Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword
1,437 episodes - English - Latest episode: 5 days ago - ★★★★★ - 24 ratingsA short, fun and occasionally not unintentionally educational podcast in which two fans of the New York Times crossword describe their puzzle-solving travails.
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Episodes
Monday, July 8, 2024 - All rise (and smile), PAULA Poundstone is in the grid!
July 09, 2024 02:00 - 10 minutes - 7.29 MBSend us a Text Message. 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) Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop ...
Sunday, July 7, 2024 - Wwee lliikkeedd tthhiiss ccrroosswwoorrdd!! 😀
July 08, 2024 00:00 - 18 minutes - 13 MBSend us a Text Message. 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 arbitr...
Saturday, July 6, 2024 - Ouch!
July 07, 2024 01:00 - 19 minutes - 13.4 MBSend us a Text Message. 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 Contac...
Friday, July 5, 2024 - A SRSLY super crossword!
July 06, 2024 01:00 - 12 minutes - 8.44 MBSend us a Text Message. 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 (...
Thursday, July 4, 2024 - Kaboom!
July 05, 2024 00:00 - 15 minutes - 11 MBSend us a Text Message. 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 Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, [email protected]....
Wednesday, July 3, 2024 - A firecracker of a crossword!
July 04, 2024 01:00 - 12 minutes - 8.46 MBSend us a Text Message. 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 Contact Info...
Tuesday June 2, 2024 - The name's Fleck, BELA Fleck. 🪕🎶
July 03, 2024 01:00 - 14 minutes - 10.2 MBSend us a Text Message. 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, starr...
Monday, July 1, 2024 - This crossword was Just Right 😀
July 02, 2024 01:00 - 8 minutes - 6.05 MBSend us a Text Message. 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 😢 Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, [email protected]. Also, we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!
June 30, 2024 - ⚠️ Warning! Bad puns ahead! ‼️
July 01, 2024 01:00 - 16 minutes - 11.4 MBSend us a Text Message. 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 Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswor...
Saturday, June 29, 2024 - No JUNKART in today's gri... OHWAIT, we stand corrected 🙄
June 30, 2024 01:00 - 16 minutes - 11.1 MBSend us a Text Message. 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! Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, [email protected]. ...
Friday, June 28, 2024 - Are we there yet?
June 29, 2024 01:00 - 17 minutes - 11.9 MBSend us a Text Message. 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 Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, [email protected]. Also, we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conv...
Thursday, June 27, 2024 - A crossword you can really sink your teeth into!
June 28, 2024 00:00 - 15 minutes - 10.9 MBSend us a Text Message. 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 Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, [email protected]. Also, we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!
Wednesday, June 26, 2024 - Bubble, bubble, toil and trouble
June 27, 2024 01:00 - 14 minutes - 10.1 MBSend us a Text Message. 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). ...
Tuesday, June 25, 2024 - Want whiter teeth? Today's podcast can help 😀
June 26, 2024 01:00 - 15 minutes - 10.8 MBSend us a Text Message. 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 Contact ...
Monday, June 24, 2024 - A magnificent Monday crossword!
June 25, 2024 01:00 - 13 minutes - 9.57 MBSend us a Text Message. 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 Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, [email protected]. Also, we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conve...
Sunday, June 23, 2024 - A picture-perfect puzzle!
June 24, 2024 02:00 - 21 minutes - 14.7 MBSend us a Text Message. 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 spo...
Saturday, June 22, 2024 - Yes, PLANTSITTER *is* a career path!
June 23, 2024 00:00 - 10 minutes - 6.91 MBSend us a Text Message. 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 ...
Friday, June 21, 2024 - Why, yes, Popeye Village *is* a thing
June 22, 2024 01:00 - 16 minutes - 11.2 MBSend us a Text Message. 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! Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, [email protected]. Also, we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!
Thursday, June 20, 2024 - Three cheers for the "era of good feelings"
June 21, 2024 00:00 - 15 minutes - 10.8 MBSend us a Text Message. 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 Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, [email protected]. Als...
Wednesday, June 19, 2024 - Happy Juneteenth!
June 20, 2024 01:00 - 10 minutes - 7.55 MBSend us a Text Message. 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) Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, [email protected]. Also, we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!
Sunday, June 2, 2024 - Look out, here comes a SQUIB! 🦵🏈
June 03, 2024 01:00 - 16 minutes - 11.7 MBSend us a Text Message. 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 Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, [email protected]. Also, we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there ...
Saturday, June 1, 2024 - The POSHEST crossword this week!
June 02, 2024 01:00 - 15 minutes - 10.5 MBSend us a Text Message. 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 😀 🦮 Contac...
Friday, May 31, 2024 - We have a FIENDING for more Aidan Deshong crosswords!
June 01, 2024 02:00 - 20 minutes - 14.4 MBSend us a Text Message. 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 a...
Thursday, May 30, 2024 - This crossword, like the answer to 22A, is WELLDONE
May 31, 2024 01:00 - 16 minutes - 11.6 MBSend us a Text Message. 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 Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordp...
Wednesday, May 29, 2024 - Bottoms Up!
