many morons are in the republican party? OK that’s easy, all of them.
    How many times will republicans try to overthrow a crappy healthcare plan and put nothing in it’s place so as to make it worse? As often as they can get away with it. A word problem can have word answers.
    Was over in the sewer know as FB today and a friend posted pics of the D-Day celebration in France. He is a photographer and was involved (not in D-Day, the celebration) so he was given tickets and all. One was a pic of President Obama and President Hollande, together. Another commenter wrote that both of these presidents are cowards who don’t deserve to be there celebrating this day. I’m trying to figure out what if anything to say. So far I’ve come up with “____, you are a fucking asshole.” But I don’t think it rings strong enough. Any thoughts?

  73. 73.

    Ruckus

    June 14, 2014 at 5:41 pm

    @efgoldman:
    Roger Dalerty says the TV has to be plugged in for it to really count that you threw it in the water.

  74. 74.

    Long Tooth

    June 14, 2014 at 5:42 pm

    @schrodinger’s cat: Depends where you’re staying, in what neighborhood, that is, and for how long. San Francisco is a fantastic city to walk, eat, and drink, and not necessarily in that order. If you’re there long enough, rent a car and explore the greater Bay Area. Head north, to Sonoma or Napa counties. They’re only 40 minutes/1 hour from the Golden Gate bridge. I live in Sonoma County (I’m also a native San Franciscan), and love it up here. It’s a beautiful place to live. And if you do visit hereabouts, be sure to take in the coast highway and the Russian River area.

  75. 75.

    dance around in your bones

    June 14, 2014 at 5:42 pm

    @Ruckus: Well clearly Obama Hollande sauce is delicious, so there’s that.

    Especially on Eggsand Cummerbunds.

  76. 76.

    Ruckus

    June 14, 2014 at 5:44 pm

    @dance around in your bones:
    Missed you around here! The puns, the dry wit. Stay around for a while.

  77. 77.

    Morzer

    June 14, 2014 at 5:44 pm

    @schrodinger’s cat:

    I am apparently your mother, because I can do fractions in my head.

    This discovery requires thought.

  78. 78.

    Steeplejack

    June 14, 2014 at 5:45 pm

    @gogol’s wife:

    To vastly oversimplify, I think that (in general) Britons are interested in acting and Americans (with notable exceptions) focus on “being an actor.”

  79. 79.

    Ruckus

    June 14, 2014 at 5:46 pm

    @efgoldman:
    Roger said that doesn’t matter you just have to find a long enough one. Course he was in the Who and had enough money to buy a long enough one.

  80. 80.

    scav

    June 14, 2014 at 5:47 pm

    @Ruckus: Assign him the homework of reciting the brave brave personal wartime triumphs of Reagan, Cheney and GWB. Tell him you’ll go easy on him and only ask for the epic in blank verse instead of insisting on dactylic hexameter.

  81. 81.

    Morzer

    June 14, 2014 at 5:47 pm

    http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory/obama-calling-grads-fight-climate-change-24137437

    Obama issued a call to action to the tens of thousands gathered at Angel Stadium even though he said Congress “is full of folks who stubbornly and automatically reject the scientific evidence” and say climate change is a hoax or fad.
    “Many others duck the question by saying, ‘Hey, I’m not a scientist,'” Obama said in remarks prepared for delivery. “Let me translate: what that means is, ‘I accept that manmade climate change is real, but if I admit it, I’ll be run out of town by a radical fringe that thinks climate science is a liberal plot.'”

    I guess our happy age of bipartisan centrism is now over.

  82. 82.

    Ruckus

    June 14, 2014 at 5:50 pm

    @efgoldman:
    Oh yeah, a guy.
    Known him since mid 70s, he is probably late 60s early 70s. I think his brain has not aged well. More like sour grapes than even cheap table wine.
    Maybe the vet angle will play well. Got nothing to lose.

  83. 83.

    schrodinger's cat

    June 14, 2014 at 5:50 pm

    @Long Tooth: I am staying in Freemont will be there for a week or so.

