Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

This was a crunchy Sunday crossword, with much of the crunch coming from Michael and Oliver Schlossbergs' dizzyingly brilliant theme. As fans of both crosswords and roundabouts, we were absolutely delighted by today's fare. Check out today's episode for all the deets.Show note imagery: Gertrude EDERLE, the first woman to swim the English Channel. She did so in 14h34m, demolishing the old record of 16h33m. 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!

Katie Hoody, the Queen of Saturdays, is back again with an excellent example of the genre. In today's puzzle, the clues were deliciously deceiving, but the amount of pop culture sufficiently tamped down to give pop-culture-challenged solvers like Mike a fighting chance. Just to give you a taste of Katie's talents, take a gander at 3D, Add to a columbarium, say, INURN (ye gads!); 48D, Former M.L.B. team with the mascot Youppi!, EXPOS (yippee!); and 41A, Start of a Christmas carol in Latin, ADESTE (a reminder, in case you needed it, that this is a Saturday NYTimes crossword). tldr; A crossword that hits the sweet spot for Saturdays, we loved it!Show note imagery: Youppi!,  the former mascot of the Montreal Expos,  current mascot of the storied Montreal Canadians, and one of only 3 mascots in the Baseball Hall of Fame.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, a fine effort by Zachary David Levy, will not induce neuralgia, aka BRAINFREEZE, rather just the opposite:  it will cause those billions of neurons to put in time-and-a-half in order to get through this challenging but ultimately highly rewarding Friday crossword. Deets inside.Besides the crossword, we have one of the shortest Fun Fact Friday segments on record, and an absolutely awesome piece of listener mail / feedback about yesterday's puzzle, by itself worth the listen.Show note imagery: R.U.D.I., thinking it over ...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!

Yesterday's crossword was all about sequels, and today's crossword is itself a sequel — the second for constructor Alex Murphy. That could be coincidence, or it could be another example of Will Shortz's untamable genius: we're betting on the latter. While the foundation of today's crossword was a splendid theme, it was supported by some other great clues. We loved 3D, See 4-Down, HALF, and 4D, Double 3-Down, ONE. The debut at 47D, Some online discounts, EBATES, also tickled our fancy. Finally, we certainly chuckled at 24D, Hold it!, REIN (cute!).Show note imagery: Billy IDOL, who recorded a jaw-droppingly fabulous version of Mony Mony. 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!

While Mike often has no idea what's going on with the theme, it is a blue moon day indeed when Jean also fails to get the gist of the thing. While the moon is currently set, we feel fairly confident that when it rises — at 3:35 AM, so we will not be personal witnesses to the event — it will appear blue.But blue does not capture our mood when working on today's crossword, because even though we did not immediately suss out the theme, our failure to do so did not significantly impede our progress. Three cheers for the crosses.

Today's crossword, by Killian Olson, was funny, punny, and a subtle reward for those of you who paid attention in Art Appreciation 101. We loved it, and today's episode spells out why.In honor of Tuesday, we have another Triplet Tuesday segment, and it is historic — as well as hysteric(al) — so be sure and check it out!Show note imagery: The Buffet, by PAULCEZANNEWe 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!

There's a lot of pressure resting on a Monday crossword's black-and-white shoulders: welcome and educate new solvers, retain and entertain experienced ones, and above all, don't be boring. Today's crossword, a debut by Matthew Luter, bears that burden well, as today's podcast makes (we hope!) abundantly clear.Beyond the crossword, we've picked our JAMCOTWA™️ (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award) for last week. Did we pick your favorite? Let us know in the usual way.Show note imagery: Look, up there in the sky, it's ... um, a SKYE

The very talented Alex Eaton-Salners is back with a cheery Sunday crossword engineered to lift your spirits (if they are sagging) or elevate you to almost Elysian heights (if you are already in a good mood) — and the good news, he succeeds magnificently. The proof is in the pudding ... er, podcast

