After their day at the beech, kind planters remember to say "trees" and "thank yews." (They arbor no resentment.)
Mike, But do they remember the alamo?
@Mike You puns are always poplar and at a joshua re a wizard. I'd call the copse on anyone who said they ever go against the grain (and a few times I saw that happen).
Late last year (12/15/24) David Kwong gave us "Art Heist," which turned out to be the winner of the Sunday category in the 2024 Griddies. It was also the most controversial and most commented-upon (a whopping 1536 comments), the top one being from Paul in NY, who began, "Did not love it. I think it was technically interesting...But i think the mechanics of solving it sucked the life out of it. Meaning...that having to search the clue list to find which Across had a word needed for a Down just was tedious and wasn't any fun." 571 people gave that comment a thumbs up. And yet it won the Sunday category of the Griddies. Go figure. Link to Art Heist: <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/crosswords/game/daily/2024/12/15" target="_blank">https://www.nytimes.com/crosswords/game/daily/2024/12/15</a> This one is not as complex, not as much a tour-de-force and I don't expect it to garner near the hue and cry as Art Heist. Liked the PALM OFF AS, since I'm sure Mr. Kwong has palmed many a card in his life, and maybe other things too. Tetromino was cool. At first I had Fat Domino, figuring maybe Fats was nicknamed after a particular kind of domino tile. What do I know? Also liked Amanda Gorman sharing space with Zora Neale Hurston and Eryka Badu, all three top wordsmiths, and the overall richness of the fill, lots of character with shrink ray, ski planes, chitter, Clarence Darrow, frothing, the lovely Prelude to a Kiss, Rhiannon, Can't Feel My Face, (this puzzle has its own soundtrack), and especially the trio of Skate Rats, Get Over It and Transepts! POY material?
@john ezra POY contender 👍🏼
Having just read Mr. Kwong's notes on this puzzle, I find the element of braggadocio there slightly unappealing. He says you can watch him "break Kelly's brain" in a clip from the Kelly Clarkson show. I watched the clip -- she looked slightly bemused, which is what you'd expect when a host has a magician on: that's what they're supposed to do. And: "In my original draft of the puzzle, that entry crossed ABECEDARIA (kids’ ABC books). This did not go over well with test-solvers! But that grid did have the “under the tree” letters (the presents), going left to right, *and top to bottom*. This was a layout that was very hard to pull off because the long theme entries are vertical. I’ve included that original grid here in my Substack, where I elaborate some more on how I put this together." This is Penn and Teller era smack, a magician telling you something he's about to do is "very hard to pull off" with promises to demonstrate "how I put this together." Ta-da! Psychologists can dissect the reasons why ad nauseum. This is not to say Mr. Kwong needs his ego stroked. I think he's so steeped in the language of showmanship that he discusses pulling off a high wire cruciverbal act with the same patter (this will break your brain!) he uses when he's on stage performing magic. Part of the performance. But it leaves me a little cold.
@john ezra It is worth noting that a significant number of the gripes about Art Heist had to do with the interface of the puzzle. In the puzzle, there are pairs of clues: for example 8A is [*Painting stolen from 71-Across*], and 71A is [Common scale range]. The referring clue significantly helps solving the other. Normally when there are related clues, the corresponding clue(s)/answer(s) are highlighted. When it was first published, when solving 71A, 8A wasn't highlighted. This left it to the solver to keep track of all the pairs of clues, for seemingly no reason. It has since been updated to properly highlight the paired clues, but I wonder what feedback it would have initially gotten if it was published with the standard clueing interface. Some people are still grumpy about it a year (and maybe years) later!
@john ezra I thought the puzzle was fine and the theme was cute and well-executed. But in my book, the nontheme fill was not up to POY snuff — what with the green paint-y NINE PAST and ITSIN, the terrible DOM, and two true Naticks (BADU crossing AMIR and especially EVIE crossing VENTNOR). The second was especially annoying in my book since EdIE is a more natural fit for the clue (having only one pronunciation; I always heard “eh-vie” although I understand the long e is also prevalent). As usual I finished the puzzle fine … but not without feeling a bit grumpy.
