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.
Saturday, July 18, 2026 — Alright, DIEGOLUNA is in the grid!
This was a crunchy Saturday crossword, ideal for those looking for a strenuous mental workout. As is always the case on Saturdays, today's puzzle was themeless and a lot of fun. We smiled our way through 57A, What might add a bit of flavor to a salsa?, BONGO; celebrated the debut of 33D, Actor who plays the title role on TV's "Andor", DIEGOLUNA; and groaned slightly upon solving 4D, Super man?, MARIO.
This marks Ryan Judge's 7th NYTimes crossword: hopefully puzzle # 8 is already in the hopper.
Show note imagery: Gustav Klimt's THEKISS
We...
Friday, July 17, 2026 — Hey, Where'd All the Black Squares Go?
Today's crossword — a debut by Coz Berlin — was noteworthy for what it lacked: to wit, black squares. There were some, to be sure: but the grid contained of 9 15-letter answers (divided up into 3 sets of 3). It made for a daunting Friday puzzle. Deets inside.
In addition to the crossword, we also have a fascinating Fun Fact Friday™️ segment on poetry slams.
All that, and more, is as close as your download button, which we genuinely hope you will be tapping/clicking on ... right now.
Show note imagery: DRDOOM, in the ... flesh?
We love fe...
Thursday, July 18, 2026 — Another Awesome Zhou / Montgomery Collab
Zhou Zhang and Mallory Montgomery have teamed up, once again, to create their third Thursday crossword, and they keep getting better with age/practice. The theme was endearingly quirky, and the clues were definitely Thursday-worthy. As representative examples, regard 33A, Little dipper?, TOE 😀; 47D, Steamy occasion, SPADAY (ah, that kind of steam!); and 13D, Dub ... or rub, ANOINT (ah, we get the ANOINT, er, POINT 😀).
Show note imagery: The old city of SANAA, Yemen's capital and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
We love feedback! Send us a text...
Contact Info:
We lov...
Wednesday, July 15, 2026 — Today's Crossword Was *Smokin!* 🔥
This was an excellent mid-week crossword by Johnathan Raksin and Jeff Chen. The theme was a hoot, and the rest of the clues were of similar high quality. A few that stood out included 26D, Some comfy kicks, MOCS ([embarrassingly-obvious pun redacted]); 9D, Botheration, ADO (we're getting distinct Winnie-the-Pooh vibes here); and 30D, Mork's planet on an old sitcom, ORK (ah, the classics!).
Show note imagery: The tallest building in the world, Burj Khalifa, in the UAE
Show note videography: A Rubik's cube being solved in 2.76s (don't blink!)
We love feedback! Send...
Tuesday, July 14, 2026 — A Collaborative Debut, Woo-hoo! 🙌
This was a collaborative debut by Gus Bloxham and Bharati Hemmady, and it was an auspicious start to what we hope will be a succession of great crosswords. We were amused by 43D, Unlike the direction of this clue's answer, ACROSS; impressed with how frequently we've seen 6D, Singer with the best-selling album "21", ADELE (for the record, 329x); and happy to be reminded of 65A, Mo. with International Talk Like a Pirate Day, SEP. Arrrrr, shiver our timbers!
Show note imagery: Curiosity, still telecommuting to work every day, from Mars, after 14 years!!
We love feedback...
Monday, July 13, 2026 — The Queen of Monday Crosswords is Back!
Lynn Lempel, aka the Queen of Monday Crosswords, is back at it, with a fine puzzle (her 105th!) and her trademark Very Clever Theme™️. It is just a perfect crossword for new solvers, but it's got enough going on to keep veterans entertained as well. Deets inside!
Show note imagery: The Jackson home of renowned civil rights activist MEDGAR Evers, now known as the Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument.
We love feedback! Send us a text...
Contact Info:
We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com...
Sunday, July 12, 2026 — Why'd The Brits Build the ABBA Arena? For Money, Money, Money 😉💰
It is rare that a constructor debuts on a Sunday, but Collin Drown, a PhD student at Virginia Commonwealth University — go Rodney the Ram! ... really, that's the VCU mascot — has pulled it off, and in fine style. The theme was quite wry, with just the right amount of punpernickel™️, and the supporting cast of clues was definitely up to the task. We have the full 411 inside, as well as a very nice bit of listener mail for your enjoyment, so, ... enjoy!
