Bästa The New York Times podcaster (2024)

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Wednesday, November 20, 2024 - This crossword is CRACRA good! 13:20

17h ago13:20

13:20

Writing spoiler-free show notes can be tricky, but we're willing to give it a shot for our listeners. In today's crossword, we see that the author has made clever use of ◼️◼️◼️◼️◼️◼️◼️, which is surprising, because we normally only see those on ◼️◼️◼️◼️◼️◼️◼️◼️ or ◼️◼️◼️◼️◼️◼️! However we are glad to see them, they definitely add a bit of zest to t…

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Tuesday, November 19, 2024 - Look up there in the sky ... it's a bird, no, it's a plane, no, it's Supervocalic! 14:25

5h ago14:25

14:25

When you see the name Erik Agard in the byline, you know you're in for a good time, and the sage does not disappoint in his latest oeuvre, i.e., today's crossword, thanks to great clues like 51D, Supervocalic (we checked: it is a word) to 49D, Half a rhyming synonym of "haphazard", HELTER (😀); to the double cluing of 18A, and 35D, Head over heels, …

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Monday, November 18, 2024 - A crossword to RAVE about 13:14

1d ago13:14

13:14

A recent JAMCOTWA winner, Rajeswari Rajamani is back with her second NYTimes crossword, and we are pleased to report that it's a delight, with a subtle and engaging theme, and some sparkling grid fill (which is hard to pull off, especially on a Monday). Kudos, we now eagerly await the arrival of crossword # 3! Show note imagery: ELCAPITAN We love f…

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Sunday, November 17, 2024 - A cool crossword based on hot air 😀 17:19

2d ago17:19

17:19

After yesterday's epic struggle, today's crossword was a refreshing change of pace, with an uplifting theme (literally!), and great clues. The authors were Rebecca Goldstein and Ariela Perlman, the latter making her debut appearance in the NYTimes. Deets inside, so have a listen, and remember that feedback is always welcome. Just a reminder that it…

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Saturday, November 16, 2024 - All rise for the TAIOSEACH 20:29

2d ago20:29

20:29

When it comes to tough crosswords, there are Saturdays, and there are Saturdays. Today's puzzle was most definitely one of the latter, with nearly impossible clues almost everywhere you look in the grid, trivia that if you're fortunate enough to know will make the crossword a breeze, if not, well, good luck! This was a quality crossword, though, ma…

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Friday, November 15, 2024 - DONTTELLME, aka the crossword solver's motto 6:05

4d ago6:05

6:05

This was a very pleasant Friday crossword by Alina Abidi -- her fourth for the NYTimes. Like almost all Friday's, no theme was involved, but there were some Friday-worthy clues, including a mathematically-oriented debut, 24D, Unchanged when multiplied by itself, from the Latin for "same" and "power" , IDEMPOTENT; the very French 41D, Un canard ou u…

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Thursday, November 14, 2024 - An OBE in the grid? Arise, Sir Joel Fagliano, defender of great crosswords 17:26

5d ago17:26

17:26

Though hard to believe, this is Matthew Faiella's debut NYTimes crossword, and it has a lot to commend it - most notably a fabulous theme, fabulously executed. Deets inside, so check it out -- and when it comes to comments, don't hold back -- drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com, or click on the Send Fan Mail link in the show notes. Show not…

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Wednesday, November 13, 2024 - Happy Ides of November! 16:50

8d ago16:50

16:50

Our cohosts definitely had divergent solving experiences while tackling today's crossword. Jean tore through it, Mike almost tore his hair out trying to tear through it. But there were no tears at the end, just happy music, so AWTEW, as they say. (Editor's note: in fact almost nobody says AWTEW, short for All's Well That Ends Well, but we salute yo…

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Tuesday, November 12, 2024 - Three cheers for Father KNICKERBOCKER 😀 17:09

7d ago17:09

17:09

This was a fine Tuesday crossword by the brother and sister team of Avery Gee Katz and Aaron Gee. The theme was droll, and, apart from a minor spot of bother with 66A, Burrowing rodent, MOLE (not VOLE), it was a smooth solve. We approve, and by the power vested in us by whoever's in charge in NE Wisconsin, do bestow upon this crossword the ranking …

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Monday, November 11, 2024 - Happy Veteran's Day! 14:49

8d ago14:49

14:49

Today's puzzle was relatively straightforward - being a Monday, we would be surprised if it were otherwise - with a wry theme, and a supporting cast of fun clues. Our favorites were 48A, Raps off the cuff, FREESTYLES; 5D, Visual accompaniment to a musical release, ALBUMART (are physical albums still a thing??); and the particularly fine 41A, The se…

