Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

17:40

Sunday, June 21, 2026 — Happy Summer Solstice!! 🌞

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword ·

2026/06/22

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 ki...

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6:20

Saturday, June 20, 2026 —Another Cruciverbial...

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword ·

2026/06/21

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

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14:13

Friday, June 19, 2026 — Happy Juneteenth!

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword ·

2026/06/20

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 c...

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13:35

Thursday, June 18, 2026 — Scott Hogan Has Punned, er,...

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword ·

2026/06/19

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 s...

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15:12

Wednesday, June 17, 2026 — Pick a card, any card 🃎 🂫

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword ·

2026/06/18

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...

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16:04

Tuesday, June 16, 2026 — Hail ... Brittanium? 🤔

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword ·

2026/06/17

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 lis...

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12:31

Monday, June 15, 2026 — ASMR is back! — which,...

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword ·

2026/06/16

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 peopl...

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18:29

Sunday, June 14, 2026 — Beware crosswords concealing...

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword ·

2026/06/15

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...

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14:55

Saturday, June 13, 2026 — The MWAHAHA v. BWAHAHA...

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword ·

2026/06/14

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 excel...

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18:27

Friday, June 12, 2026 —A Quality Friday Crossword!

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword ·

2026/06/12

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 l...

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11:52

Thursday, June 11, 2026 — Alas, Poor ARAL Sea, We...

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword ·

2026/06/12

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 a...

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14:42

Wednesday, June 10, 2026 — 🎶 NARITA, we just met an...

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword ·

2026/06/11

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 expe...

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10:50

Tuesday, June 9, 2026 — Rebecca Goldstein Is at the...

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword ·

2026/06/10

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 ...

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14:31

Monday, June 8, 2026 —Now, Where's That BELETE Key...

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword ·

2026/06/09

Today's crossword was excellent Monday fare. Most of the clues were written with new solvers in mind, as one would expect; but they were a lot of fun nonetheless, and constructor Tom McCoy had planted one or two traps for the unwary. Bravo! In addition to the crossword, we have chosen our JAMCOTWA™️ (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award) for the previous week, and our choice should surprise no-one. If it does, though, be sure and let us know! Show note imagery: From Prince Valiant in the...

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21:30

Sunday, June 7, 2026 — A Rorschach Test of a Crossword 🤔

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword ·

2026/06/08

Today's crossword, a collaboration between veteran constructors Adam Wagner and Simeon Seigel, was relatively controversial: some solvers found it to be a splendid tour de force of modern crossword construction, others found it to be less splendid and more slog. Your cohosts are a case in point: but we will keep you briefly in suspense, dear listener, as to who felt what. (And as a meta-puzzle, see if you can suss that out prior to listening). Show note imagery: "Here's lookin' at you, kid", ...

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12:30

Saturday, June 6, 2026 — 🎵 We Can See Clearly Now,...

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword ·

2026/06/07

After just a cursory glance at today's crossword, your first reaction might be a pressing need to don sunglasses. That would be because of the grid, the most "wide open" grid ever in the NYTimes — as measured by the number of white squares that do not intersect a black square. The previous total had been 132, but constructor Daniel Bodily beat that handily with a score of 135. What's even more incredible is just how deliciously good (and hard!) the clues were, a definite masterpiece of modern...

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6:58

Friday, June 5, 2026 — A Rigorous Friday Workout!

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword ·

2026/06/06

This was an exciting Friday crossword by Kelly Morenus, with a bevy of challenging clues. Just to give you a taste, we had 54A, "___ y plata" (Montana's motto), ORO; 46D, Pioneering civil rights activist ___ Arnold Hedgeman, ANNA; and one amusing gimme, 22A, Where 22-Across is, HERE 😀. Show note imagery: As discussed in today's podcast, one shoe that definitely doesn't come in a size 9 😀 We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crossw...

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14:38

Thursday, June 4, 2026 — Look, up there in the sky,...

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword ·

2026/06/05

Once again the NYTimes crossword boffins have gone above and beyond to inject a little something extra into the grid, to aid the constructor. We had animation the other day, and today we have ... something that we'll let you hear about in today's podcast (whew! no spoiler alert necessary). Besides the crossword, we also have some enlightening listener mail related to yesterday's puzzle, so be sure to check it all out, right here! Show note imagery: A ski resort in Lillehammer, Norway, host of...

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13:01

Wednesday, June 3, 2026 — Happy National Repeat Day!...

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword ·

2026/06/04

We do not know if this was planned or by chance, but today's crossword happens to be an ideal choice for National Repeat Day, which, we have been reliably assured, is a real thing. While today's debut by Jiahe Men (woo-hoo!) was not overly difficult, grokking the theme did make solving it easier and more fun. We liked it a bunch, and therefore bestow upon it a meter-pegging 5 squares on the JAMCR scale. Deets inside. Show note imagery: The Peqod, on full sail. We love feedback! Send us a text...

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12:29

Tuesday, June 2, 2026 —Another *brilliant* Tuesday...

Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword ·

2026/06/03

Rich Katz has scored again with a winning theme and a strong supporting cast of clues. We've covered most of those in the podcast, but we would also like to doff our hats in honor of the fun-to-say 31D, Sea sight in black and white, ORCA; the good-to-know 12D, About 8,100 square feet, for a baseball infield, AREA; and an even better-to-know-in-NE-Wisconsin, 52A, Wash with a glycol spray, as an airplane wing, DEICE. In other news, it's Tuesday, and in today's Triplet Tuesday™️ segment, Jean's ...

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