Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

This was a clever Wednesday crossword, and not just because its author, Peter A. Collins, slipped 21A, Understanding, KEN, and 22D, Astuteness, ACUMEN, into the grid. It was, inevitably, the theme that made this crossword shine, and you'll discover the meta-joke in that assessment when listening to today's episode (or when you've solved the crossword, whichever comes first).

Show note imagery: Members of the G6 - France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, and the United Kingdom

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This was a fine Tuesday crossword by Ginny Too, with a twee theme that lent itself to some amusing segues, as you will discover in today's episode. We also have our Triplet Tuesday segment, so to see how Jean does (hint: A frequent source of water on a farm), check out today's episode.

Just a friendly reminder that solving the NYTimes crossword has been proven to keep your neurons in peak form, and make you more attractive to whomever you want to appear more attractive to! Just wander over to nytimes.com, subscribing is easy and just $1 a week for the first 6 months, cheap as borscht.

Show note imagery: Some cheese rollers, pursuing their passion (and a large wheel of cheese).

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This is Ari Halpern's third NYTimes crossword, but his previous crossword appeared seventeen years ago. We're hoping that's because Ari found other things to do in the interim, and not because he's suffered 16 years worth of rejection. Although, if he had, this would make for a gripping story of perseverance and redemption; and since Ari's day job involves film and TV scripts, he could just sell it to ... himself? Hmm... maybe not.

Show note imagery: An example of a billionaire's boat - a super YACHT

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This was a brilliant crossword by Dylan Schiff. Solving it was terrific fun, but creating it must've been a real bear (to borrow from a recent NYTimes Crossword answer). You'll see why when you check out today's episode. 

Show note imagery: An OTTAWA senator, carrying one of the most lethal weapons ever created ... the hockey stick! 😱

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Both cohosts found today's crossword to be a tad on the easy side (for a Saturday), but it nonetheless had some brilliant clues. Among these were 32D, Eton ___ (traditional English dessert), MESS (yum!); 28D, Shelters from the heat?, SAFEHOUSES (har!); and 54D, Magnum and Spade, for short, PIS (book 'em, Dano!). 

In other news, we have our JAMCOTWA winner (hint: if you read our podcast titles for this week, it won't take long to spot), and some terrific listener mail. Enjoy!

Show note imagery: A delicious Eton MESS

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Our intrepid cohosts -- solving, as always, independently -- had very different experiences whilst filling in the grid. Jean got through this relatively readily, whereas Mike muttered many imprecations  and not a few desperate incantations on his way to the happy music. Deets inside, as well as a great Fun Fact Friday segment about, well, we don't know who 😉

Show note imagery:  The Artist's Garden at Giverny, by MONET

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This crossword was the embodiment of what makes the NYTimes Crossword so outstanding: a fantabulous theme amid a sea of novel and some LOL supporting clues. Just check out today's podcast, and then raise a glass in honor of David J. Kahn, creator of today's masterpiece. [Oh, and then raise it a second time in the direction of Will "Funnier! Make it funnier... and cleverer!!" Shortz, editor extraordinaire!.]

Show note imagery: DEDE Allen, one of the greatest film editor's of all time.

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There was art in today's grid -- specifically at 29A, "The most beautiful deception of all," per Debussy, ART, and more generally, everywhere else; because only the most artful of crosswords make their way into the hallowed NYTimes crossword pantheon. Beyond the brilliant themed answers (discussed at length in today's episode), a few examples of the authors' craft are on display at 12D, Try again, REHEAR (nice one!); 5D, Smallest three-syllable number, ELEVEN (huh!);  and 53A, Best way to sing, INTUNE (🎶).

Show note imagery: FBI Quantico, home of the FBILAB

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This was Rena Cohen's first Tuesday crossword, and like the other three that she has constructed for the NYTimes, it was excellent: a brilliant theme and a constellation of ingenious clues made the whole puzzle shine. It's definitely worth 5 squares on the JAMCR scale, and if you're still skeptical, today's episode will surely put those qualms to rest.

Show note imagery: The infamous EDSEL, in all its turquoise glory

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This was a fun, fast, frothy Monday crossword. It would be a great crossword to solve with the young'uns, for reasons that will become evident as you listen to today's episode.

Also, as presaged in yesterday's episode, we do indeed have a Joke for your consideration. It might not leave you ROTFL, but hopefully it will at least make you TYCS (Tip Your Chair Slightly).

Show note imagery: Erykah Badu, queen of NEOSOUL

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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!