Anytime you see Kameron Austin Collins in the byline, be afraid, be very afraid ... of having a really great and epic time doing battle with the master of opaque cluing. Today's crossword was perfect, and to find out why, have a listen. 

Also, we're curious to know -- based on our JAMCOTWA award this week -- what's your favorite MC Hammer episode. Let us know on our Facebook page.

Finally, do you want to check out today's crossword, solved? It'll make following our discussion so much easier, and you can find it right here.

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An excellent Thursday crossword, with a theme that, once again, requires we metaphorically doff our hats in awe and astonishment at the creativity of constructors such as today's -- Robin Yu -- for whom this is a debut. Deets are inside, so download, listen up, enjoy and ... don't forget to write! ([email protected])

Today's solved crossword is right here.
A good article on BACHATA is available as well.

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An ingenious theme made today's crossword slightly crunchier than usual (and we're not just saying that because NUT appeared in the grid). Fortunately the theme did not detract from the rest of the puzzle, which included such notable clues as 67A, Tempeh alternative, TOFU,  immediately atop 70A, Like forgiving lighting in photography, SOFT (😀); 37A, One of three in "To be or not to be", IAMB (cool!); and 51D, "The Queen of Soul", ARETHA (sigh).

Overall a great crossword, 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.

Want to see the solved crossword? Xword.info's got you covered.

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A nice Tuesday crossword by Taylor Johnson and the indefatigable Jeff Chen, with an almost-under-the-radar theme, and some quality clues, including 25D, Jackapoo or schnoodle, DOG (in the running for the best-clue-involving-a-DOG award, which we just totally made up but still want to confer on the authors); the educational 52D, The "Z" of ZIP code, ZONE (huh!); and 28D, Scientist on one side of the "War of the Currents", TESLA (not, as Mike had originally theorized, the muppet BEAKER).

In other news, it's Triplet Tuesday, and Jean does ... well, we'll keep you in suspense - to find out how Jean did, download, listen up, and, as always, enjoy!

Speaking of Jeff Chen, you can wander over to his website to check out the fully solved version of today's puzzle.

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A fun and frothy Monday crossword by Gia Bosko, who apparently has an eye for redundancy and a talent for writing great clues. Want to hear more? We know you do, so download, listen up, and be sure to hit the ol' subscribe button.

To see the solved version of today's crossword, all you need do is click here.

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A relatively easy Sunday crossword -- not a walk in the park, by any means, but the clues did seem a little less intense than last week's ... and the week before that -- and we are not complaining! To find out what we are doing, just download today's episode and ... don't forget to hit the ol' subscribe button, you'll be glad you did!

Want to see the entire crossword, clues, answers and everything else? Here you go!

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Sid Sivakumar, the author of today's fine, fine crossword, has definitely got a reputation (at least here, at Jean And Mike Do The New York Times Crossword HQ) for writing extra-challenging crosswords, and he definitely lived up to that reputation today, with clues that were stellar, sneaky, and (if you can figure them out!) extremely satisfying. We enthusiastically approve - 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.

If you want to see the solved crossword --  clues and answers -- you can check it out  here.

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Today's crossword has an ominous, daunting-looking grid, but you can't always judge a B by its C, as Bertie Wooster would undoubtedly say, and this puzzle proves the point: it is challenging but fair, and we loved it! Deets inside, as well a Fun Fact Friday segment that we hope you'll find fun -- and that's a fact!

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A challenging Thursday puzzle, thanks to ... a tricky wicket, as cricket aficionados  like to say, a gimmick that left both cohorts slightly but fortunately only temporarily bedazzled. Jean had trouble getting started, and Mike, finished. But fortunately, both rallied. Deets inside, so subscribe / download / listen / enjoy / leave us a 5 star review 😀

Today's crossword, with all the clues and answers, can be found right here.

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Brandon Koppy knows how to make great crosswords, and is at the top of his form in this one! An amusing and unexpected theme is the topper, but the rest of the clues are designed to educate and make you think. Five squares on the JAMCR scale, we can't wait for his next opus.

Here's the entire crossword, solved, in case you want to check it out.

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