A short, fun and occasionally not unintentionally educational podcast in which two fans of the New York Times crossword describe their puzzle-solving travails.
This crossword quickly skyrocketed from "nice cluing, not bad" to "unbelievably awesome!!", thanks to one vital clue. We'll leave you in suspense as to what that clue is -- until you listen to the episode, of course -- but we feel quite certain that you'll agree with our assessment. [Either way, let us know via the usual channels.]Show note imagery: The extraordinary OLETA AdamsWe love feedback! Send us a text...Contact Info:We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com.Also, we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!
Monday's are engineered to entice and intrigue newer solvers, and today's crossword, by Margaret Seikel, does so admirably. There were a few clues that gave us pause: 47D, Attaches, ADDSON (not ADHERES, which, among other problems, would not fit); 43D, Georgia politico Stacey _______, ABRAMS, eventually came to mind (she has definitely not been prominent in the news as of late); and we were especially surprised by 42A, Flower symbolizing early love, LILAC. Now we know!Show note imagery: US Patent 4,530,631, for the POPTABWe love feedback! Send us a text...Contact Info:We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com.Also, we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!
It is not always the case that a theme gives us the case of the giggles, but Derrick Niederman's crossword provided us with a plethora of LOL moments. It is definitely in the running for next week's JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword of The Week Award). This week's JAMCOTWA was a slam dunk; check out today's episode to see if our pick was also your favorite.Finally, we have a spot of listener mail, so do have a listen, and, as always, please tell all your friends and relations to do the same.Show note imagery: A LEITMOTIF, the theme from "Jaws"We love feedback! Send us a text...Contact Info:We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com.Also, we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!
The difficulty level's been dialed up to 11, so if you did not get through today's puzzle ... it's not you, it's Kunal Nagar (abetted in this criminally awesome crossword by Will Shortz). Every single clue had something to commend it, and pretty much every single answer required your cohosts, working independently as always, to work for it. This is definitely worth a joyous 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.Show note imagery: OCTAVIAEBUTLER, an extraordinary science fiction writer, winner of the Hugo and Nebula awards (among many others)We love feedback! Send us a text...Contact Info:We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com.Also, we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!
This was an awesome debut by Bryan Cheong, who is, astonishingly, only 14 years old. You would not know it from the crossword, though: the clues are sharp and the fill as crisp as can be. Definitely 5 squares on the JAMCR scale, and we are on the edge of our seats waiting for Bryan's second crossword.In honor of the day (Friday), we also have a Fun Fact Friday™️ segment, about Phoebe Ann Mosey; and if you don't recognize that name, faer not, you'll assuredly recognize her stage name, which we cover, along with much more, in today's segment.Show note imagery: Traditional parts of a Japanese tea room, including a SHOJI.We love feedback! Send us a text...Contact Info:We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com.Also, we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!
This was a delightfully intriguing and decidedly crunchy Thursday crossword, penned by Colin Ernst and adroitly edited by Will Shortz. It took both cohosts, working independently as is their wont, no little time to figure out what was happening, theme-wise: but both eventually did, and appreciated the mental gymnastics. Deets inside, so have a listen, and please let us know what you think.The NYTimes has recently introduced a family subscription plan; so if you want to treat your loved ones to the entire newspaper at a very good price, check it out here.Show note imagery: Anatolia (aka Asia Minor), encompassing most of Turkey.We love feedback! Send us a text...Contact Info:We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com.Also, we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!
This was a fun crossword by Michael B. Berg, his second for the NYTimes. The theme was terrific, revolving around a word that neither cohost had heard before, ZHUZH. Fortunately, the crosses were fairly forgiving (except when they weren't: we're looking at you, KATZ). All in all an excellent middle-of-the-week crossword, we hereby bestow upon it with 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.Show note imagery: KATZ's Delicatessen, doing a booming business.We love feedback! Send us a text...Contact Info:We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com.Also, we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!
