Ben Blackwell

I know most commenters are pro 'whatever NYT crossword does' (if not flat out bots/astroturfers meant to generate positive feedback) but for me: this was truly one of the worst puzzles I've ever done. Simply. Not. Fun. Piameter? Naked sun?? Midinette??? Arie, immix, smolt, raki...and quite possible the worst: Tara Road (which I'm seeing as released in 1998, NOT 1999...which adds confusion to an already unknown answer). And the doubling on HANK crossing HANK...I was not a fan. I'm a big fan of BEQ's site, and he can make great puzzles....but this ain't one of them.

One of the worst Sundays in recent history. A slog the ENTIRE time. At no point was any fun to be had. You can do better, NYT.

Pure drudgery.

I think I'm over Fagliano. These past few weeks have not been enjoyable. Poor cluing, ridiculous answers and just NOT FUN.

So, if you move SOME letters (negating the clues) it can...spell out a phrase? Kind of? And said phrase has to do with cracking a safe? I guess??? What a lame gimmick, a boring execution and an overall dull puzzle. Schlossberg, Fagliano? Color me 28 Across.

Maybe an unpopular opinion, but I do not like David P. Williams or his puzzles, no matter what the nebulous 'series' may be. CERTS (in the real world) are not candy, INSULATIONS is the clunkiest plural I've ever seen and I've never heard of BETTHERANCH. Whenever I see David P. Williams' name on the byline, I know it's going to be a middling, 'trying to be clever' grid with little to no fun. Today was no exception. Sigh.

Perfect example of when puzzles cross the threshold from 'Fun' to 'Drudgery'.

Not a gem...a SLOG. What's the opposite of impressive? That's this puzzle. On top of 'not fun'. COME ON, NYT!!!! You need to do better than this tripe.

Man....what a horrible puzzle.

The trick of the puzzle is to make it fun, clever and a challenge. Today's puzzle failed on all three fronts. It was a slog, a 'bad thing' and overly pretentious. When Shortz is around, he can navigate the fine line...finding that sweet spot for solvers. This new editor...has lost the way. I dare say, he never had it to begin with.

Goodoh? GOODOH?!?!?!? Wow. A new low, Will.

With MUSH/ROOM, the word is split up to create two very different AND legitimate words. And then the constructor abandons that conceit...and we get : FIREF. ---------> FIREF <--------- This is a new low for the NYT.

An altogether disagreeable puzzle. No fun had...no joy gleaned.

AROACE might be the ugliest word I've ever seen. Just because a word is your wordlist, doesn't mean it's a good word. Not to mention ATON and ALOT ??? And why oh why did you use a STATE ABBREVIATION clue for TEX ?!?!? Bit redundant and does not fit the postal code theme you set up. Amie...(and Will)...c'mon. You guys can be better than this. Not challenging, not intriguing...not fun.

Will....(and Sam)....c'mon. You can do better. This might be the most poorly clued crossword I've seen from NYT. Remember when Saturday crosswords were fun? Yeah, it's been a while.

Just because you CAN use a word/term....doesn't mean you SHOULD. What a slog...and as such, not fun at all.

THIS is how you make a great crossword. Well done all involved.

Wednesdays are my least favorite of the week. This week was no exception. Did not enjoy at all.

At no point in this puzzle did I have fun, enjoy the clues or marvel at the cleverness. Absolute slog...with no payoff, with RIDGY being the rotten cherry on the dreck sundae this puzzle is.

Realize I'm in the minority here (which is when the voice should be shouted loudest, yes?) but I found this puzzle a DREDGE from start to finish. TRINITÀ DEI MONTI ? Had to get EVERY cross for that one. Have never heard TRADESIES in the wild (makes me suspect the constructor is just trying to pass it off)...and never heard of DISTROS. This is the third EASIEST puzzle of the week?? Well, I can pretty much guarantee it won't be the most fun...since it was NO fun.

I thoroughly enjoyed this one. Damn-nigh perfect Saturday. I didn't beat my best time...but I was chagrined at clues (briefly), chuckled at others, and had to think outside of several boxes. Good puzzle.

Am I the only one who rolls their eyes when they see Erik's name? His clues are dense, he's far too proper noun heavy and the entire puzzle just smacks of his trying to be clever (emphasis on the TRYING). I can always manage to get through one of his puzzles...but I rarely have fun doing it.

TOEBAY ....? So, we're using pig latin...at the...beginning of the saying? But just for this one themed answer?? "Inconsistency is the only thing in which Ezersky is consistent."

Poker Party....yeah, that's not a thing.

This is a substandard puzzle...this just does not meet minimum requirements for thematic inventiveness or fill quality. - Rex Parker. Agreed.

'Pro' is supposed to mean....pharmacist? Am I missing something??

"...the simple trick is evident: Swapping a congested “d” for a clearheaded “n”..." Except for the first D in the first themed answer.