Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword: Recent Episodes
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A short, fun and occasionally not unintentionally educational podcast in which two fans of the New York Times crossword describe their puzzle-solving travails.
Making any Sunday crossword is definitely not easy. Making one with a two-high stack of grid spanning answers is amazing; and making one with 2 two-high stacks, in one puzzle, is so difficult that it has only happened 3 times in the history of the puzzle, including ... today. It is with a combination of awe and, well, more awe that we therefore doff our hats and yell huzzah in the general direction of Kansas City, MO, home of Erik Agard, for having accomplished this (almost, but not quite) impossible feat. Deets inside.
Show note imagery: Tristan and ISOLDE (with an I!)
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This was Kameron Austin Collins' 20th Saturday NYTimes crossword, and his name at the top of the marquee is pretty much an ironclad guarantee that we're in for a good time. We laughed, we learned, and ... we were grateful that the esteemed KAC didn't turn up the crossword-difficulty level to 11, something that he is wont to do.
Besides the crossword we have some exciting Fan Mail audio, setting us straight on the mondegreen lurking in "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer". Check it out!
Show note imagery: That shoe — which for all the world looks like it is grinning at us — is not just any shoe, it's a DANSKO 😃
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This is Jesse Cohn's fourth Friday NYTimes crossword, and it checks all the right boxes:
- Tough, but not soul-crushing ✅
- Educational ✅
- Highly entertaining ✅
So, it's definitely in the running for this week's JAMCOTWA™️ (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award). The suspense builds! 😀
In other news, we have a fascinating fun fact for Fun Fact Friday™️: have a listen and be prepared to be amazed/educated/entertained.
Show note imagery: The Opportunity ROVER's self-portrait
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Today's podcast title — we promise! — will seem quite droll, even, dare we say it, chuckleworthy, once you've sussed out today's theme. We won't say any more about that here, but invite you to have a listen as we explore Dena Verkuil and John Kugelman's latest oeuvre.
Show note imagery: The Farm, by Joan Miró — winner of the Guggenheim International Award and clearly master of the surreal
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If you took a look at this crossword and decided that it's time to split, we commend you on your choice of metaphor. Daniel Bodily has constructed a puzzle that pays homage to, and yet goes beyond, one crafted by Joel Fagliano way back in the "carefree" days of 2020. It was apparently a beast to construct, but clearly worth the effort, as we discuss in today's podcast.
Show note imagery: George BOOLE, creator of Boolean Algebra, without which pretty much every single shiny gadget you own would not work 😱
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If you like weddings, have at least a passing knowledge of Indian words, and enjoy puns, then you should find today's crossword theme quite satisfying (as was the case for both cohosts). The rest of the grid also held some delights: 58D, Battery for a mouse, AAA (ah, that kind of mouse); 55D, Where Anheuser-Busch is "BUD", NYSE (informal and instructive, very nice); and 14A, So-called "servebot" in tennis, essentially, ACER (just as long as the servebot isn't powered by AI 😉🤖)
In honor of Tuesday, we have a Triplet Tuesday™️ segment, and today Jean demonstrates her commanding knowledge of ... everything 😀
Show note imagery: An enrobed OREO 😀 🍪
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Willa Angel Chen Miller's crosswords normally show up on Friday, so we were slightly concerned to see her name here on Monday, but she has done an excellent job, with some straightforward but well-crafted clues. Besides those mentioned in the podcast, we have 43D, Rewards for excellent employees, RAISES; 7D, Eve's man, ADAM; and something we're all familiar with here in NE Wisconsin (although fortunately not at this exact moment), 63A, Winter forecast, SNOW. ❄️
We've picked our JAMCOTWA™️ (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award), and while there were many (well, 7 to be precise) to choose from, this one just cried out for recognition, so there it is.
Finally, we have some fabulous listener mail, eh. 😉
Show note imagery: The inspiration for Winnie-the-Pooh, Winnie (l), with his owner, Harry Colebourn (r).
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This was an awesome Sunday crossword by Ralph Sharaga (a debut for him) and veteran constructor Doug Peterson (this is his 61st!). The theme was absolutely hysterical, and the rest of the grid glistened with guffaw-inducing clues. Among our favorites were: 14D, Race prior to a race?, REV (delightful); 97A, Safari destinations?, URLS (ha!); and we enjoyed the 180° change of tone in 47D, Opposite of "You'll pay for that!"?, ONME.
Show note imagery: MAE Jemison, the first black astronaut in space, looking fly!
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Saturdays are typically the most challenging crosswords of the week, and today's was a splendid mental workout, with some absolutely stellar clues, including 33A, Field whose prospect are looking up?, ASTRONOMY 😉. Jean found the crossword to be a challenge, and Mike's egregious unfamiliarity with "Days of Our Lives" actresses definitely pushed him to his limit. In short, both agreed that Zachary David Levy's debut Saturday crossword was abfab, worth 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
Show note imagery: SUSANLUCCI, winning her first Best Actress Emmy on her 19th nomination, after 18 consecutive losses.
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Rafael Musa was in his element today — over 50% of his crosswords have appeared on Friday. We were therefore unsurprisingly KEENON on today's effort, which featured a bevy of fine clues that left us ALLSMILES. Deets inside.
Our Fun Fact Friday™️ segment involves one of the world's most popular textile patterns. To keep up the suspense, we won't tell you what it is right now, but we do get AROUND to it in today's episode. 😉
Show note imagery: If today's image seems cryptic, we would like to draw your attention to a word that we'd never seen before today, 35D, Formal pause in a line of poetry, CAESURA
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This was a fine Thursday crossword by Joel Woodford, with a nifty theme that was surprising, entertaining, and — bonus! — gave us a chance to use "nifty" in a sentence. Our favorite clues included 22A, It may be padded or slapped, KNEE (🤔); 66D, It might be left hanging, ART (😀); and 23A, Do you read me?, NOVEL (😂). There were definitely more, check out today's episode for the very best-of-the-best.
Show note imagery: ERMA Franklin, Aretha's sister and a brilliant singer in her own right.
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If you find the aroma of fresh popcorn wafting from the grid, that means you've really gotten into the spirit of this absolutely endearing crossword by Rebecca Goldstein. It had everything that we want to see in a Wednesday crossword: a highly ingenious theme, clues that make you sweat, and a terrific payoff. This undoubtedly* deserves 5 squares on the JAMCR scale, for reasons described herein.
On a logistical note, we are going to be taking the next few days off for some R&R. If you haven't already subscribed to this podcast, this would be a great time to do so, so that when we come back — next Thursday — you can pick up where you left off.
Show note imagery: Nope, those definitely aren't Betty Davis eyes ... more like Devon Rex eyes.
- or, there is a remote chance that your computer is on fire, in which case you should seek IT help immediately 😀
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This was a superlative Tuesday crossword, thanks to some really sparkling clues. The theme — which we discuss extensively in today's episode — is the icing on the cake, but we found numerous other gems in the grid. The "Most-Fun-Clue" award goes to 62A, Things assayers assay, ORES; the "Most-Fun-Answer" award has to go to 17A, "Easy-peasy!", BADABINGBADABOOM 😀; and the "Most-Intriguing-Clue" award surely belongs to 6D, Japanese city that's home to the Chinese Sofukuji Temple, NAGASAKI.
As tradition dictates, we have in addition to our usual crossword analysis another Triplet Tuesday™️ segment, with Mike in the hot seat this time around. Did he manage to elude the banana peel, or did he do a verbal pratfall on his way to ignominious failure? Today's episode has all the answers.
Show note imagery: The astonishing Chinese Sofukuji Temple, built in 1629 (but you wouldn't know it!)
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It is our suspicion that Eric Rollfing, author of today's fine crossword, probably solves every NYTimes Connections puzzle without any mistakes, because he seems to be quite adept at identifying commonality among highly disparate items. This is not the first time he's used this approach, but it's always novel and fun to get two puzzles for the price of one.
Besides the crossword, we've picked our JAMCOTWA™️ (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award), another irresistible masterpiece by ... nope, no spoilers! Check out the podcast to find out if your favorite got the nod.
Show note imagery: This is not your grandfather's GLEE club. Oh, wait, maybe it is ... 😉
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In February, Michael Lieberman and Rebecca Goldstein collaborated on a Sunday crossword with answers that refused to stay confined to running horizontally or vertically. Well, Michael is back with another impressive, non-linear theme. We have the full analysis inside, as well as a timely bit of listener mail explaining a clue that we wrestled with yesterday. Enjoy!
Show note imagery: An Olympian participating in the 2024 Paris Canoe/Kayak Slalom
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This was a crunchy Saturday crossword, ideal for those looking for a strenuous mental workout. As is always the case on Saturdays, today's puzzle was themeless and a lot of fun. We smiled our way through 57A, What might add a bit of flavor to a salsa?, BONGO; celebrated the debut of 33D, Actor who plays the title role on TV's "Andor", DIEGOLUNA; and groaned slightly upon solving 4D, Super man?, MARIO.
This marks Ryan Judge's 7th NYTimes crossword: hopefully puzzle # 8 is already in the hopper.
Show note imagery: Gustav Klimt's THEKISS
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Today's crossword — a debut by Coz Berlin — was noteworthy for what it lacked: to wit, black squares. There were some, to be sure: but the grid contained of 9 15-letter answers (divided up into 3 sets of 3). It made for a daunting Friday puzzle. Deets inside.
In addition to the crossword, we also have a fascinating Fun Fact Friday™️ segment on poetry slams.
All that, and more, is as close as your download button, which we genuinely hope you will be tapping/clicking on ... right now.
Show note imagery: DRDOOM, in the ... flesh?
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Zhou Zhang and Mallory Montgomery have teamed up, once again, to create their third Thursday crossword, and they keep getting better with age/practice. The theme was endearingly quirky, and the clues were definitely Thursday-worthy. As representative examples, regard 33A, Little dipper?, TOE 😀; 47D, Steamy occasion, SPADAY (ah, that kind of steam!); and 13D, Dub ... or rub, ANOINT (ah, we get the ANOINT, er, POINT 😀).
Show note imagery: The old city of SANAA, Yemen's capital and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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This was an excellent mid-week crossword by Johnathan Raksin and Jeff Chen. The theme was a hoot, and the rest of the clues were of similar high quality. A few that stood out included 26D, Some comfy kicks, MOCS ([embarrassingly-obvious pun redacted]); 9D, Botheration, ADO (we're getting distinct Winnie-the-Pooh vibes here); and 30D, Mork's planet on an old sitcom, ORK (ah, the classics!).
Show note imagery: The tallest building in the world, Burj Khalifa, in the UAE
Show note videography: A Rubik's cube being solved in 2.76s (don't blink!)
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This was a collaborative debut by Gus Bloxham and Bharati Hemmady, and it was an auspicious start to what we hope will be a succession of great crosswords. We were amused by 43D, Unlike the direction of this clue's answer, ACROSS; impressed with how frequently we've seen 6D, Singer with the best-selling album "21", ADELE (for the record, 329x); and happy to be reminded of 65A, Mo. with International Talk Like a Pirate Day, SEP. Arrrrr, shiver our timbers!
Show note imagery: Curiosity, still telecommuting to work every day, from Mars, after 14 years!!
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Lynn Lempel, aka the Queen of Monday Crosswords, is back at it, with a fine puzzle (her 105th!) and her trademark Very Clever Theme™️. It is just a perfect crossword for new solvers, but it's got enough going on to keep veterans entertained as well. Deets inside!
Show note imagery: The Jackson home of renowned civil rights activist MEDGAR Evers, now known as the Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument.
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It is rare that a constructor debuts on a Sunday, but Collin Drown, a PhD student at Virginia Commonwealth University — go Rodney the Ram! ... really, that's the VCU mascot — has pulled it off, and in fine style. The theme was quite wry, with just the right amount of punpernickel™️, and the supporting cast of clues was definitely up to the task. We have the full 411 inside, as well as a very nice bit of listener mail for your enjoyment, so, ... enjoy!
Show note imagery: The North ARAL Sea, before the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea got to work
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Jim Quinlan's third NYTimes crossword didn't peg the Crossword Difficuilty Meter, but it did break our Quality Of Clues Meter, it was that good. We covered the best of the best in today's episode, but the rest of the rest were fine too. For instance, we enjoyed 29A, Offering at a BBQ joint, BIB (not RIB!); 33A, Title seen in a tea caddy, EARL (not TAZO); and 48A, Metaphorical beginning or ending, ASHES (deep, very deep).
Show note imagery: The SAVANNAHBANANAS — not just a team, it's an entire league!
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This was a fine Friday crossword by Willa Angel Chen Miller, an elegantly symmetric grid with some rather crafty and novel clues (as one would expect and hope for). Curiously, our cohosts, working independently as is their wont, had diametrically opposite experiences tackling today's puzzle. Jean found the top part difficult, making more progress in the south, first; Mike tore through the northern half, and then hit the proverbial brick wall once south of the equator. Fortunately, both were eventually able to get to the happy music, whose sweetness has been scientifically proven to be proportional to the difficulty of the crossword.
In addition to our stroll through the grid, we also have a Fun Fact Friday™️ segment on everyone's favorite Scandinavian saint. Enjoy!
Show note imagery: Nidarosdomen, the final resting place of Saint Olav
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Both cohosts found today's crossword — a father-son effort by Brad and Nat Wiegmann — to be extra crunchy, partially due to the theme, but also abetted by a number of diabolical word traps and sinister spelling snares deployed artfully about the grid. We have, of course, all the deets inside, so we encourage you to have a download, have a listen, and then let us know your thoughts on today's puzzle.
Show note imagery: An IGUANODON, absolutely incensed about his dental bill
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This was Mason Hyunjin Lee's first ever NYTimes crossword, especially impressive since he's still in high school! Here's hoping his English teacher gives bonus points, he deserves it. We recommend 1 bonus point for 23A, Low-quality synthetic images, informally, AISLOP; 2 bonus points for 66A, Mother of a stable family?, MARE (ha!); and — we're in a generous mood — a whopping 4 bonus points for 28D, "Sleep is like a ___: It only comes to you if you ignore it": Gillian Flynn, CAT. Well done, Mason!!
Show note imagery: Tarsiers, who feel some weird compulsion to always vote AYE when asked for their opinion 😀
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If Brad Lively's name sounds familiar, that's because he's published a whopping 4 crosswords this year, including today's. We are grateful for that, of course, as his crosswords in general are very nicely constructed, and today's is perfect Tuesday fare. Deets inside.
In addition to our exploration of today's puzzle, we have another thrilling Triplet Tuesday™️ segment for your listening pleasure. Enjoy!
Show note imagery: Need a vaCATIOn from your cat? Put it in a CATIO 😀 😀
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This was a pleasing Monday crossword, with a straightforward, amusing theme, and clues unlikely to generate too many BLANKSTARES. It was penned by Alex Eaton-Salners, who rarely does Monday crosswords — but when he does, he does them well, today's being a case in point.
Besides the crossword, we've identified our JAMCOTWA™️ (Jean And Mike Crossword of The Week Award) winner, so if that's you, drop us a line and prepare to be inundated with the very finest in NE WI swag 😀
Show note imagery: Chappell ROAN and her producer / collaborator Dan Nigro, getting ready to record something magical
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Apparently Rich Katz had a few fireworks left over from yesterday, and managed to slip them into today's puzzle: it just sizzles with creativity, and will have you ooh-ing and ah-ing on the way to the happy music. The theme was particularly inspired, but the rest of the grid was also top notch. We liked 57A, Enforcer of traveling restrictions, informally? , NBAREF (nice!); we also were taken with 96A, Org. concerned with plants, OSHA (oh, those kinds of plants 😀); and we especially liked the directness of 99D, Like some cars parked next to "No Parking" signs, TOWED (indeed!).
Show note imagery: The old (but still the best!!!) logo of ARSENAL, a powerhouse in English football
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Kareem Ayas has returned and brought along an excellent crossword to help us celebrate the Fourth. The clues were delightful, each precisely engineered to perplex, educate, and entertain. They succeeded, in grand style.
We have the full 411 inside, so have a listen, and then head out and watch some fireworks!
Show note imagery: A TELEX, rare in these parts.
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Barbara Lin is a highly versatile constructor — she has made crosswords for every day of the week, and this is her second Friday creation.
The grid had a daunting amount of white space in it, with 4 grid-spanning answers. Fortunately, the clues went easy on the pop culture references and both cohosts — solving independently as is their wont — were able to get through the puzzle without too many naticks.
The clues themselves were excellent. Few could resist 8D, Essayist who wrote "Not many sounds in life, and I include all urban and all rural sounds, exceed in interest a knock at the door", ELIA. We wager that only the most dour would frown at 28D, Pros in Washington, YEAS. And only the most jaded would be unimpressed with 34A, Makes a return that hits the net?, EFILES.
In addition to the crossword, we have a Fun Fact Friday™️ segment for your listening pleasure, and an exceptional piece of listener mail. Enjoy!
Show note imagery: On the left, TEMPERA; on the right, TEMPURA. Whatever you do, do not confuse the two: painting with TEMPURA could be highly problematic 😉🎨
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Today's crossword was all about US history — specifically, the Declaration of Independence. David J. Kahn, in his 192nd NYTimes publication (!!!) has outdone himself, ingeniously inserting all 13 colonies into the grid, rebus-style. It was a MAgnificent piece of work, we were both surpRIsed and DElighted. DEets inside!
Show note imagery: JohNHaNCock's John Hancock.
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Today's crossword was a marvel of clever crossword construction, and a hoot to boot — practically guaranteed to put a smile on your face, make your jaw drop, or possibly both, simultaneously. In short, Jeffrey Martinovic has outdone himself, and we are the better for it. We have the full 411 inside, so have a listen, and let us know what you thought of today's puzzle.
Show note imagery: Our nearest stellar neighbor, SOL, which we can thank for the recent heat waves, as well as the fact that we as a species are alive to gripe about the heat waves. 😉
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Congratulations to John Liber, for getting his very first crossword published in the NYTimes! It was a fine effort, with a phonetically phunny theme, and several surprising clues. For instance, do you know what a "river horse" is? An old-timey word for "making angry"? Or two calls that hogs are almost guaranteed to ignore? After listening to today's podcast and/or working on today's crossword, you will!
We also have a Triplet Tuesday™️ segment for your edification, during which time Jean demonstrates an almost Houdini-like power to wriggle out of several streak-breaking traps.
Show note imagery: Sir, we're gonna need to see a license: hop to it! 🙄
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Today's crossword marks the first collaboration between Ginny Too and Rajeswari Rajamani, and it turned out rather nicely, with theme answers that were almost as much fun to say as they were to solve. We have the deets inside.
In addition, we have painstakingly selected our JAMCOTWA™️ (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award) winner for the week, so check it out now and — if you're the winner — get ready to receive a boatload of NE WI swag!
Show note imagery: The Ramones, at the legendary CBGB
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Today's crossword was by veteran constructors Rebecca Goldstein and Christina Iverson, both of whom are unequivocally 30A, Mentally agile, CLEVER. For instance, we had the very fine 97A, Time to give up?, LENT (ha!); the dissing equivalent of a stiletto, 82D, "You had one ___!", JOB!; and the surprising 49D, "Keep dreaming", HECKNO.
TL;DR, this was a super Sunday diversion — five squares on the JAMCR scale.
Show note imagery: Inside the Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center in Santa Rosa, CA.
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This was a fine Saturday crossword by Adrian Johnson. There were no daunting, grid-spanning answers, and it was not the most difficult Saturday we've seen, but the clues were sufficiently cryptic to make for an entertaining solve. We needed the crosses to figure out 17A, Kitchen project with minimal cleanup, ONEPOTMEAL; likewise with 7D, Persian poet who wrote the "Masnavi", RUMI; and only one of our cohosts (hint: not Mike) knew 58D, Super Bowl X M.V.P. ___ Swan, LYNN.
All in all, another excellent piece of work from Adrian Johnson.
Show note imagery: Beware The LEGOBATMAN!
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Although Spencer Leach's second Friday NYTimes crossword was 15x15, it seemed larger, somehow — not because EXTRALARGE made its way into the grid, but because it was brimming with abfab clues. We were delighted by 30D, Chess tactic in which the king and queen are attacked simultaneously by a single piece, ROYALFORK; snookered (again) by 17D, Places to go in the U.K., LOOS; and reminded of how time flies by 48D, Smartphone predecessors, for short, PDAS (what are those again??).
In addition to the crossword, we have a fine fun fact for Fun Fact Friday, so be sure to listen for that!
Show note imagery: Technically speaking, those are LEGO bricks, not merely LEGOS — according to LEGO, who ought to know! 😀
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This was Tarun Krishnamurthy's fourth and — based on the day of the week — most challenging NYTimes crossword to date. We thought the theme was inspired, and there was a laudable sparkle to the rest of the clues, punctuated with just the right number of bad puns. We give it a full and richly-deserved 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
Show note imagery: The famed caravel NINA
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Kevin Curry and Zhang Zhou are collaborating again — this is their third pairing — and the world is a better place for it. We have them to thank for our knowledge of Pinkglow pineapples and GloFish (6A, the answer to which was GMOS); the astonishing revelation that 34A, Band whose spelled-out name translates to "Bulletproof Boy Scouts", was BTS; and the inspiration for a great Ponzi scheme pun, 65A, Citrus-based sauce in Japanese cuisine, PONZU.
Show note imagery: Permission to dance? Granted, Bulletproof Boy Scouts !*
*aka BTS
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This was Kathy Bloomer's fifth NYTimes crossword since 2018, and it was splendid — ideal Tuesday fare. The theme was ... ingenious (the quality control at the NYTimes when it comes to themes is simply staggering); and the rest of the grid was educational and entertaining. We had no idea about 43A, Notable features of the Charleston, S.C., skyline, STEEPLES; pondered the current whereabouts of 38D, Comet discovered in 1995, HALEBOPP; and were seized with a sudden urge to seek out 53D, "Hyde and ___" (1955 Bugs Bunny short), HARE.
Show note imagery: Charleston, S.C., STEEPLES and all.
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This was Victoria Fernandez Grande's second NYTimes crossword, and her first came just 2 months ago, so she is off to an impressive start! Monday crosswords are designed to be the easiest crosswords of the week, but that doesn't imply drab cluing, not on Will Shortz's watch! A surprise to us was 71A, Actions at the Bellagio or Encore, BETS; another shocker was 28D, Group whose "Gold: Greatest Hits" is the second-best-selling album in U.K. history, ABBA (wait, what??); and we were delighted to discover one of our favorite recent enhancements to our favorite language, aka English, 51D, Little specifics, in slang, DEETS.
Show note imagery: TIM Cook, arguably the world's greatest supply-chain wrangler 😀
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This was a Sunday debut by Hannah Slovut, and a rather novel one. You could tell it was a debut since xwordinfo.com said so; you could tell it was novel because the grid had 27 rows and 17 columns (the standard grid is 21x21). The shape was perfectly appropriate, however, because the ingenious theme centered around giraffes, in celebration of WORLDGIRAFFEDAY. We're not quite sure what is the approved way of celebrating WGD, but we do hope it involves stilts. 😀
Show note imagery: Some kids having a blast at the ol' CORNPIT
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Katie Hoody makes magnificent Saturday crosswords, and today's is no exception. It is a master class in crossword construction, featuring clues so brilliant that sunglasses are advised when working on it. 😎 We have full coverage in today's episode, so have a listen, and, as always, please tell others about us on social media.
Show note imagery: A master of disguise, the SEADRAGON (really, that's a fish, not a leaf!!)
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Today's crossword — a debut by Jack Hatchett — was an epic struggle for both cohosts, as the puzzle was brimming with craftily clued debuts. We were definitely not expecting 10D, Sudden reversal of fortune, in literature, PERIPETEIA (from the Latin, meaning, you'll never, ever be able to spell this even with spellcheck). To reemphasize just how difficult today's crossword was, one of the easier clues was 13A, Field trip?, HOMERUNTROT. We were glad, though, as we were wrestling with the most cryptic clues, to find that the author had already included our reaction: 29A, "You've gotta be kidding me!", OHCOMEONNOW 😀
In addition to the crossword, in honor of Friday we have a Fun Fact Friday™ segment, featuring an erstwhile department store forever associated with the color blue. Deets inside.
Show note imagery: A delicious AMUSEBOUCHE
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Compared to yesterday's crossword, with its somewhat complex theme, today's was simultaneously both easier and harder. Easier in the sense that once you had enough crosses, you could probably suss out the answer — a fairly common phrase. Harder in the sense that without the crosses the chances of just rattling off the answer were pretty much zero. All in all, we found today's crossword to be a worthy Thursday puzzle, and by the power vested in us by, well, ourselves, bestow upon it a full 5 squares, on the JAMCR scale.
Show note imagery: The most noble of gases
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There are themes, and then there are themes. Today's crossword was definitely a case of the latter, and it was combined with clues that were above average in difficulty. As a consequence, both cohosts had to really put their backs into it, so to speak, in their quest for the happy music. We have the full 411 inside, so have a listen!
Just a reminder that all of our show notes link to the solved puzzle on xwordinfo.com, a famous and fabulous site for all things related to the NYTimes crossword. Be sure and check it out, and tell Jim Horne that Jean & Mike sent ya'!
Show note imagery: Some scrumptious Portobello Osso BUCO!
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Brad Lively is on a tear: this is his second crossword in three weeks, not too shabby! The theme was hilarious, and the rest of the clues were perfect Tuesday fodder. We have the full 411 in today's podcast.
But wait, there's more! Since it is Tuesday, we have a Triplet Tuesday™️ segment, in which, once again, Jean demonstrates her almost superhuman cruciverbial powers.
Show note imagery: Lake ERIE, although it really isn't 🙄
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Both cohosts found today's crossword to be slightly crunchier (read: harder) than usual for a Monday, but it was a joy to solve nonetheless (or perhaps because of that!). Deets inside.
We have selected our JAMCOTWA™️ (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award) for the previous week, a most deserving bit of work with a dazzling, LOL, and irresistible theme.
Remember that solving the NYTimes Crossword on a daily basis is an excellent way to keep those axons and dendrites taut, and impress people at parties (we're not too sure which parties, exactly, other than that they are the best ones). To make sure that you don't miss a single puzzle, you can subscribe right here, where operators — or, since this is 2026, bots — are standing by.
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This was a crunchier than usual Sunday crossword by a man who knows Sunday crosswords quite well — this is John Kugelman's 16th. The theme was very clever and likely a bear to construct, but the end result was a splendid challenge. In terms of difficulty, Sunday crosswords are often characterized as bigger Wednesdays, but this one feels more like a Thursday or even a Friday — you'll definitely need patience and your wits about you to get through this one!
Show note imagery: CONGEE, congealing 😀
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This was a highly entertaining Saturday crossword by Ryan McCarty, chockfull of tricky and entertaining clues. For instance, 33D, Is courting out of one's league, so to speak, DATESUP; as avowed Anglophiles we of course appreciated 19A, "Right?," in British lingo, INNIT; and we also appreciated the riddle embedded in 26A, Make it or break it, PAR. All told, we'll add one to Ryan McCarty's Super Saturday tally, and eagerly await his next puzzle.
In addition to the crossword, we have some excellent listener mail about perseverance (and more), so to check all of that out, download, listen up, and enjoy!
Show note imagery: Rare, but not quite obsolete, behold the STAMPPAD!
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This was a quality Friday crossword by Amanda Winters, her second for the NYTimes. It was not hugely difficult by Friday standards, but the quality of the clues was first rate, and there was nary a hint of crosswordese anywhere in the grid. We approve, and give it 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
In addition to the crossword, we are also having a sale on facts, so we have two fun facts for Fun Fact Friday — check 'em out!
Show note imagery: An elephant who always looks good in green, BABAR!
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Today's crossword was a debut by Nikhil Bailey, and an excellent one, fueled by an awesome theme (but no revealer: you'll have to work this one out on your own, or ... listen to today's episode).
Some other clues raised some intriguing questions:
- What's the story behind 19D — Gillette Stadium team in the N.F.L., to fans, PATS?
- Is the food alluded to in 52D, Like blue lobsters, RARE, really a thing?; and
- Was 54D —"Mushy" side dish with fish and chips, PEAS — invented by a chef with anger management issues and a hammer?
Inquiring minds need to know!
Show note imagery: The ARAL Sea, then (left) and now (right)
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This was a terrific Wednesday crossword, with an exceedingly well timed and executed theme, combined with some excellent cluing exsewhere, er, elsewhere. 😉
We learned about and now hope to visit 29D, Biltmore ___, America's largest privately owned home, ESTATE; we had similar sentiments about 37D, Madrid's ___ Sofía Museum, REINA, after learning that it is the home of Picasso's Guernica; and finally we are eager to take up the 19A, Tam-tam, e.g., GONG, and while we might not become experts at it, we do aspire to become one-note wonders. 🙄
Show note imagery: Guernica
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Rebecca Goldstein is one of our favorite constructors, which is why we felt 56D, Utter delight, GLEE, upon seeing that she had authored today's puzzle. Some of that GLEE was a result of solving 45D, "Toodle-oo!", BYENOW; some may be ascribed to happy memories dredged up by 64A, Sound of a cartoon hit, BOINK; and the rest comes from that joyful, chortle-provoking theme, as described in today's episode.
Besides the crossword, we have another Triplet Tuesday™️ segment for your entertainment and edification, and you will find that the results this week were 28A, Nearly unique, EXCEEDINGLYRARE.
Show notes imagery: The Georgia O'Keeffe Museum not only houses numerous works of art, it is a work of art all by itself!
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Today's crossword was excellent Monday fare. Most of the clues were written with new solvers in mind, as one would expect; but they were a lot of fun nonetheless, and constructor Tom McCoy had planted one or two traps for the unwary. Bravo!
In addition to the crossword, we have chosen our JAMCOTWA™️ (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award) for the previous week, and our choice should surprise no-one. If it does, though, be sure and let us know!
Show note imagery: From Prince Valiant in the Days of King Arthur, by Harold "HAL" Foster
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Today's crossword, a collaboration between veteran constructors Adam Wagner and Simeon Seigel, was relatively controversial: some solvers found it to be a splendid tour de force of modern crossword construction, others found it to be less splendid and more slog. Your cohosts are a case in point: but we will keep you briefly in suspense, dear listener, as to who felt what. (And as a meta-puzzle, see if you can suss that out prior to listening).
Show note imagery: "Here's lookin' at you, kid", a popular quote from the most quotable movie of all time.
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After just a cursory glance at today's crossword, your first reaction might be a pressing need to don sunglasses. That would be because of the grid, the most "wide open" grid ever in the NYTimes — as measured by the number of white squares that do not intersect a black square. The previous total had been 132, but constructor Daniel Bodily beat that handily with a score of 135. What's even more incredible is just how deliciously good (and hard!) the clues were, a definite masterpiece of modern cruciverbial art. Bravo, Daniel!!
Show note imagery: To quote Doc Brown, if you're going to travel through time, why not do it with a little style? 😀
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This was an exciting Friday crossword by Kelly Morenus, with a bevy of challenging clues. Just to give you a taste, we had 54A, "___ y plata" (Montana's motto), ORO; 46D, Pioneering civil rights activist ___ Arnold Hedgeman, ANNA; and one amusing gimme, 22A, Where 22-Across is, HERE 😀.
Show note imagery: As discussed in today's podcast, one shoe that definitely doesn't come in a size 9 😀
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Once again the NYTimes crossword boffins have gone above and beyond to inject a little something extra into the grid, to aid the constructor. We had animation the other day, and today we have ... something that we'll let you hear about in today's podcast (whew! no spoiler alert necessary).
Besides the crossword, we also have some enlightening listener mail related to yesterday's puzzle, so be sure to check it all out, right here!
Show note imagery: A ski resort in Lillehammer, Norway, host of the 1994 Winter Olympics.
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We do not know if this was planned or by chance, but today's crossword happens to be an ideal choice for National Repeat Day, which, we have been reliably assured, is a real thing.
While today's debut by Jiahe Men (woo-hoo!) was not overly difficult, grokking the theme did make solving it easier and more fun. We liked it a bunch, and therefore bestow upon it a meter-pegging 5 squares on the JAMCR scale. Deets inside.
Show note imagery: The Peqod, on full sail.
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Rich Katz has scored again with a winning theme and a strong supporting cast of clues. We've covered most of those in the podcast, but we would also like to doff our hats in honor of the fun-to-say 31D, Sea sight in black and white, ORCA; the good-to-know 12D, About 8,100 square feet, for a baseball infield, AREA; and an even better-to-know-in-NE-Wisconsin, 52A, Wash with a glycol spray, as an airplane wing, DEICE.
In other news, it's Tuesday, and in today's Triplet Tuesday™️ segment, Jean's in the (very) hot seat.
Show note imagery: A mob of emus trying to remember where they left their pitchforks
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This was Kenneth Cortes' third NYTimes crossword, and it was splendid. The theme was memorable and unique, and there were some other gems among the rest of the clues. These include
- a clue that has is making its second appearance in about two weeks, welcome back 42D, Shiba ___ (Japanese hunting dog), INU;
- a university that, alas, its namesake hasn't deigned to donate to, 50A, North Carolina university, ELON;
- the national drink of Puerto Rico, 43D, Piña ___, COLADA.
There were more, and we have wall-to-wall coverage inside.
In addition, we have our JAMCOTWA pick for the week, so check it out to see if your favorite won the brass ring.
Show note imagery: The village in Wales with the longest placename, Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch
Show note videography: How to pronounce Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch
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Today's crossword was by Jeffrey Martinovic and Evan Park, students at Western University in London, Ontario (go, Mustangs!). It was inspired in part because at Jeffrey's high school they played the William Tell Overture before the school day commenced (very classy!). It was constructed as a result of months worth of brainstorming sessions, and all that effort really paid off. We loved it!
Show note imagery: John CENA, ACME's lawyer in Coyote vs. ACME, arriving in theaters August 28, 2026 — mark your calendars!!
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Since this was Saturday, we expected a tough crossword, and Malaika Handa and Erik Agard did not disappoint. Some of the clues were straightforward-ish, but others were definitely not for the faint of heart. We salute the constructors for their ingenuity, and our K-12 teachers for reminding us that, one day, what we'd learn would help us finish an NYTimes crossword 😀 😀
Show note imagery: Osaka, on the island of HONSHU
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Hemant Mehta is adept at writing challenging but highly entertaining Friday crosswords, and we cherish every one of the seven that he has constructed. Today's had some awesome clues, including 55A, Time of day either way, NOON (🌞); 52A, Fictional manufacturer of a Do-It Yourself Tornado Kit, ACME (🧨); and 8D, "Yowzers!", HOLYMOSES (🧺). There were more — of course — so check out today's podcast to hear all about 'em.
Show note imagery: Several CESARs, the "Oscars" of the French film industry.
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This marks John Kugelman's fifth NYTimes crossword of the year, and it's only May! The man is clearly the embodiment of prolific, but it's not just quantity, it's quality, as today's crossword clearly illustrates. We have all the deets inside, so have a listen, and don't forget to leave us a 5 star review on your favorite podcast app.
Show note imagery: The Houston Colt .45s (from 1962 to 1964: in 1965 they were rebranded as the Houston Astros)
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This was a clever mid-week crossword by Dario Salvucci. The theme was fun, there was just the right number of "huh, who knew?" clues for a Wednesday, and Dario deserves bonus points for throwing in one of our favorite words —Rapscallion — into the mix. Bravo!
Show note imagery: The Chrysler Building, which for 11 months reigned as the tallest building in the world.
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Today's crossword is by Brad Lively, who now has one crossword in each of the Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday slots. We're placing our bets that his fourth crossword will be a Friday (but we have absolutely no inside knowledge, promise!). We found Brad's puzzle to be straightforward, but replete with several fascinating factoids that we detail in today's podcast (no spoilers here!).
In today's Triplet Tuesday segment, Mike's in the hot seat ... but not necessarily on fire 😉
Show note imagery: The Invisible Hand of the Free Market, something you'd definitely learn about while studying the dismal science.
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Timed just perfectly to match the mini-heatwave about to ravage NE Wisconsin (temperatures might get up to 90°F😱), Anthony V. Grubb has shown up with a crossword that is, in its own way, on fire — thanks to clues like 68A, Back of a car or front of an elephant, TRUNK (nice one!); 45D, Gimmicky routines, SCHTICKS (oy vey!); and the terrific 70A, Place of buzziness?, HIVE (BEEauty 😀).
Besides today's crossword, we also have our weekly JAMCOTWA™️ (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award) segment. Check it out to see if your favorite(s) won.
Show note imagery: The Scoville Scale, always handy when you're dining at Chipotle 😀
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David Steinberg is definitely a child prodigy when it comes to crosswords. His first NYTimes crossword was published in 2011, when he was (does some math) approximately 14 years old. Constructing any crossword is a challenge — constructing one, while a teen, that can get into the NYTimes ... is extraordinary. David didn't rest on his laurels, though: this is his 113th(!) NYTimes crossword.
Show note imagery: Some of the apps you might be using if you're ONTHEAPPS
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Kameron Austin Collins specializes in end-of-the-week-and-nigh-well-impossible crosswords. His talents are on full display today, a crossword with very few black squares, a lot of longish-answers, and a whole host of highly cryptic clues designed to obfuscate and bamboozle. We may need some time to recover before tackling our next KAC puzzle, but we look immensely forward to it whenever it shows up.
Show note imagery: The Gashlycrumb Tinies, by Edward GOREY
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This was Gene Louise De Vera's sixth NYTimes Crossword, and his Friday debut. Both cohosts found the clues to be quite lively — fun but not fraught, as far as streaks are concerned. Apart from those clues covered in the podcast, we would like to draw your attention to a very NYTime-ish sort of clue, 17D, Carnivora or Lagomorpha, ORDER; the retro 33A, "Neato!", OHCOOL; and the implicit spelling challenge wrapped into 51A, Philosopher William of _________, OCCAM.
Besides the crossword, we have a great Fun Fact Friday™️ segment for your enjoyment, so have a listen, and let us know what you think!
Show note imagery: Some scrumptious CAKESICLES
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This was a good mid-week crossword by Kathleen Duncan — her second for the NYTimes. We liked many of the clues in today's puzzle, but our favorites had to be 28D, Big to-do, HOOHA; the old-timey 63A, "Seems right," folksily, RECKONSO; and a debut, 38D, Epitome of slowness, MOLASSES.
Show note imagery: CLARA Bow, silent movie star in, among other works, Wings, which in 1929 won the very first Academy Award for Best Picture.
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For those of you keeping track, Brad Wiegmann, author of today's very fine puzzle, has as of today published an NYTimes crossword every day of the week except ... Saturday! So, he's just one acceptance letter away from "hitting for the cycle", and we imagine that, at this very moment, Brad is trying to think up some dastardly difficult clues. In the meantime, the clues that he dreamt up for today's crossword were excellent — as you will hear in today's podcast.
Show note imagery: Behold, a PENTATONICSCALE
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How she does it remains a mystery, but Rena Cohen has a definite knack for crafting wonderfully clever and gentle themes, embedded in a grid with some fine answers — today's crossword being an excellent case in point.
We were shocked by 54D, Marsupial often mistermed a "bear", KOALA (wait: you mean all those zoo signs are lying to us?!); inspired by the phlegmatic 46A, "___ Calm and Carry On", KEEP (yay, Britain!); and another useful factoid, 56D, There are 100 of these in every Scrabble game, TILES (and at least twice that many behind the sofa 😀).
Show note imagery: The Code of Hammurabi, written about 1753 BC, evidently before "leniency" had entered the Babylonian lexicon.
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This was an excellent Sunday crossword by Derrick Niederman, a man who heretofore has only published on Sundays, a precedent that he laid down when he first started, in 1983!
The crossword was terrific, the theme novel, and there was a plethora of crunchier than usual clues. It made for a fun solve, and is therefore definitely in the running for tomorrow's JAMCOTWA™️ (Jean And Mike Crossword of the Week Award).
Show note imagery: Nope, definitely not PISMO Beach.
Show note URL: Ali Baba Bunny
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This was a highly challenging crossword by Byron Walden, each clue a masterpiece of misdirection, with a dash of obscurity thrown in for good measure. Both cohosts had to fight mightily for each answer in a grid that contained an incredible 13 debuts.
There were so many amazing clues that while we squeezed as many as we could into the podcast, we regretted having to omit 2A, They're hard to pull off, FEATS (wow!); 6D, Wind pipe?, CHIME (yikes!); and finally 31A, Capital of Greenland, NUUK (yowzer!).
tl;dr; a brilliant crossword that dances on the edge of impossible.
Show notes imagery: Beautiful (but chilly) downtown NUUK, capital of Greenland
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This was Maddy Ziegler's second NYTimes crossword. Her first appeared on Saturday, so it will very interesting to see on what day her third (which, based on her second, we are sure is going to appear sooner or later) pops up. With absolutely no insider information, we're betting on another Saturday.
This was a pleasing Friday crossword — no theme to bedazzle, all the clues had to pull their weight, and they did so here. We had a debut at 31D, Dangerous ocean phenomenon, ROGUEWAVE; a blast from the past at 33A, MacMurray of "Double Indemnity", FRED; and the second time in 2 days that we've seen the answer to 13D, "I can't believe that price" bargain, STEAL.
All in all, this was a fine puzzle: we give it a full 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
Show note imagery: Ah, the ol' Chevrolet 490: yours for the low, low price of $490 😀 😀
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While we didn't have too much difficulty with today's crossword, there were a few clues that made us pause and wonder. We were intrigued by 42D, Seven-stringed instrument that gave the guitar its name, KITHARA; awed by the memorable 11D, Prolifically posting about one's kids online, in a neologism, SHARENTING; and dutifully impressed by 4D, September to April, in the oyster industry, RMONTHS.
All in all, another fine crossword by Simeon Siegel.
Show note imagery: DRACO, an Athenian lawyer responsible for some highly draconian laws.
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Today's crossword — the second by Brian Keller — had a plethora of pleasing clues. We enjoyed 13D, Criminally good deal, STEAL; the on-the-nose 26D, Opposite of "nah", YEAH; and the somewhat Yoda-sounding 34D, Avoids injury, say, ISOK. The theme was, needless to say, fabulous. We have all the deets inside, so we cordially invite you to download, listen up, and ... enjoy!
Show note imagery: ANUBIS, the Jackal-headed Egyptian deity
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Today's crossword was an homage to "this sceptered isle", which just happens to be one of our favorite tourist destinations. In short, there's no way we can be unbiased, we loved this puzzle!
Other than the crossword, we have another Triplet Tuesday™️ segment for your enjoyment, and Mike's performance was ... a surprise. To keep you in suspense, we won't reveal, at this juncture, whether it was a good surprise or a bad surprise — to ascertain that, you'll need to check out today's episode.
Finally, we wrap it up with some wonderful listener mail pertaining to YUTZ, PUTZ and UTZ (either the start of a bad joke, or the name of a worse law firm, you be the judge! 😀 ).
Show note imagery: John of Gaunt, known for the "sceptered isle" speech as well as his unparalleled accuracy with a phaser 😀
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After the excitement of the last few days, we confess a certain pleasure in tackling a more laid-back crossword, one that did not require all neurons on deck, and what some might term an excessive amount of gnashing of teeth, to get the job done. We were anticipating that this might be the case, but appreciated the confirmation nonetheless. Hats off to Joel Woodford (this is his second NYTimes crossword) for an entertaining start to our puzzle-solving week.
Show note imagery: Vientiane, Laos!
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Today's crossword was — depending on which cohost you ask — a slightly crunchier than usual Sunday, or a puzzle just a shade less difficult than decrypting the Rosetta Stone in the dark while wearing gloves. Regardless, the puzzle could be solved, and the payoff was extraordinary, with the AHA! moment in the center of the grid being particularly epic. Deets inside.
Show note imagery: Feng Wang, playing an EHRU.
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This was an awe-droppingly good Saturday crossword by Katie Hoody. Each clue, individually, is a work of art in miniature, and collectively, this crossword is simply a work of art. This was, make no mistake about it, a tough crossword: but it was fair, with little to no use of pop culture (Mike's nemesis), just inspiring plays on words.
This definitely, positively, pegs the meter on the JAMCR scale — a full 5 squares.
Show note imagery: AMYS, one of our favorite pizzas!
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Today's crossword was (checks calendar) classified as a Friday, but it was definitely on the tougher side of the Friday spectrum. Did our intrepid cohosts manage to solve the puzzle? Or did they go down in flames? To find out, as well as hear a fabulous Fun Fact Friday™️ segment, checkout today's episode.
Show note imagery: MANIOC (aka cassava or yuca) is a woody shrub native to South America from which we get, among other things, tapioca.
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Today's crossword — the product of two highly accomplished crossword constructors, John Guzzetta and Jeff Chen, and one world-renowned crossword editor, Will Shortz — is, in a word, an absolute delight. OK, technically that's three words, but this crossword is so impressive that it deserves the extra praise. We explain why in detail in today's episode, so do have a listen, and, let us know if you concur.
Show note imagery: A SKUA, on the hunt!
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A second constructor in a row is making their debut — today it is James Mattina, an internist in Montréal, who has delivered a lovely crossword that is guaranteed to grow on you — a sentence that will become uproariously funny* once you've checked out today's episode.
Show note imagery: The Stax Museum of American Soul Music, in Memphis, TN
or at least cause a mild twitching of the zygomaticus major and zygomaticus minor muscles*
**the muscles repsonsible for smiling
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Today's crossword was a debut for Max Schlenker: congratulations, felicitations, etc., first for writing such a fine crossword, and second, for getting it accepted. We take a stroll through the grid in today's episode, and you, dear reader/listener, are cordially invited to join us on the journey.
Besides the crossword, since it is Tuesday, we have a Triplet Tuesday™️ segment, and this time Jean's doing the high-wire act, and without a net (gasp!) or even Annette (who?! 🙄) .
Show note imagery: Alpha-Bits, they're ABC Delicious 😀
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Today's crossword marked a fine way to start our crossword-solving week, with a witty theme, straightforward clues, and — as one would expect on a Monday — very few problem areas. And yet, demonstrating his ability to be OTM (OBTUSER Than Most™️), Mike was able to get temporarily mired in the grid. You can hear all the shocking details inside, and discover the well-deserved winner of this week's JAMCOTWA™️ (Jean And Mike Crossword Of the Week Award).
Show note imagery: Don't delay, learn how to BELAY today 🙄
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This is Mark Diehl's 80th NYTimes crossword since 1984, so it is abundantly obvious that he knows a thing or twenty about writing great crosswords. His talents are on full display today — the theme is a puzzle in a puzzle, and the rest of the clues are quite crunchy. Jean & Co. worked through the crossword fairly expeditiously, Mike got bogged down in several areas, but managed to haul himself out in spite of not knowing a distressingly high number of clues.
Show note imagery: One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, by KENKESEY
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Our cohosts had very different takes on today's crossword, a truly extraordinary work of art by Hannah Slovut. Jean & Co. found it to be a stiff breeze, Mike found it to be more of an F-5 tornado. Happily, all parties did get the puzzle solved (er, eventually), and were appropriately awed and energized by the experience.
Show note imagery: Artemis II, just getting started.
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Kudos to Rena Cohen for crafting an excellent crossword, her first to appear on a Friday. The clues were quite interesting: we always appreciate crosswords that both entertain and teach, as this one does so well.
Speaking of entertaining and teaching, we also have a Fun Fact Friday segment that does just that. Check it out!
Show note imagery: Yes, this too is a baguette (technically, it's a type of cut, used for diamonds and other precious stones)
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When Aristotle wrote that "the whole is greater than the sum of the parts", he most likely did not have crossword constructors Lance Enfinger and John Kugelman in mind. But the thought still applies — these individually talented constructors have crafted an exceptional puzzle, and the proof is as close as your play button.
Show note imagery: One of RUBE Goldberg's many, many inventions.
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Joseph Gangi's eighth NYTimes crossword was so much more than a mere middling midweek crossword: it had a splendid array of intriguing clues. We loved 4D, Half of many a union-to-be, BRIDE; marveled at the "maritime corner", 20A, Pirate's booty, LOOT and 22A, Swabbie's tool, MOP; and almost swooned at the mention of our very, very favorite comic character, 49A, World War I Flying _______ (Snoopy alter ego), ACE.
Show note imagery: The ODEON Theater, in Amman, Jordan
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King Charles is stateside, and it had been such a fervent hope of ours that the NYTimes crossword theme would celebrate his arrival that we might have possibly, arguably, read a tad bit too much into today's grid. We'll let you, dear listeners, be the judge: did we stumble upon a very, very subtle "Welcome King Charles" theme, or do we have to stop watching reruns of Downton Abbey before doing the crossword? Let us know!
Show note imagery: King Charles, getting ready to do battle with the Saturday NYTimes crossword!
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Neville Fogarty has published an NYTimes crossword every day of the week save Saturday. Today he had the foot off the pedal, resulting in this kinder, gentler puzzle — which ironically and amusingly took Mike 4x longer than usual to solve. There is a good reason for this, however, explained in today's episode.
Also in today's episode, we have chosen this week's JAMCOTWA™️ (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award). Deets, as usual, inside.
Show note imagery: Olive Garden, known for its bottomless salad bowls, its delectable PASTA, and breadsticks to die for
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Rebecca Goldstein has delivered a fine Sunday crossword with gems scattered throughout the grid. Our favorites included 119A, It has its ups and downs, YOYO (🪀); 11D, Stick used for breaking, CUE (🎱); the good-to-know 56D, Insect with more than 14,000 known species, ANT (🐜); and the audacious musician 9D, "Hanukkah in Santa Monica" songwriter Tom, LEHRER (🎹).
Show note imagery: EVOO, aka Extra Virgin Olive Oil, which, according to the Completely Unbiased EVOO Trade Association, will cure anything that ails you! 😉
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There is no doubt that Sam Ezersky is very good at writing Saturday-level crosswords — he has had 23 of them published since 2012 (out of a total of 64). His talents are on full display today, as he has turned in an entertaining, eye-catching puzzle that impresses in every corner. Both cohosts were suitably awed, and you can hear the full 411 in today's episode.
Show note imagery: ERES Mia, by Romeo Santos
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This was an unexpectedly crunchy Friday crossword, with lots of brilliantly concealed traps for the unwary solver. We loved every "there goes the ol' streak, it was good knowin' ya" moment, as we toiled, and toiled, and toiled away. We give it a full 5 squares on the JAMCR scale, and if we could, we'd give it more! Deets inside.
Show note imagery: A very young John Travolta, playing VINNIE Barbarino on "Welcome Back, Kotter"
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This is Zhou Zhang and Kevin Curry's second collaboration, and it is an uber-awesome bit of cruciverbal magic. They started with a chef's kiss of a theme, puzzling with a powerful payoff; they ended with a slew of equally awesome clues. Consider: 42A, What the "Music City Miracle" and the "Immaculate Reception" took place in, NFLAMES (😀); 44A. Alternative to bow ties, PENNE (😀 😀); and 48A, Test release?, TIMESUP (😀 😀 😀).
We cannot wait for ZZ and KC's third collaboration, best on prior work it's sure to be a hoot.
Show note imagery: In the worlds of the immortal Yoda, "DO, or DONUT, there is no try" 🙄
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Today's crossword was an homage to Earth Day, and we loved it! One of the big no-no's in crossword construction was ignored in the making of today's puzzle, but it was for the sake of the theme, so the author, Hoang-Kim Vu, gets a pass. And we'd give this crossword more than just a passing grade ... we'd rate it as a full 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
Deets inside.
Show note imagery: ODIN, along with Huginn and Muninn (which if they aren't the names of hotel chains, they ought to be 😀)
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This was a nicely crafted Tuesday crossword. The theme was fun and straightforward, and the themed clues were in good company. For instance, the puzzle included our favorite snake — 51A, Reptiles on papyrus, ASPS; our favorite dwelling — 66A, Circular tent, YURT; and finally our favorite currency that is too often tragically mistaken for a fruit, 18D, Haitian currency unit, GOURDE.
In addition to the crossword, we are pleased to announce that we are up to our full complement of cohosts, i.e., 2, making our Triplet Tuesday segment that much easier.
Show note imagery: Pablo Neruda (right), receiving the Nobel Prize in Literature from King Gustav Vi Adolf, King of Sweden from 1950-1973.
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This was a perfect Sunday crossword by Michael Lieberman. Mike (cohost, not constructor 😀) needed to resort to pencil and paper (!) to help visualize the theme, and thoroughly enjoyed the sheer tactile-ness of it all. We have all the deets inside, so have a download and a listen, and let us know what you think!
Show note imagery: Some delicious RASTA pasta
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This was a very nice Saturday crossword by Jesse Cohn, almost exactly one year since he last published on a Saturday. The clues were interesting / challenging / suitably obscure, as one would hope. Several stood out, including 12D, Blitzed, SAUCED; 26A, Metros in the 1990s, GEOS; and 27D, Relatives of ottomans, HASSOCKS. All in all this was a fine addition to the Saturday pantheon; we give it a full and enthusiastic 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
Show note imagery: NEON, the 5th most common element in the universe — quite fortunate, because no matter what your species, you can never have enough OPEN signs and/or lightsabers 😀
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Friday crosswords have a lot of weight on their shoulders: they need to be entertaining (of course); themeless (by convention); and ramp up the difficulty to just the right level so that Saturday doesn't see like a quantum leap from Thursday. We are pleased to report that Rachel Fabi's latest crossword checks all the boxes.
To confirm that, be sure and check out today's episode, available ... right now!
Show note imagery: Negative Nancy, not to be confused with whining Willy!
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This was a terrific crossword by Rafael Musa — who usually works the Friday side of the street — and Sala Wanetick. The theme was ingenious and, as we discuss in today's episode, almost impossible to miss.
Speaking of miss, we hope you won't miss this or any future episodes: click on follow / subscribe / whatever on your podcast-supplying app of choice to ensure that such a calamity does not befell you!
Show note imagery: a NOSEEUM, member of the family Ceratopogonidae, most definitely not to scale (whew!)
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We are definitely Adam Wagner fans, and our idol does not disappoint today. The theme is inspired, the clues perfect for a Wednesday, and the entire puzzle is suffused with a lively and cheery spirit that put a smile on our faces. We approve, and give it an often sought but rarely delivered 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
Show note imagery: Members of SKATEPUNK band Blink-182
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Mark Diehl is certainly a veteran crossword constructor — his first NYTimes crossword was published in 1984! He hasn't lost his touch, though: this was a terrific Tuesday with a boffo theme.
Besides the crossword, it's Triplet Tuesday™️, and the spotlight's on Mike. Will he rise to the challenge or, tragically, go down in flames? Tune in to find out!
Finally, we have an inspirational piece of listener mail about that most elusive and valuable of commodities — grit — the internal kind that keeps you driving forward, striving for success (as measured, in this context at least, by the cheery "happy music" theme).
Show note imagery: The Taxman (or woman) cometh!
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This was a splendid Monday crossword, arguably slightly crunchier than usual, but still definitely on the Monday side of the scale. A few of those crunchier clues included 46D, Afghan language, PASHTO (🤔); 28A, "There's ___ in 'team,' but there is one in 'win'", NOI (😀); and 53D, City NE of Manchester, LEEDS (🇬🇧).
In addition to the crossword, we have also selected our JAMCOTWA™️ (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award), and we are sure that you'll agree that ... the crossword in question definitely came out last week 😉.
Show note imagery: A collection of AESOP's fables ( most likely not signed by the author 😀).
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We did not know, until several hours ago, that PARADIDDLE was a word. But now that we do, we're going to try and work it into conversation whenever, and however, we can. That will not be easy, alas, because PARADIDDLE is the answer to 73D, Basic drumming pattern: the opportunities to deploy it will likely be few and far between.
Speaking of musicians, we were also thrilled to learn of the existence of 54D, Hip-hop artists with unintelligible lyrics, MUMBLERAPPERS. We put that right up there with PARADIDDLE as a life-changing discovery, and personally want to thank constructors Lance Enfinger, John Kugelman, and, of course, Will Shortz, for making the puzzle that made all this possible.
Show note imagery: PARADIDDLES apparently do not live alone: they are quite sociable, and cluster in families
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Our intrepid cohosts, solving independently as usual, took very different crossword solving journeys in tackling this, Kareem Ayas' tenth NYTimes opus. Jean found it a walk in the park; Mike found it more of a free solo event, in which one false move could be fatal (to his streak 😀). Both cohosts did succeed. Jean's time was quite good; Mike's time was impressive, simply because of the sheer number of digits in it. Deets inside.
Show note imagery: Some MASERATIS — we'll take three, please 😀 🤑
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Dale Chihuly is an incredibly gifted artist, but AFAWCT he has never appeared in the grid of the NYTimes crossword. Consequently, it was most gratifying to at least see his name in a clue, specifically 29A, Like the glass in many a Dale Chihuly sculpture, FUSED.
Today's episode includes a bit more about Dale, as well as, oh, yes, the rest of the crossword, and a terrific Fun Fact Friday segment. So, have a listen, and, as always, please tell others about us on social media.
Show note imagery: Dale Chihuly's Mendota Wall, a brilliant work of art at his alma matter, the University of Wisconsin Madison.
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Today's grid is sweet — literally, thanks to all those delicious, disguised dessert items. Fortunately, they are the virtual kind, and therefore highly unlikely to wreck your diet.
In addition to the terrific themed clues, we LOLed at 67A, Oil bigwig?, ARTCURATOR (awesome!); were amazed by 42A, Amundsen who went to the South Pole 15 years before he flew over the North Pole, ROALD (who knew?); and chuckled at 28D, Cold-weather coat, FROST (😀).
Show note imagery: a RHINO, the second most massive mammal on Earth, just out for an afternoon stroll.
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This was a fine debut crossword by Philippe Monfiston. It had oodles of interesting clues, a score of bad (by which we mean good 😀) musical puns, and was just the right degree of difficulty for a Wednesday. We approve, 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
Show note imagery: The Long Room of the Old Library at TRINITY College, erstwhile home of Jonathan Swift, Oscar Wilde, Bram Stoker, Mary Robinson, Mary McAleese and many, many more.
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Kudos to Adryel W. Robles Ojeda for getting their very first crossword published in the NYTimes. We found it both fun and fast. We liked all the clues in today's puzzle, but among those that we did not already cover in today's episode, three stood out: 49A, Sharp or flat location on a piano, usually, BLACKKEY (makes sense); 37D, 3 to 1 are good ones, ODDS (cute); and 42A, Most common word in English, THE (not, as we initially guessed, HEYIMWALKINHERE 😀 ).
Show note imagery: Harry HOUDINI, about to do something extremely ill-advised.
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BATSIGNAL has appeared a total of 4 times in the NYTimes crossword — once in 2014, twice in 2020, and today. The real BATSIGNAL shows up much more frequently in DC Comics, and continues to this day to serve as a means of summoning the caped crusader, who we would argue really needs to slip a cellphone into the ol' utility belt.
A quick check reveals that, in one paragraph, we have covered exactly one clue, and at this rate these show notes would be approximately 25 pages long. We therefore propose to simply mention, en passant, that this was an excellent Monday crossword, as one would expect since it was written by John Ewbank. We've got more to say, on most of the grid, in today's episode.
We've also announced our latest JAMCOTWA™️ (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award) — check out today's episode to see if we picked your favorite.
Show note imagery: The BATSIGNAL, available wherever fine crime-fighting equipment is sold.
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This was Samuel A. Donaldson's 42nd NYTimes crossword, and it is joyous, with effervescent clues and answers that richly reward the diligent solver. The themed answers were particularly fabulous, but we were also fans of 86D, Manage moguls, say, SKI; 74A, Place to store magazines, ARMORY; and 104A, Monopolist's portion, ALL (brilliant!). There were more (of course), check out today's episode for all the deets.
Show note imagery: The gorgeous Manila skyline
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This was Royce Ferguson's third Saturday NYTimes crossword, and it was highly enjoyable. It was not a walk in the park, but neither was it the "scale El Capitan by one's teeth" type of puzzle that it could have been — and for which we are grateful.
There were terrific clues in the grid, such as 26D, Crystal and Rock, notably, OSCARHOSTS (😀); 42A, What isn't anyone's fault?, LET (😀 😀); and a gimme for the musically inclined, 53D, F or G, but not H, NOTE (😀 😀 😀)
Show note imagery: Artemis II, a most excellent example of a SPACESHOT
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We are always partial to crosswords with KAZOO in the grid, but that is not the only reason why we are so enamored with today's puzzle. No, they had us at the theme — perfect for a Thursday — and kept us engaged with such great clues as 63A, School with a larger-than-life bronze statue of Henry VI, ETON (um, ok); 46A, One side in a "Holy War" rivalry in college football, UTES (vs??? Sure, leave us hanging 😉); and the itch inducing 65A, Irritating "cloud", GNATS (natch!).
Show note imagery: Come to think of it, that does look like a backwards 3.
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If you forgot that today was April 1st, fear not — the NYTimes Crossword is here just in the nick of time to remind you. They do it, unsurprisingly, in a surprising and highly amusing way. We'll say no more on the subject, but rather exhort you to download today's episode, where we haul out the ol' magnifying glass to give the puzzle a careful once-over.
Show note imagery: A lovely SNÖDROTTNING pillowcase, from IKEA
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This was a well-crafted Tuesday crossword (and not just because of 52A, Cloudy craft beer, HAZYIPA). No, there were many other clever clues that contributed to this assessment, including 10D, "Aaron Burr, ___" ("Hamilton" number), SIR (one of our faves!); 8D, Establishment where a D&D party might refuel and pick up new leads, TAVERN (cute!); and 28D, Potatoes, in Indian cuisine, ALOO (yum!!).
Show note imagery: Taiki Morii, one of the best para alpine skiers in the world, caught mid-flight aboard his SITSKI.
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Gary Cee's crosswords have appeared 41 times in the NYTimes since 2009, mainly on Mondays and Tuesdays — he knows the territory well. This crossword had a "predictable" Monday theme — but predictable only in the sense that we knew it would be great. We found a few other nuggets in the grid, so join us for another glorious Cruciverbal Panning Session (CPS)™️.
In addition to the crossword, we've picked out our JAMCOTWA™️ (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award), and we're sure you'll agree that ... we either got it right or we got it wrong. 😀
Show note imagery: The MODESTO Arch, in MODESTO, CA, listing some of that famed city's major assets.
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This was a crunchy Sunday crossword, with much of the crunch coming from Michael and Oliver Schlossbergs' dizzyingly brilliant theme. As fans of both crosswords and roundabouts, we were absolutely delighted by today's fare. Check out today's episode for all the deets.
Show note imagery: Gertrude EDERLE, the first woman to swim the English Channel. She did so in 14h34m, demolishing the old record of 16h33m.
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Katie Hoody, the Queen of Saturdays, is back again with an excellent example of the genre. In today's puzzle, the clues were deliciously deceiving, but the amount of pop culture sufficiently tamped down to give pop-culture-challenged solvers like Mike a fighting chance.
Just to give you a taste of Katie's talents, take a gander at 3D, Add to a columbarium, say, INURN (ye gads!); 48D, Former M.L.B. team with the mascot Youppi!, EXPOS (yippee!); and 41A, Start of a Christmas carol in Latin, ADESTE (a reminder, in case you needed it, that this is a Saturday NYTimes crossword).
tldr; A crossword that hits the sweet spot for Saturdays, we loved it!
Show note imagery: Youppi!, the former mascot of the Montreal Expos, current mascot of the storied Montreal Canadians, and one of only 3 mascots in the Baseball Hall of Fame.
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Today's crossword, a fine effort by Zachary David Levy, will not induce neuralgia, aka BRAINFREEZE, rather just the opposite: it will cause those billions of neurons to put in time-and-a-half in order to get through this challenging but ultimately highly rewarding Friday crossword. Deets inside.
Besides the crossword, we have one of the shortest Fun Fact Friday segments on record, and an absolutely awesome piece of listener mail / feedback about yesterday's puzzle, by itself worth the listen.
Show note imagery: R.U.D.I., thinking it over ...
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Yesterday's crossword was all about sequels, and today's crossword is itself a sequel — the second for constructor Alex Murphy. That could be coincidence, or it could be another example of Will Shortz's untamable genius: we're betting on the latter.
While the foundation of today's crossword was a splendid theme, it was supported by some other great clues. We loved 3D, See 4-Down, HALF, and 4D, Double 3-Down, ONE. The debut at 47D, Some online discounts, EBATES, also tickled our fancy. Finally, we certainly chuckled at 24D, Hold it!, REIN (cute!).
Show note imagery: Billy IDOL, who recorded a jaw-droppingly fabulous version of Mony Mony.
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While Mike often has no idea what's going on with the theme, it is a blue moon day indeed when Jean also fails to get the gist of the thing. While the moon is currently set, we feel fairly confident that when it rises — at 3:35 AM, so we will not be personal witnesses to the event — it will appear blue.
But blue does not capture our mood when working on today's crossword, because even though we did not immediately suss out the theme, our failure to do so did not significantly impede our progress. Three cheers for the crosses. 😀
Show note imagery: A Lhasa APSO, a dog originally from Tibet and inspiration for the tales of that dreaded monster, Little Foot. 🙄😉
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Today's crossword, by Killian Olson, was funny, punny, and a subtle reward for those of you who paid attention in Art Appreciation 101. We loved it, and today's episode spells out why.
In honor of Tuesday, we have another Triplet Tuesday segment, and it is historic — as well as hysteric(al) — so be sure and check it out!
Show note imagery: The Buffet, by PAULCEZANNE
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There's a lot of pressure resting on a Monday crossword's black-and-white shoulders: welcome and educate new solvers, retain and entertain experienced ones, and above all, don't be boring. Today's crossword, a debut by Matthew Luter, bears that burden well, as today's podcast makes (we hope!) abundantly clear.
Beyond the crossword, we've picked our JAMCOTWA™️ (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award) for last week. Did we pick your favorite? Let us know in the usual way.
Show note imagery: Look, up there in the sky, it's ... um, a SKYE 😀 😉
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The very talented Alex Eaton-Salners is back with a cheery Sunday crossword engineered to lift your spirits (if they are sagging) or elevate you to almost Elysian heights (if you are already in a good mood) — and the good news, he succeeds magnificently. The proof is in the pudding ... er, podcast 😀
Shownote imagery: Nauru, purportedly the world's least visited country
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Today's crossword was replete with awesome clues — pretty much all of them were fresh, imaginative, and entertaining. We covered a slew of them in today's episode, but even though we used our "end-of-class-but-we-want-to-slip-in-one-more-slide" delivery style, we didn't have time to cover them all. We regret, in particular, not being able to squeeze in 36D, Stuck under a blanket, perhaps, SNOWEDIN (bravo!); 33D, They've been played!, ROLES (brava!); and as we can definitely attest based on this week's weather in NE Wisconsin, 27A, It's not nice to walk in this, SLEET.
Besides our analysis of today's crossword, the icing on the cake is some terrific listener mail, so check it out!
Show note imagery: Some of Jeff KOONS' steel balloon animals
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This marks Rafael Musa and Rebecca Goldstein's 4th NYTimes crossword collaboration, and it is a fine piece of work. Being a Friday, it was themeless, but there were oodles of admirable clues in today's grid. We particularly enjoyed 36D, Be a hero, say, COSPLAY (bravo!); 17A, Going against the grain?, GLUTENFREE (magnifique!); and the groan-worthy 26A, Fare way to go?, BUSRIDES (oy!) — but the rest of the grid was equally eloquent. We eagerly anticipate RM and RG's next collaboration.
Show note imagery: The world's longest river, the Nile, meandering through CAIRO
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Today's crossword was full of surprises. The theme? A surprise. The correct spelling of DADAIST? A surprise (at least to Mike). The fabulous 51D, Nation whose name sounds like a plea for seconds, SAMOA? Unsurprisingly, based on the lead-up to this sentence, a surprise.
The only thing that we were not surprised by, at all, is that John Kugelman has crafted another fine Thursday crossword. That was completely expected.
Show note imagery: EUROPA, the smallest of Jupiter's Galilean moons, a possible source of alien life in its vast oceans, and a very popular tourist destination, we reckon, in the 2080s.
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Adam Vincent has turned in an ab fab Wednesday crossword. The theme was highly amusing, and the rest of the clues equally awesome. We cover a lot of them in today's podcast, because they definitely deserve their 15 minutes.
Show note imagery: Oreos that change color when dipped in milk? Truly we live in an age of wonders 😀
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MADISON, Wisconsin is a wonderful city that has received many accolades over the years, but one has always eluded it: recognition in the NYTimes crossword. We are pleased to report that those sorrowful years are now in the past, for in today's crossword Kiran Pandey has chosen to clue it as "Midwest capital named for a president", and in consequence Wisconsinites are dancing in the streets (but slowly: it's 17° out and dropping fast).
In other news, we have another Triplet Tuesday segment for your listening pleasure. This time Jean's the interrogator, so to see how the interrogatee fared, have a listen to today's episode.
Show note imagery: The Capitol building in MADISON, Wi, where it's always 72° with blue skies, and a light breeze from the northwest.
According to the National Institutes of Health, one way to keep your little gray cells running at peak efficiency is to do daily battle with a crossword. The NYTimes would be glad to be your sparring partner: just wander over to the NYTimes subscription page, and they'll do the rest.
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This was a superb and somewhat crunchier than usual Monday crossword, a side-effect perhaps of an excellent, and about as NYTimes-ish as you can hope for, theme. For all those reasons we are delighted to give this a full five squares on the JAMCR scale.
In addition to today's crossword, we've picked out our JAMCOTWA™️ (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award), so to find out who, and why, download today's episode and have a listen.
Show note imagery: Downtown ORONO, Maine
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Today's crossword was a real deal — two themes for he price of one. But, here's the kicker (and the reason why this puzzle was worthy of the NYTimes): the two themes were slyly related in a way that we will not spoil here, but let you discover on your own, in today's episode.
Show note imagery: ARSENE Lupin, gentlemen thief and nemesis of Herlock Sholmes (really!)
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Kameron Austin Collins (aka KAC) has a reputation for writing streak-killing crosswords. Today, however, KAC is playing against type — and the result is a tough, doable puzzle that doubles as a master class in how to write great clues.
We've covered our favorites on today's podcast, but here are a few more for your consideration. First, we have 33A, Hip places, BELTLINES (nice!); 32D, Tanning target, PELT (oh, that kind of tan); and the short, sweet, and somewhat cryptic 26A, Flutter, BATS. A fine crossword, most definitely deserving a 5 out of 5 on the JAMCR scale.
Show note imagery: William Pitt "the Younger", a Whig wearing a wig 🙄
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Today marks Joe Marquez's sixth NYTimes crossword. Having started in 2023, that amounts to about 2 crosswords per year — not too shabby! This particular puzzle was particularly non-shabby, with a wry theme and a slew of entertaining clues. We were impressed by 54D, Be important, COUNT (we know you do, listeners!); bedazzled by 51D, Hurricane or mudslide, DRINK (ha!); and suitably perplexed by 12D, Carry the ball in volleyball, e.g., ERR (got it!).
Show note imagery: Black opal, a rare gem that is suspiciously colorful
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Today's crossword was an homage to proponents of the "when life gives you lemons, make lemonade" philosophy, and it made for an awesome theme — tales of happy accidents that led to some critically acclaimed discoveries/inventions.
We don't want to spoil the suspense by mentioning those particular accidents here, but fortunately, history is replete with examples of the genre. So while the author, John Guzzetta, couldn't work Superglue, pacemakers, x-rays, and plastic-eating enzymes into the grid, these, too, were discovered/invented by accident.
Show note imagery: Henry Coover Jr (right), the (accidental) inventor of Superglue™️
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Just like the dish in the title, today's crossword was yummy. We found the theme delicious, the clues tangy, and like all good crosswords it left us wanting more. Just to give you a taste, we had 34A, Hardwood tree ... or what's left after it burns, ASH (nice one!); 30D, Something a Möbius strip lacks, END (true, dat); and 48A, Word with shift or skeleton, KEY 😀.
In addition to the crossword, we have a Triplet Tuesday segment for your edification and entertainment — with Jean in the hot seat tonight.
Show note imagery: BABAGHANOUJ, hummus's first cousin
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This was a fine Monday crossword, straightforward but with a wry theme and clues that spanned a wide gamut of years. For instance, 3D, Bobby, Peter or Greg, to Carol Brady, STEPSON (circa 1969); 46D, Beats by ___ (headphone brand), DRE (est. 2006); and 67A, "___ gratia artis" (classic MGM motto), ARS (roared into life in 1924). So, regardless of what your generation is, there are at least some clues in today's puzzle that you'll read and say, GEE, I know that one.
In honor of Monday we have another JAMCOTWA™️ (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award) to bestow, and bestow we did 😀. Check out the deets in today's episode.
Show note imagery: Best actress winner Emma Stone
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Kelly Richardson has crafted a delightful and timely puzzle in honor of INTERNATIONALWOMENSDAY, in which all of the crosses are the names of famous women — all the way from ISSA Ray to HEDY Lamar. It is an impressive and historically interesting compilation. Have a look at it, see how many of those women you recognize, and let us know: whoever recognizes the most will win a rare and therefore highly coveted Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword t-shirt!
Show note imagery: CAIRO, "City of a Thousand Minarets". OK, here we go: wahid, itnan, talata, arba, yup, this is going to take a while 😀
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If crosswords were animals, then today's, by Fritz Juhnke, would be Godzilla, smashing its way through streaks like nobody's business. Fritz was relentless, piling tough clue atop tough clue. From 28D, Dry streamed, WASH, to 66A, Ninnyhammer, MORON, to 48A, When strikes go on the longest?, NOON, he never took his foot off the petal.
We take a deep dive through the grid, and we have some great listener mail, so have a listen, and, as always, we welcome your feedback.
Show note imagery: A cheese rolling race at Cooper's Hill, where merriment and broken ankles occur in just about equal measure 😀
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Ah, this was a rigorous Friday crossword — the kind that, after you've solved it (er, if you've solved it), makes you feel a little taller, and compelled to regale your friends with cruciverbial tales of daring-do. Every clue in this crossword makes you think, and many may cause you to shake your head in awe when you finally solve them. We've got the whole blow-by-blow in today's episode, as well as a brilliant Fun Fact Friday segment, so check 'em out now!
Show note imagery: FARRO, the antidote when life seems too unfair-oh! 🙄
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Making any crossword is challenging; but making a crossword like this one seems almost impossible. Fortunately, constructor Hanh Huynh doesn't know the meaning of the word impossible ... no wait, he probably does: but unless he's some sort of polyglot he almost surely doesn't know the meaning of the word кинути, which explains at least in part the existence of today's magnificent puzzle.
Deets inside.
Show note imagery: Heroism comes in many forms, just ask Jackie Robinson (left), and Pee Wee REESE (right)
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Wayne Bergman has crafted a brilliant Wednesday crossword, with several genuinely LOL clues. We discuss several in today's episode, but we'd also like to give a shoutout to 14A, April Fools' Day sign, ARIES (nice!); 34A, Part of a rock band?, ORE (that just rocks! 😉); and 64A, Pay for play, perhaps, TYPO (LOL or groan, you be the judge — but our vote's for LOL 😀).
Show note imagery: Behold, the one, the only — well, almost: they certainly didn't sell as many as they'd hoped — EDSEL!
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This was a terrific Tuesday crossword by Drew Schmenner, his seventh for the NYTimes since 2021. As expected, it ticked all the right boxes:
- a kind, gentle yet clever theme ✅
- a slew of intriguing yet accessible clues ✅
- absolutely no spelling mistakes ✅
- the presence of at least one reference to OREOs ✅
Since all the right boxes were ticked, we were not: rather, we were tickled — pink, to be precise. Check out today's episode for all the deets (as well as, of course, our first Triplet Tuesday segment of the month!).
Show note imagery: Our SWOTD (Slang Word Of The Day) really SLAPS ... because it is SLAPS! 🙄
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This was a very pleasing debut crossword by Leslie Benson, who provides, on xwordinfo.com, an amusing description of this puzzle's construction — some of which apparently took place while she was in a "fuzzy hypnagogic state".
Fuzzy or not, the crossword itself was a smooth solve, and an enjoyable one. Check out the podcast for all the deets.
In addition to the podcast, in honor of Monday we have selected our JAMCOTWA™️ (Jean & Mike Crossword Of The Week Award), and we are going to go out on a limb here and state, with 100% certainty, that you will either agree with our choice ... or not🙄.
Show note imagery: Behold, a tres LECHES cake so scrumptious that you can put on pounds just looking at it 😀
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Some of the NYTimes' finest crosswords were created by university students. For example, consider, oh, say, today's, by Western University students Matt Proulx and Jeffrey Martinovic. The theme is slick (which should resonate as hilarious as soon as you've sussed out that theme), the grid very colorful, and the clues perfect for a Sunday, with just a bit of bite. For instance, we had 28D, Nurse, SIP; 38D, They might be head-scratching, FINGERNAILS (and indeed, we were!); and 29A, Is in Montreal?, EST (bien sûr, c'est manifique!)
Show note imagery: JW the Mustang, the official mascot of Western University
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This marks Adam Levav's fourth NYTimes crossword in just over a year, and you can see from today's awesome puzzle why he keeps getting published. This themeless beast had scads of challenging clues, although nothing too outré — just how we like 'em. For that reason (and many others enumerated in today's episode) we give this a full five squares on the JAMCR scale.
Show note imagery: The Blues Brothers, sporting some fine FEDORAs
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Today's crossword was a debut by Caroline Hand. Getting any crossword published in the NYTimes is an incredible achievement — and to debut on a Friday doubly so.
And now for the numbers: there were 6, count'em, 6 grid-spanning answers, 2 stacks of 3 grid-spanners apiece. The grid contained 4 debut answers, including one of our favorites, 11D, Antediluvian, OLDASDIRT, and the wry 3D, Delivery methods?, CESAREANS.
In honor of it being Friday, we also have a Fun Fact Friday™️ segment about Atlanta, in its role as the Hollywood of the South. Finally, we wrap it up with another edition of "Oh that's how you pronounce it!". Enjoy!
Show note imagery: DARIUS the Great, king of ancient Persia
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Yitzi Snow has created a masterpiece of a crossword: perhaps it's not hanging at the Louvre yet, but we know it'll get there someday. Why, you ask? For three main reasons:
- Theme
- Theme
- Theme
Oh, and one more thing:
- Theme.
😀
Show note imagery: A chiliagon, a 1000-sided polygon that looks suspiciously like a circle (but isn't, quite).
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This was Brad Lively's second New York Times crossword, and it was stunning, especially, as one might imagine, the ingenious theme. None of the clues were too over the top — with the possible exception of 11A, ___ hair (edgy 2000s trend, EMO. 😀 We particularly enjoyed learning about and perusing A.F.I.'s "100 Years ... 100 Heroes & Villains" list, although we were surprised to learn that Darth Vader only made it to # 3.
We have a spot of listener mail to round off the episode, so check it out, and, as always, let us know what you think!
Show note imagery: Fall Out Boy, an EMO band with EMO hair!
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This was a fine Tuesday crossword by Adam Aaronson, with a subtle theme and a subtler revealer. We were surprised to see, among the 6 debut answers in today's puzzle, 24A, Fender Stratocaster, e.g., ELECTRICGUITAR, and 12D, Festivals often featuring jousting knights, for short, RENFAIRES. We just assumed that, for a crossword that came into existence in 1942, by now someone would have worked these two into the grid — but no, it took Adam to make it happen.
In addition to the crossword, also have our Triplet Tuesday™️ segment. Jean's in the hot seat, so tune in to see how she fares.
Show note imagery: LiMu EMU and Doug, mascots for Liberty Mutual
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It's hard not to like a crossword with a DELOREAN in the grid, as we can attest: we adored today's puzzle, the fourth in the NYTimes by Hannah Binney. There was a certain novelty and freshness to the clues that made this a particularly pleasing solve, culminating in the most exciting way ever to clue an otherwise mundane answer, 11D, 4.75 seconds to assemble a Mr. Potato Head, per Guinness, RECORD. Brava!*
Show note imagery: A time machine that needs no introduction ... if you were born in this century or the last one you already know it 😀
checkout yesterday's episode to learn why this is not* a typo 😀
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This was a delectable Sunday crossword by Jill Rataloff and Michelle Sontarp, who happen to both work at the same law firm. That might explain 21A, Certain head jurors, FOREMEN, and 125A, Bars, legally, ESTOPS, but does not explain the remainder of this fine puzzle. That's what we, amici curiae, are here to do (as well as show off our knowledge of Latin, or at least how to use Google Translate 😀).
Besides our usual cutting-edge analysis, we have some awesome listener mail clearing up a few mysteries from recent episodes, so do have a listen, and please feel free to write a 5 star review wherever you're listening to this podcast, as our advertisers pay us on the basis of ... wait, what, we don't have advertisers? Ok, nvm ... 😀 😀
Show note imagery: MMM, Shoofly PIES!
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Traditionally, NYTimes crosswords increase in difficulty from Monday to Saturday. So, if you had problems with today's puzzle, that's perfectly normal and by design*: it was built that way.
The clues were magnificent, all designed to exercise those little grey cells. We covered the best of these in the podcast, but the rest (still very, very good) included 13D, Many key changes take place in it, CARSHARE (yikes!); 20A, The third primary chakra is located just above it, NAVEL (quick, the fainting couch!); and 11D, Like a spoilsport, NOFUN (and the exact opposite of today's crossword).
Show note imagery: LOUISA Catherine Adams, First Lady, 1825-1829
*with Sunday characterized as a "large Wednesday" in terms of difficulty
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This was a very pleasing Friday crossword by Kate Hawkins. Being Friday, there was no theme, but that just meant that the rest of the clues had to pull their weight, and they certainly did here.
We were delighted to see a reference to our favorite streaming series in 29A, Actress Seehorn of "Pluribus", RHEA. We were chagrinned to discover that we did not recognize 39A, Miracle on the ___ (surprise French/English victory of W.W. I), MARNE. Finally we appreciated the straightforward no-nonsense 56A, Instruction before an M.R.I., LIESTILL (we can almost hear the trailing exclamation point 😀).
Show note imagery: MARNE, a 514 km river in France, site of the Miracle on the Marne, where the French (and some Brits) simultaneously stopped the German advance and invented trench warfare.
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There were so many great clues and answers in today's puzzle, it's amazing that John Ewbank managed to wrestle them all into a 15x15 grid, but somehow he did. We appreciated the altruism and surely deliberate parallels between 64A, Volunteer's words, ICAN and 45D, "I'm at your disposal", USEME. We also liked the somewhat related onomatopoeia of 25A, Sound of disapproval, HISS and 59D, "Over here!", PSST. Of course, the best part of the crossword was the theme, and to hear all about that, check out today's episode.
Show note imagery: Laila ALI, undefeated professional boxer and now host of Home Made Simple, which presumably involves a lot less punching people 😉
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If Emojis make your heart go pitter-patter, then put your cardiologist on speed dial because today's puzzle — the fourth by Victor Schmitt — is teeming with them. OK, "teeming" might be a bit of an exaggeration, but they are certainly more prevalent than usual, and contribute to the crossword's high EQ (Entertainment Quotient).
Deets inside.
In addition to our color commentary on today's crossword, we also have a (belated) Triplet Tuesday segment for your edification. Enjoy!
Show note imagery: Yup, that's one MESSY bun!
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If this crossword was a car, it would be a Bugatti; if it was a watch, it would be a Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime. In short, this was a top-of-the-line Tuesday crossword, built with precision, love, and care, and yet, surprisingly, priced exactly the same as all the other NYTimes crosswords, not a farthing more for that extra pizzazz.
What were some of those pizzazz-y clues, you ask? Our favorite was 35D,
Tough-but-loving fathers, informally, PAPABEARS (a debut). Our second (and it was a close second) was 18D, Boot out of Europe?, ITALY 😀; and pulling up the rear was our favorite servant, 61A, "The Addams Family" butler, LURCH.
Show note imagery: Knives Out, starring Daniel CRAIG
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Ian Livengood had written a SLEW of NYTimes crosswords between 2010 and 2016. Then, most mysteriously, he vanished — nary a puzzle in sight until, after almost a decade of radio silence, he is back with a fine, extra crunchy Monday crossword, and the world is a better place for it!
Show note imagery: Architecture, museums, an awesome university, LILLE has it all...
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Michael Lieberman and Rebecca Goldstein are, individually, great crossword constructors: together they are greater, as today's puzzle makes abundantly clear. We loved the theme, we loved the clues, Sunday is indeed funday when it includes a crossword this refined.
Besides the numerous clues we tackled on the podcast, we would also like to draw your attention to 114A, Calls to task?, PAGES (😀); 87A, Rest area?, BED ( 🤭); and our favorite, 89D, Deck out?, DEAL (🤣).
Show note imagery: NOHO isn't just so-so, it's woah, woah! 😀
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This was a fine crossword by David Carp, his sixth for the NYTimes and his third to appear on a Saturday. The crossword was not outrageously difficult by Saturday standards, the clues were cute, and the grid itself was worth the price of admission. We have all the deets inside, so please, have a listen (and don't forget to subscribe, so you don't miss an episode).
Did you forget to send a special something to that special someone on this special day? Fear not, you can send a subscription to the NYTimes crossword anytime, 24x7. Just wander over to the NYTimes subscription desk, and they'll be glad to lend a hand.
Show note imagery: Bartender, a bottle of your finest CARIB, s'il vous plaît!
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This was just what we want out of a Friday crossword: daunting, deliciously deceptive cluing and not an iota of crosswordese anywhere in the grid. Evan Mulvihill has succeeded on both counts, as you can hear in today's episode. Besides those clues covered therein, we liked 28A, Really fancy?, COVET; a numerically rich clue about something only the rich could afford, 32A, The 14.54-carat Apollo Blue, e.g., which sold for more than $42 million in 2017, DIAMONDEARRING; and the abfab 37D,
Ferruginous pigment, SIENNA (woah!). Nice work, Evan!
Show note imagery: SANMARINO, in all its glory!
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Kareem Ayas has delivered a Valentine's Day present two days early, and both cohosts fell in love with it. The theme is a real chef's kiss, and the rest of the grid equally sweet. This is Kareem's ninth crossword, and they keep getting better and better. Send us number 10, please, ASAP! 😀
Show note imagery: Behold, the epic, nay, majestic, IBEX!
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This was a terrific mid-week crossword by Joseph Gangi, number seven since his auspicious debut in March of 2022. The theme was ... magnificent. It is almost guaranteed to make you LOL when you get it, so in the interests of not hugely spoiling the crossword, we'll say no more about it (other than encourage you to, naturally, listen to the podcast for the full 411).
Show note imagery: A Newfoundland (right) and a Labrador retriever (left), meeting with a host of dignitaries, including the premier of Newfoundland Labrador (the Honorable Dr. Andrew Furey, wearing the red tie)
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Any time a Hasbro toy makes an appearance in the grid it puts a smile on our faces, and so we are grinning as a consequence of today's crossword — a collaboration between Sarah Sinclair and Amie Walker.
The theme was terrific, the rest of the clues equally splendid. Making just his third appearance in the grid, we had at 44D, John _______, longtime writer for The New Yorker, MCPHEE; we had a debut at 37A, "Toy Story 2" character who says "I'm packing you an extra pair of shoes, and your angry eyes, just in case" , MRSPOTATOHEAD; and finally we enjoyed 9D, Do the splits?, DIVIDE. Personally, we are not divided at all: both cohosts adored this crossword.
Show note imagery: a DIY CLAPOMETER, just because
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It never ceases to amaze, how crossword constructors can take a simple phrase and spin it out into as good a puzzle as, say, this one, by Matthew Stock. We liked the theme, and, frankly, everything else in the grid. It included one of our favorite attractions, 15A, St. Louis's Gateway ___ National Park, ARCH; one of our favorite modern British writers, 9D, British novelist Jones, SADIE; and our favorite topographic feature, 40A, Steep-walled canyon, GORGE.
Today's episode also contains our latest JAMCOTWA™️ (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award), going to a debut constructor, no less! Deets inside.
Show note imagery: A Trireme, propelled by a multitude of OARs.
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This was a Super Crossword for a Super Bowl Sunday. The theme was straightforward but cute, and the rest of the puzzle featured a SEA of crafty clues. For instance, we had 24D, Quick hellos, HIS (ha!); 37D, Villainous chortle, HEHE (heh, heh); and 11D, Wee mewer, KITTEN (cute!).
Show note imagery: The Ecstasy of St. Teresa, by BERNINI
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Mark Diehl has been writing NYTimes Crosswords - predominantly Friday and Saturday puzzles - since 1984. He's eased off as of late, his last appearing in 2020. But he's back with an ingenious Saturday crossword that charmed both cohosts. Check out today's podcast to find out why.
Show note imagery: Some SONYREADERS
Show note URL: The House of PUTTEES, one of many, many hilarious skits from the masters of deadpan, Bob & Ray.
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There were some truly awesome clues in today's crossword. We definitely hit the highlights in the podcast, but we'd be remiss if we didn't mention 44D, Stage name of South Korean rapper Park Jae-sang, PSY (Mike's favorite artist!); 47D, Tie one on at dinner, BIB (ha!); and an oldie but goodie, 21D, Parliament constituent, OWL. What a hoot!
Show note imagery: One of Disney's greatest creations, ITSASMALLWORLD
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Today's crossword, a debut (huzzah!) by Dario Salvucci, was one of those puzzle-in-a-puzzle challenges that we just adore. In this case, one had to decipher some emoticon-like clues to get the correct answer. Jean cottoned on to the theme fairly quickly, and Mike, alas, had to piece it together after the fact. Still, the crossword was a gem, and kudos to Dario for such a fine work.
Show note imagery: Toronto's 401, not so much a highway as an oozing parking lot, at least at certain times of the day/week.
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Today's crossword leveraged a hilarious line from a very well-known sitcom, and with just the slightest change in syllabification, turned it into the foundation of a terrific theme. Sheer genius from the gifted minds of Hanh Huynh and Ted Mayer. Deets inside.
Show note imagery: DELHI, land of 16+ million people and — inevitably and indubitably — the best curry restaurants on the planet!
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It's been almost 2 years since Nate Cardin last graced the pages of the NYTimes, and from our perspective that's almost 2 years too long. But he's back now, and in excellent form, with a wry theme and some amusing other clues. We were buoyed by the juxtaposition of 53A, Beyond well-done, BURNT, and 56A, Exceptionally good, in Gen Z slang, FIRE (a GUCCI of a clue, in our opinion 😀). We also were cheered by the appearance of both 57A, "Very funny!", HAHA, and 66A, "Say cheese!", SMILE. We did both while solving this excellent puzzle.
Besides the crossword, we have a Triplet Tuesday segment for your enjoyment and edification: see if you can beat Mike and seize the Triplet Tuesday crown (or possibly tiara, or babushka, we're still working that out 😀).
Show note imagery: The SHAKESHACK is hopping!
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The Cardinal Rules of Crossword Construction:
- Rule # 1: never repeat an answer in the grid
- Rule # 2: ignore rule 1 if it'll make for an especially awesome crossword
We are pleased as punch to report that the authors of today's crossword — John Ewbank and Colin Thomas — have taken great pains to adhere to the aforementioned cardinal rules, and the result of that adherence is most gratifying: check out the podcast to find out why.
In addition, it's Monday, and we therefore have a new JAMCOTWA™️ (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award) to announce. No spoilers, but if it were a poem it would be fair of face. 😉
Show note imagery: Punxsutawney Phil, ready for his photoshoot
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Both cohosts found today's crossword, a collaboration between Lance Enfinger and John Kugelman, to be a real workout (mentally, of course: physically they were pretty much doing their best mannequin imitations throughout the entire process). The theme was intriguing, to put it mildly: and the clues were definitely crunchier than usual for a Sunday, making the happy music, when it did at last arrive, particularly gratifying. Deets inside.
Show note imagery: It's Seabiscuit and Jockey George Woolf in the lead, War Admiral and jockey Charles Kissinger right behind, a real nail-, er hoof-biter!
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This was a strenuous Saturday workout, no doubt, with more misdirection then you'd see at a Penn & Teller performance. Consider 15D, "Science is ___ that works": Kurt Vonnegut, MAGIC (what a fabulous quip!); 31A, Dice rolls from Jail to Free Parking, in Monopoly, TENS (easy if you'd memorized the board!); and 8D, Part of a great deal?, ACE (what an ACE clue! 🙄). These are just a few of the many delights skulking about in the puzzle and brought to light in today's episode.
Show note imagery: The ol' SNELLEN chart (and ol' really does apply: it was created in 1882).
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Robyn Weintraub is one of our favorite constructors, and today's crossword shows why. It is, in a word, the clues. OK, technically that's two words, but we're feeling generous after having just enjoyed Robyn's handiwork. Pick a clue anywhere in the grid, at random, and you'll find it to be excellent. Repeat, and the result will still be excellent, there are no meh clues anywhere, at all: it's classic Robyn Weintraub.
Show note imagery: The Milky Way assembly line, yum!
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This was a debut crossword by Kit Sheffield — kudos! — with a cute theme that must've been a bear to put into practice. Somehow Kit managed, though, and we are better off for it! Apart from the theme, today's crossword seemed a little crunchier than usual for a Thursday, with awesome clues such as 61A, "Think again!", NOPE; 42A, Sound made with a wince, OOF; and 66A, Five train in Brooklyn, NETS. Bravo, Kit!
Show note imagery: Not sure if we'd be as enthused with a giant glass of TANG about to annihilate us 😀
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This was a fun mid-week crossword, built with HI (Human Intelligence), with just a skosh of (non-AI) assistance from Excel. (See the xwordinfo.com entry for the gory details).
The theme was, well, punny, and the surrounding clues intriguing. We liked 1D, It goes down in flames, ASH; a reference to a lady desperately in need of Aveda, 5D, Monster whose gaze remained lethal after her death, MEDUSA; and our favorite artist, 47D, Painter Matisse, HENRI. Mais oui!
Show note imagery: Your typical Wisconsin ICEHUT
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Miranda Kany and Tracy Bennett have teamed up to create a sweet Tuesday crossword, most definitely not for the birds (even though birds did manage to glide into the grid). We found the theme sweet, and the rest of the clues just right for a Tuesday. Deets inside.
Show note imagery: Some COYOTEs are slyer than others.
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There's a lot of pressure on a Monday crossword. It needs to be easy (well, easier), entertaining, and educational. Today's puzzle definitely checks all the boxes:
- Easier: 44A, Food court pizza chain, SBARRO ✅
- Entertaining: 6D, "Aiiiiieeeee!," SCREAM; ✅ and
- Educational: 28A, Purple yam used to flavor desserts, UBE.✅
We've also selected our JAMCOTWA™️ (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award) winner. Have a listen, and let us know if we got it right!
Show note imagery: A CHERUB, as seen, among other places, in Raphael's "Sistine Madonna."
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If you're a member of the Geek Squad or work at Apple's Genius Bar, you'll find today's crossword to be a breeze. If not, fear not: the crosses were not too difficult, as befits a Sunday puzzle. We have all the deets inside, so, if you need something to listen to while you're digging out from this weekend's snowcopalypse, we've got your back!
Show note imagery: Just one more thing ... Peter Falk in his most famous role, Columbo
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Adrian Johnson and Ryan McCarty have a predilection for writing late-week crosswords, and they have a predilection for getting them published because they are awesome! The clues in today's puzzle, for example, universally ranged between amazing and woah! We give it a full 5 squares on the JAMCR scale (obviously), and consider it a top contender for this week's JAMCOTWA™️ (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award).
Show note imagery: Charlie PUTH, a fabulous singer-songwriter — seriously, check him out — making magic happen in his studio
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In the course of two days we've spanned the experience spectrum. Yesterday's constructor, Joe DiPietro, has published 142 (!) NYTimes crosswords. Today's, Joyce Keller, has published 2, both Fridays, and both excellent.
We covered the best-of-the-best clues in today's episode, but we'd also like to give a shoutout to 37D, Hangouts, HAUNTS (🧐); 51A, Out of joint?, FREE (😀); and 41A,
One may be carried in a concert hall, TUNE (🤣).
Besides the crossword, we have a gem of a Fun Fact Friday™️ segment, featuring the world's RAREST ... wait for it ... gem. 💎 😇
Show note imagery: Geoffrey BEENE, looking sharp!
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If somebody has published 142 crosswords in the NYTimes, there's gotta be a reason ... and today's GUCCI crossword reminds us why Joe DiPietro gets published over and over again. It has an awesome theme, and nougat-like clues: tough to crack, but delicious on the inside.
In addition to our analysis of today's puzzle, we also have some terrific listener mail. So, to take advantage of all that goodness, just hit subscribe (so you never miss an episode!), download, and enjoy!
Show note imagery: VSOP (Very Superior Old Pale), a guarantee that the youngest eau-de-vie (spirit) in the bottle is at least 4 years old.
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Today's crossword, a collaboration between Ginny Too and Avery Gee Katz, had scads of splendid clues. In addition to those mentioned in today's podcast, we also were amused (and at times bemused) by 64D, The Three Kingdoms in Chinese history, e.g., ERA; 61A, Opportunity to dress up, OCCASION; and 31D, Let float, as a currency, UNPEG.
Show note imagery: Promo for The GREATESCAPE.
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This was a debut crossword by Jonathan Raksin and an auspicious start to what we hope will be a lucrative crossword-writing career. The theme was a hoot, and the supporting cast of clues played their roles to perfection. Hence our official (non-Yelp) review: 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
Being Tuesday, we have, naturally, a Triplet Tuesday™️ segment, and this time Jean is playing the role of inquisitor with Mike, by process of elimination, the inquisitee. Deets within.
Show note imagery: WAWA, the sad trombone gas station 😀 ⛽️
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Peter Gorman has produced his third NYTimes crossword since February of last year, each on a different day of the week, which is quite 62D, Chilly, COOL. We had several celebrities in the grid — 37A, Cosmonaut Gagarin, YURI; 41A, R&B singer whose album "SOS" spent 100+ weeks in the Billboard top 10, SZA; and from a slightly more distant epoch, 58D, Biblical ark builder, NOAH.
Being Monday, we have a JAMCOTWA™️ (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award) to announce, and the award goes to ... a most deserving crossword constructor, whose name is ... in today's podcast 😀.
Show note imagery: LITTLEROCK, AK, is OK (in fact it's more than OK, it's awesome!)
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This was an excellent crossword by Rena Cohen, a Washington University in St. Louis student. If the university sounds familiar, that might be because another NYTimes crossword contributor, Sid Sivakumar, also hails from there. What are the odds? And we'll leave it to the reader to contemplate whether the appearance of 77A, Sloth in 2002's "Ice Age", SID, is coincidence or the result of meticulous planning.
Today's puzzle had a brilliant theme (covered thoroughly in today's episode) and many, many amusing clues. Among the latter was the informative 57A, Discontinued iPods designed to fit into watch pockets, NANOS; the puzzle-within-a-puzzle 113D, Midwest city whose name becomes a Southwest city if you move the first letter to the end, AMES; and the source of in some cases very cheap goods, 52D, Chinese competitor of Amazon, TEMU.
Show note imagery: An example of the work of AL Hirschfeld, a highly regarded 20th century caricaturist.
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This was a fun Saturday crossword, which one of our cohosts (Jean) found to be an easy solve whereas the other (by process of elimination, Mike) found to be deucedly difficult. The reasons for both may be found on today's podcast.
A few other artfully-crafted clues that were left on the editing room floor include 6D, ___ Carlos Jobim, father of the bossa nova, ANTONIO (careful: the music is uber-soothing); 52A, Bracket contents, TEAMS (oh, those* kinds of brackets); and 39A, Artificially unsophisticated, FAUXNAIF.
Show note imagery: ARUBA, the westernmost territory of the Netherlands
*nobody's actually edited video like this since the last century, but is still an evocative phrase
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This was a great cruciverbial workout by Kyle T. Dolan, whose crosswords tend to be on the challenging side, with 11 of his 19 NYTimes puzzles appearing on Friday or Saturday. The clues today were deviously clever, yet oddly obvious in hindsight. We have all the deets inside, plus a Fun Fact Friday™️ segment celebrating one of the great leviathans of the deep (but no, not that leviathan, the other one 😉).
Show note imagery: From l. to r., APOLLOVII astronauts Donn Eisele, Wally Schirra, and Walter Cunningham
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Today's crossword, a collaboration between Wendy L. Brandes and Barbara Lin, had an awesome theme that both cohosts temporarily missed in distinct and rather amusing ways that we will not describe here, so as to mildly increase suspense as you wait for the episode to download. While that is happening we would also like to draw your attention to 58D, Where the coffee and Wi-Fi might both be strong, CAFE 😀; 13D, Actor John who has granted more than 650 wishes for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, CENA 😇; and, file this under "sad but true", 34D, About a third of an N.F.L. broadcast, ADS 📺.
Show note imagery: ANTON Chekov, desperately trying to find something that rhymes with "Orchard" 😀
Show note URL: For those of you wondering who ANTON Chekov was, checkout Checkov for beginners: recommended stories
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As the week progresses, the crossword constructors get more opportunities to add spice to the mix, and Joseph Gangi, author of today's fine puzzle (edited, as always, by the legendary Will Shortz), has been spending overtime in the kitchen, the result of which is the effervescent grid you see before you (or will see if you visit our favorite site, xwordinfo.com).
Besides our cutting-edge analysis, we also have (speaking of cutting) some listener mail regarding CUTCO. So for all of that, you are cordially invited to download, listen up, and enjoy today's episode.
Show note imagery: Georges Seurat, a man well suited to crossing those t's and (especially) dotting those i's 😀.
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This was a debut for Nate Hall, and he does a bang-up job. The theme was perfect for a Tuesday, and there were some marvelous clues throughout the grid. Jean's favorite was 44D, Pet sitters?, LAPCATS, whereas Mike's was definitely 22A, Creature that moves at an average speed of 0.03 miles per hour, SNAIL. 🐌
Besides our tour through the grid, in honor of Tuesday we have another Triplet Tuesday™️ segment for your enjoyment: this week Jean shows why she is the Queen of Triplet Tuesday.
Show note imagery: Speaking of queens ... arguably the greatest arena rock rockers of all time, Queen
Show note URL: the latest trailer for Avengers: Doomsday
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This was a classy Monday crossword, and the fact that Carolyn Davies Lynch and Christina Iverson are in the marquee has a lot to do with it. The clues just seemed to have a little more pizzaz. We covered most of them in the podcast, but there were others:
- a puzzle within a puzzle: 44A, Man's name that's a citrus fruit spelled backward, EMIL;
- a word that we just love to say: 46D, Source of motivation, in modern lingo, INSPO; and
- a real ear-worm clue if there ever was one: 10D, Mary who sings "In every job that must be done there is an element of fun", POPPINS.
Besides the crossword, we've got our JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award) winner for the week, congratulations, Paul!
Show note imagery: Some delicious SHISO
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Hopefully you remember your Greek lessons, listeners, because they — or at least one of them, which we hope for comedy's sake took place on a PHIday — will come in particularly handy today. And now that we've got your curiosity piqued, don't PHIght it — download today's podcast to find out what all the PHIuss, er, fuss, is about.
Show note imagery: The birthstones, from Garnet to Turquoise
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This was a fine Saturday crossword by Kamereon Austin Collins, his 25th for the NYTimes and his 17th Saturday opus.
There were a slew of great clues in the grid, including 6D, "That dis was goo-ood!!", OHSNAP; 33D, Meemaw, NANA; 55A, Art form featuring performers in kishin (demon) and okina (old man) masks, NOHTHEATER; and a reminder of one of our absolute favorite football lines, 52D, "___ Given Sunday" (1999 football drama), ANY.
Show note imagery: A pair of WATERHORSEs, an example of a Celtic kelpie
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Greg Snitkin and Glenn Davis have collaborated on two crosswords, both Fridays, and both fantabulous. Today's had some novelties, including 3 superb debuts: 14A, Winning like crazy, ONAHEATER (woah!); the award-winning 34A, Stealthy flier, AIRMARSHAL (hey, what happened to the second L??); and the equally splendid 61A, He's great for the time being, MRRIGHTNOW (brilliant!).
In addition to today's puzzle, we have a fun fact for Fun Fact Friday, and if the suspense of what that might be is getting to you, here's a BIG hint: look to today's episode title.
Show note imagery: In 2017, the Monopoly boot token got the ... wait for it ... boot! 😀
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This was a delightful Thursday crossword by Mallory Montgomery and Zhou Zhang. Jean got through it at gazelle-like speeds, whereas Mike, who made the tyro's mistake of following his own advice, was less gazelle, more giraffe. Deets inside.
Show note imagery: Rochester, Jane EYRE, and Adele (well before her breakout album, 19).
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Our co-hosts had almost comically differing experiences solving today's crossword. Jean found it to be ... a breeze, whereas Mike found it to be a category 5 hurricane, which he will dub Hurricane Adrianne, after the creator of said hurricane, er, puzzle, Adrianne Baik. Apparently Adrianne was able to quickly and remotely rifle through Mike's memory palace (more like a memory shanty, but nvm), identify everything he didn't know, and then put it into a crossword. Well played, Adrianne!
For all the deets of what turned out to be a walk in the park / EPIC cruciverbial battle, subscribe, download, listen up, and enjoy today's episode!
Show note imagery: HELLOKITTY!
.
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Today's crossword was terrific. A theme that pegged the pun-meter, a second theme that nobody other than your cohosts know about 😀, and a lot of other fine clues in the grid. We particularly enjoyed the duality of 42A, One-named supermodel, IMAN and 39D, Country in which men traditionally wear robes called dishdashas, OMAN; and we also appreciated the memory-lane moment induced by 50D, "Ghosts" playwright Henrik, IBSEN.
In other news, we have another Triplet Tuesday segment: to find out if Mike soared or plummeted, check out today's episode.
Show note imagery: IMAN (right) in Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, from 1991.
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This was a gentle Monday crossword, easing us into our crossword-solving week. It was still entertaining, though, thanks to a theme that will lift your spirits — literally.
In addition to the crossword, we also have chosen our latest JAMCOTWA™️ (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award), and this week goes to ... [REDACTED, TO HEIGHTEN SUSPENSE AND BECAUSE WE GET PAID BY THE WORD😀]!
Show note imagery: Fanny BRICE, legendary actress and inspiration for Funny Girl
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Gene Louise De Vera's 5th NYTimes puzzle was one for the books. One of the sacrosanct rules of NYTimes crossword-dom is that an answer never appears twice in the grid. Well, rules are meant to be broken, so they say, and today this one was -- but all for a good cause, aka the theme.
We had some other great clues in the grid. Besides those mentioned in the podcast, we had the slick 94D, Paired chips with dips?, RHYMED; the fabulous 84D, Ixnays from Irkutsk, NYETS; and a favorite of whatever generation came to the fore in the 2010s, 54D, "Not gonna lie ...", NOCAP.
Show note imagery: The roundest country in the world, SIERRALEONE!
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The clues in today's crossword, Hannah Slovut's third for the NYTimes, were so dazzling that we felt we ought to wear shades while solving it. There were scads of clever clues everywhere you look in the grid, and nary a clunker anywhere: just way we like our Saturday crosswords! For the full 411 — as well as another episode of "Oh, That's How You Pronounce it!"™️, check out today's podcast.
Show note imagery: Some actors in MOCAP (motion-capture) suits
Show note url: The name's PESCI, Joe PESCI, and here's how you pronounce it
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To explain the episode title: this was, indeed, an awesome crossword. And, as has happened for years upon years, Deb Amlen scrutinized the crossword in the accompanying NYTimes column, Wordplay. This was her last Wordplay column, however: she is now retiring to take up other pursuits. But her last column was as good as usual, and today's crossword was a great send off.
Besides the crossword proper, we also have a weather-related fun fact for Fun Fact Friday™️, and some great listener mail, which does double duty as the basis of an "Oh, that's how you pronounce it" segment.
Show note imagery: VEGENAISE, properly spelled 😉
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It's a new year, so why not start it off with a new constructor? That may or may not be Will's reasoning, but today's crossword is indeed a debut for Topher Booth, and it is an auspicious beginning. We were keen on the theme (and yes, there's a trace of a pun there), and found the rest of the clues to be just right for a Thursday. Apart from those mentioned in the podcast, we'd like to salute 47A, Prefix with genetics, EPI (ok, if you say so!); 54D, Kind of wind ... or an alternative to wind, SOLAR (brilliant!); and 46D, "Sit!", PARKIT (😀). In short, this was a fine way to kick off 2026, and hope that Topher's got some other puzzles in the hopper, so to speak.
Show note imagery: How many works of art have been immortalized in Emojis? Three: the Statue of Liberty (🗽), Moai (🗿), and today's puzzle entry, Edvard Munch's famed masterpiece, THESCREAM (😱).
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In honor of the ultimate day of 2025, Jeffrey Martinovic has donned both his party hat and thinking cap, the end result of which is today's fine crossword. We have, as always, the deets inside, plus something a little extra to send out 2025 in style. Have a listen, and then — assuming you're on the Gregorian calendar — have a great New Year's Eve / New Year's Day!!
Show note imagery: A BOXSOCIAL, without which the second act of Oklahoma! would be a lot shorter 🙄
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After a week to recharge and reenergize, both cohosts are back and in peak fighting form -- or, to be more precise, crossword-solving form. And we had an excellent crossword to welcome us back, the second collaboration between Geoffrey Schorkopf and Will Eisenberg (edited, as always, by the inimitable Will Shortz). We have all the deets inside, as well as another of our famous Triplet Tuesday segments, so tune in to enjoy all that goodness!
Show note imagery: The beautiful ISOLA (island) of Sardinia, the second largest island in the Mediterranean and home to some of the longest-living people in the world (as well as approximately 4 million sheep, which makes falling asleep in Sardinian hotels particularly easy 😀).
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Today's crossword was (as you can deduce from the episode title) a fun, Christmas-themed puzzle by famed magician David Kwong. Jean & Co. solved it expeditiously, whereas David almost made Mike's streak disappear thanks to some cruciverbial magic in the top-center of the grid. All turned out well, though, for both cohosts and their streaks. Deets inside.
FYI, we will be taking a hiatus this week (starting up again on the 29th). For those of you who want your daily fix, fear not -- we're pretty sure you can find something in our burgeoning back catalog. In the meantime, have a great holiday, and may Santa (or whoever delivers the gifts in your neck of the woods) send a plethora of presents your way.
Show note video: David Kwong, about to make some magic
Show note imagery: Amanda Gorman, presidential inaugural poet and author of "The Hill We Climb"
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This is Robert S. Gard's second Saturday crossword. It was not quite as difficult as his first, but the cluing was deliciously deceptive, and included five debuts. Jean got through it in her usual time; Mike found it to be a tad easier than usual, but an enjoyable solve nonetheless.
Remember that if you're still hunting around for the perfect holiday gift, there's still time to send the gift that keeps on giving -- a subscription to the best crossword puzzle on the planet.
Show note imagery: NERDFEST 2025 (and there's still time to register for NERDFEST 2026)
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This is a stellar Friday crossword, chockfull of effervescent clues that make it clear that an ace constructor -- in this case, Hemant Mehta -- is at the helm. There is no doubt that today's puzzle is entitled to a full 5 squares on the JAMCR scale, and we therefore gladly bestow it. Deets inside.
Show note imagery: Yum, a delectable SMORE
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The genius required to craft an NYTimes-worthy crossword is on full display today: Joseph Gangi has created a cuuute theme, and the hilarity of that last clause will become apparent upon listening to today's podcast and/or solving today's puzzle. Numerous other clues in the grid are also worth celebrating. We chortled at 62A, The time of one's life?, AGE (😀); puzzled over 27D, About 35,000 for the Taj Mahal: Abbr., SQFT (🧐); and chortled once more at 52D, Fabrication expert, LIAR (😁).
Show note imagery: A FAUXBERGE, almost indistinguishable from a Fabergé.
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This was a whimsical Wednesday crossword by the talented duo of Gary Larson and Doug Peterson. The theme was a triumph, buoyed up by a bevy of crisp clues, including:
- the clever 8D, Marchers in sidewalk cracks, ANTS;
- the helpful reminder that was 50A, Easter Island's country, CHILE; and
- the hilarious 41A, Welcome figure on Wall Street, unwelcome figure in a china shop, BULL.
In other news, we have some fascinating listener mail about the subtle distinctions between Bro, Bruh, Breh and Brah, so be sure to check that out as well!
Show note imagery: The Standard Oil Company of Indiana
Show note URL # 1: Bruh, Breh, Brah, Bro
Show note URL # 2: Single-letter NYSE ticker symbols
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This was a gentle Tuesday crossword, slightly more challenging than Monday, and prepping us for the even more rigorous crosswords sure to come this week. Difficulty level not withstanding, the grid featured some awesome clues, most notably the incredible 62A, The IBM Simon Personal Communicator is considered the world's first one, SMARTPHONE. We were also highly pleased to learn of the existence of 13D, Grammy-winning R&B artist whose stage name is said to have been inspired by "The Matrix", NEYO. Finally, we confess to a genuine fondness for 20A, Hockey feints, DEKES.
Show note imagery: The one, the only (?) ... IBM Simon Personal Communicator, in the flesh (er, plastic)
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Today's puzzle checks all the Monday crossword boxes:
- Clever and straightforward theme? ✅
- Built with the novice-solver in mind? ✅
- Published on a Monday? 😉✅
Apparently it took multiple revisions before this crossword got accepted, but the end result was picture-perfect. Kudos to Jeff Jerome for his first crossword, and Andrea Carla Michaels, for her 92nd!
Being Monday, we've chosen our JAMCOTWA™️ (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award), so check out today's episode to see if your favorite came out on top.
Show note imagery: Ernest TUBB, aka the Texas Troubadour
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This was a jaw-dropping pick-me-up of a Sunday crossword by debut constructor Zachry Edward-Brown (a high-school student, no less!) and veteran John Kugelman.
The theme was spectacular, with a twist at the end that would have Agatha Christie nodding her approval. The rest of the grid was equally impressive, and if you want proof check out today's episode.
Show note imagery: ELISHA Gray, inventor of the telephone (at least according to ELISHA Gray 😉)
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Today's crossword, by Gene Louise De Vera, was one for the record books. Exactly what record was broken we are not going to reveal here, but rather keep you in suspense, dear listeners, for the approximately 15-30s it will take to download the podcast and get to the point where we "spill the beans", so to speak. It'll be worth the wait, trust us. 😀
Show note imagery: Alyssa Michelle Stephens, aka LATTO
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This was a pitch-perfect Friday crossword, with a host of tricky clues designed to limber you up for the boss puzzle -- aka the Saturday NYTimes crossword -- about to drop and potentially wreak havoc upon the unsuspecting, unfortunate, unlimbered 🙄
Deets inside, so do have a listen; and after you've done so, take a moment to add the NYTimes Crossword to your holiday shopping list.
Show note imagery: Duino Castle, where RILKE wrote the Duino Elegies
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Kevin Curry has done it again - crafted an elegant puzzle designed to challenge, educate, and entertain.
- Challenge: 63A, Reunion group, CLAN;
- Educate: 57D, Popular, stick-figure web comic, XKCD; and
- Entertain: 28D, Big wheels in the Vatican?, POPEMOBILE 😀
tldr: we found this crossword to be 28A, Utopia ... 10 ... Ideal, PICTUREPERFECT.
Show note imagery: The POPEMOBILE through the ages
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There were several deities in today's grid — ARES, ZEUS, and the lesser known DOER, Lord of Bad Puns. None of them prevented our cohosts from having a grand time while solving this crossword, Kareem Ayas' second in under two months. While all the clues were fine, they were particularly impressed by the Matrix mini-theme, consisting of 37A, Iconic repeated Keanu Reeves role, NEO, and 49D, "The Matrix" character, with "the", ORACLE. So, in that spirit we encourage you to take the red pill, i.e., download today's podcast and have a listen.
Show note imagery: Don Diego de la Vega, aka ZORRO
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This was Kate Hawkins' eighteenth NYTimes crossword, and while mainly distinguished by its brilliant theme, gems could be found throughout the grid. We enjoyed the range of emotions conveyed by 32D, "By Jove, that's it!", AHA, and 45D, "How stupid of me!", DOH. We also were absolutely enthralled by, and are now seeking a t-shirt emblazoned with, 54A, "Education is not for the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a ______" (old maxim), FIRE.
Show note imagery: Computing pioneer ADA Lovelace
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Today's puzzle had a wry, perfect-for-a-Monday theme: if it was a hat, it would definitely be stylish and arranged at a rakish angle.
We were surprised, tickled, and put into full chortle mode by, respectively, 1D, Magic charms, MOJOS (assuredly not on our Monday crossword bingo card); 5D, The eyes may have it, MASCARA; and 24A, Run out of clothes?, STREAK.
Besides the crossword, in honor of Monday we have picked our JAMCOTWA™️ (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award), and we challenge you, dear reader/listener, to see if you can guess which one we picked.
Show note imagery: JACKSONHOLE, where snow removal never stops 😀 ☃️
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We treasure any excuse to break out into Lewis Carroll adjectives, and today's frabjous crossword provides just that opportunity. This is a debut, no less, by University of Wisconsin Madison professor Kate Jensen, who we imagine, based on the clues in today's grid, to be particularly beamish, and not at all manxome (except when dealing with irksome students).
There were boatloads of great clues in today's grid. We felt educated by 13D, One chain x one furlong, ACRE; entertained by 28A, They'll make it up to you, LIARS; and driven to chortle as a consequence of 54A, Deposit that might gather interest?, ORE.
Show note imagery: BRITANNIA rules the waves
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Our cohosts had vastly different experiences tackling today's crossword. Jean found it to be quite challenging, whereas Mike was (for a change) definitely working, but not fighting tooth-and-nail to keep his streak alive.
Deets inside: we cordially invite you to download, listen up, and enjoy!
Show note imagery: "A New English Dictionary", as the first edition of the OED was originally called.
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This was a challenging Friday crossword, the second by James McCarron since August, of the year: in short, he's on a roll. There were some simultaneously terrific (if you like a challenge) and terrifying (if you value your streak) clues. Among the best not mentioned in the podcast were 37D, Minimal coverage provider?, THONG (ha!); 27D, Silent sort, CLAM (not FILM or MIME); and 15D, Show stoppers, sometimes, RAIN (true, dat).
Show note imagery: Egyptian football/soccer star Mohamed SALAH, about to do something magical
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Today's crossword, by Victor Barocas, had a fun and frothy theme that came from a galaxy far, far away. We loved it! We also enjoyed the very strong cast of supporting characters, including 49D, Cold call?, ACHOO (🤧); 43D, Golden-tan dog of multiple films, BENJI (wait, a tanning booth was involved? 🙄); and 42A, Animal in more than70 Bugs Bunny titles, HARE (natch! 🐰).
Show note imagery: IKEA, home of the blue totes
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Today's crossword was a debut for Jonathan Baude, kudos for that! The theme was uplifting (literally), and the rest of the puzzle was perfect Tuesday fare. We had some entertaining clues -- 46A, Top of the hour?, XII (😀); some educational clues -- 62D, Communication syst. in which the letter Z is drawn with one's index finger, ASL; and some clues of the product placement variety -- 15D, Grey Goose competitor, BELVEDEREVODKA. Cheers!
Show note imagery: Banana Bread EGGOs, sadly no longer available for sale
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Today's crossword was perfectly timed, at least for those of us living in those northern regions currently besieged by winter storms. We were intrigued to learn of the existence of NAURU, the world's third smallest country (behind Vatican City and Monaco, for those of you keeping score).
We were glad to see that Ms. Adler made a reappearance in the grid (66A, Woman who bests Sherlock in "A Scandal in Bohemia", IRENE); loved the nostalgic 58A, Creator of Asteroids and Pong, ATARI (ah, the classics 😀); and had a meta aha-moment solving 57A, "I've solved it!", AHA.
Show note imagery: Weird Al Yankovic, playing a soulful POLKA
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The easy-to-spell and fun-to-say LOUDOUTS has appeared a grand total of two times in the NYTimes crossword: today, and on June 15, 2013. We are on tenterhooks awaiting its next appearance, which according to our calculations should be in 2037, or thereabouts. For the record, the crossword also featured 9 debut answers, and our favorite, by far, had to be PUMPUPTHEJAM (ah, the classics 😀).