In keeping with the nursery rhyme, we would argue that today's crossword was full of grace ... or at least some very cool clues. Mike's favorite was 10D, Certain parent overseeing a child's career, in showbiz lingo, MOMAGER; Jean's was 66A, "This decision is hard!", IMTORN. Both agreed that they would love to do a podcast from 37A, Caribbean hot spot, ARUBA. Besides the crossword, we have a Triplet Tuesday segment, in which Mike, well, let's just say that he tried to swing for the fences but forgot to hold onto the bat. Show note imagery: The first question when building any new mall: where are we going to put the Auntie Anne's?
Today's crossword marks Lynn Lempel's 103rd for the NYTimes, and was a great way to usher in September. While there were no debut answers, quite a few of the clues caught our fancy, including 64A, Flexible Flyer, for one, SLED; the almost onomatopoetic 4D, Smooth-talking, GLIB; and what sounds like it ought to be delicious (and surely is), 21D, Russian pancake, BLINI. Bravo, Lynn!Show note imagery: An absolutely stunning view of LAPAZ, the capital of BoliviaWe love feedback! Send us a text...Contact Info:We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com.Also, we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!
Michael Lieberman was definitely playing against type when he dreamed up this crossword, because he spends his days at his law firm fighting corporate mergers, but his nights -- apparently -- trying to encourage them. You'll see what we mean when you have a listen to today's episode, or wander over to (warning: it's spoiler city if you click that link!) the solution at xwordinfo.com.In addition to the crossword, we have identified our JAMCOTWA™️ (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award) for this week; deets inside.A small logistical side-note: we are taking a break for the next week, as one of us is traveling to such a distant time zone that we can't sync up for recording. But we will be back at it, laboring, so to speak, on Labor Day. Until then, may your crossword streak grow ever longer.Show note imagery: The Cliffs of Moher in ERIN (aka Ireland)We love feedback! Send us a text...Contact Info:We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com.Also, we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!
The fifth NYTimes crossword by Ryan Judge made for a very nice Saturday; not a walk in the park, by any stretch, but more straightforward than last Saturday's "let's scale Mt Everest barefoot" uber-challenge. There were some great clues in today's grid. Jean in particular was fond of 35A, Drew Carey once called it "crossword puzzle cheese" on "Whose Line Is It Anyway?", EDAM. Mike was glad to learn about 32D, It's formed in Pittsburgh, OHIORIVER, and even gladder to discover the name of a song that has been stuck in his head for years, 26D, Composer of "In the Hall of the Mountain King", GRIEG.Show note imagery: NOME, the finish line of the Iditarod since 1973 (even though the starting point has had to move multiple times for myriad reasons).We love feedback! Send us a text...Contact Info:We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com.Also, we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!
Our cohosts were surprised and delighted to learn, thanks to today's crossword, that there are four countries whose national anthems have no lyrics, and so people instead hum, or sing something along the lines of "na, na, na". The four countries in question are Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, San Marino, and Spain. One of those appears in today's grid, and to preserve an air of suspense and mystery, we will defer identifying that country here in the show notes. We will say, though, that the crossword in general, courtesy of Gia Bosko, was quite well done, perfectly satisfying and suitable for a Friday: we give it 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.Besides the crossword, we also have some very interesting listener mail, so be sure and check that out as well!Show note imagery: SAMUELCHASE, the only supreme court justice to have ever been impeached (but he was acquitted of all charges).We love feedback! Send us a text...Contact Info:We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com.Also, we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!
Once again, the NYTimes crossword has delivered the perfect blend of joy and education in one neat bundle. The joy comes from, primarily, the theme -- which we will say no more about here, but we have plenty to say about it in the podcast. The education comes from clues like 69A, Yani ___, youngest pro golfer to win five major championships, TSENG), and our absolute favorite, something that sounds like it came from the pen of Douglas Adams, 57A, Early PC game whose nonsense working title stuck, ZORK. We were also quite partial to 5A, Units equal to nine inches, SPANS.tldr; a terrific Simeon Seigel crossword, his streak of awesome Thursday crosswords remains unbroken!Show note imagery: The Argo, under full sailWe love feedback! Send us a text...Contact Info:We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com.Also, we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!
