Sunday, November 10, 2024 - Red Alert! It's a Sam Ezersky puzzle, coming in hot! 🔥

It is always a treat to see Natan Last and the JASA Crossword Class in the marquee, because ... well, just take a look at today's crossword to see why: a theme guaranteed to put a smile on your face, and great cluing everywhere. For instance, 37D, Geologic formation from glacial melting, ICECAVE (OK, that's a thing); 28D, Canadian province where "Anne of Green Gables" is set: Abbr., PEI (one of our favorite provinces!); and a word that we long to work into casual conversation, 24D, Vulpine, S...

24 Tammi 21min

Today's crossword was looking sharp -- and not just because ARMANI was in the grid (but it helped). We liked the daunting open-endedness of 48A, "_____ intended!", NOPUN; appreciated the BROW knitting induced by 24A, Move slightly, BUDGE; and just the opportunity to say 7D, Italian anise-flavored liqueur, SAMBUCA. A great debut crossword by Landon Horton, in our estimation it deserves to peg the JAMCR meter with a full 5 squares. Finally, we've got listener mail! So, for those of you wonderi...

23 Tammi 13min

This was a terrific Tuesday crossword by Dan Caprera, his 6th in the NYTimes. The clues were fun, fresh, and the theme was a wry one. Besides the clues covered in today's podcast, we'd like to give a shout out to 52A, ___ Jordan, a.k.a. the Green Lantern, HAL (we're just suckers for superheroes); 43A, Figure painted by Warhol, MAO (Will's definitely got a thing for this picture, this week); and 19D, Sit non-ergonomically, SLOUCH (oh, brilliant!). Show note imagery: A Rummikub TILE (and more ...

22 Tammi 18min

Today's crossword was a debut for Katie Byl (pronounced "bill") and most definitely not a debut for Jeff Chen (pronounced "chen" 😀). Together they have crafted a perfect Monday puzzle, and only one of our cohosts found this to be slightly more daunting than usual for a Monday, for reasons entirely of his own making. Jean's favorite clue in today's crossword? 35D, Hair knots with a French name, CHIGNONS (a debut). Mike was partial (of course) to 61A, "Biscuit" for cookie or "chips" for fries...

21 Tammi 12min

For those of you who like mathematics and puns, Emily Sharp and Kunal Nabar have got your number, with this fine debut (for Emily) and debut-follow-up (for Kunal) crossword. The grid had a lot of great clues, including 117A, Social workspaces for some remote workers, CAFES (cute!); 109A, Like some parking and poetry, METERED (an echo of last Thursday's puzzle!); and 61D, One of the "holy trinity" ingredients in Indian cuisine, GINGER (yum!). We approve, and that's why we've given this puzzle ...

20 Tammi 24min

Today's crossword was remarkably daunting. The grid consisted of three stacks of three answers, each stack spanning the width of the crossword. Constructing this must've been a bear, but Scott McMahon pulled it off. [He also managed to work most of his last name into the grid, in 2D, Capital and second-largest city of Minorca, MAHON, a very nice touch.] Both cohosts found today's crossword to be a straightforward solve -- no verbal abysses here -- but just a real joy, and we eagerly await Sco...

19 Tammi 16min

This was Willa Angel Chen Miller's second Friday crossword, and like the first one, this was a beaut! Jean found it easy going, Mike ... found it ... and then found his footing (eventually). The clues were sharp (54A, Bit of a subway station wall, TILE), enlightening (39A, First capital of Alaska, SITKA); and amusing (42D, Quarter back?, EAGLE 😀). A nice bit of work, 5 squares on the JAMCR scale. In other news, we have some listener mail and a fascinating fact for Fun Fact Friday -- hint: it...

18 Tammi 22min

Rebecca Goldstein is a great crossword constructor. Adam Wagner is no slouch himself. Put them together and you get ... well, this crossword, a crafty puzzler with some delicious clung. We have all the deets inside, a few (possibly even useful 😀) tips for new listeners, and some awesome listener mail. Enjoy! Show note imagery: A slab of grenadilla, a black wood found in Africa, and why, when asked, "what, do you think OBOES grow on trees?", you could legitimately answer, kinda, sorta. We lov...

17 Tammi 20min