Double trouble but twice as nice. That's how we would describe the story lines for our latest favorite fictional characters. They are living double lives in order to make the most of the time they have. On this episode of Crush Fictionally, the very funny and extremely talented Jessica Coyle ("Make Up Talk Show" podcast) joins as we talk about our favorite fictional characters pretending to be someone else. Jessica jumps right in to help us figure out what we really like about these characters who are playing the long con of a double life. Is their double life justified by well-meaning intentions? Will their intricate web of lies just hurt the ones they love? If you've ever wanted to be someone else, this episode just may help you find the right motivation. Put on your glasses, slick back that gorgeous mane, and head over to The Daily Planet to get the scoop. Or, brew a cup of tea, slap on your favorite meringue mask, and say hEELLL-OOOhhh to this episode.

Making us do a *double* take and stealing our hearts this week: Clark Kent (Dean Cain) of Lois & Clark, Walter White (Bryan Cranston) of Breaking Bad, and Mrs. Doubtfire (Robin Williams) of Mrs. Doubtfire.

This week's small business shout-out: Red Planet Books and Comics (Albuquerque, NM)

At Crush Fictionally, we firmly believe two things: age ain't nuthin but a number and timing is everything. On our new episode we are joined by the lovely and charming Joy Brunson – actress, acting coach (The Joy of Acting), and new best pal. We bask in the glory that is Joy as she brings the perfect energy along with her insightful perspective to this episode. The three of us discuss how women are perceived and received based on their age, what life experience has actually taught us, and that shirking society's imposed expectations can be extremely liberating. With Joy's help, we have a whole new outlook on life. So pack your bags, call up your friend who will support your life decisions, and take a much deserved trip over to our latest episode. We guarantee a great time!

Aging like a fine wine and capturing our hearts this week: Stella (Angela Bassett) of How Stella Got Her Groove Back, *all* of THE Golden Girls (Bea Arthur, Rue McClanahan, Betty White, and Estelle Getty) of (dramatic pause) The Golden Girls, and Frankie Bergstein (Lily Tomlin) of Grace and Frankie.

You love him. Or maybe you hate him. There really is no middle ground when it comes to Larry David on “Curb Your Enthusiasm”. On the latest installment of Crush Fictionally, we take an in-depth look at the fictionalized version of real life multi-hyphenate Larry David. With the help of culinary master, iconic sandwich maker, and our favorite web series star Chef Brian Tsao, we discuss how our favorite character from this quick-witted HBO series can be both polarizing and low key likable. Together we discuss our favorite “Curb Your Enthusiasm” moments, which Larry David predicaments we would most likely find ourselves in, and the ensemble of fictional characters who have captured our hearts. You can watch Chef Brian’s laugh-out-loud and very meta web series “Pro Chef Reacts” today while preparing yourself for Mission Sandwich Social opening in Brooklyn, NYC soon. Mission Sandwich Social will be serving THEE best sandwiches, which frankly we’d hop on a plane for. Hopefully after listening to this episode, you’re encouraged to watch or re-watch “Curb Your Enthusiasm”. But, if you choose not to, then to quote Larry, all we can say is: (shrug) “Eeh, ok.”

Winning us over and making us cry with laughter this week are: Larry getting roped into an awkward dinner party (Season 1, Episode 3), Larry’s fight with Ben Stiller during Ben’s birthday party (Season 4, Episode 2), and Larry’s spite store based on a petty feud (Season 10, Episode 10). We also have love in our hearts for: Jeff, Leon, Susie, Wanda, and Krazee-Eyez Killa.

