Tuesday, December 15, 2020

There was a lot of sparkle in today's crossword - the 10th for the NYTimes by Billy Bratton. We were impressed by the inclusion of 22A, Online provocateur, in slang, EDGELORD (it felt like a debut, and it was); 13D, Prepares for a bomb, GOESDEEP (brilliant!); and we especially appreciated the clue in 23D, Lugubrious, GLUM. In related news, we have a delicious Fun Fact Friday segment, so check it out, and then let us know what you think: crosswordpodcast@icloud.com Show note imagery: ...

12 Okt 202420min

A nice bit of cruciverbial magic by Grant Boroughs, his third NYTimes publication. There were many excellent clues lurking about in the grid, including 8D, Confidently struts, SASHAYS (just a day after SWAGGERS swaggered its way into a puzzle); 57A, Ungulate feature, HOOF (we just like the opportunity to say/think/write the word Ungulate); 13D, Legislative collectives, BODIES (of course ... in retrospect!); and possibly our favorite, 46D, Stee-RIKE three follower, YEROUT. Show note imagery: ...

11 Okt 202415min

Today's crossword was brilliant, and that's not just because of the cracklingly good theme that Jeffrey Lease has penned, but it certainly is a major reason why. We found the top-left particularly crunchy (i.e., tough), but eventually all the grid yielded its secrets, including 16A, Dwarf planet with the largest mass, ERIS (not, as Mike was convinced for about 45 minutes, and Jean for 30-45 seconds, EROS😍) Show note imagery: The AEGEAN, definitely worth a visit We love feedback! Send us a te...

10 Okt 202416min

This crossword - the second for the NYTimes by Justin Werfel - was everything that you would expect of a Tuesday NYTimes crossword - fun, educational, and, as befitting its position in the week, not too difficult. It did have its moments, however: 51D, End of a sonnet, often, SESTET; 46D, "Little Shop of Horrors" lyricist Howard, ASHMAN; and 52A, Name of Athena's shield, AEGIS, were particularly notable. It is Tuesday, time for Triplet Tuesday, and in today's episode Jean shows what sh...

9 Okt 202417min

Today's crossword has a terrific theme, but the supporting cast of clues was also impressive, with gems all over the grid. For instance, 9D, Good "Wheel of Fortune" buy for TOO COOL FOR SCHOOL, ANO (absolutely brilliant!); 51D, "No playing" signs, RESTS (very nice); 87D, Thick plank of a ship, WALE (ok, now we know). Can there be any doubt that this is worth a full 5 squares on the JAMCR scale? No, there cannot be. Bravo, John Kugelman, and we eagerly await your next NYTimes masterpiece. Sh...

7 Okt 202420min

This was one of our favorite Saturday crosswords this year - tough but fair, with cheery clues to educate and delight. We've covered most of them in today's podcast, but even the ones that were left on the cutting-room floor were good: 35D, Chest bump?, PEC, and 48D, Whirl, so to speak, TRY. For all these reasons this opus, by Natan Last, has won a highly sought after JAMCOTWA -- Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award. Show note imagery: MARSEILLE, the oldest city in France We love feedba...

6 Okt 202419min

An elegant Friday crossword by Zhouqin Burnikel, her 80th for the NYTimes(!). Jean hit a few snags in the bottom right, whereas Mike spun his wheels in the central and upper right regions, before finally getting traction. A fun time was (eventually) had by all, and we have the deets inside, as well as a fine Fun Fact Friday segment (if we do say so ourselves, ... which we do!) Show note imagery: POORI, Indian fried bread (finally, an Indian bread that is neither NAAN nor ROTI), and a debut a...

5 Okt 202420min

This is a fine debut crossword by Rena Cohen, with an aptly large number of debut entries to accompany a clever but initially cryptic theme. It involved a rebus, but evolved into the rather important question of where should that rebus go? We have the deets inside, so we cordially invite you to check out today's episode. As a reminder, as you are listening to today's podcast, it always helps to have a completed version of the crossword close at hand so you can follow the conversation. If you...

4 Okt 202418min