If I wasn’t clear in my earlier post, I WILL OWe you an apology, I hoPE A Repost will help. This was far froM A PLEasure cruise to solve but I have neither bitterness nOR ANGEr about the difficulty—it was sO LIVEly and and its artistry made me want to clAP—PLEnty of clever, misdirecting clues that were sure to curB ANY ANimosity I might have felt. I only have epic LOVE for this puzzle. If you disagree, I won’t use any fanCY PRESSure tactics to change your mind but I can’t get enough of puzzles like this, I guess I’m just an enigMA HOG—ANYone agree?
SP, I thought it was clear. You did write: "Did I enjoy it? Absolutely, it was tailor made for my brain even though I had to be dragged kicking and screaming every inch. That includes the end where I had to flyspeck five times before seeing I misspelled TRAN(C)EPTS. So many fun tricky clues I can’t list them. I mean, it’s absolutely brilliant." That seemed clear to me. (I guess I did see the forest for the trees.)
@SP Love this! And because I fear the emus, I tried to come up with a few of my own to pad out this response. Perhaps it's the late hour, but my brain just doesn't bend that way. I'm glad yours does!
I bet my DOGWOOD enjoy this puzzle. I did.
@"Dave" K. Aha! Glad your bark was better than your bite!
What a delightful Christmas present! Clever, challenging and so much fun figuring out each rebus tree. I caught on with CLAREN(CEDAR)ROW. Fabulous clue for ASH WEDNESDAY [Fast start?]. I learned a new word today, TETROMINO. Great debut of Fleetwood Mac's classic RHIANNON and fun fact that she was a Celtic goddess. Thanks, David! I just knew a puzzle by you would never be a lemon.
Wow, just wow. Everyone complaining about how easy the last two days were just got their due. Was going to say this was going to be the most polarizing puzzle since Art Heist, and then I look at the byline. On the one hand, this is really a constructor’s puzzle. You have to admire the artistry of the construction, imagine finding entries with all the trees, symmetrical, with letters underneath that spell FIR YEW—it really was a magic trick. Did I enjoy it? Absolutely, it was tailor made for my brain even though I had to be dragged kicking and screaming every inch. That includes the end where I had to flyspeck five times before seeing I misspelled TRAN(C)EPTS. So many fun tricky clues I can’t list them. I mean, it’s absolutely brilliant. But also let’s admit it won’t be accessible to many solvers. To get there, most of the long downs had to be proper names or titles—while not obscure per se then at least hard to get if you don’t know them. And if you don’t know them pulling the rebuses from the crossings will be like pulling a rabbit out of a hat. And then the rest of the fill was just not forgiving. BAMA AMIR AMANDA BADU crossing ARNOLD PALMERS, admit it, that’s gonna be pretty brutal for a lot of people, and that wasn’t the only inaccessible spot. So, again, this was absolutely my kind of puzzle and I had an absolutely blast—what a Christmas gift. But I won’t be giving any Grinches a hard time because they also have a point.
SP, After an Easy* Friday and a Very Easy* Saturday, it's refreshing to find a Very Hard* Sunday! *per xwstats.com
@SP @Barry I’m surprised this rated as “very hard” in xwstats, it felt kind of easy to me (even though I thought a number of clues were a little off). Finished about 20% faster than average.
@SP I’ve never had an ARNOLD PALMER, don’t follow football, never read the Kite Runner or the poet’s work, was torn between DARN and Drat, and thought the expression was “pass off”. (I did know that there’s no such thing as a pass tree, however.) So yeah, that whole section was pretty tough. But I’m not complaining. The puzzle was brilliant. This was a case where the destination was well worth a difficult journey.
@SP I got this one with no lookups, but it was grueling and took 3 wonderfully pleasurable hours. What a workout.
I want to focus on UNDER THE TREE, a phrase known to all, and one lending itself so perfectly to a crossword theme presented just as in today’s puzzle. Yet it has never been done before, in any of the major crossword outlets. Kudos to David, for plucking this out of the ether. Then there’s the emotion packed into that phrase, part of that magical feeling of Christmas. Uncovering UNDER THE TREE kindled that feeling and flooded me with memories. I remember when our son Jordan was five, how he nervously looked at the meager few presents under the tree before he went to sleep on Christmas Eve, and then when he raced out of bed in the morning and saw the sea of presents spreading out. He looked at us with wide eyes and exclaimed, “Mommy! Daddy! That Santa Claus is a VERY NICE MAN!” Loved your puzzle on many levels, David. Thank you so much for this!”
