Sunday, October 23, 2022 - This | crossword | was | great!
Another brilliant Sunday crossword, with an ingenious theme from Daniel Bodily and Jeff Chen, and while Daniel Bodily may not be quite as familiar a name, Jeff Chen is a hero in the crosswording community (he of xwordinfo.com fame), and this crossword is a testament to why he deserves those accolades. We have all the deets inside, so download, listen up, enjoy, and once you've done that feel free to leave us a 5 âïž review on your favorite podcast app! We love feedback! Send us a text... Conta...
24 Okt 202214min
Saturday, October 22, 2022 - Alexander Calder, father of the STABILE
While both Jean and Mike agreed that today's crossword was tough, only one had the comically long solve time to prove it - hint: it wasn't Jean. The southwest was almost Mike's undoing, but a tremendous amount of luck (or, more likely, very clever plotting on the part of the crossword constructor abetted by the esteemed Will Shortz) made it possible for him to, eventually, and not without much gnashing of teeth, get to the solve. In short, the perfect Saturday NYTimes crossword, seemingly abs...
23 Okt 202219min
Friday, October 21, 2022 - BAE and NAE in one grid? YAY!
A debut crossword by Rafael Musa, who breaks into the elite group of NYTimes crossword constructors on one of the most difficult days of the week, aka Friday, and he does so in style. The grid is amazing - virtually no pop culture names at all, plus some lengthy (but eminently recognizable) phrases made for a smooth solve. We loved it, 5 squares on the JAMCR scale. In other news, it's Fun Fact Friday, and for FFF we go back in time all the way to ... yesterday, for the origin story of ...
22 Okt 202212min
Thursday, October 20, 2022 - This crossword wasn't half-baaaaaad
Today's puzzle was a shear, excuse us, sheer delight, with a clever theme that definitely helped speed up the solve. Jean's favorite clues were 56D, Cousin of a carp, CHUB - simply because CHUB is so much fun to say, and 18A, "Here's what we should do", IVEGOTAPLAN, because it's so reassuring; Mike's favorite was 32D, OUZO, for reasons that remain a mystery, even to him! We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also...
21 Okt 202215min
Wednesday, October 19, 2022 - Luther Vandross, a musician for the ages
A terrific Wednesday crossword, with a theme guaranteed to bring a smile to your lips - and if that doesn't work, we double-guarantee that listening to the musician in 35D, Genre for Luther Vandross, SOUL, will do the trick. In short, the EQ (Entertainment Quotient) in today's crossword was high, and to hear precisely how high (hint: we measure it in metrical feet), gather 'round your favorite podcasting app to enjoy today's episode! We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love l...
20 Okt 20229min
Tuesday, October 18, 2022 - ALEK Wek, not just K, but *great*!
A subtly themed Tuesday crossword - the theme didn't really help in the solve, but was fun to admire after the fact. There were a few potentially til (today I learned) answers in the grid, including 25A, Irish laddie (BOYO), 27A, 1953 title role for John Wayne, HONDO, and, if not a til, at least a tiwro (today I was reminded of) answer, 8D, Played a couple of sets at a jazz club, say, GIGGED. In other news, it's Triplet Tuesday, and Mike's in the hot seat! To discover whether he soared like ...
19 Okt 202212min
Monday, October 27, 2022 - Hey, what's up, doc?đ„
An LOL theme to start off the week, both amusing and nostalgic (although most of the characters mentioned here are, in one form or another, still appearing in new series). There were a few quasi-mysterious clues, most notably 44A, Response to a relatable meme, in internet slang, ITME and 45A. South and Central American mammal related to the raccoon, COATI. We could REGALE you with more, but we'd prefer to REFER you to today's AGITA-free episode. Enjoy! We love feedback! Send us a text... Cont...
18 Okt 20229min
Sunday, October 16, 2022 - The Sunday SCARIES!
A deftly constructed crossword by Paolo Pasco, with a theme that has to be seen to be believed (and arguably to be able to figure out the crossword). Fortunately Jean was able to do both, and to find out exactly what that theme was, and how it helped, we cordially invite you to 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...
17 Okt 202215min
