The genius required to craft an NYTimes-worthy crossword is on full display today: Joseph Gangi has created a cuuute theme, and the hilarity of that last clause will become apparent upon listening to today's podcast and/or solving today's puzzle. Numerous other clues in the grid are also worth celebrating. We chortled at 62A, The time of one's life?, AGE (😀); puzzled over 27D, About 35,000 for the Taj Mahal: Abbr., SQFT (🧐); and chortled once more at 52D, Fabrication expert, LIAR (😁).

Show note imagery: A FAUXBERGE, almost indistinguishable from a Fabergé.

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This was a whimsical Wednesday crossword by the talented duo of Gary Larson and Doug Peterson. The theme was a triumph, buoyed up by a bevy of crisp clues, including:

• the clever 8D, Marchers in sidewalk cracks, ANTS; 
• the helpful reminder that was 50A, Easter Island's country, CHILE; and 
• the hilarious 41A, Welcome figure on Wall Street, unwelcome figure in a china shop, BULL. 

In other news, we have some fascinating listener mail about the subtle distinctions between Bro, Bruh, Breh and Brah, so be sure to check that out as well!

Show note imagery: The Standard Oil Company of Indiana

Show note URL # 1: Bruh, Breh, Brah, Bro

Show note URL # 2: Single-letter NYSE ticker symbols

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This was a gentle Tuesday crossword, slightly more challenging than Monday, and prepping us for the even more rigorous crosswords sure to come this week. Difficulty level not withstanding, the grid featured some awesome clues, most notably the incredible 62A, The IBM Simon Personal Communicator is considered the world's first one, SMARTPHONE. We were also highly pleased to learn of the existence of 13D, Grammy-winning R&B artist whose stage name is said to have been inspired by "The Matrix", NEYO. Finally, we confess to a genuine fondness for 20A, Hockey feints, DEKES. 

Show note imagery: The one, the only (?) ... IBM Simon Personal Communicator, in the flesh (er, plastic)

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Today's puzzle checks all the Monday crossword boxes: 

• Clever and straightforward theme?  ✅
• Built with the novice-solver in mind? ✅
• Published on a Monday? 😉✅

Apparently it took multiple revisions before this crossword got accepted, but the end result was picture-perfect. Kudos to Jeff Jerome for his first crossword, and Andrea Carla Michaels, for her 92nd!

Being Monday, we've chosen our JAMCOTWA™️ (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award), so check out today's episode to see if your favorite came out on top.

Show note imagery: Ernest TUBB, aka the Texas Troubadour

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This was a jaw-dropping pick-me-up of a Sunday crossword by debut constructor Zachry Edward-Brown (a high-school student, no less!) and veteran John Kugelman. 

The theme was spectacular, with a twist at the end that would have Agatha Christie nodding her approval. The rest of the grid was equally impressive, and if you want proof check out today's episode.

Show note imagery: ELISHA Gray, inventor of the telephone (at least according to ELISHA Gray 😉)

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Today's crossword, by Gene Louise De Vera, was one for the record books. Exactly what record was broken we are not going to reveal here, but rather keep you in suspense, dear listeners, for the approximately 15-30s it will take to download the podcast and get to the point where we "spill the beans", so to speak. It'll be worth the wait, trust us. 😀 

Show note imagery: Alyssa Michelle Stephens, aka LATTO

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This was a pitch-perfect Friday crossword, with a host of tricky clues designed to limber you up for the boss puzzle -- aka the Saturday NYTimes crossword -- about to drop and potentially wreak havoc upon the unsuspecting, unfortunate, unlimbered 🙄

Deets inside, so do have a listen; and after you've done so, take a moment to add the NYTimes Crossword to your holiday shopping list. 

Show note imagery: Duino Castle, where RILKE wrote the Duino Elegies

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Kevin Curry has done it again - crafted an elegant puzzle designed to challenge, educate, and entertain. 

• Challenge: 63A, Reunion group, CLAN; 
• Educate: 57D, Popular, stick-figure web comic, XKCD; and
• Entertain: 28D, Big wheels in the Vatican?, POPEMOBILE 😀 

tldr: we found this crossword to be 28A, Utopia ... 10 ... Ideal, PICTUREPERFECT.

Show note imagery: The POPEMOBILE through the ages

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There were several deities in today's grid — ARES, ZEUS, and the lesser known DOER, Lord of Bad Puns. None of them prevented our cohosts from having a grand time while solving this crossword, Kareem Ayas' second in under two months. While all the clues were fine,  they were particularly impressed by the Matrix mini-theme, consisting of 37A, Iconic repeated Keanu Reeves role, NEO, and 49D, "The Matrix" character, with "the", ORACLE. So, in that spirit we encourage you to take the red pill, i.e., download today's podcast and have a listen.

Show note imagery: Don Diego de la Vega, aka ZORRO

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This was Kate Hawkins' eighteenth NYTimes crossword, and while mainly distinguished by its brilliant theme, gems could be found throughout the grid. We enjoyed the range of emotions conveyed by 32D, "By Jove, that's it!", AHA, and 45D, "How stupid of me!", DOH. We also were absolutely enthralled by, and are now seeking a t-shirt emblazoned with, 54A, "Education is not for the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a ______" (old maxim), FIRE. 

Show note imagery: Computing pioneer ADA Lovelace

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Today's puzzle had a wry, perfect-for-a-Monday theme: if it was a hat, it would definitely be stylish and arranged at a rakish angle. 

We were surprised, tickled, and put into full chortle mode by, respectively, 1D, Magic charms, MOJOS (assuredly not on our Monday crossword bingo card); 5D, The eyes may have it, MASCARA; and 24A, Run out of clothes?, STREAK.

Besides the crossword, in honor of Monday we have picked our JAMCOTWA™️ (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award), and we challenge you, dear reader/listener, to see if you can guess which one we picked.

Show note imagery: JACKSONHOLE, where snow removal never stops 😀 ☃️

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