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Sunday, November 10, 2024 - Red Alert! It's a Sam Ezersky puzzle, coming in hot! 🔥 21:21

9d ago21:21

21:21

This was Sam Ezersky's 57th NYTimes crossword, so while we feel that a reference to Heinz would've been in order (as in Heinz 57 Sauce), even without there was a lot of spice in the grid. There were educational clues: 16D, Length of William Henry Harrison's presidency, ONEMONTH; the astonishing 110D, Nickname for Francisco, PACO (surely a gimme for…

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Saturday, November 9, 2024 - Trapped aboard the STRUGGLEBUS? Best transfer to the TROUBLEFREETAXI 🙄 14:29

10d ago14:29

14:29

There's only one time when we enjoy riding a STRUGGLEBUS, and that's when we're working on a tough Saturday crossword, like this one -- which, coincidentally, happened to feature an actual STRUGGLEBUS in the grid. Now long time solvers and listeners know, through experience, that clues become more cryptic, and answers longer, over the course of the…

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Friday, November 8, 2024 - With both CHEESECAKE and TRESLECHES in the grid, this is one SUHWEET crossword!! 17:43

11d ago17:43

17:43

Evans Clinchy's bio pic in xwordinfo.com shows him chowing down on a burrito, and that may or may not have any connection with the presence of both CHEESECAKE and TRESLECHES in the grid. What we do know for certain is that Evans has crafted a challenging but fair Friday crossword, just the kind we like! Indeed, the grid just sparkles, with clues su…

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Thursday, November 7, 2024 - TULSA, the Capital of Route 66 12:36

12d ago12:36

12:36

Joe Deeney can definitely BEPROUD of this crossword, as it is, in a word, SUHWEET! While the grid does contain a standing-ovation-worthy hairpiece pun, it is still the theme that rules SUPREME. Deets inside! Show note imagery: An EGRET, with a look that says, don't even think about making a pun about my name! We love feedback! Send us a text... Con…

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Wednesday, November 6, 2024 - Look out, it's a flock of outraged ... MEADOWLARKS!?? 15:45

13d ago15:45

15:45

Today's crossword was fabulous -- that's the LONGANDSHORTOFIT! A deftly constructed theme and delightlful clues (43A, Snack brand from the Spanish word for "fried", FRITOS; 8D, Hip hop's Madvillian or Mob Deep, DUO; and 69A, Second smallest of seven, EUROPE) make for a great mid-week solve. Deets inside! Show note imagery: A MEADOWLARK, who, fortun…

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Tuesday, November 5, 2024 - Psst, want something non-political to listen to? We've got you covered! 19:01

14d ago19:01

19:01

A fine Tuesday crossword by Evan Kalish, and as this is his 22nd NYTimes crossword, it would be fair to say that he is on a roll. It would also be hilarious to say that he is on a roll, but to find out why that is the case, you'll want to download today's episode, which also includes Jean in an epic Triplet Tuesday™️ segment. Show note imagery: The…

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Monday, November 4, 2024 - At long last, BILLYIDOL is in an NYTimes crossword 🎉 11:42

17d ago11:42

11:42

A clever Monday crossword by Colin Adams, that may (or may not) have been tricker than the usual Monday. Listeners, what say ye? Did you find this puzzle particularly easy, hard, or just your typical Monday? Let us know, either by clicking on the Fan Mail button or dropping us a line! Show note imagery: HORUS, a Falcon-headed Egyptian god. We love …

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Sunday, November 3, 2024 - A Sid Sivakumar spectacular! 21:39

18d ago21:39

21:39

Sid Sivakumar, known for his exceedingly crunchy Saturday crosswords, goes easy on us (relatively speaking) in this fun Sunday outing. There are oodles of delightful clues, including 29A, Who has successfully juggled 15 balls simultaneously, NOONE (nice!); 103A, Name that sounds like its first two letters reversed, ELLY (oho!); and the magnificent …

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Saturday, November 2, 2024 - Blake Slonecker dials it up to 11! 21:46

19d ago21:46

21:46

Blake Slonecker, the virtuoso of late-in-the-week-really-really-tough-crosswords, has demonstrated why he has earned that monicker in today's puzzle, filled with some treacherously clever clues and just a slight scattering of "gimmes", although even the gimmes were more like "probably's". Deets inside, as well as the surprising winner of this week'…

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Friday, November 1, 2024 - Woo-hoo, it's November, prepare to freeze your nooooose off 😀 14:41

