Crush Fictionally

Are you ready for a trip back in time? Let’s go! On this week’s episode we are taking an in-depth look at the wonderful world of kids’ cartoons that shaped our childhood. Joining us on this insightful journey is comedian, writer, improviser, actor, and astute advice-giver Ruby Marez. Together we sweetly examine how you CAN go home again with the power of magical memories and activating your third eye with proper self-care. Because if you really think about it – it’s the animated shows we watched as children that taught us ethics, morals, and the importance of confidence. Ruby brings incredibly mindful energy to this episode as we revel in the multi-faceted aspects of kids’ cartoons. We find it’s these brilliant shows and movies that shaped our feelings, our minds, and our opinions on how to tell a good joke.  

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

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Kim and Michelle never thought they would be in the business of solving mysteries. But here they are trying to unravel the answer to April’s biggest question, why isn’t Delroy Lindo nominated for an Oscar for his emotionally rich performance as a Vietnam vet in Da 5 Bloods?! Why?! Join us as we take a closer look at some of our favorite Oscar categories to discuss who the winners should be. Although we aren’t mad at the number of female and first-time nominees, we ARE mad that some exceptional standouts like Regina King, Spike Lee, and Alan Kim are noticeably absent from this year’s list.  

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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...

If a picture is worth a thousand words, then a good belly laugh must be worth a million dollars. We are making it rain on this episode as we talk buddy comedies! We are here to answer important questions like: what truly makes us laugh, what makes a solid friendship, and which characters and jokes stand the test of time? Enter lovely couple Emily Bolt and Preston Geer. Emily is an improviser and actor, and Preston is a screenwriter, actor, and producer. Together they are the dynamically funny hosts of the What’s Your Movie podcast. With expert help from Preston and Emily, we chat about what quotable dialogue make us laugh the hardest, which fictional pals remain unmatched, and why the chemistry between Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker is impressively magical. This delightful episode will hit you in the heart not here, or here so much, but riiight here.

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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...

Watching a fictionalized story from another time can be so romantic. But where are all the BIPOC characters? History is diverse and we think more period pieces should be too. As we look at movies and tv shows set in other time periods, we long for BIPOC characters who aren’t relegated to stereotypes or bit parts. To help us look at period pieces to find ones we love and explore what we wish they could be, we enlisted insightful help from Sangeeta Singh-Kurtz, senior writer for The Cut at New York Magazine. Together we examine what fundamental elements make a period piece completely immersive, why we wish there were more period piece characters like the BIPOC characters we *did* find, and when Brad Pitt will stop being peak Brad Pitt. We think you will find Sangeeta's take on this episode just as charming and impressive as her writing for The Cut.  

Expanding our hearts to another time this week: Achilles (Brad Pitt) of Troy, Billy Rocks (Lee Byung-Hun) and Red Harvest (Martin Sensmeier) of The Magnificent Seven from 2016, and Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins) and Red (Morgan Freeman) of The Shawshank Redemption.

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

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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...

As Sharon Jones so confidently sang, “Tell me you love me. Tell you care.” But doing it right is easier said than done. Professing your love can be anxiety-inducing and to quote De La Soul: stakes is high. To discuss the important elements of a genuine declaration of love, experienced assistance was required. Enter critically acclaimed authors, New York Times bestselling novelists, and funny friends Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings. Having written over 26 books spanning Adult Fiction and Young Adult Fiction, these long-time writing partners and best friends write under the combined pen name of Christina Lauren. With books full of amazing fictional characters and wish-it-happened-to-you romance, Christina and Lauren know a thing or two about how to weave a captivating declaration of love into impressive storytelling. Tune in to hear us discuss whether we believe in destiny, soulmates, and if Timothée Chalamet looks like an Italian shoe in Little Women.

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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...

According to Mark Twain, clothes make the man. If this is true (and it is) then we believe the mask makes the crusader. We also believe that a stylishly appropriate mask takes any fresh ensemble to the next level. To help us take a closer look at masks worn for protection and why some emanate an undeniable air of mystery, we called in help from comedian / actor Chris Mack and writer / comedian Elizabeth Stanton. These two funny friends and podcasts hosts (“Show Me What I’ve Been Missing”) amp up the laughter exponentially as we discuss whether our fictional crushes are more appealing with or without their masks, why there isn’t an entire album based on the Darkwing Duck theme song, and what would be the most appropriate response to a human-sized talking turtle.

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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...

If you’ve ever looked in your dog’s eyes and waited for them to speak, you’re not alone. Often times it’s non-humans we feel a very human connection with. On this episode, we examine what truly connects us to non-human fictional characters. To guide us, we’ve brought along comedian, writer, and podcast host (“Lizard People”) Katelyn Hempstead. With insight, empathy, and enthusiasm, Katelyn helps us define what makes non-human characters so fascinating, why we can emotionally connect to characters who aren’t even real, and why Andy Serkis’ Caesar might be the only ruler our planet will ever need.  

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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...

It’s the love of a lifetime. It’s the right amount of everything - a little bit of this but not too much of that. It’s romance based on the perfect match. In order to make the perfect match, you definitely need an eligible bachelor. With masterly help from sisters, reality tv connoisseurs, and podcast hosts (“Trust the Bachelor Process”) Alex and Sarah Franklin, we break down true love for all the right reasons, how ABC could actually build a better Bachelor process, and what characteristics make a fictional bachelor oh so eligible.   

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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...

Similar to Brick Tamland, we brought *both* a trident and a bazooka to this Golden Globes knife fight to kick off awards season. On a very special episode of Crush Fictionally, co-hosts, funny gals, and long-lost sisters Kimberly Truong and Michelle Viray are here to help the best of the best battle it out. Upon further examination of this year’s Golden Globe nominations, we found that quite a few key players were missing. To remedy the situation, we’ve added our rightful favorites and deserving storytellers to the list of Golden Globe nominees.

Together we review how Michaela Coel and Spike Lee deserved so much more, why Jared Leto needs nothing from anyone, and which stories resonated with us the most. Who would we thank if we won a Golden Globe? Definitely you for listening. Tune in to hear who captured our hearts and who we think the ultimate winners should be.

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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 aren’t shy about our love of supporting successful women and watching strong female leads on the silver screen. With assistance from improviser, writer, and multi-faceted man about town Ronnie Adrian, we review the many roles of Ms. Sandra Bullock. Together we discuss what makes Sandra Bullock’s characters so captivating, the Sisyphean efforts of female characters when it comes to fictional romance, and why seeing Sandy act is comforting to our collective souls.

At the top of our Best of Bullock list this week: Lucy Kelson of Two Weeks Notice, Debbie Ocean of Ocean’s Eight, and Gracie Hart of Miss Congeniality

This week’s small business shout-out: Bloom & Plume Coffee (Los Angeles)

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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...