Monday, January 20, 2024 - Some OLDIES, some NEWBs, this FAB crossword's got it all!
Just how many crossword themes are possible? We'd argue for infinite, and while we have no proof, thanks to today's crossword we have even more empirical evidence: a unique and ebullient addition to the pantheon. See (or rather hear) for yourself: download, and be prepared to be uplifted, by Jake Halperin's fine opus. Show note imagery: Hess, a toy truck that has absolutely no relationship, Mike's hallucinations notwithstanding, to author Hermann HESSE. We love feedback! Send us a text... Co...
23 Jan 202412min
Sunday, January 21, 2024 - Oh, no, it's an imbroglio over an INTAGLIO đ
Today's crossword is entitled "Funny Business", and it definitely lives up to its name. The themed clues were a stitch, and there were lots of intriguing clues, which we had a lot of fun with as well. So, for a guaranteed laugh a minute (or at least a chortle or two), we heartily encourage you to subscribe/follow (so you never miss an episode!), download, listen up, and ... enjoy! Show note imagery: a Benjamina Ficus, in focus đ We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact ...
22 Jan 202421min
Saturday, January 20, 2024 -Oh, neato, there's such a thing as INCOGMEATO đ
Caitlin Reid and Matthew Stock have produced a breezy Saturday crossword -- with a slew of educational and entertaining clues such as 52A, Bad drawing?, SHORTSTRAW; 30D, Greek who originated the expression, "Leave no stone unturned", EURIPIDES (huh!); 50A, It's on the house, EAVE (ha!); and 41A, Signature items?, PENS (uh-huh). There were more, to be sure, and you can hear all about them in today's podcast! Show note imagery: INCOGMEATO, look for it wherever fine vegetarian foods...
21 Jan 202414min
Friday, January 19, 2024 - A crossword that's chock-full of AHAMOMENTs
Today's crossword was a delight -- not soul-crushingly difficult, as Friday crosswords sometimes are, but just a joy to behold and to solve. We give numerous examples in today's podcast, but we'd also like to celebrate 2D, "Well, well, well!", LOOKIEHERE(đ); 39D, Got hitched?, HITASNAG(đ đ); and the fascinating 23A, Grand _______, town in Nova Scotia that's a World Heritage Site (đ§). This was Jacob McDermott's 7th NYTimes crossword, and we eagerly await his 8th! Show note imagery: ERTĂ...
19 Jan 202415min
Thursday, January 18, 2024 - I before E, except after C, albeit science tells us that there might be exceptions đ
We'd like to say that the Michnovicz brothers have done it again, but since this is their debut NYTimes crossword all we can say is that they've done it! -- written a thought provoking puzzle that will test your spelling props like they've never been tested before (or at least since yesterday's puzzle). We cover most of the hot shot clues inside, but one we missed was 34D, Hot shot?, ESPRESSO; another, the very classy 59A, Jeremiad, RANT; and, perhaps the best of the bunch, 39A, Somethin...
19 Jan 202422min
Wednesday, January 17. 2024 - Morton J. Mendelson had a (b)right idea đ
A fine Wednesday crossword by Morton J. Mendelson, and to answer the question raised in the grid, yes, ITISART: artfully designed, wittily clued, and with an astonishing number of themed clues. We were also delighted to see echoes of yesterday's stellar crossword crop up today - Tuesday revolved around ONEL, while today we had 59D, Top-notch, AONE. Tuesday involved the letter L, while today's crossword involved a lot of right angles (fundamentally an L that went head over heels). Show ...
18 Jan 202416min
Tuesday, January 16, 2024 - A deLightful Tuesday crossword
Every now and then the NYTimes publishes a crossword for the ages, and today is one of those days, because this work of art, by Marshall Hermann, is sublime, stunning, stupendous, and a slew of other words that start with the letter S -- ironic, considering that the theme ... nope, we are *not* going to spoil it here: check out today's episode and then, as always, let us know what you think! Show note imagery: today's picture, varieties of SEAGLASS We love feedback! Send us a text... C...
17 Jan 202418min
Monday, January 15, 2024 - Beware the grampus!
A crossword that's bound to tickle your fancy, a statement that will appear quite droll once you've heard the podcast / soused out the theme. Beyond the clues already mentioned on the podcast, we'd like to highlight 45D, Pain relief brand with an oxymoronic name, ICYHOT; the appearance of yet another French word in the grid (62D, the S of RSVP, SIL), a trend which at least one of us would like to see continue; and there's just something very grounded about 60D, Barber's shout, NEXT. This repr...
16 Jan 202412min
