Saturday, May 25, 2024 - A splendid Saturday solve
This is David P. Williams' fourth NYTimes crossword, and interestingly all four have used the same grid, so apparently DPW has taken the phrase "why mess with success?" to heart. There are some magnificent clues in today's grid, including 47D, Time to take stock?, IPO; 34A, Lover of literature, ROMEO (ha!); and we loved the juxtaposition of 29A, Architects, so to speak, MASTERMINDS, immediately above 31A, Wield influence, PULLSTRINGS, because that's what MASTERMINDS do, and David P.Williams d...
26 Maj 202418min
Friday, May 24, 2024 - This crossword is TWICEASNICE
For your edification, we present our analysis of a nice -- in fact, twice as nice! -- crossword by Carolyn Davies Lynch that really has a lot to commend it, most notably some really, really difficult clues! Fortunately there were not too many pop-culture references: we did have 16A, Many Eras Tour attendees, SWIFTIES, but Taylor Swift may be the most famous woman on the planet, and so even Mike was able to suss that one out. Beyond the crossword, we have a fine Fun Fact Friday™️ ...
25 Maj 202417min
Thursday, May 23, 2024 - Oh, what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive
We don't normally namedrop Shakespearean quotes, but we are inspired by today's highly twisty-turny theme that looks like it might take 100 years or so to construct, but Adam Wagner managed to pull it off in well under a decade 😉 While the theme is certainly the center of attention, there is a lot of other joyous word play taking place throughout the grid, so to learn more, prithee download and lend us your ears, we vouchsafe to return them in good working order 😀 Show note imager...
24 Maj 202415min
Wednesday, May 22, 2024 - Finally, the DEBUGGER gets its due!
Today's crossword had eight, count'em, eight debut answers, including every computer programmer's favorite, DEBUGGER, the unsung hero of software development. A number of other clues didn't make it into the grid but deserve a shoutout, including 61A, Currently happening, AFOOT (and we can hear the British accent in our heads when we say it 😀); 35D, Handel's Messiah, for one, ORATORIO (not a Canadian province, but sooooo close 😀😀); and our favorite, 8D, They'd no't appreciate well,...
23 Maj 202410min
Tuesday, May 21, 2024 - Today's crossword is LIT!
Tuesday's crossword, just like the child in the nursery rhyme, is full of grace -- and we mention nursery not just to name drop but because it is an essential component of today's puzzle. Intrigued? We thought you might be, but in the interests of keeping your IL (Intrigue Level) high, we won't go into deets here, but just encourage you to download today's episode (and see how Mike did on today's Triplet Tuesday segment) Show note imagery: A BOTTLEGOURD, aka a calabash We love feedback! Send...
22 Maj 202412min
Monday, May 20, 2024 - A-tten-hut! CAPTAINOBVIOUS wants to say a few (obvious) words!
A delightfully wry Monday theme courtesy of Jack Scherban, and if that name doesn't ring a bell that's because this crossword marks his debut in the NYTimes, so congrats, Jack! There were a few answers in the grid that haven't been seen in a while - 11D, Comic actress Martha, RAYE; the revealer, 49A, Unfazed response to a threat from one of the themed answers, YOUANDWHATARMY; and speaking of which, one of the themed answers, 31A, Hotels.com mascot who must be a commanding officer, CAPTAINOBVI...
21 Maj 20248min
Sunday, May 19, 2024 - Mmmm, pass the ADOBO!
Somewhat akin to Robert Frost's "two roads diverged in a yellow wood", Jean & Mike's solves diverged, with Jean tearing through today's crossword, and Mike coming to a screeching halt (with him supplying most of the screeching). The reason for this is, as long time listeners will surmise, due to Jean's encyclopedic knowledge of Filipino dishes, and Mike's total ignorance of ... pretty much any foods / dishes / ingredients not sold at the local Jimmy Johns. We have all the deet...
20 Maj 202417min
Saturday, May 18, 2024 - Hey, where'd all the black squares go? 😀
Today's crossword looked daunting - a sea of white squares, and two 3-stack sets of grid-spanning answers. But while our first reaction was 36A, [Uh-oh], GULP, and our second reaction was 59A, "I'm speechless", THEREARENOWORDS", we used our 15D, Spots for berets, TETES, and were able to noodle a solution without too many 42AS, Official administrations, OATHS. In other news, we've identified today's JAMCOTWA. Have a listen, and let us know if you agree, disagree, or none-of-...
19 Maj 202416min
