Tuesday, July 22, 2025 - A scrumpdelicious Tuesday crossword!

For those of you pondering the episode title, no, our quality control department has not dropped the ball, but rather made a wry (but not awry 🙄) joke that is highly germane to today's crossword. We discussed some great clues in today's episode. We were also glad to see 8D, Capital city on the banks of the Rideau River, OTTAWA (🇨🇦);55A, Bad way to run, AMOK (😀); and one of the worst inventions of whatever century it was invented in, 40A, Auto-___, setting for many subscription services,...

16 Jul 202512min

This was a Monday crossword, which means that a) it should not be particularly difficult for experienced solvers, and b) entertaining. We are pleased to report that it met both criteria, and we submit today's podcast as Exhibit A. Remember, the NYTimes crossword is a great way to keep expanding your lexicon and keeping those neurons in peak fighting form. To subscribe, just cruise over to nytimes.com/subscription/games, signing up is as easy as 🥧 Show note imagery: The Golden Raspberry Awards...

15 Jul 202512min

Today's crossword had bells, whistles, and even an EHRU thrown into the mix. It was by Brandon Koppy, however, so at no time did the quality of the puzzle ever dip below 5 squares on the JAMCR scale. Quite a few of the clues got our attention, including 30D, Strung rungs, ROPELADDER (that clue is just sooo much fun to pronounce!); 100A, Chore-o-graph, TODOLIST (brilliant!!!); and 55D, The old you?, THEE (tee-hee 😀). In addition to the analysis of a great crossword, we also have some fabulous ...

14 Jul 202524min

This was a terrific Saturday crossword, because the clues were just brilliant. Who could resist the allure of 58A, Member of a sub-Saharan matriarchal clan, HYENA; or the sly 61D, Wit's end?, NESS; or the witty 29D, Went from 0 to 60?, AGED. And the rest of the clues were of similar caliber, the quality control was that good. Kudos to Katie for this splendid, JAMCR scale-pegging puzzle! Show note imagery: Sidney Crosby (airborne), celebrating his GOLDENGOAL in the 2010 Winter Olympic Games, i...

13 Jul 202513min

Kudos to James McCarron, on creating an excellent Friday crossword, a debut, no less. Among our favorite clues (not mentioned in the podcast) were 21D, Film star whose name consists of two presidents, HARRISONFORD (not to be confused with the slightly lesser-known star, ABRAHAMNIXON); 6D, Nash who wrote "The cow is of the bovine ilk; / One end is moo, the other, milk" (udderly brilliant 🙄); and 36A, "Poppycock!", PISH (the most British word ever 😀). Show note imagery: A BENIHANA chef sho...

12 Jul 202518min

This was an awesome Thursday crossword, courtesy of Emily Biegas and Sala Wanetick (with Will Shortz, as always, at the helm). The were oodles of cunning clues, some of which were quite educational. Par example (as the French like to say), we had: 10D, Like Stonehenge vis-à-vis the Parthenon, OLDER (🤔); 67A, It can follow anyone, ELSE (😀); and 49A, Sparking water additive, ESSENCE (🧐). We cover many of the remainder in today's podcast, and wrap it up with another letter from the ol' mailbox. ...

11 Jul 202518min

Just when you think the NYTimes crossword could not possibly come up with one more theme -- they've all been done before -- they prove you wrong (which, happily, seems to happen every day they have a themed crossword!). Today's crossword definitely confirms that observation, as you will discover upon listening to today's episode. In addition, we have some awesome listener mail harkening way back to Monday's episode. Have a listen, and, as always, let us know what you think! Show note imagery:...

10 Jul 202516min

This was a SERENE crossword -- and we say that not because of the presence of SERENE in the grid, but because of the, well, SERENE theme -- one that ought to bring a smile to your lips, or, if you're having a frowny sort of day, at least help you transit from ☹️ to 🫤. We have the deets inside, as well as Jean's epic battle in today's Triplet Tuesday segment , so do have a listen. Show note imagery: Let's all do the Bunny HUG! We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love lis...

9 Jul 202514min