Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

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!
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The Cardinal Rules of Crossword Construction:
Rule # 1: never repeat an answer in the grid
Rule # 2: ignore rule 1 if it'll make for an especially awesome  crossword
We 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 poem it would be fair of face. 😉
Show note imagery: Punxsutawney Phil, ready for his photoshoot
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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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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 1882).
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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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