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Joel Fagliano author page

71 puzzles by Joel Fagliano
with Editor comments

TotalDebutLatestCollabs
7110/22/20099/24/20238
SunMonTueWedThuFriSatVariety
18912911336
RebusCircleScrabDebutFresh
351.6447062%
Joel Fagliano

65 daily crosswords by Joel Fagliano

Sun 9/24/2023 Rebrandings
POPARTAMUSEDCOOLCAT
AVENUEYANKEEONTARIO
LITTLESEIZERSPETNAME
RHINESIEKRONAPER
COINADOPTSBUDWISER
WALLGREENSEMITACT
ABELHEWCEOSEARN
FLUHOLEFOODSBESTBYE
TEMPOYAWNSPURTLAX
IPODVIESORNAMENT
AMERICANHEIRLINES
CASANOVAGELSYELL
UEYONEPMAILSETAIL
PROCTORANDGAMBLEICU
SOULDUOSAAATSAR
LOWRAINTALKOBELLE
WRITEAIDEDIBLEREEL
EEKLEGALERARIOTS
STEALTHEMBASSYSWEETS
TRIDENTNOIDEAISRAEL
SOTOSAYDETESTTESTER

Joel Fagliano and Christina Iverson are puzzle editors for The Times. Joel lives in Philadelphia, Christina in Ames, Iowa. They both have young kids and a fondness for "dumb jokes," as Joel puts it.

Christina writes, "We were in the middle of a brainstorm for a totally different Sunday puzzle when we'd hit a wall and Joel messaged me with this theme idea. Every step was collaborative, with a lot of back and forth in DMs, shared documents, and conversations over Google Meet."

POW Sat 4/1/2023
IMPSLOVESCENES
LAITADAMSAVAGE
LIKEBISONBISON
FLAMEOUTLETIT
ABCRUMSHEISR
MOHAIRDNAMETA
EXUDEREALTORS
APRILFOOL
JAMAISVUPARSE
RIMSFEEBEREAL
OMBDENBONGOY
OBAMAWOODCUTS
MENINBLACKALOE
BADSCIENCENAME
AMSTELBEERTRES
Thu 7/30/2020
WIFETOBESCRAP
IRONOPENHOUSE
FALLLINEINDIA
INKBEESKNEES
MEATPIES
PULLSHUTTHE
AISLETIRESOUT
SKISLOPEWAITA
SECROSEOILS
GOODTONE
BLOWNDOWNTWO
TOONEMADEABID
ASPENTREELAND
USERSNESTEGGS
Tue 4/28/2020
COMBGOLFHASH
OPALSONIAOLLA
DEJALILACTIES
COMPANYRETWEET
RAINSWANKY
OLDBAGOFTWIX
WOOLFKARATHAS
LAMESATUPTENT
SFOPAPALFORTY
FAMILYTWEEZE
WRISTSAINT
HIGHSPEEDTWAIN
UCLAADMITICON
POORDAISYLANE
SHOPEMTSSLOT
Sun 4/12/2020 BARISTA TRAINING DAY
ATLASAPERCUBABAWAWA
LEAPTROMEOSEARTHDAY
TAUPESPILLEDTHEBEANS
ERRABEYURISWARM
RUELANAIMISCTESLA
SPLITHALFANDHALFCOG
SHALLOTREIMPOSE
SAPPYLACKEDAFILTER
EBAYPIEDHALSTRUTS
RBITHANLAGERHAM
FARFROMYOURAVERAGEJOE
AYNAWMANDOVEURL
HEROESLEDISEEBALM
RANOUTOFSTEAMSONYS
INDETAILMOROCCO
MOIGROUNDSFORFIRING
SINGSGOERFIDOSTEA
ARESTMAAMESSHUM
GOTINTOHOTWATERORATE
RAINDATEEEYORERACER
PRESSBOXRRATEDSTARS

Joel Fagliano is the digital puzzles editor for The New York Times and creator of the daily Mini. He sold his first crossword to the paper when he was 17. He graduated from Pomona College in 2014 with a double major in linguistics and 45-Across.

Joel says this puzzle is the result of having had some extra time at home recently … and drinking lots of coffee.

Sun 6/16/2019 NOT IN SO MANY WORDS
FATHERSDAYCOMPACTS
IPHONECASEINTERRUPT
SPEEDCHESSVENERATION
COBISOMETRICLOGONTO
ASIGNLOREALNEWSROOM
LETOPANTRYPHDSSURE
TRESSEDPALOMATON
SOPHISTDARERFISH
ELLIPTICYEAROFTHEPIG
ADITOCHOTRONHEARME
TISCHSUBSISTEDDRIPS
ASSHATROARSURFTOUT
CHEESESLICERPARTERRE
DARKSHEAFMOMMIES
ADUTRYSTSTABASCO
REPOOPUSATCOSTJOSH
INTHEREDSELENEFIVEO
ANIONICVICEVERSAERA
LIGHTSABEROEDIPUSREX
SHORTLINEFIREENGINE
THESLOTSFLYSWATTER

Joel Fagliano, 26, is the digital crossword editor of The New York Times and creator of the paper's daily Mini. Born and raised in Philadelphia, he often sneaks references to the city into his puzzles, such as 83-Down here.

