Thursday, June 29, 2023 - Ligers and TIGONS and BEARHUGs, Oh, My! 😀
A challenging Thursday crossword, but with a terrific payoff: another one of those tour de force themes that the NYTimes Thursday crosswords are famous for. We won't spoil that by discussing it here in the show notes, but we would like to point out a few non-themed clues: 54D, Mexican beach resort, informally, CABO; 15D, Notorious initials, RBG (not, as Mike initially postulated, BIG); 8D, Crossbreeds smaller than ligers, TIGONS; and 41A, Tittle, DOT (and that's not a typo, either 😀). We...
30 Kesä 202313min
Wednesday, June 28, 2023 - AIOLIS, a yodeler's favorite condiment 🙄
This was a super crossword, and we're not just saying it because 51D, Superman, most of the time, KENT, flew into the grid. Rather it's because of an ingenious theme (deets inside), and some very timely clueing -- SMOG, COALMINE, and AIRSHOWS (literally!). There were some other fine clues as well, such as 39A, Having a fermented quality, WINY; 22A, Fabric derived from wood pulp, RAYON (huh!); and 45A, Noted sea shell seller, SHE (nice!). We approve, 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.We love ...
29 Kesä 202314min
Tuesday, June 27, 2023 - The name's MOMOA, Jason MOMOA!
A fun Tuesday crossword: the theme was a bit hairy, but in a good way, and the rest of the clues felt crisp and novel. Beyond those delved into in the episode, 17A, One-act Strauss opera adapted from an Oscar Wilde play, SALOME; 33A, Famed 1990s TV psychic, MISSCLEO; and our favorite industrial designers, 38D, Chair designer Charles or Ray, EAMES, all caught our eye(s). Triplet Tuesday has returned (as it has a tendency to do every seven days), and this week Mike's in the hot-seat. Will he h...
28 Kesä 202318min
Monday, June 26, 2023 - The TROPE, the whole TROPE, and nothing but the TROPE
A nicely done Monday crossword by Taylor Johnson and Christina Iverson, and we therefore raise a glass of 32D, Powdered orange drink, TANG, in their honor. There were 3 debut answers in today's grid, and our favorite was the slightly deceptive 42A, Certain bluegrass musician, BANJOPLAYER (as opposed to a certain bluegrass musician, which would've been even more challenging). We were also partial to 15A, _______ the Riveter (woman in an old wartime poster), ROSIE, and as always pleased to lear...
27 Kesä 202311min
Sunday, June 25, 2023 - Another chef's kiss of a crossword
John Westwig shows how it's done, with a brilliant Sunday crossword (his 8th for the NYTimes) - terrific theme, sparkling clues that make you dig for the answers (sometimes with a trowel, a few that require something more along the lines of an oil rig), a perfect Sunday opus. We loved it, and to find out why, check out today's episode! 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 f...
26 Kesä 202315min
Saturday, June 24, 2023 -If this crossword drives you BATTY, retreat to the ZENGARDENS
A very sticky Saturday crossword, with more traps than a golf course, and calculated to lead you down the garden path (such as may be found in ZENGARDENS). Some of our favorites include 33A, "Elvis has left the building", EVERYBODYGOHOME; 32D, "I'm beat!", WHATADAY; and 28D, Overseas sailors, LIMEY (so named after what they ate to avoid scurvy). This being Saturday, we also have our JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award), and this one includes a mild surprise. Curiou...
24 Kesä 202318min
Friday, June 23, 2023 - ASMARA, gateway to Eritrea!
A relatively straightforward Friday crossword, and a debut for its constructor, Kunal Nabar. There were some enlightening clues - 22A, Theme park originally conceived as a planned community, EPCOT; some vocabulary stretching clues - 57A, Overly slick, UNCTUOUS; and some amusing clues - Top present during the holiday season?, DREIDEL 😀. A great crossword, definitely worth 5 squares on the JAMCR scale. Also, it's Friday, so to learn about a huge British comedy (among other things), ...
24 Kesä 202314min
Thursday, June 22, 2023 - SHH, crossword solvers @ work!
A terrific Thursday crossword by Michael Baker and the indefatigable Jeff Chen, with an LOL theme and some fascinating clueing, including 22A, Co. that, in 1925, said of crosswords "The craze evidently is dying out fast"', NYT ;1D, "Honesty with the volume cranked up", per George Sanders, IRONY, and 26A, org. that might have a beef with beef, USDA 😀 All the deets are inside, so just subscribe, download, listen up and prepare to be educated and entertained. We love feedback! Send us a text.....
23 Kesä 202317min
