Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

It is always a treat to see Natan Last and the JASA Crossword Class in the marquee, because ... well, just take a look at today's crossword to see why: a theme guaranteed to put a smile on your face, and great cluing everywhere. For instance, 37D, Geologic formation from glacial melting, ICECAVE (OK, that's a thing); 28D, Canadian province where "Anne of Green Gables" is set: Abbr., PEI (one of our favorite provinces!); and a word that we long to work into casual conversation, 24D, Vulpine, SLY. 

Show note imagery: Scar, looking positively vulpine

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Today's crossword was looking sharp -- and not just because ARMANI was in the grid (but it helped). We liked the daunting open-endedness of 48A, "_____ intended!", NOPUN; appreciated the BROW knitting induced by 24A, Move slightly, BUDGE; and just the opportunity to say 7D, Italian anise-flavored liqueur, SAMBUCA. A great debut crossword by Landon Horton, in our estimation it deserves to peg the JAMCR meter with a full 5 squares.

Finally, we've got listener mail! So, for those of you wondering how to pronounce Rummikub, the answer lies within!

Show note imagery: TSAI Ing-wen, the former Taiwanese president.

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This was a terrific Tuesday crossword by Dan Caprera, his 6th in the NYTimes. The clues were fun, fresh, and the theme was a wry one. Besides the clues covered in today's podcast, we'd like to give a shout out to 52A, ___ Jordan, a.k.a. the Green Lantern, HAL (we're just suckers for superheroes); 43A, Figure painted by Warhol, MAO (Will's definitely got a thing for this picture, this week); and 19D, Sit non-ergonomically, SLOUCH (oh, brilliant!).

Show note imagery: A Rummikub TILE (and more -- the entire game, in fact)

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Today's crossword was a debut for Katie Byl (pronounced "bill") and most definitely not a debut for Jeff Chen (pronounced "chen" 😀). Together they have crafted a perfect Monday puzzle, and only one of our cohosts found this to be slightly more daunting than usual for a Monday, for reasons entirely of his own making.

Jean's favorite clue in today's crossword? 35D, Hair knots with a French name, CHIGNONS (a debut). Mike was partial (of course) to 61A, "Biscuit" for cookie or "chips" for fries, BRITICISM. Cheerio!

Show note imagery: Strunk & White, a fabulous STYLEGUIDE, still relevant and available.

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For those of you who like mathematics and puns, Emily Sharp and Kunal Nabar have got your number, with this fine debut (for Emily) and debut-follow-up (for Kunal) crossword. The grid had a lot of great clues, including 117A, Social workspaces for some remote workers, CAFES (cute!); 109A, Like some parking and poetry, METERED (an echo of last Thursday's puzzle!); and 61D, One of the "holy trinity" ingredients in Indian cuisine, GINGER (yum!). We approve, and that's why we've given this puzzle 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.

Show note imagery: Sleipnir, ODIN's horse (and of course, ODIN being ODIN, it has double the usual complement of legs)

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Today's crossword was remarkably daunting. The grid consisted of three stacks of three answers, each stack spanning the width of the crossword. Constructing this must've been a bear, but Scott McMahon pulled it off. [He also managed to work most of his last name into the grid, in 2D, Capital and second-largest city of Minorca, MAHON, a very nice touch.] Both cohosts found today's crossword to be a straightforward solve -- no verbal abysses here -- but just a real joy, and we eagerly await Scott McMahon's second NYTimes offering.

Show note imagery: Minorca, just off the coast of Spain. If you're looking for its capital and second largest city, MAHON, you'll find it on the east coast.

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We love listener mail! Drop us a line, [email protected].

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This was Willa Angel Chen Miller's second Friday crossword, and like the first one, this was a beaut! Jean found it easy going, Mike ... found it ... and then found his footing (eventually). The clues were sharp (54A, Bit of a subway station wall, TILE), enlightening (39A, First capital of Alaska, SITKA); and amusing (42D, Quarter back?, EAGLE 😀). A nice bit of work, 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.

In other news, we have some listener mail and a fascinating fact for Fun Fact Friday -- hint: it involves a middle-of-the-road city in a middle of the country state. All that's just waiting for you to download, subscribe, and listen up, so have at it!

Show note imagery: BEHR, the most trusted name in paints (um, according to Behr.com 😀)

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Rebecca Goldstein is a great crossword constructor. Adam Wagner is no slouch himself. Put them together and you get ... well, this crossword, a crafty puzzler with some delicious clung. We have all the deets inside, a few (possibly even useful 😀) tips for new listeners, and some awesome listener mail. Enjoy!

Show note imagery: A slab of grenadilla, a black wood found in Africa, and why, when asked, "what, do you think OBOES grow on trees?", you could legitimately answer, kinda, sorta.

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Today's crossword is by Parker Higgins, and it was a joy. We had a lot of fun -- some might argue too much, but not us! -- digging through the grid, as you'll discover when you check out today's episode.

Show note imagery: A LUTE (left) and a LYRE (right)

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This was a very entertaining Tuesday crossword by Lance Enfinger, with some thought-provoking clues such as 40A, News of an alien landing, probably, HOAX (probably??); 51A, Response in a game of Battleship, HIT (inspired clue for a ho-hum -- no offense, HIT-fans -- word); 57D, Hamm of soccer fame, MIA. 

Besides the crossword, we have a tantalizing Triplet Tuesday™ segment, so for all that and more, check out today's episode.

Show note imagery: A SITSKI!

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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!