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, August 7, 2023 - AYE, NOONE can eclipse SAILORMOON!
August 08, 2023 02:00 - 9 minutes - 6.67 MBSend us a Text Message. A fun and frothy Monday crossword by Chloe Revery and Alissa Revness, perfect for novice crossword solvers trying to learn the ropes . In today's episode we also have an impromptu and unnamed version of OTHYPI (Oh, That's How You Pronounce It!"), based on two of our favorite South Dakota place names. Enjoy! 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 conver...
Sunday, August 6, 2023 - The LITERATI agree, this crossword was ADORABLE
August 07, 2023 01:00 - 18 minutes - 12.8 MBSend us a Text Message. Lisa Senzel and Jeff Chen have teamed up to create a mind- (or at least answer-) bending crossword, which if you're familiar with DROPLEAFTABLES will be relatively straightforward, but if not ... be forewarned, it will be a slog! So, naturally, Jean tore through the crossword, and Mike, initially thinking IMTOAST, eluded the TRAP that Lisa and Jeff had SET through a series of lucky AHA moments -- but it was a very near thing. Deets inside, so please do subscribe / d...
Saturday, August 5, 2023 - SWORDSMITH - yes, that *is* a career!
August 06, 2023 01:00 - 14 minutes - 10.3 MBSend us a Text Message. An eminently and appropriately challenging Saturday crossword by veteran cruciverbalist John Guzzetta, this is his 39th NYTimes appearance, and practice makes perfect, which basically describes today's puzzle. And we will elaborately describe today's puzzle in today's podcast, so have a listen, and as usual, let us know what you think, and tell others about us as well. Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, [email protected]. Also, we're on ...
Friday, August 4, 2023 - No WETNOODLES in this grid!
August 05, 2023 02:00 - 13 minutes - 9.2 MBSend us a Text Message. A brilliant Friday crossword by Brandon Koppy, no theme (of course: Fridays are almost always themeless), but a grid that was chockfull of clever clues/answers, such as 58A, Asteroids system, ATARI; 23D, In shorthand, it's written with 2S's and 2T's, WEEK; and 8D, Charm, to King Charles, ENAMOUR. But, incredibly, there are more, and even (arguably) better ones lurking in the grid: and to find out what those are, you know what to do - download, listen up, and enjoy. ...
Thursday, August 3, 2023 - EREWHON, gateway to ... NOWHERE?
August 04, 2023 01:00 - 20 minutes - 14 MBSend us a Text Message. The perfect blend of entertaining, educational, and 'ead scratching, today's crossword has something for everyone. A theme that makes you reach for it (in both senses of the phrase!); some thought provoking clues/answers, including Jean's favorite, 44A, It is usually blue, DENIM, and Mike's fave, 6D, 1872 Utopian novel whose title is an anagram of NOWHERE, EREWHON. This is Simeon Siegel's 8th NYTimes crossword, and we are eagerly awaiting # 9. Contact Info: We love ...
Wednesday, August 2, 2023 - Be careful, don't touch those touch-me-nots!
August 03, 2023 02:00 - 12 minutes - 8.56 MBSend us a Text Message. A breezy Wednesday crossword by Barbara Lin, with a theme that is vaguely related to Sunday's, and yet ... entirely different. You'll see what we mean when you listen to today's podcast, which we highly recommend you do posthaste -- partially because we think it's so good, and partially because we just like to use the word posthaste as often as possible 😀 Just a reminder, we love listener mail -- so if you want to, drop us a line, [email protected], and ...
Monday, August 1, 2023 - BAHAMEN, ELO and RINGO, all in one grid? This crossword sings!
August 02, 2023 01:00 - 17 minutes - 12.2 MBSend us a Text Message. Today's crossword has a distinctly outdoorsy feel to it, and we'll give you tree guesses as to why. [Hint: there are no typos in the previous sentence, but a very bad pun] Besides our usual witty banter (and a priceless bit about debut words, priceless because we don't have any ads 😀), we also have an episode of Triplet Tuesday, and an enlightening bit of listener mail. Enjoy! Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, [email protected]. Also, ...