This week’s small business shout-out: Semicolon Books (Chicago)

The only thing better than an unexpected twist is the mind-blowing double-cross-cross that you never even saw coming. This new episode of Crush Fictionally is action packed – we are joined by crime fiction writer Joe Ide. Joe brings his insight and expert guidance as we examine what characteristics make up a cool, fictional detective. Of course cool is a subjective term so as we break-down our preferences, we consider the role mystery, solitude, honesty, dedication, instinct, and natural intellect play in developing a quintessential detective. After imparting solid life *and* writing advice, we bow down to Joe's amazing ability to create fascinating character arcs, witty dialogue, and remarkable plot developments. You can find Joe Ide's IQ book series (“IQ”, “Righteous”, “Wrecked”, “Hi Five”, and “Smoke”) at your favorite local book store right now, with “The Goodbye Coast: A Philip Marlowe Novel” hitting shelves very soon.

Arresting our hearts this week: Harry Hole of the fictional crime book series from Jo Nesbø (although played by Michael Fassbender outside of the novels), Mare Sheehan (Kate Winslet) of Mare of Easttown, and Rust Cohle (Matthew McConaughey) of True Detective.

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SHOW INFO

Crush Fictionally is produced and edited by Peter Byrnes. Original music by Edith Mudge. Artwork by Rose Feduk.

Have a crush-worthy episode idea? Slide into those DMs...

Instagram: @crushfictionally

Twitter: @crushfctionally

Email: [email protected]

Adventure. Is. Out. There. On this new episode of Crush Fictionally, we are taking a closer look at the world of fearless (fictional) adventurers. To help us on our journey, we've brought expert help. Enter Groundling, actor ("The Last O.G.", "Bajillion Dollar Propertie$", "Superstore"), and cool adventure-seeker Ryan Gaul. Ryan swoops in bringing laughter and excellent storytelling to our discussion about the best fictional characters who are tackling (fictional) adventures of a lifetime. Together, the three of us discuss the uncomfortable feelings of taking on anything new for the first time, the solid advice to offer someone going on an adventure, and what you would call a hot nerd. Ya HERD?!

Rescuing our hearts this week: Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) of (almost all of) the Indiana Jones movies, Xena *the* Warrior Princess (Lucy Lawless) of Xena: Warrior Princess, and Ezekiel Brown (Daniel Radcliffe) with Benny the Teen (Steve Buscemi) of Miracle Workers: Oregon Trail.

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SHOW INFO

Crush Fictionally is produced and edited by Peter Byrnes. Original music by Edith Mudge. Artwork by Rose Feduk.

Have a crush-worthy episode idea? Slide into those DMs...

Instagram: @crushfictionally

Twitter: @crushfctionally

Email: [email protected]

Look out! This latest episode of Crush Fictionally is firing on all cylinders and racing through the busy streets of the City by the Bay. Our theme is planes, trains, and automobiles. Or more specifically, we are discussing our favorite fictional characters who are in, using, or stuck on some form of transportation. For help on this topic, we called in reinforcements. At the helm and guiding the way on this fun voyage are friends, movie and VHS aficionados, and cool hosts of Rewind Wednesday at Balboa Theater in San Francisco Ashley Graham and Chloe Ginnever (@balboatheater). With the charm and likability of a young Tommy Callahan, Chloe and Ashley help us examine how life is a journey and which fictional character we'd choose for our trip. And if we learned anything from Kim's trip to Curaçao, it's that no man is worth getting on a no-fly list for.

Who are our ride-or-die picks this week? We are making room on our door for Jack (Leonardo DiCaprio) *and* Rose (Kate Winslet) of Titanic. Revving our engine is Robert Wilson (William Shatner) of Twilight Zone's "Nightmare at 20,000 Feet" episode. And we are riding into the sunset with the Sundance Kid (Robert Redford) of Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid.

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SHOW INFO

Crush Fictionally is produced and edited by Peter Byrnes. Original music by Edith Mudge. Artwork by Rose Feduk.

Have a crush-worthy episode idea? Slide into those DMs...

