This was a perfect Sunday crossword by Michael Lieberman. Mike (cohost, not constructor 😀) needed to resort to pencil and paper (!) to help visualize the theme, and thoroughly enjoyed the sheer tactile-ness of it all. We have all the deets inside, so have a download and a listen, and let us know what you think!

Show note imagery: Some delicious RASTA pasta

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This was a very nice Saturday crossword by Jesse Cohn, almost exactly one year since he last published on a Saturday. The clues were interesting / challenging / suitably obscure, as one would hope. Several stood out, including 12D, Blitzed, SAUCED; 26A, Metros in the 1990s, GEOS; and 27D, Relatives of ottomans, HASSOCKS. All in all this was a fine addition to the Saturday pantheon; we give it a full and enthusiastic 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.

Show note imagery: NEON, the 5th most common element in the universe — quite fortunate, because no matter what your species, you can never have enough OPEN signs and/or lightsabers 😀 

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Friday crosswords have a lot of weight on their shoulders: they need to be entertaining (of course); themeless (by convention); and ramp up the difficulty to just the right level so that Saturday doesn't see like a quantum leap from Thursday. We are pleased to report that Rachel Fabi's latest crossword checks all the boxes. 

To confirm that, be sure and check out today's episode, available ... right now!

Show note imagery: Negative Nancy, not to be confused with whining Willy!

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This was a terrific crossword by Rafael Musa — who usually works the Friday side of the street — and Sala Wanetick. The theme was ingenious and, as we discuss in today's episode, almost impossible to miss. 

Speaking of miss, we hope you won't miss this or any future episodes: click on follow / subscribe / whatever on your podcast-supplying app of choice to ensure that such a calamity does not befell you!

Show note imagery: a NOSEEUM, member of the family Ceratopogonidae, most definitely not to scale (whew!)

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We are definitely Adam Wagner fans, and our idol does not disappoint today. The theme is inspired, the clues perfect for a Wednesday, and the entire puzzle is suffused with a lively and cheery spirit that put a smile on our faces. We approve, and give it an often sought but rarely delivered 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.

Show note imagery: Members of SKATEPUNK band Blink-182

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Mark Diehl is certainly a veteran crossword constructor — his first NYTimes crossword was published in 1984! He hasn't lost his touch, though: this was a terrific Tuesday with a boffo theme.

Besides the crossword, it's Triplet Tuesday™️, and the spotlight's on Mike. Will he rise to the challenge or, tragically, go down in flames? Tune in to find out!

Finally, we have an inspirational piece of listener mail about that most elusive and valuable of commodities — grit — the internal kind that keeps you driving forward, striving for success (as measured, in this context at least, by the cheery "happy music" theme).

Show note imagery: The Taxman (or woman) cometh!

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This was a splendid Monday crossword, arguably slightly crunchier than usual, but still definitely on the Monday side of the scale. A few of those crunchier clues included 46D, Afghan language, PASHTO (🤔); 28A, "There's ___ in 'team,' but there is one in 'win'", NOI (😀); and 53D, City NE of Manchester, LEEDS (🇬🇧).

In addition to the crossword, we have also selected our JAMCOTWA™️ (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award), and we are sure that you'll agree that ... the crossword in question definitely came out last week 😉.

Show note imagery: A collection of AESOP's fables ( most likely not signed by the author 😀). 

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We did not know, until several hours ago, that PARADIDDLE was a word. But now that we do, we're going to try and work it into conversation whenever, and however, we can. That will not be easy, alas, because PARADIDDLE is the answer to 73D, Basic drumming pattern: the opportunities to deploy it will likely be few and far between.

Speaking of musicians, we were also thrilled to learn of the existence of 54D, Hip-hop artists with unintelligible lyrics, MUMBLERAPPERS. We put that right up there with PARADIDDLE as a life-changing discovery, and personally want to thank constructors Lance Enfinger, John Kugelman, and, of course, Will Shortz, for making the puzzle that made all this possible.

Show note imagery: PARADIDDLES apparently do not live alone: they are quite sociable, and cluster in families

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Our intrepid cohosts, solving independently as usual, took very different crossword solving journeys in tackling this, Kareem Ayas' tenth NYTimes opus. Jean found it a walk in the park; Mike found it more of a free solo event, in which one false move could be fatal (to his streak 😀). Both cohosts did succeed. Jean's time was quite good; Mike's time was impressive, simply because of the sheer number of digits in it. Deets inside.

Show note imagery: Some MASERATIS — we'll take three, please 😀 🤑

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Dale Chihuly is an incredibly gifted artist, but AFAWCT he has never appeared in the grid of the NYTimes crossword. Consequently, it was most gratifying to at least see his name in a clue,  specifically 29A, Like the glass in many a Dale Chihuly sculpture, FUSED. 

Today's episode includes a bit more about Dale, as well as, oh, yes, the rest of the crossword, and a terrific Fun Fact Friday segment. So, have a listen, and, as always, please tell others about us on social media.

Show note imagery: Dale Chihuly's Mendota Wall, a brilliant work of art at his alma matter, the University of Wisconsin Madison.

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Today's grid is sweet — literally, thanks to all those delicious, disguised dessert items. Fortunately, they are the virtual kind, and therefore highly unlikely to wreck your diet. 

In addition to the terrific themed clues, we LOLed at 67A, Oil bigwig?, ARTCURATOR (awesome!); were amazed by 42A, Amundsen who went to the South Pole 15 years before he flew over the North Pole, ROALD (who knew?); and chuckled at 28D, Cold-weather coat, FROST (😀).

Show note imagery: a RHINO, the second most massive mammal on Earth, just out for an afternoon stroll.

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