About this episode

The episode features a debut crossword by James Mattina, exploring humor and language in the context of spring.

A second constructor in a row is making their debut — today it is James Mattina, an internist in Montréal, who has delivered a lovely crossword that is guaranteed to grow on you — a sentence that will become uproariously funny* once you've checked out today's episode. Show note imagery: The Stax Museum of American Soul Music, in Memphis, TN *or at least cause a mild twitching of the zygomaticus major and zygomaticus minor muscles** **the muscles repsonsible for smiling We love feedback! Send ...

People in this episode

Hosts: Jean, Mike

Guest: James Mattina

Topics covered

• crossword puzzles
• debut constructor
• humor
• language
• spring

Keywords

• crossword
• James Mattina
• humor
• spring
• language
• puzzles

Mentioned in this episode

Places: Montréal, Memphis, TN

More episodes of Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

• Friday, May 8, 2026 — 🎵 To Dream, the Impossible Dream, to Solve, the Impossible Crossword 🎶 · May 8, 2026 · 17 min
• Thursday, May 7, 2026 — Mayday, Mayday! Incoming SKUAs, 12 o'clock high! · May 7, 2026 · 13 min
• Tuesday, May 5, 2026 — This crossword was ABC Delicious! · May 5, 2026 · 17 min

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