Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

The appearance of YEET in the grid is always cause for celebration, a reminder that the English language is not set in its ways, but evolving at a rate that would've made Noah Webster exclaim "YEET this language is ... hang on, let me check my dictionary for a good word here ... deucedly difficult to keep up with!". 

For the record, we enjoyed this crossword for innumerable reasons; but we nonetheless do attempt to enumerate them in today's podcast, so have a listen, and please remember to tell all your friends about us on social media!

Show note imagery: A SCREENPASS blueprint

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This was a picture-perfect Tuesday crossword by Gary Larson and Amy Ensz, marking their second collaboration. The theme was suitably surprising, and the rest of the puzzle equally excellent. Besides the crossword itself, we have another installment of our Triplet Tuesday segment, with Jean facing her inquisitor with that Princess Leia-like combination of aplomb and insouciance. 

Show note imagery: Satchel PAIGE has played, apparently, almost everywhere! 

Show note URL: The greatest French hero ever, Asterix!

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This was a satisfyingly crunchy Monday crossword; it took both cohosts, laboring independently as usual, a significantly longer time than usual to complete. They blame it on the AQI, which in NE Wisconsin is currently hovering somewhere between "hey, what happened to the houses across the street?" and "if you must go outside, don't forget your respirator!" levels. Fortunately they had today's crossword -- the third NYTimes publication by Patti Varol -- to provide a welcome distraction. You can find all the deets in today's episode.

Show note imagery: A gorgeous LANAI (beautiful scenery not included)

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Today's crossword was an homage to the iconic series STARTREK, which has been around since the 1960s and at this rate seems likely to continue to exist until its actual putative time, in the 2260's.

While this likely gave an advantage to trekkies, we suspect that most readers will at least be familiar with the major characters -- and if not, that the crosses would come (as they often do) to the rescue.

Besides the crossword, we have selected our JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award), deets inside.

Show note imagery: The original STARTREK cast.

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This was a superlative Saturday crossword, thanks to an ocean of uber-crisp clues, each forming a "mini-mystery" that you had to solve en route to the happy music. 

Marvel at the handiwork of, for instance, 9D, Mountain range that spans 67º of latitude, ANDES; 6D, Key for getting rid of your work, in brief?, DEL; and 29D, They're all equal in a circle, RADII; The vast majority of the clues were of that ilk, making for a very satisfying puzzle indeed.

Show note imagery: Chuck MANGIONE, nominated for 14 Grammy awards and winning twice.

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This was a fantabulous Friday crossword that will have you saying 49D, "Look what I did!", TADA, if you are able to solve it. On the way to that illustrious goal, you might have a hunch as to an answer, in which case your 22D, Intuitive ability in the Marvel Universe, SPIDERSENSE, might start tingling. And if you were both able to solve the puzzle and let your friends know about it, they might give you a hearty 12D, "Well done!", BRAVO.

Besides our analysis of the crossword, we have a Fun Fact Friday™️ segment about the city that boasts the last remaining Blockbuster in the world. To find out that city's name, and why we liked this crossword so much, we strongly urge you to download, listen, and (we hope!) enjoy today's episode.

Show note imagery: A TREAD, just one of the many, many parts of a staircase.

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Once again, the rebus rules, and indeed in today's crossword may even be said to teem, for it appears a whopping ten times in today's grid, in various amusing and unexpected places that are detailed in today's episode. Really, the whole puzzle is fANTastic! Deets inside.

Show note imagery: If you're looking to book a shanty, why not book from Wisconsin's very own Northwood SHANTIES?

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Today's theme was sweet -- literally! You'll know why within 30 seconds of the start of today's episode, or, if you're in more of a hurry, within 30 milliseconds of glancing at the grid. 

There were some fine clues in today's puzzle. We doff our hats in recognition of 25D, Land of llamas and Llosa, PERU; 62A, "Really?", HUH;  and finally, the wry 39A, Like poker champion Chris Moneymaker's name, APT. 

Show note imagery: Elphaba and Glinda singing "Defying Gravity", which takes place in ACTI of "Wicked".

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This was an ab fab Tuesday crossword by Peter Gorman, with an admirably serpentine theme, as we explain in today's episode (and, as usual, you can see  by checking out the solution at xwordinfo.com). Beyond the theme, there were sone other unexpected answers - our favorite kind! Finally, icing on the cake, we have our fabled Triplet Tuesday™️ segment for your listening pleasure. Enjoy!

Show note imagery: All aboard the Glacier Express, a definite must-see if you're in the ALPS.

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Writing the clues for today's crossword must've been quite the chore, but Brian Callahan has done himself proud. It took a bit of cultural archeology to make sense of 64A, Coneheads, e.g., for short, ETS (a reference to SNL characters); it took no effort at all to meander down the wrong path while contemplating 1A, "Catfish" channel: MTV (oh, that sort of catfish); and we still cannot believe that after 82 years,  6A, Contract from a publisher, BOOKDEAL, still turned out to be a debut. However, xwordinfo.com claims it is, and so ... it is!

Show note imagery: A delicious  CHALUPA

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