• Sunday, June 2, 2024 - Look out, here comes a SQUIB! 🦵🏈
    Jun 3 2024

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    Today's crossword was a real deal - two puzzles for the price of one, and each was a delight. We have all the deets inside, so do have a listen.

    This is our last podcast for two weeks-- we are taking our yearly Summer sabbatical -- so expect to hear from us starting ... in about two weeks!

    Show note imagery: Behold, a BEERAMID

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    17 mins
  • Saturday, June 1, 2024 - The POSHEST crossword this week!
    Jun 2 2024

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    A splendid Saturday crossword wraps up our crossword-solving week. Saturdays are by tradition the hardest crossword of the week, with the trickiest clues, and this one was definitely in that league. This was Eric Warren's second crossword in the NYTimes, and the first time he has won a JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award), so kudos for both!

    Show note imagery: Some delicious strawberry STRUDELS

    Show note video: MAXIMILIAN, the bionic dog 😀 🦮

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    We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com.

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    15 mins
  • Friday, May 31, 2024 - We have a FIENDING for more Aidan Deshong crosswords!
    Jun 1 2024

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    This is a beaut of a debut by Aidan Deshong, a high school senior just about to graduate, and head off to Harvey Mudd. Perhaps he'll major in Engimatology like legendary NYTimes crossword editor Will Shortz.

    The clues and answers in today's grid were, simply put, brilliant, as seen in 47A, Pricey oils, e.g., ART; 48A, Wet blanket?, DEW; and many, many others. To hear more, including a fascinating fact for Fun Fact Friday™️ -- you are cordially invited to download and listen up to today's podcast.

    Show note imagery: An INNING is the fundamental unit of time in a game of horseshoes

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    We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com.

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    21 mins
  • Thursday, May 30, 2024 - This crossword, like the answer to 22A, is WELLDONE
    May 31 2024

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    A very nice crossword by Royce Ferguson - his 4th for the NYTimes, and a Thursday debut. The theme was ingenious but not too difficult to suss out, and the number of pop-culture references was on the low side, which affected Jean not at all but did benefit Mike (for whom anything newer than 1800 that does not involve science fiction is problematic).

    Show note imagery: Some tasty looking crépes SUZETTE

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    We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com.

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    17 mins
  • Wednesday, May 29, 2024 - Bottoms Up!
    May 30 2024

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    While drinks played an essential part in today's grid, it seems unlikely that they were involved in its construction, based on the elegance of the puzzle - not surprising considering that the constructors in question were Jeanne Breen (for her, a debut), and Jeff Chen, LC ( LC being short for, of course, Legendary Cruciverbalist).

    Jean made short work of today's puzzle. Mike could make neither head nor tail of the north central region of the grid for a considerable length of time, before finally acknowledging that NEWEURO is not a thing, thus opening the floodgates, so to speak.

    Show note imagery: Josh DUHAMEL and Fergie, in happier times, along with what might be a MUDSLIDE

    Contact Info:
    We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com.

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    16 mins
  • Tuesday, May 28, 2024 - EVIE Sands, in the grid and (hopefully) on your playlist!
    May 29 2024

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    A nice Tuesday crossword, and, as detailed in today's episode, one eight years in the making!! So, even though PERSEVERANCE is not in the grid, it truly is in the heart of Chris Leatherberry, the constructor of today's fine work.

    We appreciated all the longer wavelength color references in today's grid, namely 54D, Famed fireman Red, ADAIR, in close proximity to 55D, Reddish application to cheeks, ROUGE, and kitty corner to 12D, More pink, RARER. We also, enjoyed 69A, Prefix with brow, UNI, as we are big fans of Ernie, Oscar the Grouch, Sam Eagle, and other assorted muppets.

    Show note imagery: RODAN, probably on the prowl for Godzilla


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    We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com.

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    18 mins
  • Monday, May 27, 2024 - All rise, ELENA Kagan is in the grid!
    May 28 2024

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    It's hard not to GIVEPROPS to a crossword that has GIVEPROPS in the grid, so we're not even going to try: PROPS to Christopher Youngs for this, his 4th NYTimes crossword!

    Show note imagery: Yaroslava Shvedova, celebrating her GOLDENSET win at Wimbledon in 2012

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    We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com.

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    13 mins
  • Sunday, May 26, 2024 - Look, up there in the sky ... it's a dude, it's a bro, no, it's a ... BRAH??
    May 27 2024

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    A straightforward Sunday puzzle by John Kugelman, this his 4th for the NYTimes, with a theme for which the word "cute" was invented. The quality of the clues was exceptional, with some real gems noted in today's podcast. But we'd also like to highlight some others, such as 64A, The i's have it, DOT (😀); 22A, Morse code click, DIT (to keep the DOT company 😉); 94A, Someone who hopes to keep out of the spotlight?, ESCAPEE (🙄).

    Show note imagery: The Eight Lancashire Lads, clog dancers, including one Charlie Chaplin

    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 conversation!

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    16 mins