Crushed by Margaret Cabourn-Smith

It's the last episode before the hiatus!

In this episode, I'm talking to American comedian Chloe Radcliffe about her experiences with unrequited love. In many ways my favourite kind of love. We talk about her first crush, and the power of being looked at with adoration. Interestingly, Chloe is not a fan of the celebrity crush, and we had a really interesting discussion about how we differ there.

I loved talking to her - hope you'll enjoy it too.

She's currently in the UK at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival so do check her out there, or give her a follow on instagram or Twitter (is anyone still on Twitter??!)

https://www.instagram.com/chloebadcliffe/

https://x.com/chloebadcliffe

https://www.pleasance.co.uk/event/chloe-radcliffe-proud-raccoon

https://www.youtube.com/@chloebadcliffe

Love you all - have an amazing summer, and see you back at your podcast apps for the new Podcast Year in September, yeah?

Margaret xxx

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Hello!

My guest this week is writer, comedian, actor and all round marvel Katy Brand. Katy is a true crusher, so I know you're going to love the conversation. Apologies in advance though - the sound is a little rougher than the producer likes to let past, but the chat is so good, I thought it was worth it.

We talk about so many things - from saving yourself for Jesus, to long lasting devotion to Dirty Dancing, with far, far too many uses of the phrase "god shaped hole". I apologise in advance for that.

We have one more brand new episode of the show in 2 weeks time before we take a short hiatus over the summer. I hope you enjoy it! Both the show, and the summer.

See you in two weeks!

Margaret xx

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This week my guest is the incredible comedian/impressionist/actor/writer JESS ROBINSON. This recording was so much fun - I love her. We cover a lot of important ground in the episode, including the hot button topic of developing a massive crush on someone while you're in a panto together and what to do if you fall in love with a fictional detective.

And some DATES FOR YOUR DIARIES: We will be doing a show in September at the London Podcast Festival (tbc) and on the 19th October (8.30p.m) at the Cheerful Earful Podcast Festival in Clapham. Very exciting guests TBA (they're really very exciting, promise).

And as always – I would really love to hear your crush stories, so if you’ve got a cracker you’d like to share, you can email me at [email protected].

LOVEYOUBYE! MCS xx

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We cover some absolute classic crushes in this episode. Not just the horror that is the made up boyfriend (we've all done it, right? Just me?) but the strange allure of a good, albeit dead and murderous, vampire. I think that one is more widespread than people let on. And I know that one definitely isn't just me, as today's guest Beth Morrey shares it. Aside - completely blown away to discover that the actor who played Spike in Buffy the Vampire Slayer (aka James Marsters) isn't actually British. That has blown my mind. Excellent accent work, Mr Marsters.

Beth is a novelist and her third novel, Lucky Day, is out now. We had so much fun chatting, so I hope you enjoy the ep.

As ever, if you hate ads and love supporting podcasts, Substack is the place to go.

We are about to announce a new live date in the Autumn, so keep your eyes on our socials if that's the sort of thing you might be into. (Spoiler: it's in London).

And finally - I would really love to hear your crush stories, so if you've got a cracker you'd like to share, you can email me at [email protected]. Or, send us a voice note. That's very podcasty isn't it.

That's it for this week.

Lots of love,

Margaret xxx

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Another episode from Machynlleth and A SECOND MAN ON THE TROT as I talk to the lovely Jonny Donahoe (Jonny and the Baptists) about unresolved friend-crushes and abandoning your team (or not).

Plus you get the immersive audio experience of a Sunday morning in central Machynlleth - church bells, the lot.

If you want to get in touch - email us: [email protected]. Or for exclusive access to ad-free episodes, come and visit our home from home at crushedbymcs.substack.com. Or leave a review if you can – I drink a shot whenever a new one pops up.