20d ago14:41

14:41

A nice Friday crossword by Spencer Leach, both co-hosts found it easier than Thursday's -- a tad unusual, but definitely not unheard of. Today's clues, however, were magnificent, a bevy of LOLers absolutely guaranteed to put a smile on your face or your money cheerfully refunded (eh, we might have to check on that last bit). Beyond the crossword, w…

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Thursday, October 31, 2024 - Boooooooo (in honor of the day); Yaaaaaaaay (in honor of the crossword) 24:59

21d ago24:59

24:59

This was a scary crossword, because of the theme, or, to be precise, just how difficult it was to figure out the theme (and many of the other clues besides). it was rated as a Thursday crossword, which generally means that it will be on the tough side, but when Sarah Sinclair and Paolo Pasco are the authors, that really should be uber-tough side. U…

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Wednesday, October 30, 2024 - Halloween Eve, time to warm up with a Snicker's bar or three 16:55

22d ago16:55

16:55

We present for your edification a very nice Halloween-ish themed crossword to get us mentally prepared for the big day tomorrow! We weren't scared, though, as we were in the capable hands of John M. Kauffman, adeptly supervised by Joel Fagliano. Deets within, so have a listen, and let us know what you think! Show note imagery: Any Given Sunday, a 1…

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Tuesday, October 29, 2024 - An uber cute Tuesday crossword 17:31

23d ago17:31

17:31

The answers to today's themed clues are so much fun to say that you may find yourself reciting them to strangers, which is a great way to break the ice at parties, just ignore any strange looks / raised eyebrows 😀 To find out what those answers are, we cordially invite you to check out today's episode. Also be sure and listen to our Triplet Tuesday…

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Monday, October 28, 2024 - Water under the bridge and ... in the grid? 13:05

24d ago13:05

13:05

There was a lot of water in today's grid - in 4D, Obstacle for a would-be castle attacker, MOAT; 35D, Beverage with a Big Mac, perhaps, LARGECOKE; and in it's purest state, 46D, Bottled water brand, DASANI. Yet in spite of all that,this puzzle was far from wet, in fact, just the opposite: a stellar Monday with multiple LOL clues, a great way to sta…

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Sunday, October 27, 2024 - Amoon our favorite puzzles this month 😉 24:14

25d ago24:14

24:14

Jeffrey Martinovic and Jeff Chen -- who as far as we know do not call themselves the two Jeffs -- have put together a moonificent Sunday crossword that will put you, well, over the moon. And if all these lunar references have not yet cued you into today's theme, fear not -- we have moony things to say on the subject (and we promise the episode itse…

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Saturday, October 26, 2024 - The first person to record Hound Dog? Nope, not that guy, 'twas Big MAMA Thornton! 15:10

26d ago15:10

15:10

This is, incredibly, Peter A. Collins' 120th NYTimes crossword. His sweet spot seems to be Wednesdays, but he has published (unsurprisingly, with 120 puzzles in the archives) every day of the week, this is his 8th Saturday. It would not be too much of a spoiler to say that we loved it, but for the deets check out today's podcast to see why. Also, i…

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Friday, October 25, 2024 - Any crossword with TENOUTOFTEN in the grid deserves, ... wait for it, ... a TENOUTOFTEN 😀 14:59

27d ago14:59

14:59

This was a debut crossword by Alex Murphy, and a fine debut it was - with a large-ish number of challenging clues, exactly what you'd expect and hope for in a Friday NYTimes puzzle. Beyond those covered in today's puzzle, we would like to give a shoutout to 16A, Cello parts are written in it, BASSCLEF (not, as we first suspected, CRAYONS); 9D, Indy…

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Thursday, October 24, 2024 - Just finished that wonder water? Then it's bye, bye, BAI 🙄😀 17:35

28d ago17:35

17:35

A fun Thursday crossword by Ella Dershowitz, with a theme that will grow on you (or, since it involves NE, perhaps we should say glow on you🙄😀). All puns aside, this was a great crossword that has led us to bestow on Ella the title of GGOAT -- Greatest Genius Of All Time. Show note imagery: Staying in shape doing TOETAPS We love feedback! Send us a…

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Wednesday, October 23, 2024 - A crossword with a lot of SPARK and FIRE 14:23

29d ago14:23

14:23

This was a lovely Wednesday crossword by veteran cruiciverbalists Matthew Stock and Brooke Husic, with a theme guaranteed to warm the cockles of academics everywhere, and inspire everybody else to Google "cockles" 😀. Deets inside. Show note imagery: Nothing runs like a DEERE We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! D…

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Tuesday, October 22, 2024 - SPACE ... above us, around us and ... in the grid! 12:49