BTW, this was a triumph in construction, given the symmetry of the theme answers and having the FIR YEW letters fixed in certain squares, OMG so constricting. Somehow on top of this, David managed to create a grid pulsing with pop, with 28 answers having appeared in the Times puzzle only two times or less, half of them answer debuts. A bow and a wow, David!
Well done, Mr Kwong! I admire the work of most constructors, but every now and then I am in awe. I wasn’t surprised to be reminded that David Kwong also created the infamous Art Heist puzzle. Although it won POY last year (deservedly so IMO) it sent the drama department into such a tizzy that to this day whenever someone mentions Art Heist I could swear I hear the theme music from Jaws. How nice that today we get Prelude to a Kiss instead.
What an incredible puzzle! Obviously a feat of construction, yet also a blast to solve. But, sweet Rhiannon, NINE PAST is green paintier than green paint itself. Green paint is green with envy. Speaking of Rhiannon, if you don't know Rhiannon Giddens, check out her amazing music in its many forms, including her band Carolina Chocolate Drops. Consider this my gift fir yew.
@ad absurdum TIL the expression "green paint" as it applies to crossword puzzles. And I am not new to crossword puzzles.
This was not fun at all. The theme was okay, nothing too great. Not having the rebus in the circle was weird but the indicator gave us that hint. But the fill was so UGH inducing that for the first time in 1.5 years I did not feel like even trying to complete the top right and center areas. I just clicked on reveal puzzle and didn't read the answers because I don't even want to know. That is the level of boredom I had with this puzzle.
@Apurv I regret to say that’s I concur entirely. This one defeated me. Too fiddly. Thank God tomorrow is Monday, a phrase that has probably never been uttered before.
@Apurv agreed. Too aggressive with the cleverness.
@Apurv Agree. I generally dislike the "tricky" puzzles but I expect them on Thursdays. On Sundays, I might not mind a simple trick, but this one left me flat. And ruined my streak. It was clever, but kind of off, IMO.
@Apurv I clicked reveal puzzle too. It went from being a chore to being a bore.
@Apurv I thought some of the fill was clever, and liked the clues, but way too many proper names. That does make it easy to do look-ups, so I finished OK. I'm just not enough into pop music, TV and movies.
While I enjoyed the puzzle, 67A is poor cluing for SETI. SETI searches for signatures of extraterrestrial life using radio signals. UFOs are within the Earth’s atmosphere. If Aliens were flying around Earth it wouldn’t be SETI watching them.
@Seth. I see your point and that of others… although soon, if not already, signals other than radio are sought in exoplanet atmospheres for evidence of life… and maybe intelligence. And maybe the visible is a bit more useful if one knows where in the sky to hunt. But no doubt UFO and UAP motivate people. IMO crossword-sufficient. Maybe call that xsuff. I still remember the Wow! Signal though. Hope it was real. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wow!_signal" target="_blank">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wow!_signal</a>
Excellent puzzle. No surprise it comes from the brilliant creator of the Art Heist puzzle, which I remember very fondly. Well, I’m off to get the last of the Xmas gifts, then help pack up the car to take off tomorrow for parts subarctic. I’m happy we have family in Europe, but how I wish sometimes my forebears had come from, say, Tahiti, and not places you drive to with 4-wheel-drive engaged—and mostly in the dark. Have a good Sunday, everyone.
@Sam Lyons No wonder I hated this puzzle, then! Art Heist was my most memorable DNF, I found it infuriating.
Took for absolutely ever. 🫤 Way too much trivia for my taste. The BAMA BADU AMANDA AMIR block went way beyond the natick. It was cruel. The gimmick was ok and cleverly executed. STELMO should have sufficed but it took UNDERTHETREE to get me there. Tomorrow’s another day. Thanks.
@Ιασων AMANDA Gorman is the youngest-ever inaugural poet. She recited her poem "The Hill We Climb" at the inauguration of President Joe Biden. It's well worth reading.