Today's crossword was replete with awesome clues — pretty much all of them were fresh, imaginative, and entertaining. We covered a slew of them in today's episode, but even though we used our "end-of-class-but-we-want-to-slip-in-one-more-slide" delivery style, we didn't have time to cover them all. We regret, in particular, not being able to squeeze in 36D, Stuck under a blanket, perhaps, SNOWEDIN (bravo!); 33D, They've been played!, ROLES (brava!); and as we can definitely attest based on this week's weather in NE Wisconsin, 27A, It's not nice to walk in this, SLEET.Besides our analysis of today's crossword, the icing on the cake is some terrific listener mail, so check it out!Show note imagery: Some of Jeff KOONS' steel balloon animalsWe 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 marks Rafael Musa and Rebecca Goldstein's 4th NYTimes crossword collaboration, and it is a fine piece of work. Being a Friday, it was themeless, but there were oodles of admirable clues in today's grid. We particularly enjoyed 36D, Be a hero, say, COSPLAY (bravo!); 17A, Going against the grain?, GLUTENFREE (magnifique!); and the groan-worthy 26A, Fare way to go?, BUSRIDES (oy!) — but the rest of the grid was equally eloquent. We eagerly anticipate RM and RG's next collaboration.Show note imagery: The world's longest river, the Nile, meandering through CAIROWe 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 full of surprises. The theme? A surprise. The correct spelling of DADAIST? A surprise (at least to Mike). The fabulous 51D, Nation whose name sounds like a plea for seconds, SAMOA? Unsurprisingly, based on the lead-up to this sentence, a surprise. The only thing that we were not surprised by, at all, is that John Kugelman has crafted another fine Thursday crossword. That was completely expected.Show note imagery: EUROPA, the smallest of Jupiter's Galilean moons, a possible source of alien life in its vast oceans, and a very popular tourist destination, we reckon, in the 2080s.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!

Adam Vincent has turned in an ab fab Wednesday crossword. The theme was highly amusing, and the rest of the clues equally awesome. We cover a lot of them in today's podcast, because they definitely deserve their 15 minutes.Show note imagery: Oreos that change color when dipped in milk? Truly we live in an age of wonders

MADISON, Wisconsin is a wonderful city that has received many accolades over the years, but one has always eluded it: recognition in the NYTimes crossword. We are pleased to report that those sorrowful years are now in the past, for in today's crossword Kiran Pandey has chosen to clue it as "Midwest capital named for a president", and in consequence Wisconsinites are dancing in the streets (but slowly: it's 17° out and dropping fast).In other news, we have another Triplet Tuesday segment for your listening pleasure. This time Jean's the interrogator, so to see how the interrogatee fared, have a listen to today's episode.Show note imagery: The Capitol building in MADISON, Wi, where it's always 72° with blue skies, and a light breeze from the northwest.According to the National Institutes of Health, one way to keep your little gray cells running at peak efficiency is to do daily battle with a crossword. The NYTimes would be glad to be your sparring partner: just wander over to the NYTimes subscription page, and they'll do the rest.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 superb and somewhat crunchier than usual Monday crossword, a side-effect perhaps of an excellent, and about as NYTimes-ish as you can hope for, theme. For all those reasons we are delighted to give this a full five squares on the JAMCR scale.In addition to today's crossword, we've picked out our JAMCOTWA™️ (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award), so to find out who, and why, download today's episode and have a listen.Show note imagery:  Downtown ORONO, MaineWe 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 a real deal — two themes for he price of one. But, here's the kicker (and the reason why this puzzle was worthy of the NYTimes): the two themes were slyly related in a way that we will not spoil here, but let you discover on your own, in today's episode.Show note imagery: ARSENE Lupin, gentlemen thief and nemesis of Herlock Sholmes (really!)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!

Kameron Austin Collins (aka KAC) has a reputation for writing streak-killing crosswords. Today, however, KAC is playing against type — and the result is a tough, doable puzzle that doubles as a master class in how to write great clues. We've covered our favorites on today's podcast, but here are a few more for your consideration. First, we have 33A, Hip places, BELTLINES (nice!); 32D, Tanning target, PELT (oh, that kind of tan); and the short, sweet, and somewhat cryptic 26A, Flutter, BATS. A fine crossword, most definitely deserving a 5 out of 5 on the JAMCR scale.Show note imagery: William Pitt "the Younger", a Whig wearing a wig