  84. 84.

    schrodinger's cat

    June 14, 2014 at 5:50 pm

    @Morzer: I could sense a connection.

  85. 85.

    WaterGirl

    June 14, 2014 at 5:51 pm

    @J R in WV: Seems like you weren’t discouraged from your interest in Webb by all the negative information about him in the thread last night?

  86. 86.

    Morzer

    June 14, 2014 at 5:52 pm

    @schrodinger’s cat:

    I am just never sure what state you are in.

  87. 87.

    Goblue72

    June 14, 2014 at 5:52 pm

    @schrodinger’s cat: Tomb Raider.

  88. 88.

    schrodinger's cat

    June 14, 2014 at 5:52 pm

    @Morzer: I am in Massachusetts.

  89. 89.

    Ruckus

    June 14, 2014 at 5:54 pm

    @efgoldman:
    Just asked him what war he served in. Also that I didn’t remember seeing him in uniform while I was in.

  90. 90.

    Culture of Truth

    June 14, 2014 at 5:56 pm

    Obama is doing translations now? That’s my gig!

    Webb is probbaly just putting out feelerse ni case she doesn’t run, or running to be Hillary’s Vice President.

    He’s one of Time’s 100 Most Influential People in the World.

    Remember when Time was relevant? Then you’re over 30.

  91. 91.

    Emma

    June 14, 2014 at 5:57 pm

    @Ruckus: I think others got in before me. I’ve made it hobby to ask people like that about their own service. They all seem to get offended. Imagine that.

  92. 92.

    dance around in your bones

    June 14, 2014 at 5:57 pm

    @Ruckus: Thanks Ruckus. Nice to know that one might be gone but not forgotten. As it were.

  93. 93.

    schrodinger's cat

    June 14, 2014 at 5:58 pm

    @Culture of Truth: Not a fan of Webb, he seems like an old school male chauvinist.

  94. 94.

    Ruckus

    June 14, 2014 at 5:58 pm

    @Ruckus:
    He served in Algeria in the 60’s in a French uniform.
    Just told him I want proof they are cowards.

  95. 95.

    Ruckus

    June 14, 2014 at 6:00 pm

    @Emma:
    He’s offended but he did wear a uniform and saw combat. Doesn’t make him less conservative.

  96. 96.

    dance around in your bones

    June 14, 2014 at 6:03 pm

    @scav:

    Tell him you’ll go easy on him and only ask for the epic in blank verse instead of insisting on dactylic hexameter.

    I am having such a good time reading that thread. And I don’t even know what dactylic hexameter means.

    (Off to edumacate myself).

  97. 97.

    MomSense

    June 14, 2014 at 6:05 pm

    @gogol’s wife:

    We should so watch awards shows and tv/movies together. I drive everyone nuts with this at my house. Agree completely about keeping your composure at awards shows. I hate the crying and blabbering.

  98. 98.

    WaterGirl

    June 14, 2014 at 6:07 pm

    @Ruckus:

    How many times will republicans try to overthrow a crappy healthcare plan and put nothing in it’s place so as to make it worse?

    Infinity?

  99. 99.

    srv

    June 14, 2014 at 6:08 pm

    @schrodinger’s cat: What do you like to do? My advice is to take the tour bus one morning and race through the high spots, and then pick what you want to go back to. Learn the basic bus routes from Market. F streetcar to Wharf or out to Church & then Castro, 71 to Hayes & lower/upper Haight, Judah & 9th, south-side of Golden Gate Park, 14 to mission, 22 from Church up Fillmore all the way to Fillmore/Japantown/Pac Heights/Marina-ish, 24 from Castro/Divisadero to Geary, Geary back to downtown.

    All places you want to walk around and explore. See something, just get off.

    nextmuni.com, pick the routes and look at the maps.

    Look at pollstar or somewhere for music the time you are there.

    Stay on Stockton for Chinatown (around lunch) & Little Italy. Grant St. is just a tourist shop. Get lost. Walk a lot. Take the Beach & Hyde cable car at night when it’s less crowded.

