New York Times, Friday, February 3, 2017

The inspiration for this one came after watching the "Communication Studies" episode of "Community," where Britta leaves a drunk message on Jeff's voicemail (hilarity, of course, ensues). Thus, the marquee answer at 1A. Combined with the references to "Parks and Rec" at 51A and "Seinfeld" at 52D, you have my personal triumvirate of NBC comedies in one crossword. (I know, I'm ignoring "The Office", but it's a long-running show and I'm not ready for a nine-season commitment, please don't kill me.)

Overall, I'm satisfied with how this puzzle turned out. I remember finding out MANKINI would cross the bottom stack well, and I did everything in my power to make the crossings work. The fill's not bad — aside from BIP and BIS, there's nothing too egregious. If I had made this today, I would have tried to get some flashier entries in the NE and SW, but whatever.

My fascination with Paolo's "Seinfeld" fascination continues! Love that ENEMY clue, referencing Jerry and Newman's rivalry. It also amuses me to no end that Paolo and I also share a love for "Parks and Recreation." Along with DEATH RAY, FACE PALM, PITY PARTY, and DRUNK DIAL, so much of his snazzy vocabulary is right on my wavelength.

It makes me feel good to dig a puzzle from someone from a different generation than me. Sometimes I have a tough time relating to puzzles written by the younger crowd; not familiar with their pop culture, personalities, or slang. But I feel like I'd enjoy hanging out with Paolo.

(I can just see him cringing.)

Not as much in terms of long fill as I usually like — just eight entries of 8+ letters — but Paolo did make great use of each of those long slots. The only one I wondered about was the outdated YAHOO MAIL, as us cool, hip folks (hopefully my absurdism comes through) use Gmail. But it has been in the news recently, Yahoo having been hacked in a gigantic way.

Some nice bonuses in the mid to even short stuff, with DOVE BAR and its great clue, something cold from Mars — the company, not the planet — the cringeworthy MANKINI, and even THE EU. Rare that a short answer catches my attention, but THE EU is in the language, and it looks so weirdly cool as THEEU. When I first saw that entry a few years ago, it was too bizarre for me. But I've changed my mind on that.

Smooth work, the puzzle held together so cleanly with little crossword glue. A case could be made that AMA and BIP might be gluey-esque, but generally, I think they're reasonable entries; minor dings at most.

The only one that I hitched on was BIS. Do body-builders really call their biceps BIS? Not at my gym. Granted, not many of my climbing friends are bodybuilders, but BIS sure hit my ear funny.

Anytime you're in Seattle, Paolo, the drinks are on me! (Just as long as you start "The Office" already.)