Thursday, May 29, 2025 - You'd probably need to be in Mensa to get the clue about Mensa 😉
The constructor of today's crossword, John Kugelman, is mostly known for his Sunday crosswords: but somehow he managed to squeeze all that ken into a 15x15 grid, and the result is this fine Thursday oeuvre. Some particularly noteworthy clues include 2D, Anarchist Sacco, NICOLA (yes, it's Wikipedia time 🙄); 1D, Something to wear on a run, SKICAP (⛷); and 51A, Word from a loud speaker, maybe, RANT (😀). Show note imagery: Mensa seems to be lacking in star power -- it only has 4 of them -- but th...
30 Touko 15min
Wednesday, May 28, 2025 - 🎶 Traditiiiiiiiiion, tradition 🎶 🎻
This was a clever Wednesday crossword, and not just because its author, Peter A. Collins, slipped 21A, Understanding, KEN, and 22D, Astuteness, ACUMEN, into the grid. It was, inevitably, the theme that made this crossword shine, and you'll discover the meta-joke in that assessment when listening to today's episode (or when you've solved the crossword, whichever comes first). Show note imagery: Members of the G6 - France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, and the United Kingdom We love feedback! ...
29 Touko 18min
Tuesday, May 27, 2025 - Just like 5D, this crossword was ALLGOOD!
This was a fine Tuesday crossword by Ginny Too, with a twee theme that lent itself to some amusing segues, as you will discover in today's episode. We also have our Triplet Tuesday segment, so to see how Jean does (hint: A frequent source of water on a farm), check out today's episode. Just a friendly reminder that solving the NYTimes crossword has been proven to keep your neurons in peak form, and make you more attractive to whomever you want to appear more attractive to! Just wander over to...
28 Touko 15min
Monday, May 26, 2025 - In today's episode, we drill down on dental definitions 🙄
This is Ari Halpern's third NYTimes crossword, but his previous crossword appeared seventeen years ago. We're hoping that's because Ari found other things to do in the interim, and not because he's suffered 16 years worth of rejection. Although, if he had, this would make for a gripping story of perseverance and redemption; and since Ari's day job involves film and TV scripts, he could just sell it to ... himself? Hmm... maybe not. Show note imagery: An example of a billionaire's boat - a sup...
27 Touko 10min
Sunday, May 25, 2025 - 🎵 All together now ... like an Einstein-Rosen bridge, over trouuuubled waters🎵 🙄
This was a brilliant crossword by Dylan Schiff. Solving it was terrific fun, but creating it must've been a real bear (to borrow from a recent NYTimes Crossword answer). You'll see why when you check out today's episode. Show note imagery: An OTTAWA senator, carrying one of the most lethal weapons ever created ... the hockey stick! 😱 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 fre...
26 Touko 19min
Saturday, May 24, 2025 - Today's crossword contained, literally, a PLEASANTSURPRISE
Both cohosts found today's crossword to be a tad on the easy side (for a Saturday), but it nonetheless had some brilliant clues. Among these were 32D, Eton ___ (traditional English dessert), MESS (yum!); 28D, Shelters from the heat?, SAFEHOUSES (har!); and 54D, Magnum and Spade, for short, PIS (book 'em, Dano!). In other news, we have our JAMCOTWA winner (hint: if you read our podcast titles for this week, it won't take long to spot), and some terrific listener mail. Enjoy! Show note im...
25 Touko 12min
Friday, May 23, 2025 - No, AKEE is not how you feel after eating an AKEE 🙄
Our intrepid cohosts -- solving, as always, independently -- had very different experiences whilst filling in the grid. Jean got through this relatively readily, whereas Mike muttered many imprecations and not a few desperate incantations on his way to the happy music. Deets inside, as well as a great Fun Fact Friday segment about, well, we don't know who 😉 Show note imagery: The Artist's Garden at Giverny, by MONET We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listene...
24 Touko 17min
Thursday, May 22, 2025 - If crosswords were paintings, this'd be the Mona Lisa 🖼️
This crossword was the embodiment of what makes the NYTimes Crossword so outstanding: a fantabulous theme amid a sea of novel and some LOL supporting clues. Just check out today's podcast, and then raise a glass in honor of David J. Kahn, creator of today's masterpiece. [Oh, and then raise it a second time in the direction of Will "Funnier! Make it funnier... and cleverer!!" Shortz, editor extraordinaire!.] Show note imagery: DEDE Allen, one of the greatest film editor's of all time. We love ...
23 Touko 15min