One of our favorite foods is SEITAN - healthy, delicious, and, up until now, never mentioned in the NYTimes crossword. Ah, but the times they are a changin', as evidenced by today's 50D, Wheat-based meat alternative, SEITAN. There were many other clues worthy of admiration in today's grid. There was the somewhat sardonic 25A, "I had something come up," maybe, FIB; the (to us) surprising 32A, Custom in Japanese food service, NOTIPS; and the good-to-know 20D, January and November have the most federal ones, HOLIDAYS.All of these are courtesy of Victor Schmitt, a nice bit of work (especially on the theme, although the rest of the puzzle was nothing to sneeze at!).Show note imagery: The famous T. Rex Sue, now safely ensconsed in the Field Museum in ChicagoWe love feedback! Send us a text...Contact Info:We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com.Also, we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!
This was a fine Tuesday crossword by Eric Rollfing, marking his fourth overall in the NYTimes, and his Tuesday debut.There were a bevy of TWL (Today We Learned) clues in today's puzzle. Most notably, we had 7D, Color whose name comes from the Greek word for "cuttlefish", SEPIA; the interestingly named 36A, Reptile that can reach up to 10 feet in length, MONITORLIZARD; and finally we went with the only loch we knew in 65A, Largest loch in Scotland by volume, NESS.In other news, it's Triplet Tuesday™️, and today Jean's in the hot seat, so you'll definitely want to check that out!Show note imagery: The el Museo del Prado, which at one point had the distinction of having "the largest concentration of masterpieces per square meter".
Today's crossword was truly a labor of love for one of the greatest voice talents of all time. We speak, of course, of the immortal, indomitable, indefatigable Mel Blanc, pretty much the reason why the Golden Age of American Animation came into being. We'd like to say more, but we have an overwhelming urge to go take in some Looney Tunes shows!Show note imagery: The cast of The Jack Benny Program, with Mel Blanc on the far right.We love feedback! Send us a text...Contact Info:We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com.Also, we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!
Sam Ezersky is known for making devilishly difficult crosswords, and he does not disappoint today. Jean found this to be a bit of a challenge; Mike has decided that ... the intersection of Sam's wheelhouse and his own is the empty set. We have all the deets inside, as well as our latest JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award) winners (yes, plural!) so please, download, listen up, and enjoy!Show note imagery: MINORCA, not to be confused with MAJORCA, or PENTATONICORCA.We love feedback! Send us a text...Contact Info:We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com.Also, we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!
Byron Walden has had a whopping 109 crosswords published in the NYTimes, including an astonishing 70 Saturdays. Frankly, it shows, because today's was perfect: highly challenging, but sprinkled with just enough toeholds to move it out of the realm of the impossible. Bravo!Show note imagery: BOARDIES, when you need to look good on the beach!We love feedback! Send us a text...Contact Info:We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com.Also, we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!
Depending upon what you've squirreled away in your wheelhouse, you may have found today's crossword a) straightforward, or b) a Friday crossword wrapped around a zesty Saturday mini-crossword. In the case of our cohosts, Jean was the former, Mike, inevitably, the latter. While their puzzle solving journeys today did most definitely diverge, they were both agreed that this crossword, the third by Dena R. Verkuil, was a delight: we hope for more, soon.Beyond the crossword, we have a fabulous fact for our Fun Fact Friday™️segment, so be sure and check it out!A reminder that xwordinfo.com is a great resource if you need to look up a clue, answer, or see the answer to the day's crossword: we highly recommend you check it out!Show note imagery: When you're shopping for PARKAS, Patagonia's ready to help!We love feedback! Send us a text...Contact Info:We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com.Also, we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!