    If you’re coming in August, expect it to be cold and gray, it’s our winter.

    Don’t walk around with your iphone or 4K Nikon out at night. You’re just prey.

    hoodline.com is a blog for a few hoods in the city, links to others.

  100. 100.

    schrodinger's cat

    June 14, 2014 at 6:09 pm

    @MomSense: We should have a BJ New England weekend meetup in Maine and watch BBC shows and cook!

  101. 101.

    WaterGirl

    June 14, 2014 at 6:10 pm

    @Ruckus:

    One was a pic of President Obama and President Hollande, together. Another commenter wrote that both of these presidents are cowards who don’t deserve to be there celebrating this day. I’m trying to figure out what if anything to say. So far I’ve come up with “____, you are a fucking asshole.” But I don’t think it rings strong enough. Any thoughts?

    I’m not sure fucking asshole will sting.

    How about “____, you don’t know what you are talking about.”

    Or better yet, mock him in some way. People don’t mind name calling so much, but being laughed at still stings.

    Edit: Ah, and I see the perfect mocking suggestion above: “I don’t know how you’d enforce it, but you could ask the guy (has to be a guy!) “speaking of fucking cowards, what war did you fight in, besides the imaginary one in your head?”

  102. 102.

    Ruckus

    June 14, 2014 at 6:16 pm

    @WaterGirl:
    Just posted about Iraq, Afghanistan, and Osama bin Laden and that the majority of the military doesn’t agree with him and the majority of the American public doesn’t agree with him because he is 100% wrong.
    Then I apologized to the person who posted the thread for highjacking it.

  103. 103.

    scav

    June 14, 2014 at 6:17 pm

    @srv: I’d add alleys for Chinatown (based on personal comfort level) and our best lunches were either a floor up or down.

  104. 104.

    Long Tooth

    June 14, 2014 at 6:22 pm

    @schrodinger’s cat: The Fairmont? How grand we are. Then the city is literally at your feet, and that great hotel’s concierge would be the best to ask. Keep in mind San Francisco only encompasses 7 square miles, so you can see a lot of it, even in a day or two. Hope you have a great time.

  105. 105.

    srv

    June 14, 2014 at 6:24 pm

    @scav: It’s all about getting lost – I can never find the “awesomest dim-sum place” or the Fortune Cookie Alley (Ross?) if I’m specifically looking for it.

    I saw a site that just marked a dozen or so intersections and said “spend 4 hours wandering about here” but didn’t bookmark it.

  106. 106.

    schrodinger's cat

    June 14, 2014 at 6:25 pm

    @Long Tooth: Oops I meant to write Freemont, not so grand actually. My bad, sorry.

  107. 107.

    Ruckus

    June 14, 2014 at 6:25 pm

    @dance around in your bones:
    I had to look it up as well. I guessed pretty close but have never been a big fan of poetry. And as wiki spells it out it will sound better in the original languages. English just doesn’t lend it self that way.
    @scav:
    I like it but will save it for a better adversary, one who doesn’t think so much of himself.

    So far not another word.

  108. 108.

    srv

    June 14, 2014 at 6:31 pm

    @schrodinger’s cat: Well, that’s different. A bit of a commute. Learn the BART map. All those buses go mid-Market or Embarcadero, all on BART. Add Berkeley, just get off at Downtown Berkeley station and wander.

    Rent car for Napa, Sonoma, Mt. Tam, Muir Woods, Hwy 1 north.

  109. 109.

    scav

    June 14, 2014 at 6:31 pm

    @srv: Agree on lost is good. We also developed a non-fear of a quick interior peek to see who else seemed to be eating there. Eat with locals was another heuristic.

  110. 110.

    Ruckus

    June 14, 2014 at 6:32 pm

    @schrodinger’s cat:
    As in the city of?
    That’s a ways from downtown SF.
    Lived in Marin county for 6 yrs, having grown up in CA I’ve been to the city quite a few times and all along the coast many, many more. The city has some good sights and food but I prefer the coast for the natural beauty. Anywhere from Big Sir north is unlike almost anywhere else in the world. If you’ve never been, well worth it.