@Ιασων I love to be challenged and this puzzle certainly did it. But I also like to find a rapport with the mind of the constructor and I couldn't do that. So it seems over- gimmicky to me. Still I do appreciate Mr. Kwong's effort to punch up the puzzles and bring them to the 21st century.
@Ιασων I was completely ok with those. Had to throw in the towel on ski planes, tetromino, anil, and menu. Im still not sure what those last three mean :) had no errors on the rest of the puzzle.
Loved the rebus. Hated the rest. Over 40 proper names or foreign words including several that cross? I like a few more actual words in my crosswords.
My wrong headed mutterings while solving: “Oh, AOKI is the rebus here, it must be a golf theme?” (nope, that was the OAK) “Clarence Darrow” (uttered out loud several times, unable to see the CEDAR for the trees) “Can u feel my fire” and various other as-yet unused song titles. In short, a fun puzzling time! Hope it was as fun FIR YEW as it was for me! (Hi Barry.)
Several years ago, @Andrew (Ottawa) dubbed David “King Kwong,” and he has lived up to that billing once again. I was one of those solvers who found this to be a challenging Sunday, even though I cottoned to the theme pretty early. The northwest especially slowed me down between TETROMINO and IT’S IN, and whiffing on my familiar crossword nemesis ANIL. Speaking of @Andrew, his 2018 Wordplay take on “The Night Before Christmas” was itself magical. While many of the Wordplayers referenced in his magnificent poem no longer appear in this forum or only post occasionally, his final stanza remains quite timely: In case you have noticed I've missed one or two, (They're the ones that can make this place less (more?) of a zoo). They're a mixture of wit, wisdom, knowledge and chutzpah Though occasionally known to drive us quite nuts - yeah! (OK that rhyme sucked...) The pair I refer to, I'm sure you can tell Are the trusty home team of BA and Steve L. If I've been self-effacing, and maybe unduly, From Canada's capital I am yours truly. There are others galore but I've run out of space I am grateful to all who inhabit this place. So to all you who help me get through the long week, Merry Christmas to all, and to all a long streak!
@Puzzlemucker You’re always a sight for sore eyes, PM, as is Andrew. Whatever you’re celebrating this week, I hope it’s magical for you.
Got seriously tripped up in the NE, and I must vociferously protest 3D. Tennis line judges do not rule balls in, either verbally or through hand signals. They only rule balls out. They are not TV commentators who might shout "It's in!" on a down the line winner. The answer makes no sense in response to the clue. I had fault in there for the longest time and refused to remove it until I came up with SKIPLANES, since no other appropriate word could have worked for 3D, including what was used for the correct answer
Steven, Of course you are correct about what (any remaining) tennis line judges do or do not signal, but step away from the court for a moment. A "ruling" may be a decree or statement, but it can also be a decision or interpretation (which need not be shared). My ruling on the answer: ITSIN. <a href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ruling" target="_blank">https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ruling</a>
@Steven M. - I agree with Steven M. I rule ITSIN as out. I did not get the northwest corner for the longest time because line judges rule {OUT} balls. And I only thought of seaplanes. I forgot about skiplanes. This is another example of an answer that is technically wrong, but we have to accept it for crossword usage.
@Steven M. I’m so glad I didn’t think of fault! I would have been stuck on it forever.
@Steven M. I prefer "Fail to keep PCs working" for ITSIN.
The puzzle was tough to solve, when it seemed to me that the circles ought to contain a rebus and didn't, but I could see, again and again, that something was a little off. Some of CLARENCE was there, but no room for DARROW, and knew ELMO was for sailors, and it fit just fine, but in the end it didn't until a saw the ST. I finally noticed that the rebus squares contained woods, but by then I had them all in anyway, just because the letters were the only ones that made sense. David Kwong, this was a now-you-see-it-now-you-don't magical puzzle, and I needed to do look-ups for names I didn't know and to confirm the spelling of the ones I did. It was harder for me than your art heist creation all those months ago (which I r e e a a l l y liked a lot!) but I did enjoy it, and thank you. I wonder what you'll have up your sleeve next time.
@dutchiris Can't wait to find out either! I didn't remember at first that he was the Art Heist constructor but my reactions to both puzzles were very similar, so I'll have to remember his name!!
I thought it was a lovely puzzle. Clever but not diabolical, seasonal and cute.
