Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

It's hard not to like a crossword with a DELOREAN in the grid, as we can attest: we adored today's puzzle, the fourth in the NYTimes by Hannah Binney. There was a certain novelty and freshness to the clues that made this a particularly pleasing solve, culminating in the most exciting way ever to clue an otherwise mundane answer, 11D, 4.75 seconds to assemble a Mr. Potato Head, per Guinness, RECORD. Brava!*

Show note imagery: A time machine that needs no introduction ... if you were born in this century or the last one you already know it 😀 

*checkout yesterday's episode to learn why this is not a typo 😀  

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This was a delectable Sunday crossword by Jill Rataloff and Michelle Sontarp, who happen to both work at the same law firm. That might explain 21A, Certain head jurors, FOREMEN, and 125A, Bars, legally, ESTOPS, but does not explain the remainder of this fine puzzle. That's what we, amici curiae, are here to do (as well as show off our knowledge of Latin, or at least how to use Google Translate 😀). 

Besides our usual cutting-edge analysis, we have some awesome listener mail clearing up a few mysteries from recent episodes, so do have a listen, and please feel free to write a 5 star review wherever you're listening to this podcast, as our advertisers pay us on the basis of ... wait, what, we don't have advertisers? Ok, nvm ... 😀 😀 

Show note imagery: MMM, Shoofly PIES!

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Traditionally,  NYTimes crosswords increase in difficulty from Monday to Saturday*. So, if you had problems with today's puzzle, that's perfectly normal and by design: it was built that way.

The clues were magnificent, all designed to exercise those little grey cells. We covered the best of these in the podcast, but the rest (still very, very good) included 13D, Many key changes take place in it, CARSHARE (yikes!); 20A, The third primary chakra is located just above it, NAVEL (quick, the fainting couch!); and 11D, Like a spoilsport, NOFUN (and the exact opposite of today's crossword).

Show note imagery: LOUISA Catherine Adams, First Lady, 1825-1829

*with Sunday characterized as a "large Wednesday" in terms of difficulty

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This was a very pleasing Friday crossword by Kate Hawkins. Being Friday, there was no theme, but that just meant that the rest of the clues had to pull their weight, and they certainly did here.

We were delighted to see a reference to our favorite streaming series in 29A, Actress Seehorn of "Pluribus", RHEA. We were chagrinned to discover that we did not recognize 39A, Miracle on the ___ (surprise French/English victory of W.W. I), MARNE. Finally we appreciated the straightforward no-nonsense 56A, Instruction before an M.R.I., LIESTILL (we can almost hear the trailing exclamation point 😀).

Show note imagery: MARNE, a 514 km river in France, site of the Miracle on the Marne, where the French (and some Brits) simultaneously stopped the German advance and invented trench warfare.

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There were so many great clues and answers in today's puzzle, it's amazing that John Ewbank managed to wrestle them all into a 15x15 grid, but somehow he did. We appreciated the altruism and surely deliberate parallels between 64A, Volunteer's words, ICAN and 45D, "I'm at your disposal", USEME. We also liked the somewhat related onomatopoeia of 25A, Sound of disapproval, HISS and 59D, "Over here!", PSST. Of course, the best part of the crossword was the theme, and to hear all about that, check out today's episode.

Show note imagery: Laila ALI, undefeated professional boxer and now host of Home Made Simple, which presumably involves a lot less punching people 😉

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If Emojis make your heart go pitter-patter, then put your cardiologist on speed dial because today's puzzle — the fourth by Victor Schmitt — is teeming with them. OK, "teeming" might be a bit of an exaggeration, but they are certainly more prevalent than usual, and contribute to the crossword's high EQ (Entertainment Quotient). 

Deets inside.

In addition to our color commentary on today's crossword, we also have a (belated) Triplet Tuesday segment for your edification. Enjoy!

Show note imagery: Yup, that's one MESSY bun!

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If this crossword was a car, it would be a Bugatti; if it was a watch, it would be a Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime. In short, this was a top-of-the-line Tuesday crossword, built with precision, love, and care, and yet, surprisingly, priced exactly the same as all the other NYTimes crosswords, not a farthing more for that extra pizzazz.

What were some of those pizzazz-y clues, you ask? Our favorite was 35D, 
Tough-but-loving fathers, informally, PAPABEARS (a debut). Our second (and it was a close second) was 18D, Boot out of Europe?, ITALY 😀; and pulling up the rear was our favorite servant, 61A, "The Addams Family" butler, LURCH. 

Show note imagery: Knives Out, starring Daniel CRAIG

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Ian Livengood had written a SLEW of NYTimes crosswords between 2010 and 2016. Then, most mysteriously, he vanished — nary a puzzle in sight until, after almost a decade of radio silence, he is back with a fine, extra crunchy Monday crossword, and the world is a better place for it!

Show note imagery: Architecture, museums, an awesome university, LILLE has it all...

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Michael Lieberman and Rebecca Goldstein are, individually, great crossword constructors: together they are greater, as today's puzzle makes abundantly clear. We loved the theme, we loved the clues, Sunday is indeed funday when it includes a crossword this refined. 

Besides the numerous clues we tackled on the podcast, we would also like to draw your attention to 114A, Calls to task?, PAGES (😀); 87A, Rest area?, BED ( 🤭); and our favorite, 89D, Deck out?, DEAL (🤣).

Show note imagery: NOHO isn't just so-so, it's woah, woah! 😀 

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This was a fine crossword by David Carp, his sixth for the NYTimes and his third to appear on a Saturday. The crossword was not outrageously difficult by Saturday standards, the clues were cute, and the grid itself was worth the price of admission. We have all the deets inside, so please, have a listen (and don't forget to subscribe, so you don't miss an episode).

Did you forget to send a special something to that special someone on this special day? Fear not, you can send a subscription to the NYTimes crossword anytime, 24x7. Just wander over to the NYTimes subscription desk, and they'll be glad to lend a hand.

Show note imagery: Bartender, a bottle of your finest CARIB, s'il vous plaît!

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