New York Times, Saturday, October 31, 2015

I constructed this in early 2014, which I only mention because it's interesting to note how my style has changed in the past year or two, so to myself this puzzle is something of a time capsule. What I prioritize in constructing now is largely similar to a couple years ago, though it's changed enough for me to notice the difference. Certainly, almost all of the puzzle I still stand by. My construction started in the NE quadrant, and I'd still be pleased with a similar level of quality today, but would probably give the NW corner another go if I had the chance now. At the very least, I'd limit myself to one IN!

On a tangential note, as we know, an entry's inclusion is by no means an endorsement from the crossword's author, but it is in the case of 24-Across, it happens to be a ringing one! Despite living in Raleigh, I'm a huge fan of many WNYC programs (especially "Radiolab"), which I hear via podcasts. I'm a small-time sustainer for the station, but hopefully the boost from including them in this puzzle will supplement that in some way. As far as I can tell, this is their crossword debut as an answer ... Hopefully the first of many!

Always a joy to see Peter's byline — his standards are so high, always striving to work in not just good long fill but great, colorful, entries that are both modern and understandable by a wide range of solvers. Today, he starts with a huge number of long (8+ letter) slots: 18 of them! On average, themeless constructors employ 12-14 slots and then have to work extraordinarily hard to make sure very few are wasted with just neutral, blah entries.

A good conversion rate today, with such goodness as THE KINKS, EASY AS ABC, FLAPJACKS, and the modern RAGE QUIT. Funny to think about gamers throwing their controllers across the room and storming off.

And there's a well-known ultimate Frisbee cheer based on EL CAMINO: the front is like a car, the back is like a truck, the front is where you drive, the back is where you ...

Huck. As in, launch the disc downfield. Was that not what you were thinking?

Although there are no real clunkers in the grid, Peter does let a few neutral entries slip in. I've noticed that more and more constructors are leaning on the "word + preposition" type entry to fill long slots, and those aren't as interesting to me. FESSED UP I really like, but SWARMS INTO isn't quite as zesty. Toss in BASHED IN — crossing INS — along with HAD IN, and I find that set of answers even less interesting.

Peter's grids are always so clean. SONE is an esoteric unit of measure, but what else? WNYC is fine for a NYT puzzle, and some might complain about a bridge reference in NO TRUMP, but this bridge lover gives it a big thumbs up. A couple of local elementary schools have started bridge programs, which teachers have reported to increase mathematical ability, logical reasoning, memory, partnership, and more.

Bridge is clearly the answer to our education crisis.

So a good number of assets today, but not an astounding number as I might expect from a Wentz themeless. Still, a clean puzzle and an entertaining solve.