A few Sundays ago we had a puzzle paying homage to Star Trek, and now we've moved on to another iconic show, Jeopardy! While we feel that the editors missed a fabulous opportunity to play the Jeopardy theme in lieu of the usual ditty upon solving the puzzle, we nonetheless had a great time with this crossword, for reasons that we outline in today's episode.Show note imagery: WHATSTHETEA, by Mary CassatWe love feedback! Send us a text...Contact Info:We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com.Also, we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!
Just like the answer to 29D, "Too ___" (2024 #1 Hozier hit), this was a SWEET Wednesday crossword, and we're not just saying that because Jared Cappel took the time to introduce us to a magnificent book and movie (17A, Acclaimed 2004 science fiction work by David Mitchell made into a 2012 film, CLOUDATLAS). However, between that, and the appearance of our favorite 18th century Austrian composer (51D, "Surprise symphony" composer, HAYDN) we are compelled to give this a full and enthusiastic 5 squares on the JAMCR scale. Deets within.Show note imagery: My goodness there are a lot of famous actors in CLOUDATLAS.We love feedback! Send us a text...Contact Info:We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com.Also, we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!
This was an Erik Agard puzzle, meaning the clues were fabulous; but it was a Tuesday Erik Agard puzzle, which means that the clues were not too difficult. We loved 45D, He or I, but not she, ELEMENT
Rebecca Goldstein has won awards for her crosswords, and today's is another fine example of why she has been so afforded. Jean, as is so often the case, made short work of today's puzzle, while Mike took more of a tai-chi-like meander through the grid. We have all the deets inside, so hit that download button post-haste, repeat with the like/subscribe/follow button, and then, of course, enjoy!Show note imagery: A MINIFIG, out for a hikeWe love feedback! Send us a text...Contact Info:We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com.Also, we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!
This was an elegantly crafted crossword by Adam Wagner and Chandi Deitmer. We were thrilled and delighted to welcome back the rebus, which we have not seen in several Sundays (or so it seems). Jean was able to solve the puzzle quite readily, whereas Mike had to dig (much) deeper to get to the happy music. We have the deets inside, as well as the announcement of our latest JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award™️) winner, so have a listen, and let us know what you think!Show note imagery: A HONEYEATER (of the white-eared variety, to be precise), found predominantly in Australia and New Guinea.We love feedback! Send us a text...Contact Info:We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com.Also, we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!
This was a splendid crossword by Ben Zimmer. There were no rebuses, but the ingenious theme was a surprise and a delight. We give it a 5 squares on the JAMCR scale, and for the reasons why, have a listen to today's episode.A logistical note: we are going to be taking Friday and Saturday off, due to anticipated connectivity issues. But we will, of course, be doing the crossword, and will be back to talk about our cruciverbial exploits on Sunday.Show note imagery: The Minceta Tower (Dubrovnik) in CROATIA, the real home of the Game of ThronesWe love feedback! Send us a text...Contact Info:We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com.Also, we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!
The appearance of YEET in the grid is always cause for celebration, a reminder that the English language is not set in its ways, but evolving at a rate that would've made Noah Webster exclaim "YEET this language is ... hang on, let me check my dictionary for a good word here ... deucedly difficult to keep up with!". For the record, we enjoyed this crossword for innumerable reasons; but we nonetheless do attempt to enumerate them in today's podcast, so have a listen, and please remember to tell all your friends about us on social media!Show note imagery: A SCREENPASS blueprintWe love feedback! Send us a text...Contact Info:We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com.Also, we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!
This was a picture-perfect Tuesday crossword by Gary Larson and Amy Ensz, marking their second collaboration. The theme was suitably surprising, and the rest of the puzzle equally excellent. Besides the crossword itself, we have another installment of our Triplet Tuesday segment, with Jean facing her inquisitor with that Princess Leia-like combination of aplomb and insouciance. Show note imagery: Satchel PAIGE has played, apparently, almost everywhere! Show note URL: The greatest French hero ever, Asterix!We love feedback! Send us a text...Contact Info:We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com.Also, we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!