Show note imagery: The North ARAL Sea, before the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea got to w...
Saturday, July 11, 2026 — Happy 7/11 Day!!
Jim Quinlan's third NYTimes crossword didn't peg the Crossword Difficuilty Meter, but it did break our Quality Of Clues Meter, it was that good. We covered the best of the best in today's episode, but the rest of the rest were fine too. For instance, we enjoyed 29A, Offering at a BBQ joint, BIB (not RIB!); 33A, Title seen in a tea caddy, EARL (not TAZO); and 48A, Metaphorical beginning or ending, ASHES (deep, very deep).
Show note imagery: The SAVANNAHBANANAS — not just a team, it's an entire league!
We love feedback! Send us a text...
Friday, July 10, 2026 — Branzinos and Beavers and Bandeaus, Oh, My!
This was a fine Friday crossword by Willa Angel Chen Miller, an elegantly symmetric grid with some rather crafty and novel clues (as one would expect and hope for). Curiously, our cohosts, working independently as is their wont, had diametrically opposite experiences tackling today's puzzle. Jean found the top part difficult, making more progress in the south, first; Mike tore through the northern half, and then hit the proverbial brick wall once south of the equator. Fortunately, both were eventually able to get to the happy music, whose sweetness has been scientifically proven to be proportional to the difficulty...
Thursday, July 9, 2026 —Beware the IGUANODON (Greek for "tricky spelling")🦖
Both cohosts found today's crossword — a father-son effort by Brad and Nat Wiegmann — to be extra crunchy, partially due to the theme, but also abetted by a number of diabolical word traps and sinister spelling snares deployed artfully about the grid. We have, of course, all the deets inside, so we encourage you to have a download, have a listen, and then let us know your thoughts on today's puzzle.
Show note imagery: An IGUANODON, absolutely incensed about his dental bill
We love feedback! Send us a text...
Contact Info:
We l...
Wednesday, July 8, 2026 — Holy Moley, It's Another Debut Crossword!
This was Mason Hyunjin-Lee's first ever NYTimes crossword, especially impressive since he's still in high school! Here's hoping his English teacher gives bonus points, he deserves it. We recommend 1 bonus point for 23A, Low-quality synthetic images, informally, AISLOP; 2 bonus points for 66A, Mother of a stable family?, MARE (ha!); and — we're in a generous mood — a whopping 4 bonus points for 28D, "Sleep is like a ___: It only comes to you if you ignore it": Gillian Flynn, CAT. Well done, Mason!!
Show note imagery: Tarsiers, who feel some weird compulsion to always vote AYE when asked for their opin...
Tuesday, July 7, 2026 — Wait, Didn't We Just See This Guy?? Yes, It's Brad Lively's *Third* Crossword in Three Months!!! 🥳
If Brad Lively's name sounds familiar, that's because he's published a whopping 4 crosswords this year, including today's. We are grateful for that, of course, as his crosswords in general are very nicely constructed, and today's is perfect Tuesday fare. Deets inside.
In addition to our exploration of today's puzzle, we have another thrilling Triplet Tuesday™️ segment for your listening pleasure. Enjoy!
Show note imagery: Need a vaCATIOn from your cat? Put it in a CATIO 😀 😀
We love feedback! Send us a text...
Contact Info:
We love listener mail! Drop us a l...
Monday, July 6, 2026 — Nothing DECREPIT about this crossword, it's all shiny and new! ✨
This was a pleasing Monday crossword, with a straightforward, amusing theme, and clues unlikely to generate too many BLANKSTARES. It was penned by Alex Eaton-Salners, who rarely does Monday crosswords — but when he does, he does them well, today's being a case in point.
Besides the crossword, we've identified our JAMCOTWA™️ (Jean And Mike Crossword of The Week Award) winner, so if that's you, drop us a line and prepare to be inundated with the very finest in NE WI swag 😀
Show note imagery: Chappell ROAN and her producer / collaborator Dan Nigro, getting ready to record some...