This puzzle is unthemed, which means, without preset answers that constrain the fill, it has a more open pattern of fresher, livelier vocabulary — all clued with wit and a fitting level of challenge. According to our records, it ties for the fewest number of answers (124) ever to appear in a Sunday Times crossword.

Wed 5/1/2019
SUCHVIEWTHING
AGHAEMMAEATER
MAILFRAUDMUSTI
INSLANGUPLAST
ADENEEDNOUGAT
MALESORKPILE
VITAMINSRED
STATECAPITALS
RAHENLISTED
EMIRSUNROVED
PARADESILORYE
ANTIUSHAIRGEL
STELEBLONDEALE
THEEUROPEEMIT
SANDPOWESLEDE
Mon 4/1/2019
LAPELTALCSTAR
OBAMAOLGAOHIO
FINISMOBSRENO
TTTTTTTTTTTTTTT
SAOFLUSH
EARWORMLITIDA
GRAINPANANON
GGGGGGGGGGGGGGG
OUISIRAARIEL
SENUNAENMASSE
GASSYBAE
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
LOUDULEEAEIOU
ACLURUSTLANDS
HALLGETSLUGES
POW Sun 11/18/2018 PORTMANFAUX
DARKAGESHEELSSTROS
AQUILINEMUDCATIWISH
MURDERCASEMURSEPESCI
PAIDADMADEUSESREAR
TESSSKIRESORTSKORT
CHARTEAUXSHIVA
LENSRBISSPASMINERT
URIHILOACAIAGRIP
BRADYBUNCHBRUNCHRAS
EPEEHALTERASMUS
GREYPOUPONGROUPON
NONREALPOEMGLUE
HAJSPACEPROGRAMSPAM
UTICAEVANEASEELI
HOBOSRIPITGEMSSETS
SERTANACLTYROS
BURNINGLOGBLOGRING
IMREDELLLOONINAREA
OMITSSALTEDPORKSPORK
TIETOSMARTSMAKESURE
ATSIXOASISEPILEPSY
Wed 9/26/2018
BFALOAFPASSBY
OILGAUGEESCALE
XXFACTORWARMUP
CARTERRESPIRE
ATEDEVILPARK
REDOCCSECTION
USSRALLMAE
JJCREWAALINE
AMYAAAONME
BBCOMPLEXEBBS
SALTECOLIROT
RATPACKOKFINE
ORDEALEEREADER
FIERCERADARGUN
FESSESDUESEPA
POW Sun 9/16/2018 "UH, WHAT?"
CLUMSYRACYABBACAPS
HAVANAOBOEBEEROHIO
OREGONTRANSPLANTMITT
OKAYOKAYAMOUNTFETCH
APEXAGASSINATURE
MURSETURNTHECORONER
MAPSLIRABUSSAWE
AREDRAMASTMARTIN
KINGJAMESBUYABLEARES
ENDASHESEMPTYPARENT
WAIVEJAMIECRAVE
ARNETTSETONASPHODEL
RAGURIOTINGONTHEWALL
PHABLETSSNOODBOA
SAMONEASCOWALPS
PROJECTRUNAWAYSPREE
IMHEREPREFEREMIR
TSARSCABALAINUNISON
TOWSSENATOROFGRAVITY
LUKEKEENATMSFTERIE
ETSYISLETOGOSADIST
Fri 4/20/2018
DECKCHAIRTBOLT
APOLOOHNOWROTE
WINEGLASSEAZYE
TESTHISNHERS
THISDONATE
HENTHIRSTYEOE
ELEPHANTIFONLY
WINSOMEGRIDDLE
HOTTUBOLIVEOIL
OSSSUBVOCEFEE
KAREEMCAST
STRINGERDIAN
CROWDPITABREAD
RELITECOMMERCE
YEESHDEEPSTATE
Tue 2/20/2018
BOLTBLOCABASE
ITOOLALACAMUS
DOUGUTAHTROMP
HIGHDEFINITION
SLOGLIVE
OVEREXPLAINED
ANINOVAADDON
HELPNINTHSNUB
HALLSDAUBASA
MEANINGOFLIFE
TODOFACE
LEXICOGRAPHERS
ARENAGOGOABOY
GINUPIDESGENE
SCAMSNESTERGS
POW Sun 1/14/2018 SUPREME INTELLIGENCE
DANTONINSCALIASES
EMAILEDOPUSNEWWAVE
WANNABEFORTASIATIC
ANNESABOTEURANSEL
RAYSIOSPIBBHEEL
UMPEDGODARKNSA
THEPEARLWARRENTSTO
HENRYVIAIMSIR
ELLISCALLEDITVIOLA
BLINPEELORNATEROC
OBSTRUCTIONOFJUSTICE
SOTIBANEZNUMBHEAT
SYSOPPASADENALENTO
NPRREDHEARTEN
TOHELENAKAGANYMEDE
ATEEGESTSCOLDS
BRASIDOLBOTSHAG
ADHOCCAPUCHINOAHU
ANSONIASOTOMAYORAL
STUPIDSTOTODIETTIP
HOPSTEPHENBREYERS
POW Wed 11/8/2017
BADTANGYPERE
ERAAMOREALLAN
LCDXENONPOINT
