Tuesday, October 19, 2021 - A PEACH of a Puzzle
Ross Trudeau steps up to the plate, swings, and it's a hit -- because Ross Trudeaus' crosswords are always a hit. This is a more high-brow crossword than is typical for the New York Times, as there were 3 clues that tied in to 28D, Literary trio found in the answers to this puzzle's starred clues, THEBRONTES. Those clues -- 6D, Chain known for its soft pretzels, AUNTIEANNES; 25D, Prominent left-leaning political action committee, EMILYSLIST; and the rather lengthy 19A, Children's book w...
20 Okt 202111min
Monday, October 18, 2021 - War of the Words - ORSON or ODEON?
Freddie Cheng has provided a very ARTistic start to the crossword week, with a series of clues that include multiple spellings of the word ART, e.g., 17A, Athlete who rarely gets sacked or has a pass intercepted, STARQUARTERBACK. Both Jean and Mike had a skosh of difficulty with this puzzle, because, even though solving independently, they were both taken in by 50A, Woman's name derived from the Greek for "peace", IRENA (not IRENE), crossing 46D, Super-miniature dog breed size, TEACUP (not TE...
19 Okt 202110min
Sunday, October 17, 2021 - IGETITNOW!
A splendid Sunday crossword from the pen of Jeff Chen, who overlays the main grid with 5 diagonal answers - it has to be seen to be believed. Fortuitously, you can indeed see that by going over to Jeff Chen's web site - xwordinfo.com - tell 'em Jean & Mike sent you. Beyond the diagonal clues, the rest of the grid was a master class in crossword construction, as you would expect from Mr. Chen. For all the details, just download and listen up! We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact In...
17 Okt 202115min
Saturday, October 16, 2021 - NICEONE!
A well crafted crossword from Caitlin Reid and Erik Agard, not too soul-crushingly difficult, and not too fall-off-a-log easy, either. There was only one pop culture reference -- 17A, Pop music nickname, RIRI -- but it has been in the grid multiple times in recent months. Some other clues worth highlighting -- 6D, Check for bugs, INSECTREPELLENT (the old verb-for-noun. switcheroo), 55A, Having trouble making a call, ONTHEFENCE, and 14D, Life lines?, BIOS -- are just a few of the gems that awa...
17 Okt 202110min
Friday, October 15, 2021 - Is that a MINAJ I see before me?
Today's crossword had mixed reviews. Jean thought it was relatively straightforward, Mike found it a bit more of a slog, no BIGSURPRISE. They both agree, however, that 30A, Cutesy "I beg your pardon", EXSQUEEZEME, was fun to say, and that 39D, Joint application?, BENGAY, was just funny. It's Fun Fact Friday, and in today's episode Jean and Mike discuss the architect who is almost never called by his full name, Ieoh Ming Pei. We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener ...
16 Okt 202115min
Thursday, October 14, 2021 - Was this a great crossword? DEF, definitely DEF
An unexpectedly gentle Thursday offering, but filed with some joyously LOL answers. Who could not break a smile at 58A, Stand by the pool, maybe, TIKIBAR, 45D, Balls in a pocket, FALAFEL (nice!), and marvel at the epic 12D, Glass elevator?, TOASTER? The author of today's mirthfest, Matt Fuchs, definitely knows how to write an entertaining crossword, hence our JAMCR scale rating of 5 squares, with 5 smirks on the associated Chortle Meter™️. We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We ...
15 Okt 20219min
Wednesday, October 13, 2021 - A TONNEAU Tough Clues
Today's crossword was a real EYE opener - with the names of 4 persons whose first named started with, and last name ended with, the letter I. It was ingenious, intriguing and ... tough! Jean ran into some thorns in the bottom-right corner, and Mike had to cope with the intersection of 5D, Cover for the bed of a pickup truck, TONNEAU, and 32A, "Red Cube" sculptor with an eponymous museum in New York, ISAMUNOGUCHI - yikes! Remember that if you're not a subscriber to the New York Times, t...
14 Okt 202112min
Tuesday, October 12, 2021 - All Hail AMUNRA, God of Dubious Spelling!
Today's crossword included the reappearance of 2D, Egyptian king of the Gods, AMNUNRA, whose alternative spellings are so legendary - AMUNRA, AMENRA, AMONRA , to name just three -- that he has earned the unofficial moniker, God of Dubious Spelling. The rest of the grid was entertaining, focused on the concept of 37A, Portmanteau coinage describing this puzzle's theme, ALLITERNATION. Examples of these include 17A, Game that has only a single round, RUSSIANROULETTE, 23A, Single item seem...
13 Okt 20219min