Love as always,

MCS xx

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We're Live from MachFest this week with comedian, writer, illustrator and Bean: Henry Paker! (Three Bean Salad, Kay's Anatomy)

Henry tells me all about his psychosexual awakening, matrons with sturdy calves (quite a lot about sturdy calves, actually) and a publican's response to his first snog in a booth in a pub near the National Gallery.

It's a brilliant fun episode with a fab audience and I hope you love it.

Love and thanks - as always - for your continued and valued support.

MCS xxx

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Dive into the depths of youthful infatuation with this week's episode featuring the incomparable Nikita Lalwani!

Nikita is a Booker nominated novelist and screenwriter, but we talk about all sorts of nonsense despite that. From trying to win the heart of the chess geeks with brain power, to psychically revisiting crushes years later to mine stories for her books, we dive deep into the murky waters of teenage longing.

It's a fab episode. Hope you enjoy it.

For exclusive access to ad-free episodes, come and visit our home from home at crushedbymcs.substack.com. Or leave a review if you can - it puts a real spring in the step whenever a new one pops up.

We had a fantastic recording at Machynlleth comedy festival on Sunday with Henry Paker and his - and I quote - "psychosexual awakenings". I can't wait to share that one with you - it'll be hot on the heels of this one. Well, in about two weeks, you know the schedule.

Thank you for being a part of this mad, mad thing. Your support means the world to me.

With love and gratitude,

Margaret xxx

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I really feel like I met my twin in today's episode. Lucia Keskin (aka, @ChiwithaC wherever you find your social medias) of the brilliant sitcom Things You Should Have Done, chats with me about her formative crushes, including Roni Mitchell and Kristin Chenowith. And who doesn't love a Broadway chanteuse-y.

As always, if you want to find the show online, it is crushedbymcs.substack.com - you can sign up there for an ad free version of the show if that's your thing, or just come and hang out, and revel in my occasional wittering.

And if you're going to be in Machynlleth for the Comedy Festival in May, get your tickets for our live show with Henry Paker. I literally can't wait. It's so soon!

thanks for listening.

Love ya!

Margaret xxx

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I get to interview someone I have been a fan of for years and years today - the brilliant and iconic Helen Lederer (Ledgenderer more like. It's going to catch on).

I found the clip of her on Wogan that I mention in the intro. To make it even more enthralling, it's a real pleasure to see how confused Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan are by the whole thing. Forgot they were on the sofa too! Watch that here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIvbOA8XLgw

We talk about trying to phone Mickey Dolenz from the payphone at school; crushing on George Harrison; and dating artists. We also talk about Helen's new book "Not That I'm Bitter", which lifts the lid behind the scenes of the comedy world of the 1980s and 90s. It's been described as frank and funny and a bit mad - which I'm pleased to say was exactly how she was in person too.

Have I said that I'm interviewing Three Bean Salad's own Henry Paker for the live show at Mach? If I haven't, I'm saying it now. I think there are a couple of tickets still left, so if you'll be at Mach, please come and join us. And come and say hi!

https://machcomedyfest.co.uk/show/2024/margaret-cabourn-smith-crushed/

I think that's all the admin for this week.

You can find Crushed at Substack, and if you want to follow us there we'd love to have you. You can also sign up for an ad free version of the show if that's your bag.

Til next time,

Margaret xx

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A brilliant episode this week with the hilarious BAFTA-winning actress Kimberley Nixon (Fresh Meat, Cranford, Agatha Christie's Marple)

The automatically AI-generated show notes for this ep included the phrase '(Kim) discusses her rich fantasy life and how she can play out multiple scenarios in her head', but let's be honest: that barely scratches the surface here. From her suave encounter with J Smith Cameron, to sliding in to Megan Ganz's DMs, to her lifelong crush on her husband (d'aww..), you're in for a real treat.

As always, if you want to come and hang out at crushedbymcs.substack.com then please do - you can sign up there for an ad free version of the show if that's your bag or just show your love by subscribing for free. A few tickets are still available for our upcoming live show at Machynlleth Comedy Festival with the brilliant HENRY PAKER

Love you lots,

MCS xxx

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