MARKINGSCOPCAR
ODONRAZORSIMO
NICEDAYSITATOP
TAKEICLEARSKY
PASSPORTS
LPGATOURENDOR
EARDRUMYESORNO
AREISOGONVIES
DONTBEHUSBANDS
OLDIEKABULKOS
FEELSINERTEWE
FELLMATESRNA
Thu 3/16/2017
HOOKAHSTATICKY
THRICEPINECONE
MISSMERESTAREA
LOOSELEANDER
ESSAYISTS
DJEDSETHROGEN
ACLUSTRIAELEE
DOLPHIFETUNA
ALEELICITHEIR
SENSATIONEYES
CRYINGOUT
ASSOTEDPRESS
FOOTRACEELUDES
ALLINFUNTITIAN
REDACTEDOTHERS
Sun 1/15/2017 GRAMMAR LESSON
SCISSORSEASALTCIDER
CONFINEOMELETSUNITS
INBOXESFUTUREPERFECT
FAASILTNRAUFOS
INDEFINITEARTICLEEPA
TREEFATYELLOWFLAG
SMARTTECHSSLOGIFWE
PASSIVEVOICEBUYGUNN
ACTDOSECOPPEDTWEED
SEEPILSARIOAZALEA
RELATIVECLAUSES
FEDORARECOTTOPACT
RAISEOHYEAHHERANAH
UTAHACAPRESENTTENSE
MEMOBESTDUEINTACKY
PROPPLANESRXSMISO
SYNSENTENCESTRUCTURE
DRYSTORCSISLIL
OBJECTIVECASEFLINTMI
ISIAHCORAZONLINSEED
LAMPSINSTYLEENGARDE
POW Sun 11/13/2016 CLOTHES THAT FIT
CHIPPERCONGASALDA
MAINLANDONRAMPPERM
PANTSANDASWEATEROTOH
ANNTIEHMOEXITLANE
SUITANDBRIEFSTOOTER
SABOTSREINAMAZECBS
GLADEAIDSKLINEBEET
OSLOBLOOMERSANDHOSE
SOULNOOSEINT
POTBRIGSANDMICEMAN
TURTLENECKBOAANDCROCS
STIRINTAILSSULUITA
BIGDONNEDEPP
TUBETOPANDCLOGSCLAP
LATEEVERYHOLEBLINI
APEAMENDNAILCRAFTS
WEBAPPSOCKSANDABELT
ONABREAKAIRORSVEE
MANYSLACKSANDLOAFERS
ADDSTUNNELSEAMLESS
NESSSIENNACONSENT
POW Tue 8/23/2016
MATCHGAMEBASH
ALEHOUSESCELLO
NOCONTESTREBUS
NEHIVASSALAGE
RENEWIZ
SIRMORTGAGED
INULINWAYBUGS
ARMORKEYLUMET
MEOWZOEWOBBLY
REMAINDEROSX
NAPETDS
IMPERFECTCAMP
SWIRLTHATSALIE
MANGORECOILING
SHAYEXHIPPIES
POW Sun 5/1/2016 STELLAR WORK
FORAGETORIDISGUSTS
AMULETPAWEDOCEANMAP
CABLECHANNELDERRIERE
THYMUGGLESFAROESE
SASHPOLIORIPOPEN
LOKIPEALRIGHTSIDE
UNITEDAIRLINESTKOS
TAPENADESCEDARGRIST
EMPLOYERDEANICEIDEA
PIECIENTOLURK
BROKEREDASETTLEMENT
PUMAODESSAEIN
NADERISMAFTKEROSENE
AVERTHOMIEGETANEDGE
MIRAROMEOANDJULIET
EDMCMAHONSUMPASAN
RODENTSTEAMSHGTV
HALIDESELASTICHIE
EGOTISTSACTINGCAREER
MRMISTERSEEMSOCULUS
POACHERSHYPESTEPPE
Sun 3/20/2016 DOUBLE-CROSSED
BUTTFESSHADJCESAR
STOICEQUIOREOAMPLE
CREPEAUNTHIPSLIEUP
HIPPOCRATICOATHCREME
OLAYASTANAHULUCNN
OLDGROINSHESALLTHAT
LOSALAMOSTIMCARB
GUTENMIMOSATAUNT
CNETSOLBARMEMBER
PRIDEPARADEADDEDBWI
HICLUAUSUNIONLIP
IMOFORITUNDERDURESS
SETSADATEPISPUSH
HAIKUSTPATSSMILE
NILEANOMIAMIDADE
PRETTYPENNYOPCITCOL
REPLEANOILPANHOWI
ASAMIGOESUNDERGROUND
GETINOKRABODEAPPLE
UNCLEDIALAVONDOLOR
ETHOSASSTDANANEWS
Mon 2/29/2016
SIMIANISEEGPA
ICEAGEMENDRAM
BONMOTHERSTORY
SNUBLOKIYUKS
IMSETCAPN
LASCALABOREDOM
ORENOKIAMAZDA
VOXLEAPDAYEIN
IMPEIGOTTARUE
NAIVETERANSOMS
SIREWIDTH
IOTAASAPASST
PHONEBOXINGEAR
AILWANEBIGEGO
DOSEGGSMAYDAY
Thu 2/25/2016
STIFLEMRROPER
POGOEDWAYABOVE
LOUNGEAUNTIEEM
AMAZONVINEETNA
YENITAISP
YAHOOPOLITICO
SOPHNOBUTS
VAYAAIRS
HEROINZOOL
VULTUREGAWKER
DOSTGICHE
ILKSCRASHSITES
SAILBOATEASEUP
CREAMPIEEXARMY
SERBIANDENNYS
Tue 11/3/2015
GONENINOSSTS
TWAYBEFOULPHU
