Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

We'd give this crossword an APLUS, for no other reason than that it gave us an APLUS, as in 54D, Highest grade. But lest we be accused of grade inflation, we would like to submit as evidence 

• 29A, "Old Man ___ at Cloud" (bit from "The Simpsons" that became an internet meme), YELLS (Will must really like The Simpsons 😀); 
• 35D, X-ray ___ (novelty goggles), SPEX (we really, really want a pair of these); 
• 58D, Whopper server? LIAR (😀 😀)

Show note imagery: A who's who of old time comedians at The FRIARSCLUB, a New York landmark since ... forever.

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This was a nice debut by Victor Schmitt, yet another "cute n' clever" theme that definitely lives up to its name. (We note parenthetically that "Cute n' Clever" would be an awesome name for a pet store for Mensa cats, and if one ever comes into being, we hope to add it as an advertiser immediately 😀).

Apart from the clues mentioned in today's episode, we'd like to note 55A, Arctic abodes, IGLOOS (following yesterday's huts and yurts, Will seems to be promoting a native-abode-arc of some sort); 65A, Fruit from a palm, which sounds like a magic trick but is indeed DATE; and 7D, Like seaweed or raw octopus, SLIMY (which managed to elicit a simultaneous "yuck" and "kudos" from your cohosts).

Show note imagery: IGOR (left, as played by Bela Lugosi); check out today's episode to hear the electrifying background story.

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Jean made short work of today's crossword, armed as she was with a PANOPLY of answers, whereas Mike, for whom PANOPLY was the only gimme in the grid, had to toil a wee bit longer -- and by a "wee bit", we really mean weeeeeeeeeeeee bit --  before he managed to get to the happy music.

Show note imagery: TERRA Nova National Park, in Newfoundland, Canada

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This was an excellent Saturday crossword -- with clue difficulty mostly ranging from scarily difficult to "you must be joking, Ms. Hoody". These sorts of puzzles make for a deeply satisfying solve (if you can), and no loss of face (if you cannot). 

Also, any crossword that manages to quietly work ICEPALACE, ICET, and SAMOVAR into the same grid clearly deserves some sort of praise, and here it is: a full 5 squares on the JAMCR scale. Bravo!

Also in today's episode: our choice for JAMCOTWA, the Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award. To find out who won, and why, please subscribe/like/follow, download, and, of course, enjoy!

Show note imagery: An example of a Duchamp readymade, art based on ordinary products (such as this bicycle wheel)

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This was a good, challenging, but ultimately doable -- provided you've had lots and lots of practice! -- Friday crossword. The clues were quite fresh, and apart from those mentioned on the podcast, we'd like to highlight 24D, Sports great who said "If the world were perfect, it wouldn't be", BERRA (😀); 40A, "Hot-diggity" or "Cool it", SLANG (of course!); and the fascinating 38D, Philippics, TIRADES (🧐). 

Be sure and check out the whole episode, because after the main event we have a great Fun Fact Friday™️ segment, covering everything you need to know about the AFLAC duck. Enjoy!

Show note imagery: Actors about to do battle while wearing MOCAP suits.

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The title probably could do with a few more "wows", as today's crossword by Daniel Grinberg clearly deserves to be in the pantheon of crossword masterpieces. Indeed, both cohosts feel that they will never forget where they were at the moment that they solved this crossword (Jean, couch; Mike, chair). For deets on why we are tossing so many laurels in Daniel Grinberg's direction, have a listen to today's podcast, where all will become clear.

Show note imagery: What makes a SUBARU a SUBARU? According to their marketing people, Love (and possibly one or two designers and engineers, the ad campaign does not go into details).

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This crossword was brilliant -- primarily because of the astronomical phenomenon that formed the heart of today's theme, visually dominated the grid, and was echoed in several other clues. For instance: 28D, Astrophysicist ___ deGrasse Tyson, NEIL; 17A, Thoroughly enjoyed oneself, HADABLAST; and one of Mike's favorite movies, 46D, 2019 sci-fi film whose name means "to the stars", ADASTRA. All in all, an illuminating crossword, definitely worth 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.

Show note imagery: A non-nautical schooner (second from the left)

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It was with great satisfaction that we welcome back to the grid Alan ALDA, who has not made too many appearances as of late, always glad to see a great ... whatever Alan ALDA is ... back in the saddle, so to speak. We also were glad to see SNL make an appearance, although since they were just mentioned yesterday, their appearance today is not nearly as momentous.

Speaking of momentum (we weren't, but humor us), Jean tore through today's Triplet Tuesday segment, check out the deets herein, and, as always, drop us a line, we love feedback!

Show note imagery: Le Café de Nuit, Place Lamartine, Arles, by -- as if the brushstrokes didn't give it away -- Vincent Van Gogh

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There was no green in today's grid, as far as we could see, but there must've been a gleam in the eye of the cruciverbalist, Kathy Lowden, as she put this fine puzzle together. There was a lot of pop culture in the crossword, but that's because ... nope, no spoilers! Check out today's episode to find out why.

Show note imagery: DOJA Cat, most definitely not in the St. Patrick's Day spirit

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Today's crossword was by Ryan McCarty, who specializes in spectacular Saturday crosswords like this one. The clues were challenging, and there was a lot of pop-culture -- Mike's bane, Jean's forté -- but fortunately there were enough non-pop-culture references so that Mike could prosper, and Jean didn't need 'em.

In addition to the crossword, we have listener mail, including some from a former JAMCOTWA winner that involved a discussion of this week's JAMCOTWA winner: or as Robin would have it, holy-coincidences, Batman! 

Show notes imagery: BARRYKEOGHAN, movie / television star, seen here in Apple TV+'s Masters of the Air

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