Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword
A short, fun and occasionally not unintentionally educational podcast in which two fans of the New York Times crossword describe their puzzle-solving travails.
Thursday, March 5, 2026 - Pee Wee REESE, champion of the oppressed and a *colossus* on the playing field
Making any crossword is challenging; but making a crossword like this one seems almost impossible. Fortunately, constructor Hanh Huynh doesn't know the meaning of the word impossible ... no wait, he probably does: but unless he's some sort of polyglot he almost surely doesn't know the meaning of the word кинути, which explains at least in part the existence of today's magnificent puzzle.
Deets inside.
Show note imagery: Heroism comes in many forms, just ask Jackie Robinson (left), and Pee Wee REESE (right)
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Wednesday, March 4, 2026 - Wowzers, this crossword was aaaaaaawesome!!
Wayne Bergman has crafted a brilliant Wednesday crossword, with several genuinely LOL clues. We discuss several in today's episode, but we'd also like to give a shoutout to 14A, April Fools' Day sign, ARIES (nice!); 34A, Part of a rock band?, ORE (that just rocks! 😉); and 64A, Pay for play, perhaps, TYPO (LOL or groan, you be the judge — but our vote's for LOL 😀).
Show note imagery: Behold, the one, the only — well, almost: they certainly didn't sell as many as they'd hoped — EDSEL!
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Tuesday, March 3, 2026 - By gum, this crossword really SLAPS! 😀
This was a terrific Tuesday crossword by Drew Schmenner, his seventh for the NYTimes since 2021. As expected, it ticked all the right boxes:
a kind, gentle yet clever theme ✅a slew of intriguing yet accessible clues ✅absolutely no spelling mistakes ✅the presence of at least one reference to OREOs ✅Since all the right boxes were ticked, we were not: rather, we were tickled — pink, to be precise. Check out today's episode for all the deets (as well as, of course, our first Triplet Tuesday segment of the month!).
Show note imagery: Our SWOTD (Slang Word Of The Day...
Monday, March 2, 2026 - Mmm, pass me another slice of that ol' tres LECHES cake 😋
This was a very pleasing debut crossword by Leslie Benson, who provides, on xwordinfo.com, an amusing description of this puzzle's construction — some of which apparently took place while she was in a "fuzzy hypnagogic state".
Fuzzy or not, the crossword itself was a smooth solve, and an enjoyable one. Check out the podcast for all the deets.
In addition to the podcast, in honor of Monday we have selected our JAMCOTWA™️ (Jean & Mike Crossword Of The Week Award), and we are going to go out on a limb here and state, with 100% certainty, that you wil...
Sunday, March 1, 2026 - In like a 🦁, out like a 🐑
Some of the NYTimes' finest crosswords were created by university students. For example, consider, oh, say, today's, by Western University students Matt Proulx and Jeffrey Martinovic. The theme is slick (which should resonate as hilarious as soon as you've sussed out that theme), the grid very colorful, and the clues perfect for a Sunday, with just a bit of bite. For instance, we had 28D, Nurse, SIP; 38D, They might be head-scratching, FINGERNAILS (and indeed, we were!); and 29A, Is in Montreal?, EST (bien sûr, c'est manifique!)
Show note imagery: JW the Mustang, the official mascot of...
Saturday, February 28, 2026 - A FEDORA in the grid? Now *that's* class! 😀
This marks Adam Levav's fourth NYTimes crossword in just over a year, and you can see from today's awesome puzzle why he keeps getting published. This themeless beast had scads of challenging clues, although nothing too outré — just how we like 'em. For that reason (and many others enumerated in today's episode) we give this a full five squares on the JAMCR scale.
Show note imagery: The Blues Brothers, sporting some fine FEDORAs
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Friday, February 27, 2026 - Happy AEOF (Almost-End-of-February) Day!
Today's crossword was a debut by Caroline Hand. Getting any crossword published in the NYTimes is an incredible achievement — and to debut on a Friday doubly so.