ONZEECARTEREE
SILENTTDEITY
IOTAOUGHTA
MANNREUNES
NOLESSURISSPA
AJARWURSTOILS
WONCAPOSIXTUS
GALOSHSEEM
KENKENEVEN
TOQUEFREEBIE
EAUMOTIONEGAD
ALIINANETROVE
MAPXAXESGREW
Wed 10/14/2015
CASACHEWSCLOT
OMENRENEWHERA
METAEAGLEIMIN
ONTHEDLFRYCOOK
DOESITHAVEANN
ISTHEREAG
BALMFRIOCHO
ERAIGUESSMAOL
AEROSOLMCENROE
DAKOTAHAIRDO
HOWABOUTH
NIKEANYASIMDB
SKIDYOURSLADY
FENCAT
WAGHANGMANEYE
Wed 9/16/2015
BENZMACHSCENE
CROWABAACOCOA
CAREERISTRUINS
MISSTHETARGET
ETACHOCHPS
SUBWAYFAREEFTS
TRAMPBETAION
ARTDECOPARTTWO
TEEDOVECUZCO
ETSYMINDTHEGAP
EREGOBIERS
APPLETURNOVER
KOALABANNERADS
OPTEDEVIESLOP
NEEDYREEDEDGY
Sun 8/23/2015 MUSICAL REMIXES
SPLATASTIHASPSJACK
LEASHIPADOVARYAXLE
INDIECLONECELINEDION
PAYDAYISAAKMODELS
ERROLSTEPDADSLEN
HAMMIXEDMYHATLACY
USEMYLYRICMILEYCYRUS
RAREANOMALYOOCYTE
RUCHEOLEMISSMUTE
ANYWINERACKLOTUSS
HIMAESTROAEROSMITH
TENROTPAINTPOTBAA
NEAPMAMMOTHPOETS
AROUSECARCAREARIA
GENIALROCKCAROLEKING
RAPTALARMKOREAAGO
ASASAGAWARDPOTTS
STEWIENIOBEOCTOPI
NURSESSONGGUNSNROSES
PROPLOUIEISEEONTAP
RELYENTERTYRAWEEKS
POW Tue 8/4/2015
LISPCASHLAPSE
ALPOOSLOAMICA
SLAPMOOTROARS
SICFIFTHAVENUE
ONESECNABOB
SIXPACKABSAMOS
EROICAAAA
SLAWNORSEINKY
KINWETNAP
ISTSCASECLOSED
TIOGAIODINE
LIQUORSTORELEN
ACURAERICEARN
SLEETWILLEGGY
HERDSNOSEKEYS
Mon 6/22/2015
AQUIACIDSSYNS
WALTSAMOATOOL
ATTEMPTINGAGUA
KARMAATTESTING
ERAINCASWEB
SMELTIFEAR
JOSHNYETFARGO
ATTUNESATTIRED
GRATAMAXIRADS
SANTOLINUS
DEMTIDESZAP
ATTRIBUTEMIAMI
LEAFATTRACTION
TELLSELMACRUE
ONLYSEEYAHERD
Wed 4/15/2015
LEFTJABJOLIET
ALLYALLMADEMAD
GIORGIOONEOFUS
SAGAGIRDUP
NBATAJMAHAL
BUTTERFLYRARE
AMOGAELMADMEN
SOTHEBYBADSPOT
SKEETSHERDELI
EARLBILATERAL
SYMMETRYTOA
STAYATRAGE
CHALUPAILLWILL
DINEDINDOSIDOS
SPAYERENDGAME
POW Mon 2/23/2015
GLASSCLAWPORT
YENTAHOLYUHOH
MEGANAUTOTYPE
ROTTENTOMATOES
REARIMSURE
CHADACCTNO
RACESOURGRAPES
ARABSMRIERATO
BITTERPILLTROT
GOSOLOMENS
ATRIUMSHUN
LEAVEABADTASTE
INTONOVADEITY
BEERCRIBJUNTA
ITSYENDSIMGAY
Tue 1/6/2015
BOTTLEAMPSGYM
OHIOANMEATOOO
ONTOURYOGAOWN
POSTDOCWEDIDIT
HELLODISNEY
ATBARALPALA
BARNARDORATAD
IPADMINTYNUDE
TENNSCALEDRAW
DABEVEENEMY
GENIUSYALTA
REALTORFERTILE
ARMTRODGAINON
PIEETONIDOTOO
HESDATATENONS
Sun 12/21/2014 SEASON'S GREETINGS
ADRATENEATBARSCENE
COUSINAFROWINELABEL
HOHUMDINGERHOKEYWORD
ERRCATCHOVAALELEE
BOSSYINSPIRENAIR
OOHOOHPESTOSACBVDS
BLACKEYEDHOPISTHAI
EDUCSOLISUIOGRES
SELESGOESGREENLAURA
ENSMIASTIERFILMSET
DESPICABLEHOMIE
ABOUTTOONEIOTOECOP
CIRCASANDSTONESKATE
UTAHNENDPECSUPON
NEAPNOMONEYHOEDOWN
BEGSOREINALLYVONNE
USESTESTEESOGLES
IPSISMANSOCEANMOP
CROSSHOBOHOKUMTOPAPA
KIDGLOVESOWLSTUAREG
STATEPENTEATETRADE
Tue 11/4/2014
HALTSHIGHRAP
ALOHAEGRETISA
CAVEDMOONROCKS
KNEWPERUATOMS
BARONPRITHEE
SNIVELRHINO
TOTEMHOUSETOM
APEBLOGGEDIVE
YESRULESEAMES
SATYRTYLERS
IPHONESHEELS
NOENDYOUDDUFF
BIGSTINKSVOCAL
USESTORKANKLE
DELDDAYTESLA