Monday, July 31, 2023 - An homage to a homonym 😀
August 01, 2023 02:00 - 11 minutes - 8.24 MBSend us a Text Message. The inventiveness of the NYTimes stable of cruciverbalists never ceases to amaze, and today's crossword is one reason why -- exhibit A, we might say, if we were in court, which ... nope, we're going to stop here, no spoilers today! For further info, do what countless others have done before you, and subscribe / download / listen / enjoy! Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, [email protected]. Also, we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop b...
Sunday, July 29, 2023 - Attack of the killer spoonerisms!
July 31, 2023 01:00 - 20 minutes - 14.4 MBSend us a Text Message. A fun, not particularly difficult crossword ... excerpt for the parts that were 😀. Jean got through it fairly quickly, only hung up on TIC and TAC v. TIT and TAT; Mike had to labor longer, the lacuna in his knowledge of Himalayan rivers once again almost proving his downfall. As usual with Sunday crosswords, there are waaaaay too many clues to cover in the podcast: a few superb ones that were left on the cutting room floor include discussions of 124A, Forest nymph...
Saturday, July 29, 2023 - Sam Ezersky spells it out for us 😀
July 30, 2023 01:00 - 15 minutes - 10.7 MBSend us a Text Message. Sam Ezersky, whose day job is to write another puzzle for the NYTimes, Spelling Bee, occasionally has been known to wander over into the crossword area, and today is one of those lucky days! His clues are coherent (good), clever (Sam Ezersky does not know how to write any other kind) and (of course, it's a Saturday), challenging. We'd say more, but you probably doesn't want theses on these Cs 🙄, so we'll just let today's episode speak for itself! Contact Info: We lo...
Friday, July 28, 2023 - This wasn't just a good crossword puzzle, it was a GREATONE
July 29, 2023 01:00 - 17 minutes - 12.3 MBSend us a Text Message. A fine Friday crossword by Rafael Muse and Hoang-Kim Vu, with something for everyone who wants to eat (GORDITAS), drink (ODOULS, SAKEBOMBS) and be merry (EGOBOOST). We approve, and hereby award this crossword 5 squares on the JAMCR scale. In other news, it's Friday, and for Fun Fact Friday™️ we have a dazzling discussion of Ferrero's greatest edible invention ever. We don't want to reveal it right here, but here's a hint: it earned them a mint 😀 😀 Contact Info: We ...
July 27, 2023 - Meooo-burr-oooow, the familiar cry of the Scottish Fold cat 🙄
July 28, 2023 02:00 - 14 minutes - 9.86 MBSend us a Text Message. A slightly gentler than usual Thursday crossword, but between the elegance of the cluing and the terrific theme, we are not complaining! Our favorite example of craftsmanship not covered in the podcas:: 48A, Foreign refusal, NEIN, was right on top of 50A, Words of rejection, ITSANO 😀. And in case you didn't spot that, the clue right in between actually points that out: 49A: One on top of another on top of another, PILE. Now that's attention to detail! Also, the NYTi...
July 26, 2023 - We are AMPED about today's crossword (and the discovery of the CLUAN 😀)
July 27, 2023 01:00 - 12 minutes - 8.47 MBSend us a Text Message. Kudos to Mary Crane, as this is her debut NYTimes crossword!! There were a goodly number of great clues in the crossword, and beyond those discussed in today's episode we would be remiss if we did not mention 58A, First-year law student, informally, ONEL(👩🏽⚖️); 43D, Company making tracks, LIONEL (😀); and one that we can't help but fawn over, 34A, Goat/man of mythology, FAUN (😉). Also in today's episode, we welcome the birth of a new subatomic particle (and which al...
Tuesday, July 25, 2023 - SAGUARO, the world's most difficult to spell cactus
July 26, 2023 02:00 - 15 minutes - 10.5 MBSend us a Text Message. Gary Larson and Doug Peterson -- no, not that Gary Larson, but definitely that Doug Peterson -- weigh in with a great Tuesday crossword with a droll theme worthy of a standup comic, which Gary Larson just happened to be (he has since retired). The rest of the grid was also perfect Tuesday fare, it is fair to say: and to hear all the details, as well as the outcome of today's Triplet Tuesday spectacular, all you need to do is download, listen up, and enjoy! (But if yo...