Was this for me? No, it was FIR YEW. Ouch! Nice present from David Kwong. Happy to see rebuses on the tree, even if their locations were given away. Now I'm going back to junior high school, when I read about the TETROMINO (and the other polyominoes) in Martin Gardener's column in "Scientific American" (one of the dozens of magazines I read because my dad the ad exec received comp copies).
@Barry Ancona - Yes -- Metamagical Themas. That alone was worth the price of a subscription.
The rebuses were fun as was the theme, but overall I didn't enjoy this puzzle because there was so much reliance on trivia and proper names and not enough word play and sparkle. I mean, TETROMINO? Yuck.
Fir the life of me, I can't figure out why my rather enthusiastic response to this puzzle has been twice emued. Can't see a single thing in it that could possibly be caught in the filters. Sigh. I know I used a lot of exclamation marks but they've never emued me for that before. Well, I guess I'll try it thrice now. -- Oh, fir fun!! That's probably way too Minnesotan a thing for most of yew, but it's a phrase I learned upon moving here, only spelled fer. There's also "Oh fer cute!" 🤣 Oh, how I do love Minnesotans. Anyhow, all I can say is I was bopping around the grid thinking that this one was pretty D-RN hard but when I got the trick, I found myself with the biggest smile! Hurray!! A rebus, I practically squealed!!! Oh fir fun!!!!! This one, at least for me, was difficult, about 20% slower than average, but it was so sparkly and delightful and oh so clever! I sometimes wish they wouldn't show where the rebuses will be found but I liked it this time because of the FIR YEW, which is oh fir cute, fir sure! And I hear that 118A is still moo-ing!!
HeathieJ, Third time's the charm.
@HeathieJ The emus finally relented and let the first ones through. See above.
@HeathieJ The Pratchett filter probably rejected you for the exclamation marks.
Like many things in life, didn't get all of it, but sure did love what I got. Anothe fine bit of DK shenamigans. Now it's time to lift that stylus on the dusty turntable and just melt away into the evening . . . now you see me . . . now y If you can't see (Was it yew or me?) Like an olive crying For it's gin That was this grid David lulled you in A prelude to a miss! So you feared no rebus win Used your shrinkray on roots that grewin OOH! Dave (a card-sharp) planting word sins Old man, getoverit! Though it's just a simple remedy Illusion with seed Nothing much He could turn it to a simple tree A conjurer with a verdant touch!
Maybe the worst puzzle of the year. Answers that made no sense, REBUS but also a circle—just awful. Judging by the comments I was not alone in just trying to get this done and move on.
@JC Please tell us what answers just don't make sense to you. I'm sure someone out here can help. The later comments are more harsh than the more complimentary earlier comments.
Fantastic! The final reveal and the complexity to pull it all off together was stunning
Rebus (AKA another Sunday puzzle ruined).
@R.J. Smith I mean this sincerely, I am sorry that they bring you such unhappiness. I'm sure it probably doesn't help at all, but the amount of unhappiness they bring you is really the amount of happiness they bring me. Better luck on Monday!!
A truly impressive puzzle! It took me slightly longer than my Sunday average (around an hour) and had to look up a couple of things (Monopoly, as many others have mentioned, is pretty well-regionalised) but what fun when it all came together! Also had to laugh that the last rebus I figured out was to complete my own surname
67A betrays a wholesale lack of knowledge about its topic, which is radio signals.
@Boris Years ago I used to have my egg-shaped iMac on 24/7 as part of their distributed network of home computers processing their data from the Arecibo dish in the background. I've always wondered how they dealt with its collapse.
Really? When I was "keeping watch" on perimeter guard duty a few years ago, listening was quite important.
@Boris had exactly the same feeling. It’s a very poor clue. Unidentified flying Objects is not what SETI does.
@Boris Thank you! I really wish folks understood the mission of SETI and the work that astrophysicists and astrobiologists are doing. They use a rigorous scientific approach to studying radio signals, and other parts of the electromagnetic spectrum, emanating from deep space, and then painstakingly analyzing and assessing the data.
LOVED. I wish every Sunday was like this.
