พอดคาสท์ The New York Times ชั้นนำ (2025)

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Thursday, July 17, 2025 - Sam Brody doesn't just knock it out of the ball park, he clears the parking lot, too 😀 18:05

5h ago18:05

18:05

Thesauri will have to be cracked open to do justice to today's crossword, it was that extraordinary/astonishing/engrossing/ingenious/delightful. It was, of course, the theme that made it so, one that took both cohosts, working independently as always, no little time to suss out; but that just made the eventual "aha!" moment that much sweeter. Deets…

1
Wednesday, July 16, 2025 - BESTIR, BESTIR, there's a crossword to tackle! 14:35

1d ago14:35

14:35

This was a highly elegant Wednesday crossword, featuring that most elegant of drinks (and one of the most famous letters in the English alphabet 😉). If you haven't figured it out by now, then we'll keep this short so you won't have to wait tOOLONG to achieve enlightenment. Show note imagery: Bud Abbott (left) and Lou Costello, two legendary old-tim…

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Tuesday, July 15, 2025 - Daniel Britt's DeBut 😉 12:40

2d ago12:40

12:40

For those of you pondering the episode title, no, our quality control department has not dropped the ball, but rather made a wry (but not awry 🙄) joke that is highly germane to today's crossword. We discussed some great clues in today's episode. We were also glad to see 8D, Capital city on the banks of the Rideau River, OTTAWA (🇨🇦);55A, Bad way to …

1
Monday, July 14, 2025 - Happy Bastille Day / Joyeux 14 juillet!! 12:04

3d ago12:04

12:04

This was a Monday crossword, which means that a) it should not be particularly difficult for experienced solvers, and b) entertaining. We are pleased to report that it met both criteria, and we submit today's podcast as Exhibit A. Remember, the NYTimes crossword is a great way to keep expanding your lexicon and keeping those neurons in peak fightin…

1
Sunday, July 13, 2025 - Brought to you by RINSO, winner of the "Best Name for a Laundry Soap" contest 5 years in a row 😀 24:25

4d ago24:25

24:25

Today's crossword had bells, whistles, and even an EHRU thrown into the mix. It was by Brandon Koppy, however, so at no time did the quality of the puzzle ever dip below 5 squares on the JAMCR scale. Quite a few of the clues got our attention, including 30D, Strung rungs, ROPELADDER (that clue is just sooo much fun to pronounce!); 100A, Chore-o-gra…

1
Saturday, July 12, 2025 - Katie Hoody definitely has a clue (72, in fact!) 13:31

5d ago13:31

13:31

This was a terrific Saturday crossword, because the clues were just brilliant. Who could resist the allure of 58A, Member of a sub-Saharan matriarchal clan, HYENA; or the sly 61D, Wit's end?, NESS; or the witty 29D, Went from 0 to 60?, AGED. And the rest of the clues were of similar caliber, the quality control was that good. Kudos to Katie for thi…

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Friday, July 11, 2025 - Run for your life, it's an onion volcano, yum!! 🧅🌋 18:22

6d ago18:22

18:22

Kudos to James McCarron, on creating an excellent Friday crossword, a debut, no less. Among our favorite clues (not mentioned in the podcast) were 21D, Film star whose name consists of two presidents, HARRISONFORD (not to be confused with the slightly lesser-known star, ABRAHAMNIXON); 6D, Nash who wrote "The cow is of the bovine ilk; / One end is m…

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Thursday, July 10, 2025 - Pick a card, any card ... 18:50

7d ago18:50

18:50

This was an awesome Thursday crossword, courtesy of Emily Biegas and Sala Wanetick (with Will Shortz, as always, at the helm). The were oodles of cunning clues, some of which were quite educational. Par example (as the French like to say), we had: 10D, Like Stonehenge vis-à-vis the Parthenon, OLDER (🤔); 67A, It can follow anyone, ELSE (😀); and 49A,…

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Wednesday, July 9, 2025 - A true test of your peripheral vision 😉 16:28

9d ago16:28

16:28

Just when you think the NYTimes crossword could not possibly come up with one more theme -- they've all been done before -- they prove you wrong (which, happily, seems to happen every day they have a themed crossword!). Today's crossword definitely confirms that observation, as you will discover upon listening to today's episode. In addition, we ha…

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Tuesday, July 8, 2025 - No need to grade this crossword on a curve! 14:34

