Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword
1,437 episodes - English - Latest episode: 6 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
Tuesday, January 25, 2022 - SOROS, the palindromic billionaire
January 26, 2022 02:00 - 15 minutes - 10.7 MBSend us a Text Message. 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. Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, [email protected]. Also, we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there an...
Monday, January 24, 2022 -A PURRfectly perplexing puzzle (not!)
January 25, 2022 03:00 - 11 minutes - 7.61 MBSend us a Text Message. 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...
Sunday, January 23, 2022 - The name's Ali, LAILA Ali
January 24, 2022 01:00 - 12 minutes - 8.92 MBSend us a Text Message. 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! Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop u...
Saturday, January 22, 2022 - This crossword was MOLTOBENE
January 23, 2022 02:00 - 12 minutes - 8.92 MBSend us a Text Message. 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. Contact Inf...
Friday, January 21, 2022 - We are so TURNT to learn the meaning of the word TURNT!
January 22, 2022 02:00 - 13 minutes - 9.18 MBSend us a Text Message. 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. ...
Thursday, January 19, 2022 - The name's Gandhi ... MOHANDAS Gandhi
January 21, 2022 02:00 - 8 minutes - 6.02 MBSend us a Text Message. 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! Contact Info: We love listener ma...
Wednesday, January 19, 2022 - We do not jest, this puzzle contains a GEST
January 20, 2022 02:00 - 12 minutes - 8.91 MBSend us a Text Message. 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! 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, January 18, 2022 - This crossword was SOEXTRA
January 19, 2022 02:00 - 12 minutes - 8.3 MBSend us a Text Message. 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! Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, [email protected]. Also, we're on FaceBo...
Monday, January 17. 2022 - Why, Vern, were you just attacked by a WYVERN??
January 18, 2022 02:00 - 11 minutes - 8.25 MBSend us a Text Message. 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! 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...
Sunday, January 16, 2022 - OGEE, a puzzle with an overarching theme 😀
January 17, 2022 01:00 - 13 minutes - 9.44 MBIn 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! Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, [email protected]. Also, w...
Sunday, January 16, 2022 - OGEE, a puzzle with an overarching theme 😀
January 17, 2022 01:00 - 13 minutes - 9.44 MBSend us a Text Message. 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! Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpod...
Saturday, January 15, 2022 - Grab an adze, grab a straw ... it's time to ascend MOUNTSHASTA!
January 16, 2022 02:00 - 16 minutes - 11.4 MBSend us a Text Message. 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! 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 c...
Friday, January 14, 2022 - Hey, BOATER, don't lose your BOATER!
January 15, 2022 02:00 - 10 minutes - 7.31 MBSend us a Text Message. 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! Contact Inf...
Thursday, January 13, 2022 - SPOILERALERT: this puzzle was PERF!
January 14, 2022 02:00 - 16 minutes - 11.4 MBSend us a Text Message. 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. Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, [email protected]. Also, we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by...
Wednesday, January 12, 2022 - 🎵 RHO, RHO, RHO your galley, gently down the Mediterranean ... 🎵
January 13, 2022 02:00 - 9 minutes - 6.71 MBSend us a Text Message. 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 Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodca...
Tuesday, January 11, 2022 - INDIAARIE, COUNTRYSTAR!
January 12, 2022 02:00 - 11 minutes - 7.82 MBSend us a Text Message. 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! 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!
Monday, January 10, 2022 - BAUM is a balm for the soul
January 11, 2022 02:00 - 8 minutes - 5.84 MBSend us a Text Message. 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...
Sunday, January 9, 2022 - MMMBOY, it's MMMBOP
January 10, 2022 02:00 - 8 minutes - 5.69 MBSend us a Text Message. 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. Contact ...
Saturday, January 8, 2022 - Nom, Nom, SAMOSA!
January 09, 2022 02:00 - 10 minutes - 7.48 MBSend us a Text Message. 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! Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@...
Friday, January 7, 2022 - Why is Santa always laughing? Because he's thinking of a Robyn Weintraub crossword
January 08, 2022 02:00 - 13 minutes - 9.54 MBSend us a Text Message. 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! Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast...
Thursday, January 6, 2022 - WOW, WOW, WOW what a crossword!
January 07, 2022 02:00 - 13 minutes - 9.15 MBSend us a Text Message. 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! 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, January 5, 2022 - UZO Aruba, actress and OUZO aficionado
January 06, 2022 02:00 - 10 minutes - 7.41 MBSend us a Text Message. 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! 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, January 4, 2022 - Ode to MARGARETFARRAR
January 05, 2022 02:00 - 11 minutes - 7.83 MBSend us a Text Message. 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. 👏🏼👏🏼 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!
Monday, January 3, 2022 - Hope there aren't any BADSEEDS on that EGGBAGEL
January 04, 2022 02:00 - 8 minutes - 5.61 MBSend us a Text Message. 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. 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, January 2, 2022 - Oh the CANARDS we could tell you about ... CANARDS!