  111. 111.

    schrodinger's cat

    June 14, 2014 at 6:34 pm

    @srv: Cousin lives there, I will also check out hotels in San Francisco, husband kitteh has a conference to attend, but we will go there a few days earlier.

  112. 112.

    schrodinger's cat

    June 14, 2014 at 6:35 pm

    @Ruckus: I love the ocean and the beach. Anything within driving distance from the city of Freemont.

  113. 113.

    scav

    June 14, 2014 at 6:44 pm

    @schrodinger’s cat: Half Moon bay for a destination gets you over to what used to be a lesser-visited coast and was a nice foresty drive (has it changed? not been in area much since 80s) and the Point Reyes lighthouse is another handy destination for a nice drive (again, might have built up since).

  114. 114.

    Long Tooth

    June 14, 2014 at 6:44 pm

    @schrodinger’s cat: If you mean the city of Fremont (as in The Pathfinder), well, that’s a shame. You’ll need rental wheels do it right. Mind you, you can jump on Bart and find yourself on San Francisco’s Embarcadero, i.e., at Market Street and the Ferry Building along the waterfront within (40?) minutes. It’s definitely worth a day trip from Fremont, if only because Fremont is an armpit. And I know Bay Area armpits. I was actually raised in the town that borders San Francisco along the coast, Daly City, “Gateway (i.e. “armpit”) To The Peninsula”.

  115. 115.

    Citizen Alan

    June 14, 2014 at 6:47 pm

    I like Benedict Cumberbatch, but casting him as Richard III is bizarre. An unusually tall and fairly good looking guy? Might as well cast him as Quasimodo.

  116. 116.

    srv

    June 14, 2014 at 6:47 pm

    @scav: Yeah, why I like Stockton St. No english signs or menus.

    @schrodinger’s cat: Try to get a hotel for a couple of nights, maybe even one up in Napa or Sonoma. Or airbnb a central neighborhood like Hayes or Haight.

    If you’re up for a hike, you can get in here during weekdays:
    http://westpointinn.com/

    From Fremont, you could go south to Monterey. IMO, Hwy 1 south is prettier than north. Also, too:
    http://www.norcalhostels.org/

    Check out Pt. Montara Light House

  117. 117.

    srv

    June 14, 2014 at 6:48 pm

    @schrodinger’s cat: Too many links, moderated.

    Try to get a hotel for a couple of nights, maybe even one up in Napa or Sonoma. Or airbnb a central neighborhood like Hayes or Haight.

    If you’re up for a hike, you can get in here during weekdays:
    http://westpointinn.com/

  118. 118.

    srv

    June 14, 2014 at 6:49 pm

    @schrodinger’s cat: From Fremont, you could go south to Monterey. IMO, Hwy 1 south is prettier than north. Also, too:
    http://www.norcalhostels.org/

    Check out Pt. Montara Light House

  119. 119.

    Ruckus

    June 14, 2014 at 6:50 pm

    @schrodinger’s cat:
    You will be in CA. Anything is within driving distance. Nothing is miles away, distance is given in time. Five to six hrs to LA, getting to work takes 40 min. The trip to LA is 400 miles, the trip to work may be 10 or 20 miles. How far is only discussed as a marker to let you know when to change direction or freeway. How long is always the important decision. Is it worth an hour drive to eat that restaurant’s food?

  120. 120.

    sacrablue

    June 14, 2014 at 6:51 pm

    @schrodinger’s cat: If you like the ocean and the beach, try a visit to Monterey. The aquarium is delightful. A visit to Santa Cruz would be okay as well.

  121. 121.

    Anne Laurie

    June 14, 2014 at 6:52 pm

    @schrodinger’s cat:

    San Francisco BJers, what should I do when I come to your fair city?