We have more to say about the crossword on the podcast, so have a listen while we attempt to recover from an intense flurry of shoveling, so to speak. ☃️🫣
Show note imagery: A BANKSHOT, always easier when the backboard is equipped with an NBA-approved X 😀
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Did an early version of Elton John's Saturday Night include the lyric "Saturday night's alright for fighting crosswords"? We don't know for certain, but we do know that today's crossword was an epic battle -- at least for Mike. Jean, as usual, found this to be a more of a minor skirmish.
As we have come to expect from Adrian Johnson, author of today's puzzle, the clues had a lot of spice and bite. For example, 27D, High-level intelligence assets?, SPYPLANES (nice!); 25D, What sfouf is, in Lebanese cuisine, CAKE (we'll take two, please 😀); and 35D, Minor crashes?, NAPS (woah!).
tldr: This crossword definitely pegged the JAMCR scale, and we eagerly await Adrian's next cruciverbial thrown down.
Show notes imagery: Nissan Stadium, Home of the Tennessee TITANS
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This was a fine crossword by constructor -- aka SETTER, depending on which side of the pond you live on -- Jacob McDermott, for whom we are thankful for this entire crossword, but especially the revelation about SETTERS.
We found many noteworthy clues to sing about today. For instance, we had 44A, One-named rock idol who was born Paul David Hewson, BONO; the life-changing (trust us, it will, once you listen to him) 35A, Jazz pianist with a memorable recording of "Tea for Two", ARTTATUM; and the curiosity-piquing 4D, Genre for Toots and the Maytals, SKA.
This being Friday, we of course have a Fun Fact Friday segment that will be of special interest to fans of The Flintstones, aka everybody 😀
Show note imagery: ROSIE Cotton and Samwise Gamgee, who were married at the end of the Lord of the Rings.
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On this dual US holiday -- Thanksgiving Day and Black Friday Eve -- we wish to say how thankful we are for our myriad faithful listeners, and for the geniuses who labor day in and day out to deliver the best crosswords in the world to our metaphorical doorstep.
Speaking of best crosswords, we liked today's: it had, as usual, a theme that we did not see coming, it mentioned the Flintstones, and, for the pièce-de-résistance, it included a reference to Mike's favorite biochemical process, the KREBSCYCLE.
Show note imagery: The WISHBONEFORMATION
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Today's crossword -- a debut by John McClung -- paid homage to one of the great movie critics of the last century, to wit, ROGEREBERT; and he was full of wit, heaping praise when deserved and throwing raspberries when not. Today's grid has just 4 examples, and they are a hoot. Deets inside.
Show note imagery: The Khan el-Khalili bazaar, in CAIRO
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This was a splendid Tuesday crossword, thanks to an ingenious theme surrounded by a bevy of bedazzling clues. We appreciated the aptness of seeing 3D, In an angry way, CROSSLY, in a CROSSWORD; were flabbergasted by 13D, Weight of every U.S. bank note, ONEGRAM; and were gobsmacked by 20A, U.K. : H.M.R.C. :: U.S.A. : ___, IRS.
Today being Tuesday, we have a Triplet Tuesday™️ segment, with Jean being in the hot seat this time around.
Show note imagery: BTS, back together again!
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We're just GAGA about today's crossword. It included some of our favorite words in the English language, such as 3D, Flabbergasted, GOBSMACKED; our favorite Shakespearean insult, 63A, Playing card better known as a Jack, KNAVE 😀; and our favorite equine, 44A, Horse with a spotted coat, DAPPLE.
Besides this puzzle, we also have much to say in favor of our JAMCOTWA™️ (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award) winner. So for all the deets, check out today's episode.
Show note imagery: The gobsmacking Canyonlands National Park, in UTAH.
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The NYTimes has not shied away from publishing GOL (Groan Out Loud) Sunday crosswords, so we're delighted to report that today's is of the lesser known but always appreciated LOL variety. We will spoil nothing here, but you'll find the full 411 in today's episode.
Show note imagery: Wile E. Coyote, ever the optimist
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Prior to today, only 3 NYTimes crosswords qualified as double pangrams -- ones where the grid includes the entire alphabet, A-Z, twice. Today's crossword marks the fourth. Writing any NYTimes-worthy crossword is a challenge, but writing a pangram really ups the difficulty. Blaker Slonecker was willing to accept the challenge, however, and we doff our hats in respect and awe of this great oeuvre.
Show note imagery: Ray Charles, pitching DIETPEPSI.
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There were MANY GEMS in today's puzzle, and that's not even counting 3D, A host of, MANY, and 34A, Prized people, GEMS. We had 8D, Senescent, OLD; 48D, Real hoot, RIOT; and the colorful (?) 22D, Camel and fawn, TANS. Those were just the tip of the proverbial iceberg, though, because today's grid was chockfull of awesome clues. We dive into the deets in today's episode, so do have a listen, and be sure and tell all your friends about us as well: we appreciate the biz!
Show note imagery: Robert H. Goddard, definitely the best-of-the-best when it comes to ROCKETSCIENCE
A reminder that the holiday season will soon be upon us, and there's no better present than a gift of the NYTimes crossword! Operators (well, ok, bots) are standing by, so cruise on over to the NYTimes and buy your loved ones the gift that keeps on giving!
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This was a fine crossword to solve, but it must've been a bear to construct. Jeremy Newton was up to the task, though, serving up a perfect midweek puzzle. He had us at 16A, Times noted in Captain Kirk's logs, STARDATES; enthralled us at 11D, Finito or kaput, DUNZO; and endeared us with 13A, Establishment whose name means "lounge" in French, SALON.
Show note imagery: IBIZA, regrettably not our home-away-from-home.
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Joe Deeney's crosswords always seem to include a little extra spice, a little extra pizzazz: we present today's puzzle as an exemplar, and that's not just because we've been itching to use exemplar in a sentence 😀.
As evidence, we have 59A, Timeless, to a poet, ETERNE; our favorite E. C. Segar heroine, 58D, Toondom's Olive, OYL; and the rarely seen 39A, Gets back together, REUNES.
We have a Triplet Tuesday Contest, in which Mike attempts to atone for last time, when he momentarily slipped into his native language, Latin. Will he succeed? Or will he iterum in flammas cadet? Tune in to find out!
Show note imagery: Behold, the TOKYODOME
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This was a not-at-all-MID, nor, for that matter -MEH, Monday crossword: the theme was above average, the clues crisp and clever. We especially want to give a shoutout to 22D, Sch. with a T section, MIT; and the presence of both 10D, Nickname for Dorothy, DOT, and 59A, Play-_____, DOH, in the grid. Kudos to Rena Cohen for this, her 6th NYTimes crossword.
We also are delighted to announce our JAMCOTWA™️ (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award) winners (yes, plural!) -- deets inside.
Show note imagery: Katrina Gorry, poised to do something extraordinary with a football.
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If you like Shakespeare, and if you like puns, you will be in ecstasy by the time you've finished today's crossword. And even if you are not a huge fan, we predict that you'll find this crossword to be a hoot. What makes it so special, you ask? Check out today's podcast, where all will be revealed!
Show note imagery: The logo of TCM, Turner Classic Movies
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If this crossword were a drink, it would be a chamomile tea. However, it was even better than that: a bliss-inducing, soul-lifting crossword. We certainly feel happier for having solved it, and we hope you'll feel the same for having listened to this podcast!
Show note imagery: PTOWN, aka Provincetown, Cape Cod
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Several clues in today's crossword gave both cohosts reason to pause. Most notably we had a debut at 6D, Aesthetic associated with classical literature and vintage fashion, DARKACADEMIA; we also had the mysterious 1D, Cool, in streaming slang, POG; and we were intrigued to discover 62D, ID whose lowest possibility is 001-01-0001, SSN.
In addition to these fascinating clues, we have a fascinating fact, in honor of Fun Fact Friday. Ever wonder what happened to telegrams? Tune in, and find out!
Show note imagery: A delicious dirt pudding, featuring, of course, an OREOCOOKIE, yum!
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This was a tricky Thursday crossword and a magnificent debut for Kyle Perkins. Jean struggled and Mike strugggggled, to get to the happy music; both eventually persevered, but not before much gnashing of teeth had taken place. We have all the dental records inside, so have a listen (as one will, to dental records 🙄), and enjoy!
Show note imagery: Awe inspiring downtown La Paz, Bolivia.
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The father and daughter duo of Brad Wiegmann and Nicole Wiegmann have teamed up to create a wonderful connect-the-dots-er-squares puzzle-within-a-puzzle. Elizabeth Gorski, an NYTimes contributor with a whopping 219 crosswords to her credit apparently pioneered this approach: and the Wiegmann opus is a fine addition to the oeuvre.
Besides the crossword, our investigative team is hot on the trail of the mysterious Janus-faced 55A. The answer was BUDICE, but the clue depended on where you read the crossword! We have no idea why, and Word Play does not shed any light on the matter. Where's Sherlock/Enola Holmes when we need him/her?
Show note imagery: The great, great grandfather/mother of today's image-embedded puzzle. Is it a DUCK, or a RABBIT?
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This is the second Christina Iverson - Scott Hogan collaboration, and the first NYTimes crossword ever to include WORCESTERSHIRE as an answer. It usually takes us several takes before we can pronounce the word, and even more before we can spell it. We enjoyed 52A, Copenhagen's "The Little Mermaid", for one, STATUE (which for all the attention it gets, is surprisingly short); we had a blast from the (very recent) past, 53D, "You talkin' _______?", TOME; and finally 33D, "I so did not need to hear that!", EWW (not, as we originally surmised, TMI);
Show note imagery: The Little Mermaid, in all her The-Little-Mermaid-iousness of it all.
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This was an excellent crossword by a prolific cruciverbalist. It was a Monday, and as far as being fun and appropriate for novice puzzle solvers, a smashing success. We enjoyed the challenge of how to spell 9D, Shrub with bright flowers, AZALEA; the reappearance (for the second time in two days) of a by-gone internet pioneer, AOL; and the opportunity to haul out our faux-pirate accent for 9A, Pirate's "Stop!", AVAST.
Show note imagery: Some real FIREBREATHERS!
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If crosswords had moods, we'd classify this one as feisty. It took both cohosts, working independently as always, longer than usual to get to the happy music. But the journey is the reward, as they say, so rather than complain, we prefer to celebrate this, the fourth NYTimes crossword by Amie Walker. Deets inside.
Show note imagery: A LORIS, in its native habitat, the crossword grid (no, strike that, India, it's definitely India).
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This was a good Saturday workout: not the hardest Saturday ever, but engaging, with some truly effervescent cluing. We covered the best-of-the-best in today's episode, but we would also like to note 26A, John Coltrane album whose title suggests making major progress, GIANTSTEPS (check it out, an awesome work); 46D, Pussyfoot: SNEAK; and the star of one of our favorite Marvel series, 9D, Elizabeth of "Wanda Vision", OLSEN (no relation to the photographer Jimmy OLSEN, one reason being that the latter is entirely fictional).
Show note imagery: MANSAMUSA, the Elon Musk of his day (1280-1337 AD), admiring his favorite element on the periodic table, gold.
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This was a challenging crossword for both cohosts, as both -- solving independently as is their custom -- ended up in the same area of the grid, temporary waylaid by the crossing of 40A, The Brady household, including Alice, e.g., ENNEAD, and 29D, "The Fall of the House of Usher" actress ___ Miller, TNIA. In the end, though, Jean managed to get through this crossword LIKEABOSS; Mike was more like a JUNIORDEPUTYUNDERSECRETARY 😀
Show note imagery: An ENNEAD of Egyptian deities.
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For you polyglots out there, the NYTimes has written a love letter, cleverly disguised as a crossword -- today's, to be precise, a magnificent opus by Sam Brody. For the rest of us, the crossword was (for reasons that will be come clear once you've heard the podcast and/or seen the completed grid) a lot more challenging, which means, of course, a lot more fun. We adored this, Sam's third NYTimes crossword since June (!), and are delighted to bestow upon it a très bon 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
Show note imagery: The LOGO for a car so expensive we couldn't even afford ... the LOGO 😉
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The first author of today's crossword, Chad Hazen, had over 40 rejections before finally getting a crossword published -- but when he did get it published it was in the New York Times, so there is that. He was aided in his efforts by legendary crossword constructor Jeff Chen, an ideal person to have your six when the crossword deities conspire against you.
We have all the deets on today's crossword inside, so have a listen, and please let others know about us on social media.
Show note imagery: ANNA Lee Fisher, first mother in space!
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This was a debut crossword by Patrick Hayden, and a very nice one, to boot. The theme was sly, and the author has a knack for writing novel clues for common answers. We covered many of them in the podcast, but we admired many more. For instance, we had 58A, What you eat, DIET; 52D, Metaphor for a bad goalie, SIEVE (awesome!); and 61D, Start of a bray, HEE (hee, hee).
Also, we'd be remiss if we didn't acknowledge the presence of both 38A, Wood-cutting tool, ADZ, and 63D, Highlights of the Super Bowl, for some, ADS. Nice!
Show note imagery: WHITECASTLE, popular, but apparently not in NE WI.
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If you fear crosswords with large swathes of white squares, infrequently interrupted by a black square or two (and psychiatrists have a technical name for that: "normal"), you might want to give this crossword a bye. But if you do so, be warned: you'll be missing out on one of the best Sunday crosswords of the year, courtesy of Rafael Musa (adeptly edited, as always, by Will Shortz). While that might sound like a bold assessment, the proof's not only in the pudding, it's in the podcast; so have a listen and, as always, please let us know what you think!
Show note imagery: One of the many SILICONVALLEY homes priced at over $1,000,000. This one is $57.78 million, and at last report was owned by billionaire Yuri Milner.
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This was a sweet Saturday crossword by Michael Lieberman, filled with his characteristically witty, and fresh clueing. We've covered the best in the podcast, but we also were enamored with 37D, Atypical, to Antonius, RARA; 24D, Settled a debt reluctantly, PONIEDUP 🐎; and 51D, One direction, EAST 😁.
Show note imagery: An AGOUTI, looking for some Brazil nuts to pulverize
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As we sidle up to the most challenging crossword of the week, aka Saturday, we expect the opening act -- Friday -- to help get us in the right frame of mind. Friday does not disappoint, as there were oodles of tricky (theme-free) clues to contend with. For instance, 34D, A smartphone has many of these, USES (ah, not APPS, got it!); 38D, The U.A.E. is in it, OPEC (rather than ASIA, fine); and the informative 37D, Island home of what may be the world's oldest living olive tree (2,000+ years), CRETE (now we know!)
Show note imagery: The Olive tree of Vouves, which is too shy to tell anyone its age, but scientists believe it is somewhere between 2-4000 years old. Even more amazing, it's still producing olive oil!
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If you needed to be reminded that the scariest day of the year is coming up tomorrow; and if yesterday's crossword didn't drive the stake (er, point) home, then today's surely will. Between the OREOS, bat(omorph)s and witches in the grid, and the suspiciously large number of pumpkins one is likely to encounter in the street, it is clear that Halloween is drawing nigh. What is also clear is that this was a fabulous crossword, brimming with great clues like 42A, Desirable Vegas couple? ACES; 69A, Fish also known as a batomorph, RAY; and 50A, Ones eliciting knee-jerk reactions, informally, DOCS (ha!)
Show note imagery: OKRA, aka Lady's Fingers
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This was the perfect Halloween Eve's Eve crossword, suitably spooky and eminently entertaining. The theme was a stitch, and the supporting cast of clues was, well, quite supportive. We've covered the highlights in today's podcast; but as usual we link to the completely filled-in crossword, from xword.info, right here.
Show note imagery: A delectable trio of cereal pancakes from IHOP, the unofficial breakfast diner of the NYTimes crossword 🥞😀
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Jean found today's crossword to be a tad more difficult than usual; Mike found it almost, but not quite, impossible, thanks to the high density of pop-culture references in the bottom-left corner. We have the deets inside.
In other news, it's Triplet Tuesday and -- how shall we put this charitably? -- Mike gave it the ol' college try.
Show note imagery: The digits, in Spanish -- very handy in NYTimes crosswords!
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This was Tarun Krishnamurthy's third NYTimes crossword: he now has two Mondays and a Tuesday under his belt. Today's opus had an endearing theme and provided us with an opportunity to dive into the FLIER v. FLYER debate. Based on extensive research, we can now conclude, unequivocally, that it should neither be spelled PHLIER (as that is a chemist who tells falsehoods about acidity) nor FLYYYYYYER (uttered by a pilot having an existential crisis). We have a few other (slightly less controversial) opinions on today's puzzle -- as well as our weekly JAMCOTWA™️ (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award) segment in the episode, so do have a listen.
Show note imagery: BANFF, Alberta
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The last few crosswords have been rather on the challenging side and while Will and co. (co, in this case, being collaborators Gary Larson and Doug Peterson) definitely did ease up a bit today, it was still not a walk in the park -- more of a jog uphill. As far as the slope of that hill, Jean would rate it about 2%, Mike estimated it was more like 50%, possibly higher, thanks to several severe spelling challenges (and one or two naticks). Deets inside!
Show note imagery: Meet the Parr-fect family🙄, aka The Incredibles
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Byron Walden has had 110 crosswords published in the NYTimes, of which 71 were Saturdays. If you are wondering why, then take a gander at today's grid, and peek at the podcast; Byron has served up a master class in how to write delectable, diabolically deceptive clues. Deets inside.
Show note imagery: PHILO Farnsworth, the "Father of Television" and an expert 31D, Improviser at a workbench, TINKERER
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It is hard to believe that today's crossword was a debut, but ... believe it! By turns elegant, hilarious, engaging and definitely taxing, both cohost were decidedly enamored with today's work. We have all the many reasons why inside, so have a listen, and let us know if you concur.
In other news, in honor of the day, we have another Fun Fact Friday segment, and we guarantee that, like the fun fact itself, you will either love it or hate it. (We're hoping, of course, for the former!)
Show note imagery: Dr. Frankenstein and the monster, rendezvousing somewhere in the Alps
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This were a lot of jewels in today's grid, including, well, JOULES (56A, Units equal to roughly a quarter of a calorie). We also were glad to learn the last name of 60A, Lou ___, "Mambo No. 5" singer, BEGA; and the full name of 45A, Star of NBC's "The Blacklist", JAMESSPADER. We confess, we haven't see The Blacklist, and wanted to plead "lack of time" as an excuse; but it was on the air for ten years, and truth be told, we weren't busy the entire time.]
Show note imagery: Just waiting for THUMBINDEXES (THUMINDICES?) to make a comeback
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This was a gem of a Wednesday crossword. The theme was, as you might expect, unexpected: the rest of the grid, as you might also expect, excellent. We covered most of our favorites in today's episode, but we would also like to direct your attention to 11D, Whirling visual effects in video games, PORTALS; 39A, Bubbly bar, SOAP; and 5D, Electroreception for sharks, SENSE.
Show note imagery: Lisa Meitner (left) and OTTOHAHN (right), Austrian-Swedish and German chemists, respectively, who pioneered radiochemistry — which, sadly, does not deign to answer the question why Abbott and Costello were so hilarious 😀 🙄.
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Spencer Leach's crosswords have appeared most frequently on Saturday, meaning he likes to make 'em tough. Todays is his first Tuesday outing, and it is quite* good. We'd say more, but since our footnote has mysteriously become almost as long as our usual show note, we'll wrap it up here and remind you to check out today's episode for the full 411 on the puzzle -- as well as an awesome Triplet Tuesday segment.
Show note imagery: In the immortal words of Réne Magritte, Ceci n'est pas une Casio
as a reminder, the NYTimes crosswords get more difficult as the week progresses; Monday is the easiest, Saturday's most definitely the hardest. Sunday's are big, but generally regarded as being "Big Wednesdays"* in terms of difficulty. Of course, YMMV depending on your upbringing, how much sleep you've had, and, occasionally, serendipity.
**no relation to the gangster of the same name
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This was a nice Monday crossword, the 17th by Adam Aaronson, who is more partial to Saturday but we're glad to see him wander over to this half of the week. Jean tore through the puzzle so quickly her iPad caught fire, whereas Mike's was never at risk. The clues were mainly Monday fare, but we did have the fabulous 2D, End of some sentences, PAROLE (walked right into that one!); the high-falutin' 39D, Aforementioned, VERYSAME; and an apt description of this VERYSAME podcast, 55D, Not interrupted by commercials, ADFREE.
In addition to today's crossword, we are proud to announce our latest JAMCOTWA. If you've listened to last week's episodes it won't be any surprise, but just in case we won't spoil it here: listen in for the Big Reveal.
Show note imagery: HAYAO Miyazaki, who recently won an Academy Award for The Boy and the Heron.
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This was a truly epic Sunday crossword by Daniel Grinberg, one with a theme guaranteed to put a smile on your face and/or cause your jaw to drop in amazement at the artistry and effort that clearly went into today's puzzle. We have much more to say about this magnificent opus, so pull up a chair, go for a jog, whatever it is that you do while listening to this podcast, and enjoy!
Show note imagery: Domo arigoto, MRROBOTO 🤖
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This was Samuel Smalley's second crossword, and his second on a Saturday . He certainly seems to have internalized the make-it-as-tough-as-you'd-like spirit that distinguishes Saturday crosswords, and unquestionably knows how to peg the meter. There were 13 debut answers in today's grid, and virtually every single clue put up a fight. We have the deets inside, including the highs, the lows, and the BASSOS 😀.
Show note imagery: a HELIOSTAT, which — based on how much extra electricity ChatGPT and friends are now burning through — we are going to need plenty of
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This was a splendiferous Friday crossword by Karen Steinberg. It was not particularly difficult, but it was particularly fun to solve, and for that we are grateful! Check out today's episode for all the deets, and drop us a line -- we love feedback!
Show note imagery: What may (or may not: we make absolutely no promises) be the correct set of rules for BEERDARTS
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This was an ingenious and entertaining crossword by Kareem Ayas, his 7th for the NYTimes. The theme was very (n)ice indeed, but the rest of the clues were not just there for show. We loved 34A, High lights?, AURORA; were delighted by the nostalgia-inducing 25D, What allows Neo to disconnect from the Matrix, REDPILL; and were amazed to discover the answer to 47A, Tonkatsu coating, PANKO. All in all a fabulous effort, a solid 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
Show note imagery: for practitioners of CHIROMANCY, this cheat-sheet may come in very handy 🙄😎
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We find it difficult to resist a crossword with the word "cerulean" anywhere in it, or even in near it, when the constructors were working their magic. But it is not only for that reason that we have bestowed upon this fair opus a full 5 squares on the JAMCR scale. To find out what those other reasons are ... merely download today's episode (after clicking follow / like / subscribe, of course), listen up, and enjoy!
Show note imagery: The Classics Illustrated version of LORDJIM (for those of you too busy to read the novel or watch the movie)
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This was an excellent crossword by Stella Zawistowski, her 24th for the NYTimes and her 7th Tuesday. There were some awesome clues in the grid, such as 28D, "A pox on thee!", FIE (a truly excellent insult 😀); 23A, Heavily edit with beauty filters, as a photo, in modern lingo, YASSIFY (how do scholars classify YASSIFY, anyways? 😉); and in retrospect an obvious answer (but a fun one nonetheless), 50D, Country whose national soccer team is nicknamed the Pharaohs, EGYPT.
In addition to our analysis of today's fine opus, we also have an excellent Triplet Tuesday™️segment. Tune in to see if Mike falls flat on his face, or soars to glory (or possibly both!)
Show note imagery: ALFALFAHONEY, YUM!
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This was an intriguing debut crossword by Katherine Xiong. Both cohosts -- solving independently as usual -- found it to be a tad longer than one might expect for a Monday. That just means more time spent savoring the crossword, though, and so more a cause for celebration than anything else.
Besides the crossword, we also have our JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award). Also, as an exclusive, we have left in the mix the origin story of our next contest (currently unnamed: we're taking suggestions 😀).
Show note imagery: HASTYPUDDING, which often goes down slow(ly)
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Both cohosts found today's puzzle to be particularly crunchy due to cruciverbial challenges in different areas of the grid. Jean struggled mightily in the southeast corner, while Mike was temporarily waylaid by his ignorance of sports -- and any pop culture references more recent than around 1850.
Still, both eventually prevailed, and lived to tell (podcast) the tale. Deets inside!
Show note imagery: Benedick, the comic relief in Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing, who swore he'd never marry, but, eventually back tracked.
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Sam Ezersky crosswords can be quite thrilling, as he is renowned for making highly challenging puzzles. He certainly does not disappoint this Saturday, quite the contrary. However, he has managed to inject a lot of humor into the grid, making for an epically challenging but also quite entertaining solve: no slogs here.
We have all the deets inside, so have a listen, and, as always, we welcome your feedback!
Show note imagery: LAMARJACKSON, a Baltimore Ravens quarterback getting ready to unleash devastation upon his foes, i.e., throw a pass 😀
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Colin Adams seems to have hit the sweet spot with Friday crosswords chock-full of cracklingly good clues. Besides those mentioned in today's podcast, we also have such notables as 14D, Locales for some residents, in brief, ERS (ah, those types of residents); 32D, Sch. that's home to Mike the Tiger (and his 15,000-square-foot habitat), LSU (we're suckers for clues that reference a cohost😉); and 47D, One might be ticked off, LIST (nice one, Colin!).
Besides our coverage of a most excellent puzzle, we also have a Fun Fact Friday™️ segment, today covering a piece of technology that's been rumored to be obsolete, but apparently is still widely available in some quarters.
Show note imagery: HAGAR the Horrible -- who really isn't 😀
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This was Freddie Cheng's 18th NYTimes crossword. He mainly publishes earlier in the week, but he has had a crossword published on every day, no mean feat. Today's puzzle had some awesome cluing, including 28D, Way to go, ROAD; 53A, What Zuckerberg dropped from before "Facebook" in 2005, THE; and the bound-to-be-useful-someday-to-somebody clue 37D, Equivalent of five carats, GRAM. There's more, besides, so check out today's podcast for all the deets.
Show note imagery: The Burghers of Calais, courtesy of RODIN
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This was an enjoyable Wednesday crossword, with a warm, uplifting, nostalgia-centric theme that both cohosts greatly appreciated.
We were glad to see Jules VERNE in the grid for his 77th time, in 48A, Author of "L'Île Mystérieuse"; we were not at all surprised to see YAOA (Yet Another OREO Answer) at 60D, Double Stuf cookie; and we also appreciated the next clue over, 62A, A 2-1 record has one, LOSS (of course!).
A nice debut by Daniel Trujillo Diaz. Will his second appear before not too long? Outlook good!
Show note imagery: Ariana DEBOSE as Anita in Steven Spielberg's West Side Story
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This was a fine debut crossword by Corry Cropper. It felt a little crunchier than usual for a Tuesday, but not overwhelmingly so; and it revolved around a mythological theme, which both cohosts found intriguing.
Deets inside!
In addition, we have a challenging Triplet Tuesday™️ segment for your enjoyment and edification, so prepare to be ... amused and/or edified.
Show note imagery: A CAPUCHIN, runner-up in 2024's Most Meme-able Image Contest™️.
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This was a straightforward Monday crossword, as Monday crosswords tend to be, and an enjoyable crossword, as all NYTimes crosswords edited by Will Shortz are destined to be. We were glad to spot the HIDEYHOLE at 33D; marvel at ICEDANCERS not too far removed at 28D; and delight at 40A, "Sure is", YEP (which, coincidentally, is our answer to the question, was this a great crossword?).
We also have our JAMCOTWA™️ (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award) pronouncement, and some awesome listener mail, leading to an equally awesome discussion of a Lone Ranger catch phrase.
Show note imagery: TEVA, for all your hiking sandal needs
Show note links: What exactly is the Lone Ranger saying at the start of each episode, anyway?
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For those who like puns, you are in for a treat; and for those who do not, you still are, because in a 21x21 Sunday grid there's room for all manner of entertaining / educational clues. If the name of today's constructor, John Kugelman, sounds familiar, that's because he has appeared in February, April, May, June, July and October of this year -- not a bad showing at all. Apart from May, all of those crosswords were Sundays, which is simply astonishing.
We have the full deets on today's puzzle inside, so have a listen, and don't forget to like / follow / subscribe, so you never miss an episode.
Show note imagery: RIGA, the capital of Latvia
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This was an enthralling Goldilocks of a Saturday crossword: not too hard, not too easy, but just right. For that we can thank Ryan McCarty, edited by the seemingly indefatigable Will Shortz. There were oodles of great clues in the grid, and we have the full analysis right here - so please download, listen up, and enjoy!
Show note imagery: an ELAND, trying to calculate how much it should charge in exchange for letting the NYTimes use his name in the crossword.
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Rebecca Goldstein and Rafael Musa are both great cruciverbalists, but together they are more than the sum of their (very impressive individual) parts -- as aptly demonstrated in today's crossword. From the amusing 56A, Something raised during Oktoberfest, BEERTENT (nice!), to the educational 5D, The first one was issued in 1936, for short, SSN, to the brilliant 32D, What comes before we go, AWAY, the grid was dazzling.
We have the deets inside, as well as a fabulous fact for Fun Fact Friday™️, so please, do have a listen (and don't forget to like/follow/subscribe!).
Show note imagery: The world's oldest known library, Ebla
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This was a fine Thursday crossword by Aidan Deshong -- his 6th for the NYTimes. Jean tore through it, Mike ... did not. The theme, discussed within, was great. The clues were also fine -- 20A, Leveled the playing field, say?, MOWED (awesome!); 55A, Pin number, TEN (🎳😀); and 3D, What might come after many years?, AGO (not, as both cohosts originally posited, AGE).
Show note imagery: AEGEAN, Greece's national airline
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Today's crossword was a joy, for reasons that will become readily apparent as soon as you've either a) done the crossword, or b) listened to today's podcast. We don't want to spoil it too much; to say that there was a great pun in the grid is probably not too much of a spoiler, as that is oft the case. For all the deets, though, you'll definitely want to check out today's episode.
Show note imagery: ACACIAS, frequently spotted on the African savanna.
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Today's crossword is a debut for Brian Keller -- and it checks all the boxes as far as Mondays are concerned.
- Fun theme? ✅
- Not too hard? ✅
- Interesting clues? ✅
- 15x15 or thereabouts? ✅
In addition to a fine Monday, we've also hand-picked our JAMCOTWA™️ (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award) for the last week, which goes to ... a crossword that will be revealed in today's episode, so do have a listen.
A reminder that studies have shown that the NYTimes crossword is a fabulous way to improve your vocab, keep those neurons sparking, and make yourself more appealing to whomever you want to be more appealing to! All you need to do is wander over to the NYTimes subscription page, and they'll take it from there: tell 'em Jean & Mike sent ya!
Show note imagery: The first meeting of the MPPDA (Motion Picture Producers and Distributors of America), the ancestor of the MPAA (Motion Picture Association of America)
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A few weeks ago, we had an homage to Star Trek. Well, Rich Katz (ably guided by Will Shortz) has dug into the nostalgia vault once more, and came up with this fine ode to a 1990's sitcom whose name we will not mention in these show notes -- to preserve the element of surprise, as it were.
Being a Sunday crossword, there were numerous notable clues. We liked 97D, Chinese "nut" that's really a fruit , LITCHI; 108D, AA or JJ, e.g., PAIR (true, true); and 67D, Sun bloc?, NBA (cute!).
Show note imagery: GEOGUESSR, fun for the whole family!
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Opinions were mixed on today's puzzle. Jean found it to be a large-ish challenge while Mike found more of it in his wheelhouse than usual for a Friday. Both agreed that it was an awesome crossword, though, with some sharp and interesting cluing. For instance, we had 39A, Pet food brand whose name reflects its founding in Allentown, Pa, ALPO; 37A, It gets pumped at a party, KEG; and 3D, It might be on display at Comic-Con, INNERGEEK.
There's more, including a great fun fact about the the largest and heaviest animals. To hear all about it, be sure and download and check out today's episode.
Show note imagery: The EPA HQ, home of the AQ
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This was a Saturday crossword where every clue looked like it was hand-crafted with passion and precision: if the Loeuvre is ever looking for a crossword to hang up next to the Mona Lisa, they could do worse than pick this one.
Even after our extensive dive into the grid in the podcast, we couldn't squeeze in all the gems. For instance, 23A, They arose from Ra's tears, according to Egyptian mythology, BEES (BEEautiful)!); 9A, African capital whose name translates to "ants", ACCRA (huh!); and the fun-to-say 58A, Hibernation stations, DENS.
We hope that Adrian Johnson and Christina Iverson's next collaboration comes out ... tomorrow!
Show note imagery: A MESON (not to scale)
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Today's crossword was brrrrrrrillllllliiiiiiiiiaaaaaaaannnnnnnntttttttt -- that is to say, brilliant: but definitely a stretch 😀. To be more specific, thanks to the theme solving this crossword seemed virtually impossible, until ... it wasn't. We don't know how long it took to construct this, but it is genius writ large. Kudos to Jesse Goldberg for an outstanding piece of work.
Show note imagery: The ERIE Sea Wolves (who aren't at all eerie 🙄)
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This was Peter A. Collins' 122nd NYTimes crossword, a very impressive statistic. The reason why he got to 122 is apparent everywhere you look in today's grid. From 8D, One who's given many instructions nowadays, SIRI, to 42D, Like the scent of some air fresheners, PINEY, and all the way to 25D, Lightheaded sorts?, BLONDES, this was a delightful piece of work - definitely worth 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
In other news, we have listener mail! So to check that out and more, start downloading / subscribing / listening pronto!
Show note imagery: REDPANDAS, whose chief defense mechanism is, obviously, overwhelming their prey with cuteness 😀
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It has been over four years since Jacob Stulberg last appeared in the NYTimes crossword marquee, but it's good to have him back. We were tickled to see TOFU (48D, Staple of vegan cooking) in the grid, suitably distanced from the non-vegan 34D, Mayo ingredient, EGG. We also had 70A, Alternative to white, RYE, and 5A, Teacher for just a day, informally, SUB. Between all of these, we felt a sudden urge to check out Cousin's, but were able to restrain ourselves long enough to complete today's very fine grid.
Show note imagery: Naboo, with nary a NAVI in sight.
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For those of you unfamiliar with Canadian politics, JUSTINTRUDEAU ruled Canada from 2015-2025, when he stepped aside in favor of Mark Carney, the current PM. The entire political saga will probably be a hit on AppleTV+ in a few years; it certainly has all the plot elements!
In other news, we've moved our JAMCOTWA™️ (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award) to Monday, so that each winner will be the best-of-the-best from the previous Monday to Sunday. Check out our first Monday JAMCOTWA in today's episode.
Show note imagery: ORLON, gone but not forgotten!
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A rebus -- for those of you new to the crossword-solving realm -- is a square containing more than one letter. Rebuses come in several varieties; in today's crossword we have two words per square, one intended to be read horizontally, the other vertically.
Spotting rebuses is a bit of an art. Usually the tip-off is when the answer that you know, absolutely, positively, is correct ... but it won't fit. When that happens, it's time to fire up the ol' rebus key (if you're solving on the app), or print smaller (if you're solving on paper).
Today's rebus celebrated a candy bar first made in York, England, and if you don't know it by now, you will shortly once you've checked out today's podcast (or done the crossword).
Show note imagery: Some LACROSSE players, um, lacrosseing? 🙄
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This is Katie Hoody's fourth NYTimes Saturday crossword, and it is apparent that she has mastered the genre. The clues are devious, to be sure; and diabolical, also true; but you likely know the answers, if you can just maneuver through the maze to get to them. For example, 42D, Demand upon reaching an "enemy border", KINGME (ah, that kind of enemy border!); 27D, What's wrong?, ERROR (cute!); and 58A, Blow it!, SMOKERING. The entire puzzle has the same feel, making this an absolutely splendid way to wrap up our crossword-solving week. Bravo, Katie!
Show note imagery: HARPER'S Weekly, the November 10, 1860 edition.
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This was a tough Friday crossword, following a couple of crunchier than usual Wednesday and Thursday offerings. Extrapolating, we are therefore quaking in our metaphorical shoes awaiting Saturday's puzzle to drop. Will it be impossible? Or merely very, very nearly impossible? 😉 Only time will tell (but then we'll tell you, in tomorrow's episode).
Also in today's show ... we have a Fun Fact Friday™️ segment, and some terrific listener mail!
Show note imagery: FAILLE fabric never fails to impress 😀
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Adam Wagner has a reputation for making tough, high-quality crosswords, which explains ... today's, tough, high-quality crossword. Even after grokking the theme, the rest of the clues required no little effort to unravel. We have the whole story inside, so do have a listen and then let us know: how did you find today's puzzle?
Show note imagery: The Earl and Countess of Wessex
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The remarkable xwordinfo.com has compiled a list of the maximum number of times each letter has appeared in a crossword. Up until today, K had appeared a total of 18 times, but now -- thanks to Jackson Matz -- that record stands at 24, all in the aid of a good cause, aka "the theme".
Both cohosts found this to be a slightly crunchier than usual Wednesday, and Jean in particular had to put on her deerstalker hat for the win. Deets inside.
Show note imagery: AKIRA Kurosawa's greatest epic, Rashomon.
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This was an excellent debut crossword by Jonathan Daly; we were dazzled by the theme, and found gems in the rest of the grid as well. We enjoyed 71A, Floppy part of a beagle, EAR; 49D, Owl's question?, WHO; and of course we are absolutely infatuated with 11D, A shopper, not a buyer, informally, LOOKIELOO.
In addition, we have our traditional Triplet Tuesday™️ segment, and today Jean's in the hotseat.
Show note imagery: Snoopy, who definitely has a floopy EAR (two, to be precise!)
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This was a fine Monday crossword courtesy of the very talented Matthew Stock and Michael Lieberman. The latter, based on both this puzzle and his xwordinfo.com photo, is apparently a baseball fan; so, using that metaphor, we'd definitely categorize this crossword as a home run.
Show note imagery: Behold, the mighty PEGASUS (and they're accepting pre-orders now!)
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In August we had a fabulous crossword honoring "the Man of 1000 Voices", Mel Blanc, and ... he's back, this time in the grid, and in celebration of what might be the greatest animated toon duo of all time, starring in gags that never get old.
Deets inside, as well as our latest JAMCOTWA™️ (Jean And Mike Do The New York Times Crossword) winner. Enjoy!
Show note imagery: GINZA, in all its glory.
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This was definitely a Saturday-caliber crossword, where Will & company pull out pretty much all the stops. On no other day of the week will you see entertaining, educational, and definitely challenging clues like 16A, Italian pianist who composed the scores for "Nomadland" and "The Father", LUDOVICOEINAUDI (yikes!); or 40A, Origin of "The Tale of Genji," considered by many to be the world's first novel, JAPAN (huh); or the amusing 25A, The 21,728th page of 1989's 20-volume Oxford English Dictionary, END (what else?).😀
This was a debut for Alex Jiang, and we await, with a mixture of anticipation and trepidation, his next puzzle.
Show note imagery: The Tale of Genji, dubbed the world's first novel
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This was a very nice Friday crossword -- not soul-crushingly difficult, but with enough razzle-dazzle (see yesterday's episode 😀) to really lift the spirits. We have the deets inside, as well as a fascinating Fun Fact Friday™️ examination of one of history's most famous eggs.
Show note imagery: PIMA cotton, accept no substitutes!
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This was a fun crossword by Gia Bosko, with a theme that Jean immediately sussed out, and Mike only discovered after he finished the crossword. That remarkable and dare we say it (yes, we do!) amusing story is just one of several you'll hear in today's episode; so, please, hit download / subscribe / play, and then ... enjoy!
Show note imagery: An old fashioned WALKIETALKIE, which became much more useful once they figured out a way to ditch the cord 😀 😀
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While Wednesday's child might be full of woe, we prefer our Wednesday clues to be full of woah! 😀 And that's exactly what we got in today's crossword: a sizable number of clues whose answers did not immediately leap to mind. They did, eventually, thanks to serendipity and some gentler crosses.
Kudos and thanks to today's debut cruciverbalists, Cole Vandenberg and Hadith Ragunathan: well done!
Show note imagery: An OSIER, waiting patiently, as only a tree can, for somebody to mention it in the NYTimes crossword 😀
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This crossword quickly skyrocketed from "nice cluing, not bad" to "unbelievably awesome!!", thanks to one vital clue. We'll leave you in suspense as to what that clue is -- until you listen to the episode, of course -- but we feel quite certain that you'll agree with our assessment. [Either way, let us know via the usual channels.]
Show note imagery: The extraordinary OLETA Adams
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Monday's are engineered to entice and intrigue newer solvers, and today's crossword, by Margaret Seikel, does so admirably. There were a few clues that gave us pause: 47D, Attaches, ADDSON (not ADHERES, which, among other problems, would not fit); 43D, Georgia politico Stacey _______, ABRAMS, eventually came to mind (she has definitely not been prominent in the news as of late); and we were especially surprised by 42A, Flower symbolizing early love, LILAC. Now we know!
Show note imagery: US Patent 4,530,631, for the POPTAB
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It is not always the case that a theme gives us the case of the giggles, but Derrick Niederman's crossword provided us with a plethora of LOL moments. It is definitely in the running for next week's JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword of The Week Award). This week's JAMCOTWA was a slam dunk; check out today's episode to see if our pick was also your favorite.
Finally, we have a spot of listener mail, so do have a listen, and, as always, please tell all your friends and relations to do the same.
Show note imagery: A LEITMOTIF, the theme from "Jaws"
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The difficulty level's been dialed up to 11, so if you did not get through today's puzzle ... it's not you, it's Kunal Nagar (abetted in this criminally awesome crossword by Will Shortz). Every single clue had something to commend it, and pretty much every single answer required your cohosts, working independently as always, to work for it. This is definitely worth a joyous 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
Show note imagery: OCTAVIAEBUTLER, an extraordinary science fiction writer, winner of the Hugo and Nebula awards (among many others)
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This was an awesome debut by Bryan Cheong, who is, astonishingly, only 14 years old. You would not know it from the crossword, though: the clues are sharp and the fill as crisp as can be. Definitely 5 squares on the JAMCR scale, and we are on the edge of our seats waiting for Bryan's second crossword.
In honor of the day (Friday), we also have a Fun Fact Friday™️ segment, about Phoebe Ann Mosey; and if you don't recognize that name, faer not, you'll assuredly recognize her stage name, which we cover, along with much more, in today's segment.
Show note imagery: Traditional parts of a Japanese tea room, including a SHOJI.
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This was a delightfully intriguing and decidedly crunchy Thursday crossword, penned by Colin Ernst and adroitly edited by Will Shortz. It took both cohosts, working independently as is their wont, no little time to figure out what was happening, theme-wise: but both eventually did, and appreciated the mental gymnastics. Deets inside, so have a listen, and please let us know what you think.
The NYTimes has recently introduced a family subscription plan; so if you want to treat your loved ones to the entire newspaper at a very good price, check it out here.
Show note imagery: Anatolia (aka Asia Minor), encompassing most of Turkey.
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This was a fun crossword by Michael B. Berg, his second for the NYTimes. The theme was terrific, revolving around a word that neither cohost had heard before, ZHUZH. Fortunately, the crosses were fairly forgiving (except when they weren't: we're looking at you, KATZ).
All in all an excellent middle-of-the-week crossword, we hereby bestow upon it with 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
Show note imagery: KATZ's Delicatessen, doing a booming business.
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In keeping with the nursery rhyme, we would argue that today's crossword was full of grace ... or at least some very cool clues. Mike's favorite was 10D,
Certain parent overseeing a child's career, in showbiz lingo, MOMAGER; Jean's was 66A, "This decision is hard!", IMTORN. Both agreed that they would love to do a podcast from 37A, Caribbean hot spot, ARUBA.
Besides the crossword, we have a Triplet Tuesday segment, in which Mike, well, let's just say that he tried to swing for the fences but forgot to hold onto the bat.
Show note imagery: The first question when building any new mall: where are we going to put the Auntie Anne's? 🥨😋
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Today's crossword marks Lynn Lempel's 103rd for the NYTimes, and was a great way to usher in September. While there were no debut answers, quite a few of the clues caught our fancy, including 64A, Flexible Flyer, for one, SLED; the almost onomatopoetic 4D, Smooth-talking, GLIB; and what sounds like it ought to be delicious (and surely is), 21D, Russian pancake, BLINI.
Bravo, Lynn!
Show note imagery: An absolutely stunning view of LAPAZ, the capital of Bolivia
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Michael Lieberman was definitely playing against type when he dreamed up this crossword, because he spends his days at his law firm fighting corporate mergers, but his nights -- apparently -- trying to encourage them. You'll see what we mean when you have a listen to today's episode, or wander over to (warning: it's spoiler city if you click that link!) the solution at xwordinfo.com.
In addition to the crossword, we have identified our JAMCOTWA™️ (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award) for this week; deets inside.
A small logistical side-note: we are taking a break for the next week, as one of us is traveling to such a distant time zone that we can't sync up for recording. But we will be back at it, laboring, so to speak, on Labor Day. Until then, may your crossword streak grow ever longer.
Show note imagery: The Cliffs of Moher in ERIN (aka Ireland)
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The fifth NYTimes crossword by Ryan Judge made for a very nice Saturday; not a walk in the park, by any stretch, but more straightforward than last Saturday's "let's scale Mt Everest barefoot" uber-challenge.
There were some great clues in today's grid. Jean in particular was fond of 35A, Drew Carey once called it "crossword puzzle cheese" on "Whose Line Is It Anyway?", EDAM. Mike was glad to learn about 32D, It's formed in Pittsburgh, OHIORIVER, and even gladder to discover the name of a song that has been stuck in his head for years, 26D, Composer of "In the Hall of the Mountain King", GRIEG.
Show note imagery: NOME, the finish line of the Iditarod since 1973 (even though the starting point has had to move multiple times for myriad reasons).
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Our cohosts were surprised and delighted to learn, thanks to today's crossword, that there are four countries whose national anthems have no lyrics, and so people instead hum, or sing something along the lines of "na, na, na". The four countries in question are Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, San Marino, and Spain. One of those appears in today's grid, and to preserve an air of suspense and mystery, we will defer identifying that country here in the show notes. We will say, though, that the crossword in general, courtesy of Gia Bosko, was quite well done, perfectly satisfying and suitable for a Friday: we give it 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
Besides the crossword, we also have some very interesting listener mail, so be sure and check that out as well!
Show note imagery: SAMUELCHASE, the only supreme court justice to have ever been impeached (but he was acquitted of all charges).
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Once again, the NYTimes crossword has delivered the perfect blend of joy and education in one neat bundle. The joy comes from, primarily, the theme -- which we will say no more about here, but we have plenty to say about it in the podcast. The education comes from clues like 69A, Yani ___, youngest pro golfer to win five major championships, TSENG), and our absolute favorite, something that sounds like it came from the pen of Douglas Adams, 57A, Early PC game whose nonsense working title stuck, ZORK. We were also quite partial to 5A, Units equal to nine inches, SPANS.
tldr; a terrific Simeon Seigel crossword, his streak of awesome Thursday crosswords remains unbroken!
Show note imagery: The Argo, under full sail
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One of our favorite foods is SEITAN - healthy, delicious, and, up until now, never mentioned in the NYTimes crossword. Ah, but the times they are a changin', as evidenced by today's 50D, Wheat-based meat alternative, SEITAN.
There were many other clues worthy of admiration in today's grid. There was the somewhat sardonic 25A, "I had something come up," maybe, FIB; the (to us) surprising 32A, Custom in Japanese food service, NOTIPS; and the good-to-know 20D, January and November have the most federal ones, HOLIDAYS.
All of these are courtesy of Victor Schmitt, a nice bit of work (especially on the theme, although the rest of the puzzle was nothing to sneeze at!).
Show note imagery: The famous T. Rex Sue, now safely ensconsed in the Field Museum in Chicago
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This was a fine Tuesday crossword by Eric Rollfing, marking his fourth overall in the NYTimes, and his Tuesday debut.
There were a bevy of TWL (Today We Learned) clues in today's puzzle. Most notably, we had 7D, Color whose name comes from the Greek word for "cuttlefish", SEPIA; the interestingly named 36A, Reptile that can reach up to 10 feet in length, MONITORLIZARD; and finally we went with the only loch we knew in 65A, Largest loch in Scotland by volume, NESS.
In other news, it's Triplet Tuesday™️, and today Jean's in the hot seat, so you'll definitely want to check that out!
Show note imagery: The el Museo del Prado, which at one point had the distinction of having "the largest concentration of masterpieces per square meter". 😮
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Today's crossword was truly a labor of love for one of the greatest voice talents of all time. We speak, of course, of the immortal, indomitable, indefatigable Mel Blanc, pretty much the reason why the Golden Age of American Animation came into being. We'd like to say more, but we have an overwhelming urge to go take in some Looney Tunes shows!
Show note imagery: The cast of The Jack Benny Program, with Mel Blanc on the far right.
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Sam Ezersky is known for making devilishly difficult crosswords, and he does not disappoint today. Jean found this to be a bit of a challenge; Mike has decided that ... the intersection of Sam's wheelhouse and his own is the empty set. We have all the deets inside, as well as our latest JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award) winners (yes, plural!) so please, download, listen up, and enjoy!
Show note imagery: MINORCA, not to be confused with MAJORCA, or PENTATONICORCA.
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Byron Walden has had a whopping 109 crosswords published in the NYTimes, including an astonishing 70 Saturdays. Frankly, it shows, because today's was perfect: highly challenging, but sprinkled with just enough toeholds to move it out of the realm of the impossible. Bravo!
Show note imagery: BOARDIES, when you need to look good on the beach!
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Depending upon what you've squirreled away in your wheelhouse, you may have found today's crossword a) straightforward, or b) a Friday crossword wrapped around a zesty Saturday mini-crossword. In the case of our cohosts, Jean was the former, Mike, inevitably, the latter. While their puzzle solving journeys today did most definitely diverge, they were both agreed that this crossword, the third by Dena R. Verkuil, was a delight: we hope for more, soon.
Beyond the crossword, we have a fabulous fact for our Fun Fact Friday™️segment, so be sure and check it out!
A reminder that xwordinfo.com is a great resource if you need to look up a clue, answer, or see the answer to the day's crossword: we highly recommend you check it out!
Show note imagery: When you're shopping for PARKAS, Patagonia's ready to help!
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A few Sundays ago we had a puzzle paying homage to Star Trek, and now we've moved on to another iconic show, Jeopardy! While we feel that the editors missed a fabulous opportunity to play the Jeopardy theme in lieu of the usual ditty upon solving the puzzle, we nonetheless had a great time with this crossword, for reasons that we outline in today's episode.
Show note imagery: WHATSTHETEA, by Mary Cassat
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Just like the answer to 29D, "Too ___" (2024 #1 Hozier hit), this was a SWEET Wednesday crossword, and we're not just saying that because Jared Cappel took the time to introduce us to a magnificent book and movie (17A, Acclaimed 2004 science fiction work by David Mitchell made into a 2012 film, CLOUDATLAS). However, between that, and the appearance of our favorite 18th century Austrian composer (51D, "Surprise symphony" composer, HAYDN) we are compelled to give this a full and enthusiastic 5 squares on the JAMCR scale. Deets within.
Show note imagery: My goodness there are a lot of famous actors in CLOUDATLAS.
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This was an Erik Agard puzzle, meaning the clues were fabulous; but it was a Tuesday Erik Agard puzzle, which means that the clues were not too difficult. We loved 45D, He or I, but not she, ELEMENT 😀; 6D, Like some R's and oats, ROLLED; and our favorite Australianism, the clue in 44D, "No worries", THATSOK.
In honor of Tuesday we have another Triplet Tuesday segment, so have a listen, and see if you can do better than Mike (which we definitely hope you can!).
Show note imagery: In days of yore, every household had a telephone book, a very tactile way of finding the phone number of a person or business. Alas, telephone books have gone to that great recycler in the sky, replaced by the inter... inter something 😀 😀
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Rebecca Goldstein has won awards for her crosswords, and today's is another fine example of why she has been so afforded. Jean, as is so often the case, made short work of today's puzzle, while Mike took more of a tai-chi-like meander through the grid. We have all the deets inside, so hit that download button post-haste, repeat with the like/subscribe/follow button, and then, of course, enjoy!
Show note imagery: A MINIFIG, out for a hike
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This was an elegantly crafted crossword by Adam Wagner and Chandi Deitmer. We were thrilled and delighted to welcome back the rebus, which we have not seen in several Sundays (or so it seems). Jean was able to solve the puzzle quite readily, whereas Mike had to dig (much) deeper to get to the happy music. We have the deets inside, as well as the announcement of our latest JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award™️) winner, so have a listen, and let us know what you think!
Show note imagery: A HONEYEATER (of the white-eared variety, to be precise), found predominantly in Australia and New Guinea.
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This was a splendid crossword by Ben Zimmer. There were no rebuses, but the ingenious theme was a surprise and a delight. We give it a 5 squares on the JAMCR scale, and for the reasons why, have a listen to today's episode.
A logistical note: we are going to be taking Friday and Saturday off, due to anticipated connectivity issues. But we will, of course, be doing the crossword, and will be back to talk about our cruciverbial exploits on Sunday.
Show note imagery: The Minceta Tower (Dubrovnik) in CROATIA, the real home of the Game of Thrones
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The appearance of YEET in the grid is always cause for celebration, a reminder that the English language is not set in its ways, but evolving at a rate that would've made Noah Webster exclaim "YEET this language is ... hang on, let me check my dictionary for a good word here ... deucedly difficult to keep up with!".
For the record, we enjoyed this crossword for innumerable reasons; but we nonetheless do attempt to enumerate them in today's podcast, so have a listen, and please remember to tell all your friends about us on social media!
Show note imagery: A SCREENPASS blueprint
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This was a picture-perfect Tuesday crossword by Gary Larson and Amy Ensz, marking their second collaboration. The theme was suitably surprising, and the rest of the puzzle equally excellent. Besides the crossword itself, we have another installment of our Triplet Tuesday segment, with Jean facing her inquisitor with that Princess Leia-like combination of aplomb and insouciance.
Show note imagery: Satchel PAIGE has played, apparently, almost everywhere!
Show note URL: The greatest French hero ever, Asterix!
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This was a satisfyingly crunchy Monday crossword; it took both cohosts, laboring independently as usual, a significantly longer time than usual to complete. They blame it on the AQI, which in NE Wisconsin is currently hovering somewhere between "hey, what happened to the houses across the street?" and "if you must go outside, don't forget your respirator!" levels. Fortunately they had today's crossword -- the third NYTimes publication by Patti Varol -- to provide a welcome distraction. You can find all the deets in today's episode.
Show note imagery: A gorgeous LANAI (beautiful scenery not included)
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Today's crossword was an homage to the iconic series STARTREK, which has been around since the 1960s and at this rate seems likely to continue to exist until its actual putative time, in the 2260's.
While this likely gave an advantage to trekkies, we suspect that most readers will at least be familiar with the major characters -- and if not, that the crosses would come (as they often do) to the rescue.
Besides the crossword, we have selected our JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award), deets inside.
Show note imagery: The original STARTREK cast.
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This was a superlative Saturday crossword, thanks to an ocean of uber-crisp clues, each forming a "mini-mystery" that you had to solve en route to the happy music.
Marvel at the handiwork of, for instance, 9D, Mountain range that spans 67º of latitude, ANDES; 6D, Key for getting rid of your work, in brief?, DEL; and 29D, They're all equal in a circle, RADII; The vast majority of the clues were of that ilk, making for a very satisfying puzzle indeed.
Show note imagery: Chuck MANGIONE, nominated for 14 Grammy awards and winning twice.
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This was a fantabulous Friday crossword that will have you saying 49D, "Look what I did!", TADA, if you are able to solve it. On the way to that illustrious goal, you might have a hunch as to an answer, in which case your 22D, Intuitive ability in the Marvel Universe, SPIDERSENSE, might start tingling. And if you were both able to solve the puzzle and let your friends know about it, they might give you a hearty 12D, "Well done!", BRAVO.
Besides our analysis of the crossword, we have a Fun Fact Friday™️ segment about the city that boasts the last remaining Blockbuster in the world. To find out that city's name, and why we liked this crossword so much, we strongly urge you to download, listen, and (we hope!) enjoy today's episode.
Show note imagery: A TREAD, just one of the many, many parts of a staircase.
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Once again, the rebus rules, and indeed in today's crossword may even be said to teem, for it appears a whopping ten times in today's grid, in various amusing and unexpected places that are detailed in today's episode. Really, the whole puzzle is fANTastic! Deets inside.
Show note imagery: If you're looking to book a shanty, why not book from Wisconsin's very own Northwood SHANTIES?
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Today's theme was sweet -- literally! You'll know why within 30 seconds of the start of today's episode, or, if you're in more of a hurry, within 30 milliseconds of glancing at the grid.
There were some fine clues in today's puzzle. We doff our hats in recognition of 25D, Land of llamas and Llosa, PERU; 62A, "Really?", HUH; and finally, the wry 39A, Like poker champion Chris Moneymaker's name, APT.
Show note imagery: Elphaba and Glinda singing "Defying Gravity", which takes place in ACTI of "Wicked".
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This was an ab fab Tuesday crossword by Peter Gorman, with an admirably serpentine theme, as we explain in today's episode (and, as usual, you can see by checking out the solution at xwordinfo.com). Beyond the theme, there were sone other unexpected answers - our favorite kind! Finally, icing on the cake, we have our fabled Triplet Tuesday™️ segment for your listening pleasure. Enjoy!
Show note imagery: All aboard the Glacier Express, a definite must-see if you're in the ALPS.
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Writing the clues for today's crossword must've been quite the chore, but Brian Callahan has done himself proud. It took a bit of cultural archeology to make sense of 64A, Coneheads, e.g., for short, ETS (a reference to SNL characters); it took no effort at all to meander down the wrong path while contemplating 1A, "Catfish" channel: MTV (oh, that sort of catfish); and we still cannot believe that after 82 years, 6A, Contract from a publisher, BOOKDEAL, still turned out to be a debut. However, xwordinfo.com claims it is, and so ... it is!
Show note imagery: A delicious CHALUPA
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This was an astonishingly good Sunday crossword by John Kugelman, thanks to a jaw-dropping display of anagrammatic magic. We've got all the deets inside, so be prepared, to be amazed!
Show note imagery: THOMASEDISON, who in 1904 obtained a patent for an electric car, was only about 100 years or so ahead of his time.
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This was a relatively straightforward Saturday crossword, but the clues included 7 debuts (and 2 that have not been seen in donkey's years): that made for an intriguing grid, and we definitely enjoyed the solve. Of course, based on the Law of Conservation of Crossword Difficulty (which, as we recall, won Margaret Farrar a Nobel prize in Cruciverbalism in 1960), it means that tomorrow's crossword could be nigh well impossible. We'll find out then!
Show note imagery: Brooke Ashby, a WVU Mountaineer mascot (during the COVID-19 pandemic)
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This was an excellent debut crossword by Fritz Juhnke: the clues and answers were fascinating, offering plenty of opportunities for AHAMOMENTs. There were several answers that neither cohost had ever even heard of (but have now!), always a good sign when working on an end-of-the-week crossword.
Besides the crossword, we have a terrific Fun Fact Friday™️ segment for your edification, so have a listen, and, as always, let us know what you think!
Show note imagery: A REGNANT, King Charles III, on the left, and a non-REGNANT, Queen Camilla, on the right
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This was a delightfully crunchy crossword by Ginny Too - her third NYTimes crossword in about a year. There were a boatload of novel clues†, which made the solve just that much more satisfying. We have the deets inside, so have a listen, and please tell others about us on social media.
Show note imagery: Behold, a MELISMA (multiple notes sung over one syllable)
†like 14A, † symbols on manuscripts, OBELI
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Joseph Gangi has had 4 NYTimes crosswords published, all of them Wednesdays. He clearly has the difficulty level down pat, and his themes are always inventive: today's crossword being a case in point.
Apart from the clues scrutinized in today's podcast, we'd like to draw your attention to 33A, "I don't mind ___ / Except as meals. / And the way they feels": Ogden Nash, EELS; 37D, Word aptly hidden in "turned yellow", DYE; and our favorite rapper, 61D, ______ Nas X, LIL.
Show note imagery: The ISUZU river, with, alas, no ISUZU vehicles crossing the bridge
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In honor of the heatwave that some of you may be experiencing, Jeremy Newton has crafted a cool crossword to cool you down. ☃️ You are cordially invited to chill out with us as we frolic through the grid (and, of course, another great edition of Triplet Tuesday™️).
Show note imagery: CICERO, who presumably was at a very bad party when he uttered his famous phrase, "Silence is one of the great arts of conversation".
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Alright, here's a challenge: what word has appeared in the NYTimes crossword grid a whopping 926 times, counting today? We'll let you ponder that, and wait until the end of these show notes for the "big reveal".
There were a lot of very fine clues in today's puzzle. We were fans of 4A, What an angry customer may leave, NOTIP. We also liked the zing of 60D, Something to pick up at a beach, TAN; and finally we enjoyed trying to figure out how much our local walk-in clinic would charge for 54D, Treat with bananas and ice cream, SPLIT -- delish!
Show note imagery: ENOLA, on the BBC 🇬🇧
Big reveal: ODE!!!
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This was a fun crossword by Michael Schlossberg. The theme gave us an opportunity to -- at last! -- use the word "idiom" in a sentence without sounding like an idiot 🙄, and the clues gave us a chance to exercise our little grey cells (as Mary Westmacott (or, to be precise, the writer whose ALIAS was Mary Westmacott) would have put it).
Among our favorite clues not heretofore mentioned were 55D, More than wanna, GOTTA (three cheers for colloquial English!); 66D, Mast attachment above a gaff, TOPSAIL (we hope that that the spelling of gaff wasn't a gaffe 😉); and 4D, Chinese symbol of hope and prosperity, KITE (the one with the string, not the bird).
Show note imagery: The father of Transcendentalism, Ralph Waldo EMERSON
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In the pantheon of great cruciverbalists, there clearly needs to be a pedestal with Erik Agard's name on it. Why? Just check out today's crossword (and podcast!), or any of Erik's 81 other crosswords that have appeared in the NYTimes. This one being a Saturday, it was tough -- and Mike found it almost streak-breakingly-so, whereas Jean, to whom people are apt to turn when Wikipedia doesn't deliver the goods, had a much easier time of it. Deets inside!
Show note imagery: An AIREDALETERRIER (from the Anglo-Saxon for "awwwwwww, so cute").
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Kelly Morenus has crafted a superb Friday crossword, challenging but not overwhelming (although YMMV depending upon your life experiences, how many crosswords you have solved previously, and, at least a SKOSH of good luck). We've covered a hefty tranche of clues in today's episode, but we'd also like to give a shoutout to 4D, The Brickyard 400 or Southern 500, e.g., NASCARRACE; 32A, Between then and now, SINCE (good one!); and something that you should utter once you've solved a crossword this challenging, 31A, Verbal flourishes, TADAS.
Show note imagery: a LUGER, in action
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Thesauri will have to be cracked open to do justice to today's crossword, it was that extraordinary/astonishing/engrossing/ingenious/delightful. It was, of course, the theme that made it so, one that took both cohosts, working independently as always, no little time to suss out; but that just made the eventual "aha!" moment that much sweeter. Deets inside!
Show note imagery: From left to right, Alpha Centauri A, Alpha Centauri B, and Proxima Centauri, a triple star system!
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This was a highly elegant Wednesday crossword, featuring that most elegant of drinks (and one of the most famous letters in the English alphabet 😉). If you haven't figured it out by now, then we'll keep this short so you won't have to wait tOOLONG to achieve enlightenment.
Show note imagery: Bud Abbott (left) and Lou Costello, two legendary old-time radio comedians who definitely would've appreciated the tOOLONG pun.
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For those of you pondering the episode title, no, our quality control department has not dropped the ball, but rather made a wry (but not awry 🙄) joke that is highly germane to today's crossword.
We discussed some great clues in today's episode. We were also glad to see 8D, Capital city on the banks of the Rideau River, OTTAWA (🇨🇦);55A, Bad way to run, AMOK (😀); and one of the worst inventions of whatever century it was invented in, 40A, Auto-___, setting for many subscription services, RENEW (👎).
Show note imagery: The Centre Block of the Parliament Buildings, in beautiful OTTAWA.
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This was a Monday crossword, which means that a) it should not be particularly difficult for experienced solvers, and b) entertaining. We are pleased to report that it met both criteria, and we submit today's podcast as Exhibit A.
Remember, the NYTimes crossword is a great way to keep expanding your lexicon and keeping those neurons in peak fighting form. To subscribe, just cruise over to nytimes.com/subscription/games, signing up is as easy as 🥧
Show note imagery: The Golden Raspberry Awards, affectionately known (by everyone except the recipients!) as the Razzies.
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Today's crossword had bells, whistles, and even an EHRU thrown into the mix. It was by Brandon Koppy, however, so at no time did the quality of the puzzle ever dip below 5 squares on the JAMCR scale. Quite a few of the clues got our attention, including 30D, Strung rungs, ROPELADDER (that clue is just sooo much fun to pronounce!); 100A, Chore-o-graph, TODOLIST (brilliant!!!); and 55D, The old you?, THEE (tee-hee 😀).
In addition to the analysis of a great crossword, we also have some fabulous listener mail, and our first ever Sunday JAMCOTWA™️ (Jean And Mike Do The New York Times Crossword Award). Have a listen, and please remember to subscribe so you don't miss an episode!
Show note imagery: Coco Kou, available for EHRU lessons, if you happen to be in her neck of the woods.
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This was a terrific Saturday crossword, because the clues were just brilliant. Who could resist the allure of 58A, Member of a sub-Saharan matriarchal clan, HYENA; or the sly 61D, Wit's end?, NESS; or the witty 29D, Went from 0 to 60?, AGED. And the rest of the clues were of similar caliber, the quality control was that good. Kudos to Katie for this splendid, JAMCR scale-pegging puzzle!
Show note imagery: Sidney Crosby (airborne), celebrating his GOLDENGOAL in the 2010 Winter Olympic Games, in Vancouver
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Kudos to James McCarron, on creating an excellent Friday crossword, a debut, no less. Among our favorite clues (not mentioned in the podcast) were 21D, Film star whose name consists of two presidents, HARRISONFORD (not to be confused with the slightly lesser-known star, ABRAHAMNIXON); 6D, Nash who wrote "The cow is of the bovine ilk; / One end is moo, the other, milk" (udderly brilliant 🙄); and 36A, "Poppycock!", PISH (the most British word ever 😀).
Show note imagery: A BENIHANA chef showing off what might (or might not) be an onion volcano
Show note URL: Everything you ever wanted to know about Alfred (yes, that one)
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This was an awesome Thursday crossword, courtesy of Emily Biegas and Sala Wanetick (with Will Shortz, as always, at the helm). The were oodles of cunning clues, some of which were quite educational. Par example (as the French like to say), we had: 10D, Like Stonehenge vis-à-vis the Parthenon, OLDER (🤔); 67A, It can follow anyone, ELSE (😀); and 49A, Sparking water additive, ESSENCE (🧐). We cover many of the remainder in today's podcast, and wrap it up with another letter from the ol' mailbox.
Show note imagery: ELIO, Pixar's latest film
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Just when you think the NYTimes crossword could not possibly come up with one more theme -- they've all been done before -- they prove you wrong (which, happily, seems to happen every day they have a themed crossword!). Today's crossword definitely confirms that observation, as you will discover upon listening to today's episode.
In addition, we have some awesome listener mail harkening way back to Monday's episode. Have a listen, and, as always, let us know what you think!
Show note imagery: Countries that have achieved a ONETRILLION dollar GDP ... but the question is, which TRILLION?
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This was a SERENE crossword -- and we say that not because of the presence of SERENE in the grid, but because of the, well, SERENE theme -- one that ought to bring a smile to your lips, or, if you're having a frowny sort of day, at least help you transit from ☹️ to 🫤. We have the deets inside, as well as Jean's epic battle in today's Triplet Tuesday segment , so do have a listen.
Show note imagery: Let's all do the Bunny HUG!
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Today's crossword, the 39th (!) by Daniel Raymon, was replete with musical performers of various vintages, from composer Aaron Copland to a band that had its origins in the last century, but is continuing to write and perform today, to wit ... nope, we need to maintain at least a modicum of of suspense here, so we will wrap it up here and let you get to today's episode, where the name of that band, and some other highly droll commentary, awaits!
Show note imagery: Two Treatises of Government, by John LOCKE (and if you happen to have one of these in your attic, be aware that the copy shown here sold for $17,640 in 2023, so don't lose it!!)
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Once again the NYTimes crossword has set a new high bar, thanks to the dynamic duo of Zhou Zhang and Kevin Curry. This magnificent opus featured a puzzle within a puzzle, surrounded by a sea of crisp and amusing clues -- just a delight. If there was an Academy Award for best crossword in a major newspaper, this would definitely get the nom.
Show note imagery: GIZA, home of the Sphinx
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Tracy Bennet is the driving force behind both Wordle and Strands, and the appearance of this crossword therefore means that an impressively large percentage of today's NYTimes games are attributable to her. Jean found this crossword to be a bit on the crunchy side whereas Mike -- for some unfathomable reason that he attributes to a surfeit of neutrinos -- did not. Both agreed, however, that it was an excellent example of the genre.
Fun Fact Friday™️ took the day off yesterday, and even though Fun Fact Saturday doesn't have quite the same alliterative power, it is in today's episode, so be sure and check that out.
Show note imagery: YANN Tiersen, an adept and highly versatile French musician, known for his stunning film scores.
Show note URL: Uncanny Valley
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Although there were not any literal fireworks in today's crossword, it was filled with innumerable flashes of brilliance and crackles of wit. Among our favorites not covered in today's episode were 48D, What comes before B?, ORAL 😀; 3D, Order in the court, PLEASERISE 😀 😀. ; and the sneaky 60A, To pieces?, ODES 😀 😀 😀. This is Colin Adams' 6th NYTimes crossword, and we eagerly await number 7.
Show note imagery: The incredibly versatile SHOHEIOHTANI
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Today's crossword was by Adam Wagner, which means that you know, without even looking at it, that it's going to be good. The good cruciverbalist does not disappoint, providing a crossword that must've been a real BEAR to construct, but was an IDEAL Thursday solve. We have all the deets inside, so please have a listen, and, as always, we value your feedback!
Show note imagery: A photo at beautiful (obviously) TOPANGA State Park
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Today's theme was great (as always), and there were oodles of appealing clues lurking in the grid today (see previous parenthetical remark 😉). A few of our favorites were 45A, Cabinet department since 1913, LABOR (now we know!); 53D, Creator of a lot of buzz in the music scene, KAZOO (cute!); and 6D, Language of W.W. II "code talkers": Var., NAVAHO (absolutely fascinating).
Show note imagery: The Red Lion Pub (one of many, in the UK)
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For those of you wondering about the episode title, it is explored and explained, along with a multitude of other topics riffing off of today's excellent puzzle, in our "Canada Day" special. In addition, Mike may (or may not) have gone down in flames in today's Triplet Tuesday™ segment; place your bets, and then have a listen to see if you (unlike, possibly, Mike) are a winner!
Show note imagery: Some delicious ELOTE, a delicious Mexican street food, which often, understandably, causes partakers to EMOTE 😀
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This was a delightful Monday crossword, thanks to the hardworking team of Dena R. Verkuil and Andrea Carla Michaels (abetted, no doubt, by the mighty mighty Will Shortz). The theme was funny, and the clues were "Festival Food fresh", as we like to say in Northeast Wisconsin. Deets inside, so have a listen, and, as always, invite the crossword-philes in your life to have a listen as well.
Show note imagery: BYEFELICIA
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Once again an NYTimes contributor -- today, that would be Mike Hobin -- has created a theme that will make you want to cheer, doff your hat, and applaud (although not simultaneously, for obvious reasons): it deserves that much praise. The rest of the clues were of course also of a very high caliber, resulting in the delightful puzzle that we take a magnifying glass to in today's episode.
Show note imagery: The one, the only ... Daffy Duck, smiling because he was mentioned in today's crossword.
Musical link: It Works, part of Back to the Future: The Musical
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This was Jesse Guzman's third NYTimes crossword, and with quality this good it's no surprise that the publication of his fourth NYTimes crossword is imminent. There was no theme, but the clues were uniformly brilliant and tricky, perfect for the "Hardest Crossword of the Week", aka, Saturday's. We approve, and bestow upon this puzzle the maximum number of squares -- that would be 5, for those of you not keeping track -- on the JAMCR scale.
Show note imagery: Just a few of the many characters in the Mario universe
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Today's crossword marks Carolyn Davies Lynch's third NYTimes crossword, and she just keeps getting better and better. This had some great clues, including 9D, It's not observed in Hawaii, DST (😀); 27A, Hypocorism for Harold, HAL (🧐); and 46D, Smart guy, ALEC (🤣). There were plenty more where those came from, so check out today's episode for the 411.
Show note imagery: Syzygy, without which we wouldn't have solar eclipses.
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Simeon Seigel is definitely on a tear, this marks his fourth NYTimes crossword this year, and his second in under a month. Quality isn't suffering at all, though, as today's puzzle is chockfull of sparkling clues and topped off with a head-scratching theme.
Show note imagery: Fancy a game of Centipede?
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This was a surprising crossword, in a number of ways that we will not enumerate here, but dive into in depth in today's episode. There were too many great clues to squeeze into the podcast, so we'll just mention the also-rans but also-great trio of 43D, Acquisition that may solve a mouse problem, PETCAT (meow!); 42A, Olympic blade, EPEE; and 44A, Olympic "blade", OAR (nice juxtaposition!!).
Remember, the NYTimes crossword makes an excellent gift, either for yourself, a friend, or a loved one: just wander over to the NYTimes website, they will be glad to get you set up!
Show note imagery: An UPROOTER, brought to you by the same company that brought you the Weed Wrench!
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This was an impressive debut crossword by Ingrid Steffensen. The theme definitely and deservedly takes center stage, and the rest of the clues were at exactly the right level of difficulty for a Tuesday. We approve!
In other news, Jean's in the very hot hot seat for our Triplet Tuesday™️ segment, so have a listen, and, as always, let us know what you think!
Show note imagery: The world's largest I LIKE IKE button, in Abilene, KS
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For those of you pondering the title of today's episode, fear not: all, well, nearly all, will be revealed in today's podcast, covering Zhouqin Burnikel's 28th Monday crossword, among a very respectable 82 that she has had published in the NYTimes.
Show note imagery: While this might seem like a high tech torpedo bay, it is in fact possibly a claustrophobic's worst nightmare, a good old fashioned MRI
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To paraphrase Yoda, the pun is strong in this one, a crossword by the mother and daughter team of Ruth B. Margolin and Hannah Margolin, the latter whose impending marriage inspired the aforementioned puns. So, congrats to the Margoli team for the publication and the nuptials!
Show note imagery: A sockdolager, visualized
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This was a quintessential NYTimes Saturday crossword - tough, fair, and fun. It was constructed by two veteran crossword constructors -- Christina Iverson and Doug Peterson -- who we have come to cherish for making crosswords ... just like this one! Deets inside.
As is tradition on Saturday, we have identified our JAMCOTWA™️ -- Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award -- winner. Check out today's episode for those deets as well, and then let us know if you agree, disagree, or are neutral on the subject.
Show note imagery: The Germans, getting ready to win yet another Olympic bobsledding event.
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This was a pleasing Friday crossword - the grid looked daunting, and the clues were definitely on the hard side (Mike in particular wallowed in the bottom third of the grid), but it was overall a great end to the work week. We have deets inside, as well as a delectable Fun Fact Friday™️ segment, so check it out now!
Show note imagery: The stunning ROYALOPERAHOUSE, in Covent Garden, London.
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The NYTimes crosswords are always good, but this one stands alone, definitely worth a chef's kiss and even possibly a hug -- it was that exceptional. The theme was stupendous, and absolutely essential to solving the puzzle, for reasons that we delve into, in detail, in today's episode.
Show note imagery: TAIO Cruz, author of (among other great works), Dynamite.
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Although this was a Wednesday crossword, some seriously Friday-level clueing did manage to make its way into the grid. Jean had to exert considerable mental effort, and Mike had to consume almost an entire bowl of Lucky Charms™️, before -- working independently, as is their custom -- they were able to get to the happy music. This was an awesome Wednesday/Friday, and represents Eli Cotham's third NYTimes crossword. We await, with eagerness and a tinge of trepidation, crossword number 4.
Show note imagery: A few JAWAs, probably getting ready to make a deal with some desperate moisture farmers.
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This was Tarun Krishnamurthy's second NYTimes crossword. It was just as good as his first, and considering that he wrote it while still in high school, we can anticipate him constructing a long, long string of great puzzles.
A few clues (not mentioned in the podcast) of note include 26D, Get tangled up, RAVEL (oh, so that's what happens when you don't UNRAVEL); 36D, A sixth of the way through the hour, TENPAST (uh, oh, math 😀); and 61A, Reason for overtime, TIE (un, not PAY, gotcha!).
To get the full 411, as well as hear how Mike did on today's Triplet Tuesday™️ battle royale, download today's episode ASAP. (Oh, and don't forget to subscribe, so you never miss an episode).
Show note imagery: ALTHEA Gibson, a ground-breaking and supremely talented tennis player.
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This was the second crossword and collaboration between Jill Rataloff and Michelle Sontarp. Both are lawyers, and while they might be, and it would be awesome if they were, partners in the firm Cross, Down and Diagonal, Attorneys at Law, that is only speculation on our part.
The puzzle itself was great -- a gentle Monday with several surprising clues and answers that we hone in on in today's episode.
Show note imagery: A KITTENHEEL
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This was yet another highly challenging NYTimes crossword, but, since it was a Saturday, we were not surprised in the least. [Truthfully, we thought that maybe Will would give us a break after yesterday's mental marathon, but nooooo... 😀]. So, written at exactly the right level of difficulty, and with stellar cluing throughout, today's oeuvre by Barbara Lin definitely deserves 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
In unsurprising news (since it is Saturday, and we do this every Saturday) we have our JAMCOTWA - Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award - winners. Check out today's episode to see if your champion took the brass ring, so to speak.
Show note imagery: Gee, HAW is an interesting word 😀
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Friday crosswords are supposed to be a challenge, and we can only imagine Evan Mulvihill cracking his knuckles while saying "I got this". And what we got out of the deal was this excellent, challenging Friday puzzle. Definitely worth a full 5 squares on the JAMCR scale, for reasons that we make clear in today's podcast.
Show note imagery: Yes, beast mode is a thing!
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It took just one teensy-weensy act to shift this crossword from nigh-well impossible to fun and eminently doable. Unfortunately, that act was to figure out the theme. If you know, in your heart of hearts, that an answer is correct, yet won't fit, then one word should emblazon itself in your frontal lobe, and that word should be ... rebus!
Deets inside, so have a listen, subscribe, and then tell others about us on social media.
Show note imagery: NASA's pumpkin suit, aka the "Advanced Crew Escape Suit", used by Space Shuttle astronauts to protect them in case of a loss of ship pressure.
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If crosswords were paintings, today's would be hanging in the Louvre, it is that good. The theme is a winner, but the rest of the clues are magnificent. We're not just speculating here, though, we have proof -- all of which can be found in today's episode.
Show note imagery: The mighty MISSISSIPPI
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Today's grid had a few surprising entries. One that in particular caught our eye, because it has never caught our eye, was 30A, Altar constellation, ARA. It is located in the southern hemisphere, and, alas, never visible from Northeast Wisconsin (and when we've been in the southern hemisphere, we forgot to look). We also liked 44A, Flim-________, FLAM, mainly because of its origin story: it came from the Norse, flim, which at some point, for reasons unknown, became yoked to flam. Really, that's no flim-flam!
Show note imagery: To ARA is human, to forgive (including for bad puns like this one), divine 😀.
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Even if you do expect the unexpected, we predict that you'll still laugh when you figure out today's crossword, as the theme is delightful. Note that if you do not figure it out, fear not, we have the 411 for today's puzzle right here, and, if we may be permitted the indulgence of mixing 14th and 21st century English, cordially beseech thee to have a listen.
Show note imagery: Rupert of Hentzau (by Anthony Hope). The former was apparently quite adept with an EPEE, whereas the latter is better known for his penmanship.
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This was John Kugelman's twelfth NYTimes crossword in about 2 years, and today's puzzle makes it clear why he keeps getting published. The theme was fantastic, and there were enough challenging clues everywhere else to transform this into one of the tougher Sunday's we've seen in a while. We have the deets inside, so please, subscribe / download / listen / enjoy!
Show note imagery:SALERNO, gateway to the Amalfi coast (and fully reassembled after the big move from Spain to Italy 😀)
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Today's crossword was Blake Slonecker's 9th in the NYTimes, and his 4th Saturday, so he definitely knows how to write challenging clues. The grid here was impressive, with 4 full-width and 4 full-height answers -- no easy feat. And the clues were engaging, amusing, and educational. Apart from the clues mentioned in today's podcast, we did appreciate learning about 52A, Colorful knit top with Scottish origins, FAIRISLESWEATER; enjoyed 47D, Core location, TORSO; and were suitably deceived by 49A, Corruption below deck, perhaps, WOODROT.
Apart from the crossword, today's episode features our JAMCOTWA - Jean and Mike Crossword Of The Week Award™️ - so have a listen, and, as usual, please tell others about us on social media.
Show note imagery: A FAIRISLESWEATER by Stella McCartney (eh, the company, owned by Stella McCartney, the designer)
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What, you may ask, makes for a perfect Friday crossword? We're not sure about the what, but we are about the who: Adrian Johnson, the author of today's and 5 prior NYTimes Friday crosswords, definitely knows how to make one. Both hosts found his latest to be exceptionally tricky, but, ultimately (with a little luck, a lot of experience solving past NYTimes crosswords, and a surfeit of caffeine), doable.
Besides the crossword, we also have a Fun Fact Friday™️segment, and it's a really sockerooni 😀
Show note imagery: a CANTILEVER, a beam where only one end is attached.
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This crossword had a most ingenious theme. Jean spotted it at once, enabling her to solve the puzzle in a goodly time; Mike, alas, solved it in a not-so-goodly time, meaning he had more time to savor all the ingenuity packed into Timothy Gaetz's debut crossword (bravo, Timothy!).
All the themed clues were outstanding, but the non-themed ones weren't slackers, either: 56D, Down Under bounders, ROOS; 67A, Flat sign, TOLET; and 15A, Like 2027 and 2029, but not 2025, PRIME, are just a few examples -- check out today's episode for even more.
Show note imagery: OSCARSHALL Palace, even more stunning on the inside.
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It is unclear when "crunchy" was first used to categorize crosswords, but what is clear is that today's was definitely a crunchier than usual Wednesday - just the way we like it! Need proof? Check out today's episode, when we run through the crunchiest of the crunchy clues, for your edification and amusement.
Show note imagery: T.S. Eliot, not looking nearly as stern as his middle name might lead one to expect 😉
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There was a lot to love in today's crossword, but it had us at 25A, Ref. work with definitions for "colour" and "aluminium", OED (our favorite reference work of all time). We became even more smitten thanks to 27A, Andy Warhol's "Campbell's Soup Cans," e.g., POPART; and the kicker had to be the shoutout to one of our favorite foodstuffs, 30D, Vegan protein source, TOFU (yum!).
Since it is Tuesday, we have another one of our patented, trademarked and copyrighted Triplet Tuesday™️ segments, so to see how Mike (in the hotseat tonight) fared, have a listen to today's episode.
Show note imagery: The OED, further proof that the Brits don't know how to do anything by halves 😀
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This was a very fine sophomore crossword by Anthony V. Grubb, appearing almost exactly one year after his NY Times debut (also a Monday). The theme was cute; the clues, at an apposite Monday level, included a few gems. For instance, 19D, Superfan, in slang, STAN (we're big STAN STANs 😀); 31D, Pink Nintendo character from Planet Popstar, KIRBY (we're also big KIRBY STANs 😀 😀); and the somewhat fishy 55A, Hook, line and sinker, for an angler: GEAR (😉).
Show note imagery: Just in time for spring, a SPRIG of thyme 😉
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If you grew up on Jumble (as, apparently, the author did), then you'll feel right at home tackling this awesome homage to anagrams, an impressive debut by Sam Brody. Ironically, the word anagram does not have an anagram, and so it is with great pride that we introduce the newest word in the English language, gramana, (n., a feeling of bliss that a grandmother feels upon first meeting the reason that they have ascended to the rank of grandmother).
Show note imagery: Fanny HESSE, who revolutionized microbiology through her brilliant suggestion to use AGAR, instead of gelatin, to culture microorganisms.
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Today's puzzle was an enjoyable albeit challenging tag-team effort by Adam Aaronson and Ricky Cruz. Jean got through it in good time, Mike ... got through it, slowed down in numerous areas, but primarily by his refusal to accept that [DELETED, NO SPOILERS] was a real word.
In other news, we've selected our JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award), and it really was an easy choice this week: deets inside.
Show note imagery: Yep, those are indeed camels, going for a dip in the [DELETED, NO SPOILERS].
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This was a fine end-of-work-week crossword by Rafael Musa, his 19th for the NYTimes and his 9th Friday, so he certainly knows this day well! Though seemingly not hugely difficult, it was a good warmup for Saturday, with fun late-week clues, such as 24D, 4 is a good one, in brief, APSCORE (🧐); 51D, Like some orders, TALL (😀); and 38D, Mythical land of untold riches, ELDORADO (👑)
In addition to the crossword, we have a great bit of listener mail / Fun Fact Friday segment for your enjoyment and edification, so prepare to become joyful and edified 😀
Show note imagery: Possibly the Louvre of topiary, done for the love of topiary 😀
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The constructor of today's crossword, John Kugelman, is mostly known for his Sunday crosswords: but somehow he managed to squeeze all that ken into a 15x15 grid, and the result is this fine Thursday oeuvre. Some particularly noteworthy clues include 2D, Anarchist Sacco, NICOLA (yes, it's Wikipedia time 🙄); 1D, Something to wear on a run, SKICAP (⛷); and 51A, Word from a loud speaker, maybe, RANT (😀).
Show note imagery: Mensa seems to be lacking in star power -- it only has 4 of them -- but then it does have the Large Magellanic Cloud, with 30 billion, so it's all good.
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This was a clever Wednesday crossword, and not just because its author, Peter A. Collins, slipped 21A, Understanding, KEN, and 22D, Astuteness, ACUMEN, into the grid. It was, inevitably, the theme that made this crossword shine, and you'll discover the meta-joke in that assessment when listening to today's episode (or when you've solved the crossword, whichever comes first).
Show note imagery: Members of the G6 - France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, and the United Kingdom
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This was a fine Tuesday crossword by Ginny Too, with a twee theme that lent itself to some amusing segues, as you will discover in today's episode. We also have our Triplet Tuesday segment, so to see how Jean does (hint: A frequent source of water on a farm), check out today's episode.
Just a friendly reminder that solving the NYTimes crossword has been proven to keep your neurons in peak form, and make you more attractive to whomever you want to appear more attractive to! Just wander over to nytimes.com, subscribing is easy and just $1 a week for the first 6 months, cheap as borscht.
Show note imagery: Some cheese rollers, pursuing their passion (and a large wheel of cheese).
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This is Ari Halpern's third NYTimes crossword, but his previous crossword appeared seventeen years ago. We're hoping that's because Ari found other things to do in the interim, and not because he's suffered 16 years worth of rejection. Although, if he had, this would make for a gripping story of perseverance and redemption; and since Ari's day job involves film and TV scripts, he could just sell it to ... himself? Hmm... maybe not.
Show note imagery: An example of a billionaire's boat - a super YACHT
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This was a brilliant crossword by Dylan Schiff. Solving it was terrific fun, but creating it must've been a real bear (to borrow from a recent NYTimes Crossword answer). You'll see why when you check out today's episode.
Show note imagery: An OTTAWA senator, carrying one of the most lethal weapons ever created ... the hockey stick! 😱
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Both cohosts found today's crossword to be a tad on the easy side (for a Saturday), but it nonetheless had some brilliant clues. Among these were 32D, Eton ___ (traditional English dessert), MESS (yum!); 28D, Shelters from the heat?, SAFEHOUSES (har!); and 54D, Magnum and Spade, for short, PIS (book 'em, Dano!).
In other news, we have our JAMCOTWA winner (hint: if you read our podcast titles for this week, it won't take long to spot), and some terrific listener mail. Enjoy!
Show note imagery: A delicious Eton MESS
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Our intrepid cohosts -- solving, as always, independently -- had very different experiences whilst filling in the grid. Jean got through this relatively readily, whereas Mike muttered many imprecations and not a few desperate incantations on his way to the happy music. Deets inside, as well as a great Fun Fact Friday segment about, well, we don't know who 😉
Show note imagery: The Artist's Garden at Giverny, by MONET
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This crossword was the embodiment of what makes the NYTimes Crossword so outstanding: a fantabulous theme amid a sea of novel and some LOL supporting clues. Just check out today's podcast, and then raise a glass in honor of David J. Kahn, creator of today's masterpiece. [Oh, and then raise it a second time in the direction of Will "Funnier! Make it funnier... and cleverer!!" Shortz, editor extraordinaire!.]
Show note imagery: DEDE Allen, one of the greatest film editor's of all time.
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There was art in today's grid -- specifically at 29A, "The most beautiful deception of all," per Debussy, ART, and more generally, everywhere else; because only the most artful of crosswords make their way into the hallowed NYTimes crossword pantheon. Beyond the brilliant themed answers (discussed at length in today's episode), a few examples of the authors' craft are on display at 12D, Try again, REHEAR (nice one!); 5D, Smallest three-syllable number, ELEVEN (huh!); and 53A, Best way to sing, INTUNE (🎶).
Show note imagery: FBI Quantico, home of the FBILAB
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This was Rena Cohen's first Tuesday crossword, and like the other three that she has constructed for the NYTimes, it was excellent: a brilliant theme and a constellation of ingenious clues made the whole puzzle shine. It's definitely worth 5 squares on the JAMCR scale, and if you're still skeptical, today's episode will surely put those qualms to rest.
Show note imagery: The infamous EDSEL, in all its turquoise glory
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This was a fun, fast, frothy Monday crossword. It would be a great crossword to solve with the young'uns, for reasons that will become evident as you listen to today's episode.
Also, as presaged in yesterday's episode, we do indeed have a Joke for your consideration. It might not leave you ROTFL, but hopefully it will at least make you TYCS (Tip Your Chair Slightly).
Show note imagery: Erykah Badu, queen of NEOSOUL
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Today's crossword seemed (to at least one of our cohosts) to be slightly crunchier than the usual Sunday, thanks to clues like 3D, "Ci vediamo in giro!" , CIAO; 70A, Pauperism, so to speak, RAGS (um, ok); and 61D, Arbiters of taste, CONNOISSEURS (or as they are known nowadays, influencers). To be clear, we are not complaining: we like a little crunch in our cereal and our crossword grids, and today's puzzle had just the right amount.
Show note imagery: Groucho Marx - he didn't invent absurdist comedy, but he definitely perfected it.
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This was an excellent Saturday crossword -- with some Ginsu-knife-sharp cluing, and just a light dusting of pop culture references -- which is precisely the reason why it is now the latest winner of our JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award™️). Deets inside, so have a listen, and then tell all your friends and relations about us on social media.
Show note imagery: Parts of a violin, including the (non-amphibious, thankfully) FROG.
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Today's puzzle was a trifle easier than your typical Friday, which means -- by the Law of Conservation of Crossword Difficulty™️ -- you can expect tomorrow's crossword to be a morsel harder (on average, and of course YMMV depending on what you know and if you remember it). Regardless of the difficulty, though, we predict that it will be fun, challenging, and educational: tune in tomorrow to see if our prognostications are on the nose.
Show note imagery: The Cornbelt, visualized
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This marks Simeon Siegel's 17th crossword since 2020, and while he might not be OVERPROUD, it is most certainly something to celebrate. The theme was particularly NOteworthy, and, YES, we meant to write NO just NOw. Confused? Today's podcast will bring enlightenment, so we encourage you to step out of the darkness and into the light, so to speak, by listening to this episode.
Show note imagery: EVESDIARY, by Mark Twain
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Today's crossword was by award-winning crossword constructor Rebecca Goldstein and, if not award-winning, deserving-of-award crossword constructor Adam Wagner. Unsurprisingly, the result was ... award-winning, or at least worthy of 5 squares on the JAMCR scale, for reasons that we will let you discover (no spoilers here, nary a one!) by listening to today's episode.
Show note imagery: PERU, where the potatoes come from 😀
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This was a nice Tuesday crossword by Joe Rodini, his second for the NYTimes. He's now been published on Monday and Tuesday, so ... 5 to go, Joe! Today's theme was a bit messy, but that's by design, as you'll discover when you check out today's episode.
Of course, it's also Tuesday, and today Jean's in the hot seat for Triplet Tuesday; so keep listening to find out how she did, and see if you can do better (good luck!).
Show note imagery: HYDRA, a monster out of Greek mythology with a concerningly large number of heads.
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It is hard to believe that today marks the 500th appearance of OREO in the NYTimes crossword, but that's the word according to xwordinfo.com, and they oughta know! Now that might sound like Nabisco has architected one of the greatest product placement campaigns in the history of advertising. Truth be told, though, from the beginning of the NYTimes crossword up until 1993, OREO was always clued as a prefix for mountain; but it's been cookies or bust ever since Will Shortz took over the reins.
Show note imagery: Some Shetland ponies, on the SHETLANDISLANDS
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Brendan Emmett Quigley is famed for writing tough crosswords, and he has the pedal to the metal today. First, the grid: it is the standard 21x21 Sunday, but has only 54 black squares, a record. So, that means more to figure out, i.e., more fun! While clue difficulty is often a YMMV affair, we can say that, in general terms, some of these clues would've felt right at home in a Saturday crossword. In short, if you struggled working through this crossword, that is perfectly normal; and if you succeeded, that is a perfect cause for celebration.
Show note imagery: A MANTARAY, which is capable of self-recognition!
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This was a fine Saturday crossword - tough but fair, as Saturday crosswords were meant to be. Our favorite clue had to be 29A, Some dragonflies, DARNERS (really: apparently people used to believe that dragonflies could sew your lips shut!). We were entranced with 38A, Mediterranean plant named for its brightly colored flowers, SUNROSE. And finally we just loved discovering 27A, George ______________, voted "Coach of the Century" by the International Swimming Hall of Fame, HAINES.
For Saturday, we have of course bestowed our JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award), so to discover who won and why, check out today's episode.
Show note imagery: From the immortal Mary Poppins, Let's Go Fly a Kite
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This was a Friday crossword, and even a casual glance through the clues and grid makes it clear that co-constructors Willa Angel Chen Miller and Erik Agard are dialing up the difficulty. Clues like 33D, This too shall pass, PHASE; 26D, What one might subscribe to, ISM, and 30D, Seeking comment, READYORNOT (brilliant!) make it perfectly clear that this is not a Monday crossword, far from it. [Four days from it, to be precise 😀]
Show note imagery: DRU Hill, an R&B group
18 Interesting Facts about Back to the Future
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It seems appropriate that MENSA was in the grid (well, 4/5 of it, anyway - see the podcast for deets), because this crossword was genius. It had a stunning theme, which made the puzzle much tougher than one might expect for a Thursday. In short, think of this less as a "walk in the park" and more of a "sprint through Disneyworld".
Show note imagery: Alain-René Lesage, simultaneously sitting for a portrait and (probably) plotting out his next novel.
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We have it on good authority that yesterday was Wordle Day - ironic, because one of the answers in today's puzzle also solved today's wordle! That cannot possibly be a coincidence, in our humble opinion, because the odds are too low and Will Shortz is too smart. The rest of the crossword was a delight, as constructor Tom McCoy apparently does not know how to write any other kind. Deets inside, so have a listen, and, as always, we welcome your feedback.
Show note imagery: Pittsburg, PA, meet Pittsburgh, PA
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This was a terrific Tuesday crossword by Enrique Henestroza Anguiano, featuring -- of course -- a terrific theme and a strong supporting cast of "other clues". As an example of the latter, we have 60A, Ocean, poetically, MAIN; 70A, They need a push to get started, PEDALS; and the indisputable 1D, Crossword construction, e.g., CRAFT.
Wrapping it up, we have a great Triplet Tuesday™ segment, in which Mike demonstrates that stalling, too, is a CRAFT 😀.
Show note imagery: GIL SCOTT HERON, author of "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised"
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We try and be as impartial as possible while discussing the crossword, but when our favorite vehicle -- the DeLorean, of course -- appears in the grid, we find it very difficult to stay neutral, so, we won't! Instead we will sing the praises of Eric Rolling's third NYTimes publication. Well, done, Eric!
Show note imagery: TAMARA de Lempicka and friend (Salvador Dali, to be precise), undoubtedly pegging the "Great Artist Meter".
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Today's crossword must've surely been challenging to construct, but the end result is brilliant, thanks to constructor Brandon Koppy (under the keen supervision, no doubt, of editor Will Shortz). This puzzle was also very well timed, for reasons that will become clear as soon as you start listening (or have figured out the episode title, whichever comes fourth, er, first).
Show note imagery: One AFGHANI (worth approximately US$ 0.014, C$ 0.019, and € 0.012)
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This was a very nice Saturday crossword by Michael Lieberman, his 29th for the NYTimes. It had a boatload of fine Saturday-level clues, perfectly positioned as far as difficulty is concerned: enough to make you sweat, but (if you've been solving these puzzles for a while) not enough to crush your spirit, either. There were no major Naticks* (except for the junction of 9D, Japanese energy-healing technique, REIKI, and 20A, Spicy alternative to a Frito, TAKI).
We also have identified our latest JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award) winner, and so to find out who that is, just hit download, play, and enjoy. To be clear, the only buttons involved should be download and play: if your app also happens to have an enjoy button, we congratulate you on having a very zen podcast app.
Show note imagery: Some delicious SHAKSHUKA
*A Natick describes a situation where two answers intersect, and neither is known.
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Robyn Weintraub is well known for writing awesomely good clues, and that talent is definitely on display today: it is not for nothing that she is known (eh, at least to us), as the Queen of the Friday crossword. We have proof inside, so do have a listen.
Besides the crossword, it's Friday, and we have a fabulous Fun Fact Friday segment for your edification and enjoyment.
Show note imagery: A Sunfish, ready to rumble
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If the theme of today's crossword leaves your head spinning, there is a perfectly natural and non-medically-related explanation. We'd like to tell you what that is here, but true to our motto of "as few spoilers as possible, whenever we remember", we will defer that discussion for the moment. Instead, we will celebrate a few other clues of note, such as 56D, Source of Andrew Carnegie's wealth, STEEL; 38D, Language that gave us "Saskatchewan", CREE; and a clue guaranteed to make you go "awww", 8D, Some comforters for toddlers, BLANKIES.
Show note imagery: Ebla, the oldest library in the world (founded in 2500BC, so hopefully you don't have any outstanding book loans, the fines would be horrendous!)
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This was a crisply clued Wednesday crossword, with lots of novel takes and perplexing posers in the puzzle. Right away we have, at 1D, Blade sheathed in a saya, KATANA. We have a debut at 30A, Alternative to a blur or pixelation, CENSORBAR. And even 52D, "Hey, I've got a secret to tell you", PSST, felt fresh. A very nice bit of work by Adam Vincent, we eagerly await his next oeuvre.
Show note imagery: A Sheltie, aka a Shetland Sheep Dog
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Today's crossword was a debut for Gene Louise De Vera, so a few lusty "huzzahs" would not be out of place. The grid had some interesting features: we liked the the juxtaposition of 39D, Children's author Asquith, ROS, and 40D, "Hel-l-lp!", SOS. We were pleased to see the presence of 19A, "The Gift of the Magi" writer, OHENRY, and had hoped to also see OHHENRY, the chocolate bar, but we'll settle for a small glass of 48D, Dessert drink made with frozen grapes, ICEWINE.
All in all, a fine crossword, and we give it a 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
Besides the crossword, we also have a spot of delightful listener mail, so check it out!
Show note imagery: MARA Rooney, in the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.
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This was a gentle Monday crossword. Jean moved through it almost as fast as a MAKO (up to 46 mph, according to 29D). Mike took a tad longer, but was still able to MAKO good time 🙄. We have all the deets inside, so have a listen, and don't forget to subscribe so you never miss another episode.
Show note imagery: A few bars from EINE Kleine Nachtmusik, by Mozart
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In crossword circles, a debut answer is one that has never appeared in the grid before -- and they tend to bet quite interesting. Today, for instance, we had 33A, Food-centric broadcasts originating in South Korea, MUKBANGS (sounds intriguing); 65D, Periods of abstinence from TV, news, social platforms, etc., MEDIAFASTS (sounds like a focused Dandelion Break); and 111A, Some large structures for pet owners, CATCONDOS. All great answers, cleverly clued, and part of an even greater crossword: we give it 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
Show note imagery: The PENTAX 17, a film camera!!
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Today's crossword was a "relatively" straightforward Saturday crossword. Saturdays are always tough, and this was by no means a walk in the park, but neither was it a rope-free climb of El Capitan. There were a few surprising clues in the grid -- most notably 27A, "That's so relatable," in modern slang, MOOD -- a very modern clue for an ancient answer, which made its first appearance on New Year's Eve, 1944. And right next to that we had the very witty 29A, Aquarius is one, perhaps surprisingly, AIRSIGN (nice!). And one that was a novelty (to Mike, at any rate: Jean, no doubt, is on their mailing list), 26A, ___ Dunn (brand of ceramic art and other housewares), RAE.
We have more fascinating facts inside, so have a listen, and, as usual, please let us know what you think!
Show note imagery: Agatha Christie's "The Mousetrap", now in it's 73rd-ish year!!
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This was a nice Friday crossword by Adrian Johnson, a bit of a palette cleanser after yesterday's definitely crunchier-than-usual epic. We found some great clues in the puzzle, such as 34A, Passage in a mystery novel?, HIDDENSTAIRCASE (😀); 12D, Light touch from a decorator?, ACCENTLAMP (brilliant, especially when it's turned on 😎); and the very best of the best, 23D, Styles of music, HARRY (😀 😀).
Show note imagery: Bahla Fort, OMAN, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
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This was a debut crossword by Kathleen Duncan -- congrats!! -- and it was a doozy. Jean managed to get through it in fairly good time, but Mike ran into the proverbial lexicographic abyss in the southwest corner, and managed to escape just in the NICK of time. To hear more about his harrowing escape, and Jean's easy sashay through the very same puzzle, have a listen to today's podcast, and, as always, please tell others about us on social media.
Show note imagery: A SHEAF of paper, not to be confused with a SHEATH of ... paper
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One of the most enjoyable moments in NYTimes-crossword-solving, is when one is completely floored by an answer, only to discover, with a bit of research, that it is apparently the 5th most popular word of the year, and that you are the only person in a 10 mile radius who has not heard of it. We had such an experience in today's puzzle -- a fine effort by Brandon Koppy -- and we leave it to you, the listener, to determine which answer we are referring to. [Hint: it won't take you long to do so 😀]
Show note imagery: The original IMACs
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We had a fine Tuesday crossword by a frequent contributor to the NYTimes, Alex Eaton-Salners. There are many perfectly good reasons why AE-S has had 73 puzzles published in the pantheon of crosswords, and they are all on display in today's work. So check it out, and, as always, let us know what you think.
In other news, we have our latest Triplet Tuesday Contest winner, and very soon that winner will have ownership of a lovely bit of northeast Wisconsin swag, and a lovely t-shirt to boot. For those of you who entered but did not win, fear not! There will always be ... another TTC.
Show note imagery: Sao Tomé and Príncipe
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This was Thomas van Geel's second NYTimes crossword, and it is an awesome example of an LOL theme. Have a listen, and you'll see what we mean.
A reminder, this is your last day to enter last week's Triplet Tuesday Contest, and potentially win some magnificent swag. Just check out last Tuesday's episode, and then send your entry our way.
Show note imagery: Mount DENALI
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Today's crossword was somewhat of a gently sloping foothill for Jean, and an Everest atop an Everest for Mike. The former made it through the crossword in a longer-than-usual-but-still-reasonable time frame, whereas for the latter it seemed that several civilizations rose, prospered, and fell, before he finally got the happy music.
We've covered the theme in today's episode, but some of the (many) notable clues that did not make the cut include 103D, Support line?, ISECOND 😀; 71D, Blood line, VEIN (😀 😀); and 49A, Honcho, NABOB (also an excellent brand of coffee, sold primarily in Canada ☕️☕️☕️).
Show note imagery: A delicious WHOOPIEPIE
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We are delighted to announce the purely coincidental arrival, on the same day that this fabulous crossword brought us BARBIECORE, of crosswordcore™ -- the rules of which are quite straightforward, and we are very pleased to be able to set forth, for the first time AFAWCT, right here:
- Rule 1: wear and/or decorate with any color you want, as long as it's black or white 😀
- Rule 2: Other than rule 1, pretty much anything goes ... it is a rather laissez-faire core.
The puzzle that inspired crosswordcore was a fine one - Jean breezed through it, Mike euphemistically took his time to contemplate and savor every clue and answer, so that he could truly appreciate the genius of this puzzle's constructors -- Greg Snitkin and Glenn Davis.
Show note imagery: Either the map of a PLAYACTION, or possibly a physics diagram showing the interaction of subatomic particles (but we think the former).
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Our cohosts took highly divergent paths towards victory on this crossword - Jean took the high road, and had a lovely time; Mike took the low road, and for his pains got repeatedly stuck in the mire. Still, there was a lot to admire in today's grid, and to find out what that was, check out today's episode.
Show note imagery: The JETSONS!
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This was a slightly crunchier than usual Wednesday, for one very good reason. We're not going to tell* you that reason just yet, but we cerealously believe you'll like it once you hear it 😀😉🙄.
Besides the terrific theme, we had numerous intriguing and occasionally perplexing clues, such as 18A, Flying Cloud and Royale, for two, REOS; 60A, "Nelson's blood", RUM; and the fun to say 33D, For sure, for short, DEF.
Show note imagery: Fred and Barney, making a splash
*the crossword, not the day: the day was merely averagely-crunchy.
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In today's episode, we have a two-fer. First, an awesome crossword, a debut by Per Bykodorov that is just brimming with microtome-sharp clues, and an LOL theme. But wait, there's more 😀
We have our latest Triplet Tuesday Contest, your chance to go (asynchronously) head-to-head against Jean to see who can grab the TTC ring. The rules are straightforward and brilliantly (ok, adequately) explained, so have a listen, and then get your entry in by next Tuesday at 6 PM CDT (2300 Zulu time for those in other time zones), and good luck!
Show note imagery: A LUNK alarm, often seen, but rarely heard, at Planet Fitness
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This was a very nice Monday crossword, and an NYTimes debut for both of its authors, Stacy Cooper and Ken Cohen. There were, of course, a variety of clues, some fun -- 51A, Roller coaster exclamation, WHEE 😀; some enlightening -- 65A, Elite group whose members include Steve Martin and Geena Davis, MENSA; and some particularly timely -- 30D, Org. that reviews W-9s, IRS.
Show note imagery: a MOSCOWMULE, served in the traditional copper mug.
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This was a sweet Sunday crossword, with an unusual theme, unusual grid size (!), but the usual great clues that we expect from a Sunday NYTimes crossword. We've covered the biggies in today's episode, but we'd also like to note the "little" people, er, answers, without which this grid would be comically empty. For example, 32D, Prefix with bel, DECI (ha!); 87D, Items being replaced, OLDONES (duh!); and our favorite, 95D, Snatches, comic-book style, YOINKS (rah!).
Remember our Triplet Tuesday Contest is coming up faster than a speeding bullet, so tune in Tuesday and see if you can capture the crown.
Show note imagery: Famed actor and comedian Buster Keaton, next to someone with pronounced RINGLETs.
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This was a very nice (i.e., quite tricky) Saturday crossword. Fortunately (for Mike), there were not a lot of pop culture references, and fortunately (for Jean), she knows things™️. This marks the third NYTimes crossword penned by Jesse Cohn, and we eagerly await his fourth.
Besides this crossword, we also have our JAMCOTWA - Jean and Mike Crossword Of The Week Award - so download and check out this episode, to see who's the big winner. Also, don't forget to subscribe / follow this podcast, so you never miss an exciting installment!
Show note imagery: WONDERWOMAN, ready to wring the truth out of someone with her golden lasso!
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Today's crossword had OCEANS of great clues. To pick just three, we had 1A, Some pops, COCACOLAS (Mike's favorite beverage!); 12D, Fabulizes, SPINSAYARN (the answer was fine: the clue, divine); and 34A, Vulgarian, BOOR (Vulgarian sounds Shakespearean, but, alas and alack, the bard never penned it).
Show note imagery: A few of a SEASCALLOP's many eyes
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Both cohosts found this to be an exceptionally tough Thursday crossword -- but they are not complaining, as many of the clues were home runs, and the theme was a grand slam. Somehow, Adam Wagner -- the author of today's oeuvre (ably abetted by Will Shortz) -- always manages to produce great works. Deets inside, so have a listen, and let us know what you think!
A reminder, our Triplet Tuesday Contest is coming up this Tuesday. If you haven't already, start practicing up (re-memorizing the OED, limbering up those fingers, etc., etc.).
Show note imagery: A photo that needs absolutely no narration 😀 https://www.xwordinfo.com/Crossword?date=4/10/2025
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This was an exceptionally memorable Wednesday crossword. The theme was inspired, but the rest of the puzzle was just chockfull of equally brilliant entries. We have all the deets inside, so we earnestly invite you to download, listen up, and ... enjoy!
Show note imagery: RIP, TAN M&Ms
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Today's crossword was fun (absolutely!), fast (YMMV), and this episode has exactly the same characteristics! So have a listen, and remember, we're having our next Triplet Tuesday Contest next week, so listen to today's segment to get the format, start practicing, and start honing your acceptance speech (you know, just in case ...)
Show note imagery: NACL (aka table salt) crystals, as seen in an electron microscope
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One of the best parts of doing the NYTimes Crossword is the thrill of learning something new. For example, today our hosts learned that ASH Ketchum is no longer the star of the Pokémon anime series, and sorely missed (at least in some quarters).
We have all the deets inside, as well as numerous amusing Easter eggs, so have a listen, and as always, remember that we thrive on feedback.
Show note imagery: ASH Ketchum, in the flesh, ..., er, ink?
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Kareem Ayas has put together an ingenious Sunday crossword, with a lot of layers - wheels within wheels, you might say, and as soon as you see the grid you'll understand exactly why that would be so apropos. We cover a lot of territory today, so grab your favorite beverage, hit play, and prepare to a) sip, and b) enjoy!
Show note links: NILE green and various RAKE types available at Amazon
Show note video: An EHRU, a Chinese two-stringed fiddle
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Saturdays are supposed to be the toughest crosswords of the week, and Rafael Musa definitely got the memo: the amount of misdirection in today's puzzle would have David Copperfield nodding approvingly.
We've covered most of Mr. Musa's masterpieces in today's episode, but a few others worthy of note are the fabulous 8D, Gag order?, TMI (hah!); 35A, Time to give up, LENT (magnifico!); and the cryptic 23A, Human Geography and Calculus BC, for short, APS (we didn't realize that Calculus was that old, but anyhoo...).
In addition to the crossword, we also are pleased to announce our JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award), so check out today's episode to find out who took home the flag.
Show note imagery: A coin from 1023-28 depicting OLAF the Stout, aka Saint Olaf
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There were a lot of long answers in this crossword, but fortunately they were also very common phrases. Otherwise, this would've been a Saturday or perhaps an Impossiday™️ crossword. As it stands, this puzzle was a terrific Friday, and the reason why is no mystery: Karen Steinberg wrote it and Will Shortz edited it.
Show note imagery: JETHRO Tull (the band, not the agriculturalist
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Today's crossword was by Hanh Huynh. His Thursday crossword themes have always been brilliant, and we are pleased to announce that with today's puzzle his streak remains intact: may it live long and prosper!
Show note imagery: BARQS Rootbeer
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This was a highly pleasing mid-week crossword by Daniel Bodily. There were some NEAT clues (including 15A, "Sweet!", NEAT); clues with a lot of HEART (25A, Trick-taking card game, HEARTS); and clues that we got right away (51D, "Pronto!", STAT 😀).
All told, a fine puzzle, and it is therefore with great pleasure that we award it a full 5 squares, on the JAMCR scale.
Show note imagery: The Civilian Conservation Corp official (and very spiffy) logo
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Today's crossword was the perfect April 1st crossword -- as a Tuesday, it was not too difficult, but it was very meta, and very relatable, making for a great solve. We have Sande Milton (supervised, of course, by Will Shortz) to thank for this, his third crossword for the NYTimes.
Beyond the crossword, we have our heavily trademarked and patented Triplet Tuesday™️ segment, so have a listen, and let us know how you did!
Show note imagery: A Commodore AMIGA, with a whopping 256K of RAM!
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OK, perhaps "obsessed" is a little over the top, because technically ZEST itself only showed up once, as per custom; but the clues and answers were still quite snappy. Our particular favorite? 46D, Producers of six-packs, SITUPS (nice!). We were also delighted to see 15A, King of the gods, in Egyptian myth, AMON. And while AMON may not translate as "God of Aliases", since AMON is aka AMUN, AMUNRA, AMONRA and AMUNRE, we would not be surprised if it did.
For the deets, and some interesting listener mail, have a listen, and feel free to leave us a five star review wherever you are listening to this podcast.
Show note imagery: Kobe Bryant, shooting a FADEAWAY.
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Simeon Seigel tends to write crosswords just like this one - filled with clever and novel clues. We present, as exhibit A, ...
- 105A, Its southernmost point, Pamana Island, is more than 750 miles below the Equator, ASIA (amazing!)
- 106A, Group in "a pension fund", AEIOU (outstanding!)
- 40A, Returns a call, in a way, ECHOES (wow, wow, wo, wo, w, w, ...)
In short, a fine crossword, we approve: 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
Show note imagery: Dr. SEUSS (or, phonetically as he originally wanted it pronounced, SOYCE)
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We have returned after a brief, unplanned hiatus, and welcoming us back were Christina Iverson and Jacob McDermott, who have prepared a delightful, and notably not-soul-crushingly-difficult Saturday crossword for us to inspect, dissect and discuss. Deets inside, so have a listen, and, as always, please tell others about us on social media.
Show note imagery: A TUXEDOCAT, prowling about in search of its cape and top hat.
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We'd give this crossword an APLUS, for no other reason than that it gave us an APLUS, as in 54D, Highest grade. But lest we be accused of grade inflation, we would like to submit as evidence
- 29A, "Old Man ___ at Cloud" (bit from "The Simpsons" that became an internet meme), YELLS (Will must really like The Simpsons 😀);
- 35D, X-ray ___ (novelty goggles), SPEX (we really, really want a pair of these);
- 58D, Whopper server? LIAR (😀 😀)
Show note imagery: A who's who of old time comedians at The FRIARSCLUB, a New York landmark since ... forever.
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This was a nice debut by Victor Schmitt, yet another "cute n' clever" theme that definitely lives up to its name. (We note parenthetically that "Cute n' Clever" would be an awesome name for a pet store for Mensa cats, and if one ever comes into being, we hope to add it as an advertiser immediately 😀).
Apart from the clues mentioned in today's episode, we'd like to note 55A, Arctic abodes, IGLOOS (following yesterday's huts and yurts, Will seems to be promoting a native-abode-arc of some sort); 65A, Fruit from a palm, which sounds like a magic trick but is indeed DATE; and 7D, Like seaweed or raw octopus, SLIMY (which managed to elicit a simultaneous "yuck" and "kudos" from your cohosts).
Show note imagery: IGOR (left, as played by Bela Lugosi); check out today's episode to hear the electrifying background story.
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Jean made short work of today's crossword, armed as she was with a PANOPLY of answers, whereas Mike, for whom PANOPLY was the only gimme in the grid, had to toil a wee bit longer -- and by a "wee bit", we really mean weeeeeeeeeeeee bit -- before he managed to get to the happy music.
Show note imagery: TERRA Nova National Park, in Newfoundland, Canada
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This was an excellent Saturday crossword -- with clue difficulty mostly ranging from scarily difficult to "you must be joking, Ms. Hoody". These sorts of puzzles make for a deeply satisfying solve (if you can), and no loss of face (if you cannot).
Also, any crossword that manages to quietly work ICEPALACE, ICET, and SAMOVAR into the same grid clearly deserves some sort of praise, and here it is: a full 5 squares on the JAMCR scale. Bravo!
Also in today's episode: our choice for JAMCOTWA, the Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award. To find out who won, and why, please subscribe/like/follow, download, and, of course, enjoy!
Show note imagery: An example of a Duchamp readymade, art based on ordinary products (such as this bicycle wheel)
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This was a good, challenging, but ultimately doable -- provided you've had lots and lots of practice! -- Friday crossword. The clues were quite fresh, and apart from those mentioned on the podcast, we'd like to highlight 24D, Sports great who said "If the world were perfect, it wouldn't be", BERRA (😀); 40A, "Hot-diggity" or "Cool it", SLANG (of course!); and the fascinating 38D, Philippics, TIRADES (🧐).
Be sure and check out the whole episode, because after the main event we have a great Fun Fact Friday™️ segment, covering everything you need to know about the AFLAC duck. Enjoy!
Show note imagery: Actors about to do battle while wearing MOCAP suits.
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The title probably could do with a few more "wows", as today's crossword by Daniel Grinberg clearly deserves to be in the pantheon of crossword masterpieces. Indeed, both cohosts feel that they will never forget where they were at the moment that they solved this crossword (Jean, couch; Mike, chair). For deets on why we are tossing so many laurels in Daniel Grinberg's direction, have a listen to today's podcast, where all will become clear.
Show note imagery: What makes a SUBARU a SUBARU? According to their marketing people, Love (and possibly one or two designers and engineers, the ad campaign does not go into details).
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This crossword was brilliant -- primarily because of the astronomical phenomenon that formed the heart of today's theme, visually dominated the grid, and was echoed in several other clues. For instance: 28D, Astrophysicist ___ deGrasse Tyson, NEIL; 17A, Thoroughly enjoyed oneself, HADABLAST; and one of Mike's favorite movies, 46D, 2019 sci-fi film whose name means "to the stars", ADASTRA. All in all, an illuminating crossword, definitely worth 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
Show note imagery: A non-nautical schooner (second from the left)
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It was with great satisfaction that we welcome back to the grid Alan ALDA, who has not made too many appearances as of late, always glad to see a great ... whatever Alan ALDA is ... back in the saddle, so to speak. We also were glad to see SNL make an appearance, although since they were just mentioned yesterday, their appearance today is not nearly as momentous.
Speaking of momentum (we weren't, but humor us), Jean tore through today's Triplet Tuesday segment, check out the deets herein, and, as always, drop us a line, we love feedback!
Show note imagery: Le Café de Nuit, Place Lamartine, Arles, by -- as if the brushstrokes didn't give it away -- Vincent Van Gogh
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There was no green in today's grid, as far as we could see, but there must've been a gleam in the eye of the cruciverbalist, Kathy Lowden, as she put this fine puzzle together. There was a lot of pop culture in the crossword, but that's because ... nope, no spoilers! Check out today's episode to find out why.
Show note imagery: DOJA Cat, most definitely not in the St. Patrick's Day spirit
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Today's crossword was by Ryan McCarty, who specializes in spectacular Saturday crosswords like this one. The clues were challenging, and there was a lot of pop-culture -- Mike's bane, Jean's forté -- but fortunately there were enough non-pop-culture references so that Mike could prosper, and Jean didn't need 'em.
In addition to the crossword, we have listener mail, including some from a former JAMCOTWA winner that involved a discussion of this week's JAMCOTWA winner: or as Robin would have it, holy-coincidences, Batman!
Show notes imagery: BARRYKEOGHAN, movie / television star, seen here in Apple TV+'s Masters of the Air
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Brandon Koppy has a knack for writing magnificently deceptive clues, and his gifts are on full display in today's puzzle -- a tough but highly satisfying bit of work. We have all the deets inside, so check it out, as well as a fine Fun Fact Friday™️ segment.