This was a satisfyingly crunchy Monday crossword; it took both cohosts, laboring independently as usual, a significantly longer time than usual to complete. They blame it on the AQI, which in NE Wisconsin is currently hovering somewhere between "hey, what happened to the houses across the street?" and "if you must go outside, don't forget your respirator!" levels. Fortunately they had today's crossword -- the third NYTimes publication by Patti Varol -- to provide a welcome distraction. You can find all the deets in today's episode.Show note imagery: A gorgeous LANAI (beautiful scenery not included)We love feedback! Send us a text...Contact Info:We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com.Also, we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!
Today's crossword was an homage to the iconic series STARTREK, which has been around since the 1960s and at this rate seems likely to continue to exist until its actual putative time, in the 2260's.While this likely gave an advantage to trekkies, we suspect that most readers will at least be familiar with the major characters -- and if not, that the crosses would come (as they often do) to the rescue.Besides the crossword, we have selected our JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award), deets inside.Show note imagery: The original STARTREK cast.We love feedback! Send us a text...Contact Info:We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com.Also, we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!
This was a superlative Saturday crossword, thanks to an ocean of uber-crisp clues, each forming a "mini-mystery" that you had to solve en route to the happy music. Marvel at the handiwork of, for instance, 9D, Mountain range that spans 67º of latitude, ANDES; 6D, Key for getting rid of your work, in brief?, DEL; and 29D, They're all equal in a circle, RADII; The vast majority of the clues were of that ilk, making for a very satisfying puzzle indeed.Show note imagery: Chuck MANGIONE, nominated for 14 Grammy awards and winning twice.We love feedback! Send us a text...Contact Info:We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com.Also, we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!
This was a fantabulous Friday crossword that will have you saying 49D, "Look what I did!", TADA, if you are able to solve it. On the way to that illustrious goal, you might have a hunch as to an answer, in which case your 22D, Intuitive ability in the Marvel Universe, SPIDERSENSE, might start tingling. And if you were both able to solve the puzzle and let your friends know about it, they might give you a hearty 12D, "Well done!", BRAVO.Besides our analysis of the crossword, we have a Fun Fact Friday™️ segment about the city that boasts the last remaining Blockbuster in the world. To find out that city's name, and why we liked this crossword so much, we strongly urge you to download, listen, and (we hope!) enjoy today's episode.Show note imagery: A TREAD, just one of the many, many parts of a staircase.We love feedback! Send us a text...Contact Info:We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com.Also, we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!
Once again, the rebus rules, and indeed in today's crossword may even be said to teem, for it appears a whopping ten times in today's grid, in various amusing and unexpected places that are detailed in today's episode. Really, the whole puzzle is fANTastic! Deets inside.Show note imagery: If you're looking to book a shanty, why not book from Wisconsin's very own Northwood SHANTIES?We love feedback! Send us a text...Contact Info:We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com.Also, we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!
Today's theme was sweet -- literally! You'll know why within 30 seconds of the start of today's episode, or, if you're in more of a hurry, within 30 milliseconds of glancing at the grid. There were some fine clues in today's puzzle. We doff our hats in recognition of 25D, Land of llamas and Llosa, PERU; 62A, "Really?", HUH; and finally, the wry 39A, Like poker champion Chris Moneymaker's name, APT. Show note imagery: Elphaba and Glinda singing "Defying Gravity", which takes place in ACTI of "Wicked".We love feedback! Send us a text...Contact Info:We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com.Also, we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!
This was an ab fab Tuesday crossword by Peter Gorman, with an admirably serpentine theme, as we explain in today's episode (and, as usual, you can see by checking out the solution at xwordinfo.com). Beyond the theme, there were sone other unexpected answers - our favorite kind! Finally, icing on the cake, we have our fabled Triplet Tuesday™️ segment for your listening pleasure. Enjoy!Show note imagery: All aboard the Glacier Express, a definite must-see if you're in the ALPS.We love feedback! Send us a text...Contact Info:We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com.Also, we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!