    I’m not a native, but loved visiting the city on our honeymoon. Highly recommend the Asian Art Museum and the carousel at Fisherman’s Wharf.

    Also, it’s true what Mark Twain may or may not have said — “The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco.” Even in August, when the evening fog rolls in, you’ll need a warm sweater!

  122. 122.

    mclaren

    June 14, 2014 at 6:52 pm

    …our postmodern rejection of conformist standards of beauty—at least insofar as they relate to men…

    Keep reciting that fantasy. I’ll believe it when Tom Cruise’s misbegotten career finally grinds to a screeching and long overdue halt.

  123. 123.

    scav

    June 14, 2014 at 6:58 pm

    @Citizen Alan: I think that gets a bit at some of the difference between American and British acting. Americans can get rather hung up on what the actor looks like, which is useful, but limiting, especially when it gets hung up on abstract types: ”he doesn’t look like a leading man.” For a gangly guy with a long neck and a real face, BC has proven he can lead very well in the current real world, thank you very much. There are facets to Richard’s character that might very well be better exposed by non-traditional physical casting, over and above all that specific actor can bring uniquely to the role. That’s another reason I really like radio-drama — it’s all about how you can act with the voice, nothing at all with matching square jawlines and current bra-sizes.

  124. 124.

    Ruckus

    June 14, 2014 at 7:00 pm

    @scav:
    Most of the touristy areas are maintained as such and so they haven’t changed much. Half Moon Bay, Pt Reyes look the same. Went to Pt Reyes about 6 yrs ago, walked all the way out to the lighthouse, that is some slog. A lot more than it looks like from the top. But it hadn’t changed since I was a kid, other than it’s no longer a working lighthouse.

  125. 125.

    SiubhanDuinne

    June 14, 2014 at 7:06 pm

    @Anoniminous:

    Do they still sell Anchor Steam and crab legs on the wharf?

    And is there honey still for tea?

  126. 126.

    scav

    June 14, 2014 at 7:08 pm

    @Ruckus: It was the drive to Half Moon Bay that was two-thirds of the fun for us. Over the ridge, wind-windy and trees. Barely remember the place itself, beyond it was a nice coast. But, having seen the coasts since growing up (so cal to a bit north of SF) those begin to blur. have memories of Asilomar being a nice one fairly near, although anchored more to Monterey in my mind.

  127. 127.

    Ruckus

    June 14, 2014 at 7:09 pm

    @sacrablue:
    Agreed on Monterey.
    If you have a limited time, Monterey for the coast and the aquarium, somewhere in the city for a good (and expensive) dinner. If more time then anywhere along the Marin coast would be a great addition for a beach/coast lover. With more time, I’d add Big Sur to the Monterey trip and do some at least some of the Marin coast.

  128. 128.

    SiubhanDuinne

    June 14, 2014 at 7:10 pm

    @Morzer:

    I’m glad. Ready for a little raw meat.

  129. 129.

    SiubhanDuinne

    June 14, 2014 at 7:11 pm

    @Morzer:

    I guess our happy age of bipartisan centrism is now over.

    I’m glad. Ready for a little red meat.

  130. 130.

    Omnes Omnibus (the first of his name)

    June 14, 2014 at 7:12 pm

    @SiubhanDuinne: Rupert freaking Brooke?

  131. 131.

    Ruckus

    June 14, 2014 at 7:13 pm

    @scav:
    When I worked in OH I used to have to travel to Monterey once or twice a year for work. I know, what a hardship. Anyway…. I’d fly into SFO and drive over that same road to Half Moon Bay and then down the coast to Monterey. Almost like a mini vacation and I was getting paid for it.

  132. 132.

    SiubhanDuinne

    June 14, 2014 at 7:18 pm

    @Omnes Omnibus (the first of his name):

    That’s the one. (We share a birthday with him.)

  133. 133.

    Omnes Omnibus (the first of his name)

    June 14, 2014 at 7:19 pm

    @SiubhanDuinne: Yeah, that’s one of the reasons I recognized the line.

