M. Biggen

I had a feeling the drama department would weigh in on this one and sure enough they did not hold back. Sigh. As for me: Loved the puzzle, loved the column, loved the constructor notes, LOVED the photo of Paulo and Sarah, and loved the surprise ending! Maybe not the hardest Thursday but definitely one of the most fun and clever puzzles of 2024.

Will wonders never cease? A rebus on Wednesday and not a single complaint from the drama department. (So far.) Congratulations, Kareem, you found the sweet spot! Delightful puzzle, fun for solvers of all levels. Sam, we don’t say it enough: You are a gem! Great column today.

I’ve said this before in a different way: What I love about this community is that in response to a delightful, difficult and impressive debut puzzle, the comments include (in addition to well-deserved praise and encouragement for a young constructor) the poignant backstory to an iconic Robert Frost poem alongside a bit of shade for choosing the Jonas brothers to clue “threesome”. (Thanks PM and Andrzej!) I sometimes feel, dare I say it, that the comments are almost more fun than the puzzle. But the cart doesn’t come before the horse. Thank you Jackson!

Trent belongs in the constructor notes Hall of Fame, Deb aced the column today, and the puzzle was great fun.

Constructors never cease to amaze me, and this was no exception. A fun, unusual yet accessible Monday twist for April Fool’s Day. Nice work, Alan! But today my heart belongs to Sam for her parenthetical commentary on the “post-truth era”. Thanks, Sam! Your columns always offer varying degrees of encouragement, wisdom, humor, and perspective. A great place to land after solving.

Couldn’t let this sparkling gem go without recognizing Mr DiPietro’s clever, elegant and delightful construction. IMHO it touched all the bases and delivered an afterglow that is, for me, the hallmark of a special puzzle. Refreshing to see that the general consensus is so strongly positive. Too bad Lewis is on a short hiatus, he would deliver the ode this one deserves.

IMHO this was DEF the most fun Monday puzzle, column, and comment section since I started solving in 2020. Man, Fly, Bowl, Mario, majority, natural, duper, califragilisticexpialidocious SUPER EIGHT

Nice work, Daniel! Don’t listen to the drama department. I admire constructors of all stripes, but this puzzle felt a tad more interesting than the average Tuesday. A worthy challenge for solvers as well as the constructor. And Sam, I don’t know which I enjoyed more today—the puzzle or your column. Loved the full alphabet sentences, and of course we won’t forget to pack your liquor jugs!

I’m rarely disappointed in the NYT Games universe, but it’s a very special day when the crossword, the Wordplay column, and the constructor notes are all equally satisfying, clever, and delightful. Add a fabulously fun, completely unexpected column photo and the whole program leaves an afterglow that makes me very grateful for all the effort required to put it all together and get it so right. (If anyone thinks this is easy, think again.) Sam, Justin, and the games crew knocked it out of the park today. I was too late to comment yesterday, but the Monday puzzle experience was exceptional, too. What a week so far!

It’s not often I get to comment with the early birds but DEAR GOD I found this puzzle to be just so much fun I had to say something. BRASTRAPS and PLOTHOLES and GRODY SKORTS OH LORD! Thanks, Colin Adams! And thank you Steve L, I somehow did not get the gist of PITSTOP until I read your comment. D’oh!

Barbara Lin, I loved this puzzle and your notes. The only difference between you and me is that I know I’m funnier than my family thinks I am.

Miranda Kany! Wow! For me, this was one of those puzzles that became more and more appealing as I solved, layer by layer. Rebus, recipe, double revealers that cross! A beautiful feat of construction IMHO, and one that left a sweet afterglow for me such that it lands at the top of my list for Sunday POY so far this year.

The comments today feel more playful than usual, perhaps inspired by the nature of the puzzle and Sam’s column. I have a high regard for constructors of all stripes, but especially one that perseveres through 19 rejections to be published in the NYT. Congratulations, Landon! It’s clear from the column and comments that this puzzle was something special.

Loved the puzzle! Especially MINNESOTA NICE. I’m a native Minnesotan (now living in CA) and I know my people. It has been gut wrenching to see the twisted portrayal of Minneapolis in the national conversation. Minnesotans are in general steadfast, strong, generous, compassionate, and…nice. (Well, with a side of wicked humor and passive aggressive thought patterns,) They have shown their colors many times over the last several weeks (and years). I couldn’t be prouder. Maybe this is why I have a soft spot for Francis, HeathieJ, and many others here from the homeland. Thanks again, Evan, for a fine Friday puzzle that was very close to my heart.

