Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

Today's crossword — the second by Brian Keller — had a plethora of pleasing clues. We enjoyed 13D, Criminally good deal, STEAL; the on-the-nose 26D, Opposite of "nah", YEAH; and the somewhat Yoda-sounding 34D, Avoids injury, say, ISOK. The theme was, needless to say, fabulous. We have all the deets inside, so we cordially invite you to download, listen up, and ... enjoy!Show note imagery: ANUBIS, the Jackal-headed Egyptian deityWe love feedback! Send us a text...Contact Info:We love listener mail! Drop us a line, [email protected], we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!

Today's crossword was an homage to "this sceptered isle", which just happens to be one of our favorite tourist destinations. In short, there's no way we can be unbiased, we loved this puzzle! Other than the crossword, we have another Triplet Tuesday™️ segment for your enjoyment, and Mike's performance was ... a surprise. To keep you in suspense, we won't reveal, at this juncture, whether it was a good surprise or a bad surprise — to ascertain that, you'll need to check out today's episode.Finally, we wrap it up with some wonderful listener mail pertaining to YUTZ, PUTZ and UTZ (either the start of a bad joke, or the name of a worse law firm, you be the judge! 😀 ).Show note imagery: John of Gaunt, known for the "sceptered isle" speech as well as his unparalleled accuracy with a phaser 😀 We love feedback! Send us a text...Contact Info:We love listener mail! Drop us a line, [email protected], we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!

After the excitement of the last few days, we confess a certain pleasure in tackling a more laid-back crossword, one that did not require all neurons on deck, and what some might term an excessive amount of gnashing of teeth, to get the job done. We were anticipating that this might be the case, but appreciated the confirmation nonetheless. Hats off to Joel Woodford (this is his second NYTimes crossword) for an entertaining start to our puzzle-solving week.Show note imagery: Vientiane, Laos!We love feedback! Send us a text...Contact Info:We love listener mail! Drop us a line, [email protected], we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!

Today's crossword was — depending on which cohost you ask — a slightly crunchier than usual Sunday, or a puzzle just a shade less difficult than decrypting the Rosetta Stone in the dark while wearing gloves. Regardless, the puzzle could be solved, and the payoff was extraordinary, with the AHA! moment in the center of the grid being particularly epic. Deets inside.Show note imagery: Feng Wang, playing an EHRU.We love feedback! Send us a text...Contact Info:We love listener mail! Drop us a line, [email protected], we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!

This was an awe-droppingly good Saturday crossword by Katie Hoody. Each clue, individually, is a work of art in miniature, and collectively, this crossword is simply a work of art. This was, make no mistake about it, a tough crossword: but it was fair, with little to no use of pop culture (Mike's nemesis), just inspiring plays on words.This definitely, positively, pegs the meter on the JAMCR scale — a full 5 squares.Show note imagery: AMYS, one of our favorite pizzas!We love feedback! Send us a text...Contact Info:We love listener mail! Drop us a line, [email protected], we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!

Today's crossword was (checks calendar) classified as a Friday, but it was definitely on the tougher side of the Friday spectrum. Did our intrepid cohosts manage to solve the puzzle? Or did they go down in flames? To find out, as well as hear a fabulous Fun Fact Friday™️ segment, checkout today's episode.Show note imagery: MANIOC (aka cassava or yuca) is a woody shrub native to South America from which we get, among other things, tapioca.We love feedback! Send us a text...Contact Info:We love listener mail! Drop us a line, [email protected], we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!

Today's crossword — the product of two highly accomplished crossword constructors, John Guzzetta and Jeff Chen, and one world-renowned crossword editor, Will Shortz — is, in a word, an absolute delight. OK, technically that's three words, but this crossword is so impressive that it deserves the extra praise. We explain why in detail in today's episode, so do have a listen, and, let us know if you concur.Show note imagery: A SKUA, on the hunt!We love feedback! Send us a text...Contact Info:We love listener mail! Drop us a line, [email protected], we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!

A second constructor in a row is making their debut — today it is James Mattina, an internist in Montréal, who has delivered a lovely crossword that is guaranteed to grow on you — a sentence that will become uproariously funny* once you've checked out today's episode.Show note imagery: The Stax Museum of American Soul Music, in Memphis, TN*or at least cause a mild twitching of the zygomaticus major and zygomaticus minor muscles****the muscles repsonsible for smilingWe love feedback! Send us a text...Contact Info:We love listener mail! Drop us a line, [email protected], we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!

