Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

A fine Tuesday crossword by Seth Weinberg, with an LOL theme that will make you, well, LOL. As usual, deets inside!

This marks our last episode of the year -- we're taking  time off to recharge the little gray cells -- and  want to wish you and yours a fantastic Christmas/Hanukkah/Kwanza/New Year. We'll see you again, in 2024!

Show note image: Baba Ghanouj (a variant (and apparently rarer)  spelling of Baba Ganoush)

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There's a queue-full of Q's in today's crossword, but it's all in a good quase, er, we mean cause, to wit, a delightfulful theme that revolves around that ubiquitous symbol of 21st century tech, the QRCODE. Deets inside, as well as a brief announcement about an even briefer hiatus in honor of the holidays, so we humbly beseech thee to, in this order, subscribe (so you don't miss an episode), download, listen up, enjoy, and leave us a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review on whatever platform you heard this podcast on!

Show note image: a QR code!

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Today's opus was most definitely not an abridged crossword, but the full 21x21 marvel that is the NYTimes Sunday puzzle -- and indeed, considering that it had (wait for it...) rebuses, it could plausibly be argued that it was more of an augmented crossword. Regardless of how you look at it, what is most definitely not up for debate is that it was an awesome crossword, for reasons that we cover in today's episode. Enjoy!

Show notes: an image suggesting how to count to 60 on one hand

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Today's crossword is TOPRATED, and that's not just because it has TOPRATED in the grid, but because of a panoply of charming clues and intriguing answers that caught our fancy (although not quite as much as our JAMCOTWA winner, that would be ... nope, to find out who won and why, check out today's episode!!).

Show note image: An example of OPTICALART

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A challenging but not insurmountable Friday crossword by Alex Tomlinson - his debut! - with a whopping 8 debut answers. We cover all but 2 of them in today's episode, omitting only 2D, One whose work might be a piece of cake?, PASTRYCHEF (cute!) and 27D, "Don't even think of coming back!", ANDSTAYOUT (ouch!). In short, a lot to like in today's puzzle, and to get the full 411 hit download now (right after you hit subscribe, so you never miss an episode!) and within seconds (eh, if you've got good internet) you will be able to savor today's expedition through the grid.

Show note image: A LIANA*

*fun fact: we first opted for a PALE blue dot,  but -- underlining Carl Sagan's point -- the dot was too small to be visible in a "podcast-sized" show note image

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It is not clear how many Zoom calls Esha Datta, author of today's crossword (her debut!) has been in, but we're willing to bet LOADS of them, based on their (very clever) theme. Beyond that, there were numerous notable clues, from 21A, Only country with a non-rectangular flag, NEPAL (maybe: checkout the podcast for a rebuttal); 37D, Notable lamb owner, MARY (as clues go, this one's not baaaaaad 🙄); 42A, Vehicle at the center of the Hindu festival Ratha Yatra, CHARIOT;  and 35D, Collection of senior moments, YEARBOOK (😀). There's more too, so check out today's podcast for all the deets (as well as listener mail 💌).

Show note image: The first battle of the MARNE

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A nice mid-week crossword by veteran cruciverbalist Alex Eaton-Salners (this is in fact his 64th), and it is as refreshing as a glass of cool spring water, thanks to a theme that has everything to do with a glass of cool spring water. The clues elsewhere in the grid were enlightening, entertaining, and entirely crosswordese-free. In addition to those mentioned in the podcast, we would like to give a shoutout to 60A, Capital of Italy, EURO 😀; 46D, Latin singer Anthony, MARC (wowza!); and ... nope, sorry, there is nowhere to go from 46D other than D(own). Definitely 5 squares on the JAMCR scale!

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Peter Gordon must be a real MENSCH, and that's not just because he managed to slip that word into today's crossword, as part of a very amusing themed answer. There's a lot more magic happening in the grid, and to hear all the deets (as well as Jean's demonstration of verbal prowess in today's Triplet Tuesday Contest™️), please a) subscribe, b) download, c) listen-up, and d) enjoy!

Show note image: Baku, capital of Azerbaijan

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There's something about a Monday NYTimes crossword theme -- crafted to put a smile on your lips combined with a "huh!" when recognition dawns. Later in the week, that "huh", sometimes morphs into a "duh" or possibly a "doh", but we do like Mondays, including this fine work,  a debut (congrats!!) by Luke K. Schreiber.

In other news, we have some very timely listener mail tying into yesterday's discussion of mutton busting ... from an actual mutton buster (well, to be precise, the mutton buster's parent). So for all that and more, please subscribe / download / listen up / enjoy!

Show notes photo: William, mutton buster extraordinaire, savoring his victory

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A seemingly easier than usual Sunday crossword, especially surprising consider its origin - from the minds and pens of Zachary David Levy and Jeff Chen. Besides a small boatload of puns that comprised the theme, today's puzzle did have some fun gems waiting to be uncovered. For example, 59D, Game divided into periods called chukkers, POLO (featuring our  new favorite word, chukkers); 81A, Extreme lethargy, SOPOR (not to be confused with torpor, but we'd forgive you if you did!); 86D, Salts, MARINERS (argh, that was a good one as well!); and 129A, Exchanged some words?, EDITED (😀). 

All in all a fine crossword, most assuredly worth a full 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.

Today's show notes image: a bottle of Grand CRU (which doesn't cost a grand, but it is dear).

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