Monday, July 24, 2023 - ELECTRO, a shocking Spider-Man villain
July 25, 2023 01:00 - 13 minutes - 9.42 MBSend us a Text Message. A gentle Monday crossword, just the right degree of difficulty, that provided Jean with the opportunity to discuss the difference between salt shakers and SALTCELLARS, and for Mike to punnily observe that if you can buy a SALTCELLAR at Target, that makes Target a SALTCELLAR seller 🙄 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, July 23, 2023 - A grid with OOMPH, FTW!
July 23, 2023 22:00 - 16 minutes - 11.2 MBSend us a Text Message. A winning Sunday crossword by Chandi Deitmer, with a bevy of sound aural puns forming a brilliant theme, amid a sea of other fine clues, including the apostrophe-rich 44D, Cap'n's subordinate, BOSN; the always welcome (as a word, at any rate) 26D, Nonsense, to Brits, TOSH; and one of our favorite Grammy Award winners, 40A, Grammy winner Hill, LAURYN. Definitely FTW, we give it 5 squares on the JAMCR scale. Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, cross...
Saturday, July 22, 2023 - A crossword that'll have you doing CARTWHEELS 🤸♀️😉
July 23, 2023 01:00 - 16 minutes - 11.3 MBSend us a Text Message. This, Robert Logan's second NYTimes Crossword, took him 17 months to complete! The end result, though, is a chef's kiss of a crossword, one that gives up its secrets gradually and grudgingly, with clues so good that you'll be inclined to stand up and applaud: which we heartily encourage you to do, and thus simultaneously exercise both the mind and the body. In other news, it's Saturday, time for the JAMCOTWA - Jean & Mike Crossword Of The Week Award - and this wee...
Thursday, July 20, 2023 - Honk if you liked this crossword 🚗😉. Honk, honk!!
July 21, 2023 01:00 - 13 minutes - 9.61 MBSend us a Text Message. A fiendishly clever crossword by Drew Schmenner, with a worthy theme -- that's not UPFORDEBATE -- that would've taxed even the great IBMWATSON. We loved it -- as you can tell from today's episode -- and can't wait for Drew's next opus! 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, July 19, 2023 - Go, Packers! Time for another THREEPEAT 😀
July 20, 2023 01:00 - 12 minutes - 8.62 MBSend us a Text Message. As the week progresses, the NYTimes crosswords, by-and-large, get more difficult, and you can start to feel the friction on Wednesday, with clues like 37D, Kind of mark, SKID; 26A, "Ya dig?", FEELME (aha); and 37A, Fast pitch, SPIEL, starting to make you, well, dig,a little more deeply than on a Monday or Tuesday (at least on average). And speaking of dig (for the third time in this paragraph), we dug deeply to extract the finest clues from today's grid for your edif...
Tuesday, July 18, 2023 - DIONYSUS and BACCHUS walk into a bar ...
July 19, 2023 02:00 - 14 minutes - 9.82 MBSend us a Text Message. Today's puzzle is educational -- a primer for those of you who can't tell your Greek gods from your Roman ones., as well as entertaining -- what you'd expect if Steinberg was in the byline. We'd tell you more, but ... we've already told you everything we know in today's podcast, so have a listen and let us know what you think. 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...
Monday, July 17, 2023 - BORESOME -- in the grid and in...applicable 🙄
July 18, 2023 01:00 - 14 minutes - 10.1 MBSend us a Text Message. A marvelous Monday crossword by Fulbright scholar (!) Alexander Liebeskind, and that genius shines through wherever you look in today's grid. There were (almost) impossible to pronounce answers, 66A, One whose property is being held as debt security, LIENEE; (almost) impossible to spell answers, 43A, ________ - daisy, OOPSY (not OOPSIE); and (almost) impossible to forget answers, 40D, Yawn-inducing, BORESOME (!!). A reminder that the NYTimes Crossword is a great way...