I loved this puzzle. I was waiting for a Christmas themed, chunky butter spread, with some smoothness. For those that struggled, it takes time to learn all of the NYT puzzle tricks. Be patient with yourself and the constructor. NYT is not about speed runs - although with everyone talking about their times I can see where there’s pressure. Thanks King Kwong!!
@Red Carpet Keep in mind that people who discuss their times aren't necessarily doing "speed runs"; they are solving at their natural pace, and using their eventual time to determine whether the puzzle was easy or hard for the day of the week, and to measure progress (especially once you reach the point where solving successfully is a given). Occasionally, on a Monday, an experienced solver may attempt to solve quickly as a way to alleviate the boredom of doing a puzzle that's far too easy to be a challenge to them. And face it, someone who can solve in a leisurely 5 minutes doesn't lose much experience by solving in 4 minutes. There's plenty of time to review the puzzle, savor the interesting parts, and discuss among friends. I spend hours on the puzzle every day, even if it only takes me the length of a song (either a normal one or one of "Alice's Restaurant" length).
Delicious. I don't rush through dessert or puzzles. Enjoyed the impressive challenge.
Rebus puzzle — my favorite kind of Christmas present! It being above the circle threw me off until I got to the revealer in the bottom right corner. Loved it, thanks for the fun solve!
I recently stumbled on a puzzle that I had somehow missed about a year ago. A little puzzle called "Art Heist". One way or another, "Art Heist" isn't a puzzle you're not going to remember. Anyway, I noted the name Kwong at the time. Cut to present, I thought this was a devious, utterly wacky puzzle, and now I see it's Mr. Kwong come to rattle me timbers once again. Well done, Mr. Kwong.
@Francis Or, a puzzle one won't forget
@Francis You just solved Art Heist? After all the comments here, that must have been delightful. I'm a bit jealous.
I see I'm late to the party... Well, Happy Winter, Everyone! We are starting off with 60 degrees and gray sky. Hoping that areas under storm watch and flood warnings are staying safe. This was a BIG project. The 17D bit was my last and most difficult solve. Impressive. I have a couple of issues FIR YEW. And yet, I am going to mention two clue/entry pairs that really annoy: 45A "Mental health org."/APA-- the American Psychological Association is NOT a "mental health organization" any more than the AMA is a "physical health org." The APA is a professional society. In a different vein, 33D "More livid"--IRATER. Yes, you can add an R to many words with the pretense that the result is "in the language," but you'd be ridiculous if you did so. It's a shame when a stellar puzzle has a clunker like that or assumes what an association's purpose is.
@Mean Old Lady Well the APA does publish the DSM, which is a catalog of all mental disorders. Their mission includes using psychology to improve lives, which strikes me as a pretty close synonym to "mental health." But yeah, they do more than that too. I score the clue as a 7 out of 10.
@Mean Old Lady One word: EELIER. I will never recover.
I could have done without the 16D clue "Counteroart of sub." Can we call a truce on shoving weird proclivities down everyone's throats AT LEAST on the crossword puzzle? Is nothing sacred? Sorry, it's lazy. Do better.
@Brneyedgrrl A little judgy, are we?
@Brneyedgrrl Is merely acknowledging the existence of something shoving it down everyone's throat?
@Brneyedgrrl I had no idea what that clue was about - and now that I do (thanks to Google) I rather wish I didn't, lol! 😮
@Brneyedgrrl So THAT’S what that means! Had no idea, not offended. Malay/Indonesian proverb: lain ladang, lain belalang (different fields, different grasshoppers).
@Brneyedgrrl BTW, two of my biggest peeves from the comment section: 1. Calling constructors lazy because you don't like something. What gives you the ability to discern that this is caused by a constructor's laziness? You most likely haven't the slightest idea of what it takes to construct a puzzle. 2. Signing off with "Do better." The most sanctimonious two-letter valedictory in the English language. You're saying, in effect, "Do something more to my taste or standards." Do better, indeed.
@Brneyedgrrl someone needs to check their sanctimony at the door
@Brneyedgrrl But how else would we stay on top of these newfangled terms if not for the NYT crossword? [insert smirking emoji here]
@Brneyedgrrl That phrase "shoving {insert} down our throats really makes me angry, because I've heard it used to apply to the very existence of a class of people. And somehow having the Ten Commandments and Bible study in schools is *not* showing it down our throats.
