Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

A fine Saturday crossword by John Guzzetta -- and if that name seems familiar, that's perhaps because he has had 40 NYTimes crosswords published since 2012. Of those, 50% of them were Friday or Saturday puzzles, so he's definitely in his element here. 

Though themeless (as is tradition for a Saturday NYTimes crossword), there were of course many fine clues, which we dive into in today's episode. Beyond those, however, we would be remiss if we did not at least mention 27D, Concupiscent one, EROS (woah!), and 2D, Reluctant to join?, INERT (nice!).

It's Saturday, and for our JAMCOTWA we chose ... nope, cliffhanger here, to find out though, all you need to do is subscribe, download and listen up!

Show note imagery: Light Emitting Diodes, aka LEDs

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There were challenges galore in today's crossword, with the rockiest of rocky shoals cropping up in the southwest portion of the grid. There were so many great clues that it would take, oh, a 15x15 grid to list all of them, but here are a few (that didn't make it into the podcast): 13D, Butt of a joke?, WHOOPEECUSHION (ha!); 9D, Like the homes of roughly one in six Americans, rural (huh!); 45A, In, in the past, HEP (har!); and there were many, many more. 

In other news, we have a listener mail / Fun Fact Friday segment for your listening pleasure, so do have that listen, and, as usual, let us know what you think!

Show note imagery: a "Simulation Giant ISOPOD Soft Stuffed Plush Toy" (no kidding, it's available at Amazon now).

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This is Joe O'Neill's very first NYTimes crossword, and it's a doozie, with the theme revolving around one of Robert Frost's most famous poems. Now "famous" is relative: while Jean had a casual acquaintance with the poem, Mike was, as usual, clueless -- and therefore answerless -- so he had to rely exclusively on the not -always-easy crosses, and serendipity, to see him through. 

There were some great clues throughout the grid that deserve some air time. There was the euphonious 53A, Waste's way away, SEWER; the sneaky 37A, Like the fruits durian and mangosteen, ASIAN (!); and the somewhat obscure 27D, Get into it, rustically, RASSLE (woah!).  We loved them all, and hereby bestow a full 5 squares, on the JAMCR scale, to Mr. O'Neill's fine opus.

Show note imagery: Robert Frost's Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening, the illustrated version

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Brad Wiegmann has produced a fabulous Wednesday crossword, and for those keeping track this is the second crossword this week where the theme was on the subtle and cerebral side. We loved it for a number of reasons, detailed inside -- as well as some exciting listener mail that will be of special interest to residents of PARAMUS, NJ. Deets within, so dive in (as long as it's been at least an hour since you ate 😀) and enjoy!

Show note imagery: Machu Picchu, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, in southern Peru

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Today's crossword was by veteran crossword constructor Christina Iverson, who has a knack for writing absolutely effervescent puzzles. Just consider a few of the clues in today's grid: 51A, Queen's pawn?, ANT (nice once, CI); 42D, Swift to fill a concert hall?, TAYLOR (who else?); and 24A, Like a tightrope, ideally, TAUT (we tought, er, thought so too 😉).

Show note imagery: David Aguilar's amazing prosthetic ARM and EMORY university library (in the old days!)

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This is Samantha Podos Novak's debut NYTimes crossword, and it is a delicious treat, thanks to a tasty theme and a generous sprinkling of cromulent  clues throughout the grid. And if you're sensing a food theme, you are correct! For all the deets -- including which food, and how many calories it has -- you are heartily encouraged to download, listen up, and, of course, enjoy today's podcast!

Show note imagery: YER out!

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You can always count on Hoang-Kim Vu to produce a splendid crossword, and today you can also count on him to ... count, because that's the theme: countdown, to be specific, is the title of the crossword as well as a large hint as to what you have to be able to do to solve said crossword. We have all the deets inside, so have a listen, and let us know what you think.

Show note imagery: PARAMUS Park, New Jersey

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Natan Last has constructed 39 crosswords for the NYTimes, and this latest one shows exactly why the NYTimes keeps coming back for more - the clues are simply inspired, dancing on that  fine line between uber-challenging and cruel, but always landing on the right side.  So, without doubt, this crossword should be in the running for our JAMCOTWA - Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award™️). Did it win? Download to find out!

Show note imagery: KABUKI, Japanese theatre at its finest.

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A roaringly good Friday crossword to end the business week! There was no theme, but there were a host of awesome clues, including: 38A, Shade akin to peridot, LIME (peridot, what a word!); 33D, Where you might run into some real characters, THEMEPARK (brilliant!); 9D, Never again, ONCE (can't argue with that!); and 18D, Luxury brand, or non-luxury option, COACH (delightful!).

Since it's Friday, we also have a fascinating Fun Fact Friday™️ segment, so for all that and more, subscribe, download, listen up and ... enjoy!

Show note imagery: A pair o' peridot colored gemstones

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Whether this was in honor of Leap Day or not (only Will knows, and he's not saying), today's crossword was extra special, most notably because of some of the clues weren't just text, but in fact  cute line drawings of assorted animals playing musical instruments. The line drawings were endearing, and we were enamored, for reasons that we expound upon, at length, in today's episode.

Also, we have listener mail! Lots of it!! So check out today's podcast, and, as is traditional on Leap Day, we humbly beseech thee to leave us a 5 star-eth rating wherever thou dost getteth one's podcastes. 😉

Show note imagery: PIA Mater and friends

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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!