Sunday, July 16, 2023 - The Game is Afoot, and the Grid is *Amazing*
July 17, 2023 01:00 - 15 minutes - 10.5 MBSend us a Text Message. An absolutely delightful Sunday crossword by Michael Schlossberg, brilliant clues everywhere you look, guaranteed to put a smile on your face. We have all the deets inside, so please subscribe (so you won't miss an episode), then download, listen up, and enjoy! 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, July 15, 2023 - ⚠️ Battlestations, it's a Jeff Chen Saturday Crossword!!⚠️
July 16, 2023 01:00 - 17 minutes - 11.8 MBSend us a Text Message. Jeff Chen is known for writing great crosswords and he is in excellent form today. Clues like 2D, Head of the bar, FOAM (not SOAP!), 36A, Word that can be described by changing its last letter to a P, SHARD (wow!); and the droll 52D, Take for a spin, TURN (of course it is) tell the tale. Loved it, clearly worth a full 5 squares on the JAMCR scale. In other news, we have hit 100,000 downloads, so thanks to all of you for getting us to that lofty peak , and here's to ...
Friday, July 14, 2023 - When solving a crossword, your spelling must be perrfect!" 🙄
July 15, 2023 02:00 - 22 minutes - 15.7 MBSend us a Text Message. Today's crossword, by Jonathan Kaufman, didn't faze Jean in the slightest, whereas Mike was almost done in by 16A, Drank discretely, HADANIP (not, as both Jean & Mike, and possibly most of humanity first thought, HADASIP). That tricky northeast corner notwithstanding, the entire grid was well done, not a bit of crossword-ese, just ALOADOF entertaining and educational clues. Deets within, as well as some great listener mail, so download, listen up, and ... enjoy! Co...
Thursday, July 13, 2023 - The name's BAUER, EDDIEBAUER
July 14, 2023 00:00 - 17 minutes - 11.9 MBSend us a Text Message. Our co-hosts took wildly divergent routes in solving today's crossword, with Jean taking the highway and Mike taking a barely discernible PATH through dense woods to arrive at the same destination. So, while he was OUTSHONE, Mike believes he should get some points (and possibly seek medical treatment) for ES (Extreme Stubbornness). Deets inside, so download, listen up, and enjoy (and don't forget to subscribe!). Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, c...
Wednesday, July 12, 2023 - Endure some DURIANS 😷
July 13, 2023 01:00 - 13 minutes - 9.53 MBSend us a Text Message. You know you're in good hands when the byline reads Brooke Husic and Brian Thomas, who between them have published 19 (Brooke) + 14 (Brian) = 33 NYTimes crosswords, no mean feat. To see why they keep getting puzzles accepted, you just have to look at today's exemplar, or listen to our description right here, right now! 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 strik...
Tuesday, July 11, 2023 - Didn't attempt this crossword? Then you'll be MISSINGOUT
July 12, 2023 01:00 - 18 minutes - 12.7 MBSend us a Text Message. Today's crossword by Aaron M. Rosenberg -- who bears an uncanny resemblance to our vision of Clark Kent -- was most assuredly not LACKINGVARIETY, as it had clues running the gamut from punny (3D, Run just for the exposure?, STREAK 🙄) to nostalgic (58A, 1994 film about a portal through the cosmos, STARGATE) to educational-ish (68A, Entertainment industry quadfecta, EGOT). We loved it, 5 squares on the JAMCR scale. Also, it's Triplet Tuesday, and Jean's performance to...
Monday, July 10, 2023 - A crossword that most definitely did not JUMPTHESHARK!
July 11, 2023 02:00 - 11 minutes - 7.87 MBSend us a Text Message. A delightful Goldilocks of a Monday crossword, not too easy, not too hard (at least if you've been doing these for a while!), with a fine theme (but no revealer!). If the name of the constructor -- Brad Wiegmann -- is familiar, that's because this is his 5th crossword since 2021, and here's hoping that his 6th will be here before long. Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, [email protected]. Also, we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by...
Sunday, July 9, 2023 - Crossword, meet Pictionary™️ 😀
July 10, 2023 01:00 - 19 minutes - 13.7 MBSend us a Text Message. A fairly gentle crossword compared to the last few weeks, and between that and a novel theme, it turned out to be a very enjoyable solve. What was that theme, you ask? Well, we could draw you a picture, or ... we could just direct you to have a listen to today's episode, which will explain why the first clause of this sentence is so hilarious. We choose the latter, so checkout today's episode, and all will become clear. Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a...
Saturday, July 8, 2023 - Send out the STREETTEAM, REM is coming to town!
