Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

It's been over a year since David Steinberg last graced the pages of the NYTimes crossword, and from our perspective it's been just over a year too long. David always crafts whip-smart puzzles, and today's is a perfect example. We have all the deets inside, so check it out! Also, as long as you're following our admonitions, we would be delighted if you could tell all your crossword-solving friends about us on social media. Show note imagery: For the record, this is a pair of JODHPURS cur...

28 Feb 12min

Both cohosts found today's crossword to be a wee bit crunchier than usual (to use a technical cruciverbial term meaning, loosely translated, "really, really hard" 😀). This was, no doubt, in service to a fantabulous theme that is slyly referred to in the episode title, and explored at length in today's podcast. Show note imagery: Need a WRAP? First, you're gonna need a soft tortilla ... We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodc...

27 Feb 14min

This marks Greg Snitkin's second NYTimes crossword, almost one year, to the day, since his debut. The crossword had some fun entries, including 63A, Call it an early night?, DUSK ; 46A, "Who's interested?", ANYONE; and the memorable 30A, Call after last call?, DRUNKDIAL. In today's episode, Jean tackles the theme, both cohosts take a trek through the grid, and then Mike does his best to not make a fool of himself in today's Triplet Tuesday segment. Enjoy! Show note imagery: Yup, that dolphin'...

26 Feb 13min

Rena Cohen, who we just saw in the NYTimes crossword last month is back again, and she remains at the top of her game. For proof -- OK, for strong anecdotal evidence -- check out today's podcast. Bonus points if you can guess, in advance, which Spanish museum Mike was thoroughly unable to pronounce. Show note imagery: Dost thine eyes deceive thee? No, tis true, tis a Gumby on a Frisbee 😀 We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, cross...

26 Feb 12min

There were some very nice pairings in today's crossword: The oh-so-close 7D, Sound of a smooth-running engine, PURR, and 45D, Catherine ___, wife of Henry VIII, PARR 😀The numerically related 89A, 11, literally, ONES, and 78D, 110, facetiously, ELEVENTYthe homonymously-related 10D, Forget to finish writing a clue, mayb, ERR, and 53A, Word with lock or pocket, AIRand, as they say, much, much moreSo our hats are off to today's constructors -- Daniel Grinberg and Rafael Musa -- for crafting a PUR...

24 Feb 17min

Apologies for not wishing people a happy GALENTINESDAY earlier, but as one of our cohosts had never heard of the word until doing today's superb crossword, and the other deigned to mention it, it is only now, 8 days late but writing fast, that we are in a position to wish you and yours a happy GALENTINESDAY. We might've been late vis-a-vis GALENTINESDAY, but we are right on time when it comes to announcing our JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award) winner, and so to ...

23 Feb 15min

Today's episode explores Colin Adams' fifth NYTimes crossword, which is just as good as his other four, i.e., great! It was a tough but rewarding puzzle, requiring a lot of head scratching and memory palace exploration. In short, it was a perfect Friday! In honor of Friday, we're featuring our Fun Fact Friday™️ segment. We don't want to entirely spoil it, but let's just say this: if you think you know where the largest radioactive spill in US history took place ... you're probably wrong.&nbsp...

22 Feb 17min

This was a debut crossword for Peter Gorman, and it was splendid. The theme was definitely unique -- we've seen none like it in recent memory -- and there were a number of excellent clues, including 61A, Hot spot, OVEN (cute!); 34A, Who said "A dress is a piece of ephemeral architecture", DIOR (profound!); and 57D, Locale depicted in Bosch's "The Garden of Earthly Delights", EDEN (we ❤️ Bosch!). Show note imagery: We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! ...

21 Feb 4min