New York Times, Saturday, December 18, 2021

DAVID DISTENFELD (Constructor) is delighted to be making his crossword debut in The New York Times. Previous credits include: The Los Angeles Times (Thursday Puzzle), Wall Street Journal (Monday Puzzle), Law & Order: SVU (Puzzled Juror) and Springsteen on Broadway (Understudy). He is perhaps best known for that one time at Candy Kitchen when he won a free pound of fudge.

Mr. Distenfeld dove headfirst into crosswords during the pandemic and has been keeping track of lively phrases of fifteen letters or less ever since. Prior to constructing puzzles, he was hired to coach an English soccer team in an attempt by its owner to spite her ex-husband, eventually winning over players and fans alike with his folksy, optimistic demeanor.

He currently lives in Los Angeles with his wife Enya, his children Esai, Edie & Elia, and his toy poodle NNW — all of whom inspire his constructing on a near daily basis. And while his last name does, in fact, anagram to TD SEINFELD, he has never played professional football nor is he related to noted coffee/car enthusiast Jerry Seinfeld.

Finally, he would like to thank the Times editorial staff for this first acceptance after over a dozen soul-crushing rejections. Can't wait to celebrate with you guys at the after party!!

Debuting with a themeless offering is quite a feat. Acceptance rates are at an all-time low, averaging roughly 4%, and themelesses are the most supply-glutted category. Bravo to David for making the cut!

The grid contains so much colloquial fun — NOW MORE THAN EVER, THINK AGAIN, CAN WE NOT, OK BOOMER, DIG THIS — WELL DAMN is right! I especially enjoyed the juxtaposition of an old hippie saying DIG THIS, with Gen Alpha collectively giving an OK BOOMER.

Neat grid layout, too. At first glance, it looks like three mini-puzzles — NW, center diagonal, SE — but there was more than enough connectivity to maintain solving flow.

The innovative grid design did cause some problems, notably in the south region. That's understandable, given how constraining it is to weave TEST PILOTS / NOW MORE THAN EVER into LEMONADE / COVER STORY. There was a high price to pay in the awkward IS RED and tough STERE.

Considering how challenging it is to get an acceptance, I'd have suggested revising. Perhaps a black square at the D of BORED could have opened up possibilities.

Great misdirect on the "Britain's first family of harmony" clue. I used to be a big Wade BOGGS fan so that B had to start BEATLES. THINK AGAIN is right!

Too much RANDD BIERS oddballs for today's ever-rising themeless standards, but such fun in the spoken-word entries.