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
Tuesday, September 26, 2023 - The McDonald's app better have a HAMBURGERMENU 😀
September 27, 2023 02:00 - 20 minutes - 14.3 MBSend us a Text Message. 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. Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, [email protected]. Also, we're on FaceBook, so feel free to...
Monday, September 25, 2023 - This crossword's the living END!
September 26, 2023 01:00 - 13 minutes - 9.26 MBSend us a Text Message. 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 episo...
Sunday, September 24, 2023 - Joe Fagliano and Christina Iverson would like to tell you a story: once a pun a time ...
September 25, 2023 01:00 - 11 minutes - 7.73 MBSend us a Text Message. 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 - [email protected] Check out...
Saturday, September 23, 2023 - AMIDALA and DARTH walk into a bar ...
September 24, 2023 02:00 - 11 minutes - 8.14 MBSend us a Text Message. 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! Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, [email protected]. Also, we're on FaceBook, so feel free to dr...
Friday, September 22, 2023 - Let's get this straight ... there's a penguin in a bodice sipping a BUDICE?
September 23, 2023 01:00 - 18 minutes - 12.5 MBSend us a Text Message. 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' J...
Thursday, September 21, 2023 - A crossword that's for the birds -- literally!
September 22, 2023 01:00 - 11 minutes - 7.97 MBSend us a Text Message. 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! Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, [email protected]. Also, we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop...
Wednesday, September 20, 2023 - Don't mock the MOCS!
September 21, 2023 02:00 - 16 minutes - 11.1 MBSend us a Text Message. 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 -- [email protected]. Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodca...
Tuesday, September 19, 2023 - SESQUIPEDALIAN - runner up in the "Most Difficult Word to Slip into a Conversation" contest 😀
September 20, 2023 01:00 - 19 minutes - 13.1 MBSend us a Text Message. 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 ed...
Monday, September 18, 2023 - Move along, move along, nothing ATOLL to see here 🙄
September 19, 2023 02:00 - 14 minutes - 9.66 MBSend us a Text Message. 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 wande...
Sunday, September 17, 2023 - Win, lose or ... PUSH?
September 18, 2023 01:00 - 17 minutes - 12.3 MBSend us a Text Message. 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! Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, [email protected]. Also, we're on FaceBook,...
Saturday, September 16, 2023 - BALDCAP, de rigeur for the follicly well-endowed Mr. Clean impersonators
September 17, 2023 02:00 - 23 minutes - 16.3 MBSend us a Text Message. 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! Cont...
Friday, September 15, 2023 - Will you enjoy this podcast? SIGNSPOINTTOYES 😀
September 16, 2023 01:00 - 12 minutes - 8.86 MBSend us a Text Message. 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 J...
Thursday, September 13, 2023 - Thar's buried treasure in that there grid, and X marks the spot 😀
September 15, 2023 01:00 - 16 minutes - 11.3 MBSend us a Text Message. 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 😉) Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, [email protected]. Also, we're on FaceBook, so fe...
Wednesday, September 13, 2023 - Today's crossword was, in NATO alphabet parlance, Golf Romeo Echo Alpha Tango!
September 14, 2023 02:00 - 13 minutes - 9.08 MBSend us a Text Message. 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. Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, [email protected]. Also, we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop...
Tuesday, September 12, 2023 - NARUTO, Ninja-in-training and manga superstar!
September 13, 2023 01:00 - 18 minutes - 12.5 MBSend us a Text Message. 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 indign...
Monday, September 11, 2023 - The eyes (or perhaps we should say the I's) have it!
September 12, 2023 00:00 - 15 minutes - 10.6 MBSend us a Text Message. 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! Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, [email protected]. Also, we're on FaceBook, so feel free to...
Sunday, September 10, 2023 - 🎶 You take the high road, and we'll take the low road 🎶
September 11, 2023 02:00 - 21 minutes - 14.8 MBSend us a Text Message. 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 ...
Saturday, September 9, 2023 - Whim whams, whim whams, whim whams, we could say that all day 😀
September 10, 2023 01:00 - 9 minutes - 6.69 MBSend us a Text Message. 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. Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, [email protected]. Also, we're on FaceBook, so fee...
Friday, September 8, 2023 - It's a Friday ... hence the CLEARASMUD clues
September 09, 2023 01:00 - 17 minutes - 12.1 MBSend us a Text Message. 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...
Thursday, September 7, 2023 - For the record, and like today's crossword, this podcast was *not* AIGENERATED 🤖
September 08, 2023 01:00 - 15 minutes - 10.4 MBSend us a Text Message. 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! Cont...
Wednesday, September 6, 2023 - BAGEL, a delicious breadstuff and an aptly-named tennis score
September 07, 2023 01:00 - 16 minutes - 11.6 MBSend us a Text Message. 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). Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop u...
Tuesday, September 5, 2023 - FRUITBAT, one of Abner Doubleday's biggest mistakes 😀
September 06, 2023 01:00 - 14 minutes - 9.78 MBSend us a Text Message. 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, rec...
Monday, September 4, 2023 - 'Twas no BLOOP to include BLOOP in today's crossword 🙄
September 05, 2023 01:00 - 11 minutes - 7.62 MBSend us a Text Message. 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. Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpod...
