Tuesday, July 8, 2025 - No need to grade *this* crossword on a curve!
This was a SERENE crossword -- and we say that not because of the presence of SERENE in the grid, but because of the, well, SERENE theme -- one that ought to bring a smile to your lips, or, if you're having a frowny sort of day, at least help you transit from ☹️ to 🫤. We have the deets inside, as well as Jean's epic battle in today's Triplet Tuesday segment , so do have a listen. Show note imagery: Let's all do the Bunny HUG! We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love lis...
9 Heinä 14min
Monday, July 7, 2025 - Blasts from the past!
Today's crossword, the 39th (!) by Daniel Raymon, was replete with musical performers of various vintages, from composer Aaron Copland to a band that had its origins in the last century, but is continuing to write and perform today, to wit ... nope, we need to maintain at least a modicum of of suspense here, so we will wrap it up here and let you get to today's episode, where the name of that band, and some other highly droll commentary, awaits! Show note imagery: Two Treatises of Government,...
8 Heinä 7min
Sunday, July 6, 2025 - There's no escaping it: this crossword was absolutely fabulous!!
Once again the NYTimes crossword has set a new high bar, thanks to the dynamic duo of Zhou Zhang and Kevin Curry. This magnificent opus featured a puzzle within a puzzle, surrounded by a sea of crisp and amusing clues -- just a delight. If there was an Academy Award for best crossword in a major newspaper, this would definitely get the nom. Show note imagery: GIZA, home of the Sphinx We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@iclo...
7 Heinä 18min
Saturday, July 5, 2025 - Tracy Bennett strikes again!
Tracy Bennet is the driving force behind both Wordle and Strands, and the appearance of this crossword therefore means that an impressively large percentage of today's NYTimes games are attributable to her. Jean found this crossword to be a bit on the crunchy side whereas Mike -- for some unfathomable reason that he attributes to a surfeit of neutrinos -- did not. Both agreed, however, that it was an excellent example of the genre. Fun Fact Friday™️ took the day off yesterday, and even t...
6 Heinä 13min
Friday, July 4, 2025 -- Happy Fourth!!!
Although there were not any literal fireworks in today's crossword, it was filled with innumerable flashes of brilliance and crackles of wit. Among our favorites not covered in today's episode were 48D, What comes before B?, ORAL 😀; 3D, Order in the court, PLEASERISE 😀 😀. ; and the sneaky 60A, To pieces?, ODES 😀 😀 😀. This is Colin Adams' 6th NYTimes crossword, and we eagerly await number 7. Show note imagery: The incredibly versatile SHOHEIOHTANI We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact In...
5 Heinä 12min
Thursday, July 3, 2025 - Happy Fourth Eve!! 🎆
Today's crossword was by Adam Wagner, which means that you know, without even looking at it, that it's going to be good. The good cruciverbalist does not disappoint, providing a crossword that must've been a real BEAR to construct, but was an IDEAL Thursday solve. We have all the deets inside, so please have a listen, and, as always, we value your feedback! Show note imagery: A photo at beautiful (obviously) TOPANGA State Park We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener...
4 Heinä 8min
Wednesday, July 2, 2025 - IBIZA beckons! 🎰 🏖️
Today's theme was great (as always), and there were oodles of appealing clues lurking in the grid today (see previous parenthetical remark 😉). A few of our favorites were 45A, Cabinet department since 1913, LABOR (now we know!); 53D, Creator of a lot of buzz in the music scene, KAZOO (cute!); and 6D, Language of W.W. II "code talkers": Var., NAVAHO (absolutely fascinating). Show note imagery: The Red Lion Pub (one of many, in the UK) We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We ...
3 Heinä 11min
Tuesday, July 1, 2025 - Was this a great crossword? NOCAP!
For those of you wondering about the episode title, it is explored and explained, along with a multitude of other topics riffing off of today's excellent puzzle, in our "Canada Day" special. In addition, Mike may (or may not) have gone down in flames in today's Triplet Tuesday™ segment; place your bets, and then have a listen to see if you (unlike, possibly, Mike) are a winner! Show note imagery: Some delicious ELOTE, a delicious Mexican street food, which often, understandably, causes partak...
2 Heinä 16min
