Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

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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A debut crossword by Greg Snitkin, but you wouldn't know it based on the quality of today's puzzle. The theme was terrif, and was abetted by a passel  of captivating clues to round off the grid. While a lot of old friends showed up (looking at you, 15A, McFlurry flavor, OREO), and 61A," _________ you vera much!", (punny valentine), ALOE, there were two debuts, including 33A, Someone terrorizing kids in a 1986 Stephen King novel, SCARYCLOWN 🤡. For all the deets, have a listen, and, as always, let others know about us on social media!

Show note imagery: Professor Moriarty, definitely a MATH professor!

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A lot of INK went into today's crossword, in such answers as SLINKYDOG, WINKYFACE and 5 (!) more of that ink, er, we mean ilk, 😀. Numerous clues got our attention and podcast time, but we would also like to celebrate 49D, Tatted, INKED (yay, more ink 😀); 9D, "It's Raining _______", MEN (meteorologically unlikely, but still...); and  10D, Like a dress with a diagonal hemline, say, ASYMMETRIC.

It's Tuesday, which of course means it's time for a Triplet Tuesday battle of wits. Did Jean win? Or did she burst into flames like a Phoenix, only to be reconstituted the next day? Although the answer is likely quite obvious, to find out for certain you'll need to do what countless others have done before you ... subscribe, download, listen up, and enjoy!

Show note imagery: Kinky Boots, the Musical!

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This is Joe Marquez's second NYTimes crossword (congrats, Joe!) and a very nice piece of work it is. Several clues had a wry twist to them (and we are not just saying that because the theme involved alcohol 🙄).  The humor started early, with 1A, Little spheres in a pod, PEAS; continued with 15A, Out-spoken, ALOUD; and by definition the most humorous of all, the on the nose 26D, Ha-ha-ha, LAUGH (which we did).

Besides the puzzle itself, we have listener mail, a fine explanation of ANDONE from a few days ago. Enjoy!

Show note imagery: The very last picture of the RCADOME, blown up to make room for a convention center in 2008

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Once again the puns come thick and fast, so if you like puns, well, step this way and download this episode, because it's teeming with them, seven at last count. They're not that bad though, in fact several have groan, er grown on us (and now we're up to eight 😀)

A reminder, the NYTimes Crossword is an excellent vehicle for helping you keep mentally agile and alert, and it costs just pennies a day. To gain access, just wander over to nytimes.com/subscriptions, operators, or at least bots, are standing by!

Show note imagery: Elisha Otis, cutting the rope at the 1854 New York World's Fair

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A tough but fair Saturday crossword, and, coincidentally (since they always solve independently), both Jean and Mike ended up at the same spot, 20A, Pink-headed mushroom in Mario games, TOADETTE. There were at least two portmanteaus in the grid -- 8A, Hybrid fruit akin to an apium, PLUOT; and the aforementioned 30A, Feline hybrids, TIGONS. 

There were many other admirable clues in the grid, such as 42D, Things that might hurt you to the core, SITUPS 😀 ; 33D, Fashion items that might be a bit steep, STILETTOS 😀 😀; and the fabulous 62A, What may go to waste? No! What waste may go to, COMPOSTBIN 😀 😀 😀.

In other news, it's Saturday, which means it's time to announce the JAMCOTWA - Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award. To find out who's the lucky winner, check out today's ad-free, chortle-rich episode.

Show note imagery: The one, the only, TOADETTE!

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Jean and Mike had entirely different solving experiences tackling today's crossword, a fine effort by Larry Snyder. Jean made short work of it, but Mike started inventing words out of whole cloth, a fraught activity when solving a NYTimes Friday crossword. Yet, while their solving experiences might have differed, they both agree that this crossword most definitely deserved 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.

In other news, it's Fun Fact Friday, and Muppet / Hunter S. Thompson fans will find much to like about today's segment. Also, we have listener mail!

So, for all that and more, we heartily suggest you download, listen up, and enjoy.

Show note imagery: The STENO machine

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This is Dan Schoenholz's 29th NYTimes crossword, and it shows -- a nicely polished grid, with an exceptional theme. Since the preponderance of Dan's crosswords have appeared on Sunday, it might seem like he'd be a bit constrained, squeezed into a 15x15 grid, but, even without rebuses (spoiler alert! Oops, too late 😀), he managed to craft an elegantly enjoyable crossword. We've got all the deets inside, so please, subscribe, download, listen up, and enjoy!

Show note imagery: OTIS Redding (second from right), founder of The Temptations

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Jeffrey Martinovic has managed to work the word TAUTOLOGICAL into the grid, and for that alone he should receive some sort of commendation. But we can't also IGNORE some other great clues, such as 69A, Some downtown street liners, METERS; 11D, Is French?, EST (c'est bon!); and 62A, "Mud", JOE (😀). A fine crossword, definitely worth 5 squares on the JAM CR scale!

Show note imagery: Queen MAB, hard at work (?)

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This is Robert S. Gard's second NYTimes crossword. We reviewed his first in season 8, episode 38, and like that Saturday puzzle, this one was equally august, albeit much easier, as befits a Tuesday . We have all the deets inside, as well as Mike's valiant attempt to not make a fool of himself during the Triplet Tuesday contest, so have a listen, and let us know what you think!

Show note imagery: Beware the KRAKEN!

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

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