Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword
By: MP
Language: en-us
Categories: Leisure, Hobbies, Education, Language, Learning, Comedy
A short, fun and occasionally not unintentionally educational podcast in which two fans of the New York Times crossword describe their puzzle-solving travails.
Episodes
Saturday, January 10, 2026 - Looking for a RAFT of great clues? KAC's got you covered!
Jan 11, 2026This was a fine Saturday crossword by Kamereon Austin Collins, his 25th for the NYTimes and his 17th Saturday opus.
There were a slew of great clues in the grid, including 6D, "That dis was goo-ood!!", OHSNAP; 33D, Meemaw, NANA; 55A, Art form featuring performers in kishin (demon) and okina (old man) masks, NOHTHEATER; and a reminder of one of our absolute favorite football lines, 52D, "___ Given Sunday" (1999 football drama), ANY.
Show note imagery: A pair of WATERHORSEs, an example of a Celtic kelpie
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Duration: 00:11:51Friday, January 9, 2026 - No two ways about it, this was a fantabulous crossword!
Jan 10, 2026Greg Snitkin and Glenn Davis have collaborated on two crosswords, both Fridays, and both fantabulous. Today's had some novelties, including 3 superb debuts: 14A, Winning like crazy, ONAHEATER (woah!); the award-winning 34A, Stealthy flier, AIRMARSHAL (hey, what happened to the second L??); and the equally splendid 61A, He's great for the time being, MRRIGHTNOW (brilliant!).
In addition to today's puzzle, we have a fun fact for Fun Fact Friday, and if the suspense of what that might be is getting to you, here's a BIG hint: look to today's episode title.
Show note imagery...
Duration: 00:15:41Thursday, January 8, 2026 - Beware the Grim ... Rebus??
Jan 09, 2026This was a delightful Thursday crossword by Mallory Montgomery and Zhou Zhang. Jean got through it at gazelle-like speeds, whereas Mike, who made the tyro's mistake of following his own advice, was less gazelle, more giraffe. Deets inside.
Show note imagery: Rochester, Jane EYRE, and Adele (well before her breakout album, 19).
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Wednesday, January 7, 2026 - EPIC or ACK? You be the judge!
Jan 08, 2026Our co-hosts had almost comically differing experiences solving today's crossword. Jean found it to be ... a breeze, whereas Mike found it to be a category 5 hurricane, which he will dub Hurricane Adrianne, after the creator of said hurricane, er, puzzle, Adrianne Baik. Apparently Adrianne was able to quickly and remotely rifle through Mike's memory palace (more like a memory shanty, but nvm), identify everything he didn't know, and then put it into a crossword. Well played, Adrianne!
For all the deets of what turned out to be a walk in the park / EPIC cruciverbial battle, subscribe, download, l...
Duration: 00:16:33Tuesday, January 6, 2026 - NOCAP, this was an *awesome* crossword 😀
Jan 07, 2026Today's crossword was terrific. A theme that pegged the pun-meter, a second theme that nobody other than your cohosts know about 😀, and a lot of other fine clues in the grid. We particularly enjoyed the duality of 42A, One-named supermodel, IMAN and 39D, Country in which men traditionally wear robes called dishdashas, OMAN; and we also appreciated the memory-lane moment induced by 50D, "Ghosts" playwright Henrik, IBSEN.
In other news, we have another Triplet Tuesday segment: to find out if Mike soared or plummeted, check out today's episode.
Show note imagery: IMAN (right) in Star Tre...
Duration: 00:17:48Monday, January 5, 2026 - 🎵 Leavin'... on a Jet Plane 🎶
Jan 06, 2026This was a gentle Monday crossword, easing us into our crossword-solving week. It was still entertaining, though, thanks to a theme that will lift your spirits — literally.
In addition to the crossword, we also have chosen our latest JAMCOTWA™️ (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award), and this week goes to ... [REDACTED, TO HEIGHTEN SUSPENSE AND BECAUSE WE GET PAID BY THE WORD😀]!
Show note imagery: Fanny BRICE, legendary actress and inspiration for Funny Girl
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Sunday, January 4, 2026 - Gene Louise De Vera, Rule Breaker! 🚔
Jan 05, 2026Gene Louise De Vera's 5th NYTimes puzzle was one for the books. One of the sacrosanct rules of NYTimes crossword-dom is that an answer never appears twice in the grid. Well, rules are meant to be broken, so they say, and today this one was -- but all for a good cause, aka the theme.
We had some other great clues in the grid. Besides those mentioned in the podcast, we had the slick 94D, Paired chips with dips?, RHYMED; the fabulous 84D, Ixnays from Irkutsk, NYETS; and a favorite of whatever generation came to the fore i...
Duration: 00:19:18Saturday, January 3, 2026 - A Brilliant End-of-Week Crossword
Jan 04, 2026The clues in today's crossword, Hannah Slovut's third for the NYTimes, were so dazzling that we felt we ought to wear shades while solving it. There were scads of clever clues everywhere you look in the grid, and nary a clunker anywhere: just way we like our Saturday crosswords! For the full 411 — as well as another episode of "Oh, That's How You Pronounce it!"™️, check out today's podcast.
Show note imagery: Some actors in MOCAP (motion-capture) suits
Show note url: The name's PESCI, Joe PESCI, and here's how you pronounce it
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Duration: 00:09:30Friday, January 2, 2026 -- Hello, awesome crossword 😁 and good bye, Deb Amlen😢
Jan 03, 2026To explain the episode title: this was, indeed, an awesome crossword. And, as has happened for years upon years, Deb Amlen scrutinized the crossword in the accompanying NYTimes column, Wordplay. This was her last Wordplay column, however: she is now retiring to take up other pursuits. But her last column was as good as usual, and today's crossword was a great send off.
Besides the crossword proper, we also have a weather-related fun fact for Fun Fact Friday™️, and some great listener mail, which does double duty as the basis of an "Oh, that's how you pronounce it" s...
Duration: 00:16:52Thursday, January 1, 2026 - Happy New Year! 🥳🎇
Jan 02, 2026It's a new year, so why not start it off with a new constructor? That may or may not be Will's reasoning, but today's crossword is indeed a debut for Topher Booth, and it is an auspicious beginning. We were keen on the theme (and yes, there's a trace of a pun there), and found the rest of the clues to be just right for a Thursday. Apart from those mentioned in the podcast, we'd like to salute 47A, Prefix with genetics, EPI (ok, if you say so!); 54D, Kind of wind ... or an alternative to wind, SOLAR (brilliant...
Duration: 00:13:15Wednesday, December 31, 2025 - Happy New Year's Eve!!
Jan 01, 2026In honor of the ultimate day of 2025, Jeffrey Martinovic has donned both his party hat and thinking cap, the end result of which is today's fine crossword. We have, as always, the deets inside, plus something a little extra to send out 2025 in style. Have a listen, and then — assuming you're on the Gregorian calendar — have a great New Year's Eve / New Year's Day!!
Show note imagery: A BOXSOCIAL, without which the second act of Oklahoma! would be a lot shorter 🙄
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Tuesday, December 30, 2025 - We're Baaaaaack!
Dec 31, 2025After a week to recharge and reenergize, both cohosts are back and in peak fighting form -- or, to be more precise, crossword-solving form. And we had an excellent crossword to welcome us back, the second collaboration between Geoffrey Schorkopf and Will Eisenberg (edited, as always, by the inimitable Will Shortz). We have all the deets inside, as well as another of our famous Triplet Tuesday segments, so tune in to enjoy all that goodness!
Show note imagery: The beautiful ISOLA (island) of Sardinia, the second largest island in the Mediterranean and home to some of the l...