Today marks Joe Marquez's sixth NYTimes crossword. Having started in 2023, that amounts to about 2 crosswords per year — not too shabby! This particular puzzle was particularly non-shabby, with a wry theme and a slew of entertaining clues. We were impressed by 54D, Be important, COUNT (we know you do, listeners!); bedazzled by 51D, Hurricane or mudslide, DRINK (ha!); and suitably perplexed by 12D, Carry the ball in volleyball, e.g., ERR (got it!). Show note imagery: Black opal, a rare gem that is suspiciously colorfulWe 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 proponents of the "when life gives you lemons, make lemonade" philosophy, and it made for an awesome theme — tales of happy accidents that led to some critically acclaimed discoveries/inventions. We don't want to spoil the suspense by mentioning those particular accidents here, but fortunately, history is replete with examples of the genre. So while the author, John Guzzetta, couldn't work Superglue, pacemakers, x-rays, and plastic-eating enzymes into the grid, these, too, were discovered/invented by accident.Show note imagery: Henry Coover Jr (right), the (accidental) inventor of Superglue™️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!

Just like the dish in the title, today's crossword was yummy. We found the theme delicious, the clues tangy, and like all good crosswords it left us wanting more. Just to give you a taste, we had 34A, Hardwood tree ... or what's left after it burns, ASH (nice one!); 30D, Something a Möbius strip lacks, END (true, dat); and 48A, Word with shift or skeleton, KEY

This was a fine Monday crossword, straightforward but with a wry theme and clues that spanned a wide gamut of years. For instance, 3D, Bobby, Peter or Greg, to Carol Brady, STEPSON (circa 1969); 46D, Beats by ___ (headphone brand), DRE (est. 2006); and 67A, "___ gratia artis" (classic MGM motto), ARS (roared into life in 1924). So, regardless of what your generation is, there are at least some clues in today's puzzle that you'll read and say, GEE, I know that one.In honor of Monday we have another JAMCOTWA™️ (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award) to bestow, and bestow we did

Kelly Richardson has crafted a delightful and timely puzzle in honor of INTERNATIONALWOMENSDAY, in which all of the crosses are the names of famous women — all the way from ISSA Ray to HEDY Lamar. It is an impressive and historically interesting compilation. Have a look at it, see how many of those women you recognize, and let us know: whoever recognizes the most will win a rare and therefore highly coveted Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword t-shirt!Show note imagery: CAIRO, "City of a Thousand Minarets". OK, here we go: wahid, itnan, talata, arba, yup, this is going to take a while

If crosswords were animals, then today's, by Fritz Juhnke, would be Godzilla, smashing its way through streaks like nobody's business. Fritz was relentless, piling tough clue atop tough clue. From 28D, Dry streamed, WASH, to 66A, Ninnyhammer, MORON, to 48A, When strikes go on the longest?, NOON, he never took his foot off the petal. We take a deep dive through the grid, and we have some great listener mail, so have a listen, and, as always, we welcome your feedback.Show note imagery: A cheese rolling race at Cooper's Hill, where merriment and broken ankles occur in just about equal measure

Ah, this was a rigorous Friday crossword — the kind that, after you've solved it (er, if you've solved it), makes you feel a little taller, and compelled to regale your friends with cruciverbial tales of daring-do. Every clue in this crossword makes you think, and many may cause you to shake your head in awe when you finally solve them. We've got the whole blow-by-blow in today's episode, as well as a brilliant Fun Fact Friday segment, so check 'em out now!Show note imagery: FARRO, the antidote when life seems too unfair-oh!

Making any crossword is challenging; but making a crossword like this one seems almost impossible. Fortunately, constructor Hanh Huynh doesn't know the meaning of the word impossible ... no wait, he probably does: but unless he's some sort of polyglot he almost surely doesn't know the meaning of the word кинути, which explains at least in part the existence of today's magnificent puzzle.Deets inside.Show note imagery: Heroism comes in many forms, just ask Jackie Robinson (left), and Pee Wee REESE (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!

Wayne Bergman has crafted a brilliant Wednesday crossword, with several genuinely LOL clues. We discuss several in today's episode, but we'd also like to give a shoutout to 14A, April Fools' Day sign, ARIES (nice!); 34A, Part of a rock band?, ORE (that just rocks!

