Tyler D.
New York, NY
Always love a John Kugelman puzzle. Though all the themers were smooth and fun, 104-across was my favorite: STEAMY IRONY
@Paul Exact same experience I had. I'm happy I don't do crosswords because I'm _avoiding math-based puzzles, some people are going to get this puzzle, except the numbers, and not be able to proceed.
I finished this one in normal time, but I was afraid it was going to be a DNF! A few answers that I just didn’t know and had to hope the crosses worked out— SAARINEN, ENNEADS, NAE (as clued), and a few others. Was supremely surprised to get the happy music so quickly. I particularly liked today’s theme. It was fun, playful, and has surfaced a bunch of amusement park memories from my childhood, going to Hershey or Disney with my dad and siblings.
I finish this puzzle with a smle on my face
@Gregg Congrats on the recovery!
The L at LOMAN / LUSAKA was a complete Natick
I don't understand clue 91D "Like Manhattan in the 80s and 90s?" with the answer UPTOWN. Any insight?
@Steve L Well, this is the "New York" Times. I know that both the newspaper and the crossword have national and international appeal, but the crossword is still NYC- and American-focused. That's why we get regular clues about things like Astoria, the tri-state area, NYC mayors, etc. So maybe non-American solvers would have understood the theme a bit quicker, but that's not what this puzzle is. It's also why we'll never get a puzzle themed around Canadian Thanksgiving, but we get an American Thanksgiving puzzle almost every year.
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