Is this puzzle a little hard for a Tuesday? The test-solvers thought so. But once you catch onto the clever theme, it goes faster. The clues are almost all Joel's. He's become a first-class clue-writer — precise, colorful, imaginative, sly on occasion, and modern without overdoing it. A real pleasure.

Thu 10/9/2014
CASHJEANCAPE
RATEAMIEPOWER
OBAMACARELDOPA
PARASKITRAKPS
CELTONEEYE
CARROTWYATT
ABEETFEELYOLK
KENTBREADMPAA
EDDYOEDSSOUTH
PIXELBUNSEN
FREEZEEHUD
ROBOSUARAPAHO
AVOIDSKINNYDIP
MENDSPIKERAKE
EDYSSPUROMEN

As far as I can remember this is the fourth "uniclue"-type crossword I've run in the Times. That's one in which all the clues (in the print edition anyway) appear in a single list, combining Across and Down. When two answers share a number, they also share a clue. The previous three times I did this are listed on XWord Info's latest summary page. The theme of Joel's puzzle today is similar to John's, but with 10 examples rather than seven, and some of them intersecting. Very elegant.

POW Thu 9/18/2014
BITEASIANMAMAS
LOOPCASEYAGAVE
OWNSALERTRAMON
CASINCUEALIBIS
LAITAASINARE
CORONAELIONS
ARENAKILNTAGS
NYUSASINSEAUNO
EXPOROMEMURAL
RAINYIMITATE
EASINEYENICE
ALLEYSYASINYOU
STANDIAMBSSOBS
YENTAQRCIUILIE
ARTSYSCATSLOTS

Years ago my friend Evie Eysenburg, one of the New York Times crossword testers, was at Bloomingdale's buying something. The clerk had to call the credit department to verify Evie's information. For clarification the clerk spelled Evie's last name "E as in 'eye," Y as in 'you,' "S as in 'sea' ..." — which left the person in the credit department going "Wha-a-a-at??!" She and I have been laughing about this ever since.

After I told this story to Joel, he and I tried to think of a name in which every letter could have a confusing "clarification." He cleverly turned the result into a Thursday theme.

POW Sun 8/31/2014 HEARD AT THE MOVIES
MISSUSABROWSBVDTAG
ENLACESRENECLAIRAPR
CHALLAHBOWEDHEAVEBRA
CANVASOORTFBIMOON
ALTOHONDAWATTAFFRONT
SESBELSPOLEAYES
SALAAMINCELEM
DWELLFIERCESUSSLAVE
GRAILSTOONPAYTELL
NUTSOCAROLJINNENTO
AGETHUGODDFODDERTOR
SLRSYEASWUSSYUTURN
HARTPITCAREASHAME
WARDENHAIRYPEEPHOLE
STARAREHAMPER
INRECRABSAIDJAM
HOWTOUGHHAVERIGALOSE
AMISBEAOTOENLEAST
ZENBESTPICTUREWINNER
EGGINTERNEESSARDINE
LASOSSENTREEYELETS

My assistant Joel and I edited this puzzle together over a large pizza at a local pizzeria a few weeks ago. There wasn't a lot to edit, actually, as Joel writes good clues.