Duration: 00:17:15Sunday, December 21, 2025 - Ho, ho, ho!!! 🎅🏼
Dec 22, 2025Today's crossword was (as you can deduce from the episode title) a fun, Christmas-themed puzzle by famed magician David Kwong. Jean & Co. solved it expeditiously, whereas David almost made Mike's streak disappear thanks to some cruciverbial magic in the top-center of the grid. All turned out well, though, for both cohosts and their streaks. Deets inside.
FYI, we will be taking a hiatus this week (starting up again on the 29th). For those of you who want your daily fix, fear not -- we're pretty sure you can find something in our burgeoning back catalog. In the...
Duration: 00:19:55Saturday, December 20, 2025 - Like a latté at Starbucks, this crossword is hot and frothy
Dec 21, 2025This is Robert S. Gard's second Saturday crossword. It was not quite as difficult as his first, but the cluing was deliciously deceptive, and included five debuts. Jean got through it in her usual time; Mike found it to be a tad easier than usual, but an enjoyable solve nonetheless.
Remember that if you're still hunting around for the perfect holiday gift, there's still time to send the gift that keeps on giving -- a subscription to the best crossword puzzle on the planet.
Show note imagery: NERDFEST 2025 (and there's still time to register for NE...
Duration: 00:10:05Friday, December 19, 2025 - Let's Make Some ILLINOISE!
Dec 20, 2025This is a stellar Friday crossword, chockfull of effervescent clues that make it clear that an ace constructor -- in this case, Hemant Mehta -- is at the helm. There is no doubt that today's puzzle is entitled to a full 5 squares on the JAMCR scale, and we therefore gladly bestow it. Deets inside.
Show note imagery: Yum, a delectable SMORE
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Thursday, December 18, 2025 - A SCARYGOOD Thursday crossword!
Dec 19, 2025The genius required to craft an NYTimes-worthy crossword is on full display today: Joseph Gangi has created a cuuute theme, and the hilarity of that last clause will become apparent upon listening to today's podcast and/or solving today's puzzle. Numerous other clues in the grid are also worth celebrating. We chortled at 62A, The time of one's life?, AGE (😀); puzzled over 27D, About 35,000 for the Taj Mahal: Abbr., SQFT (🧐); and chortled once more at 52D, Fabrication expert, LIAR (😁).
Show note imagery: A FAUXBERGE, almost indistinguishable from a Fabergé.
We love feedback! Send us a text... Duration: 00:11:43
Wednesday, December 17, 2025 - No KAOS in today's grid ... well, *almost* none 😀
Dec 18, 2025This was a whimsical Wednesday crossword by the talented duo of Gary Larson and Doug Peterson. The theme was a triumph, buoyed up by a bevy of crisp clues, including:
the clever 8D, Marchers in sidewalk cracks, ANTS; the helpful reminder that was 50A, Easter Island's country, CHILE; and the hilarious 41A, Welcome figure on Wall Street, unwelcome figure in a china shop, BULL.In other news, we have some fascinating listener mail about the subtle distinctions between Bro, Bruh, Breh and Brah, so be sure to check that out as well!
Show note imagery: The...
Duration: 00:14:15Tuesday, December 16, 2025 - PROGROCK ... rocks!!! 🎸 😀
Dec 17, 2025This was a gentle Tuesday crossword, slightly more challenging than Monday, and prepping us for the even more rigorous crosswords sure to come this week. Difficulty level not withstanding, the grid featured some awesome clues, most notably the incredible 62A, The IBM Simon Personal Communicator is considered the world's first one, SMARTPHONE. We were also highly pleased to learn of the existence of 13D, Grammy-winning R&B artist whose stage name is said to have been inspired by "The Matrix", NEYO. Finally, we confess to a genuine fondness for 20A, Hockey feints, DEKES.
Show note imagery: The o...
Duration: 00:06:57Monday, December 15, 2025 - Dibs on top!
Dec 16, 2025Today's puzzle checks all the Monday crossword boxes:
Clever and straightforward theme? ✅Built with the novice-solver in mind? ✅Published on a Monday? 😉✅Apparently it took multiple revisions before this crossword got accepted, but the end result was picture-perfect. Kudos to Jeff Jerome for his first crossword, and Andrea Carla Michaels, for her 92nd!
Being Monday, we've chosen our JAMCOTWA™️ (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award), so check out today's episode to see if your favorite came out on top.
Show note imagery: Ernest TUBB, aka the Texas Troubadour
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Duration: 00:12:23Sunday, December 14, 2025 - ELISHA and ENOS, together again! ☎️
Dec 15, 2025This was a jaw-dropping pick-me-up of a Sunday crossword by debut constructor Zachry Edward-Brown (a high-school student, no less!) and veteran John Kugelman.
The theme was spectacular, with a twist at the end that would have Agatha Christie nodding her approval. The rest of the grid was equally impressive, and if you want proof check out today's episode.
Show note imagery: ELISHA Gray, inventor of the telephone (at least according to ELISHA Gray 😉)
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Saturday, December 13, 2025 - A record breaking crossword!!
Dec 14, 2025Today's crossword, by Gene Louise De Vera, was one for the record books. Exactly what record was broken we are not going to reveal here, but rather keep you in suspense, dear listeners, for the approximately 15-30s it will take to download the podcast and get to the point where we "spill the beans", so to speak. It'll be worth the wait, trust us. 😀
Show note imagery: Alyssa Michelle Stephens, aka LATTO
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Friday, December 12, 2025 - We're fond of FONDANT ... and the rest of the grid, too! 😀
Dec 13, 2025This was a pitch-perfect Friday crossword, with a host of tricky clues designed to limber you up for the boss puzzle -- aka the Saturday NYTimes crossword -- about to drop and potentially wreak havoc upon the unsuspecting, unfortunate, unlimbered 🙄
Deets inside, so do have a listen; and after you've done so, take a moment to add the NYTimes Crossword to your holiday shopping list.
Show note imagery: Duino Castle, where RILKE wrote the Duino Elegies
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Thursday, December 11, 2025 - A dreamy Thursday crossword
Dec 12, 2025Kevin Curry has done it again - crafted an elegant puzzle designed to challenge, educate, and entertain.
Challenge: 63A, Reunion group, CLAN; Educate: 57D, Popular, stick-figure web comic, XKCD; andEntertain: 28D, Big wheels in the Vatican?, POPEMOBILE 😀tldr: we found this crossword to be 28A, Utopia ... 10 ... Ideal, PICTUREPERFECT.
Show note imagery: The POPEMOBILE through the ages
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Wednesday, December 10, 2025 - 🎶 Thunderbolt and ⚡️, very, very frightening 🎸
Dec 11, 2025There were several deities in today's grid — ARES, ZEUS, and the lesser known DOER, Lord of Bad Puns. None of them prevented our cohosts from having a grand time while solving this crossword, Kareem Ayas' second in under two months. While all the clues were fine, they were particularly impressed by the Matrix mini-theme, consisting of 37A, Iconic repeated Keanu Reeves role, NEO, and 49D, "The Matrix" character, with "the", ORACLE. So, in that spirit we encourage you to take the red pill, i.e., download today's podcast and have a listen.
Show note imagery: Don Diego de...
Duration: 00:12:40Tuesday, December 9, 2025 - No need to hem or haw, we loved this crossword!
Dec 10, 2025This was Kate Hawkins' eighteenth NYTimes crossword, and while mainly distinguished by its brilliant theme, gems could be found throughout the grid. We enjoyed the range of emotions conveyed by 32D, "By Jove, that's it!", AHA, and 45D, "How stupid of me!", DOH. We also were absolutely enthralled by, and are now seeking a t-shirt emblazoned with, 54A, "Education is not for the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a ______" (old maxim), FIRE.