Today's crossword was a debut for Max Schlenker: congratulations, felicitations, etc., first for writing such a fine crossword, and second, for getting it accepted. We take a stroll through the grid in today's episode, and you, dear reader/listener, are cordially invited to join us on the journey.Besides the crossword, since it is Tuesday, we have a Triplet Tuesday™️ segment, and this time Jean's doing the high-wire act, and without a net (gasp!) or even Annette (who?! 🙄) .Show note imagery: Alpha-Bits, they're ABC Delicious 😀 We love feedback! Send us a text...Contact Info:We love listener mail! Drop us a line, [email protected], we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!

Today's crossword marked a fine way to start our crossword-solving week, with a witty theme, straightforward clues, and — as one would expect on a Monday — very few problem areas. And yet, demonstrating his ability to be OTM (OBTUSER Than Most™️), Mike was able to get temporarily mired in the grid. You can hear all the shocking details inside, and discover the well-deserved winner of this week's JAMCOTWA™️ (Jean And Mike Crossword Of the Week Award).Show note imagery: Don't delay, learn how to BELAY today 🙄We love feedback! Send us a text...Contact Info:We love listener mail! Drop us a line, [email protected], we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!

This is Mark Diehl's 80th NYTimes crossword since 1984, so it is abundantly obvious that he knows a thing or twenty about writing great crosswords. His talents are on full display today — the theme is a puzzle in a puzzle, and the rest of the clues are quite crunchy. Jean & Co. worked through the crossword fairly expeditiously, Mike got bogged down in several areas, but managed to haul himself out in spite of not knowing a distressingly high number of clues.Show note imagery: One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, by KENKESEYWe love feedback! Send us a text...Contact Info:We love listener mail! Drop us a line, [email protected], we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!

Our cohosts had very different takes on today's crossword, a truly extraordinary work of art by Hannah Slovut. Jean & Co. found it to be a stiff breeze, Mike found it to be more of an F-5 tornado. Happily, all parties did get the puzzle solved (er, eventually), and were appropriately awed and energized by the experience. Show note imagery: Artemis II, just getting started.We love feedback! Send us a text...Contact Info:We love listener mail! Drop us a line, [email protected], we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!

Kudos to Rena Cohen for crafting an excellent crossword, her first to appear on a Friday. The clues were quite interesting: we always appreciate crosswords that both entertain and teach, as this one does so well.Speaking of entertaining and teaching, we also have a Fun Fact Friday segment that does just that. Check it out!Show note imagery: Yes, this too is a baguette (technically, it's a type of cut, used for diamonds and other precious stones)We love feedback! Send us a text...Contact Info:We love listener mail! Drop us a line, [email protected], we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!

When Aristotle wrote that "the whole is greater than the sum of the parts", he most likely did not have crossword constructors Lance Enfinger and John Kugelman in mind. But the thought still applies — these individually talented constructors have crafted an exceptional puzzle, and the proof is as close as your play button.Show note imagery: One of RUBE Goldberg's many, many inventions.We love feedback! Send us a text...Contact Info:We love listener mail! Drop us a line, [email protected], we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!

Joseph Gangi's eighth NYTimes crossword was so much more than a mere middling midweek crossword: it had a splendid array of intriguing clues. We loved 4D, Half of many a union-to-be, BRIDE; marveled at the "maritime corner", 20A, Pirate's booty, LOOT and 22A, Swabbie's tool, MOP; and almost swooned at the mention of our very, very favorite comic character, 49A, World War I Flying _______ (Snoopy alter ego), ACE. Show note imagery: The ODEON Theater, in Amman, JordanWe love feedback! Send us a text...Contact Info:We love listener mail! Drop us a line, [email protected], we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!

King Charles is stateside, and it had been such a fervent hope of ours that the NYTimes crossword theme would celebrate his arrival that we might have possibly, arguably, read a tad bit too much into today's grid. We'll let you, dear listeners, be the judge: did we stumble upon a very, very subtle "Welcome King Charles" theme, or do we have to stop watching reruns of Downton Abbey before doing the crossword? Let us know!Show note imagery: King Charles, getting ready to do battle with the Saturday NYTimes crossword!We love feedback! Send us a text...Contact Info:We love listener mail! Drop us a line, [email protected], we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!

