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
Friday, May 16, 2025 - MEGASTORE - when you're running low on MEGAs 🙄
Today's puzzle was a trifle easier than your typical Friday, which means -- by the Law of Conservation of Crossword Difficulty™️ -- you can expect tomorrow's crossword to be a morsel harder (on average, and of course YMMV depending on what you know and if you remember it). Regardless of the difficulty, though, we predict that it will be fun, challenging, and educational: tune in tomorrow to see if our prognostications are on the nose. Show note imagery: The Cornbelt, visualized We love feedba...
17 Maj 17min
Thursday, May 15th, 2025 - Today's puzzle BELIEs the notion that nobody knows what BELIE means 😉
This marks Simeon Siegel's 17th crossword since 2020, and while he might not be OVERPROUD, it is most certainly something to celebrate. The theme was particularly NOteworthy, and, YES, we meant to write NO just NOw. Confused? Today's podcast will bring enlightenment, so we encourage you to step out of the darkness and into the light, so to speak, by listening to this episode. Show note imagery: EVESDIARY, by Mark Twain We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! D...
16 Maj 13min
