Tuesday, December 31, 2024 - Our New Year's Eve Spectacular (fireworks, champagne, this episode's got it all!)

A straightforward Friday oeuvre from the pen of Robyn Weintraub - Mike was reminded of Joe Friday's catchphrase, "Just the facts, ma'am", as most of the clues seemed to be quite literal. To be sure, there were a few verbal sparklers, including 1A. What takes a ticking and keeps on sticking?, STAMP (not TIMEX!), and 6D, Stuck-up couples at weddings?, CAKETOPPERS. We like it, a crossword that SOOTHES. In Fun Fact Friday, we get the 411 on pochoir prints, and one of its leading practition...

28 Elo 202111min

To answer the question posed in the episode title, yes we can, because this crossword is an absolute delight -- a fun but not impossible theme, and the "aha" moment if you get it will keep you energized for hours. Jean does a great job explaining the theme, so rather than re-explain it here, we exhort you to simply fire up whatever it is you listen to this podcast on, and enjoy! We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.co...

27 Elo 202111min

If you like droll comedy, you'll love today's crossword. From 17A, "Please continue your generous support of the church", MASSAPPEAL, TO 58A, "This medicine will reduce your temperature in no time", FEVERPITCH, everywhere you turn in this grid you'll find something that will make you laugh or groan, or in the worst (i.e., best) case, both. For us, it was both, as a consequence of which we give this puzzle a 5 squares on the JAMCR scale. We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We lov...

26 Elo 20217min

The authors of today's crossword, Jessie Bullock and Ross Trudeau, just got engaged - and this crossword was their announcement! The theme revolved around the song from Aladdin, ICANSHOWYOUTHEWORLD, and various clues that suggested representations of the earth (POCKETATLAS, GOOGLEEARTH, etc.). Hopefully they'll find married life as enjoyable as we found this crossword, and we give both the happy couple and this crossword 5 squares on the JAMCR scale. In other news, it's Triplet Tuesday, and J...

25 Elo 202112min

HOWSWEETITIS and TWOTHUMBSUP pretty much summarizes our review of today's frothy , fun, and nostalgia-hued puzzle by Bruce Haight. Who can't help but smile at 49A, "The Jackie Gleason Show" catchphrase, HOWSWEETITIS, or the delicious twist that would always follow 39A, "Columbo" catchphrase, JUSTONEMORETHING? Probably all the people who weren't even born when these shows aired, aka 50% of the New York Times audience! Fortunately, the crosses were gentle, but it would be interesting to h...

24 Elo 202110min

A perfect Sunday crossword by Stephen McCarthy, with some extraordinary anagrams. For your consideration we offer 5A, It might be put on for stage PAGEANTRIES, GREASEPAINT, and 42A, You might be MARVELING AT this as it whizzes by, MAGLEVTRAIN. These are just two of the 10 jaw-droppingly good anagram-related clues that grace this puzzle. The other clues weren't too shabby either. Who could resist 106A , Five-letter word that replaces a four-letter word? BLEEP, or 22A, Member of a no...

23 Elo 202113min

Today's crossword was a Saturday, hence the call for all SYNAPSES on deck. Jean's responded as usual, and she whizzed through today's crossword; Mike's also responded as usual, which is why, although he did TRY, he ended up BTEN in the vicinity of 50A, Synthetic material also called frozen smoke, AEROGEL (not AEROSOL). Life is just FULLOFSURPRISES! Still, overall a good puzzle, we give it a 4.5 squares on the JAMCR scale. We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listene...

22 Elo 20219min

There was not a STALEJOKE to be found in today's grid. There might have been one at some point, but Will Shortz undoubtedly would've ULTIMATELY exercised his VETOPOWER to set things straight. There were lots of fun clues in today's puzzle, too many to list here, but we do have to give a shoutout to 48A, Superhero misidentification, ITSAPLANE, as well as acknowledge the two sporting sleights of hand, 3D, A's, but not B's or C's, TEAM, and 24A, Cowboys' headgear, HELMETS. Nice!! It's Fun...

21 Elo 202113min