Show note imagery: SUGARRAY, creators of some awesome music!
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The consensus at JAMDTNYTC HQ is that this was a terrific Thursday crossword, and a limbering up, as it were, in preparation for the grueling Friday and Saturday crosswords yet to come. We were pleased to see OCCAM make an appearance in the grid, as well as a smattering of frqtly. sn. txt. msg. abbrs., including DMED, OTOH, IRL and IPAS (ok, we're not sure about that last one, but the rest most definitely are frequently seen text message abbreviations).
Show note imagery: ATOMICDOG
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It takes just an askance glance at today's grid to know that something's up. Perhaps it's the suspicious symmetry, or the fact that several runs of gray squares seem to have been cut in half. That's because they were cut in half, an essential part of today's cutting edge theme. Now, not that we want to contribute to FOMO, but if you're wondering why that last sentence was absolutely riotous, you'll want to download, listen to, and bask in, today's equally riotous (well, ok, drolly amusing, esp. the bit about the [REDACTED: NO SPOILERS HERE]) podcast
Show note imagery: A Royal ORB
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This was a debut crossword by Jared Cappel, and it was a fine one. The theme was sharp, and surrounded by a bevy of equally keen non-themed clues: the result was, as previously noted, fine.
A few clues that didn't make into the podcast, but worthy of shoutouts, include: 62A, Compliment on the green, NICEPUTT (fore!); 6D, "I.e.," spelled out, IDEST (Mike's favorite phrase!); and 44A, Perplex, BEMUSE (Jean's favorite answer).
In addition to the crosswords, we have a terrific Triplet Tuesday segment, and a fascinating theory as to why Blenheim PALACE (62A) doesn't get more visitors.
Show note imagery: Blenheim PALACE, in all its royal glory
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One of Will Shortz's greatest innovations was the strategy of making Monday crosswords easy, then making them progressively harder throughout the week, with Saturday being quasi-impossible. [Sunday is often described as a "large Wednesday" in terms of difficulty.]
And it's not like Will forgot his greatest innovation, but this was a trickier-than-usual Monday, which may (or may not) presage a challenging week ahead -- we'll let you know for sure on Saturday.
In the meantime, we did enjoy this crossword -- a fine work by Patti Varol, and an opportunity to make our pitch for a Moby Dick / Peter Pan crossover -- look for it on AppleTV+ sometime in the near future (or possibly not 😀).
Show note imagery: LITTLELULU ❤️❤️
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The doctor -- Dr. Michael Schlossberg, to be precise -- was in fine form today, taking a sentimental stroll through the history books. Jean made short work of today's puzzle, deftly drawing upon her apparently infinitely large collection of pop-culture references. Mike, meanwhile, has the advantage of being able to search through his collection much faster: it does not take long to peruse a list consisting of BTS, LADYGAGA, and ... well, that's it really.
Deets inside, so have a listen, and as usual, we welcome feedback!
Show-note imagery: 100 PESETAs
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Joe Deeney has created a daunting looking Saturday grid -- there are oodles of 4-stack answers, and as an ADDEDBONUS, a pinwheel in the center with very few exits into the rest of the puzzle. The clues were definitely of Saturday calibre. As proof, consider 53D, Arabic man's name meaning "servant of God, ABDI; 30D, Scorching, HOTASHADES; 46A, Antonym of "iie" in Japanes, HAI; and the absolutely fabulous 50D, What's added to one to make zero?, NOTA.
In short, a brilliant way to end our crossword solving week, well done, Joe!
Show note imagery: From 16A, Bird whose name may be written with two diacritics called kahakos, NENE
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Today's crossword was a great mental workout, replete with fine, fabulously deceptive clues -- just the kind that you hope for on a Friday.
For example, we had 36A, A real no-name, ANON (of course!); 32A, Darkens in the light, say, TANS (how enlightening); and 49A, Buttery topping for paratha, GHEE (oh, gee 🙄).
Those were just a few of the terrific clues in the grid; for more, do check out today's episode!
Show note imagery: MOONSTONE, which, name notwithstanding, comes from Sri Lanka and Southern India.
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At least one of our cohosts wasn't quite on the same wavelength as today's constructor, Kiran Pandey: the clues and answers just felt a wee bit ... out of sync. Still, professional that they were (in terms of determination and ethics, not income), they managed to persevere and get to the happy music. We have all the deets inside, so please have a listen, and, as always, please encourage your friends and relations to do the same.
Show note imagery: DOSA, an Indian crepe with chutney.
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This was a spookily fun crossword by Rebecca Goldstein, who we are fairly certain won the ORCA Constructor of the Year Award sometime in the not too distant past -- 2024, we read on the internet -- for creating crosswords just like today's. So, to see what it takes to become Constructor of the Year, check out Rebecca's latest and, of course, this episode!
Show note imagery: BABKA, fun to say, even more fun to eat!
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This was a fine Tuesday-level crossword, the fourth (on the 4th!) for Hanh Huynh. The theme shone, the rest of the fill was quite good, and the end result was, as you will hear in today's episode, highly satisfying.
In addition to our usual banter (including the accidental discovery of the world's first chameleon word™️), we also have our Triplet Tuesday™️ segment. This is your chance to test your wits against Jean's, but just know that if Triplet Tuesday ever becomes an olympic sport, Jean will be medalling, for sure.
Show note imagery: OutKast, who advised their fans to shake their POLAROIDPICTURES.
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If you didn't know anything about today's constructor, you'd likely conclude, as did we, that this was a fine Monday crossword. But then, if you discovered that the constructor was 13 years old, you might be tempted to reflect that a) PRODIGY does not often show up in the grid, and b) it certainly applies to Harrison Walden, the aforementioned 13-year-old.
In other developments, we have a few pieces of electronic communication to relate, clearing up questions of SAFETY and MADEMEN that were raised in yesterday's episode, so check that out, and, as always, please encourage your crossword-solving friends to have a listen.
Show note imagery: The EURO, the answer to the elegantly phrased 15A, French or Italian bread? 😀
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Even a casual glance at today's grid will reveal that something's up - seven vertical colored lines that, unsurprisingly, play a huge role in today's theme. The cost of that theme was complexity, but both cohosts agreed that it was worth the effort, as the payoff was huge. Deets inside.
A reminder that the NYTimes Crossword makes a great present, and helps keep those little grey cells at peak efficiency. To subscribe, just wander over to NYTimes.com/subscriptions/games, where operators (or, more likely, as it is 2025, bots) are standing by.
Show note imagery: DILI, East Timor
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March reputedly comes in like a lion, and today's crossword does the same -- parts of it are ferocious, and it seems to have lots of claws. OK, that last bit might not be true, but it certainly was a challenge, especially those clues in the northern areas of the crossword - above the equator, so to speak. But this was a Saturday, and so we expect challenging clues. It was also a Ryan Judge puzzle, and so we expect fabulous clues, and as even a quick listen to today's episode will reveal ... he does not disappoint.
In other news, we've beaten the Oscar's to the punch by announcing our JAMCOTWA™️ (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award) winner first. Check out today's crossword to find out exactly who that winner is, and why they deserve it. We'll publish their acceptance speech in due course 😀
Show note imagery: ATAHUALPA (or as Wikipedia would have it, the much easier to spell ATAHUALLPA 🙄)
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Michael Lieberman is an accomplished crossword constructor, having written 27 for the NYTimes. Today's oeuvre had some great clues, including 63A, People may visit them just for kicks, SHOESTORES (ha!); 27D, Like Olympic tracks, LANED (duh!); and 10D, "Enjoy the spread!", LETSEAT (yum!). All in all a great crossword, definitely worth 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
Show note imagery: Jewell Loyd, A WNBA star
Crossword tips link: An insightful column on how to write clues; if you read each tip backwards, an insightful column on how to find answers for various categories of clues.
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It's been over a year since David Steinberg last graced the pages of the NYTimes crossword, and from our perspective it's been just over a year too long. David always crafts whip-smart puzzles, and today's is a perfect example. We have all the deets inside, so check it out! Also, as long as you're following our admonitions, we would be delighted if you could tell all your crossword-solving friends about us on social media.
Show note imagery: For the record, this is a pair of JODHPURS currently for sale at Just Horse Riders -- it is not what's left of a person wearing a pair of JODHPURS after a horrific equestrian accident.
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Both cohosts found today's crossword to be a wee bit crunchier than usual (to use a technical cruciverbial term meaning, loosely translated, "really, really hard" 😀). This was, no doubt, in service to a fantabulous theme that is slyly referred to in the episode title, and explored at length in today's podcast.
Show note imagery: Need a WRAP? First, you're gonna need a soft tortilla ...
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This marks Greg Snitkin's second NYTimes crossword, almost one year, to the day, since his debut. The crossword had some fun entries, including 63A, Call it an early night?, DUSK ; 46A, "Who's interested?", ANYONE; and the memorable 30A, Call after last call?, DRUNKDIAL. In today's episode, Jean tackles the theme, both cohosts take a trek through the grid, and then Mike does his best to not make a fool of himself in today's Triplet Tuesday segment. Enjoy!
Show note imagery: Yup, that dolphin's definitely AQUA
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Rena Cohen, who we just saw in the NYTimes crossword last month is back again, and she remains at the top of her game. For proof -- OK, for strong anecdotal evidence -- check out today's podcast. Bonus points if you can guess, in advance, which Spanish museum Mike was thoroughly unable to pronounce.
Show note imagery: Dost thine eyes deceive thee? No, tis true, tis a Gumby on a Frisbee 😀
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There were some very nice pairings in today's crossword:
- The oh-so-close 7D, Sound of a smooth-running engine, PURR, and 45D, Catherine ___, wife of Henry VIII, PARR 😀
- The numerically related 89A, 11, literally, ONES, and 78D, 110, facetiously, ELEVENTY
- the homonymously-related 10D, Forget to finish writing a clue, mayb, ERR, and 53A, Word with lock or pocket, AIR
- and, as they say, much, much more
So our hats are off to today's constructors -- Daniel Grinberg and Rafael Musa -- for crafting a PURRfect Sunday diversion.
Show note imagery: ARABICA, the most popular coffee in the world, vs. Robusta, the runner up.
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Apologies for not wishing people a happy GALENTINESDAY earlier, but as one of our cohosts had never heard of the word until doing today's superb crossword, and the other deigned to mention it, it is only now, 8 days late but writing fast, that we are in a position to wish you and yours a happy GALENTINESDAY.
We might've been late vis-a-vis GALENTINESDAY, but we are right on time when it comes to announcing our JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award) winner, and so to find out who that person is (hint: their initials are EA), have a listen to today's podcast.
Show note imagery: A (relatively small) GREENANACONDA
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Today's episode explores Colin Adams' fifth NYTimes crossword, which is just as good as his other four, i.e., great! It was a tough but rewarding puzzle, requiring a lot of head scratching and memory palace exploration. In short, it was a perfect Friday!
In honor of Friday, we're featuring our Fun Fact Friday™️ segment. We don't want to entirely spoil it, but let's just say this: if you think you know where the largest radioactive spill in US history took place ... you're probably wrong.
Show note imagery: PALOMA Picasso, jewelry designer and daughter of some painter dude 😉
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This was a debut crossword for Peter Gorman, and it was splendid. The theme was definitely unique -- we've seen none like it in recent memory -- and there were a number of excellent clues, including 61A, Hot spot, OVEN (cute!); 34A, Who said "A dress is a piece of ephemeral architecture", DIOR (profound!); and 57D, Locale depicted in Bosch's "The Garden of Earthly Delights", EDEN (we ❤️ Bosch!).
Show note imagery:
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Joe Deeney has gotten a reputation, here at JAMDTNYTC HQ, for crafting fun and lively crosswords, and we are pleased to report that his streak remains intact! While it has often been conjectured that the proof is in the pudding, here it's in the podcast, so we enjoin you to subscribe, download, and check out our "case for the Deeney, er, defense"🙄.
Show note imagery: SKYMALL catalog, in its heyday
Game link: Squeezy, a brand new game by Jeff Chen
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Erik Agard is a fabulous crossword constructor, so it is a delight to see his name in the marquee, and even more delightful to tackle this crossword. The puzzle is packed with fun and educational clues, and the theme is LOL. Check out today's podcast to see what we mean.
In addition to our analysis of today's puzzle, in honor of Tuesday we're running our Triplet Tuesday™️ segment, in which Jean ... uh, uh, no spoilers! Check out today's episode for all the deets!
Show note imagery: CHURCHROCK, site of the largest radioactive spill in US history!
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Today's crossword seemed a little crunchier than usual to at least one of our cohosts (hint: their initial is 'M'), due to a confluence of problematic clues in the southwest corner of the grid. Fortunately, thanks to their belief that all good Danish film directors are called LARS, said cohost was able to complete the crossword successfully. Deets within, so have a listen, and, as always, please tell others about us on "the socials".
Show note imagery: IDINA Menzel, after a particularly taxing ocean crossing
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This was a fun Sunday crossword by John Kugelman, even if 9 out of 10 cardiologists would recommend you eschew most of the foods in the grid. We've seen John's name in the marquee before, had a notion that good things were about to happen, and were not disappointed. Every themed answer made us smile if not lol, and the rest of the grid was filled with crisply-clued answers. Deets inside (as well as spoilers everywhere you look, so make sure you try the crossword first and then have a listen).
Show note imagery: DEEPFRIEDOREOS, yum!
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This was a challenging puzzle -- as Saturday crosswords are engineered to be the toughest of the week -- but it also presented some DIVINE clues, including 24D, Places for subs, BENCH (delightful!); 21D, They cover top stories, INSULATIONS (ok, that was unexpected!); 28A, Things put into decks, TAPES (what are those again? 😀); and many, many more. Most of those we cover in today's podcast, and we also have a rare twofer for the JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award), so have a listen, and please spread the word through your favorite social media sites.
Show note imagery: Pool balls, including the solid red THREE
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While Friday crosswords are traditionally themeless, today's grid was rife with subtle, almost ninja-like Valentine's Day references. That's not to detract from the rest of the grid. We were fans of 51D, One-eyed "Futurama" character, LEELA (oh, please reboot that series!); 53D, One sporting a sporran, maybe, SCOT (okay, maybe we do subscribe to Popular Sporran, what about it? 😀 😀); 61A, "Skimbleshanks: The Railway Cat" poet, ELIOT (sporran and Skimbleshanks in one grid? Heart be still!).
tldr, this was a fabulous Friday crossword, and we lovingly bestow upon it 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
Show note imagery: A Snellen chart, a key component of most EYETESTS.
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This is Jim Burch's seventh NYTimes crossword. He seems to have taken up residence on the tougher side of the week, with all of his crosswords appearing on Thursday (2), Friday (4) or Saturday (1). This was on the easier side of the spectrum, but still a challenge: as always, YMMV depending on what's in your wheelhouse.
Deets inside, as well as the resolution of the Great BELLLAP mystery!
Show note imagery: Federal land in NEVADA (shown here in pink), takes up 84% of the state by area!
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One of our favorite comedians -- Sir Michael PALIN -- is in today's grid, and if you have not heard of him, don't walk, but run to your nearest video source and check out Monty Python, for some absolutely transcendent humor. Then, come back and check out today's podcast for some wry remarks, none of which involve breadstuffs of any kind 🙄
Show. note imagery: The castle of ARGOS, in, appropriately, the city of ARGOS, Greece.
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Like all good Tuesday crosswords, today's had some clues that might make you pause, like 34A, Assignments, POSTS (ah, those sorts of assignments); 17A, Emoji that means "I'm crazy about you!", HEARTEYES (😍); and the fun to say 50A, Betting setting, RENO. Speaking of which, we'll bet that you'll enjoy today's Triplet Tuesday segment, so without further ado, we will write no further, and let you get on with listening!
Show note imagery: The original MUSCLEHEAD!
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This was an admirable Monday crossword by Emily Rourke, thanks in no small part to an ingenious theme about ... which we will say no more here, as we loathe spoilers as much as you undoubtedly do, dear listeners. However, we do have much to say about the theme in the actual podcast, aka spoiler-central.
Show note imagery: TOA Skylark, by Percy Bysshe Shelley (whose middle name is the bane of would-be spelling bee champions since ... forever)
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Some sort of major sporting event was taking place today, but both cohosts (working independently, as is their wont) still found time to tackle this excellent crossword, and while each fumbled a few times along the way, they both eventually got to the "happy-music" zone, and performed the traditional "we finished the crossword" dance of celebration. Deets inside, and, we promise no more Super Bowl puns!
Show note imagery: A CHURRO, a Mexican pastry
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Alina Abidi has crafted a delightful Saturday crossword - tough but fair, with more terrific clues than you can shake a stick at (your mileage may vary depending on your physical prowess and the dimensions of said stick 😀🙄). Among the clues that we were particularly enthralled with were 1A, What may precede a blessing?, ACHOO (nice!); 6A, School whose mascot is Big Al the elephant, informally, BAMA (awesome!!); and 5D, Snap, crackle or pop, ONOMATOPOEIA (even more fun to say than it is to spell 😀).
In addition to our take on the crossword, we've also picked our JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award) winner, so check it out, and let us know if you a) agree, b) disagree, or c) are neutral on the subject.
Show note imagery: An irresistibly cute teacup dog (awwww!).
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FORMULAIC might've been in the grid, but this Friday crossword was anything but, with 6 debut answers and a lot of decidedly non-conventional cluing throughout the puzzle. Besides those mentioned in the podcast, we enjoyed 16A, Material that goes on a foundation, POWDER, and the delicious 17A, What's holding up dessert?, CONE.
In honor of Fun Fact Friday, we have a segment on a cartoon character who won an Academy Award twice, and was partially based on W.C. Fields. Find out who that is, and everything else you need to know about today's crossword, by hitting download and play (and, in between, feel free to hit subscribe/follow/add to library/whatever, so you don't miss an episode!).
Show note imagery: Go, MANU! (and if you ever decide to merge with FACTURING, you'll be unstoppable🙄)
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This was a fine Thursday crossword by Aidan Deshong and Jacob Reed, most notable for its novel theme. In most Thursday crosswords, something unexpected happens in the grid -- maybe letters are doubled up, displaced, hidden in black squares, etc. But today it is the clues that are camouflaged: the answer is straightforward once you've decoded said clue. We have all the deets inside, so have a listen, and please tell others about us on social media.
Show note imagery: It's ALPACA v. LLAMA, who will win?? ... Probably the textile industry 😀
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Jean found today's crossword to be a bit on the crunchy side for a Wednesday, but Mike was able to tap into a vein of esoterica that made his solve much smoother. Both agreed that the theme was unique and witty, and there were no duds in the surrounding fill. In short, this crossword is definitely worth 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
Show note imagery: All hail the WAFFLEFRY, yum!
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This was a fun, fun crossword, due in large part to a theme that just radiates joy -- not enough that the EPA had to get involved, but enough that you'll definitely want to tackle the crossword, and then check out this podcast -- in that order!
Show note imagery: Me and My Gal, a movie in which JAKE gets used a surprising number of times to denote the concept of something that's OK/fine/satisfactory.
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This was a fine Monday crossword by Jack Scherban, and we're not just saying that because it referenced our phonetically favorite pirate, 60A, Captain Hook's right-hand man, SMEE, nor our favorite dessert, 37D, Black-and-white dessert that's sliced, OREOPIE. Rather, it was the theme, which brought back nostalgic memories (as well as a short-lived and, come to think of it, largely imaginary coughing spell 😉).
Show note imagery: Thomas Stearns ELIOT, or, as he was known to his friends, T.S. ELIOT
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This was an extraordinary Sunday crossword, thanks to one of those "oh, I can't believe they did that!" themes that makes crossword solving such an utter delight. This delight came to us courtesy of Derrick Niederman (edited, as always, by Will Shortz), and we will be savoring it for a loooong time to come. To find out exactly why, and possibly how long is loooong, download today's episode (and don't forget to hit subscribe, so you never miss any future installments!).
Show note imagery: The Short-Tempered Clavier, billed as "Preludes and Fugues in All the Major and Minor Keys
Except for the Really Hard Ones", edited by Professor Peter Schickele.
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This was a relatively straightforward Saturday: Jean got through it in record time, and posited that it was too straightforward. Mike knew better than to tempt fate, and so just nodded, noncommittally, on the diagonal -- neither yes, nor no.
Besides the crossword, we are pleased to announce our latest JAMCOTWA -- Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award -- winner, and that would be ... easily discoverable, if you download today's episode, which we hope you will do posthaste!
Show note imagery: Nirmal Purja, one of many NEPALIS who have scaled Mt. Everest
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This is the last NYTimes crossword of the month, and we're going out on a high note, thanks to Adrian Johnson, who has crafted such an awesome crossword that if we had to pick the best clue we'd be sorely tempted to respond with "all of them". To hear why, check out today's podcast, where we go over some of our favorites.
We also have a spot of equally awesome listener mail, so check that out as well.
Show note imagery: a SMARTPILL, and the 3rd most likely cause for screaming at a doctor's office 😉
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Today's crossword had another one of those patented "NYTimes Clever Themes" this one courtesy of Joe Marquez. Jean latched onto it straight off, Mike took an order of magnitude longer before the light, belatedly, dawned. Still, better latte than Nespresso, as they say at Starbucks 🙄
Show note imagery: A FATCAT
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This was a tricky Wednesday, thanks mainly to its clever theme (created by Sophia Maymudes, adroitly edited by Will Shortz). We have nothing but good things to say about it, although we are now on tenterhooks wondering what Thursday will bring.
Just a reminder that our show notes always include a link to the wonderful website xwordinfo.com, where you can find a completed version of the day's crossword (i.e., a massive spoiler, but also massively useful), look up clues and answers, etc. If you're a cruciverbalist (and you're reading this, so you are!), you definitely owe it to yourself to check it out.
Show note imagery: Some delicious EMPANADAS
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This was an intriguing Tuesday crossword by Dan Margolis -- his 5th in the NYTimes. The theme was delicious (literally), and indeed the grid was rife with food for thought, including 3D, Cookie with its name on it, OREO; 52D, _______ ghanouj, BABA; and 58D, _______ slaw, COLE. Yum!
Also, today being Tuesday, we have another Triplet Tuesday™ segment, and this time Mike's in the hotseat. To find out how he did, all you need to do is (gently) hit subscribe / download / play.
Show note imagery: Chickens ... on a roost.
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This was a clever Monday crossword from a clever constructor, Alexander Liebeskind, who seems to excel at Mondays. Both cohosts found today's puzzle a bit crunchier (tougher) than usual, but the entertainment value was higher than usual, so it's a wash. Deets inside, including a fascinating attempt to decode SMH that was, TBH, waaaaay off.
Show note imagery: a SWISSROLL -- the Little Debbie edition
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Today's crossword was a rarity -- its themed clues had pictures 🖼️ that had to be interpreted 🧐, as they were part of a rebus. By "rebus", we don't mean the "multiple letters scrunched in one square" variety, encountered frequently on Thursdays. Rather, we mean the more traditional definition: a puzzle in which pictures and typography are used to sound out an answer.
This made for a challenging. but entertaining Sunday: as always, deets within!
Show note imagery: Some TAICHI practitioners
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Today's crossword, by Michael Lieberman, was a bear (not the growly kind, obviously, but one of the tougher-leaning Saturday NYTimes crosswords). It was an excellent mental workout, and the cluing really was deviously delicious, just the way we like it! For those of you just starting to solve NYTimes crosswords, just a reminder that the Saturday NYTimes puzzle is traditionally the most difficult crossword of the week, with difficulty ranging from "yikes" to "you have got to be kidding!". So if you had probs with this crossword, you were not alone!
In addition to today's crossword, we also are pleased to announce the winner of this week's JAMCOTWA™ (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award), and it is ... discussed in today's episode!
Show note imagery: Boating on the River Epte, by MONET
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This was a fine Friday crossword, and not just because the FLINTSTONES were in the grid ❤️. Jean tore through it, Mike spent an inordinate amount of time sorting out the difference between AMEND and EMEND. But both eventually got it solved, and had oodles of fun doing so, as you can tell from today's episode.
In addition to the crossword, we are honoring the arrival of Friday with another Fun Fact Friday™ segment, this time, honoring the most famous "modern stone-age family" ever, aka the FLINTSTONES.
Show note imagery: OSIRIS, who does indeed have green skin
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It is always a treat to see Natan Last and the JASA Crossword Class in the marquee, because ... well, just take a look at today's crossword to see why: a theme guaranteed to put a smile on your face, and great cluing everywhere. For instance, 37D, Geologic formation from glacial melting, ICECAVE (OK, that's a thing); 28D, Canadian province where "Anne of Green Gables" is set: Abbr., PEI (one of our favorite provinces!); and a word that we long to work into casual conversation, 24D, Vulpine, SLY.
Show note imagery: Scar, looking positively vulpine
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Today's crossword was looking sharp -- and not just because ARMANI was in the grid (but it helped). We liked the daunting open-endedness of 48A, "_____ intended!", NOPUN; appreciated the BROW knitting induced by 24A, Move slightly, BUDGE; and just the opportunity to say 7D, Italian anise-flavored liqueur, SAMBUCA. A great debut crossword by Landon Horton, in our estimation it deserves to peg the JAMCR meter with a full 5 squares.
Finally, we've got listener mail! So, for those of you wondering how to pronounce Rummikub, the answer lies within!
Show note imagery: TSAI Ing-wen, the former Taiwanese president.
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This was a terrific Tuesday crossword by Dan Caprera, his 6th in the NYTimes. The clues were fun, fresh, and the theme was a wry one. Besides the clues covered in today's podcast, we'd like to give a shout out to 52A, ___ Jordan, a.k.a. the Green Lantern, HAL (we're just suckers for superheroes); 43A, Figure painted by Warhol, MAO (Will's definitely got a thing for this picture, this week); and 19D, Sit non-ergonomically, SLOUCH (oh, brilliant!).
Show note imagery: A Rummikub TILE (and more -- the entire game, in fact)
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Today's crossword was a debut for Katie Byl (pronounced "bill") and most definitely not a debut for Jeff Chen (pronounced "chen" 😀). Together they have crafted a perfect Monday puzzle, and only one of our cohosts found this to be slightly more daunting than usual for a Monday, for reasons entirely of his own making.
Jean's favorite clue in today's crossword? 35D, Hair knots with a French name, CHIGNONS (a debut). Mike was partial (of course) to 61A, "Biscuit" for cookie or "chips" for fries, BRITICISM. Cheerio!
Show note imagery: Strunk & White, a fabulous STYLEGUIDE, still relevant and available.
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For those of you who like mathematics and puns, Emily Sharp and Kunal Nabar have got your number, with this fine debut (for Emily) and debut-follow-up (for Kunal) crossword. The grid had a lot of great clues, including 117A, Social workspaces for some remote workers, CAFES (cute!); 109A, Like some parking and poetry, METERED (an echo of last Thursday's puzzle!); and 61D, One of the "holy trinity" ingredients in Indian cuisine, GINGER (yum!). We approve, and that's why we've given this puzzle 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
Show note imagery: Sleipnir, ODIN's horse (and of course, ODIN being ODIN, it has double the usual complement of legs)
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Today's crossword was remarkably daunting. The grid consisted of three stacks of three answers, each stack spanning the width of the crossword. Constructing this must've been a bear, but Scott McMahon pulled it off. [He also managed to work most of his last name into the grid, in 2D, Capital and second-largest city of Minorca, MAHON, a very nice touch.] Both cohosts found today's crossword to be a straightforward solve -- no verbal abysses here -- but just a real joy, and we eagerly await Scott McMahon's second NYTimes offering.
Show note imagery: Minorca, just off the coast of Spain. If you're looking for its capital and second largest city, MAHON, you'll find it on the east coast.
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This was Willa Angel Chen Miller's second Friday crossword, and like the first one, this was a beaut! Jean found it easy going, Mike ... found it ... and then found his footing (eventually). The clues were sharp (54A, Bit of a subway station wall, TILE), enlightening (39A, First capital of Alaska, SITKA); and amusing (42D, Quarter back?, EAGLE 😀). A nice bit of work, 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
In other news, we have some listener mail and a fascinating fact for Fun Fact Friday -- hint: it involves a middle-of-the-road city in a middle of the country state. All that's just waiting for you to download, subscribe, and listen up, so have at it!
Show note imagery: BEHR, the most trusted name in paints (um, according to Behr.com 😀)
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Rebecca Goldstein is a great crossword constructor. Adam Wagner is no slouch himself. Put them together and you get ... well, this crossword, a crafty puzzler with some delicious clung. We have all the deets inside, a few (possibly even useful 😀) tips for new listeners, and some awesome listener mail. Enjoy!
Show note imagery: A slab of grenadilla, a black wood found in Africa, and why, when asked, "what, do you think OBOES grow on trees?", you could legitimately answer, kinda, sorta.
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Today's crossword is by Parker Higgins, and it was a joy. We had a lot of fun -- some might argue too much, but not us! -- digging through the grid, as you'll discover when you check out today's episode.
Show note imagery: A LUTE (left) and a LYRE (right)
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This was a very entertaining Tuesday crossword by Lance Enfinger, with some thought-provoking clues such as 40A, News of an alien landing, probably, HOAX (probably??); 51A, Response in a game of Battleship, HIT (inspired clue for a ho-hum -- no offense, HIT-fans -- word); 57D, Hamm of soccer fame, MIA.
Besides the crossword, we have a tantalizing Triplet Tuesday™ segment, so for all that and more, check out today's episode.
Show note imagery: A SITSKI!
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We start off the work week with a fine debut crossword by Adam Levav -- congrats, Adam!! We particularly enjoyed this puzzle because the theme involved our favorite ENGLISH variant, MIDDLEENGLISH. Even though this was a Monday, there were a few debut answers -- 47A, Feel relief from anxiety, BREATHEEASY; 24A, High school or college seniors, usually, FOURTHYEARS; and 11D, Hangout events for two guy friends, BRODATES. We cover these, and much, much more, in today's episode.
Show note imagery: The name's Kett, ETTA Kett
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Today's crossword was by Jeffrey Martinovic, a mechanical engineering student at Western University in London, Ontario (go JW! -- yes, that's the name of their mascot, no word on whether they were trying to economize on signage when they chose it). And if Jeffrey is able to do mechanical engineering half as well as he constructs crosswords, then he's probably got a great position waiting for him upon graduation, because this is one fabulous puzzle. We have proof, inside, so have a listen, and, as always, let us know what you think!
Show note imagery: A PITCREW, working for only a few seconds at a time
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Today's crossword was a Saturday crossword, and that means tough; it was also by Ryan McCarty, which means, tough bordering on impossible. But not unfair; the clues were deliciously difficult, but -- with practice, patience, a good memory, experience, and a little bit of luck -- doable. And it's for that reason that today's crossword is the winner of our JAMCOTWA!! (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award). Kudos, Ryan!
Show note imagery: OCEANIA
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This was an excellent Friday crossword - not particularly difficult, both cohosts got through it rather expeditiously - but the clues were just fabulous. We've gone through most of them in today's episode, so check that out.
In addition, we have a Fun Fact Friday segment on Sergio Leone, so, make our day* and tell others people about us on "the socials" (aka social media).
Show note imagery: Harry Chiti, who the METS once traded for himself!!
*a Clint Eastwood reference, in case you missed it
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This was a fun and challenging Thursday crossword by David P. Williams, his sixth for the NYTimes, deftly edited by the indomitable Will Shortz. The theme was very helpful, providing a distinct tactical advantage (which we discuss in today's episode). There were scads of thought-provoking clues throughout the puzzle, like 37A, Danger in a Wile E. Coyote cartoon, TNT; 36D, At the end of the day, ALLINALL; and 26D, Leader of Germany?, SOFTG 😀 (Hint for new solvers: clues that start with "leader of" or "head of" may be a sly reference to the first letter of the word to follow).
Show note imagery: Yes, WELCHS does make grape soda
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Today's crossword, by Laura Dershewitz, was her third for the NYTimes, and it was grand. Both cohosts found it a little crunchier (i.e., tougher) than usual, Mike more so than Jean, stymied as he too often is by his arch nemeses -- pop culture references and Spanish. Jean was mainly temporarily at a loss at 64A, Papal vestment, ORALE. Both eventually got the puzzle solved, Jean reporting a decent time, Mike reporting ... a very large number.
tldr: we liked the crossword, a lot -- check out the deets in today's episode.
Show note imagery: An ARROYO, a dry creak or gulch.
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Dana Edwards has written two NYTimes crosswords, and both have been uniformly excellent. This one had an ingenious theme to it (not that his first was a slouch, but this one just had a little extra sparkle), and the clueing was particularly tricky (i.e., great!). There's simply no other way to describe 53D, Kind of place that's beside the point?, ONES (nice!); 54A, Random number generator, DIE (duh!); and 19A, Valley in which it's easy to get a cab, NAPA (brilliant!).
It's also Tuesday, time for our Triplet Tuesday segment, and Jean gives a quick demo of why, when she's in the zone and in the grid, she is, in the words of Sia, unstoppable.
Show note imagery: REO Speedwagon (the vehicle, not the band)
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Rena Cohen has concocted a fine Monday crossword for your enjoyment, one that checks all the boxes:
- Cute theme? (check!)
- Not too hard (check, check!)
- Entertaining? (check, check, check!)
In short, we won't be checking any doubts at the door, this is definitely worth 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
Show note imagery: BUSAN, South Korea
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This was an excellent Sunday crossword by Kareem Ayas, the themed clues being particularly ingenious and amusing (deets inside). But Kareem didn't ease off the gas when constructing the rest of the puzzle, there were fabulous clues throughout the grid. Have a listen, and you'll see why we were so enthralled.
Show note imagery: The 2023 DUCATI Panigale, a very fast (of course!) motorcycle
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The name Sam Ezersky strikes fear (or at least mild anxiety) in the hearts of NYTimes crossword solvers everywhere, as he is known for his devilishly difficulty clues. Today's crossword was definitely tough -- 52D, Cook's offering with chips?, IMAC 😀; and 58A, Creature whose name means "forest person", ORANGUTAN come to mind (as do most of the other clues, tbh) -- but the crosses had a little more "give" to them than one might expect. The end result was a challenging and highly entertaining crossword, which is why we are awarding it this week's JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award)! Congrats, Sam!
Show note imagery: CHLOEZHAO, the second woman to win an Oscar for best director
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This was Colin Adams' fourth NYTimes crossword in under a year, and, as we discuss in today's episode, he remains as proficient as he is prolific. Jean tore through this puzzle in no time flat, Mike tortuously clawed his way to the finish line, his usual Friday modus operandi.
For our Fun Fact Friday segment, we take a quick look at a slow-talking comedian, so do have a listen, and then let us know what you think!
Show note imagery: The Kelce boys, doing a JERSEYSWAP
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In the pantheon of comedians, Steven Wright surely deserves a column or three, and in today's crossword Robert Charlton has chosen a great quote to illustrate the point. If you are unfamiliar with Steven Wright, stop whatever you're doing right now (unless it's listening to this podcast -- wait until you're finished) to head over to your favorite streaming source (or library: don't forget your local library!) and be prepared to be entertained.
Speaking of entertaining, the entire crossword was just that, and educational as well. Who knew 62A, Flower whose name means "flame" in ancient Greek, PHLOX? (OK, Jean did). And who knew 2D, 12-time Olympic swimming medalist Ryan ___, LOCHTE? (Yes, again, Jean). But the point is, for at least one of these clues, Jean didn't know it and others might not have as well.
Show note imagery: What we have been reliably informed is vegan Longganisa, a Filipino delicacy.
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We're welcoming in 2025 in grand style, with a Wednesday crossword by Seth Bisen-Hersh (his 3rd) and Jeff Chen (his 158th!). The theme ties in nicely with an ongoing holiday, and if your reaction to that phrase was "what holiday?", then check out today's episode, where all will be revealed.
Looking for an achievable new year's resolution? Why not resolve to do more NYTimes Crosswords? Subscribing is easy, and the deets are right here.
Show note imagery: a lovely WORKBAG from Dagne Dover
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We're wrapping up 2024 and putting a bow on it, the actual present being today's crossword, a fine bit of work by Michael Lieberman, his 25th for the NYTimes, as deftly edited by -- it gives us such joy to write this -- Will Shortz (see yesterday's episode for the deets on why).
Beyond the crossword, we have a magnificent Triplet Tuesday segment, and some awesome listener mail, so check that all out, and, as usual, let us know what you think.
Show note imagery: Mauna KEA, not to be confused with Mauna LOA (but it will be!
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Today's crossword is a cause for celebration. First, it was a great crossword (no surprise there -- check out the podcast for the deets), and second, it was edited by Will Shortz, the long time editor of the NYTimes crossword who had a stroke earlier this year. But demonstrating his indomitable spirit, Will has returned to the editor's chair, for which we are grateful. [Not that Joel Fagliano wasn't doing a fabulous job -- he was -- but it's just good to see Will's name back up on the marquee.]
Show note imagery: UBE tiramisu, which looks deeeeeelish!
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Today's crossword is the last Sunday of the year, and the finale is a fine one, thanks to Harry Zheng, author of today's puzzle -- edited ably and adeptly, as always, by Joel Fagliano. Deets inside, so have a listen, and don't forget to tell your friends about us on social media!
Show note imagery: An Anteater, Armadillo and ANTELOPE, oh, my!
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We've been off almost a week, so in honor of our reboot we're starting the podcast with some musical fanfare to declare our return. And, for your edification, we are returning with an analysis of a fine NYTimes Saturday crossword -- a debut by Sam Berriman with an astonishing 10 debut answers. We also have some great listener mail, so have a listen, and, as always, let us (and others!) know what you think.
Show note imagery: The Three Gorges Dam, in China, generating HYDROPOWER
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The NYTimes has given us a splendid holiday present, today's crossword -- a chewy, themeless Sunday that you can really sink your teeth into (er, metaphorically speaking, please!).
We. have all the deets inside, plus, the moment you've all been waiting for, the big reveal of our latest Triplet Tuesday Contest winner. You know we're not going to spoil it here, so grab today's episode and have a listen.
We're going to be taking a few days off, but we'll be back hard at it next Saturday. In the meantime, keep plugging away at those crosswords and have a very, very happy holiday!
Show note imagery: MALAGA, birthplace of Picasso
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In today's episode, Jean sails through the toughest crossword of the week, and Mike crashes into the mizenmast, and is still pulling out splinters. We have all the deets inside, so you are cordially invited to download, listen up, and enjoy!
Show note imagery: TITOPUENTE, the King of Mambo
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As the week progresses, the NYTimes crosswords get tougher, and here on a Friday, things can get really sticky. Today's was about a 7-8 out of 10 on the stickiness scale, but the cluing was still entertaining. We had 15D, John, in Portuguese, JOAO (ok, now we know); 32A, The symbol of America's first transcontinental railroad, THEGOLDENSPIKE; and 46D, Member of the golden horde, TATAR. We also liked the joint appearance of 9D, Spanish 101 verb, SER, and 37D, French 101 verb, ETRE -- vive la différence!
There are a scant 2 days left to get your entry in for our Triplet Tuesday Contest. Deets here, act now, operators are standing by!
Show note imagery: DOLMA (48D, Dish whose name is Turkish for "stuffed")
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This was a slick Thursday crossword by Brandon Koppy, with some significant Golidlox cluing - not too easy, not too hard, just right -- assuming that you've been doing the crosswords for a while. If you're just starting out, the clues might be better characterized as hard, impossible, and huh? Some of the lesser known clues (to us) include 23D, 13th-century poet who wrote the "Masnavi", RUMI; 6A, Comedian Ken of "The Masked Singer" (unknown to Mike: Jean had apparently written a small monograph on the subject, based on the amount of information she was able to rattle off); and 37D, Hangs out for a while, POSTSUP (ha!).
A reminder, our Triplet Tuesday Contest is going until Sunday, so check out Tuesday's episode and then send us your scores -- one entry, per household, per day, unless you're really keen and want to send us more 😀.
Show note imagery: RUMI, famed 13th century poet, author of the Masnavi.
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The themed clues in today's crossword were so good that they might've out shone some other gems. Fortunately we always solve our crosswords while wearing shades, so we can report that these clues -- 64D, Sending help?, UPS; the delicious combo of 6D, "It's so c-c-c-old!", BRR and 7D, Refreshment served with a spoon, ICEE; and 4D, Fool, from the Yiddish, YUTZ -- were also worth the price of admission. A nice work, 5 squares for sure on the JAMCR scale.
A reminder, yesterday we featured our Triplet Tuesday Contest. Check it out right here to enter, or risk losing out (😱) on a chance to amass some magnificent NE Wisconsin swag!
Show note imagery: LAERTES, looking very concerned about something happening stage left
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Yes, the moment you have all been waiting for has finally arrived, another Triplet Tuesday Contest! Of course, for those of you who are fans of Kathy Lowden, the constructor of today's crossword, if that was the moment you were waiting for, well, your ship has come in as well -- and the great thing is that we cover both in today's episode. Yes, it's a twofer!
Tldr: We've got a great contest and we hope you enter it, deets inside. Kathy Lowden has written a very funny Tuesday crossword, and we hope you'll enjoy our take on it, deets for that also inside.
Show note imagery: Putative author of the bon-mot GOLF, "a good walk spoiled", Mark Twain
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This was a fun, frothy Monday crossword by Ailee Yoshida, her second for the NYTimes. The theme was (as always) ingenious, and, being a Monday, the grid was populated with words that we mainly know. It did have two debut answers (19A, Tidbit in a nutritious pudding: CHIASEED; 23A, Department handling media inquiries: PRESSOFFICE) and one not seen since 1984, 43D, Lip-plumping injection, FILLER. For the record, in 1984 FILLER had no connection, whatsoever, with Lips.
Show note imagery: A WRIT, writ large 😀
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This was an extraordinary Sunday crossword by David Kwong, his 24th for the NYTimes. David is a magician, fitting since there is so much magic in today's grid ... and art! In fact there is a palette of artists (and if palette's not the unit in which artists are measured it ought to be) as well, all part of a very, very clever theme. Deets inside!
A reminder that our next Triplet Tuesday Contest is coming up this Tuesday, and you might be our next winner. All you need to do to participate is listen to Tuesday's podcast and follow three simple steps:
1. Play the game, counting how many clues you need to get each answer
2. Add the numbers up that you got in step 1
3. Email that number to us
If your number is the smallest we receive, you'll be our winner! Fame, fortune, and some lovely NE Wisconsin swag will be yours, all yours 😀
Show note imagery: Prades, the village, by Joan MIRO
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This was a remarkable NYTimes crossword, first because it was a debut Saturday crossword for Owen Bergstein (not too many cruciverbalists debut on a Saturday), and second, because Owen is a high school junior! Talk about starting young! The crossword itself is great, and we have all the deets inside, as well as our JAMCOTWA winner, some listener mail, and a reminder about our upcoming Triplet Tuesday Contest (this Tuesday, mark your calendars).
Show note imagery: CEREBRO, a MARVELous invention 😀
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Our cohosts had slightly different experiences solving today's crossword ... Jean found it to be a tricky but straightforward Friday, Mike found solving it more akin to climbing the Hoover Dam one-handed: doable, but only with a lot of patience (and possibly a temporary repeal of the law of gravity). Deets inside, as well as a fine Fun Fact for Fun Fact Friday™️ (and the promise of a future bit of listener mail).
Show note imagery: a photo by Dorothea LANGE (pronunciation TBD), documenter of the Great Depression.
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This was a fine Thursday crossword by Daniel Bodily, including a slick theme, smartly implemented. There were some great clues, including 42A, It makes Max profits, HBO 😀 ; 24D, Plant used in xeriscaping because of its tolerance to drought, AGAVE (we just love the word xeriscaping 😀); the delicious 57A, Low-key place for gnocchi, TRATTORIA (which is much more amusing if you know how to pronounce gnocchi!); and our favorite, 31D, Word after one fell, SWOOP (😀 😀). All in all an excellent mid-week crossword, pegging the meter at 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
Show note imagery: A TRATTORIA, where they sell gnocchi
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This was a fabulous Wednesday crossword, a collaboration between Kathy Bloomer and the prolific Jeff Chen, that includes a theme that is clever, complex, and some other word that starts with the letter c but isn't cozy ... er, we'll get back to you on that 😀
Beyond the aforementioned clever, complex and not cozy theme clues, we had some other fine gems in the grid, and to learn all about them, just download and check out today's podcast.
Show note imagery: Some typical NE Wisconsinites? Nope, these are some characters -- we have been reliably informed -- who inhabit the realm of FORTNITE
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This was a quintessential NYTimes crossword, featuring an arty theme with a twist, and a SWARM of supporting clues guaranteed to bring a smile to your face, including 51D, Give a take, OPINE; 6D, Likely aftermath of a toddler's playtime, MESS; and 50D, "No can do, lassie", NAE. Brilliant, the lot of them!
Speaking of lot, we're going to be having another Triplet Tuesday contest next week, and there will be a lot of prizes just there for the taking (well, you have to win the contest first, a mere formality). Deets coming up, so stay tuned!
Show note imagery: Open Book, by Paul KLEE
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Another Monday, another debut crossword constructor! This was from Elliot Caroll, and both cohosts found her work to be a bit crunchier than usual for a Monday, as evidenced by their longer-than-average solve times and higher HSPMs (Head Scratches Per Minute) than usual. We aren't complaining, though, we wouldn't think of ONBLASTing this fine work.
Show note imagery: A startlingly red ALABAMASLAMMER.
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The numbers are extraordinary, and speak for themselves: this is John Kugelman's 8th NYTimes crossword, his 7th Sunday oeuvre, and he's been cranking them out at the rate of approximately 1 per month. So, in honor of all that, we present the following clue for your consideration: 3D, Indefatigable (12 letters), JOHNKUGELMAN.
The crossword itself was a blast, even though one of our cohosts got horribly natticked in a location in the grid that we will eschew mentioning here -- but rest assured, we've got covered in today's episode. Enjoy!
Show note imagery: Ryan LOCHTE, a swimmer with 12 olympic medals (well, ok, not to be pedantic, but it's actually 6: he won 12, but has since auctioned off 6 of them).
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The first thing that grabs your attention when looking at today's crossword is the grid - a pinwheel built on a few black squares, but mainly impressively tall stacks of answers. In a switch from the usual state of affairs, Jean found this crossword to be a tad on the daunting side, Mike not quite so much. Both agreed that it was an excellent crossword, a great way to end our crossword-solving week.
We also have picked our JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award) for this week, so check out today's episode to see if your favorite got the gold!
Show note imagery: Noted conductor Zubin MEHTA, in his element
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Robin Weintraub is legendary for her joyous crosswords, and today's puzzle is a perfect example: there are LOL clues everywhere you look, and we looked everywhere! Deets inside, as well as listener mail, and a fabulous fun fact for Fun Fact Friday™️.
Show note imagery: Oh, the irony, a Shindig! DVD!
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This was a fun Thursday crossword by Garett Chalfin, his ninth for the NYTimes. The theme was whimsical, the clues were cunning, and the end result was a superb addition to the NYTimes pantheon. Or, to put it another way, TLDR: 5 squares on the JAMCR scale!
Show note imagery: A poster for La Forza Del Destino, by Verdi
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There was an orchestra pit-full of musicians in today's crossword, including 66A, One-named singer featured on the 2013 hit "Play Hard": NEYO, 35D, "___ California" (Grammy-winning Red Hot Chili Peppers hit), DANI; 56A, /, ROCKGUITARIST; and 47A, Experimental musician whose name sounds like a cry, ONO. However, the real theme was a joyous celebration of puns and punctuation.
TLDR: Today's crossword was great, have a listen!
Show note imagery: NEYO, occasional AKON collaborator
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Today's grid was stuffed with assorted edibles, so listeners are cautioned to not attempt today's crossword on an empty stomach. And while none of the clues were particularly "crunchy" (crossword lingo for particularly difficult clues/crosswords), some of them were quite delicious, including 37D, Animal that is unable to fly with its ears, regrettably, ELEPHANT; the magnificent 44D, Way of getting online that might sound like "beep beep beeHAW beeHAW beeeeeep SHRHRHRHRH", DIALUP; and the curious 3D, Hammer's home, TOOLROOM.
Apart from the crossword, we have our world-famous (?) Triplet Tuesday segment, so feel free to asynchronously join in the festivities.
Show note imagery: Andrea Gritti, DOGE of Venice, 1523-1538
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There was indeed a theme in today's crossword, but it was sufficiently subtle that one of our cohosts missed it completely until it was brought to their attention by the other cohost. For those of you on the edge of your seats wondering which cohost missed the theme, have a listen to today's episode, where all will become clear.
Show note imagery: Miss La La, at the Cirque Fernando, a painting by Edgar DEGAS. And, yes, she really is hanging by her teeth, in the pre dental-titanium era.
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This was a perfect storm of a crossword, with an absolutely awesome theme, a boatload of ingenious clues, and ... wait for it ... Nope! We're not going to spoil things here in the show notes. Check out the crossword if you haven't done so already (ideally online, specifically on the NYTimes site), and be prepared to be amazed.
Show note imagery: Alphonzo D'Abruzzo, aka Alan ALDA
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This was a fabulous debut by Oliver Goodridge and Juan Garavito. With sparkling clueing everywhere in the grid, they've provided a real master class in how to make a tough, fair and epic Saturday NYTimes puzzle.
It's also Saturday, and time for our JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award™). It was an exceedingly tough choice, as you'll hear in today's episode.
Show note imagery: The hilt (aka HAFT) of a knife,. along with other parts.
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Like glaciers in the spring, this crossword solve started off slowly, as the grid provided very few footholds in the top-left and top-right. Gradually, though, it yielded its delightful secrets, making for a very satisfying Friday challenge. Definitely worth 5 squares on the JAMCR scale, for reasons that are outlined in, of course, today's podcast. Enjoy!
Show note imagery: An OTTOMON, not to be confused with a settee (although Mike will do so anyway 😏)
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Today's PSA, don't attempt this crossword while in a FOODCOMA, it won't end well -- you'll need all your wits about you so that you can savor the puzzle, especially that delicious AHA! moment stuffed (and, no, we are not talking metaphorically) into today's grid. We'd say more, but we don't want to ruin your fun, so tuck in and enjoy!
Show note imagery: Time to dig into today's topic, HUMUS
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English is a ravenous language, devouring words from other languages and claiming them as their own. Such is the case with one of our favorite entries in today's puzzle -- 66A, Clever person, BELESPRIT (two words, to be accurate, BEL ESPRIT). This came from the French, English laid claim to it, and, alas, promptly forgot about it, it is now considered archaic. We love it anyway, as well as all the other clues, to say nothing of the splendid theme, found in today's puzzle.
Deets inside, so download, and feast upon today's episode.
Show note imagery: All the Light We Cannot See, a pulitzer winning novel by Andrew DOERR.
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This was an excellent debut crossword by Killian Olson. He has had a total of 2 crosswords published, his first in the Michigan Daily, and his second in what we perceive to be a slightly more demanding venue, the NYTimes. We have all the deets inside, as well as another of our famed Triplet Tuesday™ segments -- Mike is in the hot seat tonight -- so we would be most thankful if you checked out today's episode, and then told your 500 best friends about us on social media 😀
Show note imagery: A group definitely suffering from postprandial somnolence (aka FOODCOMA)
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Today's crossword is Dena R. Witkes' debut, and we like it! The difficulty was spot on, the theme was light and frothy, like good Monday themes ought to be, and the rest of the clues were just right to entice would-be solvers to, well, start solving. Five squares on the JAMCR scale, absolutely!
Show note imagery: Joseph Campbell, originator of the phrase FOLLOWYOURBLISS.
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This was an ambitious crossword that took the author, Alex Eaton-Salners, many years to get into its final form. It was worth the wait, though, with a dazzling theme and some terrific supporting clues. We therefore present, for your consideration, 77D, Moon over Miami, for many a Miamian, LUNA (nice one!); 58A, Like Hadrian's Wall in Northern England, ROMAN (unusual behavior, for a wall 😏); and 90A, Guitar's resting place, often, KNEE (well, now that you mention it ...)
Kudos to A E-S for a job well done, we hereby bestow upon this crossword an enthusiastic 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
Show note imagery: ZAPF Dingbats, in all its dingbatty-glory
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There were many fine clues in today's grid, courtesy of Ryan McCarty. We'd be hard pressed to limit ourselves to 3, but we're going to give it the ol' college try:
- 33A, Stories that can be read both backward and forward, SAGAS 😀
- 35A, Makes some calls, REF 🙄
- 31D, Zeus, Odin or the Dagda, PAGANGOD 🧐
- 30D, Middling in rank, informally, BTIER (so much for the ol' college try!)
Beyond today's crossword, we've awarded our JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award), so check out today's episode for that and much, much more.
Show note imagery: The North ARAL Sea, which only came into being in 1987-1988 (!)
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Today's crossword was, to borrow an answer from earlier in the week, absolutely fabulous, with an ocean of great clues. [A small ocean, to be sure: the grid was its normal 15x15 size, but somehow "large pond of great clues" doesn't have quite the stirring effect we are aiming for, so we are sticking with ocean.] For example, we have the terrific 5D, Toon whose last name is Nahasapeemapetilon, APU; the all too true 54A, Like the topic of politics in a job interview, TABOO; and the fascinating 13D, Youngest artist to debut at # 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, OLIVIARODRIGO. There are definitely more, so for all the deets, as well as a Fine Fun Fact Friday segment, download and listen up to today's episode.
Show note imagery: OLIVIARODRIGO, in concert
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Today's crossword was (1A) ABFAB, definitely one of our (3D) FAVES this week, with such a sparkling grid that we had to wear shades and set the app to dark mode in order to work on it. We were dazzled by clues like 42A, One hanging out in the cold, ICICLE (a clue that just warms our hearts!); 22A, "Bam!", KAPOW (Boom!); and 35A, On ice longer than normal, say?, INOT (a clue that did not leave us cold). In short, a crossword definitely worth 5 squares on the JAMCR scale, and certainly a contenda' for this week's JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award).
Show note imagery: AQABA, Jordan's only coastal city
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Writing spoiler-free show notes can be tricky, but we're willing to give it a shot for our listeners. In today's crossword, we see that the author has made clever use of ◼️◼️◼️◼️◼️◼️◼️, which is surprising, because we normally only see those on ◼️◼️◼️◼️◼️◼️◼️◼️ or ◼️◼️◼️◼️◼️◼️! However we are glad to see them, they definitely add a bit of zest to the grid. Intrigued? Want to know what's behind all those ◼️'s? Download today's episode to find out!
Show note imagery: The original CRAYOLACRAYON!
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When you see the name Erik Agard in the byline, you know you're in for a good time, and the sage does not disappoint in his latest oeuvre, i.e., today's crossword, thanks to great clues like 51D, Supervocalic (we checked: it is a word) to 49D, Half a rhyming synonym of "haphazard", HELTER (😀); to the double cluing of 18A, and 35D, Head over heels, GAGA and INLOVE, respectively. We are INLOVE with this crossword, five squares on the JAMCR scale.
In other news, it's Triplet Tuesday, and Jean takes on some ferocious clues without missing a beat. How does she do it? Download to find out ...
Show note imagery: OCTAVIA Butler, sci-fi author
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A recent JAMCOTWA winner, Rajeswari Rajamani is back with her second NYTimes crossword, and we are pleased to report that it's a delight, with a subtle and engaging theme, and some sparkling grid fill (which is hard to pull off, especially on a Monday). Kudos, we now eagerly await the arrival of crossword # 3!
Show note imagery: ELCAPITAN
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After yesterday's epic struggle, today's crossword was a refreshing change of pace, with an uplifting theme (literally!), and great clues. The authors were Rebecca Goldstein and Ariela Perlman, the latter making her debut appearance in the NYTimes. Deets inside, so have a listen, and remember that feedback is always welcome.
Just a reminder that it has been scientifically proven that solving crosswords can keep those little gray cells in top-notch condition, and a subscription to the NYTimes crossword is as cheap as borscht, as they say (we're not entirely sure who "they" are, nor, tbh, what borscht is currently going for) ... the point is, the NYTimes is a great bargain, so check it out -- nytimes.com/crosswords, where you're bound to find a large and welcoming subscription button, definitely worth clicking.
Show note imagery: A man who needs no introduction ...
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When it comes to tough crosswords, there are Saturdays, and there are Saturdays. Today's puzzle was most definitely one of the latter, with nearly impossible clues almost everywhere you look in the grid, trivia that if you're fortunate enough to know will make the crossword a breeze, if not, well, good luck! This was a quality crossword, though, make no mistake about it. How else can you describe a puzzle with clues such as 34A, Does a job for a summer?, ADDS (woah!); and 45D, Antepenultimate word in a noted Neil Armstrong quip, LEAP (cute, especially the nod to antepenultimate, which popped up earlier this week).
Show note imagery: OPAL Lee, the grandmother of Juneteenth.
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This was a very pleasant Friday crossword by Alina Abidi -- her fourth for the NYTimes. Like almost all Friday's, no theme was involved, but there were some Friday-worthy clues, including a mathematically-oriented debut, 24D, Unchanged when multiplied by itself, from the Latin for "same" and "power" , IDEMPOTENT; the very French 41D, Un canard ou un émeu, OISEAU (mais oui!); and the delightfully deceptive 27D, One mailing it in?, EARLYVOTER.
Show note imagery: The CARLSAGAN Institute, still going strong!
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Though hard to believe, this is Matthew Faiella's debut NYTimes crossword, and it has a lot to commend it - most notably a fabulous theme, fabulously executed. Deets inside, so check it out -- and when it comes to comments, don't hold back -- drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com, or click on the Send Fan Mail link in the show notes.
Show note imagery: The TORSO of Adele (no, not that Adele 😀)
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Our cohosts definitely had divergent solving experiences while tackling today's crossword. Jean tore through it, Mike almost tore his hair out trying to tear through it. But there were no tears at the end, just happy music, so AWTEW, as they say. (Editor's note: in fact almost nobody says AWTEW, short for All's Well That Ends Well, but we salute you for trying to invent YMATNN (Yet More Acroynyms That Nobody Needs) 😀 😀
Show note imagery: The name's NEESON, Liam NEESON - with two, count'em two, Ns.
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This was a fine Tuesday crossword by the brother and sister team of Avery Gee Katz and Aaron Gee. The theme was droll, and, apart from a minor spot of bother with 66A, Burrowing rodent, MOLE (not VOLE), it was a smooth solve. We approve, and by the power vested in us by whoever's in charge in NE Wisconsin, do bestow upon this crossword the ranking of 5 squares, as measured on the JAMCR scale.
Show note imagery: Father KNICKERBOCKER, who was, in some sense, the grandfather of the New York Knicks.
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Today's puzzle was relatively straightforward - being a Monday, we would be surprised if it were otherwise - with a wry theme, and a supporting cast of fun clues. Our favorites were 48A, Raps off the cuff, FREESTYLES; 5D, Visual accompaniment to a musical release, ALBUMART (are physical albums still a thing??); and the particularly fine 41A, The second O of O-O-O, TAC (nice!).
Besides the crossword, we have a spot of listener mail expounding on the meaning of ANTEPENULTIMATE, so to enjoy all that goodness, tap subscribe (if you haven't already), followed by download, then play, ideally in that order, so that you can enjoy what may be one of the finest podcasts about the NYTimes Crossword to come out of northeast Wisconsin.
Show note imagery: IKEA, it's aMAZEing
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This was Sam Ezersky's 57th NYTimes crossword, so while we feel that a reference to Heinz would've been in order (as in Heinz 57 Sauce), even without there was a lot of spice in the grid. There were educational clues: 16D, Length of William Henry Harrison's presidency, ONEMONTH; the astonishing 110D, Nickname for Francisco, PACO (surely a gimme for the bay area folk around San PACO); and the delightful 95A, Hardy follower, HAR (HAR, HAR, HAR 😀).
In short, a wonderful Sunday diversion, we give it a full 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
Show note imagery: Park City, Utah, populated mainly by UTAHNS
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There's only one time when we enjoy riding a STRUGGLEBUS, and that's when we're working on a tough Saturday crossword, like this one -- which, coincidentally, happened to feature an actual STRUGGLEBUS in the grid. Now long time solvers and listeners know, through experience, that clues become more cryptic, and answers longer, over the course of the week, from Monday to Saturday. To quantify this, however, someone has made a splendid visualization plotting word length versus day of the week, for the years 1994-2017 -- check it out right here.
Show note imagery: All aboard the STRUGGLEBUS
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Evans Clinchy's bio pic in xwordinfo.com shows him chowing down on a burrito, and that may or may not have any connection with the presence of both CHEESECAKE and TRESLECHES in the grid. What we do know for certain is that Evans has crafted a challenging but fair Friday crossword, just the kind we like! Indeed, the grid just sparkles, with clues such as 4D, Doofuses, TOMFOOLS (definitely fun to say); 10D, Beyond clean, STERILE (can't argue with that!); 49D, It comes down hard, HAIL (makes more sense than Mike's initial guess, RAIN).
We also have a fine Fun Fact Friday™ segment, so to get to all of this goodness, just hit the ol' download button, followed by (it's important to get the order right!) the ol' play button, and then brace yourself for an avalanche of mirth™
Show note imagery: TRESLECHES, the only dessert that causes weight gain just by looking at it!
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Joe Deeney can definitely BEPROUD of this crossword, as it is, in a word, SUHWEET! While the grid does contain a standing-ovation-worthy hairpiece pun, it is still the theme that rules SUPREME. Deets inside!
Show note imagery: An EGRET, with a look that says, don't even think about making a pun about my name!
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Today's crossword was fabulous -- that's the LONGANDSHORTOFIT! A deftly constructed theme and delightlful clues (43A, Snack brand from the Spanish word for "fried", FRITOS; 8D, Hip hop's Madvillian or Mob Deep, DUO; and 69A, Second smallest of seven, EUROPE) make for a great mid-week solve. Deets inside!
Show note imagery: A MEADOWLARK, who, fortunately, looks very good in yellow
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A fine Tuesday crossword by Evan Kalish, and as this is his 22nd NYTimes crossword, it would be fair to say that he is on a roll. It would also be hilarious to say that he is on a roll, but to find out why that is the case, you'll want to download today's episode, which also includes Jean in an epic Triplet Tuesday™️ segment.
Show note imagery: The crossword, like the depicted outfit, was truly INSPO
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A clever Monday crossword by Colin Adams, that may (or may not) have been tricker than the usual Monday. Listeners, what say ye? Did you find this puzzle particularly easy, hard, or just your typical Monday? Let us know, either by clicking on the Fan Mail button or dropping us a line!
Show note imagery: HORUS, a Falcon-headed Egyptian god.
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Sid Sivakumar, known for his exceedingly crunchy Saturday crosswords, goes easy on us (relatively speaking) in this fun Sunday outing. There are oodles of delightful clues, including 29A, Who has successfully juggled 15 balls simultaneously, NOONE (nice!); 103A, Name that sounds like its first two letters reversed, ELLY (oho!); and the magnificent 118A, Tower in a port, TUG (just brilliant!). The theme's a pretty piece of work too, and to hear more about that -- as well as a selection of other great, great clues -- download today's episode and take a listen.
Show note imagery: Johannes GUTENBERG, whose invention of movable type moved the world
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Blake Slonecker, the virtuoso of late-in-the-week-really-really-tough-crosswords, has demonstrated why he has earned that monicker in today's puzzle, filled with some treacherously clever clues and just a slight scattering of "gimmes", although even the gimmes were more like "probably's". Deets inside, as well as the surprising winner of this week's JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award), as well as some fabulous listener mail. Enjoy!
Show note imagery: Andrés Segovia, winner of a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award for CLASSICALGUITAR,
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A nice Friday crossword by Spencer Leach, both co-hosts found it easier than Thursday's -- a tad unusual, but definitely not unheard of. Today's clues, however, were magnificent, a bevy of LOLers absolutely guaranteed to put a smile on your face or your money cheerfully refunded (eh, we might have to check on that last bit).
Beyond the crossword, we have a very apropos Fun Fact Friday segment, as well as some great listener mail -- so have at it, enjoy, and, as usual, let us know what you think.
Show note imagery: Some traditionally, and very colorfully dressed MAASAI.
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This was a scary crossword, because of the theme, or, to be precise, just how difficult it was to figure out the theme (and many of the other clues besides). it was rated as a Thursday crossword, which generally means that it will be on the tough side, but when Sarah Sinclair and Paolo Pasco are the authors, that really should be uber-tough side. Uber-tough but fun, for reasons that we expand upon in today's podcast.
Show note imagery: Tinker to EVERS to Chance, an awesome double-play
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We present for your edification a very nice Halloween-ish themed crossword to get us mentally prepared for the big day tomorrow! We weren't scared, though, as we were in the capable hands of John M. Kauffman, adeptly supervised by Joel Fagliano. Deets within, so have a listen, and let us know what you think!
Show note imagery: Any Given Sunday, a 1999 Oliver Stone flick with a small armada of famous actors.
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The answers to today's themed clues are so much fun to say that you may find yourself reciting them to strangers, which is a great way to break the ice at parties, just ignore any strange looks / raised eyebrows 😀
To find out what those answers are, we cordially invite you to check out today's episode. Also be sure and listen to our Triplet Tuesday segment, this time co-host Mike is in the hotseat.
Show note imagery: We tried to find a noodle dog, alas, all we could find were doodle dogs ... but they are cute!
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There was a lot of water in today's grid - in 4D, Obstacle for a would-be castle attacker, MOAT; 35D, Beverage with a Big Mac, perhaps, LARGECOKE; and in it's purest state, 46D, Bottled water brand, DASANI. Yet in spite of all that,this puzzle was far from wet, in fact, just the opposite: a stellar Monday with multiple LOL clues, a great way to start out the work week. Also, we have a terrific bit of listener mail, so for all that, and more(!), download, listen up, and ... enjoy.
Show note imagery: the state seal of Maine (which Mike insists does have a whale, but it's under water so you can't see it 😀)
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Jeffrey Martinovic and Jeff Chen -- who as far as we know do not call themselves the two Jeffs -- have put together a moonificent Sunday crossword that will put you, well, over the moon. And if all these lunar references have not yet cued you into today's theme, fear not -- we have moony things to say on the subject (and we promise the episode itself is pretty much pun-free).
Show note imagery: ELLEN Johnson Sirleaf, Liberia, and indeed Africa's, first elected female head of state, as well as the 2011 winner of the Nobel Peace Prize.
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This is, incredibly, Peter A. Collins' 120th NYTimes crossword. His sweet spot seems to be Wednesdays, but he has published (unsurprisingly, with 120 puzzles in the archives) every day of the week, this is his 8th Saturday. It would not be too much of a spoiler to say that we loved it, but for the deets check out today's podcast to see why.
Also, it's Saturday, and for our JAMCOTWA™️ (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award), we picked ... nope, again, we run a tight ship here at JAMDTNYTC HQ, so we'll let you discover our pick when you download today's episode.
Show note imagery: The lady herself, Big MAMA Thornton
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This was a debut crossword by Alex Murphy, and a fine debut it was - with a large-ish number of challenging clues, exactly what you'd expect and hope for in a Friday NYTimes puzzle. Beyond those covered in today's puzzle, we would like to give a shoutout to 16A, Cello parts are written in it, BASSCLEF (not, as we first suspected, CRAYONS); 9D, Indy label, STP (ah, that Indy); and 8D, Flake, BAIL (ok, where's the OED when we need it ...).
Also in today's episode, it's Fun Fact Friday™️, and we have a tasty treat just for you.
Show note imagery: A crepe maker's secret helper
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A fun Thursday crossword by Ella Dershowitz, with a theme that will grow on you (or, since it involves NE, perhaps we should say glow on you🙄😀). All puns aside, this was a great crossword that has led us to bestow on Ella the title of GGOAT -- Greatest Genius Of All Time.
Show note imagery: Staying in shape doing TOETAPS
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This was a lovely Wednesday crossword by veteran cruiciverbalists Matthew Stock and Brooke Husic, with a theme guaranteed to warm the cockles of academics everywhere, and inspire everybody else to Google "cockles" 😀. Deets inside.
Show note imagery: Nothing runs like a DEERE
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This is Barbara Lin's 14th NYTimes crossword since 2020, and to see why she keeps getting them published, just take a look at today's puzzle. We did, and are glad of it. Deets inside, as well as Jean's epic struggle to win at Triplet Tuesday™, so have a listen, and let us know what you think!
Show note imagery: A RUBE Goldberg contraption
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This was a straightforward crossword, as Monday's are wont to be, although one of our number had several mistakes that they had to ferret out before getting to the happy music. In the interests of heightening suspense, we will not tell you which one of our cohosts was involved, nor where their mistakes lay: but instead refer you to today's podcast for all the deets.
Show note imagery: ELMERSGLUE, inspiring kids to attempt to walk on ceilings since 1947.
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EGAD this was a fine crossword, it deserves some sort of AWARD for its EPIC themed clues and answers. There was NOTABIT of crosswordese in the grid, just ALOT of great cruciverbial magic. In short, we are ALLIN when it comes to this, the fourth NYTimes crossword by Jerry Miccolis.
Show note imagery: Just one of many reasons to visit Los Cabos, Mexico, aka CABO
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Today's crossword was filled with amusing and tricky clues, like 46D, "Charms strike the sight, but _______ wins the soul": Alexander Pope, MERIT; and a nice combo, 7D, Branching point, NODE, and 8D, Branching point?, TREE (ha!). But these are just a few of the stellar clues in today's crossword, even better ones lie within, so download today's podcast for even more enlightenment. And -- bonus! -- in that same download you will be able to discover who won our latest JAMCOTWA™ (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award).
Show note imagery: NUUK, Greenland's capital
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This is Jesse Cohn's second NYTimes crossword, and it is an absolute delight. You'll be giving so many standing ovations for his fabulous cluing that you'll probably close your rings before you solve the crossword, it's that good. Want proof? Download today's podcast and allow us to make our case.
Show note imagery: Something about this image is incorrect ... and to find out what that is, check out today's Fun Fact Friday segment.
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August Lee-Kovach has made a fine Thursday crossword for our edification. The theme would've been an easy sell to editors, since it was all about ... editing! Other fine clues (not mentioned in the podcast) include 2D, What is to be done?, AGENDA (of course!); 5D, What Alexander Graham Bell suggested as the standard telephone-answering greeting, AHOY (awesome!!); and like this crossword, 35D, Absolutely amazing, TODIEFOR.
Show note imagery: John NANCE Garner (who, if Time magazine is to be believed, went by the nickname of Throttlebottom 😀 😀 )
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The title of today's episode is a very subtle hint to today's theme, a nice bit of work by Hanh Huynh, his third NYTimes crossword in a year. Beyond those clues covered in the podcast, we'd also like to laud 42D, "Alrighty, then. As I was saying ...", ANYHOO, and 58D, The appearance of a butterfly in a home, for some, OMEN (hopefully a good one!). Good stuff all around, this crossword was definitely worth at least 4.5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
Show note imagery: Some very hoppy, er, happy, ROOS!
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Today's crossword, a debut by Lindsay Rosenblum, did not feel like a debut at all, more like a major work by a seasoned constructor. Beyond those clues mentioned in the podcast, we'd also like to point out 52D, Medieval tales of daring adventure, GESTS (and no, we would not jest about GESTS 😉); 43D, Bond film between "Skyfall" and "No Time to Die", SPECTRE (spelled the way SPECTRE should be spelled); and the double threat of the same clue for both 54A and 57D, Expectant parent's selection, NAME and CRIB, respectively.
Show note imagery: Groucho Marx, one of the best INSULTCOMICs
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Just when you thought it was surely impossible for anyone, anywhere, to come up with a new theme, someone, somewhere, does. And that someone is Dana Edwards, the somewhere is here, today, and the results are delectable. Deets inside, so have a listen, and please tell others about us on social media.
Show note imagery: One of just 4 people to have scored a QUADRUPLEDOUBLE, the incredibly talented Nate Thurmond
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We're starting these show notes with a pun (see title, above, if you dare), to get you in the proper state of mind for today's crossword. You'll see what we mean when you tackle said crossword, or check it out (as you always can) at xwordinfo.com: puns here, puns there, puns everywhere. Well, not quite everywhere, but definitely in the themed answers. Deets and amusing banter within, so we invite you to download, listen up, and ... enjoy!
Show note imagery: It's the MARC (Maryland Area Regional Commuter), all aboard!
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At the NYTimes, the Saturday crosswords are traditionally the toughest of the week, and today's, a debut (!) by Katie Hoody, is certainly in that vein. Although difficult, the clues were awesome, making that wondrous AHA! moment that comes when you solve one just that much sweeter.
For example, we had the magnificent 8D, Took in a bad way, POACHED (woah!); 56D, Lead follower: Abbr, DET (definitely a Saturday level clue); and the subtle 48A, Good point, PRO. Those are just a few of the many, many great clues in the puzzle.
It is also Saturday, time for our JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award™), and today's winner goes to ... somebody: check out today's episode for their name, our rationale, and all the other particulars.
Show note imagery: the GETTY Center, home to the GETTY museum
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There was a lot of sparkle in today's crossword - the 10th for the NYTimes by Billy Bratton. We were impressed by the inclusion of 22A, Online provocateur, in slang, EDGELORD (it felt like a debut, and it was); 13D, Prepares for a bomb, GOESDEEP (brilliant!); and we especially appreciated the clue in 23D, Lugubrious, GLUM.
In related news, we have a delicious Fun Fact Friday segment, so check it out, and then let us know what you think: crosswordpodcast@icloud.com
Show note imagery: BOCK beer, the favorite of quarterbocks everywhere 🙄
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A nice bit of cruciverbial magic by Grant Boroughs, his third NYTimes publication. There were many excellent clues lurking about in the grid, including 8D, Confidently struts, SASHAYS (just a day after SWAGGERS swaggered its way into a puzzle); 57A, Ungulate feature, HOOF (we just like the opportunity to say/think/write the word Ungulate); 13D, Legislative collectives, BODIES (of course ... in retrospect!); and possibly our favorite, 46D, Stee-RIKE three follower, YEROUT.
Show note imagery: A virtuoso of W/DRYHUMOR, Steven Wright
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Today's crossword was brilliant, and that's not just because of the cracklingly good theme that Jeffrey Lease has penned, but it certainly is a major reason why. We found the top-left particularly crunchy (i.e., tough), but eventually all the grid yielded its secrets, including 16A, Dwarf planet with the largest mass, ERIS (not, as Mike was convinced for about 45 minutes, and Jean for 30-45 seconds, EROS😍)
Show note imagery: The AEGEAN, definitely worth a visit
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This crossword - the second for the NYTimes by Justin Werfel - was everything that you would expect of a Tuesday NYTimes crossword - fun, educational, and, as befitting its position in the week, not too difficult. It did have its moments, however: 51D, End of a sonnet, often, SESTET; 46D, "Little Shop of Horrors" lyricist Howard, ASHMAN; and 52A, Name of Athena's shield, AEGIS, were particularly notable.
It is Tuesday, time for Triplet Tuesday, and in today's episode Jean shows what she's made of, and we're not just talking about oxygen, hydrogen, carbon and nitrogen (although according to her physician she is also composed of those).
Show note imagery: Athena's shield, AEGIS
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Today's crossword has a terrific theme, but the supporting cast of clues was also impressive, with gems all over the grid. For instance, 9D, Good "Wheel of Fortune" buy for TOO COOL FOR SCHOOL, ANO (absolutely brilliant!); 51D, "No playing" signs, RESTS (very nice); 87D, Thick plank of a ship, WALE (ok, now we know).
Can there be any doubt that this is worth a full 5 squares on the JAMCR scale? No, there cannot be. Bravo, John Kugelman, and we eagerly await your next NYTimes masterpiece.
Show note imagery: Some AURORAE
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This was one of our favorite Saturday crosswords this year - tough but fair, with cheery clues to educate and delight. We've covered most of them in today's podcast, but even the ones that were left on the cutting-room floor were good: 35D, Chest bump?, PEC, and 48D, Whirl, so to speak, TRY. For all these reasons this opus, by Natan Last, has won a highly sought after JAMCOTWA -- Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award.
Show note imagery: MARSEILLE, the oldest city in France
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An elegant Friday crossword by Zhouqin Burnikel, her 80th for the NYTimes(!). Jean hit a few snags in the bottom right, whereas Mike spun his wheels in the central and upper right regions, before finally getting traction. A fun time was (eventually) had by all, and we have the deets inside, as well as a fine Fun Fact Friday segment (if we do say so ourselves, ... which we do!)
Show note imagery: POORI, Indian fried bread (finally, an Indian bread that is neither NAAN nor ROTI), and a debut answer, thanks to Zhouqin.
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This is a fine debut crossword by Rena Cohen, with an aptly large number of debut entries to accompany a clever but initially cryptic theme. It involved a rebus, but evolved into the rather important question of where should that rebus go? We have the deets inside, so we cordially invite you to check out today's episode.
As a reminder, as you are listening to today's podcast, it always helps to have a completed version of the crossword close at hand so you can follow the conversation. If you have not completed the crossword, and do not plan to do so, just click on the first link in the show notes. That will take you to xwordinfo.com, where you can find a completed version of said crossword.
Show note imagery: The M-5 multitronic computer system, with its creator (seated) and the Star Trek crew, including Mr. SPOCK (standing, center).
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A perfect midweek crossword by Luke K. Schreiber that has echos of yesterday's puzzle. You will recall (or if not, check out our podcast), that yesterday we had a slew of cryptids that couldn't quite be seen clearly. Today we have 13 animals that are, essentially, in hiding; and that entertaining similarity is due, no doubt, to the NYTimes Crossword editor (and person who we hope can be buttered up enough to show up for an interview with us), Joel Fagliano.
Show note imagery: A TEASEL
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Kevin Curry and Jeff Chen have teamed up to create a fun Tuesday crossword, based on an ingenious attempt to merge myth and mystery. We won't say any more about it here (as October is No Spoiler Month), but we have plenty to say about it in today's podcast, so do have a listen.
Beyond our dissection of today's puzzle, we are also delighted to announce the winners of our latest Triplet Tuesday Contest, and ... it was a tie! Congrats to our winners, as well as all who participated: you'll get another chance to snag our piñata of prizes before the end of the year.
Show note imagery: The magnificent WASHU (aka Washington University in St. Louis)
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Today's crossword, by Alexander Liebeskind, does what all good Monday crosswords should do: offer entertaining clues and not crush the spirit of crossword solvers just getting their feet wet. Our favorite entry? 39D, Loud and unhappy sports fans, in slang, BOOBIRDS, although we were also quite taken by 6D, Empire whose capital city was Tenochtitlán: AZTEC.
Show note imagery: Tenochtitlán, in all its ancient glory
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Joe Deeney has gotten accolades for writing terrific crosswords, and today's puzzle, we are pleased to report, continues the streak. The theme is ingenious, there are lots of gems everywhere you look in the grid, all-in-all a nice bit of work. Deets inside, as well as a return of our "Oh, That's How You Pronounce It" segment, -- which, astonishingly, may provoke the need for another OTHYPI in the near future!
Show note imagery: A CATCAFE!
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You know when a grid has words like HORCHATA and AORTAE lurking inside that the puzzle is going to be tough, and that is most definitely the case today, in this epic Saturday crossword by Margaret Seikel, her 9th for the NYTimes, and her first Saturday entry. Jean got through it much faster than Mike, but both were able to persevere and had a grand time, as today's podcast makes abundantly clear.
It's Saturday, and we've picked our JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award), which this week goes to ... nope, no peaking, check out the podcast to get the 411.
Show note imagery: Some delicious HORCHATA!
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Today's crossword, Jake Bunch's second for the NYTimes, and his second Friday, was splendid: even though Friday crosswords are typically themeless, this did have a meta-theme, really, really intriguing clues. Beyond those mentioned in the podcast, we had 59A, Composer for whom Poland's largest airport is named, CHOPIN; 26D, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc.: Abbr, STS (oh, of course!); and an answer that only shows up rarely in the grid, but we are happy whenever it deigns to drop by, 11D, Simply delectable, TODIEFOR.
Besides all that, we also have a fun Fun Fact Friday segment, so do check that out (and remember, our Triplet Tuesday Contest is drawing to a close - you still have until Sunday at 11:59:59 PM in whatever time zone you are listening in to submit an entry, so do take advantage of that).
Show note imagery: A Chipotle competitor, QDOBA
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This is Jesse Guzman's first ever NYTimes crossword, and they've started off with a bang, with a theme that took both cohosts (working independently, as they are wont to do) quite some time to suss out, but that AHA! moment was assuredly worth the wait. There were some other great clues in the grid, including 61A, They take off marks at school, ERASERS (😀); 58A, Final circuit in a track race, BELLLAP (🧐); and we have the delightful juxtaposition of 56A, Unit of explosive power, KILOTON, and 44D, Powerlifter's sound, GRUNT (🏋️😀).
A reminder, our Triplet Tuesday Contest is going strong, check out Tuesday's episode and get your entry in before 11:59:59 PM Sunday, in whatever time zone you happening to be listening in.
Show note imagery: HAIRBOW, as modeled by the one, the only, Hello Kitty!
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This is Peter Gordon's 129th NYTimes crossword, and a perfect example of why the NYTimes keeps publishing his work. The theme is brilliant, the clues sharp and, pardon the pun, upbeat -- quite a lot to like. We have the deets inside, just waiting for you to download all that goodness.
Our Triplet Tuesday Contest is going strong, so if you haven't participated yet, listen to Tuesday's podcast and then submit your entry, for a chance to win bragging rights and some fabulous swag.
As promised, here is a video that features both the Whip and NAENAE
Show note imagery: SNORRI Sturluson, an expert on Norse mythology, and possibly not the cheeriest Icelander of all time.
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Today's episode is action-packed, but at its heart is a crossword by Kevin L. Shellito, his debut, and an excellent debut it is, with some ingenious cluing and a delightful theme - deets inside. Also, we're hosting another Triplet Tuesday Contest, so get ready to play along and then email us how many clues it took you, in total, to guess all 3 answers. Good luck, and may the most deserving Triplet Tuesday Contest contestant emerge triumphant!
Contest deadline: Sunday, September 29, 2024, by 11:59:59 PM in whatever time zone you happen to be listening to this in
Show note imagery: A lot of talent in one picture - TRAVISKELCE and Taylor Swift
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We're starting the work week with a pleasing Monday crossword by Freddie Cheng, his 17th for the NYTimes. It had a straightforward, cute theme, and quite a few musicians in the grid, including 35D, "At Last" jazz singer, ETTAJAMES; 28D, Pop star Gomez, SELENA; 15D, Piaf who sang "La Vie en Rose", EDITH; and the ubiquitous (at least in the NYTimes crossword) 7D, Brian of ambient music, ENO. We almost had a fifth, but 67A, Practices boxing, was SPARS, so close to SPEARS 😀.
Tomorrow is our Triplet Tuesday Contest, get ready to show off your mad TTC skills!
Show note imagery: the one and only ... Brian ENO!
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Today's puzzle was a delight - harkening back to an old movie (whose name we will not reveal here, to maintain the suspense), and with some crisp, entertaining cluing -- in short, the NYTimes Sunday crossword at its best.
We dive into details on that, and have a nice bit of listener mail to boot, so delay no longer! Download, listen up, and enjoy!
A reminder, our next Triplet Tuesday Contest is coming up ... this Tuesday, so make your final preparations, write your acceptance speech, etc., it will be here before you know it.
Show note imagery: Harry Houdini, in one of his great ESCAPEACTS, about to escape a milk can!
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Joel Fagliano's given us a bit of a breather, a challenging but relatively straightforward Saturday crossword -- certainly in comparison to the last few weeks, we're still recovering from Sam Ezrsky's last epic. The clues were fun and entertaining, though: 38D, Box office?, CUBICLE; 14D, U.S. city with the motto "Where Discoveries are Made", LOSALAMOS; and (ahem) 54A, Butt text, PEACHEMOJI, are just a few examples.
Also, it's Saturday, so we have a new JAMCOTWA winner to announce!
Finally, remember that we have a rare Triplet Tuesday Contest coming up this Tuesday, so mark your calendar, start training, and may the force be with you.
Show note imagery: LOSALAMOS, Where Discoveries are Made
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This was a fine, challenging, themeless Friday crossword by Jackson Matz (his second Friday puzzle, and third overall). It is refreshing, after struggling with a theme some days, to get a break, even though that break is tempered by the fact that, as a Friday, the clues tend to become more devious. How else could you describe 23A, Pilot productions?, PENS (ha!) or 45A, Like you and me, MORTAL (hmmm); and the obvious-in-hindsight 2D, Extremely solid, HARDASAROCK?
All-in-all a worthy addition to the NYTimes Friday parthenon, and therefore deserving of a full 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
A reminder that solving the NYTimes crossword is an excellent way to keep those "little grey cells" in peak condition. If you don't already subscribe, consider wandering over to nytimes.com/subscription/games, and be sure and tell them that Jean & Mike sent ya.
Show note imagery: a SHARPEI, guarding its territory
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It seems that on Thursdays anything can happen in the NYTimes crossword, and today it seems that everything happened, all at once, in one place. You'll see what we mean when you listen to today's episode, now waiting calmly on our servers for you to tap download and shortly thereafter experience exhilaration/education/etcetera.
Show note imagery: the greatest MIME of all TIME, Marceal Marceau
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If you haven't visited Rome, you can at least check out two of its many awesome attractions thanks to Casey Callaghan and Will Nediger, the authors of today's puzzle. Beyond those (we will refrain from describing the attractions here, to heighten the suspense), we had some great clues. Nostalgia, courtesy of 46A, ______ Basil, singer of the 1982 hit "Mickey", TONI; a tad of edible mathematics, due to 55D, Toroidal treat, DONUT; and the obligatory "new word in town", 43A, Cutesy term for a swap, TRADESIES.
Next Tuesday we will be holding one of our rare Triplet Tuesday contests, so tune in for an opportunity to win fabulous prizes!
Show note imagery: THESPANISHSTEPS
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There were a boatload of O's in today's grid, but they were there for a reason, that being to flesh out a wonderful debut crossword by Howard Neuthaler. A good crossword not only entertains and challenges, but teaches, and this one, by that standard, was a great one. To learn what we learned, and to hear about a new Triplet Tuesday contest coming up next week, all you need to do is download, listen up, and enjoy.
Shownote imagery: a Klein bottle, absolutely no relation to Patsy CLINE, and for sale by the Acme Klein Bottle, which also happens to manufacture the amazing Imperfecto Ruler. [For the record, none of the names in the previous sentence were made up 😀]
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This is Robert Corridan's debut crossword, and a fine debut it is, one that may induce you to sing, perhaps something along the lines of LA, LA, LA, in which case you will be in a very good place to start solving this crossword! Deets (and the decryption of that cryptic last sentence) are within, so have a listen, and, as per usual, let us know what you think.
Show note imagery: a POMELO, a relatively large -- some grow up to 25 pounds!! -- citrus fruit, sometimes called the Citrus maxima, for obvious reasons.
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Aimee Lucido is both a children's author -- check out "Pasta Pasta Lotsa Pasta" - and cruciverbalist - check out today's excellent example. This crossword was not hugely difficult, but it was hugely entertaining, as we explain, in detail, in today's episode.
Show note imagery: HIGHFIDELITY, by Nick Hornby
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A tough Saturday crossword (of course!) by Christina Iverson, with the northwest corner being particularly tough. But the clues were fair and fun, making for an enjoyable solve. Deets inside, so we encourage you to download, listen up, and ... enjoy!
Show note imagery: A Phillie PHANATIC, limbering up before the big game
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Today's crossword was a debut for Boaz Moser, and it was a fine one - challenging but VALID, including familiar clues like 15D, Beverage steeped in bright daylight, SUNTEA, lesser known ones, such as 13D, Bit of foam, perhaps, PEANUT, and hilarious ones, such as 4D, One doing the lord's work, VASSAL (😀). We found this to be a very satisfying solve, and eagerly await Boaz's second creation.
Show note imagery: Everybody run, it's a XENOMORPH!! 😱
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A historic first, "BRAT" used in the sense of 52D, 2024 Charli XCX album with a lime green color -- as opposed to all the 179 previous times, when it was a reference to an annoying small child. The rest of the crossword, by Parker Higgins, was similarly entertaining, as evidenced by clues such as 69A, Nose-in-the-air-type?, PLANE; 52D, Give in on Christmas Eve, say, PEEK; and 10D, One of 27 on Disney World's Cinderella Castle, TURRET. A bravura performance, definitely worth 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
Show note imagery: Charles Perrault, author of Tales of Mother Goose
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A decidedly crunchy Wednesday crossword, Jean managed to chew through it expeditiously, Mike broke a tooth 😉. The theme took a while for both cohosts to grok, after which solving the puzzle became much easier. Deets inside, you are cordially invited to download, listen up, and ... enjoy!
Show note imagery: The ARROYOS Natural Area, where we really, really hope they have some ARROYOS!
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Today's theme was about as NYTimes-esque as they come, just a fun exploration of attributes of the English language, and something that almost surely could not have been constructed without a computer to do the heavy lifting. Without spoiling anything out here in the show notes, let's just say that the theme involved finding three answers that met certain criteria, and those answers were the output of a Python program. To be fair, the author of the crossword wrote said program, and could've done what it did by hand, only it would have taken him probably 3.5 million years to do so, and he was in a hurry.
Show note imagery: A beaver, glad to be mentioned in the NYTimes crossword
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Tim D'Alfonso has constructed an excellent Monday crossword -- his debut! -- with a smile-inducing theme and some fun cluing, including 42D, Your of yore, THY; 43D, Start of a donkey's bray, HEE; and the nostalgia-inducing 25D, ________ Sketch (classic toy), ETCHA. This was a great puzzle and likely a confidence-builder for those just starting to do the NYTimes crosswords, we approve: 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
Show note imagery: Dame Judi DENCH, as M, in Skyfall
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Occasionally at JAMDTNYTC HQ, the cohosts opinions are so divergent that one might be inclined to think they are talking about different puzzles: but they most definitely were talking about one puzzle today, that of 9/8/2024, which Jean found to be a piece o' cake, and Mike found to be ... not that. Deets inside, so have a listen, and, as always, we welcome listener feedback!
Show note imagery: Assumption of the Virgin, by TITIAN
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After last Saturday's killer crossword we were hoping that Joel might give us a break, but nooooooo, he still had the pedal to the floor, cruciverbially speaking. There were almost no gimmes in the grid, but a plethora of head scratchers, characteristic of David P. Williams, who has written 5 NYTimes crosswords -- 1 Friday, and the rest -- Saturdays. Definitely tough, definitely worth 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
Show note imagery: a heckelphone, aka an OBOE
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A challenging Friday crossword, more so in the top-left, less so in the bottom-right. There were a plethora of awesome clues in today's puzzle, including 5A, They often have multiple horns, SKABANDS (what, not TRICERATOPS?); 62A, Competition with many missions, SPACERACE (nice!); and the outstanding 11D, Chicken or mashed potato, DANCE (ha!)
Show note imagery: A Rembrandt, by ... Rembrandt!
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We had an exceptional Thursday crossword -- no rebuses (rebusae(?)), but an inspired theme from the most brilliant Joe Deeney. We cover it in detail in today's episode, and you can see Joe's oeuvre at xwordinfo.com as well.
Show note imagery: Look, ma, it's a ZEDONK!
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A witty Wednesday crossword by Kareem Ayas, his fourth for the NYTimes since 2023, so he is on a roll! The theme was surprising, especially for a Wednesday, and we'll just let that sentence hang in the air rather than go into the deets here -- but rest assured that the podcast does just that.
Besides our in-depth dive through the grid, we also have a spot of listener mail, so to get in on all of that, download now!
Show note imagery: For the record, SERRANOS are mid-orange
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This is Alex Eaton-Salner's 70th NYTimes crossword, and it got to be their 70th, in part, because of an ingenious theme, and in part because of the superstition that to turn down a crossword with BORIC in the grid (8D, Kind of acid used to make Silly Putty) is exceptionally unlucky*
Show note imagery: PEI, in its place
*we suspect: editor Joel Fagliano plays his cards pretty close to the vest
**hey, it's just a superstition 😀
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Sala Wanetick and Emily Biegas have collaborated on a fine Monday crossword, with a theme that we won't spoil in the show notes -- but most definitely will in the podcast -- other than to say that we are spoiled ... by the consistently high quality of the NYTime's crosswords.
Shownote imagery: For the record, the stars of Vanderpump Rules are not dressed like your typical restaurant workers!
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Today's crossword was clearly a labor of love and mathematics, for reasons that will become clear as soon as you either check out the crossword, or today's episode. It did seem to have a rather large number of, well, 96A, Brief glimpse of stars, say, CAMEOS -- except in this case the CAMEOS were from a vast array of fields, from art, 81D, Surrealist James, ENSOR; to cinema, 54A, Oscar-winning actor in Farmers Insurance ads, JKSIMMONS; to sports, 124D, Golfer Jon, RAHM; to 111D, Ned who composed the operatic version of "Our Town", ROREM. As they used to say in Gotham City, Quickly, to the Wikipedia-mobile, Robin!
Show note imagery: MARIECLAIRE, which does appear en français (in French)
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Sam Ezersky is well known for writing exceptionally cryptic crosswords, and today he's cranked it up to 11. From clues like 1A, Liquid found in some pens, VAPEJUICE, to 14A, The old man?, CROMAGNON, to 64A, It's pressed for time, STOPWATCH, Sam did not give an inch. Of course, this was a Saturday, so we would expect no less!
Show note imagery: YASQUEEN, modern words of encouragement
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A fine Friday crossword and the second by Colin Adams (just half a year after his first, on February 16th), so kudos! The clues were very well written, making for an intriguing and entertaining solve. We approve!
Show note imagery: DEIRDRE of the Sorrows, a heroine of Irish mythology
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Opinions were divided as to the difficulty of today's crossword - Jean found it to be a pleasant Thursday, Mike found it to be more suited for the heretofore undiscovered Impossiday™️, a day that lies between Saturday and Sunday, one suited only for the most insanely challenging of crosswords ... like, for example, today's (to reiterate, according to Mike), as well as barbecues in which Imposible Burgers play a prominent role 😀.
Show note imagery: ZOESALDANA, in the Avengers
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A delightfully complex theme by Jesse Goldberg, cleverly finessing the rule that the answer to a clue should not appear in the clue. Highly original and entertaining, we approve and thereby bestow a full 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
Deets inside.
Remember when listening to this podcast, if you have not solved the puzzle yourself, it is easier to follow along with xwordinfo.com, where you can find the solved puzzle. Our first link in the show notes always leads to that puzzle (and xwordinfo.com has numerous other advantages, we highly recommend supporting it with a few shekels if you are able).
Show note imagery: An original KLINGON, who was never heard speaking KLINGON on The Original Series.
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A clever Tuesday crossword by Julia Hoepner, with a theme that was as good as it was bad, which we promise will make sense once you've listened to the podcast! It's also Tuesday, time for Triplet Tuesday, and this time Jean's in the hot seat. To hear how she fared, we most sincerely and earnestly beseech you to a) download, b) listen up, and c) enjoy!
Show note imagery: the MANDLEBROT set!
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It is hard to find fault with a crossword that has LULU Lemon in the grid, so we will not even try, rather we will simply TOUT it for being what it is, a FUNFUNFUN puzzle, which we really did LUV 😍
Show note imagery: The Isle of CAPRI ... where the pants come from?
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A very nicely done crossword by John Kugelman, his 5th for the NYTimes. Jean tore through it, Mike took ... only slightly less time than it took Ichthyostega to suss out how to walk on land, owing to ... oops, no spoilers! Download today's podcast, to figure out a) why this was such a fine puzzle, and b) the source of Mike's brief (no, scratch that, not-so-brief) cruciverbial crisis.
Show note imagery: Yes Paris, Texas has its own Eiffel Tower. Huzzah!
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This is Ryan McCarty's 28th NYTimes crossword, almost all of which (23, to be precise) have appeared on this very day -- Saturday. The clues were quite nice -- include a few gems, like
- the placement of 30A, "Pleeeeeeease?", CANTI adjacent to 31A, Spiteful, as a comment, CATTY;
- 41A, Bus. driver, CEO (oh, very nice!);
- 43A, Hardly open, CAGEY (clever, clever!), and finally
- 5D, Strong, as a bond, AAA (🤑).
Definitely much to savor in this crossword, download today's episode for all the deets.
Show note imagery: YEATS, poet who penned the lines "no country for old men"
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A nice Friday crossword by Taylor Johnson and Rafael Musa, not too difficult, but not a walk in the park, either. We have our cutting edge analysis, as usual, here for your edification, amusement, and hopefully not bemusement, so have a listen, and let us know what you think!
Show note imagery: Opening notes and lyrics of Tik Tok, by KE$HA
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A rather curious THeme, Jean sussed it immediately, Mike aspires to do so at an indeterminate point in the hopefully near future. 😀 There were some curious clues to go along with the theme, we're still puzzling over 21A, Baseball pitcher's feat, slangily, NONO, and would also like to know what happened to the ending IE in 43D, Buns, PATOOT. Still, all-in-all a fine puzzle, this being Brad Wiegmann's 9th.
Show note imagery: A NEOLITHIC monument in Scotland, no relation to Stonehenge
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Stacey Yaruss McCullough has created a fine debut crossword, with some dazzling feats of portmanteau-rhymery, and if that isn't part of the English language, we hereby nominate it for such posthaste.
A friendly reminder that when listening to these podcasts, if you haven't solved the puzzle (and don't intend to), you can see the entire solved puzzle at xwordinfo.com. Having it open makes it a tad easier to follow our convos, and our first link in these show notes is always to that site.
Show note imagery: A PUMA, aka cougar, mountain lion, panther, catamount, painter, red tiger, mountain screamer, deer tiger, Mexican lion, Florida panther
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Sam Buchbinder ha a reputation for writing splendid clues and crosswords, and he certainly lives up to it today, with some very amusing clues, including one that one of our cohosts was unable to even read, after much practice, without bursting into a mild chortling fit half way through. Which cohost? And which clue? Well, we all live for suspense, so we'll keep you in it ... unless you want to download today's episode, highly recommended!
Show note imagery: TAIGA, TAIGA, burning bright 😀
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A surprising Monday crossword by Kenneth Cortes, who has gone against the convention that themed clues run in the same direction -- but he had an excellent reason for so doing, as we explain in today's episode.
Show note imagery: The Washington METRO
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Take two really superb crossword constructors and put them together, and what do you get? A crossword like this one, chock full of heart, artistry, and attention to detail, clearly written by two cruciverbalists at the top of their games.
Deets inside, as well as some fine listener feedback on the proper pronunciation of POMPANO Beach, so do have a listen!
Show note imagery: Christina's World, by Andrew Wyeth, hanging at MOMA
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It's been a challenging couple of days, crossword-wise, and Joel Fagliano didn't let up on the gas when selecting today's, which happens to be a) by Brandon Koppy, and b) our JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award) winner. For the record, the two are not a coincidence!
Deets inside, so have a listen, and, as usual, please tell others about us on social media.
Show note imagery: Jeera ALOO, made with, of course, ALOO (potatoes)
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A frisky Friday crossword from Kate Hawkins - her 14th - on her lucky day, Friday, when 6 out of those 14 puzzles have been published. This was a great themeless puzzle, with some stellar cluing -- 41D, Number of sides for a hendecagon, ELEVEN; 32D, [I won't repeat myself in this note], SEEABOVE (very nice!); and 4D, Arch, SLY (yes, yes it is).
In other news, it's Fun Fact Friday, and we have a great FFF of particular interest to small children, parents, and ... dentists!
Show note imagery: MONACO, certainly the densest, and arguably the most beautiful, country in Europe
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A deliciously tough crossword by a constructor whose puzzles skew towards that end of the spectrum -- one Damon J Gulczynski. One's perception of this crossword just might depend on whether you grokked the theme -- in which case it was probably a typical Thursday crossword -- or not, in which case the difficulty hovered somewhere between Saturday and a day so challenging nobody's provided a name for it yet: we recommend Nowaynohowday. 😀
Show note imagery: A rainfly, an essential camping accessory
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Samuel Donaldson has had 41 crosswords published in the NYTimes, for reasons that are made abundantly clear in today's puzzle - a terrific theme, crisp clues, and references to musical groups that, if you don't already know, you should! We'd mention them here, but no spoilers -- check out today's episode to find out who should be up next on your playlist.
Show note imagery: A big name in Greek yogurt, OIKOS
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Benjamin Panico, in his debut NYTimes crossword (yay!), has put together an excellent puzzle in which he managed to cram 6, count 'em, 6 novels by TONIMORRISON. It is an excellent feat, and a great place to start when looking for your next summer read.
In addition to the crossword, we also have a fine Triplet Tuesday™️ segment, so check it out, and, as usual, let us know what you think.
Show note imagery: THEBLUESTEYE, a TONIMORRISON novel
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This is Shaun Phillips' second NYTimes crossword, and it has only been about 2 weeks since his last one, so clearly he is on a tear! This was a tad easier than the last (a Wednesday), but no less enjoyable -- so we are eagerly awaiting his third crossword, which, extrapolating, should show up about the end of the month!
Show note imagery: The two, the only ... Calvin and Hobbes!!
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A most definitely above average Sunday crossword by Caryn Robbins, thanks to an artful, inspired theme and a few crunchy clues to chew on. We have all the deets inside, so you are cordially invited to download, listen up, and enjoy!
Show note imagery: SNARLUPS can be a real pain, as these Cairenes would no doubt attest.
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Today's crossword was Spencer Leach's fifth, and it is a gem. The clues are challenging, novel (there are 7 debuts) and delightfully deceiving. Definitely worth 5 squares on the JAMCR scale, for reasons ... that are thrashed out in today's episode. We are also proud to announce the winner of this week's JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award), so check that out as well!
Show note imagery: A person, in a BOLERO, throwing a bolo 😀
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Hemant Mehta has written some dazzling late-week crosswords -- and this is one of them. The clues are so well done, tautly written, prone to make you ponder. We've covered most of them in today's episode, but here are a few others: 40D, Heads, slangily, DOMES; 57A, Why don't sheep shrink when it ________? : George Carlin, RAINS 😀 ; 32D, Meiji and Taisho in Japanese history, ERAS. Just a splendid bit of work all round, definitely a candidate for this week's JAMCOTWA (to be announced tomorrow).
In other news, it's Fun Fact Friday, and today we ponder pastas. And, rounding it off, we have some terrific listener mail.
So, what are you waiting for? Check out today's episode and, as always, let us know what you think.
Show note imagery: Fusilli v. Rotini
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It's Rebus Thursday, not an official holiday as far as we can tell, but a) it is Thursday, and b) the grid is riddled with rebuses (rebusae?), so the name seems apt. The crossword was Christopher Youngs' fifth for the NYTimes, but his first Thursday effort, so it's a debut, of a sort. We're betting his next crossword will be a Sunday.
Show note imagery: Some JAWAs, probably up to no good
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For those of you entranced with the subtleties of English pronunciation (rules? where we're going, we don't need rules!), have we got a crossword for you! Meghan Morris has done a bang-up job shining a bright line on some of the many inconsistencies in our favorite language.
We also have a spot of listener mail, all the more reason to check out today's podcast, and, as always, let us know what you think!
From the mailbag, the difference between GAWP and GAWK.
Show note imagery: Humphrey Bogart, in a FEDORA
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If numbers tell the tale, then Daniel Raymon's favorite day of the week is ... Variety, as he has created 18 variety crosswords for the NYTimes. By that same measure, today would be his second favorite day, when he's had 6 puzzles published.
We liked the theme, we enjoyed the cluing, and if this were an Olympic event he'd definitely deserve a medal!
In other news, it's Triplet Tuesday, and Mike's in the hotseat, where, alas, he flamed out. Deets inside!
Show note imagery: An RCA color television
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For those of you who are fans of the Royal and Ancient Game, you'll have a leg up working on today's crossword -- and for those who are not, fear not, it is a Monday and therefore not too difficult. We have the deets (and WOOTs) inside, so have a listen, and, as always, let us know what you think!
A reminder that if you want to follow along with our discussion and haven't solved the puzzle yet, xwordinfo.com has your back. Our first link in the show notes ties back to their answers (so don't click it until you've had a go yourself).
Show note imagery: a NIKON camera
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A splendiferous Sunday crossword by Scott Hogan and Katie Hale, their third as a team, and there's something in the grid for everyone! For instance, pun-lovers will appreciate 114A, Kit-chat, MEOWS; Sesame street-aficionados will appreciate 67A, Furry friend of Rosita, ELMO; and surely everyone will appreciate the puzzle-within-a-puzzle that is 7D, What dry ice doesn't do, MELT.
Show note imagery: a photo of famed photographer DIANE Arbus
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Another tricky Saturday crossword, this by long-time contributor Rich Norris. There were quite a few fascinating answers in the grid, including 40A, Home run, informally, DINGER (huh!); 53A, Last syllable of a word, ULTIMA (say what?!?); and the rarely seen 52D, Agendas, for short, SKEDS (about, rest assured, we have SCADs to say in today's episode).
Besides our analysis, we have chosen the winners of this week's JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award), and so congrats to ... nope, once again the spoiler censor would like us to desist, and so we shall -- check out the podcast, though, to find out who won, as well as some awesome listener mail!
Show note imagery: The US TAXCODE, all 10,000 sections of it!
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Kate Chin Park has constructed a fine Friday crossword: no theme, just SCADS of crunchy clues, ones that make you furrow your brow, stroke your chin, tap your temple, and all those other gestures that one tends to do when the difficulty meter starts to rise. We have all the deets in today's episode, so check it out, and let us know how you fared doing it.
Show note imagery: The birthplace of John Steinbeck (before it was turned into a restaurant, we hope 😀)
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Another fabulous Thursday crossword, a debut by Rajeswari Rajamani, but you wouldn't know it based on the quality of the clues, and the brilliant theme. With clues like 43D, Where you might find yourself on edge?, ICERINK, the enlightening 51D, Who pays all legal costs under the so-called "English Rule", LOSER, and the astonishing 66A, Where Columbus thought he had landed in 1498, EDEN, how could this crossword deserve anything else than a 5 square rating on the JAMCR scale? The answer is, it could not, hence the perfect 5.
Show note imagery: A weaver ... weaving!
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An awesome midweek / end of month crossword by the Matz brothers - Jackson and Ben, to be precise. Ben had 18 rejections before he hit pay dirt with this puzzle, so, while PERSISTENCE is not in the grid, it is everywhere else in this puzzle! We particularly enjoyed 3D, What it would be a mistake to write twice?, BOO (😀), and the surely not coincidental proximity of 50A, Aftereffects from working out, ACHES, and 48D, Gym session devoted to squats, dead lifts, etc., LEGDAY.
Shownote imagery: The flag of the Isle of Man (a triskelion, we are not making this up), a country where one may find, undoubtedly, many BLOKES
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Jeffrey Martinovic and Will Nediger have produced a splendid Tuesday crossword, with an inventive theme and some cute clues, including one of the best that we've seen all year (and it's almost August!). Deets inside, as well as another exciting Triplet Tuesday episode, so for all that and more, we invite you to download, listen up, and enjoy!
Show note imagery: VINGRHAMES, aka Luther Stickell in "Mission Impossible"
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A fine Monday crossword by Jeffrey Lease, his second - his debut being a Sunday (!). The theme was cheery, and we have a soft spot for any puzzle that contains OZARK, as in 18D, Missouri's _____________ Mountains, and we also like the spunk of SORRYNOTSORRY, as in 26A, Sarcastic nonapology.
Show note imagery: an OMELET (not to be confused with an OMELETTE. Oops, too late! 😀)
Looking for a great present for your child / parent / guardian / relative / friend / partner? The NYTimes Crossword is always in good taste, and won't break the bank. Visit nytimes.com/crosswords for deets on how you can make your child's / parent's / ... / partner's day!
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In honor of the Paris Olympics, Paolo Pasco has put together a fabulous tribute, one that has to be seen to be believed. It was slightly more challenging than a typical Sunday crossword, but that must surely pale in insignificance compared to the challenge of constructing it! To see what we mean, check out the completed grid at xwordinfo.com, and, of course, check out our analysis of it ... right here!
Show note imagery: Some SABOT shoes (aka clogs)
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A taxing Saturday crossword -- not by chance, Saturday's are engineered to be that way -- but Barbara Lin and Matthew Stock managed to create a very nice bit of work, so nice, in fact, that it has won our JAMCOTWA™️ (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award). it was a difficult decision -- we had many fine puzzles this week -- but this one just took the cake (and hence the award), for all the reasons outlined in today's episode.
Show note imagery: BARBIECORE!
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Andy Kravis has produced a most excellent Friday crossword, his 27th!, with some awesomely deceiving clues. For example ... 36A, Jam session?, SLAMDUNKCONTEST (awesome!); 46A, Breed once known as the "Tax Collector's Dog", DOBERMAN (woof!); and 40D, Powers of ______ (landmark documentary about the scale of the universe), TEN (and it deserves a 10, highly recommended!).
Show note imagery: Another KATANA, this one not worn by ninja turtles
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A tricky Thursday crossword by Damon Gulczynski, one which may (or may not) presage what the NYTimes serves up on Friday and Saturday. For those of you new to crosswords, welcome, and be aware that in the NYTimes puzzles typically increase in difficulty over the course of the week, Monday being easiest, Saturday being the most difficult (sometimes fiendishly so), with Sunday usually characterized as a "large Wednesday".
Show note imagery: Bart STARR, two-time Super Bowl MVP
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A debut crossword by Shaun Phillips, with a theme that's sure to grab you, among a captivating coterie of clever clues. A few worthy of note include the enlightening 41D, Possessive that's often confused with a contraction, WHOSE; the pithy 34A, 3/14, PIDAY; and one of our favorite phrases, 7D, "Cool _______!", BEANS.
Show note imagery: A Wisconsin ICEHUT in situ, and if you haven't removed yours from the lake yet ... don't even bother 😀
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Something to sing about, a nice, not TOOCUTE Tuesday crossword by Sarah Sinclair and Amie Walker that has a musical theme, the second in two days! Is Joel Fagliano trying to tell us something? Regardless, we got a good VIBE from this puzzle, and would PREFER to see more from these constructors in the weeks/months/years to come!
Show note imagery: Some GENOVIA swag
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Today's crossword won't put you INASPOT, nor drive you UPATREE, thanks to Laura Dershewitz's cruciverbally MADSKILLS. What this crossword will do is put you in a good mood, at least it did for us, for reasons that are spelled out in today's episode.
Show note imagery: A scene from AIDA
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For those of you who've forgotten your philosophy class, you might want to bone up on the subject before tackling today's crossword, for reasons that will become apparent ... as soon as you've tackled today's crossword! We enjoyed the theme, as well as the cracklingly good clues that accompanied it, that goodness courtesy of today's author, John Ewbank, with editorial assistance from Joel Fagliano.
Show note imagery: A true Scotsman? 😀
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Today's puzzle, courtesy of Ricky J. Sirois, was a definite challenge for one of our cohosts, whereas the other had to verify that it was indeed a Saturday crossword, so quickly did they tear through the grid. But both did enjoy the solve, as some of the clues were absolutely inspired. For all the deets, as well as the announcement of this week's JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award) winner, have a listen to today's episode.
Show note imagery: The Raft of the Medusa, absolutely no relation whatsoever to the Ship of THESEUS
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An educational Friday crossword, with not too much razzle-dazzle, rather, just the right amount. Educationally, we had clues like 20A, River traveled by passenger boats known as dahabeahs, NILE; 17A, Setting of a date for Edward and Vivian in "Pretty Woman", OPERA; and 15A, Strait of ___, narrowest part of the English Channel, DOVER.
Besides the crossword, we also have a terrific Fun Fact Friday™ segment, so do check it out.
Show note imagery: Royal BURPEE, inventor of, of course, the BURPEE
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An astronomy-themed crossword popped up this Thursday, a theme so near and dear to Mike's heart that he spent ... an inordinate amount of time contemplating the clues. Jean, on the other hand, solved the puzzle at nearly the speed of light, which explains why she looked like a strand of spaghetti as she was finishing up.
Besides the ingenious theme, there were quite a few clues worthy of note in the grid, including 17A, Actor Omar, EPPS (not, as our instincts suggested, SHARIF); 5D, An "e-", one that was first developed in 2003, for short, CIG (if you say so!); 31A, Orthodontic device, SPACER (suspiciously close to the theme, surely no accident!); and finally 9D, Festoons with bathroom tissue, informally, TPS (the second reference to the practice this week, is editor Joel Fagliano's house under attack, and this is some sort of desperate appeal for assistance??
Show note imagery: Harold ARLEN, composer of Over the Rainbow, hard at work.
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A slightly crunchier than usual Wednesday crossword, unsurprising when Alex Eaton-Salners is at the helm (and editor Joel Fagliano's on the crows nest).
We had some literary clues, such as 3D, _______ Gawande, author of the 2014 best seller "Being Mortal", ATUL; and 4D, Poet Pablo, NERUDA.
We had product placement clues, such as 17A, Nail polish brand with colors like "Berry Fairy Fun", and "Aurora Berry-alis", OPI and 57A, Rival of Chanel, DIOR.
Most impressively, however, we had the themed clues, which we dive into, at length, in today's episode.
Just a casual reminder to please leave us a 5 star review wherever you get your podcasts, that really helps get the word out.
Show note imagery: Olympic gold medalist APOLO Ohno
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A delicious Tuesday crossword by Kelly Richardson, notable for a suggestive and quite apropos grid, a lot of fun clues, and the unexpected appearance of LAYETTE in the grid (not a debut, but certainly new to us). A few clues caught our eye but didn't make it into the podcast, including 27A, Tenet, PRECEPT; 48A, Smart society, MENSA (admission to which requires you to be able to spell PRECEPT 😀); and Legendary, STORIED, which we think is a legendary answer!
Show note imagery: A Smedstorp sofa, available for purchase now at your nearest IKEA
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Today's crossword, by Tarun Krishnamurthy, was a perfect Monday offering, not too difficult, but with our favorite kind of theme, the LOL kind. This was Tarun's debut NYTimes Crossword, and he's also the first crossword constructor we've ever interviewed, so check it out, and, as always, let us know what you think.
Show note imagery: A BOCABURGER, yum!
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Jeff Chen is a master cruciverbalist, and he is in fine form today with an amazing theme. The theme idea is simple, but constructing it must've been a major challenge. Confused? Check out today's episode, and all will become clear!
Show note imagery: Beware the REDTIDES, algal blooms that are, apparently, on the rise.
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A fine Saturday crossword by Eli Cotham, a relatively smooth solve but with a lot of fine verbal baubles to enjoy along the way. We have all the deets inside, as well as our JAMCOTWA -- Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award -- winner, so we humbly implore you to download, listen up and ... enjoy!
Show note imagery: One of many WPAMURALS, this one in the Cohen Building, in Washington, D.C.
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A nice Friday crossword by Malaika Handa, with some fun cluing, a few singers worth listening to, and a whopping 6 debut entries, including 17A, It has many twists and turns, CRAZYSTRAW, and the splendid 5D, "Get with the program, will you?", TRYTOKEEPUP. Definitely worth 5 squares on the JAMCR scale!
Show note imagery: HELLOKITTY, Japan's tourism ambassador
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Don't bother looking for rebuses (rebusae)? in today's grid - there aren't any. But the theme that we have instead is still tricky and amusing, and we doff our hats in what we imagine to be the general direction of Mat Shelden, the author of today's fine work, a debut in the NYTimes.
Show note imagery: PEETA, who, according to 21A, is Katniss's partner in "The Hunger Games"
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Today's crossword, Hal Moore's 10th for the NYTimes, was a little bit novel, a tad quirky, but here at JAMDTNYTC HQ we adore novel and quirky. It helps that the supporting cast of entries populating the rest of the grid were also quite well done. Our collective judgement, therefore, is that Hal Moore should immediately start to work on his 11th NYTimes crossword, we look forward to seeing it sometime soon!
Show note imagery: The Duchess of ALBA, courtesy of Francisco Goya
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There was GLEE In the grid, literally, in this Tuesday crossword by Gary Larson and Amy Ensz. A few recent answers made reappearances - we just saw 68A, Ensemble of eight, OCTET, and it's been less than a month since 9D, Unit of butter, PAT, melted into view. One answer that hasn't been clued as such in aeons also arose, that being 14A, Thrice repeated words in one of Gertrude Stein's truisms, AROSE (as in AROSE is AROSE is AROSE).
In other news, Mike cleared the very low bar of not making a total fool of himself in today's Triplet Tuesday -- deets inside, so check it out!
Show note imagery: The KARASEA, just north of Siberia
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Quality control at the NYTimes crossword desk is remarkable, week after week they crank out great, great, puzzles -- and today's is just a fine example, a theme that is light and airy -- if it were a food stuff, it'd definitely be a meringue pie.
Deets inside, so have a listen, and, as always, we'd deeply appreciate a 5 star review wherever you're listening to this podcast.
Show note imagery: a COMICCON (yes, with 3 C's)
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A magnificent start to our crossword-solving week, courtesy of David Karp. The theme is inspired, the rest of the puzzle just as well crafted, definitely 5 squares on the JAMCR scale, and certain a contenda, as they like to say, for this week's JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award).
Show note imagery: Light Blue Nursery, one of many great works by artist ALMA Thomas
Side note: this is the last podcast of the season - where a "season" is rather arbitrarily defined to be 100 episodes - so you can expect episode 1 of our next season ... tomorrow.
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Today's crossword pegged the meter as far as difficulty was concerned, each clue only wanting to begrudgingly give up its secrets, and some not at all! We have the whole blow-by-blow (by-blow-by-blow-by ...), so download today's podcast to hear about our epic struggle. While you're listening, feel free to applaud the deserving winner of this week's JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award™).
Show note imagery: An OCTET of Wonder Bread hot dog buns
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A very nice bit of work by Trent H. Evans, his 11th crossword for the NYTimes. Jean found it a piece o'cake, Mike found it more of a bowl of CRANACHAN (see our Tuesday, July 2 episode if your knowledge of CRANACHAN is wanting, after which you'll probably be wanting some CRANACHAN 😀).
Beyond the clues mentioned in today's podcast, we'd also like to give a shoutout to 2D, Billing matter, ROLE (not RATE, as Mike had conjectured); 17A, Training announcement, ALLABOARD (heh, heh); and 12D, They're a snap to get, NOBRAINER (quite the opposite of today's puzzle).
Show note imagery: A TRUSTFALL in action
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Today's firecracker of a crossword was really two puzzles in one - a crossword, that was not particularly difficult, and an ingenious, completely different puzzle embedded within. Jean cracked both, but Mike was a tad wobbly when it came to the second, as you will hear in today's episode.
Happy 4th of July, everyone!
Show note imagery: Alhambra, a fine example of MOORISH architecture
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There was a lot to like in today's crossword, the sixth by Juliana Tringali Golden. A futuristic theme, a lot of fun clues, and any puzzle that can work SMAUG into the grid (65A, The Hobbit dragon) deserves our respect.
We also have a dollop of listener mail to round off today's episode, so check it out, and, as always, please tell others about us on social media.
Show note imagery: ISSA Rae, not to be confused (as Mike is prone to do) with Idris Alba
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Today's crossword (by Josh Goodman, his second!) is an homage to one of Alabe Craft / Ideal Toy / Mattel's greatest inventions, the Magic 8 Ball 😀.
There were quite a few pop-culture references today -- 28D, Actress Diane of 1998's Parenthood, WEIST; 35A, Estefan with a Presidential Medal of Freedom, EMILIO; and the aforementioned 32D, Banjoist Fleck, BELA (quite good, btw: check them out wherever you get your banjo music!).
Show note imagery: The Flecktones, starring BELA Fleck.
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A debut crossword by Margi Stevenson, and an excellent debut it is -- not too easy, not too hard, but just right. and to find out why that last subclass was so droll, have a listen to today's podcast, where all will be revealed!
