I am OBSESSED with Rivals, which is just the perfect mix of camp nostalgia and (occasionally inappropriate) 80s style romance. David Tennant as a ludicrous villain? Sure, why not. And Danny Dyer in a moustache? Win. Win. Win.

So, I'm delighted that Katherine Parkinson is my guest today, as she's playing one of my favourite characters in the show. She's so funny, and relatable, and bonkers - and of course so is Katherine.

We talk about all sorts in this episode - from the fan letter, of which we are both fans; to navigating on-screen and off-screen romance. Classic Crushed. You're going to love it.

Thanks to everyone who came to the live recordings - they are so much fun to do. We'll try to do some more next year.

lots of love

MCS x

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This week my guest is the amazing ALICE LOWE!

Alice is an incredible comic actor who you'll know from her films Prevenge and Sightseers, as well as tons of other comedy including Garth Marenghi's Darkplace.

We chatted in advance of her new film TIMESTALKER (out in all good cinemas NOW) and covered all manner of crushes from Peter Pan, to Jareth the Goblin King. I absolutely loved chatting to her and sort of wish we'd done it after I'd seen the film (I have, it's great) as there are so many Crushed themes to explore within it. We'll have to come back for Part 2...

And just a reminder that I'm going to be interviewing KERRY GODLIMAN at the Cheerful Earful festival on Saturday 19th October - tickets available here: https://cheerfulearful.podlifeevents.com/festival/crushed-by-margaret-cabourn-smith-live-from-cheerful-earful-podcast-festival-19th-oct-tickets

Love and kisses, MCS xxx

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Hurrah! The hiatus is over. Welcome back friends and fellow crushers.

Crushed is back with the live episode recorded at the London Podcast Festival just a couple of weeks ago. If you were there, you might hear yourself chuckling.

My guest is of course the inimitable (and yes, I have tried) Miles Jupp! Former News Quiz host, erstwhile portrayer of Archie the Inventor in Balamory (in a very dashing Tam O'Shanter, honestly, google it), and the lucky, lucky man who got to be in Hugh Laurie's "Why Didn't They Ask Evans?" Guess which one we talked about most?

He is an utter joy, and a very funny man. I think you'll enjoy an hour of him deflecting my probing into his inner emotional life, while I try to prise him open like a reluctant clam.

Do we leave with a deeper understanding of the early loves and lusts of Miles Jupp? Arguably, no. But we do learn the new-to-me term "raging bonk-on", and get hints of a secret hankering for an older stateswoman. I hope it's not the Queen.

Lots of lovely new episodes dropping over the next couple of months so do subscribe if you haven't already.

love and crushes,

MCS xxx

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It's the last hiatus episode!

In case you missed the memo, we are taking a short break from uploading new episodes over the summer. I'm away, you're away... seems like a good time for it. But the podcast will be back with a bang on the 26th of September with new guests for your ears.

In the meantime, I wanted to dip into the back catalogue and share an episode that you might not have heard if you only joined us recently. This one is the lovely Jess Fostekew of Sturdy Girl Club on Radio 4, and the fabulous podcast Hoovering (it's not about hoovering).

I love many things about this episode, but it has one of the best examples of the classic teacher crush - in this case, Mr Ray... I just love it when a guest really commits to a crush, and what Jess did to get his attention is really very funny.

Hope you like it!

Lots of summery love,

Margaret xx

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Come and join me and guests Miles Jupp and Kerry Godliman for two live Crusheds in London over the next couple of months.

Handy links here:

https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/comedy/crushed-by-margaret-cabourn-smith-2/

https://cheerfulearful.podlifeevents.com/festival/crushed-by-margaret-cabourn-smith-live-from-cheerful-earful-podcast-festival-19th-oct-tickets

See you there?

MCS xx

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The hiatus continues...

In case you missed the memo, we are taking a short break from uploading new episodes over the summer. I'm away, you're away... seems like a good time for it. But the podcast will be back with a bang on the 26th of September with new guests for your ears.

In the meantime, I wanted to dip into the back catalogue and share an episode that you might not have heard if you only joined us recently. This one is the lovely Chris Neill, and it's one of my absolute favourites. I think most people may not know Chris as he mainly works as a producer, but he's also a brilliant comic and his Radio 4 series about meeting his husband is just joyous. This conversation is just a brilliant rollercoaster of emotion - from growing up gay in the 80s, to the lure of accountants, oboists and pen and ink drawings.

Hope you like it!

Lots of summery love,

Margaret xx

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Welcome to the hiatus!

We are taking a short break from uploading new episodes over the summer, and we've had a lovely scattering of new subscribers, so it feels like a good time to dip into the back catalogue to share a couple of favourites that you might not have heard if you've joined us recently.

First up, it's the first EVER episode, with one of my absolute favourite people, Dolly Alderton. I have known Dolly since she was 16, so have really been there for the full range of crush madness. And she's an absolute champion crusher.

I'm not just going to put the first three episodes out, by the way, some thought has gone into this. But it's such a good episode, I couldn't resist.

Hope you like!

lots of love

Margaret!

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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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