A tough but fair Saturday crossword, and, coincidentally (since they always solve independently), both Jean and Mike ended up at the same spot, 20A, Pink-headed mushroom in Mario games, TOADETTE. There were at least two portmanteaus in the grid -- 8A, Hybrid fruit akin to an apium, PLUOT; and the aforementioned 30A, Feline hybrids, TIGONS. 

There were many other admirable clues in the grid, such as 42D, Things that might hurt you to the core, SITUPS 😀 ; 33D, Fashion items that might be a bit steep, STILETTOS 😀 😀; and the fabulous 62A, What may go to waste? No! What waste may go to, COMPOSTBIN 😀 😀 😀.

In other news, it's Saturday, which means it's time to announce the JAMCOTWA - Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award. To find out who's the lucky winner, check out today's ad-free, chortle-rich episode.

Show note imagery: The one, the only, TOADETTE!

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Jean and Mike had entirely different solving experiences tackling today's crossword, a fine effort by Larry Snyder. Jean made short work of it, but Mike started inventing words out of whole cloth, a fraught activity when solving a NYTimes Friday crossword. Yet, while their solving experiences might have differed, they both agree that this crossword most definitely deserved 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.

In other news, it's Fun Fact Friday, and Muppet / Hunter S. Thompson fans will find much to like about today's segment. Also, we have listener mail!

So, for all that and more, we heartily suggest you download, listen up, and enjoy.

Show note imagery: The STENO machine

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This is Dan Schoenholz's 29th NYTimes crossword, and it shows -- a nicely polished grid, with an exceptional theme. Since the preponderance of Dan's crosswords have appeared on Sunday, it might seem like he'd be a bit constrained, squeezed into a 15x15 grid, but, even without rebuses (spoiler alert! Oops, too late 😀), he managed to craft an elegantly enjoyable crossword. We've got all the deets inside, so please, subscribe, download, listen up, and enjoy!

Show note imagery: OTIS Redding (second from right), founder of The Temptations

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Jeffrey Martinovic has managed to work the word TAUTOLOGICAL into the grid, and for that alone he should receive some sort of commendation. But we can't also IGNORE some other great clues, such as 69A, Some downtown street liners, METERS; 11D, Is French?, EST (c'est bon!); and 62A, "Mud", JOE (😀). A fine crossword, definitely worth 5 squares on the JAM CR scale!

Show note imagery: Queen MAB, hard at work (?)

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This is Robert S. Gard's second NYTimes crossword. We reviewed his first in season 8, episode 38, and like that Saturday puzzle, this one was equally august, albeit much easier, as befits a Tuesday . We have all the deets inside, as well as Mike's valiant attempt to not make a fool of himself during the Triplet Tuesday contest, so have a listen, and let us know what you think!

Show note imagery: Beware the KRAKEN!

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This is Adam Wagner's 19th NYTimes crossword, but it is a debut, in a sense - his first Monday puzzle. It was a little crunchier than usual, but the theme made it all worthwhile. Deets inside, so have a listen, and as usual, tell others about us on social media.

Shownote imagery: A thaw of ICEBOATS (and if "thaw" isn't the appropriate unit, it ought to be!) about to start racing

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Sid Sivakumar dials it back as he slips into his Sunday best, and this was indeed one of his best Sundays, his fourth for the NYTimes. 

There were some fine clues in the grid, including 75A, Home to the Great Ziggurat of Ur, IRAQ (we just like the sound of "Great Ziggurat of Ur" 😀); 116A, What hits the ground running, SOLE (ha!); and 55D, So ... or a word following "so", TRUE (double ha!); and a hidden gem at 89A, Windy part of a kite?, REEL (triple ha!).

To sum up, we were impressed, this definitely rates 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.

Show note imagery: The Great Ziggurat of Ur

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Spencer Leach and Jem Burch have produced a splendiferous Saturday crossword that entertained, educated, and ... whatever the opposite of enervated is, ah, yes, energized. The highlight of the grid was undoubtedly 60A, Finished, colloquially, DONEZO, although 61A, Drinks are on me!, BARMENU, definitely gave it a run for its money. There was much more to this puzzle, though, and we have all the deets inside.

Show note imagery: Speed skater Johann OLAV Koss, winner of 4 Olympic golds and occasional Clark Kent stunt double

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Colin Adams has turned in a fine (debut!) Friday crossword: no theme (as befits a Friday puzzle), but plenty of sharp cluing (as one would also expect). We cover a boatload of them in today's podcast, but even the "also-rans" were quite good. Consider 30A, European airline that was nationalized from 1944 to 2001, IBERIA; 62A, [Violin emoji], OHBOOHOO; and the fabulous 66A, Moving company?, TROUPE.

We also have a Fun Fact Friday, and some great listener mail, so ... enjoy!

Show note videography: The MASSE shot

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Years from now, cruciverbalists will be able to say, I remember where I stood (or, more likely, sat) when I finally solved this crossword, it's that good. To find out why, we beseech thee, with all due haste, to downloadeth, listen upeth, and enjoyeth this fine work from Teddy and Rich Katz.

Show note imagery: Karl the FOG

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