Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

There's only one time when we enjoy riding a STRUGGLEBUS, and that's when we're working on a tough Saturday crossword, like this one -- which, coincidentally, happened to feature an actual STRUGGLEBUS in the grid. Now long time solvers and listeners know, through experience, that clues become more cryptic, and answers longer, over the course of the week, from Monday to Saturday. To quantify this, however, someone has made  a splendid visualization plotting word length versus day of the week, for the years 1994-2017 -- check it out right here.

Show note imagery: All aboard the STRUGGLEBUS

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Evans Clinchy's bio pic in xwordinfo.com shows him chowing down on a burrito, and that may or may not have any connection with the presence of both CHEESECAKE and TRESLECHES in the grid. What we do know for certain is that Evans has crafted a challenging but fair Friday crossword, just the kind we like! Indeed, the grid just sparkles, with clues such as 4D, Doofuses, TOMFOOLS (definitely fun to say); 10D, Beyond clean, STERILE (can't argue with that!); 49D, It comes down hard, HAIL (makes more sense than Mike's initial guess, RAIN).

We also have a fine Fun Fact Friday™ segment, so to get to all of this goodness, just hit the ol' download button, followed by (it's important to get the order right!) the ol' play button, and then brace yourself for an avalanche of mirth™

Show note imagery: TRESLECHES, the only dessert that causes weight gain just by looking at it!

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Joe Deeney can definitely BEPROUD of this crossword, as it is, in a word, SUHWEET! While the grid does contain a  standing-ovation-worthy hairpiece pun,  it is still the theme that rules SUPREME. Deets inside!

Show note imagery: An EGRET, with a look that says, don't even think about making a pun about my name!

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Today's crossword was fabulous -- that's the LONGANDSHORTOFIT! A deftly constructed theme and delightlful clues (43A, Snack brand from the Spanish word for "fried", FRITOS; 8D, Hip hop's Madvillian or Mob Deep, DUO; and 69A, Second smallest of seven, EUROPE) make for a great mid-week solve. Deets inside!

Show note imagery: A MEADOWLARK, who, fortunately, looks very good in yellow

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A fine Tuesday crossword by Evan Kalish, and as this is his 22nd NYTimes crossword, it would be fair to say that he is on a roll. It would also be hilarious to say that he is on a roll, but to find out why that is the case, you'll want to download today's episode, which also includes Jean in an epic Triplet Tuesday™️ segment.

Show note imagery: The crossword, like the depicted outfit, was truly INSPO

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A clever Monday crossword by Colin Adams, that may (or may not) have been tricker than the usual Monday. Listeners, what say ye? Did you find this puzzle particularly easy, hard, or just your typical Monday? Let us know, either by clicking on the Fan Mail button or dropping us a line!

Show note imagery: HORUS, a Falcon-headed Egyptian god.

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Sid Sivakumar, known for his exceedingly crunchy Saturday crosswords, goes easy on us (relatively speaking) in this fun Sunday outing. There are oodles of delightful clues, including 29A, Who has successfully juggled 15 balls simultaneously, NOONE (nice!); 103A, Name that sounds like its first two letters reversed, ELLY (oho!); and the magnificent 118A, Tower in a port, TUG (just brilliant!). The theme's a pretty piece of work too, and to hear more about that -- as well as a selection of other great, great clues -- download today's episode and take a listen.

Show note imagery: Johannes GUTENBERG, whose invention of movable type moved the world

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Blake Slonecker, the virtuoso of  late-in-the-week-really-really-tough-crosswords, has demonstrated why he has earned that monicker in today's puzzle, filled with some treacherously clever clues and just a slight scattering of "gimmes", although even the gimmes were more like "probably's". Deets inside, as well as the surprising winner of this week's JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award), as well as some fabulous listener mail. Enjoy!

Show note imagery: Andrés Segovia, winner of a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award for CLASSICALGUITAR, 

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A nice Friday crossword by Spencer Leach, both co-hosts found it easier than Thursday's -- a tad unusual, but definitely not unheard of. Today's clues, however, were magnificent, a bevy of LOLers absolutely guaranteed to put a smile on your face or your money cheerfully refunded (eh, we might have to check on that last bit).
Beyond the crossword, we have a very apropos Fun Fact Friday segment, as well as some great listener mail -- so have at it, enjoy, and, as usual, let us know what you think.

Show note imagery: Some traditionally, and very colorfully dressed MAASAI. 

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This was a scary crossword, because of the theme, or, to be precise, just how difficult it was to figure out the theme (and many of the other clues besides). it was rated as a Thursday crossword, which generally means that it will be on the tough side, but when Sarah Sinclair and Paolo Pasco are the authors, that really should be uber-tough side. Uber-tough but fun, for reasons that we expand upon in today's podcast.

Show note imagery: Tinker to EVERS to Chance, an awesome double-play

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