This was a terrific Tuesday crossword by Drew Schmenner, his seventh for the NYTimes since 2021. As expected, it ticked all the right boxes:a kind, gentle yet clever theme ✅a slew of intriguing yet accessible clues ✅absolutely no spelling mistakes ✅the presence of at least one reference to OREOs ✅Since all the right boxes were ticked, we were not: rather, we were tickled — pink, to be precise. Check out today's episode for all the deets (as well as, of course, our  first Triplet Tuesday segment of the month!).Show note imagery: Our SWOTD (Slang Word Of The Day) really SLAPS ... because it is SLAPS!

This was a very pleasing debut crossword by Leslie Benson, who provides, on xwordinfo.com, an amusing description of this puzzle's construction — some of which apparently took place while she was in a "fuzzy hypnagogic state". Fuzzy or not, the crossword itself was a smooth solve, and an enjoyable one. Check out the podcast for all the deets.In addition to the podcast, in honor of Monday we have selected our JAMCOTWA™️ (Jean & Mike Crossword Of The Week Award), and we are going to go out on a limb here and state, with 100% certainty, that you will either agree with our choice ... or not

Some of the NYTimes' finest crosswords were created by university students. For example, consider, oh, say, today's, by Western University students Matt Proulx and Jeffrey Martinovic. The theme is slick (which should resonate as hilarious as soon as you've sussed out that theme), the grid very colorful,  and the clues perfect for a Sunday, with just a bit of bite. For instance, we had 28D, Nurse, SIP; 38D, They might be head-scratching, FINGERNAILS (and indeed, we were!); and 29A, Is in Montreal?, EST (bien sûr, c'est manifique!)Show note imagery: JW the Mustang, the official mascot of Western UniversityWe 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 marks Adam Levav's fourth NYTimes crossword in just over a year, and you can see from today's awesome puzzle why he keeps getting published. This themeless beast had scads of challenging clues, although nothing too outré — just how we like 'em. For that reason (and many others enumerated in today's episode) we give this a full five squares on the JAMCR scale.Show note imagery: The Blues Brothers, sporting some fine FEDORAsWe 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 a debut by Caroline Hand. Getting any crossword published in the NYTimes is an incredible achievement — and to debut on a Friday doubly so.And now for the numbers: there were 6, count'em, 6 grid-spanning answers, 2 stacks of 3 grid-spanners apiece. The grid contained 4 debut answers, including one of our favorites, 11D, Antediluvian, OLDASDIRT, and the wry 3D, Delivery methods?, CESAREANS. In honor of it being Friday, we also have a Fun Fact Friday™️ segment about Atlanta, in its role as the Hollywood of the South. Finally, we wrap it up with another edition of "Oh that's how you pronounce it!". Enjoy!Show note imagery: DARIUS the Great, king of ancient PersiaWe 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!

Yitzi Snow has created a masterpiece of a crossword: perhaps it's not hanging at the Louvre yet, but we know it'll get there someday. Why, you ask? For three main reasons:ThemeThemeThemeOh, and one more thing:Theme.

This was Brad Lively's second New York Times crossword, and it was stunning, especially, as one might imagine, the ingenious theme. None of the clues were too over the top — with the possible exception of 11A, ___ hair (edgy 2000s trend, EMO.

This was a fine Tuesday crossword by Adam Aaronson, with a subtle theme and a subtler revealer. We were surprised to see, among the 6 debut answers in today's puzzle, 24A, Fender Stratocaster, e.g., ELECTRICGUITAR, and 12D, Festivals often featuring jousting knights, for short, RENFAIRES. We just assumed that, for a crossword that came into existence in 1942, by now someone would have worked these two into the grid — but no, it took Adam to make it happen.In addition to the crossword, also have our Triplet Tuesday™️ segment. Jean's in the hot seat, so tune in to see how she fares.Show note imagery: LiMu EMU and Doug, mascots for Liberty MutualWe 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's hard not to like a crossword with a DELOREAN in the grid, as we can attest: we adored today's puzzle, the fourth in the NYTimes by Hannah Binney. There was a certain novelty and freshness to the clues that made this a particularly pleasing solve, culminating in the most exciting way ever to clue an otherwise mundane answer, 11D, 4.75 seconds to assemble a Mr. Potato Head, per Guinness, RECORD. Brava!*Show note imagery: A time machine that needs no introduction ... if you were born in this century or the last one you already know it

