Tuesday, August 20, 2024 - Awoogah, there's a forest fire in the TAIGA!!
Sam Buchbinder ha a reputation for writing splendid clues and crosswords, and he certainly lives up to it today, with some very amusing clues, including one that one of our cohosts was unable to even read, after much practice, without bursting into a mild chortling fit half way through. Which cohost? And which clue? Well, we all live for suspense, so we'll keep you in it ... unless you want to download today's episode, highly recommended! Show note imagery: TAIGA, TAIGA, burning bright 😀&nbs...
21 Aug 202418min
Monday, August 19, 2024 - Don't YAMMER about people who like to YABBER 😂
A surprising Monday crossword by Kenneth Cortes, who has gone against the convention that themed clues run in the same direction -- but he had an excellent reason for so doing, as we explain in today's episode. Show note imagery: The Washington METRO 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 free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!
20 Aug 202415min
Sunday, August 18, 2024 - A highly amusing Sunday!
Take two really superb crossword constructors and put them together, and what do you get? A crossword like this one, chock full of heart, artistry, and attention to detail, clearly written by two cruciverbalists at the top of their games. Deets inside, as well as some fine listener feedback on the proper pronunciation of POMPANO Beach, so do have a listen! Show note imagery: Christina's World, by Andrew Wyeth, hanging at MOMA We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love lis...
19 Aug 202422min
Saturday, August 17, 2024 - ARGH, ACK, yes, it's a Saturday NYTimes crossword!
It's been a challenging couple of days, crossword-wise, and Joel Fagliano didn't let up on the gas when selecting today's, which happens to be a) by Brandon Koppy, and b) our JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award) winner. For the record, the two are not a coincidence! Deets inside, so have a listen, and, as usual, please tell others about us on social media. Show note imagery: Jeera ALOO, made with, of course, ALOO (potatoes) We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact In...
18 Aug 202421min
Friday, August 16, 2024 - There's a MAGICIAN in the grid, courtesy of the MAGICIAN who made the grid, Kate Hawkins
A frisky Friday crossword from Kate Hawkins - her 14th - on her lucky day, Friday, when 6 out of those 14 puzzles have been published. This was a great themeless puzzle, with some stellar cluing -- 41D, Number of sides for a hendecagon, ELEVEN; 32D, [I won't repeat myself in this note], SEEABOVE (very nice!); and 4D, Arch, SLY (yes, yes it is). In other news, it's Fun Fact Friday, and we have a great FFF of particular interest to small children, parents, and ... dentists! Show note im...
17 Aug 202421min
Thursday, August 15, 2024 - Danger, Damon J. Gulczynski's in attack mode 😀 😀
A deliciously tough crossword by a constructor whose puzzles skew towards that end of the spectrum -- one Damon J Gulczynski. One's perception of this crossword just might depend on whether you grokked the theme -- in which case it was probably a typical Thursday crossword -- or not, in which case the difficulty hovered somewhere between Saturday and a day so challenging nobody's provided a name for it yet: we recommend Nowaynohowday. 😀 Show note imagery: A rainfly, an essential campin...
16 Aug 202424min
Wednesday, August 14, 2024 - Another fabulous crossword by Samuel A. Donaldson
Samuel Donaldson has had 41 crosswords published in the NYTimes, for reasons that are made abundantly clear in today's puzzle - a terrific theme, crisp clues, and references to musical groups that, if you don't already know, you should! We'd mention them here, but no spoilers -- check out today's episode to find out who should be up next on your playlist. Show note imagery: A big name in Greek yogurt, OIKOS We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a li...
15 Aug 202416min
Tuesday, August 13, 2024 - Some great books to RETURNTO
Benjamin Panico, in his debut NYTimes crossword (yay!), has put together an excellent puzzle in which he managed to cram 6, count 'em, 6 novels by TONIMORRISON. It is an excellent feat, and a great place to start when looking for your next summer read. In addition to the crossword, we also have a fine Triplet Tuesday™️ segment, so check it out, and, as usual, let us know what you think. Show note imagery: THEBLUESTEYE, a TONIMORRISON novel We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: W...
14 Aug 202419min