Show note imagery: Computing pioneer ADA Lovelace
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Monday, December 8, 2025 - Nothing HOHUM about today's crossword!
Dec 09, 2025Today's puzzle had a wry, perfect-for-a-Monday theme: if it was a hat, it would definitely be stylish and arranged at a rakish angle.
We were surprised, tickled, and put into full chortle mode by, respectively, 1D, Magic charms, MOJOS (assuredly not on our Monday crossword bingo card); 5D, The eyes may have it, MASCARA; and 24A, Run out of clothes?, STREAK.
Besides the crossword, in honor of Monday we have picked our JAMCOTWA™️ (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award), and we challenge you, dear reader/listener, to see if you can guess which one w...
Duration: 00:12:20Sunday, December 7, 2025 - A *Frabjous* Sunday Crossword!
Dec 08, 2025We treasure any excuse to break out into Lewis Carroll adjectives, and today's frabjous crossword provides just that opportunity. This is a debut, no less, by University of Wisconsin Madison professor Kate Jensen, who we imagine, based on the clues in today's grid, to be particularly beamish, and not at all manxome (except when dealing with irksome students).
There were boatloads of great clues in today's grid. We felt educated by 13D, One chain x one furlong, ACRE; entertained by 28A, They'll make it up to you, LIARS; and driven to chortle as a consequence of 54A...
Duration: 00:16:29Saturday, December 6, 2025 - CHARLIXCX is baaaaack!
Dec 07, 2025Our cohosts had vastly different experiences tackling today's crossword. Jean found it to be quite challenging, whereas Mike was (for a change) definitely working, but not fighting tooth-and-nail to keep his streak alive.
Deets inside: we cordially invite you to download, listen up, and enjoy!
Show note imagery: "A New English Dictionary", as the first edition of the OED was originally called.
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Friday, December 5, 2025 - Kotoka International, repeat winner of the "Best Airport in Africa" award! 🏆
Dec 06, 2025This was a challenging Friday crossword, the second by James McCarron since August, of the year: in short, he's on a roll. There were some simultaneously terrific (if you like a challenge) and terrifying (if you value your streak) clues. Among the best not mentioned in the podcast were 37D, Minimal coverage provider?, THONG (ha!); 27D, Silent sort, CLAM (not FILM or MIME); and 15D, Show stoppers, sometimes, RAIN (true, dat).
Show note imagery: Egyptian football/soccer star Mohamed SALAH, about to do something magical
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Duration: 00:06:30Wednesday, December 3, 2025 - Do or do not. There is no try.
Dec 04, 2025Today's crossword, by Victor Barocas, had a fun and frothy theme that came from a galaxy far, far away. We loved it! We also enjoyed the very strong cast of supporting characters, including 49D, Cold call?, ACHOO (🤧); 43D, Golden-tan dog of multiple films, BENJI (wait, a tanning booth was involved? 🙄); and 42A, Animal in more than70 Bugs Bunny titles, HARE (natch! 🐰).
Show note imagery: IKEA, home of the blue totes
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Tuesday, December 2, 2025 - This crossword was absolutely CAPITAL!
Dec 03, 2025Today's crossword was a debut for Jonathan Baude, kudos for that! The theme was uplifting (literally), and the rest of the puzzle was perfect Tuesday fare. We had some entertaining clues -- 46A, Top of the hour?, XII (😀); some educational clues -- 62D, Communication syst. in which the letter Z is drawn with one's index finger, ASL; and some clues of the product placement variety -- 15D, Grey Goose competitor, BELVEDEREVODKA. Cheers!
Show note imagery: Banana Bread EGGOs, sadly no longer available for sale
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Monday, December 1, 2025 - Masa, which, sadly, is not available at any NASA commisary 🙄
Dec 02, 2025Today's crossword was perfectly timed, at least for those of us living in those northern regions currently besieged by winter storms. We were intrigued to learn of the existence of NAURU, the world's third smallest country (behind Vatican City and Monaco, for those of you keeping score).
We were glad to see that Ms. Adler made a reappearance in the grid (66A, Woman who bests Sherlock in "A Scandal in Bohemia", IRENE); loved the nostalgic 58A, Creator of Asteroids and Pong, ATARI (ah, the classics 😀); and had a meta aha-moment solving 57A, "I've solved it!", AHA.
S...
Duration: 00:11:02Sunday, November 30, 2025 - Welcome back, LOUDOUTS!
Dec 01, 2025The easy-to-spell and fun-to-say LOUDOUTS has appeared a grand total of two times in the NYTimes crossword: today, and on June 15, 2013. We are on tenterhooks awaiting its next appearance, which according to our calculations should be in 2037, or thereabouts. For the record, the crossword also featured 9 debut answers, and our favorite, by far, had to be PUMPUPTHEJAM (ah, the classics 😀).
We have more to say about the crossword on the podcast, so have a listen while we attempt to recover from an intense flurry of shoveling, so to speak. ☃️🫣
Show note imagery: A BANKSHOT, always easier when...
Duration: 00:14:41Saturday, November 29, 2025 - YAISC (Yet Another Impossible Saturday Crossword 😀)
Nov 30, 2025Did an early version of Elton John's Saturday Night include the lyric "Saturday night's alright for fighting crosswords"? We don't know for certain, but we do know that today's crossword was an epic battle -- at least for Mike. Jean, as usual, found this to be a more of a minor skirmish.
As we have come to expect from Adrian Johnson, author of today's puzzle, the clues had a lot of spice and bite. For example, 27D, High-level intelligence assets?, SPYPLANES (nice!); 25D, What sfouf is, in Lebanese cuisine, CAKE (we'll take two, please 😀); and 35D, Minor cras...
Duration: 00:13:35Friday, November 28, 2025 - All hail ARTTATUM, not just a jazz pianist, a jazz *genius*
Nov 29, 2025This was a fine crossword by constructor -- aka SETTER, depending on which side of the pond you live on -- Jacob McDermott, for whom we are thankful for this entire crossword, but especially the revelation about SETTERS.
We found many noteworthy clues to sing about today. For instance, we had 44A, One-named rock idol who was born Paul David Hewson, BONO; the life-changing (trust us, it will, once you listen to him) 35A, Jazz pianist with a memorable recording of "Tea for Two", ARTTATUM; and the curiosity-piquing 4D, Genre for Toots and the Maytals, SKA.
Thursday, November 27, 2025 - Happy Thanksgiving / Black Friday Eve!!
Nov 28, 2025On this dual US holiday -- Thanksgiving Day and Black Friday Eve -- we wish to say how thankful we are for our myriad faithful listeners, and for the geniuses who labor day in and day out to deliver the best crosswords in the world to our metaphorical doorstep.
Speaking of best crosswords, we liked today's: it had, as usual, a theme that we did not see coming, it mentioned the Flintstones, and, for the pièce-de-résistance, it included a reference to Mike's favorite biochemical process, the KREBSCYCLE.
Show note imagery: The WISHBONEFORMATION
<...
Duration: 00:13:17Wednesday, November 26, 2025 - Two thumbs up, waaaaaay up!
Nov 27, 2025Today's crossword -- a debut by John McClung -- paid homage to one of the great movie critics of the last century, to wit, ROGEREBERT; and he was full of wit, heaping praise when deserved and throwing raspberries when not. Today's grid has just 4 examples, and they are a hoot. Deets inside.
