Tuesday, December 10, 2024 - The answer might be UGLI, but the clue is beautiful 😀

Today's crossword was by veteran crossword constructor Christina Iverson, who has a knack for writing absolutely effervescent puzzles. Just consider a few of the clues in today's grid: 51A, Queen's pawn?, ANT (nice once, CI); 42D, Swift to fill a concert hall?, TAYLOR (who else?); and 24A, Like a tightrope, ideally, TAUT (we tought, er, thought so too 😉). Show note imagery: David Aguilar's amazing prosthetic ARM and EMORY university library (in the old days!) We love feedback! Send us a...

6 Mar 202416min

This is Samantha Podos Novak's debut NYTimes crossword, and it is a delicious treat, thanks to a tasty theme and a generous sprinkling of cromulent clues throughout the grid. And if you're sensing a food theme, you are correct! For all the deets -- including which food, and how many calories it has -- you are heartily encouraged to download, listen up, and, of course, enjoy today's podcast! Show note imagery: YER out! We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener m...

5 Mar 202413min

You can always count on Hoang-Kim Vu to produce a splendid crossword, and today you can also count on him to ... count, because that's the theme: countdown, to be specific, is the title of the crossword as well as a large hint as to what you have to be able to do to solve said crossword. We have all the deets inside, so have a listen, and let us know what you think. Show note imagery: PARAMUS Park, New Jersey We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a ...

4 Mar 202420min

Natan Last has constructed 39 crosswords for the NYTimes, and this latest one shows exactly why the NYTimes keeps coming back for more - the clues are simply inspired, dancing on that fine line between uber-challenging and cruel, but always landing on the right side. So, without doubt, this crossword should be in the running for our JAMCOTWA - Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award™️). Did it win? Download to find out! Show note imagery: KABUKI, Japanese theatre at its finest....

3 Mar 202416min

A roaringly good Friday crossword to end the business week! There was no theme, but there were a host of awesome clues, including: 38A, Shade akin to peridot, LIME (peridot, what a word!); 33D, Where you might run into some real characters, THEMEPARK (brilliant!); 9D, Never again, ONCE (can't argue with that!); and 18D, Luxury brand, or non-luxury option, COACH (delightful!). Since it's Friday, we also have a fascinating Fun Fact Friday™️ segment, so for all that and more, subscribe, downloa...

2 Mar 202413min

Whether this was in honor of Leap Day or not (only Will knows, and he's not saying), today's crossword was extra special, most notably because of some of the clues weren't just text, but in fact cute line drawings of assorted animals playing musical instruments. The line drawings were endearing, and we were enamored, for reasons that we expound upon, at length, in today's episode. Also, we have listener mail! Lots of it!! So check out today's podcast, and, as is traditional on Leap Day...

1 Mar 202421min

A debut crossword by Greg Snitkin, but you wouldn't know it based on the quality of today's puzzle. The theme was terrif, and was abetted by a passel of captivating clues to round off the grid. While a lot of old friends showed up (looking at you, 15A, McFlurry flavor, OREO), and 61A," _________ you vera much!", (punny valentine), ALOE, there were two debuts, including 33A, Someone terrorizing kids in a 1986 Stephen King novel, SCARYCLOWN 🤡. For all the deets, have a listen, and, as alw...

29 Feb 202415min

A lot of INK went into today's crossword, in such answers as SLINKYDOG, WINKYFACE and 5 (!) more of that ink, er, we mean ilk, 😀. Numerous clues got our attention and podcast time, but we would also like to celebrate 49D, Tatted, INKED (yay, more ink 😀); 9D, "It's Raining _______", MEN (meteorologically unlikely, but still...); and 10D, Like a dress with a diagonal hemline, say, ASYMMETRIC. It's Tuesday, which of course means it's time for a Triplet Tuesday battle of wits. Did Jean win...

28 Feb 202414min