New York Times, Saturday, October 19, 2013

I submitted this one towards the beginning of 2011, but it had to sit on the shelf for an extended period because coincidentally two adjacent entries were identical to those in Joel Fagliano's 03-16-2012 puzzle. I've had themeless puzzles delayed due to a similarity of one marquee answer, but never before for a pair. Surprised to see that none of our downs matched up, but glad they're each unique solves.

As such, it's fun to compare this to some of my more recent publications, given that it's actually older than my last four. The past year or two, I've been putting a greater emphasis on culling weaker shorter entries from my puzzles, and while I still stand by the majority of the fill, I'd probably redo the NW corner given the chance. These days I might be okay with one of ILUV, SADO, or UDE working their way into a quadrant, but definitely not all three. However, the SE is among my all-time favorite work! Really happy I was able to get all those entries in.

This is the second themeless puzzle I've published in the Times in which SPACE JAM sits atop COCA-COLA in the upper-right corner (great minds think alike!). But it's been over a year and a half since the last one, and I hope most solvers don't remember.

Part of the next generation of xw constructors, Peter fills his themeless puzzles with fresh, contemporary fill. Entries like WHATS UP G?, JOE BOXER, SEX SELLS and WHIP IT (would've been fun to clue it to the recent Drew Barrymore roller Derby movie) feel like they're evolving the NYT crossword, helping to attract and draw in a new wave of solvers. Very fun solve today.

I'm fairly sure there will be some grumbling about some of the very entries I found snazzy, WHATS UP G in particular. A friend of mine we call "G-money" so although it took me almost a minute to parse WHATSUPG properly, man oh man what a smile I got when I did. But I realize plenty of people, even after looking up WHATS UP G will be asking "What's up with that" (G)? Now see how fun that is? Okay, fine, we'll agree to disagree.

Interesting point about the solve: as I was going through it, I had the sense that maybe this was not one of Peter's most current constructions. Typically I associate Peter with very up-to-date fresh new fill and little to no SCHMUTZ in his work, so seeing the I LUV / SADO / UDE region made me pause, wondering what was going on. It made so much more sense to me after reading Will and Peter's notes.

A final note, an apology to a constructor I collaborate with, John Verel. He one day mentioned how great an entry FAZOOL would be. I politely said I wasn't sure if that would be all that interesting an answer. But what a great clue for FAZOOL today, relating to the Dean Martin rhyme with "fool". Shows what I know!

Great to see a constructor talk about his/her development and see it in action. Another one of his earlier this year is one of my favorites.