Show note imagery: The Khan el-Khalili bazaar, in CAIRO
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Tuesday, November 25, 2025 - A crossword engineered to leave you completely ENRAPT 🧐😍
Nov 26, 2025This was a splendid Tuesday crossword, thanks to an ingenious theme surrounded by a bevy of bedazzling clues. We appreciated the aptness of seeing 3D, In an angry way, CROSSLY, in a CROSSWORD; were flabbergasted by 13D, Weight of every U.S. bank note, ONEGRAM; and were gobsmacked by 20A, U.K. : H.M.R.C. :: U.S.A. : ___, IRS.
Today being Tuesday, we have a Triplet Tuesday™️ segment, with Jean being in the hot seat this time around.
Show note imagery: BTS, back together again!
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Monday, November 24, 2025 - It's not just a RUMOR: this was a magnificent Monday crossword
Nov 25, 2025We're just GAGA about today's crossword. It included some of our favorite words in the English language, such as 3D, Flabbergasted, GOBSMACKED; our favorite Shakespearean insult, 63A, Playing card better known as a Jack, KNAVE 😀; and our favorite equine, 44A, Horse with a spotted coat, DAPPLE.
Besides this puzzle, we also have much to say in favor of our JAMCOTWA™️ (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award) winner. So for all the deets, check out today's episode.
Show note imagery: The gobsmacking Canyonlands National Park, in UTAH.
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Duration: 00:11:34Sunday, November 23, 2025 - In Praise of the Ol' Switcheroo
Nov 24, 2025The NYTimes has not shied away from publishing GOL (Groan Out Loud) Sunday crosswords, so we're delighted to report that today's is of the lesser known but always appreciated LOL variety. We will spoil nothing here, but you'll find the full 411 in today's episode.
Show note imagery: Wile E. Coyote, ever the optimist
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Saturday, November 22, 2025 - A Historic Saturday Crossword
Nov 23, 2025Prior to today, only 3 NYTimes crosswords qualified as double pangrams -- ones where the grid includes the entire alphabet, A-Z, twice. Today's crossword marks the fourth. Writing any NYTimes-worthy crossword is a challenge, but writing a pangram really ups the difficulty. Blaker Slonecker was willing to accept the challenge, however, and we doff our hats in respect and awe of this great oeuvre.
Show note imagery: Ray Charles, pitching DIETPEPSI.
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Friday, November 21, 2025 - AYOEDEBIRI, remember that name (and how to spell it!!!)
Nov 22, 2025There were MANY GEMS in today's puzzle, and that's not even counting 3D, A host of, MANY, and 34A, Prized people, GEMS. We had 8D, Senescent, OLD; 48D, Real hoot, RIOT; and the colorful (?) 22D, Camel and fawn, TANS. Those were just the tip of the proverbial iceberg, though, because today's grid was chockfull of awesome clues. We dive into the deets in today's episode, so do have a listen, and be sure and tell all your friends about us as well: we appreciate the biz!
Show note imagery: Robert H. Goddard, definitely the best-of-the-best when it...
Duration: 00:13:53Wednesday, November 19, 2025 - IBIZA, in the grid and on our bucket list 😀
Nov 20, 2025This was a fine crossword to solve, but it must've been a bear to construct. Jeremy Newton was up to the task, though, serving up a perfect midweek puzzle. He had us at 16A, Times noted in Captain Kirk's logs, STARDATES; enthralled us at 11D, Finito or kaput, DUNZO; and endeared us with 13A, Establishment whose name means "lounge" in French, SALON.
Show note imagery: IBIZA, regrettably not our home-away-from-home.
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Tuesday, November 18, 2025 - Avast, thar be JETSAM ahead, me hearties!🏴☠️
Nov 19, 2025Joe Deeney's crosswords always seem to include a little extra spice, a little extra pizzazz: we present today's puzzle as an exemplar, and that's not just because we've been itching to use exemplar in a sentence 😀.
As evidence, we have 59A, Timeless, to a poet, ETERNE; our favorite E. C. Segar heroine, 58D, Toondom's Olive, OYL; and the rarely seen 39A, Gets back together, REUNES.
We have a Triplet Tuesday Contest, in which Mike attempts to atone for last time, when he momentarily slipped into his native language, Latin. Will he succeed? Or will he iteru...
Duration: 00:13:25Monday, November 17, 2025 - DEF not a MID crossword 🤔😀
Nov 18, 2025This was a not-at-all-MID, nor, for that matter -MEH, Monday crossword: the theme was above average, the clues crisp and clever. We especially want to give a shoutout to 22D, Sch. with a T section, MIT; and the presence of both 10D, Nickname for Dorothy, DOT, and 59A, Play-_____, DOH, in the grid. Kudos to Rena Cohen for this, her 6th NYTimes crossword.
We also are delighted to announce our JAMCOTWA™️ (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award) winners (yes, plural!) -- deets inside.
Show note imagery: Katrina Gorry, poised to do something extraordinary with...
Duration: 00:10:45Sunday, November 16, 2025 - This crossword packs a pun(ch)!
Nov 17, 2025If you like Shakespeare, and if you like puns, you will be in ecstasy by the time you've finished today's crossword. And even if you are not a huge fan, we predict that you'll find this crossword to be a hoot. What makes it so special, you ask? Check out today's podcast, where all will be revealed!
Show note imagery: The logo of TCM, Turner Classic Movies
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Saturday, November 15, 2025 - Was this a fabulous Saturday crossword?? OBVI 😁
Nov 16, 2025If this crossword were a drink, it would be a chamomile tea. However, it was even better than that: a bliss-inducing, soul-lifting crossword. We certainly feel happier for having solved it, and we hope you'll feel the same for having listened to this podcast!
Show note imagery: PTOWN, aka Provincetown, Cape Cod
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Friday, November 14, 2025 - This crossword wasn't just great ... it was POG 🤔
Nov 15, 2025Several clues in today's crossword gave both cohosts reason to pause. Most notably we had a debut at 6D, Aesthetic associated with classical literature and vintage fashion, DARKACADEMIA; we also had the mysterious 1D, Cool, in streaming slang, POG; and we were intrigued to discover 62D, ID whose lowest possibility is 001-01-0001, SSN.
In addition to these fascinating clues, we have a fascinating fact, in honor of Fun Fact Friday. Ever wonder what happened to telegrams? Tune in, and find out!
Show note imagery: A delicious dirt pudding, featuring, of course, an OREOCOOKIE, yum! Duration: 00:14:06
Thursday, November 13, 2025 - 🎶 In the circle, the circle of life 🎶🦁
Nov 14, 2025This was a tricky Thursday crossword and a magnificent debut for Kyle Perkins. Jean struggled and Mike strugggggled, to get to the happy music; both eventually persevered, but not before much gnashing of teeth had taken place. We have all the dental records inside, so have a listen (as one will, to dental records 🙄), and enjoy!
Show note imagery: Awe inspiring downtown La Paz, Bolivia.
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Wednesday, November 12, 2025 - It was a horse! Mule! Horse! Mule! ...
Nov 13, 2025The father and daughter duo of Brad Wiegmann and Nicole Wiegmann have teamed up to create a wonderful connect-the-dots-er-squares puzzle-within-a-puzzle. Elizabeth Gorski, an NYTimes contributor with a whopping 219 crosswords to her credit apparently pioneered this approach: and the Wiegmann opus is a fine addition to the oeuvre.
Besides the crossword, our investigative team is hot on the trail of the mysterious Janus-faced 55A. The answer was BUDICE, but the clue depended on where you read the crossword! We have no idea why, and Word Play does not shed any light on the matter. Where's Sherlock/Enola Holmes...