Show note imagery: The last SAAB 9-3 ever made 😢
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If you like bad puns, then you will love today's crossword. If not ... well, you'll likely still marvel at the artistry that went into today's puzzle. We now consider ourselves charter members of the Ginny Too Fan Club, and after listening to today's podcast, we think you'll want to sign up too!
Show note imagery: Paul ERDOS, captured at one of the few moments of the day when he was not writing a paper
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In a remarkable role reversal, Jean found today's crossword to be epically and especially tough, but after inexplicably uttering the phrase "hold my beer", managed to wrestle said puzzle into submission, in a legendary, marathon session which will no doubt inspire many lusty tales of cruciverbial derring-do.
Show note imagery: The TREVI Fountains, in Rome, an awesome place to visit!
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Enrique Henestroza Anguiano has set a high bar for this weekend's crosswords, with a Friday tour de force -- challenging, educational, and fun, definitely worth 5 squares on the JAMCR scale. To find out why it deserves such high praise, do check out today's podcast.
Show note imagery: Fiat HQ, in TURIN, Italy
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Today's theme was, simply put, delicious -- and not the least bit cheesy. You'll understand why once you've listened to today's episode and/or solved the crossword, so have at it and ... bon appetit!
Show note imagery: A mural, made by a MURALIST in Kaukauna, Wisconsin
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Our intrepid cohosts experienced slightly different solving sojourns as they worked (independently as always) on today's puzzle. Jean cruised through it like a hot knife through a Dairy Queen Blizzard, Mike ... did not, because for an astonishing span of time, in the vicinity of 40A, Bupkis, he had, well, Bupkis (as opposed to the correct answer, NADA). Deets inside, so have a listen, and as always, let us know what you think (feel free to post on our FB page, too).
Show note imagery: "TRANQUILITYBASE here. The Eagle has landed".
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There are two universities in today's grid, but only one of them can help prevent cavities. To decipher this cryptic sentence, as well as enjoy the rest of our analysis of this fine work by Seth Bisen-Hersch and Jeff Chen, all you need to do is download and listen up to today's episode, where -- bonus! -- you can check out our world famous Triplet Tuesday segment, and see if you can beat Mike (or at least sing better 😀).
Show note imagery: A TENNISBRACELET
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This was Anthony V. Grubb's debut NYTimes crossword, and it was a delight - slightly crunchier than usual, with some challenging clues - but a terrific theme nigh-well guaranteed to bring a smile to your face. Deets inside, so check it out!
Show note imagery: An example of IKEBANA, Japanese flower arranging
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Michael Schlossberg has a rep for creative and challenging crosswords, and he does nothing to belie that in today's opus, his 13th in the NYTimes (and his 3rd Sunday crossword of the year!). There were some real head scratchers in the grid today, including PAWL,GREAVES and AMBIVERTS. We cover those, and more, in today's episode.
Show note imagery: THEPERSISTENCEOFMEMORY, by Salvador Dali
Remember, if you haven't solved the crossword and don't mind the massive spoilers, check out xwordinfo.com (which we link to in every episode), which provides the clues and answers to today's puzzle. We recommend having it at hand, it makes it easier to follow along as we flit about the grid.
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A fine Saturday crossword by Hoang-Kim Vu, so fine, in fact, that it won our JAMCOTWA - Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award™️. With crisp cluing, amusing answers, what's not to like? Nothing, hence the award! Deets inside, so have a listen.
Just a friendly reminder that doing the NYTimes Crossword is a great way to keep those synapses sharp. So, if you haven't already, wander over to nytimes.com/crossswords where you can find out how to subscribe.
Show note imagery: How to perform perfect FRAPPES
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This is Billy Bratton's 9th NYTimes crossword. He tends to specialize in Friday and Saturday puzzles, and this one is an excellent example of the genre, for reasons that we delve into, at length, in today's episode.
Show note imagery: A major Maltese tourist attraction, Popeye Village!
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A slightly tricky Thursday crossword, especially confounding if one fails to grok the theme, a fate that temporarily befell both cohosts (in different ways: as usual, both cohosts solved alone, otherwise Mike would just slow Jean down to a tai-chi / glacial pace).
We have all the deets inside, so have a listen and let us know what you think!
Show note imagery: Valence electrons
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We are baaaack! And to welcome us, Brad Wiegmann and Joel Fagliano have provided a fascinating crossword to help us get back into the groove, so check out today's podcast and let us know what you think!
Show note imagery: Hop o' My Thumb (really)
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Today's crossword was a real deal - two puzzles for the price of one, and each was a delight. We have all the deets inside, so do have a listen.
This is our last podcast for two weeks-- we are taking our yearly Summer sabbatical -- so expect to hear from us starting ... in about two weeks!
Show note imagery: Behold, a BEERAMID
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A splendid Saturday crossword wraps up our crossword-solving week. Saturdays are by tradition the hardest crossword of the week, with the trickiest clues, and this one was definitely in that league. This was Eric Warren's second crossword in the NYTimes, and the first time he has won a JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award), so kudos for both!
Show note imagery: Some delicious strawberry STRUDELS
Show note video: MAXIMILIAN, the bionic dog 😀 🦮
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This is a beaut of a debut by Aidan Deshong, a high school senior just about to graduate, and head off to Harvey Mudd. Perhaps he'll major in Engimatology like legendary NYTimes crossword editor Will Shortz.
The clues and answers in today's grid were, simply put, brilliant, as seen in 47A, Pricey oils, e.g., ART; 48A, Wet blanket?, DEW; and many, many others. To hear more, including a fascinating fact for Fun Fact Friday™️ -- you are cordially invited to download and listen up to today's podcast.
Show note imagery: An INNING is the fundamental unit of time in a game of horseshoes
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A very nice crossword by Royce Ferguson - his 4th for the NYTimes, and a Thursday debut. The theme was ingenious but not too difficult to suss out, and the number of pop-culture references was on the low side, which affected Jean not at all but did benefit Mike (for whom anything newer than 1800 that does not involve science fiction is problematic).
Show note imagery: Some tasty looking crépes SUZETTE
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While drinks played an essential part in today's grid, it seems unlikely that they were involved in its construction, based on the elegance of the puzzle - not surprising considering that the constructors in question were Jeanne Breen (for her, a debut), and Jeff Chen, LC ( LC being short for, of course, Legendary Cruciverbalist).
Jean made short work of today's puzzle. Mike could make neither head nor tail of the north central region of the grid for a considerable length of time, before finally acknowledging that NEWEURO is not a thing, thus opening the floodgates, so to speak.
Show note imagery: Josh DUHAMEL and Fergie, in happier times, along with what might be a MUDSLIDE
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A nice Tuesday crossword, and, as detailed in today's episode, one eight years in the making!! So, even though PERSEVERANCE is not in the grid, it truly is in the heart of Chris Leatherberry, the constructor of today's fine work.
We appreciated all the longer wavelength color references in today's grid, namely 54D, Famed fireman Red, ADAIR, in close proximity to 55D, Reddish application to cheeks, ROUGE, and kitty corner to 12D, More pink, RARER. We also, enjoyed 69A, Prefix with brow, UNI, as we are big fans of Ernie, Oscar the Grouch, Sam Eagle, and other assorted muppets.
Show note imagery: RODAN, probably on the prowl for Godzilla
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It's hard not to GIVEPROPS to a crossword that has GIVEPROPS in the grid, so we're not even going to try: PROPS to Christopher Youngs for this, his 4th NYTimes crossword!
Show note imagery: Yaroslava Shvedova, celebrating her GOLDENSET win at Wimbledon in 2012
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A straightforward Sunday puzzle by John Kugelman, this his 4th for the NYTimes, with a theme for which the word "cute" was invented. The quality of the clues was exceptional, with some real gems noted in today's podcast. But we'd also like to highlight some others, such as 64A, The i's have it, DOT (😀); 22A, Morse code click, DIT (to keep the DOT company 😉); 94A, Someone who hopes to keep out of the spotlight?, ESCAPEE (🙄).
Show note imagery: The Eight Lancashire Lads, clog dancers, including one Charlie Chaplin
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This is David P. Williams' fourth NYTimes crossword, and interestingly all four have used the same grid, so apparently DPW has taken the phrase "why mess with success?" to heart. There are some magnificent clues in today's grid, including 47D, Time to take stock?, IPO; 34A, Lover of literature, ROMEO (ha!); and we loved the juxtaposition of 29A, Architects, so to speak, MASTERMINDS, immediately above 31A, Wield influence, PULLSTRINGS, because that's what MASTERMINDS do, and David P.Williams definitely belongs in that category. Definitely 5 squares on the JAMCR scale!
It is also Saturday, and in today's episode we reveal our choice for this week's JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Awards)
Show note imagery: José Abreu, performing a BASKETCATCH
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For your edification, we present our analysis of a nice -- in fact, twice as nice! -- crossword by Carolyn Davies Lynch that really has a lot to commend it, most notably some really, really difficult clues! Fortunately there were not too many pop-culture references: we did have 16A, Many Eras Tour attendees, SWIFTIES, but Taylor Swift may be the most famous woman on the planet, and so even Mike was able to suss that one out.
Beyond the crossword, we have a fine Fun Fact Friday™️ segment for your enjoyment, and, as promised, a video showing 46A, Metal that "cries" when bent, TIN.
Show note imagery: An IMPALA, able to leap 10 feet off the ground!
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We don't normally namedrop Shakespearean quotes, but we are inspired by today's highly twisty-turny theme that looks like it might take 100 years or so to construct, but Adam Wagner managed to pull it off in well under a decade 😉
While the theme is certainly the center of attention, there is a lot of other joyous word play taking place throughout the grid, so to learn more, prithee download and lend us your ears, we vouchsafe to return them in good working order 😀
Show note imagery: DORA Maar, Pablo Picasso's muse
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Today's crossword had eight, count'em, eight debut answers, including every computer programmer's favorite, DEBUGGER, the unsung hero of software development. A number of other clues didn't make it into the grid but deserve a shoutout, including 61A, Currently happening, AFOOT (and we can hear the British accent in our heads when we say it 😀); 35D, Handel's Messiah, for one, ORATORIO (not a Canadian province, but sooooo close 😀😀); and our favorite, 8D, They'd no't appreciate well, INGRATES (ha!).
Show note imagery: Coeur d'ALENE, ID.
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Tuesday's crossword, just like the child in the nursery rhyme, is full of grace -- and we mention nursery not just to name drop but because it is an essential component of today's puzzle. Intrigued? We thought you might be, but in the interests of keeping your IL (Intrigue Level) high, we won't go into deets here, but just encourage you to download today's episode (and see how Mike did on today's Triplet Tuesday segment)
Show note imagery: A BOTTLEGOURD, aka a calabash
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A delightfully wry Monday theme courtesy of Jack Scherban, and if that name doesn't ring a bell that's because this crossword marks his debut in the NYTimes, so congrats, Jack! There were a few answers in the grid that haven't been seen in a while - 11D, Comic actress Martha, RAYE; the revealer, 49A, Unfazed response to a threat from one of the themed answers, YOUANDWHATARMY; and speaking of which, one of the themed answers, 31A, Hotels.com mascot who must be a commanding officer, CAPTAINOBVIOUS.
Show note imagery: NOLA, as New Orleans, Louisiana is affectionately known
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Somewhat akin to Robert Frost's "two roads diverged in a yellow wood", Jean & Mike's solves diverged, with Jean tearing through today's crossword, and Mike coming to a screeching halt (with him supplying most of the screeching). The reason for this is, as long time listeners will surmise, due to Jean's encyclopedic knowledge of Filipino dishes, and Mike's total ignorance of ... pretty much any foods / dishes / ingredients not sold at the local Jimmy Johns. We have all the deets inside, as part of our deep dive through the grid, so please have a listen, and, as always, tell others about us on social media.
Show note imagery: DOUGHBRAIDERS at work
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Today's crossword looked daunting - a sea of white squares, and two 3-stack sets of grid-spanning answers. But while our first reaction was 36A, [Uh-oh], GULP, and our second reaction was 59A, "I'm speechless", THEREARENOWORDS", we used our 15D, Spots for berets, TETES, and were able to noodle a solution without too many 42AS, Official administrations, OATHS.
In other news, we've identified today's JAMCOTWA. Have a listen, and let us know if you agree, disagree, or none-of-the-above, just reach out via the usual e-mechanisms (Email, Facebook, or the new Fan Mail link).
Show note imagery: THEBARD, sobriquet behind 154 sonnets
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A relatively straightforward Friday crossword by Hermann Mehta, but an admirable addition to the pantheon nonetheless. Now, based on the Law of Conservation of Crossword Difficulty (first theorized by one A. Einstein, if memory serves), this means that Saturday's crossword should be ... just about impossible. Will that come to pass? Tune in tomorrow to find out!
Show note imagery: A few sample TANGRAMS
Here's a link to the Monty Hall Problem, it makes for fascinating reading.
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Although today's' theme has nothing to do with actors, quite a few of them popped up in today's grid.There were some LOL clues / answers as well, and let us not gloss over some very nice pairings in the grid -- EDIE v. EDDY, LIEV v. ALEVE, those surely can't ONE, um, we mean ALL, be coincidental! TLDR, we loved this debut crossword from Sara Muchnick and can't wait for more, which is why we've awarded this fine puzzle 5 squares on the NIST-approved* JAMCR scale.
*just kidding: the National Institute of Standards and Technology has not expressed an official opinion as to the validity of our scale, but as soon as they get the metric system sorted out we're sure to be next in the queue.
Show note imagery: BAD, Michael Jackson's first concert tour after leaving the Jackson 5, but definitely not an appropriate adjective for that tour!
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A middle-of-the-road crossword for the middle of the week, MaryEllen Uthlaut has made a bbbbbedazzling puzzle -- and the reason for all those extra b's will bbbbbecome apparent as soon as you check out today's episode, so ... do it now!
Show note imagery: A 10 BAHT coin
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Alex Eaton-Salners, a grizzled veteran with 67 (!) NYTimes crosswords to his credit, has produced a fine Tuesday crossword for our edification and entertainment. There was a fine theme and excellent surrounding cast of clues, including a few that we couldn't squeeze into the podcast: 58A, Wharton or Sloan, informally, BSCHOOL (only its 3rd appearance in the NYTimes); 47D, Floral subject for Van Gogh, IRISES (ah, we can smell them from here!) ; and last but not least, 40A, Idealogical split, SCHISM (not fans of the concept, but we do enjoy saying it)
Besides the crossword, it's Triplet Tuesday, and Jean does ... nope, you'll have to download to find out how she did.
Show note imagery: Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret, wearing CORONETs
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For those of you who can think of nothing better to do than spend a morning out on the links -- and if an image of giant sausages just sprung to mind, you are not the people we had in mind 😀 -- you are going to love today's puzzle, especially the theme (nudge, nudge, wink, wink). We explore that in depth in today's podcast, and we also have a great bit of listener mail, so do have a listen, and as always, please tell others about us on social media.
Show note imagery: The MacDonald boys playing golf, by Jeremiah Davison
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A delectable Mother's Day present from Avery Gee Katz, a crossword that one of our cohosts found to be just a trifle difficult, and the other found to be like scaling Mount Everest barefoot, but harder. We will let you mull over who found what what, and then invite you to check out today's podcast to either confirm or confound your hunch.
Show note imagery: The Cabo Arch, in CABOSANLUCAS
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The author of today's crossword seems to specialize in Saturday puzzles - this is his 4th, out of a total of 8 published in the NYTimes - and the clueing is definitely what one would expect on a Saturday. Check out today's podcast, and you'll see what we mean.
We also have a day-late version of Fun Fact Friday, featuring little known Declaration of Independence signer Button Gwinnett, and our pick for JAMCOTWA - the Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award. Deets inside, so do download, have a listen, and, as always, tell others about us on social media!
Show note imagery: ATTILA having a meetup with Pope Leo I, as depicted by Raphael
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A great debut crossword by Jesse Cohn - and debuting on a Friday is no mean feat, but one look at this puzzle will convince you that it is a fine addition to the pantheon, filled with a bevy of great clues and answers. Deets inside, all for your listening pleasure!
Show note imagery: TRIESTE
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A delightfully difficult Thursday crossword by Joe DiPietro, a constructor who has a reputation for precisely those sorts of puzzles. The theme? A+. The rest of the grid? A+. The entire crossword? A++, or as we like to say it, 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
Beyond our take on today's crossword, we also have some great listener mail, so check all of that out, and, as always, let us know what you think.
Show note imagery: A delicious CHURRO
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Yet another Michael Schlossberg crossword, and while we are certainly elated to see it, we can't help but ponder whether the good doctor is truly giving his patients all the attention that they deserve, or whether he might be thinking, "Let's see what theme could I make out of rashes and runny noses?". Seriously, the pace with which he has been publishing NYTimes crosswords this year is truly phenomenal (this is his third, and the year is still young).
This crossword did seem to be slightly crunchier than usual, ironic considering the absence of one key ingredient that is often associated with this crossword's theme. What was that ingredient? And what was the theme? To find out, you'll have to do what thousands of others have done before you, i.e., subscribe, download, listen up, and enjoy!
Show note imagery: EDGAR Meyer, performing at what we fervently hope is a rehearsal and not an actual performance
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The title of today's episode will make more sense, and seem even more hilarious - - we promise! -- once you've listened to today's episode, covering a fine debut crossword by Justin Werfel. So have at it, and after you've done so, either drop us a line at crosswordpodcast@icloud.com or try Buzzsprout's newest product, "Fan Mail" and text us!
A reminder, that when listening to these episodes, if you haven't solved the crossword, and don't plan on doing so, we recommend visiting xwordinfo.com, where you can see the entire filled grid, and clues -- it'll make following our conversation that much easier!
Show note imagery: T.S. Eliot, possibly pondering how much he loathed April.
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The NYTimes crossword is, of course, a delight to try and solve, but we also appreciate the opportunities it offers to explore the nooks and crannies of language, culture, history, and the like. Today's episode is a case in point, where serendipity brings us to the door step of one Button Gwinnett, a fascinating historical figure who occasionally pops up in pop culture, and clearly warrants a Fun Fact Friday™️ segment sometime soon (hint, hint).
Show note imagery: Grand TETON National Park
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For those of you who are of the space-faring persuasion, today's crossword is guaranteed to put a smile on your face, as the theme consists of a series of punny (of course: it's Sunday!), rocket-related entries. ELTONJOHN manages to make an appearance, he of ROCKETMAN fame, NIXON also drops by to say hi, and no self-respecting crossword about space would be complete if YODA didn't make an appearance -- so, good news, he does! For all the deets, please subscribe (so you don't miss an episode), download, listen up, and ... enjoy!
Show note imagery: a Titan II rocket, taking to the skies
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A relatively straightforward Saturday compared to the last few, but we are not complaining! The clues were still a challenge, and the answers entertaining, with nary a drop of crosswordese to taint the grid. We approve, and indeed, approve so much that this crossword is the winner of this week's JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award). Bravo, kudos, and all that!
Show note imagery: Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz (the latter often heard saying to the former, LUCYIMHOME)
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As today's podcast makes abundantly clear, our cohosts had entirely different experiences solving today's puzzle. One of us (hint: the one with the higher voice) breezed through it, the other (hint: the one with the even higher voice when stressed) moved through it like a finalist in a human mannequin competition. While their solving experiences might have diverged, they both agreed that the crossword, Brandon Koppy's 16th, was most excellent, for reasons spelled out within.
Show note imagery: CALABRIA, the toe of Italy
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If you are allergic, you might want to brace yourself before tackling today's crossword, because it is quite flowery and fragrant, all in aid of a theme that we found ... flowery, fragrant, and fun. Deets inside, so have a listen, and let us know what you think!
Show note imagery: A lovely example of a FREESIA
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The record does not state whether Michèle Govier, the constructor of today's crossword, was hungry when she set to work, but the presence in the grid of PEAS, NILLA, OREO, BREADFRUIT, TARO, and, as a topping, OREGANO, does make us wonder. What we are not wondering about is the quality of this crossword - excellent, 5 squares on the JAMCR scale. Our justification is as close as your download button, and as a bonus you can check out Jean's epic struggle in today's Triplet Tuesday™️ segment.
Show note imagery: GIBRALTAR, a British territory visible from Africa
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Another day, another debut crossword, this one by Tom Locke -- who has published in other well-known venues before, but this is indeed his first in the NYTimes. In the best tradition of NYTimes Monday crosswords, the theme was amusing, understated (certainly compared to its flashy Thursday sibling), and not too difficult to souse out. Deets inside, so have a listen, don't forget to subscribe, and please tell others about us on social media.
Show note imagery: A pair of BLUEWHALEs looking, well, a bit BLUE
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A challenging Saturday crossword by Rich Norris - his 188th!! -- with a nice mix of deceiving and educational clues. Examples of the former include 2D, "Say no more", ONIT, and the aforementioned 26D, "Do I have news for you!", EXTRAEXTRA. Latter examples include 17A, Like some coins, BIMETALLIC (huh), and 7D, NASA rocket since 1957, ATLAS.
Today is Saturday, meaning it's time to announce this week's JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award), and this week the winner was ... nope, no spoilers here: check out the podcast, though, all will be revealed there.
Show note imagery: LOME, the capital of Togo, in the Gulf of Guinea
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Today's crossword, a debut in the NYTimes by Mike Ellison, was a relatively gentle Sunday crossword with a host of curious clues, such as 94A, Hats worn by Napoleon, BICORNES; 86A, Golf gimme, TAPIN (not to be confused with last Thursday's golf phrase, HOLESOUT); 80A, Settings for timers, OVENS (nice!!); and the fine 53A, Needles holder, CONIFER (awesome!!). An auspicious debut indeed, and we look forward to many more contributions from Mr. Ellison.
Show note imagery: The Three Musketeers - Aramis, ATHOS, and Porthos
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This was a delightful Friday crossword courtesy of Matthew Stock and Christina Iverson (with Joel Fagliano ably editing). It had plenty of crunch, thanks to SCADS of challenging clues -- 43A, Porto-Novo's country, BENIN; 28D, Contend, HOLD; and 28A, Second hand, HELPER (😀) -- but they were reasonably fair (for a Friday!), and both cohosts concur that this crossword was worth 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
It's Friday, time for Fun Fact Friday! We won't tell you the fact right here, other than to hint that you might want to don a monocle before listening.
Show note imagery: The great game of PLINKO
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Just when you thought that the PHENOMs who construct NYTimes Crosswords couldn't possibly come up with one more theme, they ... come up with one more theme, and this one, by Hanh Huynh, is so novel that it deserves a standing ovation. Have a listen, and you'll see why!
A reminder that the entire crossword, filled out and with clues, is available at xwordinfo.com. When listening to this podcast, if you haven't filled out the grid yourself, you'll probably find the convo a lot easier to follow if you have that open first, it is one awesome resource for cruciverbalists (that's you!) everywhere.
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Jeffrey Martinovic has graced the pages of the NYTimes before, and one glance at this crossword will tell you why he was invited back - a splendid piece of work, a brilliant (and helpful) theme, with an ARMY (60A, Host) of educational and entertaining clues. Those included 5D, Sound of hesitation ERM, and its counterpart, 68A, Sounds of hesitation, UMS; 71A, Media inits. since 1851, NYT (yay, our favorite newspaper!!); and, of course, the unforgettable 70A, Bottomless pit, ABYSM, a clue into which we hope to take a, ahem, deep dive, at a later date!
Show note imagery: An example of LATERALSYMMETRY
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Judy Bower's debut crossword has much to commend it, including 45D, Word with bad or blood, SPORT; 34D, Certain Scotsman, GAEL; 38D, "Ha, no surprise there!", IKNEWIT; and, of course, the awesome theme of which we have more to say inside, so to speak.
Show note imagery: SCREENAGERS!
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A celebration of Earth Day and a word ladder, who could ask for more? We love word ladders, so today's crossword, by David J. Kahn (his 189th!!), hit the sweet spot. There were also several Earth Day related clues not tied to the word ladder -- 18A, Sustainably produced electricity, GREENPOWER; 54A, Carbon-based energy source, FOSSILFUEL; and in between, 36A, One symptom of climate change, GLOBALWARMING. All in all, a timely and enjoyable Monday puzzler.
Show note imagery: The San Gorgonio Pass wind farm
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Michael Schlossberg has created a dazzling Sunday crossword with a doozie of a theme, definitely worth 5 squares on the JAMCR scale. We have all the deets inside, so we cordially invite you to have a listen (and don't forget to subscribe!)
Show note imagery: TEDTtalks, which are apparently limited to 18 minutes in length
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Another challenging Saturday crossword - no surprise there, Saturdays are designed to be the toughest crossword of the week - but at least the trivia / pop culture references were mercifully few. Jean had a spot of bother in the middle of the crossword, while Apple aficionado Mike thrashed about trying to recollect 48A, Popular video editing software, IMOVIE. Deets inside, as usual, as well as the big reveal, this week's JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award) winner.
Show note imagery: An APPLETINI
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An entertaining and educational Friday crossword by Kate Hawkins - just the way we like 'em! Jean knew pretty much every answer in the grid, although it took some time to connect each word/phrase to its clue! Mike, meanwhile, knew ... PHASERS and EDEN, although many of the rest of the answers looked vaguely familiar.
Besides our analysis of the crossword proper, it's Fun Fact Friday, so check out that segment (including the US Fish & Wild Service web site mentioned there).
Show note imagery: The Alhambra PALACE, in Spain
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Today's crossword did not have the rebuses (rebusae?) that one of us (cough, Mike, cough) forecast yesterday, but it made up for that omission with a terrific, and terrifically taxing, theme, and an accompanying throng of challenging clues. We're still gasping, in awe and exhaustion, from having gotten this puzzle solved. For all the deets, have a listen, and then let us know what you think - crosswordpodcast@icloud.com.
Show note imagery: Check out those pink PLUMES
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Another fabulous midweek NYTimes crossword, thanks to a glorious theme that is about as NYTimes-ish as they come. We will leave you in suspense as to what that theme might be, or ... you could just download today's episode where all will become clear, in particular why this crossword rates a full and enthusiastic 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
Show note imagery: A real escape pod (from a B-58 Hustler)
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A splendid Tuesday crossword by Adam Vincent (edited most ably by Joel Fagliano), with quite a few lively clues to keep the solver interested. We are referring to (beyond those mentioned in the podcast proper) to 51A, San Fran athlete, NINER; 65A, Deserving of a fire emoji, as a party, LIT (say what? 😀); and 36D, Quartet + Quintet, NONET (awesome!).
In addition to our deep dive into the grid, it's also Triplet Tuesday, and Jean's in the hotseat! To find out how she fared, subscribe / download / listen up / enjoy!
Show note imagery: Dimension X, a marvelous old time radio show
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We are philosophical about today's crossword (a debut by Amanda Winter), mainly because today's crossword -- particularly the theme -- contained a large dollop of philosophy. We will leave you in mild suspense as to the exact nature of that philosophy, but you may assuage that suspense by checking out today's episode!
Show note imagery: Yesterday, a DERBY; today, FEDORAS; tomorrow's forecast ... TAMs!
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A crunchier than usual Sunday crossword by John Rippe and Jeff Chen, a side-effect, perhaps, of a brilliant theme that had Jeff Chen's fingerprints all over it. There were many clever clues - 35A, Something you might break into, SONG (ha!); 9D, Game with annoying pop-ups, WHACAMOLE (raising again, that epic question, where'd the K go?); and 97A, Outstanding, OVERDUE (like Lucy v. Charlie Brown, we always fall for that clue!). But the pièce-de-résistance of the entire puzzle had to be the theme, timely, epic, and elegant. Deets await inside, so have a listen, and please tell others about us on social media!
Show note imagery: Don't fret, it's just a FRETSAW
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A challenging debut (!) crossword by Jess Rucks. Our intrepid cohosts found said challenge in different areas of the grid, Jean in the mid east, Mike in the northwest. But, after exploring their respective mind palaces - Jean's approximately the size of Green Bay, Wisconsin, and Mike's approximately the size of a pup tent you can find for sale at the REI in Green Bay, Wisconsin - they were able to seal the deal.
We have all the deets inside, as well as the big reveal - this week's JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award). So, for all that and more, please subscribe, download, listen up and ... enjoy!
Show note imagery: Your basic DERBY, all felt, all the time
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A challenging Friday crossword by Evan Kalish, although not as difficult as some crosswords, it did take at least one of our cohosts a while to get any traction. But once they did, ..., well, it still took them a tranche of time to solve, and they enjoyed every minute of it! Although we covered most of the peg-the-awesomeness-meter clues in today's episode, another that deserves mention is 11D, Misidentification in the DC Universe, ITSAPLANE, very nice!
Show note imagery: TIBET, roof of the world
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A delightful Thursday crossword by reliably delightful crossword constructor Dan Caprera, today's puzzle has much to commend it. The theme is spot on, and while the rest of the puzzle is based on tougher than usual clues, it is all for a good cause -- as you will hear in today's exciting episode!
Show note imagery: Some of the many OLIVETREES painted by Vincent Van Gogh
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Today's crossword was Bill Thompson's 10th NYTimes publication, and based on this, we can't wait for his 11th. The theme was extremely clever, and there were OCEANS of great clues, including 55D, "Gee, I wish I was back in the _______" (song from "White Christmas"), ARMY; an APPLEBETTY alternative, perhaps, 30D, Linzer _________ (pastry); and 42D, 1965 film starring George Segal that was set in a P.O.W. camp, KINGRAT.
So, even though this crossword was a tad crunchier than usual, we found it adorbs, most definitely worthy of a full 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
Show note imagery: Mel TORME, no relation whatsoever to his daughter Marissa TOMEI.
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Today's crossword had a fine theme -- discussed herein -- but the rest of the clues also did their part. We particularly enjoyed 4D, Lady Gaga hit included on Rolling Stone's "500 Greatest Songs of All Time" list, BADROMANCE (BADROMANCE, but great song!); 59A, Occam's _________, RAZOR (when you need to trim a conspiracy theory down to size); and the slightly perplexing 25D, Field for a voice major, maybe OPERA (🎶)
Beyond the crossword, we also have a grand Triplet Tuesday segment, so do have a listen.
Just a reminder, that the NYTimes crossword is an excellent way to keep those gray cells in the pink of health. For a year's subscription -- approximately as cheap as borscht -- just wander over to nytimes.com/crosswords, and tell 'em Jean & Mike sent ya!
Show note imagery: The sitar, an excellent instrument for playing RAGA
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A fine and timely crossword by Peter Gordon (his 128th!!) , celebrating that rare celestial event, an incoming asteroid that only Bruce Willis can ... no, scratch that, the juxtaposition of the sun and moon causing much confusion among animals and consternation among newscasters. We are speaking, of course, of today's eclipse, and Peter Gordon, the author of today's fine crossword, also has something to say on the subject. To find out what that was, we cordially invite you to have a listen to today's podcast.
Show note imagery:The Farm, by Joan MIRO
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Depending on which cohost you ask, today's crossword was either a) a delicious piece o' cake, or b) the inspiration for Edvard Munch's The Scream. Both agreed that it was an intriguing crossword, thanks to a clever theme that exploited the observation that duplicate letters can form homonyms -- YYs (wise), EEs (ease), PPs (peas), etc., etc. Deets inside, so please have a listen, and feel free (no pressure!) to leave us a 5 star review from wherever you happen to get your podcasts.
Show note imagery: Masks, by James ENSOR
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Today's crossword was jaw-droppingly difficult, each clue handcrafted to be more devious than the one that preceded it. From 44A, Notably circular formations on Mars, DUNES (they have dunes on Mars? cool!), to 48A, Flowers that are a a source of the anti-inflammatory drug colchicine, CROCI (woah!), to even 45A, Cup alternative, PINT (gasp!), it is clear that the intent of this puzzle was to puzzle, and it does so in spades. We have all the deets inside, as well as our JAMCOTWA - Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award - so for all that and more, have a listen!
Show note imagery: LAPIS, or to give it its full name, LAPIS Lazuli
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Rebecca Goldstein has a knack for creating festive, fun crosswords, and her streak is unbroken as a result of today's fine work -- so far she's having a BANNERYEAR. The crossword was tough but fair, definitely worth 5 squares on the JAMCR scale -- deets inside!
Show note imagery: Oh, sure, India gave the world chess, shampoo, and cashmere, but these all pale in comparison to their greatest invention, NAAN 😀
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Today's crossword has it all! A unique theme / drink recipe, a nice piece of grid art, and as a reward for the intrepid solver, a flash color to celebrate its successful completion. Several clues we thought worthy of note: 54A, Derby participants in July, BATTERS; 44A, Gave a red card, informally, DQED; 49A, Betting recklessly, in poker, ONTILT; and 34A, Certain soccer kick, TOEPOKE; and the hilarious 18A, What Scott Joplin might yell after a spill?, RAGTIME. 🙄
We also have listener mail! So to check all of that out, you are cordially invited to download, listen up, and ... enjoy!
Show note imagery: Ah, the ol' EYETEST
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A wonderful Wednesday crossword by prolific veteran cruciverbalist Alex Eaton-Salners. The theme was cute, and the rest of the grid a hoot, with a plethora of entertaining and eduational clues scattered throughout. We've got the deets inside, so have a listen and, of course, enjoy!
Show note imagery: An IMPALA, hoping that it doesn't get hit by a Chevy Impala while roaming the Savanna.
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Tuesday's child is full of grace ... as is this, Tuesday's crossword. The reasons for that will become clear as soon as you check out today's episode, so have it!
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Much hilarity ensues in today's grid, undoubtedly inspired by the day (April 1st). It did make for a tricky Monday, however, and, at least for Mike, a much slower time than average. Still, a worthy attempt, definitely worth 4 squares on the JAMCR sale.
Show note imagery; There's just something about this mountain ...
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Another one of those sprawling Sunday grids that we all know and love, 21x21 squares chock-full of delicious puzzlement, along with a heaping side of puns -- because what would a Sunday crossword be without them? This was Spencer Leach's 4th NYTimes crossword, and his first Sunday. When he's not constructing crosswords, Spencer is studying mechanical engineering at Virginia Tech, and in fact he wrote a small Python program to help him in the creation of this fine work.
We have more to say about today's crossword inside, so have a listen, and let us know what you think!
Show note imagery: Bather in the Woods by PISSARRO
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Years from now, people will sing lusty songs of praise, and recall fondly where they were, when they heard this crossword's happy music, it was that tough. Blake Slonecker made solvers work for just about every answer, and your cohosts found it a major slog (fun slog, but still ... a slog). We have all the deets inside, as well as the winner of this week's JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award)™️, so for all that and more, have a listen, and please, leave us a 5 star review wherever you happen to be streaming this podcast from.
Show note imagery: OLEANNA, which apparently is a thing
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A tough Friday workout for the little gray cells, thanks to a debut by Jake Bunch with some nice diversions, obfuscation, and plumes of humor. We were delighted to see 40D, Computer acronym since the 1960s, ASCII; 48D, Fancy, WANT (of course!); 33A, Solving puzzles, e.g., PASTIME (still amazed that only has 1 T ...); and 43A, One of the Minecraft protagonists, STEVE (hi, STEVE!).
It is Friday, which, as long time listeners can attest, means it's time for Fun Fact Friday, and we have a fine one in store for you. Check it (and everything else that you wanted to know about today's crossword) out in today's episode, hot off the mike (but we promise it'll be cool by the time it gets to your ears).
Show note imagery: STEVE, a Minecraft character
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For those of you who haven't played with POTATO HEAD for a while, today's puzzle gives you a perfect opportunity to revisit an old friend, thanks to this fine work by Dominic Grillo. The theme was blatantly obvious -- the giant potato in the middle of the grid being a huge tipoff 😀 -- but that made it no less fun. There were oodles of 3 letter answers in today's grid, that being the price of sharing space with a giant edible OVOID, which might (?) lead to a smoother solve. Regardless, the theme was a blast, and the rest of the clues -- as you'll see when you listen to today's episode -- were also of high caliber. We approve, 5 squares on the JAMCR scale!
Show note imagery: The Story of ADELE H
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Rich Katz is on a roll - this is his 5th NYTimes crossword in just over a year, and it is a beaut. The theme is ingenious, and the cluing amusing. Cases in point: 37D, Less green, maybe, OLDER; 51D, It might be used while boxing, TWINE (😀); 52D, Did zippo, IDLED; and 53A, Stick used for breaking, CUE (aha!). All great, and we approve, 5 squares on the ye olde JAMCR scale.
Show note imagery: The IONIAN islands, conveniently located in the IONIAN sea!
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We are back after a brief hiatus, and welcoming us back is this fine crossword by Laura Dershowitz and Katherine Baicker (edited by Joel Fagliano). The theme was a little on the high-brow side and a lot on the punny side, just what one would expect from a good Tuesday NYTimes crossword. We have all the deets inside, so please, subscribe, download, listen up, and, as always, let us know what you think!
Show note imagery: Various politicos with a fortunately-not-life-sized Euro commemorating Croatia's adoption of the currency
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This is Lynn Lempel's 102nd NYTimes Crossword (no, that was not a typo). We don't know how she does it, but we are soooo glad that she does. Check out today's episode for all the reasons (as well as our latest Triplet Tuesday segment).
For logistical reasons we need to take a break this week, but we will be back next Tuesday ... in the meantime, keep doing those crosswords!
Show note imagery: CAPN Crunch, whose mustaches almost rival Salvador Dali's!
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A fine Monday crossword by Trent H. Evans -- his tenth in the NYTimes -- and it has a number of fine clues honoring A-listers, including 59A, Artist who co-authored a book about his mustache, DALI; 38A, Game show icon Trebek, ALEX; and 42A, Queen of the Nile, informally, CLEO.
Show note imagery: Dali's Mustache 😀
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This marks Simeon Siegel's 12th NYTimes crossword, and it is a masterpiece! There's no telling how long it took to make, but no matter how long, it was worth the wait, one of those "I can remember where I was when I solved it" puzzles that makes you glad to be alive. Deets inside, so check it out, and, as usual, let us know what you think!
Show note imagery: NIAGARAFALLS on ice, 1888
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After Friday's mental melee, today's crossword was slightly easier, but still not a walk in the park, not by a long stretch. It was a Saturday, designed to confuse and confound, and it did so in spades. We have all the details, as well as our JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award) winner, plus some awesome listener mail, so for all that, and more, we encourage you to subscribe (so you don't miss an episode), download, listen, learn, and laugh.
Show note imagery: Where the Sidewalk Ends, by Shel Silverstein
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Today is Pi Day - 3/14 - and the NYTimes is celebrating in grand style (ok, perhaps not the entire newspaper, but certainly the crossword section). To see what happens when the gray lady lets down her hair, so to speak, be sure and check out today's podcast!
Show note imagery: A helpful chart for anyone hoping to try their hand at chiromancy 🙄
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Today's crossword was the ideal middle-of-the-week puzzle; a fun but accessible theme, a smattering of debut answers and a host of intriguing clues. We have -- of course! -- all the deets inside, so do have a listen, and, as usual, let us know what you think!
Show notes imagery: OSLO, showing just a few of its 40 islands and 350 lakes
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Andrew Kingsley and Garret Chalfin have teamed up to produce a fine Tuesday crossword, with some good clues, some great clues, and some awesome clues. In the latter category we have 35D, Show stoppers?, ADS 😀; 51A, Liquid-ATE, MELT 🙄; and 50D, Anonymous creator of a painting sold at auction that subsequently shredded itself, BANKSY 😀 😀 .
An admirable crossword, we hereby declare it to be worth a full 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
Show note imagery: BANKSY's work of art, destroying itself!
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Today's crossword is by award winning (!) crossword constructor Rebecca Goldstein and Rachel Fabi, and the two have constructed a wonderful puzzle that is sure to whet your appetite for more of their work. The theme -- which will also whet your appetite -- is fine, but there were some other clues worth cheering. Allow us to point out, for example, 30A, One nickname for Elizabeth, ELLY; 9D, Genre for Da Brat or DaBaby, RAP; and 2D, US Soccer star, RAPINOE, to which we can only say 34D, Cheer at a soccer stadium, OLE!
Show note imagery: Apples to Apples
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Enrique Henestroza Anguiano and Matthew Stock have teamed up to rack 'em up, with a clever Scrabble-based theme. It briefly looked like today might been a four leaf clover of a crossword, a Sunday puzzle with a rebus: but in this case, the trick was to construct the rebus mentally, while writing only a single letter in the grid itself. It's complicated, but we've got the 411 on all of it, so dig into today's episode, and, as always, let us know what you think.
Show note imagery: Sekhmet, the Egyptian goddess of war
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A fine Saturday crossword by John Guzzetta -- and if that name seems familiar, that's perhaps because he has had 40 NYTimes crosswords published since 2012. Of those, 50% of them were Friday or Saturday puzzles, so he's definitely in his element here.
Though themeless (as is tradition for a Saturday NYTimes crossword), there were of course many fine clues, which we dive into in today's episode. Beyond those, however, we would be remiss if we did not at least mention 27D, Concupiscent one, EROS (woah!), and 2D, Reluctant to join?, INERT (nice!).
It's Saturday, and for our JAMCOTWA we chose ... nope, cliffhanger here, to find out though, all you need to do is subscribe, download and listen up!
Show note imagery: Light Emitting Diodes, aka LEDs
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There were challenges galore in today's crossword, with the rockiest of rocky shoals cropping up in the southwest portion of the grid. There were so many great clues that it would take, oh, a 15x15 grid to list all of them, but here are a few (that didn't make it into the podcast): 13D, Butt of a joke?, WHOOPEECUSHION (ha!); 9D, Like the homes of roughly one in six Americans, rural (huh!); 45A, In, in the past, HEP (har!); and there were many, many more.
In other news, we have a listener mail / Fun Fact Friday segment for your listening pleasure, so do have that listen, and, as usual, let us know what you think!
Show note imagery: a "Simulation Giant ISOPOD Soft Stuffed Plush Toy" (no kidding, it's available at Amazon now).
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This is Joe O'Neill's very first NYTimes crossword, and it's a doozie, with the theme revolving around one of Robert Frost's most famous poems. Now "famous" is relative: while Jean had a casual acquaintance with the poem, Mike was, as usual, clueless -- and therefore answerless -- so he had to rely exclusively on the not -always-easy crosses, and serendipity, to see him through.
There were some great clues throughout the grid that deserve some air time. There was the euphonious 53A, Waste's way away, SEWER; the sneaky 37A, Like the fruits durian and mangosteen, ASIAN (!); and the somewhat obscure 27D, Get into it, rustically, RASSLE (woah!). We loved them all, and hereby bestow a full 5 squares, on the JAMCR scale, to Mr. O'Neill's fine opus.
Show note imagery: Robert Frost's Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening, the illustrated version
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Brad Wiegmann has produced a fabulous Wednesday crossword, and for those keeping track this is the second crossword this week where the theme was on the subtle and cerebral side. We loved it for a number of reasons, detailed inside -- as well as some exciting listener mail that will be of special interest to residents of PARAMUS, NJ. Deets within, so dive in (as long as it's been at least an hour since you ate 😀) and enjoy!
Show note imagery: Machu Picchu, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, in southern Peru
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Today's crossword was by veteran crossword constructor Christina Iverson, who has a knack for writing absolutely effervescent puzzles. Just consider a few of the clues in today's grid: 51A, Queen's pawn?, ANT (nice once, CI); 42D, Swift to fill a concert hall?, TAYLOR (who else?); and 24A, Like a tightrope, ideally, TAUT (we tought, er, thought so too 😉).
Show note imagery: David Aguilar's amazing prosthetic ARM and EMORY university library (in the old days!)
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This is Samantha Podos Novak's debut NYTimes crossword, and it is a delicious treat, thanks to a tasty theme and a generous sprinkling of cromulent clues throughout the grid. And if you're sensing a food theme, you are correct! For all the deets -- including which food, and how many calories it has -- you are heartily encouraged to download, listen up, and, of course, enjoy today's podcast!
Show note imagery: YER out!
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You can always count on Hoang-Kim Vu to produce a splendid crossword, and today you can also count on him to ... count, because that's the theme: countdown, to be specific, is the title of the crossword as well as a large hint as to what you have to be able to do to solve said crossword. We have all the deets inside, so have a listen, and let us know what you think.
Show note imagery: PARAMUS Park, New Jersey
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Natan Last has constructed 39 crosswords for the NYTimes, and this latest one shows exactly why the NYTimes keeps coming back for more - the clues are simply inspired, dancing on that fine line between uber-challenging and cruel, but always landing on the right side. So, without doubt, this crossword should be in the running for our JAMCOTWA - Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award™️). Did it win? Download to find out!
Show note imagery: KABUKI, Japanese theatre at its finest.
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A roaringly good Friday crossword to end the business week! There was no theme, but there were a host of awesome clues, including: 38A, Shade akin to peridot, LIME (peridot, what a word!); 33D, Where you might run into some real characters, THEMEPARK (brilliant!); 9D, Never again, ONCE (can't argue with that!); and 18D, Luxury brand, or non-luxury option, COACH (delightful!).
Since it's Friday, we also have a fascinating Fun Fact Friday™️ segment, so for all that and more, subscribe, download, listen up and ... enjoy!
Show note imagery: A pair o' peridot colored gemstones
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Whether this was in honor of Leap Day or not (only Will knows, and he's not saying), today's crossword was extra special, most notably because of some of the clues weren't just text, but in fact cute line drawings of assorted animals playing musical instruments. The line drawings were endearing, and we were enamored, for reasons that we expound upon, at length, in today's episode.
Also, we have listener mail! Lots of it!! So check out today's podcast, and, as is traditional on Leap Day, we humbly beseech thee to leave us a 5 star-eth rating wherever thou dost getteth one's podcastes. 😉
Show note imagery: PIA Mater and friends
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A debut crossword by Greg Snitkin, but you wouldn't know it based on the quality of today's puzzle. The theme was terrif, and was abetted by a passel of captivating clues to round off the grid. While a lot of old friends showed up (looking at you, 15A, McFlurry flavor, OREO), and 61A," _________ you vera much!", (punny valentine), ALOE, there were two debuts, including 33A, Someone terrorizing kids in a 1986 Stephen King novel, SCARYCLOWN 🤡. For all the deets, have a listen, and, as always, let others know about us on social media!
Show note imagery: Professor Moriarty, definitely a MATH professor!
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A lot of INK went into today's crossword, in such answers as SLINKYDOG, WINKYFACE and 5 (!) more of that ink, er, we mean ilk, 😀. Numerous clues got our attention and podcast time, but we would also like to celebrate 49D, Tatted, INKED (yay, more ink 😀); 9D, "It's Raining _______", MEN (meteorologically unlikely, but still...); and 10D, Like a dress with a diagonal hemline, say, ASYMMETRIC.
It's Tuesday, which of course means it's time for a Triplet Tuesday battle of wits. Did Jean win? Or did she burst into flames like a Phoenix, only to be reconstituted the next day? Although the answer is likely quite obvious, to find out for certain you'll need to do what countless others have done before you ... subscribe, download, listen up, and enjoy!
Show note imagery: Kinky Boots, the Musical!
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This is Joe Marquez's second NYTimes crossword (congrats, Joe!) and a very nice piece of work it is. Several clues had a wry twist to them (and we are not just saying that because the theme involved alcohol 🙄). The humor started early, with 1A, Little spheres in a pod, PEAS; continued with 15A, Out-spoken, ALOUD; and by definition the most humorous of all, the on the nose 26D, Ha-ha-ha, LAUGH (which we did).
Besides the puzzle itself, we have listener mail, a fine explanation of ANDONE from a few days ago. Enjoy!
Show note imagery: The very last picture of the RCADOME, blown up to make room for a convention center in 2008
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Once again the puns come thick and fast, so if you like puns, well, step this way and download this episode, because it's teeming with them, seven at last count. They're not that bad though, in fact several have groan, er grown on us (and now we're up to eight 😀)
A reminder, the NYTimes Crossword is an excellent vehicle for helping you keep mentally agile and alert, and it costs just pennies a day. To gain access, just wander over to nytimes.com/subscriptions, operators, or at least bots, are standing by!
Show note imagery: Elisha Otis, cutting the rope at the 1854 New York World's Fair
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A tough but fair Saturday crossword, and, coincidentally (since they always solve independently), both Jean and Mike ended up at the same spot, 20A, Pink-headed mushroom in Mario games, TOADETTE. There were at least two portmanteaus in the grid -- 8A, Hybrid fruit akin to an apium, PLUOT; and the aforementioned 30A, Feline hybrids, TIGONS.
There were many other admirable clues in the grid, such as 42D, Things that might hurt you to the core, SITUPS 😀 ; 33D, Fashion items that might be a bit steep, STILETTOS 😀 😀; and the fabulous 62A, What may go to waste? No! What waste may go to, COMPOSTBIN 😀 😀 😀.
In other news, it's Saturday, which means it's time to announce the JAMCOTWA - Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award. To find out who's the lucky winner, check out today's ad-free, chortle-rich episode.
Show note imagery: The one, the only, TOADETTE!
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Jean and Mike had entirely different solving experiences tackling today's crossword, a fine effort by Larry Snyder. Jean made short work of it, but Mike started inventing words out of whole cloth, a fraught activity when solving a NYTimes Friday crossword. Yet, while their solving experiences might have differed, they both agree that this crossword most definitely deserved 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
In other news, it's Fun Fact Friday, and Muppet / Hunter S. Thompson fans will find much to like about today's segment. Also, we have listener mail!
So, for all that and more, we heartily suggest you download, listen up, and enjoy.
Show note imagery: The STENO machine
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This is Dan Schoenholz's 29th NYTimes crossword, and it shows -- a nicely polished grid, with an exceptional theme. Since the preponderance of Dan's crosswords have appeared on Sunday, it might seem like he'd be a bit constrained, squeezed into a 15x15 grid, but, even without rebuses (spoiler alert! Oops, too late 😀), he managed to craft an elegantly enjoyable crossword. We've got all the deets inside, so please, subscribe, download, listen up, and enjoy!
Show note imagery: OTIS Redding (second from right), founder of The Temptations
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Jeffrey Martinovic has managed to work the word TAUTOLOGICAL into the grid, and for that alone he should receive some sort of commendation. But we can't also IGNORE some other great clues, such as 69A, Some downtown street liners, METERS; 11D, Is French?, EST (c'est bon!); and 62A, "Mud", JOE (😀). A fine crossword, definitely worth 5 squares on the JAM CR scale!
Show note imagery: Queen MAB, hard at work (?)
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This is Robert S. Gard's second NYTimes crossword. We reviewed his first in season 8, episode 38, and like that Saturday puzzle, this one was equally august, albeit much easier, as befits a Tuesday . We have all the deets inside, as well as Mike's valiant attempt to not make a fool of himself during the Triplet Tuesday contest, so have a listen, and let us know what you think!
Show note imagery: Beware the KRAKEN!
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This is Adam Wagner's 19th NYTimes crossword, but it is a debut, in a sense - his first Monday puzzle. It was a little crunchier than usual, but the theme made it all worthwhile. Deets inside, so have a listen, and as usual, tell others about us on social media.
Shownote imagery: A thaw of ICEBOATS (and if "thaw" isn't the appropriate unit, it ought to be!) about to start racing
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Sid Sivakumar dials it back as he slips into his Sunday best, and this was indeed one of his best Sundays, his fourth for the NYTimes.
There were some fine clues in the grid, including 75A, Home to the Great Ziggurat of Ur, IRAQ (we just like the sound of "Great Ziggurat of Ur" 😀); 116A, What hits the ground running, SOLE (ha!); and 55D, So ... or a word following "so", TRUE (double ha!); and a hidden gem at 89A, Windy part of a kite?, REEL (triple ha!).
To sum up, we were impressed, this definitely rates 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
Show note imagery: The Great Ziggurat of Ur
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Spencer Leach and Jem Burch have produced a splendiferous Saturday crossword that entertained, educated, and ... whatever the opposite of enervated is, ah, yes, energized. The highlight of the grid was undoubtedly 60A, Finished, colloquially, DONEZO, although 61A, Drinks are on me!, BARMENU, definitely gave it a run for its money. There was much more to this puzzle, though, and we have all the deets inside.
Show note imagery: Speed skater Johann OLAV Koss, winner of 4 Olympic golds and occasional Clark Kent stunt double
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Colin Adams has turned in a fine (debut!) Friday crossword: no theme (as befits a Friday puzzle), but plenty of sharp cluing (as one would also expect). We cover a boatload of them in today's podcast, but even the "also-rans" were quite good. Consider 30A, European airline that was nationalized from 1944 to 2001, IBERIA; 62A, [Violin emoji], OHBOOHOO; and the fabulous 66A, Moving company?, TROUPE.
We also have a Fun Fact Friday, and some great listener mail, so ... enjoy!
Show note videography: The MASSE shot
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Years from now, cruciverbalists will be able to say, I remember where I stood (or, more likely, sat) when I finally solved this crossword, it's that good. To find out why, we beseech thee, with all due haste, to downloadeth, listen upeth, and enjoyeth this fine work from Teddy and Rich Katz.
Show note imagery: Karl the FOG
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Today is Valentine's Day, and the NYTimes Crossword team was ready, thanks to a fabulous opus by Ella Dershowitz. It was a crunchier than usual Wednesday crossword, but all for a good cause - a lovely Valentine's Day theme that we explore, in detail, in today's podcast.
Show note imagery: RAPANUI, aka Easter Island
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A lovely pre-Valentine's Day crossword, clearly a labor of love by Peter Gordon, his ninth in the NYTimes. There was a sizable ... what's the term for a collection of inspired crossword clues? Apparently there is no such word, so we therefore cheerfully seize the nettle and welcome the word clueclub™️ to the English language. Now where were we? Oh, yes, today's puzzle featured a sizable clueclub, including 51D, Bird with a lot of stuffing, LARRY (😀); 2D, Class that covers price ceilings and price floors, in brief, ECON (💰💰); and 26A, Harry Belafonte album whose first song is "Day-O", CALYPSO (🎶).
In other news, it's Tuesday, and Jean's in the hotseat! Finally we have listener mail. So to take advantage of all that for the low, low price of $0, all you have to do is download, listen up, and be prepared to be entertained!
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A gentle Monday crossword to get our work week going, with a theme that involved nonverbal answers. For those of you unaware, a nonverbal answer, written in [ ], is meant to evoke a sound or an action, a nonverbal answer. There were plenty of opportunities to practice that today, as you will discover when you (we hope!!) check out today's episode!
Show note imagery: Examen de danse, by EDGAR Dumas
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Depending on your upbringing and life experiences, you have found this crossword to be a breeze (Jean), or a quagmire of naticks (Mike). Both agree that it was a fine crossword, for reasons that are spelled out in today's Super Sunday podcast. Check it out!
Show note imagery: Thomas Edison, on the cover of Time magazine, 1925
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An elegant Saturday crossword by Zhouquin Burnikel, her 79th! It was a perfectly timed reminder that today is the Chinese New Year, the YEAROFTHEDRAGON, so GONGXIFACAI, everyone! The crossword was relatively straightforward for a Saturday, although there were some great gotchas throughout the grid. For example, have a gander at 7A, "Ah, got it now", OKISEE (not, as both Jean and Mike, solving independently as always, had speculated, OHISEE); 37D, Badly off-base, GONEAWOL (ha!); and 11D, Carrier of a bow and arrow, EROS (💘). Considering Zhouquin Burnikel's prodigious output, we confidently predict that you will see her next NYTimes crossword very soon, and that won't be soon enough!
Show note imagery: Just a few of the many, many costumed superheroes at MEGACON 2024.
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A fine Friday crossword by Christina Iverson, who is, at least based on her NYTimes record, unable to write any other kind. Jean tore through this like nobody's business, Mike almost met his Waterloo in the southwest corner, but somehow managed to scrape by, ending in ALLSMILES rather than SOBS. All the deets are inside, as well as a Generally Excellent Comment about the NBC chimes, so please download, listen up, and enjoy!
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Samuel A. Donaldson, having completed his 39th NYTimes crossword, demonstrates that practice makes perfect. Let's run through the list, shall we?
- Sly, wry, and occasionally totally deceptive theme? ✅
- Entertaining and educational clues? ✅
- Pedestrian, phone-it-in clues ❌
So Sam checks all the right boxes, and you should definitely check out a) his crossword, and b) our take on it. Enjoy!
Show note imagery: King Lear, upon a HEATH, exposed to the fury of the storm in a dark night
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Today's crossword was (mainly) a blast from the past, featuring a series of diverse musical hits with one common lyrical feature. Can you tell what LOLA, POKERFACE, MYGENERATION and CHANGES all have in common? If not (or even if you can), have a listen to today's podcast, where we answer that poser, and have our usual erudite, witty, and chances-of-winning-the-lottery-enhancing analysis of today's puzzle.
Show note imagery: LUCID Air, capable of going from 0 to 60 in under 2 seconds, and emptying your bank account even faster 😀
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A terrific Tuesday crossword by Victor Barocas. We found the answer to 59D, Lacking clutter", NEAT, to be ... NEAT. We judged the answer to 44A, Perfect, IDEAL, to be ... IDEAL. Finally we found the answer to 61A, Positive Instagram responses, LIKES to be worthy of a lot of ... ok, you know how this ends 😀 .
In addition to our hopefully cogent crossword analysis, we also have a nail-biting Triplet Tuesday segment, so listen in, play along, and ... enjoy!
Show note imagery: CANDYLAND, in all its glory
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A fun Monday crossword by Desirée Penner and Jeff Sinnock, who are about as persistent a crossword constructing duo as you'll ever meet: their first crossword (this is their second) took 123 tries before they got it published in the NYTimes. Talk about grit! Today's crossword is quite colorful, and, once you solve the crossword, we mean that literally: the themed answers get redrawn in the style of a comic book, with fonts and colors that look like they came right off of a DC or MARVEL artist's drawing board. We have more to say on today's podcast, so have a listen, and as usual, let us know what you think!
Show note imagery: MINOLTA, a camera of a bygone era.
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The puns fly thick-and-fast in a grid that is filled with panache, pizzazz, and other classy words that start with the letter p. Just consider 99D, School name that sounds like a Canadian territory, UCONN (brilliant!!); or 77D, What might lead to a bridge?, VERSE (bravo!); and 44A, Anatomical stabilizer, TOE (bodacious!). We've got all the deets in today's exciting episode, so download, have a listen, and then impress your neighbors with your (possibly) newly acquired knowledge of AXOLOTLYs and company.
Show note imagery: The cutest salamander ever, the AXOLOTYL
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A delightful Saturday crossword by Carolyn Davies Lynch and Jeff Chen - edited adroitly, as always, by Will Shortz. Your intrepid cohosts had vastly different experiences solving today's puzzle, but they both agreed that it contained a cornucopia of clever clues. Deets inside, as well as the winner of this week's JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award™️).
Show note imagery: Sir Georg SOLTI, conductor extraordinaire
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Today's crossword, a debut by Ryan Judge, was a major challenge. There was no theme, just a slew of diabolically deceiving clues, leading to a remarkably enjoyable solving experience. Beyond that, it's Friday, and we have a fascinating fact for Fun Fact Friday, and listener mail! So have a listen, and as always, let us know what you think - crosswordpodcast@icloud.com.
Show note imagery: DRMARTENS, we presume
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An astonishing Thursday crossword by Simeon Seigel, with a mind-boggling theme that's almost impossible to describe, and absolutely impossible to forget, in a grid that is RIFE with NOB-scratching posers. In short, we loved it, and the author, Simeon Seigel, should take a bow.
Show note imagery: Adolph OCHS, who purchased the New York Times in 1896 and promptly lowered the price from 3 cents per issue to a mere 1.
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Although we strive mightily to provide a fair, impartial review of each and every crossword, that goes right out the window when our favorite cartoon bear, BOOBOO, graces the grid. Fortunately, for the sake of our reviewing reputations , that does not happen often: BOOBOO has shown up a total of 12 times in the NYTimes crossword, and only one of those explicitly references Yogi's pal and straight man (er, bear).
Show note imagery: The AMSTEL river in the Netherlands, which, as far as we can tell, contains nary a drop of AMSTEL beer.
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An intriguing Tuesday crossword, with, as usual, an unusual theme - this one revolving around tanks. Beyond that, we had a few standout clues, including 32D, High-flying metaphor for independence, LONEEAGLE, dovetailing nicely with 34D, _______ high, SKY; and the very punny 45A, Woman with a habit, NUN. In short, a nice piece of work by Freddie Cheng, his 15th for the NYTimes.
Today's crossword included an "Oh That's How You Pronounce It Segment", specifically on how to pronounce ACAI
Show note imagery: a MECHA, either getting ready to attack or take a stroll down the runway.
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Both cohosts found today's crossword to be a tad tougher than usual, a small sacrifice to be made for the greater good, that being an ingenious theme, brilliantly deployed in today's grid. The dynamic duo who constructed today's opus, Garrett Chalfin and Andrew Kingsley, have published 6 and 21 NYTimes crosswords, respectively, and that experience shines through today. Definitely worth 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
Show note imagery: From left to right, Lin-Manuel Miranda and Philippa Soo, acclaimed actors and occasional NYTimes crossword answers.
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Today's crossword was a SMASHINGSUCCESS, and although we don't want to overly HEROIZE the author, Nathan Hasegawa was clearly ATTHETOP of his game when he put this together. The vocabulary level was definitely trending upward -- see for example 13A, Like "t", "k", and "p", in phonetics, PLOSIVE, to 49A, Tremble, PALPITATE (wasn't that a Star Wars emperor?) -- but it was the theme that truly sealed the deal. Deets inside!
Remember, solving the NYTimes Crossword is a great way to exercise those little gray cells, and impress your friends and relations . To get a subscription, just wander over to the NYTimes, they'll be glad to see you!
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It's Warrington & Warrington - not a law firm, but a daughter-father team responsible for this fine bit of Saturday cruciverbalism. Jean found it to be quite straightforward. Mike latched on to the little-known (because it doesn't exist) DANCER insect -- not to be confused with the correct answer to 36D, _______ bug (long-limbed predatory insect), DAMSEL*.
although Argia vivid, the vivid dancer, does exist, and it is* a type of damselfly. Small world, entomologically speaking!
Show note imagery: One classy clue that, alas, didn't make it into the podcast was 50A, Muralist who was a colleague of Dali, SERT
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Sarah Sinclair and Rafael Musa have turned in a festive Friday crossword, with that joy coming from all quadrants of the grid. We appreciated 24D, Pandemic health worker, UNSUNGHERO (sadly, quite true); 4D, Starts off-key?, HOTWIRES (😀); and the nicely deceiving 44D, Gave a hoot, YELLED.
In other news, today's episode has both Fun Fact Friday and Oh, That's How You Pronounce It! segments, so you're getting two for the price of one, what a deal!
Show note imagery: Betty Everett, the second person to record "The Shoop Shoop Song (It's in His Kiss)", but the first to make it famous!
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Sam Ezersky, he of Spelling Bee fame, is at the helm (under the fine leadership of Admiral Shortz), and he has turned in a fine bit o' work. He had us at 1A, Three-point letter you won't find in Scrabble?, PSI, and never let go, with a fusillade of great and occasionally groan-inducing clues/answers. We've got full coverage inside, so have a listen, and while you're doing so, please leave us a 5 star review on the app you're doing that listening on.
Show note imagery: The real Freddie Mercury, at Live Aid
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A worthy middle-of-the-week crossword, with all the requisite elements that we would expect, but a few that we did not. For example, we did not expect 46D, Siberian sled dog, SAMOYED; nor did we expect 67A, Logical operators that output "true" only if both inputs are true, ANDS; and finally, into that same category of "color us surprised" we would need to throw in 8D, Italian poet who wrote "Nature is the art of God", DANTE.
Show note imagery: a SAMOYED, pegging the cuteness meter
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A classy Tuesday crossword and a debut by Patrick Maher, with an LOL theme and edutaining clues all 'round. For example, 34D, Greek letter shaped like a pitchfork, PSI (true, true); 49D, Camelid sometimes used to guard sheep, LLAMA (that's a new one -- camelid, not LLAMA); and the uproarious 26D, Bad match on tinder, ARSON (😀). In short, a fine crossword, and surely worth 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
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Just how many crossword themes are possible? We'd argue for infinite, and while we have no proof, thanks to today's crossword we have even more empirical evidence: a unique and ebullient addition to the pantheon. See (or rather hear) for yourself: download, and be prepared to be uplifted, by Jake Halperin's fine opus.
Show note imagery: Hess, a toy truck that has absolutely no relationship, Mike's hallucinations notwithstanding, to author Hermann HESSE.
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Today's crossword is entitled "Funny Business", and it definitely lives up to its name. The themed clues were a stitch, and there were lots of intriguing clues, which we had a lot of fun with as well. So, for a guaranteed laugh a minute (or at least a chortle or two), we heartily encourage you to subscribe/follow (so you never miss an episode!), download, listen up, and ... enjoy!
Show note imagery: a Benjamina Ficus, in focus 😀
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Caitlin Reid and Matthew Stock have produced a breezy Saturday crossword -- with a slew of educational and entertaining clues such as 52A, Bad drawing?, SHORTSTRAW; 30D, Greek who originated the expression, "Leave no stone unturned", EURIPIDES (huh!); 50A, It's on the house, EAVE (ha!); and 41A, Signature items?, PENS (uh-huh). There were more, to be sure, and you can hear all about them in today's podcast!
Show note imagery: INCOGMEATO, look for it wherever fine vegetarian foods are sold!
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Today's crossword was a delight -- not soul-crushingly difficult, as Friday crosswords sometimes are, but just a joy to behold and to solve. We give numerous examples in today's podcast, but we'd also like to celebrate 2D, "Well, well, well!", LOOKIEHERE(😀); 39D, Got hitched?, HITASNAG(😀 😀); and the fascinating 23A, Grand _______, town in Nova Scotia that's a World Heritage Site (🧐). This was Jacob McDermott's 7th NYTimes crossword, and we eagerly await his 8th!
Show note imagery: ERTÉ, Art Deco Master!
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We'd like to say that the Michnovicz brothers have done it again, but since this is their debut NYTimes crossword all we can say is that they've done it! -- written a thought provoking puzzle that will test your spelling props like they've never been tested before (or at least since yesterday's puzzle). We cover most of the hot shot clues inside, but one we missed was 34D, Hot shot?, ESPRESSO; another, the very classy 59A, Jeremiad, RANT; and, perhaps the best of the bunch, 39A, Something that a ram and a Ram have in common, HORN 😀.
Show note imagery: the Heisman Trophy, won back-to-back by running back Archie Griffin.
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A fine Wednesday crossword by Morton J. Mendelson, and to answer the question raised in the grid, yes, ITISART: artfully designed, wittily clued, and with an astonishing number of themed clues. We were also delighted to see echoes of yesterday's stellar crossword crop up today - Tuesday revolved around ONEL, while today we had 59D, Top-notch, AONE. Tuesday involved the letter L, while today's crossword involved a lot of right angles (fundamentally an L that went head over heels).
Show note imagery: EDITH Wharton, author of the Pulitzer winning novel, The Age of Innocence, and the first woman to win a Pulitzer in fiction.
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Every now and then the NYTimes publishes a crossword for the ages, and today is one of those days, because this work of art, by Marshall Hermann, is sublime, stunning, stupendous, and a slew of other words that start with the letter S -- ironic, considering that the theme ... nope, we are not going to spoil it here: check out today's episode and then, as always, let us know what you think!
Show note imagery: today's picture, varieties of SEAGLASS
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A crossword that's bound to tickle your fancy, a statement that will appear quite droll once you've heard the podcast / soused out the theme. Beyond the clues already mentioned on the podcast, we'd like to highlight 45D, Pain relief brand with an oxymoronic name, ICYHOT; the appearance of yet another French word in the grid (62D, the S of RSVP, SIL), a trend which at least one of us would like to see continue; and there's just something very grounded about 60D, Barber's shout, NEXT. This represents Peter A. Collins' 119th crossword, definitely a cause for celebration.🎉
Show notes: the AURORA Borealis, the view from Iceland
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John Kugelman, cybersecurity expert and crossword constructor extraordinaire, has outdone himself with an extremely punny Sunday opus. INAILEDIT shows up in the grid, and may also have reflected his feelings when he got the last answer to slip into the grid. We liked this crossword a lot, for all the reasons covered in today's podcast. Enjoy!
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An easier than usual Saturday crossword (for at least one of our cohosts, no prizes for guessing who!), which means that -- according to the Law of Conservation of Crossword Difficulty -- Sunday is going to be a toughie! This puzzle did have some fine moments, though, including 13D, Caped crusader?, TORERO; 14D, First garment, perhaps, ONESIE; and one of the finer "bail out" excuses of recent times, 7D, "That's why you get the big bucks and not me", ABOVEMYPAYGRADE.
Show notes imagery: The Brahmaputra, the 9th largest river in the world (based on the volume of water discharged)
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A lively Friday crossword by Hemant Mehta, with a fusillade of clever and/or educational clues guaranteed to delight the diligent solver. We cover most of them in today's episode, along with a fascinating fact for Fun Fact Friday, plus a bonus: listener mail! For all that and more, download, listen up, and ... enjoy!
Show notes imagery: Where's Waldo?, mentioned in today's puzzle as having been banned (!)
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Today's puzzle, by Damon Gulczynski, has an ingenious and well-disguised theme: and thanks to the revealer's position in the bottom-right, we are kept in suspense / befuddlement, until the very end -- just the way we like it!
A few clues that didn't make it into the episode but are worthy of note include 26D, Groups of hands, CREWS (brilliant!); 41D, Instrument notary featured in George Michael's 1984 hit, "Careless Whisper", SAX (wait, a SAX can whisper? 😀); some very sage advice, 12D, Good thing to map out before an adventure, ESCSAPEROUTE; and last but not least, 9D, One of three for a grand, PIANOLEG (ha!).
A reminder that doing the NYTimes Crossword is a great way to keep those neurons sharp and shiny, so wander over to nytimes.com/crosswords and a subscription/year of merriment can be yours for a very reasonable price.
Show note imagery: SO NJA Henie, 10-time world champion skater!
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There was one TYPEO in today's grid, but that was by design and quite amusing (20A, What's tolerated by every body?), as we can count on one hand (without resorting to any phalanges chicanery) the number of genuine TYPEOs in the NYTimes Crossword.
Some real gems lay lurking in the grid, from subtle clues such as 61D, Its ways are numbered, RTE (lovely!), to the minor head scratcher (for some of us), 12D, One of the Astaires, ADELE (no, not that one); and one that we mentioned in the episode, but it deserves repeating, "Magic that works", per Vonnegut, SCIENCE 😀
Show note imagery: ADELE Astaire and ... some other guy
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This is Adam Wagner's 18th crossword, and it was a doozy, with 4 debut answers, including both cohosts' favorite, 6D, Exploded, WENTKABOOM. The grid was replete with many other less explosive but still notable clues/answers, such as 24D, "The Way" in Chinese Pinyin, DAO; 9D, New Jersey city named for its most famous former resident, EDISON; and 1D, Bully in "Back to the Future", BIFF. A fine, fine crossword, and we are looking forward to Adam Wagner's 19th, which based on his prior record, ought to appear ... tomorrow!
Show note imagery: Twelve Years a Slave, by SOLOMONNORTHUP
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TEDLASSO might've been shutout at the Golden Globes, but he won big by appearing in today's NYTimes crossword, thanks to Nate Cardin, constructor and (by his own account) TEDLASSO fan. We suspect that Nate Cardin might also have liked rodeos, as today's theme definitely implies: you can almost smell the PETRICHOR (see yesterday's episode for the deets on that) from here.
Show note imagery: Being a rodeo clown is tougher than it looks!
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A superb Sunday crossword by Michael Schlossberg, meeting the cruciverbal RDA for:
- old-timey clues -- 5A, "Yikes!", EGAD, and 19A, "Sounds 'bout right to me", IRECKONSO;
- birds that Mike has never heard of -- 3D, Bird also known as a lapwing, PEWIT, and 84D, Bittern, e.g., HERON; and
- a word that neither of the cohosts had heard of -- 2D, Petrichor, n.: The pleasant _________ of rainfall on dry soil, AROMA (but to be clear, the word we were unfamiliar with was Petrichor, we nose, er, know, all about AROMA).
All in all a fine addition to the Michael Schlossberg pantheon of great crosswords, and 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
A reminder, to get more out of this and every episode, we provide a link to xwordinfo.com, where you can see the entire crossword, filled out, with the accompanying clues. So if you have't solved the crossword yet but don't mind a huge spoiler, check out the site so you can better follow along as we meander through the grid.
Show note imagery: Gian Carlo Menotti's AMAHL and the Night Visitors.
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After Friday's grueling workout, today's crossword, even though it was a Saturday, seemed relatively straightforward. We are not complaining, though, because the clues were entertaining, the answers educational, and the overall effect soothing. A few examples of the constructors' craft: 55A, They change colors, DYERS; 33D, Where pizza is said to have been invented, NAPLES (what, not Chicago?? 😀); and 44A, A symptom of "man's failure as a thinking animal", according to John Steinbeck, WAR (profound, and befitting a Nobel Prize winner).
Besides the crossword, it's also JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award) time, so have a listen to see if your favorite was our favorite!
Show notes imagery: BOKEH in action!
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A tough, tough Friday crossword by David P. Williams -- his third, and his third to use the exact same grid pattern! The grid was daunting, with many a long answer, and there were almost no "gimme" clues to get a foothold. Mercifully (at least from Mike's perspective) there were relatively few pop culture references, just a lot of joyous word play. Deets inside, as well as a very fine fact for Fun Fact Friday, so download, listen up, and enjoy!
Show note imagery: an early bread slicing machine, possibly one made by the original inventor, Otto Frederick Rohwedder
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An excellent Thursday crossword, marred by an unfortunate technical glitch. The themed clues contained underlined letters, but the underscores did not appear in the app (they appeared as expected in a web browser). Needless to say this caused much consternation and gnashing of teeth, and the NYTimes crossword editorial team leapt into action, quickly replacing underscores with parentheses: but some early solvers were a tad ticked. Still, once you look past the underscore fiasco, you can see a very nicely done Thursday crossword: check out today's episode for all the deets!
Show note imagery: A rare 1857 Flying Eagle penny
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Any crossword that works both FIE and IRONHORSE into the grid deserves our respect and gratitude, and we give it freely to this fine opus by Jared Goudsmit, his second to be published in the NYTimes. The theme/gimmick is a delight, and bolstered by a fine supporting cast of clues, from 24D, Bring up, REAR and 68A, Bring up, CITE (nice combo!); to 27D, Tours de force, COUPS (ha!); and a clue that P.G. Wodehouse would've picked up on in a jiff, 34D, Good _______ (kind soul), EGG.
Show note image: P.G. Wodehouse, one of Britain's finest exports!
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We are back, after a brief holiday on the Riviera (or it might've been Green Bay, there seemed to be an inordinate amount of ice for the Riviera), and we are being welcomed back by an excellent Tuesday crossword. We tackle that in depth, as well as run our first Triplet Tuesday segment of the year, so for all that and more, please subscribe, download, listen up, and enjoy!
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We are taking a break between now (aka December 21, 2023) and the new year (partially because we've been displaced from our recording studio by a gang of ravenous marauders, aka our family), but rest assured we'll be back in January, raring to go, and in the meantime hope that all of you enjoy the very best of the season.
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A fine Tuesday crossword by Seth Weinberg, with an LOL theme that will make you, well, LOL. As usual, deets inside!
This marks our last episode of the year -- we're taking time off to recharge the little gray cells -- and want to wish you and yours a fantastic Christmas/Hanukkah/Kwanza/New Year. We'll see you again, in 2024!
Show note image: Baba Ghanouj (a variant (and apparently rarer) spelling of Baba Ganoush)
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There's a queue-full of Q's in today's crossword, but it's all in a good quase, er, we mean cause, to wit, a delightfulful theme that revolves around that ubiquitous symbol of 21st century tech, the QRCODE. Deets inside, as well as a brief announcement about an even briefer hiatus in honor of the holidays, so we humbly beseech thee to, in this order, subscribe (so you don't miss an episode), download, listen up, enjoy, and leave us a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review on whatever platform you heard this podcast on!
Show note image: a QR code!
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Today's opus was most definitely not an abridged crossword, but the full 21x21 marvel that is the NYTimes Sunday puzzle -- and indeed, considering that it had (wait for it...) rebuses,it could plausibly be argued that it was more of an augmented crossword. Regardless of how you look at it, what is most definitely not up for debate is that it was an awesome crossword, for reasons that we cover in today's episode. Enjoy!
Show notes: an image suggesting how to count to 60 on one hand
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Today's crossword is TOPRATED, and that's not just because it has TOPRATED in the grid, but because of a panoply of charming clues and intriguing answers that caught our fancy (although not quite as much as our JAMCOTWA winner, that would be ... nope, to find out who won and why, check out today's episode!!).
Show note image: An example of OPTICALART
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A challenging but not insurmountable Friday crossword by Alex Tomlinson - his debut! - with a whopping 8 debut answers. We cover all but 2 of them in today's episode, omitting only 2D, One whose work might be a piece of cake?, PASTRYCHEF (cute!) and 27D, "Don't even think of coming back!", ANDSTAYOUT (ouch!). In short, a lot to like in today's puzzle, and to get the full 411 hit download now (right after you hit subscribe, so you never miss an episode!) and within seconds (eh, if you've got good internet) you will be able to savor today's expedition through the grid.
Show note image: A LIANA*
*fun fact: we first opted for a PALE blue dot, but -- underlining Carl Sagan's point -- the dot was too small to be visible in a "podcast-sized" show note image
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It is not clear how many Zoom calls Esha Datta, author of today's crossword (her debut!) has been in, but we're willing to bet LOADS of them, based on their (very clever) theme. Beyond that, there were numerous notable clues, from 21A, Only country with a non-rectangular flag, NEPAL (maybe: checkout the podcast for a rebuttal); 37D, Notable lamb owner, MARY (as clues go, this one's not baaaaaad 🙄); 42A, Vehicle at the center of the Hindu festival Ratha Yatra, CHARIOT; and 35D, Collection of senior moments, YEARBOOK (😀). There's more too, so check out today's podcast for all the deets (as well as listener mail 💌).
Show note image: The first battle of the MARNE
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A nice mid-week crossword by veteran cruciverbalist Alex Eaton-Salners (this is in fact his 64th), and it is as refreshing as a glass of cool spring water, thanks to a theme that has everything to do with a glass of cool spring water. The clues elsewhere in the grid were enlightening, entertaining, and entirely crosswordese-free. In addition to those mentioned in the podcast, we would like to give a shoutout to 60A, Capital of Italy, EURO 😀; 46D, Latin singer Anthony, MARC (wowza!); and ... nope, sorry, there is nowhere to go from 46D other than D(own). Definitely 5 squares on the JAMCR scale!
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Peter Gordon must be a real MENSCH, and that's not just because he managed to slip that word into today's crossword, as part of a very amusing themed answer. There's a lot more magic happening in the grid, and to hear all the deets (as well as Jean's demonstration of verbal prowess in today's Triplet Tuesday Contest™️), please a) subscribe, b) download, c) listen-up, and d) enjoy!
Show note image: Baku, capital of Azerbaijan
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There's something about a Monday NYTimes crossword theme -- crafted to put a smile on your lips combined with a "huh!" when recognition dawns. Later in the week, that "huh", sometimes morphs into a "duh" or possibly a "doh", but we do like Mondays, including this fine work, a debut (congrats!!) by Luke K. Schreiber.
In other news, we have some very timely listener mail tying into yesterday's discussion of mutton busting ... from an actual mutton buster (well, to be precise, the mutton buster's parent). So for all that and more, please subscribe / download / listen up / enjoy!
Show notes photo: William, mutton buster extraordinaire, savoring his victory
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A seemingly easier than usual Sunday crossword, especially surprising consider its origin - from the minds and pens of Zachary David Levy and Jeff Chen. Besides a small boatload of puns that comprised the theme, today's puzzle did have some fun gems waiting to be uncovered. For example, 59D, Game divided into periods called chukkers, POLO (featuring our new favorite word, chukkers); 81A, Extreme lethargy, SOPOR (not to be confused with torpor, but we'd forgive you if you did!); 86D, Salts, MARINERS (argh, that was a good one as well!); and 129A, Exchanged some words?, EDITED (😀).
All in all a fine crossword, most assuredly worth a full 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
Today's show notes image: a bottle of Grand CRU (which doesn't cost a grand, but it is dear).
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Our intrepid cohosts had distinct solving experiences working on today's crossword - Jean found it relatively straightforward (aided and abetted, as usual, by her insanely copious and nearly complete collection of modern pop-culture references); Mike, whose pop culture references are mysteriously restricted to the years 1850 to 1875, inclusive, had much less luck, but still, somehow, managed to persevere. Deets inside, as well as the winner of today's JAMCOTWA™️ (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award™️), so subscribe / download / listen up / enjoy!
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Robert Logan has to make NOAPOLOGIES for today's crossword, a fine Friday, challenging but accessible, with some shorter toeholds conveniently located everywhere in the grid. There were a lot of fascinating factoids in today's puzzle, such as 30A, Artist of "La Maja Desnuda" and "La Maja Vestida", GOYA; 48A, ____________ Amendment (2010s extension of the Kyoto Protocol), DOHA; and 47D, Entertainment reference that began as a Usenet group, IMDB. There were many more educational and entertaining clues, and to hear all about 'em , you know the drill: download, listen up, and enjoy!
Today's show notes image: La Maja vestida, by GOYA
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A delightful Thursday crossword, an adjective we often find ourselves having to dust off when Rebecca Goldstein is the author, as is indeed the case today. It's not easy turning lead into gold, but she has done so magnificently, in several senses, as will become apparent once you've had a listen. Also, many of the lacunae in yesterday's crossword have been filled, thanks to some insightful listener mail, so for all that and more, download, listen up, and ... enjoy!
Heavy D, in HD 😀
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It's hard to miss today's theme, as it's spelled out in large letters, in the middle of the grid, for all to see (as we describe in today's episode). But it's such an attention getter that it might detract from some other Highly Hentertaining clues, such as: 12D, Hah!, IBET; 24D, Hummer's interior, EMS (a reference to its two M's, which definitely warrants another Hah!); and 35A, Handle letters, AKA (heh, heh). More examples and deets inside, check it out!
Today's artwork: One of Jimmy STEWART's most famous roles, in It's a Wonderful Life.
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A clever Tuesday crossword, with a theme that was a tad obscure by Tuesday standards (but fortunately was not essential, or really even helpful) in the solving of today's puzzle. We liked it though, for all the reasons spelled out in today's episode. We also had another stirring Triplet Tuesday segment, so check it out, and as usual, let us know what you think!
Today's show notes picture: a POCKETDOOR.
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Monday crosswords always seem to be crafted to put a smile on one's face, and today's puzzle is a case in point. We'e got the deets inside, great listener mail, and -- bonus! -- a hint of an inkling of an inchoate idea about a new contest, so, after you've hit the subscribe button (gently, but with enough force so that you'll never miss an episode), we cordially invite you to download, listen up, and prepare to chortle.
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Both cohosts found this to be a crunchier than usual Sunday crossword, and found it particularly (46A, Difficult), TRYING, in the vicinity of 32D, Rough fabric with a loose weave, RATINE (a word that, according to the Oxford English Dictionary, nobody has ever used, or even heard of 😉). But while the clues were tough, they were also uniformly excellent, as one would expect from the editor of Wordle and one who helps out with the NYTimes crossword, that person being Tracy Bennett.
For example, besides those mentioned in the podcast, we had 77D, Sweet stuff in asparagus (if you read it backward)?, SUGAR; 64D, Putt-putt, MINIGOLF (fore!!); 39D, Got some shut-eye?, WINKED 😉; and 38D, It cuts the cheese, but not the mustard, SLICER 😀 😀 .
All in all a great, challenging Sunday crossword, 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
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A seriously challenging Saturday crossword by Royce Ferguson, who pulls out all the stops, making solvers work for just about every clue in the grid. Still, it was a Saturday crossword, so we expect no less. For all the deets, have a listen (and don't forget to subscribe, so you'll get every episode delivered milliseconds after it gets published!).
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Jem Burch has crafted a fine Friday crossword to welcome in the new month, and it had everything that one would want in a Friday crossword, from puzzlers like 53A, Feature of many a documentary, VOICEOVER; 48A, Youngest White House resident since John F. Kennedy Jr., SASHAOBAMA; 37A, "Long", in Hawaiian, LOA (oh, that's what that means!); and surely a coincidence from a crossword by Jem Burch, 40A, Exemplary individual, GEM (shades of Raphael and the School of Athens 😀 !)
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Jeffrey Martinovic and Jeff Chen -- who if they were producers on a television show would almost surely be referred to as the "two Jeffs" -- have instead produced a fabulous Thursday crossword, with a delightful theme involving Mike's favorite sci-fi concept, TIMETRAVEL. We have all the deets inside, plus listener mail (woo-hoo!), so for all of that and so much more, please subscribe, download, listen up, and ... enjoy!
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Are you tired of DECISIONFATIGUE? Then let us help you make a decision -- yes, you should definitely a) do this crossword (because it is awesome) and b) listen to this podcast (because it is awesomer (except in the areas of grammar, spelling and humility)). Seriously, for all the deets on today's fine puzzle, do have a listen, and as usual, let us know what you think.
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A colorful and rhyme-rife Tuesday crossword by Gia Bosko, her 4th in the NYTimes and, more amazingly, her 4th of the year. The theme was excellent, and the cluing as crisp as a Wisconsinite in winter. Some of our favorites include: 23D, "Beam me up, ________!", ("Star Trek" misquotation), SCOTTY (huh!); 50D, Corn cake, PONE (make that two slices, please); and our favorite soccer player, 49A, Soccer star Hamm, MIA (she shoots, she scoooooores!).
Besides the crossword, it's Triplet Tuesday, and today Jean's up-to-________, (Bruce Wayne's alter ego's namesake). Join in for all the fun, and don't forget to subscribe / follow us so you never miss an episode!
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Ricky J. Sirois has produced a more challenging crossword than usual for a Monday -- with just a bit of bite coming from words like 24A, Vegetarian dish on a Mexican menu, BEANBURRITO; the bugaboo of spelling-bee enthusiasts everywhere, 39A, French meat stew for which Julia Child penned a popular recipe, BEEFBOURGUIGNON; and 10D, "No Exit" playwright, SARTRE. This is Ricky's first NYTimes crossword puzzle (yaaaay!), and here's hoping for many more!
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A delightful and (compared to Friday and Saturday) relatively straightforward crossword, with a theme that is guaranteed to grow on you, and a magnificent array of clues that will leave you wanting more. Definitely 5 squares on the JAMCR scale! To hear more, include the deets on YEET (we've waited all year to write that!), subscribe, download, listen up and, as always, enjoy!
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A perfect way to wrap up our crossword -solving week, with a rousingly challenging (for one of us, at any rate) Saturday puzzle. Jean, aided and abetted by her eerily encyclopedic knowledge of 1972 hit singles, was able to make short order of the puzzle, whereas Mike, drawing on his uncanny ability to make up words that don't exist, with his forté being Spanish, had a much tougher time of it. Deets inside, as well as the winner of this week's JAMCOTWA™️ (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award).
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Today's crossword proved to be a snap for one of our cohorts, and almost a streak-snapper for the other. To keep up the suspense, we won't reveal who was who just yet, but we will tell you that there were a host of fabulous clues in today's grid, from 3-letter wonders -- 27A, Sydney's home, for short, NSW; to 4-letter pop-culture references -- 51A, _______ of Dogs, (hit 2018 animated film), ISLE; to 5-letter curios -- 49A, Class or order, TAXON; to ... you get the idea. But to get the full story, including the answer to the original poser, who struggled and who soared while doing today's puzzle, do what countless others have done before you -- hit subscribe or follow (so you never miss an episode); tap download; and then be prepared to be amazed as we dive into the intricacies of Rafael Mesa's Friday masterpiece.
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In honor of Thanksgiving, we have a crossword to be thankful for, a delightful brainteaser of a main course, with a dash of delectable clues as the sides. From 17D, Not play it by ear, PLAN, to 51A, What the Dutch call "klompeh", CLOGS, to 9D, Flick of a flicker, ASH (we're still working that one out 😀), the grid was a cruciverbal smorgasbord, and we're glad that we dropped in for the feast!
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Today's crossword is a testimonial to MALBEC and grit; the MALBEC because it's in the grid, and grit because that's what Will Pfadenhauer needed plenty of in order to get this published in such a prestigious location, i.e., the pages of the NYTimes. The crossword itself was superb, with a bit of an ODDBALL theme, and some nice clues scattered throughout: as usual we've highlighted the best in today's episode.
By the time you've listened to this it might very well be Thanksgiving for our US listeners, so if you're one of those, Happy Thanksgiving! And if not, Happy Thursday!
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Kevin Christian and Andrea Carla Michaels were definitely using the old bean when constructing today's crossword, an observation that might at first seem just trite and anodye, but it will become uproariously funny, or at the very least wryly amusing, once you've listened to today's episode, so have at it!
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Both Jean and Mike took longer than usual to do today's crossword, Jean because she couldn't find a mistake, and Mike because he had a sudden attack of the well-known affliction, BSS (Bad Spelling Syndrome, or as it is sometimes referred to in the literature, Baaad Spellling Sindrome 🙄). Have a listen, but before you do, hit the subscribe / follow button to ensure that you get every episode delivered straight from our recording studio to your ears as soon as it ships.
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An impressive Sunday crossword by veteran constructors Rebecca Goldstein and Rachel Fabi, who in preparation for Thanksgiving have cooked up a puzzle to be thankful for, stuffed with a delicious array of bad (i.e., good) puns and good (i.e., great) clues to chew on. Deets inside, so please subscribe / download / listen up / enjoy!
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A scintillating Saturday crossword by Hoang-Kim Vu -- with a grid that is jam-packed with debut answers, including 36D, Photo of someone holding up the Leaning Tower of Pisa, say, VISUALGAG; 37A, Writer with good taste?, FOODCOLUMNIST 😀; and one that pretty much stood up on a chair and shouted IAMADEBUTANSWER, 22A, Certain descriptor after a signature nowadays, HEHIM.
In other news, we managed to work both a temporally-displaced Fun Fact Friday segment and a JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award) into today's episode, so, two for the price of one, what a deal 😀
Solving the New York Times crossword is an excellent way to keep those axons agile and those dendrites laser-focused. To get a subscription, simply wander over to nytimes.com/crosswords, and after a quick electronic transaction, you will have full access to a year's worth of crosswords, and almost 70 years of archives; your brain (axons and dendrites alike!) will thank you.
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A fine Friday crossword by Hemant Mehta. What it lacked for in glitzy animation (we're looking at you, Thursday!), it made up for in flashy clues, such as 47A, What may be behind the curtain, TUB (😀); 53A, Major opening, URSA (😀 😀 ); and 55A, Canvas finish, TKO(😀 😀 😀). And that's just a few choice examples - for more, have a listen to today's episode, hot off the presses!!
Toady's show-note illustration is celebrates CHEETODUST, which, apparently, is a thing.
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Today's crossword, by veteran cruciverbalist Paolo Pasco, had its ups and downs, but that was by design, and the payoff - which we discuss in today's episode but don't want to spoil by revealing here - was an absolute delight. The clues were on the trickier side, as befits a Thursday - 33D, So called "African Unicorn", OKAPI, comes to mind (well, it does now ...), as does 25D, Noted feature of "The Brothers Karamazov", EPILOG, and 48D, Lake that feeds the Truckee River, TAHOE (who? what? where?). All in all a fine piece of work, clearly worthy of the Paolo Pasco imprimatur, we give it 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
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If you found yourself nodding off while solving today's crossword, that's probably because of all the Z's in the grid - but that was the only boring bit. How could you DOZEOFF in the face of such dazzling clues as 1A, Half of an orange? RED (we're still working that one out 😀); 67A, Apt name for a sensei, DAN (ha!); 38A, Pioneering Dadaist, ARP (the name's ARP, Hans ARP); and who can forget (we can't!) 19D, Song one might flip for, SIDEB (😀 😀). All in all a fine bit of work by Gary Larson (not to be confused, as happens every time one of his puzzles gets published, with that other guy).
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A nifty Tuesday crossword by Matthew Linzer, with a remarkable theme that we wish we could talk about here ... oh, wait, we just did 😀. Precisely why that last sentence is so LOL is precisely explained in today's episode, where you can also hear Jean's epic quest to win this week's Triplet Tuesday™️ Contest. Did she succeed? Or did she go down in flames? Tune in to find out!
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A pleasing Monday crossword, a debut by Benjamin Fink, that asks that burning question, CANYOUBELIEVEIT?. The answer is yes, this was a Monday crossword, it was a debut by Benjamin Fink, and it was very pleasing indeed, for reasons that will become abundantly clear once you've checked out today's episode, which we hope you will do ASAP!
On the cover: a sou, in particular a bouquet sou, named for the bouquet of flowers that adorns it.
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A scintillating Sunday crossword courtesy of Garrett Chalfin, with a gloriously serpentine theme, and an array of eye-opening clues. For example, 85A, Figure of speech in which words are reversed for effect, like "Never let a fool kiss you or a kiss fool you", CHIASMUS (definitely a debut); Chicken __________ (ancient Mayan city), ITZA (now we know!); and 75D, Give lip service?, SASS (😀). There's a lot more inside, so download, listen up, and, as always, enjoy!
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Today's puzzle is a tautly constructed Saturday crossword, with just 58 words -- not quite few enough for the Guinness Book of World Records, but getting close! The puzzle itself was not too difficult -- for a Saturday -- but it did have a bevy of fine clues that kept both co-hosts entertained (esp. this one). Deets inside, as well as the winner of this week's JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award), so have a listen and, as usual, let us know what you think!
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A fine Friday crossword by Kate Hawkins - her 12th in the NYTimes - and it hits the sweet spot - not too easy, not too hard, but juuuuust right. We approve, 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
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A (surprising) crossword by Simeon Siegel, most noteworthy for a profusion of parentheses in the grid, all part of an intricate theme that we delve into in today's episode. We covered quite a few clues in the podcast, but alas, did not quite have room for 36A, Shrunken snack item, PRUNE; 15A, Like 80% of the Arabian Peninsula, SAUDI; and the (for Mike, at least) relatively obscure 43A, Dried version of the almost-ripe poblano, ANCHO -- at least until now!
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A slightly crunchier-than-usual Wednesday, but a wry theme and memorable clues made it all worth while. Beyond those noted in the podcast, we'd like to give a shoutout to 3 answers that are just fun to contemplate and say -- 2D, Enthusiastic response to a bro, MYMAN; 46A, Replica, informally, DUPE; and a word that's as calming to say as the item is to wear, 65D, Comfy shoe, informally, MOC.
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As the episode title almost surely gave away -- it was a bit of a ttttttteaser, one might say -- today's theme involved the 20th letter of the alphabet (as well a supporting cast of the other 25). Beyond the theme there were several other amusing clues, such as 20A, Torus shaped treat, DONUT; 49A, One of 5 in a Shakespeare play, ACT (confirming, definitively, our strong suspicion expressed earlier this week that Shakespeare plays do indeed all have 5 acts); and (warning, possible ear-worm ahead), 28A, "Her name is ______ and she dances on the sand" (Duran, Duran lyric), RIO.
Finally, it's Tuesday, and Mike's on the Triplet Tuesday Contest hot-seat, so to speak. To find out how he did, all you need to do is subscribe/follow (so you don't miss another episode), download, listen up, and enjoy!
P.S. Here's the original Zoom, Zoom commercial mentioned in today's podcast.
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Today's crossword was crunchy - the clues were just a tad more difficult than usual, a consequence, perhaps, of a particularly demanding theme (deets inside) - and timely, in the sense that there were numerous references to time in today's grid, from 6D, "Anytime", WHENEVER, to 52A, Back in time, AGO, to 61A, Ages, AEONS. And, of course, we should not forget that all of these were appearing in the New York Times 😀.
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Jean ACED today's crossword, but Mike just DIDOK, although if it is true that you learn from your mistakes, he is now officially a super genius thanks in no small part to Rich Katz, author of today's fine puzzle (his third for the NYTimes). We have all the deets inside, so please download, listen up, and ... enjoy!
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A just-the-right-level-of-almost-impossible crossword to wrap up our crossword solving week, one of those where the solving rate seems to follow an S curve -- tough and slow-going at the beginning and at the end, but with a glorious middle section where the clues come relatively rapidly. We liked this crossword so much that we awarded it this week's JAMCOTWA -- Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award -- for numerous reasons that will become apparent once you checkout today's podcast. Have a listen, and let us know what you think.
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Robyn Weintraub's puzzles are legendary, and today's effort shows just why: the clues are awesome, the crosswordese is non-existent, and the difficulty level is juuuuuust right. We approve, whole-heartedly, 5 squares on the JAMCR scale! Deets inside, so download, listen up, and enjoy right now!
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Today's crossword featured a h--hly entert--ng th--e, and if you can't suss out what it was from what we just wrote, then download today's episode, where all will be revealed!
A reminder to check out xwordinfo.com, a fabulous resource for crossword aficionados, with the solution and meta information on the day's crossword. Highly recommended!
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A nice Wednesday crossword and a debut (yay!) by Steve Weyer, with an inspired theme, some very funny clues, and as a bonus a reference to a fascinating 16th century algebra text, ARSMAGNA (The Great Art). The theme is covered in the episode; some of the more intriguing clues not mentioned there include 51D, Bunyan's ox or Hoggett's pig, BABE 🐷; 57D, Swear to mend things, DARN 😀 ; Manilow's "hottest spot north of Havana", COPA 🎶; and (Mike's favorite), Sierra runners, MACS 😀 😀.
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A scary Tuesday crossword, thanks to a slash of scary movie titles in the grid. Neither cohost had seen any of them, but fortunately the answers were either almost gimmes (17A, Horror film franchise named after a holiday, HALLOWEEN (BOXINGDAY wouldn't fit 😀)) or easy to guess with some judicious help from the crosses (60A, 2011 dark comedy slasher film that takes place during a family reunion), YOURENEXT (an awesomely scary title)). Overall, this was a great crossword, and we award it a chilling 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
In other news, it's Triplet Tuesday - play along (get ready to hit pause after you hear the clue), and let us know how you did!
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Put on your sunglasses before attempting this crossword, because it's based on a BRIGHTIDEA -- literally! There were a few other answers that glowed, in a manner of speaking: 14A, What magma becomes when it's erupted, LAVA; 35A, Light on a nightstand, LAMP; and 52A, "Suns" of some breakfasts, EGGYOLKS.
Just a reminder that we love 5 star reviews, so please leave us one wherever you're listening to this episode!
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Today's crossword featured a number of rare-ish answers, making this a bit crunchier than usual for a Sunday. Notable examples include 60A, Brooklyn art school, PRATT; 100D, Country that's more than 2,600 miles long, CHILE; 70A, Latin "Behold!", ECCE; and 20A, Character who lives on the "tippy-top floor" of the Plaza Hotel, ELOISE; and there's more, which you can see in the grid and hear about in today's podcast.
Just a reminder, solving the NYTimes Crossword is a proven strategy for reversing (and possibly learning how to spell) senescence, so wander over to nytimes.com/crosswords, subscribe, and you can start reversing today!
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Ryan McCarty does not hold back (much) in today's uber-challenging Saturday crossword, pegging both the difficulty and deceptivity meters multiple times. We have full coverage inside, so have a listen for that -- as well as the announcement of this week's JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award). Enjoy!
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A fine Friday crossword by Adrian Johnson, his 5th NYTimes Crossword contribution. Considering that 39A, Pub ________, TRIVIA, was one of the answers, it should not be surprising that quite a few factoids made their way into the grid. For example ... 19A, Novelist whose "Little Fires Everywhere" became a #1 best seller, CELESTENG (parsed as Celeste Ng, with the "Ng" being pronounced as "ing"). We also had 21A, Bird whose largest species is called the Goliath. HERON; and 46A, Romanian philosopher Cioran, EMIL.
For our Fun Fact Friday / Listener Mail Double-Dipping special, we also have a fascinating video of Justin Bieber's early drumming attempts.
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A fine Thursday crossword and a debut for John Donegan. That's why we didn't recognize the name, but we did recognize the tight quality control common to all NYTimes crosswords. Just take a look at a few awesome touches: 6A, Character who nails a doubloon to the Pequod's mast, AHAB, sitting right above 15A, Surfer's wish, WAVE (perfect!); and 17A, First name in cosmetics, ESTEE, crossing 3D, Salad, sometimes, but soup, rarely, ENTREE (brilliant!); and the thirst-quenching 42D, Slice, e.g., SODA (ha, we saw what you did there!).
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Aimee Lucido has crafted an excellent Wednesday crossword, with a catchy theme and a plethora of superb clues, a truly outstanding work. Need proof? Have a listen to today's podcast and we are sure that you will agree, or, if not, your money will cheerfully be refunded 😀
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Today we are presented with an amusing and well-timed Tuesday crossword by Daniel Grinberg (ably edited, as always, by Will Shortz, may his beard, if he has one, grow ever longer). It manages to STAYCLASSY and never has us thinking its TIMEFORACHANGE, for a variety of reasons outlined in today's grid. Beyond those, we'd like to give a shoutout to a few other fine clues, including 60D, Music genre that influenced The Clash, SKA; 37D, One whose taste buds may not crave Buds, BEERSNOB (nice!); and 9D, TV character George who says "I'm disturbed! I'm depressed! I'm inadequate! I got it all!", COSTANZA (😀).
In short, a great crossword, and clearly meriting the highest score, aka 5 squares, on the JAMCR scale.
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Today's crossword was the epitome of a marvelous Monday crossword - a cute theme, and some fine clues. We particularly liked the juxtaposition of 1A, Handle difficult matters satisfactorily, COPE, and 1D, Club in a Barry Manilow hit, informally, COPA
We take our usual deep dive through the grid in today's episode, so please subscribe / download / listen up / enjoy!
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A fine Sunday crossword, Robert Ryan's third in the NYTimes, with a punny theme surrounded by a fine supporting cast of clues, including 85D, Fox coverage?, FUR; 82A, Object with one hole or two, depending on who you ask, TUBE 😀 ; 68A, Head for business?, CEO 😀 😀; 64D, Shares ones bunk?, LIES 😀 😀 😀 ; and the list goes on, and on. To see that list in its entirety, checkout xwordinfo.com (if you haven't solved the crossword already).
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A fine debut crossword by Kelly Morenus, which our cohosts solved in (choose one)
a) comically different amounts of time
b) exactly the same time
c) trick question: they got stuck, because neither knew how to spell IDOMENEO
The correct answer is ... ah, that would be telling! To find out, download today's episode, have a listen, and as usual, tell others about us on social media.
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A very nice Friday crossword by Jacob McDermott, with some awesome clues, and no crosswordese in sight. A few sample works, 15D, Oh, the humanities!, LIBERALARTS 😀;; 27D, "Heck, yeah!", DARNTOOTIN 😀 😀 ; and 32D, Rocky road ingredient, PEAGRAVEL 😀 😀 😀. In short, a great crossword, most definitely worth 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
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A challenging Thursday crossword, thanks to the unexpected appearance of a boatload of rebuses (or, as we Latin scholars like to call them, rebusae).
For themed crosswords, especially towards the end of the week, we can group our puzzle solving experience into two eras: PGTT (Pre-Grokking The Theme), and AGTT (After-Grokking The Theme). For the record, things were proceeding slowly, and indeed looking quite dire, during the PGTT era. But, once we passed into exulted AGTT era, we had a smile on our face, and if we weren't sitting down solving the crossword, would've been tempted to dance a jig: that's just how happy we were to get through this crossword!! 😀
A reminder that xwordinfo.com is a great resource for those who like to solve the NYTimes Crossword (and if you're having trouble following our discussion, check it out first to see the completed grid and answers).
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An absolutely magical crossword, thanks to (possibly) aspiring magician, and (most definitely) adept cruciverbalist Joseph Gangi. Most of the grid was straightforward, but there were definitely some notable clues/answers, such as 54A, Not as well, ILLER (wow!); 55A, Pepper and others, SGTS (cute!); and 61A, Modern initialism when skipping text, TLDR (which is hopefully not your reaction to these show notes, and which is why we are ending them ... now!)
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A DDDelightful Tuesday crossword by Dominic Grillo, who managed to inject a whole slew of D's into the grid, and remove virtually all "crosswordese", in a tautly written puzzle with a highly amusing theme. DDDDDeets inside, so DDDDDo have a listen, and, as usual, let us know what you think!
Just a reminder that the NYTimes Crossword is a great way to hone your wits, vanquish ennui, and make yourself attractive to whatever gender you would like to be attractive to. Wander over to nytimes.com/crosswords, and from there a subscription is just a click or two away.
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A pleasing Monday crossword by Michael Lieberman and Andrea Carla Michaels - a little crunchier than most Mondays, but a pleasant solve nonetheless, with an amusing hunk-related theme -- deets inside.
Also, we have a winner in our Triplet Tuesday Contest!! That lucky person will shortly have a virtual cornucopia of Wisconsin swag heading their way, to eat / wear / enjoy (and hopefully it will be clear which items belong in which category 😀 )
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If you like donuts, you'll love today's crossword, as the grid is teeming with them. Beyond those, there were a number of novel clues -- a lucky 13 (!), in fact, were making their debut in the NYTimes Crossword, making for an exceptionally "fresh" crossword (to use the terminology of our favorite cruciverbially-related website, xwordinfo.com). We have much to say about today's puzzle, and our travails while solving it, so please download, listen up, and enjoy!
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Today's crossword is a rare bird - a Saturday crossword with a theme. The theme is not particularly difficult (nothing like Thursday's missing OP pairs, for example), but it turned out to be instrumental (for at least one of our cohosts) as they flailed about trying to metaphorically reach 55D, Shangri-La, EDEN, i.e., to solve the puzzle. The deets are, as usual, inside, so please subscribe / download / listen up / enjoy and, as always, feedback is appreciated - crosswordpodcast@icloud.com
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Today's crossword was a cruciverbial masterpiece, with a stream of LOL answers that seemed to go ONANDON. Beyond those delightful gems that we cover in today's episode, we'd like to note a few other highlights -- 27D, Paramount requirement?, SCREENTEST 😀 ; the curious 33D, World capital where it's illegal to display the Soviet hammer and sickle, RIGA; and 23D and 35D, Junkyard warning, SNARL and GROWL, respectively (also a great name for a law firm)
All in all a great crossword, 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
There are just 2 days remaining to enter our Triplet Tuesday Contest! Our sorting hat is almost full, but there's still room for more entries, so listen to last Tuesday's episode, then send your answers to crosswordpodcast@icloud.com, and may the best solver prevail!
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A tough Thursday crossword, both cohosts had to really dig deeply to get through this one. The theme was tricky, the clues absolutely diabolical ( we mean this in the best possible way), but we were WOWED, when we weren't yelling OYS! as we were making our way through it. Deets inside, and remember there are just a few more days left to enter this week's Triplet Tuesday (check out Tuesday's episode for specifics).
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We are presuming that Miranda Kany has an appreciation of CAJUN cooking, based on its key role in today's delicious theme. Beyond that there were other intriguing elements to this crossword, including 20A, Gets old, say, STALES (which is, at least for us, a very new answer); the sly crossing of 24A, Output of the Rolling Stones, appropriately, ROCKMUSIC, and 3D, Current choice, ACDC (which just cries out for that extra /, as in AC/DC); and finally the magnificently apathetic 54A, "Whatevs", MEH (for those too lazy to spell out "Whatevs" 😀). All in all, a lot to like in today's grid, here's hoping for many more puzzles from Miranda before too long!
Remember, our Triplet Tuesday Contest is going strong - check out Tuesday's episode on how you too can enter, and possibly win some fabulous WI swag!
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A fine Tuesday crossword by Nate Cardin, with a great theme, some novel answers (5 debuts, in fact, including 4 out of the 6 themed answers), and just a lot of crisp cluing throughout the grid.
In addition, today's episode features our Triplet Tuesday Contest!! The rules are in the episode, and we want to encourage everyone to throw your metaphorical hat in the ring (or a real hat, if you are particular avid) by sending us how many guesses it took you to suss out each of the 3 answers. Deadline for entries is Sunday, October 15th, and our crack set of judges will announce the winners shortly thereafter. Good luck and may the best cruciverbalist win!
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A straightforward Monday crossword by Zachary David Levy -- his 5th NYTimes crossword, but who's counting? -- including some debut answers - 17A, Vast South American watershed, AMAZONBASIN, and 37A, Kitchen gadget, APPLEPEELER - as well as some rarely seen Monday answers, such as 52A, Nietzsche's superior man of the future, UBERMENSCH, and an answer that was born to be punned, 26A, Hand bone, METACARPAL.
A reminder that tomorrow's Triplet Tuesday Contest will be taking place, um, well, tomorrow! We hope you'll tune in, try your hand, and walk away with one of our fabulous prizes. Deets tomorrow!
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This is Sid Sivakumar's 16th crossword, and practice makes perfect, because this puzzle is spot-on, with a brilliant theme and a vast array of awe-inspiring clues. We've got all the deets inside, so check out today's episode and don't forget ... our Triplet Tuesday Contest is coming right up, just a scant 2 days from today, which definitely warrants another woo-hoo!
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A challenging Saturday crossword by Alex Vratsanos, who would appear to have a PhD in obfuscation, based on such fabulous clues as 44A, One who's served admirally?, NAVYVET; 38D, Like "Duck Soup", it's said, among all Marx brothers films, ZANIEST; and 18A, Swing state?, MOOD 😀. There's more (much more) to explore, so grab your explorer's hat, compass, and, of course, machete, hit download (ideally not with the machete, have mercy on your cellphone), and enjoy!
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A relatively gentle Friday crossword from veteran crossword constructors Zhouqin Burnikel and Tom Pepper, who between them have had 94 crosswords published in the NYTimes (!) -- so the "veteran" is well earned (esp. for Zhouqin, who has a total of 78 crosswords, including at least one -- this one -- with a collaborator).
The clues were sharp, like 52A, Expert with tips: ADVICEGURU (not an asparagus adept); 26D, Movie with saloon fights, colloquially, HORSEOPERA (which fits much better than the very evocative but definitely incorrect OATER); and the short and sweet 38D, Auto zone?, LOT (brilliant!).
So, a lot to love, and proof that experience does matter.
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Turns out the upside down is not just for characters on Stranger Things, it is also a key element of today's crossword, where many of the clues are topsy-turvy. Daniel Bodily is responsible for this fine bit of work, his 6th crossword in the NYTimes. Beyond the theme, there was a nice blend of clever and educational clues, definitely a possibility for our JAMCOTWA - Jean & Mike Crossword Of The Week Award.
Remember that this Tuesday we will be holding one of our aperiodic Triplet Tuesday Contests, so be sure and listen in then for your chance to win fabulous JAMDTNYTC swag, including some from legendary Door County (not legendary, like Brigadoon, more legendary like a really awesome place to live long and prosper).
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A surprise Wednesday crossword, thanks to the totally unexpected appearance of something that might be cause for either a) celebration or b) gnashing of teeth, depending on your view of these things, rebuses!! Yes, it's Rebus Wednesday, and, at least at JAMDTNYTC HQ there was both celebration and gnashing, for reasons that we lay out, at length and with much hilarity, in today's episode, so ... enjoy!
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A surprisingly slithery Tuesday, thanks to the arrival, in the grid, of a den of members of the order squamata, aka snakes. Both Jean and Mike found the crossword to be a bit crunchier than usual for a Tuesday, possibly a side effect of having to get all those squamata into the right squares. All in all, though, it was an impressive feat of cruciverbial legerdemain, and as such worthy of a full 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
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Argos, you may recall, if you happen to be particularly long lived and/or well read, was a giant, Hera's servant, and a particularly good watcher, thanks to a surplus of eyes, at least 100. This crossword doesn't have quite that many, but as you'll hear in today's podcast, Alexandria Mason, the constructor of today's fine puzzle, managed to work in a surprising number.
In other news, we have some awesome listener mail, and are pleased to announce our next Triplet Tuesday Contest, on October 10, 2023 -- so you have over a week to get yourself into peak form!
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An award winning Sunday crossword, with movies that -- even if you don't go to movies -- you will (almost) surely know. But you probably don't know them in their present form, and it is a delight to see in just how many ways a movie title can be punned / rebussed -- Jeffrey Lease seems to know all of them.
More deets inside, so please ... subscribe / download / listen / laugh / learn.
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A challenging Saturday crossword, Jean in particular had to take a stroll through her vast mind palace in order to get through today's puzzle, whereas Mike had to rely on what is, alas, not so much a mind palace as a mind broom closet in order to seize victory from the jaws of cruciverbial defeat. We liked this crossword a lot, and for that reason unreservedly award it our highest rating, 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
Speaking of award, today's JAMCOTWA -- Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award -- is out, so to find out which of your favorite of the 7 won, have a listen right now (or later, after all, it is a podcast 😀 )
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A delightful Friday crossword by Malaika Handa, with some familiar clues, but not many, as befits a Friday. Some of our favorites include the most excellent 12A, Illegal product that's still made?, MOONSHINE (ha!); the mysterious 22D, Go into one's "phone voice", say, CODESWITCH (huh!); and the rarely seen (at least in crosswords!) 27D, Form of protest for tenants, RENTSTRIKE (hmmm). A fine crossword, 5 squares on the JAMCR scale, and our heartiest congratulations to Malaika on this, her 4th NYTimes crossword of the year!!
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Once again the NYTimes crossword typesetters are pushing the envelope, today by working musical staffs into the clues. They did a great job (er, except on the iPhone, where the staffs appeared as black rectangles 😱), and all in a good cause, the theme. We don't want to give away too much -- check out today's episode for the full deets -- but we will say that this crossword is definitely in the running for a JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award), which will be announced, as usual, on Saturday.
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It is reasonable to assume that any crossword that works NOAMCHOMSKY into the grid and the theme is going to be deep, and we're talking Mariana Trench complexity here, thanks to a splendid work by Scott Koenig. Deets inside, as well as some insightful listener mail about Lyme, CT and why you should visit -- so have a listen, and, as usual, let us know what you think!
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For those of you who have been hoarding tech terms like they're going out of style (which being tech terms, they will), now's your chance to haul them out, and for a good cause: to solve a great puzzle by Shannon Rapp (her debut!) and Rebecca Goldstein (her 10th, or in binary, 1010!). A fine Tuesday, clearly worth 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
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It's not clear if the phrase "Queen of Mondays" has ever been applied to Lynn Lempel, but having written 73 crosswords for the first day of the work week (out of a whopping 101 of hers that have been published in the NYTimes), it is an apt one. To see why the NYTimes has seen fit to publish so many of her crosswords, all you have to do is check out this one, which we do -- and we invite you to do as well, if not on your own, at least vicariously through today's episode.
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Today's crossword, by Joel Fagliano and Christina Iverson, is either, depending on your perspective, a magnificent collection of brilliant puns, or ... a magnificent collection of brilliant puns, there is no other way to interpret what is, as previously noted, a magnificent collection of brilliant puns. 🙄 Can you tell that we liked this crossword? To find out exactly why that is so, have a listen, and remember we love feedback - crosswordpodcast@icloud.com
Check out "Dance Myself To Sleep", as recommended in today's crossword.
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A challenging Saturday crossword, at least for one of our dynamic duo, thanks in part to his confidence that McTwist was a delectable McDonald's treat. Ah, but today's crossword disabused him of that notion (eventually): to hear all the deets, and see what else is lurking in the grid, have a listen and, as always, let us know what you think!
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An excellent Friday crossword - not particularly difficult, but filled with some delightful clues. For example, 38A, Country described in "One can't impose unity out of the blue on a country that has 265 different kinds of cheese", France (delicious!); or 10D, Givers of priceless gifts, ORGANDONORS (in retrospect, of course!); and 41A, Bear necessities, DENS (😀 🐻❄️). In short, a great crossword and a fine intro to a weekend of solving, a solid 5 squares on the ol' JAMCR scale.
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Just when you think that the lode of clever themes has been exhausted, someone strikes pay dirt, and today we have Dan Cabrera to thank and congratulate for his new find, a delightful theme that really soars -- thanks to a flock of fabulous themed clues and answers. Deets inside, so have a listen, and, as usual, let us know what you think!
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Jean and Mike, solving separately as usual, had distinctly different impressions of today's crossword. Jean found it to be a bit of a slog, whereas Mike -- thanks to, well, let's face it, a large but largely undeserved dollop of good luck -- was able to make it through the grid in a goodly time. Deets inside, so have a listen, and as always, let us know what you think -- crosswordpodcast@icloud.com.
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A crunchier than usual Tuesday crossword, both of your cohosts had to dig deeply for the win, with Jean struggling at the top, while Mike's bane was in the southern hemisphere of the grid. But it was a fabulous puzzle, and we have Gia Bosko to thank for that, so ... thank you, Gia!
In other news, it's Triplet Tuesday, and Jean's on the hot-seat. To find out how she did, you know the drill: subscribe (if you haven't already), download, listen up, and prepare to be educated and entertained!
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There was lot of color in today's grid, thanks to a colorful theme -- and we mean that literally. Beyond our cutting edge analysis, in today's episode we have a heartfelt apology to the good people of Fond du Lac, as well as the origin story of the PARSNIP! Deets within!
Remember that doing the NYTimes Crossword is a great way to preserve those hard working grey cells, and it's cheap ... maybe not as cheap as borscht, but definitely as cheap as PARSNIP. Just wander over to nytimes.com/crosswords, and tell 'em Jean & Mike sent ya!
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For those of you who grew up in the era of the Beatles, Electric Light Orchestra, Cat Stevens, and the like, you're going to love this crossword; for everyone else, you're really going to need those crosses, and a quick perusal of the Top 100 hits of the 70s through 90s might also be advisable. Deets inside, so please subscribe / download / listen up / enjoy!
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A decidedly crunchy Saturday crossword, with a grid-full of great clues, including 39A, Good thing to stretch out before doing yoga, MAT (nice one!); 28A, Remover of dirt ... or spreader of dirt, RAG (even nicer one!); and 5D, One sans plus-ones, STAGS (oh deer, er, dear, that was brilliant!).
In other news, we have a superb Oh That's How You Pronounce It! segment, and of course, being Saturday, our JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award). Enjoy!
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A nice Friday crossword, which at least one of our cohosts found considerably easier than Thursdays, in spite of multiple daunting, grid-spanning clues. Those clues contributed to the dearth of black squares in the grid - it was pretty much a sea of white, with just 35 black squares (out of a possible, in theory, 225, although it's doubtful that the NYTimes would ever publish a crossword with all black squares 😀). A good crossword, surely worthy of 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
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A delightful Thursday crossword by Vasu Seralathan, with an eXtraordinary theme, and a surrounding cast of clues that is a joy to behold. Don't believe it? Check out today's episode, and if you are not absolutely convinced that this was a JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award)-worthy crossword, then your money will be cheerfully refunded 😉)
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A highly amusing crossword by Guilherme Gilioli, with a paradoxical theme , as well as a plethora of "huh, never heard of that" moments, most notably ... nope! we are not going to spoil the podcast by spilling the beans here. To find out what those moments were, join us in the journey through the grid by having a listen to today's episode.
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Ella Dershowitz has a reputation for crafting awesome crosswords, and she does nothing to sully that in today's puzzle, with a fine set of clues that run from funny to punny to ... some other word that ends in unny (ahem). 🙄 We were particularly fond of 11D, Patti, in the American Theater Hall of Fame, LUPONE (well known to Jean, not so much, or to be precise, not at all, to Mike); 45D, Huffy response to an untrue accusation, IDONOT (you can literally hear the indignation); and 57D, Almost any character in Hamlet, DANE (forsooth, that is true!).
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A fun Monday crossword, with, as usual, an unusual theme that hits the sweet spot, both accessible and amusing. We have all the deets inside, including an important PSA if you're considering ACL surgery 🙄, so please, subscribe / download / listen up / enjoy / and don't forget to give us a 5-star review wherever you're listening to this podcast!