May 30, 2024 01:00 - 16 minutes - 11.1 MBSend us a Text Message. 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...
Tuesday, May 28, 2024 - EVIE Sands, in the grid and (hopefully) on your playlist!
May 29, 2024 02:00 - 18 minutes - 12.5 MBSend us a Text Message. 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 69...
Monday, May 27, 2024 - All rise, ELENA Kagan is in the grid!
May 28, 2024 01:00 - 12 minutes - 8.71 MBSend us a Text Message. 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 Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, [email protected]. Also, we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!
Sunday, May 26, 2024 - Look, up there in the sky ... it's a dude, it's a bro, no, it's a ... BRAH??
May 27, 2024 01:00 - 15 minutes - 10.8 MBSend us a Text Message. 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 L...
Saturday, May 25, 2024 - A splendid Saturday solve
May 26, 2024 01:00 - 18 minutes - 12.7 MBSend us a Text Message. 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 ...
Friday, May 24, 2024 - This crossword is TWICEASNICE
May 25, 2024 00:00 - 17 minutes - 11.9 MBSend us a Text Message. 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 Fu...
Thursday, May 23, 2024 - Oh, what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive
May 24, 2024 02:00 - 15 minutes - 10.8 MBSend us a Text Message. 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 😀 ...
Wednesday, May 22, 2024 - Finally, the DEBUGGER gets its due!
May 23, 2024 01:00 - 10 minutes - 7.42 MBSend us a Text Message. 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 ...
Tuesday, May 21, 2024 - Today's crossword is LIT!
May 22, 2024 01:00 - 12 minutes - 8.8 MBSend us a Text Message. 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 calab...
Monday, May 20, 2024 - A-tten-hut! CAPTAINOBVIOUS wants to say a few (obvious) words!
May 21, 2024 01:00 - 8 minutes - 6.03 MBSend us a Text Message. 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 comma...
Sunday, May 19, 2024 - Mmmm, pass the ADOBO!
May 20, 2024 01:00 - 17 minutes - 12.2 MBSend us a Text Message. 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 ...
Saturday, May 18, 2024 - Hey, where'd all the black squares go? 😀
May 19, 2024 01:00 - 16 minutes - 11.2 MBSend us a Text Message. 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, ...
Friday, May 17, 2024 - A Fast (but not Furious) Friday crossword
May 18, 2024 02:00 - 15 minutes - 10.5 MBSend us a Text Message. 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 fascinat...
Thursday, May 16, 2024 - EDIE, LIEV, OWEN, ALEC and ISSA - this grid is *brimming* with actors!!
May 17, 2024 01:00 - 13 minutes - 9.05 MBSend us a Text Message. 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. ...
Wednesday, May 15, 2024 - HAPPYBDAY -- which, statistically speaking, will apply to 1/365th of all of you reading this! 😉
May 16, 2024 01:00 - 11 minutes - 8.01 MBSend us a Text Message. 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 Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, [email protected]. Also, we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!
Tuesday, May 14, 2024 - Bring on the TRUNKSHOW!
May 15, 2024 00:00 - 16 minutes - 11.6 MBSend us a Text Message. 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,...
Monday, May 13, 2024 - Fore!
May 14, 2024 03:00 - 12 minutes - 8.66 MBSend us a Text Message. 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 imag...
Sunday, May 12, 2024 - Happy Mother's Day!! 👩👧
May 13, 2024 01:00 - 19 minutes - 13.1 MBSend us a Text Message. 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 Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, [email protected]...
Saturday, May 11, 2024 - A Blissful Saturday Crossword
May 12, 2024 01:00 - 18 minutes - 12.9 MBSend us a Text Message. 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 ...
Friday, May 10, 2024 - Woo-hoo, TRIESTE is in the grid ... for the 100th time!!
May 11, 2024 01:00 - 8 minutes - 5.6 MBSend us a Text Message. 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 Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, [email protected]. Also, we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!
Thursday, May 9, 2024 - Are you sure o' about the spelling of CHURRO? 🙄
May 10, 2024 01:00 - 17 minutes - 11.8 MBSend us a Text Message. 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 Contact Info: We love list...
Wednesday, May 8, 2024 - The weather's looking iffy, better break out the ... ARCTICS??
May 09, 2024 01:00 - 15 minutes - 11 MBSend us a Text Message. 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 crosswor...
Tuesday, May 7, 2024 - A crossword that's guaranteed to apPEAL 😉
May 08, 2024 01:00 - 16 minutes - 11.3 MBSend us a Text Message. 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 [email protected] 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 recomme...
Monday, May 6, 2024 - Button, Button, who's got the Button?
May 07, 2024 01:00 - 14 minutes - 9.68 MBSend us a Text Message. 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: G...
Sunday, May 5, 2024 - Three, Two, One, Crossword!!! 🚀
May 06, 2024 01:00 - 24 minutes - 16.8 MBSend us a Text Message. 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 ...
Saturday, May 4, 2024 - WABISABI, beautiful to behold, a struggle to spell
May 05, 2024 01:00 - 17 minutes - 11.9 MBSend us a Text Message. 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...