  134. 134.

    sacrablue

    June 14, 2014 at 7:26 pm

    @Ruckus: Dim Sum for Sunday lunch and then a wonder around Golden Gate Park.

  135. 135.

    Ruckus

    June 14, 2014 at 7:29 pm

    @sacrablue:
    Your needs are simpler than mine. I mean if I lived there sure that could be a good day. Traveling 3000 miles first…….

  136. 136.

    MomSense

    June 14, 2014 at 7:47 pm

    @schrodinger’s cat:

    YESSS!! Let’s do it! I have a friend who lobsters so I can get fresh lobsters at the off the boat price.

  137. 137.

    PurpleGirl

    June 14, 2014 at 7:53 pm

    My 2-cents on British/UK actors: They don’t get locked into a series that will last 20-odd episodes for 10 years. The actors, having more open time, get to take more varied roles and learn more about developing their characters. They also go back and forth between TV, radio, and stage roles. Each media is distinct and calls for different techniques; it stretches their acting chops.

    WRT Cumberbatch: I love his eyes and the dark tousled hair look. I loved the photoshoped kitten pictures. He was nice but the kittens were cute and cuter.

  138. 138.

    Morzer

    June 14, 2014 at 7:58 pm

    @schrodinger’s cat:

    Well, damn. So am I, for about 6 or so more weeks.

  139. 139.

    MomSense

    June 14, 2014 at 8:08 pm

    @schrodinger’s cat: @Morzer:

    I have close friends in Andover and Chelmsford so I could drive down there if that is easier. Happy to bring lobsters and other ingredients and do a lot of cooking. I really do love to cook.

  140. 140.

    Long Tooth

    June 14, 2014 at 8:10 pm

    @schrodinger’s cat: So you will have wheels? If pressed for time, then the folks who counsel that you head due west to the coast are correct. If I were you, I’d cross the Dumbarton bridge and catch 85 to 17, and on to the beach town of Santa Cruz. From there just follow your nose north or south along the coast. But make a point to turn off the highway, and explore a patch of the timbered coast roads, too.

  141. 141.

    MaryRC

    June 14, 2014 at 8:43 pm

    @Alex S.: He’s obviously a big star in England right now. The world? Uh, no. As for ubiquity, wasn’t there a joke a few years ago about Jude Law appearing in everything? It’s not necessarily a good idea to appear in everything. How can people miss you if you don’t go away once in a while?

  142. 142.

    schrodinger's cat

    June 14, 2014 at 9:10 pm

    Longtooth, scav, srv, Ruckus, Anne Laurie, sacrablue thanks so much for all your suggestions. You have given me a lot to think about.

  143. 143.

    rikyrah

    June 14, 2014 at 9:13 pm

    I love him as Sherlock.

  144. 144.

    schrodinger's cat

    June 14, 2014 at 9:14 pm

    @Morzer: Where in the state are you, my Balloon Juice mommy?

  145. 145.

    schrodinger's cat

    June 14, 2014 at 9:17 pm

    @MomSense: I love lobsters and I used to live in Maine and have many fond memories. I am thinking of making a short trip up the coast.

  146. 146.

    J R in WV

    June 14, 2014 at 9:25 pm

    @Long Tooth:

    I think the great musicians reinvent things other greats of the past invented and named long ago. Great music has unbelievable details inside, and the OCD students have sussed out trends and named them for centuries.

    McCarthy and Lennon reinvented them wholesale, as did L Armstrong and D Ellingtonearler in the century… I’m fortunate to be old enough to have heard Louis Armstong live back in the … I’m embarrassed to not remember what decade it was, early 60s probably.

    Music is one of my passions. I’m listening to Mountain Stage, Keb Mo is just starting his set. Bye for now!

  147. 147.

    MomSense

    June 14, 2014 at 10:33 pm

    @schrodinger’s cat:

    Great, then we should try and meet up!

  148. 148.

    Arclite

    June 15, 2014 at 3:52 am

    Rewatching Sherlock right now. Fuck is that show good.

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