Wednesday, February 26, 2025 - We long for more crosswords by Dan Caprera 😁

An ENDEARING Saturday crossword, with nary a GIMMICK to be seen (except, of course, for the answer GIMMICK), and at least an OCTET of great clues, including, 1D, Four+Four, OCTET 😀. Mike's favorite in the grid was undoubtedly 17A, Northwest of 1, ESC (wow!), while Jean was partial to 33A, Apt anagram of "I sew a whole", ELIASHOWE; but we enjoyed the entire puzzle, so much so that it's our JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award) winner! Huzzah! We love feedback! Send us ...

12 Mars 202318min

A very satisfying Friday crossword - not a lot of pop culture references, some marvelous mis-direction in the clueing, and not a "blah" answer to be seen anywhere in the grid. We appreciated that the top left of the grid, 1D, A bad joke might land with one, THUD, was paired with the top right of the grid, 14D, Jazz trumpeter jones, THAD. That's artistry right there, and the person who should be credited with that is the crossword's creator, Claire Rimkus. We can't wait for her next ...

11 Mars 202321min

There were no downsides to this crossword, whose theme revolved around FLIPSIDES. Jean had just a spot of bother, conflating STRAT with STRAD, and Mike felt cert. that Colombo was in the NYPD, not, as 1D, "Colombo org." would have it, the LAPD. All in all a fine puzzle, we give it 5 squares on the JAMCR scale, encore! We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and...

10 Mars 202315min

Someone -- to be precise, Miranda Kany, the constructor of today's delicious crossword -- has embedded an entire (very tasty) recipe into today's grid. So, don't try this on an empty stomach, and if you do follow the recipe, send us a pic! We had listener mail today, in which our correspondent recommended the "Fifty Nifty United States" song. The YouTube version is a hoot, so check it -- as well as today's episode, of course! -- out. We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We ...

9 Mars 202316min

A very pleasing Tuesday crossword, with a theme that was an echo / homage to Monday's HUMANNATURE -- surely not a coincidence, with the crossword force-of-nature Will Shortz in charge. Today's puzzle included a few spicier clues - 17A, Best competitive stuff, AGAME (cute); the combo 28D, That one and that one, in Spanish, ESOS, paired with 65A, That one and that one, THOSE (now that's artisanship). Definitely a 5 squares on the JAMCR scale, and for all the deets, please download, li...

8 Mars 202316min

This is Lynn Lempel's 100th crossword in the New York Times, and if you ever needed proof that practice makes perfect, just check out her latest -- fun clues, a cute theme, everything you want in a Monday crossword. Just to let everyone know, we are gearing up to have -- gasp! -- another Triplet Tuesday Contest in about a week, so be sure and listen to tomorrow's TTC so you'll be all practiced up. Of course, don't forget to listen to today's episode: subscribe, download, listen up, and en...

7 Mars 202312min

A fine Sunday crossword by John-Clark Levin - the clues are uniformly delightful, and over a grid the size of a Sunday (21x21, in case you hadn't measured lately), that's saying a lot. And we have a lot to say about this crossword, so go ahead and subscribe / download / listen and enjoy!We love feedback! Send us a text...Contact Info:We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com.Also, we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!

6 Mars 202317min

Another tough crossword for one of our co-hosts, for whom KACHINA dolls were a revelation. As part of his cunning plan to keep mementos of especially challenging clues close at hand, he hopes to soon add a KACHINA doll to his lovely SANLUISOBISPO t-shirt and KATANA sword collection. Since it is Saturday, we have once again identified our JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award) winner (deets inside), and we have some fascinating LARB-related listener mail. Enjoy! We love fe...

5 Mars 202320min