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A twisty sort of Sunday crossword, mainly because of the theme but enhanced by some rather diabolical (as always, in a good way) sort of clues, including 62A, A head, PER; 118A, Brown, for one, IVY ; and 47D, Goal that sends a game into overtime, EVENER. There was also a bevy of pop culture references that are definitely worth checking out, including the vintage 19D, Come on _______ (1982 hit), EILEEN, and the much more contemporary (and very funny) 32A, Boosler who was the first woman comedian to have an hour long comedy special on cable TV, ELAYNE.
Definitely one of the more challenging Sunday crosswords we've seen in a while, although, as usual your mileage (or if you happen to be reading this in a pro-metric country, kilometerage) may vary.
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A very sharp Saturday crossword, with sparkling clues / answers, and some LOL moments, including 38D, Whim whams, NERVES (that's a new one!); 12D, "So many _______, so little know" (proverb), ASSUME (see previous clue's comment); and 48D, Monthly releases?, OVA (nice!). We liked this crosswords a lot, hats off to Robert S. Gard for such a fabulous opus.
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A tough Friday crossword -- as Friday crosswords are wont to be -- with clues like 24A, "Skip it!", ROPE (heh, heh); 20D, "Nice to see ya today!", MORNIN (yikes!); and 61A, X, as in Ximenes? (quick, fetch the fainting couch!).
There were also (for Mike, at least), some major spelling challenges, most notably 16A, Pasta whose names derives from the Italian for "little cakes", TORTOLLONI, er, we mean TORTALLENI, no, wait, that's not right, .. TORTELLINI, ha!, got it in three 😀
For Fun Fact Friday, we have a fortuitously timed piece of listener mail that resolves all the loose ends from the last few episodes! Have a listen, and let us know what you think - crosswordpodcast@icloud.com!
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Today's crossword was rebus-free but humor-rich, with a wry undercurrent based on the world's current obsession with all things AI. We believe that this crossword was written by a human being, one Ryan Patrick Smith, and not an AI bot claiming to be Ryan Patrick Smith ... unless ... are all those claims of the former in the grid an example of "me thinks thou dost protest too much"?? To find out the answer (er, maybe), subscribe, download, listen up, and enjoy!
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A nice Wednesday crossword by Blake Slonecker, with a surprising number of answers that just raised more questions (all of which we cover, of course, in the podcast). There were a few great clues that didn't quite make into that episode, though, including 60A, In the public eye, SEEN (duh!); the droll 28D, Lights up?, IRRADIATES; and 37D, Dirt-digging research, for short, OPPO (fun to say, not quite as fun to contemplate).
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A noble Tuesday crossword, one that reminds us (multiple times) of the virtues of having a BFF. The grid was teeming with good clues, including 11D, End piece?, CODA (heh, heh); 40D, Ficus that produces sweets favored by a 44-across, FIGTREE (we just like the word ficus!); and 32D, "Ooh, tell us everything!", DOSAY (we can hear the poshness in the voice from 20 paces 😀).
In other news, it's Triplet Tuesday -- Jean's up to (FRUIT)BAT -- and we have listener mail, recommending a fine Ok Go video, so hit subscribe, download, and enjoy!
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Any crossword that works BLOOP, DUPE and PEEKABOO into the grid (4A, Baseball hit just over the infield; 46A, Pull a fast one on; and 37D, Game for an infant, respectively) has our sincere respect and admiration -- and even more because of a theme that is clearly in the ascendant, which will make more sense once you've heard the podcast or solved this fine puzzle by Tom Pepper and Zhouqin Burnikel.
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For those of you who spend waaaay too much time in front of a computer screen, you should have a leg up as you solve this crossword (especially if you're doing so in a hammock 🙄). Beyond the 21st century theme, there were some great clues, such as 118A, A little help around the holidays, ELF (heh, heh); 50A, It ain't just a river in Egypt!, DENIAL (ouch!); and 61A, Frozen yogurt mix-in, OREO (and a fond welcome-back to the official cookie of the NYTimes Crossword!).
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A nice Saturday crossword by Rebecca Goldstein, with some curious clues such as 30A, Call from a server, maybe, ADIN (we're still trying to work that one out!!); the magnificent 44A, Oxford English Dictionary's Word of the Year in 2022, describing an unapologetically self-indulgent state, GOBLINMODE (delightful!); and the devious 28D, "Just the check", IMSET. All in all a great crossword, and Rebecca's debut Saturday puzzle (she's had 9, all told).
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This crossword, ITSABEAUT, and we're not just saying that because that happens to be the answer to 11D, "Would you look at that!". The grid is just effervescent, and includes an amazing 10 debuts (including ITSABEAUT). It also includes what has become, within 30 seconds of starting to listen to it, Mike's favorite group, OKGO (4D, Indie group band whose name is a two-word command). There is, in short, a lot to love in today's crossword, definitely a 5 squares on the JAMCR scale, and definitely a contender for tomorrow's JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award).
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A relatively straightforward Thursday crossword -- no rebuses (rebusae?), answers that circled back on one another, or bow-ties -- but the theme was a great one nonetheless, as it ... nope, no spoilers! If you want to know more (and we hope you do!), you'll need to subscribe / download / listen up and (we hope!) enjoy.
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When we say that this was a novel crossword, we are not telling stories ... but Alex Eaton-Salners, the author of today's crossword is, in a dazzling cruciverbalistic tour de force. You can see the entire story, er, crossword, right here, and you can hear our take on it by downloading right ⬇️ or ⬆️ or ⬅️ or ➡️ 😀
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The best crosswords entertain and educate, and this puzzle manages to do both, in spades. To find out what the (to continue the card metaphor) deal is, please subscribe / download / listen / enjoy and prepare to be educated!
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A nice Monday crossword (a debut for Brian Callahan 🎉), with an UNforgettable theme, if you know what we mean -- and you will know once you've listened to today's podcast, so please hit those subscribe, download, and play buttons ASAP (10A, "Hop to it!").
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If you like alliterations, you'll love today's crossword, as the grid is crawling with them. as well as some other fabulous answers. Who can resist the absolutely magnificent 104D, Singer Jon with the 1992 hit, "Just Another Day", SECADA (seriously, if you haven't heard this song, you need to drop everything you're doing right now and listen!). And let's not forget the completely uncontroversial 124A, Like tires, TREADED (😀), nor the very amusing 97A, Way to get ahead in Life?, SPINNER (😀 😀 ). In short, there is lots to like in today's grid, and to hear more, you are heartily exhorted to subscribe, download, listen up, and enjoy!
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A supremely challenging Saturday crossword, but Jean once again demonstrated why she deserves the monicker "Queen of Crosswords", sailing through it without a care in the world. Mike's trip was a little bumpier ... less "sailing" and more "going over Niagara Falls in a barrel". A few samples: 11A, This might change your mind, LSD (uh-huh); 37D, See star?, PONTIFF (yikes!); and 51D, "Have you _______", EVER (medic!). All the deets are inside, so, after you've hit that subscribe or follow button, you are cheerfully exhorted to download, listen up, and enjoy!
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It is not clear if there is an English word that describes "a collection of stunningly good clues", but if there isn't, we would like to recommend the "Musa", after the author of today's crossword, Rafael Musa, as that's definitely what we have here. Deets inside, so please subscribe, download, listen up, and ... enjoy!
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A joyously unique Thursday crossword, with an absolutely ingenious theme that has to be seen to be believed. Fortunately, you can do so right here, and of course read all about it right here!
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A delicious Wednesday crossword by Michael Lieberman, with a cool theme, clever clues (like 45A, End of a two-player Harlem Globetrotters play, OOP ; and 49D, Source of a scandalous comment, HOTMIC), and the irresistible opportunity to pose the question, if trucks bearing SALTINES and OREOS collided at a high rate of speed, would you end up with SQUAREOS™️? We aren't entirely sure, but one thing we are certain of is that this was a great crossword - 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
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A splendid Tuesday crossword, a debut for Jay Silverman, and if you find yourself breaking out in song while doing this crossword, you will be forgiven (um, unless you're a very bad singer 😀). In addition to the clues that we cover in the podcast, we'd like to give a shoutout to 29D, "Oh, dang!", AWSNAP (a debut!), and the very popular "Being _________: A Puppeteer's Journey (2011 documentary", ELMO.
Oh, today's episode artwork? That's a BOLO tie, and a source of moderate but fortunately only temporary distress for one of our cohosts - deets inside.
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Hold the (homo)phone!, it's another delightful Monday crossword by Jennifer Nutt (her 9th, in fact). There were some revelations in the grid, such as 2D, "Bear" in a eucalyptus forest, KOALA; 33D, It broke up on December 26, 1991, USSR; and Mike's favorite, 8D, Fur tycoon John Jacob, ASTOR (yay!). Deets inside, so download, listen up, and ... let us know what you think!
P.S. To read "The Purloined Letter" and other stories, check out PoeStories.com,
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A great start to our crossword solving week, courtesy of Michael Schlossberg, who seems to be pathologically unable to construct anything less than a stellar crossword -- and we offer as evidence, exhibit A, in fact, today's puzzle.
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A nice Saturday crossword, and a debut by David P. Williams, so kudos not only for getting published, but for constructing such an excellent puzzle, with such tremendously enjoyable phrases as the aforementioned GILDTHELILY, MOLLYCODDLE, and one of our favorite words, PROSAIC.
Today's WYMSA (Words You Might See Again) entry is 33A, Asian appetizer, SATAY, so add that to your favorite crossword clues notebook, you'll probably ... see it again!
It's Saturday,and our JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award) winner is ... nope, no spoilers! Have a listen to find out, and let us know if you agree/disagree or are neutral on the subject!
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Kameron Austin Collins is another reliably fabulous cruciverbalist, who specializes in Saturday puzzles but occasionally produces a Friday (such as the fine one we dive into in here).
In other news, it's Fun Fact Friday ™️, and today's star is none other than the lady we met for the first time in. yesterday's grid, Effa Manley.
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They say that practice makes perfect, and this crossword is a perfect example, It's by Erik Agard (his 77th for the NYTimes), and is a master class in great cluing. For example, we were very chuffed to see ... 48A, Chuffed, GLAD; we were also thrilled to see an answer from yesterday make a reappearance, but in an entirely different clue: 59A, Part of the Hollywood monogram J.E.J., EARL; and has this word ever been clued better, we think not -- 57D, Inanimate object with a tongue, SHOE. Oh, there were more, and we dive into them in today's puzzle, so have a listen, and let us know what you think.
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In honor of Indian Independence Day, we have this visually stunning crossword (click on the link to see what we mean). It doesn't look quite like the original, but considering the medium is crossword squares, it's pretty good. Deets inside, and, a first, we have some episode artwork!
Remember, the NYTimes crossword is a great way to stay sharp and expand your horizons. They're always eager to have you as a subscriber, so head over to nytimes.com/crosswords, and tell 'em Jean and Mike sent ya!
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A trendy, Tuesday crossword by Malaika Handa, with a smattering of rarer clues, such as 18D, Gun control activist David, HOGG; 11D, Payment after a split between unmarried partners, PALIMONY (amusing word for a decidedly unamusing subject); and 12D, Italian sparkling wine, PROSECCO (not to be confused, as Mike was wont to do, with PROSCIUTTO).
It's Triplet Tuesday, so see if you can beat Mike to the answers in today's thrilling battle of wits. Finally, Will Shortz, the head honcho at NYTimes Crossword HQ, was interviewed by the New Yorker, and is definitely worth a read.
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Today's crossword is a real deal - two puzzles for the price of one, and the second involves math (or at least arithmetic). Fear not, though, a calculator is not required, but a willingness to have fun is -- and if you're listening to this podcast, fun is guaranteed.
In other news, we have more on MOCHAS thanks to listener mail, and a reminder that tomorrow is Triplet Tuesday, so haul out that Thinking Cap, Tuesday will be here before you know it!!
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Good crossword puzzles, like those that grace the pages of the NYTimes, are a celebration of English - its history, present, and future. So, when we come across a word we haven't seen before (but, it usually transpires. everybody else has), we want to raise a toast in honor of a newly-found friend. Today's nouveau ami, is INSPO, short for ... nope, we're going to end these notes here on a cliff-hanger! To find out the meaning of INSPO, and get all the deets on the rest of the great clues in today's puzzle, all you need do is tap that ol' download button, followed by the ol' play button, and all will be revealed.
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A more than CROMULENT Saturday crossword by the dynamic duo of Rachel Fabi and Christina Iverson. Jean found it to be a bit of a slog, thanks to the double-whammy in the northwest of 1A, Perfectly acceptable, humorously, CROMULENT, and 15A, Serpentine symbol of rebirth, from the Greek for "tail-devouring", OUROBOROS. There were challenges in the rest of the grid as well, but the end result was a fine puzzle, definitely worth 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
In other news, our JAMCOTWA is out -- congrats to Natan Last and the JASA Crossword Class -- and, we have listener mail 😍. So to enjoy all of this goodness, you are cordially invited to do what countless others have done before you: subscribe (so you never miss an episode), download, listen up, enjoy, and learn!!
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A relatively straightforward Friday crossword, but a great mental workout nonetheless and with some terrific clues. As a tasty example we have 39D, Meal, REPAST; as a head scratcher we have 44D, Travel that doesn't require a hotel reservation (DAYTRIP, not, as Mike had originally surmised, LSDTRIP); and as an historical fun fact we have 66A, One of eight in a B-52, ENGINE. A fine crossword, definitely 5 squares on the JAMCR scale!
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Is there anything cheerier than seeing Natan Last and the JASA Crossword Class in the byline for a Thursday crossword? Maybe, but not much, and the class has outdone itself today, with a brilliant grid and clues that deserve a chef's kiss. For all the deets, and to see why this is definitely in the running for the JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award), download, listen up, and enjoy!
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An adorable Wednesday crossword by Caryn Robbins and Matthew Stock, the latter a familiar name among NYTimes crossword aficionados, the former less so -- this being her second (congrats!). The theme was fun, and there were many educational clues in the grid. For example, did you know that both CHAD and LESOTHO are land-locked? That Jean ARP is a Dada artist? and that OTTO Porter Jr. is an NBA forward? Well, if you didn't before, you know now!
Lastly, today's WYMA is ELO*
if WYMA (Words You'll Meet Again) is unfamiliar to you, that's unsurprising, as what we hope will be a continuing segment just* sprung into existence during yesterday's podcast, be sure and check it out if you want the deets.
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A fine Tuesday puzzle by Zachary David Levy, not too terribly difficult (as expected: Tuesdays are supposed to be on the easy-ish side), but still impressive, with a stately theme (that will seem hilarious once you've listened to today's episode) and a few answers that are just fun to say, such as 29A, Sticky stuff, GOOP; 1A, Bit of foolish mockery, JAPE; and 61A, Utopian locale in a Coleridge poem, XANADU.
In other news, we're announcing a new podcast segment - WYMA, Words You'll Meet Again. There are many clues/answers in the NYTimes pantheon of clues and answers that tend to crop up more than once, and they're just good to have in your back pocket when you're trying to be a keener crossword solver. So periodically we are going to just flag one of the answers in the grid we're talking about to be a WYMA word™️.
Remember when listening to the podcast, it may help to have the completed grid available, and if you weren't able to solve it, fear not! We always link to it in the show notes, as we are about to do right here.
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A fun and frothy Monday crossword by Chloe Revery and Alissa Revness, perfect for novice crossword solvers trying to learn the ropes . In today's episode we also have an impromptu and unnamed version of OTHYPI (Oh, That's How You Pronounce It!"), based on two of our favorite South Dakota place names. Enjoy!
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Lisa Senzel and Jeff Chen have teamed up to create a mind- (or at least answer-) bending crossword, which if you're familiar with DROPLEAFTABLES will be relatively straightforward, but if not ... be forewarned, it will be a slog! So, naturally, Jean tore through the crossword, and Mike, initially thinking IMTOAST, eluded the TRAP that Lisa and Jeff had SET through a series of lucky AHA moments -- but it was a very near thing. Deets inside, so please do subscribe / download / listen up / enjoy / let us know what you think!
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An eminently and appropriately challenging Saturday crossword by veteran cruciverbalist John Guzzetta, this is his 39th NYTimes appearance, and practice makes perfect, which basically describes today's puzzle. And we will elaborately describe today's puzzle in today's podcast, so have a listen, and as usual, let us know what you think, and tell others about us as well.
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A brilliant Friday crossword by Brandon Koppy, no theme (of course: Fridays are almost always themeless), but a grid that was chockfull of clever clues/answers, such as 58A, Asteroids system, ATARI; 23D, In shorthand, it's written with 2S's and 2T's, WEEK; and 8D, Charm, to King Charles, ENAMOUR. But, incredibly, there are more, and even (arguably) better ones lurking in the grid: and to find out what those are, you know what to do - download, listen up, and enjoy.
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The perfect blend of entertaining, educational, and 'ead scratching, today's crossword has something for everyone. A theme that makes you reach for it (in both senses of the phrase!); some thought provoking clues/answers, including Jean's favorite, 44A, It is usually blue, DENIM, and Mike's fave, 6D, 1872 Utopian novel whose title is an anagram of NOWHERE, EREWHON. This is Simeon Siegel's 8th NYTimes crossword, and we are eagerly awaiting # 9.
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A breezy Wednesday crossword by Barbara Lin, with a theme that is vaguely related to Sunday's, and yet ... entirely different. You'll see what we mean when you listen to today's podcast, which we highly recommend you do posthaste -- partially because we think it's so good, and partially because we just like to use the word posthaste as often as possible 😀
Just a reminder, we love listener mail -- so if you want to, drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com, and we will get back to you .... posthaste! (😀 😀 )
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Today's crossword has a distinctly outdoorsy feel to it, and we'll give you tree guesses as to why. [Hint: there are no typos in the previous sentence, but a very bad pun]
Besides our usual witty banter (and a priceless bit about debut words, priceless because we don't have any ads 😀), we also have an episode of Triplet Tuesday, and an enlightening bit of listener mail. Enjoy!
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The inventiveness of the NYTimes stable of cruciverbalists never ceases to amaze, and today's crossword is one reason why -- exhibit A, we might say, if we were in court, which ... nope, we're going to stop here, no spoilers today! For further info, do what countless others have done before you, and subscribe / download / listen / enjoy!
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A fun, not particularly difficult crossword ... excerpt for the parts that were 😀. Jean got through it fairly quickly, only hung up on TIC and TAC v. TIT and TAT; Mike had to labor longer, the lacuna in his knowledge of Himalayan rivers once again almost proving his downfall.
As usual with Sunday crosswords, there are waaaaay too many clues to cover in the podcast: a few superb ones that were left on the cutting room floor include discussions of 124A, Forest nymph, DRYAD (not to be confused with a PSA for abstemiousness 😀); 99A, One of five every seven, WEEKDAY (hah!); 60A, Curmudgeon's countenance, SCOWL ()that award winning alliteration deserves, ... an award); and 88D, Ice cream entrepreneur, Joseph, EDY (Oh, so EDY had a first name? Who knew?)
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Sam Ezersky, whose day job is to write another puzzle for the NYTimes, Spelling Bee, occasionally has been known to wander over into the crossword area, and today is one of those lucky days! His clues are coherent (good), clever (Sam Ezersky does not know how to write any other kind) and (of course, it's a Saturday), challenging. We'd say more, but you probably doesn't want theses on these Cs 🙄, so we'll just let today's episode speak for itself!
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A fine Friday crossword by Rafael Muse and Hoang-Kim Vu, with something for everyone who wants to eat (GORDITAS), drink (ODOULS, SAKEBOMBS) and be merry (EGOBOOST). We approve, and hereby award this crossword 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
In other news, it's Friday, and for Fun Fact Friday™️ we have a dazzling discussion of Ferrero's greatest edible invention ever. We don't want to reveal it right here, but here's a hint: it earned them a mint 😀 😀
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A slightly gentler than usual Thursday crossword, but between the elegance of the cluing and the terrific theme, we are not complaining! Our favorite example of craftsmanship not covered in the podcas:: 48A, Foreign refusal, NEIN, was right on top of 50A, Words of rejection, ITSANO 😀. And in case you didn't spot that, the clue right in between actually points that out: 49A: One on top of another on top of another, PILE. Now that's attention to detail!
Also, the NYTimes is now offering an easy mode version of one of the hardest crosswords of the week, and you can subscribe to it right here.
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Kudos to Mary Crane, as this is her debut NYTimes crossword!! There were a goodly number of great clues in the crossword, and beyond those discussed in today's episode we would be remiss if we did not mention 58A, First-year law student, informally, ONEL(👩🏽⚖️); 43D, Company making tracks, LIONEL (😀); and one that we can't help but fawn over, 34A, Goat/man of mythology, FAUN (😉).
Also in today's episode, we welcome the birth of a new subatomic particle (and which all crossword puzzles are composed of), the CLUAN -- spread the word!
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Gary Larson and Doug Peterson -- no, not that Gary Larson, but definitely that Doug Peterson -- weigh in with a great Tuesday crossword with a droll theme worthy of a standup comic, which Gary Larson just happened to be (he has since retired). The rest of the grid was also perfect Tuesday fare, it is fair to say: and to hear all the details, as well as the outcome of today's Triplet Tuesday spectacular, all you need to do is download, listen up, and enjoy! (But if you haven't already, don't forget to subscribe, so you'll get a a new episode each day without breaking a sweat, an especially good thing when the thermometer's close to bursting).
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A gentle Monday crossword, just the right degree of difficulty, that provided Jean with the opportunity to discuss the difference between salt shakers and SALTCELLARS, and for Mike to punnily observe that if you can buy a SALTCELLAR at Target, that makes Target a SALTCELLAR seller 🙄
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A winning Sunday crossword by Chandi Deitmer, with a bevy of sound aural puns forming a brilliant theme, amid a sea of other fine clues, including the apostrophe-rich 44D, Cap'n's subordinate, BOSN; the always welcome (as a word, at any rate) 26D, Nonsense, to Brits, TOSH; and one of our favorite Grammy Award winners, 40A, Grammy winner Hill, LAURYN.
Definitely FTW, we give it 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
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This, Robert Logan's second NYTimes Crossword, took him 17 months to complete! The end result, though, is a chef's kiss of a crossword, one that gives up its secrets gradually and grudgingly, with clues so good that you'll be inclined to stand up and applaud: which we heartily encourage you to do, and thus simultaneously exercise both the mind and the body.
In other news, it's Saturday, time for the JAMCOTWA - Jean & Mike Crossword Of The Week Award - and this week the choice was an easy one!
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A fiendishly clever crossword by Drew Schmenner, with a worthy theme -- that's not UPFORDEBATE -- that would've taxed even the great IBMWATSON. We loved it -- as you can tell from today's episode -- and can't wait for Drew's next opus!
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As the week progresses, the NYTimes crosswords, by-and-large, get more difficult, and you can start to feel the friction on Wednesday, with clues like 37D, Kind of mark, SKID; 26A, "Ya dig?", FEELME (aha); and 37A, Fast pitch, SPIEL, starting to make you, well, dig,a little more deeply than on a Monday or Tuesday (at least on average). And speaking of dig (for the third time in this paragraph), we dug deeply to extract the finest clues from today's grid for your edification. Enjoy!
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Today's puzzle is educational -- a primer for those of you who can't tell your Greek gods from your Roman ones., as well as entertaining -- what you'd expect if Steinberg was in the byline. We'd tell you more, but ... we've already told you everything we know in today's podcast, so have a listen and let us know what you think.
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A marvelous Monday crossword by Fulbright scholar (!) Alexander Liebeskind, and that genius shines through wherever you look in today's grid. There were (almost) impossible to pronounce answers, 66A, One whose property is being held as debt security, LIENEE; (almost) impossible to spell answers, 43A, ________ - daisy, OOPSY (not OOPSIE); and (almost) impossible to forget answers, 40D, Yawn-inducing, BORESOME (!!).
A reminder that the NYTimes Crossword is a great way to keep your wits sharp and your fingers on the pulse of modern (and ancient!) culture: you can subscribe at nytimes.com/crosswords, tell 'em Jean & Mike sent ya'.
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An absolutely delightful Sunday crossword by Michael Schlossberg, brilliant clues everywhere you look, guaranteed to put a smile on your face. We have all the deets inside, so please subscribe (so you won't miss an episode), then download, listen up, and enjoy!
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Jeff Chen is known for writing great crosswords and he is in excellent form today. Clues like 2D, Head of the bar, FOAM (not SOAP!), 36A, Word that can be described by changing its last letter to a P, SHARD (wow!); and the droll 52D, Take for a spin, TURN (of course it is) tell the tale. Loved it, clearly worth a full 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
In other news, we have hit 100,000 downloads, so thanks to all of you for getting us to that lofty peak , and here's to the next 100,000!
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Today's crossword, by Jonathan Kaufman, didn't faze Jean in the slightest, whereas Mike was almost done in by 16A, Drank discretely, HADANIP (not, as both Jean & Mike, and possibly most of humanity first thought, HADASIP). That tricky northeast corner notwithstanding, the entire grid was well done, not a bit of crossword-ese, just ALOADOF entertaining and educational clues. Deets within, as well as some great listener mail, so download, listen up, and ... enjoy!
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Our co-hosts took wildly divergent routes in solving today's crossword, with Jean taking the highway and Mike taking a barely discernible PATH through dense woods to arrive at the same destination. So, while he was OUTSHONE, Mike believes he should get some points (and possibly seek medical treatment) for ES (Extreme Stubbornness). Deets inside, so download, listen up, and enjoy (and don't forget to subscribe!).
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You know you're in good hands when the byline reads Brooke Husic and Brian Thomas, who between them have published 19 (Brooke) + 14 (Brian) = 33 NYTimes crosswords, no mean feat. To see why they keep getting puzzles accepted, you just have to look at today's exemplar, or listen to our description right here, right now!
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Today's crossword by Aaron M. Rosenberg -- who bears an uncanny resemblance to our vision of Clark Kent -- was most assuredly not LACKINGVARIETY, as it had clues running the gamut from punny (3D, Run just for the exposure?, STREAK 🙄) to nostalgic (58A, 1994 film about a portal through the cosmos, STARGATE) to educational-ish (68A, Entertainment industry quadfecta, EGOT). We loved it, 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
Also, it's Triplet Tuesday, and Jean's performance today was too, too divine (as well as a hint as to her scores 😀)
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A delightful Goldilocks of a Monday crossword, not too easy, not too hard (at least if you've been doing these for a while!), with a fine theme (but no revealer!). If the name of the constructor -- Brad Wiegmann -- is familiar, that's because this is his 5th crossword since 2021, and here's hoping that his 6th will be here before long.
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A fairly gentle crossword compared to the last few weeks, and between that and a novel theme, it turned out to be a very enjoyable solve. What was that theme, you ask? Well, we could draw you a picture, or ... we could just direct you to have a listen to today's episode, which will explain why the first clause of this sentence is so hilarious. We choose the latter, so checkout today's episode, and all will become clear.
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A stellar Saturday crossword by Brandon Koppy, a minor struggle for Jean, a major slog for Mike; but both eventually achieved that Elysian feeling of satisfaction that comes from completing a challenging (but fair) puzzle.
It's also Saturday, aka JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award) day, so to find out who won and why, have a listen to today's episode (and don't forget to subscribe, so you'll never miss an episode!).
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A challenging Friday crossword, and as you will hear in today's episode the co-hosts were of two minds regarding this puzzle. But with clues like 63A, Counter offer?, FREESAMPLE (😀), 45D, Infant's interjection, GOO (aww), and 24D, Fill with gas, AERATE (not TOPOFF), it is hard to deny that this was a fine bit of cruciverbal construction.
We also have a fun fact for Fun Fact Friday ™️, and another bit of listener mail.
Finally, a brief reminder that the NYTimes Crossword is an excellent way to keep your mind sharp and make you more attractive to whatever gender you would like to be attracted to you, so to subscribe just visit nytimes.com/crosswords.
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Although the Society for the Suppression of Crosswords Without X's might beg to differ, we found today's crossword to be fun and (especially for Mike) a challenge. Clues like 60A, Cream alternative, ECRU; 14A, Clearly, in a text, OBVI (well, OBVI!); and 33D, Say it all?, ENUNCIATE, give you a taste for what's in store, a delicious puzzle, with a delectable theme. Five squares on the JAMCR scale for sure!
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Just when you think the NYTimes crossword constructors can't possibly come up with a new theme ... they come up with a new theme, as Joe Deeney so aptly demonstrates, and Jean so deftly describes, in today's episode.
Besides that, we also have email from a listener in South Africa. So to hear all that, subscribe, download, listen up, enjoy and ... drop us a line when you get a chance!
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A cheery Monday crossword, thanks to a theme that celebrates the best of us. Most of the clues were familiar / on the easier side, as befitting a Monday, but 51D, Coffeecake with cross-sectional swirls, BABKA, and 17A, Miles Davis classic that's the all-time best-selling jazz album, KINDOFBLUE, might be the exceptions (YMMV, of course).
A logistical note: we will be not be publishing a podcast tomorrow, in honor of Independence Day, but we will return --with some sparkling and colorful conversation -- the day after.
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A nice Sunday puzzle by Rebecca Goldstein and Rafael Musa: Jean tore through it, Mike got lost in the grid and if it weren't for the St. Bernards might never have been found. The theme was BOOTiful, and there were some joyous clues in the grid, such as 46D, Angles above 90 degrees?, HOTYOGA (😀); 82A, Linguistic group including Zulu and Xhosa, BANTU (got it!); and 87A, Highfalutin, LAHDIDAH (well, LAHDIDAH!). The latter posed a significant problem for one of our cohosts, and to find out who, all you need to do is download, listen up, and ... enjoy!
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A special Canada day crossword, no, just kidding, Canada did not show up at all in today's grid: but it was a great puzzle nonetheless, not the most difficult Saturday ever (whew!), but the cluing was crisp, novel, and they did manage to slip in 52A, Study of riddles, ENIGMATOLOGY, definitely a debut and, runner-up in the "most difficult word to slip casually into a conversation" contest.
Another Saturday has rolled by, almost like clockwork, and so it's time for our JAMCOTWA - deets inside, so subscribe (you'll never miss an episode); download (otherwise you'll never hear this one!); and enjoy (because that's the point!)
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A good cruciverbal workout courtesy of Carly Schuna, today's crossword has something for everyone: a mysterious Gen-Z phrase (35A, "I can relate", in Gen-Z slang, THATISSUCHAMODE); a (for Mike) tricky baseball reference (23A, Up, ATBAT); and a quotation that is as true now as it was when it was first (possibly apocryphally) uttered in the 1700s, (27D, "When in ________, don't", a maxim attributed to Benjamin Franklin, DOUBT).
In addition to the puzzle, we have some great listener mail and a fabulous Fun Fact Friday segment. Deets inside, so download now and beat the rush!
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A challenging Thursday crossword, but with a terrific payoff: another one of those tour de force themes that the NYTimes Thursday crosswords are famous for. We won't spoil that by discussing it here in the show notes, but we would like to point out a few non-themed clues: 54D, Mexican beach resort, informally, CABO; 15D, Notorious initials, RBG (not, as Mike initially postulated, BIG); 8D, Crossbreeds smaller than ligers, TIGONS; and 41A, Tittle, DOT (and that's not a typo, either 😀).
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This was a super crossword, and we're not just saying it because 51D, Superman, most of the time, KENT, flew into the grid. Rather it's because of an ingenious theme (deets inside), and some very timely clueing -- SMOG, COALMINE, and AIRSHOWS (literally!). There were some other fine clues as well, such as 39A, Having a fermented quality, WINY; 22A, Fabric derived from wood pulp, RAYON (huh!); and 45A, Noted sea shell seller, SHE (nice!). We approve, 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
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A fun Tuesday crossword: the theme was a bit hairy, but in a good way, and the rest of the clues felt crisp and novel. Beyond those delved into in the episode, 17A, One-act Strauss opera adapted from an Oscar Wilde play, SALOME; 33A, Famed 1990s TV psychic, MISSCLEO; and our favorite industrial designers, 38D, Chair designer Charles or Ray, EAMES, all caught our eye(s).
Triplet Tuesday has returned (as it has a tendency to do every seven days), and this week Mike's in the hot-seat. Will he heroically rise to the occasion, abetted by the aforementioned thermally-challenged seat? Or will he just flame out, as he is ought to do on occasion? Find out: subscribe, download, listen up, and prepare to chortle!
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A nicely done Monday crossword by Taylor Johnson and Christina Iverson, and we therefore raise a glass of 32D, Powdered orange drink, TANG, in their honor. There were 3 debut answers in today's grid, and our favorite was the slightly deceptive 42A, Certain bluegrass musician, BANJOPLAYER (as opposed to a certain bluegrass musician, which would've been even more challenging). We were also partial to 15A, _______ the Riveter (woman in an old wartime poster), ROSIE, and as always pleased to learn something new, 22A, Believer in a non-intervening God, DEIST.
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John Westwig shows how it's done, with a brilliant Sunday crossword (his 8th for the NYTimes) - terrific theme, sparkling clues that make you dig for the answers (sometimes with a trowel, a few that require something more along the lines of an oil rig), a perfect Sunday opus. We loved it, and to find out why, check out today's episode!
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A very sticky Saturday crossword, with more traps than a golf course, and calculated to lead you down the garden path (such as may be found in ZENGARDENS). Some of our favorites include 33A, "Elvis has left the building", EVERYBODYGOHOME; 32D, "I'm beat!", WHATADAY; and 28D, Overseas sailors, LIMEY (so named after what they ate to avoid scurvy).
This being Saturday, we also have our JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award), and this one includes a mild surprise. Curious? Intrigued (which technically means almost the same thing as curious)? If so, just subscribe (so you'll never miss an episode), download (so you'll have this one) listen (so, um, you'll listen) and enjoy (because that's the end game!).
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A relatively straightforward Friday crossword, and a debut for its constructor, Kunal Nabar. There were some enlightening clues - 22A, Theme park originally conceived as a planned community, EPCOT; some vocabulary stretching clues - 57A, Overly slick, UNCTUOUS; and some amusing clues - Top present during the holiday season?, DREIDEL 😀.
A great crossword, definitely worth 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
Also, it's Friday, so to learn about a hugeBritish comedy (among other things), subscribe, download, listen up, and prepare to be educated and entertained!
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A terrific Thursday crossword by Michael Baker and the indefatigable Jeff Chen, with an LOL theme and some fascinating clueing, including 22A, Co. that, in 1925, said of crosswords "The craze evidently is dying out fast"', NYT ;1D, "Honesty with the volume cranked up", per George Sanders, IRONY, and 26A, org. that might have a beef with beef, USDA 😀
All the deets are inside, so just subscribe, download, listen up and prepare to be educated and entertained.
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A delicious mid-week snack by Jimmy Peniston, with a unique theme that you can really sink your teeth into. And if that last sentence didn't clue you into the theme, then listening to today's podcast certainly will, so have at it!
Remember that the NYTimes Crossword is a scientifically proven way to keep those little gray cells sharp, and they'd love to have you as a subscriber! So wander over to nytimes.com/crosswords, and tell 'em Jean & Mike sent you!
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A perfectly crafted Tuesday crossword, with a theme that was inscrutable for precisely one of our intrepid cohosts (hint: not Jean), and a nicely balanced set of clues. We enjoyed 59A, Attention -grabbing shouts, HEYSs, juxtapositioned with 54D, Attention-grabbing whisper, PSST. In a similar vein we had 5D, Purplish fruit used in smoothies, ACAI, in close proximity to 16A, Purplish fruit used in gin, SLOE.
Today was also Triplet Tuesday, and so to find out whether Jean's day off left her rusty or primed for success in today's battle of wits, you'll need to do what countless others have done before you: subscribe, download, listen up, and enjoy!
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So, here's the skinny on today's crossword: it's skinny! Well, the grid is, at any rate, and that certainly grabbed our attention. There's one other aspect of this grid, besides the aspect ratio (heh, heh) that is worth pointing out, and we do so in today's podcast, so for all the deets please subscribe, download, listen up, and enjoy!
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Joe DiPietro has had 140 crosswords published in the NYTimes, mainly Fridays, although he's done a fair number of Sundays as well. This one was straightforward (for Jean), and a massive Easter Egg hunt (for Mike). Deets inside, so have a listen, and let us know what you think.
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Ah, Saturday, typically the toughest crossword of the week, and this one lived up to its reputation, with some sneaky/stunning/super clues. Consider as evidence, 56A, Heavy metal band?, MANACLE; 55A, Exist naturally, INHERE (yikes!); 31A, Natural projection, HORN (um, if you say so!); and the clue/answer that applies to about 90% of the grid, 53A, Exclamation of revelation, ISEENOW.
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A fine Friday crossword, a tad on the easier side, in spite of an imposing looking grid. Basically, if you're looking to tackle a Friday crossword, this would be a very good place to start. Deets inside!
What was your favorite crossword of the week? Vote here!
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A superb Thursday crossword by David Harris: the theme was fabulous, the clues sparkling, and the pop culture references (Mike's bane) almost non-existent. Some of the stellar clues that didn't make it into the podcast included 10D, Pashmina fabric, CASHMERE (huh!); 11D, T-Bonz brand, ALPO (which makes more sense once you realize the word is brand, not band 😀); 31D, OverDO it as an ACtor, EMOTE (that ought to win an award, that being the clue, not necessarily the ACtor 😉).
A well crafted crossword indeed, it definitely pegs the meter on the JAMCR scale
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A unique -- or at least certainly rare -- theme by a debut cruciverbalist, Jennifer Hoelzer, one that was not naughty (even though it did have SMUT in the grid); but it was knotty (although not overly so, as befitting a mid -eek puzzle). And if all of this wordplay is driving you nots, er, we mean nuts, then download today's episode and all will become perfectly clear!
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A terrific Tuesday crossword, with a witty theme and some excellent clueing (Jean's fave was 51D, Cute little mishap, OOPSY, while Mike was partial to 43D, Aardvark, by any other name, ANTBEAR).
In other news, it's Triplet Tuesday, and this time Mike's on the hot seat - will he prosper, or will (as might be appropriate considering the aforementioned temperature of said seat) he go down in fames? To find out, subscribe, download, listen up, and enjoy.
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A nice Monday crossword: Jean found it to be a piece o' cake, Mike found it to be a more like BUBBLEGUM, sticky in spots -- but still tasty!
We also have another episode of OTHYPI (Oh, That's How You Pronounce It!), featuring the ... well, you wouldn't want us to spoil it now, would you? So, to find out how to pronounce the name that we will not pronounce (er, write) here, we heartily encourage you to download, listen up, and enjoy.
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A themeless Sunday crossword, but all in a good cause: the least number of clues, and the most number of debuts, in a Sunday! Only an accomplished constructor like Sam Ezersky could pull this off, and to hear how he did it, as well as our take on this cruciverbal marvel, subscribe, download, listen up, and enjoy.
Finally, be sure and tune in tomorrow for another exciting episode of our award winning segment "Oh, That's How You Pronounce It!" (OTHYP), featuring BILBAO. [Fun fact: OTHYP is award winning in that it was runner up in the Worst Example of a BACKRONYM contest 😀]
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John Hawksley pulls out all the stops on this one: no theme (typical for Saturday), but some jaw-droppingly difficult clues that will leave you awed, agog, and amazed (which also sounds like a great name for a law firm 😀). We have all the deets inside, as well as this week's JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award), so for all that goodness, subscribe, download, listen up, and enjoy!
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A fabulous, fun Friday crossword by a reliably great crossword constructor, Robin Weintraub. It has such pleasing clues as 57A, Contronym that means moving quickly or not moving at all, FAST 😀 ; 56A, Alternative to an elbow, PSST 😀 😀 ; and 29A, Take the edge off, say, ERODE 😀 😀 😀. Yes, the entire grid is just like that, sparkling clues that make you want to stand up and applaud. Bravo, Robin!
Tomorrow we'll be picking our JAMCOTWA, and if you'd like to weigh in on your favorite crossword of the week, you can vote for it right here.
For those who want to learn more about today's Fun Fact (for Fun Fact Friday), here's everything you need to know (and more!) about the SERIALCOMMA.
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It's not clear that the phrase "come for the theme, stay for the clues" has ever been applied to a crossword before -- ChatGPT denied knowledge -- but it really does apply to this one. It has an attention-grabbing theme (thanks to multiple gray and embedded-circle squares), but the clues are 😘 (the closest that we could come to a chef's kiss Emoji). We cover most of them in today's episode, so for all the deets, subscribe, download, listen up, and enjoy!
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A very pleasing crossword by Jennifer Lee and Victor Galson, who managed to sneakily embed a chyron into the grid. They also seemed to have included a mini-French theme, with 36A, "Ta-da!", ETVOILA, and 18D, Belle's counterpart, BETE. [We momentarily entertained the notion that the answer to 2D, AMI, would also fit the bill, but, alas, the clue, was "Are you telling this story or _______?".
Five squares on the JAMCR scale, and to find out why, please subscribe, download, listen up, enjoy aaaaand... tell all your friends about us so that they, too, can join in on the fun!
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You might want to have a pillow handy while working on today's crossword, so when you figure out the theme and your jaw drops, no serious injury results. Yes, the crossword is that good. For all the deets ( we do not want to spoil things here), subscribe, download, listen up, and enjoy!
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A fine Monday crossword by Eric Rollfing, with one of those memorable Monday themes that makes one ponder the incredible ingenuity of the many NYTimes Crossword constructors. There were a few sneakier clues in the grid, including 59D, Poached component of the dish shakshuka, EGG, and (especially since clued without any reference to churches ) 53D, Semicircular building recess, APSE, but fortunately the crosses were gentle.
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In honor of Pride month, the NYTimes Crossword editors have broken out the ol' color palette. They may have previously embedded color (other than gray) in the grid , but not very often - so if this is not a debut, it certainly is a rare event.
The colors were put to good use, though, in a theme that was both a celebration of Pride month and the ingenuity of the crossword constructor, Rafael Musa. Kudos on a job well done, a puzzle that definitely warrants 5 squares on the JAMCR scale!
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A superb Saturday crossword by John Westwig, challenging -- as one would expect from the putatively hardest crossword of the week! -- but fair, with a merciful (from Mike's perspective) dearth of pop culture references (44A, Actress Sink of "Stranger Things", SADIE, being one of the rare exceptions; we'll give 10A, Winner of three Emmys for Outstanding Game Show Host, SAJAK a pass, since he's been host since 1981; and don't even get us started on JUSTINIANII 😉).
Also, it is Saturday, and we've picked our JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award) - to find out who won and why, subscribe, download, listen up, and enjoy!
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A much easier crossword than Thursday's, both cohosts were able to get through it without too much difficulty - a fact which Jean attributes to a (for her) novel solving technique. To find out what that entails, we cordially invite you to subscribe / download / listen up / enjoy.
As promised, our poll -- in which you get to pick which should be the JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award) is now out, although in the interest of fairness, we heartily implore you to wait until Saturday's crossword is out before casting your final ballot.
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A tricky Thursday crossword (as Thursday crosswords are wont to be), with the sort of highly ingenious theme that suggests the Steinberg CLAN might be involved, as, gasp(!), they were. And that theme was nestled within a constellation of clever clues, a goodly portion of which are discussed in today's episode, so download, listen up, and ... enjoy!
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A fine Wednesday crossword by Brandon Koppy, who has been known to crank it up to 11, but here keeps the difficulty level mercifully moderate. The theme was fun, the crosses entertaining and educational, what's not to like? Nothing, as far as we can tell, hence the perfect 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
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If you've ever gone birding and had trouble actually spotting any birds, then today's crossword will seem familiar; eight of our winged friends, hiding in plain sight. Details within, as well as an epic Triplet Tuesday Contest, so download, listen up, enjoy ... and don't forget to tell all your friends about us, too!
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Any crossword that manages to work the phrase WHATTHEDEUCE into the grid (as this one does, 47A, Quaint cry of surprise), as well as JAMBAJUICE (60A, Smoothie chain founded in 1990) deserves some sort of recognition -- and so, we gladly give it, it being 5 squares on the JAMCR scale. Bravo!
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One of our dynamic duo found today's crossword to be a major challenge - the other tore through it so quickly that her keyboard was smoking. And if the pronoun didn't give it away, then listening to this episode definitely will -- so do it now!
Just a reminder, the NYTimes Crossword is an excellent way to keep your little gray cells sharp and keep up with the latest pop culture references - just go to nytimes.com/crosswords, they will be glad to have you as a new subscriber!
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Woah, if you thought Friday's crossword was tough, better sit down for this one because it's a wild ride, with 13 debut answers, and the crossword itself is also a debut ... for the constructor, Samuel Smalley, from Ottawa, Canada 🇨🇦. All the deets are inside, so have a listen, and let us know what you think.
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A challenging Friday crossword, especially the dreaded northeast corner, home to quite a few posers (31A, Tough nut to crack, POSER 😀), and one clue that required a lot of scholarship to suss out (10D, Knowledge, or a means to acquire it, SCHOLARSHIP 😀 😀). In short, this crossword was 14A, "Smart!", VERYCLEVER.
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A clever Thursday crossword, with an inspired theme and virtually no crosswordese to sully its fine grid. We approve, and hereby, by the power vested in us by the state of Wisconsin (ed: that would be absolutely none, nada, nil 😀) we bestow upon it the much vaunted and fully-maxed-out 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
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If you're a fan of old-timey video games, then this crossword will be right up your alley, so to speak -- the only remaining mystery is, how old is "old-timey", and which particular video game do we have in mind. To find all that out, as well as to hear why the USPS and AP agree to disagree when it comes to state abbreviations, just tap download, tap play, and tap into a fun convo!
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A deftly constructed crossword by Lee Taylor, with a nifty theme and a bevy of supporting clues that elevate it above the merely "good" to that loftier echelon, "good enough to get into the NYTimes". A few clues of note: 10D, Free, as a seat, UNTAKEN; 12D, Guernica painter, PICASSO; and (in keeping with a 2-day trend of expressing east in a foreign language), 31A, German sunrise direction, OST.
It's Tuesday, which means it's time for Triplet Tuesday. Will Jean rise to the challenge? To find out, you know what to do: subscribe / download / listen up / enjoy!
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Overall, a pleasing Sunday crossword, although Mike - in his capacity as founding member of the "Don't Drop Your G's Society" - did have a few things to say about the theme. Strike that, he had ATON of things to say about the theme, and to find out what those were, and to get Jean's alternate take on the same, you are cordially invited to download, listen up, and enjoy!
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A series of lively clues made for a vastly entertaining Saturday crossword. Notables include the debut 32A, Neuropsychological trait in which one might ascribe colors to numbers or tastes to words, SYNESTHESIA (!); the thought-provoking 32D, Capricorn's symbol, SEAGOAT 🐐; and the droll 38A, Don't do it, doc!, HARM 😀
All in all a fine Saturday, and for all the deets - as well as the always exciting selection of this week's JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Do The New York Times Crossword Of The Week Award), have a listen!
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David Distenfeld is on a role. Last month he had a Monday crossword published, and today has weighed in with a tricky Friday puzzle -- just on the right side of impossible (although as always, YMMV depending on a) how long you've been doing the crossword and b) just how much trivia/lore you've managed to stow away). In today's puzzle, the number of pop culture references were mercifully few (at least for Mike, for whom pop culture is definitely his bane).
There were many clever clues in today's grid and ... if you want to know what they are and why, you know what to do! Download, listen up, and enjoy.
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A tricky Thursday crossword - with, surprisingly, no rebus, but transformed by the unexpected appearance of the lowly comma. Jean tore through the crossword so quickly that she didn't even recognize that a theme was in play, whereas Mike had much more time to linger lovingly over the grid and savor the care that went into its creation.
For those of you wanting to go beyond just the facts, here's a reference to the EAPOE story, definitely worth a read (or three), and the origin story behind YAS, queen!
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A perfectly balanced mid-week crossword, with a clever theme, and some novel words/phrases -- 12A, Body of water between Sicily and Greece, IONIANSEA; 53D, Popular booth in New York's Times Square, TKTS; and 45D, Stand that a speaker might take, PODIUM 😀. Another plus, there were almost no naticks (notable exception: 62A, San Bernardino suburb whose name means "beautiful hill", LOMALINDA vs 60D, _____ queen!, YAS).
In short, a fine Wednesday, we give it a full and enthusiastic 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
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Today's crossword is based on a suffusion of sneaky prefixes that underline the beauty, and the beautiful inconsistency, of the English language. Also, it's Tuesday, meaning it's time for yet another Triplet Tuesday segment in which Mike demonstrates his lack of, to put it succinctly, knowledge. Deets inside, so download, listen up ,and enjoy!
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A fun, font-dependent theme makes for an interesting Monday. The font-sizes are almost microscopic, so it may be time to break out that loupe and put it to the test.
In other news, we have a Triplet Tuesday Contest Winner! Kudos and congrats to Lindsey, for having turned in a very respectable 7 (3,2,2, to be precise)!! Deets within.
Apologies for having missed our usual Saturday and Sunday episodes, apparently our "fervent desire for our podcast to go viral" was slightly misinterpreted as "please send us a fever and a virus". All is now well, though, thanks for those of you who wrote in!
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A splendid Friday crossword by Enrique Henestroza Anguiano. Both your intrepid hosts, solving independently as always, found this to be a major struggle, with challenging but rewarding clues scattered throughout the grid. For example, 1D, Time to focus on oneself. MEDAY (not to be confused with the equally likely SPADAY -- equally likely in the sense that both have appeared 3 times in the NYTimes Crossword); 21D, Brainstorming diagram, IDEAMAP (my, we have been seeing MAP pop up a lot as of late, Will must be planning a trip 😀); 32D, Musician's mouthpiece, AGENT (cute!); 1A, Powdered green tea, MATCHA (huh!); and 4D, Farm fresh box letters, CSA.
Besides all that, we also have listener mail, which has propelled another one of our "So That's How You Pronounce It!" segments.
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A challenging Thursday crossword, with a great EINSTEINIAN theme, all revolving around that famous equation, EEQUALSMCSQUARED. Deets are inside, so download, have a listen, and let us know what you think.
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If you like astronomy, you'll love today's crossword: it offers up some, um, heavenly cluing . The theme revolves (sorry) around a number of famous constellations, and the result is a very pleasing, perfect middle-of-the-week puzzle.
All the deets are inside, so download, listen up, and ... don't forget to subscribe, so you'll never miss an episode.
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A fun Tuesday crossword by Margaret Seikel, with a theme that involves (if you didn't already guess it from the title) a peace emoji. Besides our in depth analysis of this fine puzzle, today's episode also includes ... drum roll, please ... our Triplet Tuesday Contest™️. So, have a listen, join in the contest, and then let us know how you did - crosswordpodcast@icloud.com.
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A debut crossword by Catherine Cetta, and a fine one it is, with a theme that'll make you want to smile, and fairly gentle cluing (as one would expect for a Monday). There were a few exceptions, including several clues that are on the rarer side, including 3D, Picture frames, usually, RECTANGLES (makes sense); 16A, Thomas Jefferson's religious belief, DEISM, and 17A, Shared a video call on an Apple device, FACETIMED.
Remember that our Triplet Tuesday Contest is coming right up -- tomorrow, in fact -- so grab your thinking cap and get ready to win fabulous prizes!!
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A great Sunday crossword by Will Nediger, with a brilliant theme surrounded by an equally brilliant cast of supporting clues and answers. Will is a professional crossword constructor, and based on today's delightful puzzle we can see exactly why people would be willing to pay him for his art. Deets inside, so download, listen up, and enjoy!
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A remarkable Saturday crossword, not so much because of the clues - they were fabulous, as you would expect based on the NYTimes incredibly strict quality control - but because of the grid, a virtual ocean of white with almost no black squares. Making a crossword with such an open grid is no mean feat, but Carter Cobb's cracked the code, as we detail in today's episode. So, have a listen, and let us know what you think!
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A crossword so good that adjectives fail us -- but we still have nouns, verbs, and alliterations at our disposal to heap praise as the author fires a furious fusillade of fabulous, funny clues. This is truly a masterclass in great crossword construction. The author, Jacob McDermott, has "only" had 5 crosswords published in the NYTimes, but this one ought to count for 50. In short, we approve.
To see this Mona Lisa in its entirety, check out the filled out grid at xwordinfo.com
Remember our next Triplet Tuesday Contest is coming up ... this Tuesday. So start practicing now, and join us for all the festivities on the 9th!
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A very challenging Thursday crossword by a veteran NYTimes cruciverbalist, aka David J. Kahn. Jean managed to get through it in close to her usual time, hardly breaking a 25D, Drops in the gym?, SWEAT; Mike did eventually solve the puzzle, but was surprisedwhen he finally stumbled upon the final, vital correct answer in the SE corner, never a good sign.
For those of you who want to check out today's crossword, fully solved, xwordinfo.com has your back.
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A slightly sticky Wednesday crossword, possibly because of all the alcoholic products, many of them SECO, that have dripped into today's grid - CUPS of beer, KIR, RIOJA, and even DEW. We have the deets inside, so download, listen up and enjoy!
Also, we wish to highlight that we'll be having YATTC (Yet Another Triplet Tuesday Contest), this coming Tuesday (or Noodle's Grand Opening Eve, as it's known in NE Wisconsin), so start practicing now so you'll be in peak form!
Finally, if you want to check out today's crossword, you can do so right here.
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Today's crossword, by Lucido ... Aimee Lucido, is an homage of sorts to one of the most famous fictional British spies of all time. We can't reveal his name here (he's a spy, after all), so if you want to find out who, and what was being, um, homaging, check out today's episode, which also includes another fabulous edition of Triplet Tuesday™️.
Our favorite website, xwordinfo.com, has the full crossword, filled out, so if you want to follow along more closely as we discuss today's puzzle, please check it out here.
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A crossword that's 99 44/100% pure, and if that phrase doesn't resonate, then you, most definitely, need to listen to today's podcast, at which point all will become clean, um, we mean clear 😀
Tomorrow is Triplet Tuesday, so if you're interested in seeing if you can do better than your co-hosts, have a listen, and let us know how you fared!
Remember, the New York Times Crossword is a fine gift for anyone in your household (including yourself!), Just wander over to nytimes.com/crosswords, and tell 'em Jean & Mike sent ya'.
Finally, today's crossword, in all its glory is available at xwordinfo.com
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This crossword is really -- to borrow from 54A, Baseball slang for home run -- a TATER (our favorite new word for something fabulous). What elevates this NYTimes Crossword from merely brilliant to something stratospherically stunning is the theme: but the surrounding cast of characters, aka the non-themed clues, are themselves terrific. Definitely 5 squares on the JAMCR scale, and to find out exactly why, have a listen.
Also, to see this Mona Lisa of a crossword, fully solved, check out xwordinfo.com right here.
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Crosswords have moods - some make you laugh; some (especially the insanely hard ones) make you want to cry; this one was just infectiously joyous. You'll see (er, make that hear) why when you listen to today's episode, so please subscribe, download, listen up and enjoy!
- To see today's crossword in all its glory, check it out here
- To listen to 1A, you can do so here
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Considering the day of the week and the names of the constructors -- Malaika Handa and Erik Agard -- it was not surprising that the cohosts had to dig for pretty much every clue: from 49A, Where the first five counting numbers are "üks kaks kolm neli viis", ESTONIA, to 50D, Man known for his morals, AESOP, to 56A, Lead in to MAIL or BOX, VOICE, it was a major slogfest, but they are not complaining in the least!Want to see the entire crossword, solved? Here you go!
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A splendid Thursday crossword by Michael Schlossberg -- and somehow "splendid" and "Michael Scholossburg" seem to appear together quite frequently, this being his 7th NYTimes crossword since 2020. The theme was a rebus with a twist, and if that sounds intriguing, wait 'til you hear the details. Ah, but you don't need to wait, you can download and listen up right now.
Today's crossword? We have the whole solution right here, courtesy of xwordinfo.com
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If you're a HITCHCOCK fan, or a Jimmy STEWART or Kim NOVAK stan, then today's crossword will be right up your alley, as the theme revolves around HITCHCOCK's most famous (?) work, VERTIGO. Both cohosts found this puzzle to be, aptly enough, somewhat dizzying, but they did manage to (eventually) puzzle it out. Deets inside, so download, have a listen, and as always, let us know what you think.
Today's crossword, in all its glory, is available, solved, right here.
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A fun Tuesday crossword, and we had fun talking about it, as even a perfunctory listen to today's episode will reveal. So have a listen, and, as always, let us know what you think, and please do something to make this episode go viral!
Want to see the entire crossword, solved? Here you go.
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There appeared to be, along with the explicit and enjoyable main theme, there is a sub-theme involving Star Wars - witness 9D, Humanoid robot who appears in all nine "Star Wars" episodes, informally, THREEPIO, 17A, Childhood nickname for Darth Vader, ANI, and 52D, Decide one will, OPTTO (which has a decidedly Yoda-ish sound to it). So, two themes for the price of one, sounds like a great deal to us!
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A crossword that's sure to be a hit with English teachers everywhere, today's rather subtle -- almost to the point of invisible -- theme reminds us of the importance of proper punctuation. There were numerous other noteworthy gems in the grid, including 97A, Twisted do, LOCS ; 92A, Muppet bear, FOZZIE; and 40D, Oviform:egg :: pyriform:____, PEAR (huh!). And there's more where those came from -- for all the deet's, um, we mean deets, check out today's episode, and, as always let us know what you think!
Today's crossword, fully solved, is available right here.
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The only thing that was 46A -- A piece of cake, SOEASY -- about this puzzle was, well, 46A. The rest of the grid was crackling with fiendishly clever and often quite arcane clues, such as 61A, Dead letter in a mail sorter's vernacular, NIXIE (woah!); 39D, One with an "If You Choose the Lesser of Two Evils -- You Are Still Choosing Evil" bumper sticker, perhaps", NADERITE (both clever, obscure, and in the running for longest-clue of the week award); and the delicious 48D, Positive restaurant review?, YUM.
A great crossword by a veteran cruciverbalist, Byron Walden: checkout the entire grid, fully solved, right here
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We would need to break out the thesaurus to do justice to today's crossword, an absolutely brilliant theme. We'd say more here, but we don't want to spoil the surprise, so download, listen up, and be prepared to be amazed.
The crossword can be seen, in all its glory, right here.
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For all you poetry aficionados, your time has come -- a crossword theme built around an octad of famous (?) poets. This was definitely a crunchier than usual crossword, Jean had to work slightly harder than was the norm, while Mike feared for his streak , almost done in by his completely erroneous conviction that "How Firm a Foundation" was an advertising slogan for Serta.
Today's crossword is available here
And if you want to read some of the poems alluded to in the grid, the Poetry Foundation would be delighted to help out.
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As the week progresses, the crosswords tend to get more difficult, and while Tuesday is therefore on the easier side, this puzzle did have a few crunchier clues, including: 19D, Showy basket, DUNK (hah!); 10A, Hip-hop subgenre pioneered by Gucci Mane, TRAP (one word, for the record); and 47D, Comma, colon or apostrophe, MARK (probably lonely because it's missing its traditional partner, PUNCTUATION).
A fun crossword, and for those of you starting to feel confident about Mondays, a particularly good one to tackle (so, don't listen to the podcast until you've done so!!)
Today's crossword, fully solved, is viewable here.
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Last Tuesday, MONDEGREEN made its way into the grid for the very first time, and so we were delighted to find an example of that -- ODETOJOY -- make an appearance today: first because we just adore ODETOJOY, and second because we love to work MONDEGREEN into a sentence, as many times as we can possibly get away with it -- so far, our record is two. 😉
And for those of you wondering about what appears to be a suffusion of emojis in today's grid, they are there for a reason that will become clear once you've checked out today's podcast - which we heartily encourage you to do at your earliest convenience.
Today's puzzle, fully solved.
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We found a lot to like in today's crossword -- a debut by Chicago real estate agent Mike Hobin -- as well as a few fascinating mysteries lurking in the grid. Intrigued? Want to know more? In that case, subscribe / download / listen up and prepare to be entertained and educated!
Also, here's today's puzzle, fully solved, for your viewing pleasure.
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Anytime you see Kameron Austin Collins in the byline, be afraid, be very afraid ... of having a really great and epic time doing battle with the master of opaque cluing. Today's crossword was perfect, and to find out why, have a listen.
Also, we're curious to know -- based on our JAMCOTWA award this week -- what's your favorite MC Hammer episode. Let us know on our Facebook page.
Finally, do you want to check out today's crossword, solved? It'll make following our discussion so much easier, and you can find it right here.
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An excellent Thursday crossword, with a theme that, once again, requires we metaphorically doff our hats in awe and astonishment at the creativity of constructors such as today's -- Robin Yu -- for whom this is a debut. Deets are inside, so download, listen up, enjoy and ... don't forget to write! (crosswordpodcast@icloud.com)
Today's solved crossword is right here.
A good article on BACHATA is available as well.
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An ingenious theme made today's crossword slightly crunchier than usual (and we're not just saying that because NUT appeared in the grid). Fortunately the theme did not detract from the rest of the puzzle, which included such notable clues as 67A, Tempeh alternative, TOFU, immediately atop 70A, Like forgiving lighting in photography, SOFT (😀); 37A, One of three in "To be or not to be", IAMB (cool!); and 51D, "The Queen of Soul", ARETHA (sigh).
Overall a great crossword, 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
Want to see the solved crossword? Xword.info's got you covered.
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A nice Tuesday crossword by Taylor Johnson and the indefatigable Jeff Chen, with an almost-under-the-radar theme, and some quality clues, including 25D, Jackapoo or schnoodle, DOG (in the running for the best-clue-involving-a-DOG award, which we just totally made up but still want to confer on the authors); the educational 52D, The "Z" of ZIP code, ZONE (huh!); and 28D, Scientist on one side of the "War of the Currents", TESLA (not, as Mike had originally theorized, the muppet BEAKER).
In other news, it's Triplet Tuesday, and Jean does ... well, we'll keep you in suspense - to find out how Jean did, download, listen up, and, as always, enjoy!
Speaking of Jeff Chen, you can wander over to his website to check out the fully solved version of today's puzzle.
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A fun and frothy Monday crossword by Gia Bosko, who apparently has an eye for redundancy and a talent for writing great clues. Want to hear more? We know you do, so download, listen up, and be sure to hit the ol' subscribe button.
To see the solved version of today's crossword, all you need do is click here.
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A relatively easy Sunday crossword -- not a walk in the park, by any means, but the clues did seem a little less intense than last week's ... and the week before that -- and we are not complaining! To find out what we aredoing, just download today's episode and ... don't forget to hit the ol' subscribe button, you'll be glad you did!
Want to see the entire crossword, clues, answers and everything else? Here you go!
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Sid Sivakumar, the author of today's fine, fine crossword, has definitely got a reputation (at least here, at Jean And Mike Do The New York Times Crossword HQ) for writing extra-challenging crosswords, and he definitely lived up to that reputation today, with clues that were stellar, sneaky, and (if you can figure them out!) extremely satisfying. We enthusiastically approve - 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
If you want to see the solved crossword -- clues and answers -- you can check it out here.
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Today's crossword has an ominous, daunting-looking grid, but you can't always judge a B by its C, as Bertie Wooster would undoubtedly say, and this puzzle proves the point: it is challenging but fair, and we loved it! Deets inside, as well a Fun Fact Friday segment that we hope you'll find fun -- and that's a fact!
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A challenging Thursday puzzle, thanks to ... a tricky wicket, as cricket aficionados like to say, a gimmick that left both cohorts slightly but fortunately only temporarily bedazzled. Jean had trouble getting started, and Mike, finished. But fortunately, both rallied. Deets inside, so subscribe / download / listen / enjoy / leave us a 5 star review 😀
Today's crossword, with all the clues and answers, can be found right here.
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Brandon Koppy knows how to make great crosswords, and is at the top of his form in this one! An amusing and unexpected theme is the topper, but the rest of the clues are designed to educate and make you think. Five squares on the JAMCR scale, we can't wait for his next opus.
Here's the entire crossword, solved, in case you want to check it out.
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Andrea Carla Michaels and Christina Iverson have devised a COZY Tuesday puzzle, with just the right HEFT, never a BORE. We enjoyed the crossing of 32D, They're made by doing jumping jacks lying downs ", SNOWANGELS, and 35A, "Band on the Run" band, WINGS; and 51D, Decimal measuring system, METRIC, and 53A, Opposite of well done, RARE, the latter representing the chances that the former will become widely adopted in the US! All in all, we consider this crossword a genuine 48A, Hit the jackpot, WIN.
Today's crossword? Solved? You can see it all, as well as photos of the constructors, right here.
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A nice Monday crossword, with nothing too overwhelmingly difficult, as befits a Monday -- and a clever "vowel progression" for the theme. We approve! Five squares on the JAMCR scale.
Also, if you haven't already done this crossword, and do not plan to do so, feel free to feast your eyes on the clues and solution
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Ease over to your easel, and get ready to BINGE on 7 different works of art, all ensconced in a puzzle which is not coincidentally also a work of art (albeit of an entirely different hue). While this crossword was undoubtedly difficult - both Jean and Mike (solving independently as usual) had to strain to the utmost, it was assuredly worth the effort. Deets inside, and if you want to check out the paintings in question here they are:
- THESTARRYNIGHT
- REDBALLOON
- THEMONALISA
- THEBIRTHOFVENUS
- THESONOFMAN
- NIGHTHAWKS
- CREATIONOFADAM
Also, if you want to check out the complete solution to today's crossword, check it out here.
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It's not clear if today's crossword-constructing duo -- Wyna Liu and Joel Fagliano -- regard themselves as iconoclasts, but they certainly broke a few rules in today's puzzle, in fact, one of the cardinal, inviolable rulesof the New York Times crossword. Intrigued? We thought you would be, so check out today's episode for all the deets (as well as to discover who won our JAMCOTWA - Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award).
Want to see the solution to today's crossword, all filled out? Here you go!
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An epically difficult Friday crossword, as one can expect towards the end of the week. But this one seemed especially fiendish, like a Saturday crossword that slunk into a Friday slot by mistake. Clues like 46D, Harvard or Cambridge grad, CANTAB (say what?); 39A, Heavens, ETHER (fair but good); and 44D, Senator, in brief, NHLER (nice!) just give a small taste of what's in store, a real mental workout. We loved it, and only regret that we haven't seen more of Rich Norris' work in these pages.
For the record, here's a link to today's crossword (with clues and answers).
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A very pleasing Thursday crossword by Adam Wagner and Brooke Husic. Jean's overly large vocabulary got her into slight difficulty in the middle of the grid, whereas Mike's smaller lexicon, once again and just as ironically as always, came to his rescue! There were numerous TWL (Today We Learned) moments in today's grid, for instance, 28D, Two-stringed Chinese instrument, EHRU; 26A, Faith that follows the teachings of The BáB, BAHAI; and 32D, Spaces where people pay to destroy household objects with sledgehammers, RAGEROOMS (yikes!). A great crossword, without doubt worth a full 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
Want to see the solution to today's grid? Xwordinfo.com has you covered
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Once again, the NYTimes rises to the occasion with a great, great crossword, with an inspired theme and one answer in particular that has to be seen (and possibly Googled) to be believed. We won't spoil it by saying any more here, but we will say that this was a delicious crossword and are convinced that you'll feel the same.
In today's listener mail, a reference as made to Thinking Inside the Box, by Adrienne Raphel, and the book sounds great, so check it out.
Finally, here's a link to today's solved crossword, for those of you who haven't completed the crossword and want to follow along, square by square, as we wander through the grid.
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Tuesday crosswords need to walk a fine balancing act - they have to be harder than Monday's, but not too much harder -- and today's puzzle would have the Flying Walendas nodding in approval (unless they were on a tight-rope: they might wait until they were back on terra firma to do so). And for listeners looking to branch out beyond Monday, definitely try this crossword (and then have a listen to today's episode).
For those who have already attempted the crossword and got stuck, or just do not plan to attempt it, here's plan B: the solution, along with the grid, at xwordinfo.com
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A pleasant Monday crossword, not too difficult, we would conjecture, for newer solvers, and with a frothy but clever theme that will make them want to come back for more.
Starting today, in the show notes, we are going to provide a link to the solved crossword (in xwordinfo.com) -- so if you haven't solved the crossword and do not plan to, then feel free to check out the solution so you can more readily follow along.
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Today's crossword has some remarkable words in the clues, let alone the answers. Certainly plangonologist has to win some sort of prize (77D, Things a plangologist collects, DOLLS), but we were also pleased to see a pentad pop up (52A, Pentad for a poetry performance?, FIVEPILLARSOFSLAM), and finally stan (2A, Band stan, GROUPIE).
Some of the clues not mentioned in today's episode but also worthy of note include 62D, "Do"-to-"do" delivery", SCALE (nice!); 29A, Nickname for Luigi, GIGIO, and 87D, Strapless accessories, CLUTCHES.
A fine crossword by David Karp, and we hereby approve, bestowing it with 5 squares on the JAMCR scale
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Robyn Weintraub has a well-deserved reputation for writing magnificent clues, and she shows off that talent in spades today: point at anyclue in the grid, and you'll find a put-a-smile-on-your-face answer. If you haven't done today's crossword (and don't intend to), then head over to xwordinfo.com and check out the entire puzzle - clues and answers - to see what we mean.
It is Saturday, time for our JAMCOTWA - Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award - and the winner is ... somebody whose name you will recognize - but for the deets you'll have to download and listen up. Enjoy!
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A remarkably curious Friday crossword, especially the grid. How so, you ask? We could answer that here, but then a little suspense is good for the soul, so instead we will simply direct you to today's episode, where all will be revealed, we promise!
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A brilliant Thursday crossword by David Kwong: a theme that make you just want to stand up and cheer, in the midst of a grid full of great clues. Yes, it's the NYTimes Crossword at its finest, and that is saying a lot. Definitely worth the full 5 squares on the ol' JAMCR (that's Jean And Mike Crossword Rating) scale: have a listen, and you'll hear why.
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A FINE crossword, a debut, in fact, by Madeline Kaplan, with an interesting cinematic twist. Beyond the clues covered in the podcast, we would be remiss if we didn't mention 50D, March madness number (not 16, nor 8, nor 4, but ... SEED 😀); 55D, #s, NOS (a rarity, a clue with a hashtag!); and the relatively novel 60A, Attention-hoarding, say, NEEDY. But there are many more gems in the grid, so grab your loupe and your sluice box, and join us inside!
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There were no SNAFUs in today's crossword, and no TABOOBOOBOOs, for that matter: just a bevy of brilliant clues (especially the "themers" as we like to call them (as of today, when we first thought of it 😉)). There's more inside, so you are cordially invited to download, listen up, and enjoy.
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Generally speaking, the New York Times crosswords get more difficult as the week progresses, with Monday being the easiest, Saturday the hardest, and Sunday more like a large-ish Wednesday. Today's crossword, however while ostensibly a Monday, was teetering on the edge of Tuesday, with some trickier clues to liven things up. Intrigued? Want to know more? Then hit the ol' download button, followed by the ol' play button, and then ... enjoy!
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They said it couldn't be done, but, amazingly, we were able to squeeze in two crosswords analyses into one podcast. Not only that, we also managed to work in:
a) the announcement of our JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award); and
b) (gasp! the episode is now bursting at the seams at this point!), the moment you have all been waiting for with bated breath, the announcement of our Triplet Tuesday Contest winner.
Enjoy, and as always, let us know what you think, and please leave us a 5 star review on wherever you listen to this podcast.
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A cheery Friday crossword, with tough, tough clues (for one of our co-hosts). But the pop-culture meter was reading almost 0, which helped said co-host immensely. Deets inside, so download, listen up, and enjoy!!
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A lively Wednesday puzzle by Michael Berg, with lots of entertaining and educational clues. If you wish for us to elaborate -- and we hope you do -- then fear not, we already have! Just download, listen up, and enjoy.
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YAANYTC (Yet Another Awesome New York Times crossword): the NYTimes is really on a tear this week, and this puzzle in particular really hit the SUHWEET spot, with a dizzying theme and brilliant clues. All the deets are inside, so have at it, and please let us know what you think: crosswordpodcast@icloud.com.
P.S. Remember that there is still time to enter our Triplet Tuesday Contest: drop us a line at the aforementioned address, after trying your hand at the contest
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A creative tribute to the impending MARCHMADNESS, with some extra flourishes that elevate this from a merely good crossword to a great one.
And speaking of contests ... we're running our own Triplet Tuesday Contest, and you are invited to participate! Listen to the podcast, send us an email (crosswordpodcast@icloud.com) letting us know how many guesses it took you to figure out the clues, and you may win some absolutely fabulous swag! Good luck, and have fun!
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A slightly spicier Monday than usual, with clues such as 64A, Regarding this point, HERETO; the terrific 36A, "_______ is a lie that makes us realize truth" : Picasso, ART; and 52D, Pro pitcher, of a sort?, ADREP leading the way. Sam Koperwas and Jeff Chen were at the helm, and they did not lead us astray with this fine start to our puzzle solving week.
Remember our Triplet Tuesday Contest is coming up tomorrow, so start working on your victory dance moves - we recommend The Dab.
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An intricate and ingenious Sunday theme by David Tuffs that must have taken forever to perfect, but perfect it he did, as a quick glance at today's crossword will reveal. Jean got through the puzzle expeditiously, while Mike took time out of his busy schedule to coin several words that, unfortunately, the rest of the world had not deigned to adopt, and unravelling that took a bit. Deets inside, so have a listen and let us know what you think!
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An ENDEARING Saturday crossword, with nary a GIMMICK to be seen (except, of course, for the answer GIMMICK), and at least an OCTET of great clues, including, 1D, Four+Four, OCTET 😀. Mike's favorite in the grid was undoubtedly 17A, Northwest of 1, ESC (wow!), while Jean was partial to 33A, Apt anagram of "I sew a whole", ELIASHOWE; but we enjoyed the entire puzzle, so much so that it's our JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award) winner! Huzzah!
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A very satisfying Friday crossword - not a lot of pop culture references, some marvelous mis-direction in the clueing, and not a "blah" answer to be seen anywhere in the grid. We appreciated that the top left of the grid, 1D, A bad joke might land with one, THUD, was paired with the top right of the grid, 14D, Jazz trumpeter jones, THAD. That's artistry right there, and the person who should be credited with that is the crossword's creator, Claire Rimkus. We can't wait for her next puzzle!
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There were no downsides to this crossword, whose theme revolved around FLIPSIDES. Jean had just a spot of bother, conflating STRAT with STRAD, and Mike felt cert. that Colombo was in the NYPD, not, as 1D, "Colombo org." would have it, the LAPD. All in all a fine puzzle, we give it 5 squares on the JAMCR scale, encore!
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Someone -- to be precise, Miranda Kany, the constructor of today's delicious crossword -- has embedded an entire (very tasty) recipe into today's grid. So, don't try this on an empty stomach, and if you do follow the recipe, send us a pic!
We had listener mail today, in which our correspondent recommended the "Fifty Nifty United States" song. The YouTube version is a hoot, so check it -- as well as today's episode, of course! -- out.
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A very pleasing Tuesday crossword, with a theme that was an echo / homage to Monday's HUMANNATURE -- surely not a coincidence, with the crossword force-of-nature Will Shortz in charge. Today's puzzle included a few spicier clues - 17A, Best competitive stuff, AGAME (cute); the combo 28D, That one and that one, in Spanish, ESOS, paired with 65A, That one and that one, THOSE (now that's artisanship). Definitely a 5 squares on the JAMCR scale, and for all the deets, please download, listen up, enjoy and ... let us know what you think!
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This is Lynn Lempel's 100th crossword in the New York Times, and if you ever needed proof that practice makes perfect, just check out her latest -- fun clues, a cute theme, everything you want in a Monday crossword.
Just to let everyone know, we are gearing up to have -- gasp! -- another Triplet Tuesday Contest in about a week, so be sure and listen to tomorrow's TTC so you'll be all practiced up.
Of course, don't forget to listen to today's episode: subscribe, download, listen up, and enjoy!
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A fine Sunday crossword by John-Clark Levin - the clues are uniformly delightful, and over a grid the size of a Sunday (21x21, in case you hadn't measured lately), that's saying a lot. And we have a lot to say about this crossword, so go ahead and subscribe / download / listen and enjoy!
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Another tough crossword for one of our co-hosts, for whom KACHINA dolls were a revelation. As part of his cunning plan to keep mementos of especially challenging clues close at hand, he hopes to soon add a KACHINA doll to his lovely SANLUISOBISPO t-shirt and KATANA sword collection.
Since it is Saturday, we have once again identified our JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award) winner (deets inside), and we have some fascinating LARB-related listener mail. Enjoy!
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An epically challenging Friday crossword, with delightfully devious and deceptive clues that have to be seen to be believed -- or if not seen, at least heard, and for that we've got you covered! Get the blow-by-blow as your cohosts (solving independently as always) bash away at today's puzzle.
It's also Friday, which means time for our weekly segment, Fun Fact Friday™️, and today's fun fact is really hot (but not LARB-hot).
For all the deets, subscribe, download, listen and enjoy!
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Malaika Handa has created a terrific puzzle, and congrats are in order because this is her debut NYTimes crossword!! There were many gems in the grid, such as 23A, Child-oriented non-profit group, PTA; 3D, Hopping spots?, LILYPADS (😀); and the cheeriest of the lot, 31D, Jaunty greeting, HIHO -- just reading that word brings a smile to our lips.
Definitely a 5 squares on the JAMCR scale, we hope to see many more crosswords from Malaika very soon!
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Today's crossword absolutely pegged the pun meter, and it also earned 5 squares on the JAMCR scale. A coincidence? We think not, and neither will you (probably) once you've heard today's episode.
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Anytime Dr. Seuss wanders into the grid you know you're in for a good time, and today's constructor, Gia Bosko, delivers and then some! Definitely worth a full 5 squares on the JAMCR scale, and for the SKINNY on precisely why, download today's episode,
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A very droll Monday theme, involving bears, 3/4 of whom your co-hosts were familiar with, the 4th being a revelation. Jean cruised through this crossword like a boss, Mike meandered through it like he was on a SLOOP - except he'd have phrased it SHOOP, a fine example of why his pace was not quite as frenetic as his co-host's. All the deets are inside, as well as listener mail, so have a listen, and let us know what you think!
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A terrific Sunday crossword by Will Nediger: the theme is an absolute delight, and Will didn't slouch off in the rest of the grid, either. We have all the deets inside, so have at it!
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We are back, and what a welcome Trent H. Evans had in store for us - an epically difficulty Saturday crossword, with mind-bending clues in every corner. The phrase "tough but fair" comes to mind, and to find out why that's the case, you know what to do: subscribe, download, listen, and enjoy!
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As listeners may recall from prior episodes, puzzles by Kameron Austin Collins usually mean a challenge -- and on a Saturday in particular KAC does not hold back, and today's puzzle shows him to be in rare form: wherever you look in the grid, from 1A, Directive for the board, DONTERASE (yikes!) all the way to 65A, Something wonderful, with "the", BEESKNEES(😀), you will find great, great clues. Truly, a work of art.
Also in today's episode, we have awarded our JAMCOTWAs (plural: this time it's a tie), and announced the winner of our second Triplet Tuesday Contest! Congrats to all winners!!
Finally, we will be on hiatus next week, recharging, etc., so keep doing the crosswords, and don't forget to write and say "hi" - crosswordpodcast@icloud.com
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An excellent Friday crossword by Jem Burch, with great clues and -- whew! -- no secret L's lurking in the grid (check out yesterday's podcast to understand that reference). We have all the deets inside, just waiting for you to download and enjoy.
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Most of the time the black squares are just standing guard, allowing clues to not run into one another and trigger an Everything, Everywhere, All At Once moment, but not today. In this puzzle, those black squares, so easy to ignore, are absolutely critical to making sense of the grid. We have the complete 411 in today's episode, so we strongly encourage you to subscribe (so you'll never miss an episode!), download, listen and enjoy!
Just a reminder that our Triplet Tuesday Contest winner(s) will be announced tomorrow, so if you haven't already entered, check out this Tuesday's podcast for the rules and deets on how to do so.
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A great way to celebrate Black History Month, with several famous civil rights leaders appearing in the grid, with their names slightly modified in honor of the DOUBLEV campaign of WWII. We found LOTSA interesting clues throughout the rest of the puzzle, and to find out what those are, you know what to do: subscribe / download / listen up / enjoy!
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A lovely Valentine's Day present from the New York Times to the world ... a somewhat challenging (for Mike) Tuesday crossword with a highly amusing theme, a very apt follow-up to yesterday's. We have all the deets inside plus ... the big news, it's our second Triplet Tuesday Contest! That's right, if you didn't win last time, now you have a second chance. Listen to the rules, follow 'em to the letter (or as close to the letter as you can get), and send your # of tries to crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. If you have the lowest score, you'll be our winner! Good luck, and may the crossword-force be with you 😀
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A marvelous Monday crossword, and your co-hosts had a rather unique experience solving it. We'd say more, but because today is "No-Spoiler Monday", we will refrain from doing so but rather encourage you to subscribe, download, listen up and enjoy today's episode.
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Ooh, a tough Sunday crossword by Christina Iverson and Samuel A. Donaldson, thanks to an ingenious theme and some relatively obscure clues -- 12A, Catchy tunes, informally, BOPS; 49D, Cousin of a weasel, MARTEN; and the very droll 78D, Main antagonist?, PIRATESHIP (woah!). There was a lot to like in today's grid, and we spell out all the deets in today's episode.
Also a reminder, our Triplet Tuesday Contest is coming right up -- perhaps not quite the Super Bowl, but we do have fewer ads (i.e.,none 😀).
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A super Saturday crossword by the NYTimes Spelling Bee editor, Sam Ezersky, who occasionally wanders over into the crossword section to work his magic. And he did so today, with some nicely worded clues and juicy juxtapositions. We enjoyed the rarely seen 58D, Like swampland, MIRY (if you say so!); 5D and 23A, both "Ah", follower, respectively ISEE and CHOO (very twee); 61D, End of a series, in Canada, ZED (❤️🇨🇦); and the educational 50D, Where "talon" and "toga" mean "hello" and "goodbye", SAMOA (manaia ia!)
Today's also Saturday, and our JAMCOTWA winner is ... oops, no spoilers! Download and listen up to today's podcast to find out who, why, and how much swag they're likely to get!
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Ah, the NYTimes Crossword at its best -- slippery clues, devious double-entendres, all designed to trip up the unwary solver. Both our co-hosts had to dig deeply, and the whole story -- as well as a Fun Fact based on 8D, Annual competition that starts on the first Saturday in March, IDITAROD -- is revealed on today's episode.
A reminder that this Tuesday we're running our second Triplet Tuesday Contest - you'll play along with the hosts, email how many clues it took you to find each of the 3 answers, and whoever gets the lowest score will take home a cornucopia of awesome swag. So, start practicing now, and may the best solver win!
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The presence of 32D, Symbol of sharp wit, RAPIER, seems appropriate, because this crossword was brimming with the stuff (sharp wit, not RAPIERs), and the theme was also noteworthy. For both our co-hosts, though, the highlight of the crossword had to be 73A, __________ Midas Wolf (Disney's "Three Little Pigs" antagonist), ZEKE. Who knew that the Wolf had a first name? And a middle one? We are awed and agog, and we owe it all to today's constructor, Alex Rosen, whose work clearly deserves a 5 squares on the JAMCR scale!
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Chase Dittrich turns in a stellar performance, with a puzzle-full of joyous clues and an ingenious theme, the joie de vivre just bubbles off the page (or screen, as the case may be). Definitely 5 squares on the JAMCR scale, and certainly in the running for this week's JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award).
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A charming Tuesday crossword, with a theme that wasn't too difficult to SUSS out, and any grid that manages to work both LOOKSUPTO (2D, Admires) and STANDTALL (36D, Act confidently) into the same grid deserves some sort of HONOR, and we give it here: 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
On a side note, next Tuesday we are going to be hosting our second Triplet Tuesday Contest, so for training purposes, we recommend you listen all week, to ensure you'll be in peak form!
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Not to namedrop ancient Greeks and their deities, but one of our Achilles heels' is our infatuation with the Apollo program, just one of the reasons why we found this to be such a great crossword. The theme is ingenious, the clues a tad crunchier than usual -- in particular 9D, Ancient tool for hunters or warriors, SPEARTHROWER, and 23A, Dogs with curly tails, AKITAS -- and we are not complaining one bit!
In other news, we've had some great suggestions for titles for our new Fact Checking segment. Check them out in today's episode (and if you have suggestions, send 'em our way!).
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If you're into movies, you'll love today's crossword, a punny homage to the Oscars, with a theme that Jean loved, and Mike ... is still trying to wrap his head around. There were some excellent (non-theme-related) clues in the grid, such as 33D, Historic builders of rope bridges, INCAS (huh!); 79D, Things pandas have 20 of, TOES (yikes!!); and Jean & Mike's personal favorite, 48A, Therein lies the rubbed, SPA (😀 😀 ). All the deets are inside, so subscribe / download / listen and enjoy!
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A marvelous Saturday crossword by Kate Hawkins, with tough, fair, and entertaining clues everywhere you look in the grid. Among our favorites, 8D, Didn't go fast?, ATE (heh, heh); 40A, Floors, AWES (awwww... 😀); and the twin clues 2D and 12D, Booty, the answers to which were respectively, HAUL and SEAT (nice!).
Since today's Saturday, that means it's time for JAMCOTWA -- the Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award -- so to find out who walked off with that prestigious prize, all you need to do is download, listen, and enjoy!
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A delightful Friday crossword by Barbara Lin, with a bevy of very twee clues. Jean's favorite was 1A, Finishing-line cry?, BINGO, and Mike's was 47D, Edges of a diamond?, DEES: but both found gems -- and not just SARD* -- throughout the grid.
*as discussed in yesterday and today's episodes!
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Today's crossword is a victory for STEM education, as the NYTimes crossword managed to get millions (?) of its solvers thinking about the problem of DARKMATTER. There were a few notable clues, the most prominent of which is the aforementioned 51A, Orangish-brown gem, SARD. That almost sounds like a debut, but in fact it has appeared a whopping 154 times in the NYTimes crossword, albeit the last time (before today) was in 2015, and its first appearance was on Sunday, May 16, 1943 (!). So, welcome back, SARD, we hope to see you again sometime soon! 😀
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A very TWEE theme in today's crossword, involving TRACTORBEAMS. Both Jean and Mike were primed to see ENTERPRISE in the grid, but the constructor of today's fine piece, Dan Caprera, had other ideas and designs, so there were absolutely no United Federation of Planet vessels anywhere in the grid (unless, of course, they had deployed a cloaking device, hmmm...). What our cohosts did see in the grid were a lot of superb clues, and for the deets on those, as well as some listener mail, 😀 -- so to take all that in, just subscribe / download / play / enjoy!
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A fabulous Tuesday crossword, which we knew it would be as soon as we saw the constructor's name - Erik Agard. The theme was fine, and of particular benefit to MARIAHCAREY fans. But even if you weren't thoroughly acquainted with her back catalog, the clues and crosses made this not just doable, but a treat (and not just because of the literal one, a debut entry, 16A, Crushed ice dessert with a reduplicative name, HALOHALO).
We also have a Triplet Tuesday segment, and listener mail, so to catch up on all this goodness we heartily encourage you to download, listen up, and enjoy!
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This was, as cruciverbalists like to say, a slightly crunchier than usual Monday crossword, but an entertaining one just the same, with an amusing theme was hard to miss - in fact, it will probably hit you RIGHTBETWEENTHEEEYES. Deets are inside (including a discussion of deets!), so download, listen up, and enjoy!
Remember, if you like this podcast, please spread the word, and we love all those 5 star reviews!
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An excellent Sunday crossword, and a debut to boot, for Rich Katz. He has a dozen, yes, a dozen, amazing and amusing clues guaranteed to bring a smile to your lips. He even managed to get a reference to the QB for the KC Chiefs (playing on the same day in a semifinal): now that's attention to detail! Definitely 5 squares on the JAMCR scale, and to find out why, download now.
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A great Saturday crossword by Kevin Christian, with some absolutely terrific clues, such as 24A, Something that isn't assumed, REALNAME (aah); 47D, Square things, ATONE (ooh); and 13D, His 2016 debut album unseated "Thriller" for the most weeks spent in the top 10 on Billboard's R&B/Hip-Hot chart (77), POSTMALONE (huh!). And the latter might not be the longest NYTimes crossword clue ever, but it's got to be in that top echelon.
In other news, it's Saturday, and our JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award) goes to ... nope, we don't want to spoil it, so for all the DEETS just hit download, play, and enjoy!
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It was one of those Friday crosswords - easy if you're in the right demographic, a bit more of a struggle if you are not. Both co-hosts had to dig in places, and Mike was particularly hard pressed because of his ignorance of anything that occurred more recently than 1815. So, the key question: did our intrepid co-hosts succeed? The answer is as close as this podcast, so for enlightenment just download now.
Related links:
How to pronounce "Natick" (we've been doing it wrong! 😱)
The origin story of Natick c/o Rex Parker
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Once again we must doff our hats to the constructors of today's masterpiece, Dan Ziring and Quiara Vasquez, for having bestowed upon us a brilliant puzzle, with clues so sharp you could slice bread with them, and a theme so brilliant that it glows in the dark. OK, perhaps we are guilty of a bit of hyperbole, but not much - and if you need proof, just listen up to today's episode!
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A wonderful Wednesday crossword by Nancy Serrano-Wu, with some fascinating clues such as 1A, Composer of the piano piece played in the "Tom and Jerry" short "The Cat Concerto", LISZT (a hoot to watch); 4D, ________ suit, ZOOT (try saying that 3 times fast!); and 56A, Sports bar purchases?, TRIPLEDOUBLES (yes, that is a thing!).
A few highlights from today's episode:
Origin story of "Golf is a good walk spoiled"
Definition of TRIPLEDOUBLE
A clip from The Cat Concerto
Remember, the NYTimes Crossword makes for a great gift (including for yourself!). Just head over to nytimes.com/crosswords and in seconds you'll have decades worth of crossword puzzles at your fingertips.
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A very effervescent Tuesday crossword by Aaron M. Rosenberg and the indefatigable Jeff Chen (he of xwordinfo.com fame). We don't want to spill the TEA, so to speak, but this was one fine crossword. We also have a winner in our Triplet Tuesday Contest (yay!), so to find out who walked away with the trophy, as well as hear our usual 4-dimensional-chess-like analysis of today's crossword, all you need to do is download, listen, learn, and (hopefully!) laugh.
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The only thing MEH about today's crossword was the presence of MEH in the grid (20D, Passable, at best) -- otherwise, it was filled with LEVITY (59A, Lack of seriousness about a serious situation) and worthy of at least one HURRAH (60A, "Yay!"), possibly more. All the DEETS (61A, Juicy bits of info) are inside, just as close as your download and play buttons!
One last reminder, if you want to participate in our Triplet Tuesday Contest, just check out last Tuesday's episode, and get that entry in ASAP! Winner(s) will be announced ... tomorrow!
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Although the title of today's crossword was With Ease, that's not how your intrepid cohosts solved it: rather, the clue for 19A, My ________ (You're never gonna get it), 1992 hit by En Vogue, seemed a more accurate premonition as as they both (solving independently, as always) flailed around in the top-left corner. But fortunately, diving into their memory palace (Jean) and guessing letters totally at random (Mike), they were eventually both able to dispel the FANTODS on their way to victory. And in case you're wondering, yes, FANTODS really is a word, we cover it today, and we are in love with it!
Our Triplet Tuesday contest winners will be announced this Tuesday - if you haven't already, there is still time to enter -- just check out last Tuesday's episode for the rules, and may the best solver win!
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A challenging Saturday crossword -- Jean had an epic struggle in the north central area of the grid, and Mike had an epic struggle ... everywhere! But along the way we were able to appreciate such fine vintage clues as 12D, Earring Magic ______ (1990s doll that developed a cult following), KEN; 52A, Web portal released the same day as Windows 95, MSN; and 20A, Transition effect famously used in "Star Wars" films, WIPE. All the deets -- plus the announcement of this week's JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award) winner are all here, just waiting for you to download, play, and enjoy!
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A fine Friday crossword by Robert S. Greenfield, not too difficult for a Friday, but still festooned with fun clues and answers (which we like to call cluans™️), such as 34A, Neologize, COINAPHRASE (for an example, c.f. cluans 😀); 29A, Organization with a strong track record?, NASCSAR (nice!); and 23D, Splashy display, ECLAT (sounds like a SAT word to us!)
And as a delicious end to today's episode, we have a Fun Fact segment on 18D, Penny candy morsel since 1907, TOOTSIEROLL. Num num!
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A deliciously devious Thursday crossword by Daniel Bodily, thanks to Friday and Saturday level cluing and a theme that may leave you AGASP (and if you solve today's puzzle, saying AAH). Definitely a full 5 squares on the JAMCR scale, and while it fills us with trepidation contemplating what lies ahead for the rest of the week, we will savor this puzzle until then.
Remember our Triplet Tuesday Contest is ongoing right now -- listen to Tuesday's episode then send us your score to enter. [Not valid in any state, province or territory that bans Triplet Tuesday Contests (um, if there are any 😀 ))
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A wonderful Wednesday crossword, and a debut for constructor Lindsay McBride (kudos and all that!). We especially enjoyed 67A, Like matryoshka dolls, NESTED (we just like to say matryoshka); 32D, Good, in Chinese HAO (now we know!); and 24D, "_________ Flux" (1990s animated sci-fi series), AEON (because it was such a great show!). There was (much) more, and deets are inside.
Just a reminder, if you haven't solved today's puzzle and want to see the finished grid so you can follow along as you listen, then just go to xwordinfo.com, where the entire filled-out grid awaits!
Finally, remember our Triplet Tuesday Contest is going strong! Just listen to yesterday's episode, and send us your submission. Operators are standing by, so to speak :-)
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A fine Tuesday crossword, with a bilingual theme -- the best kind -- as well as some amusing clues (9D, Phrase sung 36 times in a 1970 Beatles hit, LETITBE; 6D, Bovine:cow::corvine:__________, CROW; and Mike's favorite word of the day, 26A, "Aw, rats", DAGNABBIT.
Also, it's Triplet Tuesday, and even better, our first ever Triplet Tuesday Contest! Get ready to participate -- listen for the rules -- and then email us (crosswordpodcast@icloud.com) how many guesses it took you, in total. Lowest score wins, or in the event of a tie, lowest score + serendipity. Good luck, and remember, no Googling!
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A slightly more intense Monday crossword than usual, with several span-the-grid answers, but the cute theme (the constructor, Michael Paleos, definitely did not MAILITIN) made it all worthwhile. We've got all the deets inside, as well as the full set of rules for tomorrow's first ever Triplet Tuesday Contest, so you are cordially invited to -- in order -- subscribe, download, listen, laugh, and learn.
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If you like literature, you'll love today's crossword, teeming with literary references, all in the cause of a fun theme. Even if you're not particularly well-versed in the classics, though, chances are you'll know the titles -- and if not, hopefully the crosses will come to your rescue. We have all the deets inside, waiting for you to enjoy.
Also, a reminder that our first Triplet Tuesday contest - with fabulous swag as prizes - will be taking place this Tuesday, so be sure and stay tuned for that.
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A straightforward Saturday puzzle, but it pegged the Fun Quotient meter so we will not complain. Au contraire, most of today's episode is spent singing its praises, for the clues are crisp, cute (but not TWEE!), and, oh, WHATCHAMACALLIT, compelling. Deets inside!
Also, it's Saturday, time for our JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award). No spoilers, but if you're lucky you'll guess the winning crossword in one 😀
Finally, we are announcing a new contest: play along at home this Tuesday, let us know how many guesses it took you to solve our Triplet Tuesday game, and in short order you might be wearing some awesome Jean And Mike Do The New York Times Crossword swag. Deets for that, too, are inside, so what are you waiting for? Download, listen up, and enjoy!
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Typically Friday crosswords do not have a theme, but since this was Friday the 13th, the editors (luckily) decided to take advantage of that day. Unlike some themes that only make sense after one has finished the puzzle, today's theme genuinely was useful (as well as fun). So, bypass that ladder, jump over that crack, don't trip on that black cat, but do have a listen to today's podcast.
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A GEM of a Thursday crossword by Grant Thackray, who does some remarkable linguistic surgery, all for a good cause - a dizzying and dizzyingly good theme, in the middle of a grid-full of great clues. All the deets are inside, so rather than spill the TEA, we urge you to download and listen up ASAP!
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A picture-perfect crossword, with an LOL theme, a geographically wide-ranging set of clues (from 35A, Manhattan neighborhood next to SoHo, NOLITA, to 36D,Hawaiian island shaped like an apostrophe, LANAI, to 42D, Setting for many van Gogh works, ARLES), and a few other goodies that we delve into in today's episode.
Remember, the NYTimes crossword is a great way to stretch your vocabulary, keep your pop culture references up-to-date, and impress your friends at parties (if you go to those sorts of parties, which you most definitely should). Just go to nytimes.com/crosswords, they'd love to have you as a subscriber!
And we would too! If you like this podcast please a) hit the subscribe button and b) tell your friends about us.
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A fine, feline-themed Tuesday crossword by Emily Rourke, with a few rarities in the grid, including 15A, Darling one, MOPPET (last seen in 2014!), and 1D, Shaggy Beatles hairdos, MOPTOPS (making its 4th appearance in the crossword, ever), and finally 24A, Cereal mascot who says "They're gr-r-eat!", TONYTHETIGER ( appearing for the second time, debuting in 1966). We liked this crossword a lot, it was GR-R-EAT!
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It's not clear if the authors, Andrea Carla Michaels and Kevin Christian, were in the midst of a raging snowstorm when they constructed this crossword, but 9A, How revenge (or pizza) is best served, COLD, 21D, Frozen, GELID, 57A, Behaved in a laid back way, ACTEDCOOL, and 34D, "Rocks" that clink in a glass, ICE, really make us. think that that might've been the case. Regardless, this crossword did not leave us COLD at all -- in fact we warmly give it a 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
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A slightly GNARLY Sunday crossword: Jean, we have it on good authority, tore through this in no time flat, but Mike, due to his almost total lack of knowledge of pop culture (anything more recent than 1850), to say nothing of his woeful ignorance of Spanish, found the road a little less SEDATE. Deets inside, so download now and beat the rush.
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A sweet Saturday crossword by Adam Aaronson, not too difficult, but we are not complaining! Just the opposite in fact, and to hear us expand on that general assessment we cordially invite you to subscribe, download, listen up, and enjoy!
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Today's crossword was just bursting at the seams with tricky clues: it seemed like the entire top of the grid was roped off with GIVEITUPYOUDONTHAVEACHANCE tape, but thanks to perseverance, grit, and in Jean's case a functional memory, in Mike's case a large dollop of good luck, both were able to persevere.
In today's episode we also have a yummy fun fact for Fun Fact Friday™️, and another episode of our periodic segment, "Oh that's how you pronounce it!". Enjoy!
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A highly educational Thursday crossword. Clues like 16A, Smallest South Pacific nation, NAURU; 1D, The flowers in Amy Lowell's "Your great puffs of flowers / Are everywhere in this my New England"; and 31D, Agricultural item that Nigeria produces more of than the rest of the world combined, YAM; were certainly eye-openers for your co-hosts. One of us found the puzzle tricky, the other impossible; and to find out who, all you need to do is subscribe (optional, but highly recommended), download and listen up!
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For those of you who remember where you were when the James Webb Space Telescope finally deployed, the NYTimes has you covered, with a great, astronomy-themed puzzle. But even if you're not a space-nerd, there was a galaxy of fabulous clues, such as 27A, Dispenser of drafts, TAP (cute!), 43A, "The lowest form of humor -- when you don't think of it first," per Oscar Levant, PUN (ha, ha!), and 42A, One righting writing, EDITOR (ho, ho!). We approve, and hereby bestow this puzzle a perfect 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
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A fine Tuesday puzzle by Margaret Seikel, with a straightforward theme and not too much pop culture. It helped slightly to be acquainted with The Princess Diaries, so, advantage Jean. Mike only had one gimme, 46D, Lex of "Superman", LUTHOR, counterbalanced by the curious 41D, "Should we bounce?", WANNAGO, and the overwhelming urge to spell 11D, Italian pressed sandwich, PANINI, with more N's than a sandwich deserves to have.
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A hilarious (and we use that term very rarely) theme by Seth Bisen-Hersh in their debut NYTimes crossword appearance, a great start. We won't spoil the joke by telling it here, but the entire crossword is a setup, and the payoff is exquisite. Details within, so you know the drill: subscribe (if you don't already), download, listen up and enjoy!
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Something to sing about on this, the first day of 2023 - a great crossword by a trio of constructors - Adam Wagner, Michael Lieberman and Rafael Musa - with a brilliant theme. Specifically, it offers two clues for the themed answer, one in the usual place and t'other in a surprising location that will remain a secret until you've listened to this podcast, which we hope you do ... right now.
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In celebration of the new year, we have a jam-packed episode. First, we have our usual meticulous dissection of today's puzzle; then, the big reveal for the JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award); next, a first, our predictions for the new year in NYTimes Crosswords; a return of "Oh, That's How You Pronounce It!", and last but not least, listener-mail. So please subscribe / download / listen, and we wish all of you all the best for 2023!
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Brendan Emmett Quigley has crafted an elegantly enjoyable Friday crossword -- clues that are brilliant (54A, One who is mean as the Dickens?, SCROOGE), enlightening (15A, Whom the New York Times co-named athlete of the year, with Babe Ruth, in 1920), MANOWAR, and impossible to spell (21A, Missed-the-turn maneuver, UEY). We liked this crossword ATON, THATSFORSURE; and to find out precisely why, just tap Subscribe / Download / Play / Enjoy (um, if you do find the Enjoy button, do let us know 😀)
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A fine crossword by Claire Rimkus and Rachel Fabi, with a brilliant theme that left us eLATEd, and a few words and phrases to add to the ol' lexicon, including:
- 64D, Body part affected by heterochromia, EYE (for the record, we knew EYE; it was heterochromia that we were unacquainted with)
- 40D, Euphemism for a lesbian couple, GALPALS
- 15D, "I really appreciate it!," in textspeak, TYVM
And for the full 411 on today's crossword, you know the drill: subscribe (always optional, but this way you'll always have the latest and greatest ready to listen to), download (pretty much a requirement if you want to do the next bit), listen up, and enjoy (guaranteed or your money cheerfully refunded 😀)
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An homage to female ROCKANDROLL artists who have been inducted twice into the HALLOFFAME -- once with collaborators, and once as a solo act. Several other musicians managed to slip into the grid: to find out who they are, as well as some other absolutely fascinating TIL (Today I Learned) areas of the grid, all you need do is subscribe, download, listen and learn!
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Lynn Lempel had her first NYTimes crossword published in 1979, and this was her 99th! According to xwordinfo.com, which tracks these sorts of things, most of her crosswords appear on Monday (71), with most of the rest (16) appearing on Tuesday. Jean found today's crossword to be fairly straightforward: Mike found it a bit of a challenge, especially in the vicinity of 9D, White wine named for the European river valley where it's produced, MOSELLE, as the only thing he is less familiar with than white wine is European river valleys. For the full 411, we humbly invite you to subscribe, download, listen up and enjoy.
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Once again, like CLOCKWORK, the NYTimes has come up with a fine Monday crossword to start our problem-solving week. Apart from a few snags - 1A, Floating ice chunk, BERG (not FLOE); 33A, College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, COE (not UNI); 30D, Bitter part of an orange, PITH (not PEEL or RIND) ; and 61D, A rainbow may be seen as a good one, SIGN (not OMEN) - the crossword was fine: and come to think of it, even with those snags it was fine -- a full 5 squares on the JAMCR scale!
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A challenging but fair Christmas Eve crossword, with 2 full width, and 2 full height answers that were reasonably familiar, although the clues that led to those answers suitably cryptic (e.g., 57A, Symphony originally dedicated to Napoleon Bonaparte, BEETHOVENSTHIRD, and 2D, Revenue source for a Girl Scout troop, DOORTODOORSALES). Jean tore through the grid in under 1/3 the time it took Mike, who ran into a morass in the bottom center. All the sordid details, as well as our choice for JAMCOTWA are in today's episode, so between wrapping and unwrapping presents (for whatever holiday you celebrate - Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanza or none of the above), take some time out to have a listen!
Note that we will not be publishing a podcast tomorrow, but we will be back, rested and ready for action, on Monday!
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A fine Friday oeuvre by Brandon Koppy, and a timely one too, esp. 11D, Follower of an arctic blast, COLDSPELL, 4D, Character in "Frozen" who says "Some people are worth melting for", OLAF, and when things get really nasty outside, 51D, Relief org., FEMA. We also have a very cool Fun Fact Friday segment, so gather your favorite hot beverage and then subscribe, download, listen up, learn and enjoy!
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A dizzying, dazzling, delightful Thursday crossword by David Steinberg that has to be seen to be believed -- and even then you might not! Clearly DS is in a league of his own when it comes to crossword construction, we are in awe, as in, aww, that was great! Can we have an encore? 😀
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A highly educational Wednesday crossword, with a slew of TIL (Today I Learned) entries, including the fascinating 9D, Metal next to tungsten on the periodic table, RHENIUM, which neither Jean nor Mike, in spite of having taken several chemistry classes, had ever heard of. It is true that a number of heavier elements have been added to the periodic table, um, periodically, but the lower numbered elements have generally remained unchanged.
There were some other TILs, so to help improve your, oh, what's the word, oh yes, vocabulary 🙄, we invite you to subscribe, download, listen up and enjoy!
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A clever Tuesday theme, great clues and the opportunity to pronounce the word slivovitz - in short, a perfect crossword, and short is how these show notes will be as well, since everything you need to know about this crossword is in today's podcast - subscribe, download, listen up and enjoy!
For today's FB tie-in, let us know on our Facebook page what your favorite EDDIE Rabbit song is.
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A fine and definitely seasonally-appropriate Monday crossword from Jennifer Nutt, creator of today's puzzle. You didn't need to have a brain the size of an ENIAC, or even an IMAC, for that matter, to succeed, really just a GIFT with language, to solve this GIFT of a crossword.
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Today's crossword was themeless, but there was a lot of music in the grid. Between 7D, Pink Floyd co-founder Barrett, SYD, to 87D, Soul singer Thomas, CARLA, there were numerous other references: 31A, All-woman rock band with the 1982 hit "Vacation", GOGOS; the curious 43A, When doubled, a classic Mardis Gras tune, IKO; and finally 52A, 2017 chart-topping hit whose YouTube video was the first to reach 3 billion views, DESPACITO (we defy you to not dance while watching it 😀 ).
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A fine Saturday crossword, arguably less challenging then yesterday's slogfest, but with some deftly written clues, such as ... 53A, Detail-oriented sort, IDOTTER (😀); 54A, Clerical worker?, PRIEST (😀 😀 ); and 18D, "I spilled _______ on my dog, now he's gone": Steven Wright, SPOTREMOVER (too many 😀's to list). We liked this crossword a lot, and we've got the podcast to prove it!
In other news, it's Saturday, and in today's JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award) we picked ... a crossword! From this week!! And to find out precisely which one, do have a listen to today's episode.
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An exhausting, exhilarating, and, let's just say it, excellent crossword by Kameron Austin Collins, with a grid-full of superb clues and answers, as one would expect when KAC is in charge. All the deets are inside, as well as a Fun Fact Friday exploration of a very popular fish (challenge to the reader: can you guess it before you listen? -- let us know!), so download, listen up, and enjoy.
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What can we say about a crossword that includes the word VICHYSSOISE? First, that we are in awe of it, and to be more precise its constructor, Bruce Haight, as we are just amazed that he can even spell VICHYSSOISE -- Mike took about 3 running starts to get it sorted out. Second, it reminds us once again of Will Shortz's towering genius, as we now realize it was portended by yesterday's 9D, Something you need to do to solve crosswords, SPELL. We are not worthy 😀
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A delicious Wednesday crossword by Matthew Stock, with references to PANERA, CRONUTS and -- well, OEUF is a bit, ahem, oeuffy, er, iffy -- but regardless, it was a good crossword, with a delightful theme. We have all the deets inside just waiting for you to sink your teeth into, so subscribe, download, listen up, and enjoy!
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An intriguing Tuesday crossword by Julietta Gervase, who undoubtedly put her soul into today's crossword, but also managed to sneak in her name - at least a part, as in 54D, James in both the Blues and Rock and Roll Halls of Fame, ETTA. Very clever, Julietta, we saw what you did there! There were also a few askew clues, as in 5D, Takes a dive, perhaps, SCUBAS (did not know that it could exist without DIVE attached); 32A, ________ Burton, host of "Reading Rainbow" (but, but, what about his role on Star Trek: Next Generation? Oh, how quickly we forget); and the as-fun-to-say-as-it-is-to-eat 26D, Small ear of corn, NUBBIN.
We approve, and give this crossword an enthusiastic 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
Today's Musical Guests Worth Checking Out:CIARA
ETTA James
One last note: due to a snafu in the editorial department, and possibly due to our overwhelming pride in how well it turned out, we accidentally posted Sunday's episode twice - once on Sunday, and again on Monday. Apologies, and if you redownload Monday's you'll now get the correct episode.
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At least one of our dynamic duo found this crossword to be woof, er, we mean rough, owing to a highly improbable series of poor word choices, and a loss of situational awareness causing this individual (who will remain nameless, at least until you listen to the episode) to mistake one country for another approximately a hemisphere apart. And, just to be clear, when we say "at least one", we really mean, "exactly one", because the individual who will not remain nameless, aka Jean, found this crossword to be an absolute treat, rather than a dog's breakfast.
In today's episode, we also had a reference to Panic! at the Disco. What's your favorite PATD song? Let us know on our facebook page 😀
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If you suffer from entomophobia, then whatever you do, don't do today's crossword! But it should be safe to listen to today's podcast, as we only mention insects -- the bane of entomophobia sufferers everywhere -- en passant. Beyond the insect kingdom, the grid had a lot of educational clues and answers: both cohosts were surprised to learn that 33D, Sublime soprano, was a DIVA, having labored under the misapprehension that a DIVA was one of those stuck up, hard-to-work with, overly-pampered celebs: but it does indeed have this much more favorable meaning. Both cohosts were also surprised to learn that 47D, Physicist Schrödinger, had a first name, and that it was ERWIN.
For more details on that, as well as many other surprises lurking in the grid, all you need to do is subscribe, download, listen, learn, and enjoy!
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An exceptional Saturday crossword by Sid Sivakumar, who seems to be incapable of writing any other kind. The clues were fabulous (as we explore in depth in today's episode), and even the crossings were praiseworthy - most notably 38A, Rock forming mineral that makes up over half the earth's crust, FELDSPAR intersecting 17A, Meets expectations, in a way, MAKESPAR, while even 19A, Pumped, STOKED versus 4D, Preakness or Belmont, STAKES, had a nice alliterative feel.
Today being Saturday, we also have selected our JAMCOTWA - Jean And Mike Crossword of The Week Award - and to find out which puzzle won, all you need to do is subscribe/download and listen up.
Bonus Shownotes Feature!
A few links for those who want to dig deeper:
- Are neopets still a thing?
- The Father of Plastics
- How accurate are iris scans?
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A challenging Friday crossword, although our intrepid co-hosts -- solving, as always, independently -- ran into difficulties in different areas of the grid. Jean got stuck in the center left, remaining INASTUPOR until she wasn't; whereas Mike encountered headwinds in the southwest, almost done in by his unfamiliarity with Spanish and the Italian literati, ENERO and ELENA Ferrante, respectively.
In other news, it is Fun Fact Friday™️, and Jean weighs in with a striking article on SHRIKES. Enjoy!
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A fantabulous Thursday crossword by Grant Thackray, with a brilliant theme, great clues all round, and the shocker that the answer to 69A, Misnomer for the character Fritz in the original "Frankenstein", (1931) was ... wait for it ... IGOR (gasp!). There were other equally entertaining and educational clues, of course, and to find out what those were, you are, like thousands before you, cordially invited to subscribe, download, listen up and enjoy!
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A fascinating theme by Karen Steinberg, as a consequence of which Europeans might, for once, have a SKOSH of an advantage. There were a few relatively unfamiliar names in the grid - ________ Achebe, "Things Fall Apart" author, CHINUA; 59D, Little ________, who sang "The Locomotive", EVA; and the very rare, 22A, Six-time MLB All-Star Mookie, BETTS (in its second appearance ever in the grid, previously clued as Britain's Crown Princess way back in 1946!).
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Today's crossword almost pegged the pop-culture-reference-meter, but, as you will discover in today's episode, it was for a very good cause (which we will refrain from expounding upon here in the interests of generating just a frisson of suspense). We will also refrain from defining frisson, because a) we always thought it involved a poor lifestyle choice in the shampoo aisle, and b) Wiktionary has already done so, and done so well.
So, to hear all of the above, plus how Mike fared during Triplet Tuesday, subscribe, download, listen up and enjoy!
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A slightly crunchier than usual Monday crossword, owing, perhaps, to the delightfully understated theme in honor of which we shall just say ...
hey, what happened to the rest of the paragraph??
To fully comprehend that last jest, all you need do is subscribe, download and listen up, and then the scales will fall, comprehension will dawn, etc., etc.
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A punny Sunday crossword, revolving around all the myriad phrases that people use to describe gossip. We'd talk about those people, but we hate to, well, gossip, so we'll just point out that beyond the theme that were some great clues, including Jean's favorite - 111A, Sneeze guard?, ELBOW, and Mike's decidedly lengthier one - 82A, ___________ Questionnaire, character assessment that might ask "What is your idea of perfect happiness?", PROUST.
In other news, if you're wondering about yesterday's content-free episode, that was an editorial glitch - the new version's up and brimming with our usual sparkling wit, so please download it (as well as this one!) and enjoy.
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A good crossword educates, entertains, and intrigues, and Kate Hawkins' Saturday opus does all 3 perfectly and in equal measure. Educates - 25A, Brain-tingly feeling that may come from hearing whispering or crinkling, in brief, ASMR (huh!); entertains - 14A, Guilt trip?, APOLOGYTOUR (hah!); and intrigues, 41D, Cheesed off, INAPET (hmmm...). We liked this crossword enough to give it a full 5 squares on the JAMCR scale, bravo! Encore, encore!
Update: No APOLOGYTOUR was needed for the crossword, but ironically one is needed for this episode, as someone -- no names -- uploaded the wrong file 🙄. This has since been corrected, and our APOLOGYTOUR starts Sunday.
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Another crossword in which our co-hosts' experiences differed vastly: in a return to form, Jean sped through the puzzle, whereas Mike ... staggered, reeled, and ultimately clawed his way across the finish line. For deets on the epic struggle, as well as a fascinating fact for Fun Fact Friday, do have a listen -- and then let us know what you think, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com
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For those of you who reveled in last Thursday's crossword, with the "DOT THE I'S" revealer, and giddy with ANTICIPATION of their return, well, your time has come -- the dots are back!, rounder than ever, and form the basis for today's theme. We have all the dots, er, we mean deets, inside, so download, listen up and enjoy (and don't forget to subscribe!!).
A few fun links based on today's grid:
- Mr. MACGOO
- NEODADA
- HOUSTON, the Eagle has landed
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Who knew that the letter K could be lurking in so many words and phrases? Addison Snell, apparently, and he lets us in on the secret in today's fine Wednesday crossword. The grid managed to harbor one of Mike's favorite words, TWANGY, as well as one of Jean's, LUSTY -- and they both yearn for the day when the portmanteau TWUSTY someone slips past Will's keen eye and gets into the puzzle, but since that portmanteau has just been invented in these very show notes, we are not holding our breath!
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A crossword with a theme guaranteed to make you feel all atwitter, hatched from the fertile mind of David Rockow and not poached from anyone else. We'd say more, but that would be talon 🙄, so for all the deets (and almost no other puns, we promise!), download and enjoy!
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A scary Monday crossword, partially because of 17A, Pepper measuring over 1 million on the Scoville scale, GHOSTCHILI, and partially because - at least for Mike - the top left corner was bristling with natticks leaving him HOPPINGMAD, and only after a few WELLAIMED guesses was he able to get to the solve. Jean, of course, was able to keep her SANITY well in check, and got to that AHA! moment serenely and speedily. All the GORY deets are inside, just waiting for you to enjoy!
Today's musical references:
- Staying ALIVE
- STAN
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After an easier than usual Saturday, along comes today's WHIZBANG of a puzzle to balance things out, and it does so quite nicely: it took real GRIT to solve, but when (or if!) you did, you could BASK in the glory of it all. Deets are inside, as well as an invite to visit our FaceBook page to vote on your favorite song by one of the artist's mentioned in today's episode.
Oh, that phrase, CESTSIBON? It means "it's so good".
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A gentler-than-usual Saturday crossword, possibly a sop to those still wandering about in a tryptophan fog. That's not to say it wasn't a fun experience - you are estopped from saying that about a grid that manages to work in 4D, Classical orator, RHETOR, 42A, Unfailingly loyal, RIDEORDIE, and 1A, Influential book sellers, BLURBS (nice one!).
It's also Saturday, which means it's time to award our weekly JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword of the Week Award). Who won? Was it Monday? Tuesday? EtcDay? To find out, download, listen up (and don't forget to subscribe!)
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A highly amusing Friday crossword by Simon Marotte - no theme, just funny clues and answers, all covered in depth in today's episode. Besides that, we have another in our recurrent segment, Oh, That's How You Pronounce It!, this time featuring the Earl, er, we mean Ural, mountains, as well as a fun fact for Fun Fact Friday™️. And if that's not enough, we are also inviting listeners to check out our FaceBook page and vote for their favorite song by one of the musicians in today's puzzle. Deets within, so download, listen up and ... prepare to chortle!
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Pao Roy has created some epic crosswords, and he is at the top of his form in today's puzzler, with a remarkable, grin-inducing theme, and great clues all around. All the deets are inside, but for you overachievers who want even more details, here are a few pertinent links ...
- A Pale Blue Dot
- iMacs
- The Australian Parliament
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A slightly crunchier than usual Wednesday crossword, aided and abetted by a colorful, circular theme. There were not a lot of cultural references in today's grid, although Mike found much to admire in 59A, ______ mountains, formation made by the collision of the continents Laurasia and Kazakhstania, URAL, and Jean relished 49D, Test taken in a tube, MRI.
For our American listeners, tomorrow is Thanksgiving, and we wish all of you the very best; for our Canadian listeners, the same, with apologies for being approximately a month late; and for everyone else, we hope you have an awesome Thursday!
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A GEM of a Tuesday crossword, and we're not LYIN about that! The theme was, ahem, cutting edge (an in-joke that you will be in on as soon as you listen to the podcast), and the cultural references not too obscure: in short, a perfect Tuesday. All the deets are as close as your play button, so click / tap it now and enjoy!
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It is - as almost everyone knows - the start of the World Cup, and the NYTimes Crossword is as eager to celebrate as anyone. As proof, we need go no further than today's grid, which has a number of quite amusing World Cup references to put you in the mood. All THEDEETS are inside, so check it out, and let us know what you think!
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A GRAND Sunday crossword by Joe Deeney, who seems to be able to crank these out LIKECLOCKWORK (this is his 14th since 2017!) -- while he may like to slip a SLOTH into the grid, he clearly is not one!
He was able to GETOFFONTHERIGHTFOOT with 1A, Tot's rocker, HORSY, and kept it going all the way to 116A, Schnozzes (what a great clue!), SNOOTS (an even greater answer!).
We have more to say about this TNT, er dynamite, of a puzzle, as well as listener mail, so as always we invite you to subscribe, download, listen up and enjoy!
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A super Saturday crossword by Benji Goldsmith. Jean was on fire (figuratively: the fire brigade was not required), tearing through the grid in near record time, whereas Mike, well, let's just say that he coulda been a contender (which works better if you can imagine Marlon Brando saying that, or, if you're imagination's on the fritz, you can hear Marlon Brando saying that). For all the deets -- as well as the winner of this week's JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award), you are cordially invited to subscribe, download, listen up and enjoy!
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A great Friday crossword by that great crossword constructor Robyn Weintraub, known for creating joyous puzzles - the kind that when you finish (whether successfully or not) leave a smile on your face and a song in your heart, and that's exactly what she's produced today. For all the deets, as well as today's fun fact for Fun Fact Friday™️, we cordially invite you to subscribe, download, listen and enjoy!