July 09, 2023 00:00 - 16 minutes - 11.3 MBSend us a Text Message. A stellar Saturday crossword by Brandon Koppy, a minor struggle for Jean, a major slog for Mike; but both eventually achieved that Elysian feeling of satisfaction that comes from completing a challenging (but fair) puzzle. It's also Saturday, aka JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award) day, so to find out who won and why, have a listen to today's episode (and don't forget to subscribe, so you'll never miss an episode!). Contact Info: We love listener m...
Friday, July 7, 2023 - TRASHPANDA, a *great* name for a rock band 😀
July 08, 2023 00:00 - 19 minutes - 13.2 MBSend us a Text Message. A challenging Friday crossword, and as you will hear in today's episode the co-hosts were of two minds regarding this puzzle. But with clues like 63A, Counter offer?, FREESAMPLE (😀), 45D, Infant's interjection, GOO (aww), and 24D, Fill with gas, AERATE (not TOPOFF), it is hard to deny that this was a fine bit of cruciverbal construction. We also have a fun fact for Fun Fact Friday ™️, and another bit of listener mail. Finally, a brief reminder that the NYTimes Cros...
Thursday, July 6, 2023 - To quote ABBA, it's all about Money, Money, Money
July 07, 2023 01:00 - 14 minutes - 9.8 MBSend us a Text Message. Although the Society for the Suppression of Crosswords Without X's might beg to differ, we found today's crossword to be fun and (especially for Mike) a challenge. Clues like 60A, Cream alternative, ECRU; 14A, Clearly, in a text, OBVI (well, OBVI!); and 33D, Say it all?, ENUNCIATE, give you a taste for what's in store, a delicious puzzle, with a delectable theme. Five squares on the JAMCR scale for sure! Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crossword...
Wednesday, July 5, 2023 - A marvelous, multilingual mental exercise
July 06, 2023 02:00 - 15 minutes - 10.6 MBSend us a Text Message. Just when you think the NYTimes crossword constructors can't possibly come up with a new theme ... they come up with a new theme, as Joe Deeney so aptly demonstrates, and Jean so deftly describes, in today's episode. Besides that, we also have email from a listener in South Africa. So to hear all that, subscribe, download, listen up, enjoy and ... drop us a line when you get a chance! Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, [email protected]....
Monday, July 3, 2023 - You won't be feeling KINDOFBLUE after doing today's crossword
July 04, 2023 02:00 - 10 minutes - 7.48 MBSend us a Text Message. A cheery Monday crossword, thanks to a theme that celebrates the best of us. Most of the clues were familiar / on the easier side, as befitting a Monday, but 51D, Coffeecake with cross-sectional swirls, BABKA, and 17A, Miles Davis classic that's the all-time best-selling jazz album, KINDOFBLUE, might be the exceptions (YMMV, of course). A logistical note: we will be not be publishing a podcast tomorrow, in honor of Independence Day, but we will return --with some ...
Sunday, July 2, 2023 - BEBOP - fun to say, fun to play
July 03, 2023 01:00 - 19 minutes - 13.1 MBSend us a Text Message. A nice Sunday puzzle by Rebecca Goldstein and Rafael Musa: Jean tore through it, Mike got lost in the grid and if it weren't for the St. Bernards might never have been found. The theme was BOOTiful, and there were some joyous clues in the grid, such as 46D, Angles above 90 degrees?, HOTYOGA (😀); 82A, Linguistic group including Zulu and Xhosa, BANTU (got it!); and 87A, Highfalutin, LAHDIDAH (well, LAHDIDAH!). The latter posed a significant problem for one of our coh...
Saturday, July 1, 2023 - O, Canada! 🍁
July 02, 2023 01:00 - 14 minutes - 9.73 MBSend us a Text Message. A special Canada day crossword, no, just kidding, Canada did not show up at all in today's grid: but it was a great puzzle nonetheless, not the most difficult Saturday ever (whew!), but the cluing was crisp, novel, and they did manage to slip in 52A, Study of riddles, ENIGMATOLOGY, definitely a debut and, runner-up in the "most difficult word to slip casually into a conversation" contest. Another Saturday has rolled by, almost like clockwork, and so it's time for o...
Friday, June 30, 2023 - THATISSUCHAMOOD!