Duration: 00:15:31Tuesday, November 11, 2025 - Happy Veteran's Day!
Nov 12, 2025This is the second Christina Iverson - Scott Hogan collaboration, and the first NYTimes crossword ever to include WORCESTERSHIRE as an answer. It usually takes us several takes before we can pronounce the word, and even more before we can spell it. We enjoyed 52A, Copenhagen's "The Little Mermaid", for one, STATUE (which for all the attention it gets, is surprisingly short); we had a blast from the (very recent) past, 53D, "You talkin' _______?", TOME; and finally 33D, "I so did not need to hear that!", EWW (not, as we originally surmised, TMI);
Show note imagery: The...
Duration: 00:06:36Monday, November 10, 2025 - Happy Veteran's Day Eve!!
Nov 11, 2025This was an excellent crossword by a prolific cruciverbalist. It was a Monday, and as far as being fun and appropriate for novice puzzle solvers, a smashing success. We enjoyed the challenge of how to spell 9D, Shrub with bright flowers, AZALEA; the reappearance (for the second time in two days) of a by-gone internet pioneer, AOL; and the opportunity to haul out our faux-pirate accent for 9A, Pirate's "Stop!", AVAST.
Show note imagery: Some real FIREBREATHERS!
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Sunday, November 9, 2025 - Amie Walker swings for the fences!
Nov 10, 2025If crosswords had moods, we'd classify this one as feisty. It took both cohosts, working independently as always, longer than usual to get to the happy music. But the journey is the reward, as they say, so rather than complain, we prefer to celebrate this, the fourth NYTimes crossword by Amie Walker. Deets inside.
Show note imagery: A LORIS, in its native habitat, the crossword grid (no, strike that, India, it's definitely India).
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Saturday, November 8, 2025 - MANSAMUSA, the original golden boy 🙄
Nov 09, 2025This was a good Saturday workout: not the hardest Saturday ever, but engaging, with some truly effervescent cluing. We covered the best-of-the-best in today's episode, but we would also like to note 26A, John Coltrane album whose title suggests making major progress, GIANTSTEPS (check it out, an awesome work); 46D, Pussyfoot: SNEAK; and the star of one of our favorite Marvel series, 9D, Elizabeth of "Wanda Vision", OLSEN (no relation to the photographer Jimmy OLSEN, one reason being that the latter is entirely fictional).
Show note imagery: MANSAMUSA, the Elon Musk of his day (1280-1337 AD), admiring...
Duration: 00:08:56Friday, November 7, 2025 - Today's crossword had an *ENNEAD* of debut entries (which, sadly, did not include ENNEAD🙄)
Nov 08, 2025This was a challenging crossword for both cohosts, as both -- solving independently as is their custom -- ended up in the same area of the grid, temporary waylaid by the crossing of 40A, The Brady household, including Alice, e.g., ENNEAD, and 29D, "The Fall of the House of Usher" actress ___ Miller, TNIA. In the end, though, Jean managed to get through this crossword LIKEABOSS; Mike was more like a JUNIORDEPUTYUNDERSECRETARY 😀
Show note imagery: An ENNEAD of Egyptian deities.
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Thursday, November 6, 2025 - YOWZAH, what a crossword!!
Nov 07, 2025For you polyglots out there, the NYTimes has written a love letter, cleverly disguised as a crossword -- today's, to be precise, a magnificent opus by Sam Brody. For the rest of us, the crossword was (for reasons that will be come clear once you've heard the podcast and/or seen the completed grid) a lot more challenging, which means, of course, a lot more fun. We adored this, Sam's third NYTimes crossword since June (!), and are delighted to bestow upon it a très bon 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
Show note imagery: The LOGO for a...
Duration: 00:12:53Wednesday, November 5, 2025 - All hail ANNA Lee Fisher, first mother in space!
Nov 06, 2025The first author of today's crossword, Chad Hazen, had over 40 rejections before finally getting a crossword published -- but when he did get it published it was in the New York Times, so there is that. He was aided in his efforts by legendary crossword constructor Jeff Chen, an ideal person to have your six when the crossword deities conspire against you.
We have all the deets on today's crossword inside, so have a listen, and please let others know about us on social media.
Show note imagery: ANNA Lee Fisher, first mother...
Duration: 00:13:14Tuesday, November 4, 2025 - Make ROOM for the ROOMBA
Nov 05, 2025This was a debut crossword by Patrick Hayden, and a very nice one, to boot. The theme was sly, and the author has a knack for writing novel clues for common answers. We covered many of them in the podcast, but we admired many more. For instance, we had 58A, What you eat, DIET; 52D, Metaphor for a bad goalie, SIEVE (awesome!); and 61D, Start of a bray, HEE (hee, hee).
Also, we'd be remiss if we didn't acknowledge the presence of both 38A, Wood-cutting tool, ADZ, and 63D, Highlights of the Super Bowl, for some, ADS. N...
Duration: 00:15:08Sunday, November 2, 2025 - A veritable *ocean* of white squares 😳
Nov 03, 2025If you fear crosswords with large swathes of white squares, infrequently interrupted by a black square or two (and psychiatrists have a technical name for that: "normal"), you might want to give this crossword a bye. But if you do so, be warned: you'll be missing out on one of the best Sunday crosswords of the year, courtesy of Rafael Musa (adeptly edited, as always, by Will Shortz). While that might sound like a bold assessment, the proof's not only in the pudding, it's in the podcast; so have a listen and, as always, please let us know what...
Duration: 00:08:45Saturday, November 1, 2025 - All hail the PEOPLESELBOW! 💪🏽
Nov 02, 2025This was a sweet Saturday crossword by Michael Lieberman, filled with his characteristically witty, and fresh clueing. We've covered the best in the podcast, but we also were enamored with 37D, Atypical, to Antonius, RARA; 24D, Settled a debt reluctantly, PONIEDUP 🐎; and 51D, One direction, EAST 😁.
Show note imagery: An AGOUTI, looking for some Brazil nuts to pulverize
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Friday, October 31, 2025 - 'Allo, AYOEDEBIRI!
Nov 01, 2025As we sidle up to the most challenging crossword of the week, aka Saturday, we expect the opening act -- Friday -- to help get us in the right frame of mind. Friday does not disappoint, as there were oodles of tricky (theme-free) clues to contend with. For instance, 34D, A smartphone has many of these, USES (ah, not APPS, got it!); 38D, The U.A.E. is in it, OPEC (rather than ASIA, fine); and the informative 37D, Island home of what may be the world's oldest living olive tree (2,000+ years), CRETE (now we know!)
Show...
Duration: 00:06:08Thursday, October 10, 2025 - A PARAGON of a Thursday crossword
Oct 31, 2025If you needed to be reminded that the scariest day of the year is coming up tomorrow; and if yesterday's crossword didn't drive the stake (er, point) home, then today's surely will. Between the OREOS, bat(omorph)s and witches in the grid, and the suspiciously large number of pumpkins one is likely to encounter in the street, it is clear that Halloween is drawing nigh. What is also clear is that this was a fabulous crossword, brimming with great clues like 42A, Desirable Vegas couple? ACES; 69A, Fish also known as a batomorph, RAY; and 50A, Ones eliciting...
Duration: 00:16:19Wednesday, October 29, 2025 - Today's podcast, brought to you by the Bela Lugosi Fan Club 🧛🏽🫣
Oct 30, 2025This was the perfect Halloween Eve's Eve crossword, suitably spooky and eminently entertaining. The theme was a stitch, and the supporting cast of clues was, well, quite supportive. We've covered the highlights in today's podcast; but as usual we link to the completely filled-in crossword, from xword.info, right here.
