Friday, January 22, 2021

Happy Christmas Eve, everyone! And to celebrate, the New York Times has provided a cheery Thursday crossword, by Billy Ouska, that could be done, NOLIE, in almost no ___________ at all. Note that the (attempted) humor in that last sentence will become apparent once you've listened to the podcast. Jean cruised through the crossword as usual, Mike confidently and incorrectly assumed that 23D, There are more of these in the U.S. in October than any other month, surprisingly, was BIRTHS -- as opp...

25 Dec 20208min

Today's crossword, while perhaps not the greatest thing since SLICEDBREAD, is still, INALL, a fun and challenging Wednesday (and that's no JIVE!). It had some clever clues, like 7D, Stands up for dustpans, say, abbr., ANAG (short for ANAGRAM), 20A, 10th and 11th, e.g., EXT[RAIN}NINGS, and the rather obscure47A, Lawless figure with legendary fighting skills, XENA.All in all a fine puzzle, we give it a 5 squares on the JAMCR scale. We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact In...

24 Dec 202016min

Today's puzzle may put you on CLOUD9, or at least in a HAPPYPLACE, as you experience that SHEERBLISS that comes with solving a crossword (or at least giving it the old college try). Beyond the theme, there was a nod to PAPAHAYDN (41A, Affectionate nickname for the "Father of the Symphony"), and the definitely not serendipitous, because Amy Yanni and Jeff Chen are involved, placement of NENE (33D, Hawaii's state bird) and NANA (66A, Nickname for grandma). It's Tip Tuesday, and for today's tip...

23 Dec 202012min

Today's crossword was filled with GOBBLEDYGOOK, MUMBOJUMBO, and BALDERDASH, but we mean that in the best possible way: because today's crossword revolved around words/phrases that implied nonsense. There were a few names that might have proven difficult for newer and younger solvers, like 6D, Actress Saint of "North by Northwest", and 8D, 1957 title role for Frank Sinatra, PALJOEY, but for the most part the cluing was about as gentle as ALAMB, with plenty of opportunities for novices to exper...

22 Dec 20205min

If you are INTHEMOOD to reminisce, then this crossword is just what you need. It's a stroll down memory lane, if memory lane happened to run through a toy store, because all the major theme answers are famous, enduring and endearing toys, including CHATTYCATHY, SILLYPUTTY, TAMAGOTCHI and ETCHASKETCH, to name a few. Jean, as is her wont, breezed through today's crossword, while quite a few clues were a surprise to Mike including 50D, Promoting peace, IRENIC, and the spellings of 76D, Operatic ...

21 Dec 202019min

A major challenge, because, well, Saturday crosswords just tend to, AHEM, BELIKETHAT. There were numerous classical allusions in today's crossword -- from 38D, Agamemnon's son, ORESTES, to 45D, Lyre holder in classical artwork, ERATO, but there were also some more "hep" clues, such as 24D, Excited, in modern slang, TURNT, and 6D, R&B artist with the Grammy-winning 2017 hit, "Best Part", HER. Both Jean & Mike agreed that the bottom half of the puzzle was significantly tougher than the ...

20 Dec 202011min

Well, SHIVERMETIMBERS, it's a crossword, and we solved it ... BECAUSEITSTHERE. And, just like the SCENEOFTHECRIME, there were plenty of good. clues, including 47D, Center of a circle or square, maybe, STATUE, and a fun phrase, 17A, Using any means necessary, CATCHASCATCHCAN. We have a special offer ... be the first person to email us at crosswordpodcast@icloud.com with the subject "Yes, I Want the New York Times Crossword!", and you will win a free year's subscription to the LA Times ... no,...

19 Dec 202010min

If those immortal opening notes, dum, dum, dum, duuuuuuum, don't get your heart racing, then the ANTIDOTE is to sit down and listen to those notes in situ, specifically in BEETHOVENSFIFTH. Today's crossword is an homage to LUDWIG, that most revered of composers. Jean got through the crossword with little difficulty, while Mike was stuck in IDLE for the longest time until he realized that 1A, Needing some kneading, say, was ACHY, rather than SORE. There were a few famous folks in today's cro...

18 Dec 202011min