This was a delectable Sunday crossword by Jill Rataloff and Michelle Sontarp, who happen to both work at the same law firm. That might explain 21A, Certain head jurors, FOREMEN, and 125A, Bars, legally, ESTOPS, but does not explain the remainder of this fine puzzle. That's what we, amici curiae, are here to do (as well as show off our knowledge of Latin, or at least how to use Google Translate

Traditionally,  NYTimes crosswords increase in difficulty from Monday to Saturday*. So, if you had problems with today's puzzle, that's perfectly normal and by design: it was built that way.The clues were magnificent, all designed to exercise those little grey cells. We covered the best of these in the podcast, but the rest (still very, very good) included 13D, Many key changes take place in it, CARSHARE (yikes!); 20A, The third primary chakra is located just above it, NAVEL (quick, the fainting couch!); and 11D, Like a spoilsport, NOFUN (and the exact opposite of today's crossword).Show note imagery: LOUISA Catherine Adams, First Lady, 1825-1829*with Sunday characterized as a "large Wednesday" in terms of difficultyWe 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 very pleasing Friday crossword by Kate Hawkins. Being Friday, there was no theme, but that just meant that the rest of the clues had to pull their weight, and they certainly did here.We were delighted to see a reference to our favorite streaming series in 29A, Actress Seehorn of "Pluribus", RHEA. We were chagrinned to discover that we did not recognize 39A, Miracle on the ___ (surprise French/English victory of W.W. I), MARNE. Finally we appreciated the straightforward no-nonsense 56A, Instruction before an M.R.I., LIESTILL (we can almost hear the trailing exclamation point

There were so many great clues and answers in today's puzzle, it's amazing that John Ewbank managed to wrestle them all into a 15x15 grid, but somehow he did. We appreciated the altruism and surely deliberate parallels between 64A, Volunteer's words, ICAN and 45D, "I'm at your disposal", USEME. We also liked the somewhat related onomatopoeia of 25A, Sound of disapproval, HISS and 59D, "Over here!", PSST. Of course, the best part of the crossword was the theme, and to hear all about that, check out today's episode.Show note imagery: Laila ALI, undefeated professional boxer and now host of Home Made Simple, which presumably involves a lot less punching people

If Emojis make your heart go pitter-patter, then put your cardiologist on speed dial because today's puzzle — the fourth by Victor Schmitt — is teeming with them. OK, "teeming" might be a bit of an exaggeration, but they are certainly more prevalent than usual, and contribute to the crossword's high EQ (Entertainment Quotient). Deets inside.In addition to our color commentary on today's crossword, we also have a (belated) Triplet Tuesday segment for your edification. Enjoy!Show note imagery: Yup, that's one MESSY bun!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!

If this crossword was a car, it would be a Bugatti; if it was a watch, it would be a Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime. In short, this was a top-of-the-line Tuesday crossword, built with precision, love, and care, and yet, surprisingly, priced exactly the same as all the other NYTimes crosswords, not a farthing more for that extra pizzazz.What were some of those pizzazz-y clues, you ask? Our favorite was 35D, Tough-but-loving fathers, informally, PAPABEARS (a debut). Our second (and it was a close second) was 18D, Boot out of Europe?, ITALY

Ian Livengood had written a SLEW of NYTimes crosswords between 2010 and 2016. Then, most mysteriously, he vanished — nary a puzzle in sight until, after almost a decade of radio silence, he is back with a fine, extra crunchy Monday crossword, and the world is a better place for it!Show note imagery: Architecture, museums, an awesome university, LILLE has it all...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!

Michael Lieberman and Rebecca Goldstein are, individually, great crossword constructors: together they are greater, as today's puzzle makes abundantly clear. We loved the theme, we loved the clues, Sunday is indeed funday when it includes a crossword this refined. Besides the numerous clues we tackled on the podcast, we would also like to draw your attention to 114A, Calls to task?, PAGES (

