Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

Brandon Koppy has a knack for writing magnificently deceptive clues, and his gifts are on full display in today's puzzle -- a tough but highly satisfying bit of work. We have all the deets inside, so check it out, as well as a fine Fun Fact Friday™️ segment.

Show note imagery: SUGARRAY, creators of some awesome music!

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The consensus at JAMDTNYTC HQ is that this was a terrific Thursday crossword, and a limbering up, as it were, in preparation for the grueling Friday and Saturday crosswords yet to come. We were pleased to see OCCAM make an appearance in the grid, as well as a smattering of frqtly. sn. txt. msg. abbrs., including DMED, OTOH, IRL and IPAS (ok, we're not sure about that last one, but the rest most definitely are frequently seen text message abbreviations).

Show note imagery:  ATOMICDOG

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It takes just an askance glance at today's grid to know that something's up. Perhaps it's the suspicious symmetry, or the fact that several runs of gray squares seem to have been cut in half. That's because they were cut in half, an essential part of today's cutting edge theme. Now, not that we want to contribute to FOMO, but if you're wondering why that last sentence was absolutely riotous, you'll want to download, listen to, and bask in, today's equally riotous (well, ok, drolly amusing, esp. the bit about the [REDACTED: NO SPOILERS HERE]) podcast

Show note imagery: A Royal ORB

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This was a debut crossword by Jared Cappel, and it was a fine one. The theme was sharp, and surrounded by a bevy of equally keen non-themed clues: the result was, as previously noted, fine.

A few clues that didn't make into the podcast, but worthy of shoutouts, include: 62A, Compliment on the green, NICEPUTT (fore!); 6D, "I.e.," spelled out, IDEST (Mike's favorite phrase!); and 44A, Perplex, BEMUSE (Jean's favorite answer).

In addition to the crosswords, we have a terrific Triplet Tuesday segment, and a fascinating theory as to why Blenheim PALACE (62A) doesn't get more visitors.

Show note imagery: Blenheim PALACE, in all its royal glory

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One of Will Shortz's greatest innovations was the strategy of making Monday crosswords easy, then making them progressively harder throughout the week, with Saturday being quasi-impossible. [Sunday is often described as a "large Wednesday" in terms of difficulty.] 

And it's not like Will forgot his greatest innovation, but this was a trickier-than-usual Monday, which may (or may not) presage a challenging week ahead -- we'll let you know for sure on Saturday.

In the meantime, we did enjoy this crossword -- a fine work by Patti Varol, and an opportunity to make our pitch for a Moby Dick / Peter Pan crossover -- look for it on AppleTV+ sometime in the near future (or possibly not 😀).

Show note imagery: LITTLELULU ❤️❤️

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The doctor -- Dr. Michael Schlossberg, to be precise -- was in fine form today, taking a sentimental stroll through the history books. Jean made short work of today's puzzle, deftly drawing upon her apparently infinitely large collection of pop-culture references. Mike, meanwhile, has the advantage of being able to search through his collection much faster: it does not take long to peruse a list consisting of BTS, LADYGAGA, and ... well, that's it really. 

Deets inside, so have a listen, and as usual, we welcome feedback!

Show-note imagery: 100 PESETAs

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Joe Deeney has created a daunting looking Saturday grid -- there are oodles of 4-stack answers, and as an ADDEDBONUS, a pinwheel in the center with very few exits into the rest of the puzzle. The clues were definitely of Saturday calibre. As proof, consider 53D, Arabic man's name meaning "servant of God, ABDI; 30D, Scorching, HOTASHADES; 46A, Antonym of "iie" in Japanes, HAI; and the absolutely fabulous 50D, What's added to one to make zero?, NOTA.

In short, a brilliant way to end our crossword solving week, well done, Joe!

Show note imagery: From 16A, Bird whose name may be written with two diacritics called kahakos, NENE

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Today's crossword was a great mental workout, replete with fine, fabulously deceptive clues -- just the kind that you hope for on a Friday.

For example, we had 36A, A real no-name, ANON (of course!); 32A, Darkens in the light, say, TANS (how enlightening); and 49A, Buttery topping for paratha, GHEE (oh, gee 🙄). 

Those were just a few of the terrific clues in the grid; for more, do check out today's episode!

Show note imagery: MOONSTONE, which, name notwithstanding, comes from Sri Lanka and Southern India.

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At least one of our cohosts wasn't quite on the same wavelength as today's constructor, Kiran Pandey: the clues and answers just felt a wee bit ... out of sync. Still, professional that they were (in terms of determination and ethics, not income), they managed to persevere and get to the happy music. We have all the deets inside, so please have a listen, and, as always, please encourage your friends and relations to do the same.

Show note imagery: DOSA, an Indian crepe with chutney.

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This was a spookily fun crossword by Rebecca Goldstein, who we are fairly certain won the ORCA Constructor of the Year Award sometime in the not too distant past -- 2024, we read on the internet -- for creating crosswords just like today's. So, to see what it takes to become Constructor of the Year, check out Rebecca's latest and, of course, this episode!

Show note imagery: BABKA, fun to say, even more fun to eat!

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