Neville Fogarty has published an NYTimes crossword every day of the week save Saturday. Today he had the foot off the pedal, resulting in this kinder, gentler puzzle — which ironically and amusingly took Mike 4x longer than usual to solve. There is a good reason for this, however, explained in today's episode.Also in today's episode, we have chosen this week's JAMCOTWA™️ (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award). Deets, as usual,  inside.Show note imagery: Olive Garden, known for its bottomless salad bowls, its delectable PASTA, and breadsticks to die forWe love feedback! Send us a text...Contact Info:We love listener mail! Drop us a line, [email protected], we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!

Rebecca Goldstein has delivered a fine Sunday crossword with gems scattered throughout the grid. Our favorites included 119A, It has its ups and downs, YOYO (🪀); 11D, Stick used for breaking, CUE (🎱);  the good-to-know 56D, Insect with more than 14,000 known species, ANT (🐜); and the audacious musician 9D, "Hanukkah in Santa Monica" songwriter Tom, LEHRER (🎹).Show note imagery: EVOO, aka Extra Virgin Olive Oil, which, according to the Completely Unbiased EVOO Trade Association, will cure anything that ails you! 😉We love feedback! Send us a text...Contact Info:We love listener mail! Drop us a line, [email protected], we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!

There is no doubt that Sam Ezersky is very good at writing Saturday-level crosswords — he has had 23 of them published since 2012 (out of a total of 64). His talents are on full display today, as he has turned in an entertaining, eye-catching puzzle that impresses in every corner. Both cohosts were suitably awed, and you can hear the full 411 in today's episode.Show note imagery: ERES Mia, by Romeo SantosWe love feedback! Send us a text...Contact Info:We love listener mail! Drop us a line, [email protected], we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!

This was an unexpectedly crunchy Friday crossword, with lots of brilliantly concealed traps for the unwary solver. We loved every "there goes the ol' streak, it was good knowin' ya" moment, as we toiled, and toiled, and toiled away. We give it a full 5 squares on the JAMCR scale, and if we could, we'd give it more! Deets inside.Show note imagery: A very young John Travolta, playing VINNIE Barbarino on "Welcome Back, Kotter"We love feedback! Send us a text...Contact Info:We love listener mail! Drop us a line, [email protected], we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!

This is Zhou Zhang and Kevin Curry's second collaboration, and it is an uber-awesome bit of cruciverbal magic. They started with a chef's kiss of a theme, puzzling with a powerful payoff; they ended with a slew of equally awesome clues. Consider: 42A, What the "Music City Miracle" and the "Immaculate Reception" took place in, NFLAMES (😀); 44A. Alternative to bow ties, PENNE (😀 😀); and 48A, Test release?, TIMESUP (😀 😀 😀).We cannot wait for ZZ and KC's third collaboration, best on prior work it's sure to be a hoot.Show note imagery: In the worlds of the immortal Yoda, "DO, or DONUT, there is no try" 🙄We love feedback! Send us a text...Contact Info:We love listener mail! Drop us a line, [email protected], we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!

Today's crossword was an homage to Earth Day, and we loved it! One of the big no-no's in crossword construction was ignored in the making of today's puzzle, but it was for the sake of the theme, so the author, Hoang-Kim Vu, gets a pass. And we'd give this crossword more than just a passing grade ... we'd rate it as a full 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.Deets inside.Show note imagery: ODIN, along with Huginn and Muninn (which if they aren't the names of hotel chains, they ought to be 😀)We love feedback! Send us a text...Contact Info:We love listener mail! Drop us a line, [email protected], we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!

This was a nicely crafted Tuesday crossword. The theme was fun and straightforward, and the themed clues were in good company. For instance, the puzzle included our favorite snake — 51A, Reptiles on papyrus, ASPS; our favorite dwelling — 66A, Circular tent, YURT; and finally our favorite currency that is too often tragically mistaken for a fruit, 18D, Haitian currency unit, GOURDE.In addition to the crossword, we are pleased to announce that we are up to our full complement of cohosts, i.e., 2, making our Triplet Tuesday segment that much easier. Show note imagery: Pablo Neruda (right), receiving the Nobel Prize in Literature from King Gustav Vi Adolf, King of Sweden from 1950-1973.We love feedback! Send us a text...Contact Info:We love listener mail! Drop us a line, [email protected], we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!