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A tiMEly Thursday crossword, with a dozen (!) of theMEd clues which, if you haven't already sussed it, revolved around ME -- or, to be precise, what happens when ME is excised. If that seemed a little cryptic, fear not, as all will be revealed in today's exciting episode!
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Logophilia, as you may be able to deduce if your Greek is up to snuff, is the love of words, and if you are reading these, you probably "suffer" from it. The author of today's crossword, John Hawksley, clearly has got a bad case of it, which is good for us -- and for all the deets, subscribe, download, listen to and enjoy today's episode.
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A fabulous Tuesday crossword by Sandy Ganzell - the theme a delight, the rest of the clues nothing to SNEEze about! We have all the deets inside, so a) subscribe, b) download, c) enjoy, d) tell all your friends!
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A delicious Monday crossword, and that's not just because of the theme. The inclusion of a Star Trek reference (3D, Warp drive power source on "Star Trek", ANTIMATTER (not DILITHIUMCRYSTALS!)), two of our favorite authors (31D, Bronte and Dickinson, for two (EMILYS), and, finally, our favorite OS (33D, Image captured with Shift+Command+3 on a Mac), SCREENSHOT, also contributed to us awarding the highly sought after 5 square rating on the JAMCR scale.
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If you feel a bit peckish after working on this crossword, that's perfectly normal - a natural reaction to a grid that's just full of (colliding) foods. Besides the very interesting theme, valiantly explained by Jean, the puzzle is chock-full of great clues, and we cover the best of them right here.
Speaking of foods, here at Jean And Mike Do The New York Times Crossword HQ we are always working hard to keep our show, ahem, fresh, and so we are officially announcing a new, periodic segment -- "Oh, So That's How You Pronounce it!", which we will broadcast whenever we mess up -- and, good news (er, if you can call making a mistake good news, which we will), it debuts today!
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A KINDASORTA easy Saturday crossword, although we will never complain about a crossword that manages to fit 18D, One growing up in a cave?, STALAGMITE, into the grid (after all, those STALAGMITES are huge 😀), as well as slip in a trio of delicious snacks - 10D, Certain cookie spinoff, OREOTHIN; 21D, Ice cream of the future, DIPPINDOTS 😁, and one of the great inventions of the last century, 31A, Dessert served in a boat, BANANASPLIT😍😍. Yum!
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A Brooke Husic and Erik Agard crossword is always cause for celebration, and this particular puzzle just sizzles. Both cohosts were able to get through it, although Mike got hung up in the northwest and then again in the southeast, fortunately running out of corners to get hung up in before running out of answers. Choosing the best clues in this grid is like picking one's favorite Marvel heroes, but we do have to give a shoutout to 1A, Launch party?, NASA, which dovetailed nicely with 6D, Wild ride?, PARTYBUS; the awesome 31D, Pass words?, NOTHANKYOU 😀, and a distinctly non-Marvel clue, 8D, _____ Pennyworth, Bruce Wayne's loyal butler, ALFRED. Delightful!
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A very distinctive Thursday crossword -- the first row and column are all black squares, with respectively letters A-N and numbers 1-15. Has the author gone 1A, Out of one's gourd, LOCO? Or has he had one 30A, Brunch beverage, MIMOSA, too many? No, it's all part of a 62A, What's spelled out, appropriately, after mapping the coordinates indicated by this puzzle's circled letters, PLOT, to keep us entertained and mystified - which he does in spades!
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A nice middle-of-the-week, middle-of-the-road crossword by David Tuffs, who does an amazing job of tying together seemingly disparate movies and television shows. We tie together how he tied things together in today's episode, so for all the deets, download, contemplate, and enjoy!
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Enrique Henestroza Anguiano has crafted a fine Tuesday crossword, with a mixture of the old - 26A, Hit BBC series of 1976, ICLAUDIUS, the very old, 56D, Magna _______, CARTA, and the brand new, 70A , ________ Hendryx, Lady Marmalade singer, NONA (who, unfortunately, did not sing it in 16A, City famous for its French Quarter, familiarly, NOLA).
Beyond our usual cogent analysis of today's grid, it's also Triplet Tuesday, and Jean's on the hot seat! Find out how she did by subscribing, downloading, listening, and hopefully chortling.
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The SOBA and PITABREAD notwithstanding, today's crossword was a tad crunchier than usual, thanks in part to some particularly toothsome clues such as, well, SOBA and PITABREAD. A few other rarities also popped up - MASTODON rarely makes it into the grid, and ANTSINMYPANTS is a debut for the creator of today's fine puzzle, Jill Singer. Definitely 5 well-earned squares on the JAMCR scale!
Today's episode also includes a bit of crossword terminology, as well as listener messages/mail, so ... enjoy!
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Depending on which of our two intrepid cohosts you ask, this was either a typical or terrifically difficult Sunday crossword. Both did agree that the puns were awful (i.e., good), but leavened with enough genuinely funny and educational clues to make it, all-in-all, a good solve. All the deets are inside, waiting for you to download and enjoy.
A heads up: tomorrow we will be doing a segment on "crossword terminology", so that if you don't know your natick from your rebus you'll definitely want to check that out!
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A challenging but fair Saturday crossword, with considerable bite (and we're not just talking about the CRISPS), and considerable payoff for the solver, with a bevy of fun and entertaining clues, including -- 36D, Ochlocracy, MOBRULE (woah!); 26A, _____ Cherry, singer with the 1998 hit "Buffalo Stance", NENEH (another today-we-learned moment); and 4D, Unsalted, perhaps, ICY (definitely we'll need to pull in Google for this one!). We liked today's crossword a lot, and gave it 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
We also liked Sunday's crossword - an ALANTURING themed puzzle -- enough to give it our JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award). All the deets are inside, so subscribe, download, listen, and brace yourself for edutainment.
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An easy/ludicrously difficult Friday crossword, depending on which of our two cohosts you ask. One of us set what was almost surely a personal best, and the other ... did not. To find out which of the cohosts did which, as well as to savor some great listener mail and a Fun Fact for Fun Fact Friday ™️, we cordially invite you to subscribe / download / listen / enjoy.
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Today's crossword featured a tricky theme and some sublime cluing - one would expect no less considering that the constructors were none other than Chase Dittrich and Jeff Chen (the latter responsible for the highly recommended xwordinfo.com). We give this a 5 squares on the JAMCR scale, and to find out why, all you need to do is download, listen up, and enjoy!
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A somewhat crunchier than usual Wednesday crossword by Ethan Zou and Tomas Spiers, at least for one of our dynamic duo: both were dazzled by a variety of clues that spanned the 13th to the 21st centuries and a grid that was suffused with ERs -- for which we were grateful, not only because of the interesting theme, but also for the excuse to use the word suffuse in a sentence 😀
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An EPIC Tuesday crossword by Bruce Haight, guaranteed to neither SCARE nor BLANCH nor RILE, even though all 3 may be found in today's grid. For all the deets - as well as to discover how Mike did in the battle of wits that is Triplet Tuesday™️, download, listen, learn, and enjoy!
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A suitably scary Monday crossword - not because of the difficulty, necessarily, but because of the theme. So, to get in the mood for today's episode, grab your favorite Halloween treats, and then munch, download, learn, and enjoy -- not necessarily in that order!
On a related note, the NYTimes Crossword always loves new subscribers - head over to nytimes.com/crosswords for all the deets.
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One of the most celebrated computer scientists of all time - you can tell, because Benedict Cumberbatch starred in a movie about him -- shows up in today's grid, and not just as a minor character but really the star of the puzzle, which features an absolutely ingenious theme that the person in question, ALANTURING, would undoubtedly have approved of. For all the deets, we cordially invite you to download and prepare to be enlightened!
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At first blush, today's grid looks absolutely daunting, with vast swathes of white squares and what appears to be a frowning face in the center; but both our cohosts found today's crossword to be eminently doable (Jean more than Mike, as is oft the case). That is not to detract, because the clues were uniformly excellent, funny, enlightening, everything you want an NYTimes crossword to be. So, hat's off to Daniel Okulitch for creating this opus! For all the deets (as well as the big reveal of this week's JAMCOTWA - Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award), download, listen up, subscribe, and please leave us a 5-star review on wherever you are listening to this podcast.
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It is entirely possible that Will Shortz is training us for halloween, because some of the crosswords this week have been scarily difficult. Exhibit A is today's. Jean got stuck in the bottom-center, Mike was temporarily ATSEA in the top left, but it's hard to stay mad at a crossword that's this good - 5 squares on the JAMCR scale!!
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If you don't like rebuses, back away slowly from the crossword - today's grid is packed with them, and to make sense of the theme you have to read some of them twice. The theme is, as you will discover, absolutely ingenious, so have a listen and, as usual, let us know what you think - crosswordspodcast@icloud.com
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Today's constructor definitely hit a HOLEINONE, and based on the grid, it is clear that he is a MASTERSTRATEGIST, producing a theme, and a grid, that is guaranteed to AMUSE. We liked it -- a lot -- and to find out why it's now in the running for the prestigious JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award), download now! Also, while you're doing so, if you like what you hear, please consider giving us a 5-star rating -- or if you're an overachiever, a 6 😀
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A delightful Tuesday crossword by Ashleigh Silveira and Nick Shephard, with an uplifting and entertaining theme - deets within. Jean was temporarily naticked due to her unfamiliarity with 33A, ____ Culbertson, member of the contract bridge hall of fame, ELY; and Mike was delighted to see his favorite tech company make an appearance in the grid, 37A, Mac maker, APPLE.
It's also Tuesday, which means it's time for Triplet Tuesday, during which Jean ... again, a little suspense is good for the heart, so to find out how she fared, download, listen up, and enjoy!
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A surprising Monday crossword - most notably because of ... well, if we told you here it wouldn't be a surprise - but we will tell you that it almost made us SWOON, that's how surprising it was. So for all the deets, you will have to do what countless others have done before you, to wit, download, listen up, and enjoy!
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Another brilliant Sunday crossword, with an ingenious theme from Daniel Bodily and Jeff Chen, and while Daniel Bodily may not be quite as familiar a name, Jeff Chen is a hero in the crosswording community (he of xwordinfo.com fame), and this crossword is a testament to why he deserves those accolades. We have all the deets inside, so download, listen up, enjoy, and once you've done that feel free to leave us a 5 ⭐️ review on your favorite podcast app!
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While both Jean and Mike agreed that today's crossword was tough, only one had the comically long solve time to prove it - hint: it wasn't Jean. The southwest was almost Mike's undoing, but a tremendous amount of luck (or, more likely, very clever plotting on the part of the crossword constructor abetted by the esteemed Will Shortz) made it possible for him to, eventually, and not without much gnashing of teeth, get to the solve. In short, the perfect Saturday NYTimes crossword, seemingly absolutely impossible but willing to yield its secrets to the intrepid cruciverbalist.
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A debut crossword by Rafael Musa, who breaks into the elite group of NYTimes crossword constructors on one of the most difficult days of the week, aka Friday, and he does so in style. The grid is amazing - virtually no pop culture names at all, plus some lengthy (but eminently recognizable) phrases made for a smooth solve. We loved it, 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
In other news, it's Fun Fact Friday, and for FFF we go back in time all the way to ... yesterday, for the origin story of BLACKSHEEP.
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Today's puzzle was a shear, excuse us, sheer delight, with a clever theme that definitely helped speed up the solve. Jean's favorite clues were 56D, Cousin of a carp, CHUB - simply because CHUB is so much fun to say, and 18A, "Here's what we should do", IVEGOTAPLAN, because it's so reassuring; Mike's favorite was 32D, OUZO, for reasons that remain a mystery, even to him!
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A terrific Wednesday crossword, with a theme guaranteed to bring a smile to your lips - and if that doesn't work, we double-guarantee that listening to the musician in 35D, Genre for Luther Vandross, SOUL, will do the trick. In short, the EQ (Entertainment Quotient) in today's crossword was high, and to hear precisely how high (hint: we measure it in metrical feet), gather 'round your favorite podcasting app to enjoy today's episode!
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A subtly themed Tuesday crossword - the theme didn't really help in the solve, but was fun to admire after the fact. There were a few potentially til (today I learned) answers in the grid, including 25A, Irish laddie (BOYO), 27A, 1953 title role for John Wayne, HONDO, and, if not a til, at least a tiwro (today I was reminded of) answer, 8D, Played a couple of sets at a jazz club, say, GIGGED.
In other news, it's Triplet Tuesday, and Mike's in the hot seat! To discover whether he soared like an eagle or crashed in flames like a phoenix, all you need to do is download, listen, and enjoy!
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An LOL theme to start off the week, both amusing and nostalgic (although most of the characters mentioned here are, in one form or another, still appearing in new series). There were a few quasi-mysterious clues, most notably 44A, Response to a relatable meme, in internet slang, ITME and 45A. South and Central American mammal related to the raccoon, COATI. We could REGALE you with more, but we'd prefer to REFER you to today's AGITA-free episode. Enjoy!
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A deftly constructed crossword by Paolo Pasco, with a theme that has to be seen to be believed (and arguably to be able to figure out the crossword). Fortunately Jean was able to do both, and to find out exactly what that theme was, and how it helped, we cordially invite you to download, listen, and enjoy!
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A tough Saturday crossword, the kind that tests one's mettle, and tries one's soul, among other idioms. The clues and answers were as crisp as they come - 41A, Lickspittle, YESMAN; 38D, Coming down hard?, HAILING; and 2D, "Ain't it so?", AMIRITE are 3 of the clues that didn't make it into today's episode, yes, even the also-rans were sparkling. Five squares on the JAMCR scale, and we can't wait for John Hawksley's next masterpiece.
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A David Steinberg crossword, and the maestro of cruciverbalism does not disappoint, with a stellar grid and inspired cluing. We doff our hats to you, and cannot wait until your next puzzle! Five squares on the JAMCR scale, each one of them well-earned!
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A tricky Thursday crossword (for one of us: for the other, a piece of gateau), with numerous til (today I learned) moments. For example, both Jean and Mike were bemused to discover the answer to 46A, Congress-created media giant, NPR (a media giant? Really?). Mike was amazed to discover the spelling of 39A, "... about up to here", YEAHIGH, to say nothing of 16A, Serve as a go-between, LIAISE. Jean had a spot of bother in the bottom-left corner, whereas Mike misconstrued the theme, and spent nearly an hour trying to reconstrue it (er, something like that). All the deets are inside, so download, listen up and be prepared to ... chortle! Or possibly even guffaw!
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A fine midweek puzzle, Jean aced it, Mike ... jokered it, temporarily hung up in the top center of the grid by a combination of hubris and poor spelling, a dangerous mixture. Besides the theme (deets inside), there were numerous other fun clues - 2D, Foofaraws (which is just a delight to say), ADOS; 36D, Name hidden in paleontology, LEON (an undoubted disappointment to all the forgotten TOLOs of the world 🙄); and a host of others, that we dissect in today's episode.
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A debut Tuesday crossword by the youngest person ever to get published in the NYTimes, so congrats to Ailee Yoshida, who turns in a splendid Tuesday (regardless of age!). There were a few clues that might've been more familiar to a younger generation (e.g., 58A, Chucked forcefully, in modern lingo, YEETED), but that was offset (and arguably dominated) by clues like 25A, One who's "Hoppin' and a-boppin' and a-singin' his song", in a 1958 hit, ROCKINROBIN. There was some great cluin', um, we mean cluing, throughout the grid, so for all the deets, subscribe, download, listen, and enjoy!
There was a lot of food lurking in today's grid - some PASTA, some PARM, we spotted a SPUD, an HERB, and to wash it all down, some CHEAPWINE. Definitely something a FOODIE could enjoy, but we did too! Five forks, er, we mean squares, on the JAMCR scale!
The husband-and-wife team of Jessie and Ross Trudeau have created a super Sunday crossword - not too difficult, and with a great, great, theme. We'd tell you more here, but they say that a certain amount of suspense is good for the heart, so we will refrain and instead strongly encourage you to subscribe / download / listen / leave us a 5 star (or even a 6 star) rating wherever you happen to be listening to this podcast.
There are Saturday crosswords, and there are Saturday crosswords - this is definitely one of the latter -- not because the letters are all in bold, but because it was very, very difficult in spots. Our intrepid cohosts managed to muscle their way through it (metaphorically speaking, of course - for the most part the majority of their muscles were pretty much slack, and that includes those in the jaw area, as they were working on this). We have all the deets inside, plus a new time-traveling feature --aka Fun Fact Friday popping up on Saturday 😀, plus (yes, there's more!) listener mail! Enjoy.
When Mary Lou Guizzo and Jeff Chen team up for a crossword, you know it's going to be fun ... and the duo does not disappoint, with a majorly challenging Friday crossword, at least for one of us (hint: not Jean). The clues were deliciously deceptive, and the end result was yummy! Five squares on the JAMCR scale.
After Wednesday's absolutely brilliant crossword, it was hard to believe that they NYTimes could improve ... but then comes Simeon Seigel's oeuvre, another masterclass in crossword construction. You have to see it to believe it, and if you can't see, we've got the next best thing - this episode! Download, listen, and enjoy! [Oh, and don't forget to subscribe!!]
A wonderful, joyous Wednesday creation by Jason Reich, the grid just sparkles, the clues are magnificent and often very amusing, we cannot say enough about today's puzzle -- but that didn't stop us from trying, so hit that big ol' download button, listen, and enjoy!
As always, we love feedback - crosswordpodcast@icloud.com!
A subtle and ingenious theme, eclipsed only slightly by the appearance of PHILIPPIC in the grid, a word that has appeared three times in the NYTimes Crossword - in 1956, 1959 and ... 2022! So, welcome back, PHILIPPIC, we've missed you as a word (although not as an event: a PHILIPPIC is, as observed in 9D, Damning verbal attack, not something to be sought after).
In other news, it's Triplet Tuesday ™️, and Mike manages to ... well, we all need a little suspense in our lives, so to complete that sentence accurately, you will need to download and listen to today's episode.
If you happen to be enjoying this podcast, why not give us a rating on wherever you are downloading this from? Our favorite number is 5, as in 5 stars, hint, hint!
A delightfully frothy Monday crossword courtesy of debut NYTimes crossword constructor Sarah Sinclair, with such bubbly clues as 44D, Person being used by another, CATSPAW, 37D, Playthings in bathtubs, TOYBOATS (try answering that 5 times fast!), and the mysterious (to Mike, at any rate), 49D, Common eyeliner shape, WING. We also should give a shoutout to 41D, Beaver's job, DAMMING, and the interestingly phrased 29A, Sort who tells no tales, per an old saying, DEADMAN, which tied in nicely with 16A, Pirate's pal, MATEY.
Nice job, Sarah, we can't wait for your next crossword!
A nice Goldilox Sunday puzzle by Kathy Bloomer - not too hard, not too easy, but juuuust right (although, as always, YMMV depending on a number of factors -- how much experience you have solving crosswords, your knowledge of pop culture and assorted arcana, and, occasionally, how much luck you happen to have about your person).
In today's episode, Jean explores the theme, Mike explains his method of dream solving, and both break into song (but don't worry, only for a few seconds). So, to hear all of that, you know what to do ... download, listen up, and enjoy!
There are many great reasons for doing the NYTimes Crossword - one is their ability to shine a light on a great talent that you otherwise might not have heard of. Such is the case today, when OCEANVUONG makes their way into the grid (a debut for the crossword constructor, Natan Last) -- so if you get a chance, check out their poetry, it is really amazing.
Beyond that, we have our usual color commentary on today's (ironically, and as usual) black and white grid. So, for all that and more, download, listen up, and prepare to be educated (maybe) and entertained (hopefully!)
A possibly easier than usual Friday crossword -- which according to the Law of Conservation of Crossword Difficulty™️ means that tomorrow's could be brutal! But we could not possibly complain about a grid that had so much ... ECLAT. And so, as today's podcast will attest, we did not. Five squares on the JAMCR scale, for a job well done!
Another terrific Thursday puzzle from Jeremy Newton, who has published a total of 23 crosswords in the NYTimes, and it shows: a brilliant theme, razor sharp cluing, and an LOL revealer. The JAMCR scale goes up to 5 squares, and he's pegged it! For all the deets, download, listen up, and be prepared to be amused and educated.
A slightly crunchy Wednesday, both Jean and Mike fell into the "how-do-you-spell-ALFREDNEUMAN" trap, spelling it (as you might suspect) ALFREDNEWMAN. Jean figured it out relatively quickly, Mike had to MULL it over for half a TIC, er, TICK, before he finally saw the light (and heard the music!).
A dodecad of themed answers in today's crossword -- something you don't see every day, and a reason for celebration as it made for a very interesting puzzle as well as the opportunity to use dodecad in a sentence! What's a dodecad, you ask? And (once you've got that sussed out), what would be a reasonable theme that involves a dodecad? To answer those burning questions, as well as to hear how Jean did on Triplet Tuesday™️, you are cordially invited to download, listen, learn, and hopefully be entertained!
A good middle-of-the-road Monday crossword by Margaret Seikel, which included rewards for regular solvers -- 51D, Faces a pitcher, BATS, which had just appeared yesterday; and a highly memorable but challenging- to-pronounce-3-times-quickly hyphenated-phrase that first appeared in a clue last month, 37A, Male equivalent of a she-shed, MANCAVE. Nicely done, we give this a full 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
A definitely harder-than-usual Sunday crossword, it took both intrepid co-hosts a considerable amount of time just to get a toehold in the grid. There were a few easy clues in the puzzle, but for every 37A, Laura of "Big Little Lies", DERN, and ... oops, sorry, that's the only easy clue we could find! There were, however, scores of clues such as 41A, Bird Watcher's Org, once, NBA (ha!), 55A, Complete, ATOZ (obvious -- in retrospect), and 82A, Letters to ____ (rock group), CLEO (um, who?). Still, the journey is the reward, so we felt like we won the lotto with this fine puzzle.
Jean got through today's crossword in a blistering pace, Mike ... just got blisters, slightly singed as he was in the bottom-left corner by such fiery clues as 34D, Super ___________, TUESDAY, 33D, Tip of a geographic horn, SOMALIA, and 40A, Painter Modigliani, AMEDEO. However, Phoenix that he is, Mike hopes to shortly emerge from the ashes ready to tackle tomorrow's crossword.
In other news, it's time for JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award), and while all of last week's crosswords were fine, there was one clear winner, and that winner would be ... the subject of minute 8 (or thereabouts) of today's episode, just waiting for you to download and enjoy.
For longtime crossword solvers, the name Erik Agard can spark a frisson of excitement and/or dread, usually both 😀 And in today's grid Erik is in fine form, with some awesome clues that make you want to stand up and applaud. Beyond the very best (covered, of course, in the podcast), we have others that are still ... among the very best, such as 31D, Bit of whistle-blowing, maybe, LEAK (😀), 43A, Gives an edge, WHETS, and 54D, Bagel, NIL (hint: think tennis). Brilliant, kudos all round, definitely a 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
A great debut crossword by Helen Chen, with 6 debut answers - that's a lot of debuting (which spellcheck assures us is a real word). Apart from the clues covered in today's podcast, we cannot help but marvel at the elegance of clues whose answers may make you pause for a moment before the connection becomes apparent: 38D, Picture, IMAGINE, 44D, It's a stretch, EXPANSE, and 52A, Suffix with second, but not third, ARY, all come to mind. Of course there were a few clue answer pairs where those connections were a little fuzzier: 7D, Mischievous fairy queen, MAB (um, OK), and 12D, Yoga asana often paired with cow, CATPOSE (if you say so).
All-in-all a splendid piece of work, we can't wait for Helen's next crossword!
Matthew Stock, who seems to have a knack for quality crosswords, proves that assertion in today's puzzle, with an LOL theme, some fun clues and answers (2D, Jaunty words upon departing, IMOFF; 41A (which we mentioned in the podcast but just have to highlight here ), No, ____, Bob!, PROB; and 23D, Entertain, AMUSE (which this crossword does from 1A to 58D and every clue in between!). Five squares on the JAMCR scale, unreservedly!
Side note: today's episode title relates to 48D, Musician Anderson . ________, PAAK, so that period before PAAK is not a typo, but part of that fabulous musician's name.
An educational Tuesday crossword, at least for certainly one of our dynamic duo, with the other playing the role of educator on such diverse topics as the difference between octet and OCTAD, the ABC Islands, and a CHOWCHOW. And that's just a handful of the many fun factoids that we acquired as we spelunked through today's grid, so for all the deets, download, listen up, and don't forget to take notes 😀
A fun Monday crossword by Leslie Young and Andrea Carla Michaels - it's hard to resist a puzzle that slips both HAIR and HARE into the grid, and hard not to laugh out loud (we failed!) at clues like 25A, Make-up specialist?, LIAR. So, 5 squares on the JAMCR scale, and for a more detailed discussion of exactly why it has achieved that exalted score, download, listen up, and discover!
Remember all those mild threats that your parents might've used on you? Well, Katie Hale found all of them and squeezed them into today's grid (a Sunday, because phrases like DONTUSETHATTONEWITHME definitely need most if not all of those 21 square swathes). The crossword was not too difficult, but we'll take it - and give it a well-deserved 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
A tougher Saturday crossword, although eminently fair and with some great clues. Consider, par exemple (as the French would say), 14D, The most well-known one is named for a Greek hero, TENDON (nice!); 26A, Red or green lights, maybe AURORA (ooh!), and 16A, Inventor played by David Bowie in "The Prestige", TESLA (wow!). And those are just a few, we cover the truly greats in today's episode. We also give away our JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award), and ... nope, no spoilers here! If you want to know who the winners are (and whether your picks agree with ours), download, listen up, and let us know what you think - crosswordpodcast@icloud.com.
A fine Friday crossword by Juliana Tringali Golden, with arguably the most interesting clue of the month, 53D, Country where almost half the world's zippers are made, JAPAN (wow!). Of course, there were many other worth pondering -- 25D, Yawl pole, MAST (say what?), 59A, Immediate threat to capture in a game of Go, ATARI (OK, if you say so), and 55A, "Platoon" but not "Dunkirk", IAMB (possibly the most NYTimes-ish crossword clue ever). All in all a great crossword, 5 squares on the JAMCR scale for sure!
There are Thursday crosswords, and then there are Thursday crosswords. This is one of the latter, a master class in crossword construction, with challenging cluing and a spectacular theme. We have all the deets inside, as well as a small avalanche of listener mail, so hit that big ol' subscribe / download / play button and enjoy.
A twisty-turny theme by Michael Dewey to help celebrate our midweek crossword. No revealers here (you'll have to listen to the podcast for that), but we will tell you that both DALEEVANS and ROYROGERS managed to meander into today's grid. A few mysteries popped up in the grid -- 45D, Contents of college blue books, ESSAYS (why blue?); 46A, Lost freshness, STALED (wait, is that even a word? check out the episode to find out!); and 13D, Home of the Minotaur's Labyrinth, KNOSSOS (is that K silent?) -- which we leave for you, dear listener, to ponder. In the meantime, we cordially invite you to download, listen to, and, yes, ponder today's episode!
The wonderful thing about crosswords is -- apart from the sheer joy of solving them (or at least trying) -- all that you can learn from them. Within the course of one 15x15 grid they can introduce you to relatively new singers; currencies that you might otherwise have never known existed; and 14th century philosophers whose name still lives on today. And today's grid, of course, does all of that. For all the deets, you are cordially invited to download, listen up, and learn!
A reminder: when listening to this podcast, if you haven't solved the puzzle (and aren't planning to), consider going to xwordinfo.com where you can see the solved grid and clues -- it will make following our discussion that much easier.
A fun Monday crossword by Michael Lieberman, with an LOL revealer that ... we won't reveal here, but most definitely do discuss in today's episode. Perhaps it was a coincidence, but three of Mike's all-time favorite answers appeared in the grid today - 6D, Trevor of "The Daily Show", NOAH; 30A, Disney+ series in the Marvel Comic Universe, WANDAVISION (best.show.ever.); and 57D, Ticklish muppet, ELMO 😍
Definitely a superior Monday puzzle, we give it an enthusiastic 5 squares on the ol' JAMCRSCALE.
A very pleasing Sunday crossword by Derrick Niederman, with a terrific theme -- Opposites Attract -- superbly executed. There were a few posers -- 39D, Tom Jones and Anthony Hopkins, by birth, WELSHMEN, 93D, What all companies try to make, PAYROLL (nice!), and a word that we earnestly hope will make a comeback, 87A, Horse-drawn carriage, SHAY.
Just a reminder that the New York Times would love to have you subscribe to the crossword, and you can do that at nytimes.com/crosswords. You can also subscribe to this podcast -- and we hope that you do! -- by clicking on wherever you see the big Subscribe button on your podcast listening app of choice.
For today's puzzle, the editor's turned to Kameron Austin Collins, which means that the difficulty level was cranked up to 11 (maybe more). Your cohosts had to dig for every clue. Cases in point: 7A, Looks like, MIMICS; 31A, Bad thing to draw when your taking a test, BLANK (woah!!); 7D, Makes fast, MOORS (heh); and the delightfully devilish 56A, Taken care of business, ERRANDS ( yikes!).
A brilliant Saturday crossword, we salute KAC for a job well done!
If the main goal of a crossword is to entertain and educate, than today's crossword gets an A, for clues that entertain (47A, French, perhaps, in England, SNOG), educate (Out of nothing, in creation myths, EXNIHILO), and do both (1D, Snit, PET). Today's crossword also had an amazing grid, breaking the usual rules for a very good reason, as you will learn ... all in today's action-packed episode!
Matthew Stock returns to provide an excellent, geographically-themed crossword, with some intriguing clues throughout the grid to keep us puzzling -- 30D, Press material, GARLIC (😀), Mike's favorite word in the grid, 25A, Verse, POESY, and 59A, Goo for a batter, PINETAR, are just 3 examples. Definitely 5 squares on the JAMCR scale!
Kudos to Ekua Ewool for a marvelous, 4th-wall-breaking effort that did a great job of capturing the thoughts of newbies (and not-so-newbies) as they work through a week of crosswords puzzles. All the deets are inside, so have a listen and remember that we love feedback - crosswordpodcast@icloud.com.
A nicely done crossword by Trenton Charlson, with a brilliant theme ... (and no, we weren't just trailing off, that was the brilliant theme). In addition, we saw plenty of other signs of an superior constructor's craft, including 57A, Galas, APPLES; the truly sublime 41D, Not doing things the rite way?, ELOPING; and Mike's favorite (he might be just a tad biased), 63D, Sch. whose mascot is Mike the Tiger, LSU.
It's Tuesday, and Jean tries her darnedest, to both win at Triplet Tuesday and spell darnedest. Does she succeed? Download, listen up, and all will be revealed!
A great debut crossword by Adam Simpson, with a theme that has a definite "awwwwww" factor to it. The rest of the grid is not too shabby either, so here's hoping that we'll see more of Adam's work in the future! Want more detail? We know you do, so download, listen up, and we'll do the rest!
Solving today's crossword involved a lot of ups and downs - literally, thanks to a theme that gave the grid a Chutes-and-Ladders feel to it. The author of today's crossword, Tracy Gray, has had 33+ puzzles published in the NYTimes ... you could kinda tell from the grid that this was not their first rodeo! We have all the deets inside, so take some time on this Labor Day weekend (or, if you're in Canada, Labour Day weekend; and if you're anywhere else, and have a holiday, drop us a line at crosswordpodcast@icloud.com and tell us about it!) to do the opposite of labor and enjoy today's episode!
A gentler than usual Saturday, with some excellent cluing and at least one debut answer, 2D, Temporarily banished from a dorm room, say, SEXILED (!). which ran into another thematically related clue, 29A, Giving a sexual interpretation to almost any statement, say, DIRTYMINDED (not DOUBLEENTENDRE, because no matter how much fun it is to say, it simply wouldn't fit).
In another news, it's Saturday, and we have conducted a thorough retrospective of the week's crosswords to pick out the very best (in our humble opinions!). Which one was it? To end the suspense, all you need do is subscribe, download and listen up.
A fabulous Friday crossword by Claire Rimkus: both Jean and Mike started off slowly, but eventually managed to persevere, Jean by dint of knowing a lot, Mike by dint of lucky guesses (many, many lucky guesses). We have all the deets inside, as well as a Fun Fact Friday that we know you're jonesing to listen to, so subscribe / download / listen up and enjoy!
There was, as is oft the case, vast differences in our co-hosts' solving journeys as they worked on today's puzzle. One of them (Jean), had no problem, and the other (not Jean) had almost exactly the same lexiconic failure that he had yesterday, except this time it was the northeast, rather than southwest, that almost did him in. The smart money says that for tomorrow's crossword, Jean will set a personal best and Mike will get stuck in the ... southeast. Tune in tomorrow to see which if any of these predictions come to pass!
A brilliant Wednesday crossword by Joe Deeney, with a genuinely LOL theme. There were at least two debut answers -- the revealer, 35A, Dubious food-eating guide, or a hint to the answers to this puzzle's starred clues, and one of the themed-answers, 57A, Federal tax incentive for buying a Tesla, say, EVCREDIT. A nice bit of work, definitely 5 squares on the JAMCR scale!
A fine Tuesday crossword by Emily Carroll, with an amusing theme and some wry clues that will bring a smile to your lips. And if that doesn't do it, then our Triplet Tuesday spectacular is guaranteed to make those lips part. All the deets are inside, as well as references to IHOP that are not nearly as gratuitous as they might seem once you've grokked the theme. So, to take advantage of all this, just subscribe / download / listen up / enjoy!
Today's crossword had plenty of heart, and thanks to 32D, James who sung "Tell Mama", ETTA, also plenty of soul! For those of you who don't remember Reader's Digest "I am Joe's Heart", today's crossword is just what the doctor ordered. In other news, we had listener mail explaining how tonic water worked, and this article from McGill University is definitely worth checking out.
Jean, as seems to be her MO nowadays (even if she is living in WI), tore through today's crossword in about half an hour. Mike ... did not, primarily due to some tragic misspellings in languages with which he has only a passing acquaintance. Deets inside, so download, listen up, and enjoy!
A fabulous Saturday crossword by Andrew Linzer, who pulled out all the stops to come up with a cornucopia, or possibly a piñata, of great, great clues. We'd go over them here, but basically it's ... all of them! Pick a clue, any clue, and be prepared to be amazed.
Naturally, of course, you'd think that this would be the JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award) winner, and indeed it is, but ... we have another winner, because Tuesday's, by Trey Mendez, was also top notch. For all the details, you know what to do - subscribe / download / listen up / enjoy!
A terrific Friday crossword by Robert Logan, as folksy as all get out, and that's not a complaint! It included many interesting factoids, such as 39A, Largest of the society islands, TAHITI; 53A, Snack item since 1912, OREO; and 42D, Scottish sheepdog, informally, SHELTIE. The structure of the puzzle was also intriguing -- as revealed by 64A, A 50/50 chance ... or a description of the lengths of this puzzle's Across and Down answers, respectively, EVENODDS. (We checked, it's true).
It's Friday, and on Fun Fact Friday we delve into the origin of the word "randy". So, to learn about that, and so much more, subscribe, download, listen up, and enjoy!
An ingenious Thursday crossword by Olivia Mitra Framke and Andrea Carla Michaels, who discovered how to amusingly squeeze US states together, to great effect, in this 5-square-on-the-JAMCR-scale-worthy puzzle. We have all the deets inside, just waiting for you to discover.
Remember that if you haven't done the crossword, and want to be able to follow along, just wander over to xwordinfo.com -- there you can see the entire grid filled out (so, huge spoiler alert before you go there!), as well as the clues.
There were SCADS of good clues in this crossword, and AUGHT bad ones - thanks to the efforts of constructor Colin Ernst (aided and abetted, undoubtedly, by Will Shortz). A few old friends dropped in - 63A, Indian tea region, ASSAM; 22A, Shakespearean schemer, IAGO. who, blessed with 3 vowels and a G, has managed to worm his way into a NYTimes crossword grid a total of 408 times, including 5 this year!; and of course, what appears to be the official cheese of the NYTimes crossword, 26A, Mild yellow cheese, EDAM, yum!
A splendid Tuesday crossword by Trey Mendez, with multiple LOL clues and an ingenious theme. This was Trey's debut crossword, and we can't wait for his next one! In other news, it's Triplet Tuesday: does Jean tear through it? Or does she tear through it? [There was a homograph there, honestly!] To find out, you are cordially invited to subscribe, download, listen up and savor!
A somewhat folksy start to our crossword solving week, as well as a hidden theme -- especially apropos since the theme itself was, well, underground. If you want to dig up the dirt on that, you'll have to do a bit of spadework first, i.e., subscribe, download, listen up, and enjoy!
A (gasp!) themeless Sunday crossword, with very few black squares - so if you're looking for a challenge, constructors Brooke Husic and Will Nediger are happy to oblige! And we're happy that they made this crossword: to find out precisely why, you know what to do -- subscribe, download, listen up and enjoy!
A tough Saturday crossword, Jean had a spot of difficulty in the top-left, Mike forgot that the musical syllable LA was not an abbreviation; but other than that it was a fine ending to an incredible week of crosswords - the New York Times Crossword quality was cranked up to an 11, and our agonizing decision as to which deserved the JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award) reflects that. To find out which one won the coveted prize, subscribe, download, listen up, and enjoy!
An absolutely brilliantFriday crossword by Patrick John Duggan, hopefully he got paid extra for this tour de force / masterclass in clever cluing: we simply cannot say enough good things about it, although we tried. So to hear all of that, as well as to learn lots in today's Fun Fact Friday segment, subscribe, download, and listen up.
One of those epic Thursday crosswords that makes you want to shout "huzzah", or words to that effect -- thanks to a clever, rebusian (if that's a word, if not, we're inventing it here and now!) theme that will leave you gasping in amazement. At least that's the effect it had here at Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword HQ. We have all the deets inside, so we humbly beseech thee to download, listen up, and revel in the magic of it all.
Today's crossword was a real TREAT. Jean found it a cake walk. Mike found it more of a treacle pudding walk, thanks to a natick at the corner of 41D, Supermodel Wee, ALEK (not ALEC), and 48A, Video game franchise featuring Sub-Zero and Sonya-Blade, MORTALKOMBAT (and not, as we're sure you saw this coming, MORTALCOMBAT). But live and learn, that's our MOTTO, and besides, it's hard to HATE any crossword that, essentially, celebrates typoos!
A fine Tuesday crossword by Sue Fracker, with a well-done and clever "bendy" theme ( deets are in the podcast). Both Jean and Mike were slightly taken aback by at least two clues, Jean by 23A, Motorboat's trail, WAKE, and Mike by 14D, Sport with a coxswain, CREW (not ROWING: but the two are synonymous).
In other news, Mike almost faints when he discovers that there is a 3-letter music genre that is not SKA; but recovers enough to save some face in today's Triplet Tuesday challenge.
Just a reminder, the New York Times Crossword would love to have you as a subscriber: just go to nytimes.com/crosswords, and tell 'em Jean and Mike sent you!
A lively enough Monday crossword (esp. considering the presence of NAP and MICROSLEEP in the grid), with a few celebs (SELA Ward, Justin TRUDEAU, and NEYO) to give it that extra PEP!
In other news, our NY Times Crossword Subscription Contest has drawn to a close, and we have winner!! Was it you?? There's only one way to tell: subscribe, download, and listen up!
Today's crossword is by the founders of xwordinfo.com, Jeff Chen and Jim Horne, and today's high-quality puzzle reflects that: the theme is ingenious, multilayered and ... well, we'd say more, but we want to keep you in some (mild) suspense before you hit the ol' download button!
Opinions on the difficulty of today's crossword were mixed: Jean finished it in 19 minutes, Mike finished it in slightly less than forever. What the dynamic duo do agree on is that this was a fantabulous crossword, we are both METAFANs, and that it deserves (along with Thursday's, for the first time we have a tie) the JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award)!!
We also have listener mail, and our "Win a Free NYTimes Crossword subscription" contest is rapidly drawing to a close, so get those emails in soon (crosswordpodcast@icloud.com)
A relatively straightforward Friday crossword, with some elegant subtleties in the grid that need to be seen to be appreciated. For instance, let us draw your attention to the intersection of 54A, Response to someone who got the answer instantly, YOUNAILEDIT, and 36D, Crushed a test, ACEDIT. [That was apparently the section of the grid devoted to smarties.] We also had 21A, _____ blanc, VIN, and 45A, _____ noire, BETE (where blanc is white and noire is black, in French). Finally we had 28A, Fictional weapon of the 23rd century, PHASER, and 9D, More, on a score, PIU, which is, as all good Trekkies know, the sound that a PHASER makes, as in PIU, PIU, PIU.
For Fun Fact Friday, we had a listener, and a soon-to-be-published crossword constructor (!) email us our fun fact for the day, so be sure and tune into that as well.
An absolutely ingenious theme deftly implemented by David Tuffs, rounded off with some great clues -- 8D, Pasta named for quills, PENNE (huh!), 55A, Phone-y document, FAX, (ha, ha!), and 4D, Title monster in an H.P. Lovecraft story, CTHULHU, (heh, heh, heh! ). All the deets, as well as a reminder about our current contest, are as close as a click or a tap, so click (or tap), listen, and enjoy.
A definitely easier-than-yesterday crossword, Jean got through it expeditiously; Mike mysteriously forgot how to spell AUTO, opting for OTTO, hence hilarity and longer-than-normal-solve-times ensued. Still, you have to like a crossword with clues like 55D -- One of six in this clue, WORD -- and we did!
A definitely tougher than usual Tuesday offering -- probably because Bruce Haight's at the helm -- but a fun solve, with LOTSA challenges and curiosities in every corner of the grid. From 33A, 1st-yr law students, ONELS (obvious in hindsight), to 37A, What "C" faucets are in Italy, confusingly, HOT (huh, who knew?). Even though we were ONEDGE while working through this puzzle, we FESS that we liked it -- a lot!
A nice start to our crossword solving week courtesy of Kathy Lowden, with several answers definitely worth remembering because they might show up later in the week, but with several orders-of-magnitude more difficult cluing: we're looking at you, IAMB, PHO and BRASSY.
Just a reminder, we're running a contest this week -- a year's subscription to the NYT Crossword. If you want to enter, just drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com, and you will be entered! Good luck!
We are back after a week's hiatus, and welcoming us back is a superb crossword by Tina Labadie, her debut -- but you wouldn't know it from the finely crafted clues! We have all the deets inside plus ... a new contest! All emails (to crosswordpodcast@icloud.com) between now and next Sunday will be entered in a drawing for a year's subscription to the New York Times crossword! One entry per contestant per day, please, and good luck!
A middle-of-the-road Sunday crossword, appropriate considering all the road references lurking in today's grid -- 108D, Inits. on the road, MPH; 109D, Inits. on the road, (yes, again) AAA; 27D, Fwy. or expy., RTE; 64A, Flagship vehicle line for Mercedes-Benz, SCLASS -- and there might've been more, it's a big grid!
Just a head's up, we are taking the week off to recoup and recharge, but we do have a vast collection of podcasts in the ol' archive that will hopefully tide you over until we are back next Sunday!
A tricky Saturday crossword (as one would expect!), with vast swathes of white squares and just a few oases of black to break up the monotony. The cluing was suitably obfuscatory -- 51D, Supervisory challenges, EGOS; 26D, Location designed to attract whales, HOTELCASINOS (!); and 56D, Suffix for a rank, DOM (!!!) are just 3 examples, we explore more in today's episode, as well as pick our JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award); and ... we have listener mail!
A nice Friday crossword by a veteran constructor, Robyn Weintraub. Jean found the puzzle to be a piece of cake, Mike found it to be almost impossible, until the crossword deities smiled benevolently upon him, and reminded him that a better answer for 21A, Employment history, would be CAREER, rather than RESUME or CRVITA. Robyn is known for her great clues, and today's puzzle is exemplary.
In other news, it's Fun Fact Friday, and today' we explore the mysterious life and times of ENOS, chimp in space!
A curious Thursday crossword by Bill Pipal and Jeff Chen (always a good OMEN to see M. Chen in the masthead), that asks you to do what we generally try and AVOID, i.e., CUT CORNERS. The result is a crossword about which we have no choice but to wax RHAPSODIC, for reasons that will become clear in today's installment.
Have you ever considered how many phrases involve articles of clothing? Fortunately Enrique Henestroza Anguiano has, and this witty Wednesday crossword is a result. Jean had no trouble with the grid. Mike didn't so much forget how to spell 48D, Traditional garment in West Africa, as discover that he never even knew how to spell it -- for the record, it's CAFTAN (as in today's grid) or alternatively KAFTAN, but never, ever CAFTEN -- Mike's guess being based on that famous Walt Whitman poem, O Caften!, My Caften! (or something like that 😀)
A fine Tuesday crossword by Lillian Simpson, with a debut entry for 25A, Certain spousal state (which we will not state right here, you'll either have to be a good guesser or listen to the podcast to find out), a jaw-dropper as far as Mike's concerned with 46D, Leaf (through) (and again, download / listen up to get the 411 on that); and finally 50A, More eye-roll inducing, maybe, CHEESIER (which these show notes seem to be degenerating into, so we are going to stop right ... here!).
A marvelous Monday crossword, with a grid that just sings -- thanks in no small part to some great musical references - from LIL Jon (and Wayne), to Yoko ONO, to one of those discoveries that make you want to shout with joy, DRU Hill (definitely check them out if you are unfamiliar ... or even if you are, their music clearly will abide many, many listenings). For more on them and the rest of this sizzling grid, you are just this far away (we are holding our fingers very, very close together) from cruciverbal enlightenment.
A shout-out to today's constructors, Jessie Trudeau and Ross Trudeau, who got married this very weekend. Whether the placement of today's crossword on this particular Sunday was just a coincidence, or possibly a wedding present from the NYTimes, doesn't really matter, because the crossword was certainly a present to its solvers - a fun romp with a diverting theme. We have all the deets inside, so raise a toast to the happy couple, then download, listen up, and enjoy!
A majorly difficult Saturday crossword, with a fair number of rarely mentioned celebrities (at least here in 2022). Even the most recent, 18A, Defense secretary under Obama, PANETTA, is not exactly a household name; 31A, First person to fly solo around the world (1933), WILEYPOST, probably also isn't a frequent topic at the kitchen table; and 27A, Marion ________, Best actress winner for "La Vie en Rose", COTILLARD, was a new name for Mike, and a spelling challenge for Jean.
In other news, it's Saturday, and we've scoured the last 7 days to find the crossword that we feel deserves that CHEFSKISS., aka the JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award). For all the deets, just download, listen up, and enjoy!
Well, to be precise, today's crossword is a work of David Steinberg, but it definitely is also a WORK_OF_ART. There were so many great answers, it's hard to single them out, but we certainly appreciated the artistry in working both BLUR and SLUR into the grid, as well as the tactical deployment of WHAMO!. The clues were also nicely done: 24D, Bolt for the finish line?, USAIN; 43D, Put down, WRITE (woah!); and 42D, Latin lovers, officially speaking, POPES (double woah!). Truly an elegant puzzle, definitely worth 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
In other news, it's Fun Fact Friday, and for those of you who want to read more about STAFFA, we have you covered.
You'll need to be flexible to solve today's crossword, because that's what some of the answers are - they flex when you least expect it (which would be ... all of the time, because answers tend to either go across, or down, not both). Jean, following her usual MO, cottoned onto the trick quite quickly, Mike, following his, did not.
There were some intriguing clues in today's crossword, including some very interesting revelations about OCEOLOT anatomy that you won't want to miss, so head right over to the big download button, click, listen, and enjoy.
A crunchier than usual Wednesday crossword, not because of the presence of OREOs in the grid, but rather because today's constructor, Josh Kindler, is so adept at his craft. The clues ranged from sorta-kinda obvious, e.g., 53D, It's rigged!, SAIL, to somewhat more obscure, e.g., 45D, King of the Titans, in Greek mythology, KRONOS, to the we never saw that coming, e.g., 38A, Part of a botanical garden, FERNERY. [For the record, the most excellent Green Bay Botanical Center, our go-to for all things botanical, makes no mention of such a thing.]
tldr; we liked the crossword, and to find out precisely why, you know what to do: subscribe / download / listen up.
A fun Tuesday crossword by Andy Kravis, with some great clues like 52D, "Performer" in a tiny circus, FLEAS (😄); 2D, "What did the _____ do when it was still hungry? Go back for seconds" (dad joke), CLOCK (🙄); and 48A, Bum around London, ARSE (😏).
We would also be remiss if we didn't point out a reference to what appears now to be the preferred font of the New York Times Crossword, 31A, Typeface akin to Helvetica, ARIAL -- ironic as that would appear to be the only place where that font is used in the newspaper! Now you know 😀
A HEAP of cruciverbal goodness in today's grid, easier than yesterday's BYLEAPSANDBOUNDS, and very unlikely to leave one ATSIXESANDSEVENS, or, for that matter, ONPINSANDNEEDLES. In short, the perfect start to our crossword solving week, we give it a cheery 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
Considering how frequently ANTE shows up in the grid, perhaps it's not surprising that an entire crossword devoted to Texas Hold 'Em ought to eventually make it into the New York Times, and ... today's the day, thanks to a fabulous debut puzzle by Greg Slovaceck.
This crossword caused a wee bit o' controversy because it involved rebuses, which some solvers always seem to have problems with. Rather than go over it here, we'll cover it in a future episode -- everything you ever wanted to know about rebuses (but were afraid to ask) -- so stay tuned for that!
Another tough Saturday crossword (hmm... there seems to be a trend here), with a particularly diabolical southwest corner, with clues like 31D, California city in the Mojave Desert, BARSTOW, 32D, Emergency device in DC, BATPHONE (oh, that DC) and 29D, Buttercup relatives, ANEMONES, ready to trap the unwary.
In other news, we've found a highly deserving crossword for our JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award) -- the deets, as they say, are inside.
Any crossword that works PRIM and PRAM into the grid, and niminy-piminy into the clues, deserves recognition, and we doff our hats in honor of Matthew Stock and Nam Jin Yoon's fabulous Friday puzzle. The mere presence of 33A, Drink with an onomatopoeic name, SLURPEE, and 54A, Utter disasters, TIREFIRES, tells you that you're probably going to be in for a good time, and the rest of the puzzle has that same spiciness, rather like a 42A. Thick tortilla that's the national dish in El Salvador, PUPUSA. Deliciosa!
Jean found today's crossword to be a piece o' cake, Mike found it to be more like molasses ... apt considering how long it took him to solve this! When you take a close look at the clues, however, you'll quickly discover that there are a lot of gems. To see what we mean, check out 8D, It often comes in 60-, 72- and 84-month lengths, CARLOAN; 9A, Penguins and Sharks are found in it, RINK 😀 ; and 43D, Light shows?, SITCOMS 🤣. Those are just 3 examples. If you haven't solved the puzzle, check out the solution at xwordinfo.com, and pause to savor the artistry that went into today's grid.
Another slightly crunchier than usual crossword - that's two in a row for those of you keeping track. What makes a crossword crunchy, you ask? Clues like 9D, Classic beer of there Pacific Northwest, familiarly, OLY; 29A, Primary place to park?, MAINLOT; and even 27D, Grp. for women who drive, LPGA, are splendid examples: not horribly hard (especially with gentle crosses), but not too easy -- basically just right for a Wednesday 😄
A crunchier than usual Tuesday crossword, although it did start with a fan favorite in 1A, Alan of "Marriage Story", ALDA. For examples of said crunchiness, we need look no further than 19A, Movie co. with a presence at Sundance, IFC; 54A, Long ways to go?, LIMOS (cute!); and the subtle 42A, That's not true, LIE. A great puzzle, we give it a cheery 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
It's also Triplet Tuesday, during which Jean refuses to give partial credit. To hear why, just download, listen up, and enjoy!
A colorful Monday grid, with GREEN, WHITE and BLUE making an appearance, all in the aid of ... nope, no spoiler alerts here.
Also, Jean set a PB (Personal Best) for a Monday crossword, but did she break the 5 minute barrier?? Again, no spoiler alerts - to get the full 411, you know what to do: download, listen up, and enjoy!
A super Sunday crossword, with an ingenious theme, deft cluing, and while a challenge, about 1,000,000,000 times easier than yesterday's Mt. Everest of a puzzle.
From clever clues like 120A, Tipsy trips, BARCRAWLS; to treats like 9A, Reward for sitting, say, TREAT; and TIL's such as 27D, New York resting place for Mark Twain, ELMIRA, and the artful 23A, Where some stable relationships form?, STUDFARMS, there was something in the grid for everyone to savor.
As mentioned in today's episode, there was a slight issue with Emojis. The one in 1A, 😂, is named "face with tears of joy", whereas the answer to 1A, ROFL, presumably should have been associated with 🤣, "rolling on the floor laughing face". So, a mistake? The inscrutable editors are not saying 🤔 ("thinking face").
Regardless, the crossword was terrific, definitely a 5 squares on the JAMCR scale, DAGNABIT!
A true test of cruciverbal mettle and stamina, with some awesomely difficult clues. They aren't hard to find, either: just point randomly anywhere on the grid and you'll be likely to find one. For instance, 33D, Mozart's "Voi, che sapete", and others, ARIETTAS (egads!); 39D, Pool side, SOLIDS (oh, that kind of pool 😀); and 16A, What a snake or dragon can represent, LUNARYEAR. And those weren't the hardest in the grid -- Jean and Mike are still trying to figure out how to spell ZAZIEBEETZ.
In other news, we have listener mail and our weekly JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award), so please subscribe, download, and enjoy!
A superb. Friday puzzle by Kyle Dolan: Jean found it straightforward, Mike had to dig deeply for clues like 4D, Representative, TOTEMIC (which definitely was not, as far as Friday clues go); 10D, Mission Santa ____ (National Historic Landmark in California), INES (now officially on our bucket lists); 14D, Question at a press conference, maybe, WHOSNEXT (no, WHOSONFIRST 😀).
The topper was 22A, Point ____, ocean spot farthest from land, NEMO, which coincidentally and most deservedly is our Fun Fact for Fun Fact Friday. And that's a fact!
If today's crossword makes you fear you are seeing double, do not adjust your, er, eyes, because you are -- thanks to Philip Wolfe's cleverly constructed theme. We have all the deets inside, as well as a slight addendum to a discussion of yesterday's theme, just waiting for you to download, subscribe, and enjoy!
A friendly reminder: the New York Times Crossword would love to have you as a subscriber, and it makes a great gift for, well, you (as well as your friends and relations)! Just go to nytimes.com/crosswords, and tell 'em Jean and Mike sent ya!
Sam Koperas and Jeff Chen provide a master class in crisp crossword clues, with numerous LOL examples. There are too many to list here, but trust us (better yet, download the podcast and listen to us!) -- the grid is bursting to the seams with 'em. It definitely pegs the scale on the JAMCRmeter (that's Jean And Mike Crossword Rating meter), kudos to both constructors (and Will Shortz, it goes without saying but we just did anyway).
Today's crossword is an homage to Taylor SWIFT, but even if you can't hum FEARLESS or SHAKEITOFF, fear not - the clues are straightforward (respectively 20A, Like daredevils, informally, and 41A, Get over a minor injury, say) and the crosses gentle. Beyond that, we have to pause in admiration of the inclusion of YOINK, which Mike originally took to be YOIK, as immortalized by Daffy Duck, but the crosses fortunately helped straighten him out.
In other news, it's Triplet Tuesday, and this time it's Jean's turn in the hot seat. Will she set the world on fire? Or flame out? You'll need to download, subscribe, listen up, etc., to find out.
Jean's favorite team -- the Kansas City ROYALS -- gets into the grid, as did Mike's favorite DC (and MARVEL!) supervillain -- ARCLIGHT -- so that's yet another cause for celebration, beyond, of course, the fact that, it's the 4th of July. Speaking of which, today's crossword was Bruce Haight's 59th, so while he hasn't had quite as many crosswords published as the US had had birthday's, he's definitely making headway!
Today's fine crossword by Tom McCoy featured grammargrams, a concept so rare that even Google couldn't find it, but thanks to WordPlay (the NYTimes Crossword column) we know that it's a real thing. You didn't need to know what a grammargram was to solve the puzzle - Mike is living proof of that - but it did help - and Jean (of course) is living proof of that.
In other news, we have a belated JAMCOTWA to announce, and want to wish a happy 4th of July to all our American listeners.
A tough-ish Saturday crossword by Evan Kalish, with clues like 51A, Verb whose past tense form is an anagram of its present tense, EAT (that took a while!); 60A, Assign new keyboard shortcuts to, REMAP (yay, one for the nerds!); and 53D, Plant that symbolized purity in ancient Egypt, FLAX (not FLAN, which while delicious is not necessarily pure), all giving a taste (especially the latter 😀) of the difficulty level involved (high).
We loved this crossword, and rate it a 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
A fine Friday effort by Christina Iverson and Caitlin Reid, although both of our dynamic duo (solving, as usual, independently) spent more of their solve time looking for mistakes than filling in the grid. In short the puzzle was relatively straightforward, until -- cue the ominous music -- it wasn't! To hear the deets, as well as (probably) learn a new fact for Fun Fact Friday, all you need to do is subscribe, download and enjoy!
A brilliant Thursday crossword by Samuel A. Donaldson and Doug Peterson, that starts off -- as all great Thursday crosswords do -- by imbuing the solver with a sense of befuddlement and disbelief. Then, with a little luck, or in this particular case with a lot of luck, the answer emerges from the fog, and the solver can bask in the radiance of a job well done. Forgive us for waxing poetic here, but as you'll see in today's episode (or by looking at the grid - go to xwordinfo.com), it truly is a work of art (well, technically, a work of Samuel and Doug, but you know what we mean!).
In other news, we have listener mail from Rob Baker, the author of -- speaking of ides -- the June 15th crossword. It was brilliant, as we stated then and wish to reiterate now. For more info on his amazing story, check out Rob's bio and tv interview.
In today's exciting installment, we go through the 4 stages of Rebus Identification, as today's crossword provides an excellent example of a rebus-festooned-grid. [Full disclosure: we do get a small gratuity every time we use festooned in the show notes, thanks to the generosity of the Society For the Promotion and Preservation of Festooning*]. As you can tell, we had oodles of fun doing this crossword, and to find out why, all you need to do is download/subscribe and listen up!
ed: that was totally made up, there is no such society ... yet*
A brilliant crossword by Scott Graham, all revolving around the twentieth letter of the English alphabet. Jean loved the implicit theme. Mike missed most of it, but in today's episode Jean sets him straight, as also puts him through the wringer, it being Triplet Tuesday™️.
You might want to wear shades when solving this crossword, and RUBIN a dollop of SPF -- for reasons that will become abundantly clear once you've done so (solved the crossword, with or without the sunglasses and lotion). Apart from the brilliant theme, the grid had a few gems -- the rarely seen HOYAS making its 11th appearance in the NYTimes crossword, the slightly rarer SELFIE (10 times), and the very elusive MONKEYSUNCLE making just its 3rd appearance in the grid. Welcome, one and all!
If you like movies, and you like puns, you'll love today's puzzle, which is teeming with them. Who can resist simultaneously giggling and groaning at 61A, Staunch dedication to one's upper leg exercise routine?, THIGHFIDELITY, or 94A, Tire-puncturing way across a river, BRIDGEOFSPIKES? And even if you don't like those, there is still a lot to admire in today's grid. All the deets lie within, so subscribe/download and enjoy.
A fine Saturday crossword by Adam Aaronson. Jean tore through it so quickly that her keyboard melted, whereas Mike's keyboard was in no danger whatsoever, except from a mild fist pounding from time to time. We have all the deets inside, as well as the always suspenseful bestowing of the JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award), so hit subscribe, click download, and do enjoy!
A great Friday crossword by Sophia Maymudes and Margaret Seikel: the clues were crisp, the answers rare if not unique, and the crosswordese meter was reading just about 0. A grid with the likes of SORORITYSQUAT, BURRATA, NOODLEBAR and TINYHOUSE is one to admire and savor, and we do exactly that in today's episode.
It's also Fun Fact Friday, and if you were wondering, so, what were ELIA's Popular Fallacies (from yesterday's fine effort by Jeff Chen), wonder no longer - just download, listen up, and all will be revealed.
An ingenious theme in today's crossword, an anti-rebus -- instead of multiple letters scrunched into one square, we have two letters expanding out of ... nothing, just like the Big Bang (although not quite as noisy). Today's crossword was by Jeff Chen, and that means quality. Clues like 38A, One of two in 2/22/22, SLASH, and the amazing (and debut word) 21A, Carnivorous : meat :: carpophagous : ________, FRUIT are just a few of the many Easter eggs that await the diligent spelunker of today's grid.
A nice Wednesday crossword, with a really crisp set of answers (and no, that's not a reference to 3D, Jobs creation, APPLE, nor 12D, Pie nut, PECAN). But from 1D, Q preceder in Song, SUZIE (great!), to 55D, Very corpulent, OBESE (probably from eating all those PECANS and AFFOGATOS!), the answers were relatively fresh (like the BUTTONMUSHROOMS). In short, this puzzle was delicious ... and now if you'll excuse us, we have to raid the fridge 😀
Alex Eaton-Salners has been known to cause normally intrepid crossword solvers to quake in their crossword-solving boots. He's mercifully dialed it down a notch for this Tuesday puzzle, which still has a fascinating theme, and includes, among the many gems in today's grid, the mysterious ALETTE -- which will be slightly less mysterious once you've listened to today's episode.
Today's crossword features a homophonic-based theme (homophonic meaning two words with the same sound, like POLLS and POLES), for which we are grateful because a) it made for a fun puzzle, and b) the opportunities to use homophonic in a sentence are surprisingly scarce. We have more delightful deets for you to digest, devour and dissect, so subscribe, download and enjoy!
Only a very confident crossword constructor would start off with the first answer, to 1A, "In a word ... awful", ITSBAD. But Jeremy Newton is a confident crossword constructor, and a glance at the rest of this puzzle will reveal exactly why that confidence is well deserved. We do more than just glance at it in today's puzzle, we pour over the grid and serve up the more interesting of the clues (a hard choice: there were scads). To learn more, hit subscribe, download, and enjoy.
A somewhat gentler than usual Saturday crossword, although lurking in the grid was perhaps the greatest spelling challenge known to human kind, specifically 16A, Star of "12 Years a Slave", CHIWETELEJIOFOR. But beyond that jaw-dropper are a number of other fascinating clues and answers, the deets of which are here for you to enjoy. Also, it's Saturday, meaning it's time for JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award). Today's choice was a toughie, but we think you'll agree that one stood head and shoulders above the rest (or if not, let us know what your favorite was, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com).
A crunchy Friday, as crossword solvers are wont to say - a plethora of tricky (and amusing) clues, such as 5D, One out of 10, TOE 😀, 39A, Spread some dirt, SPILLTHETEA, and 46A, Theater props?, OBIES (cute!), to name just 3.
In other news, it's Fun Fact Friday, and we have ... listener mail!
Remember, this podcast is best enjoyed once you've either a) solved the crossword, or b) gone to xwordinfo.com so you can see the filled out grid and clues -- tell 'em Jean and Mike sent 'ya!
Parker Higgins and Ross Trudeau have teamed up for a brilliant crossword, we just can't say enough good things about it -- but that won't stop us from trying, as evidenced in today's episode. Download, listen up, and enjoy!
A punny Wednesday puzzle by Rob Baker, with a great twist at the end that has to be seen -- or listened to as in, say, this podcast -- to be believed. There are other cruciverbial wonders to behold in today's grid, and we've got the full 411 just waiting for you to enjoy.
Oh, yes, we also have listener mail! Remember if you want to join in the festivities, drop us a line at crosswordpodcast@icloud.com, operators, um, we mean chatbots, are standing by!
A fine Tuesday effort by Robert Won, with a theme that really rocks -- and rolls, built around the ROCKANDROLL revealer. Nice touches abounded: e.g., ROCKANDROLL crossing 38D, Late singer with a food name, MEATLOAF (RIP), and 54D, Motley _____, CRUE. And we would be remiss if we didn't mention 36D, Flappers in a gaggle, which sounds like it might be pre-ROCKANDROLL, but the answer was in fact GEESE, which was GREAT!
A gem of a Monday crossword, with a great, great theme involving cards, an excellent debut answer involving precision driving, and the adorably meta 3D, You're reading this right now, CLUE. Kudos to the constructors, Hwang-Kim Vue and Jessica Zetzman for such an excellent OPUS.
Today's crossword might have you seeing double, but do not adjust your set -- it's all part of Will Nediger's super Sunday theme. We have all the deets inside, so we cordially invite you to download, listen up, and enjoy!
We do not know that Sid Sivakumar, author of today's crossword, has a career as a standup comedian, but based on today's puzzle we would not be surprised - the grid was chockfull of chuckles, laden with laughs. And it is therefore with great pride, once we wipe away the tears of laughter, that we award it, and him, the JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award)
A tough Friday puzzle by Blake Slonecker, one of those where for the first 10 minutes or so (your mileage may vary) you wonder if you'll get any answers whatsoever. The cluing was devilishly clever (and we mean that in the best possible sense). Consider 2D, Parisian sweets?, CHERIE; the deceptively simple 6D, Hypothesized, SAID (ooh!) and 39D, Road runner?, ENGINE (egads, who edited this puzzle? Machiavelli?? 😀).
Fortunately, the number of pop culture references were in the single digits, otherwise this would have been beyond impossible (eh, if that's possible).
In other news, it's Fun Fact Friday, and in an attempt to avoid a spoiler, we'll just quote Leia from Star Wars, "No! Luke, it's a __________", and leave it at that.
Today's crossword was a CLASSIC, with a TRAP in a few AREAS to catch the unwary, but overall an UTTERLY pleasing puzzle, no RADIOEDITS required, HEHE 😀 .
A fun Wednesday crossword by Bruce Haight, with some ingenious and genuinely LOL clues to celebrate hump day. Mike had a tad of trouble, but didn't mind, the grid had that much esprit; and Jean was unfazed, as usual, by a simultaneously novel and yet medieval theme. All the deets are inside, so what are you waiting for? Download, hit play, and enjoy!
A paean for techies, and a bit of a headache for the rest -- Jean had to dig for today's crossword, and Mike merely had to find the 4 places where, inexplicably -- although he suspects neutrinos might be involved -- letters inadvertently switched from one to the other.
Elsewhere in the podcast, we delve into the mysterious spelling of the past tense of mimic, and Jean is in the hot seat for Triplet Tuesday ™️
A deftly constructed crossword with a cute theme --but not too difficult, as befitting a Monday: both Jean and Mike were able to STICKTHELANDING (as well as talk about it). If you're in a nostalgic mood then you'll especially appreciate today's puzzle, with DELLASTREET, ISAAC Asimov, Buck ONEIL and RHEA Perlman all present and accounted for.
A great Sunday crossword, with a theme that's absolutely perfect for its audience and particularly well executed. In today's episode, we also discuss the important question of the plural of octopus (hint: it's probably not what you think), have no discussion whatsoever of whether the editors are being paid to slip SOBE into every 4th crossword (because they aren't) and generally have a good time delving through the grid.
There was a difference of opinion regarding today's crossword - Jean found it relatively straightforward, Mike found it 75% straightforward and 25% nigh-well impossible, with Mt. Everest sized obstacles lined up between himself and success. Did he succeed? Did Jean laugh uproariously at his misfortune? To find out the answer to these burning questions -- as well as to the winner of this week's JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award), you are cordially invited to download and listen up.
This fine Friday puzzle was Robyn Weintraub's 26th (according to the New York Times' Wordplay column, and they ought to know). It was not particularly challenging - both Jean and Mike cruised through it without too much difficulty. There were some comical clues, some enlightening answers, and for all the deets (as well as a fascinating fact for Fun Fact Friday), you are heartily encouraged to download and listen up.
A novel Thursday theme - and Jean and Mike had diverging opinions as to its merits: was it ingenious? or merely sneaky? Listen to today's episode, (after, ideally, you've tackled the puzzle in question yourself) then you be the judge!
There were some fabulous clues/answers in today's grid -- 30A, Scandinavian-inspired shoe brand, DANSKO, 51A, Full of noxious vapors, MIASMIC, and the always tasty 24D, Rice dish infused with saffron, PAELLA, to name 3, and those are the ones that didn't make the cut. The ones we discussed are even cooler, and to get the full 411, you know what to do - download, listen up, and enjoy!
A trickier Tuesday than usual, with a grid riddled with the likes of MALADROIT, the highly suspicious LINTY, and queen DIDO. Definitely not complaining, and the theme was particularly fabulous, definitely worth the price of admission. We have all the deets inside.
Also, it's Triplet Tuesday: will Mike rise to the occasion, sink like a stone, or none of the above? Download now and all will be revealed!
A delicious Monday crossword, not too difficult, but higher in calories than most puzzles -- witness the NOUGATBAR, BANANA, ORANGE, and NOODLEBOWLS that made it into today's grid. Nom, nom, nom!
The perfect memorial day weekend crossword, a salute to HONESTABE, aka Abraham Lincoln, as well as his memorial. This crossword was by Daniel Bodily and Jeff Chen, which accounts for it pegging the JAMCRmeter at 5 squares. Jean tore through this so quickly that her iPad melted, but -- speaking of melt -- Mike got natticked at the corner of 33D, Diner order, MELT (not MALT) and 41A, Actress Green of "Casino Royale", EVA (not AVA, as in AVA Duvernay). Natticks not withstanding, this was an extraordinarily good Sunday puzzle, and we have all the deets inside for you to check out.
A trying Saturday crossword ... which you should definitely try! The clues were crisp and only occasionally obscure (with all due respect to the award winning mathematician whose name -- in order to preserve at least some some semblance of mystery and intrigue -- we will not reveal here). Today's episode also features Fun Fact Friday (two fun facts, in fact: the first being that we forgot to do this yesterday!) and our awarding of the JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award), which goes to a highly deserving crossword family. Download, enjoy, and feel free to drop us a line (crosswordpodcast@icloud.com).
A gentler-than-usual Friday crossword, both Jean (as expected) and Mike (a complete and total surprise) got through it fairly expeditiously: a "smooth solve", in the argot of cruciverbalists. But gentle doesn't mean dull, on the contrary this crossword had plenty of fun clues to entertain and educate, and we have fun talking about them in today's podcast.
A great Thursday crossword by, presumably, a fan of Kenny Rogers -- the singer, not necessarily the restaurant. The theme was fun, the cluing crisp (just like what you might get at Kenny Rogers, the restaurant), and our only regret is that we have only 5 squares to give it on the JAMCR (Jean And Mike Crossword Rating) scale -- it will have to do. We also have a fascinating discussion of clue rankings, and one of the great ROSTRUM rhymes of the early 21st century, just waiting for you, right here.
Variant spelling, the bane of crossword solvers everywhere, is lurking in today's grid, ready to lure the unobservant into a cunning trap. Will it ensnare our heroic cohosts? Or will AMENRA, AMUNRA OR AMONRA (aka the god of variant spelling) come to their rescue? Download now to find out!
A run-of-the-mill Tuesday? Most definitely not, this is the NYTimes crossword we're talking about, after all! Rather, we have a splendid display of clever cruciverbial construction, involving furniture, musicals, and some high falutin words (excluding, unfortunately, high falutin, we're throwing that in at no extra charge) to keep you occupied and help expand your lexicon. All the deets -- as well as the outcome of today's Triplet Tuesday (the 3 most exciting minutes in podcasting) -- are here for the downloading, so do so and enjoy.
A marvelous Monday workout by Simon Marotte, with several answers that have appeared only rarely, and at least one that is a debut! We have all the deets, including a deep-dive into the origins of 40A, Basic trick at a skatepark, and the 3 magic letters that increase your chances of getting a puzzle published by an astonishing 0%. it all makes for a fascinating listen, if we do say so ourselves!
A dazzling display of cruciverbial daring-do, today's crossword by the Steinberg family is one that will surely have you awed, amazed, astounded, and many other words that don't necessarily start with a. We have all the deets inside, so download and enjoy!
A (19A, Chic) MODISH Saturday crossword - after all it did have (29D, Luxury attire for white-tie events) OPERACAPES, and the allegedly official snack of the NYTimes crossword, (15A, It's always black and white), OREOCOOKIE, yum!
Beyond that, clues like 17A, Che Guevara, when he wrote "Motorcycle Diaries", MEDSTUDENT, and 1A, Rolls dough, perhaps?, CARPAYMENT, made for a fun solve.
It's Saturday, and as tradition dictates, time for the JAMCOTWA - Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award. Who will it be? Saturday? Sunday? Monday? ... you get the idea. But to get the answer, you'll need to download and listen up!
A very nicely done Friday puzzle by Hal Moore, chockfull of fascinating clues and amusing misdirections. We've got most of those covered in today's episode -- as well as a fascinating fun fact for Fun Fact Friday™️, so we cordially invite you to download, play, and get ready to be amazed.
A curious Thursday theme, Jean was somewhat taken aback by it, although it had absolutely no effect on her as usual blisteringly fast solve time. There's a fascinating story there, and so to be regaled with the whole epic saga, just subscribe/download/enjoy!
Jean was able to piece together today's puzzle with great alacrity, whereas Mike just went to pieces in the top-left corner, having jigged when he should have jagged, so to speak, before he was able to finally SEETHEBIGPICTURE. A great crossword, we give it 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
Just a reminder that the New York Times Crossword would love to count you among their subscribers - go to nytimes.com/crosswords and they will do the rest: tell 'em Jean and Mike sent you!
A spritely crossword by Richard Allen, Jean cruised through it in no-time flat, Mike was temporarily STYMIEd as he made a SUBTLE error (literally, answering 38A, So as not to stand out, as SUBTLE, rather than SUBTLY). Still, it all worked out, eventually: and to hear all the deets, as well as to see how he fared on Triplet Tuesday - the 3 most exciting minutes in podcasting - we humbly beseech thee to downloadeth and enjoyeth today's episodeth, er, we mean episode.
A SIMILE-filled grid that's just right for a Monday, the best day of the week for novice crossword solvers to start honing their craft. We have all the deets inside, as well as an awesome bit of listener mail, so you know the drill: subscribe, play, and enjoy!
A delightful Sunday puzzle by Daniel Mauer, a nostalgic trip along THEMOTHERROAD, (21A, Nickname for ROUTESIXTYSIX coined by John Steinbeck). While Mike had scarcely heard of the thing, Jean lived right by it, and so will be your expert tour guide in our exploration of today's theme. Subscribe, download, enjoy!
A relatively easy Saturday crossword - Jean knows from personal experience, Mike knows because Jean told him. The fun factor -- heavily weighted in the complex computations that go into calculating the JAMCR score -- was particularly high, which is how this earned a stellar 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
Also, it's Saturday, time for the awarding of the JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award). Did your champion win? Download now to find out (and if you haven't already, subscribe, so you won't miss an episode!).
A tough Friday crossword, with Brooke Husic and Nam Jin Yoon combining to make for a fiendishly clever puzzle, with the verbal misdirections coming fast and furious in every corner. Consider: 52A, Blue book alternative, ADULTSITE; the glorious30A, Body with a floor, SEA, and Mike's favorite, 53D, Card display?, STL. Yikes!
In other news, it's Fun Fact Friday, and in today's episode we explore 13A, Facts-as-fiction work, ROMANACLEF. So to learn about that, as well as that and that and that (we're pointing at various places in the grid as we write these words), subscribe, download, and enjoy!
Ross Trudeau is at the helm, meaning we're in for a treat, and the great man does not disappoint -- with an LOL theme that you need to see (or hear) to believe your eyes (or ears). We have the deets, so download, and prepare to be blown away! [Not literally, unless you're in a very windy area, in which case we highly recommend that you get to shelter and then download today's podcast.]
A not-at-all shady crossword by Michael Paleos, as a quick ONCEOVER of the grid will REVeal. It did include a few TIL /R (Today I Learned/Remembered) moments (for Mike: Jean knows all) including 9D, Jazz piano style played by Fats Waller and Mary Lou Williams, STRIDE; the aforementioned 13D, Slim Shady by another name, EMINEM; and 8D, Island like Kiritimati, ATOLL.
Jean -- proving that it is no coincidence that the letters of her name, rearranged, spell omniscient -- breezed through today's puzzle; Mike got stuck on 22A, Connecticut Ivy Leaguer, momentarily bedazzled by the fact that Connecticut has a silent c lurking in its midst. Shocking!
A thoughtful Tuesday puzzler, not too difficult, and with some fun clues to entertain and educate. Jean momentarily forgot her blood types, and Mike momentarily forgot that EBEAMS are not a thing, but other than that our dynamic duo managed to make it through this puzzle unscathed.
It's Triplet Tuesday, and Jean's turn in the hot seat. Did she succeed? Or did the hot seat cause her to, ahem, flame out? All the deets are primed to get from our microphone to your ears, so download, listen up, and enjoy!
TOOBADFORYOU if you neglected to do this crossword, because it'd be sure to put you in a HAPPY mood, no JOKE! So much for the executive summary, if you want the full 411, we cordially invite you to download and listen up.
A terrific Sunday crossword, with a theme that literally halved the time required to figure out the themed clues. Jean got through expeditiously, no surprise there, but Mike shockingly managed to solve it on his first go round. Today's episode has all the deets, as well as listener mail 😀, so for guaranteed enjoyment, or your money cheerfully refunded, just hit download/subscribe, play, and enjoy!
It's Friday all over again: Jean tore through this crossword like nobody's business, and again Mike took approximately twice the time to get to the happy music. To quote Jean, when asked, "to what do you attribute your great success", she replied "it helps if you know the answers". Words of wisdom to live by!
Today is Saturday, which means it's time to award the coveted JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award). Was it a long-shot, like Sunday's? Perhaps the favorite, Thursday? To find out for sure, subscribe, download, and listen up!
An easy / incredibly difficult crossword, according to Jean / Mike, the former benefitting from having memorized Wikipedia, and the latter disadvantaged by having forgotten it (well, almost all of it, the exception being WAKANDA). All in all, a GEM of a crossword, and except for (or perhaps because of??) a few DREAR moments while one of the cohosts, aka Mike, struggled to get traction, a truly delightful puzzle. We give it a glowing 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
Another reminder that the NYTimes Crossword, at the top of its game, has no equal, and they're in fine form today -- where, to be specific, that fine form is a SPIRAL. We have all the deets on this dizzyingly impressive puzzle, so to get the 411, download, hit play, and enjoy.
A gentle Wednesday crossword, with a GLEEEEEEEful theme, an AVALANCHE of fun clues, overall a fun time. Highly recommended, 5 squares on the JAMCR (Jean And Mike Crossword Rating) scale, so if you haven't solved it yet ... do that first, and then download and listen to our blow-by-blow second.
An educational Tuesday offering by Julian Lim, including a refresher on Chinese dynasties (MING, TANG, CHIN, SUI and HAN, to name 5), the fact that DIMES (presumably American) are 1.35 mm thick, and a reminder that NORI is a type of seaweed that goes around sushi. Now you know. There were other fine bits as well, download today's 100%-ad-free-podcast for all the deets.
Erik Agard is a legend in the crossword world, and even on a Monday, where there are arguably fewer opportunities to demonstrate one's crossword constructing chops, he manages to do so anyway. How, you ask? Well, we have a comprehensive, stem-to-stern report on today's grid, so just download, subscribe, and enjoy!
Opinions were divided on today's puzzle -- Jean found it a snap, Mike, alas, found it a much bumpier road, done in by his lack of knowledge of basketball, northern New Jersey cities, and the Salt-N-Pepa back catalog. Still, a decent crossword, we give it a 4.5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
A sly Saturday stumper by veteran crossword constructor Joe DiPietro, with some really tricky corners, and, come to think of it, a grid full of cruciverbal traps. We have all the deets, as well as the winner of this week's JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award) just waiting for you, so hit download then hit play for an episode that we hope hits the spot.
Today's crossword, by first-timer Erica Hsiung Wojcik, was a real workout, with some great/humbling clues like 42D, Tonal language family, BANTU, 20A, Romeo and Juliet, e.g., TEENAGERS, and 24D, It's on the road again, USEDVEHICLES, that made you sweat, and when you figured them out (if you did), grin: in short, perfect Friday fare.
Definitely 5 squares on the JAMCR scale!
A terrific Thursday crossword, with a fabulous theme the likes of which has never been seen before! At least certainly not in recent memory. We don't want to spoil the surprise, so try the crossword first, and then check back for our analysis. Suffice it to say, this deserves a very enthusiastic 5 squares on the JAMCR scale
A fine Wednesday crossword by Alex Bajcz, and if you like pinball games, doubly so. There was much to like in today's grid, with fun clues like 1A, One inclined to go in and out, RAMP (nice!); 31D, Drollery, WIT (drollery, truly one of the great words of the ... 17th century?); and of course 21A, County north of the Firth of Forth, FIFE (of course it is). So hat's off to today's constructor, we give this a 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
A blast-from-the-past, with a handful of rock bands from the 70s and 80s, deftly woven into the grid with great APLOMB. We liked it ... a lot, and give it 5 squares on the JAMCR scale. In other news, it's Triplet Tuesday, so to find out how Jean fared, hit download, or better yet, subscribe, and start listening ASAP!
A nice Monday crossword, the perfect palette cleanser after yesterday's epic battle (for one of us, no prize for guessing which). It was a debut for Li Ding, and hopefully we'll see more of him in the future! Today's episode also features the exciting debut of a new catchphrase -- so if you want the origin story and/or be able to tell your grandchildren you were there when the catchphrase was born -- all you need to do is download and listen up.
An easy/ludicrously-difficult crossword, according to Jean/Mike. Also a controversial one, according to the massive number of comments that this generated on Word Play (the NYTimes column for discussing NYTimes Crosswords, highly recommended). We have our own take, and we'd be curious to get your take on it too: crosswordpodcast@icloud.com.
A relatively straightforward Saturday puzzle, at least compared to the Mt. Everest level-of-difficulty of last week. It was by no means easy, but clues like 1D, They might smell fishy, CATTREATS, and 33D, It goes hand to hand, CLAP, were balanced by clues like 8D, Beat, TIRED, and 40A, Peter Pan alternative, JIF.
In other news, we've picked this week's JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award), and we're sure you'll either agree with us ... or not 😀
Friday crosswords are meant to try one's souls, and by that standard today's puzzle by Daniel Sheremeta was a smashing success. Jean loped through it in decent time, whereas Mike, solving in tai-chi mode, took just a tad bit longer.
That's not to take away from this fine puzzle, however - assuredly a 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
A very nice Thursday crossword, with a brilliant theme (well, some of the time: at others you can't see it at all). And if that last sentence didn't appear to make sense, fear not, all will be revealed when you download and listen up!
A slightly more intense crossword than usual, the cost, perhaps, of having to squeeze in 4 names that contribute to an awesome theme. Our themestress ™️ Jean has all the deets, so to find out what that theme was, and where all the particularly crunchy bits of this crunchy crossword lay, just download and hit play.
An educational Tuesday puzzle, with such enlightening clues as 46D, Only mortal Gorgon in Greek myth, MEDUSA; 67A, Disney heroine whose name means "ocean", MOANA; and the curious 51D, Attempting to, casually, TRYNA. There was also a theme, about which our head themestress ™️, aka Jean, has much to say. Of course it's Triplet Tuesday: will Mike make a fool of himself, or merely ... make a fool of himself? Download now, and all will be revealed!
A marvelous Monday crossword, a CHALLENGE in spots, but pleasingly LIGHT on pop culture, EYEROLL! Jean and Mike both found it took a wee bit longer than usual for a Monday, but was still eminently doable, and worthy of 5 squares on the still, remarkably, unconstrained-by-supply-chain-shortages JAMCR scale.
A terrific Sunday crossword. Constructors love to plant little easter eggs as rewards for the keen-eyed, but today's easter eggs were especially on the nose because they were ... wait for it ... easter eggs! Rather a lot of them, in fact. Intriguing? Want to know more? The answer lies within, so download and enjoy!
A grueling Saturday crossword, the sneaky-clue meter was pegging all over the grid. Jean hit a sticky wicket in the top-left, while Mike's unfamiliarity with vodka -- he knows how to spell it, and has a vague recollection that it is odorless, but that's about it -- left him bereft in the southwest corner. There were some great clues in today's grid, though, and you can hear all about them by clicking Play (or subscribe, as you see fit) right now!
An eXcellent Friday crossword, with a grid that is just overflowing, almost, with X's, and also features a remarkable dearth of black squares. Jean found today's puzzle to be an entertaining solve, and Mike found that he didn't know how to spell PYRANEES, um, we mean PYRENEES (whew!). For all the deets, as well as today's Fun-Fact-Friday fact, we cordially invite you to download and listen up!
An appetizing Thursday puzzler by Ashish Vengsarkar and Narayan Venkatasubramanyan: the clever clues come thick and fast, the theme comes extra crunchy, all in all a delicious mid-week treat. For all the deets, and some fascinating analysis you will, we promise, not find anywhere else, download and listen up!
ROSHAMBO might sound like a cross between a religious holiday and a Sylvester Stallone film, but it is not: rather it is the name of a game that you have likely played many times in your life, but might not have ever heard of by this name. Take a guess, then take a listen, to see if you got it right.
ODDS are you'll find today's crossword a good 'un, with a LIGHT, diverting theme, but with multiple OHO moments that hopefully won't have you saying OYVEY when enlightenment does strike. For a full discussion, and to see how Jean fared on Triplet Tuesday, you know the drill! Download and listen up.
A slightly crunchier than usual Monday puzzle, and the debut for crossword constructor Rachel Simon. Both Jean and Mike ran into a few potholes on the road to success, but managed to eke out the win -- albeit in nowhere near their stretch goal of a 5 minute crossword. Want all the deets? Of course you do, so download now and enjoy!
If you like anagrams, you'll love today's crossword -- an incredible feat of cruciverbal engineering that really has to be seen to be believed. If you've done the crossword, you've already seen it: if not, wander over to xwordinfo.com to see the grid in all its glory.
Exciting news on the JAMDTNYTC swag front - we will be giving away a free subscription to the New York Times crossword to the first person to email us, at crosswordpodcast.com. So fire up that email client and get ready for a year's worth of puzzle-solving pleasure, on us.
Usually, Jean & Mike, solving independently, have a somewhat similar experience when working on the crossword. Today was not one of those days. For all the deets, as well as to learn who won the JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award), we cordially invite you to download and listen up.
A peg-the-difficulty-meter Friday crossword, Caitlin Reid not only pulls out all the stops, she rips them to shreds and then buries them where nobody can find them! But we went spelunking, and META with some success, so to hear what we discovered, download and enjoy!
A fun Thursday crossword, because Lucy Howard and Ross Trudeau don't know how to write any other, and for that we are truly grateful. Need proof? We've got it in spades, just download and listen up for all the deets!
A fun Wednesday crossword by Damon Gulczynski, who is undoubtedly a stickler when it comes to punctuation. To see why we make that bold assertion, and to enjoy a light hearted conversation in which we guarantee that every punctuation mark is exactly where it should be, just download and, listen up.
It is a little known fact that any crossword with HOLDMYBEER in the grid automatically earns 5 squares on the JAMCR scale, and so it is with great pride and only a tinge of wry humor that we announce that today's crossword has earned that rare honor! We have much more to say about today's crossword, to find out what that is (and to enjoy Mike's struggles during Triplet Tuesday™️), download and listen up!
A straightforward Monday for those schooled in the spelling of dinosaur names; a slightly more arduous task for those who were not. Regardless, it's the journey that counts, and to hear how ours went, all you need to do is click / tap download to get the full travelog.
We are back after a brief unexpected hiatus due to some logistical problems. And what a crossword to come back to! Jean persevered, Mike went, like 7A, "... and it flopped", PFFT, as his usually near-eidetic memory when it comes to mid-20th century naturalists failed him ... the name was ADAMSON, not ALAMSON. For all the gory details, we highly recommend you download, and listen up.
In today's war between velar nasal and alveolar nasal, good ol' al was the victor, as many g's were sacrificed in the making of today's pun-riddled grid. Some of the clues were quite fresh: 19A, Preserve, as ashes, INURN, and 22D, Philosopher Zeno's birthplace, ELEA -- were definitely new to our dynamic duo, but those PUNS? Oh, YEAH!
Today's crossword is right down to business, and while the more pedantic might argue that it is, technically speaking, right across to business, we not only stand by our statement but maintain that it might be the germ of a future crossword theme. In the meantime, this crossword also had a theme, which you'll surely want to make your business: so download, listen up and, as usual, enjoy!
A fairly straightforward Monday: Jean came tantalizingly close to breaking the 5-minute barrier, while Mike ... did not. For the deets, as in who knew what when, and who thought that CANON should be spelled with 2 N's, we cordially invite you to subscribe / download / enjoy.
We're back! After a week on the French Riviera (or possibly Green Bay, they are easily confused). Speaking of confused, today's crossword was a doozie, with a Pyramid, a Pharaoh, and much, much, more. We've got all the analysis you've been craving inside, so download and enjoy!
Saturdays are generally regarded as the toughest crosswords of the week, and today's is an exemplar: but like the best of the Saturdays, it does not flood the grid with cultural references, but just uses witty cluing. Who cannot but applaud clues such as 20D, Something often seen with trunks, BARECHEST? Or 37A, Came out of the blue?, CHEEREDUP? Those are just a few of a bevy of brilliant clues and answers.
Next week we are on hiatus, but fortunately our entire back catalog is available for you to work through: in the meantime, keep working on those crosswords, and we'll be back next Sunday.
Today's crossword was a toughie. Both Jean & Mike flailed about in the northwest corner, where some deliciously EVIL (and we say that in the best possible sense of the word, and also because EVIL happened to be one of the answers!) cluing made for a hard slog. The rest of the grid was no cakewalk either, but still, we like a challenge, and doff our hats to the constructors, and would rate this a definite 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
A highly satisfactory Thursday offering, with a brilliant theme, and the sort of terrifically crisp cluing that suggests Jeff Chen is involved. This is definitely a 5 squares on the JAMCR scale, and to find out what it takes to get into that rarefied echelon, download / subscribe / enjoy!
Today's crossword was just ducky! And not that we're trying to SHIRK our responsibility, but in order to AVOID any spoiler alerts, and DODGE controversy, we will eschew any further references to a theme that is guaranteed to quack you up!
A fun Tuesday crossword, with a witty theme. Jean tore through the crossword in 10:10, Mike, naticked by 55A, Gymnast Aly with three Olympic gold medals, RAISMAN, intersecting 52D, Christine of "The Blacklist", LAHTI, fared ... well, not well, but he's done (waaaaaaaaay) worse. For all the deets, as well as the outcome of today's Triplet Tuesday, download/subscribe/enjoy.
Any crossword that manages to bring the likes of STEVEURKEL, KIMMYGIBBLER, WILSONWILSON, and FREDROGERS into one grid has to be applauded, and we are happy to oblige! For all the deets, just subscribe and/or download and/and enjoy.
A Sunday crossword that Loki would've approved of, the grid was brimming with tricky word puzzles. Mike somehow got through it, but it was touch-and-go for the longest time, and the longest time was just how much he spent on this crossword! Fortunately, we have prepared a précis just for you (and all the crossword aficionados in your life).
A challenging Saturday crossword ... Jean had to dig deeply into her encyclopedic knowledge of, well, everything, to claw her way to victory, and Mike, well, JEEPERSCREEPERS! And to explain what that's about, as well as all the other really, really fine clues in today's crossword, all you need to do is subscribe / download / listen up.
A Robyn Weintraub Friday crossword, it's the equivalent of comfort food for crossword aficionados: not too hard, not too easy, and always amusing. We have the deets, as well as a fabulous fun fact for Fun Fact Friday, in our hot-off-the-presses episode.
A solid effort by John Westwig: Jean liked it slightly more than Mike, who was disappointed in the presence of HOSER and the absence of PASTEYMAN as a DC Comics supervillain. Still, it's hard to stay mad at any crossword that manages to work SCHWA into the grid: we give it a 4.5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
Perhaps not the most New York Times Crossword ever, but the theme definitely puts it in the running, as a celebration of a certain punctuation mark (that we will refrain from mentioning here to build suspense and wonder as you prepare to listen to the podcast).
Just a reminder that while the New York Times Crossword is definitely not easy, subscribing to it is: visit nytimes.com/crosswords and tell 'em Jean and Mike sent you.
Today's crossword is a tribute to International Women's Day, with a noble salute to salutary women, in particular, those who have won the Nobel Prize. While not all of those listed may be household names, they deserve to be, for all that they have done to change the world.
In other news, it's Triplet Tuesday, and Jean again demonstrates her uncanny familiarity with rappers, of both the musical and gum-wrapping variety.
A middle-of-the-road Monday crossword, and as is always the case we have to ask: did Jean break the 5-minute barrier, or did her keyboard melt under the strain of her rapid typing? To find out, you'll have to do what multitudes have done before ye: download and listen up!
A very busy Sunday crossword, with a tradition-breaking grid, a whole slew of OOOOOOOOOOOOO's, and an arcade / gambling game of Japanese origin. There's definitely a lot to unpack, so grab your favorite beverage and podcast app and gather round ... we have a story to tell!
A tough Saturday crossword. Jean got waylaid in the bottom right corner, while Mike basically did the crossword twice, replacing his instinctive and usually fabulously incorrect first guess with something that oft times tended to be somewhat closer to the correct answer.
In other news, we've combed through the week's crosswords to find the very best, and to find out who won this week's JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword of the Week Award) and much more, you are cordially invited to download and enjoy!
Opinions were divided on today's crossword. Jean, abetted by her vast Wikipedia-like knowledge of everything, breezed through it, whereas Mike, impeded by his lack of knowledge of just about everything except the phrase "I before E, except after C" -- which turned out to be of only limited assistance -- had to dig deeply to get to the finish line. Still, we both liked the crossword and give it a 5 squares on the ol' JAMCR scale.
An unusual and highly entertaining Thursday crossword with a most noteworthy theme (and we're not just talking about the FRENCRNS). Incidentally, if you thought that there was a typo in that last sentence, then this would be an excellent time to download today's episode so you can be disabused of that notion!
A nice Wednesday puzzler by Dylan Schiff, with an amusing theme, crisp cluing, and an opportunity to use TROPE in a sentence - who could ask for more? For all the deets on what surely must be 5 squares on the JAMCR scale, may we recommend that you download, listen up, and enjoy!
This crossword was clearly a celebration of MARDIGRAS and the BIGEASY, albeit with some answers that were neither particular big (e.g., 11D, St. Charles or Esplanade, AVENUE) nor easy (e.g., 37D, Cajun shellfish-over-rice dish, ETOUFFEE). Even 34A, Celebration with king cakes, MARDIGRAS, eluded Mike for a time, as MARRIAGES looked so promising ... until it didn't. In other news, it's Triplet Tuesday, and the MARDIGRAS kid is at the bat. Will he swing for the fences, or just hit himself in the kneecap? Tune in to find out!
Another crunchier-than-usual Monday crossword, with a few words and phrases that might send CHINCHILLAs, er, we mean chills, up one's spine -- we're looking at you, OKEFENOKEE (if that's your real name). Still, the intrepid duo persevered, and to hear about all their derring-do, do dare to download and listen up to today's podcast.
A stupendous Sunday solve, with some of the most superb anagram answers in recent memory. This puzzle definitely pegged the JAMCR-meter, and to find out precisely why, merely download and listen up.
A slightly easier-than-usual Saturday crossword -- still with plenty of bite, but both Jean and Mike concurred that they'd seen harder crosswords earlier in the week. There was some great clueing - 11D, Person you're in with, CELLMATE (and its counterpart, 35D, Was in prison, DIDTIME); 35A, End of a waiting list?, DESSERTMENU; 34D, It makes waves, SEAWATER; and much, much more.
In other news, it's Saturday, time to reflect back and award the JAMCOTWA - Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award). Who's the big winner? The answer is as close as your download button.
A fine fun-filled Friday effort by Demon Gulczynski that deftly threads that fine line between too easy and mind-bogglingly difficult. This puzzle had something for everyone: 16A, One leader of the Army of the Potomac, MEADE, for fans of American history; 53A, Dugout, e.g., CANOE, for fans of watercraft; 5D, Chief inspiration for the Mannerist style of art, MICHAELANGELO, for fans of fine art. We are fans, too, and so give it a 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
Jean tore through today's crossword like nobody's business, while Mike ran into a spot of botheration in the top-left corner, having convinced himself that AABBQS was a real thing. There is a perfectly good reason for this, of course, and to find out what that was, and how he eventually unconvinced himself, may we recommend that you tap the big ol' download button and then the bigger, older play button, and enjoy.
A straightforward Wednesday crossword, a very nice debut by constructor Rose Conlon. Jean had just one minor sticking point and it was Mike's best time of the week. For all the deets, all you need to do is download and enjoy!
TWO is often cited as the loneliest number, but not in this crossword, which is teeming with them. The crossword was a little crunchier than normal, with you-should-have-paid-more-attention-in-school clues like 26A, ___________ Ghiberti, sculptor of Florence's Gates of Paradise, LORENZO, and 42A, Beowulf's first combatant, GRENDEL. A nice crossword overall, we give it a 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
In other news, Jean is in the hot seat for Triplet Tuesday, a good thing since the rest of Northeast Wisconsin is in a deep freeze! How'd she do? Download and all will be revealed.
The reviews were mixed on this one. Jean thought it a typical Monday, but Mike encountered an ocean of natticks (ok, two, although it seemed like more) in the top-left corner. On the plus side he did set a record for longest indoor Mac Book Pro throw (25' 4"), so there is that.
Remember that we love to get listener feedback - just drop us a line at crosswordpodcast@icloud.com.
A bilingual crossword! OK, perhaps that's a bit of an exaggeration, but French words do pop up even more than usual in today's grid, and for a good cause. The entire grid, come to think of it, was well done, with lots of fun cluing, and it did manage to hit that sweet spot, being not too hard, nor too easy, but juuuuust right. We approve, and give it an enthusiastic cinq squares on the JAMCR scale.
Although GENIUSLEVEL shows up in the crossword, by Saturday NYTimes Crossword standards this was more of an EXTREMELYBRIGHTLEVEL crossword, with some great clueing, a cool looking grid design, and a reference to Mike's favorite band. To find out who that is, and more significantly, who was the winner of this week's JAMCOTWA, you know the drill -- download and listen up!
A slightly tricky Friday crossword: Jean was, ALAS, temporarily mired in the bottom-left corner, and Mike got slightly HUFFY when he couldn't figure out the answer to 9A, Irritated, HUFFY. But both rallied, and emerged from the struggle, if not unscathed, just slightly scathed. For all the deets, or perhaps we should say, for all the TEA, download and listen up!
Let the trumpets sound, let the banners fly, it is time for celebration because this episode marks the start of the 4th season of Jean And Mike Do The New York Times Crossword! Thanks, loyal listeners, we are in your debt, and promise to have even more cutting edge analysis, maybe a new feature or two, and guarantee that we will never have any more advertisers than we have now (that would be ... approximately ... zero!)
And now we're officially out of room, so to hear everything that there is to hear about today's podcast (did we mention, it's the first episode, season 4??), just download and listen up!
An extra crunchy Wednesday crossword, both Jean and Mike flailed about in the northeast corner waiting for their respective muses to chip in with an answer or two. Unfortunately muses are notoriously fickle, as likely to sit in their tents and sulk as join in the fray. Did they eventually wade in? Or did our dynamic duo suffer the ignominy of defeat? To find out, all you have to do is download and enjoy!
Any crossword that references Sponge Bob Square Pants is bound to be good -- and this one definitely falls in that category. It was a Tuesday, so the difficulty level was set to simmer, but there were enough crunchy clues to make it fun.
In other news, it's Triplet Tuesday, and on today's episode Mike attempts to make up for the shellacking he suffered last time. Did he succeed? Or did he once again go down in flames? To find out, all you need to do is hit the big ol' download button (or, if you haven't already, the big ol' subscribe button) and enjoy.
A robust Monday crossword, with a few clues -- 55A, Cocktail favored by Carrie Bradshaw on "Sex and the City", COSMO; Mike's favorite, 6D, Cask makers, COOPERS; and Jean's favorite, 23D, ______ walsy, (chummy), PALSY -- that were particularly SALIENT (if we may dip into Sunday's answers for a moment). We liked it, nay, this is Valentine's Day, we loved it! -- and give it a 5 squares on the JAMCR (Jean And Mike Crossword Rating) scale as a consequence.
A lovely crossword from David Steinberg, and we don't use that word often or lightly: to find out why it's so appropriate here, you'll have to do what multitudes have done before you -- download and listen up.
While the answer HAH! wasn't actually in today's crossword, it certainly was hovering nearby, because between the curious spellings of 30A, Russian dumpling, PIROGI, and 58A, Condiment made with peanuts, SATESAUCE, the presence of 29D, Noted spelling expert, MERLIN, was apt to trigger that reaction. For all the deets, as well as the winner of today's JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award™️), just download and enjoy!
An interesting Friday crossword - 6 15-letter answers, 3 at top, 3 at the bottom, a sight that can inspire a SHUDDER or two, and for good reason. But if one remembers 36D, "Just try to be calm...", BREATHE, then a WIN is possible. Did it happen hear? Or did the dynamic duo go down in metaphoric flames? To find out, all you need to do is download and listen up.
This has been a very good week for New York Times crosswords, and this great Thursday crossword by August Miller keeps the streak alive, with a very inventive theme that shows a real ... eye for detail. And once you've listened to today's podcast, you'll find that last sentence to be a real knee-slapper, trust us!
There's something slightly ... well, actually, quite fishy about today's crossword, which is a fine example of what crosswords should do -- entertain, educate, and make you want to go undersea exploring. OK, that third point might not be quite right in the general case, but it certainly does apply in today's fine oeuvre by veteran crossword constructor Grant Thackeray. For all the deets, download and listen up!
A NEAT Tuesday crossword by a TRIO of constructors. There was a nice intersection -- 59A, Longtime Nabisco cookie [force], NEWTON, crossing 53D, Some members of the family Salamandridae, NEWTS; and some fun facts -- which we'd tell you here, but we'd rather have you hear -- so hit the ol' Enlightenment button (aka Download) and enjoy!
An educational Monday crossword, with references to famous Spanish directors (1A, Director Almodóvar, PEDRO), the Spanish word for island, (34A, Ibiza, e.g., to a Spaniard, ISLA), and a gadget that we had no idea needed inventing, but clearly did (17A, Good accessory for the owner of a shedding dog, LINTROLLER). For all this and more we give it 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
For sci-fi fans, today's crossword will surely rekindle the debate - which was the better franchise, STARWARS or STARTREK. Stephen McCarthy answers it brilliantly. How did he do it? Consider these show notes a cliffhanger, and to get resolution, download and listen up to today's fine installment.
A tough, tough Saturday crossword by Kameron Austin Collins. Saturday's are traditionally the toughest crossword of the week, and Kameron barely holds back. For example ... 28D, Majors, say, BRASS, 50A, Gets tight, TENSES, and 31D, One way to put on a coat, PAINTGUN, are just a sampling of what's in store. For the complete blow-by-blow, along with the announcement of this week's JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award), hit the big ol' Subscribe (and/or Download) button and enjoy!
Lots of interesting factoids in today's crossword - 38A, Nickname of 6'9" NFL great Ed Jones, TOOTALL; 14A, Ben & Jerry's sundae with an estimated 14,000 calories, VERMONSTER; and our favorite, 32D, "America's Missing: Broadcasting Emergency Response" vis-à-vis Amber Alert, e.g., BACKRONYM. In another news, it's Fun Fact Friday, and Jean lives up to the promise by delivering a truly fun fact. For all that and more, all you need to do is download and listen up!
Oooh, a tough Thursday, or should we say lough lhursday? (That will make a whole lot more sense once you hear the episode). Curiously, language played a role in both of our dynamic puzzle-solving duos difficulties. Jean had a spot of bother due to her rusty Hindi skills, and Mike's non-existent Italian almost doomed him for a second time this week (see the ROME v. ROMA fiasco from Tuesday). Still, we rate this a major success, agonizing but definitely a 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
A terrific mid-week crossword by Meredith Colton Hazy, with a rebus that Jean actually enjoyed. How can that be? To find out, and to discover the origin story of Groundhog-Crossword Day, soon to be a motion picture by Joel and Ethan Coen, you know what to do ... download and listen up!
A festive Tuesday crossword by Zhouqin Burnikel, who gives us a 5 country tour of New Year's names. Jean tore through the crossword in 9 minutes ... Mike managed to do it in over 4 times that, yes, it's a gift. In other news, Mike outdid himself (but not in a good way) in Triplet Tuesday. For all the deets, download and listen up.
A crunchier than usual Monday offering, so if you found it a bit more of a challenge than usual you are not alone! We have a theory as to why that might be the case, and to see whether or not you agree with our conjecture, you'll have to download and osmose today's podcast: so ... get osmosing!
PSST, today's crossword is filed with TRICKS designed to UNNERVE and generally RAISEHAVOC, courtesy of the BADDEST crossword constructor around, Ross Trudeau. So SWITCHON your favorite podcast app, and enjoy today's episode!
Just a reminder that if you want to follow along and haven't solved the puzzle, you can find the filled in grid, and clues, at xwordinfo.com -- highly recommended!
A great Saturday crossword, with scores of misdirection masterpieces, the likes of which have not been seen since ... well, last week, maybe the week before, let's just say in recent memory. For a quick précis of the best of the best, as well as to the unveiling of the JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword of The Week Award) winner, you know précisely, er, precisely what to do ... download and listen up!
Jean made short work of today's crossword, completing it so quickly that her iPad almost ignited. Mike's, meanwhile, was mainly at risk of becoming obsolete by the time he finished. Still both, veni, vedi, and veci'ed, and for all the deets (in the original Latin, no less!), download and listen up.
Today marks a once-in-a-blue-moon event, the New York Times, absolutely, definitely, made a mistake in the grid. Jean didn't notice, and so solved the puzzle with her usual swiftness, whereas Mike threw in rebuses to try and compensate, and it didn't end well. For all the details about this minor cruciverbial melee, check out this exciting episode!
A fairly gentle Wednesday crossword, if you got it done ASAP, well, then, CONGRATULATIONS, but if not, well, CONGRATULATIONS anyway for giving it the ol' college CHAI, er, try!
What happens when board games collide? You get a great excuse for a number of punny clues, and Ray and Ellen Brunsberg take full advantage of this in today's very nice - 5 squares on the JAMCR scale nice - puzzle. For all the deets (as well as the opportunity to hear how Jean fared this Triplet Tuesday), download and listen up.
The timing of this crossword - hot on the heels of The Most Exciting Football Game Of All Time - was impeccable, and the puzzle itself was nothing to sneeze at, either. There were some very nice crosses -- 5A, Top celebs, ALIST, intersected 8D, Breakout movie role, say, STARTURN; 31A, U.K. Award, OBE, crossed 17D, Obi-Wan _____ (Jedi master), KENOBI; and one more, which, because a certain amount of suspense is good for the complexion, we will not mention here (but do in today's episode).
JUSTRELAX is not only the answer to 26D, "Easy ... everything's going to be OK", it's also a natural reaction to seeing the authors of today's puzzle, Nancy Stark and Will Nediger, two veteran crossword constructors who have packed today's grid with scads of punny themed answers. Intrigued? We thought you might be, so just hit the handy-dandy download button (or better yet, the handier-dandier subscribe button) and enjoy!
Some serious MENTALGYMNASTICS were required to finish today's crossword, with the northeast being particularly troublesome. Jean managed to do the crossword in a decent time, whereas Mike eventually hid the timer, it was just that painful ... er, fun, yes, that's it, fun! Seriously it was, and to find out why, as well as which crossword won the highly coveted JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award), download and listen up to today's episode.
A great Friday crossword - Jean flailed about a bit in the bottom-left and -center regions, while Mike at one point desperately tried to stretch out the answer to 40A, Bulb units, as WATTTS (as opposed to the correctly spelled LUMENS). In other news, it's Fun Fact Friday, so to improve your mind, as well as (it's been scientifically proven) make yourself more attractive to whatever gender you wish to be more attractive to, download and listen up to today's episode.
Today's crossword was a very smooth solve, some might even say it was a Tuesday or Wednesday crossword that had snuck into a Thursday slot. Bereft of rebuses and with just a few verbal fireworks raises the question -- is Will Shortz preparing to unleash a Friday crossword the likes of which have never been seen? Perhaps an entire grid of white squares?? Stay tuned, we'll find out (and reveal all) in tomorrow's action-packed episode!
There was a lot of food and food for thought, in today's grid. In addition to those mentioned in the podcast, MALTS, TOAST, OATS and ROLL (singular, after all the other food we could only eat one) made an appearance, so definitely a weighty and delicious puzzle. Yum!
A cornucopia of corny clues awaits the solver of today's puzzle, which Jean found to be a bit thornier than usual for a Tuesday, and Mike nearly SWOONED at the prospect of TWOINKMINIMUMS: but both of the intrepid duo managed to persevere. To get all the deets, as well as see how Mike fared in an epic Triplet Tuesday, all you need to do is download and listen up!
A fun Monday crossword, with a clever, some might even say LOL theme, as well as enough interesting other clues to definitely warrant a 5 square rating on the JAMCR scale. Will that be enough to win the coveted JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award)? Too early to tell, but it's definitely in contention!
In today's crossword, the NYTimes has generously given us two crosswords for the price of one - a standard Sunday crossword, with a cryptic-crossword buried within. Fortunately, you don't need mad cryptic-crossword skills in order to solve this, because the crosses are, as is often the case, there to save the day. For all the deets on this delicious Sunday treat, check out today's episode, it's sweet!
In today's episode, Jean describes the stages of crossword solving ... from Disbelief to Elation, and a few others in between. To find out what those are, which crossword won the prestigious JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword of The Week Award), and for a deep dive into today's grid, just download and listen up!
A Friday crossword with Sid Sivakumar in the byline (as well as Matthew Stock) is often cause for quaking of knees and gnashing of teeth, but while they ratcheted back the difficulty (just a tad), the cluing was just as brilliant. Clearly, 40D, Bath water unit, LITRE, deserves a standing ovation, and 46A, Abbr. near zero, OPER, also is worth a hoot and a holler. Beyond our usual keen-eyed analysis, it's also Fun-Fact-Friday, so get ready to be edutained!
A tough Thursday crossword ... for one of the cohosts, and long time listeners will have no trouble figuring out who. SPOILERLERT -- he's the one with the wild TOE. And to understand that reference, you'll have to do what you've been itching to do since this sentence began many aeons ago, i.e., download and listen up to today's episode.
Adam Aaronson is baaaack! Just a few weeks after his JAMCOTWA*-winning AA crossword, he returns with a Wednesday offering that is also definitely in the running for this week's award. To find out why, and to decide for yourself whether or not he is worthy, we invite you to carefully scrutinize the evidence, alà Father Brown, as laid out in today's podcast.
*Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award
A nice Tuesday crossword, because a) Ross Trudeau's the constructor, and b) Will Shortz is the editor. In today's episode, we spotlight an R&B singer definitely worth checking out, and marvel at Jean's prowess during Triplet Tuesday. For all this and more, download and listen up!
Today's crossword had a stealthy theme, but Jean ferreted it out, whereas Mike, bereft of a liberal arts education, assumed that the theme involved medical care (ADA, CDC, and YOGA, to be precise, which Mike almost never is). For all the deets, all you have to do is download and listen up.
Just a reminder ... the New York Times Crossword is terrifically fun, but not terrifically priced, and they would love to have you subscribe. Just go to nytimes.com/crosswords and tell 'em that Jean & Mike sent you!
Opinions are divided on today's crossword - Jean found it easy, finishing it in 45 minutes, while Mike ... got natticked at the corner of 51A, 1997 pop hit withy a nonsensical refrain, MMMBOP, and 33D, Westernmost sch. in Conference USA, UTEP (as opposed to MMMBOX, a popular restaurant in the UAE and UTEX, a non-existent university).
For more on today's episode (not brought to you by MMMBOX, but we are certainly open to sponsorships!), download and enjoy.
Today's crossword, with an ocean of white squares and ergo a ridiculously small number of black ones, was, at first blush, a daunting sight, but upon closer inspection it turned out to be ... still daunting: but keeping in mind the adage, STEADYASSHEGOES, along with the caution to take a rest when you're TOOTIREDTOTHINK, it turned out to be doable (barely). For all the deets, download and enjoy!
A fun Friday crossword, par for the course when Robyn Weintraub is at the helm, but that's the only predictable part of the grid. With clues like 1D, Story that goes above your head?, ATTIC, and 32D, They can be felt, PENS, it is no wonder that today's crossword earned a perfect 5 squares on the JAMCR scale, and if Siskel & Ebert were still int he biz they'd undoubtedly give it a 2 thumbs, way up!
Rebuses, collective nouns, and a reference to Elmer FUDD -- a just about perfect crossword, and when you toss in the susseration of scandal, well, that just pushes it over the edge! For all the juicy deets, just hit the big download button (or better yet, the subscribe button), and enjoy!
Regardless of whether you're a HALFEMPTY or HALFFULL sort of person, this crossword is guaranteed to EXALT, and we could WAX eloquent about it all night, but we'd rather let you get right to today's episode and ... enjoy!
Although crosswords with quotes can be tricky and sometimes a tad annoying (if you don't know the quote, it can be a long slog), we'll give this one a pass because it is a quote by the godmother of the New York Times crossword and one of our heroes, the original puzzle editor, MARGARETFARRAR. 👏🏼👏🏼
As we (continue to) say ADIOS to 2021, even though we lack the powers of a MINDREADER or SEER, we have a GUTFEELING that 2022 will, like its predecessor, be ALLOVERTHEPLACE, news-wise.
Some crosswords are just joyous, and this is one of them , bubbling with funny and punny clues everywhere you turn -- and as you'll see when you listen to today's episode, it's contagious!
Happy new year, everyone! The NYTimes celebrated by providing a real WINNER of a crossword, of that we are SERTA -- although as far as the JAMCOTWA (Jean and Mike Crossword of the Week Award) is concerned, it lost out, so to find out who did win the award, and why (along with some great listener mail), hit download, play, and enjoy.
There were plenty of fireworks in this New Year's Eve crossword, some sparkling clues, and some brilliant answers (as always). Jean tore through it in good time, Mike took it a bit more sedately but still managed to emerge victorious. For all the deets, and a fascinating fun fact for Fun Fact Friday, download and listen up.
On this New Year's Eve Eve, we have a fine crossword by John Ewbank -- starting with that always tricky question when it comes to 1A, Flatbread from India -- is it NAAN or ROTI? (today it's ROTI) all the way to the slippery 68A, Coaster, SLED. Jean had to dig for the answer to 39A, Sounder, SANER, while Mike felt slightly vertiginous parsing 52D, Have because of, OWETO -- but fortunately he always solves crosswords sitting down, and recovered quickly.
The perfect Wednesday crossword -- fun theme, some slightly tricky and in some cases LOL clues, who could ask for anything more? To find out precisely why it deserves all this praise, you know what to do -- download and listen up!
A reminder that these podcasts are easier to follow if you have the solved crossword in hand. If you don't, wander over to xwordinfo.com to see the clues and completed grid -- and tell 'em Jean & Mike sent ya!
Opinions are divided on today's crossword - Jean thought it fine, and tore through it in about 7 minutes, whereas Mike didn't even understand the theme, and only managed to eke out a victory by channeling his deep knowledge of Cuban dance moves. In other news, it's Triplet Tuesday, so to hear Jean strut her stuff, intellectually speaking, all you need to do is download and listen up.
Adam Aaronson apparently looked within for inspiration, because today's grid is chock-full of answers that start with AA. If we were to grade this puzzle then, we'd definitely have to give it an A ... and then another A ... in short, an AA!
An extra crunchy Sunday crossword, mainly due to a clever theme, recognition of which genuinely helped with the solve. Jean had a little trouble, being a little too HIP when the answer was merely HEP, and Mike struggled at 85D, One hanging around Queen Elizabeth?, trying to fit PRINCECHARLES into an answer that only had room for a solitary PEARL. Still, a goodly Sunday, we give it a 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
A tough Saturday crossword: a stack of 3 15-letter answers at the bottom, and a stack of 9-, 11- and 13-letter answers at the top made for a formidable grid. Jean had issues in the top left, and Mike was temporarily enticed into thinking that 1A, Things you might snap on, nowadays, PHOTOAPPS, was PHONEAPPS -- as the crosses for both the T and O were (to him) unknowns. Very sneaky, Mr. Shortz! Still, a good crossword, we give it a 5 squares on the JAMCR scale. Since it's Saturday, that means its time for the JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award). To find out who won, simply download and listen up.
A festively difficult Christmas Eve crossword -- there was no theme, but a bevy of tricky clues that made this a real challenge. Jean struggled in the top-left, but eventually her NEURALNET helped her figure out 13A, Artificial intelligence system based on the human brain, NEURALNET, as well as the rest of the crossword. Mike got temporarily waylaid in the bottom-right, originally answering 40A, Last _____ as CALL, rather than GASP, and he was getting desperate when, with a GASP, he realized the error of his ways.
Also, it's Fun Fact Friday, and today's episode is simply, well, out of this world.
Today's puzzle had a tad less of the verbal trickery that we're accustomed to seeing on Thursdays, but it made up for it with a series of puns of admirably bad (by which we mean good) quality. It also did educate, as good crosswords are wont to do -- 67A, What cynophobia is the fear of, DOGS, and 26A, Heath genus that's also a woman's name, ERICA -- are just a few of the examples. For all the deets, though, you'll need to do what countless others have done before -- download and listen up!
For those who like to geek out on planetary science, you will love today's crossword; and even for those who don't, there's lots to enjoy and discover. We've culled the best clues and answers and included them in the podcast, of course, but on the cutting room floor we left the always dapper-looking 40A, Fist bump, DAP, and the truly great putdown, 50D, "Ridiculous", MYEYE. For all the deets, though, be sure and download and listen up to today's episode.
A fine Tuesday crossword and a fun theme in which a certain utensil plays an absolutely pivotal role. Which utensil? And in what sense did it pivot? The answers to those burning questions (as well as others, including many that you never even knew you should ask), may be found in today's installment, just waiting for you to download and enjoy!
A slightly crunchier Monday crossword than usual, Jean and Mike didn't come anywhere near the their epic, some might say quixotic, quest to complete the crossword in 5 minutes. Why, you ask? Or, if you speak old English or got the Helga reference, Wyeth, you ask? To find out, you'll need to, as usual, download and listen up!
A sapid Sunday crossword (and if you're unfamiliar with sapid, be sure and check out Friday's episode), Jean ate it up, tearing through it in 32 minutes. Mike, always the fussy eater, took just over twice the time, as he was temporarily naticked at the corner of 35D, Get, slangily, COP and 41A, Stage name of rapper Yasiin Bey, MOSDEF. (Mike thought that 35D might be CAP, short for capeesh: alas, no.)
Today's crossword pegged the crossword-difficulty-meter (expressed in units of Joe DiPietro's, see our December 10th podcast for the deets). Everywhere you looked in the grid there was a challenge, from the (believe it or not, relatively easy) 37D, Go out of business?, RETIRE, to the quaint 10D, Buffaloed, ATALOSS (how fitting!), and who could forget 39A, Pieces together?, SUITE (yikes). We have all the details in today's podcast, all ready for you to download and enjoy.
A decidedly vocabulary-stretching Friday crossword, with a dollop of food and pop culture references to amp up the difficulty level. We loved it -- giving it an enthusiastic 5 squares on the JAMCR scale. Besides that, it's Fun Fact Friday, so hit the ol' download button, followed by the ol' play button, and enjoy our dr'oll commentary on today's puzzle.
A fine, some might even say mind-bogglingly spectacular, Thursday crossword from Trenton Charlson, aided and abetted by the clever programmers who run the New York Times crossword site. We don't want to give anything away, so to find out just what makes this crossword such an excellent example of the genre, all you have to do is download and listen up.
Jessie Bullock and Ross Trudeau are at the helm, so you know we're in for a good time (or, in case you didn't know it, they are veteran primo crossword writers). Beyond the clues covered in today's podcast, we would like to acknowledge 21D, Shortest month of the year, MAY 😀, and 54D, Volume of Horace, ODES (not as Mike originally thought, SEXTARIUS , which, its name notwithstanding, is a unit of volume, not a lesser-known constellation). Quality work by quality constructors!
