Podcast Episodes

Monday, July 14, 2025 - Happy Bastille Day / Joyeux 14 juillet!!

Season 13 Episode 60

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 submi…

Published on 5 months, 2 weeks ago

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

Season 13 Episode 59

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.…

Published on 5 months, 2 weeks ago

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

Season 13 Episode 58

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; o…

Published on 5 months, 2 weeks ago

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

Season 13 Episode 57

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…

Published on 5 months, 3 weeks ago

Thursday, July 10, 2025 - Pick a card, any card ...

Season 13 Episode 56

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. …

Published on 5 months, 3 weeks ago

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

Season 13 Episode 55

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…

Published on 5 months, 3 weeks ago

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

Season 13 Episode 54

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'r…

Published on 5 months, 3 weeks ago

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

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 conti…

Published on 5 months, 3 weeks ago

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

Season 13 Episode 52

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…

Published on 5 months, 3 weeks ago

Saturday, July 5, 2025 - Tracy Bennett strikes again!

Season 13 Episode 51

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 …

Published on 5 months, 3 weeks ago