Today's crossword was (1A) ABFAB, definitely one of our (3D) FAVES this week, with such a sparkling grid that we had to wear shades and set the app to dark mode in order to work on it. We were dazzled by clues like 42A, One hanging out in the cold, ICICLE (a clue that just warms our hearts!); 22A, "Bam!", KAPOW (Boom!); and 35A, On ice longer than normal, say?, INOT (a clue that did not leave us cold). In short, a crossword definitely worth 5 squares on the JAMCR scale, and certainly a contenda' for this week's JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award).

Show note imagery: AQABA, Jordan's only coastal city

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Writing spoiler-free show notes can be tricky, but we're willing to give it a shot for our listeners. In today's crossword, we see that the author has made clever use of ◼️◼️◼️◼️◼️◼️◼️, which is surprising, because we normally only see those on ◼️◼️◼️◼️◼️◼️◼️◼️ or ◼️◼️◼️◼️◼️◼️! However we are glad to see them, they definitely add a bit of zest to the grid. Intrigued? Want to know what's behind all those ◼️'s? Download today's episode to find out!

Show note imagery: The original CRAYOLACRAYON!

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When you see the name Erik Agard in the byline, you know you're in for a good time, and the sage does not disappoint in his latest oeuvre, i.e., today's crossword, thanks to great clues like 51D, Supervocalic (we checked: it is a word) to 49D, Half a rhyming synonym of "haphazard", HELTER (😀); to the double cluing of 18A, and 35D, Head over heels, GAGA and INLOVE, respectively. We are INLOVE with this crossword, five squares on the JAMCR scale.

In other news, it's Triplet Tuesday, and Jean takes on some ferocious clues without missing a beat. How does she do it? Download to find out ...

Show note imagery: OCTAVIA Butler, sci-fi author

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A recent JAMCOTWA winner, Rajeswari Rajamani is back with her second NYTimes crossword, and we are pleased to report that it's a delight, with a subtle and engaging theme, and some sparkling grid fill (which is hard to pull off, especially on a Monday). Kudos, we now eagerly await the arrival of crossword # 3!

Show note imagery: ELCAPITAN

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After yesterday's epic struggle, today's crossword was a refreshing change of pace, with an uplifting theme (literally!), and great clues. The authors were Rebecca Goldstein and Ariela Perlman, the latter making her debut appearance in the NYTimes. Deets inside, so have a listen, and remember that feedback is always welcome.

Just a reminder that it has been scientifically proven that solving crosswords can keep those little gray cells in top-notch condition, and a subscription to the NYTimes crossword is as cheap as borscht, as they say (we're not entirely sure who "they" are, nor, tbh, what borscht is currently going for) ... the point is, the NYTimes is a great bargain, so check it out -- nytimes.com/crosswords, where you're bound to find a large and welcoming subscription button, definitely worth clicking.

Show note imagery: A man who needs no introduction ...

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When it comes to tough crosswords, there are Saturdays, and there are Saturdays. Today's puzzle was most definitely one of the latter, with nearly impossible clues almost everywhere you look in the grid, trivia that if you're fortunate enough to know will make the crossword a breeze, if not, well, good luck! This was a quality crossword, though, make no mistake about it. How else can you describe a puzzle with clues such as 34A, Does a job for a summer?, ADDS (woah!); and 45D, Antepenultimate word in a noted Neil Armstrong quip, LEAP (cute, especially the nod to antepenultimate, which popped up earlier this week).

Show note imagery: OPAL Lee, the grandmother of Juneteenth.

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This was a very pleasant Friday crossword by Alina Abidi -- her fourth for the NYTimes. Like almost all Friday's, no theme was involved, but there were some Friday-worthy clues, including a mathematically-oriented debut, 24D, Unchanged when multiplied by itself, from the Latin for "same" and "power" , IDEMPOTENT; the very French 41D, Un canard ou un émeu, OISEAU (mais oui!); and the delightfully deceptive 27D, One mailing it in?, EARLYVOTER.

Show note imagery: The CARLSAGAN Institute, still going strong!

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Though hard to believe, this is Matthew Faiella's debut NYTimes crossword, and it has a lot to commend it - most notably a fabulous theme, fabulously executed. Deets inside, so check it out -- and when it comes to comments, don't hold back -- drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com, or click on the Send Fan Mail link in the show notes.

Show note imagery: The TORSO of Adele (no, not that Adele 😀)

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