And now for the numbers: there were 6, count'em, 6 grid-spanning answers, 2 stacks of 3 grid-spanners apiece. The grid contained 4 debut answers, including one of our favorites, 11D, Antediluvian, OLDASDIRT, and the wry 3D, Delivery methods?, CESAREANS.
In honor of it being Friday, we also have a Fun Fact Friday™️ segment about Atlanta, in its role as the Hollywood of the South. Finally, we wrap it up with another edition of "Oh that...
Thursday, February 26, 2026 - BYGUM this was a brilliant crossword!
Yitzi Snow has created a masterpiece of a crossword: perhaps it's not hanging at the Louvre yet, but we know it'll get there someday. Why, you ask? For three main reasons:
ThemeThemeThemeOh, and one more thing:
Theme.😀
Show note imagery: A chiliagon, a 1000-sided polygon that looks suspiciously like a circle (but isn't, quite).
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Wednesday, February 25, 2026 - EMO hair, it's gonna be big!! 🙄
This was Brad Lively's second New York Times crossword, and it was stunning, especially, as one might imagine, the ingenious theme. None of the clues were too over the top — with the possible exception of 11A, ___ hair (edgy 2000s trend, EMO. 😀 We particularly enjoyed learning about and perusing A.F.I.'s "100 Years ... 100 Heroes & Villains" list, although we were surprised to learn that Darth Vader only made it to # 3.
We have a spot of listener mail to round off the episode, so check it out, and, as always, let us know what you think!
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Tuesday, February 24, 2026 - The State of the Crossword ... is *Excellent!* 😀
This was a fine Tuesday crossword by Adam Aaronson, with a subtle theme and a subtler revealer. We were surprised to see, among the 6 debut answers in today's puzzle, 24A, Fender Stratocaster, e.g., ELECTRICGUITAR, and 12D, Festivals often featuring jousting knights, for short, RENFAIRES. We just assumed that, for a crossword that came into existence in 1942, by now someone would have worked these two into the grid — but no, it took Adam to make it happen.
In addition to the crossword, also have our Triplet Tuesday™️ segment. Jean's in the hot seat, so tune in to see ho...
Monday, February 23, 2026 - Alright, there's a DELOREAN in the grid!!
It's hard not to like a crossword with a DELOREAN in the grid, as we can attest: we adored today's puzzle, the fourth in the NYTimes by Hannah Binney. There was a certain novelty and freshness to the clues that made this a particularly pleasing solve, culminating in the most exciting way ever to clue an otherwise mundane answer, 11D, 4.75 seconds to assemble a Mr. Potato Head, per Guinness, RECORD. Brava!*
Show note imagery: A time machine that needs no introduction ... if you were born in this century or the last one you already know it 😀
*c...
Sunday, February 22, 2026 - A crossword of biblical proportions (no, jk, it's 21x21 as usual 😉)
This was a delectable Sunday crossword by Jill Rataloff and Michelle Sontarp, who happen to both work at the same law firm. That might explain 21A, Certain head jurors, FOREMEN, and 125A, Bars, legally, ESTOPS, but does not explain the remainder of this fine puzzle. That's what we, amici curiae, are here to do (as well as show off our knowledge of Latin, or at least how to use Google Translate 😀).
Besides our usual cutting-edge analysis, we have some awesome listener mail clearing up a few mysteries from recent episodes, so do have a listen, and please feel...
Saturday, February 21, 2026 - Now *that's* a Saturday crossword!
Traditionally, NYTimes crosswords increase in difficulty from Monday to Saturday*. So, if you had problems with today's puzzle, that's perfectly normal and by design: it was built that way.
The clues were magnificent, all designed to exercise those little grey cells. We covered the best of these in the podcast, but the rest (still very, very good) included 13D, Many key changes take place in it, CARSHARE (yikes!); 20A, The third primary chakra is located just above it, NAVEL (quick, the fainting couch!); and 11D, Like a spoilsport, NOFUN (and the exact opposite of today's crossword).
