Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

Sid Sivakumar, the author of today's fine, fine crossword, has definitely got a reputation (at least here, at Jean And Mike Do The New York Times Crossword HQ) for writing extra-challenging crosswords, and he definitely lived up to that reputation today, with clues that were stellar, sneaky, and (if you can figure them out!) extremely satisfying. We enthusiastically approve - 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.

If you want to see the solved crossword --  clues and answers -- you can check it out  here.

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Today's crossword has an ominous, daunting-looking grid, but you can't always judge a B by its C, as Bertie Wooster would undoubtedly say, and this puzzle proves the point: it is challenging but fair, and we loved it! Deets inside, as well a Fun Fact Friday segment that we hope you'll find fun -- and that's a fact!

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A challenging Thursday puzzle, thanks to ... a tricky wicket, as cricket aficionados  like to say, a gimmick that left both cohorts slightly but fortunately only temporarily bedazzled. Jean had trouble getting started, and Mike, finished. But fortunately, both rallied. Deets inside, so subscribe / download / listen / enjoy / leave us a 5 star review 😀

Today's crossword, with all the clues and answers, can be found right here.

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Brandon Koppy knows how to make great crosswords, and is at the top of his form in this one! An amusing and unexpected theme is the topper, but the rest of the clues are designed to educate and make you think. Five squares on the JAMCR scale, we can't wait for his next opus.

Here's the entire crossword, solved, in case you want to check it out.

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Andrea Carla Michaels and Christina Iverson have devised a COZY Tuesday puzzle, with just the right HEFT, never a BORE. We enjoyed the crossing of 32D, They're made by doing jumping jacks lying downs ", SNOWANGELS, and 35A, "Band on the Run" band, WINGS; and 51D, Decimal measuring system, METRIC, and 53A, Opposite of well done, RARE, the latter representing the chances that the former will become widely adopted in the US! All in all, we consider this crossword a genuine 48A, Hit the jackpot, WIN.

Today's crossword? Solved? You can see it all, as well as photos of the constructors,  right here.

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A nice Monday crossword, with nothing too overwhelmingly difficult, as befits a Monday -- and a clever "vowel progression" for the theme. We approve! Five squares on the JAMCR scale.

Also, if you haven't already done this crossword, and do not plan to do so, feel free to feast your eyes on the clues and solution

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Ease over to your easel, and get ready to BINGE on 7 different works of art, all ensconced in a puzzle which is not coincidentally also a work of art (albeit of an entirely different hue). While this crossword was undoubtedly difficult - both Jean and Mike (solving independently as usual) had to strain to the utmost, it was assuredly worth the effort. Deets inside, and if you want to check out the paintings in question here they are:

• THESTARRYNIGHT
• REDBALLOON
• THEMONALISA
• THEBIRTHOFVENUS
• THESONOFMAN
• NIGHTHAWKS
• CREATIONOFADAM

Also, if you want to check out the complete solution to today's crossword, check it out here.

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It's not clear if today's crossword-constructing duo -- Wyna Liu and Joel Fagliano -- regard themselves as iconoclasts, but they certainly broke a few rules in today's puzzle, in fact, one of the cardinal, inviolable rules of the New York Times crossword. Intrigued? We thought you would be, so check out today's episode for all the deets (as well as to discover who won our JAMCOTWA - Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award).

Want to see the solution to today's crossword, all filled out? Here you go!

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An epically difficult Friday crossword, as one can expect towards the end of the week. But this one seemed especially fiendish, like a Saturday crossword that slunk into a Friday slot by mistake. Clues like 46D, Harvard or Cambridge grad, CANTAB (say what?); 39A, Heavens, ETHER (fair but good); and 44D, Senator, in brief, NHLER (nice!) just give a small taste of what's in store, a real mental workout. We loved it, and only regret that we haven't seen more of Rich Norris' work in these pages.

For the record, here's a link to today's crossword (with clues and answers).

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A very pleasing Thursday crossword by Adam Wagner and Brooke Husic. Jean's overly large vocabulary got her into slight difficulty in the middle of the grid, whereas Mike's smaller lexicon, once again and just as ironically as always, came to his rescue! There were numerous TWL (Today We Learned) moments in today's grid, for instance, 28D, Two-stringed Chinese instrument, EHRU; 26A, Faith that follows the teachings of The BáB, BAHAI; and 32D, Spaces where people pay to destroy household objects with sledgehammers, RAGEROOMS (yikes!). A great crossword, without doubt worth a full 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.

Want to see the solution to today's grid? Xwordinfo.com has you covered

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