Podcast Episodes

Thursday, October 23, 2025 - Life would be *perfect* ... if only we could buy ALDOs at ALDI's 🙄😉

Season 14 Episode 51

This were a lot of jewels in today's grid, including, well, JOULES (56A, Units equal to roughly a quarter of a calorie). We also were glad to learn the last name of 60A, Lou ___, "Mambo No. 5" singer…

Published on 1 week, 3 days ago

Wednesday, October 22, 2025 - A crossword you can count on, mais oui!

This was a gem of a Wednesday crossword. The theme was, as you might expect, unexpected: the rest of the grid, as you might also expect, excellent. We covered most of our favorites in today's episode…

Published on 1 week, 4 days ago

Tuesday, October 20, 2025 - Winter in Wisconsin? Brrrrrrrrrring it on 😀 ☃️

Season 14 Episode 49

Spencer Leach's crosswords have appeared most frequently on Saturday*, meaning he likes to make 'em tough. Todays is his first Tuesday outing, and it is quite good.  We'd say more, but since our foot…

Published on 1 week, 5 days ago

Monday, October 20, 2025 - All hail HAYAO Miyazaki, animator extraordinaire!

Season 14 Episode 48

This was a nice Monday crossword, the 17th by Adam Aaronson, who is more partial to Saturday but we're glad to see him wander over to this half of the week. Jean tore through the puzzle so quickly he…

Published on 1 week, 6 days ago

Sunday, October 19, 2025 - A crossword with just the right number of CRONUTs 😀 🍩

Season 14 Episode 47

This was a truly epic Sunday crossword by Daniel Grinberg, one with a theme guaranteed to put a smile on your face and/or cause your jaw to drop in amazement at the artistry and effort that clearly w…

Published on 2 weeks ago

Saturday, October 18, 2025 - Fasten your seatbelts, Samuel Smalley is baaaaaack!

Season 14 Episode 46

This was Samuel Smalley's second crossword, and his second on a Saturday . He certainly seems to have internalized the make-it-as-tough-as-you'd-like spirit that distinguishes Saturday crosswords, an…

Published on 2 weeks, 1 day ago

Friday, October 17, 2025 - VOLARE!

Season 14 Episode 45

This was a splendiferous Friday crossword by Karen Steinberg. It was not particularly difficult, but it was particularly fun to solve, and for that we are grateful! Check out today's episode for all …

Published on 2 weeks, 2 days ago

Thursday, October 16, 2025 - We choose ... the REDPILL!

Season 14 Episode 44

This was an ingenious and entertaining crossword by Kareem Ayas, his 7th for the NYTimes. The theme was very (n)ice indeed, but the rest of the clues were not just there for show. We loved 34A, High …

Published on 2 weeks, 3 days ago

Wednesday, October 15, 2025 - Ah, those halcyon, cerulean skies!

Season 14 Episode 43

We find it difficult to resist a crossword with the word "cerulean" anywhere in it, or even in near it, when the constructors were working their magic. But it is not only for that reason that we have…

Published on 2 weeks, 4 days ago

Tuesday, October 14, 2025 - Contemplating the RIGHTNESS of RIGHTNESS 🙄😉

Season 14 Episode 42

This was an excellent crossword by Stella Zawistowski, her 24th for the NYTimes and her 7th Tuesday. There were some awesome clues in the grid, such as 28D, "A pox on thee!", FIE (a truly excellent i…

Published on 2 weeks, 5 days ago