Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

This was a fun, frothy Monday crossword by Ailee Yoshida, her second for the NYTimes. The theme was (as always) ingenious, and, being a Monday, the grid was populated with words that we mainly know. It did have two debut answers (19A, Tidbit in a nutritious pudding: CHIASEED; 23A, Department handling media inquiries: PRESSOFFICE) and one not seen since 1984, 43D, Lip-plumping injection, FILLER. For the record, in 1984 FILLER had no connection, whatsoever, with Lips. Show note imagery: A WRIT...

17 Des 202413min

This was an extraordinary Sunday crossword by David Kwong, his 24th for the NYTimes. David is a magician, fitting since there is so much magic in today's grid ... and art! In fact there is a palette of artists (and if palette's not the unit in which artists are measured it ought to be) as well, all part of a very, very clever theme. Deets inside! A reminder that our next Triplet Tuesday Contest is coming up this Tuesday, and you might be our next winner. All you need to do to participate is ...

16 Des 202427min

This was a remarkable NYTimes crossword, first because it was a debut Saturday crossword for Owen Bergstein (not too many cruciverbalists debut on a Saturday), and second, because Owen is a high school junior! Talk about starting young! The crossword itself is great, and we have all the deets inside, as well as our JAMCOTWA winner, some listener mail, and a reminder about our upcoming Triplet Tuesday Contest (this Tuesday, mark your calendars). Show note imagery: CEREBRO, a MARVELous inventi...

15 Des 202423min

Our cohosts had slightly different experiences solving today's crossword ... Jean found it to be a tricky but straightforward Friday, Mike found solving it more akin to climbing the Hoover Dam one-handed: doable, but only with a lot of patience (and possibly a temporary repeal of the law of gravity). Deets inside, as well as a fine Fun Fact for Fun Fact Friday™️ (and the promise of a future bit of listener mail). Show note imagery: a photo by Dorothea LANGE (pronunciation TBD), documenter of...

14 Des 202423min

This was a fine Thursday crossword by Daniel Bodily, including a slick theme, smartly implemented. There were some great clues, including 42A, It makes Max profits, HBO 😀 ; 24D, Plant used in xeriscaping because of its tolerance to drought, AGAVE (we just love the word xeriscaping 😀); the delicious 57A, Low-key place for gnocchi, TRATTORIA (which is much more amusing if you know how to pronounce gnocchi!); and our favorite, 31D, Word after one fell, SWOOP (😀 😀). All in all an excellent ...

13 Des 202419min

This was a fabulous Wednesday crossword, a collaboration between Kathy Bloomer and the prolific Jeff Chen, that includes a theme that is clever, complex, and some other word that starts with the letter c but isn't cozy ... er, we'll get back to you on that 😀 Beyond the aforementioned clever, complex and not cozy theme clues, we had some other fine gems in the grid, and to learn all about them, just download and check out today's podcast. Show note imagery: Some typical NE Wisconsinite...

12 Des 202418min

This was a quintessential NYTimes crossword, featuring an arty theme with a twist, and a SWARM of supporting clues guaranteed to bring a smile to your face, including 51D, Give a take, OPINE; 6D, Likely aftermath of a toddler's playtime, MESS; and 50D, "No can do, lassie", NAE. Brilliant, the lot of them! Speaking of lot, we're going to be having another Triplet Tuesday contest next week, and there will be a lot of prizes just there for the taking (well, you have to win the contest first, a ...

11 Des 202419min

Another Monday, another debut crossword constructor! This was from Elliot Caroll, and both cohosts found her work to be a bit crunchier than usual for a Monday, as evidenced by their longer-than-average solve times and higher HSPMs (Head Scratches Per Minute) than usual. We aren't complaining, though, we wouldn't think of ONBLASTing this fine work. Show note imagery: A startlingly red ALABAMASLAMMER. We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, cro...

10 Des 202413min