Show note imagery: A delectable trio of cereal pancakes from IHOP, the unofficial breakfast diner of the NYTimes crossword 🥞😀
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Tuesday, October 28, 2025 - The world definitely needs more SOFAFORTS 🤗
Oct 29, 2025Jean found today's crossword to be a tad more difficult than usual; Mike found it almost, but not quite, impossible, thanks to the high density of pop-culture references in the bottom-left corner. We have the deets inside.
In other news, it's Triplet Tuesday and -- how shall we put this charitably? -- Mike gave it the ol' college try.
Show note imagery: The digits, in Spanish -- very handy in NYTimes crosswords!
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Monday, October 27, 2025 - We'll take a flier on how to spell FLYER 😀
Oct 28, 2025This was Tarun Krishnamurthy's third NYTimes crossword: he now has two Mondays and a Tuesday under his belt. Today's opus had an endearing theme and provided us with an opportunity to dive into the FLIER v. FLYER debate. Based on extensive research, we can now conclude, unequivocally, that it should neither be spelled PHLIER (as that is a chemist who tells falsehoods about acidity) nor FLYYYYYYER (uttered by a pilot having an existential crisis). We have a few other (slightly less controversial) opinions on today's puzzle -- as well as our weekly JAMCOTWA™️ (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week...
Duration: 00:12:44Sunday, October 26, 2025 - A Titan might find a CHITON a bit tight on 'em 😉
Oct 27, 2025The last few crosswords have been rather on the challenging side and while Will and co. (co, in this case, being collaborators Gary Larson and Doug Peterson) definitely did ease up a bit today, it was still not a walk in the park -- more of a jog uphill. As far as the slope of that hill, Jean would rate it about 2%, Mike estimated it was more like 50%, possibly higher, thanks to several severe spelling challenges (and one or two naticks). Deets inside!
Show note imagery: Meet the Parr-fect family🙄, aka The Incredibles
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Duration: 00:17:12Saturday, October 25, 2025 - Just in time for Halloween, a Very Scary Solve 🫣
Oct 26, 2025Byron Walden has had 110 crosswords published in the NYTimes, of which 71 were Saturdays. If you are wondering why, then take a gander at today's grid, and peek at the podcast; Byron has served up a master class in how to write delectable, diabolically deceptive clues. Deets inside.
Show note imagery: PHILO Farnsworth, the "Father of Television" and an expert 31D, Improviser at a workbench, TINKERER
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Friday, October 24, 2025 - A *brilliant* Friday debut by Kelvin Zhou
Oct 25, 2025It is hard to believe that today's crossword was a debut, but ... believe it! By turns elegant, hilarious, engaging and definitely taxing, both cohost were decidedly enamored with today's work. We have all the many reasons why inside, so have a listen, and let us know if you concur.
In other news, in honor of the day, we have another Fun Fact Friday segment, and we guarantee that, like the fun fact itself, you will either love it or hate it. (We're hoping, of course, for the former!)
Show note imagery: Dr. Frankenstein and the...
Duration: 00:12:53Thursday, October 23, 2025 - Life would be *perfect* ... if only we could buy ALDOs at ALDI's 🙄😉
Oct 24, 2025This were a lot of jewels in today's grid, including, well, JOULES (56A, Units equal to roughly a quarter of a calorie). We also were glad to learn the last name of 60A, Lou ___, "Mambo No. 5" singer, BEGA; and the full name of 45A, Star of NBC's "The Blacklist", JAMESSPADER. We confess, we haven't see The Blacklist, and wanted to plead "lack of time" as an excuse; but it was on the air for ten years, and truth be told, we weren't busy the entire time.]
Show note imagery: Just waiting for THUMBINDEXES (THUMINDICES?) to...
Duration: 00:14:08Wednesday, October 22, 2025 - A crossword you can count on, mais oui!
Oct 23, 2025This was a gem of a Wednesday crossword. The theme was, as you might expect, unexpected: the rest of the grid, as you might also expect, excellent. We covered most of our favorites in today's episode, but we would also like to direct your attention to 11D, Whirling visual effects in video games, PORTALS; 39A, Bubbly bar, SOAP; and 5D, Electroreception for sharks, SENSE.
Show note imagery: Lisa Meitner (left) and OTTOHAHN (right), Austrian-Swedish and German chemists, respectively, who pioneered radiochemistry — which, sadly, does not deign to answer the question why Abbott and Costello were so hilarious 😀 🙄.
We lo...
Duration: 00:13:39Tuesday, October 20, 2025 - Winter in Wisconsin? Brrrrrrrrrring it on 😀 ☃️
Oct 22, 2025Spencer Leach's crosswords have appeared most frequently on Saturday*, meaning he likes to make 'em tough. Todays is his first Tuesday outing, and it is quite good. We'd say more, but since our footnote has mysteriously become almost as long as our usual show note, we'll wrap it up here and remind you to check out today's episode for the full 411 on the puzzle -- as well as an awesome Triplet Tuesday segment.
Show note imagery: In the immortal words of Réne Magritte, Ceci n'est pas une Casio
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*as a reminder, th...
Duration: 00:15:45Monday, October 20, 2025 - All hail HAYAO Miyazaki, animator extraordinaire!
Oct 21, 2025This was a nice Monday crossword, the 17th by Adam Aaronson, who is more partial to Saturday but we're glad to see him wander over to this half of the week. Jean tore through the puzzle so quickly her iPad caught fire, whereas Mike's was never at risk. The clues were mainly Monday fare, but we did have the fabulous 2D, End of some sentences, PAROLE (walked right into that one!); the high-falutin' 39D, Aforementioned, VERYSAME; and an apt description of this VERYSAME podcast, 55D, Not interrupted by commercials, ADFREE.
In addition to today's crossword, we are p...
Duration: 00:08:50Sunday, October 19, 2025 - A crossword with just the right number of CRONUTs 😀 🍩
Oct 20, 2025This was a truly epic Sunday crossword by Daniel Grinberg, one with a theme guaranteed to put a smile on your face and/or cause your jaw to drop in amazement at the artistry and effort that clearly went into today's puzzle. We have much more to say about this magnificent opus, so pull up a chair, go for a jog, whatever it is that you do while listening to this podcast, and enjoy!
Show note imagery: Domo arigoto, MRROBOTO 🤖
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Saturday, October 18, 2025 - Fasten your seatbelts, Samuel Smalley is baaaaaack!
Oct 19, 2025This was Samuel Smalley's second crossword, and his second on a Saturday . He certainly seems to have internalized the make-it-as-tough-as-you'd-like spirit that distinguishes Saturday crosswords, and unquestionably knows how to peg the meter. There were 13 debut answers in today's grid, and virtually every single clue put up a fight. We have the deets inside, including the highs, the lows, and the BASSOS 😀.
Show note imagery: a HELIOSTAT, which — based on how much extra electricity ChatGPT and friends are now burning through — we are going to need plenty of
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Friday, October 17, 2025 - VOLARE!
Oct 18, 2025This was a splendiferous Friday crossword by Karen Steinberg. It was not particularly difficult, but it was particularly fun to solve, and for that we are grateful! Check out today's episode for all the deets, and drop us a line -- we love feedback!
Show note imagery: What may (or may not: we make absolutely no promises) be the correct set of rules for BEERDARTS
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Thursday, October 16, 2025 - We choose ... the REDPILL!