July 01, 2023 01:00 - 21 minutes - 15.1 MBSend us a Text Message. A good cruciverbal workout courtesy of Carly Schuna, today's crossword has something for everyone: a mysterious Gen-Z phrase (35A, "I can relate", in Gen-Z slang, THATISSUCHAMODE); a (for Mike) tricky baseball reference (23A, Up, ATBAT); and a quotation that is as true now as it was when it was first (possibly apocryphally) uttered in the 1700s, (27D, "When in ________, don't", a maxim attributed to Benjamin Franklin, DOUBT). In addition to the puzzle, we have som...
Thursday, June 29, 2023 - Ligers and TIGONS and BEARHUGs, Oh, My! 😀
June 30, 2023 02:00 - 13 minutes - 9.01 MBSend us a Text Message. A challenging Thursday crossword, but with a terrific payoff: another one of those tour de force themes that the NYTimes Thursday crosswords are famous for. We won't spoil that by discussing it here in the show notes, but we would like to point out a few non-themed clues: 54D, Mexican beach resort, informally, CABO; 15D, Notorious initials, RBG (not, as Mike initially postulated, BIG); 8D, Crossbreeds smaller than ligers, TIGONS; and 41A, Tittle, DOT (and that's not ...
Wednesday, June 28, 2023 - AIOLIS, a yodeler's favorite condiment 🙄
June 29, 2023 01:00 - 14 minutes - 9.77 MBSend us a Text Message. This was a super crossword, and we're not just saying it because 51D, Superman, most of the time, KENT, flew into the grid. Rather it's because of an ingenious theme (deets inside), and some very timely clueing -- SMOG, COALMINE, and AIRSHOWS (literally!). There were some other fine clues as well, such as 39A, Having a fermented quality, WINY; 22A, Fabric derived from wood pulp, RAYON (huh!); and 45A, Noted sea shell seller, SHE (nice!). We approve, 5 squares on the...
Tuesday, June 27, 2023 - The name's MOMOA, Jason MOMOA!
June 28, 2023 01:00 - 18 minutes - 12.6 MBSend us a Text Message. A fun Tuesday crossword: the theme was a bit hairy, but in a good way, and the rest of the clues felt crisp and novel. Beyond those delved into in the episode, 17A, One-act Strauss opera adapted from an Oscar Wilde play, SALOME; 33A, Famed 1990s TV psychic, MISSCLEO; and our favorite industrial designers, 38D, Chair designer Charles or Ray, EAMES, all caught our eye(s). Triplet Tuesday has returned (as it has a tendency to do every seven days), and this week Mike's ...
Monday, June 26, 2023 - The TROPE, the whole TROPE, and nothing but the TROPE
June 27, 2023 02:00 - 11 minutes - 8.12 MBSend us a Text Message. A nicely done Monday crossword by Taylor Johnson and Christina Iverson, and we therefore raise a glass of 32D, Powdered orange drink, TANG, in their honor. There were 3 debut answers in today's grid, and our favorite was the slightly deceptive 42A, Certain bluegrass musician, BANJOPLAYER (as opposed to a certain bluegrass musician, which would've been even more challenging). We were also partial to 15A, _______ the Riveter (woman in an old wartime poster), ROSIE, and...
Sunday, June 25, 2023 - Another chef's kiss of a crossword
June 26, 2023 01:00 - 15 minutes - 10.8 MBSend us a Text Message. John Westwig shows how it's done, with a brilliant Sunday crossword (his 8th for the NYTimes) - terrific theme, sparkling clues that make you dig for the answers (sometimes with a trowel, a few that require something more along the lines of an oil rig), a perfect Sunday opus. We loved it, and to find out why, check out today's episode! Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, [email protected]. Also, we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by...
Saturday, June 24, 2023 -If this crossword drives you BATTY, retreat to the ZENGARDENS
June 24, 2023 21:00 - 18 minutes - 12.8 MBSend us a Text Message. A very sticky Saturday crossword, with more traps than a golf course, and calculated to lead you down the garden path (such as may be found in ZENGARDENS). Some of our favorites include 33A, "Elvis has left the building", EVERYBODYGOHOME; 32D, "I'm beat!", WHATADAY; and 28D, Overseas sailors, LIMEY (so named after what they ate to avoid scurvy). This being Saturday, we also have our JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award), and this one includes a mild ...
