Monday, May 26, 2025 - In today's episode, we drill down on dental definitions 🙄
This is Ari Halpern's third NYTimes crossword, but his previous crossword appeared seventeen years ago. We're hoping that's because Ari found other things to do in the interim, and not because he's suffered 16 years worth of rejection. Although, if he had, this would make for a gripping story of perseverance and redemption; and since Ari's day job involves film and TV scripts, he could just sell it to ... himself? Hmm... maybe not. Show note imagery: An example of a billionaire's boat - a sup...
27 Touko 10min
Sunday, May 25, 2025 - 🎵 All together now ... like an Einstein-Rosen bridge, over trouuuubled waters🎵 🙄
This was a brilliant crossword by Dylan Schiff. Solving it was terrific fun, but creating it must've been a real bear (to borrow from a recent NYTimes Crossword answer). You'll see why when you check out today's episode. Show note imagery: An OTTAWA senator, carrying one of the most lethal weapons ever created ... the hockey stick! 😱 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 fre...
26 Touko 19min
Saturday, May 24, 2025 - Today's crossword contained, literally, a PLEASANTSURPRISE
Both cohosts found today's crossword to be a tad on the easy side (for a Saturday), but it nonetheless had some brilliant clues. Among these were 32D, Eton ___ (traditional English dessert), MESS (yum!); 28D, Shelters from the heat?, SAFEHOUSES (har!); and 54D, Magnum and Spade, for short, PIS (book 'em, Dano!). In other news, we have our JAMCOTWA winner (hint: if you read our podcast titles for this week, it won't take long to spot), and some terrific listener mail. Enjoy! Show note im...
25 Touko 12min
Friday, May 23, 2025 - No, AKEE is not how you feel after eating an AKEE 🙄
Our intrepid cohosts -- solving, as always, independently -- had very different experiences whilst filling in the grid. Jean got through this relatively readily, whereas Mike muttered many imprecations and not a few desperate incantations on his way to the happy music. Deets inside, as well as a great Fun Fact Friday segment about, well, we don't know who 😉 Show note imagery: The Artist's Garden at Giverny, by MONET We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listene...
24 Touko 17min
Thursday, May 22, 2025 - If crosswords were paintings, this'd be the Mona Lisa 🖼️
This crossword was the embodiment of what makes the NYTimes Crossword so outstanding: a fantabulous theme amid a sea of novel and some LOL supporting clues. Just check out today's podcast, and then raise a glass in honor of David J. Kahn, creator of today's masterpiece. [Oh, and then raise it a second time in the direction of Will "Funnier! Make it funnier... and cleverer!!" Shortz, editor extraordinaire!.] Show note imagery: DEDE Allen, one of the greatest film editor's of all time. We love ...
23 Touko 15min
Wednesday, May 21, 2025 - A crossword so good you'll wish it was SOSTENUTO!
There was art in today's grid -- specifically at 29A, "The most beautiful deception of all," per Debussy, ART, and more generally, everywhere else; because only the most artful of crosswords make their way into the hallowed NYTimes crossword pantheon. Beyond the brilliant themed answers (discussed at length in today's episode), a few examples of the authors' craft are on display at 12D, Try again, REHEAR (nice one!); 5D, Smallest three-syllable number, ELEVEN (huh!); and 53A, Best way t...
22 Touko 13min
Tuesday, May 20, 2025 - It's NIGH well about time NIGH made a comeback! 😀
This was Rena Cohen's first Tuesday crossword, and like the other three that she has constructed for the NYTimes, it was excellent: a brilliant theme and a constellation of ingenious clues made the whole puzzle shine. It's definitely worth 5 squares on the JAMCR scale, and if you're still skeptical, today's episode will surely put those qualms to rest. Show note imagery: The infamous EDSEL, in all its turquoise glory We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Dro...
21 Touko 18min
Monday, May 19, 2025 - We're agOG about today's crossword 😉
This was a fun, fast, frothy Monday crossword. It would be a great crossword to solve with the young'uns, for reasons that will become evident as you listen to today's episode. Also, as presaged in yesterday's episode, we do indeed have a Joke for your consideration. It might not leave you ROTFL, but hopefully it will at least make you TYCS (Tip Your Chair Slightly). Show note imagery: Erykah Badu, queen of NEOSOUL We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop ...
20 Touko 8min
