Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword

This is Mark Diehl's 80th NYTimes crossword since 1984, so it is abundantly obvious that he knows a thing or twenty about writing great crosswords. His talents are on full display today — the theme is a puzzle in a puzzle, and the rest of the clues are quite crunchy. Jean & Co. worked through the crossword fairly expeditiously, Mike got bogged down in several areas, but managed to haul himself out in spite of not knowing a distressingly high number of clues.
Show note imagery: One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, by KENKESEY
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Our cohosts had very different takes on today's crossword, a truly extraordinary work of art by Hannah Slovut. Jean & Co. found it to be a stiff breeze, Mike found it to be more of an F-5 tornado. Happily, all parties did get the puzzle solved (er, eventually), and were appropriately awed and energized by the experience. 
Show note imagery: Artemis II, just getting started.
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Kudos to Rena Cohen for crafting an excellent crossword, her first to appear on a Friday. The clues were quite interesting: we always appreciate crosswords that both entertain and teach, as this one does so well.
Speaking of entertaining and teaching, we also have a Fun Fact Friday segment that does just that. Check it out!
Show note imagery: Yes, this too is a baguette (technically, it's a type of cut, used for diamonds and other precious stones)
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When Aristotle wrote that "the whole is greater than the sum of the parts", he most likely did not have crossword constructors Lance Enfinger and John Kugelman in mind. But the thought still applies — these individually talented constructors have crafted an exceptional puzzle, and the proof is as close as your play button.
Show note imagery: One of RUBE Goldberg's many, many inventions.
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Joseph Gangi's eighth NYTimes crossword was so much more than a mere middling midweek crossword: it had a splendid array of intriguing clues. We loved 4D, Half of many a union-to-be, BRIDE; marveled at the "maritime corner", 20A, Pirate's booty, LOOT and 22A, Swabbie's tool, MOP; and almost swooned at the mention of our very, very favorite comic character, 49A, World War I Flying _______ (Snoopy alter ego), ACE. 
Show note imagery: The ODEON Theater, in Amman, Jordan
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