Writing the clues for today's crossword must've been quite the chore, but Brian Callahan has done himself proud. It took a bit of cultural archeology to make sense of 64A, Coneheads, e.g., for short, ETS (a reference to SNL characters); it took no effort at all to meander down the wrong path while contemplating 1A, "Catfish" channel: MTV (oh, that sort of catfish); and we still cannot believe that after 82 years, 6A, Contract from a publisher, BOOKDEAL, still turned out to be a debut. However, xwordinfo.com claims it is, and so ... it is!Show note imagery: A delicious CHALUPAWe love feedback! Send us a text...Contact Info:We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com.Also, we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!
This was an astonishingly good Sunday crossword by John Kugelman, thanks to a jaw-dropping display of anagrammatic magic. We've got all the deets inside, so be prepared, to be amazed!Show note imagery: THOMASEDISON, who in 1904 obtained a patent for an electric car, was only about 100 years or so ahead of his time.We love feedback! Send us a text...Contact Info:We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com.Also, we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!
This was a relatively straightforward Saturday crossword, but the clues included 7 debuts (and 2 that have not been seen in donkey's years): that made for an intriguing grid, and we definitely enjoyed the solve. Of course, based on the Law of Conservation of Crossword Difficulty (which, as we recall, won Margaret Farrar a Nobel prize in Cruciverbalism in 1960), it means that tomorrow's crossword could be nigh well impossible. We'll find out then!Show note imagery: Brooke Ashby, a WVU Mountaineer mascot (during the COVID-19 pandemic)We love feedback! Send us a text...Contact Info:We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com.Also, we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!
This was an excellent debut crossword by Fritz Juhnke: the clues and answers were fascinating, offering plenty of opportunities for AHAMOMENTs. There were several answers that neither cohost had ever even heard of (but have now!), always a good sign when working on an end-of-the-week crossword.Besides the crossword, we have a terrific Fun Fact Friday™️ segment for your edification, so have a listen, and, as always, let us know what you think!Show note imagery: A REGNANT, King Charles III, on the left, and a non-REGNANT, Queen Camilla, on the rightWe love feedback! Send us a text...Contact Info:We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com.Also, we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!
This was a delightfully crunchy crossword by Ginny Too - her third NYTimes crossword in about a year. There were a boatload of novel clues†, which made the solve just that much more satisfying. We have the deets inside, so have a listen, and please tell others about us on social media.Show note imagery: Behold, a MELISMA (multiple notes sung over one syllable)†like 14A, † symbols on manuscripts, OBELIWe love feedback! Send us a text...Contact Info:We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com.Also, we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!
Joseph Gangi has had 4 NYTimes crosswords published, all of them Wednesdays. He clearly has the difficulty level down pat, and his themes are always inventive: today's crossword being a case in point.Apart from the clues scrutinized in today's podcast, we'd like to draw your attention to 33A, "I don't mind ___ / Except as meals. / And the way they feels": Ogden Nash, EELS; 37D, Word aptly hidden in "turned yellow", DYE; and our favorite rapper, 61D, ______ Nas X, LIL.Show note imagery: The ISUZU river, with, alas, no ISUZU vehicles crossing the bridgeWe love feedback! Send us a text...Contact Info:We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com.Also, we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!
In honor of the heatwave that some of you may be experiencing, Jeremy Newton has crafted a cool crossword to cool you down. ☃️ You are cordially invited to chill out with us as we frolic through the grid (and, of course, another great edition of Triplet Tuesday™️).Show note imagery: CICERO, who presumably was at a very bad party when he uttered his famous phrase, "Silence is one of the great arts of conversation".We love feedback! Send us a text...Contact Info:We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com.Also, we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!