Mon 8/4/2014
RACEBRAGSSHES
IRANIOWANTANK
MILOGONZOONCE
CRACKSAWINDOW
ALUMNASNEERS
METINTHEMIDDLE
MATTSAXONY
OKAYDINEMMA
BOOSTSVIAL
GODOWNTHEAISLE
TUNEINVALUES
AIRPLANESEATS
SLITGOLANWARM
ETCHUPLITIGOR
DYESNEEDYNEWS
Tue 7/22/2014
TIBIALIGHTOMG
ICANTAARONMAN
SYNCHSMELTADA
DRONEBEECREW
CLOSERNUDE
CHEWEDTPROBST
HEADDIEDUSETO
OEDWISHINGARM
ISERECERASTOA
REROLLETDPENS
ALOTBALING
SCAMREFILLED
PANBREAKADOLF
EKERINSEMOWER
DEWRESTSANNOY
Fri 4/25/2014
CHILLAXGAGARIN
HAVEAGOADRIANA
UVINDEXTERRIFY
MREDSOPHSESOS
PEDALXKEIDEM
HOLOGRAMHAD
DEJAVUSEXSCENE
EXENEMYRITALIN
BALDSPOTOUTLAY
SMLESURANCE
POETLIDKRAUT
FASTGLOATWNBA
IPHONESPARADOX
LEONINETROUBLE
ARTSALESTYLETS
Sun 12/29/2013 TAKE A BREAK
PBOOKTUNESPICKP
VENTISTACYATLAS
ELITEAUTOSCOATI
TOOVERBALCUEWIZ
OWNSTSELIOTISEE
CARAFL
SIDEWALKCHALK
BOWERAFOULQUILT
AMANANAOMIIMDUE
WALTWHITMANBRIDGE
DREIUNERCANOES
SANGHIYA
PWATCHHUBOUTOFP
PEPSILAPATCIVIC
ALPDRESSRACKETH
SCABATABRASRTA
SOREPIGPENSUPIN
EMERSTOOLIEDANG
RELAPBALLSFORGE
TENETSHARK
CIERALOUSE
HOSHEARTFELTPSA
OBAMADOILYHAITI
TRAMPDONORERROR
PACESSKYPEDEEPP

When Joel showed me this puzzle last summer, my heart sank a bit, because I remembered Mike Shteyman's take on the same theme in 2006 — right down to the elongated grid with six POCKETs positioned in the same spots. But that was almost eight years ago, and at some point a statute of limitations applies. Joel's version is quite different from Mike's, and it's a beauty. So I'm happy to run it.

Wed 10/30/2013
CAWSPRYPUSHIT
AVEYOYOESPANA
RIASWEDISHFISH
LASSBASTERPI
STEAMERBORODIN
JELLYBEANSNORI
RDSBOASCASES
CANDYCORN
STRADEAVEEGG
TWINHOTTAMALES
POSTMANELEMENT
ETSABZUGAVER
TOOTSIEROLLARI
ENLISTGRIPTIN
REESESEYESECG

As with most of Joel's puzzles, this one has a super-tight theme and a very clean construction. Almost all the clues are his, too.

POW Tue 10/1/2013
VOLSCOPTOSLAV
AVOWINLAWHIVE
NAVIGEESEAVES
ELEVEABEEVICT
REVELRAVEN
KISLEVVIRGIN
OWLREVIVALWHO
LOADNIVENLION
ANNESCANTALPO
STEELANEMILES
MIGRATION
SPAMOIINNBAD
TORPEDOANIMATE
UPTOYOUNICEJOB
DESISTSSEALANT

You don't see left/right symmetry often in American crosswords, but it's just as legitimate as the regular kind. This puzzle is light on theme material, but I think it makes up for it with liveliness — especially LOVER'S LANE, LIVING WILL, UP TO YOU, and NICE JOB. Joel just started his senior year at Pomona College in California. He has been my intern for the past three summers and intends to return full-time after graduating. Virtually all the clues in this puzzle are his.

Winning time for this puzzle at the 17th Westchester Crossword Puzzle Tournament, held last Friday in Pleasantville, NY:

Jeffrey Schwartz, New York, NY, in 4:33.

Wed 9/4/2013
JOBAFLACINTEL
AAACUOMONEHRU
RTJOHNSONTWAIN
SHAKEENFLEMING
ESPEURO
SIAMAWARDOHMS
KTCOURICANNUAL
USAMANIACSRIO
AORTASDDRAMONE
SKEWAUSSIONES
OBISSAP
KCAFFLECKWEAVE
NADALREONASSIS
UTICAIDLESALP
TENETDEATHPEN

Last week Joel finished his third year as my summer intern, while he goes to Pomona College. His constructions are always superclean, and he manages to include some great vocabulary besides. In this puzzle I especially like IT'S OK, TWOFACE, PARASAIL, LUDACRIS, and NEW MOON. That's impressive fill for a puzzle with this much theme material. It takes careful placement of theme answers and black squares — and some serious crossword chops, too — to pull it off.

