Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

Today's crossword , by Michael Lieberman, was a bear (not the growly kind, obviously, but one of the tougher-leaning Saturday NYTimes crosswords). It was an excellent mental workout, and the cluing really was deviously delicious, just the way we like it! For those of you just starting to solve NYTimes crosswords, just a reminder that the Saturday NYTimes puzzle is traditionally the most diffi...

This was a fine Friday crossword , and not just because the FLINTSTONES were in the grid ❤️. Jean tore through it, Mike spent an inordinate amount of time sorting out the difference between AMEND and EMEND. But both eventually got it solved, and had oodles of fun doing so, as you can tell from today's episode. In addition to the crossword, we are honoring the arrival of Friday with another Fu...

It is always a treat to see Natan Last and the JASA Crossword Class in the marquee, because ... well, just take a look at today's crossword to see why: a theme guaranteed to put a smile on your face, and great cluing everywhere. For instance, 37D, Geologic formation from glacial melting, ICECAVE (OK, that's a thing); 28D, Canadian province where "Anne of Green Gables" is set: A...

Today's crossword was looking sharp -- and not just because ARMANI was in the grid (but it helped). We liked the daunting open-endedness of 48A, "_____ intended!", NOPUN; appreciated the BROW knitting induced by 24A, Move slightly, BUDGE; and just the opportunity to say 7D, Italian anise-flavored liqueur, SAMBUCA. A great debut crossword by Landon Horton, in our estimation it deserv...

This was a terrific Tuesday crossword by Dan Caprera, his 6th in the NYTimes. The clues were fun, fresh, and the theme was a wry one. Besides the clues covered in today's podcast, we'd like to give a shout out to 52A, ___ Jordan, a.k.a. the Green Lantern, HAL (we're just suckers for superheroes); 43A, Figure painted by Warhol, MAO (Will's definitely got a thing for this picture...

Today's crossword was a debut for Katie Byl (pronounced "bill") and most definitely not a debut for Jeff Chen (pronounced "chen" 😀). Together they have crafted a perfect Monday puzzle, and only one of our cohosts found this to be slightly more daunting than usual for a Monday, for reasons entirely of his own making. Jean's favorite clue in today's crossword? 35D...

For those of you who like mathematics and puns, Emily Sharp and Kunal Nabar have got your number, with this fine debut (for Emily) and debut-follow-up (for Kunal) crossword. The grid had a lot of great clues, including 117A, Social workspaces for some remote workers, CAFES (cute!); 109A, Like some parking and poetry, METERED (an echo of last Thursday's puzzle!); and 61D, One of the "holy...

Today's crossword was remarkably daunting. The grid consisted of three stacks of three answers, each stack spanning the width of the crossword. Constructing this must've been a bear, but Scott McMahon pulled it off. [He also managed to work most of his last name into the grid, in 2D, Capital and second-largest city of Minorca, MAHON, a very nice touch.] Both cohosts found today's cr...

This was Willa Angel Chen Miller's second Friday crossword , and like the first one, this was a beaut! Jean found it easy going, Mike ... found it ... and then found his footing (eventually). The clues were sharp (54A, Bit of a subway station wall, TILE), enlightening (39A, First capital of Alaska, SITKA); and amusing (42D, Quarter back?, EAGLE 😀). A nice bit of work, 5 squares on the JAMCR...

Rebecca Goldstein is a great crossword constructor. Adam Wagner is no slouch himself. Put them together and you get ... well, this crossword , a crafty puzzler with some delicious clung. We have all the deets inside, a few (possibly even useful 😀) tips for new listeners, and some awesome listener mail. Enjoy! Show note imagery: A slab of grenadilla, a black wood found in Africa, and why, when ask...

Today's crossword is by Parker Higgins, and it was a joy. We had a lot of fun -- some might argue too much, but not us! -- digging through the grid, as you'll discover when you check out today's episode. Show note imagery: A LUTE (left) and a LYRE (right) We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Also, we&ap...

This was a very  entertaining Tuesday crossword by Lance Enfinger, with some thought-provoking clues such as 40A, News of an alien landing, probably, HOAX (probably??); 51A, Response in a game of Battleship, HIT (inspired clue for a ho-hum -- no offense, HIT-fans -- word); 57D, Hamm of soccer fame, MIA.  Besides the crossword, we have a tantalizing Triplet Tuesday™ segment, so for all that and mor...

