This was a Monday crossword, which means that a) it should not be particularly difficult for experienced solvers, and b) entertaining. We are pleased to report that it met both criteria, and we submit today's podcast as Exhibit A.

Remember, the NYTimes crossword is a great way to keep expanding your lexicon and keeping those neurons in peak fighting form. To subscribe, just cruise over to nytimes.com/subscription/games, signing up is as easy as 🥧

Show note imagery: The Golden Raspberry Awards, affectionately known (by everyone except the recipients!) as the Razzies.

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Today's crossword had bells, whistles, and even an EHRU thrown into the mix. It was by Brandon Koppy, however, so at no time did the quality of the puzzle ever dip below 5 squares on the JAMCR scale. Quite a few of the clues got our attention, including 30D, Strung rungs, ROPELADDER (that clue is just sooo much fun to pronounce!); 100A, Chore-o-graph, TODOLIST (brilliant!!!); and 55D, The old you?, THEE (tee-hee 😀).

In addition to the analysis of a great crossword, we also have some fabulous listener mail, and our first ever Sunday JAMCOTWA™️ (Jean And Mike Do The New York Times Crossword Award). Have a listen, and please remember to subscribe so you don't miss an episode!

Show note imagery: Coco Kou, available for EHRU lessons, if you happen to be in her neck of the woods.

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This was a terrific Saturday crossword, because the clues were just brilliant. Who could resist the allure of 58A, Member of a sub-Saharan matriarchal clan, HYENA; or the sly 61D, Wit's end?, NESS; or the witty 29D, Went from 0 to 60?, AGED. And the rest of the clues were of similar caliber, the quality control was that good. Kudos to Katie for this splendid, JAMCR scale-pegging puzzle!

Show note imagery: Sidney Crosby (airborne), celebrating his GOLDENGOAL in the 2010 Winter Olympic Games, in Vancouver

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Kudos to James McCarron, on creating an excellent Friday crossword, a debut, no less. Among our favorite clues (not mentioned in the podcast) were 21D, Film star whose name consists of two presidents, HARRISONFORD (not to be confused with the slightly lesser-known star, ABRAHAMNIXON); 6D, Nash who wrote "The cow is of the bovine ilk; / One end is moo, the other, milk" (udderly brilliant 🙄); and 36A, "Poppycock!", PISH (the most British word ever 😀).

Show note imagery: A BENIHANA chef showing off what might (or might not) be an onion volcano

Show note URL: Everything you ever wanted to know about Alfred (yes, that one)

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This was an awesome Thursday crossword, courtesy of Emily Biegas and Sala Wanetick (with Will Shortz, as always, at the helm). The were oodles of cunning clues, some of which were quite educational. Par example (as the French like to say), we had: 10D, Like Stonehenge vis-à-vis the Parthenon, OLDER (🤔); 67A, It can follow anyone, ELSE (😀); and 49A, Sparking water additive, ESSENCE (🧐). We cover many of the remainder in today's podcast, and wrap it up with another letter from the ol' mailbox.

Show note imagery: ELIO, Pixar's latest film

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Just when you think the NYTimes crossword could not possibly come up with one more theme -- they've all been done before -- they prove you wrong (which, happily, seems to happen every day they have a themed crossword!). Today's crossword definitely confirms that observation, as you will discover upon listening to today's episode.

In addition, we have some awesome listener mail harkening way back to Monday's episode. Have a listen, and, as always, let us know what you think!

Show note imagery:  Countries that have achieved a ONETRILLION dollar GDP ... but the question is, which TRILLION?

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This was a SERENE crossword -- and we say that not  because of the presence of SERENE in the grid, but because of the, well, SERENE theme -- one that ought to bring a smile to your lips, or, if you're having a frowny sort of day, at least help you transit from ☹️ to 🫤. We have the deets inside, as well as Jean's epic battle in today's Triplet Tuesday segment , so do have a listen.

Show note imagery: Let's all do the Bunny HUG!

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Today's crossword, the 39th (!) by Daniel Raymon, was replete with musical performers of various vintages, from composer Aaron Copland to a band that had its origins in the last century, but is continuing to write and perform today, to wit ... nope, we need to maintain at least a modicum of of suspense here, so we will wrap it up here and let you get to today's episode, where the name of that band, and some other highly droll commentary, awaits!

Show note imagery: Two Treatises of Government, by John LOCKE (and if you happen to have one of these in your attic, be aware that the copy shown here sold for $17,640 in 2023, so don't lose it!!)

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Once again the NYTimes crossword has set a new high bar, thanks to the dynamic duo of Zhou Zhang and Kevin Curry. This magnificent opus featured a puzzle within a puzzle, surrounded by a sea of crisp and amusing clues -- just a delight. If there was an Academy Award for best crossword in a major newspaper, this would definitely get the nom.

Show note imagery: GIZA, home of the Sphinx

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Tracy Bennet is the driving force behind both Wordle and Strands, and the appearance of this crossword therefore means that an impressively large percentage of today's NYTimes games are attributable to her. Jean found this crossword to be a bit on the crunchy side whereas Mike -- for some unfathomable reason that he attributes to a surfeit of neutrinos -- did not. Both agreed, however, that it was an excellent example of the genre.

Fun Fact Friday™️ took the day off yesterday, and even though Fun Fact Saturday doesn't have quite the same alliterative power, it is in today's episode, so be sure and check that out.

Show note imagery: YANN Tiersen, an adept and highly versatile French musician, known for his stunning film scores.

Show note URL: Uncanny Valley

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