Delightful. My enjoyment of a crossword is most accurately measured by the number of times my parter hears me call, “Babe! *giggle, giggle* Listen to this one!” Perhaps we’re just slaphappy from the dizziness of creating Christmas magic, but the set up for ELF had us both belly laughing. Additionally, deep appreciation for this particular moment in time. Picture: Lazy Sunday Solstice, appropriately nested with bed tangled coffee sips, the kids bopping in and out, me on my puzzle, and him checking when exactly the sun sets tonight, while PRELUDE TO A KISS anchors the scene. The best gifts are never the ones you can place UNDER THE TREE.
@BiancatheChameleon Starting off my day getting emotional over a crossword puzzle comment. Thanks for the window into your lovely morning.
Crediting my dog with the co-solve as walking him cleared the mental logjam.
I know everyone has different tastes and so I try not to complain about the puzzles I don't like, so for all of you who don't like this one, I could not have loved it more! This was right up my alley! Just challenging enough to give me a good run for my money on a Sunday but still under my average time. Lots of questions I could not have answered but I managed with a little deductive reasoning and going through the crosses without having to look anything up. Thanks for a great one!
Thanks for the holiday gift. This puzzle was enjoyable. I was happy with it. "Orange" you glad too?
What a fun puzzle that was, Mr. Kwong! And great to see you’re a total nerd who loves crosswords and magic puzzles! Hope your daughter continues to inspire you to come up with more creative puzzles! ❤️
Wow, seven days of gold stars! Fun theme! SODA SHOP is what got me there. So many brain busters for me, and red Herrings, and I had to put all my faith into leaving ANIL alone, but it all fell together in two hours.
I was pretty unhappy with BAMA and AMIR crossing BADU, AMANDA, and ARNOLD, but someone has already pointed that out as a likely complaint, so I'll move on. Moving on ... How is NINER allowed without some hint in the clue that it's a shortening, or at least informal? I'm no sports fan, and know almost nothing about NFL teams beyond the names, but even I know that there's no team called the NINERs, so I think the clue isn't following the rules.
@Grumpy I thought so too. I thought maybe the apostrophized ‘80s was supposed to be a signal but I agree if so it’s a pretty weak one
@Grumpy as has been abundantly pointed out to me, weekends are for bendy rules. am i misinformed?
@Grumpy '80s seems like a great indicator of shortening to me.
@Grumpy In the Bay Area, the team is almost always referred to as the Niners. Rarely are they called the Forty-Niners.
In his show, “The Enigmatist,” David Kwong constructs a crossword in real time, right in front of his audience. I’m not sure how genuine it is (he is a magician, after all), but the effect is dazzling. For those who haven’t had the pleasure of seeing his show, here’s a clip: <a href="https://youtu.be/U1VPUZDr-fY" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/U1VPUZDr-fY</a>
Life’s a beech, and then you do this puzzle. Great fun! I enjoyed the magic tricks, too.
I liked the theme & this should have been fun to work out. The antics and worse trivia with rebuses spoilt it, as in looking up the inaccessible trivia, the rebus is revealed. Note to editors: rap and jazz are niches. If you listen to it you know otherwise it's just word salad. Ditto plays, films, directors, authors. I look it up and don't get ahah, but instead who? what?
@Lauren I'm an old(er) man who has NEVER listened to rap, but RUN DMC is very well known for being one of the first mainstream hiphop groups. Couldn't tell you one song they "sing," but you put rap and RUN ___, I write DMC.
Lauren, You do not have to listen to rap or jazz, or attend plays or see films, to solve The New York Times Crossword. It does help to read The New York Times.
...were two of my gimmes. Different strokes.
A rebus where the extra letters aren't in the circles (and the circles almost weren't in the puzzle at all!)....after slowly trekking through this I'm not sure whether the constructor should be permanently hired or never allowed to make another puzzle ever again. Possibly both? Bravo sir.
@Moira Fun fact: Bottles of Ballantine Ale used to come with rebuses on the bottom of the caps.
Wow—neat puzzle! It sure felt good when I figured out the twist. Not sure why it took me so long to get that first rebus, but after that, the rest fell right into place.
Wow. A tour de force (and also fun). "Clarence Darrow" crossing with "danced around"? Amazing.