Sunday, July 5, 2026 — Set Pun Guns™️ to Stun!
Apparently Rich Katz had a few fireworks left over from yesterday, and managed to slip them into today's puzzle: it just sizzles with creativity, and will have you ooh-ing and ah-ing on the way to the happy music. The theme was particularly inspired, but the rest of the grid was also top notch. We liked 57A, Enforcer of traveling restrictions, informally? , NBAREF (nice!); we also were taken with 96A, Org. concerned with plants, OSHA (oh, those kinds of plants 😀); and we especially liked the directness of 99D, Like some cars parked next to "No Parking" signs, TOWED (indeed!).
Sh...
Saturday, July 4, 2026 — 🎆 Happy Fourth!!!!🎇🎆
Kareem Ayas has returned and brought along an excellent crossword to help us celebrate the Fourth. The clues were delightful, each precisely engineered to perplex, educate, and entertain. They succeeded, in grand style.
We have the full 411 inside, so have a listen, and then head out and watch some fireworks!
Show note imagery: A TELEX, rare in these parts.
We love feedback! Send us a text...
Contact Info:
We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com.
Also, we're on FaceBook, so feel free t...
Friday, July 3, 2026 — Happy Fourth Eve! 🎇
Barbara Lin is a highly versatile constructor — she has made crosswords for every day of the week, and this is her second Friday creation.
The grid had a daunting amount of white space in it, with 4 grid-spanning answers. Fortunately, the clues went easy on the pop culture references and both cohosts — solving independently as is their wont — were able to get through the puzzle without too many naticks.
The clues themselves were excellent. Few could resist 8D, Essayist who wrote "Not many sounds in life, and I include all urban and all rural sounds, exceed in int...
Thursday, June 2, 2026 — Time to Brush Up On Your US History!
Today's crossword was all about US history — specifically, the Declaration of Independence. David J. Kahn, in his 192nd NYTimes publication (!!!) has outdone himself, ingeniously inserting all 13 colonies into the grid, rebus-style. It was a MAgnificent piece of work, we were both surpRIsed and DElighted. DEets inside!
Show note imagery: JohNHaNCock's John Hancock.
We love feedback! Send us a text...
Contact Info:
We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com.
Also, we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!
Wednesday, July 1, 2026 — Happy 🇨🇦 Day!
Today's crossword was a marvel of clever crossword construction, and a hoot to boot — practically guaranteed to put a smile on your face, make your jaw drop, or possibly both, simultaneously. In short, Jeffrey Martinovic has outdone himself, and we are the better for it. We have the full 411 inside, so have a listen, and let us know what you thought of today's puzzle.
Show note imagery: Our nearest stellar neighbor, SOL, which we can thank for the recent heat waves, as well as the fact that we as a species are alive to gripe about the he...
Tuesday, June 30, 2026 — Adios, June, It Was Good Knowin' Ya!
Congratulations to John Liber, for getting his very first crossword published in the NYTimes! It was a fine effort, with a phonetically phunny theme, and several surprising clues. For instance, do you know what a "river horse" is? An old-timey word for "making angry"? Or two calls that hogs are almost guaranteed to ignore? After listening to today's podcast and/or working on today's crossword, you will!
We also have a Triplet Tuesday™️ segment for your edification, during which time Jean demonstrates an almost Houdini-like power to wriggle out of several streak-breaking traps.
Show note image...
Monday, June 29, 2026 — One day you'll rue the day, you ROUE, you! 🙄😉
Today's crossword marks the first collaboration between Ginny Too and Rajeswari Rajamani, and it turned out rather nicely, with theme answers that were almost as much fun to say as they were to solve. We have the deets inside.
In addition, we have painstakingly selected our JAMCOTWA™️ (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award) winner for the week, so check it out now and — if you're the winner — get ready to receive a boatload of NE WI swag!
Show note imagery: The Ramones, at the legendary CBGB
We love feedback! Send us a text...