January 03, 2022 03:00 - 15 minutes - 10.8 MBSend us a Text Message. 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! 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!
Saturday, January 1, 2022 -- Happy New Year!!
January 02, 2022 02:00 - 11 minutes - 8.15 MBSend us a Text Message. 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. Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, [email protected]. Also, we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by the...
Friday, December 31, 2021 - Viva VIAVENETO!
January 01, 2022 03:00 - 10 minutes - 7.15 MBSend us a Text Message. 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. 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 st...
Thursday, December 30, 2021 - An eXXXcellent New Year's Eve Eve crossword
December 31, 2021 03:00 - 8 minutes - 6.03 MBSend us a Text Message. 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. Contact Info:...
Wednesday, December 29, 2021 - I can't believe I ate the SWOLE thing
December 30, 2021 02:00 - 10 minutes - 7.33 MBSend us a Text Message. 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! Contact Info: We love list...
Tuesday, December 28, 2021 - Dancing the HABANERA at ORU!
December 29, 2021 03:00 - 12 minutes - 8.9 MBSend us a Text Message. 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. Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, [email protected]. ...
Monday, December 27, 2021 - Solving crosswords can be AARDVARK!
December 28, 2021 03:00 - 7 minutes - 5.33 MBSend us a Text Message. 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! 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, December 26, 2021 - NESSIE, famous cryptid!
December 27, 2021 02:00 - 15 minutes - 10.8 MBSend us a Text Message. 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. Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, c...
Saturday, December 25, 2021 - Podcasts about the NYTimes crossword? They're THENEWBLACK!
December 26, 2021 02:00 - 12 minutes - 8.81 MBSend us a Text Message. 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 i...
Friday, December 24, 2021 - No angst about ANKHS
December 25, 2021 02:00 - 11 minutes - 8.2 MBSend us a Text Message. 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,...
Thursday, December 23, 2021 - HEATH genius, er, genus
December 24, 2021 02:00 - 7 minutes - 5.29 MBSend us a Text Message. 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 -- ...
Wednesday, December 22, 2021 - To BREAM the impossible BREAM 🎵
December 23, 2021 03:00 - 6 minutes - 4.26 MBSend us a Text Message. 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. Contact Inf...
Tuesday, December 21, 2021 - LON Chaney, the Man of a Thousand Faces (give or take)
December 22, 2021 02:00 - 5 minutes - 4.07 MBSend us a Text Message. 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! Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, [email protected]. Also, we're on FaceBook, so feel free to ...
Monday, December 20, 2021 - ALAS, poor PEPITA, we knew you when!
December 21, 2021 02:00 - 8 minutes - 5.66 MBSend us a Text Message. 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! 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 ...
Sunday, December, 19, 2021 - The art of ARP!!
December 20, 2021 02:00 - 12 minutes - 8.51 MBSend us a Text Message. 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.) Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpod...
Saturday, December 18, 2021 - Don't stare at that STERE of firewood!
December 19, 2021 01:00 - 16 minutes - 11.6 MBSend us a Text Message. 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 en...
Friday, December 17, 2021 - HOLYSMOKES this BIBIMBAP is SAPID!
December 18, 2021 03:00 - 12 minutes - 8.28 MBSend us a Text Message. 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. Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, [email protected]. Also, we're on FaceBook, so fe...
Thursday, December 16, 2021 - This clue warrants closer inSPEXtion
December 17, 2021 02:00 - 11 minutes - 8.08 MBSend us a Text Message. 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. Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, [email protected]. Also, we're on FaceBook, so feel...
Wednesday, December 15, 2021 - Oh WILLA, you pioneer, you!
December 16, 2021 03:00 - 12 minutes - 8.83 MBSend us a Text Message. 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 con...
Tuesday, December 14, 2021 - A crossword to ENTHRAL
December 15, 2021 02:00 - 13 minutes - 9.19 MBSend us a Text Message. 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...
Monday, December 13, 2021 - STOPDROPANDROCK ... er, ROLL
December 14, 2021 02:00 - 9 minutes - 6.9 MBSend us a Text Message. 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 ...
Sunday, December 12, 2021 - Anything's possible if your composer's LALO Schifrin
December 13, 2021 03:00 - 14 minutes - 9.91 MBSend us a Text Message. 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! Contact Info: We love listener mail...
Saturday, December 11, 2021 - This crossword is question-free ... ORISIT?
December 12, 2021 02:00 - 8 minutes - 5.73 MBSend us a Text Message. 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! Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, [email protected]. Also, we're on FaceBook, so f...
Friday, December 10, 2021 - Black Friday, Redux!
December 11, 2021 02:00 - 16 minutes - 11.2 MBSend us a Text Message. 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 wi...
Thursday, December 9, 2021 - Madrilenos are proud of their PRADO
December 10, 2021 02:00 - 15 minutes - 10.7 MBSend us a Text Message. 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! 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, December 8, 2021 - SARGENTPORTRAIT, reporting for duty!
December 09, 2021 03:00 - 5 minutes - 4 MBSend us a Text Message. 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, do...