Sunday, September 3, 2023 - 🎶 FUGUE for Tinhorns 🎶
September 04, 2023 01:00 - 18 minutes - 12.7 MBSend us a Text Message. 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!)....
Saturday, September 2, 2023 - ATOAST to a crossword that BRIMS with fine clues!
September 03, 2023 02:00 - 13 minutes - 9.4 MBSend us a Text Message. 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). Contact Info: We ...
Friday, September 1, 2023 - Ready? Set? OKGO!
September 02, 2023 01:00 - 17 minutes - 11.8 MBSend us a Text Message. 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...
Thursday, August 31, 2023 - Yee-haw, another crossword with HOOHA 🙄
September 01, 2023 01:00 - 12 minutes - 8.89 MBSend us a Text Message. 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. 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 ...
Wednesday, August 30, 2023 - A novel crossword
August 31, 2023 02:00 - 13 minutes - 9.59 MBSend us a Text Message. 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 ➡️ 😀 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...
Tuesday, August 29, 2023 - SELFHEAL, a sure cure for what ails you!
August 30, 2023 00:00 - 17 minutes - 12.2 MBSend us a Text Message. 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! 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, August 28, 2023 - WAHOO, GOSH and TOOT - 3 words in today's grid or a famed legal firm? You be the judge!
August 29, 2023 01:00 - 11 minutes - 7.73 MBSend us a Text Message. 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!"). 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, August 27, 2023 - Don't go criticizing ÉPÉE's diacritics! 🙄
August 28, 2023 01:00 - 14 minutes - 10.3 MBSend us a Text Message. 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 ahea...
Saturday, August 26, 2023 - Sprechen sie GNOMISH?
August 27, 2023 01:00 - 13 minutes - 9.04 MBSend us a Text Message. 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...
Friday, August 25, 2023 - LINDT, in your pantry, but hopefully not in your dryer!
August 26, 2023 02:00 - 13 minutes - 9.36 MBSend us a Text Message. 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! 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...
Thursday, August 24, 2023 - Hats off to whoever invented the KEPI 🙄
August 25, 2023 01:00 - 14 minutes - 10.1 MBSend us a Text Message. 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! 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, August 23, 2023 - Feeling peckish? This crossword won't help!
August 24, 2023 01:00 - 20 minutes - 13.8 MBSend us a Text Message. 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 ...
Wednesday, August 22, 2023 - Don't freeze when someone offers you a FROSÉ
August 23, 2023 02:00 - 15 minutes - 10.4 MBSend us a Text Message. 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 mo...
Monday, August 21, 2023 - Woo-hoo, it's a HOOHA! 😀
August 22, 2023 02:00 - 10 minutes - 7.52 MBSend us a Text Message. 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, Contact Info:...
Sunday, August 20, 2023 - NOM, NOM, this was one delicious crossword!
August 21, 2023 00:00 - 22 minutes - 15.8 MBSend us a Text Message. 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. 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, August 17, 2023 - No need to GILDTHELILY, this crossword is a real RUSH!
August 20, 2023 01:00 - 15 minutes - 10.4 MBSend us a Text Message. 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 ...
Friday, August 18, 2023 - ELGAR and YANNI ... together? again??
August 19, 2023 01:00 - 16 minutes - 11.1 MBSend us a Text Message. 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. Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, [email protected]. Also, we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there...
Thursday, August 17, 2023 - Time to celebrate, Erik Agard is in the house!
August 18, 2023 01:00 - 13 minutes - 9.09 MBSend us a Text Message. 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 w...
Wednesday, August 16, 2023 - How much would a COTE cost? We'd like a COTE quote!
August 17, 2023 01:00 - 13 minutes - 9.16 MBSend us a Text Message. 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 tel...
Tuesday, August 15, 2023 - FLYERS? FLIERS? PHLYERS? Decisions, decisions!
August 16, 2023 01:00 - 19 minutes - 13.1 MBSend us a Text Message. 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 Short...
Monday, August 14, 2023 - This crossword can GOTOELEVEN!
August 15, 2023 01:00 - 14 minutes - 9.7 MBSend us a Text Message. 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!! Contact Info: We...
Sunday, August 12, 2023 - Today's crossword was brimming with INSPO!
August 14, 2023 02:00 - 21 minutes - 14.8 MBSend us a Text Message. 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 r...
Saturday, August 12, 2023 - LABNEH - government facility or pita dip? You be the judge 😀
August 13, 2023 01:00 - 18 minutes - 12.7 MBSend us a Text Message. 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 ne...
Friday, August 11, 2023 - Check out today's crossword - YOUWONTREGRETIT!
August 12, 2023 01:00 - 13 minutes - 9.28 MBSend us a Text Message. 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! Contact Info: We love listener mail...
Thursday, August 10, 2023 - Get ready to hop on the (re)bus!
August 11, 2023 01:00 - 16 minutes - 11.6 MBSend us a Text Message. 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! Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcas...
Wednesday, August 9, 2023 - Jean ARP, come to MOMMA, er, we mean MOMA 🙄
August 10, 2023 01:00 - 13 minutes - 9.22 MBSend us a Text Message. 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 i...
Tuesday, August 8, 2023 - Hear ye, hear ye, announcing a new podcast segment, WYMA!
August 09, 2023 01:00 - 15 minutes - 10.9 MBSend us a Text Message. 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 - WY...