Tue 8/13/2013
SPCAASHESPARE
WEANSWIRLARES
ITRYPATROLBOAT
GRETIMWILLDO
SUBMARINEPOLYP
CEASEEXPO
SHAREIPADPOWS
AIRCRAFTCARRIER
GOSHLOUTVOLTS
KILNSETTS
GIJOEDESTROYER
ONETENNOSCAY
BATTLESHIPROSA
ANTEOKAPIBOON
DEARNYJETINNS
Tue 7/16/2013
AFROPOPESTRADA
LOOFAHSSHIELDS
PROFESSCONFESS
SETATTOWES
UNOIRESIP
NATSPROTRACTOR
OLYMPIANMOODY
VARIETYOBERLIN
INANESEANPENN
CONTRACTORSNEE
ENTGAYIKE
SPARSTAMUS
PROTESTCONTEST
INCENSEANYBODY
CATTAILBEESWAX
Sun 7/7/2013 BONUS FEATURES
FAMERMEWLADAPTBULL
INONEOCHOLIMOUSINES
LITUPUHOHUPTONOGOOD
LMORENOMAAMLAPD
ARENDTENGINESHUTUP
ETHTERAENACTOMORE
LIONCUTUPUMOREMAGE
MOMAISOBARITONYSER
ONEUPHMOREBALTITOE
RESLISTGLOMEND
BUTWAITTHERESMORE
ALACAPNYALEBRA
SONORLONPLAITEGBDF
SUNGTOROEMINEMOREO
AVEOHMOREEMORENOSE
IRREGBUTNOTRAMKTS
LESSISTHATSAONAGER
LAMPBOOMERCLIOS
PARANORMALLOKIKENYA
APOSTROPHEARESLATEX
DEBTEDGARRESTEMORE
Tue 6/25/2013
GOPROBARSKICAP
INFEROREPELOSI
FACEBOOKSTALKING
LIDCARNEG
BESTDOCUMENTARY
CADIZGRERAMP
OMENTRIPITZHAK
IBNTHEMAMBORUN
TIPTOEEROSIAGO
RARAWTOINSET
IMAGINARYNUMBER
TOISRIAFR
WORDSWITHFRIENDS
ARIOSEEARNEARS
SEEGERRHOEDGER
Mon 5/6/2013
STEPYAMSADZES
CAFEUNITWRIST
IDOLMEMEMOTTO
AROOMWITHAVIEW
ESPYONE
MAFIAAGROMOLD
ATFREREADAHOY
IWONTLETYOUDOWN
DARELAGOONLEE
SRTAIRONABYSS
TSOSPAN
UCANTTOUCHTHIS
SOFIASTARAGHA
PARKSLAMEIHOP
SLOSHOHOKSTOP
Wed 1/23/2013
PACTBYMEHALT
OVERCROATUCLA
MENUHEYYAHICK
PETEROTOOLEDOE
ONEACTEFRON
MORESOLAILAALI
ATLIPORIJN
ISAACNEWTON
ARNETIEARF
PAULRYANSOFTIE
RINSOSTUONS
OLDIVANKATRUMP
PSATABOUTACAI
OATSTBONEGATE
STEPSANKUNES
Thu 11/22/2012
AMBUSHSCUMSHIV
LEANTOHOPEHULA
LADIESFIRSTISIN
CTSTIVOSULKED
APISHTENDNOISY
PIGLETRAINCHECK
SENORASDEALSUE
BABYBOOMER
NCRLONIFELINES
BOONDOCKSDECENT
AMBLESEEPOKAPI
SPEEDSTERITLC
TARAPRISONBREAK
ARTSAURADIONNE
RESTSTEWCLOSER
Mon 10/22/2012
SCHLEADJUSTIN
IRAEPEESUPPOSE
TOSVISEUNTIMED
PUBLICOPINION
ACROPETCOPARK
THOMASNAHLEES
ACHELIKEARF
FRANCISCOPIZARRO
CONTACOSLRS
CANTALANAPOLI
MARCOPOLOECON
UNDERCOVERCOP
OUTMODEOMENUMA
AVIATESTPEDRPI
TANNERTARSSAN
Thu 9/27/2012
JOBISLACHROMA
UNANOELAMORAL
GPSFROFFTONICE
ASPOTARYORA
ERSEOUTIESLOS
GOONOFFATANGENT
ALLAHCHORAL
LEONIDSPASMS
COATEDACCRA
ONYEARELECTIOFF
COONEBULAETRE
TOYIOSNORSE
ONOFFSWITCHMEW
PAMELAVIESAZO
INAWAYEERONEW
Sun 9/2/2012 PARDON ZE INTERRUPTION
AJAXAJARMIRCOLBERT
FOXXHEROADOAZALEAS
CHOOSYTOYHOLDSSWAYZE
ENLHELMATLASSMOOT
ANOASIANFLOOZIEERRS
SITSSEAONEOUTESE
TELECOMWDSWET
TINASEIZETHEDAISY
HEAVENLYMETROSUMMA
MORTICIASPROUTSSPOT
