Thursday, February 20, 2025 - Oh, *so* close

There's something about a Monday NYTimes crossword theme -- crafted to put a smile on your lips combined with a "huh!" when recognition dawns. Later in the week, that "huh", sometimes morphs into a "duh" or possibly a "doh", but we do like Mondays, including this fine work, a debut (congrats!!) by Luke K. Schreiber. In other news, we have some very timely listener mail tying into yesterday's discussion of mutton busting ... from an actual mutton buster (well, to be precise, the mutton ...

12 Des 202315min

A seemingly easier than usual Sunday crossword, especially surprising consider its origin - from the minds and pens of Zachary David Levy and Jeff Chen. Besides a small boatload of puns that comprised the theme, today's puzzle did have some fun gems waiting to be uncovered. For example, 59D, Game divided into periods called chukkers, POLO (featuring our new favorite word, chukkers); 81A, Extreme lethargy, SOPOR (not to be confused with torpor, but we'd forgive you if you did!); 86D, Sal...

11 Des 202315min

Our intrepid cohosts had distinct solving experiences working on today's crossword - Jean found it relatively straightforward (aided and abetted, as usual, by her insanely copious and nearly complete collection of modern pop-culture references); Mike, whose pop culture references are mysteriously restricted to the years 1850 to 1875, inclusive, had much less luck, but still, somehow, managed to persevere. Deets inside, as well as the winner of today's JAMCOTWA™️ (Jean And Mike Crossword Of Th...

10 Des 202320min

Robert Logan has to make NOAPOLOGIES for today's crossword, a fine Friday, challenging but accessible, with some shorter toeholds conveniently located everywhere in the grid. There were a lot of fascinating factoids in today's puzzle, such as 30A, Artist of "La Maja Desnuda" and "La Maja Vestida", GOYA; 48A, ____________ Amendment (2010s extension of the Kyoto Protocol), DOHA; and 47D, Entertainment reference that began as a Usenet group, IMDB. There were many more educational and...

9 Des 202321min

A delightful Thursday crossword, an adjective we often find ourselves having to dust off when Rebecca Goldstein is the author, as is indeed the case today. It's not easy turning lead into gold, but she has done so magnificently, in several senses, as will become apparent once you've had a listen. Also, many of the lacunae in yesterday's crossword have been filled, thanks to some insightful listener mail, so for all that and more, download, listen up, and ... enjoy! Heavy D, in HD 😀 We ...

8 Des 202319min

It's hard to miss today's theme, as it's spelled out in large letters, in the middle of the grid, for all to see (as we describe in today's episode). But it's such an attention getter that it might detract from some other Highly Hentertaining clues, such as: 12D, Hah!, IBET; 24D, Hummer's interior, EMS (a reference to its two M's, which definitely warrants another Hah!); and 35A, Handle letters, AKA (heh, heh). More examples and deets inside, check it out! Today's artwork: One of Jimmy STEWA...

7 Des 202315min

A clever Tuesday crossword, with a theme that was a tad obscure by Tuesday standards (but fortunately was not essential, or really even helpful) in the solving of today's puzzle. We liked it though, for all the reasons spelled out in today's episode. We also had another stirring Triplet Tuesday segment, so check it out, and as usual, let us know what you think! Today's show notes picture: a POCKETDOOR. We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, c...

6 Des 202317min

Monday crosswords always seem to be crafted to put a smile on one's face, and today's puzzle is a case in point. We'e got the deets inside, great listener mail, and -- bonus! -- a hint of an inkling of an inchoate idea about a new contest, so, after you've hit the subscribe button (gently, but with enough force so that you'll never miss an episode), we cordially invite you to download, listen up, and prepare to chortle. We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener ...

5 Des 202312min