10d ago14:34

14:34

This was a SERENE crossword -- and we say that not because of the presence of SERENE in the grid, but because of the, well, SERENE theme -- one that ought to bring a smile to your lips, or, if you're having a frowny sort of day, at least help you transit from ☹️ to 🫤. We have the deets inside, as well as Jean's epic battle in today's Triplet Tuesda…

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Monday, July 7, 2025 - Blasts from the past! 7:32

11d ago7:32

7:32

Today's crossword, the 39th (!) by Daniel Raymon, was replete with musical performers of various vintages, from composer Aaron Copland to a band that had its origins in the last century, but is continuing to write and perform today, to wit ... nope, we need to maintain at least a modicum of of suspense here, so we will wrap it up here and let you g…

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Sunday, July 6, 2025 - There's no escaping it: this crossword was absolutely fabulous!! 18:01

12d ago18:01

18:01

Once again the NYTimes crossword has set a new high bar, thanks to the dynamic duo of Zhou Zhang and Kevin Curry. This magnificent opus featured a puzzle within a puzzle, surrounded by a sea of crisp and amusing clues -- just a delight. If there was an Academy Award for best crossword in a major newspaper, this would definitely get the nom. Show no…

1
Saturday, July 5, 2025 - Tracy Bennett strikes again! 13:46

13d ago13:46

13:46

Tracy Bennet is the driving force behind both Wordle and Strands, and the appearance of this crossword therefore means that an impressively large percentage of today's NYTimes games are attributable to her. Jean found this crossword to be a bit on the crunchy side whereas Mike -- for some unfathomable reason that he attributes to a surfeit of neutr…

1
Friday, July 4, 2025 -- Happy Fourth!!! 12:03

14d ago12:03

12:03

Although there were not any literal fireworks in today's crossword, it was filled with innumerable flashes of brilliance and crackles of wit. Among our favorites not covered in today's episode were 48D, What comes before B?, ORAL 😀; 3D, Order in the court, PLEASERISE 😀 😀. ; and the sneaky 60A, To pieces?, ODES 😀 😀 😀. This is Colin Adams' 6th NYTime…

1
Thursday, July 3, 2025 - Happy Fourth Eve!! 🎆 8:43

15d ago8:43

8:43

Today's crossword was by Adam Wagner, which means that you know, without even looking at it, that it's going to be good. The good cruciverbalist does not disappoint, providing a crossword that must've been a real BEAR to construct, but was an IDEAL Thursday solve. We have all the deets inside, so please have a listen, and, as always, we value your …

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Wednesday, July 2, 2025 - IBIZA beckons! 🎰 🏖️ 11:53

16d ago11:53

11:53

Today's theme was great (as always), and there were oodles of appealing clues lurking in the grid today (see previous parenthetical remark 😉). A few of our favorites were 45A, Cabinet department since 1913, LABOR (now we know!); 53D, Creator of a lot of buzz in the music scene, KAZOO (cute!); and 6D, Language of W.W. II "code talkers": Var., NAVAHO…

1
Tuesday, July 1, 2025 - Was this a great crossword? NOCAP! 16:06

17d ago16:06

16:06

For those of you wondering about the episode title, it is explored and explained, along with a multitude of other topics riffing off of today's excellent puzzle, in our "Canada Day" special. In addition, Mike may (or may not) have gone down in flames in today's Triplet Tuesday™ segment; place your bets, and then have a listen to see if you (unlike,…

1
Monday, June 30, 2025 -- All hail the Mighty Mighty Bosstones! 🎉🎺 10:06

18d ago10:06

10:06

This was a delightful Monday crossword, thanks to the hardworking team of Dena R. Verkuil and Andrea Carla Michaels (abetted, no doubt, by the mighty mighty Will Shortz). The theme was funny, and the clues were "Festival Food fresh", as we like to say in Northeast Wisconsin. Deets inside, so have a listen, and, as always, invite the crossword-phile…

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Sunday, June 29, 2025 - Wheels within wheels ... 15:55

19d ago15:55

15:55

Once again an NYTimes contributor -- today, that would be Mike Hobin -- has created a theme that will make you want to cheer, doff your hat, and applaud (although not simultaneously, for obvious reasons): it deserves that much praise. The rest of the clues were of course also of a very high caliber, resulting in the delightful puzzle that we take a…

1
Saturday, June 28, 2025 - A deliciously devious Saturday crossword! 15:20

20d ago15:20

15:20

This was Jesse Guzman's third NYTimes crossword, and with quality this good it's no surprise that the publication of his fourth NYTimes crossword is imminent. There was no theme, but the clues were uniformly brilliant and tricky, perfect for the "Hardest Crossword of the Week", aka, Saturday's. We approve, and bestow upon this puzzle the maximum nu…

