Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

The NYTimes crossword is, of course, a delight to try and solve, but we also appreciate the opportunities it offers to explore the nooks and crannies of language, culture, history, and the like. Today's episode is a case in point, where serendipity brings us to the door step of one Button Gwinnett, a fascinating historical figure who occasionally pops up in pop culture, and clearly warrants a Fun Fact Friday™️ segment sometime soon (hint, hint).

Show note imagery: Grand TETON National Park

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For those of you who are of the space-faring persuasion, today's crossword is guaranteed to put a smile on your face, as the theme consists of a series of punny (of course: it's Sunday!), rocket-related entries. ELTONJOHN manages to make an appearance, he of ROCKETMAN fame,  NIXON also drops by to say hi, and no self-respecting crossword about space would be complete if YODA didn't make an appearance -- so, good news, he does! For all the deets, please subscribe (so you don't miss an episode), download, listen up, and ... enjoy!

Show note imagery: a Titan II rocket, taking to the skies

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A relatively straightforward Saturday compared to the last few, but we are not complaining! The clues were still a challenge, and the answers entertaining, with nary a drop of crosswordese to taint the grid. We approve, and indeed, approve so much that this crossword is the winner of this week's JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award). Bravo, kudos, and all that!

Show note imagery: Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz (the latter often heard saying to the former, LUCYIMHOME)

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As today's podcast makes abundantly clear, our cohosts had entirely different experiences solving today's puzzle. One of us (hint: the one with the higher voice) breezed through it, the other (hint: the one with the even higher voice when stressed) moved through it like a finalist in a human mannequin competition. While their solving experiences might have diverged, they both agreed that the crossword, Brandon Koppy's 16th, was most excellent, for reasons spelled out within.

Show note imagery: CALABRIA, the toe of Italy

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If you are allergic, you might want to brace yourself before tackling today's crossword, because it is quite flowery and fragrant, all in aid of a theme that we found ... flowery, fragrant, and fun. Deets inside, so have a listen, and let us know what you think!

Show note imagery: A lovely example of a FREESIA

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The record does not state whether Michèle Govier, the constructor of today's crossword, was hungry when she set to work, but the presence in the grid of PEAS, NILLA, OREO, BREADFRUIT, TARO, and, as a topping, OREGANO, does make us wonder. What we are not wondering about is the quality of this crossword - excellent, 5 squares on the JAMCR scale. Our justification is as close as your download button, and as a bonus you can check out Jean's epic struggle in today's Triplet Tuesday™️ segment.

Show note imagery: GIBRALTAR, a British territory visible from Africa

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Another day, another debut crossword, this one by Tom Locke -- who has published in other well-known venues before, but this is indeed his first in the NYTimes. In the best tradition of NYTimes Monday crosswords, the theme was amusing, understated (certainly compared to its flashy Thursday sibling), and not too difficult to souse out. Deets inside, so have a listen, don't forget to subscribe, and please tell others about us on social media.

Show note imagery: A pair of BLUEWHALEs looking, well, a bit BLUE

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Today's crossword, a debut in the NYTimes by Mike Ellison, was a relatively gentle Sunday crossword with a host of curious clues, such as 94A, Hats worn by Napoleon, BICORNES; 86A, Golf gimme, TAPIN (not to be confused with last Thursday's golf phrase, HOLESOUT); 80A, Settings for timers, OVENS (nice!!); and the fine 53A, Needles holder, CONIFER (awesome!!). An auspicious debut indeed, and we look forward to many more contributions from Mr. Ellison.

Show note imagery: The Three Musketeers - Aramis, ATHOS, and Porthos

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A challenging Saturday crossword by Rich Norris - his 188th!! -- with a nice mix of deceiving and educational clues. Examples of the former include 2D, "Say no more", ONIT, and the aforementioned 26D, "Do I have news for you!", EXTRAEXTRA. Latter examples include 17A, Like some coins, BIMETALLIC (huh), and 7D, NASA rocket since 1957, ATLAS.

Today is Saturday, meaning it's time to announce this week's JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award), and this week the winner was ... nope, no spoilers here: check out the podcast, though, all will be revealed there.

Show note imagery: LOME, the capital of Togo, in the Gulf of Guinea

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This was a delightful Friday crossword courtesy of Matthew Stock and Christina Iverson (with Joel Fagliano ably editing). It had plenty of crunch, thanks to SCADS of challenging clues -- 43A, Porto-Novo's country, BENIN; 28D, Contend, HOLD; and 28A, Second hand, HELPER (😀) -- but they were reasonably fair (for a Friday!), and both cohosts concur that this crossword was worth 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.

It's Friday, time for Fun Fact Friday! We won't tell you the fact right here, other than to hint that you might want to don a monocle before listening.

Show note imagery: The great game of PLINKO

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