Friday, June 26, 2026 — Beware the 😱 PANOPTICON 🫣

Although Spencer Leach's second Friday NYTimes crossword (https://www.xwordinfo.com/Crossword?d...) was 15x15, it seemed larger, somehow — not because EXTRALARGE made its way into the grid, but because it was brimming with abfab clues.  We were delighted by 30D, Chess tactic in which the king and queen are attacked simultaneously by a single piece, ROYALFORK; snookered (again) by 17D, Places to go in the U.K., LOOS; and reminded of how time flies by 48D, Smartphone predecessors, for short, PDAS (what are those again??). In addition to the crossword, we have a fine fun fact for Fun Fact Friday, so be sure to listen for that! Show note imagery: Technically speaking, those are LEGO bricks, not merely LEGOS — according to LEGO, who ought to know! 😀  We love feedback! Send us a text... (https://www.buzzsprout.com/1174559/fa...) Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, [email protected]. Also, we're on FaceBook (  / jeanandmikedothenewyorktimescrossword  ) , so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!