Wednesday, February 21, 2024 - This crossword's got STYLE (and a whole lot of other words 😀)
Jeffrey Martinovic has managed to work the word TAUTOLOGICAL into the grid, and for that alone he should receive some sort of commendation. But we can't also IGNORE some other great clues, such as 69A, Some downtown street liners, METERS; 11D, Is French?, EST (c'est bon!); and 62A, "Mud", JOE (😀). A fine crossword, definitely worth 5 squares on the JAM CR scale! Show note imagery: Queen MAB, hard at work (?) We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a l...
22 Helmi 202413min
Tuesday, February 20, 2024 - Let's get crackin', and learn how to pronounce KRAKEN
This is Robert S. Gard's second NYTimes crossword. We reviewed his first in season 8, episode 38, and like that Saturday puzzle, this one was equally august, albeit much easier, as befits a Tuesday . We have all the deets inside, as well as Mike's valiant attempt to not make a fool of himself during the Triplet Tuesday contest, so have a listen, and let us know what you think! Show note imagery: Beware the KRAKEN! We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop ...
21 Helmi 202415min
Monday, February 19, 2024 - We'd like to mention the presence of MENSCH in today's crossword 🙄😀
This is Adam Wagner's 19th NYTimes crossword, but it is a debut, in a sense - his first Monday puzzle. It was a little crunchier than usual, but the theme made it all worthwhile. Deets inside, so have a listen, and as usual, tell others about us on social media. Shownote imagery: A thaw of ICEBOATS (and if "thaw" isn't the appropriate unit, it ought to be!) about to start racing We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.c...
20 Helmi 202411min
Sunday, February 18, 2024 - We 🎶 HEARDITTHROUGH THEGRAPEVINE 🎶 that this was an awesome crossword!
Sid Sivakumar dials it back as he slips into his Sunday best, and this was indeed one of his best Sundays, his fourth for the NYTimes. There were some fine clues in the grid, including 75A, Home to the Great Ziggurat of Ur, IRAQ (we just like the sound of "Great Ziggurat of Ur" 😀); 116A, What hits the ground running, SOLE (ha!); and 55D, So ... or a word following "so", TRUE (double ha!); and a hidden gem at 89A, Windy part of a kite?, REEL (triple ha!). To sum up, we were impressed, ...
19 Helmi 202421min
Saturday, February 17, 2024 - Here comes the ... ZITI?
Spencer Leach and Jem Burch have produced a splendiferous Saturday crossword that entertained, educated, and ... whatever the opposite of enervated is, ah, yes, energized. The highlight of the grid was undoubtedly 60A, Finished, colloquially, DONEZO, although 61A, Drinks are on me!, BARMENU, definitely gave it a run for its money. There was much more to this puzzle, though, and we have all the deets inside. Show note imagery: Speed skater Johann OLAV Koss, winner of 4 Olympic golds and occas...
18 Helmi 202416min
Friday, February 16, 2024 - Not one SOURNOTE in today's grid, Colin Adam's creation is all NICEWORK
Colin Adams has turned in a fine (debut!) Friday crossword: no theme (as befits a Friday puzzle), but plenty of sharp cluing (as one would also expect). We cover a boatload of them in today's podcast, but even the "also-rans" were quite good. Consider 30A, European airline that was nationalized from 1944 to 2001, IBERIA; 62A, [Violin emoji], OHBOOHOO; and the fabulous 66A, Moving company?, TROUPE. We also have a Fun Fact Friday, and some great listener mail, so ... enjoy! Show note videogra...
17 Helmi 20249min
Thursday, February 15, 2024 - An epic Thursday spectacular!
Years from now, cruciverbalists will be able to say, I remember where I stood (or, more likely, sat) when I finally solved this crossword, it's that good. To find out why, we beseech thee, with all due haste, to downloadeth, listen upeth, and enjoyeth this fine work from Teddy and Rich Katz. Show note imagery: Karl the FOG 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 the...
16 Helmi 202415min
Wednesday, February 14, 2024 - A Valentine's Day present from the NYTimes!
Today is Valentine's Day, and the NYTimes Crossword team was ready, thanks to a fabulous opus by Ella Dershowitz. It was a crunchier than usual Wednesday crossword, but all for a good cause - a lovely Valentine's Day theme that we explore, in detail, in today's podcast. Show note imagery: RAPANUI, aka Easter Island 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...
15 Helmi 202418min