This was a perfect Sunday crossword by Michael Lieberman. Mike (cohost, not constructor 😀) needed to resort to pencil and paper (!) to help visualize the theme, and thoroughly enjoyed the sheer tactile-ness of it all. We have all the deets inside, so have a download and a listen, and let us know what you think!Show note imagery: Some delicious RASTA pastaWe love feedback! Send us a text...Contact Info:We love listener mail! Drop us a line, [email protected], we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!

This was a very nice Saturday crossword by Jesse Cohn, almost exactly one year since he last published on a Saturday. The clues were interesting / challenging / suitably obscure, as one would hope. Several stood out, including 12D, Blitzed, SAUCED; 26A, Metros in the 1990s, GEOS; and 27D, Relatives of ottomans, HASSOCKS. All in all this was a fine addition to the Saturday pantheon; we give it a full and enthusiastic 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.Show note imagery: NEON, the 5th most common element in the universe — quite fortunate, because no matter what your species, you can never have enough OPEN signs and/or lightsabers 😀 We love feedback! Send us a text...Contact Info:We love listener mail! Drop us a line, [email protected], we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!

Friday crosswords have a lot of weight on their shoulders: they need to be entertaining (of course); themeless (by convention); and ramp up the difficulty to just the right level so that Saturday doesn't see like a quantum leap from Thursday. We are pleased to report that Rachel Fabi's latest crossword checks all the boxes. To confirm that, be sure and check out today's episode, available ... right now!Show note imagery: Negative Nancy, not to be confused with whining Willy!We love feedback! Send us a text...Contact Info:We love listener mail! Drop us a line, [email protected], we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!

This was a terrific crossword by Rafael Musa — who usually works the Friday side of the street — and Sala Wanetick. The theme was ingenious and, as we discuss in today's episode, almost impossible to miss. Speaking of miss, we hope you won't miss this or any future episodes: click on follow / subscribe / whatever on your podcast-supplying app of choice to ensure that such a calamity does not befell you!Show note imagery: a NOSEEUM, member of the family Ceratopogonidae, most definitely not to scale (whew!)We love feedback! Send us a text...Contact Info:We love listener mail! Drop us a line, [email protected], we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!

We are definitely Adam Wagner fans, and our idol does not disappoint today. The theme is inspired, the clues perfect for a Wednesday, and the entire puzzle is suffused with a lively and cheery spirit that put a smile on our faces. We approve, and give it an often sought but rarely delivered 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.Show note imagery: Members of SKATEPUNK band Blink-182We love feedback! Send us a text...Contact Info:We love listener mail! Drop us a line, [email protected], we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!

Mark Diehl is certainly a veteran crossword constructor — his first NYTimes crossword was published in 1984! He hasn't lost his touch, though: this was a terrific Tuesday with a boffo theme.Besides the crossword, it's Triplet Tuesday™️, and the spotlight's on Mike. Will he rise to the challenge or, tragically, go down in flames? Tune in to find out!Finally, we have an inspirational piece of listener mail about that most elusive and valuable of commodities — grit — the internal kind that keeps you driving forward, striving for success (as measured, in this context at least, by the cheery "happy music" theme).Show note imagery: The Taxman (or woman) cometh!We love feedback! Send us a text...Contact Info:We love listener mail! Drop us a line, [email protected], we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!

This was a splendid Monday crossword, arguably slightly crunchier than usual, but still definitely on the Monday side of the scale. A few of those crunchier clues included 46D, Afghan language, PASHTO (🤔); 28A, "There's ___ in 'team,' but there is one in 'win'", NOI (😀); and 53D, City NE of Manchester, LEEDS (🇬🇧).In addition to the crossword, we have also selected our JAMCOTWA™️ (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award), and we are sure that you'll agree that ... the crossword in question definitely came out last week 😉.Show note imagery: A collection of AESOP's fables ( most likely not signed by the author 😀). We love feedback! Send us a text...Contact Info:We love listener mail! Drop us a line, [email protected], we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!