Friday, February 20, 2026 - Miracle on the MARNE
This was a very pleasing Friday crossword by Kate Hawkins. Being Friday, there was no theme, but that just meant that the rest of the clues had to pull their weight, and they certainly did here.
We were delighted to see a reference to our favorite streaming series in 29A, Actress Seehorn of "Pluribus", RHEA. We were chagrinned to discover that we did not recognize 39A, Miracle on the ___ (surprise French/English victory of W.W. I), MARNE. Finally we appreciated the straightforward no-nonsense 56A, Instruction before an M.R.I., LIESTILL (we can almost hear the...
Thursday, February 19, 2026 - Laila ALI is back in the ring ... er, make that the grid!
There were so many great clues and answers in today's puzzle, it's amazing that John Ewbank managed to wrestle them all into a 15x15 grid, but somehow he did. We appreciated the altruism and surely deliberate parallels between 64A, Volunteer's words, ICAN and 45D, "I'm at your disposal", USEME. We also liked the somewhat related onomatopoeia of 25A, Sound of disapproval, HISS and 59D, "Over here!", PSST. Of course, the best part of the crossword was the theme, and to hear all about that, check out today's episode.
Show note imagery: Laila ALI, undefeated professional boxer and...
Wednesday, February 18, 2026 - A HUMDINGER of a Wednesday crossword
If Emojis make your heart go pitter-patter, then put your cardiologist on speed dial because today's puzzle — the fourth by Victor Schmitt — is teeming with them. OK, "teeming" might be a bit of an exaggeration, but they are certainly more prevalent than usual, and contribute to the crossword's high EQ (Entertainment Quotient).
Deets inside.
In addition to our color commentary on today's crossword, we also have a (belated) Triplet Tuesday segment for your edification. Enjoy!
Show note imagery: Yup, that's one MESSY bun!
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Tuesday, February 17, 2026 - A 99.9% SNAFU-free crossword 😉
If this crossword was a car, it would be a Bugatti; if it was a watch, it would be a Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime. In short, this was a top-of-the-line Tuesday crossword, built with precision, love, and care, and yet, surprisingly, priced exactly the same as all the other NYTimes crosswords, not a farthing more for that extra pizzazz.
What were some of those pizzazz-y clues, you ask? Our favorite was 35D,
Tough-but-loving fathers, informally, PAPABEARS (a debut). Our second (and it was a close second) was 18D, Boot out of Europe?, ITALY 😀; and pulling up the...
Monday, February 16, 2026 - Ian Livengood is baaaaaack!
Ian Livengood had written a SLEW of NYTimes crosswords between 2010 and 2016. Then, most mysteriously, he vanished — nary a puzzle in sight until, after almost a decade of radio silence, he is back with a fine, extra crunchy Monday crossword, and the world is a better place for it!
Show note imagery: Architecture, museums, an awesome university, LILLE has it all...
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Sunday, February 15, 2026 - A masterpiece in a 21x21 grid
Michael Lieberman and Rebecca Goldstein are, individually, great crossword constructors: together they are greater, as today's puzzle makes abundantly clear. We loved the theme, we loved the clues, Sunday is indeed funday when it includes a crossword this refined.
Besides the numerous clues we tackled on the podcast, we would also like to draw your attention to 114A, Calls to task?, PAGES (😀); 87A, Rest area?, BED ( 🤭); and our favorite, 89D, Deck out?, DEAL (🤣).
Show note imagery: NOHO isn't just so-so, it's woah, woah! 😀
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Saturday, February 14, 2026 - A *lovely* Saturday crossword 🫶
This was a fine crossword by David Carp, his sixth for the NYTimes and his third to appear on a Saturday. The crossword was not outrageously difficult by Saturday standards, the clues were cute, and the grid itself was worth the price of admission. We have all the deets inside, so please, have a listen (and don't forget to subscribe, so you don't miss an episode).
