Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

Only a very confident crossword constructor would start off with the first answer, to 1A, "In a word ... awful", ITSBAD. But Jeremy Newton is a confident crossword constructor, and a glance at the rest of this puzzle will reveal exactly why that confidence is well deserved. We do more than just glance at it in today's puzzle, we pour over the grid and serve up the more interesting of the clues (a hard choice: there were scads). To learn more, hit subscribe, download, and enjoy.

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A somewhat gentler than usual Saturday crossword, although lurking in the grid was perhaps the greatest spelling challenge known to human kind, specifically 16A, Star of "12 Years a Slave", CHIWETELEJIOFOR. But beyond that jaw-dropper are a number of other fascinating clues and answers, the deets of which are here for you to enjoy. Also, it's Saturday, meaning it's time for JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award). Today's choice was a toughie, but we think you'll agree that one stood head and shoulders above the rest (or if not, let us know what your favorite was, [email protected]).

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A crunchy Friday, as crossword solvers are wont to say - a plethora of tricky (and amusing) clues, such as 5D, One out of 10, TOE 😀, 39A, Spread some dirt, SPILLTHETEA, and 46A, Theater props?, OBIES (cute!), to name just 3. 

In other news, it's Fun Fact Friday, and we have ... listener mail! 

Remember, this podcast is best enjoyed once you've either a) solved the crossword, or b) gone to xwordinfo.com so you can see the filled out grid and clues -- tell 'em Jean and Mike sent 'ya!

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Parker Higgins and Ross Trudeau have teamed up for a brilliant crossword, we just can't say enough good things about it -- but that won't stop us from trying, as evidenced in today's episode. Download, listen up, and enjoy!

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A punny Wednesday puzzle by Rob Baker, with a great twist at the end that has to be seen -- or listened to as in, say, this podcast -- to be believed. There are other cruciverbial wonders to behold in today's grid, and we've got the full 411 just waiting for you to enjoy.

Oh, yes, we also have listener mail! Remember if you want to join in the festivities, drop us a line at [email protected], operators, um, we mean chatbots, are standing by!

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We love listener mail! Drop us a line, [email protected].

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A fine Tuesday effort by Robert Won, with a theme that really rocks -- and rolls, built around the  ROCKANDROLL revealer. Nice touches abounded: e.g., ROCKANDROLL crossing 38D, Late singer with a food name, MEATLOAF (RIP), and 54D,  Motley _____, CRUE. And we would be remiss if we didn't mention 36D, Flappers in a gaggle, which sounds like it might be pre-ROCKANDROLL, but the answer was in fact GEESE, which was GREAT!

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A gem of a Monday crossword, with a great, great theme involving cards, an excellent debut answer involving precision driving, and the adorably meta 3D, You're reading this right now, CLUE. Kudos to the constructors, Hwang-Kim Vue and Jessica Zetzman for such an excellent OPUS.

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Today's crossword might have you seeing double, but do not adjust your set -- it's all part of Will Nediger's super Sunday theme. We have all the deets inside, so we cordially invite you to download, listen up, and enjoy!

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We do not know that Sid Sivakumar, author of today's crossword, has a career as a standup comedian, but based on today's puzzle we would not be surprised - the grid was chockfull of chuckles,  laden with laughs. And it is therefore with great pride, once we wipe away the tears of laughter, that we award it, and him, the JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award)

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We love listener mail! Drop us a line, [email protected].

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A tough Friday puzzle by Blake Slonecker, one of those where for the first 10 minutes or so (your mileage may vary) you wonder if you'll get any answers whatsoever. The cluing was devilishly clever (and we mean that in the best possible sense). Consider 2D, Parisian sweets?, CHERIE; the deceptively simple 6D, Hypothesized, SAID (ooh!) and 39D, Road runner?, ENGINE (egads, who edited this puzzle? Machiavelli?? 😀). 

Fortunately, the number of pop culture references were in the single digits, otherwise this would have been beyond impossible (eh, if that's possible).

In other news, it's Fun Fact Friday, and in an attempt to avoid a spoiler, we'll just quote Leia from Star Wars, "No! Luke, it's a __________", and leave it at that.

We love feedback! Send us a text...

Contact Info:
We love listener mail! Drop us a line, [email protected].

Also, we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!