We start off the work week with a fine debut crossword by Adam Levav -- congrats, Adam!! We particularly enjoyed this puzzle because the theme involved our favorite ENGLISH variant, MIDDLEENGLISH. Even though this was a Monday, there were a few debut answers -- 47A, Feel relief from anxiety, BREATHEEASY; 24A, High school or college seniors, usually, FOURTHYEARS; and 11D, Hangout events for two guy...

Today's crossword was by Jeffrey Martinovic, a mechanical engineering student at Western University in London, Ontario (go JW! -- yes, that's the name of their mascot, no word on whether they were trying to economize on signage when they chose it). And if Jeffrey is able to do mechanical engineering half as well as he constructs crosswords, then he's probably got a great position wa...

Today's crossword was a Saturday crossword, and that means tough; it was also by Ryan McCarty, which means, tough bordering on impossible. But not unfair; the clues were deliciously difficult, but -- with practice, patience, a good memory, experience, and a little bit of luck -- doable. And it's for that reason that today's crossword is the winner of our JAMCOTWA!! (Jean And Mike Cr...

This was an excellent Friday crossword - not particularly difficult, both cohosts got through it rather expeditiously - but the clues were just fabulous. We've gone through most of them in today's episode, so check that out. In addition, we have a Fun Fact Friday segment on Sergio Leone, so, make our day* and tell others people about us on "the socials" (aka social media). Show...

This was a fun and challenging Thursday crossword by David P. Williams, his sixth for the NYTimes, deftly edited by the indomitable Will Shortz. The theme was very helpful, providing a distinct tactical advantage (which we discuss in today's episode). There were scads of thought-provoking clues throughout the puzzle, like 37A, Danger in a Wile E. Coyote cartoon, TNT; 36D, At the end of the da...

Today's crossword , by Laura Dershewitz, was her third for the NYTimes, and it was grand . Both cohosts found it a little crunchier (i.e., tougher) than usual, Mike more so than Jean, stymied as he too often is by his arch nemeses -- pop culture references and Spanish. Jean was mainly temporarily at a loss at 64A, Papal vestment, ORALE. Both eventually got the puzzle solved, Jean reporting a...

Dana Edwards has written two NYTimes crosswords, and both have been uniformly excellent. This one had an ingenious theme to it (not that his first was a slouch, but this one just had a little extra sparkle), and the clueing was particularly tricky (i.e., great!). There's simply no other way to describe 53D, Kind of place that's beside the point?, ONES (nice!); 54A, Random number generato...

Rena Cohen has concocted a fine Monday crossword for your enjoyment, one that checks all the boxes: Cute theme? (check!) Not too hard (check, check!) Entertaining? (check, check, check!) In short, we won't be checking any doubts at the door, this is definitely worth 5 squares on the JAMCR scale. Show note imagery: BUSAN, South Korea We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love li...

This was an excellent Sunday crossword by Kareem Ayas, the themed clues being particularly ingenious and amusing (deets inside). But Kareem didn't ease off the gas when constructing the rest of the puzzle, there were fabulous clues throughout the grid. Have a listen, and you'll see why we were so enthralled. Show note imagery: The 2023 DUCATI Panigale, a very fast (of course!) motorcycle...

The name Sam Ezersky strikes fear (or at least mild anxiety) in the hearts of NYTimes crossword solvers everywhere, as he is known for his devilishly difficulty clues. Today's crossword was definitely tough -- 52D, Cook's offering with chips?, IMAC 😀; and 58A, Creature whose name means "forest person", ORANGUTAN come to mind (as do most of the other clues, tbh) -- but the cros...

This was Colin Adams' fourth NYTimes crossword in under a year, and, as we discuss in today's episode, he remains as proficient as he is prolific. Jean tore through this puzzle in no time flat, Mike  tortuously clawed his way to the finish line, his usual Friday modus operandi.  For our Fun Fact Friday segment, we take a quick look at a slow-talking comedian, so do have a listen, and the...

In the pantheon of comedians, Steven Wright surely deserves a column or three, and in today's crossword Robert Charlton has chosen a great quote to illustrate the point. If you are unfamiliar with Steven Wright, stop whatever you're doing right now (unless it's listening to this podcast -- wait until you're finished) to head over to your favorite streaming source (or library: d...

We're welcoming in 2025 in grand style, with a Wednesday crossword by Seth Bisen-Hersh (his 3rd) and Jeff Chen (his 158th!). The theme ties in nicely with an ongoing holiday, and if your reaction to that phrase was "what holiday?", then check out today's episode, where all will be revealed. Looking for an achievable new year's resolution? Why not resolve to do more NYTimes...