Saturday, May 24, 2025 - Today's crossword contained, literally, a PLEASANTSURPRISE
Both cohosts found today's crossword to be a tad on the easy side (for a Saturday), but it nonetheless had some brilliant clues. Among these were 32D, Eton ___ (traditional English dessert), MESS (yum!); 28D, Shelters from the heat?, SAFEHOUSES (har!); and 54D, Magnum and Spade, for short, PIS (book 'em, Dano!). In other news, we have our JAMCOTWA winner (hint: if you read our podcast titles for this week, it won't take long to spot), and some terrific listener mail. Enjoy! Show note im...
25 Maj 12min
Friday, May 23, 2025 - No, AKEE is not how you feel after eating an AKEE 🙄
Our intrepid cohosts -- solving, as always, independently -- had very different experiences whilst filling in the grid. Jean got through this relatively readily, whereas Mike muttered many imprecations and not a few desperate incantations on his way to the happy music. Deets inside, as well as a great Fun Fact Friday segment about, well, we don't know who 😉 Show note imagery: The Artist's Garden at Giverny, by MONET We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listene...
24 Maj 17min
Thursday, May 22, 2025 - If crosswords were paintings, this'd be the Mona Lisa 🖼️
This crossword was the embodiment of what makes the NYTimes Crossword so outstanding: a fantabulous theme amid a sea of novel and some LOL supporting clues. Just check out today's podcast, and then raise a glass in honor of David J. Kahn, creator of today's masterpiece. [Oh, and then raise it a second time in the direction of Will "Funnier! Make it funnier... and cleverer!!" Shortz, editor extraordinaire!.] Show note imagery: DEDE Allen, one of the greatest film editor's of all time. We love ...
23 Maj 15min
Wednesday, May 21, 2025 - A crossword so good you'll wish it was SOSTENUTO!
There was art in today's grid -- specifically at 29A, "The most beautiful deception of all," per Debussy, ART, and more generally, everywhere else; because only the most artful of crosswords make their way into the hallowed NYTimes crossword pantheon. Beyond the brilliant themed answers (discussed at length in today's episode), a few examples of the authors' craft are on display at 12D, Try again, REHEAR (nice one!); 5D, Smallest three-syllable number, ELEVEN (huh!); and 53A, Best way t...
22 Maj 13min
Tuesday, May 20, 2025 - It's NIGH well about time NIGH made a comeback! 😀
This was Rena Cohen's first Tuesday crossword, and like the other three that she has constructed for the NYTimes, it was excellent: a brilliant theme and a constellation of ingenious clues made the whole puzzle shine. It's definitely worth 5 squares on the JAMCR scale, and if you're still skeptical, today's episode will surely put those qualms to rest. Show note imagery: The infamous EDSEL, in all its turquoise glory We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Dro...
21 Maj 18min
Monday, May 19, 2025 - We're agOG about today's crossword 😉
This was a fun, fast, frothy Monday crossword. It would be a great crossword to solve with the young'uns, for reasons that will become evident as you listen to today's episode. Also, as presaged in yesterday's episode, we do indeed have a Joke for your consideration. It might not leave you ROTFL, but hopefully it will at least make you TYCS (Tip Your Chair Slightly). Show note imagery: Erykah Badu, queen of NEOSOUL We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop ...
20 Maj 8min
Sunday, May 18, 2025 - A big ola! to those who sell OLLAS 😏
Today's crossword seemed (to at least one of our cohosts) to be slightly crunchier than the usual Sunday, thanks to clues like 3D, "Ci vediamo in giro!" , CIAO; 70A, Pauperism, so to speak, RAGS (um, ok); and 61D, Arbiters of taste, CONNOISSEURS (or as they are known nowadays, influencers). To be clear, we are not complaining: we like a little crunch in our cereal and our crossword grids, and today's puzzle had just the right amount. Show note imagery: Groucho Marx - he didn't inv...
19 Maj 14min
Saturday, May 17, 2025 - The "toughest crossword of the week" lives up to its name!
This was an excellent Saturday crossword -- with some Ginsu-knife-sharp cluing, and just a light dusting of pop culture references -- which is precisely the reason why it is now the latest winner of our JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award™️). Deets inside, so have a listen, and then tell all your friends and relations about us on social media. Show note imagery: Parts of a violin, including the (non-amphibious, thankfully) FROG. We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info...
18 Maj 15min