Instagram: @crushfictionally

Twitter: @crushfctionally

Email: [email protected]

What is it about the unexpected that draws us in? Why do we tend to root for the unlikely hero? Well this *may* be a case for Bert Macklin, FBI or the pivotal questions for your favorite gals. Crush Fictionally is back in action! In this brand-new episode, we are joined by charismatic duo and clever podcast hosts Muriel Montgomery and Nick Casalini ("Hella in Your Thirties", "Muriel's Murders"). With insightful help from both Nick and Muriel, we discuss whether a fictional underdog can be the main character, how an understated character can make up for what they lack, and how drive and conviction can make the most unlikely of heroes the most likeable.

Who are we rooting for this week? Tune in to this bug circus troupe to find out: Samwell Tarly (John Bradley) of Game of Thrones, Brick Bardo (Tim Thomerson) of Dollman, Flick (Dave Foley) of A Bug’s Life, and Andy Dwyer (Chris Pratt) of Parks and Recreation.

This week’s small business shout-out: Semicolon Books (Chicago)

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SHOW INFO

Crush Fictionally is produced and edited by Peter Byrnes. Original music by Edith Mudge. Artwork by Rose Feduk. 

Have a crush-worthy episode idea? Slide into those DMs...

Instagram: @crushfictionally

Twitter: @crushfctionally

Email: [email protected]

What’s happening? As we reminisce about the golden age of television that raised us, we think about all the funny women from black TV sitcoms who created show-stoppable female characters, memorable moments, and instantly quotable dialogue. With help from graphic designer and assistant editor of news and entertainment at PureWow Nakeisha Campbell, we take a closer look at some of our favorite entertaining ladies. What makes these female characters so watchable and ground-breaking? Which sitcom characters paved the way for the storylines and characters we see today? With Nakeisha’s help we answer these questions, decide which female characters we would actually be friends with in real life, and agree that today’s tv theme songs can’t come close to the classic jams that introduced 90’s black tv sitcoms.   

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Show Information

Crush Fictionally is produced by Peter Byrnes. Original music by Edith Mudge. Artwork by Rose Feduk.

Have a crush-worthy episode idea? Slide into those DMs...

Our sights are set on space and we have stars in our eyes as we dedicate an episode to the entire Star Wars franchise. With all the coolly named characters in the Star Wars galaxy to choose from, selecting a #1 fictional crush proved more difficult than previously anticipated. But fear not! We enlisted the expert assistance of educator, tattooer, and author (“Sigh, Gone: A Misfit’s Memoir of Great Books, Punk Rock, and the Fight to Fit In”) Phuc Tran. With astute understanding of Star Wars lore, we trust Phuc to guide us through this legendary collection of characters and pilot our fictional X-wing towards supreme laughter and heightened consciousness. Together we discuss which complex Star Wars characters resonated with us the most, how family can and cannot define you, and why the galaxy appears to be the most diverse location of all. Between this episode and Phuc’s beautifully written memoir, you may just become one with the force and it with you.

Making our hearts travel through hyperspace this week: Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) of the Star Wars series and Chirrut Imwe and Baze Malbus (Donnie Yen and Wen Jiang) of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.

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Show Information

Crush Fictionally is produced by Peter Byrnes. Original music by Edith Mudge. Artwork by Rose Feduk.

Have a crush-worthy episode idea? Slide into those DMs...

We want feminist men! When do we want ‘em? Now! We are taking to the streets this week to declare our love for men who support women. Enter actor, writer, improviser, and fellow feminist Anna Salinas. Join us as we declare our love for fictional male characters who truly respect, fully support, and actively listen to their fictional female counterparts. This week we discuss why we are so drawn to nuanced characters, why there doesn’t need to be a romantic connection for a man to support a woman, and why a male character being a feminist might be the hottest fantasy of all. It may be a man’s world, but it means everything when a male character champions the rights, dreams, and successes of ladies on-screen.

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Show Information

Crush Fictionally is produced by Peter Byrnes. Original music by Edith Mudge. Artwork by Rose Feduk.

Have a crush-worthy episode idea? Slide into those DMs...