Did you forget to send a special something to that special someone on this special day? Fear not, you can send a subscription to the NYTimes crossword anytime, 24x7. Just wander...
Friday, February 13, 2026 - In which we celebrate a great crossword *and* the Winter Olympics ⛸️
This was just what we want out of a Friday crossword: daunting, deliciously deceptive cluing and not an iota of crosswordese anywhere in the grid. Evan Mulvihill has succeeded on both counts, as you can hear in today's episode. Besides those clues covered therein, we liked 28A, Really fancy?, COVET; a numerically rich clue about something only the rich could afford, 32A, The 14.54-carat Apollo Blue, e.g., which sold for more than $42 million in 2017, DIAMONDEARRING; and the abfab 37D,
Ferruginous pigment, SIENNA (woah!). Nice work, Evan!
Show note imagery: SANMARINO, in all its glory!
<...Thursday, February 12, 2026 - An early Valentine's Day present 💝
Kareem Ayas has delivered a Valentine's Day present two days early, and both cohosts fell in love with it. The theme is a real chef's kiss, and the rest of the grid equally sweet. This is Kareem's ninth crossword, and they keep getting better and better. Send us number 10, please, ASAP! 😀
Show note imagery: Behold, the epic, nay, majestic, IBEX!
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Wednesday, February 11, 2026 — A walrus, a carpenter and an oyster walk into a bar ...
This was a terrific mid-week crossword by Joseph Gangi, number seven since his auspicious debut in March of 2022. The theme was ... magnificent. It is almost guaranteed to make you LOL when you get it, so in the interests of not hugely spoiling the crossword, we'll say no more about it (other than encourage you to, naturally, listen to the podcast for the full 411).
Show note imagery: A Newfoundland (right) and a Labrador retriever (left), meeting with a host of dignitaries, including the premier of Newfoundland Labrador (the Honorable Dr. Andrew Furey, wearing the red tie)
...
Tuesday, February 10, 2026 - A round of applause for the ol' CLAPOMETER! 👏
Any time a Hasbro toy makes an appearance in the grid it puts a smile on our faces, and so we are grinning as a consequence of today's crossword — a collaboration between Sarah Sinclair and Amie Walker.
The theme was terrific, the rest of the clues equally splendid. Making just his third appearance in the grid, we had at 44D, John _______, longtime writer for The New Yorker, MCPHEE; we had a debut at 37A, "Toy Story 2" character who says "I'm packing you an extra pair of shoes, and your angry eyes, just in case" , MRSPOTATOHEAD; and finally we...
Monday, February 9, 2026 - SADIE Jones is in the grid (and ought to be on your reading list!)
It never ceases to amaze, how crossword constructors can take a simple phrase and spin it out into as good a puzzle as, say, this one, by Matthew Stock. We liked the theme, and, frankly, everything else in the grid. It included one of our favorite attractions, 15A, St. Louis's Gateway ___ National Park, ARCH; one of our favorite modern British writers, 9D, British novelist Jones, SADIE; and our favorite topographic feature, 40A, Steep-walled canyon, GORGE.
Today's episode also contains our latest JAMCOTWA™️ (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award), going to a debut constructor, no less! Deet...
Sunday, February 8, 2026 - Go, [Insert your favorite team here], Go!
This was a Super Crossword for a Super Bowl Sunday. The theme was straightforward but cute, and the rest of the puzzle featured a SEA of crafty clues. For instance, we had 24D, Quick hellos, HIS (ha!); 37D, Villainous chortle, HEHE (heh, heh); and 11D, Wee mewer, KITTEN (cute!).
Show note imagery: The Ecstasy of St. Teresa, by BERNINI
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Sunday, February 7, 2026 - Mark Diehl is back, and better than ever!
