Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

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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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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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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We love listener mail! Drop us a line, [email protected].

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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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We love listener mail! Drop us a line, [email protected].

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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 have a Triplet Tuesday segment for your enjoyment and edification: see if you can beat Mike and seize the Triplet Tuesday crown (or possibly tiara, or babushka, we're still working that out 😀).
Show note imagery: The SHAKESHACK is hopping!
We love feedback! Send us a text...
Contact Info:
We love listener mail! Drop us a line, [email protected].

Also, we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!