Happy to see so much positive commentary for Kareem’s excellent puzzle. Rebus haters may hate, but the beauty of four different rebus answers, each paired with a clever clue explaining how to treat them within the theme was, IMHO, a remarkable and refreshing feat of construction. I struggled a bit to work it all out. Then wow. @Andrzej and @Sam Lyons: Your recent thread regarding Quo Vadis was a gem.

I admit I hesitated momentarily before entering the comment section today just in case the drama department was not pleased. But I was delighted to find overwhelming positive feedback for the Schlossbergs and this remarkable Sunday puzzle. (Not to mention father/son constructors and 15-yr old Oliver’s debut. Imagine!) I thought the roundabout trick was fabulous. Can’t imagine the construction process to fill all five roundabouts. It took me way too long to see how all the exits worked, but once I got it I thought this definitely should be on the list for Sunday POY. Thank you Michael and Oliver, editors, emus, Caitlin, and all commenters. Most amusing to me was LOVED IT! followed immediately by HATED IT! I’m generally a lover not a hater so I give the whole experience two snaps up.

When I see Sam Ezersky’s name on a puzzle, I hesitate a moment while in my mind I hear the first few notes of the theme music from the movie “Jaws”. (This also happens whenever someone references the Art Heist puzzle in these comments.) Once I get past that initial fear I always enjoy the solve, and today was no exception. Thanks, Sam!

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.

Congratulations on this delightful debut, Adrianne! Thank you for your puzzle and for generously sharing how it came to be. A lovely way to honor Arjun’s memory. This is a diverse, thoughtful, and compassionate community of solvers and constructors, most of whom I’m sure will appreciate your creativity and poignant story.

I thought Adrianne’s puzzle was strong despite some of the commentary here. At age 21! I hadn’t even completed my first Monday solve at that age. Sam, you graciously and sincerely honor Deb Amien with your wit, enthusiasm, and support for solvers of all stripes. In my mind you are her apparent.

Beautiful, elegant construction. Clever theme. Great clues. Challenging, fun solve. Naturally, some members of the drama department were unhappy due to the plot twist, but for me, a puzzle like this leaves a uniquely cruciverbal afterglow. I remain in awe of constructors in general and of Hoang-Kim Vu in particular for today’s gem.

After a mighty struggle with this one, I was relieved to see that the comments aren’t filled with the currently popular chorus of “ridiculously easy”, “shoulda been a Tuesday”, “puzzles were harder in my youth”, etc. Excellent Saturday, Fritz! Suitably annoying and thoroughly satisfying. Love the idea of a Fritz & Katie puzzle. Would it be like mixing oil and water or more like slipping vermouth into a glass of gin?

A very clever and fun debut from Glenn Cook. Glad to see so many of my favorite commenters weighing in with love for this one despite the inevitable posts regarding clue issues and day-of-week remarks. (Yawn.) At least nobody has continued the drama over Art Heist Sunday. (Yet.) It feels like years from now if I enter the forum someone will still be throwing shade at that puzzle (which I loved). One of the things I enjoy nabout this community is that every day is fresh. The puzzle is always the star, but the content and scope of comments varies in a way that creates a different mood. I feel I am among friends. Sam, Deb, and Caitlin definitely factor in for those who read the columns. (If you don’t, you should.) So far today’s mood is quite positive and fun. As it should be. Happy holidays to all! And to all a good (mid)night!

Monday puzzles don’t often get a lot of love, but IMHO this one deserves it. I admire constructors of all stripes, especially one who can make Monday a fun day. The classic Bart Simpson seed entry was a lively place to start, Mr Grubb. Ay, caramba!

This puzzle supersizes my high regard for constructors. I’m delighted to see so much positive feedback for Marshal Herrmann’s extraordinary work. It is IMHO the most memorable Tuesday since I began solving in 2020.

Best wishes, Deb! I echo the kind words offered here from many of our favorite posters. When I was a newbie in 2020, your columns made me feel welcome with your signature wit, clarity, and encouraging words. You will truly be missed. Today’s puzzle was a fitting send-off by two great constructors. Thank you Adam & Rafael!