Mark Diehl has been writing NYTimes Crosswords - predominantly Friday and Saturday puzzles - since 1984. He's eased off as of late, his last appearing in 2020. But he's back with an ingenious Saturday crossword that charmed both cohosts. Check out today's podcast to find out why.
Show note imagery: Some SONYREADERS
Show note URL: The House of PUTTEES, one of many, many hilarious skits from the masters of deadpan, Bob & Ray.
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Friday, February 6, 2026 - Look, it's a TINYHOME: 🏠 😀
There were some truly awesome clues in today's crossword. We definitely hit the highlights in the podcast, but we'd be remiss if we didn't mention 44D, Stage name of South Korean rapper Park Jae-sang, PSY (Mike's favorite artist!); 47D, Tie one on at dinner, BIB (ha!); and an oldie but goodie, 21D, Parliament constituent, OWL. What a hoot!
Show note imagery: One of Disney's greatest creations, ITSASMALLWORLD
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Thursday, February 5, 2026 - Beep, beep! Honk, honk, honk! Beeeeeeep!
Today's crossword, a debut (huzzah!) by Dario Salvucci, was one of those puzzle-in-a-puzzle challenges that we just adore. In this case, one had to decipher some emoticon-like clues to get the correct answer. Jean cottoned on to the theme fairly quickly, and Mike, alas, had to piece it together after the fact. Still, the crossword was a gem, and kudos to Dario for such a fine work.
Show note imagery: Toronto's 401, not so much a highway as an oozing parking lot, at least at certain times of the day/week.
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Wednesday, February 4, 2026 - Et tu, CATO?
Today's crossword leveraged a hilarious line from a very well-known sitcom, and with just the slightest change in syllabification, turned it into the foundation of a terrific theme. Sheer genius from the gifted minds of Hanh Huynh and Ted Mayer. Deets inside.
Show note imagery: DELHI, land of 16+ million people and — inevitably and indubitably — the best curry restaurants on the planet!
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Tuesday, February 3, 2026 - Shimmy on over to the SHAKESHACK! 🍔🧋
It's been almost 2 years since Nate Cardin last graced the pages of the NYTimes, and from our perspective that's almost 2 years too long. But he's back now, and in excellent form, with a wry theme and some amusing other clues. We were buoyed by the juxtaposition of 53A, Beyond well-done, BURNT, and 56A, Exceptionally good, in Gen Z slang, FIRE (a GUCCI of a clue, in our opinion 😀). We also were cheered by the appearance of both 57A, "Very funny!", HAHA, and 66A, "Say cheese!", SMILE. We did both while solving this excellent puzzle.
Besides the crossword, we...
Monday, February 2, 2026 - BOOYA — BOOYA was in the grid! 😀
The Cardinal Rules of Crossword Construction:
Rule # 1: never repeat an answer in the gridRule # 2: ignore rule 1 if it'll make for an especially awesome crosswordWe are pleased as punch to report that the authors of today's crossword — John Ewbank and Colin Thomas — have taken great pains to adhere to the aforementioned cardinal rules, and the result of that adherence is most gratifying: check out the podcast to find out why.
In addition, it's Monday, and we therefore have a new JAMCOTWA™️ (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award) to announce. No spoilers, but if it were a...
Sunday, February 1, 2026 - PIMLICO, home of Seabiscuit's greatest triumph!
Both cohosts found today's crossword, a collaboration between Lance Enfinger and John Kugelman, to be a real workout (mentally, of course: physically they were pretty much doing their best mannequin imitations throughout the entire process). The theme was intriguing, to put it mildly: and the clues were definitely crunchier than usual for a Sunday, making the happy music, when it did at last arrive, particularly gratifying. Deets inside.
Show note imagery: It's Seabiscuit and Jockey George Woolf in the lead, War Admiral and jockey Charles Kissinger right behind, a real nail-, er hoof-biter!