1
Friday, June 27, 2025 - Carolyn Davies Lynch ACES her OPUS 15:59

21d ago15:59

15:59

Today's crossword marks Carolyn Davies Lynch's third NYTimes crossword, and she just keeps getting better and better. This had some great clues, including 9D, It's not observed in Hawaii, DST (😀); 27A, Hypocorism for Harold, HAL (🧐); and 46D, Smart guy, ALEC (🤣). There were plenty more where those came from, so check out today's episode for the 411…

1
Thursday, June 26, 2025 - Must you be leaving SASSON? 🙄 17:21

22d ago17:21

17:21

Simeon Seigel is definitely on a tear, this marks his fourth NYTimes crossword this year, and his second in under a month. Quality isn't suffering at all, though, as today's puzzle is chockfull of sparkling clues and topped off with a head-scratching theme. Show note imagery: Fancy a game of Centipede? We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact In…

1
Wednesday, June 25, 2025 - Yet another SOCKDOLAGER of a crossword! 17:23

23d ago17:23

17:23

This was a surprising crossword, in a number of ways that we will not enumerate here, but dive into in depth in today's episode. There were too many great clues to squeeze into the podcast, so we'll just mention the also-rans but also-great trio of 43D, Acquisition that may solve a mouse problem, PETCAT (meow!); 42A, Olympic blade, EPEE; and 44A, O…

1
Tuesday, June 24, 2025 - 🎵 You must remember this, a kiss is just a kiss, ASSAI is just ASSAI 🎶 🙄 16:11

24d ago16:11

16:11

This was an impressive debut crossword by Ingrid Steffensen. The theme definitely and deservedly takes center stage, and the rest of the clues were at exactly the right level of difficulty for a Tuesday. We approve! In other news, Jean's in the very hot hot seat for our Triplet Tuesday™️ segment, so have a listen, and, as always, let us know what y…

1
Monday, June 23, 2025 - You! Will! Like! This! Crossword! 😀 4:59

25d ago4:59

4:59

For those of you pondering the title of today's episode, fear not: all, well, nearly all, will be revealed in today's podcast, covering Zhouqin Burnikel's 28th Monday crossword, among a very respectable 82 that she has had published in the NYTimes. Show note imagery: While this might seem like a high tech torpedo bay, it is in fact possibly a claus…

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Sunday, June 22, 2025 - The only podcast crafted with the sockdolager in mind 14:01

26d ago14:01

14:01

To paraphrase Yoda, the pun is strong in this one, a crossword by the mother and daughter team of Ruth B. Margolin and Hannah Margolin, the latter whose impending marriage inspired the aforementioned puns. So, congrats to the Margoli team for the publication and the nuptials! Show note imagery: A sockdolager, visualized We love feedback! Send us a …

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Saturday, June 21, 2025 - Christina Iverson & Doug Peterson pull out all the stops! 17:43

27d ago17:43

17:43

This was a quintessential NYTimes Saturday crossword - tough, fair, and fun. It was constructed by two veteran crossword constructors -- Christina Iverson and Doug Peterson -- who we have come to cherish for making crosswords ... just like this one! Deets inside. As is tradition on Saturday, we have identified our JAMCOTWA™️ -- Jean And Mike Crossw…

1
Friday, June 20, 2025 - Happy Solstice Day! 15:17

28d ago15:17

15:17

This was a pleasing Friday crossword - the grid looked daunting, and the clues were definitely on the hard side (Mike in particular wallowed in the bottom third of the grid), but it was overall a great end to the work week. We have deets inside, as well as a delectable Fun Fact Friday™️ segment, so check it out now! Show note imagery: The stunning …

1
Thursday, June 19, 2025 - Happy Juneteenth!! 19:12

29d ago19:12

19:12

The NYTimes crosswords are always good, but this one stands alone, definitely worth a chef's kiss and even possibly a hug -- it was that exceptional. The theme was stupendous, and absolutely essential to solving the puzzle, for reasons that we delve into, in detail, in today's episode. Show note imagery: TAIO Cruz, author of (among other great work…

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Wednesday, June 18, 2025 - Eli Cotham cranks it up! 13:37

30d ago13:37

13:37

Although this was a Wednesday crossword, some seriously Friday-level clueing did manage to make its way into the grid. Jean had to exert considerable mental effort, and Mike had to consume almost an entire bowl of Lucky Charms™️, before -- working independently, as is their custom -- they were able to get to the happy music. This was an awesome Wed…