I’m a big fan of Rafael Musa who seems like a happy person and whose puzzles always make me a happy solver. This first-time collaboration with Geoffrey Schorkopf was no exception. However, like Sam, I had never heard of 7Down and was ever so slightly disappointed that the L was not an O.

Still sweating from Thursday’s anxious struggle (without circle overlays) I felt soothed by this amiable Sunday puzzle. It seemed almost old-fashioned and reminded me of when I sort of thought I was smarter. For those poor souls who note this is my second post regarding recovery from Thursday, I promise it is the last. Loved UCONN and AXOLOTL!

Just want to add my own note of gratitude to Deb for so many fine columns. When I subscribed five years ago and ventured into Wordplay, her column was the first thing I saw. Deb’s good humor and unwavering, positive support for constructors, solvers, puzzles and wordplay drew me into this community. (Well, that and Barry Ancona!) Glad to know we have a little while yet to prepare for her departure. Best wishes and congratulations, Deb!

Congratulations, Yitzi! This was a special puzzle, beautifully constructed, and you managed the impossible by generating overwhelming praise and support from the majority of commenters. I sometimes hesitate to enter the forum after a tricky puzzle when I expect the drama department to be taking the stage, but it’s a joy to see that today’s excellent debut hit the sweet spot. And I am unanimous in that!

As always, I’m in awe of the constructor. Fun puzzle, created with skill, wit, and humor. Today the comments thus far are equally impressive. Extra credit goes to @johneezzrraa and PM for extraordinary observation and poetry. I’ve missed the forum for a couple of weeks, trying my best to uphold a decent streak over four time zones on a work trip. It’s a treat to return to it on a day like today.

Wow. Just wow. I was blown away by the construction on this one as it slowly dawned on me how to solve it. (My format did not display the colors which added an extra layer of puzzling.) I’m with those here who consider this POY material. IMHO Dylan Schiff has set a high bar.

“You do an eclectic celebration of the dance! You do Fosse, Fosse, Fosse! You do Martha Graham, Martha Graham, Martha Graham! Or Twyla, Twyla, Twyla! Or Michael Kidd, Michael Kidd, Michael Kidd, Michael Kidd! Or Madonna, Madonna, Madonna!... but you keep it all inside.” Armand (Robin Williams), The Birdcage

A special Monday puzzle. Clever, with a delightful twist, yet completely accessible. Great work, Kiran! Also loved Sam’s column connecting a child’s thrill at simple wordplay to our feelings of pleasure as adults when gifted with a puzzle like this. Even as a quick solve, the fun and skill of it gather steam as you go, and suddenly the sum feels much greater than the parts. (Perhaps CLM will have something to say about how that math works.)

Saw 245 comments at 7am (CA time) and thought uh-oh the drama department is busy weighing in with 10 Things We Hate About It. A pleasant surprise to scroll through comment after comment with (almost) nothing but praise for this gem of a puzzle and Paul Coulter’s very clever construction. Paul, if your novels are as engaging as your puzzles maybe you’ll get lucky with #51!

Here for the puzzle, stayed for the column. Sam’s first paragraph is a gem worth rereading until you, too, leave a comment about how much we love her. Not to take away from Boaz Moser’s excellent puzzle and whose name is fun to say no matter how you pronounce it.

Perfect Sunday puzzle IMHO, though I managed to miss the HERE component until I read Caitlin’s column (despite the obvious clue in the puzzle title). D’oh! For me, that clever trick elevated the construction such that I did something I rarely do once the gold star is in place—I went back to the puzzle just to look at it. Thank you, Rebecca and Mike!

I hope those who read the Wordplay columns are enjoying guest writer Natan Last as much as I am. Thanks, Natan! If you’re one of the commenters unfamiliar with DRECK, you might also want to add schmutz to your vocabulary. On that note, if you’re a commenter who has never heard the expression “Uff-da! (a clue in today’s Mini), spend 5 minutes in Minnesota. (Or Wisconsin or North Dakota). The exclamation (“Uffda!) covers a lot of territory. As does its counterpart “Ishda!” Google it.

Absolutely fabulous Monday! Congratulations, Tarun, on your clever and engaging NYT debut. Judging by the comments thus far your puzzle was clearly a crowd pleaser, and your amazing young energy is contagious. Also loved your notes and Sam’s column. And the term grammagram!