Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

Today's crossword marks Carolyn Davies Lynch's third NYTimes crossword, and she just keeps getting better and better. This had some great clues, including 9D, It's not observed in Hawaii, DST (😀); 27A, Hypocorism for Harold, HAL (🧐); and 46D, Smart guy, ALEC (🤣). There were plenty more where those came from, so check out today's episode for the 411.

Show note imagery: Syzygy, without which we wouldn't have solar eclipses.

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Simeon Seigel is definitely on a tear, this marks his fourth NYTimes crossword this year, and his second in under a month. Quality isn't suffering at all, though, as today's puzzle is chockfull of sparkling clues and topped off with a head-scratching theme. 

Show note imagery: Fancy a game of Centipede?

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This was a surprising crossword, in a number of ways that we will not enumerate here, but dive into in depth in today's episode. There were too many great clues to squeeze into the podcast, so we'll just mention the also-rans but also-great trio of 43D, Acquisition that may solve a mouse problem, PETCAT (meow!); 42A, Olympic blade, EPEE; and 44A, Olympic "blade", OAR (nice juxtaposition!!).

Remember, the NYTimes crossword makes an excellent gift, either for yourself, a friend, or a loved one: just wander over to the NYTimes website, they will be glad to get you set up!

Show note imagery: An UPROOTER, brought to you by the same company that brought you the Weed Wrench!

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This was an impressive debut crossword by Ingrid Steffensen. The theme definitely and deservedly takes center stage, and the rest of the clues were at exactly the right level of difficulty for a Tuesday. We approve!

In other news, Jean's in the very hot hot seat for our Triplet Tuesday™️ segment, so have a listen, and, as always, let us know what you think!

Show note imagery: The world's largest I LIKE IKE button, in Abilene, KS

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For those of you pondering the title of today's episode, fear not: all, well, nearly all, will be revealed in today's podcast, covering Zhouqin Burnikel's 28th Monday crossword, among a very respectable 82 that she has had published in the NYTimes.

Show note imagery: While this might seem like a high tech torpedo bay, it is in fact possibly a claustrophobic's worst nightmare, a good old fashioned MRI

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To paraphrase Yoda, the pun is strong in this one, a crossword by the mother and daughter team of Ruth B. Margolin and Hannah Margolin, the latter whose impending marriage inspired the aforementioned puns. So, congrats to the Margoli team for the publication and the nuptials!

Show note imagery: A sockdolager, visualized

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This was a quintessential NYTimes Saturday crossword - tough, fair, and fun. It was constructed by two veteran crossword constructors -- Christina Iverson and Doug Peterson -- who we have come to cherish for making crosswords ... just like this one! Deets inside.

As is tradition on Saturday, we have identified our JAMCOTWA™️ -- Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award -- winner. Check out today's episode for those deets as well, and then let us know if you agree, disagree, or are neutral on the subject.

Show note imagery: The Germans, getting ready to win yet another Olympic bobsledding event.

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This was a pleasing Friday crossword - the grid looked daunting, and the clues were definitely on the hard side (Mike in particular wallowed in the bottom third of the grid), but it was overall a great end to the work week. We have deets inside, as well as a delectable Fun Fact Friday™️ segment, so check it out now! 

Show note imagery: The stunning ROYALOPERAHOUSE, in Covent Garden, London.

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The NYTimes crosswords are always good, but this one stands alone, definitely worth a chef's kiss and even possibly a hug -- it was that exceptional. The theme was stupendous, and absolutely essential to solving the puzzle, for reasons that we delve into, in detail, in today's episode.

Show note imagery: TAIO Cruz, author of (among other great works), Dynamite.

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Although this was a Wednesday crossword, some seriously Friday-level clueing did manage to make its way into the grid.  Jean had to exert considerable mental effort, and Mike had to  consume almost an entire bowl of Lucky Charms™️, before -- working independently, as is their custom -- they were able to get to the happy music. This was an awesome Wednesday/Friday, and represents Eli Cotham's third NYTimes crossword. We await, with eagerness and a tinge of trepidation, crossword number 4.

Show note imagery: A few JAWAs, probably getting ready to make a deal with some desperate moisture farmers.

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