30d ago12:49

12:49

This is Barbara Lin's 14th NYTimes crossword since 2020, and to see why she keeps getting them published, just take a look at today's puzzle. We did, and are glad of it. Deets inside, as well as Jean's epic struggle to win at Triplet Tuesday™, so have a listen, and let us know what you think! Show note imagery: A RUBE Goldberg contraption We love f…

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Monday, October 21, 2024 - Monday's crossword is fair of face, or, er, something like that ... 10:13

1M ago10:13

10:13

This was a straightforward crossword, as Monday's are wont to be, although one of our number had several mistakes that they had to ferret out before getting to the happy music. In the interests of heightening suspense, we will not tell you which one of our cohosts was involved, nor where their mistakes lay: but instead refer you to today's podcast …

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Sunday, October 20, 2024 - Movie madness! 18:25

1M ago18:25

18:25

EGAD this was a fine crossword, it deserves some sort of AWARD for its EPIC themed clues and answers. There was NOTABIT of crosswordese in the grid, just ALOT of great cruciverbial magic. In short, we are ALLIN when it comes to this, the fourth NYTimes crossword by Jerry Miccolis. Show note imagery: Just one of many reasons to visit Los Cabos, Mexi…

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Saturday, October 19, 2024 - NUUK, one cool capital city! 17:32

1M ago17:32

17:32

Today's crossword was filled with amusing and tricky clues, like 46D, "Charms strike the sight, but _______ wins the soul": Alexander Pope, MERIT; and a nice combo, 7D, Branching point, NODE, and 8D, Branching point?, TREE (ha!). But these are just a few of the stellar clues in today's crossword, even better ones lie within, so download today's pod…

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Friday, October 18, 2024 - This crossword was a GAS, definitely nothing to BOOAT! 15:48

1M ago15:48

15:48

This is Jesse Cohn's second NYTimes crossword, and it is an absolute delight. You'll be giving so many standing ovations for his fabulous cluing that you'll probably close your rings before you solve the crossword, it's that good. Want proof? Download today's podcast and allow us to make our case. Show note imagery: Something about this image is in…

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Thursday, October 17, 2024 - The INTEL is that this is a pretty good crossword! 17:34

1M ago17:34

17:34

August Lee-Kovach has made a fine Thursday crossword for our edification. The theme would've been an easy sell to editors, since it was all about ... editing! Other fine clues (not mentioned in the podcast) include 2D, What is to be done?, AGENDA (of course!); 5D, What Alexander Graham Bell suggested as the standard telephone-answering greeting, AH…

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Wednesday, October 16, 2024 - Un excelente crossword! 9:08

1M ago9:08

9:08

The title of today's episode is a very subtle hint to today's theme, a nice bit of work by Hanh Huynh, his third NYTimes crossword in a year. Beyond those clues covered in the podcast, we'd also like to laud 42D, "Alrighty, then. As I was saying ...", ANYHOO, and 58D, The appearance of a butterfly in a home, for some, OMEN (hopefully a good one!). …

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Tuesday, October 15, 2024 - the IDES have it! 21:44

1M ago21:44

21:44

Today's crossword, a debut by Lindsay Rosenblum, did not feel like a debut at all, more like a major work by a seasoned constructor. Beyond those clues mentioned in the podcast, we'd also like to point out 52D, Medieval tales of daring adventure, GESTS (and no, we would not jest about GESTS 😉); 43D, Bond film between "Skyfall" and "No Time to Die",…

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Monday, October 14, 2024 - A PEACH of a debut crossword 13:59

1M ago13:59

13:59

Just when you thought it was surely impossible for anyone, anywhere, to come up with a new theme, someone, somewhere, does. And that someone is Dana Edwards, the somewhere is here, today, and the results are delectable. Deets inside, so have a listen, and please tell others about us on social media. Show note imagery: One of just 4 people to have s…

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Sunday, October 13, 2024 - That's SOMME river ya' got there 🙄🙄 20:12

1M ago20:12

20:12

We're starting these show notes with a pun (see title, above, if you dare), to get you in the proper state of mind for today's crossword. You'll see what we mean when you tackle said crossword, or check it out (as you always can) at xwordinfo.com: puns here, puns there, puns everywhere. Well, not quite everywhere, but definitely in the themed answe…

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Saturday, October 12, 2024 - GEEWHIZ this was a tough crossword! 18:48

1M ago18:48

18:48

At the NYTimes, the Saturday crosswords are traditionally the toughest of the week, and today's, a debut (!) by Katie Hoody, is certainly in that vein. Although difficult, the clues were awesome, making that wondrous AHA! moment that comes when you solve one just that much sweeter. For example, we had the magnificent 8D, Took in a bad way, POACHED …

