Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

Another Monday, another debut crossword constructor! This was from Elliot Caroll, and both cohosts found her work to be a bit crunchier than usual for a Monday, as evidenced by their longer-than-average solve times and higher HSPMs (Head Scratches Per Minute) than usual. We aren't complaining, though, we wouldn't think of ONBLASTing this fine work.

Show note imagery: A startlingly red ALABAMASLAMMER.

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The numbers are extraordinary, and speak for themselves: this is John Kugelman's 8th NYTimes crossword, his 7th Sunday oeuvre, and he's been cranking them out at the rate of approximately 1 per month. So, in honor of all that, we present the following clue for your consideration: 3D, Indefatigable (12 letters), JOHNKUGELMAN.

The crossword itself was a blast, even though one of our cohosts got horribly natticked in a location in the grid that we will eschew mentioning here -- but rest assured, we've got covered in today's episode. Enjoy!

Show note imagery: Ryan LOCHTE, a swimmer with 12 olympic medals (well, ok, not to be pedantic, but it's actually 6: he won 12, but has since auctioned off 6 of them).

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The first thing that grabs your attention when looking at today's crossword is the grid - a pinwheel built on a few black squares, but mainly impressively tall stacks of answers. In a switch from the usual state of affairs, Jean found this crossword to be a tad on the daunting side, Mike not quite so much. Both agreed that it was an excellent crossword, a great way to end our crossword-solving week.

We also have picked our JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award) for this week, so check out today's episode to see if your favorite got the gold!

Show note imagery:  Noted conductor Zubin MEHTA, in his element

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Robin Weintraub is legendary for her joyous crosswords, and today's puzzle is a perfect example: there are LOL clues everywhere you look, and we looked everywhere! Deets inside, as well as listener mail, and a fabulous fun fact for Fun Fact Friday™️.

Show note imagery: Oh, the irony, a Shindig! DVD!

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This was a fun Thursday crossword by Garett Chalfin, his ninth for the NYTimes. The theme was whimsical, the clues were cunning, and the end result was a superb addition to the NYTimes pantheon. Or, to put it another way, TLDR: 5 squares on the JAMCR scale!

Show note imagery: A poster for La Forza Del Destino, by Verdi

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There was an orchestra pit-full of musicians  in today's crossword, including 66A, One-named singer featured on the 2013 hit "Play Hard": NEYO, 35D, "___ California" (Grammy-winning Red Hot Chili Peppers hit), DANI; 56A, /, ROCKGUITARIST; and 47A, Experimental musician whose name sounds like a cry, ONO. However, the real theme was a joyous celebration of puns and punctuation. 

TLDR: Today's crossword was great, have a listen!

Show note imagery: NEYO, occasional AKON collaborator

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Today's grid was stuffed with assorted edibles, so listeners are cautioned to not attempt today's crossword on an empty stomach. And while none of the clues were particularly "crunchy" (crossword lingo for particularly difficult clues/crosswords), some of them were quite delicious, including 37D, Animal that is unable to fly with its ears, regrettably, ELEPHANT; the magnificent 44D, Way of getting online that might sound like "beep beep beeHAW beeHAW beeeeeep SHRHRHRHRH", DIALUP; and the curious 3D, Hammer's home, TOOLROOM. 

Apart from the crossword, we have our world-famous (?) Triplet Tuesday segment, so feel free to asynchronously join in the festivities.

Show note imagery: Andrea Gritti, DOGE of Venice, 1523-1538

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There was indeed a theme in today's crossword, but it was sufficiently subtle that one of our cohosts missed it completely until it was brought to their attention by the other cohost. For those of you on the edge of your seats wondering which cohost missed the theme, have a listen to today's episode, where all will become clear.

Show note imagery: Miss La La, at the Cirque Fernando, a painting by Edgar DEGAS. And, yes, she really is hanging by her teeth, in the pre dental-titanium era.

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This was a perfect storm of a crossword, with an absolutely awesome theme, a boatload of ingenious clues, and ... wait for it ... Nope! We're not going to spoil things here in the show notes. Check out the crossword if you haven't done so already (ideally online, specifically on the NYTimes site), and be prepared to be amazed.

Show note imagery: Alphonzo D'Abruzzo, aka Alan ALDA

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This was a fabulous debut by Oliver Goodridge and Juan Garavito. With sparkling clueing everywhere in the grid, they've provided a real master class in how to make a tough, fair and epic Saturday NYTimes puzzle.

It's also Saturday, and time for our JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award™). It was an exceedingly tough choice, as you'll hear in today's episode.

Show note imagery: The hilt (aka HAFT) of a knife,. along with other parts.

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