Writer, podcaster and downright comedy legend Richard Herring talks to Margaret about how, as a teenager, being both square and smelly cost him huge. He goes on to talk about how he went out with someone he had made a shrine to on national television and the importance of dealing with his own fans' crushes sensitively. 
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14: Richard Herring

Celebrating crushes and unrequited loves in all their intense and embarrassing glory. Margaret Cabourn-Smith chats to funny people like Sindhu Vee, Sarah Millican and Sue Perkins about the crushes they can't forget.

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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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58. Nikita Lalwani

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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57. Lucia Keskin

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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56. Helen Lederer

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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55. Kimberley Nixon

This week's guest is the amazing Elizabeth Day (How To Fail podcast and author of Friendaholic) who joins me in poring over her many and varied crushes - from a teenage Peter Phillips to Gilbert Blythe from Anne of Green Gables - as well as the time she brought a dead bat into school. It was such a funny chat - I loved spending an hour in her company and know that you will too!
As always, if you want to find out more, we are crushedbymcs.substack.com – you can join as a member for an ad free version of the show if that’s your bag, or, just come and hang out.
thanks for listening!
MCS xx
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14: Richard Herring

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