Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword
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
The 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 n...
Byron 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
It 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 ...
This 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 ...
This 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 (righ...
Spencer 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 segme...
This 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,...
This 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 🤖
This 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 not...
This 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
This 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 squar...
We 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!
S...
This 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 nation...
This 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 t...
Both 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 i...
Sam 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: LAMARJA...
Colin 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 tic...
This 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 c...
This 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 ni...
This 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 ...
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