We did not know, until several hours ago, that PARADIDDLE was a word. But now that we do, we're going to try and work it into conversation whenever, and however, we can. That will not be easy, alas, because PARADIDDLE is the answer to 73D, Basic drumming pattern: the opportunities to deploy it will likely be few and far between.Speaking of musicians, we were also thrilled to learn of the existence of 54D, Hip-hop artists with unintelligible lyrics, MUMBLERAPPERS. We put that right up there with PARADIDDLE as a life-changing discovery, and personally want to thank constructors Lance Enfinger, John Kugelman, and, of course, Will Shortz, for making the puzzle that made all this possible.Show note imagery: PARADIDDLES apparently do not live alone: they are quite sociable, and cluster in familiesWe love feedback! Send us a text...Contact Info:We love listener mail! Drop us a line, [email protected], we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!

Our intrepid cohosts, solving independently as usual, took very different crossword solving journeys in tackling this, Kareem Ayas' tenth NYTimes opus. Jean found it a walk in the park; Mike found it more of a free solo event, in which one false move could be fatal (to his streak 😀). Both cohosts did succeed. Jean's time was quite good; Mike's time was impressive, simply because of the sheer number of digits in it. Deets inside.Show note imagery: Some MASERATIS — we'll take three, please 😀 🤑We love feedback! Send us a text...Contact Info:We love listener mail! Drop us a line, [email protected], we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!

Dale Chihuly is an incredibly gifted artist, but AFAWCT he has never appeared in the grid of the NYTimes crossword. Consequently, it was most gratifying to at least see his name in a clue,  specifically 29A, Like the glass in many a Dale Chihuly sculpture, FUSED. Today's episode includes a bit more about Dale, as well as, oh, yes, the rest of the crossword, and a terrific Fun Fact Friday segment. So, have a listen, and, as always, please tell others about us on social media.Show note imagery: Dale Chihuly's Mendota Wall, a brilliant work of art at his alma matter, the University of Wisconsin Madison.We love feedback! Send us a text...Contact Info:We love listener mail! Drop us a line, [email protected], we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!

Today's grid is sweet — literally, thanks to all those delicious, disguised dessert items. Fortunately, they are the virtual kind, and therefore highly unlikely to wreck your diet. In addition to the terrific themed clues, we LOLed at 67A, Oil bigwig?, ARTCURATOR (awesome!); were amazed by 42A, Amundsen who went to the South Pole 15 years before he flew over the North Pole, ROALD (who knew?); and chuckled at 28D, Cold-weather coat, FROST (😀).Show note imagery: a RHINO, the second most massive mammal on Earth, just out for an afternoon stroll.We love feedback! Send us a text...Contact Info:We love listener mail! Drop us a line, [email protected], we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!

This was a fine debut crossword by Philippe Monfiston. It had oodles of interesting clues, a score of bad (by which we mean good 😀) musical puns, and was just the right degree of difficulty for a Wednesday. We approve, 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.Show note imagery: The Long Room of the Old Library at TRINITY College, erstwhile home of Jonathan Swift, Oscar Wilde, Bram Stoker, Mary Robinson, Mary McAleese and many, many more.We love feedback! Send us a text...Contact Info:We love listener mail! Drop us a line, [email protected], we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!

Kudos to Adryel W. Robles Ojeda for getting their very first crossword published in the NYTimes. We found it both fun and fast. We liked all the clues in today's puzzle, but among those that we did not already cover in today's episode, three stood out: 49A, Sharp or flat location on a piano, usually, BLACKKEY (makes sense); 37D, 3 to 1 are good ones, ODDS (cute); and 42A, Most common word in English, THE (not, as we initially guessed, HEYIMWALKINHERE 😀 ). Show note imagery: Harry HOUDINI, about to do something extremely ill-advised.We love feedback! Send us a text...Contact Info:We love listener mail! Drop us a line, [email protected], we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!

BATSIGNAL has appeared a total of 4 times in the NYTimes crossword — once in 2014, twice in 2020, and today. The real BATSIGNAL shows up much more frequently in DC Comics, and continues to this day to serve as a means of summoning the caped crusader, who we would argue really needs to slip a cellphone into the ol' utility belt.A quick check reveals that, in one paragraph, we have covered exactly one clue, and at this rate these show notes would be approximately 25 pages long. We therefore propose to simply mention, en passant, that this was an excellent Monday crossword, as one would expect since it was written by John Ewbank. We've got more to say, on most of the grid, in today's episode.We've also announced our latest JAMCOTWA™️ (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award) — check out today's episode to see if we picked your favorite.Show note imagery: The BATSIGNAL, available wherever fine crime-fighting equipment is sold.We love feedback! Send us a text...Contact Info:We love listener mail! Drop us a line, [email protected], we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!

