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
Thursday, December 24, 2020
December 25, 2020 02:00 - 8 minutes - 5.97 MBSend us a Text Message. 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, surprisi...
Wednesday, December 23,2020
December 24, 2020 02:00 - 16 minutes - 11.1 MBSend us a Text Message. 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. Contact Info: We love liste...
Tuesday, December 22, 2020
December 23, 2020 02:00 - 12 minutes - 8.85 MBSend us a Text Message. 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 Tu...
Monday, December 21, 2020
December 22, 2020 02:00 - 5 minutes - 3.65 MBSend us a Text Message. 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 opportun...
Sunday, December 20, 2020
December 21, 2020 02:00 - 19 minutes - 13.8 MBSend us a Text Message. 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 s...
Saturday, December 19, 2020
December 20, 2020 01:00 - 11 minutes - 7.84 MBSend us a Text Message. 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...
Friday, December 18, 2020
December 19, 2020 03:00 - 10 minutes - 7.36 MBSend us a Text Message. 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 [email protected] with the subject "Yes, I Want the New York Times Crossword!", and you will win a free year's subscripti...
Thursday, December 17, 2020
December 18, 2020 03:00 - 11 minutes - 7.67 MBSend us a Text Message. 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 f...
Wednesday, December 16, 2020
December 17, 2020 02:00 - 10 minutes - 6.93 MBSend us a Text Message. 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) 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 conversa...
Tuesday, December 15, 2020
December 16, 2020 03:00 - 11 minutes - 7.77 MBSend us a Text Message. 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 TO...
Monday, December 14, 2020
December 15, 2020 03:00 - 6 minutes - 4.61 MBSend us a Text Message. 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 au...
Sunday, December 13, 2020
December 14, 2020 02:00 - 13 minutes - 9.6 MBSend us a Text Message. 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 ...
Saturday, December 12, 2020
December 13, 2020 02:00 - 12 minutes - 8.51 MBSend us a Text Message. 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...
Friday, December 11, 2020
December 12, 2020 02:00 - 15 minutes - 10.8 MBSend us a Text Message. 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) ...
Thursday, December 11, 2020
December 11, 2020 03:00 - 15 minutes - 11 MBSend us a Text Message. 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...
Wednesday, December 9, 2020
December 10, 2020 01:00 - 6 minutes - 4.25 MBSend us a Text Message. 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 ...
Tuesday, December 8, 2020
December 09, 2020 03:00 - 9 minutes - 6.34 MBSend us a Text Message. 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 ...
Monday, December 7, 2020
December 08, 2020 03:00 - 8 minutes - 6.04 MBSend us a Text Message. 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 c...
Sunday, December 6, 2020
December 07, 2020 01:00 - 12 minutes - 8.85 MBSend us a Text Message. 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. We just ...
Saturday, December 5, 2020
December 06, 2020 01:00 - 16 minutes - 11.2 MBSend us a Text Message. 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...
Friday, December 4, 2020
December 05, 2020 03:00 - 17 minutes - 11.9 MBSend us a Text Message. 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...
Thursday, December 3, 2020
December 04, 2020 03:00 - 9 minutes - 6.76 MBSend us a Text Message. 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, J...
Wednesday, December 2, 2020
December 03, 2020 02:00 - 10 minutes - 7.08 MBSend us a Text Message. 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! 😀 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...
Tuesday, December 1, 2020
December 02, 2020 04:00 - 10 minutes - 7.19 MBSend us a Text Message. 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 sp...
Monday, November 30, 2020
December 01, 2020 02:00 - 7 minutes - 5.16 MBSend us a Text Message. 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 ski...
Sunday, November 29, 2020
November 30, 2020 02:00 - 14 minutes - 9.85 MBSend us a Text Message. 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 f...
Saturday, November 28, 2020
November 29, 2020 02:00 - 11 minutes - 7.59 MBSend us a Text Message. 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 ...
Friday, November 27, 2020
November 28, 2020 01:00 - 12 minutes - 8.74 MBSend us a Text Message. 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 we...
Thursday, November 26, 2020
November 27, 2020 02:00 - 11 minutes - 8.25 MBSend us a Text Message. 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. 😀 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, November 25, 2020
November 26, 2020 02:00 - 9 minutes - 6.66 MBSend us a Text Message. 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. Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a lin...
Tuesday, November 24, 2020
November 25, 2020 02:00 - 9 minutes - 6.53 MBSend us a Text Message. 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 😉 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, November 23, 2020
November 24, 2020 02:00 - 7 minutes - 5.28 MBSend us a Text Message. 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 Ti...
Sunday, November 22, 2020
November 23, 2020 04:00 - 18 minutes - 12.7 MBSend us a Text Message. 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). Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, c...
Saturday, November 21, 2020
November 22, 2020 03:00 - 14 minutes - 10.3 MBSend us a Text Message. 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 c...
Friday, November 20, 2020
November 21, 2020 01:00 - 16 minutes - 11.4 MBSend us a Text Message. 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! Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, cross...
Thursday, November 19, 2020
November 20, 2020 03:00 - 15 minutes - 10.4 MBSend us a Text Message. 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 even...
Wednesday, November 18, 2020
November 19, 2020 03:00 - 8 minutes - 6.16 MBSend us a Text Message. 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. 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, November 17, 2020
November 18, 2020 00:00 - 15 minutes - 10.8 MBSend us a Text Message. 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. 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, November 16, 2020
November 17, 2020 02:00 - 8 minutes - 6.13 MBSend us a Text Message. 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. Contact Info: We love lis...
Sunday, November 15, 2020
November 16, 2020 02:00 - 14 minutes - 9.68 MBSend us a Text Message. 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. Contact Info: We...
Saturday, November 14, 2020
November 15, 2020 01:00 - 13 minutes - 8.96 MBSend us a Text Message. 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). ...
Friday, November 13, 2020
November 14, 2020 02:00 - 13 minutes - 8.97 MBSend us a Text Message. 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. ...
Thursday, November 12, 2020
November 13, 2020 03:00 - 12 minutes - 8.61 MBSend us a Text Message. 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 gr...
Wednesday, November 11, 2020
November 12, 2020 03:00 - 12 minutes - 8.34 MBSend us a Text Message. 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 squ...
Tuesday, November 10, 2020
November 11, 2020 02:00 - 9 minutes - 6.74 MBSend us a Text Message. 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 Tuesd...
Monday, November 9, 2020
November 10, 2020 02:00 - 6 minutes - 4.26 MBSend us a Text Message. 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! Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, [email protected]. Also, we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop...
Sunday, November 8, 2020
November 09, 2020 03:00 - 8 minutes - 5.73 MBSend us a Text Message. 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. 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, November 7, 2020
November 08, 2020 02:00 - 14 minutes - 10.3 MBSend us a Text Message. 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. Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line,...
Friday, November 6, 2020
November 07, 2020 02:00 - 12 minutes - 8.42 MBSend us a Text Message. 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! Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, [email protected]. Als...
Thursday, November 5, 2020
November 06, 2020 01:00 - 11 minutes - 7.67 MBSend us a Text Message. 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! 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!