Back to blogging and Benedict Cumberbatch

After my brief hiatus of writing and producing a show, I'm back, pencil sharpened, and bright eyed.

Like when you buy new jeans but don't know what to wear them with, I've got this fresh start on my blog but am a little unsure what to write about.

In my time 'away', I completed the first 2 seasons of the new series "Sherlock" with Benedict Cumberbatch as the title role. It's not the first time that I have been sucked into liking an actor because of being immersed in the TV series but this is a full obsession.

And due to the fact the Benedict Timothy Carlton Cumberbatch (gee his parents win at names!) is extremely talented and genuinely a nice guy (who photobombs on the red carpet and struggles to say "penguin"), I'm ok about it. I know this because I have pretty much seen all his interviews, behind the scenes and some audition/rehearsal videos and we're more or less mates. 

This is the world we live in. I feel connected to someone I have only seen on screen and social media and never met. The dopamine release I got when watching those thrilling episodes back to back whilst sewing costumes and eating dark chocolate I have now managed to string out with an afternoon of serious YouTube stalking and occasional updates from twitter and instagram. It's strange isn't it? 

Celebrity culture, once restricted to royalty and biblical/mythical figures, has pervaded many sectors of society including business, publishing, and even academia (thescilebrities). Mass media has increased the exposure and power of celebrity, and increased our desire to know them. A trend has developed that celebrity carries with it increasingly more social capital than in earlier times. These people living the 'desired life' with their jet-setting lifestyle, epic creative projects and appearances on cool late night shows make us feel things; jealous, inspired, happy, angry (I'm looking at you, Kimye.)

But back to blogging.
It's one of those things that, like everything on the internet, some people make an overnight success at, going viral and getting sponsorships and endorsements. It's also one of those things that, like everything in life, it can take a lot of hard work, persistence and creative balls till people start noticing.

So, until next week...

Jj