This was Samuel A. Donaldson's 42nd NYTimes crossword, and it is joyous, with effervescent clues and answers that richly reward the diligent solver. The themed answers were particularly fabulous, but we were also fans of 86D, Manage moguls, say, SKI; 74A, Place to store magazines, ARMORY; and 104A, Monopolist's portion, ALL (brilliant!). There were more (of course), check out today's episode for all the deets.Show note imagery: The gorgeous Manila skylineWe love feedback! Send us a text...Contact Info:We love listener mail! Drop us a line, [email protected], we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!

This was Royce Ferguson's third Saturday NYTimes crossword, and it was highly enjoyable. It was not a walk in the park, but neither was it the "scale El Capitan by one's teeth" type of puzzle that it could have been — and for which we are grateful.There were terrific clues in the grid, such as 26D, Crystal and Rock, notably, OSCARHOSTS (😀); 42A, What isn't anyone's fault?, LET (😀 😀); and a gimme for the musically inclined, 53D, F or G, but not H, NOTE (😀 😀 😀)Show note imagery: Artemis II, a most excellent example of a SPACESHOTWe love feedback! Send us a text...Contact Info:We love listener mail! Drop us a line, [email protected], we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!

We are always partial to crosswords with KAZOO in the grid, but that is not the only reason why we are so enamored with today's puzzle. No, they had us at the theme — perfect for a Thursday — and kept us engaged with such great clues as 63A, School with a larger-than-life bronze statue of Henry VI, ETON (um, ok); 46A, One side in a "Holy War" rivalry in college football, UTES (vs??? Sure, leave us hanging 😉); and the itch inducing 65A, Irritating "cloud", GNATS (natch!).Show note imagery: Come to think of it, that does look like a backwards 3.We love feedback! Send us a text...Contact Info:We love listener mail! Drop us a line, [email protected], we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!

If you forgot that today was April 1st, fear not — the NYTimes Crossword is here just in the nick of time to remind you. They do it, unsurprisingly, in a surprising and highly amusing way. We'll say no more on the subject, but rather exhort you to download today's episode, where we haul out the ol' magnifying glass to give the puzzle a careful once-over.Show note imagery: A lovely SNÖDROTTNING pillowcase, from IKEAWe love feedback! Send us a text...Contact Info:We love listener mail! Drop us a line, [email protected], we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!

This was a well-crafted Tuesday crossword (and not just because of 52A, Cloudy craft beer, HAZYIPA). No, there were many other clever clues that contributed to this assessment, including 10D, "Aaron Burr, ___" ("Hamilton" number), SIR (one of our faves!); 8D, Establishment where a D&D party might refuel and pick up new leads, TAVERN (cute!); and 28D, Potatoes, in Indian cuisine, ALOO (yum!!).Show note imagery: Taiki Morii, one of the best para alpine skiers in the world, caught mid-flight aboard his SITSKI.We love feedback! Send us a text...Contact Info:We love listener mail! Drop us a line, [email protected], we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!

Gary Cee's crosswords have appeared 41 times in the NYTimes since 2009, mainly on Mondays and Tuesdays — he knows the territory well. This crossword had a "predictable" Monday theme — but predictable only in the sense that we knew it would be great. We found a few other nuggets in the grid, so join us for another glorious Cruciverbal Panning Session (CPS)™️.In addition to the crossword, we've picked out our JAMCOTWA™️ (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award), and we're sure you'll agree that ... we either got it right or we got it wrong. 😀Show note imagery: The MODESTO Arch, in MODESTO, CA, listing some of that famed city's major assets.We love feedback! Send us a text...Contact Info:We love listener mail! Drop us a line, [email protected], we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!

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, [email protected], 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, [email protected], 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, [email protected], 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, [email protected], 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. 😀Show note imagery: A Lhasa APSO, a dog originally from Tibet and inspiration for the tales of that dreaded monster, Little Foot. 🙄😉We love feedback! Send us a text...Contact Info:We love listener mail! Drop us a line, [email protected], we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!

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, [email protected], 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 😀 😉We love feedback! Send us a text...Contact Info:We love listener mail! Drop us a line, [email protected], we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!