Thursday, March 7, 2024 - J.B. Smoove, one smoove operator
This is Joe O'Neill's very first NYTimes crossword, and it's a doozie, with the theme revolving around one of Robert Frost's most famous poems. Now "famous" is relative: while Jean had a casual acquaintance with the poem, Mike was, as usual, clueless -- and therefore answerless -- so he had to rely exclusively on the not -always-easy crosses, and serendipity, to see him through. There were some great clues throughout the grid that deserve some air time. There was the euphonious 53A, Wa...
8 Maalis 202416min
Wednesday, March 6, 2024 - Nothing JERKY about this crossword ... except the JERKY 😀
Brad Wiegmann has produced a fabulous Wednesday crossword, and for those keeping track this is the second crossword this week where the theme was on the subtle and cerebral side. We loved it for a number of reasons, detailed inside -- as well as some exciting listener mail that will be of special interest to residents of PARAMUS, NJ. Deets within, so dive in (as long as it's been at least an hour since you ate 😀) and enjoy! Show note imagery: Machu Picchu, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and on...
7 Maalis 202414min
Tuesday, March 5, 2024 - DWEEBY, SLANGY and EEK - 3 answers in today's grid, and a law firm to be avoided at all costs 😀
Today's crossword was by veteran crossword constructor Christina Iverson, who has a knack for writing absolutely effervescent puzzles. Just consider a few of the clues in today's grid: 51A, Queen's pawn?, ANT (nice once, CI); 42D, Swift to fill a concert hall?, TAYLOR (who else?); and 24A, Like a tightrope, ideally, TAUT (we tought, er, thought so too 😉). Show note imagery: David Aguilar's amazing prosthetic ARM and EMORY university library (in the old days!) We love feedback! Send us a...
6 Maalis 202416min
Monday, March 4, 2024 - This crossword? It's both a debut and a BEAUT!
This is Samantha Podos Novak's debut NYTimes crossword, and it is a delicious treat, thanks to a tasty theme and a generous sprinkling of cromulent clues throughout the grid. And if you're sensing a food theme, you are correct! For all the deets -- including which food, and how many calories it has -- you are heartily encouraged to download, listen up, and, of course, enjoy today's podcast! Show note imagery: YER out! We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener m...
5 Maalis 202413min
Sunday, March 3, 2024 - Three, two, one, blastoff! 🚀
You can always count on Hoang-Kim Vu to produce a splendid crossword, and today you can also count on him to ... count, because that's the theme: countdown, to be specific, is the title of the crossword as well as a large hint as to what you have to be able to do to solve said crossword. We have all the deets inside, so have a listen, and let us know what you think. Show note imagery: PARAMUS Park, New Jersey We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a ...
4 Maalis 202420min
Saturday, March 2, 2024 -The Book of 1001 SAT Words will be arriving FORTHWITH, or at least posthaste 😀
Natan Last has constructed 39 crosswords for the NYTimes, and this latest one shows exactly why the NYTimes keeps coming back for more - the clues are simply inspired, dancing on that fine line between uber-challenging and cruel, but always landing on the right side. So, without doubt, this crossword should be in the running for our JAMCOTWA - Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award™️). Did it win? Download to find out! Show note imagery: KABUKI, Japanese theatre at its finest....
3 Maalis 202416min
Friday, March 1, 2024 - In like a lion ...
A roaringly good Friday crossword to end the business week! There was no theme, but there were a host of awesome clues, including: 38A, Shade akin to peridot, LIME (peridot, what a word!); 33D, Where you might run into some real characters, THEMEPARK (brilliant!); 9D, Never again, ONCE (can't argue with that!); and 18D, Luxury brand, or non-luxury option, COACH (delightful!). Since it's Friday, we also have a fascinating Fun Fact Friday™️ segment, so for all that and more, subscribe, downloa...
2 Maalis 202413min
Thursday, February 29, 2024 - Leaping lizards, it's a leap day crossword!
Whether this was in honor of Leap Day or not (only Will knows, and he's not saying), today's crossword was extra special, most notably because of some of the clues weren't just text, but in fact cute line drawings of assorted animals playing musical instruments. The line drawings were endearing, and we were enamored, for reasons that we expound upon, at length, in today's episode. Also, we have listener mail! Lots of it!! So check out today's podcast, and, as is traditional on Leap Day...
1 Maalis 202421min
