Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

Today's crossword, a collaboration between John Kugelman and Lance Enfinger, had a bonus puzzle within a puzzle. First, there was the traditional 15x15 grid we all know and love (to solve); then we had the theme, whose revealer seemed to be more of a concealer. Fortunately, the light eventually dawned, so we've got the full 411 right here for your listening pleasure.

Show note imagery: The one, the only, it's Mr. Rockhead Sylvester Nate Oscar George Slate (really, that's his full name!).

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Bryan Kaproth-Gerecht's debut NYTimes crossword is a marvel, with an insanely clever theme brilliantly executed. We can't say enough good things about it, but in today's episode, we give it the ol' college try.

We also have a Triplet Tuesday™️ segment to test your mettle, so have a go, and let us know how you did!

Show note imagery: There's nothing like a quick holiday getaway to Saturn's largest moon, [NAME REDACTED TO AVOID SPOILERS], for a little water skiing, er, hydrocarbon skiing 😀 

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Steven Jopek is making his debut in the NYTimes, so kudos, congrats, huzzah, etc., etc. Although after the fact the crossword seemed like a typical Monday, during the solve it seemed to put up just a bit more resistance than usual, although, of course, YMMV*.

One thing that stood out: we were impressed by the progression represented by 44A, She, in Portuguese, ELA, 40D, Actor Idris, ELBA, and 57A, Jazz great Fitzgerald, ELLA. It's that attention to detail that gets you, well, published in the NYTimes.  😀 

We've also picked our JAMCOTWA™️ (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award) for the week, and had to reach waaaaay back to find it. How far back? Let's just say that we are currently seeking chiropractic treatment to recover from the effort. Medic!

Show note imagery: ANGELFALLS, Canaima National Park, Venezuela, the world's tallest waterfall.

*or if you're on the Metric system, YKMV

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Today's puzzle marks Jill Singer's debut Sunday NYTimes crossword, which playfully pays homage to a now passé form of coinage. We'll let you mull over that cryptic hint, or, if you can't wait, simply download today's episode, where all will be revealed. 

Show note imagery: One of our favorite stores, which, if you stretch it a lot, is indeed related to today's theme

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Today's crossword was, by Saturday standards, quite straightforward. But since a) Friday's crossword was a real battle royale, and b) today's clues were suitably amusing/intriguing/educational, we are not complaining, quite the contrary. Our analysis waits within, so have a listen, and, as always, please let us know what you think!

Show note imagery: A Box Jellyfish, in search of a Lens Crafters that offers quantity discounts

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This, Adryel W. Robles Ojeda's second NYTimes crossword, was uber difficult, thanks to a plethora of relatively obscure names, abetted by some rather cryptic crosses: we loved it (as today's podcast makes clear). 

As an example of the cryptic crosses, we had 29D, Diamond wear, MITT (nice one!); 49A, Especially ornate, ROCOCO (we definitely had to dredge that out of long-term storage); and 7D, Sport similar to pétanque, BOCCE (a clue that helped ...not at all 😀, which was surely the point). 

tldr: this was a delightful piece of work, definitely worth 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.

Besides the crossword, we have a Fun Fact Friday segment which may be of particular interest to those of you suffering from, well, just about any malady at all (although remember, we are not medical doctors, and under no circumstances, whatsoever, should you listen to us as opposed to persons who are, you know, qualified 😉).

Show note imagery: The Schaezlerpalais' Festival Hall, in Augsburg: it doesn't get much more ROCOCO than this!

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Most of the time, Thursday themes do something unexpected with the answers, but occasionally the twist involves the clues. Hoang-Kim Vu has provided a sparkling example today, and apart from our Yoda reference in the title, we'll provide no spoilers here, but fear not — we will take a deep dive into that theme, and of course take a gander at the rest of the grid, in today's podcast.

Show note imagery: Some MIT Mystery Hunt contestants, ready to start Sherlocking

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Kareem Ayas has a real knack for writing entertaining crosswords, and those skills are on full display today. The theme was LOL, and there were marvels throughout the grid. Besides those mentioned in the podcast, we had the sly 59D, Important stretches, ERAS; the quintessential garden path of 45A, Cats and dogs, for example: NOUNS; and in the "but of course" realm, 41A, President who was a heavyweight wrestling champion in college, TAFT. Very nice indeed, absolutely worth 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.

Show note imagery: Trampoline BED cleaning, an obscure but important life skill (eh, at least if you have a trampoline!) 

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Kudos and congrats to Jeremy Venook on getting his debut crossword in the NYTimes! 🎉🥳 He had us when he name-dropped URIAH Heep, and kept us enthralled with a theme that was ideal for a Tuesday. Well done!

Speaking of Tuesday, we have, as per custom, a Triplet Tuesday™️ segment, and this time Jean's the interrogatee. How'd she do? The answer is as close as your download button! 😀 

Show note imagery: RIAN Johnson (l) on the set of Star Wars: The Last Jedi

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You would expect that someone who has published 85 (!) NYTimes crosswords, including 31 Mondays, would craft a fine Monday puzzle, and your expectations would be met and then some. Zhouqin Burnikel has produced a picture-perfect Monday, with a lemon meringue of a theme and some awesome clues. Some that did not make into the podcast include 49D, Sound asleep?, SNORE (😀); 36D, "Sounds like a plan!", LETS (😀 😀); and clearly the greatest song of all time, anywhere, 10D, 1963 Kingsmen hit with a repetitive title, LOUIELOUIE (😀 😀 😀). Nice work, Zhouqin!

Show note imagery: Daniel R. Day, aka DAPPERDAN, the "Godfather of Hip-Hop Fashion".

Show note videography: Speaking of mondegreens, what may be LOUIELOUIE, by the Kingsmen 😀 

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