1
Tuesday, June 17, 2025 - The only thing messy about today's crossword was... MESSY 15:27

1M ago15:27

15:27

This was Tarun Krishnamurthy's second NYTimes crossword. It was just as good as his first, and considering that he wrote it while still in high school, we can anticipate him constructing a long, long string of great puzzles. A few clues (not mentioned in the podcast) of note include 26D, Get tangled up, RAVEL (oh, so that's what happens when you do…

1
Monday, June 16, 2025 - A not-at-all LOOPY Monday crossword 13:32

1M ago13:32

13:32

This was the second crossword and collaboration between Jill Rataloff and Michelle Sontarp. Both are lawyers, and while they might be, and it would be awesome if they were, partners in the firm Cross, Down and Diagonal, Attorneys at Law, that is only speculation on our part. The puzzle itself was great -- a gentle Monday with several surprising clu…

1
Saturday, June 14, 2025 - Medic! 17:51

1M ago17:51

17:51

This was yet another highly challenging NYTimes crossword, but, since it was a Saturday, we were not surprised in the least. [Truthfully, we thought that maybe Will would give us a break after yesterday's mental marathon, but nooooo... 😀]. So, written at exactly the right level of difficulty, and with stellar cluing throughout, today's oeuvre by Ba…

1
Friday, June 13, 2025 - Evan Mulvihill delivers the goods! 14:49

1M ago14:49

14:49

Friday crosswords are supposed to be a challenge, and we can only imagine Evan Mulvihill cracking his knuckles while saying "I got this". And what we got out of the deal was this excellent, challenging Friday puzzle. Definitely worth a full 5 squares on the JAMCR scale, for reasons that we make clear in today's podcast. Show note imagery: Yes, beas…

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Thursday, June 12, 2025 - Double, double, toil and trouble 12:04

1M ago12:04

12:04

It took just one teensy-weensy act to shift this crossword from nigh-well impossible to fun and eminently doable. Unfortunately, that act was to figure out the theme. If you know, in your heart of hearts, that an answer is correct, yet won't fit, then one word should emblazon itself in your frontal lobe, and that word should be ... rebus! Deets ins…

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Wednesday, June 11, 2025 - Quick, get your shades, this is one brilliant Wednesday crossword! 13:06

1M ago13:06

13:06

If crosswords were paintings, today's would be hanging in the Louvre, it is that good. The theme is a winner, but the rest of the clues are magnificent. We're not just speculating here, though, we have proof -- all of which can be found in today's episode. Show note imagery: The mighty MISSISSIPPI We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: W…

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Tuesday, June 10, 2025 - Was this a fine crossword? To quote 10D, YESREALLY! 15:07

1M ago15:07

15:07

Today's grid had a few surprising entries. One that in particular caught our eye, because it has never caught our eye, was 30A, Altar constellation, ARA. It is located in the southern hemisphere, and, alas, never visible from Northeast Wisconsin (and when we've been in the southern hemisphere, we forgot to look). We also liked 44A, Flim-________, F…

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Monday, June 9, 2025 - Expect the unexpected! 13:40

1M ago13:40

13:40

Even if you do expect the unexpected, we predict that you'll still laugh when you figure out today's crossword, as the theme is delightful. Note that if you do not figure it out, fear not, we have the 411 for today's puzzle right here, and, if we may be permitted the indulgence of mixing 14th and 21st century English, cordially beseech thee to have…

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Sunday, June 8, 2025 - An eerily attractive crossword grid 😉 20:54

1M ago20:54

20:54

This was John Kugelman's twelfth NYTimes crossword in about 2 years, and today's puzzle makes it clear why he keeps getting published. The theme was fantastic, and there were enough challenging clues everywhere else to transform this into one of the tougher Sunday's we've seen in a while. We have the deets inside, so please, subscribe / download / …

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Saturday, June 7, 2025 - SACRA bleu, this crossword was a BEAUT! 😀 12:40

1M ago12:40

12:40

Today's crossword was Blake Slonecker's 9th in the NYTimes, and his 4th Saturday, so he definitely knows how to write challenging clues. The grid here was impressive, with 4 full-width and 4 full-height answers -- no easy feat. And the clues were engaging, amusing, and educational. Apart from the clues mentioned in today's podcast, we did appreciat…

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Friday, June 6, 2025 - A perfect Friday crossword 19:14