Alright, here's a challenge: what word has appeared in the NYTimes crossword grid a whopping 926 times, counting today? We'll let you ponder that, and wait until the end of these show notes for the "big reveal".There were a lot of very fine clues in today's puzzle. We were fans of 4A, What an angry customer may leave, NOTIP. We also liked the zing of 60D, Something to pick up at a beach, TAN; and finally we enjoyed trying to figure out how much our local walk-in clinic would charge for 54D, Treat with bananas and ice cream, SPLIT -- delish!Show note imagery: ENOLA, on the BBC
This was a fun crossword by Michael Schlossberg. The theme gave us an opportunity to -- at last! -- use the word "idiom" in a sentence without sounding like an idiot
In the pantheon of great cruciverbalists, there clearly needs to be a pedestal with Erik Agard's name on it. Why? Just check out today's crossword (and podcast!), or any of Erik's 81 other crosswords that have appeared in the NYTimes. This one being a Saturday, it was tough -- and Mike found it almost streak-breakingly-so, whereas Jean, to whom people are apt to turn when Wikipedia doesn't deliver the goods, had a much easier time of it. Deets inside!Show note imagery: An AIREDALETERRIER (from the Anglo-Saxon for "awwwwwww, so cute").We love feedback! Send us a text...Contact Info:We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com.Also, we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!
Kelly Morenus has crafted a superb Friday crossword, challenging but not overwhelming (although YMMV depending upon your life experiences, how many crosswords you have solved previously, and, at least a SKOSH of good luck). We've covered a hefty tranche of clues in today's episode, but we'd also like to give a shoutout to 4D, The Brickyard 400 or Southern 500, e.g., NASCARRACE; 32A, Between then and now, SINCE (good one!); and something that you should utter once you've solved a crossword this challenging, 31A, Verbal flourishes, TADAS.Show note imagery: a LUGER, in actionWe love feedback! Send us a text...Contact Info:We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com.Also, we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!
Thesauri will have to be cracked open to do justice to today's crossword, it was that extraordinary/astonishing/engrossing/ingenious/delightful. It was, of course, the theme that made it so, one that took both cohosts, working independently as always, no little time to suss out; but that just made the eventual "aha!" moment that much sweeter. Deets inside!Show note imagery: From left to right, Alpha Centauri A, Alpha Centauri B, and Proxima Centauri, a triple star system!We love feedback! Send us a text...Contact Info:We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com.Also, we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!
This was a highly elegant Wednesday crossword, featuring that most elegant of drinks (and one of the most famous letters in the English alphabet
For those of you pondering the episode title, no, our quality control department has not dropped the ball, but rather made a wry (but not awry
This was a Monday crossword, which means that a) it should not be particularly difficult for experienced solvers, and b) entertaining. We are pleased to report that it met both criteria, and we submit today's podcast as Exhibit A.Remember, the NYTimes crossword is a great way to keep expanding your lexicon and keeping those neurons in peak fighting form. To subscribe, just cruise over to nytimes.com/subscription/games, signing up is as easy as
Today's crossword had bells, whistles, and even an EHRU thrown into the mix. It was by Brandon Koppy, however, so at no time did the quality of the puzzle ever dip below 5 squares on the JAMCR scale. Quite a few of the clues got our attention, including 30D, Strung rungs, ROPELADDER (that clue is just sooo much fun to pronounce!); 100A, Chore-o-graph, TODOLIST (brilliant!!!); and 55D, The old you?, THEE (tee-hee
This was a terrific Saturday crossword, because the clues were just brilliant. Who could resist the allure of 58A, Member of a sub-Saharan matriarchal clan, HYENA; or the sly 61D, Wit's end?, NESS; or the witty 29D, Went from 0 to 60?, AGED. And the rest of the clues were of similar caliber, the quality control was that good. Kudos to Katie for this splendid, JAMCR scale-pegging puzzle!Show note imagery: Sidney Crosby (airborne), celebrating his GOLDENGOAL in the 2010 Winter Olympic Games, in VancouverWe love feedback! Send us a text...Contact Info:We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com.Also, we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!
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