At first I guessed it was a spell-check error that transformed fantastically-named “Sherlock” actor Benedict Cumberbatch into “Bandersnatch Cummerbund” in a Washington Post story, but I was wrong.
(Via @Alex_Ogle and @sstummeafp)
It was also in the online version:
However, msnbc.com reporter Alex Johnson thought it was a deliberate bit by the writer, Lisa de Moraes:
I’m almost certain this is a characteristic joke on Benedict Cumberbatch’s name by @TVColumn, not a typo. aj.vg/IFZ0Ws
— Alex Johnson (@MAlexJohnson) May 8, 2012
Turns out, he was right. Washington Post senior social media producer T. J. Ortenzi says it was intentional, and we can expect to see something from de Moraes soon explaining the name choice:
@hotmeteor OK, talked to her. It’s a joke. Commenter came up with it and she’s running with it. Says she calls Idol’s Seacrest “Seabiscuit.”
— T.J. Ortenzi (@tjortenzi) May 8, 2012
@CraigSilverman, you owe @MAlexJohnson a beer. I checked on same thing with her today, it was intentional. She’s writing something now. — T.J. Ortenzi (@tjortenzi) May 8, 2012
Update: The writer speaks!
In a post on the Washington Post website, de Moraes explains that she inserted Bandersnatch Cummerbund on purpose.
“It has come to my attention that there is raging debate, in re whether we intentionally referred to Benedict Cumberbatch as Bandersnatch Cummerbund in The TV Column and blog,” de Moraes writes.
She then recounts the backstory of this very post and my initial, incorrect view that her use of that name was a typo. She also notes that I lost my bet with Johnson regarding the name, and now owe him a beer.
I will provide said beer the next time I have the pleasure of seeing Johnson in person. De Moraes can also enjoy one on me if we should ever find ourselves in the same place at the same time with alcohol on offer. All the better if Canadian beer is on hand.
But back to that name. Behold its origin:
The nickname “Bandersnatch Cummerbund” originated with one of the serious students of television who join me each Friday to chat about all things TV. We loved it then, we love it now. Oh — wink wink!
Note: The original headline on this post stated that “Bandersnatch Cummerbund” was a typo; the headline has since been updated to reflect that it wasn’t a typo.
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