Jean 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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This 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 Award) segment in the episode, so do have a listen. 

Show note imagery: BANFF, Alberta

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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 naticks). Deets inside!

Show note imagery: Meet the Parr-fect family🙄, aka The Incredibles

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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

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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 love it or hate it. (We're hoping, of course, for the former!)

Show note imagery: Dr. Frankenstein and the monster, rendezvousing somewhere in the Alps

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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 for ten years, and truth be told, we weren't busy the entire time.]

Show note imagery: Just waiting for THUMBINDEXES (THUMINDICES?) to make a comeback

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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 (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 😀 🙄. 

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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 segment.

Show note imagery: In the immortal words of Réne Magritte, Ceci n'est pas une Casio

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*as a reminder, the NYTimes crosswords get more difficult as the week progresses; Monday is the easiest, Saturday's most definitely the hardest. Sunday's are big, but generally regarded as being "Big Wednesdays"** in terms of difficulty.  Of course, YMMV depending on your upbringing, how much sleep you've had, and, occasionally, serendipity.

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**no relation to the gangster of the same name

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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, VERYSAME; and an apt description of this VERYSAME podcast, 55D, Not interrupted by commercials, ADFREE. 

In addition to today's crossword, we are proud to announce our latest JAMCOTWA. If you've listened to last week's episodes it won't be any surprise, but just in case we won't spoil it here: listen in for the Big Reveal.

Show note imagery: HAYAO Miyazaki, who recently won an Academy Award for The Boy and the Heron.

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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 🤖

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