Sunday, June 28, 2026 — Was This Crossword Bomb? Fer Shur! 🙄
Today's crossword was by veteran constructors Rebecca Goldstein and Christina Iverson, both of whom are unequivocally 30A, Mentally agile, CLEVER. For instance, we had the very fine 97A, Time to give up?, LENT (ha!); the dissing equivalent of a stiletto, 82D, "You had one ___!", JOB!; and the surprising 49D, "Keep dreaming", HECKNO.
TL;DR, this was a super Sunday diversion — five squares on the JAMCR scale.
Show note imagery: Inside the Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center in Santa Rosa, CA.
We love feedback! Send us a text...
Contact Inf...
Saturday, June 27, 2026 — TEETERS v. TOTTERS: Runner-Up in the "Shows You're Least Likely to See on ESPN" Contest 😀
This was a fine Saturday crossword by Adrian Johnson. There were no daunting, grid-spanning answers, and it was not the most difficult Saturday we've seen, but the clues were sufficiently cryptic to make for an entertaining solve. We needed the crosses to figure out 17A, Kitchen project with minimal cleanup, ONEPOTMEAL; likewise with 7D, Persian poet who wrote the "Masnavi", RUMI; and only one of our cohosts (hint: not Mike) knew 58D, Super Bowl X M.V.P. ___ Swan, LYNN.
All in all, another excellent piece of work from Adrian Johnson.
Show note imagery: Beware...
Friday, June 26, 2026 — Beware the 😱 PANOPTICON 🫣
Although Spencer Leach's second Friday NYTimes crossword was 15x15, it seemed larger, somehow — not because EXTRALARGE made its way into the grid, but because it was brimming with abfab clues. We were delighted by 30D, Chess tactic in which the king and queen are attacked simultaneously by a single piece, ROYALFORK; snookered (again) by 17D, Places to go in the U.K., LOOS; and reminded of how time flies by 48D, Smartphone predecessors, for short, PDAS (what are those again??).
In addition to the crossword, we have a fine fun fact for Fun Fact Friday, so be sur...
Thursday, June 25, 2026 — Wanna swap?
This was Tarun Krishnamurthy's fourth and — based on the day of the week — most challenging NYTimes crossword to date. We thought the theme was inspired, and there was a laudable sparkle to the rest of the clues, punctuated with just the right number of bad puns. We give it a full and richly-deserved 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
Show note imagery: The famed caravel NINA
We love feedback! Send us a text...
Contact Info:
We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com.
Also, we're on Face...
Wednesday, June 24, 2026 — Alright, the Bulletproof Boy Scouts Are Back!! 😍
Kevin Curry and Zhang Zhou are collaborating again — this is their third pairing — and the world is a better place for it. We have them to thank for our knowledge of Pinkglow pineapples and GloFish (6A, the answer to which was GMOS); the astonishing revelation that 34A, Band whose spelled-out name translates to "Bulletproof Boy Scouts", was BTS; and the inspiration for a great Ponzi scheme pun, 65A, Citrus-based sauce in Japanese cuisine, PONZU.
Show note imagery: Permission to dance? Granted, Bulletproof Boy Scouts !*
*aka BTS
We love feedback! Send us a text...
...
Tuesday, June 23, 2026 — A Crossword That Won't Leave You Bent Out of Shape 😉
This was Kathy Bloomer's fifth NYTimes crossword since 2018, and it was splendid — ideal Tuesday fare. The theme was ... ingenious (the quality control at the NYTimes when it comes to themes is simply staggering); and the rest of the grid was educational and entertaining. We had no idea about 43A, Notable features of the Charleston, S.C., skyline, STEEPLES; pondered the current whereabouts of 38D, Comet discovered in 1995, HALEBOPP; and were seized with a sudden urge to seek out 53D, "Hyde and ___" (1955 Bugs Bunny short), HARE.
Show note imagery: Charleston, S.C., STEEPLES and all.
We lov...
Monday, June 22, 2026 — Leapin’ Lizards, This Was a Great Monday Crossword!