SCANDINAVIA consists of 6 countries, and crossword constructor Tao Platt managed to squeeze 4 of them into today's grid -- but since they are the size of, well, countries, that's no mean feat! And there was even enough room left over to slip in some subtler references to northern climes, 22D, Home with a northern exposure, IGLOO (cute), and 58D + 57D, PINETREE.
On a parenthetical note, and for those of you who like to see story arcs in podcasts, on Sunday Mike had been lamenting the lack of STOCK in the answer MARKETCRASH; but it turns out it wasn't absent, just ... late: because here it is in today's grid, 29D, Soup starter, STOCK. The circle is complete!
A fine debut crossword by Tomas Spiers, built around the concept of fire safety, i.e., STOPDROPANDROLL. Jean tore through this crossword in almost record time, whereas Mike, betrayed by his (completely fictional) upbringing in a London suburb, couldn't quite wrap his head around RAILROADSTATIONS: it's a long story*, but if you want to hear the deets (definitely worth it, we promise!), just download and listen up.
*well, not that long: the entire podcast is 10:00 on the nose, so more like a 1 minute story
A great Sunday crossword by Daniel Okulitch and Doug Peterson, an amusing theme, a relatively low pop-culture rating, and we'll always let slide references to "A Confederacy of Dunces". In short, a perfect puzzle. We also announced the JAMCOTWA (Jean & Mike Crossword of The Week Award), so to find out what that was, and what made today's theme so amusing, just hit that big red (?) green (?) whatever download button and then enjoy!
Relative to Friday's morass, today's crossword was easy-peasy, although it still had enough "bite" to make it interesting. Some of the clues were quite good, and the one for the official cookie of the New York Times crossword (aka OREO) was particularly well done. To find out what that was, as well as the 411 on the rest of the puzzle, download and enjoy!
An absolutely vicious Saturday crossword that somehow got published on Friday, one of the toughest we've seen in years. With clues ranging from a soul crushing 48A, Japanese dish of raw fish and vegetables over rice, CHIRASHI, to an equally jaw-dropping 10A, Cheek-related, MALAR, Joe DiPietro showed no mercy. Normally we'd say this should've run on a Saturday, but we think it would've scared the other Saturday puzzles away, so maybe it needs its own day, which we will now introduce into the week as DiPietro Day. [Look for it soon in a calendar near you 😀 ]
A great crossword - cool theme, educational clues, and (at least for one of us, and no prize if you guess which one) a bit of a challenge, especially in the center of the grid. We go deep in today's cutting-edge analysis, so grab some popcorn, your favorite beverage, and be prepared to be entertained!
Another fine crossword -- the New York Times Crossword Quality Assurance people have definitely been on the ball these last few weeks. Who would not benefit from knowing 6D, Rioja, for one, WINE? Who could not but marvel at 46D, Long time, ERA, paired with 29D, Long time, EON? And who would not wish they could unread 2D, Marsupial with distinctive cube-shaped droppings, WOMBAT? 😀 Overall a great puzzle, definitely a 5 squares on the JAMCR scale. For all the deets, download and listen up!
A fun Tuesday crossword, with a theme that's hinted at by the title of today's episode. There were some great clues in today's puzzle , as well as one that people in la belle France may be growling about for weeks. Which one, you ask? To find out, you know what to do -- download and listen up!
Today's crossword was a little zestier than most Mondays -- with a few clues that made you think ... huh!, or, if you're on the other side of the pond, ISAY! Either way, it made for an entertaining solve, we give it a 5 squares on the JAMCR scale. Want to know more? Of course you do, so download and listen up!
Today's crossword was by Chase Dittrich and one of the stalwarts of the crosswording community, Jeff Chen, responsible for xwordinfo.com. If you're unfamiliar with that site, head to it right now (well, not right now, listen to the podcast first!), because it contains a wealth of information and archives crosswords from waaaaay back. Highly recommended!
An absolutely thrilling crossword: it is no coincidence that it is the winner of our weekly JAMCATWA (Jean & Mike Crossword of the Week Award). To find out precisely why it deserves this great honor, download and listen up to today's episode.
A challenging Friday crossword, with lots of "crunchy clues" to keep life interesting. Both Jean & Mike had to dig deeply into their respective mind palaces on this one -- and to find out whether or not they succeeded, all you have to do is download and listen up.
For an explanation of fly x hoist, check this out.
A challenging Thursday, with lots of crunchy clues, novel answers, and a nicely done theme - definitely a 5 squares on the JAMCR scale, and certainly eligible for the JAMCOTWA (Jean & Mike's Crossword of the Week Award). To hear all the deets, download and listen up!
A pun-powered crossword, taking full advantage of the many homophones that involve the sound AIR / ERR / HEIR / EYRE. Beyond that, and beyond those discussed in today's episode, we would be remiss if we didn't pay homage to 12D, One of three in the foreground of "American Gothic", TINE. Nice!
A splendid Tuesday crossword, with an interesting theme, lots of fun and educational clues, this might be the first winner of what we are inventing at this very moment, the well known (ha!) and very prestigious JAMCOTWA (that's the Jean & Mike Crossword of the Week Award). We'll let you know for sure on Sunday!
It's also Triplet Tuesday™️, so be sure to listen in and see how Jean fares.
Traditionally, Mondays are the easiest crosswords of the week, designed to appeal to novice solvers, and today's puzzle certainly lives up to the tradition. It included a lot of old favorites, -- 40A, Degs. for entrepreneurs, MBAS; 18A, Taj Mahal locale, AGRA; and 63A, Nintendo competitor, SEGA. It also had, once again, a clue that Mike fell for (insert analogy with Charlie Brown, Lucy, and football right here), 12D, Prez dispenser?, ATM (ha!). One day he'll spot that ATM clue ... maybe ...
A gentle Sunday crossword, for one of the dynamic duo (no prize if you guess which one): the other had one teensy-weensy mistake that, well, if you want to hear the whole edda-esque saga, you know what to do -- download and listen up!
Beyond the clues dissected in today's episode, there were a few surprising answers lurking in the grid: 41A, People credited with discovering mechanoluminescence, using quartz crystals to generate light, UTE (but still no word as who discovered how to spell it); 22A, Big gun, you might say, BICEP (not, as Mike originally hoped, GIANTSPACELASER); and the at first blush perplexing 4D, Schedule listings, FEES, which may (or may not) be an Ebay thing. Regardless, we liked the crossword overall, and give it a 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
A Goldilocks of a Friday crossword - not too easy, not too hard, but just right - thanks to the talents of crossword constructor Kate Hawkins, aided and abetted, no doubt, by editor Will Shortz. Any grid that can include 50A, _______ Yaga (folklore villain), BABA. deserves our respect, and we give it - 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
In other news, it's Fun Fact Friday, and for a refresher on just about everyone's favorite heavy metal band, aka IRONMAIDEN, download and listen up.
True or false: this was a tricky crossword. True! And false! In fact the grid was littered with true and false answers, an ingenious gimmick courtesy of Chase Dittrich. To get the full 411, just hit the ol' download button and enjoy.
On a side note, without giving away the entire store, here's a page that may help with today's crossword: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/01/crosswords/yes-you-can-write-more-than-one-letter-in-a-square.html
A crunchier than usual Wednesday puzzle, both Jean & Mike had trouble in the north central and southeast parts of the grid. Jean was particularly stymied by her nemesis, the rebus, while Mike was almost done in by his fixation on ELO. For the details of this epic struggle, and how it turned out, download and listen up to today's episode!
Eric Bornstein simultaneously cashes in his chips and hits one out of the ballpark, with a financially-themed crossword with a baseball sub-theme (if two clues constitute a sub-theme, and we say yes). It's also Triplet Tuesday, so to find out if Mike got a single, double, triple, or just fouled out, you'll have to click on the ol' download button and the even ol'er play button.
As usual, feedback is welcome -- drop us a line at crosswordpodcast@icloud.com to let us know what you think.
A fine introduction to the problem solving week, Stella Zawistowski turns in a puzzle with some gentle cluing, and a cute theme, a great puzzle for those new to the New York Times crossword scene -- and if that's you, welcome!!
A gem of a Sunday crossword, one of the finest we've seen in many a moon. A great theme, to be sure, but the rest of the grid was absolutely grade A as well. To hear the rest of the story, you know what to do -- download, and listen up!
Just a reminder, the New York Times Crossword folks would love to have you as a subscriber - just go to nytimes.com/crosswords and tell 'em "Jean & Mike sent me".
An epic Saturday crossword, but with Mary Lou Guizzo and Jeff Chen at the controls how could it be anything but? The clues were like the answer to 1A, FRESH, and the result definitely deserves a 5 squares on the JAMCR scale. To hear the blow-by-blow discussion of today's opus, you know what to do ... download and listen up!
A gentle Friday crossword by John Hawksley, punctuated by one of the greatest (IMHO, that's In Mike's Humble Opinion) clues of the year. And for the answer to the burning question, what would that clue be? -- as well as the rest of our usual SOI-DISANT insightful analysis, download and listen up to today's episode!
A very witty Thursday crossword by Ori Brian, with a theme that deserves a standing ovation, and a grid that is filled with amusing puns, misdirects, and a shoutout to one of the greatest soul singers of all time. What's not to like? For all the deets, download and listen up.
Today's crossword is a bit of a stretch, literally, and deserves to be bookmarked (figuratively, if you're solving online) because it includes a myriad of YOGAPOSES that might be worth knowing about, lest they crop up in a future puzzle. So, for more info on that, as well as how Jean & Mike almost managed to turn in mirror times (ss:tt for Jean, tt:ss for Mike, no points for guessing whether ss < tt, of course it is!), download and listen up to today's episode.
Although the episode title might look somewhat random at first, there is method to our titling madness: and to find out exactly what that is, you know what to do - download today's episode and hit the big blue play button!
We love feedback! Just drop us a line at crosswordpodcast@icloud.com.
Twas a slightly sticky Monday New York Times crossword. Oh, it started off promising to be easy, but the bloom was off the rose by about the third row. Still, you have to love a crossword that includes ROCKMEAMADEUS and HELPMERHONDA ... and indeed we do! For all the deets, download and listen up!
A very enjoyable Sunday crossword, with a very cool theme. One gem that didn't make it into the podcast, 127A, "Something from Nothing: The Art of Rap Director", ICET, is directly above 131A, Unilever tea brand, TAZO. Very clever, Aimee Lucido and Ella Dershowitz (authors of today's crossword), we salute you and rate this puzzle a 5 squares on the JAMCR scale!
A fine Saturday crossword, with lots of entertaining cluing, and while the pop culture reference meter was in the orange, both Jean & (the especially pop-culture reference-challenged) Mike were able to emerge undefeated. OLEOLE!
Jean found solving today's crossword to be a true GEST, while Mike can AVER that it wasn't as bad as yesterday's! We can state uncategorically that any crossword that manages to abut 11D, Zero reaction, BRR, and 12D. Hotel hummer, ICEMACHINE, deserves 5 squares, so that's what this one earned on the ol' JAMCR scale. For all the deets, download and listen up!
A tough Thursday oeuvre by Mark MacLachlan that left us panting and gasping after we'd finished it -- or did it finish us? To find out, you know what to do - download and then hit the big play button to enjoy today's episode.
If you need to wet your whistle, then this is the crossword you need -- and to find out exactly why, you know what to do -- download, hit that big play button, and enjoy!
A great crossword, peppered with lines from one of our favorite poets, Ogden NASH. We give this a 5 squares on the JAMCR scale, and to find out why -- as well as whether Mike can triumph on Triplet Tuesday -- just download and hit the big blue (?) green (?) whatever-colored play button!
A good start to the crossword solving week, with a grid that features a quartet of great singers and a really, really great idea for General Mills. To find out what all that means, download and (we hope!) enjoy today's episode.
It isn't clear if the New York Times was trying to scrimp on ink by printing a crossword with very few black squares, but they did so, and in the process delivered a very tough, but very enjoyable crossword by a man who's reputation for very tough but very enjoyable crosswords precedes him, Sid Sivakumar. He definitely lives up to his reputation, and for all the deets, just download and listen up to today's episode.
What do you get when you put Brooke Husic and Will Nediger together and tell them, "no limits"? You get exactly this sort of Saturday crossword -- tough, but not soul crushing, with some clues so well crafted that you will have to fight the natural instinct to stand up and yell bravo, encore! To hear precisely why these sentiments would be apropos, you know what to do ... download and then hit the big play button.
Fine Friday fare from ... well, it would've completed this intro nicely if the author was Fred Flinstone or Farrah Fawcett, but we certainly won't complain about Jeff Greenbaum, whose crossword was a perfect Friday construct, and packed with useful advice, like MAKELOVENOTWAR and DONTOVERTHINKIT. For more on today's oeuvre, download and savor today's episode.
A challenging Thursday crossword by David Steinberg, with multiple instances of Jean's bane, the rebus! Did she solve it? Or did she get horribly mired in the grid? To find out ... download today's episode and hit the big play button!
A splendid Wednesday crossword, almost right at 50% on the crossword difficulty scale (expressed in FBPM, Furrowed Brows Per Minute). The theme was intriguing, it had the word IMAGINEER in the grid (Mike's aspirational career choice), and it had the word "Jackpotting" among the clues. To find out what that means, and much, much more, hit the ol' download button to your left(?) right(?) It's sure to be around there somewhere ...
A nice Tuesday crossword, with an. overarching theme, and -- spoiler alert -- that remark will seem hilarious once you've listened to today's podcast. In other news, it's Triplet Tuesday, and to see if Jean was able to live up to her stellar reputation, all you have to do is download today's episode and hit that magical play button.
After the fireworks caused by Sunday's crossword, today's crossword is relatively uncontroversial, as convention dictates that Monday crosswords ought to be. It had a gentle enough theme, and the contractually obligated appearance of the OREO. To learn what else was unique about today's crossword, just tune in to today's podcast.
Today's crossword, by the incredible Alex Eaton-Salners, was awesome on so many levels that we just don't have the space to describe it here. So, other than pointing out the fact that 7D, "Battlestar Galactica" robots, CYLONS, meant that Mike got his Netflix-viewing MARCHINGORDERS and is preparing to binge-watch as we speak, we will merely direct you to download today's podcast to get all the deets.
What's all the HULLABALOO about? It's in honor of this very COOL crossword by Michael Hawkins, who TRACKEDDOWN the finest clues from all over -- it must've taken him EONS, extracting them from their various HIDEOUTS -- and brought them together in one grid for your enjoyment. We know we did, and to hear precisely why, just download and listen up.
Today's crossword was a very smooth solve for both Jean & Mike - which means that, according to the (entirely fictitious) law of conservation of crossword difficulty, tomorrow's crossword will probably be impossible.
Among the clues not discussed in today's crossword were 23D, River in Picardy, SOMME, and a clue that, in this modern age is now mystifying, 65A, Lewis Carroll character who asks "Does your watch tell you what year it is?", MADHATTER.
It's Fun Fact Friday, and it's a doozy, so for all the deets, download and listen up!
It's a scary Thursday crossword ... but that's due to the theme, not the difficulty level. The cluing was crisp and amusing, and, in addition to many examples discussed on today's podcast, we did enjoy 5D, On the ___ (frequently, in slang), REG, yet more evidence of the remarkable fluidity of the English language. For more deets, download and listen up!
Live from Northeast Wisconsin, it's ... Jean and Mike Do The New York Times Crossword! Perhaps that's not quite as memorable as 38A, Classic opening line from an NBC sketch show, LIVEFROMNEWYORK, but it's the best we can do. And to hear more of the best that we can do, download and listen up to today's episode .
Among the clues that we didn't get around to discussing in today's podcast was 41A, Treble symbols, GCLEFS, and the rather new-is 18A, Looks for web content about oneself, EGOSURF. But we talked about a whole lot of the puzzle, as well as had another exciting round of Triplet Tuesday -- so for all the deets, download, and listen up.
Today's crossword wasn't quite EASYPEASY: Mike in particular had a few LAPSES that pushed his THYME to the breaking point. For all the deets, download and listen up!
Today's crossword was titled "Sports Nuts", and that pretty much sums up the theme - a series of answers that involved some aspect of sports, as suggested by a punny clue. For example, 22A, Your ex's new date whom you just can't stand?, OFFENSIVEREBOUND. Beyond the sporting motif, there were some interesting clues. For example:
- the startlingly difficult to pronounce 30A, There are 24 in a cuboctahedron, EDGES (the unpronounceable word, for the record, being cuboctahedron, not EDGES).
- the mysterious 79D. Instrument that's a homophone of 69D, VIOL (the mystery being what's the difference between a homophone and a homonym).
to name just two. A fine crossword, we give it 4.5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
Saturday is traditionally the toughest crossword of the week, doubly so when Sam Ezersky's the constructor. Both Jean & Mike (solving independently, as is their wont), struggled in the bottom right corner, where a trio of potentially ego-crushing clues awaited -- 42D, Charge for some truckers, CARTAGE (not, as Mike surmised, CARRAGE), 43D, Drawing of the body without its skin, from the French, ECORCHE, and 44D, One of the Lesser Antilles, STKITTS. And other parts of the grid were also challenging. Still, Sam managed to thread the needle between "really, really hard", and "nobody in the continental US other than Rex Parker is going to know this" -- no mean feat. For all that, we give this a hearty 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
This was a relatively easy Friday puzzle, but it was filled with sparkling cluing that made it a delight to tackle. As exhibit A, we present 16A, Digital color presentation?, NAILPOLISH, 20D, Dining with one's child?, EATINGFORTWO, and 33A, What may be found between X and Z?, GENERATIONGAP. There were also some nice juxtapositions, EFT and AFT on the same row; and OOZE intersecting OUZO. Kudos to Robyn Weintraub for creating such a fine piece of work.
It's Friday, and to find out the Fun Fact Friday fact, download and listen up!
A fun Thursday crossword from Michael Lieberman, with a clever theme - a series of vertical answers, each two words - and they make sense only if you observe that the word on the bottom is under the word on top. For instance, 24D, Give a sworn statement in court, is OATHTESTIFY, and reading this (vertically), the phrase is, literally, TESTIFY under OATH. We also had 3D, Clueless about current trends, AROCKLIVING, 17D, Choke, PRESSURECRACK, and 8D, Take more shots than, THETABLEDRINK. Clever, and the theme is instrumental in readily solving the puzzle. There were a few other very amusing clues, 27A, Things you saw while asleep?, LOGS (oh, that kind of saw), 33A, Noodle container?, SKULL (ha!), and even 52A. It may be used to get away from a bank, OAR, was amusing. In short, a great puzzle, we give it a 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
Today's crossword was a big BESO from the constructor, David W. Tuffs, with an interesting theme revolving around comparisons. Both Jean & Mike were taken in by 23A, One, in Berlin, EINS (they both thought it would be EINE), and while Jean immediately knew that was incorrect because of the cross, 15D, Root beer brand, DADS, it took Mike about 17 minutes longer to figure that out... A fine crossword, we give it a 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
Ross Trudeau steps up to the plate, swings, and it's a hit -- because Ross Trudeaus' crosswords are always a hit. This is a more high-brow crossword than is typical for the New York Times, as there were 3 clues that tied in to 28D, Literary trio found in the answers to this puzzle's starred clues, THEBRONTES. Those clues -- 6D, Chain known for its soft pretzels, AUNTIEANNES; 25D, Prominent left-leaning political action committee, EMILYSLIST; and the rather lengthy 19A, Children's book whose title character says, "If I can fool a bug, I can surely fool a man. People are not as smart as bugs", CHARLOTTESWEB; all contained the name of one of THEBRONTES. Outstanding!
In other news, it's Triplet Tuesday, and Jean makes it look easy. To hear the blow-by-blow, download and listen up.
Freddie Cheng has provided a very ARTistic start to the crossword week, with a series of clues that include multiple spellings of the word ART, e.g., 17A, Athlete who rarely gets sacked or has a pass intercepted, STARQUARTERBACK. Both Jean and Mike had a skosh of difficulty with this puzzle, because, even though solving independently, they were both taken in by 50A, Woman's name derived from the Greek for "peace", IRENA (not IRENE), crossing 46D, Super-miniature dog breed size, TEACUP (not TEECUP). Mike also was momentarily flummoxed by 23A, Classic cinema name, ODEON. (not, ORSON). Today's podcast also has a tasty discussion of PEARTARTs, so for all the deets, download and listen up!
A splendid Sunday crossword from the pen of Jeff Chen, who overlays the main grid with 5 diagonal answers - it has to be seen to be believed. Fortuitously, you can indeed see that by going over to Jeff Chen's web site - xwordinfo.com - tell 'em Jean & Mike sent you.
Beyond the diagonal clues, the rest of the grid was a master class in crossword construction, as you would expect from Mr. Chen. For all the details, just download and listen up!
A well crafted crossword from Caitlin Reid and Erik Agard, not too soul-crushingly difficult, and not too fall-off-a-log easy, either. There was only one pop culture reference -- 17A, Pop music nickname, RIRI -- but it has been in the grid multiple times in recent months. Some other clues worth highlighting -- 6D, Check for bugs, INSECTREPELLENT (the old verb-for-noun. switcheroo), 55A, Having trouble making a call, ONTHEFENCE, and 14D, Life lines?, BIOS -- are just a few of the gems that await the crossword solver. A great effort, we give this 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
Today's crossword had mixed reviews. Jean thought it was relatively straightforward, Mike found it a bit more of a slog, no BIGSURPRISE. They both agree, however, that 30A, Cutesy "I beg your pardon", EXSQUEEZEME, was fun to say, and that 39D, Joint application?, BENGAY, was just funny.
It's Fun Fact Friday, and in today's episode Jean and Mike discuss the architect who is almost never called by his full name, Ieoh Ming Pei.
An unexpectedly gentle Thursday offering, but filed with some joyously LOL answers. Who could not break a smile at 58A, Stand by the pool, maybe, TIKIBAR, 45D, Balls in a pocket, FALAFEL (nice!), and marvel at the epic 12D, Glass elevator?, TOASTER? The author of today's mirthfest, Matt Fuchs, definitely knows how to write an entertaining crossword, hence our JAMCR scale rating of 5 squares, with 5 smirks on the associated Chortle Meter™️.
Today's crossword was a real EYE opener - with the names of 4 persons whose first named started with, and last name ended with, the letter I. It was ingenious, intriguing and ... tough! Jean ran into some thorns in the bottom-right corner, and Mike had to cope with the intersection of 5D, Cover for the bed of a pickup truck, TONNEAU, and 32A, "Red Cube" sculptor with an eponymous museum in New York, ISAMUNOGUCHI - yikes!
Remember that if you're not a subscriber to the New York Times, the best way to follow along with this podcast is to check out the completed grid at xwordinfo.com -- tell them Jean & Mike sent you 😀
Today's crossword included the reappearance of 2D, Egyptian king of the Gods, AMNUNRA, whose alternative spellings are so legendary - AMUNRA, AMENRA, AMONRA , to name just three -- that he has earned the unofficial moniker, God of Dubious Spelling.
The rest of the grid was entertaining, focused on the concept of 37A, Portmanteau coinage describing this puzzle's theme, ALLITERNATION. Examples of these include 17A, Game that has only a single round, RUSSIANROULETTE, 23A, Single item seemingly always found at the bottom of a McDonald's bag, FRENCHFRY (cute!), and 49A, Entrance divided in half horizontally, DUTCHDOOR.
In other news, it's Triplet Tuesday, and Mike gets 2 out of 3, only striking out on DOW. To hear that and more, download and listen up!
Today's crossword was a Monday, but it was a little "crunchier" than usual., with clues that might trip up novice solvers, such as 53D, Thai currency, BAHT, 42A, Official language of Iran, FARSI, and 27D, Feature introduced to the iPhone in 2009, VIDEO). Jean (of course) tore through today's grid, but Mike found a few speed bumps - is it CATE or KATE Blanchett? The former. Is it TIG or MEG Ryan (definitely the latter). A fine crossword, so in response to 17A, "This is my final offer", TAKEITORLEAVE it, we most assuredly will take it.
A crunchier than usual Sunday crossword, the grid was filled with amusing clues but plenty of pitfalls. Jean had a spot of bother with 77A, Sesh on Reddit, AMA (short for Ask Me Another). Mike, meanwhile, was apparently unaware of 88D, Ike's domain in W. W. II, ETO, an answer that had appeared in the New York Times crossword a staggering 449 times, even more than the official cookie of the New York Times crossword, the OREO (443 times). The fact that the T of ETO crossed with 91A, Dostoyevsky's Prince Myshkin, so the book title declares, IDIOT, is just salt in the wound 😀. So, a tough but interesting crossword, we give it a 4.5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
A surprisingly straightforward Saturday crossword, with joyfully few RORs (Ridiculously Obscure References™️) to slow down the proceedings. Mike still managed to find a way, however: and to learn exactly how, you know what to do: download and listen up!
Both Jean & Mike found today's crossword to be definitely on the harder side of the spectrum -- with the top-left corner causing particular grief. Both were eventually able to rally, although it was an epic battle. For all the deets, as well as the 411 on the EVZONES that is the basis of today's Fun Fact Friday, hit download now!
One look at the grid, with a series of 1 letter squares with black on both sides (something that almost never happens) was a tipoff that something unusual was happening. Fortunately, the puzzle was written by Timothy Polin, who's usual behavior is to crank out great crosswords, and he is in fine form today, apparently able to create cross-lesswords as well as crosswords. We rate this an awed 5 squares on the JAMCR scale -- download and listen up to get all the deets.
A shocker of a Wednesday, with (wait for it) a rebus! And a very clever rebus at that, one that might drive you coocoo, so to speak. (We won't say more about the theme here, download the podcast to get the full 411.) The crossword started off strong, with 1A, Animal that's also a plant?, MOLE (nice!), a helpful tip at 16A, Good advice during an emergency, KEEPACOOLHEAD, and possibly together for the first time ever in a grid, 22A, Yokohama drama, NOH, and 40D, "I'm such a meathead", DOH 😀. A fun Wednesday, we give this a cheerful 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
If you felt HEARTBROKEN after doing today's crossword, well, that's probably just a side-effect of the theme - the word HEART, appearing in words with an increasing number of other letters being inserted in between. Otherwise this was a fun crossword, with a few notable clues -- 34D, Communication at Gallaudet Univ, ASL (marking the second time that has appeared in as many days); 46A, Stage name of Adam Yauch of the Beastie Boys, MCA (!), crossing 46D, One of the Spice Girls, MELB (which is not, apparently, short for MELBATOAST or something similar). Jean got through the crossword, PRESTO, as musicians like to say, while Mike was more LARGO, getting hung up on 37D, Euro rival, in brief, USD (not USA, which he had equated with an abbreviation of Europe).
It's Triplet Tuesday, and Jean goes down swinging. To hear all the deets, download and listen up!
Mondays are traditionally the easiest crossword puzzles of the week, designed to gently welcome novice solvers to the fold, and this one definitely succeeds. It has some intriguing clues -- 1D, Handy way of communicating, in brief?, ASL; 56A, 1967 hit by the Tremeloes suggested by the starts of 17-, 27- and 46-Across, HERECOMESMYBABY; and a nod to one of Mike's favorite books, 7D, "_____ and Crake" (Margaret Atwood novel), ORYX. But it also has some old chestnuts, such as 41A, Airport guesses, for short, ETAS 25A, "Othello" villain*, IAGO, and 40A, Brian who was once with Roxy Music, ENO. And of course ... [pregnant pause] ... it had a theme, involving delivery. For more deets, download today's episode!
*but a hero to crossword constructors
It's hard not to like a puzzle that manages to work in 63A, Final creature encountered in "Dr. Seuss's ABC", ZIZZERZAZZERZUZZ, on its way to working a grand total of 40 (count 'em) Z'S into the grid, a genuine tour de forze, um, we mean force. Jean had trouble in the upper right, in particular with 33A, Jurisdiction of a Catholic Church official, DEANERY crossing with 34D, Kilt-wearing Greek infantryman, EVZONE (really?). Mike, meanwhile, worn out by having worked on this puzzle for an embarrassingly large number of hours ( listen to the podcast if you really want to know!), totally missed the point of 86A, Opportunities to win a vacation on "Wheel of Fortune", PRIZEPUZZLES, instead going for PRICEPUZZLES, unfamiliar, as he was, with the crossing 87D, Victoria Falls river, ZAMBEZI, thinking instead that it was CAMBEZI.
So, a tough puzzle, with a lot of naticks, but with bonus points for so much RAZZLEDAZZLE, it still earns a 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
A thoroughly pleasurable Saturday crossword. Jean got through it fairly expeditiously, never thinking that she'd hit a brick wall anywhere in the grid. Mike flailed around for a time in the lower left corner before MNEMOSYNE heard his prayers and reminded him that, among other things, there never was and never will be any such game as CORNDART. A fine crossword, we give it a happy 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
Just a reminder - to enjoy these podcasts to their fullest, we recommend trying the crossword yourself (nytimes.com/crosswords) first, or if you get stuck, you can find a full solution at xwordinfo.com. But don't peek until you've either peaked or have become piqued 😀
A fun Friday crossword, tough but fair, with just a few potential natick sites -- all of which Mike managed to find, and details in this week's episode.
Today's Fun Fact (it is, of course, Fun Fact Friday) was about ambigrams, those wonderful works of art that look the same after being rotated / reflected.
A very sound Thursday crossword -- and sounds are at its heart, with a number of clues that require you mash sounds together to get an answer. Jean's favorite was 26A, [Lightsaber] + [Impatient fingers] = Boring, HUMDRUM, while Mike was partial to 48A, [Cow] + [Thunder] = Snake eyes, e.g., LOWROLL, not only for the humor but because that was where he cottoned on to the gimmick. A fun solve, we give it a 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
It's always a good sign when Alex Eaton-Salners' name is on the puzzle, and he does not disappoint today, with a puzzle built to AMUSE. There are multiple answers that when deprived of the circled letter in their midst become their opposite, e.g., 13A, Stay in power, RESIGN (with the S circled), becomes REIGN; and 23A, Hold on to, HEAVE (with the E circled), becomes HAVE. Very cute! There were some other examples of Alex's word-play-prowess at work: 32D, Perfumes with a thurible, CENSES (oh my!), and 52D, Lead-in to self, HER. A pleasant diversion, we give this 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
A geometrically themed crossword, with various ANGLEs making an appearance, at, as one might expect, an angle. Jean solved the crossword in almost record time, but Mike, alas, fixated on the name DEBDUBOIS for considerably longer than he ought to have before finding the correct answer to 7D, Co-founder of the NAACP and author of "The Souls of Black Folk", WEBDUBOIS. A few other noteworthy grid entries include the occurrence of both ALBA (1D, Actress Jessica), and ELBA (12D, Actor Idris with an OBE); and one of our favorite quotes from one of our favorite scientists, 34D, Scientist who said "Our planet is a lonely speck in the great enveloping cosmic dust", SAGAN.
It's Triplet Tuesday, so to hear how Mike fared, download and listen up.
A fun Monday, with a droll theme, revolving around 61A, Guaranteed ... or where you can find the ends to 17A (POLEVAULT), 23A (PENNANDTELLER), 37A (DAYLIGHTSAVINGS), and 50A (BOTTLEDEPOSIT), INTHEBANK. One of the more interesting clues was 51D, River of forgetfulness, in myth, LETHE, interesting because just two days ago we had a reference to the Greek goddess of memory, MNEMOSYNE. Coincidence? Ha! More likely the work of clever and indefatigable editor Will Shortz. Thank you, Will!
Most crossword answers are black-and-white - but today's grid had a slew of them in gray, as part of an intricate theme involving cut classes (listen to Jean's stellar explanation for all the deets). There seemed to be a plethora of people populating the grid, such as 117A, Michael _______ of "Ugly Betty", URIE, 125A, "Spy Kids" actress Hatcher, TERI, 115D, Children's book author Blyton, ENID, 16D, Thompson of "Sorry to Bother You", TESSA, 51D, Muralist Riviera, DIEGO, 94D, Human rights lawyer Clooney, AMAL, and the list goes on and on and on! Fortunately, for those not up on modern(ish) culture, the crosses were genuinely helpful. For that truly gray (um, we mean great) theme, we give this a 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
If spelling is not your forte, then perhaps you might want to brace yourself before trying today's crossword. Between 33A, Site of the impact of the asteroid that killed the dinosaurs 66 million years ago, CHICXULUBCRATER, 18A, Greek goddess of memory, MNEMOSYNE, and 33D, Mexican dish named after a small boat, CHALUPA, there were a lot of serious spelling challenges. Jean had issues all over the grid, whereas Mike's were focused in the top-right, having temporarily confused 11D, W.W. II spy grp., OSS, the predecessor of the CIA, with the OSI, a department of the CIA. If only MNEMOSYNE had been willing to help!
A gentle Friday, Jean did it in slightly less time than usual, whereas Mike cleaved off 3h5m (if only we were kidding!) from his cataclysmically bad Thursday time. Jean started off slowly and picked up steam as she went along; Mike found most of the puzzle firmly planted in his wheelhouse, with the exception of the top-right corner (with 16A, Lustrous shell compound, NACRE, and 10D, What genes do, biologically, ENCODE (not, with apologies to biology teachers everywhere, DIVIDE), causing some temporary grief. Kudos to creator Stella Zawistowski, we give this a 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
An ingenious Thursday delight by Simeon Seigel, with an awe inspiring theme that surely deserves a place in the pantheon of great crosswords. It involves personal identifiable information (PII), embedded in black squares, that emerges when the puzzle is solved. If you haven't seen the solution, hop over to xwordinfo.com to admire Mr. Seigel's opus. In other news, we have listener mail, so to hear that, and more, download and listen up.
Jean solved today's crossword so quickly that several laws of physics may have been broken in the process, or at least bent. There were several related answer pairs in the grid, in particular 9D, Dweller west of the North Atlantic, AMERICAN, and 40D, Dweller east of the North Atlantic, EUROPEAN. A case could also be made for 17A, Much of Roy Lichtenstein's work?, DOTCOMICS, and 51A, "SpongeBob SquarePants", e.g., CARTOON. Jean & Mike were both pleased to see 42D, Wisconsin city that's home to Lawrence University, APPLETON, as, no doubt, was the admissions department of Lawerence University, which hopefully already has an ad out.
A fine puzzle, we give it 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
A fun Tuesday crossword, with some legal puns (are there any other kind?) to spice things up. Jean tore through the crossword in under 12 minutes, while Mike, convinced that 10D, Brand of caramel candy, WERTHERS, should be spelled WORTHERS, spent an absurdly long amount of time before realizing that the cross, 16A, British pop singer Lewis, was in fact LEONA, and not her lesser known rival, LOONA Lewis.
In other news, it's Triplet Tuesday, and Jean again shows her mastery of the 3 letter answer. For all the deets, download and listen up.
These podcasts work particularly well when you can see the answers as you follow the conversation. If you don't have them handy, you can always find the completed grid + clues at xwordinfo.com.
Today's subtly themed crossword took us on a tour of the Earth's interior. It began with 17A, Pizza feature for a specialized diet, GLUTENFREECRUST, through 34A, Take on a position, along with its responsibilities, ASSUMETHEMANTLE, ending up at 52A, Lacking any moral compass, ROTTENTOTHECORE, the antithesis of this fine work by Pao Roy. There were a few other interesting clues, such as 9D, Nonbinary pronoun pair, THEYTHEM, and 48D, Rapper J. _______, COLE, apparently one of the "most influential rappers of his generation", and clearly worthy of an in-depth Fun Fact Friday investigation. Stay tuned.
Sometimes, what you need when solving a crossword is a FRESHSETOFEYES. Well, good news, because in today's crossword, they're already there, as in the answer to 116A, New look provider ... or a homophonic hint to this puzzle's theme. Specifically, there are multiple answers with an extra set of I's and whose removal leads to a completely different answer. For instance, 23A, Meticulous magical beings?, THOROUGHFAIRIES, with the I's excised, becomes THOROUGHFARES. Most ingenious.
In other parts of the puzzle, Jean got momentarily naticked* at the corner of 22A, To love, in Italian, AMARE (not AMORE), and 17D, Straight sides of sectors, RADII (not RODII), whereas Mike had an issue with 31D, Agitate, ROIL (not RAIL) crossing 34A, Three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver in the New York Jets Ring of Honor, ALTOON (not ALTOAN). Still, both dug in, and managed to dig their way out of this delightful puzzle, definitely a 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
*stymied by unfamiliarity with two crossing answers
A challenging Saturday crossword (but aren't they all?). Jean had trouble in the bottom half, unfamiliar with 40A, Upgrade for a train passenger, PARLORCAR, and 34D, Humans, in sci-fi slang, MEATBAGS (ugh!), while Mike had an IMPASSE at 21D, Merle Haggard tune, "_____ From Muskogee", oscillating between ABIE and OBIE, instead of the correct OKIE (which is now burned into his consciousness). He also WENTOUTONALIMB by coining a new music genre as an answer to 9D, Genre popularized by Limp Bizkit and Korn, NUMETAS, instead of the much more reasonable NUMETAL.
In today's episode, we learn about the story behind 28A, Comedian Notaro, TIG, savor the awesome clue, 32A, Ground shaking stuff?, PEPPER, and for Fun Fact Friday learn why the answer to 55A, Cheese whose name is a semordnilap, is EDAM. All this is just waiting for you, so download now, and listen up!
A relatively straightforward Thursday crossword - look, ma, no rebuses! -- with gentle but amusing cluing, and a clever theme involving SILVERLINING. Each answer around the periphery of the grid worked if prefaced with the word SILVER, as in SILVERSURFER, SILVERBELLS, etc. There was one groaner pun - 35D, Ice place to go?, RINK, and a few biochemically trending clues - 34D, Prefix with genetics, EPI, and 37A, Something found in strands, DNA - but a dearth of pop culture references helped immensely. We give this a 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
For those of you still recovering from yesterday's jammed-to-the-rafters-with-pop-culture-references grid, the NYTimes proudly presents as an antidote today's puzzle -- with barely a pop culture reference in sight -- thereby keeping the average number of PCRs close to the officially prescribed 3.5 PCRs per grid ... a regulation and a number that we just invented.
The theme was cute, involving artificial facial components, and the rest of the clues were equally droll, including such winners as 5A, Put down in writing?, PAN, and 24A, Canine covering?, DENTALCROWN. A nice mid-week effort, we give it a 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
Today's crossword was tough, for a Tuesday - with a bevy of popular culture references that covered a wide swathe of time. There was almost 130 years, for instance, between, 60A, Lord High Executioner in "The Mikado", KOKO and the revealer at 57A, 2013 Best Musical Tony winner ... with a hint to this puzzle's theme, KINKYBOOTS. There were also quite a few popular references, such as 20D, One-named singer with the 2010 hit "Dancing on My Own", ROBYN, 8D, DKNY"s Donna, KARAN, and who can forget Ward ________ (old political operative), HEELER (both of your co-hosts, for a start!).
In other news, it's Triplet Tuesday, and to see just how Mike fared, you'll surely want to download today's episode and listen up!
Mondays are traditionally the easiest crossword of the week: last week's had a bit more crunch to it than usual, so this may be Will's way of balancing the ledger. Today's puzzle did have a few TIL (Today I Learned) clues, most notably 33A, State whose flag, with eight gold stars in the shape of the Big Dipper, was designed by a 13 year old, ALASKA, and 6A, Face ______ (app that creates bizarre photos), SWAP; but most were of the order of 11D, "Eat your _______!" (parent's order), VEGETABLES and 15A, Leonardo da Vinci's "_____ Lisa", MONA. So, a smooth solve, and honestly, we don't mind one bit!
Today's puzzle ought to put a smile on your face ... because there's a smile in the grid! A winking smile, to be precise, the emoticon ;-). Rather than using PUNCTUATIONMARKS, however, the ;-) is ingeniously spelled out (SEMI, COLON, HYPHEN and PARENTHESIS, all arranged in the appropriate shape in the grid), and it must've taken forever to get this right. We salute the author, Alex Rosen, for a job well done - 5 squares on the JAMCR scale. Besides the PUNCTUATIONMARK artistry, there was some clues for which a ;-) seems so apropos -- 94D, It may run from an emotional situation, MASCARA, 108A, Like the minotaur legend, CRETAN (notable because this is the 3rd time CRETAN has appeared in as many days), and the EPIC 21A, What can make men swear from menswear, SPACEBAR. Very nice!
An amazing oeuvre by Sid Sivakumar. Just consider 1A, Cause for alarm?, BURGLAR (ha!)), 3A, Acts like a nudnik to, PESTERS (huh?), and 45A, Smartphone screen displays, ALERTS (wow!). Now imagine an entire puzzle with clues like that, well ... you don't have to imagine, because the entire puzzle is like that, a serious mental workout worthy of a Saturday New York Times crossword. A 5 squares on the JAMCR scale if ever a puzzle deserved one! For all the deets, download and enjoy today's podcast.
A challenging Friday crossword (but easier than last week's!). There were a few novel entries in today's grid, including 17A, Hybrid citrus fruit native to China, MEYERLEMON, the very 21st century 3D, "G2G", TTYL, and 35D, Marshal under Napoleon, NEY. Jean leveraged her familiarity with 12D, ________ the 25-Down, founder of the kingdom of Hawaii, KAMEHAMEHA, to get a good leg up in the top right corner, whereas Mike leveraged his familiarity with computers and his unfamiliarity with gerunds to initially stray on 7D, Performing tasks according to encoding instructions, as a computer file, EXECUTABLE (not EXECUTING).
Both Jean & Mike, solving independently as always, ended up at the junction of 41A, Cry of relief, PHEW (not WHEW), and 41D, Jewelry creator Elsa who helped define the Tiffany brand, PERETTI (not WERETTI).
It's Fun Fact Friday and in today's episode we tackle that age old question, is the radian part of the metric system? To find out, download today's episode.
A fascinating puzzle, with several TIL (Today I Learned) moments. Most notably, the astonishing 30A, Animal whose teeth are the strongest substance in the natural world, SNAIL. For those of us who never even knew that SNAILs had teeth, this was indeed a revelation! Also, the fact that RADIAN is part of the SI (metric system) was also a bit of a stunner. The theme involved standard to metric conversions, so for instance, 16A, "In a Silent Way" trumpeter, [~3:5], KILOMETERSDAVIS (as opposed to MILESDAVIS). Very cute! We liked this puzzle a lot, and give it a 5 squares on the (metric) JAMCR sale.
A great Wednesday crossword by Lee Taylor, a punny homage to speed that manages to walk that fine line between punny and painful. Consider 16A, "Hurry up", to a dancer, SHAKEALEG, or 50A, "Hurry up", to a zombie, LOOKALIVE. And the rest of the themed answers are even better. All the details of this clearly 5-square puzzle are inside, so download and listen up!
A fine Tuesday crossword by Zhouqin Burnikel, with a cute theme involving currencies, and several noteworthy clues. It's also Triplet Tuesday, and Jean aces it! For all the details, download and listen up!
There were a lot of famous names in today's crossword --but even if you don't know 61A, Atlanta rapper featured on Lizzo's Grammy-nominated "Exactly How I Feel", GUCCIMANE, or 24A, Runway model famous for her work as a Victoria's Secret model, CHANELIMAN, the crosses were merciful. Mike, as always, had a few hiccups - he incorrectly guessed 13A _____ milk (nondairy choice), OAT (SOY VEI!), and ironically got 56D, All wound up, TENSE, correct, but then inexplicably failed to get the TENSE correct for the adjacernt clue, 57D, Got some shut-eye, SLEPT (he wrote SLEEP). Jean, of course, cruised through the crossword in her usual inimitable and expeditious style.
For all the DEETS, download today's episode and listen up!
The trifecta of tough crosswords to wrap up our crossword-solving week, today's puzzle had 5 answers that started off running across, but ended rising vertically, with the remainder of the horizontal answer forming a different phrase that ended in ASH. There was some foreshadowing, 123A, Within arm's reach, ATONESELBOW, and 100A, What a button an armrest may control, SEATANGLE, as well as the blatant revealer, the combination of 50A and 97A, RISEFROMTHEASHES. Coincidentally, that's what Mike's hoping to do after his weekendus horribilis, crossword-wise, while Jean, as usual, found the going a trifle easier. We give this 4.5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
It's a Saturday New York Times crossword, and that can only mean one thing: tough cluing ahead! Both Jean & Mike ran into heavy seas in the top-right. Jean ran aground on SHOAL, and Mike nearly went mad trying to figure out ASYLA (but came this close). All in all, not a bad puzzle, we give it a 4 squares on the JAMCR scale.
A brutal Friday crossword, Brendan Emmett Quigley and Paolo Pasco do not ease up for a moment, with clues like 3D, Role for Malcom-Jamal Warner on "The People v. O.J. Simpson", ALCOWLINGS (who?), 13A, Home to Waianuenue Falls, HILO (where?), and 4D, "Gah!", DOH (huh?). These made the top-left corner extremely difficult, especially if one did not know the answer to 1D, Pants material, CHINO, and 2D, Pants material, LINEN. How they can ask a question about pants material the answer to which is neither KHAKI nor DENIM remains a mystery that only Will Shortz can answer.
In other news, it's Fun-Fact-Friday, and in today's exciting episode we discuss the origins of mondegreen, and marvel at the fact that it has never, ever, appeared in a New York Times crossword. For all the deets, download and listen up.
A twofer by David W. Tuffs: the regular crossword (of course), plus a second puzzle involving hiding answers in other words/phrases. For instance, 18A, Fencer's cry, ENGARDE, appeared in the puzzle as ZENGARDEN. 51A, Roadside restaurant sign, EATHERE, appeared as WEATHERED. So, good job, Avi (er, we mean David), this clearly deserves a 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
Today's grid was unique - a giant IF in the center of it, and in between the I and F ran the amusing answer to, 19D, Exclamation upon seeing this puzzle, THATSABIGIF, which got (at least here at JAMDTNYTC HQ, a big laugh). Jean made short order of today's crossword, Mike had to struggle with his old nemesis, food -- in particular, the spelling of 20A, Carmichael who composed "Heart and Soul", HOAGY (not HOGIE, aka a tasty sandwich), and the answer to 3D, They can rate up to 350,000 on the Scoville scale, HABANEROPEPPERS (not JALAPENOPEPPERS, which are a mere 2,500-8,000).
A tasty Tuesday puzzle, with some delicious clues from Eric Bornstein, including 18A, Good snack for a pilot?, WINGNUTS, and Jean's favorite, 24A, Good snack for a gangster?, TOUGHCOOKIES. Between WINGNUTS, SENECA, COMET, RADAR and ETA, one could also make the argument that besides food, there was a hidden aviation theme ... but only the crossword constructor knows for sure.
In other news, it's Triplet Tuesday, and Mike scores 2 out of 3, tripping up on DOD, but nailing BOX and GAG.
A perfect Wednesday crossword has traveled back through time, and imperfectly impersonated a Monday crossword, which never would include such clearly Wednesday-level clues as 7D, Right-hand page of a book, RECTO, 14A, Plagued, ATEAT (um, OK), and 53A, Jose _______ (tequila brand), CUERVO. So, welcome, future crossword puzzle, we hope you brought the sports page back with you (cf. Back to the Future, Part II) 😀
A punderful Sunday crossword, with a suuuuubtle theme: and to unpack and decode all of that, download and listen up to today's podcast!
Julian Lim has published 25 crosswords in the New York Times, and just one glance at this puzzle will tell you why: the clues are masterpieces of misdirection (with maybe one or two gimmes thrown in for mercy's sake). Right from the get-go, with 1A Divine instrument?, TAROTCARD, Mr. Lim lets you know that you're in for a fun ride. Definitely a 5 squares on the JAMCR scale, and for a fuller explanation of precisely why, download and listen up!
A straightforward Friday oeuvre from the pen of Robyn Weintraub - Mike was reminded of Joe Friday's catchphrase, "Just the facts, ma'am", as most of the clues seemed to be quite literal. To be sure, there were a few verbal sparklers, including 1A. What takes a ticking and keeps on sticking?, STAMP (not TIMEX!), and 6D, Stuck-up couples at weddings?, CAKETOPPERS. We like it, a crossword that SOOTHES.
In Fun Fact Friday, we get the 411 on pochoir prints, and one of its leading practitioners, Jean Saudé. Definitely worth a Google search!
To answer the question posed in the episode title, yes we can, because this crossword is an absolute delight -- a fun but not impossible theme, and the "aha" moment if you get it will keep you energized for hours. Jean does a great job explaining the theme, so rather than re-explain it here, we exhort you to simply fire up whatever it is you listen to this podcast on, and enjoy!
If you like droll comedy, you'll love today's crossword. From 17A, "Please continue your generous support of the church", MASSAPPEAL, TO 58A, "This medicine will reduce your temperature in no time", FEVERPITCH, everywhere you turn in this grid you'll find something that will make you laugh or groan, or in the worst (i.e., best) case, both. For us, it was both, as a consequence of which we give this puzzle a 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
The authors of today's crossword, Jessie Bullock and Ross Trudeau, just got engaged - and this crossword was their announcement! The theme revolved around the song from Aladdin, ICANSHOWYOUTHEWORLD, and various clues that suggested representations of the earth (POCKETATLAS, GOOGLEEARTH, etc.). Hopefully they'll find married life as enjoyable as we found this crossword, and we give both the happy couple and this crossword 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
In other news, it's Triplet Tuesday, and Jean, true to form, gets all 3!
HOWSWEETITIS and TWOTHUMBSUP pretty much summarizes our review of today's frothy , fun, and nostalgia-hued puzzle by Bruce Haight. Who can't help but smile at 49A, "The Jackie Gleason Show" catchphrase, HOWSWEETITIS, or the delicious twist that would always follow 39A, "Columbo" catchphrase, JUSTONEMORETHING? Probably all the people who weren't even born when these shows aired, aka 50% of the New York Times audience! Fortunately, the crosses were gentle, but it would be interesting to hear from some GenYers, so if you want to OPINE, drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com!
A perfect Sunday crossword by Stephen McCarthy, with some extraordinary anagrams. For your consideration we offer 5A, It might be put on for stage PAGEANTRIES, GREASEPAINT, and 42A, You might be MARVELING AT this as it whizzes by, MAGLEVTRAIN. These are just two of the 10 jaw-droppingly good anagram-related clues that grace this puzzle. The other clues weren't too shabby either. Who could resist 106A , Five-letter word that replaces a four-letter word? BLEEP, or 22A, Member of a noble family, XENON (not BARON!)? A great way to end the weekend, we give this a 5 squares on the JAMCR scale
Today's crossword was a Saturday, hence the call for all SYNAPSES on deck. Jean's responded as usual, and she whizzed through today's crossword; Mike's also responded as usual, which is why, although he did TRY, he ended up BTEN in the vicinity of 50A, Synthetic material also called frozen smoke, AEROGEL (not AEROSOL). Life is just FULLOFSURPRISES! Still, overall a good puzzle, we give it a 4.5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
There was not a STALEJOKE to be found in today's grid. There might have been one at some point, but Will Shortz undoubtedly would've ULTIMATELY exercised his VETOPOWER to set things straight. There were lots of fun clues in today's puzzle, too many to list here, but we do have to give a shoutout to 48A, Superhero misidentification, ITSAPLANE, as well as acknowledge the two sporting sleights of hand, 3D, A's, but not B's or C's, TEAM, and 24A, Cowboys' headgear, HELMETS. Nice!!
It's Fun Fact Friday, and today we learn the inside story of Congo and Pierre Brassau. It's fascinating stuff, you won't want to miss, so download and listen up!
A crisp Thursday offering from the pen of Oliver Roeder, today's crossword had lots of sparkling clues. The pièce-de-résistance was 36A, Life preserver? ... or a hint to six squares in this puzzle, CEREALBOX (and we'll just pause here to let that sink in 😀). Other clues worth applauding for included (this is not an exhaustive list by any stretch) 17A, Stand-in for the unnamed, ETAL (nice!); 62A, Org. known for counting backward, NASA (outstanding!); and finally, an example of painstaking attention to detail, the grid contains both 4D, In large numbers, GALORE, and its anagram at 27A, 2007 Nobel Prize winner, ALGORE. We are in awe, definitely worth 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
Just a reminder, if you haven't solved the crossword but want to follow along, you can always find its solution (as well as the clues) at xwordinfo.com. Highly recommended!
A BLANKCANVAS is how crosswords (and podcast episode write-ups!) begin, but then with a little AGILE thinking you end up with ... a WHITELEPHANT? No, a PLUM puzzle that's just ready to pick! We hope that you'll pick, download and listen up to today's podcast, featuring Jean's deft explanation of today's theme, as well as a loving recitation of a William Carlos Williams poem about fruit!
Today's crossword had lots of dipping - a NIB in INDIAINK, BREAD in CHEESEFONDUE, etc. Jean's favorite clue in the grid was 18A, Small part in a superhero film?, ANTMAN, and Mike was enthralled with 14A, Parts of clown costumes, REDNOSES, just because he likes the idea of REDNOSES. It's Triplet Tuesday, and Mike flames out spectacularly -- the details are all within, so download and listen up.
Monday's are generally regarded as the easiest of the New York Times crosswords, but that doesn't mean that they aren't a lot of fun. This one had a lively theme, the opportunity to misspell 14A, Visually challenged "Mr." of cartoons, MAGOO (Mike thought it was MCGOO for a time), and a clue that's guaranteed to induce a chuckle or three, 45A, One who says that you're not on the ball?, FLATEARTHER. In short, Freddie Cheng has set the bar high for crosswords for the rest of the week, which we'll be reporting on ... for the rest of the week.
Double, double, toil and trouble refers not only to a witch's spell, but also to this crossword, which caused a lot of toil and trouble -- specifically at the junction of 6A, Sarcastic internet laughter, LOLZ, and 9D, Star man?, ZAGAT; both Jean and Mike (working independently, as always) decided that the answers should be LOLS and SAGAN. The authors of the crossword, Aimee Lucido and Ella Dershowitz, begged to differ, and did. Still, apart from that wee little natick the crossword was fine, with some amusing clues. Jean's favorite was 110A, Big believer in the freedom of assembly?, IKEA, while Mike's (apart from 9D, Star man?, SAGAN :-), was 4D, Gladly, old style, LIEF. So, we LIEF give this crossword a 4.5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
The misdirections were flying fast and furious in today's epic by Nam Jin Yoon. Consider 48A, Marvel producer, MIRACLEWORKER, not KEVINFEIGE (it doesn't fit, and Marvel ≠ MARVEL). Right above that, 45A, Background for someone who's good with numbers, MUSICALTHEATER (!), and 34A, Star clusters?, FANBASES (!!). One of those classic Saturday puzzles that requires all neurons on deck, so to speak, we give this an exhausted and exhilarated 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
Jean found today's crossword to be a bit of a slog, but Mike (surprisingly) cruised through it in excellent time, although it was touch-and-go at the beginning. There were a lot of amusing clues in today's offering, such as 26D, Traffic directors?, CONES, 51A, That's a wrap!, SARAN, and 61A, Person who is willfully alone, SOLEHEIR. If these didn't bring a smile to your face, then 4D, Revolutionary inventions in the culinary world?, ROTISSERIEOVENS, will surely leave you ROTFL.
In today's Fun Fact Friday, Jean ferrets out the story behind the 3+ million mile Volvo alluded to earlier in the week.
HOHO, another exciting crossword from Jake Halperin (with, we presume, a dollop of assistance from Will Shortz), who CALLSITLIKEITIS, calling a spade a spade, and a funny bone a FUNNYNERVE -- because that's what, it turns out, it really is. There are three other misnomers that he lays to rest in this fine bit of gridsmanship: to find out what they are (among other things), download and listen up.
Today’s crossword featured a fine example of grid art — a face that definitely HADABLANKLOOK, and SHOWEDNOEMOTION - which coincidentally is what Jean & Mike look like when
they have their puzzle-solving faces on.
Apart from the Mona Lisa-like grid, there were some interesting answers: 56A, Brand with the record for a single car driven the most miles (3+ million and counting), VOLCO (huh!); 5D, Pennsylvania petroleum center, once, OILCITY (natch!), and 30D, It’s been known to chase Wild Turkeys, BEER (nice).
A fine effort by Joe Dipietro, we give it an unemotional 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
Today's crossword was a colorful one, well, red, at least, thanks to the theme -- 4 multi-word answers, the first word of which could be preceded by LITTLERED, as in 17A, Educated, but not streetwise, BOOKSMART, as in LITTLEREDBOOK (as in Mao's bestseller).
Mike had a spot of difficulty, uncertain of and therefore focused on 11D, Judicial capital of Bolivia, SUCRE, whereas his real error was 62D, Cheese coating, WAX (not WAC, which would be simply, well, whack).
Jean breezed through today's crossword, abetted by her crossword solving partner (not Mike, who is not so much an abetter as an aworser ;-)
In other news, Jean overcomes the challenge of doing Triplet Tuesday while on the road, in spite of Mike's sly misreading of the heteronyms NUMBER and NUMBER. To hear all this goodness, download and listen up!
A slightly more difficult Monday than usual -- crunchier, as they say -- but that's to be expected when Alex Eaton-salners is at the helm. You know that trouble's ahead when one of the first clues, 2D, Wake-up calls played on bugles, REVEILLES, requires that you spell REVEILLES. Not too long after, 20A, Spiral shapes, HELICES, requires that you recollect that long-ago-or-possibly-never-even-happened English class where you learned that the plural of HELIX is HELICES. Yikes! So, a tough Monday, and you can hear all the details in today's episode, so download and listen up!
Today's crossword puzzle was ... a puzzle, literally, with 5 shaded areas that when fitted together spelled out that homage to Kodak (maybe), PICTUREPERFECTMOMENTS. There was not a lot of humor in the clues, but 74A, Beehives, but not hornets' nests, UPDOS, and 100A, Songs that can be trilling, ARIAS, were noteworthy. There was a lot to like in today's oeuvre, so to get the full 411, download and listen up!
There are many reasons to love today's crossword, and a new world's record for use of words containing GHTs is not the least of them. With a minimum of cultural references (Mike's bane), and the pun-meter dialed up to 11, it was one of those puzzles that starts of as Impossible and then ... well for many people it stays there's but if you're lucky, well-rested, and have been doing these crosswords for a while you can coerce it to yield its secrets. Nice job, Adam Aaronson, we give your crossword a well-deserved 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
Both Jean and Mike had issues with today's crossword - Jean missed class the day they covered the moons of Saturn (41D, Moon of Saturn, TETHYS), and Mike is utterly convinced that the only true 23D, Director Cameron, is JAMES Cameron (not CROWE). They also are convinced that an 's' made a break for it in 49D, Just deserts, DUE. Apart from this, the crossword felt like, well, a Friday -- and we give it a 4 squares on the JAMCR scale.
Today's crossword involves two animals, both clued as Hybrid creature of myth, that are either ancient and indeed mythical or possibly escapees from S.T.A.R. labs: MERMAID and CENTAUR. And these are central to today's theme, details of which Jean spells out in her inimitable style in today's episode. Beyond that, there were some very clever clues, Jean's favorite, 55A, Where you might search for a lead?, IMDB, and Mike's favorite, 57D, Maneuverable, in nautical lingo, YAR (mainly because it's so fun to say in a Popeye voice).
In today's episode, Jean talked about the ARTE of crossword solving, Mike reflects on a Donkey Kong called ACE, and both discuss the possibility of FGOTUS. All that and more awaits, so just download and listen up!
A technical tour de force by Trip Payne, who managed to CORNERTHEMARKET on cool themes this week, by placing permutations of THEMARKET in the corners of the grid. (Be sure and check it out on xwordinfo.com if you haven't solved it yourself).
In other news, Mike goes down in flames in Triplet Tuesday, but Phoenix-like, emerges from the ashes to ... well, to complete the podcast. Details within; download and enjoy!
In today's episode, we learn of the origin of Stan, debate the merits of "eke by" versus "get by", and admire Nero's ego. For all the details, (or DEETS, as it has occasionally appeared in the New York Times Crossword), download and listen up.
A tough Sunday, with a spectacular, dare we say stellar theme, but some really tricky naticks -- 35A, Japanese beer brand, KIRIN, versus 31D, Sharing maternal lines, ENATIC (yikes!), and 109A, Wine that may be Spumante or frizzante, PROSECCO, versus 94D, Clear, as crystal, BUS (double yikes!). The grid was a technical tour de force, with IX-based rebuses representing stars: if you connected those stars, you got the Big and Little Dipper! That must've taken forever to create, we doff our hats (metaphorically) to the constructor, well done!
We're off for a week, but we'll be back next Sunday, so in the meantime ... keep doing those crosswords!
A challenging Saturday (of course!) crossword, with some major obscurisms lurking in the grid. Certainly 29D, Happenstance, cutely, COINKYDINK, and 20A, Hallux, less formally, BIGTOE, qualify, as, at least for Jean & Mike, does 1A, Popular brand of alcoholic seltzer, WHITECLAW. Other clues were just deliciously deceptive, such as 14A, One might be off the hook, HOMEPHONE, 30D, Record producer?, NOTETAKER, and 36D, Airdrops?, MIST. A good 'un, we give it a 4.5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
We wouldn't say that Jean CRUSHEDIT, but she did turn in a STOUT performance. Mike's effort, meanwhile, wouldn't win any SPEEDTEST, but he did manage to finish with a SHRED of dignity intact, his streak kept ALIVE by a dearth of popular culture references. For all the details, download and listen up!
Hip, hip, hooray, it's a crossword about hips ... two of them to be precise, it's very hip. Jean made short order of today's crossword, as she turned in a perfect 28 minute time, whereas the crossword nearly made short order of Mike, as he struggled pretty much everywhere, in a catch 22: to get the theme revealer, you needed to get the crosses ... but to get the crosses, you had to understand the theme revealer. Diabolical! But in a good way, we give this a 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
Today's crossword was a shocker! Traditionally, the New York Times grids are designed so that answers can be no shorter than 3 letters and as a corollary no letter can be like, well, like the Z's at the end of 21A, Bolivian capital, LAPAZ, and beginning of 48A, Spaces (out), ZONES -- surrounded on 3 sides by black squares. Yet (gasp!), there they are. It's all in a good cause, however, because the entire grid is marked by a large Z in the center -- and there were multiple words with multiple Z's -- 17A, Raucous music style similar to boogie-woogie, BARRELHOUSEJAZZ, and 60A, Dish with tomatoes and mozzarella, OZZIEANDHARRIET. Amazzing!
A terrific Tuesday crossword, a paean to 6D, Olympic sport whose all-round competition is composed of the last parts of 19-, 26-, 44- and 52- across, WOMENSGYMNASTICS. Interspersed among all the sports were some other gently amusing clues, such as 28D, Cheery sort?, FAN, 5D, Uranus but not Neptune, GREEKGOD (nice!), and 46D, Aid in scrolling to the top, UPKEY. Now, will Will Shortz & co., continue in this vein, honoring other sports as the Olympics unfurl? Stay tuned to find out!
A fairly straightforward Monday, although it did contain one of Jean's banes, a quote, but thanks to gentle crosses (it's a Monday) she was still able to complete the crossword in a blazing 6:12! Mike, meanwhile, was able to ... complete the crossword. For all the details, download and listen up to today's episode.
A delicious Sunday crossword, with LOL answers courtesy of Julia Child (as curated and transcribed by today's constructor, Jesse Goldberg). How could you not like such bon mots as 38A, "A party without cake is ________", REALLYJUSTAMEETING, or the rather brazen 65A, "If you're alone in the kitchen and you drop the lamb, you can always just pick it up. __________?", WHOSGOINGTOKNOW. Jean cruised through the crossword in 54 minutes, only getting hung up in the vicinity of 87A, ________ o'clock (when happy hour begins), BEER, whereas Mike seriously misinterpreted 15A, Even once, EVER, parsing it as "Even, once" and trying (unsuccessfully) to imagine the equivalent in days of yore: EVEA? EVEH? EVEL?? Those minor glitches not withstanding, both Jean & Mike agree that this was a fine Sunday effort, and definitely worth 5 squares on the JAM CR scale.
It's a Saturday New York Times crossword, which means that the glove are off, the gauntlet's been thrown down, in short, the puzzle was tough -- amusing, but tough. The grid itself was built to challenge, divided into 4 largely isolated quadrants. Jean had trouble keeping her footing in the center of the crossword, with 26A, Break down for closer analysis, as data, SLICEANDDICE, not immediately clicking, and 30A, Iconic iPhone addition of 2011, EMOJIKEYBOARD, also causing grief. Mike, meanwhile, simply could not believe his eyes at 10D, Having a gap, HIATAL, and his reaction was best summed up by the adjacent 11D, "Whoa, _____!", NELLIE.
So, a tough but fair crossword, with plenty of fun clues, we give it a 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
A Fun Friday crossword, challenging but with not too many tripping hazards (aka proper nouns, such as 40A, Big name in pizza rolls, TOTINOS, and 15D, Short-story writer Bret, HARTE). 19A Thin in tone, TINNY, was tricky because we had almost an identical clue the day before, the answer to which was REEDY. Very tricky, Mr. Shortz! A few "today-I-learned" moments arose courtesy of 29A, When doubled, a 2010s hip-hop fad, NAE, and 54A, She's the responsible one in the group, colloquially, MOMFRIEND; 22A, Ford vehicle, familiarly, INDY, was also a bit of a surprise and most decidedly unfamiliar. A nice puzzle, all-in-all, we will dance a quick NAENAE in its honor, and give it a 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
A delicious Thursday crossword, with TOMYUMSOUP as an appetizer, plenty of tasty rebuses to chew on, and some COKES to wash it down. It did have a few of those cultural references that usually cause Mike to break out in a cold sweat, but fortunately 52D, Actress Birch, THORA, and 59A, Genre for the Mighty Mighty Bosstones, SKA, had (relatively) easy crossings. A great crossword (did we mention that it included the Mighty Mighty Bosstones?), we give it a 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
Today's Wednesday crossword was on the harder side of the spectrum, but it included some fascinating facts. For example, did you know 10D, Creatures that have the densest fur of any mammal (up to 1 million hairs per square inch), SEAOTTERS? Or 21A, One of 20 on the Titanic, LIFEBOAT? The main theme, however, revolved around authors, whose names were ordinary words with E's attached, inserted into appropriate phrases, e.g., 17A, Clamoring for "The Bonfire of the Vanities", CRYINGWOLFE. Amazinge! We give it a 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
We have listener mail, Lisa writes in to discuss her new subscription puzzle service, offering crosswords from some of the best in the biz. And, why yes, she does have a website: crucinova.com, highly recommended!
Today's crossword managed to COVERALLTHEBASES as far as baseball adages are concerned. RIGHTOFFTHEBAT, they had the aforementioned COVERALLTHEBASES; and the author also was ADROIT enough to work in OUTOFLEFTFIELD and WHOLENEWBALLGAME. A very SWEET puzzle indeed.
Today is Triplet Tuesday, so to hear Mike do battle as Jean unleashes a bevy of tricky clues, download and listen up!
A bit of a challenging Monday crossword, some of the clues were relatively ARCANE. Jean had a SMA problem with 46D, Southeast Europe's ______ Peninsula, going for BALTIC before BALKAN. Mike, meanwhile, got TOTO's version of 62A, Where this puzzle's circled letters can be found, AFRICA, stuck in his head, and it took 17A, Song lyric before "short and stout", IMALITTLETEAPOT, to drive it out. Ah, the dangers of Monday New York Times crosswords!
Ooh, it's a beyootiful croosword, and if you're wondering about all those seemingly superfluous o's, well, they are an essential part of Ashish Vengsarkar's very punny puzzle. So, if you're the sort of person who reads 110A, Power of a cowboy's boot, and thinks BOOTSTRENGTH; or if you see 10D, Dramatic accusation at a dentist's office, and think YOUCANTHANDLETHETOOTH, then this puzzle should be right up your alley. If not, well, just apply some 113A, Determination, GRIT, and do the best you can!
Jean was hampered by technical issues, possibly brought on by 16A, Mischievous character in West African folklore, ANANSITHESPIDER, while Mike, meanwhile, had to DIGDEEP, hampered by his decision, violating his own tip, to solve at night. Still, after a TENSE hour (or in Mike's case, two), with nary a CARELESSMISTAKE between them, they were able to gaze upon on a completely solved puzzle. A great Saturday struggle, we give this an exhausted 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
It's a Robyn Weintraub Friday puzzle, and that means tough, fair, and LOL clues all over the grid. To get things rolling, take a look at 25D, Big wheel at a party?, BRIE. She also ought to win an award for 17A, Olympics haul of fame?, GOLDMEDALS, which was just fractionally better than 44D, Irrational thing to celebrate? PIDAY. There's much more in the grid and on the podcast -- which also includes a Fun Fact Friday segment on Olympic diving -- so be sure and download and listen up!
If you are one of those folk who think that rebuses should be banned, then you may appreciate the irony that two bands - AM and FM - show up in each of the rebuses in today's grid, in an ingenious fashion, with AM needed to solve the across clue, and FM required to solve the down clue. Jean has all the details (and remember you can always checkout xwordinfo.com to see the solved puzzle and clues). Curiously, the app required that you write AM/FM to get the solve (although FM/AM, AM, FM, A and F all would have worked): those New York Times crosswords can be tricky!
A "crunchy" Wednesday crossword, with enough tricky clues to slow solvers down, although, it is often a good idea to take it -- as they say in life, in Aesop's fables, and in this puzzle -- SLOWANDSTEADY. The constructor embedded most of the grid's humor in the top-left corner, with 3D, Don't knock until you've tried it, DOORBELL, running into 20A, One who whistles while working, REF. The placement of 47A, "Quiet you", quaintly, OHDRYUP, running into 49D, Fiji alternative, DASANI, was intriguing, as was the positioning of 1D, Water bottle confiscators, for short, TSA, far away from the aforementioned 49D. A fine Wednesday effort, we give it 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
A relatively easy Tuesday crossword, one might even say a GIMMEGIMMEGIMME 😀: both Jean and (unusually) Mike tore through it. The best clue was definitely 19D, Website where you go to see the stars?, YELP, but there were some others of note, such as 13D, "Aren't I great?", YAYME, and Mike's favorite, 57D, The "N" of N.B., NOTA. A nice crossword, we give it a 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
In today's Triplet Tuesday episode, Jean puts on a stellar performance, nailing all 3 answers. For all the details, download and listen up.
Jean had a RAREBIT of an issue with today's crossword, but it was nothing MAJOR. Mike, meanwhile, was intrigued by 17A, Marine inhabitant that's an animal, not a plant, despite what it's called, SEACUCUMBER, and appreciated its location in the grid near what it clearly was a case of -- 1A, Negative media coverage, in brief, BADPR. One clue that stood out, was the delicious (and crossing RAREBIT, especially well-placed) 10D, Olio di ______ (bread dip at a trattoria), OLIVA. Sounds delicious, or as yesterday's crossword would have us say in modern slang, NOMS!
A lot of sizzle in today's crossword, appropriate for the 4th of July. Both Jean & Mike, even though they were solving independently, experienced HIGHANXIETY, and had reasons to WAIL, in the same places. The first was at the corner of 102D, Delicious food, in modern slang, NOMS, and 109A, ÷ and † in typography, OBELI (yikes!); the second was 14D, Hair loss, ALOPECIA, crossing with 40A, Jess's best friend in "New Girl", CECE (egads!). There were some ZANY answers (courtesy of 60A, Clownish), and others that brought UNBRIDLEDJOY, (90A, Wild horse's emotion?), and we have GUARDEDOPTIMISM that tomorrow's crossword will be less strenuous than today's.
There were some fireworks in today's crossword (especially in the top-left and bottom-right corners), with tricky clues like 3D, Strengthen, as an embankment, REVET (!), and 6D, Verdi opera set during the fifth century, ATTILA (!!). Jean labored mightily in this corner, while meanwhile, in the bottom right, Mike was inventing answers out of whole cloth, such as 52A, Metal oxide in dental crowns, ZIRCONIA (not ZINCONIA), and 48A, McCarthyite called out in Billy Joel's "We Didn't Start the Fire", ROYCOHN (not MARILYN). A tough Saturday, we give it a 4.5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
A fine Friday crossword that is definitely 10D, Out of the ordinary, REALLYSOMETHING, with lots of places where one might 27D, Crack under pressure, CHOKE, albeit less likely if one had a 26A, What a fitness coach likely leads, ACTIVELIFESTYLE. There were some interesting longer answers, including 17A, Cut-and-paste tool for language learners, GOOGLETRANSLATE, and 52A, Like some headphones, NOISECANCELLING. Both Jean and Mike (solving independently, as always) ran into slight headwinds at the corner of 32A, One-named rapper with the 2019 video, "Can't Explain it", CHIKA, and 23D, Daughter of Styx, NIKE (and the subject of today's Fun Fact Friday segment).
The constructor of today's crossword, Joe Deeney, had one big idea, and ran with it -- omit the word BIG from a series of answers, and then expand the word that followed into a BIGger font. For instance, 20A, "I can't believe I said that", MEANDMYMOUTH appeared in the grid with MOUTH in a larger than ordinary font. Cute! Jean's favorite clue was 48A, Rhyme for "menorah" in "Hanukkah, Oh Hanukkah", HORA, while Mike was fond of 33A, Instrument that largely replaced the ophicleide, TUBA (presumably because it was easier to pronounce 😀). A great crossword, we give this 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
Happy last day of June! In today's episode, both Jean & Mike resist the urge to break into song when discussing Tommy Tutone's most famous hit, 867-5309/Jenny, the theme of today's crossword. They also ponder the works of Ted CHIANG, the origin story of FIVEGUYS, and the reappearance of the computer that might very well be powering WordPlay's comments, section, the ENIAC. For all this and more, check out today's podcast.
Back in the day, we'd nip in the bud any clues like 55A, "Years ago ....", literally, THEBACKDAY, and 24A, Put an early stop to, literally, THENIPBUD, but fortunately here in 2021 Alan Arbesfeld had no such misgivings, and today's fine crossword -- we rate it a 4.5 on the JAMCR scale -- is the result. Meanwhile, on today's exciting edition of Triplet Tuesday, Mike does a PHIne job (and to understand that last remark, be sure to download and listen up!).
If you have a fear of painful (aka good) puns then beware, this crossword is likely to cause nightmares. Exhibit A, 17A, "So this red thing, Mom? This is not good.", BEETREPORT, and exhibit B, 63A, "Wow, Mom, this is like at a restaurant! Dibs on the chocolate pudding!", MOUSSECALL. Ouch! We'd continue with exhibits C and D, but they are likely to trigger SOBS and perhaps an OATH or two: but if you are a glutton for pun-ishment, then download and listen up.
Today's crossword is a panoply of colors: if you solve it correctly on an iPad or on the web, the answers RED, ORANGE, YELLOW, GREEN, BLUE, INDIGO and VIOL:ET become appropriately colored. Even more impressively, they are arranged so that they sweep out an arc, like a rainbow, truly a work of art -- if you don't have access to the solution, do check it out at xwordinfo.com.
There were several new (to us) clues: 69A, Cal's game-winning kickoff return against Stanford in 1982, familiarly, THEPLAY; 89A, Oscar-winning song from "Slumgdog Millionaire", JAIHO; and the ODDLYSATISFYING (sorry, we could not resist reusing that answer from yesterday!) 108A, Harder to grasp, EELIER.
The toughest crossword of the week lives up to its reputation, with a stunning array of deceitful clues. Easily the best, and for which the crossword constructors should win either an award or jail time, is 3D, Answer that would be more apt at 10 Down, TOES. What makes this so sneaky is the writing of 10 Down rather than 10-Down. The latter is the NYTimes crossword's convention for clue references: the former, 10 Down, refers to a person's toes. Two other clues of note: 41A, Digital applications?, PRESSONS, 34A, Like popping bubble wrap, for many, ODDLYSATISFYING, not even close to what Mike had originally posited, HIGHLYADDICTIVE. All in all, a great crossword -- definitely a 5 squares on the JAMCR scale -- and for more details, download and listen up!
In today's episode, Jean finds today's crossword to be a breeze, while Mike sees it as more of a tempest. Both ponder the meaning of 25A, Spirals out over the winter holidays?, HAMS, and their response is 20A, Acknowledgement with a shrug, WELLOK. In today's Fun Fact Friday segment, we learn about the joys of clerihews.
Remember, when listening to this podcast, we recommend you do so with a solved puzzle close at hand. If you don't happen to have one about your person, visit xwordinfo.com, where you can find the entire solved grid and clues -- very handy.
Jean makes short order of today's crossword, whereas Mike gets tormented in a TANSY garden, nearly snookered by SNOODS, menaced by MCCOO, and temporarily lured into believing that LECI Eshkol was the third prime minister of Israel (for the record, it was the eminently more plausible LEVI Eshkol who occupied the office). Still it was a great crossword, we give it a 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
Jean runs into a spot of bother at 41A, Tech that enables contactless credit card payments, RFID, while Mike almost needs the fainting couch upon uncovering the answer to 24A, Decorative items washed up on the beach, SEAGLASS. Also in this episode, the more loquacious of your co-hosts admires 44A, Loquacious, CHATTY, and both are intrigued by 10A, Fleeting romantic interest, FLAVOROFTHEWEEK. Yum!
Jean attempts to set an indoor speed record for the Tuesday crossword, while Mike prefers to saunter his way through the grid. Both finished and lived to tell the tale, which is precisely what they do in today's episode. Also listen for another exciting Triplet Tuesday adventure, with Mike doing the pitching and Jean at bat.
In today's crossword, we get a lesson in knowledge (Jean, discussing 2D, 1950's-60's singer Bobby, DARIN, and the tie-in to the Three Penny Opera), and ignorance (Mike, confessing that he thought 9D, Honorific for Gandhi, MAHATMA was in fact the great leader's first name -- rather than his actual first name, Mohandas). Today's puzzle did have a nice theme to it, 52A, "Let's put things in perspective" ... or a title for this puzzle, ITSALLRELATIVE. For full details, and much more interesting analysis, download and listen up to today's episode.
Jean tore through today's crossword like nobody's business. Mike, meanwhile, got through about 2/3 of the grid at a decent clip and then lapsed into slo-mo mode for the remainder, running into a sea of cruciverbal misery bordered between 70D, Like fuschia and turquiose, MISSPELLED (nice!!), and 93D, Raw deal from a restaurant?, CEVICHE. However, this did let him spend quality time with clues like 78A, Actress de Armas writes "Mr. Gas" and "Ms. Rag", ANAANAGRAMSGRAMS, and 112A, Doctor acquires antibiotics, PROPROCURESCURES, so he does not regret it in the slightest.
A challenging but fair Saturday crossword, with quite a few "today-I-learned" moments. For example, 10A, "The Metamorphosis" protagonist, SAMSA, the very interesting 15A, Person who will do anything for you, in modern slang, RIDEORDIE (!), 26D, Nintendo offering with more than 10 installments, MARIOPARTY, and the revelation that the answer to 20A, Bridge, e.g., PASTIME, is spelled with only one T. Who knew? Speaking of spelling, 37A, Birthplace of Ivan Turgenev, OREL, is spelled ORYOL according to Wikipedia, so, who knows?
Hopefully the author of today's terrific. crossword, Daniel Larsen, was paid by the letter, because there were a very small number of black squares in today's grid , which featured 7 clues that ran the entire width of the puzzle, and 1 that ran the entire height. At first blush, then, the crossword looked daunting - a sea of white squares - but fortunately (some of) the crosses were merciful. For instance, 46D, Two-legged stand, BIPOD, and 50D, Police dept. alerts, APBS, would be familiar to anyone who has been solving the New York Times crossword for a while. Some of the more novel clues included 41D, Trump is named in it, EUCHRE (nice indirection, there!), the keen observation 37A, Many national anthems, WARSONGS, and the amusing 44A, Something you're not likely to fork out?, SOUP 😀.
Jean cruised through today's crossword while simultaneously baking cookies, while Mike, unencumbered by food preparation tasks of any sort, took 3x as long to get the job done: we will let you draw your own conclusions about this.
Construction-wise, the crossword was a real tour-de-force, with themed answers tracing out the shape of a fish hook, while the letters in the hook themselves formed the names of various fish. Amazing! [If you haven't solved the crossword, stroll over to xwordinfo.com to see the solved puzzle and admire the constructor's handiwork.]
We have no choice then, in the face of such cruciverbal-magnificence, to give this puzzle an enthusiastic 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
There was a lot of misdirection in today's crossword, but that's by design, because the theme was, in fact, a series of movies in which the directions were flipped - 19A, Jim Sheridan gives Daniel Day Lewis nothing to work with in this Irish dramedy (1989), MYRIGHTFOOT, 25A, Rian Johnson helms this snoozer of a whodunit starring Daniel Craig (2019), KNIVESIN, etc. There were some nice clues -- 1D, Item needed for burning, once, BLANKCD, being the standout. and 53D, Monk known as the "Father of English History", STBEDE, not, as Mike originally postulated, THELONIOUS. We give this a 4.5 squares on the JAMCR scale, deducting points for unnecessary naticking (21A x 2D and 10D x 23A), and questionable use of an abbreviation in 63A, Nonkosher sandwich, BLT.
Apparently the use of "dog" as slang for foot hearkens back to at least 1913, according to the Oxford English Dictionary. Mike discovered it 108 years later, during today's podcast, so ... better late than never.
In other parts of the grid, Apple tech once again makes an appearance ( 7D, iPad ________ , MINI), and U-Haul also pops up (a much rarer event), in the clever clue 26D, Rental with 10-, 15-, 17-, 20- and 26-foot sizes, UHAUL.
It's Triplet Tuesday, and in today's exciting episode ... oops, no spoilers, you'll have to download and listen up to find out what happens!
Hold the (homo)phone, it turns out there are a multitude of ways to pronounce WAY -- WHEY, as in 20A, Food for Little Miss Muffet, CURDSANDWHEY, WEI, as in 31A, Chinese dissident artist, AIWEIWEI, WEIGH, as in that toe-tapper from the US Navy, 36A, U. S. Naval Academy anthem, ANCHORSAWEIGH, and finally WAY, from the second greatest musical hook of all time, 54A, Breakup song by Fleetwood Mac, GOYOUROWNWAY. [And for details of the greatest musical hook of all time, just download and listen up.]
How's it going, eh? And if that question resonated, then you might be in a good position to tackle today's crossword, which celebrated all things Canadian. For example ... 19D, Program introduced by the Trudeau government in 1984, colloquially, FREEHEALTHCARE, 104A, Six-time winner of the N.H.L.'s Art Ross Trophy, born in Saskatchewan, GORDIEHOWE, and 16D, Seasonal destination near Quebec City, WINTERICEHOTEL. All of this led to the witty revealer, 76A, Like all the answers with pairs of circled letters, punnnily, MEHDEINCANADA. Très amusant!
A gentler Saturday crossword, because not all Saturday's have to be Thanos-like (and it's only a matter of time before that Marvel villain makes it into the New York Times crossword, you heard it here first 😀). There were some "today-I-learned" moments scattered throughout the grid, such as 13D, What those with protanomaly have difficulty seeing, RED, 22A, Prefix with -graph, TRI, and 31D, Fruit that's a major Chinese export, PERSIMMON. Mike's favorite clue was, 37D, Obelix's friend in comics, ASTERIX -- the hero in a great series of comics from the great Goscinny and Uderzo, highly recommended!
An excellent Friday crossword, lots of ingenious and crisply crafted clues. Exhibit A, 39D, Long divisions?, AISLES, and 52A, They may have lots of steps, STAIRWELLS (a nice bit of indirection). Today's puzzle was also, as all good crosswords are, a learning experience: 5A, First country to discover water on the moon, INDIA; 11D, Many a farmer's market attendee, LOCAVORE (wow!); and 30A, "Rabbits" in a race, PACESETTERS, which forms the basis of today's Fun Fact Friday segment.
Today's crossword includes a novel, or at least very rare, theme, in which the clues lead to answers that similar to common phrases, except the "air" sound in the last word has been replaced with an "or" sound. For instance (because this definitely needs an example), 17A, Leonardo, Michaelangelo, Donatello and Raphael?, RENAISSANCEFOUR (as opposed to RENAISSANCEFAIR).
Jean was temporarily slowed down by 61A, Legendary queen once depicted on Tunisian currency, DIDO, initially writing (perhaps with yesterday's crossword stuck in her head), AIDA, instead. Mike was temporarily stumped by 41A, Professor Moriarty's first name, JAMES --wondering if Moriarty even had a first name -- because in the Sherlock Holmes stories that he could recollect, Holmes seemed to always calling Moriarty ("the most dangerous man in England") by his last name.
Regardless, this was a fine puzzle, and we give it a perfect 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
You might want to be sitting down for this podcast ... but if you're not, fear not, because the crossword theme is, basically, things that you can sit upon, (BACKSEATDRIVER, COUCHPOTATO, etc.). There were not a lot of verbal fireworks in today's grid, although it did have 24A, Glistens with shimmering colors, IRIDESCES (from a Greek word meaning you'll never be able to spell this); 21D, De-tailed detail?, SPEC, deserves mention, and the crossing of 27D, Nobel prize winner of 1903 and 1911, CURIE, with 46A, Best Comeback Athlete, for one, ESPYAWARD was also intriguing.
There was also some Millenial-ese, 54D, "I'm just like that" in modern lingo -- check out this Inc article for more examples.
It's amazing what an opportunely placed H can do to a phrase -- and Christopher Adams demonstrates this not just once or twice, but four times, taking common phrases, and tossing in an H to get a punderfully amusing answer. There was a lot of pop culture in today's crossword. This fazed Jean not at all, but Mike got temporarily natticked at the corner of 1D, "The Open Window" story writer, SAKI, and 17A, Actress Russell, KERI, knowing neither: only by walking through the alphabet did he eventually stumble upon the necessary K.
It's Triplet Tuesday, and in today's game Jean shows definitively why she is known as the queen of 3 letter answers!
In today's episode, we discover how to pronounce ARNAZ (41A, Desi of "I Love Lucy"); why 3D, Annual drama award, is OBIE, rather than OLEO or OLIO; that VALOR Day is not a thing (14A, _____ Day (September observance, LABOR)); and much, much more! For details, download and listen up.
Today's crossword was titled Olio, meaning either that a) they didn't have a theme, or b) they were intending to talk about margarine but the proofreader took a POWERNAP at an inopportune time. Either way, today's crossword did have its moments -- 67D, Bits of hijinks?, DOTS, and 44D, Stopped smoking?, COOLED were among our favorites. Jean had a spot of bother with 39A, Three-dimensional, SPATIAL, inadvertently slipping in a C instead of a T. Mike, meanwhile, was disappointed that 45A, One receiving a congratulatory email from eBay, turned out to be HIGHESTBIDDER, rather than the (at least in his eyes) much more amusing SPAMRECIPIENT. A decent Sunday crossword, we give it a 4.5 squares on the JAMCR scale
Peter Wentz really UPPEDTHEGAME in today's crossword, resulting in a real THRILLER. Both Jean & Mike, solving independently as always, had the toughest time in the bottom-left corner, where tricky clues like 47A, NorCal daily, SACBEE, and 49D, Credit card name, CITI (not VISA), were wedged in between other tricky clues, like 36D, Steinbeck novella, THEPEARL, and 47D, Tests one's spirits?, SIPS. Still, all's fair's in love and Saturday New York Times crosswords, and we give this a very fair 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
A challenging but fair Friday crossword, with some absolutely stellar cluing. Surely 18A, A child who's lying might make one, SNOWANGEL, deserves some sort of award, as does 40A, Small organic food producer, HONEYBEE (wow!); and we would be remiss if we didn't mention 8D, Explicit, to a Brit, SPELTOUT, and 43A, Hardly a long shot, PUTT. So, we doff our hats to the constructor, Nam Jin Yoon, and give his oeuvre a well-earned 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
If you like rebuses (rebusae?), you will absolutely adore today's crossword, because it has ...wait for it ... eighteen of them, artfully arranged by Kyra Wilson and Sophia Maymudes. We are not going to even try and articulate the theme here in the episode notes, but Jean does a splendid job of explaining it in the podcast.
There were a few tricky spots -- probably the most difficult being the spelling of 34A, Catchphrase on "The Simpsons", AYCARAMBA, because a) it sounds like AYCARUMBA, and b) that third A crossed 29D, Curry made with hoof meat, PAYA, a rarely seen answer in the puzzle. For the record PAYA was used twice before today, on Saturday, October 9, 1965, and Friday, September 8, 1961 (and in both cases it was as two words, PAY A). Now you know!
Happy Pride Month, everyone! In honor of that august occasion, Jesse Goldberg has crafted a puzzle revolving around 34A, Historic inn commemorated during Pride Month, as suggested by this puzzle's border answers, STONEWALL. Revolving is the operative word, as the top and bottom rows, and left and right columns were dedicated to 10, count 'em, 10 theme-related clues, all of which required STONE to be appended to the end of the answer -- 1A, Graveyard sight, HEAD[STONE], 47D, Quaint street material, COBBLE[STONE], etc.
Jean found the crossword to be about right for a Wednesday. Mike, meanwhile, flailed about in the bottom-left corner, almost done in by the heteronym-trap that was 39D, Attribute, ASCRIBE. Very sneaky, Jesse!
Today's crossword might've been a shoutout to fruititarians, what with the references to HALLEBERRY, PROFESSORPLUM, PRINCESSPEACH, and a very popular singer (especially in the New York Times Crossword), FIONAAPPLE. The latter crossed with 40D, Tech release of 2017, IMACPRO -- a nice touch since, of course, they are made by Apple. There were quite a few cultural references in today's puzzle, including 33D, Singer with the 2019 # 2 hit "Don't Start Now", DUALIPA, and 7D, "Heidi" author Johanna, SPYRI, but we gladly forgive any crossword that includes 49D, Letters in a so-called "supervocalic" word, AEIOU, and therefore give it a 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
Jean tears through today's crossword, as, allowing for heteronyms, does Mike. There were quite a few teaching moments in today's crossword:
57A, Fashion designer associated with the item spelled out by the starts of 17-, 26- and 42-Across, COCOCHANEL -- alluding to the Little Black Dress that apparently is a staple of most women's wardrobes.
26A, Bicolor cookies also called half-moons, BLACKANDWHITES, not OREOOOOOOOOOOOS (that's an OREO being eaten while falling off a cliff).
32D, ________ Rutter, "Jeopardy!" contestant with the all-time highest winnings ($4.9+ million)
To get the details on all of the above, and more, download and listen up.
The Goldilox of Sunday crosswords -- not too hard, not too easy, just right -- with an entertaining chess theme and a reference to what we presume is Will Shortz's favorite pointy object, 88D, Tool for a duel, EPEE. There were a few standout clues -- 64A, Pickup line?, RAM, and the tremendous 55D, Cub's place to play home games, DEN (very nice!).
As all good crosswords do, it did raise a few questions, such as 25A, Where snow leopards and blue sheep roam, HIMALAYAS -- blue sheep? are they just cold or is something else going on? And is 126, Opposite of wind up, UNREEL, a real word, or is it ... UNREAL?
Regardless, this was a nice way to spend part of a Memorial Day weekend, we give it a 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
The gloves are off, the gauntlet is cast down, yes, it's a Saturday crossword, so you might need some PLOTARMOR to protect you from the absolute deluge of tough clues. starting with, well, speak of the devil, 1A, Protection of a protagonist for narrative purposes, in slang, PLOTARMOR. The fun continues with the clues beneath it, 15A, Get in the pool, say, RIDESHARE, which bumps into the even slier 7D, Bunch of hipsters?, MANBUN -- and that's just the top-left corner!
The bar for the rest of the crossword remains at that same stratospheric level, but it did include 35D, Source of Vibranium in the Marvel universe, WAKANDA, and 44A, Father of Jörmungandr, LOKI, so we will not only forgive Adam Aaronson for any transgressions. we will award his oeuvre a 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
A somewhat challenging Friday, with head-scratchers in all 4 quadrants. Jean struggled in the middle of the crossword, with 40A, "Vice" principal?, DICKCHENEY, while Mike struggled with, well, it would be faster to say what he didn't struggle with -- he got 42D, Province named for a daughter of Queen Victoria, ALBERTA, right off the bat. Everything else he had to work for.
In today's episode of Fun Fact Friday, we talk about Otis Boykin, best known for his work with resistors and pacemakers.
Sufferin' succotash! It's Sylvester, one of Mel Blanc's many, many creations, and the basis of the theme, which involves exchanging S's for TH's, e.g., 35A, When an armistice is signed, as 58-Across would say, MOMENTOFTRUCE. Mike wasn't quite sure about 50-A, Looking pretty, as 58-Across would say, INGOODFAITH, but Jean assured him, INGOODFAITH, that INGOODFAITH was a legitimate answer.
A good Thursday offering, we give it a 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
Mi, mi, mi -- sorry, we're just warming up to analyze a Will Nediger crossword that had three ME references, all tied to 53A, Ominous request from a teacher ... or a hint to the first words (and following letters) of 17-, 26- and 43 Across, SEEMEAFTERCLASS. The answers to those clues were, incidentally, BUSINESSMEETING, GYMMEMBERSHIP, and GERMANMEASLES.
There was a lot to like in this crossword -- Will Nediger does not know how to write anything less. Most notable were
- 14A, Brest milk, LAIT (brilliante!);
- 13D, They run when they're broken, EGGS,;
- 31D, Duty-free?, IDLE;
- 8D, Food, in a food fight, AMMO, and, just because it's so fun to say,
- 44D, Granny, in the South, MEEMAW (yet another, unrelated-to-theme ME!).
Overall, a nice puzzle, we give it the often requested but infrequently bequested 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
Jean found today's crossword to be a piece o'cake, while Mike found it more of a torture, er, torte, as he wandered down various dead-end alleys (1A, Evidence of a recent scrape, SCAB (not SCAR); 6D, Go here and there, ROVE (not ROAM); 17A, Many a graduate of 37-across; Abbr., ENGR, not MNGR; etc., etc.).
Both Jean and Mike enjoyed the delicious irony that 9A, Expensive Super Bowl purchases, TVADS, was kitty-corner to 64A, Rival of Hydrox cookies, OREOS (and since OREOS were involved, the irony had to be delicious). And finally, Mike was delighted to see yet another reminder that Loki will be out in a few weeks, 53D, God who wields the hammer Mjölnir, THOR.
Finally, it was Triplet Tuesday™️, in which Jean displays her crossword-solving chops, with a 100% solve rate.
There are a lot of body parts in today's crossword, but that's not really a bad thing, just a good theme, well implemented. There was also a diverse array of foods that hopefully you'll never encounter at one meal -- 16A, Challenging vegetables to eat with a fork, PEAS, 46D, Three-ingredient lunchbox staple, familiarly, PBANDJ, and 44D, ____ Balls (chocolaty snack), SNO.
Beyond the crossword, we got some mail (crosswordpodcast@icloud.com, we promise to read every missive!), so download and listen up.
In today's episode, Jean explains about PIONS, and the fact that SELFSOWN is not superfluous; Mike, meanwhile, ponders where he can download the latest version of CLAROS, in spite of the fact that it is the answer to 33A, Mild, light-colored cigars, and not, as he had posited, a new version of Linux. While they have been known to have a DIFFERENCEOFOPINIONS, both Jean & Mike do agree that 32A, They have stems and white heads, HALFNOTES, is brilliant, as is the crossword in general -- a 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
Today's crossword was a bit of a slog, although we were happy to see the return of AMONRA - the god of tricky spelling -- and several Star Wars references (21A, Hoth, in "Star Wars", ICEPLANET, and 27A, Sci-fi enemy collective, perhaps, EVILEMPIRE). Jean struggled in the northwest corner, and both Jean & Mike had to grit their teeth in the southeast, where the dubious 49D, Hit on the head, in slang, DONK, and the clever but obscure 32D, "100 Years ... 100 Stars" and others, in brief, AFILISTS, caused difficulty. Still, any crossword that includes 47A, Portmanteau coinage for the uneducated and uncultured, BOOBOISIE, can't be all bad -- we give this a 4 squares on the JAMCR scale.
In today's crossword, we discover that one of us (Jean) knows the difference between ELEGIZE and EULOGIZE, and that one of us (Mike) knows that to dispose of the one ring that rules them all will require a trip to MTDOOM. Jean has to work for her supper in the top-left corner, whereas Mike has a relatively smooth solve except for 37D, Fit to be tried, which he took to be STABLE rather than the (in retrospect) much more plausible SUABLE.
A tough Thursday, foreshadowed in some of the clues, such as 59D, Sounds of puzzlement, EHS, and 62A, Cry of frustration, AARGH. Jean struggled in the bottom center, having inexplicably neglected to memorize the Dewey Decimal System before starting today's puzzle. Mike, meanwhile, took to heart yesterday's conversation anticipating rebuses, and was bound and determined to use them, even if the crossword constructor, Trenton Charlson, chose not to.
Besides the theme, there were some noteworthy clues, such as 1D, Brand that many people stick with, ELMERS (nice), and 9D, Rodin's thinker, TETE (manifique!).
Today's crossword was chock-full of IDEAS tied to cosmology - from the universe's start, in the BIGBANG, to its end, with (according to TSELIOT), a WHIMPER. It also had a shoutout to the person who helped confirm the BIGBANG, PENZIAS (not, as Mike incorrectly SPELT it for reasons that are SPELT out in the podcast, PENSIAS). A few other clues of note: 53D, Shiny button material, NACRE, and a word that most people will never, ever need to use but it's just reassuring to know that it exists, 47D, Dot in "i" or "j", TITTLE.
Just a reminder, that if you're trying to follow along but don't have a solved copy of the crossword at-the-ready, xwordinfo.com has you covered, with the completed grid and clues: highly recommended!
Typical Tuesday fare, which since this is the New York Times means really, really good fare, involving SAUSAGELINK synonyms and a secondary theme (if three related clues can be considered a theme) involving volleyball (SETTERS, SPIKES and NET). Jean of course had no problem with today's puzzle, Mike got off to a slow start, guessing that1A, Hospital scan, for short was CAT, rather than the correct answer, MRI, and then misspelling 1D, Chief of a fire department, MARSHAL as MARTIAL (oops!).
Tip Tuesday was retired last week, and in its place we now have Triplet Tuesday, a game in which you have to guess a 3 letter answer as quickly as possible, when presented with a series of 3 (or maybe 4) clues in decreasing order of obfuscation. It's fun for the whole family!
As usual, if you want to provide feedback (we'd love to hear what you think of Triplet Tuesday), drop us a line -- crosswordpodcast@icloud.com
Did we like this crossword? JA, DA, OUI, SI, or, to put it another way, YES! Beyond the clever theme (answers that embedded YES, in various languages), it was slightly more difficult than the usual Monday fare. However, it did have 29A, Where to order a Blizzard, DAIRYQUEEN, so we are contractually obligated to give it a yummy 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
It's not easy to BUILDABETTERMOUSETRAP, nor to build a better crossword gimmick, but in today's CADILLAC of a puzzle Joe DiPietro shows us how it's done -- so if you want to CLAP, or sing a PAEAN in his honor, we would certainly understand. After all, any puzzle that include 21A, Loud thudding sound, CRUMP 😀, or 59A, Hasbro game requiring increasingly quick reflexes, BOPIT, or manages to cross ATOMS, IOTA and MITE, clearly deserves acclaim.
It wasn't quite RAGNAROK, but today's crossword was a major challenge, with deliciously deceitful clues, like 9A, Avon lady, for one, BRITON, 3D, What's on the fast track?, ACELA, and 60A, Hip joints, HOTSPOTS ... actually anywhere you look in this puzzle you'll find that same ultra-high quality, as we have come to expect by the master of cruciverbal cunning, Sam Trabucco. Definitely a 5 squares on the JAMCR scale!
It was ALLSYSTEMSGO for Jean, who set a new best time for a Friday crossword, typing so quickly that relativistic effects caused her fingers to noticeably elongate. Mike meanwhile, had a spot of bother in the top left corner, thanks primarily to 2D, "________Camp", 2020 Oscar-nominated documentary, CRIP, and 3D, "Woman's rights pioneer Elizabeth _________ Stanton", CADY. But thanks to 52A, One way to crack a code, BRUTEFORCE, he too was able to persevere.
It's Fun Fact Friday, and in today's Fun Fact we learn about Elizabeth Cady Stanton, a true pioneer of the women's movement.
While today's crossword had a few of THEUSUALSUSPECTS - LAB, TASE and ARSON -- it also had some more ANOMALOUS entries -- movie titles that were (for the most part) questions, the answers to which were ... other movie titles. For instance, 38A, Who framed Roger Rabbit? [1995], turned out to be the aforementioned THEUSUALSUSPECTS. It must've taken TRUEGRIT to construct this crossword, hats off to the J.A.S.A. Crossword Class (and their teachers, Andy Kravis and Natan Last), who provided such a pleasing diversion.
A full-bodied crossword, thanks, undoubtedly, to the presence of VO5 in the bottom left corner. In today's episode, Jean and Mike ponder whether any Georgia teams have a VIDALIAONION as their mascot; whether sailor-scholars pronounce et alii as et al aye-aye, and if anybody, ever, has used SESAMES in a sentence. Download and listen up for all the details!
Today's crossword was simultaneously exciting (as New York Times crosswords usually are), but also a LOWKEY affair, as several keys appeared in the lower half of the themed answers (running vertically), FIREESCAPE, STORAGESPACE, BIRTHCONTROL, FIRSTSHIFT and OPENTAB.
Both Jean and Mike, solving independently as always, finished up at the exact same square -- the intersection of 26A, Twitter thumbs-up, informally, and 19D, Western _______ (college course, informally), The issue, informally, was that there were several possibilities for the latter, LIT, HIS, LIB and CIB, but it turns out that CIV sealed the deal, yielding FAV for 26A and a brief chorus of happy music.
In other news, we bid a fond adieu to Tip Tuesday, to be replaced, next Tuesday, by something even more awesome! Tune in then to find out!
In today's episode, Jean STEMS the urge to put PITS in as the answer for 67A, Cherry throwaways, while Mike knows that he OTTO rethink 34D, The _______- is falling [Chicken Little], because his answer, SCE, doesn't make any sense. To hear the details, and -- bonus -- learn who on the team loathes BEETS, download and listen up.
Happy Mother's Day from those of us at Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword HQ, as well as the editors of the New York Times Crossword. The latter brought you a Mother's Day Concert, with songs that could be interpreted as referencing the miracle of childbirth. For example, 24A, Mom's comment to her child during prenatal bonding? [Frank Sinatra, 1954], IGETAKICKOUTOFYOU, and 66A, Mom's remark as contractions grow stronger? [The Ramones, 1978], IWANNABESEDATED. Jean cruised through this, Mike had a few problems with 97D, Joint: Prefix, ARTHRO, and his refusal to believe that 99A, Simple life?, AMEBA, was spelled correctly. Today's podcast has all the deets, download and enjoy!
Ah, a David Steinberg puzzle, that means quality! And the maestro does not disappoint. with a DELUGE of ingenious and deliciously deceiving clues (35D, Composition test, ASSAY (not, as probably 90% of solvers initially thought, ESSAY); 50A, The old you?, THOU; and 56A, Camper's gear chain, REI, just to name three).
Basically everywhere you look in the puzzle -- from 1A, Supreme Court members?, NBAALLSTARS, and 37D, Correction for a wild pitch?, AUTOTUNE; to 2D, Once-in-a-lifetime events, BIRTHS, and 49D, Common complex rule, NOPETS, the clues were universally awesome. A masterpiece of a Saturday, we give this a 5 full-throated-squares on the JAMCR scale.
A somewhat challenging crossword, with some answers that were OUTOFLEFTFIELD -- but it's a Friday, so headwinds are par for the course. Jean had to dig for 2D, Home of many a tech startup, PALOALTO, while Mike had to talk himself out of RENTS as the answer to 44A (the correct answer being, as all good tennis players know, REDOS). Today's winner of the Most Interesting Clue Award (MICA) goes to 51D, Some deer, ROES (not, as Mike learned while watching The Sound of Music, DOES). The MICA runner up was 23A, Rhythmic, CADENT. And, as long as we're giving out awards, we give this puzzle a 5 squares on the olde JAMCR scale.
If you saw RED in today's crossword, DONTPANIC -- there was RED in today's crossword -- 4 RED squares, in fact, where you had to turn right and keep going in order to solve the clues. Jean hit a rough patch in the bottom right, while Mike, solving 11D, Nickname for tap-dancing legend Bill Robinson, BOJANGLES, got the Sammy Davis Jr. song stuck in his head, where it remains lodged even now. SOSAD!
A fun crossword if you like NUMBERS, this one name dropped those in the PRIME and FIBONACCI realms, managing to arrange the answers so that they included numbered squares that were, of course, respectively PRIME (2 and 23) and FIBONACCI (34 and 55). Impressive! They also managed to slip 18A, Expand to 800%, OCTUPLE, into the grid, and we would be remiss if we did not point out our favorite, 16A, Price of a horror film?, VINCENT. We approve, and give it a 4.5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
Not that we believe in product placement, but this was a JUUL of a crossword, as the constructor, Nina Sloan, provided a bevy of insulting candy names, from GOOBERS to DUMDUMS, leaving out, presumably because of space, the delicious YOURMOTHERWEARSARMYBOOTS bar.
One clue stood out in particular -- 5D, Fit on a hard drive?, ROADRAGE -- brilliant! For that alone we give this a perfect 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
In today's tips, Jean recommends crossword-solver.io, and Mike admonishes listeners to never, ever give up a crossword at night -- wait until the morning, when all your neurons have returned from their vacation, before tossing in the towel.
It's a gigantic crossword! No, not really, it is just 15x15, but it did manage to fit a giant's trademark FEEFIFOFUM into the answers. It also slipped in one of our favorite shows, 25D, Discovery Channel program that debunked popular beliefs, MYTHBUSTERS, and therefore EARN our respect. We were glad to see a shoutout to 26A, Island nation in the western Pacific, PALAU, as well as one of our all-time favorite deities, 49D, Greek goddess of wisdom, ATHENA.
A nice crossword - Ross Trudeau is inherently incapable of writing any other kind - we give it a 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
After the Herculean efforts yesterday's crossword demanded, today's was a much kinder solve, although it did have its moments -- 2D, Classical poem form, EPODE, and 5D, Floral archway, PERGOLA (well, one of us had troubles with it, at any rate). There was a charming segue between yesterday's puzzle and today's Yesterday offered the clue, Pickup line, NEEDARIDE, and today we had 3D, Drive's home, say, GIVESARIDE. Nice scheduling, Mr. Shortz!
Mayday, Mayday! And, no, we're not just referring to the date. This was a tough crossword, with some delightful verbal misdirection. Exhibit A, 6A, One whose business is home-based?, UMP, and 22A, Popular camp assemblies, SMORES. Jean momentarily got stuck in the top right, convinced that 26A, Passes, was ELAPSED, rather than ENACTS; Mike got mired in the middle of the grid for what felt like a day and a half, having convinced himself that 43A, Motif in much Christian art, was ACORNTREE (rather than the in retrospect clearly much better answer, ADORATION). A good workout, most surely deserving of a full 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
A nice crossword to round out the work week, with a lot of long answers that can be challenging, although the modern culture references were down to a minimum, giving Mike a leg up. There were definitely a few tricky clues, such as 5A, Brogues, e.g., DRESSSHOES(!), and the amusing 27A, Ones getting you down?, GEESE 😀. We definitely appreciated this crossword, and give it a 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
Attention, haiku lovers, your time has come! Well, almost ... there is a haiku in today's crossword, but it is just ONESYLLABLETOOLONG. Today's puzzle was a challenge: almost by definition embedded poems, quotes, etc., require you lean on the crosses, and there were a few toughies, especially 3D, "... not to mention everything that could go wrong!", ORWORSE, and the question of spelling 31A, Pepper between jalapeño and cayenne on the Scoville heat scale, SERRANO. Not a bad crossword, we give it a 4 squares on the JAMCR scale.
nd the author even threw in a single rebus, just to up the ante.
It's an OPENANDSHUTCASE -- the crossword was great, with a very clever and intricate theme: it was NOACCIDENT that the author was Hal Moore, who has had 7 crosswords accepted in the New York Times in the last 4 years, not too shabby! As is often the case, there were a few words here that rewarded frequent solvers -- 16A, Man with morals, AESOP, had just shown up a few days ago, and 12D, Ideal condition for collectors, MINT, had appeared (in a different guise) just yesterday. On the other end of the spectrum, CANADAGEESE was a debut, having never appeared in a New York Times crossword (at least since Will Shortz became editor).
Nice work, Hal!
Today's crossword is a MINTCONDITION Tuesday effort, with lots to like. First, it has 22D, ______ Lee, longtime head of Marvel comics, STAN; 6D, Bigwig, NABOB (fun to say, and fun to drink); and 66A, Dubious sightings in the Himalayas, YETIS (aka official Nepalese monsters of the New York Times crossword).
For Tip Tuesday, Jean recommends diving through the archives for practice, starting with Mondays; and Mike suggests not confusing DIES IRAE, the hymn, with ISSA RAE, the her.
Today's crossword paid homage to the pillars of the FOODCOURT -- DAIRYQUEEN, WHITECASTLE, and BURGERKING (although Mike still wants to know why LADYOLIVEGARDEN was slighted). And that pillar reference was intentional -- both DQ and BK ran vertically, the horizontal answers tending to be shorter than is the norm.
A few recent crossword answers made repeat performances -- 61A, Tennis score after deuce, ADIN, and 66A, Lady _________, first female member of Parliament, ASTOR. But most of the clues were, as befitting a Monday crossword, fairly straightforward, to encourage newer solvers.
In Saturday's crossword we had 35A, Implausible argument, say, STRETCH, a fine example of foreshadowing, because today's puzzle, titled Stretching Exercises, revolved around stretching various muscle groups (nice scheduling, Mr. Shortz).
Besides the rather intricate theme -- listen to Jean's splendid explanation herein -- the Slang meter was pretty much pegged today, between 61A, "Oh, hell yes!", ABSOFREAKINGLUTELY; 68D, Visibly scornful, SNEERY;, and 77A, Racy selfie posted for likes on social media, in modern lingo, THIRSTTRAP. But the cluing was sharp: how can you resist clues like 69D, Cold that just won't go away?, ICEAGE, or 2D, It's 50/50, ONE? The answer is, you can't!
We give this a perfect 5 squares on the JAMCR scale, OHYEAH.
Everywhere you look in this crossword you'll find a superb example of the clue-writer's craft. In the top-left, 13A, Rockies you won't find in Colorado?, AWAYTEAM. In the center left, 22D, Stocking stuffer, KRISKRINGLE. In the bottom center, 50D, Hardly a man without morals, AESOP, and in the top center, 20D, Real posers?, YOGIS. Clearly, Kristian House and Mike Dockins know what they're doing, and what they're doing is providing great entertainment. Nicely done, 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
A Robyn Weintraub Friday crossword, woot! Jean had to dig deeply for this one, but Mike was able to fare quite well, abetted by an almost complete dearth of cultural references — but for both it left a good AFTERTASTE. Download and listen up to get the whole story.
The name's Burch, Jem Burch, and she turns in a gem of a crossword starring the most British of spies, Bond, James Bond. The theme involves 7 OO rebuses, forming a large number 7 that extends the height of the grid, as well as 3 actors who have played James Bond - Sean Connery, Pierce Brosnan, and Daniel Craig.
The clues were also extraordinarily well done. Consider as exhibit A 5D, It quits when it gets depressed, ESC (brilliant!), or 64A, Unexpected declaration at the altar, IDONT.
We give this a rousing 5 squares on the JAMCR scale, and can't wait to see another Jem Burch puzzle!
Jean found today's crossword to be a SLICK, SWEETRIDE, while Mike thought it might BURY his streak in an avalanche of cultural references that were not in his wheelhouse -- including but astoundingly by no means limited to, 20A, Star of the "Deadpool" films, RYANREYNOLDS, 34A, Postmodern novelist who wrote "White Noise", DONDELILLO, and 3D, Likely inspiration for Meryl Streep's character in "The Devil Wears Prada", ANNAWINTOUR. Still, the crossword did have R2D2 and C3PO, so we won't complain too much.
No, the New York Times crossword is not going to the dogs, although a skosh of them had cameos in today's puzzle. If there is indeed a New York Times crossword Clue-Hall-of-Fame, then we would like to nominate 13D, Awesome, in surfer speak, GNARLY, simply to give us an excuse to write the word GNARLY. There were several artful juxtapositions in today's grid, including 33A, Jack who pioneered late-night talk, PAAR, and 34A, Golfer's target, PAR, as well as 62A, Stinky smells, ODORS, and 66A, Oblong tomatoes, ROMAS. So, yes, we'd rate this puzzle as most definitely ... GNARLY!
Was this a fun crossword? YOUBETYOURLIFE -- because of that, and 2 other CLASSICGAMESHOW references that formed the theme for today's puzzle. It also had the clue 9A, Wee bit, SKOSH, which was COOL. It was pretty easy, some might say a SNAP, but based on the law of conservation of crossword difficulty (tm), the rest of the week is likely to be ATEST -- we'll report back, as always, and let you know.
NEEDLESSTOSAY, today's crossword is not MISSIONIMPOSSIBLE; indeed, some veteran crossword solvers have maintained that it is a tad TOOEASY. But we found it to be a Goldilocks of a puzzle, just right. It had some interesting factoids -- 6D.Mnemosyne's daughters THEMUSES, and 41A, Site of Hercules' first labor, NEMEA -- as well as some amusing clues, such as 89A, Block where Sesame Street can be found, PBSKIDS, and 98D, Bar rooms?, CELLS (nice). We give it the JAMDTNYTC (that's the Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword) seal of approval, as well as 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
A FUNFETTI of a Saturday crossword, albeit with a potential natick in the top-right corner for those who do not use compasses on a daily basis -- 26A, 270°, WEST, crossing 14D, On the ________, SCENT.
Mike enjoyed 7D, Mathematical puzzle with movable disks, TOWEROFHANOI, and Jean appreciated 49D, "The perfume of heroic deeds", to Socrates, FAME. Both savored 38A, Zoom participants?, DRAGRACERS.
All-in-all, a fine offering by constructor Leslie Rogers (edited, as always, by Will Shortz), we give this crossword a 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
Both Jean and Mike ran into headwinds in the top-right corner, specifically 22A, Agree(with), JIBE -- as opposed to their (independently derived at) answers, JIVE. That one errant letter crossed 13D, Seaport derived from the Arabic for "obstacle", AQABA -- quite apropos in this case! There were some delightful new(ish) clues -- 38A, Football tactic to prevent a long return, SQUIBKICK, and 52D, Matches at a table, SEES (or, as Mike continues to insist, despite all the evidence to the contrary, SETS).
Happy tax day! And we're not just saying that because of 17A, City transport, redundantly, TAXICAB. Jean found today's crossword easy-ish, Mike had a MACABRE problem in the top right, done in by his unfamiliarity with apparently the most famous singer of the 20th century, in her most famous role... that would be 12D, Streisand role in Funny Girl, BRICE. HARSH!
A "smooth solve", as they like to say in the crossword-solving-biz, with just a few potholes and lots of fun clues -- 27D, Spring recreation?, TRAMPOLINE, being the bounciest of them, and 47A, Start of a giant's chant, FEE, being -- ironically for a giant, but mandated because of the NYTimes rules about answer length -- shortest, answer.
Neither Jean nor Mike got off to a ROCKYSTART with this crossword, ironic since all of the themed answers benefited from having, well, a ROCKYSTART. For example, 18A, Coyote outfoxed in cartoons, ROADRUNNER, maps to ROCKYROAD; 24A, "Get Out", for one, HORRORFILM, maps to ROCKYHORROR; and so on. A few old favorites dropped by -- 65A, Cookie in the shape of its first and last letters, OREO (the official cookie of the NYTimes crossword), and 50A, Mauna ______ (Hawaiian volcano), KEA (the official Hawaiian volcano of the NYTTimes crossword). It's Tip Tuesday; Jean had a tip about the Eloi, and Mike weighed in with a few musical terms.
AWGEE, it's AWEEBIT of an INSIDEBASEBALL theme. Jean, of course was enthralled, but Mike was too busy searching for the missing G from 46D, Doin' nothin', CHILLIN, to take much notice. Fortunately he did find that missing G in the puzzle, and for all the details, have a listen!
A punderful Sunday crossword, based on the notion of running two companies together at high speeds in the hope that they will produce something interesting ... oh, wait, we've just been told that that's what nuclear physicists do. In any event, this was a fun crossword, with clever cluing throughout, from 42D, Little sounds, INLETS, to 103A, Shot across the bow, ARROW, to 58A, Rulers' staffs, SCEPTERS, something for everybody to enjoy and/or groan at.
One of us (that would be Jean) found today's crossword to be a walk in the park, the other (that would be Mike) less of a SHOOIN and more like a POLARBEARPLUNGE (to borrow an answer from yesterday's crossword), his experience ably summarized in the clue, 25A, "Heavens to Murgatroyd!".
Just a friendly reminder that if you want to subscribe to the New York Times crossword, nytimes.com/crosswords is all that you need to know; and if you want to follow along as we discuss our solutions (or lack thereof), you can see the correct solutions, and clues, at xwordinfo.com.
In today's episode, Mike learns how to pronounce MEME and LOLCATS; Jean teaches Mike how to pronounce MEME and LOLCATS; and we have a Fun Fact about an answer that appeared earlier in the week, ECOTONE. Download and enjoy!
Apparently Pun Prison had a breakout today, but fear not -- the escapees got stuck in today's crossword, where they are waiting for your ... enjoyment? Here's just one, to give you the idea: 27A, Cry on arriving for a boating trip?, WHATSUPDOCK. Alas, they don't get any better (or is that worse)? All kidding aside, it was a pleasurable and not too difficult puzzle from the clearly pun-obsessed crossword constructor Jake Halperin. We give it a 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
A nice Wednesday crossword. Jean got through it lickety-split and tickety-boo. Mike got through the first top 2/3 fairly expeditiously but then went into tai-chi mode, due to his lack of knowledge of 37D, Native Caribbean plant whose fruit grows in clusters, the delicious SEAGRAPE, and his belief that 64A, A giant one rises in Citi Field after ever Mets homer. was somehow a reference to ADELE (as opposed to the correct answer, APPLE).
Both Jean & Mike, although solving, as usual, independently, were jointly and justifiably lured into believing that 46A, Transitional region between biomes, was ECOZONE, as opposed to the correct answer, ECOTONE. OOPSYDAISY!
HEAVENSTOBETSY it's been a long time since we've heard anyone say HEAVENSTOBETSY, but it popped up today, along with several other phrases from some bygone era, courtesy of Amanda Chung and Karl Ni. There were several loooong clues, long enough that the grid needed to be stretched to 14x16: so for those of you who calculate your subscription on a per square basis, the New York Times owes you exactly 1 square (14x16 = 224, 15x15 = 225).
It's Tip Tuesday, and today Jean reminds us that ORLE is a heraldic border, while ORLY is more likely to be seen on airplane tickets (remember those?). Mike has a tip on how to interpret ?, "" [ ] and word(word) grammar/structures when they appear in a clue.
A more difficult than usual Monday crossword, but filled with sparkling clues like 34A, Hairstyle popularized by Lucille Ball, POODLECUT, 40D, Nonsense, MALARKEY, 44A, Cheap neighborhood bar, LOCALDIVE, and 38A, For two, in music, ADUE. Today's episode covers all that and more, so download and be prepared to be uplifted!
Today's crossword was clearly a LABOROFGLOVE, and if you think that there's a typo in this sentence, listen to today's episode to be disabused of that notion. Jean got through today's crossword in her usual expeditious manner, while Mike-- puzzled by the fact that the answer to 31A, Emergency room concern, was TRAUMA rather than PROOFOFINSURANCE -- had to go EXTRAINNINGS before he could LASSO a victory.