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Saturday, January 31, 2026 - The Snellen chart - the one you *know*, but can't *name* 🧐
This was a strenuous Saturday workout, no doubt, with more misdirection then you'd see at a Penn & Teller performance. Consider 15D, "Science is ___ that works": Kurt Vonnegut, MAGIC (what a fabulous quip!); 31A, Dice rolls from Jail to Free Parking, in Monopoly, TENS (easy if you'd memorized the board!); and 8D, Part of a great deal?, ACE (what an ACE clue! 🙄). These are just a few of the many delights skulking about in the puzzle and brought to light in today's episode.
Show note imagery: The ol' SNELLEN chart (and ol' really does apply: it was created in 18...
Friday, January 30, 2026 - Rejoice, rejoice, Robyn Weintraub has struck (gold) again 😀
Robyn Weintraub is one of our favorite constructors, and today's crossword shows why. It is, in a word, the clues. OK, technically that's two words, but we're feeling generous after having just enjoyed Robyn's handiwork. Pick a clue anywhere in the grid, at random, and you'll find it to be excellent. Repeat, and the result will still be excellent, there are no meh clues anywhere, at all: it's classic Robyn Weintraub.
Show note imagery: The Milky Way assembly line, yum!
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Thursday, January 29, 2026 - Happy Antepenultimate Day!
This was a debut crossword by Kit Sheffield — kudos! — with a cute theme that must've been a bear to put into practice. Somehow Kit managed, though, and we are better off for it! Apart from the theme, today's crossword seemed a little crunchier than usual for a Thursday, with awesome clues such as 61A, "Think again!", NOPE; 42A, Sound made with a wince, OOF; and 66A, Five train in Brooklyn, NETS. Bravo, Kit!
Show note imagery: Not sure if we'd be as enthused with a giant glass of TANG about to annihilate us 😀
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Wednesday, January 28, 2026 - In the eye of the besolver ... er, beholder.
This was a fun mid-week crossword, built with HI (Human Intelligence), with just a skosh of (non-AI) assistance from Excel. (See the xwordinfo.com entry for the gory details).
The theme was, well, punny, and the surrounding clues intriguing. We liked 1D, It goes down in flames, ASH; a reference to a lady desperately in need of Aveda, 5D, Monster whose gaze remained lethal after her death, MEDUSA; and our favorite artist, 47D, Painter Matisse, HENRI. Mais oui!
Show note imagery: Your typical Wisconsin ICEHUT
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Tuesday, January 27, 2026 - 🎵 Gonna fly like an eagle ... eventually 🎶
Miranda Kany and Tracy Bennett have teamed up to create a sweet Tuesday crossword, most definitely not for the birds (even though birds did manage to glide into the grid). We found the theme sweet, and the rest of the clues just right for a Tuesday. Deets inside.
Show note imagery: Some COYOTEs are slyer than others.
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Monday, January 26, 2026 - Truffle pigs of the world, unite! 🐷
There's a lot of pressure on a Monday crossword. It needs to be easy (well, easier), entertaining, and educational. Today's puzzle definitely checks all the boxes:
Easier: 44A, Food court pizza chain, SBARRO ✅Entertaining: 6D, "Aiiiiieeeee!," SCREAM; ✅ and Educational: 28A, Purple yam used to flavor desserts, UBE.✅We've also selected our JAMCOTWA™️ (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award) winner. Have a listen, and let us know if we got it right!
Show note imagery: A CHERUB, as seen, among other places, in Raphael's "Sistine Madonna."
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...Sunday, January 25, 2026 - Prince Edward Island, small in area, but huge in heart!
If you're a member of the Geek Squad or work at Apple's Genius Bar, you'll find today's crossword to be a breeze. If not, fear not: the crosses were not too difficult, as befits a Sunday puzzle. We have all the deets inside, so, if you need something to listen to while you're digging out from this weekend's snowcopalypse, we've got your back!
Show note imagery: Just one more thing ... Peter Falk in his most famous role, Columbo
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