Friday, February 7, 2025 - Have a sip of TEXASTEA 🫖

Blake Slonecker, the virtuoso of late-in-the-week-really-really-tough-crosswords, has demonstrated why he has earned that monicker in today's puzzle, filled with some treacherously clever clues and just a slight scattering of "gimmes", although even the gimmes were more like "probably's". Deets inside, as well as the surprising winner of this week's JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award), as well as some fabulous listener mail. Enjoy! Show note imagery: Andrés Segovia, wi...

3 Nov 202421min

A nice Friday crossword by Spencer Leach, both co-hosts found it easier than Thursday's -- a tad unusual, but definitely not unheard of. Today's clues, however, were magnificent, a bevy of LOLers absolutely guaranteed to put a smile on your face or your money cheerfully refunded (eh, we might have to check on that last bit). Beyond the crossword, we have a very apropos Fun Fact Friday segment, as well as some great listener mail -- so have at it, enjoy, and, as usual, let us know what you thi...

2 Nov 202414min

This was a scary crossword, because of the theme, or, to be precise, just how difficult it was to figure out the theme (and many of the other clues besides). it was rated as a Thursday crossword, which generally means that it will be on the tough side, but when Sarah Sinclair and Paolo Pasco are the authors, that really should be uber-tough side. Uber-tough but fun, for reasons that we expand upon in today's podcast. Show note imagery: Tinker to EVERS to Chance, an awesome double-play We lov...

1 Nov 202424min

We present for your edification a very nice Halloween-ish themed crossword to get us mentally prepared for the big day tomorrow! We weren't scared, though, as we were in the capable hands of John M. Kauffman, adeptly supervised by Joel Fagliano. Deets within, so have a listen, and let us know what you think! Show note imagery: Any Given Sunday, a 1999 Oliver Stone flick with a small armada of famous actors. We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a li...

31 Okt 202416min

The answers to today's themed clues are so much fun to say that you may find yourself reciting them to strangers, which is a great way to break the ice at parties, just ignore any strange looks / raised eyebrows 😀 To find out what those answers are, we cordially invite you to check out today's episode. Also be sure and listen to our Triplet Tuesday segment, this time co-host Mike is in the hotseat. Show note imagery: We tried to find a noodle dog, alas, all we could find were doodle do...

30 Okt 202417min

There was a lot of water in today's grid - in 4D, Obstacle for a would-be castle attacker, MOAT; 35D, Beverage with a Big Mac, perhaps, LARGECOKE; and in it's purest state, 46D, Bottled water brand, DASANI. Yet in spite of all that,this puzzle was far from wet, in fact, just the opposite: a stellar Monday with multiple LOL clues, a great way to start out the work week. Also, we have a terrific bit of listener mail, so for all that, and more(!), download, listen up, and ... enjoy. Show note i...

29 Okt 202413min

Jeffrey Martinovic and Jeff Chen -- who as far as we know do not call themselves the two Jeffs -- have put together a moonificent Sunday crossword that will put you, well, over the moon. And if all these lunar references have not yet cued you into today's theme, fear not -- we have moony things to say on the subject (and we promise the episode itself is pretty much pun-free). Show note imagery: ELLEN Johnson Sirleaf, Liberia, and indeed Africa's, first elected female head of state, as well a...

27 Okt 202424min

This is, incredibly, Peter A. Collins' 120th NYTimes crossword. His sweet spot seems to be Wednesdays, but he has published (unsurprisingly, with 120 puzzles in the archives) every day of the week, this is his 8th Saturday. It would not be too much of a spoiler to say that we loved it, but for the deets check out today's podcast to see why. Also, it's Saturday, and for our JAMCOTWA™️ (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award), we picked ... nope, again, we run a tight ship here at JAMDTNYTC...

27 Okt 202415min