A NEATO crossword from the pen of Peter A. Collins, rife with amusing clues (32A, "Squee!", IMSOEXCITED, 37D, Worn down apparel?, PARKAS (awesome!), and 20A, Part of a driver's manual, CLUTCH). There were a few clues that might make respectively, spelling-challenged and Anglophobes blanch -- 36A, Former name of Kazakhstan's largest city, ALMAATA, and 26A, Crown Jewels' quality, LUSTRE. The latter ties in nicely to Thursday's crossword, where the amazing Sam Ezersky challenged us with 48D, Strong luster, SATYR.
All in all, a fine Saturday, we give it a 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
After yesterday's quagmire, today's crossword is (relatively) straightforward -- not easy by any stretch of the imagination, but there were enough toeholds in every area of the puzzle to give one hope. Jean, for instance, knew 27D, Figure skater Lipinski, TARA, in the center left of the crossword; 21D, Tony-winning musical written by Lin-Manuel Miranda during his second year of college, INTHEHEIGHTS, on the right side; 11D, It may keep you on your toes, BALLET, in the northeast corner;, and 45D, Painter and devotee of 11D, DEGAS, in the southwest. Mike knew, um, well, ... we'll get back to you on that. In the meantime, we give this crossword a 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
An epically challenging Thursday opus from the fertile mind of Sam Ezersky, today's puzzle was ESSENTIALLY half cryptic crossword, half QUIZ. Jean took a shade longer than usual to figure things out, Mike was lucky to get out with his streak alive. Download and listen up for all the gory details.
Happy Pre-April-Fool's Day!. And in honor of the occasion, Trenton Carlson has produced a crossword that fooled, well, one of us, with a virtual-natick at the corner of 48A, Dance move that went from trendy to cringe in the 2010s, DAB, and 50D, Mayim who played Amy Farrah Fowler on "the Big Bang Theory", BIALIK. Said cohost also had problems in the middle of the puzzle, briefly contemplating 59A, Key of Beethoven's ninth, to be NMINOR (a really, really low (high?) note). The other cohost found the entire puzzle to be a breeze.
For the full lowdown, and to discover which cohost was in the know and which was in lexiconic distress, download today's episode and listen up!
While a MONONYM might sound like a one-note Gregorian chant, it is, in fact, a term for a person with a single name, and forms the basis for today's crossword, featuring BONO, PINK, ENYA and EMINEM. What a great concert that would be!
It's Tip Tuesday: Jean lists common tests that tend to pop up in the crossword, while Mike reminds listeners to explore the cultural references -- if it's mentioned in the NYTimes it's worth investigating -- and makes a plug for the OED.
The EPITOME of what a Monday crossword should be -- not too difficult, with a GLOB of humor (6D, Try, try again?, REHEAR, and 25D, Shelters for shelties, KENNELS), and a few novel words (41D, Theatergoer's break, ENTRACTE, and the slightly more common but even more difficult to spell word, 67A, Garlicky sauce, AIOLI). Jean was able to get through all of this with her usual APLOMB, while Mike wasn't quite as TIMELY.
We give it a 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
A perfect puzzle for a perfect day (28 is a perfect number, we kid you not). The puzzle was not too tough, especially if you knew your planetary moons (ARIEL, DEIMOS, and the like). There were several smile-inducing clues, but we have to give a shoutout to one of the funniest, genuinely LOL clues that we've seen in a while -- 60A, Hit movie released as "Vaselina" in Mexico, GREASE. Bravo!
The toughest crossword of the week lives up to its billing, with a bottom right corner that was a real HAIRRAISER. Both Jean and Mike had to dig for 39D, Rogues, PICAROS (not (Jean thought) GIGOLOS, or (Mike thought) PIRATES). That ran into another poser, 53A, Entry point in the walls of Babylon, ISHTARGATE.
Meanwhile in other parts of the puzzle, the author didn't ease off, FARFROMIT, but had enough HORSESENSE to up the levity quotient as in 17A, Start of a nudge, DONTFORGET, and 31A, Spot to have a look sea?, CROWSNEST. Nice! We give this a 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
A loooong crossword, at least the answers were: but the clues were relatively merciful for a Friday, which means (based on the Law of Conservation of Crossword Difficulty) that tomorrow's puzzle is going to be an ursa, if you'll pardon our Latin. But back to the here-and-now, there were quite a few clever clues, including 2D, Not fast, EAT, and 62A, Place for a hot date?, DESERTOASIS. Jean was able to make short work of 6D, Heart of an academic paper, THESISSTATEMENT, whereas Mike's first thought, ATTEMPTEDTENURE, did not help at all.
A fine effort by serial crossword constructor Daniel Larsen, we give it a 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
Opposites attract, but some of the time they just hang around in bigger words, as Alex Eaton-Salners demonstrates in this fine puzzle. Alex was able to find AMITY in ANIMOSITY, WOEFUL in WONDERFUL, and a few others that we'll not reveal here (but we discuss in the podcast, and you can also see at xwordinfo.com).
Beyond the central theme, there were several clues of note: 12D, Distance between "some" and "where" in "Somewhere over the rainbow", OCTAVE, and 23D, Intruder warning, maybe, ARF.
We give it a rousing 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
A crossword for the animation fashionistas in the crowd, where readers were challenged to the question of WHOWOREITBETTER, with sartorial standoffs among PAIRS of fictional characters, including 17A ... Donald Duck orPopeye?, SAILORSUIT, and 24A, Minions or Mario?, DENIMOVERALLS.
Jean immediately picked up on this theme; Mike was left totally AREEL, and had to fight for every square, SOSAD!
Oh, to answer the initial questions: definitely Donald Duck and Minions -- no doubt at all.
You'll probably get a charge out of today's puzzle, an electrifying effort by Dan Schoenholz. Jean managed to complete today's crossword within 3 seconds of her Monday time. Mike was too distracted by the appearance of TWEE (48A, Too cute, on the Thames) and ONUS (35D, Albatross) to turn in a good time.
It's Tip Tuesday. Jean explains the architectural terms OGEE and ORIEL, while Mike advises solvers to be wary when reading clues, as there might be puns lurking within.
Today's crossword creator was on fire -- or at least thinking about fire, witness the three themed answers, MATCHBOX, TINDERPROFILE and FLINTMICHIGAN. Those three looooong answers made this a more strenuous Monday than usual, but that's why crosswords come with crosses.
Speaking of fire, COALS (18D, Classic eyes for Frosty) also made an appearance, although the pluralization of what is already a collective noun did sound a bit off.
After last week's ULTRAVIOLET, INFRA made an appearance in 43A, Prefix with red or structure. And earlier this month, REQS made a jarring appearance as the answer to March 3's 47A, Academic musts, for short -- so we were glad to see that the much more conventional PREREQS made it into today's puzzle, as in 46D, Algebra for calc, e.g.
Sunday is punday, at least as far as this crossword is concerned -- with plenty of groaners to make (or break, but probably make) your day. Exempli gratia, 23A, Nod off at a self-serve restaurant, SLEEPINTHEBUFFET, and 88A, "We should stall", LETSMAKEADELAY -- very droll.
Jean learned a slew of new words today, including 56D, Piece with a title like "10 Best Places to ...", LISTICLE, and 4D, Brief summary, APERCU. Mike was stunned to learn not so much the answer to 26A, Jupiter, exempli gratia, DEUS, but that exempli gratia was, in fact the Latin phrase that is (always) abbreviated as e.g. Gasp!
Today's crossword was not quite as difficult as yesterday's -- what is? -- but it still had some tough spots. The author set the tone right out of the gate with 1A, Muhammad Ali was one, famously, TRASHTALKER (not, as both Jean & Mike independently guessed, DRAFTDODGER). Right beneath it was another poser, 15A, Animal that produces eggs once a year, EASTERBUNNY (nice one!). And Mike's favorite, 58A, It flies around Florence, ITALIANFLAG (another gem).
That's just a taste -- for the full meal, listen to today's podcast, and, as usual, drop us a line -- crosswordpodcast@icloud.com -- with any feedback, we'd love to hear from you!
A Saturday-level crossword has lost its way, and accidentally wandered into Friday territory. That's the only explanation for this epic challenge by Kameron Austin Collins, with lots of "crunchy" entries throughout the entire grid. Jean had a spot of bother with 14A, "This has gotta be a trick, but ...", OKAYILLBITE, initially writing OKIWILLBITE. Mike discovered that BURKA can also be spelled as in the answer to 46D, Head-to-toe garment, BURQA, and that supplied the answer to 60A, As, QUA (yes, you read that right).
There were a multitude of just fun words and phrases throughout the grid: MEGALOPOLIS, ALOEVERAGEL BOUNTEOUS and WINSOMER are just a few of the answers that made today's crossword such fun.
A one-for-the-ages crossword -- everyone's going to remember where they were when they solved it (or broke their computer/iPad/iPhone out of frustration because the "solved" crossword wouldn't indicate that they'd succeeded).
The revealer was 3 stepped answers --
MUCHADO
ABOUT
NOTHING
The crossword had a series of circled squares, forming circles or ovals: those circles/ovals spelled out various synonyms for ADO -- FRACAS, STIR, RUMPUS, etc.. Inside those circles/ovals, the squares should have been left blank -- MUCHADO ABOUT NOTHING.
Absolutely ingenious! While those who solved on paper would have been done at this point, those saddled with electronic versions had to figure out the right character to put in those "blank" squares to satisfy the software. Jean discovered that NOTHING worked, whereas Mike somehow stumbled upon X (a much shorter typing solution).
The rest of the crossword was filled with clever clues and answers: head to xwordinfo.com to gaze upon the solution in all its glory.
There seems to be a lot of men hanging around in today's puzzle: 43D, 1967 hit that starts "Well, my pad is very messy and there's whiskers on my chin", IMAMAN; 40A, Only United Nations member whose name starts with "O", OMAN; 46A, Heaven-sent food, MANNA; and 46D, Salvador Dali contemporary, MANRAY. There were also some very clever themed clues, such as 17A, If you think actors have two left feet, you haven't seen ________, TEDDANSON (nice!). and 52A, If you think economists don't lose their cool, you haven't seen JANETYELLEN. Mike, unfortunately, temporarily had JANETYELLER as the answer, which amused Jean, but not the humorless app logic that decides whether a puzzle is solved or not (in this case, of course, not).
An errific crossword for an uesday, with an interesting heme that revolved around ICEDTEA. Both Jean and Mike found the hardest of the 4 themed answers to be 51A, Lumberjacks in unsafe working conditions, AXDODGERS; both initially and independently thought it to be AXDANGERS, mistakingly answering 44D, ________ touch, as IPAD, rather than IPOD, and stumbling over 49D, Strong aversions, writing ONIUMS rather than ODIUMS. How odious!
For Tip Tuesday, Jean points out the wonders of crosswordese.com, and Mike points out the perils of the wonderful word chain consisting of ALEE (protected side of a ship), ALEA (a non-existent word), and LEA (grassy, arable land).
Have you ever looked really closely at the MEXICANFLAG? If not, no worries, because Philip K. Chow got there first, and took notes -- it turns out to have a GOLDENEAGLE, a PRICKLYPEAR, and a RATTLESNAKE.
Several other Mexican-themed clues/answers make an appearance - 21A, Hombre, is MAN, and 26D, They get smashed at parties, PINATAS, to name two.
Other than that, listen on for some interesting discussion of abbr's, the proper pronunciation of PINATAS, and Mike's absolutely baseless contention that SLEDS are not fully-fledged vehicles.
Happy Pi Day! Today's crossword was not as easy as that, though -- there were quite a few tricky clues, and the theme -- 101A, Satirical cartoonist, born 3/13/1921, known for dreaming up ridiculous inventions ... or are they?, ALJAFFEEOFMADMAGAZINE -- really didn't help with any of the related themed answers (although it was certainly interesting to learn all the inventions that the great man had dreamt up). So, a "crunchy" Sunday puzzle, as they say -- we still give it a 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
A solid Saturday by veteran crossword constructor John Guzzetta, with a particularly knotty nattick at the junction of 25D, Is lachrymose, and 40A, "Young Man With a Skull" painter. The answers were WEEPS and HALS, although for those unfamiliar with the artist and wobbly when it comes to grammar, WEEPY and HALY are perfectly understandable. As your registered gramma might've said, gramma(r) matters.
Listen on to hear all the details, and as always, we love to get feedback -- crosswordpodcast@icloud.com
YKNOW, today's crossword was ABLAZE with intriguing clues and new(ish) answers: witness 38D, Emphatic agreement in Latin America, SISISI; 17A, Frozen food brand famously lampooned by comedian Jim Gaffigan, HOTPOCKETS; and 51A, Get smart?, DOLLUP. Even old answers were clued AFRESH: consider 48A, One with a solo in Brahm's Symphony No. 1, OBOE, and 10A, It carries an added tax in Philadelphia and San Francisco, SODA. Nice job, Peter Wentz, thanks for giving us this Friday treat.
On today's edition of Fun Fact Friday, we learn of Hapax Legomenon, and as an example of such we will not mention it more than once in this blurb 😀
Today's puzzle was a toughie -- you might need to BURNTHEONEAMOIL in order to solve it. The top-left corner was a particular quagmire -- 4A, Drink served hot or cold, SAKE, 3D, Added assessments, SURTAXES, and 1A, Kerfuffle, FUSS all caused, well, a kerfuffle. Mike also had to battle demons in the bottom left corner, unwisely answering 44A, Abbr. in many an urban address, as AVE, leading to the conclusion that 45D, Dense spinning celestial body, was VULCAN, which while true on some plane of existence, was not on this one, where PULSAR was the preferred answer.
Still, all is fair in love and Thursday NYTimes Crosswords, we give this a 5 squares on the JAMCR scale
TOOMANYCOOKS ... clearly was not a problem with this crossword -- there were TWO cooks, and they've served up a delicious Wednesday crossword for your enjoyment. The theme was the beginning of three adages -- truncating them right where the word SPOIL appeared, e.g., 45A, Start of a saying about parental discipline, SPARETHEROD. Very clever, Nancy Stark and Will Nediger!
A few rarer words made an appearance -- 51A, Quick, possibly controversial bit of commentary, HOTTAKE and the always entertaining 24A, Mad as a hatter, MESHUGA. Oy!
If you like cars, or perhaps we should say, if you like srac, then you'll love this crossword, which features a series of car manufacturers, embedded, in reverse, in various names. For instance, 17A, They often come out at night, FALSETEETH, includes, reading backwards, TESLA; and our favorite, 28A, First Lady of 2001 to '09, LAURABUSH, includes SUBARU.
Besides that, the injection of several unexpected I's caught our I, er, eye -- 6D, Longtime "All Things Considered" host Robert, SIEGEL, and the especially surprising 62A, Host of Marco Polo, KUBLAIKHAN -- a clear challenge to Samuel Taylor Coleridge, he of Kubla Khan fame.
It's Tip Tuesday -- Jean pointed out the difference between IPO and IPA -- very important to know in crosswords and in bars.
There is always a DEMAND for good crosswords, and contributing to the SUPPLY is Eric Bornstein. whose ECONOMICS themed crossword would've made ADAMSMITH proud. Both Jean and Mike, although solving independently, were temporarily naticked in the same location: 47A, Actor Philip with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, AHN, ran into 38D, Tennis score after deuce, ADIN. Fortunately, that troublesome N was part of the themed answer, DEMAND, which ran diagonally through the puzzle, and saved the day!
Today's crossword had an ingenious theme. as one would expect when Celeste Watts and Jeff Chen are at the keyboard. Two letters, extracted from each themed clue ,when pronounced, formed a homonym for a word or phrase, as part of a second phrase, that described the original clue. For instance, 49A, LUXUR_ _AUGHT, UNWISEINVESTMENT, and 93A, POI_T OF _IEW, UNENVIABLEPOSITION. Amazing! Jean made short work of this crossword, but Mike, as usual, hit some choppy waters due to his unfamiliarity with a slew of words in the ESE part of the puzzle, most notably 71D, Hollywood composer Bernstein with 14 Oscar nominations, ELMER, and "Zoom-Zoom" sloganeer, MAZDA.
It pegs the meter on the JAMCR scale-meter (which is not yet available for sale at Amazon, but we are working on it).
The force is strong with this one, this one being Sid Sivakumar, author of a crossword with a distinct sci-fi/nerd/geek vibe going for it. It starts off with 1D, "Star Trek" character first played by 12-Down, DATA, and the 12D counterpart, Actor Spiner, BRENT. It doesn't let up with 14A, Side opposite 41-Across in a sci-fi clash, ALIENRACE, and its counterpart, 41A, See 14-Across, HUMANS. Even 44A, School science project involving a vegetable and a voltmeter, POTATOBATTERY (not, as Mike originally postulated, TOMATOBATTERY), felt geekish.
There were quite a few clever clues -- Jean's favorite was 57A, What takes all types?, DELETEKEY (nice!), and Mike's was 40A, Leak proof?, DRIP (ha!).
All told, a great Saturday experience, we give it a 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
A strenuous Friday workout from Sridhar Bhagavathula, with lots of challenges ... pretty much everywhere. Jean had a spot of bother with the top-left corner, with 1A, Pitched poorly, OFFKEY, and 3D, Resource for music performers, FAKEBOOK being particular sticking points. Mike found the top right corner a tough slog, with 7A, Trace element?, STENCIL (cute); 17A, The Statue of Liberty, for one, COLOSSUS; and his personal favorite, 9D, If all ________ were laid end to end, they would not reach a conclusion (quip attributed to Shaw), ECONOMISTS; all causing at least temporary grief.
Still, it was a Friday, so we expect to be challenged, and Sridhar did not disappoint. Five squares on the JAMCR scale!
Jean's favorite crossword device makes an appearance today -- a rebus! The revealer was two clues, spelling NBA JAM, and the rebus required NBA be JAMmed into one square (we see what you did there, Blake Slonecker, author of today's puzzle).
A few crossword friends take a bow today, including the apparently contractually obligatory 35A, Male actor with the most primetime Emmys (7), ASNER, the official monster of the New York Times crossword, 46A, Folklore fiend, OGRE, and the official biochemical, 34D, Subj. in biochemistry, RNA.
A nice crossword, definitely a 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
There were a few ENIGMAS in this puzzle -- the most perplexing being, how did Galileo, born in the 1500's, earn the monicker of 39A, The Father of Modern Physics? Schroedinger is probably rolling over (and simultaneously not rolling over) in his grave 😀
Jean was natticked at the corner of 49A, Lecture series focused on "ideas of the mind", TEDX and 39D, British Pharma giant, GLAXO, while Mike was indignant at the thought that 1A, Body part whose name comes from the Latin for "little mouse", MUSCLE, was written specifically for him.
We're not sure if Ross Trudeau STAYSSANE by writing crosswords, but he certainly does a fabulous job of concocting them, and we present today's puzzle as exhibit A. It was a themed crossword, and Jean's favorite clue was 61A, Chicken broth or beef bouillon?, STOCKOPTION; Mike liked the tangentially-related 6D, Participated in a stock exchange?, MOOED - ultra-cute! Jean got through the crossword with her usual aplomb and alacrity, while Mike, AHEM, was almost done in by his Diet Coke habit, leading to 58D, Kind of nut with caffeine, COLA, as opposed to the correct spelling, KOLA. But he finally figured that out, leading to the proverbial happy music - YAHOO!
If this crossword seemed taller than usual -- in spite of being the standard 15x15 -- that is probably because of the preponderance of tall themed answers -- SPACENEEDLE, EIFFELTOWER and FERRISWHEEL. These were all constructs built for one of the WORLDSFAIRS that seem to have gone out of vogue nowadays. Jean and Mike both appreciated 66A, Like some college bros, FRATTY; and Mike was pleased that his go-to for solving tricky problems, BRUTEFORCE, got a shoutout, although the clue -- 3D, Inelegant problem-solving technique, seemed a little elitist. ETTU, New York Times crossword?
A punny Sunday crossword ... ORISIT? Well, with clues like 41A, When the nudist club was founded?, MANYMOONSAGO, it is apparent that the answer is a a resounding yes! Jean's favorite themed clue (and the gimmick all revolved around people going au naturelle) was 78A, What happens in the stand-up show at the nudist club?, COMICSTRIPS, whereas Mike although partial to the aforementioned 41A, also appreciated 24A, Leadership style of the nudist club president?, BARELYMANAGING, and 58D, Victory in the annual nudist club 1K?, WiNNINGSTREAK 😀
There were some other intriguing clues -- 54A, Graduation wear for a University of Hawaii student, LEI; 60A, Time's Person of the Century, EINSTEIN (which made more sense than Mike's first and inexplicable guess, HOLSTEIN); and finally 90D, Punk cousin, EMO.
A nice puzzle all round, we give it a 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
Jean sailed through this crossword so quickly that her keyboard ignited, while the fate of Mike's keyboard was never in doubt nor peril. There was a goodly number of arcane (depending upon your age) clues, including 61A, Actress/YouTube star ______ Condor, LANA, 38A, Title character in a "Sgt. Pepper" song, MRKITE, 8D, George Sand title heroine, ISIDORA, and 63A, "East of Eden" twin, Aron, just to name a few.
Both Jean and Mike were suckered in by 44D, Begrudge, independently answering RELENT, instead of the correct (and for both of them the last) answer, RESENT.
A great crossword, all round, we give it a cheery 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
There were no ERRATA in this perfect Friday crossword, with 5 loooong answers that spanned the grid -- 3 across and 2 down. Despite their length, however, they were relatively accessible, common phrases -- sneakily disguised to ELUDE discovery. Jean found a few new words to add to her vocabulary - 43A, Fencing sport with bamboo swords, KENDO, and 46A, Film composer Morricone, ENNIO. Mike learned about 7A, Painting technique used in van Gogh's "The Starry Night", IMPASTO, and the existence of 57D, ________ of This Swirled (Ben & Jerry's flavor), OAT. Yum!
For Fun Fact Friday, we discussed the 3 musketeers of The Three Musketeers. Athos, Porthos, and Aramis, along with their friend, d'Artagnan. En guard!
Jean cruised through this crossword like it was a Monday, while Mike got hung up on the REEFS, and had to DOUBLEDOWN in order to get OVER the finish line with his self ESTEEM intact. The theme DOUBLEDOWN referred to several words that had repeating triplets, e.g., HEARTMUR ==> HEARTMURMUR, COVERSION ==> COVERVERSION, etc. Very clevlever.
A punny Wednesday, with multiple clues, based on PARADOX, that happened to contain, DOX, um, make that Docs as in Dr. EVIL, Dr. OZ, Dr. WHO, Dr. RUTH, Dr. DRE and Dr. NO -- clearly the makings of a great medical clinic!
There were a few grin-inducing clues -- 53A, Elbows and such, PASTA, and 32D, Togs for sawing logs?, PJS -- offset by one sad clue -- 61D, Number of season's played by baseball's Seattle Pilots, ONE. Clearly there is a story to be told ...
Both Jean and Mike found this puzzle to be a tad easier than Monday. There was much music in today's crossword -- Lady GAGA, ELTONJOHN, EMINEM, all made an appearance, and if IRONTHRONE isn't the name of a heavy metal band it ought to be 😀. KARAOKE, DEADHEAD, and 23A, Movin' _______ ("The Jeffersons" theme), also contributed to this toe-tapper of a puzzle.
It's Tip Tuesday(tm). Jean recommends solving the crossword with a buddy, as you can learn a lot from the experience. Mike describes the seven early warning signs of a rebus, and how to enter them electronically.
We have no doubt that the illustrious editor of the New York Times, Will Shortz, was PEPPERED with questions after today's crossword was published, and might've thought, GIMMEABREAK. Nonetheless, controversy swirled around the answer to 29D, Evian and Perrier, EAUS, as opposed to (as any bon étudiant de la belle langue Français* could tell you), the correct answer, EAUX. Jean was serenely unperturbed by this faux pas, but Mike blames his suboptimal solving time on having passed out for several minutes after answering the clue. Dangerous waterx indeed!
*good student of the beautiful French language
Are you feeling INARUT? Matthew Stock has just the ticket, a crossword with great APPEAL that will have you SINGININTHERAIN in no time! Jean got through today's crossword in her usual exemplary fashion. Mike wasn't quite the STARPUPIL, he REWROTE a staggeringly large percentage of his answers before finally hitting ORO, so for him it wasn't so much a matter of WEARETHECHAMPIONS as POURSOMESUGARONME 😀
Saturday is traditionally the hardest crossword of the week, and Ali Gascoigne does OBLIGE, with this ACE example of the genre.
Jean's favorite clue was 14D, Protective suits?, SECRETSERVICE; Mike's was 13A, Things often hit during rush hour, CARHORNS. There were a few "today-we-learned" moments, including 15A, "I Wish" rapper, 1995, SKEELO, 39D, One doing some stitching, SEAMER, and 2D, ________ von Der Leyden, first female head of the European Commission, who negotiated Brexit for the E.U. (and possibly won an award for longest NYTimes crossword clue 😀), URSULA.
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A tough Friday, with a real quagmire in the bottom right -- from 47A, Ganja, HERB, to 53A, Way of Life?, CEREALAISLE (nice!), to 56D, Helen of Troy, e.g., DEMIGODDESS, to 51D, R&B singer Erykah, BADU and finally 47D, Gardner of "S.N.L.", it was a who's who of who-knows, who-knows 😀 What we do know is that, bottom right corner not withstanding, we liked this crossword a lot, and give it a 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
Today was also fun-fact-Friday: Jean discusses demigoddesses, and Mike hearkens back to yesterday's crossword to expound upon the ENIAC.
There was so much to RAVE about in this crossword that we just have to RATE it a 5 on the JAMCR scale. The author started off with the best of INTENTIONS, and thanks to several verbal INVENTIONS, pulled off an amazing feat that simply left us INAWE: 4 squares that could be either T or V, and the answers, spelled either with a T or V, were both plausible. For example, 17A, Designs, could be either INVENTIONS or INTENTIONS; 3D, Some accommodations, could be either HOVELS or HOTELS. Brilliant!
A nice Wednesday crossword, although both Jean & Mike had a spot of bother in the top-right corner. Both independently came to the conclusion that 12D, "Never-ending" offerings at Olive Garden, was SALADS, as opposed to the other never-ending offerings, PASTAS. Both (also independently) assumed that 25A, Least bit, was ATAD. There was also some unpleasantness with 18A, "Full Frontal With Samantha Bee" network, but in the end both (independently) fought their way out of that verbal quagmire in the Northeast. Whew!
[Addendum: due to an editing error -- we have already sacked our recording engineer -- the audio for this podcast is actually a repeat of Tuesday's show. We were going to re-record, but since a) we can't remember what we said , and b) this was a darned-good recording, we are going to let it stand.]
A solid Tuesday crossword, even though the theme was liquid -- various types of beer, to be precise, embedded in longer clues (e.g., 26A, British fashion designer who's the daughter of Linda and Sir Paul, STELLAMCCARTNEY (after Stella Artois), and the rather cryptic 57A, Long, straight-sided smoke, CORONACIGAR.
Jean enjoyed the appearance of 23D, Drink that can cause brain freeze, SLUSHIE (her original answer for SLURPIE from a day or two ago). Mike was slightly disappointed to learn that the answer to 1A, Supremely cool person, was BADASS, and not MIKE; and even more disappointed when he got stuck in the bottom right, ironically answering 52A, Not the brightest bulb in the pack, as DODO, instead of the correct DOLT.
For Tip Tuesday, Jean points out that if LIVY's in the room (or least in the clue) that the answer will likely involve either Roman numerals or words; and Mike points out the dangers of going too far back in the crossword archives, examining a very tricky crossword from November 13, 1963.
The New York Times crossword is going to the dogs ... but in a good way, with this themed puzzle that provides a shoutout to various presidential woofers.
Jean was intrigued by 40A, The Buddha is often depicted meditating under it [Obama], BOTREE, while, predictably, Mike's favorite was 7D, Apple on a desktop, IMAC.
We give this puzzle a well deserved 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
A tough Sunday, ASSUREDLY not for the faint of heart, with NOTALOT of "gimmes". Still, any crossword that includes CAPTAIN AMERICA (57A and 3D, respectively) can't be that bad. The top right was a bit of a quagmire. thanks to the proximity of 26A, "Thong Song" singer, 2000, SISQO, 32A, In the capacity of, QUA, and 16D, Medieval helmet, CASQUE. The bottom right had some nice turns of phrase, including 90D, France from France, ANATOLE. and 105D, Ones with plenty of reservations, MAITREDS. We rate this a respectable 4.5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
An ARTFULLY constructed Saturday, with plenty of tough clues to RUMINATE over, from 14A, Wait here!, RESTAURANT (very nice), to the slightly less arcane 32D, Main course?, SEAROUTE. Jean had some difficulty with 33D, Nickname for the White House Correspondents' Dinner, NERDPROM, while Mike was temporarily flummoxed by 43A, Bottom lines, SUMS (as opposed to BUMS), crossing with 43D, It's not a good look, SNEER (as opposed to his original guess, based of suspension of disbelief and the basics of spelling, BLEER).
A RESPITE from some of the harder Friday crosswords we had lately, in both Jean and Mike's wheelhouses. Jean appreciated the XXX stack, 39D, Adult and then some, XXXRATED (crossed with 38A, Goes past, EXCEEDS, 41A, It may be added to the mix, CHEX (very nice!), and the slightly more obscure 45A, Beast vanquished by Oedipus, SPHINX. Mike appreciated not having to spell OCCAM's razor twice in two days, but was glad to see EDASNER (64A, Player of Warren Buffett in "Too Big to Fail"), who had graced the NYTimes crossword less than a week ago. We give this puzzle a perfect 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
A terrific Thursday effort by Alex Eaton-Salners, who uses the plural form of words to great COMEDIEDIEFFECT, creating a truly COFFOOTFOOTABLE-worthy crossword. And if that last sentence made no sense, today's podcast will make it all clear.
Both Jean and Mike learned something in today's crossword -- Jean, for instance, learned about 20A, Communist party systems, APPARATS; Mike learned that he did not know how to spell the answer to 1D, Razor handle?, OCCAM, and that his new favorite fruit is the one with the built-in pun, SLOE.
AND by for a UPENDOUS crossword by Kate Hawkins, and in case you haven't guessed by now, the theme involved STOUT, as in getting the ST OUT of various clues. Mike's favorite was 37A, The main characters of "Brokeback Mountain", e.g.?, RANGEBEDFELLOWS, while Jean was partial to 57A, Gross messages?, ICKYNOTES.
Jean just had a small typo that slowed her down --RANGEBEDPELLOWS sounds like something you might buy at Bed, Bath and Beyond (not a sponsor, but here's hoping), while Mike proved the utility of his Tip Tuesday Tip, don't do the crossword when tired, as he had trouble getting traction in the area of 6A, Line crosser, of a sort, SCAB, and 6D, Bulk up, as muscles, SCULPT, and he could've sworn that he knew those in the AM!
There's a lot of clothing in today's crossword, and we are advised to hold onto it, with clues that, in a fairly straightforward manner (it is a Tuesday), resolve to KEEPYOURSHIRTON, HANGONTOYOURHAT, and TIGHTENYOURBELT.
There were a few interesting juxtapositions - 13D, Understanding, KEN, was followed by 18D, What a "Y" with a pair of horizontal lines through it is the symbol of, YEN; and while this is a bit of a stretch, 58D, Clumsy boat, TUB, near 60D, Drinking game?, GIN, might be a reference to moonshiners and the distilling of bathtub gin.
It's Tip Tuesday - Jean suggests that you should look at the crossword as a learning experience, and not as a measure of intelligence. Mike recommends reading Deb Amlen's How to Solve the New York Times Crossword, a detailed and fascinating look at that most famous of puzzles.
A stylish Monday crossword starts our puzzle-solving week. Jean got momentarily got hung up on 5A, The five weekdays, for short, writing MTWRF, rather than the NYTimes officially sanctioned MTWTF, begging the question, what day is T, and how would you interpret TGIT.
Mike got hung up on culture -- 1A Actress / TV host _______- Pinkett Smith offered no help, so he turned to 1D, Liz's best friend on "30 Rock", and realized that he would have to let the crosses do the talking (JADA and JENNA, they said, respectively).
The fact that 45A, February 29, was a LEAPDAY came as not entirely a surprise, more one of those, "oh, yes, I remember ..." moments, whereas 11D, "High" figure in a tarot deck, PRIESTESS, was definitely novel.
If you'd like to comment on anything you hear in these podcasts, please drop us a line at crosswordpodcast@icloud.com -- we love to get feedback!
A weally gweat cwossword, with an intewesting theme -- Toddler Talk, to be precise. Jean made short order of this puzzle, as usual; Mike was surprised to discover the existence of SCHWAS, in 107A, Beginning and end of "America"; stunned to discover that KLEES was a real word; and disappointed that his bones didn't come with labels, so that he could've figured out 103D, Hip bone (ILIAC) more quickly. A nice Sunday crossword, we give it a 5 squares on the world-famous (?) JAMCR scale.
A fairly gentle crossword (for a Saturday): Jean tore through it so quickly her keyboard melted! Some of the clues were quite straightforward (14A, Princess of Monaco, STEPHANIE, and 21D, Give it some time, BEPATIENT). Others were humorous -- 41A, Government program?, THEWESTWING, and 24A, A real tour de force?, STARWARS. Still others required some very specific knowledge, e.g., 16A, ______ Hufflepuff, one of the co-founders of Hogwarts, HELGA, and the novel 50A, Music genre that includes "geekster rap", NERDCORE. In short, something for everyone!
Uh, oh, it's an Erik Agard Friday puzzle - red alert! Dictionaries and thesauri up! Jean was highly impressed with the look of the grid (and you can see it, as usual, at xwordinfo.com). Mike was more impressed with the difficulty: he had to scan so far down the list of clues to find one that he could answer that he inadvertently rolled into Thursday! There were a few outre clues - 38A, Product from Bevel or Oui the People, RAZOR; 31D, Language in which you might be greeted "Hullo, hoo are ye?", SCOTS (not SCOTTISH); and 13A, Pop up a lot, perhaps?, NEWDAD. We give it a 4.5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
For Fun-Fact-Friday, Jean explores the origins of riddle-me-ree, and Mike discusses the 5 pillars of Islam.
A very colorful and melodic Thursday crossword, with rebuses containing Green, Yellow, Black, and White, all parts of song titles. There were oldies -- like 32A. 1966 hit by the Rolling Stones, PAINTITBLACK, 61A, 1966 hit by the Beatles, YELLOWSUBMARINE, and much more modern fare, like 38D, 2017 hit by Cardi B, BODAKYELLOW. Jean worked expeditiously through the puzzle, while Mike, despite momentarily confusing JOHNDEERE with JOHNDENVER, and KODAK with BODAK, managed to turn in a very snappy 24m25s time. A nice puzzle by Derek Allen, we give it a 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
A crossword in honor of 35A, Civil rights icon who led a historic march from Selma to Montgomery on 3/7/1965, JOHNLEWIS. Four clues celebrated the great man's life, including a truly iconic phrase, 58A, Oxymoronic coinage of 35-Across, GOODTROUBLE. There were some amusing non-theme related clues of note, including 14A, Unit of courage?, OUNCE, and the somewhat curiously clued 41D, Utters a sound, informally, SAYSBOO: to which we will not say BOOHOO, because this crossword made us smile.
Jean tore through today's crossword so quickly her computer almost overheated, while Mike ... got through it, although he had some issues at the junction of 17D, Financial expert Suze, ORMAN, and 20A, Riddle-me-________, REE, which to him still sounds like a typo (although of course it is not: the New York Times crossword quality control is legendary). There were a few TIL (Today-I-Learned) moments, including 1A, ________ Garden, London district know for diamond trading, HATTON, 30A, Jeanette _______, billiards legend nicknamed the Black Widow, LEE, and 53A, Japanese drama, NOH. So, now we can say that we know about NOH!
For Tip Tuesday, Jean recommends, on particularly difficult crosswords that you can't get traction on, to ignore the grid and just read through the clues until you find one that you can answer, and then branch off from there. Mike recommends being extra vigilant on Sunday, because even if the crossword is not as hard, a mistake is particularly challenging to spot. And because he's a heavy tipper, Mike had a second tip: take advantage of the app's pencil, to mark questionable letters (especially on the Sunday crossword). Answers in pencil still count, but because they are gray, they are easier to spot.
A fine Monday crossword, and.a great start to Black History Month, with appearances by Malcom X, Wiz Khalifa, Marvin Gaye and the Black Eyed Peas. A few educational clues were scattered throughout, for instance, 47A, ________ Trench (deepest point on earth), MARIANAS, 27D, Fifth-most-common family name in China, CHEN, and the curious 36D, Circular windows, OCULI.
We rate it a 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
A nice way to wrap up the week and the month, with a clever crossword by Jim Hilger -- all about product (mis)placement. Several common phrases had a noun replaced by a product -- for instance, 38A, Reason that the prestigious scientific journal refuses articles from President Herbert's relatives?, NATUREABHORSAHOOVER, and 97A Adding a historic ship as a deal sweetener, THROWINGINTHEBOUNTY. Very nice!
Remember, if you want to subscribe to the New York Times crossword, you can do so right here: nytimes.com/crosswords, operators are standing by (so to speak).
We weren't quite PASTED by Nam Jin Yoon's Saturday spectacular, but it definitely took a while for us to GETGOING on this one, as there were a lot of tricky (and fascinating) clues. The winner in that category was surely 32D, Amphibian that Ogden Nash once rhymed with "bottle", AXOLOTL, with honorable mention going to 19D, Holding up the line for?, CUING. There were quite a few new-to-us names -- 46D, Actress Rowlands, GENA, 19A, "Between the World and Me" author, 2015, COATES, and 34D, Milan _______, author of 1984's "The Unbearable Lightness of Being", KUNDERA. So it definitely took a bit of ROCKETSCIENCE to get through today's puzzle, and if you did, well -- MOREPOWERTOYOU!
The phrase, "a Robyn Weintraub crossword is a thing of beauty" has not made it into common speech yet, but it should, because her crosswords really are extraordinary. Consider just a few splendid examples -- 14A, Choice for those eager to retire and travel?, SLEEPERCAR, or 12A, Union deserters, EXES, or 51A, State in which you might get a tax deduction, PARENTHOOD. Brilliant, the lot of them! We give this an enthusiastic 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
Remember that you can see the solved crosswords -- and this masterpiece really does deserve a second (or third, or tenth) look -- at xwordinfo.com
You might have to TOIL to figure out today's theme, and we ENVY those who could readily SEE it -- the combination of a precisely placed comma and the addition of an ILY suffix. Apart from the decidedly quirky clues dictated by that theme, there were a few memorable ones -- 57A, Follower of pigs or cows, EIEIO, and 26A, 90s, say, AAVERAGE., ETC ANDSUCH. We give it a 4 on the JAMCR scale.
If yesterday's crossword left you in a FUNK, then you can RELAX, because today's puzzle AMPS up the AHAS, and drops the number of Z's to practically zero. Jean's favorite clue was 61A, "I only got a seventh-grade education, but I have a doctorate in ________", James Brown, FUNK; Mike also loved that clue, but if forced to pick a different favorite, he'd go for 69A, Part of w.p.m., Abbr., WDS -- simply because of the meta-ness of an abbreviation of an acronym.
We give today's puzzle a resounding 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
YAWN, there are certainly a lot of ZEES in this puzzle, it's making us SLEEPY ... Nope, jk, we're fully awake, in fact startled, perhaps, by the crunchiness of today's puzzle. Exhibit A is 17A, Having panache, PIZZAZZY, and 35A, State that many people want to get to on vacation?, STRESSLESSNESS, It was a very ZESTY puzzle indeed!
For Tip Tuesday, Jean suggests committing to memory the names Ernie Els, Mel Ott, and Arthur Ashe, while Mike suggests app settings to expedite the puzzle solving process.
EGAD there's a lot of firing going on in today's crossword -- the theme was YOUREFIRED, and 4 answers were two word phrases with the last word being a synonym for being fired -- CAN, AXE, SACK and BOOT. MERCY!
In other news, EPEE got a rest today, in lieu of which we had 23A, Old weapon in hand-to-hand combat, BATTLEAXE. In lieu of UGG, we had a much rarer if not debut clue, 53A, Bit of fashionable footwear, ANKLEBOOT.
Jean was temporarily misled at 52A, English Channel, informally, with "the", BEEB, while Mike saw right through 38D, Hole-some breakfast food?, BAGEL.
Warning: if you are addicted to chocolate, you might want to avoid today's puzzle, because it's awash in cocoa-based-deliciousness. There are a number of punny clues, each of which is a combination of two candies, many of which involve chocolate. Jean did her usual tear through the crossword, Mike got naticked at the juncture of 48D, Got hip, with "up", WISED, and 60A, Links grp., USGA. It turns out that the UPGA, Upper Peninsula Golf Association, is a thing, and WIPED up, well, it made sense at the time.
This was the debut crossword for constructor Lucy Howard, although most definitely not for her partner in crime, Ross Trudeau.
This was a glorious Saturday crossword, with Doug Peterson & Brad Wilbert pulling out all the stops! From 1A, Bands popular in the '70s, MOODRINGS, and 1D, Sight in a produce aisle, MIST, to 56A, Franchise with the "Dominating the Deep" DVD set, SHARKWEEK, and 30D, Things that generate a lot of cookie dough?, BAKESALES, they did not give an inch. Jean had trouble on the APORT side of the crossword, while Mike was done in by 43A, Nut chewed as a stimulant, KOLA, which he, as probably one of the top consumers of Diet Coke in Northeast WI, assumed had to be spelled COLA :-(
A fabulous way to end the puzzle-solving week, we give this a 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
A nice Friday puzzle by Daniel Larsen, with some deliciously deceptive cluing -- e.g., 37D, When a poser might be presented?, PHOTOOP, 38D, Place for a stud, EARLOBE, 12D, Pot supporters, TRIVETS, and Mike's favorite, 33A, Two swings and a slide, maybe, PLAYSET. Jean finished the puzzle in 18 minutes. Mike also took 18 minutes, alas, 2.5 of them.
It's a twisty, turny crossword, a technical tour de force by Daniel Mauer. Jean solved it, Mike tried to solve it STAT, but did not find it a SNAP, so his streak, once again, DIED, as did, apparently, MRPEANUT (according to 37D, Classic figure, killed off in a 2019 Super Bowl ad campaign).
Our latest contest is now ongoing -- if you are the first person to send an email to crosswordpodcast@icloud.com with the subject "Yes, please!" then you will win a one-year subscription to the New York Times crossword. Good luck!
Today's crossword was written by Andy Kravis, Natan Last, and the J.A.S.A. Crossword Class, so the adage "too many cooks spoil the broth" does not apply here, since this was a very tasty morsel indeed. Jean tore through it, of course, while Mike panicked while answering 1A, "God is the perfect ______", Robert Browning, writing POEM, thereby leading him to conclude that the answer to 4D, One up, for example, was MIED. Fortunately, the ONEPERCENT of his neurons that were working at this point noted that POET and TIED made more sense, leading to the coveted "Happy Music".
This ingenious crossword really takes the CAKE, and, no, we are not SORRY that we wrote that 😀 Besides the themed clues (two word phrases, both of which could take CAKE as a suffix, e.g., FRUITCUP = FRUITCAKE + CUPCAKE), it had other interesting clues: 62A, World's largest terrestrial arthropod, COCONUTCRAB, the witty 47D, Figure of speech?, ORATOR, and the curious 20A, Case for small toiletries, ETUI.
Speaking of which, ETUI and AMAH were Jean's Tip Tuesday tips; Mike sung the praises of the New York Times crossword column, and the accompanying comments, WordPlay.
OHO, a themed Monday crossword, that's IDEAL. Although CAIROILLINOIS and HAVANAILLINOIS inexplicably didn't make the cut, DARN, we were glad to see ATHENSGEORGIA. PARISTEXAS, NAPLESFLORIDA and TOLEDOOHIO get their 15 minutes.
Sometime this week we will be giving away a year's subscription to the New York Times Crossword, so be sure to keep listening, and be ready, at the drop of a hat, to drop us a line (crosswordpodcast@icloud.com) in order to win.
This was an AONE crossword, with an iinnteresting tthheme, and a rebus that crammed more letters into a square than there are MESONS in the dot at the end of this sentence. As usual, there were a few surprises for Mike -- 61A, Prominent women's rights lawyer, GLORIAALLRED, and 55D, Lesser Antilles native, CARIB -- that is to say, a human being, not to be confused with a non-human bean, aka CAROB.
Sometime this week we'll be offering another chance to win a year's subscription to the New York Times crossword, and listen early and often to maximize your chances!
It's a Saturday Sam Ezersky puzzle, with 6 LETHALLY long answers, but lots of fun clues to keep you entertained. It starts off brilliantly with 1A, Be in charge ... as a doctor?, CALLTHESHOTS, and 13A, Remains to be seen, MUSEUMEXHIBIT:. The rest of the crossword does not disappoint, either. There are some educational clues -- 22A, Small hybrid instrument with 6 strings, GUITALELE, 43D, Historic town NW of London where some of the Harry Potter series was filmed, BUSHEY, and the terrific 35D, Comment that prompts the reply "Doitashimashite", ARIGATO.
Speaking of awesome clues, the New York Times has a poll out, you can now vote for your favorite clues of 2020. And while you're at it, why not drop us a line listing your favorite? Send email, as always, to crosswordpodcast@icloud.com, and we'll summarize the results on a future podcast.
A great Friday crossword, with lots of punny clues and fun facts (appropriate, since it's Fun Fact Friday). Jean's favorite was 41D, Frost accumulation, POEMS. Mike was fond of 35A, Shower heads, perhaps, MAIDSOFHONOR. Apparently 48A, Complete loss of identity, EGODEATH, is a thing, as is 34D, Fashion designer's portfolio, LOOKBOOK (which Mike had temporarily had as LOOTBOOK, but that turns out to be a Thief's portfolio).
This week's fun fact was the origin of UNCLE, which showed up in Wednesday's crossword.
We are INLOVE with this AONE crossword, ITSSAFE to say that it was one of the best puzzles out this year. The theme, SPINTHEBOTTLE, fed into a series of rebuses (rebusi?) that needs to be seen (as it can be, at xwordinfo.com) to be believed.
The rest of the crossword was of the same awesome quality, with tight cluing and some interesting new words (we're
looking at you, 23D, Relevance of text, in librarian's lingo, ABOUTNESS). All in all, a fabulous piece of work by Aimee Lucido and Ella Dershowitz, we give it an enthusiastic 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
What do you get when you cross a film title with a basketball player? Today's crossword, evidently. Now for those of you who might not be basketball fans, you might want to cry UNCLE, but JUST stick with it, put in a TEENIE bit of effort, and you'll succeed, we do not JEST!
We give this a 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
Ross Trudeau, creator of the New York Times mini-crosswords, scales it up to author today's puzzle. Jean did it effortlessly, Mike stumbled because 24A, They aren't what they appear to be, was not only a good clue, it also characterized his answer -- SCAMS -- as opposed to the correct answer, SHAMS. Still, he took comfort in knowing that THISTOOSHALLPASS.
It was Tip Tuesday, and we had a plethora of them, so be sure and listen to get the skinny.
A gentle Monday puzzle, perfect for the newer crossword solvers in the audience. It had a rather rye, um, no, make that wry, theme involving DELI food, but other than that the HQ (Humor Quotient) was relatively low, with just one real knee-slapper -- 5D, Without exception ... as in dry countries?, BARNONE. A few old favorites made a reappearance -- 23A, Olive ___ (Popeye's sweetie), OYL, and 67A, Popular vodka brand, for short, STOLI, safely positioned on the opposite side of the crossword from 62A, Old Russian ruler, TSAR. We give it a 5 on the JAMCR scale.
Yesterday we ran into ANUBIS, and today we have 40A, Supreme Egyptian deity, AMONRA -- so tomorrow's forecast is for OSIRIS, with a chance of ISIS later in the week. Speaking of AMONRA, apparently there are multiple spellings -- AMONRA, AMENRA and AMUNRA are all acceptable variants. That caused Mike no end of grief, as it naticked with 36D, Base of an arch, which he took to be an arcane architectural term, SELE, rather than, as Jean readily discovered, SOLE.
There were some interesting names in the grid today -- 77, _________ Schomburg, Harlem Renaissance figure, ARTURO, 87A, First ruler of a united Hawaii, KINGKAMEHAMEHA, and 17D, Guy who hosts "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives", FIERI.
We give today's crossword a 4 squares on the JAMCR scale.
Today's crossword was a tad easier than yesterday's -- Jean did it somewhat more quickly, and Mike cleaved an astonishing 2h30m off of his Friday time 😎.
While not as difficult as some Saturdays, the clues were still quite interesting -- 17A, Marked by stately beauty, JUNOESQUE, 19A, Accessory that might have a netsuke attached, OBI, and the possibly contractually-obligated Simpsons reference, 46D, __________ Hayden, actress who voices Milihouse on "The Simpsons", PAMELA. [If they start asking about animators, we are going to be in serious trouble!]
Finally, we would be remiss if we didn't note the nice juxtaposition of 35D, Everyman, JOESCHMO, and 66A, Nil, JACKSQUAT.
A fine Saturday, thanks to excellent writing and eagle-eyed editing by Trenton Charlson and Will Shortz, respectively.
We kickoff our second season -- well, to be precise, the second episode of our second season -- with a challenging (of course!) Friday crossword. Jean got through it relatively easily, aided and abetted by her encyclopedic knowledge of women's cosmetic products.
It's fun-fact Friday, and in today's episode we take an in-depth look at the (un)official cookie of the New York Times crossword, the Oreo -- first sold (and presumably eaten) on March 6, 1912, in Hoboken, New Jersey.
This was a crossword WITHATWIST, or as the crossword constructors would have it, WIXXXXWIST, that made for a very exciting Thursday solve. Jean tore through it blazingly quickly, as usual, whereasMike took forever, no, STRIKETHAT, a tad longer. 1D seemed to be a bit of a stretch -- Sunburn cause, for short, UVWAVE -- but considering the virtuoso-performance everywhere else, we'll cut Matthew Stock and Sid Sivakumar a break. Definitely a 5 squares on the JAMCR scAle.
Today's crossword WASA SWEET one. Jean learned about FOMO - Fear Of Missing Out - while that ROGUE Mike was delighted that his last Tip Tuesday tip -- memorize television networks -- applied to 59A, "Impractical Jokers" channel, TRUTV. We give it a 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
Multiple celebs - singers, writers and actors - made it into today's crossword and thence this podcast. Two dogs (1A, Petite pooch, familiarly, POM, and 15A, Lassie, for one, COLLIE) also made an appearance in today's crossword, ironically in the same grid as 4D, Condo restriction, NODOGS. We appreciated 44D, Trial stages, BETAS, adjacent to 46D, Trial stages, TESTS, that was a BIGHIT as far as we're concerned.
For Tip Tuesday, Jean suggests enjoying a beverage to keep those neurons well hydrated while puzzle solving. Mike recommends reading all of your television provider's channel guide, to familiarize yourself with the myriad networks that make an appearance in the New York Times crossword (e.g., TMC, TNN, ESPN, HGTV, PBS, GSN, to name just a few).
A surprisingly crunchy Monday crossword, it took both Jean & Mike a little while to find traction. There were lots of DCCOMICS references, involving WONDERWOMAN / DIANAPRINCE (played in the movies by GALGADOT and on television by LYNDACARTER). There were two new-to-or-possibly-fogotten-by-us words -- 2D, Property recipient, in law, ALIENEE, and 39D, Some delivery people, ROUTEMEN.
Remember, if you wish to comment on anything you hear in this podcast, let us know at crosswordpodcast@icloud.com
ODDSARE you'll enjoy this crossword, we MEANIT. Jean SPED through it in near record time, while Mike ADEPTLY ... didn't, although he did eventually solve it as well. A series of dances, each cleaved by a letter in the phrase MAYICUTIN made for a very clever theme. A few other clues of distinction were 54A, Document that never lacks a title, DEED, and 61A, It's ground breaking, FAULT -- which, coincidentally, we could not find in this puzzle - it was perrfect!
Today's crossword was a toughie. Jean valiantly struggled through it, as is her wont. Mike, in contrast, is wearing a SASH of mourning to honor his LATE streak.
There were some terrific clues -- 42A, Artificial object in orbit?, GLASSEYE, 46A, Shade from the sun, TAN, and 12D, Fits in between?, HALFSIZED.
We give it a 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
Happy New Year! And in case you've forgotten what year it is, today's crossword conveniently writes out 2021 in approximately the center of this oversized (16x16, versus the usual 15x15) grid. There were a few tough clues, Jean had trouble getting traction in the top-left corner and Mike spent most of his solve trying to spell SRIRACHA, before realizing that it wasn't the answer to 21A, You might get a kick out of this at a restaurant, HOTSAUCE.
Remember, you can always subscribe to the New York Times crossword at nytimes.com/crosswords, and to follow along as we discuss the crossword, you can find the entire solved puzzle, including clues, at xwordinfo.com.
The last New York Times crossword of 2020, and we are KEEN, even ANTSY, to get to 2021. We of course don't know what next year has in store -- SIRI isn't saying -- but hopefully SMALLBUSINESSES will recover, WAR will decrease, and everybody's NESTEGGS will be on the rise. Today's crossword had some interesting factoids -- 22A, Product with the slogan, "Trust the power within", DURACELL; 38D, Woodchuck of the western U.S., MARMOT, and 23A, Quantity equal to about seven glasses of wine, LITER.
A great crossword to wrap up the year, and here's hoping to 365 of equal quality in 2021.
Today's crossword is a middle-of-the-road Wednesday, that is to say, a real TREASURE. It has a NICE theme involving a BILLYCLUB, a smattering of Spanish (ESO and ESTE), and a FEW other BAUBLES, like 5A, First courses, for short, APPS, 46A, Good name for someone with a sharp tongue?, BARB, and 41A, Do with a pick, maybe, FRO. So, according to our CRYSTALBALL, you will find this crossword to be just the thing to RESCUE you if you are in need of rescuing. We give it a perfect 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
Today's crossword had an oblique Bob and Ray reference and a FAIRYTALEENDING, who could ask for more? The reference was 27A, Largest lizard on earth (up to 10 feet long), KOMODODRAGON, the topic of a famous Bob and Ray routine. The FAIRYTALEENDING slyly united WARRIORPRINCESS, KOMODODRAGON, CNTOWER, and GLADYSKNIGHT.
Today is Tip Tuesday -- Jean noted that two fairytale villains that show up a lot in the New York Times crossword are OGRES and ORCS, while Mike reminded listeners that when you get stuck, give up ... just for a short time, to give the neurons a chance to recharge.
Today's crossword is a tad unusual for a Monday - four 15-square answers, all to down clues. They are not particularly difficult, but without gentle crosses would definitely pose a serious challenge.
While solving this last Monday crossword for 2020 we learned what MBE stands for, how to pronounce DOGE, but the mystery of why R2-D2's nickname is ARTOO, as opposed to ARTWO, remains unsolved. Detectives are on the case!
FACTIS, this was an AWE-inspiring Sunday crossword, we are SHIRR, um, sure, of that! Jean cruised through it without too much difficulty, Mike got hung up in the neighborhood of 94D and 95D, having forgotten that 95D, Patchy in color, was PIED, and either forgotten or possibly never even learned that 101A, Money in coins rather than bills, was SPECIE, and 98A, Bake, as an egg, was SHIRR. Still, HUGSANDKISSES to the creators, we give this a 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
It's a Saturday, that should mean tough. and John Guzzetta does not disappoint, with a crossword that crackles with clever clues. Most of the crossword was just ... difficult, but John really cranked it up in the southeast corner. Our best advice: only try a John Guzzetta puzzle when well rested.
We give it a 5 on the JAM CR scale.
Ho, ho, ho, it's a classy Christmas present from the New York Times, a gentle Friday from Erik Agard and Wendy Brandes, i.e., NOTBADATALL. It had some nice juxtapositions - RIPOFF (1D, Con), and RIFFEDON (25D, Used as improv fodder, say), and some amusing clues -- 59A, Perfect score ... or half of one, TEN, and 21D, Labour leader?, DOULA. A great way to end the week!
Happy Christmas Eve, everyone! And to celebrate, the New York Times has provided a cheery Thursday crossword, by Billy Ouska, that could be done, NOLIE, in almost no ___________ at all. Note that the (attempted) humor in that last sentence will become apparent once you've listened to the podcast. Jean cruised through the crossword as usual, Mike confidently and incorrectly assumed that 23D, There are more of these in the U.S. in October than any other month, surprisingly, was BIRTHS -- as opposed to the (unsurprisingly, surprisingly) correct answer, BRIDES.
Today's crossword, while perhaps not the greatest thing since SLICEDBREAD, is still, INALL, a fun and challenging Wednesday (and that's no JIVE!). It had some clever clues, like
- 7D, Stands up for dustpans, say, abbr., ANAG (short for ANAGRAM),
- 20A, 10th and 11th, e.g., EXT[RAIN}NINGS, and the rather obscure
- 47A, Lawless figure with legendary fighting skills, XENA.
All in all a fine puzzle, we give it a 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
Today's puzzle may put you on CLOUD9, or at least in a HAPPYPLACE, as you experience that SHEERBLISS that comes with solving a crossword (or at least giving it the old college try). Beyond the theme, there was a nod to PAPAHAYDN (41A, Affectionate nickname for the "Father of the Symphony"), and the definitely not serendipitous, because Amy Yanni and Jeff Chen are involved, placement of NENE (33D, Hawaii's state bird) and NANA (66A, Nickname for grandma).
It's Tip Tuesday, and for today's tip, Jean discusses eponyms, while Mike muses about the number 24, frequently a hint that a Greek letter is involved, since that's the length of the Greek alphabet.
Today's crossword was filled with GOBBLEDYGOOK, MUMBOJUMBO, and BALDERDASH, but we mean that in the best possible way: because today's crossword revolved around words/phrases that implied nonsense. There were a few names that might have proven difficult for newer and younger solvers, like 6D, Actress Saint of "North by Northwest", and 8D, 1957 title role for Frank Sinatra, PALJOEY, but for the most part the cluing was about as gentle as ALAMB, with plenty of opportunities for novices to experience that joyous AHA moment that makes crossword solving so much fun.
If you are INTHEMOOD to reminisce, then this crossword is just what you need. It's a stroll down memory lane, if memory lane happened to run through a toy store, because all the major theme answers are famous, enduring and endearing toys, including CHATTYCATHY, SILLYPUTTY, TAMAGOTCHI and ETCHASKETCH, to name a few. Jean, as is her wont, breezed through today's crossword, while quite a few clues were a surprise to Mike including 50D, Promoting peace, IRENIC, and the spellings of 76D, Operatic villains, often, BASSI , and 107A, Performed a Latin ballroom dance, SAMBAED (which, for the record, still looks wrong).
A major challenge, because, well, Saturday crosswords just tend to, AHEM, BELIKETHAT. There were numerous classical allusions in today's crossword -- from 38D, Agamemnon's son, ORESTES, to 45D, Lyre holder in classical artwork, ERATO, but there were also some more "hep" clues, such as 24D, Excited, in modern slang, TURNT, and 6D, R&B artist with the Grammy-winning 2017 hit, "Best Part", HER. Both Jean & Mike agreed that the bottom half of the puzzle was significantly tougher than the top, but both -- like 7D, The "she" of "Nevertheless, she persisted", ELIZABETHWARREN -- persisted. We give it a 5 on the JAMCR scale.
Our latest contest has a winner! Congrats to Steve M. of ... gmail.com (wherever that is 😀), who is now enjoying a free year-long subscription to the New York Times crossword.
Well, SHIVERMETIMBERS, it's a crossword, and we solved it ... BECAUSEITSTHERE. And, just like the SCENEOFTHECRIME, there were plenty of good. clues, including 47D, Center of a circle or square, maybe, STATUE, and a fun phrase, 17A, Using any means necessary, CATCHASCATCHCAN.
We have a special offer ... be the first person to email us at crosswordpodcast@icloud.com with the subject "Yes, I Want the New York Times Crossword!", and you will win a free year's subscription to the LA Times ... no, just kidding, a free year's subscription to the New York Times Crossword! It'll look great under the tree ...
If those immortal opening notes, dum, dum, dum, duuuuuuum, don't get your heart racing, then the ANTIDOTE is to sit down and listen to those notes in situ, specifically in BEETHOVENSFIFTH. Today's crossword is an homage to LUDWIG, that most revered of composers. Jean got through the crossword with little difficulty, while Mike was stuck in IDLE for the longest time until he realized that 1A, Needing some kneading, say, was ACHY, rather than SORE.
There were a few famous folks in today's crossword -- America FERRERA, star of Ugly Betty; LOKI, the trickster from ASGARD, and Marlee MATLIN.
Finally, in honor of the holidays, Jean & Mike are giving away a fabulous (and very apropos) prize ... listen to this episode for all the details.
This crossword was the TOPS, presenting just a SKOSH of trouble here and there. Jean, for instance, momentarily forgot how to spell KENOBI, whereas Mike likely never knew how to spell ROSEANNE, and had to deal with his old nemesis, ERSE (not to be confused, as he is wont to do, with EIRE, or ERIE, or ERIN)
Stop the presses! it's a crossword about ... the presses! Print journalism, to be precise, with a few cameos from NPR and PBS. In keeping with the spirit of education, there was an array of interesting clues, including 4D, Indian ox, ZEBU, 15A, Comic Fields on old Ed Sullivan shows, TOTIE, and Mike's favorite, 41D, Nickname for the 1967 N.F.L. Championship Game, famously played at about -15°, ICEBOWL (yikes!).
There were some nice juxtapositions - TOTIE close to TOTE, and ALMS next to ASKME, very nice!
Finally, for Tip Tuesday, Jean recommends learning the cardinal points in Spanish - Norte, Sur, Este and Oeste, while Mike assigns, as homework, watching The Simpsons, characters from whom show up in the crossword astonishingly frequently.
Remember, you can always subscribe to the New York Times Crossword -- it makes an excellent holiday gift! -- at nytimes.com/crosswords, and to follow along with a solved crossword, go to xwordinfo.com.
An ABLY constructed crossword, with a TROVE of accomplished women -- ELLEMACPHERSON, KAYHAGAN, SAMANTHABEE, and SANDRAOH -- all distinguished not only by their accomplishments but by having a homonym for a letter in their name. We appreciated the reappearance of PSY (11D, Gangam style rapper), who hasn't been alluded to in the crossword since ... yesterday; and were intrigued by 34D, Typical John Le Carre work, SPYNOVEL, appearing two days after that extraordinary author's passing.
An AMIABLE Sunday crossword by Dan Margolis, not too OUTRE, with only a few troublesome areas to SPOIL your day. The theme involved punnily-clued movies (e.g., 26A, Indy film? (1981), RAIDERSOFTHELOSTARK, and 103A, Dock-udrama? (1954), ONTHEWATERFRONT). There were some other gems as well, e.g., 99D, Bit of ranch dressing? STETSON, and right off the bat, 1D, Wear off?, DISROBE. A nice palette cleanser after Saturday's epic battle, we give it a 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
Ooh, a killer Saturday crossword, with some real stretches in the southeast corner. Jean was stopped by STOPTIME (47A, Rhythmic pattern in jazz) , and got run over by a baseball player doing HOMERUNTROTS (37A, They cover all bases). Mike, meanwhile, couldn't see past OPERAGLASS to get to the correct answer, OPERACAPES for 60A, Luxury wear for showgoers, and still maintains that nobody, ever, anywhere, has said PEACES on their way out the door.
We give it a 4 on the JAMCR scale.
Just like 10A, Big name in razors, ATRA, this crossword was sharp and attractive, with some brilliant clues, including head scratchers like 1A, Still on the line, say, DAMP, 5D, Take turns, say, STEER, and the superb 22A, It requires some assembly, QUORUM.
Jean got through today's crossword not quite INAMINUTE, but close, while Mike was nearly DERAILED by his rock-solid confidence that 21D, Penguin's home?, was ANTARCTICA, rather than the actual (and much cleverer) answer, GOTHAMCITY.
A delightful Friday, we give it a 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
Fun-Fact Friday:
Today's fun-fact Friday involved MOONQUAKES, the one thing that 2020 hasn't thrown at us (yet).
Even though this puzzle dealt with elements, it was not at all elementary, my dear Watson, and periodically it seemed like Moriarty himself had designed this fiendish crossword, rather than the actual constructor, Jack Murtaugh. The themed clues involved symbols for elements, cleverly hidden in the theme, so, for instance, 36A, Female?, turned out to be IRONMAN (Fe=IRON, male=MAN). 16A, Siding?, turned out to be Siliconchip (!), and 57A, Cold?, was CARBONDATING, YADA, YADA, YADA.
A gentle Wednesday puzzle by Owen Travis and the RENOWN Jeff Chen, who never SETTHEBARLOW when it comes to crosswords, NOSIR, and indeed BENDOVERBACKWARD to provide quality entertainment. Jean tore through this crossword in about half the time it took to do Tuesday's and Mike wasn't too far behind. Both were suckered into writing RUNS for 6A, Four are credited for a grand slam, briefly, RBIS, and Mike had a few personal AHAS - 22D, Variety of tea, BOBA, (no relation to the Star Wars character) and 48D, Mideast port that was home to Sinbad the Sailor, BASRA.
An admirable Tuesday crossword, not too HARD, not too EASY, with a very clever theme -- POLAROPPOSITES. Jean was intrigued by STELAE, while Mike was pleased that, thanks to NPR reporter Ofeibea Quist-Arcton's distinctive sign-off, he knew that the capital of Senegal was Dakar.
It's Tip Tuesday, and here's what you ought to know:
Sometimes it does pay to fill in letters: even if you don't know the entire word, you may be able to classify a square as being either a vowel or consonant, and that can help
Know the synonyms for drunkenness -- e.g., BLITZED, BESOTTED, LIT -- as they have a tendency to show up in the puzzle from time to time.
BLIMEY (to quote yesterday's crossword), today's work is an ode to Anglophiles, with several answers that mean one thing on this side of the pond, and another thing on the other. For example ...17A, Travelled by subway?, WENTDOWNTHETUBE, 27A, "Would you call the elevator for me?", CANIGETALIFT, and 48A, "Hand me a flashlight", PASSTHETORCH. A few weeks ago we had a crossword with a distinctly Canadian theme, so expect Australia/India/South Africa/Other commonwealth country to pop up in the not too distant future.
Today's crossword was ALITTLE easier than yesterday's epic. Jean's favorite clue was 79A, Nickname for baseball great Ernie Banks, MRCUB, Mike's was a tie between 44A, Brand that comes out a head?, PEZ, and 78D, Helical bit, AUGER. Both Jean and Mike were surprised to learn the existence of 104A, Peninsula shared by Italy, Slovenia and Croatia, ISTRIA, and wondered if the author might've had a few AYS about 105D, Exclamations of regret, AYS, in lieu of OYS.
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A DEVILISH Saturday crossword, but ILIKEDIT, well, both of us did, to be precise. And precise is, er, precisely what you needed to be to solve this elegantly crafted puzzle by Brendan Emmett Quigley, with some SWELL clues like 31A, Woman of the world, MOTHERNATURE, and 11D, Occasion for smoking, BARBEQUE.
We give this an enthusiastic 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
Remember, if you want to get in touch to discuss anything you hear on this podcast, just drop us a line at crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Feedback is always appreciated!
Jean was clearly EQUALTO the task of solving today's crossword, while Mike was a bit LATETO the party, getting stuck in, well, the sticky stuff -- 38D, Sticky stuff (PINETAR, not VINEGAR), among other places. Our favorite clue? 21D, Leaves home?, TEAPOT. Our least favorite? Trick question, we loved the entire puzzle, and give it a 5 squares on the JAM CR scale.
Today's fun fact:
The Congo River is the second longest in Africa, has the world's second largest drainage volume, and is the deepest river in the word, 720 feet in spots.
It's not an UNLUCKYBREAK that Jake Halperin put together this fine crossword, which (possibly coincidentally) plays homage to a Mitch Hedberg routine about B being unlucky, because it's just a 13 scrunched together. Among the fascinating clues in today's puzzle, 7D, The U.S. Forest Service owns about 38% of it, IDAHO; and 34A, Modern lead-in to scrolling, DOOM (aka DOOMSURFING).
We give today's effort a 5 squares on the always accurate, but unpredictably published, JAMCR scale
A tough Wednesday, Jean was well above her time, and Mike almost succumbed in the top right corner, unfamiliar as he was with ... pretty much every clue in the top right corner, SHEESH! There were quite a few NEW words and phrases, and we'd tell you about them RIGHTTHISSECOND but, OHSNAP, we're out of time! 😀
Jean tore through today's NIFTY crossword so fast that she didn't even see the theme (as Einstein correctly predicted would happen to crossword solvers as they approached the speed of light), while Mike fell into all the TRAPS, and has a few SCARS to show for it.
In today's Tip Tuesday segment, we observe that
1. GURU ≠ Religious figure all the time
2. SPOT = AD (a lot of the time)
3. Leaving iffy squares blank, rather than hazarding a guess, makes them easier to spot as the grid fills up (and may therefore save time in the long run).
How's it going, eh? Pretty well, especially if you were able to get today's crossword, which included many references to Canada, including mention of the most Canadian thing ever -- TIMHORTONS (a wildly successful, primarily Canadian-based restaurant chain owned by Burger King). MAPLESYRUP (available at TIMHORTONS 😀), HOCKEYNIGHT, and, um, RAIN also made an appearance.
Tomorrow is Tip Tuesday, so be sure to listen in for tips on how to hone your crossword solving skills.
Today's crossword was quite the SCRIM, LIVENED with an ingenious theme involving shared letters (e.g., 23A, Very short-lived gemstones, EPHEMERALDS = EPHEMERAL + EMERALDS, and 63D, Pounding on a pie topping, HAMMERINGUE = HAMMERING + MERINGUE). You'll definite need a CUPPA or two, and possibly a long troll in the OPENAIR, to solve this one.
Remember if you want to follow along as Jean & Mike discuss today's crossword, and haven't gotten the crossword figured out for yourself, wander over to xwordinfo.com, where you can see the solution + clues.
Jean tears through today's crossword like it's a Monday, while Mike takes a more TORTOISE-like approach, hindered by a lack of knowledge, spelling, and in some tragic cases, both.
The clues themselves are minor works of art (see: 31D, Study pills, PLACEBOS, and 30D, Air traveler in early winter, SANTA), but even some of the juxtapositions are worthy of note -- RUSHERS next to TORTOISE, PINACOLADA next to TEETOTALER, that's craftsmanship, right there!
A terrific 5 squares on the JAMCR scale, and we hope to see more of Nam Jin Yoon's work sometime soon!
It's a Robyn Weintraub crossword, so expect Good Things. Both Jean & Mike were temporarily THROWN off the scent, getting little traction especially in the top left and right corners. Eventually they persevered. Jean was rescued by, of all people (and we use the term loosely), BILLTHECAT and Mike, well, once again, his Achilles' heal, ADBLOCKERS, almost did him in. In a crossword with lots of terrific clues there two absolutely fabulous ones -- 26D, Page seen in a wedding album, RINGBEARER, and 16A, Classic British rock group, STONEHENGE. We give this a 5 well-deserved squares on the JAMCR scale.
For those of you LONGing for a good Thanksgiving Day crossword to sink your teeth into, metaphorically spelling, here you go! This wasn't a ROMP, but you didn't need to be a GURU to solve it either -- just a bit of luck, a lot of patience, and a passing acquaintance with 1970s operating systems. 😀
Feast your eyes on this fabulous Wednesday crossword by John Guzzetta and Jeff Chen (edited, as always, by Will Shortz). It included a WRY reversing-homonym theme, and a SLEW of clever clues that were clearly written without the impediment of RYE . Jean cruised through it in record time while Mike, hobbled by his lack of knowledge of the legendary Buck ONEIL, was slower off the mark, but eventually got the job done.
A genuinely fun and funny crossword by Caitlin Reid. Any crossword that includes the clue 19A,"An orca is actually a dolphin?!", WHALEILLBEDARNED, deserves some sort of award. We give it a perfect 5 squares on the JAMCR scale, and it's not because we're fishing for compliments 😉
A few challenges for the spelling-challenged -- DIDGERIDOO and MATZOH, to name two -- but other than that, ITLLDO (quite WELL, in fact). It did feature Jean's favorite musketeer, ARAMIS, as well as Mike's favorite prime minister, PIERRE (48D, Justin Trudeau's father). There was also a (possibly intentional) acoustical tie-in to yesterday's crossword -- that featured 48A, Wished (BADE), whereas today's included the clue 32D, Sounded like sheep (BAAED).
Tomorrow is Tip Tuesday, and remember, if you have some tips that you'd like to share with our burgeoning listening audience, drop us a line at crosswordpodcast@icloud.com.
A novel crossword, definitely not by the numbers, to round out our puzzle solving week. The theme involved adding up intersecting digits, which was a real HOOT. Jean found this slightly more difficult than usual, while Mike knew a diminishingly small number of answers at the outset. Some clues of note:
33D, Makes cloudy (BLEARS), 9D, Don's partner in the underworld, CAPO, and 97A, Zoning, so to speak (OUTOFIT).
If you didn't get today's crossword, well, HAKUNA MATATA, NOLOSS. It was a Saturday, ERGO it was bound to be a bit of an OGRE.
Some particularly memorable clues -- 54D, An expert on feet, POET, 9A, 1, 2, 3, 4, ..., 11, 12, 14, etc., FLOORS, and, oh ANOTHERONE, 25D, 28 pound debut of 1981, IBMPC.
We give it a 4.5 squares on the increasingly precise JAMCR scale.
Remember, if you want to get in touch to provide feedback on anything you hear here, just email us at crosswordpodcast@icloud.com.
There are not a lot of BIGYUKS to be found in today's crossword, but there is a BARRAGE of obscure clues, including 6D, _________ Barnes, WNIT-winning basketball coach (ADIA), 43D, German leader after Adenauer (ERHARD), and (for Mike: apparently it's Jean's middle name), 38D, Dolce's partner in fashion, GABBANA. But, at the end of the day, both Jean and Mike were able to get all the clues DECODED. AYCARAMBA!
Cn y ndrstnd ths? f s, y mght hv lg p dng tdy's crsswrd! And for those of you who don't speak consonantese, what we wrote was "Can you understand this? If so, you might have a leg up doing today's crossword!". That's because today's crossword was an homage to the WHLFFRTN, aka Wheel of Fortune, and many of the clues had been de-voweled. Jean, being a WHLFFRTN aficionado, tore through this in record time, while Mike was a little more SHAKY, although he, too, was eventually able to NAIL it.
You will sure aPPreciate this puzzle, with a riPPing good theme, from Amanda Rafkin and Ross Trudeau. Twas a fairly gentle Wednesday, both Jean & Mike turned in exemplary times, and thought IMHAPPY afterwards.
A puzzle with a tinge of BACKSPIN, a clever MOTIF, and no serious HAIRPIN turns. Jean learned how to send a LATERGRAM, Mike appreciated the appearance of AIR, EYRE, and ERA in such a tiny grid, and both agreed that this deserved a 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
In today's episode, Jean explains by way of example what a natick is, how to spell the answer to 49D, Shish _______, KEBAB, and provides a brief bio of 37A, Skater Lipinski, TARA .Mike suspects product-placement in the vicinity of 51D, Popular health info source, WEBMD, and ponders the proximity of a reference to PG&E to AFIRE and TREES in the southern and slightly more orange part of the puzzle.
We give it a 4 squares on the JAMCR scale.
This puzzle starts perfectly -- with the title, Theme, Shmeme -- alerts you that it means (non-serious) business with the very first clue, 1A, Round number?, BARTAB, and never lets up, with a delightful bevy of fun and entertaining clues, perfect Sunday fare. You have to love a crossword that includes 88A, Barely afloat?, SKINNYDIPPING, and 70A, It's sedimentary, my dear, SILT. Kudos to Caitlin Reid, this is definitely 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
A relatively merciful Saturday, with fun clues and just a handful of names (ERICIDLE, Diana RIGG, GEENA Davis and EDIE Segwick). Superman (or at least his alter-ego) saved the day for Jean (14A, Lane hugger?, KENT), while Mike got out of a STICKYSITUATION by realizing that 13D, Mythical figure associated with snakes, was not MEDUSA, but rather the much more ASTUTE ATHENA (and the two cross: kudos to the authors, Emily Carroll and Erik Agard, that's true artistry).
Remember if you go to xwordinfo.com, you can follow along with a solved puzzle as we provide the blow-by-blow.
This crossword wasn't as EASYASPIE, but it wasn't too much of a PAIN, either, in spite of being a fairly open grid, with lots of daunting white spaces. The clues were deftly crafted, including Jean's favorite, 62A, Early tablet user, MOSES, and Mike's, 30D, Honker, SCHNOZ. Jean has to dig deeply to figure out 33A, Songs by a recording artist that aren't well known, DEEPCUTS, while Mike has just a few worries while trying to ferret out 17A, "You're good", NOWORRIES.
Remember, you can always subscribe to the New York Times Crossword at nytimes.com/crosswords, and you can follow along with a completed version of the puzzle, replete with clues, at xwordinfo.com.
One of those great Thursdays, with a theme guaranteed to provide a glorious aha! moment that will stay with you all day. Jean was slowed down slightly by a RARE gathering of RANDOS, while Mike was elated to discover that his years spent watching The Jetsons once again paid off. Both were surprised to discover that ACAI has 3 syllables -- it seems it barely has room for 2 -- and it took some serious Googling before they discovered that AUDIBLE plays referred to the gridiron, not the stage.
A wonderful Wednesday crossword, with a clever and appropriate theme for Veteran's Day. Particularly witty clues included 51A, Producer of a lot of suits?, BUSINESSSCHOOL, and the award winning 46D, It's found beneath the crust, PIEPAN. (Hands up, all those who wrote MANTLE first. We thought so ... 😀)
We appreciated the appearance of both ICAHN and CAHN as answers, and, of course, are suckers for any crossword that features an EPEE.
We give this crossword a 5 squares on the JAMCR scale!
Remember, if you want to follow along, you can either subscribe to the NYTimes Crossword at nytimes.com/crosswords, or take a peak at the answers for free at xwordinfo.com.
A punny Tuesday crossword with lots to like: if the answer to 20A, Sommelier?, PORTAUTHORITY, doesn't bring a smile to your lips, well ... that's just a theoretical question, because we know it will. Mike was particularly pleased to learn that his memorization of the Reduced Shakespeare Company's skit, "Titus Andronicus ... as a Cooking Show!", finally paid dividends, while Jean was pretty much ATEASE with the whole puzzle.
We have some excellent tips for Tip Tuesday, so do listen in and see if they help.
Remember, to provide feedback, just email us at crosswordpodcast@icloud.com.
Notable sites mentioned in today's podcast:
- nytimes.com/crosswords
- xwordinfo.com
A fairly crunchy crossword, for a Monday, with an interesting but subtle theme -- a vowel-wordchain, with AEIOU showing up in a series of descending clues: PALLBEARER, PELLGRANT, PILLBUG, POLLTAKER, PULLQUOTES. Our favorite clue - 17A, Raiser of the dead? (PALLBEARER), ironically positioned just underneath ENTOMB. Now that's craftsmanship!
Jean tears through today's crossword, while Mike, FELTSAD to discover the bottom-left corner to be almost LETHAL (but still TAME compared to yesterday!). We give it a 4.0 squares on the JAMCR scale.
A ferocious Saturday, so let's get right to today's crossword AUTOPSY! Mike is run over by GRANIMALS, gets kicked in the SHIN, lost a MINT by betting on, well, MINT, and chose a few other words INERROR. Jean, meanwhile, could hardly make a DENT in the puzzle until 35A! In short, just another typical New York Times Saturday crossword, definitely not for the faint of heart! We give it a 4 squares on the JAMCR scale.
A crossword that almost drove both Jean & Mike BANANAS, but they fought it to THEBITTEREND and, abetted by ALOT of luck and a little BARTRIVIA, were able to triumph.
Some especially fun clues -- 13A, Loaded questions?, BARTRIVIA; 44A, Take a good, long look at yourself? EGOSURF; and 28A, Strip at the beach?, TANLINES.
What can we say? It's a perfect 5 squares on the JAMCR scale!
OHLOOK, it's a Thursday crossword honoring the beloved HASHTAG (nee pound sign, aka octothorp), and ALLTHINGSBEING=, there are no puzzles we'd rather be SOLVING than ones like these, by Jeremy Newton. A 5 squares on the JAMCR scale, AYE!
Put on your PARTYHATS, because it's time to celebrate the debut NYTimes crossword by Jack Murtagh, a real BEAUTY with lots of clever cluing, and multiple homages to Mike's favorite company -- 13A, Jobs creation (IPAD), 7D, 13-Across accessories (STYLI), and 31D, Cook of Apple (TIM). Our favorite clue, hands down, was 65D, It must do it (TAG), which definitely deserves some sort of award for deft phrasing.
We give this crossword a perfect 5 on the JAMCR scale!
WOW, a great but not particularly HEAVYDUTY Tuesday crossword, just the ticket, SOIHEAR, if you need an IDYL to HIDEAWAY in. We just saw GOLDENDOODLEs a few days ago, and today we celebrate the appearance of 45A, Designer dog that crosses a Pomeranian and terror, a PORKIE.
It's Tip Tuesday, so be sure to listen to Jean's Excellent, Educational, Exceptional, Extolling of E, as well as Mike's ode to crosswordese.com.
Jean almost beats her personal best Monday time, her fingers a blur over the keyboard. Mike, meanwhile, takes heart in the fact that he solved a crossword with a GOLDENDOODLE in it (20A, Popular dog crossbreed), HEHE.
Also of note was the interesting overlap from yesterday's (Sunday's) puzzle:
31D, Green-EYED monster, tied in with Sunday's 75A, Source of the words "O, beware of jealousy, my lord! It's a green-eyed monster ...". And 17A, Z ASIN Zebra was the same answer to Sunday's 26A, Spelling clarification. Small (lexiconic) world!
An EXQUISITE and very ARTY start to November, with references to various works and writers, including OTHELLO, BAUM, DANTE, and, while not quite as classical, the definitely classy EBERT and CARLSAGAN. There was a nice mix of fun clues -- 21A, Bottom Lines? (XAXES), and obscure ones, such as 17D, Boat sometimes built around a whalebone frame (UMIAK (!)).
We give it a 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
In other news, for those interested in creating your own crosswords, check out crosserville.com, a sublimely easy to use, lightning fast app. Definitely worth a gander.
A very scary Halloween crossword, avec trop de français, à nos avis (if you know what I mean, and pardon our French). Mike spent a lot of time pondering veggies, eventually migrating from CROUTONS to CARROTS before settling on RADISHES for 14D, Sources of crunch for a salad, while Jean struggled with a startling number of French-related clues. Saturdays are meant to be tough, and this one certainly succeeded on that score. We give it a 4 on the JAMCR sale.
A not-at-all-scary crossword for Halloween's Eve. Mike particularly enjoyed the appearance of his favorite comic, Mitch HEDBERG, and Jean enjoyed DEEPSIGH -- as she explained with a DEEPSIGH.
Some unfamiliar words also cropped up -- the magnificent 52A, Acts like a quidnunc, MEDDLES(distantly related to a geometric arrangement that appeared recently, quincunx), and 3D, River through Victoria Falls, ZAMBEZI.
A fine puzzle by Trenton Charlson, it clearly deserves a 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
A palette cleanser of a crossword -- see yesterday's podcast to see why! -- with a fun twist, and a few novel entries -- 13D, Serfs of olden days, HELOTS, and an interesting variation on scathing, 46A, Denounce harshly, SCATHE. There were some entries that showed off the TLC that clearly went into this puzzle -- 2D, Aries animal, RAM, directly opposite it at the bottom of the puzzle, 69A, Son of Zeus, ARES. And, of course, the entire theme was quite clever.
Definitely a 5 squares on the JAMCR scale!
Brace yourselves, because today's Wednesday crossword definitely felt like a Saturday, with a northwest corner that crossword aficionados will be talking about -- not always in the kindest terms -- for years. You can learn all about the epic struggle right here, and marvel at clues like 6D, What members of the Church of the SubGenius parody religion claim to be descended from, YETIS; and 5D Was verklempt from pride, KVELLED (oy vey!). Peter Gordon was clearly giving no quarter, especially in the top left.
We give it a 3.5 on the JAMCR scale (but had it been released on a Saturday, we'd give a 5 for sure!).
A very clever Tuesday crossword, with some astonishing anagrams from the pens of Luci Bresette and David Steinberg. Did you know that you could, using just the letters of US CAPITOL, spell out POLITICSASUSUAL? Tis true! There are a few other amazing anagrammatic gems hiding here in plain sight: listen to the podcast for the details, as well as some great tips -- it is Tip Tuesday™️ -- to help you become a better puzzle solver.
Tip Tuesday Links:
- 12 European Rivers - rivers that tend to show up fairly frequently
- Merriam Webster - memorize this, and you'll never mispell another word
A cracking-good start to the crossword week, with an array of amusing allusions to -- of course -- cracking, as in, what do a CODEBREAKER, STANDUPCOMIC, and CHIROPRACTOR have in common?
A few old friends join jus as well -- ALOE, the official balm of the New York Times crossword, ADELE, possibly its official chanteuse, and TSA, definitely its favorite airport security team.
We give it a perfect 5 on the JAMCR scale.
Tip Tuesday is coming right up, so tune in tomorrow for helpful suggestions to help guide you on your journey from crossword novice to crossword adept.
A scary Sunday crossword -- Mike was so frightened, in fact, that he entirely forgot how to spell ACOLYTE -- no LIE! -- and wobbled at the junction of SERAPE and APIA. Jean, meanwhile, maintained her joie de vivre in spite of the PANE inspired by a series of very bad puns. We give it a 4.5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
It's a tough but ultimately doable Saturday, with the clever cluing that you would expect on this day, and just a few real tricksters. Mike gets hung up at the corner of 16A, Categorized by district (ZONAL, not ZONED) and 5D, Hal's earthbound "twin" in Arthur C. Clark's "2010: Odyssey Two" (SAL, not SAD). Jean, meanwhile, quite reasonably goes for CORDUROY for 6A, Jacket material, as opposed to the quite clever actual answer, COVERART. Fun times!
Remember that you can subscribe to and enjoy all the New York Times crosswords at nytimes.com/crosswords, and you can talk to us at crosswordpodcast@icloud.com.
Many of us needed to TAKEABREAK after Thursday's epic struggle, and this puzzle by Robyn Weintraub filled the bill nicely. It had some clever cluing, like 24A, One who might have a brush with fame?, ARTIST, and tricky word acrobatics, like 15A, What's before after, at the end?, EVER.
Of course, based on the law of conservation of crossword difficulty (which we just made up), Saturday is going to be devastating. Or will it now? Tune in tomorrow to find out!
A fabulous Thursday challenge by Sid Sivakumar, with a gimmick that has to be seen to be believed ... except that you can't see it. Intrigued? Listen to the podcast to hear the whole story!
Today's crossword features SLEWS of PRETTY funny puns, like 17A, Ways to cross a river in Switzerland?, BERNBRIDGES, and 28A, First showing at a film festival in France?, CANNESOPENER (oof). Jean cruises through today's puzzle like it's a Monday, but while Mike was able to DOIT, he finds the top left corner ETRE (eh, to be) a pretty tough slog.
In today's podcast, Jean revs up the Tip Tuesday apparatus with tips about cars, Mike extols the virtue of listening to musicians that appear in the crossword (e.g., Joe Satriani), and both agree that today's crossword deserves an EASYA -- because it was, easily, worth an A, the equivalent of 5 squares on the JAMCR scale
A somewhat "crunchier" crossword than usual for a Monday, including words like 56A, Perfect example (EPITOME), 39D, Calm and impassive (STOLID) , and a reference to 48D, Portrait painter Rembrandt PEALE (aka, we hope, the "other" Rembrandt). Still, we do not EGRET for a moment having done this VINE crossword 🙄.
Jean cruises through today's crossword, while Mike crashes his ASTIN, excuse us, ASTON in this light-hearted Sunday exercise in punnery. It earns a 4.25 on the JAMCR scale, and ... that's AWRAP!
A relatively straightforward Saturday crossword, with lots of new words thrown in to the mix, including 36D, French dessert of fruit encased in sweet batter, CLAFOUTI, 40D, Language from which "peyote" comes, NAHUATL, and a reprise of an oldie but goodie, 1A, Pattern of five shapes arranged like this puzzle's central black squares, QUINCUNX.
All in all, a nice Saturday frolic by Victor Barocas and Brad Wilber, edited, as always, by Will Shortz.
For those of you of a culinary persuasion, here, from the same newspaper that brought you today's crossword, is a recipe for Clafouti.
In today's podcast, Jean contemplates the eternal question -- is it UTAHN, or Utahan. Mike, meanwhile, engages in a painful rationalization of BATFLAPS as the answer to 15A, Showboaty home run celebrations. The correct answer was, of course, BATFLIPS, but, well, ACCIDENTSHAPPEN.
Listen in to learn more about today's crossword-- which earns a very respectable 4.5 on the JAMCR scale.
G'day mate! You call that a crossword? THIS is a crossword, a fine one, in fact, celebrating all things from the land DOWNUNDER, aka AUSTRALIA -- from DIGERIDOO to VEGEMITE, and several other clues in between. Jean & Mike also briefly ponder whether Will Shortz is stranded at an airport, because no less than 3 clues alluding to being stranded at an airport, involving either a FOGIN or ICEIN, have appeared in the last 3 days. Send a search party!
Be sure and check out nytimes.com/crosswords, where you can subscribe to the New York Times crossword and begin your journey crossword-solving. And while you're on the web, also check out Jeff Chen's amazing xwordinfo.com, an indispensable site for serious crossword solvers (well, as serious as crossword solvers can be 😀)
Jean & Mike give a VULCANSALUTE to Rich Proulx, who, HOPEFULLY, will not HANGLOOSE too long before he graces us again with his presence -- this crossword was a VICTORY for all concerned, 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
Today's crossword was an EPIC example of the cruciverbalist's CRAFT: the clues were all AONE, really -- we're not just BLOWININTHEWIND (they said with a KNOWINGWINK).
Beyond today's crossword, it is Tip Tuesday, so listen in for some excellent advice on how to enhance your crossword solving skills.
One of the BEST FLOWER-themed crosswords we've seen, the author does not need an ALIBI for this very GOODTHING. Mike spent too much time on this puzzle, yes, it GRATES, and Jean tried to set an indoor speed record for a Monday: listen to hear how she fared.
Remember, tomorrow is Tip Tuesday, so tune in for tips on how you can become a better crossword solver.
If Saturday's crossword was a main course, this was definitely dessert, somewhere between flan and merengue pie, that ought to SATE those looking for a COMFIER puzzle. It had a lot of fun cluing, like 55A, Square things (ATONE) and 53D, Rest of the afternoon? (SIESTA). Jean cruised through it as usual, Mike assumed that, on the basis of NA, that 18D, Mission-driven org., would be NATO; alas, no.
There were some cute touches. For example, the puzzle was titled "PI R Squared", and AREA made an appearance; and both MANUAL and ONAUTO popped up. And yesterday OLMANRIVER made an appearance, and today the subject of that song, MISSISSIPPIRIVER, flowed in. All in all, a nice puzzle, 5 on the JAMCR scale.
it's Saturday, which means that, in crossword terms, ITSWAR. There were tough clues like 31D, Turning the tables? (DJING), 35A, Where people get in hot water? (JACUZZIS), and 14A, Traveler with a turbine (HOVERCRAFT), as well as ARCANE clues like 11D, Longtime head of the Boston Symphony Orchestra (SEIJIOZAWA). You could definitely be forgiven for saying PANT, PANT, once you got this one done! We give a 4 on the JAMCR scale.
It's a fairly gentle Friday crossword and even though it took both Jean & Mike time to find footholds -- they had NOIDEA where to start initially -- they did manage to plow through it fairly quickly as they went, mentally, MANOAMANO with the crossword creator, Sam Buchbinder. Mike didn't even have to SLEEPONIT, getting it all done in one go.
What's all that HOOPLA about? This crossword, a most WORTHY effort by Francesca Goldston and Jeff Chen (Will Shortz, ed.). Jean's only serious snafu was imagining John Lennon ONACOD (as opposed to ONACID), and Mike's only issue was ... the entire crossword.
Still, we give it a 5 squares on the incredibly precise JAMCR scale.
We might be a TOUGHCROWD, but we certainly wouldn't begrudge a round of applause for this BUENO Wednesday crossword by Ross Trudeau, with several laugh out loud answers, including (especially) the theme. Jean cruised through it, Mike hummed a SADSONG while hung up on the image of sheep grazing around a TARN, watching a video by famed actress Lisa TONET.
Definitely a 5 squares on the JAMCR scale, thank you Mr. Trudeau!
Do we like the New York Times crossword? YESWEDO, in general, and this one in particular: we give it a 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
Today's Tip Tuesday, so be sure and listen in for some (hopefully, HAHA) tips on how you can improve your crossword solving skills.
A crossword to SOOTH: even CORONA shows up in a non-threatening way, in this gently themed, sparkling puzzle by Evan Mahnken (and it would sparkle even without the Kohi-i-NOOR diamond).
A Sam Ezersky spectacular that Jean breezed through, DARNTOOTIN, but Mike thought was SOMETHINGELSE. For more details, listen to the intrepid duo's puzzle solving adventure right here.
Jean gets stuck in the bottom left corner, and Mike makes a HUMANERROR at the corner of 49D - Literature Nobelist Mario Vargas _____ and 52A - Singer/dancer/actress Falana. Still, any time that we can almost complete a Saturday crossword is ONEFINEDAY, and any puzzle that includes such memorable answers as TARN (42A - Alpine Lake) and works in both THESENTINEL and CITADEL has to be a 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
It is AXIOMATIC: you can RELY on the New York Times to deliver a great Friday puzzle. Mike was QUIK to solve this one, Jean took her THYME, but both agree that it was a HIT!
Today's crossword hits all the right buttons. It's a tour de force by Adam Fromm, who most definitely did not phone this one in. You likely won't get done in a TRICE, but if you do complete it, you will surely ROAR ... IWON! It's a definite 5 on the JAMCR scale.
In today's podcast, Jean & Mike honor International Podcast Day by ... doing this podcast, for a relatively straightforward, educational crossword, that still managed to earn a perfect 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
You probably won't need to issue an SOS for today's crossword. There are no RISKY ABYSSES, aka naticks, into which you might get trapped, i.e., this crossword is not restricted to the PHENOMS and PROS in the audience.
It's Tip Tuesday, so be sure and listen in for some great [hints] as well.
Woo-hoo, it's our 100th episode! Be sure and listen to the entire podcast to learn how you can get a hold of some fabulous Jean and Mike Do the New York Times Crossword swag!!
LISTENUP - it's an Alex-Eaton Salners crossword, and it's a DARNED good one, we DARESAY, AWASH with a BEVY of fine clues that will TAX you, LEARNED listener.
It turns out that this is our 99th episode, so tomorrow's your chance to win a Jean & Mike Do the New York Times Crossword t-shirt. Just drop us a line, as soon as the 100th episode hits the internet, and the first to reach us at crosswordpodcast@icloud.com will soon have one of these delightful collector's items winging their way towards them.
An epic Saturday, with lots oft tricky and amusing cluing that won't drive you to RAGEQUIT, and when you solve it you'll feel like you're INHEAVEN, HAH, HAH.
Our 100th podcast is coming up -- and the first lucky listener to email us at crosswordpodcast@icloud.com after it drops will win a free Jean and Mike Do The New York Times Crossword t-shirt, so get ready for that.
A fine Friday effort by Rachel Fabi. With something for the Geeks (THEMANDALORIAN and TURINGTEST), the Greeks (ACTAEON and HARPY), and some droll cluing (Force Feed == RATIONS), we feel that this crossword was really the cat's MEOW.
A tough crossword with a theme that was most definitely not SPELLEDOUT. Jean was able to succeed thanks to some good, ahem, GAUSSes, but Mike had no IDEA, LOL.
Jean cruises through today's crossword without breaking a sweat, while Mike struggles against Morpheus, and wins -- eventually. We give it a 4.5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
Get ready for our 100th episode celebration! The first listener to email us after our 100th episode gets published will win a coveted Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword t-shirt. What's the email address? You'll need to listen to the episode to find out 😀
An elegant tribute to CHADWICKBOSEMAN that leverages the fact that the center letter of his name, K, is coincidentally also the center of THEBLACKPANTHER. There are numerous references to that superlative MARVEL movie, we give it a 5 squares on the JAMCR scale. While it didn't take SUPERHUMANPOWER to write this crossword, it did take a HERO, that being author Jeremy Newton.
And, of course, it's Tip Tuesday, so be sure and tune in for all the details!
An A+ effort by Daniel Larsen and The Wave Learning Festival Crossword Class? QUITERIGHT, this puzzle definitely ENDEARS, there were no UGLI naticks at all to rattle the old BEAN, so we're KEEN to see more from Daniel Larsen et. al.
An amazing bit of crossword construction by Sam Trabucco that DARTS from one high point to the next, this puzzle left us AGOG, and will definitely not be the subject of MIXEDREVIEWS: we give it a 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
NEVERFEAR, Robyn Weintraub is here, with a nice Saturday crossword -- not too easy (you definitely couldn't do this HALFASLEEP), but not so hard as to render you WOEBEGONE. Jean had a spot of bother at a RAREBOOKSTORE, and Mike believes that all jokes should be in TOODTASTE, but both still rate it a perfect 5.0 on the JAMCR scale
Even though this puzzle might have left you INAPANIC, thinking there was NOTAHOPE, IDARESAY that the team that made this fine Friday crossword, Anne and Daniel Larsen, are a DREAMACT.
It's a dANDy Thursday crossword, YESSIREE, with sparklingly clever clues, HOORAH! When it comes to Simeone Seigel's talents as a crossword writer, let's just say that we are BELIEBERs. We give it a 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
There is a new app in the App Store, Crossword Replay, that lets you solve a crossword and then replay it, so you can see all the twists and turns you took. Fun for the whole family, and you can download it, for free, right here.
This crossword was definitely not a NOTHINGBURGER, rather the USUAL high quality NYTimes fare that will have you grinning from EAR to, um, EAR.
A riotous Tuesday crossword, and how often can you say that? Technically, as often as you want, but this time it's justified, thanks to Amanda Rafkin and Ross Trudeau's very witty puzzle. You're probably in a hurry to get to the podcast and hear all about it, to which we say KEEPYOURPANTSON!
It's Tip Tuesday, so listen up for some great ideas on how to become a better crossword solver.
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If you feel skITTIsh about doing the New York Times Crosswords -- and there's no shame in admITTIng it -- we would argue that this would be a fITTIng one to start solving. It has lots of fun words, and an interesting theme, that you have likely already surmised made it wITTIer than most Mondays.
Remember, to start working on the puzzles, just go to nytimes.com/crosswords, subscribe, and you'll be ready to go in no time.
It's, er, time to, er, um, er, talk about the Sunday crossword, which is decidedly lacking in ers, so we thought we'd add a few extras here to make up for it. Yes, the theme involves various common phrases for which ER has been removed, and the clue leads to that ER-less answer, in a humorous way.
For instance, 23A - Always glad to be seated in the back of the boat? - is HAPPILYEVERAFT, 103A - Ad for heartburn indication? - is RELIEFPITCH - and our personal favorite, 115A - "Quit your snickering, Damon!" - is NOLAUGHINGMATT.
The crossword had a few more obscure answers, like 93A - Small anatomical opening, as in a bone - FENESTRA - but all in all it was a fairly gentle Sunday, we'd give it a 4.75 squares on the JAM CR scale.
An epic crossword, lots of long and obscure clues, just like you'd hope for and expect on a Saturday. Both Mike and Jean got stymied in various places - Jean at 1D, Band with the 1970's hit "Come and Get Your Love", REDBONE, and Mike at 18A, "Who Shot Mr. Burns on the Classic TV Episode, "Who Shot Mr. Burns?", MAGGIE.
There were lots of fun, fascinating words - 43A, Score marking to play higher or lower than written, OTTAVA, and 26A, Mesoamerican language family with about half a million speakers, ZAPOTECAN. There were also some great clues, like 41A -Producers of sharp increases in height?, STILETTOS.
All in all, a fabulous puzzle by Ryan McCarty (edited, as always, by Will Shortz), a 4.5 squares on the JAMCR scale
A sparking crossword by Caitlin Reid and Erik Agard, with great clues -- we give it a perfect 5.0 squares on the JAMCR scale!
Today's crossword features what might possibly be the 4 most recognizable notes in all of western music, D, D, D, EFlat. They might not be recognizable, just lying there on the page, but put an orchestra behind them and you'll instantly recognize the beginning of BEETHOVEN's 5th symphony. That was just one of several of the great master's SYMPHONIC works that made its way into this Thursday masterpiece by David Kahn. Like the answer to 26D, Like violin strings, this crossword was TAUT, and, between HAHA and YUK, quite amusing.
99 bottles of clues on the wall, 99 bottles of clues, take one down, pass it around ... well, you get the idea: this crossword had a theme that involved the number 99. EINSTEINIUM, NAMESOFALLAH, WAYNEGRETSKY and LUFTBALLONS were featured, and our one regret was that they couldn't work in a reference to BARBARAFELDON (Agent 99 on the old time television series, Get Smart).
Hopefully you got smarter by doing this crossword: there are many more to help keep you. mentally sharp, visit nytimes.com/crosswords and subscribe to get smarted ... um, we mean, get started.
A crossword in honor of ALFREDHITCHCOCK's most famous (?) movie, PSYCHO. For a while, Mike -- GASP! -- had NARY a clue in left central, but at LAST was able to TEASE out the answers. Jean, on the other hand, blazed through the entire shebang in 8 minutes!
Also, it's Tip Tuesday, so listen in for some hints as to how you can enhance your crossword solving prowess.
The games a-FOOT, and to get so many references to FOOT in this crossword was no small feat, and would've taken a lot of WORK.
Thanks to xwordinfo.com, we discover that AVA -- also seen in today's crossword -- has been seen 448 times before, whereas OREO -- surely the unofficial cookie of the New York Times Crossword -- has only appeared 431 times.
Tomorrow is Tip Tuesday (tm), so listen for some novel hints as to how you can improve your crosswording skills.
DOUBLE, DOUBLE, toil and trouble, that pretty much summarizes today's crossword, which Jean breezed through, but Mike got hung up on, on the shoals of IRENECARA. We rate it a 4.0 squares on the JAMCR scale.
Want to talk about crossswords? We're ready to join in, drop us a line at crosswordpodcast@icloud.com.
If you've worked on this crossword for a while, and decided that ICANTGOON, its GAMEOVER, then listen to this podcast for some inspiration as we deliver spoilers at a BUGATTI-like pace (like that one -- and there's MORETOCOME).
For example, Mike's favorite, 22A - Roman foeman (HUN), and Jean's favorite, 13D - Amazon deterrent (ONESTAR).
There are more, however, so download and start listening now to find 'em.
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Ooh, a toughie (well, it's a Friday). Both Jean & Mike tore through 3/4 of the puzzle, like they were on SPREES, but then, well, let's just say that STOPSDEAD was an appropriate clue to lead into the ferocious bottom-right corner. Still, there was lots to LOVE about this crossword, including 13D - One of about 500 million needed to fill an olympic swimming pool (TEASPOON), and Mike's personal favorite, 17A - Trucker's tracker, aka MILEAGEMOM (eh, we mean MILEAGELOG).
26D, INAROMP was definitely a surprise, but ONAVERAGE we found this to be a fine piece of crosswordwizadry - 4.0 squares on the JAMCR scale.
A spectacular Thursday, um , spectacular! Sid Sivakumar shows us how to BOUNCEBACK, with a crossword that is definitely not SOSO. We give it a 5+ squares on the JAMCRS. Listen to the podcast to find out why.
A fine first crossword by Margaret Seikel, during the solving of which Jean almost gets stuck in BRENNERPASS, Mike can't CATCH the point of CATCHPHRASE, Jean makes the ELEVATORPITCH that LAPTOP is the answer to 55A, it might have an apple on it, to which Mike, being semantically persnickety, replies HUSH.
Without seemingly any BROUHAHA (HOHO) or ADO, David Steinberg put together a fine crossword - a 5.0 squares on the JAMCRS scale!
Heavens to BETSY, the 2012 & 2016 women's Olympics gymnastics captain was ALYRAISMAN (not, as Mike surmised, AMYRAISMAN). A few newer favorites show up - YAK from last Thursday's JAW, GAB and YAK spectacular, and NES from ... yesterday! It's good to see old friends.
Speaking of which, why not become a friend of Jean & Mike Do the New York Times Crossword. It's really easy, just drop us a line - crosswordpodcast@icloud.com.
Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's a BUTTERFLY, which plays a prominent role in today's stellar crossword (we rate it a perfect 5 square on the JAMCRS).
HOHO, a tough Saturday, you might need some TYLENOL to get through it! But any crossword that includes MAHNAMAHNA deserves ... we'll say a 4.5 squares on the JAMCRS (Jean & Mike Crossword Rating Scale).
A fast, fun, fireworks-free Friday crossword by Kate Hawkins (edited as always by the indefatigable Will Shortz). It included such gems as 24A - Fastest creature on two legs (up to 45 m.p.h.) - OSTRICH, 28A - One might be left in the dust - SHOEPRINT, and 37D, Plot point in a rom-com - MEETCUTE.
We'd rate this one a 4.5 squares on the JAMCRS (Jean & Mike Crossword Rating Scale).
CHATTERBOXes Jean and Mike recorded their longest podcast yet, but that's because there was much to YAK, JAW, and GAB about.
Both Jean and Mike laughed uproariously at CACHINNATE (n: to laugh uproariously), and especially enjoyed 55D - Members of a defunct union - EXES and 21A - Entry-level workers? - DOORMEN. Definitely a 5-square crossword!
In which Jean learns about DIRKs, Mike learns that WEAKTEA is not just ... WEAKTEA, and both agree that they'd like to see more of Carl Larson's WORKPORTFOLIO, rating this crossword a 4.5 out of 5 squares.
Alas, poor Yorick, he ... didn't get to do the Tuesday NYTimes Crossword. But you can ... or if you got stuck, listen here for some hints that might guide you to the solution!
Our favorite crossword weapon makes an appearance today - EPEE. The volcano that we just lava also pops up -- ETNA.
Jean's favorite clue? 31D Things that rhythm lack? AEIOU
Mike's favorite clue? 14A, Like an area that's off limits, as it turns out that NONO is a NOGO
On the Jean & Mike Crossword Rating System, today's crossword scores a ... 5!
An extremely exciting example of extraneous use of "ex" in a crossword 😀 No, jk, it was a fine Monday, including such fun clues as (Jean's favorite) 11D, "Like that'll ever happen" (SARCASTIC), and (Mike's favorite) 44A, "What alumni do on important anniversaries" (REUNE).
Side note: this is our 65th episode, so the podcast now qualifies for medicare :-)
We love to hear your feedback - talk to us at crosswordpodcast@icloud.com
The author, Trenton Charlson, was able to CRAM SCADs of interesting clues in today's puzzle, and they were SASSIER than most, earning it a 4.5 squares on the Jean & Mike Crossword Rating Scale (tm). Jean had to work for her in supper in the bottom left corner, Mike became FIXATEDON the clue for "obsessed with", and both learned of the existence of BASSALE.
On our new (trademark pending??) crossword rating scale, this was a 4.5 squares (Jean gave it a 5, Mike, a 4).
It was a relatively easy Friday, with Jean cruising through it in 40 minutes, and Mike still below his average but could have done faster had he remembered the Shakespearean role of DESDEMONA, as opposed to his first guess (and famous hit by The CLASH), DESMEDONA. In other news, Jean informs Mike that there never had been a KMART Tower in Chicago, that it's OK to beat a DEADWORSE, just not a DEADHORSE, and both agree that KITCHEN is an excellent location for an island.
It was a Thursday crossword, so no surprise that it contained a surprise -- an interesting and TIMEly WRINKLE that Jean spotted, and to which Mike, er ... um ... WHATIMEANT ... tried to force into a rebus. (Spoiler alert: it did not end well 😀)
Two answers -- ENOS and ONCE -- made an encore appearance today, although the clues were different yesterday.
Finally, Mike spotted one small error in the puzzle -- the answer to 42D, "Popular salad dressing", rather than ITALIAN, should have been WALDENFARMS 😀 😀
Thanks to all our listeners, we now have over 1000 downloads! Keep downloading, working on the puzzle (remember, you can always subscribe at nytimes.com/crosdswords), and sending us email (crosswordpodcast@icloud.com)
Look, up there in the sky, it's a crossword, it's a word chain, it's ... both?? Yes, Brandon Koppy delivers a stellar Wednesday crossword, one that you'll have to wrap your head around -- and listen to today's episode to have that joke, and other aspects of the crosswords, explained.
Today's favorite clue: What might be tested by parking a car in Harvard Square? BOSTONACCENT.
Like the crossword? Let us know (crosswordpodcast@icloud.com, and tell all your friends on social media!)
ALICEPAUL pops up in a crossword honoring WOMENSSUFFRAGE and AMENDMENTXIX. In another news, Jean & Mike review some helpful tips on how to improve your crossword-solving skills.
Subscribe to the New York Times Crossword @ nytimes.com/crosswords
Talk to us, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com
A marvelous Monday puzzle, featuring the return of that famous Garlic mayonnaise and possible yodeling term, AIOLI; one of Mike's all-time favorite English words, lollygags (leading to the answer, LOAFS); and other STUFF, besides.
In today's episode, Jean & Mike learn a new sandal brand (TEVA) and a potential vacation destination (VARESE), Mike discovers that LAILA ALI is the daughter of the famous boxer; and no matter what, you can DEPENDON the New York Times to come up with some amazing puzzles (the present one being a fine example of the genre!).
A grueling Saturday delight by Joe DiPietro (edited as always by Will Shortz), including an exceptionally tough top-left corner minefield with tricky clues such as "Unrepaired" (ASIS), "Something the force is responsible for?" (SALES), and "Finer cut, usually" (SIDEA) - yikes!
Jean & Mike concur that this was a relatively merciful Friday, one that they ASSERT should not create too much ANGST
Quickly, D'Artagnan, to the Musketeermobile! A superb Thursday crossword in which, yes, the THREEMUSKETEERS play a prominent roll, and a WHEELIE fun time was had by ... ONE? by ALL?
Jean & Mike solve this puzzle AMAIN, Mike requests a BROWN BETTY, and both are amused and somewhat bemused by that notion that COLLATE is an advanced photocopier instruction.
Like what you hear? Room for improvement? Let us know at crosswordpodcast@icloud.com
It's tip Tuesday! Besides our usual witty repartee, we also provide a few tips to help you become better crossword solvers, and as promised, here are some external links worth checking out:
- 12 European Rivers That Will Help You Raise Your Crossword Game
- The Crossword Travel Guide: 10 Cities You Should Know
- The Crossword Zoo: 10 Animals You Should Know
- xwordinfo.com
Like what you hear? Let us know, at crosswordpodcast@icloud.com
Woo-hoo, it's our 51st episode! It's a Monday, so geared towards newer solvers, but still chock-full of interesting tidbits as is, hopefully, this podcast.
Send us feedback, we love to hear from you! crosswordpodcast@icloud.com will do the trick!
Ahoy, mateys (including NCOS, if there are any reading this), we hope you're all SHIPSHAPE, not too WEARY, and ready to set sail on another crossword adventure (with, as you might have surmised, a nautical theme).
We're a FAN of this puzzle. The bottom-right corner in particular STYX out, although there were GEMSTONES throughout. Our favorite discovery: TNT used to be used as a dye, before they started using it for explosives, which sounds potentially NASTY.
Tip Tuesday is coming up ... this Tuesday, listen for tips on how to improve your crossword solving skills.
Like the podcast? Tell your friends! Have suggestions on how we can improve? Tell us, at crosswordpodcast@icloud.com
A toughie for a Friday! Jean did SUPER(Bly), but Mike is MOROSE, wearing sackcloth and ashes in honor of his dearly departed streak -- THATSASHAME.
Some sample clues:
- Sent = ONCLOUDNINE
- Classic works by the poet Martial = EPIGRAMS
- Do minimal work and succeed = SKATEBY
Remember, if you wish to correspond, drop us a line at crosswordpuzzle@icloud.com
A crossword that really works the old GRAY cells. Jean found it to be a nice Thursday crossword, Mike felt like he was trapped in a BLACKHOLE, and CANST believe that he was able to (eventually) solve it.
One of the authors of today's puzzle is Jeff Chen, who runs xwordinfo.com -- check it out, it has excellent crossword resources.
We'd love to hear from you! Just send feedback to crosswordpodcast@icloud.com
This puzzle was a SMASHHIT, with EVERYTHING that you could want in a crossword: delicious BAGELs, a reference to Marvel superheroes (THOR), and, Mike's personal favorite, CLOWNCARS.
Like what you're hearing? Have suggestions for future topics? Give us some feedback at crosswordpodcast@icloud.com
A Tuesday crossword that features EPEEISTS and Popeye's dreaded enemy, the SEAHAG? Who could ask for anything more?
Some of you could! And so, starting today, we are introducing Tip Tuesday, in which we will try and include tips for new solvers.
If you want to get a hold of us to discuss a podcast, or have suggestions for improvements, now you can email us -- crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Operators are standing by, so send us some email now!
A crossword in which both Jean & Mike discover that OLMEC is not an elderly robot, but rather a Meso-American carver of yore; Jean points out the difference between AGUA and the color that it might be, AQUA; and Mike finds out that Katmandu and Timbuktu are on entirely different continents. Enjoy!
Remember, to share in the joy of solving, go to nytimes.com/crosswords, subscribe, and start puzzling!
A challenging Sunday, no SHOOIN. With challenging entries like TEIXEIRA, and CUPROUS, and fun ones like RADIOCAR and SEADOVE, there's something here to appeal to everyone.
Remember, you too can follow along: just go to nytimes.com/crosswords, subscribe, and start puzzling!
In today's episode, Jean, reporting from a remote location, discovers that EYEs are not as difficult to sculpt as TOGAs, and that sometimes the answer to a "stole" clue is not BOA (FUR real).
Meanwhile, Mike learns (again: AD NAUSEAM, in fact) about the importance of proper spelling, and celebrates the appearance of his favorite Titanic passenger, John ASTOR, in today's crossword.
An Erik Agard crossword, written with his usual FLARE, which means solvers need to be especially ALERT. Jean, aided by her encyclopedic knowledge of Hollywood actresses of yore, tore through this in record time.
Jean & Mike discuss a crossword that is worthy of at least ONEMICHELINSTAR for its elegant construction, and while we can't say it was NOSWEAT, we do OPINE that you don't have to be one of the cruciverbal ELITE in order to solve it.
Remember, you can always subscribe to the New York Times Crossword at nytimes.com/crosswords -- we recommend trying the puzzle first, and then listening to this podcast second to hear our whimsical (?) analysis.
A puzzle that Jean flies through, and that's no INVENTION; while Mike discovers that ALOE makes a terrible liqueur (allegedly: he's never tried it), while SLOE is (again, allegedly) much tastier.
Let us not ABETABOUTTHEBUSH: this was a fine Sunday crossword, which Jean solved in record time and Mike ... solved. MENSA skills were not required, just the usual ALCHEMIST's talent to turn clues into answers.
Jean BROODED on the nature of being on eggshells, while Mike TOILEd over what he considered to be an IDYL New York Times Crossword.
Jean & Mike find themselves immersed in a not-particularly TRUETOLIFE BOSSBATTLE with the New York Times crossword, but are able to emerge victoriously, so AWLS well that ends well.
A brilliant crossword from Robyn Eintraub, um, we mean Weintraub, illustrating the importance of always reading the instructions.
Jean & Mike were momentarily ATALOSS while working on this crossword, but in spite of some unusually spelled words -- OLIO and SANA, to name a pair -- were able to persevere: hear how they did it right here.
Jean & Mike thought this Monday puzzle was RIGHTONTHEMONEY, and definitely did not leave them LEFTINTHELURCH, with a bevy of old favorites like HBOMB, HORA and ABBA, along with a few new friends -- DISHY and EVIE, to name two.
A fine Sunday crossword, with a plethora of intriguing names and nouns, including RAPANUI (spoken on Easter Island), MILT Jackson (a Jazz icon), OREAD (a Mountain nymph of Greek myth, spelled here with an E instead of an I). All in all, there was lots to LIKELIKE!
A Saturday spectacular, in which Jean learns that a CALF is a piece of detached ice, and Mike maintains an EVENTENOR upon learning that the answer to "x, y or z" is AXIS, not AXES.
Jean & Mike find today's crossword to be a great mental workout, with some scarily long answers. There were some NEARDISASTERS along the road, but Jean & Mike's REPUTATIONS remain intact (although they don't want to GLOAT).
A relatively straightforward Thursday New York Times crossword, and a fine example of the crossword creator's ART.
Excitement MOUNTs as Jean & Mike discuss an ASHtonishing puzzle, discover that OKRA is sometimes referred to as Ladies' Fingers, and anticipate a trip to SHIBUYA once the pandemic abates. Mike gets fooled (again!) by an ATM, and Jean gets fooled by, well, nothing!
In which both Jean and Mike get their PLONK WRONG, before SHERLOCKing it out and winning the PLINK WRING.
Oh, no, it's a crossword by one of the NYTimes most AUGUST contributors, Erik Agard. Good thing it's a Monday, we were able to triumph -- BOOYAH!
A crossword that Jean finds a breeze, while Mike regards it as a more of a chore, and almost WIIGs out when he discovers that a heroic exploit is a GEST, not a TEST.
Jean & Mike labor over a challenging Friday, and are almost done in by a holiday for men's health, MOVEMBER.
A relatively straight-forward Thursday, in which both Jean & Mike discover that FROOTLOOPS is not spelled the way nature intended 😀 ; Mike realizes that Lipizzaners are horses and not Swedes; and Jean gets bored as Mike mansplains the whistling that follows a snore in cartoons.
Jean & Mike unWRAP the Tuesday crossword, during which Jean discovers that BEERME is a thing, both Jean & Mike think a nest is cozier than a NOOK, and Michael explains that IMED is not a medical device from Apple.
A slightly crunchier than usual Monday, featuring the tennis star Rafael, famed actress Tyne Daly, and a punny theme.
Jean & Mike don't get TICKed while working on this crossword, a work of art which checks all the right BOXes.
A relatively straightforward Friday crossword, except for the shocking discovery that Mike didn’t know how to spell NONSEQUITUR 🤔
In which Jean and Mike tackle a trickily-themed-Thursday crossword (and, eventually prevail!); Jean explains who PLESSY was; and Mike discovers that March 14th is not Physical Education Day (PEDAY), but, rather, π Day (PIDAY).
This crossword was CAPITAL, simply CAPITAL! In this episode, Mike ponders whether ACME is in fact a French word (peut-être, peut-être pas), Jean admires the beautiful OXEYE, and explains to Mike what the crossword was all about 😀
Since we are currently in the process of moving, we lacked the time to properly do JUSTICE to this homage to JUSTICEGINSBURG, aka THENOTORIOUSRGB. T'was a fun crossword nevertheless!
After you've finished this podcast, be sure and listen to some ZYDECO music, possibly while munching on some OREOs.
A Sunday crossword that really brings it to the next level, one in which Mike learns that ASSAM is a state but ASRAM is not, and that ESSENES is ESSENTIAL to solving this puzzle.
In which two academics conclude that HONORCODE isn't a thing, that MUSCLY is a stretch, and that the southeast corner was a real SLOG.
A relatively straightforward Friday New York Times Crossword, in which Jean learns the word MONAD, Mike discovers KITTENHEELS, and gets reacquainted with OUZOS, BRITA, and POKE.
In which Mike is naticked, explains what that means, and exhorts his followers to not give up in the face of one (or in this case, at least 2) naticks
A Jeff Chen crossword, huzzah! And a revelation for Mike, who learns that RARIFY is actually spelled with an E, as in RAREFY
A brief discussion of the relative complexity of the New York Times Crosswords, and then a (very ad hoc) analysis of today's crossword