Friday, June 23, 2023 - ASMARA, gateway to Eritrea!
June 24, 2023 02:00 - 14 minutes - 10.1 MBSend us a Text Message. A relatively straightforward Friday crossword, and a debut for its constructor, Kunal Nabar. There were some enlightening clues - 22A, Theme park originally conceived as a planned community, EPCOT; some vocabulary stretching clues - 57A, Overly slick, UNCTUOUS; and some amusing clues - Top present during the holiday season?, DREIDEL 😀. A great crossword, definitely worth 5 squares on the JAMCR scale. Also, it's Friday, so to learn about a huge British comedy (among...
Thursday, June 22, 2023 - SHH, crossword solvers @ work!
June 23, 2023 01:00 - 17 minutes - 12.1 MBSend us a Text Message. A terrific Thursday crossword by Michael Baker and the indefatigable Jeff Chen, with an LOL theme and some fascinating clueing, including 22A, Co. that, in 1925, said of crosswords "The craze evidently is dying out fast"', NYT ;1D, "Honesty with the volume cranked up", per George Sanders, IRONY, and 26A, org. that might have a beef with beef, USDA 😀 All the deets are inside, so just subscribe, download, listen up and prepare to be educated and entertained. Contact...
Wednesday, June 21, 2023 - You forgot IDINA Menzel? Just let it go
June 22, 2023 01:00 - 16 minutes - 11.2 MBSend us a Text Message. A delicious mid-week snack by Jimmy Peniston, with a unique theme that you can really sink your teeth into. And if that last sentence didn't clue you into the theme, then listening to today's podcast certainly will, so have at it! Remember that the NYTimes Crossword is a scientifically proven way to keep those little gray cells sharp, and they'd love to have you as a subscriber! So wander over to nytimes.com/crosswords, and tell 'em Jean & Mike sent you! Contact In...
Tuesday, June 20, 2023 - Was this crossword too easy? PSHAW!
June 21, 2023 01:00 - 15 minutes - 10.9 MBSend us a Text Message. A perfectly crafted Tuesday crossword, with a theme that was inscrutable for precisely one of our intrepid cohosts (hint: not Jean), and a nicely balanced set of clues. We enjoyed 59A, Attention -grabbing shouts, HEYSs, juxtapositioned with 54D, Attention-grabbing whisper, PSST. In a similar vein we had 5D, Purplish fruit used in smoothies, ACAI, in close proximity to 16A, Purplish fruit used in gin, SLOE. Today was also Triplet Tuesday, and so to find out whether ...
Monday, June 19, 2023 - Does this crossword make us look thin?
June 20, 2023 00:00 - 8 minutes - 5.77 MBSend us a Text Message. So, here's the skinny on today's crossword: it's skinny! Well, the grid is, at any rate, and that certainly grabbed our attention. There's one other aspect of this grid, besides the aspect ratio (heh, heh) that is worth pointing out, and we do so in today's podcast, so for all the deets please subscribe, download, listen up, and enjoy! Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, [email protected]. Also, we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop b...
Sunday, June 18, 2023 - A crossword a day keeps senescence at bay? Definitely SAGEADVICE!
June 19, 2023 01:00 - 17 minutes - 11.7 MBSend us a Text Message. Joe DiPietro has had 140 crosswords published in the NYTimes, mainly Fridays, although he's done a fair number of Sundays as well. This one was straightforward (for Jean), and a massive Easter Egg hunt (for Mike). Deets inside, so have a listen, and let us know what you think. 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, June 17, 2023 - UBE, delicious to eat, fun to say!
June 18, 2023 01:00 - 15 minutes - 10.9 MBSend us a Text Message. Ah, Saturday, typically the toughest crossword of the week, and this one lived up to its reputation, with some sneaky/stunning/super clues. Consider as evidence, 56A, Heavy metal band?, MANACLE; 55A, Exist naturally, INHERE (yikes!); 31A, Natural projection, HORN (um, if you say so!); and the clue/answer that applies to about 90% of the grid, 53A, Exclamation of revelation, ISEENOW. Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, [email protected]. ...