1M ago19:14

19:14

What, you may ask, makes for a perfect Friday crossword? We're not sure about the what, but we are about the who: Adrian Johnson, the author of today's and 5 prior NYTimes Friday crosswords, definitely knows how to make one. Both hosts found his latest to be exceptionally tricky, but, ultimately (with a little luck, a lot of experience solving past…

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Thursday, June 5, 2025 - 1 debut author, 3 debut answers, an ♾️ amount of solving satisfaction 😍 18:35

1M ago18:35

18:35

This crossword had a most ingenious theme. Jean spotted it at once, enabling her to solve the puzzle in a goodly time; Mike, alas, solved it in a not-so-goodly time, meaning he had more time to savor all the ingenuity packed into Timothy Gaetz's debut crossword (bravo, Timothy!). All the themed clues were outstanding, but the non-themed ones weren'…

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Wednesday, June 4, 2025 - OPDOC - A Spiderman villain or an NYTimes feature, something like that ... 16:03

1M ago16:03

16:03

It is unclear when "crunchy" was first used to categorize crosswords, but what is clear is that today's was definitely a crunchier than usual Wednesday - just the way we like it! Need proof? Check out today's episode, when we run through the crunchiest of the crunchy clues, for your edification and amusement. Show note imagery: T.S. Eliot, not look…

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Tuesday, June 3, 2025 - TAUPE, the perfect color choice for a toupee 🙄 16:17

1M ago16:17

16:17

There was a lot to love in today's crossword, but it had us at 25A, Ref. work with definitions for "colour" and "aluminium", OED (our favorite reference work of all time). We became even more smitten thanks to 27A, Andy Warhol's "Campbell's Soup Cans," e.g., POPART; and the kicker had to be the shoutout to one of our favorite foodstuffs, 30D, Vegan…

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Monday, June 2, 2025 - Yup, this crossword was dee-lish! 8:19

2M ago8:19

8:19

This was a very fine sophomore crossword by Anthony V. Grubb, appearing almost exactly one year after his NY Times debut (also a Monday). The theme was cute; the clues, at an apposite Monday level, included a few gems. For instance, 19D, Superfan, in slang, STAN (we're big STAN STANs 😀); 31D, Pink Nintendo character from Planet Popstar, KIRBY (we'r…

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Sunday, June 1, 2025 - Time to dust off those Jumble skills! 16:08

2M ago16:08

16:08

If you grew up on Jumble (as, apparently, the author did), then you'll feel right at home tackling this awesome homage to anagrams, an impressive debut by Sam Brody. Ironically, the word anagram does not have an anagram, and so it is with great pride that we introduce the newest word in the English language, gramana, (n., a feeling of bliss that a …

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Saturday, May 31, 2025 - Happy Last Day of May! 16:20

2M ago16:20

16:20

Today's puzzle was an enjoyable albeit challenging tag-team effort by Adam Aaronson and Ricky Cruz. Jean got through it in good time, Mike ... got through it, slowed down in numerous areas, but primarily by his refusal to accept that [DELETED, NO SPOILERS] was a real word. In other news, we've selected our JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The W…

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Friday, May 30 2025 - ALLABOARD ... the crossword express! 🚂 😀 15:42

2M ago15:42

15:42

This was a fine end-of-work-week crossword by Rafael Musa, his 19th for the NYTimes and his 9th Friday, so he certainly knows this day well! Though seemingly not hugely difficult, it was a good warmup for Saturday, with fun late-week clues, such as 24D, 4 is a good one, in brief, APSCORE (🧐); 51D, Like some orders, TALL (😀); and 38D, Mythical land …

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Thursday, May 29, 2025 - You'd probably need to be in Mensa to get the clue about Mensa 😉 15:39

2M ago15:39

15:39

The constructor of today's crossword, John Kugelman, is mostly known for his Sunday crosswords: but somehow he managed to squeeze all that ken into a 15x15 grid, and the result is this fine Thursday oeuvre. Some particularly noteworthy clues include 2D, Anarchist Sacco, NICOLA (yes, it's Wikipedia time 🙄); 1D, Something to wear on a run, SKICAP (⛷)…

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Wednesday, May 28, 2025 - 🎶 Traditiiiiiiiiion, tradition 🎶 🎻 18:35

2M ago18:35

18:35

This was a clever Wednesday crossword, and not just because its author, Peter A. Collins, slipped 21A, Understanding, KEN, and 22D, Astuteness, ACUMEN, into the grid. It was, inevitably, the theme that made this crossword shine, and you'll discover the meta-joke in that assessment when listening to today's episode (or when you've solved the crosswo…

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