This was Victoria Fernandez Grande's second NYTimes crossword, and her first came just 2 months ago, so she is off to an impressive start! Monday crosswords are designed to be the easiest crosswords of the week, but that doesn't imply drab cluing, not on Will Shortz's watch! A surprise to us was 71A, Actions at the Bellagio or Encore, BETS; another shocker was 28D, Group whose "Gold: Greatest Hits" is the second-best-selling album in U.K. history, ABBA (wait, what??); and we were delighted to discover one of our favorite recent enhancements to our favorite language, aka English, 51D, Little...
Sunday, June 21, 2026 — Happy Summer Solstice!! 🌞
This was a Sunday debut by Hannah Slovut, and a rather novel one. You could tell it was a debut since xwordinfo.com said so; you could tell it was novel because the grid had 27 rows and 17 columns (the standard grid is 21x21). The shape was perfectly appropriate, however, because the ingenious theme centered around giraffes, in celebration of WORLDGIRAFFEDAY. We're not quite sure what is the approved way of celebrating WGD, but we do hope it involves stilts. 😀
Show note imagery: Some kids having a blast at the ol' CORNPIT
We love...
Saturday, June 20, 2026 —Another Cruciverbial Masterpiece by Katie Hoody 😍
Katie Hoody makes magnificent Saturday crosswords, and today's is no exception. It is a master class in crossword construction, featuring clues so brilliant that sunglasses are advised when working on it. 😎 We have full coverage in today's episode, so have a listen, and, as always, please tell others about us on social media.
Show note imagery: A master of disguise, the SEADRAGON (really, that's a fish, not a leaf!!)
We love feedback! Send us a text...
Contact Info:
We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com.
Friday, June 19, 2026 — Happy Juneteenth!
Today's crossword — a debut by Jack Hatchett — was an epic struggle for both cohosts, as the puzzle was brimming with craftily clued debuts. We were definitely not expecting 10D, Sudden reversal of fortune, in literature, PERIPETEIA (from the Latin, meaning, you'll never, ever be able to spell this even with spellcheck). To reemphasize just how difficult today's crossword was, one of the easier clues was 13A, Field trip?, HOMERUNTROT. We were glad, though, as we were wrestling with the most cryptic clues, to find that the author had already included our reaction: 29A, "You've gotta be kidding me!", OHCOMEONNOW 😀
In...
Thursday, June 18, 2026 — Scott Hogan Has Punned, er, Penned, an Excellent Crossword
Compared to yesterday's crossword, with its somewhat complex theme, today's was simultaneously both easier and harder. Easier in the sense that once you had enough crosses, you could probably suss out the answer — a fairly common phrase. Harder in the sense that without the crosses the chances of just rattling off the answer were pretty much zero. All in all, we found today's crossword to be a worthy Thursday puzzle, and by the power vested in us by, well, ourselves, bestow upon it a full 5 squares, on the JAMCR scale.
Show note imagery: The most noble of ga...
Wednesday, June 17, 2026 — Pick a card, any card 🃎 🂫
There are themes, and then there are themes. Today's crossword was definitely a case of the latter, and it was combined with clues that were above average in difficulty. As a consequence, both cohosts had to really put their backs into it, so to speak, in their quest for the happy music. We have the full 411 inside, so have a listen!
Just a reminder that all of our show notes link to the solved puzzle on xwordinfo.com, a famous and fabulous site for all things related to the NYTimes crossword. Be sure and check...
Tuesday, June 16, 2026 — Hail ... Brittanium? 🤔
Brad Lively is on a tear: this is his second crossword in three weeks, not too shabby! The theme was hilarious, and the rest of the clues were perfect Tuesday fodder. We have the full 411 in today's podcast.
But wait, there's more! Since it is Tuesday, we have a Triplet Tuesday™️ segment, in which, once again, Jean demonstrates her almost superhuman cruciverbial powers.
Show note imagery: Lake ERIE, although it really isn't 🙄
We love feedback! Send us a text...
Contact Info:
We love listener mail! Drop us a line, cr...
Monday, June 15, 2026 — ASMR is back! — which, coincidentally, is where you might feel it 😉
Both cohosts found today's crossword to be slightly crunchier (read: harder) than usual for a Monday, but it was a joy to solve nonetheless (or perhaps because of that!). Deets inside.