Oct 17, 2025This was an ingenious and entertaining crossword by Kareem Ayas, his 7th for the NYTimes. The theme was very (n)ice indeed, but the rest of the clues were not just there for show. We loved 34A, High lights?, AURORA; were delighted by the nostalgia-inducing 25D, What allows Neo to disconnect from the Matrix, REDPILL; and were amazed to discover the answer to 47A, Tonkatsu coating, PANKO. All in all a fabulous effort, a solid 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
Show note imagery: for practitioners of CHIROMANCY, this cheat-sheet may come in very handy 🙄😎
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Duration: 00:20:05Wednesday, October 15, 2025 - Ah, those halcyon, cerulean skies!
Oct 16, 2025We find it difficult to resist a crossword with the word "cerulean" anywhere in it, or even in near it, when the constructors were working their magic. But it is not only for that reason that we have bestowed upon this fair opus a full 5 squares on the JAMCR scale. To find out what those other reasons are ... merely download today's episode (after clicking follow / like / subscribe, of course), listen up, and enjoy!
Show note imagery: The Classics Illustrated version of LORDJIM (for those of you too busy to read the novel or watch the movie)
<... Duration: 00:11:24Tuesday, October 14, 2025 - Contemplating the RIGHTNESS of RIGHTNESS 🙄😉
Oct 15, 2025This was an excellent crossword by Stella Zawistowski, her 24th for the NYTimes and her 7th Tuesday. There were some awesome clues in the grid, such as 28D, "A pox on thee!", FIE (a truly excellent insult 😀); 23A, Heavily edit with beauty filters, as a photo, in modern lingo, YASSIFY (how do scholars classify YASSIFY, anyways? 😉); and in retrospect an obvious answer (but a fun one nonetheless), 50D, Country whose national soccer team is nicknamed the Pharaohs, EGYPT.
In addition to our analysis of today's fine opus, we also have an excellent Triplet Tuesday™️segment. Tune in to see if...
Duration: 00:12:55Monday, October 13, 2025 - YOSHI, Everyone's favorite pixel-based lifeform 😉
Oct 14, 2025This was an intriguing debut crossword by Katherine Xiong. Both cohosts -- solving independently as usual -- found it to be a tad longer than one might expect for a Monday. That just means more time spent savoring the crossword, though, and so more a cause for celebration than anything else.
Besides the crossword, we also have our JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award). Also, as an exclusive, we have left in the mix the origin story of our next contest (currently unnamed: we're taking suggestions 😀).
Show note imagery: HASTYPUDDING, which often goes...
Duration: 00:15:25Sunday, October 12, 2025 - FENNELBULBS: when LCDs just aren't bright enough 🙄😎
Oct 13, 2025Both cohosts found today's puzzle to be particularly crunchy due to cruciverbial challenges in different areas of the grid. Jean struggled mightily in the southeast corner, while Mike was temporarily waylaid by his ignorance of sports -- and any pop culture references more recent than around 1850.
Still, both eventually prevailed, and lived to tell (podcast) the tale. Deets inside!
Show note imagery: Benedick, the comic relief in Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing, who swore he'd never marry, but, eventually back tracked.
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Duration: 00:21:32Saturday, October 11, 2025 - Another Sam Ezersky Thriller
Oct 12, 2025Sam Ezersky crosswords can be quite thrilling, as he is renowned for making highly challenging puzzles. He certainly does not disappoint this Saturday, quite the contrary. However, he has managed to inject a lot of humor into the grid, making for an epically challenging but also quite entertaining solve: no slogs here.
We have all the deets inside, so have a listen, and, as always, we welcome your feedback!
Show note imagery: LAMARJACKSON, a Baltimore Ravens quarterback getting ready to unleash devastation upon his foes, i.e., throw a pass 😀
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Duration: 00:13:58Friday, October 10, 2025 - Another fun-filled Friday frolic of a crossword
Oct 11, 2025Colin Adams seems to have hit the sweet spot with Friday crosswords chock-full of cracklingly good clues. Besides those mentioned in today's podcast, we also have such notables as 14D, Locales for some residents, in brief, ERS (ah, those types of residents); 32D, Sch. that's home to Mike the Tiger (and his 15,000-square-foot habitat), LSU (we're suckers for clues that reference a cohost😉); and 47D, One might be ticked off, LIST (nice one, Colin!).
Besides our coverage of a most excellent puzzle, we also have a Fun Fact Friday™️ segment, today covering a piece of technology that's been rum...
Duration: 00:14:45Thursday, October 9, 2025 - Soyonora, LEONORA 🙄😀
Oct 10, 2025This was Freddie Cheng's 18th NYTimes crossword. He mainly publishes earlier in the week, but he has had a crossword published on every day, no mean feat. Today's puzzle had some awesome cluing, including 28D, Way to go, ROAD; 53A, What Zuckerberg dropped from before "Facebook" in 2005, THE; and the bound-to-be-useful-someday-to-somebody clue 37D, Equivalent of five carats, GRAM. There's more, besides, so check out today's podcast for all the deets.
Show note imagery: The Burghers of Calais, courtesy of RODIN
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Wednesday, October 8, 2025 - Will you enjoy this crossword? Signs point to yes 🔮
Oct 09, 2025This was an enjoyable Wednesday crossword, with a warm, uplifting, nostalgia-centric theme that both cohosts greatly appreciated.
We were glad to see Jules VERNE in the grid for his 77th time, in 48A, Author of "L'Île Mystérieuse"; we were not at all surprised to see YAOA (Yet Another OREO Answer) at 60D, Double Stuf cookie; and we also appreciated the next clue over, 62A, A 2-1 record has one, LOSS (of course!).
A nice debut by Daniel Trujillo Diaz. Will his second appear before not too long? Outlook good!
Show note ima...
Duration: 00:13:50Tuesday, October 7, 2025 - TESCO: the best in-store prices, but delivery charges are *insane*
Oct 08, 2025This was a fine debut crossword by Corry Cropper. It felt a little crunchier than usual for a Tuesday, but not overwhelmingly so; and it revolved around a mythological theme, which both cohosts found intriguing.
Deets inside!
In addition, we have a challenging Triplet Tuesday™️ segment for your enjoyment and edification, so prepare to be ... amused and/or edified.
Show note imagery: A CAPUCHIN, runner-up in 2024's Most Meme-able Image Contest™️.
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Monday, October 6, 2025 - TEVAs, the favorite footwear of divas 🙄
Oct 07, 2025This was a straightforward Monday crossword, as Monday crosswords tend to be, and an enjoyable crossword, as all NYTimes crosswords edited by Will Shortz are destined to be. We were glad to spot the HIDEYHOLE at 33D; marvel at ICEDANCERS not too far removed at 28D; and delight at 40A, "Sure is", YEP (which, coincidentally, is our answer to the question, was this a great crossword?).
We also have our JAMCOTWA™️ (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award) pronouncement, and some awesome listener mail, leading to an equally awesome discussion of a Lone Ranger catch phrase.
Sunday, October 5, 2025 - Once upun a crossword ...
Oct 06, 2025For those who like puns, you are in for a treat; and for those who do not, you still are, because in a 21x21 Sunday grid there's room for all manner of entertaining / educational clues. If the name of today's constructor, John Kugelman, sounds familiar, that's because he has appeared in February, April, May, June, July and October of this year -- not a bad showing at all. Apart from May, all of those crosswords were Sundays, which is simply astonishing.
We have the full deets on today's puzzle inside, so have a listen, and don't forget...
Duration: 00:13:14Saturday, October 4, 2025 - The lore and the allure of LORELEI 🧜🏾♀️
Oct 05, 2025This was an enthralling Goldilocks of a Saturday crossword: not too hard, not too easy, but just right. For that we can thank Ryan McCarty, edited by the seemingly indefatigable Will Shortz. There were oodles of great clues in the grid, and we have the full analysis right here - so please download, listen up, and enjoy!