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Friday, October 11, 2024 - Be nice, lest you end up in the SINBIN 😱 20:34

1M ago20:34

20:34

There was a lot of sparkle in today's crossword - the 10th for the NYTimes by Billy Bratton. We were impressed by the inclusion of 22A, Online provocateur, in slang, EDGELORD (it felt like a debut, and it was); 13D, Prepares for a bomb, GOESDEEP (brilliant!); and we especially appreciated the clue in 23D, Lugubrious, GLUM. In related news, we have …

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Thursday, October 10, 2024 - Welcome to ECHO ECHO ECHO Park, Los Angeles 15:02

1M ago15:02

15:02

A nice bit of cruciverbial magic by Grant Boroughs, his third NYTimes publication. There were many excellent clues lurking about in the grid, including 8D, Confidently struts, SASHAYS (just a day after SWAGGERS swaggered its way into a puzzle); 57A, Ungulate feature, HOOF (we just like the opportunity to say/think/write the word Ungulate); 13D, Leg…

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Wednesday, October 9, 2024 - Tis eerily easy to confuse ERIS and EROS 16:59

1M ago16:59

16:59

Today's crossword was brilliant, and that's not just because of the cracklingly good theme that Jeffrey Lease has penned, but it certainly is a major reason why. We found the top-left particularly crunchy (i.e., tough), but eventually all the grid yielded its secrets, including 16A, Dwarf planet with the largest mass, ERIS (not, as Mike was convinc…

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Tuesday, October 8, 2024 - A crossword with a lot of SWAGGER! 17:36

1M ago17:36

17:36

This crossword - the second for the NYTimes by Justin Werfel - was everything that you would expect of a Tuesday NYTimes crossword - fun, educational, and, as befitting its position in the week, not too difficult. It did have its moments, however: 51D, End of a sonnet, often, SESTET; 46D, "Little Shop of Horrors" lyricist Howard, ASHMAN; and 52A, N…

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Sunday, October 6, 2024 - An A+ of a crossword! 20:18

2M ago20:18

20:18

Today's crossword has a terrific theme, but the supporting cast of clues was also impressive, with gems all over the grid. For instance, 9D, Good "Wheel of Fortune" buy for TOO COOL FOR SCHOOL, ANO (absolutely brilliant!); 51D, "No playing" signs, RESTS (very nice); 87D, Thick plank of a ship, WALE (ok, now we know). Can there be any doubt that thi…

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Saturday, October 5, 2024 - A MONSTRO of a Saturday crossword! 19:48

2M ago19:48

19:48

This was one of our favorite Saturday crosswords this year - tough but fair, with cheery clues to educate and delight. We've covered most of them in today's podcast, but even the ones that were left on the cutting-room floor were good: 35D, Chest bump?, PEC, and 48D, Whirl, so to speak, TRY. For all these reasons this opus, by Natan Last, has won a…

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Friday, October, 4, 2024 - Bilbo Baggins, one of the SHIER members of The Shire 🙄 20:27

2M ago20:27

20:27

An elegant Friday crossword by Zhouqin Burnikel, her 80th for the NYTimes(!). Jean hit a few snags in the bottom right, whereas Mike spun his wheels in the central and upper right regions, before finally getting traction. A fun time was (eventually) had by all, and we have the deets inside, as well as a fine Fun Fact Friday segment (if we do say so…

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Thursday, October 3, 2024 - Live long and prosper! 18:41

2M ago18:41

18:41

This is a fine debut crossword by Rena Cohen, with an aptly large number of debut entries to accompany a clever but initially cryptic theme. It involved a rebus, but evolved into the rather important question of where should that rebus go? We have the deets inside, so we cordially invite you to check out today's episode. As a reminder, as you are l…

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Wednesday, October 2, 2024 - We're not teasing, TEASEL is in the grid! 15:37

2M ago15:37

15:37

A perfect midweek crossword by Luke K. Schreiber that has echos of yesterday's puzzle. You will recall (or if not, check out our podcast), that yesterday we had a slew of cryptids that couldn't quite be seen clearly. Today we have 13 animals that are, essentially, in hiding; and that entertaining similarity is due, no doubt, to the NYTimes Crosswor…

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Tuesday, October 1, 2024 - HOORAH, a Kevin Curry and Jeff Chen collaboration 24:52

2M ago24:52

24:52

Kevin Curry and Jeff Chen have teamed up to create a fun Tuesday crossword, based on an ingenious attempt to merge myth and mystery. We won't say any more about it here (as October is No Spoiler Month), but we have plenty to say about it in today's podcast, so do have a listen. Beyond our dissection of today's puzzle, we are also delighted to annou…

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