Friday, February 7, 2025 - Have a sip of TEXASTEA 🫖

Another tricky Saturday crossword, this by long-time contributor Rich Norris. There were quite a few fascinating answers in the grid, including 40A, Home run, informally, DINGER (huh!); 53A, Last syllable of a word, ULTIMA (say what?!?); and the rarely seen 52D, Agendas, for short, SKEDS (about, rest assured, we have SCADs to say in today's episode). Besides our analysis, we have chosen the winners of this week's JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award), and so congrats to ... no...

4 Aug 202419min

Kate Chin Park has constructed a fine Friday crossword: no theme, just SCADS of crunchy clues, ones that make you furrow your brow, stroke your chin, tap your temple, and all those other gestures that one tends to do when the difficulty meter starts to rise. We have all the deets in today's episode, so check it out, and let us know how you fared doing it. Show note imagery: The birthplace of John Steinbeck (before it was turned into a restaurant, we hope 😀) We love feedback! Send us a text.....

3 Aug 202418min

Another fabulous Thursday crossword, a debut by Rajeswari Rajamani, but you wouldn't know it based on the quality of the clues, and the brilliant theme. With clues like 43D, Where you might find yourself on edge?, ICERINK, the enlightening 51D, Who pays all legal costs under the so-called "English Rule", LOSER, and the astonishing 66A, Where Columbus thought he had landed in 1498, EDEN, how could this crossword deserve anything else than a 5 square rating on the JAMCR scale? The answer ...

2 Aug 202417min

An awesome midweek / end of month crossword by the Matz brothers - Jackson and Ben, to be precise. Ben had 18 rejections before he hit pay dirt with this puzzle, so, while PERSISTENCE is not in the grid, it is everywhere else in this puzzle! We particularly enjoyed 3D, What it would be a mistake to write twice?, BOO (😀), and the surely not coincidental proximity of 50A, Aftereffects from working out, ACHES, and 48D, Gym session devoted to squats, dead lifts, etc., LEGDAY. Shownote imagery: T...

1 Aug 202411min

Jeffrey Martinovic and Will Nediger have produced a splendid Tuesday crossword, with an inventive theme and some cute clues, including one of the best that we've seen all year (and it's almost August!). Deets inside, as well as another exciting Triplet Tuesday episode, so for all that and more, we invite you to download, listen up, and enjoy! Show note imagery: VINGRHAMES, aka Luther Stickell in "Mission Impossible" We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Dro...

31 Jul 202417min

A fine Monday crossword by Jeffrey Lease, his second - his debut being a Sunday (!). The theme was cheery, and we have a soft spot for any puzzle that contains OZARK, as in 18D, Missouri's _____________ Mountains, and we also like the spunk of SORRYNOTSORRY, as in 26A, Sarcastic nonapology. Show note imagery: an OMELET (not to be confused with an OMELETTE. Oops, too late! 😀) Looking for a great present for your child / parent / guardian / relative / friend / partner? The NYTimes Crossword i...

30 Jul 202410min

In honor of the Paris Olympics, Paolo Pasco has put together a fabulous tribute, one that has to be seen to be believed. It was slightly more challenging than a typical Sunday crossword, but that must surely pale in insignificance compared to the challenge of constructing it! To see what we mean, check out the completed grid at xwordinfo.com, and, of course, check out our analysis of it ... right here! Show note imagery: Some SABOT shoes (aka clogs) We love feedback! Send us a text... Contac...

29 Jul 202418min

A taxing Saturday crossword -- not by chance, Saturday's are engineered to be that way -- but Barbara Lin and Matthew Stock managed to create a very nice bit of work, so nice, in fact, that it has won our JAMCOTWA™️ (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award). it was a difficult decision -- we had many fine puzzles this week -- but this one just took the cake (and hence the award), for all the reasons outlined in today's episode. Show note imagery: BARBIECORE! We love feedback! Send us a tex...

28 Jul 202419min