Show note imagery: an ELAND, trying to calculate how much it should charge in exchange for letting the NYTimes use his name in the crossword.
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Friday, October 3, 2025 - Time for some cheery R&R with Rebecca (Goldstein) and Rafael (Musa)
Oct 04, 2025Rebecca Goldstein and Rafael Musa are both great cruciverbalists, but together they are more than the sum of their (very impressive individual) parts -- as aptly demonstrated in today's crossword. From the amusing 56A, Something raised during Oktoberfest, BEERTENT (nice!), to the educational 5D, The first one was issued in 1936, for short, SSN, to the brilliant 32D, What comes before we go, AWAY, the grid was dazzling.
We have the deets inside, as well as a fabulous fact for Fun Fact Friday™️, so please, do have a listen (and don't forget to like/follow/subscribe!).
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Duration: 00:11:30Thursday, October 2, 2025 - One bang up crossword!
Oct 03, 2025This was a fine Thursday crossword by Aidan Deshong -- his 6th for the NYTimes. Jean tore through it, Mike ... did not. The theme, discussed within, was great. The clues were also fine -- 20A, Leveled the playing field, say?, MOWED (awesome!); 55A, Pin number, TEN (🎳😀); and 3D, What might come after many years?, AGO (not, as both cohosts originally posited, AGE).
Show note imagery: AEGEAN, Greece's national airline
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Tuesday, September 30, 2025 -- A joyous Tuesday crossword!
Oct 01, 2025Today's crossword was a joy, for reasons that will become readily apparent as soon as you've either a) done the crossword, or b) listened to today's podcast. We don't want to spoil it too much; to say that there was a great pun in the grid is probably not too much of a spoiler, as that is oft the case. For all the deets, though, you'll definitely want to check out today's episode.
Show note imagery: ACACIAS, frequently spotted on the African savanna.
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Duration: 00:09:38Monday, September 29, 2025 - A sweet Monday debut
Sep 30, 2025Today's crossword is a debut for Brian Keller -- and it checks all the boxes as far as Mondays are concerned.
Fun theme? ✅Not too hard? ✅Interesting clues? ✅15x15 or thereabouts? ✅In addition to a fine Monday, we've also hand-picked our JAMCOTWA™️ (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award) for the last week, which goes to ... a crossword that will be revealed in today's episode, so do have a listen.
A reminder that studies have shown that the NYTimes crossword is a fabulous way to improve your vocab, keep those neurons sparking, and make yourself mor...
Duration: 00:14:10Sunday, September 28, 2025 - PEETS, when you need caffeine to get to the next Starbuck's 😀
Sep 29, 2025A few weeks ago, we had an homage to Star Trek. Well, Rich Katz (ably guided by Will Shortz) has dug into the nostalgia vault once more, and came up with this fine ode to a 1990's sitcom whose name we will not mention in these show notes -- to preserve the element of surprise, as it were.
Being a Sunday crossword, there were numerous notable clues. We liked 97D, Chinese "nut" that's really a fruit , LITCHI; 108D, AA or JJ, e.g., PAIR (true, true); and 67D, Sun bloc?, NBA (cute!).
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Duration: 00:17:33Friday, September 26, 2025 - Behold, a business of FERRETS!
Sep 28, 2025Opinions were mixed on today's puzzle. Jean found it to be a large-ish challenge while Mike found more of it in his wheelhouse than usual for a Friday. Both agreed that it was an awesome crossword, though, with some sharp and interesting cluing. For instance, we had 39A, Pet food brand whose name reflects its founding in Allentown, Pa, ALPO; 37A, It gets pumped at a party, KEG; and 3D, It might be on display at Comic-Con, INNERGEEK.
There's more, including a great fun fact about the the largest and heaviest animals. To hear all about it, b...
Duration: 00:16:39Saturday, September 27, 2025 - A Saturday crossword so good we'll need a thesaurus to do it justice! 😍
Sep 28, 2025This was a Saturday crossword where every clue looked like it was hand-crafted with passion and precision: if the Loeuvre is ever looking for a crossword to hang up next to the Mona Lisa, they could do worse than pick this one.
Even after our extensive dive into the grid in the podcast, we couldn't squeeze in all the gems. For instance, 23A, They arose from Ra's tears, according to Egyptian mythology, BEES (BEEautiful)!); 9A, African capital whose name translates to "ants", ACCRA (huh!); and the fun-to-say 58A, Hibernation stations, DENS.
We hope that Adrian Jo...
Duration: 00:08:28Thursday, September 25, 2025 - Encore, encore!
Sep 26, 2025Today's crossword was brrrrrrrillllllliiiiiiiiiaaaaaaaannnnnnnntttttttt -- that is to say, brilliant: but definitely a stretch 😀. To be more specific, thanks to the theme solving this crossword seemed virtually impossible, until ... it wasn't. We don't know how long it took to construct this, but it is genius writ large. Kudos to Jesse Goldberg for an outstanding piece of work.
Show note imagery: The ERIE Sea Wolves (who aren't at all eerie 🙄)
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Wednesday, September 24, 2025 - Let's do the CHARLESTON!
Sep 25, 2025This was Peter A. Collins' 122nd NYTimes crossword, a very impressive statistic. The reason why he got to 122 is apparent everywhere you look in today's grid. From 8D, One who's given many instructions nowadays, SIRI, to 42D, Like the scent of some air fresheners, PINEY, and all the way to 25D, Lightheaded sorts?, BLONDES, this was a delightful piece of work - definitely worth 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
In other news, we have listener mail! So to check that out and more, start downloading / subscribing / listening pronto!
Show note imagery: REDPANDAS, whose chief defense...
Duration: 00:14:57Tuesday, September 23, 2025 - For the record, the NAVI never lived on Naboo 😀
Sep 24, 2025It has been over four years since Jacob Stulberg last appeared in the NYTimes crossword marquee, but it's good to have him back. We were tickled to see TOFU (48D, Staple of vegan cooking) in the grid, suitably distanced from the non-vegan 34D, Mayo ingredient, EGG. We also had 70A, Alternative to white, RYE, and 5A, Teacher for just a day, informally, SUB. Between all of these, we felt a sudden urge to check out Cousin's, but were able to restrain ourselves long enough to complete today's very fine grid.
Show note imagery: Naboo, with nary a...
Duration: 00:14:13Monday, September 22, 2025 - JUSTINTRUDEAU is in the grid ... but not in The House
Sep 23, 2025For those of you unfamiliar with Canadian politics, JUSTINTRUDEAU ruled Canada from 2015-2025, when he stepped aside in favor of Mark Carney, the current PM. The entire political saga will probably be a hit on AppleTV+ in a few years; it certainly has all the plot elements!
In other news, we've moved our JAMCOTWA™️ (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award) to Monday, so that each winner will be the best-of-the-best from the previous Monday to Sunday. Check out our first Monday JAMCOTWA in today's episode.
Show note imagery: ORLON, gone but not forgotten!
Sunday, September 21, 2025 - A crossword that melts in your mouth, not in your hand 😀
Sep 22, 2025A rebus -- for those of you new to the crossword-solving realm -- is a square containing more than one letter. Rebuses come in several varieties; in today's crossword we have two words per square, one intended to be read horizontally, the other vertically.
Spotting rebuses is a bit of an art. Usually the tip-off is when the answer that you know, absolutely, positively, is correct ... but it won't fit. When that happens, it's time to fire up the ol' rebus key (if you're solving on the app), or print smaller (if you're solving on paper).
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Duration: 00:15:38