We have selected our JAMCOTWA™️ (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award) for the previous week, a most deserving bit of work with a dazzling, LOL, and irresistible theme.
Remember that solving the NYTimes Crossword on a daily basis is an excellent way to keep those axons and dendrites taut, and impress people at parties (we're not too sure which parties, exactly, other than...
Sunday, June 14, 2026 — Beware crosswords concealing cryptic cryptids 😀
This was a crunchier than usual Sunday crossword by a man who knows Sunday crosswords quite well — this is John Kugelman's 16th. The theme was very clever and likely a bear to construct, but the end result was a splendid challenge. In terms of difficulty, Sunday crosswords are often characterized as bigger Wednesdays, but this one feels more like a Thursday or even a Friday — you'll definitely need patience and your wits about you to get through this one!
Show note imagery: CONGEE, congealing 😀
We love feedback! Send us a text...
Contact Info:
Saturday, June 13, 2026 — The MWAHAHA v. BWAHAHA Debate Continues!
This was a highly entertaining Saturday crossword by Ryan McCarty, chockfull of tricky and entertaining clues. For instance, 33D, Is courting out of one's league, so to speak, DATESUP; as avowed Anglophiles we of course appreciated 19A, "Right?," in British lingo, INNIT; and we also appreciated the riddle embedded in 26A, Make it or break it, PAR. All told, we'll add one to Ryan McCarty's Super Saturday tally, and eagerly await his next puzzle.
In addition to the crossword, we have some excellent listener mail about perseverance (and more), so to check all of that out, download...
Friday, June 12, 2026 —A Quality Friday Crossword!
This was a quality Friday crossword by Amanda Winters, her second for the NYTimes. It was not hugely difficult by Friday standards, but the quality of the clues was first rate, and there was nary a hint of crosswordese anywhere in the grid. We approve, and give it 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.
In addition to the crossword, we are also having a sale on facts, so we have two fun facts for Fun Fact Friday — check 'em out!
Show note imagery: An elephant who always looks good in green, BABAR!
We love fe...
Thursday, June 11, 2026 — Alas, Poor ARAL Sea, We Barely Knew Ya!
Today's crossword was a debut by Nikhil Bailey, and an excellent one, fueled by an awesome theme (but no revealer: you'll have to work this one out on your own, or ... listen to today's episode).
Some other clues raised some intriguing questions:
What's the story behind 19D — Gillette Stadium team in the N.F.L., to fans, PATS?Is the food alluded to in 52D, Like blue lobsters, RARE, really a thing?; and Was 54D —"Mushy" side dish with fish and chips, PEAS — invented by a chef with anger management issues and a hammer?Inquiring minds ne...
Wednesday, June 10, 2026 — 🎶 NARITA, we just met an airport named ... NARITA 🙄🎶
This was a terrific Wednesday crossword, with an exceedingly well timed and executed theme, combined with some excellent cluing exsewhere, er, elsewhere. 😉
We learned about and now hope to visit 29D, Biltmore ___, America's largest privately owned home, ESTATE; we had similar sentiments about 37D, Madrid's ___ Sofía Museum, REINA, after learning that it is the home of Picasso's Guernica; and finally we are eager to take up the 19A, Tam-tam, e.g., GONG, and while we might not become experts at it, we do aspire to become one-note wonders. 🙄
Show note imagery: Guernica
We love...
Tuesday, June 9, 2026 — Rebecca Goldstein Is at the Helm, Brace for Extreme Wit and Whimsy 😀
Rebecca Goldstein is one of our favorite constructors, which is why we felt 56D, Utter delight, GLEE, upon seeing that she had authored today's puzzle. Some of that GLEE was a result of solving 45D, "Toodle-oo!", BYENOW; some may be ascribed to happy memories dredged up by 64A, Sound of a cartoon hit, BOINK; and the rest comes from that joyful, chortle-provoking theme, as described in today's episode.
Besides the crossword, we have another Triplet Tuesday™️ segment for your entertainment and edification, and you will find that the results this week were 28A, Nearly unique, EXCEEDINGLYRARE.
Sh...