This was a fine crossword by David Carp, his sixth for the NYTimes and his third to appear on a Saturday. The crossword was not outrageously difficult by Saturday standards, the clues were cute, and the grid itself was worth the price of admission. We have all the deets inside, so please, have a listen (and don't forget to subscribe, so you don't miss an episode).Did you forget to send a special something to that special someone on this special day? Fear not, you can send a subscription to the NYTimes crossword anytime, 24x7. Just wander over to the NYTimes subscription desk, and they'll be glad to lend a hand.Show note imagery: Bartender, a bottle of your finest CARIB, s'il vous plaît!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 just what we want out of a Friday crossword: daunting, deliciously deceptive cluing and not an iota of crosswordese anywhere in the grid. Evan Mulvihill has succeeded on both counts, as you can hear in today's episode. Besides those clues covered therein, we liked 28A, Really fancy?, COVET; a numerically rich clue about something only the rich could afford, 32A, The 14.54-carat Apollo Blue, e.g., which sold for more than $42 million in 2017, DIAMONDEARRING; and the abfab 37D, Ferruginous pigment, SIENNA (woah!). Nice work, Evan!Show note imagery: SANMARINO, in all its glory!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!

Kareem Ayas has delivered a Valentine's Day present two days early, and both cohosts fell in love with it. The theme is a real chef's kiss, and the rest of the grid equally sweet. This is Kareem's ninth crossword, and they keep getting better and better. Send us number 10, please, ASAP!

This was a terrific mid-week crossword by Joseph Gangi, number seven since his auspicious debut in March of 2022. The theme was ... magnificent. It is almost guaranteed to make you LOL when you get it, so in the interests of not hugely spoiling the crossword, we'll say no more about it (other than encourage you to, naturally, listen to the podcast for the full 411).Show note imagery: A Newfoundland (right) and a Labrador retriever (left), meeting with a host of dignitaries, including the premier of Newfoundland Labrador (the Honorable Dr. Andrew Furey, wearing the red tie)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!

Any time a Hasbro toy makes an appearance in the grid it puts a smile on our faces, and so we are grinning as a consequence of today's crossword — a collaboration between Sarah Sinclair and Amie Walker. The theme was terrific, the rest of the clues equally splendid. Making just his third appearance in the grid, we had at 44D, John _______, longtime writer for The New Yorker, MCPHEE; we had a debut at 37A, "Toy Story 2" character who says "I'm packing you an extra pair of shoes, and your angry eyes, just in case" , MRSPOTATOHEAD; and finally we enjoyed 9D, Do the splits?, DIVIDE. Personally, we are not divided at all: both cohosts adored this crossword.Show note imagery: a DIY CLAPOMETER, just becauseWe 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 never ceases to amaze, how crossword constructors can take a simple phrase and spin it out into as good a puzzle as, say, this one, by Matthew Stock. We liked the theme, and, frankly, everything else in the grid. It included one of our favorite attractions, 15A, St. Louis's Gateway ___ National Park, ARCH; one of our favorite modern British writers, 9D, British novelist Jones, SADIE; and our favorite topographic feature, 40A, Steep-walled canyon, GORGE.Today's episode also contains our latest JAMCOTWA™️ (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award), going to a debut constructor, no less! Deets inside.Show note imagery: A Trireme, propelled by a multitude of OARs.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 Super Crossword for a Super Bowl Sunday. The theme was straightforward but cute, and the rest of the puzzle featured a SEA of crafty clues. For instance, we had 24D, Quick hellos, HIS (ha!); 37D, Villainous chortle, HEHE (heh, heh); and 11D, Wee mewer, KITTEN (cute!).Show note imagery: The Ecstasy of St. Teresa, by BERNINIWe 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!

Mark Diehl has been writing NYTimes Crosswords - predominantly Friday and Saturday puzzles - since 1984. He's eased off as of late, his last appearing in 2020. But he's back with an ingenious Saturday crossword that charmed both cohosts. Check out today's podcast to find out why.Show note imagery: Some SONYREADERSShow note URL: The House of PUTTEES, one of many, many hilarious skits from the masters of deadpan, Bob & Ray.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!

There were some truly awesome clues in today's crossword. We definitely hit the highlights in the podcast, but we'd be remiss if we didn't mention 44D, Stage name of South Korean rapper Park Jae-sang, PSY (Mike's favorite artist!); 47D, Tie one on at dinner, BIB (ha!); and an oldie but goodie, 21D, Parliament constituent, OWL. What a hoot! Show note imagery: One of Disney's greatest creations, ITSASMALLWORLDWe 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!