OPECAPITALONESIEARE
DESKREDEYESTAGSALES
ESTASDOESTMOUNTIES
MOUNTAINDOOZYCUED
TELNIEEPEEIST
CIAMARACAORBDRAW
ROUTNOSYMANSLANDODE
ALGAEDECOROTOENEE
YAHTZEECLUBSCRUBJAYZ
ONTARIOENOAKINAGEE
NISSANSSTRPSASMESS
Thu 7/26/2012
FATETVSPOTVEDA
EQWSREHIREODOR
RUESONACONTINWM
MIRIOUSSICON
INPERPETWMMERLS
OSLOSAYOKSTOP
LBSLOISOAF
DOYOWNDERSTAND
TAUTIERSAG
ATTATHAISFROS
MAPLEIGNISFATWS
BALLSALESTAP
VACWMSEALEDHARE
ISEENAMINGMWMW
NESTSTPETEMASS
Sun 7/8/2012 MAKE THE CHANGE
COILADOBESPAMTDS
ANNITIRANEENOSCHET
BLINDEDBYDELIGHTREAR
YMCASHONELAUDABLE
BOILSDSWALLOWDEBATE
INCLINEDSTAYKYLBIT
ACAIIBETNRAOMENS
SELLPUTOFFDESCENT
JOETORRESPAZVOTE
UPFORUSAIRLIEKIA
GOINGTHROUGHDEMOTIONS
GRRYOUSNORTONKEY
SEMIGATEENACTING
TEACHTODETESTLOGO
ACTIVYUPSTAGEVER
LOOEPADEPPCRUISERS
QUEENOFDENIALSYSROO
APPSTOREIRREGESPN
ELISLIVETOTELLDETAIL
DECOSCOTGODEEPLIME
ASKANDINSETSODON
Fri 3/16/2012
THEBBCSPACEJAM
HILARYCOCACOLA
AMINUSOKAYOKAY
WOMANPRICELESS
MANELENIN
NAIVEGANDALF
SINSABAEASEL
TOILTECHYVINE
ANNUMTOEEASE
GAGGIFTRAMEN
LOOPSEGGS
MASTERKEYAGAPE
ALPHABETANEMIA
CIAAGENTDIRECT
HENNESSYMESSES
Sun 10/16/2011 GETTING IN SHAPE
TRACEPICKOFFPACMAN
HURLSTRUEFACTACHEBE
UNCUTARTIFICIALHEART
SETTERSTELAMIELIS
ICEEOWERLRONETD
ARCHCIVILAAASNEIGH
RECTOMASILKPALMER
MDIARULEGUESSEREDS
AFRAIDSOCOMEQUICK
DOCILEFAIRRUEALB
ARLORIFFSMIATAPOOL
DELMIRVEERLOUVRE
ITSACINCHEIGHTEEN
NFLRACECARBIDENTDS
PROPELASSENEROROE
REINKAINTPECANAIMS
ESCORCATOSHOCTA
AWLEREIAOLKNOWNAS
DIAMONDNECKLACEDOGGY
ELNINOGAMEOVERARLES
NLEASTTENSIONSKEET
Thu 9/1/2011
AMMOLABELBASH
POOHABOVOULNA
STRIPMINESZOOM
GETREGIFTS
KASPAROVSUN
ERASFALSEGODS
RELATECELSNIE
MATEXCUSESTAN
ICIPOEMPOMONA
THISENDUPRUNT
TEMPALMTREE
ACHESONPAR
BEEPBABYDIAPER
OLDEINUREPAGO
TOSSLOGINTROT
Mon 8/1/2011
HAITICBSPINA
ARTICULATELOON
MARTINAMISUNIT
SLYSWARTHMORE
SHEAESS
BIPARTISANPHD
NOCANMUGHAI
AWORKINPROGRESS
DENDIEEARTH
ADODOLLARTREE
COODAZE
MILKCARTONWEB
ESAITHIRDPARTY
ELSEMOVEDAPART
TATSSODTEPEE
Sat 7/2/2011
PAPERBAGTHEGAP
ITALIANOMODELA
PORTLANDAVATAR
ENROLUSONEANI
ICONRAGULIRAS
NETLOLITASOLI
SESFDRSODA
STICKITTOTHEMAN
OHNONATIII
PENTSHORESMPH
HOUSEOWARFORE
INELIEONBEREA
SINBADMCHAMMER
TODATEEHARMONY
SNOPESNONSENSE
Thu 5/5/2011
SDAKHARDEMPTY
HOMEGAMESLIRAS
IMONAROLLSMOKE
MERGERSREEFER
RAYODO
KIWICAROBSAT
ASIFOXIDEABAR
HALFNIGERMOMA
NAMENOACTMVPS
CAYIMMADYEAH
CSIOLD
BARACKSWEATER
USOFASWINGVOTE
DIVERPILESINTO
STEWSALLYSEES
Sat 2/12/2011
YOMAMAJOKEMONT
WHATALOSERARCH
COLORADOPLATEAU
AHEMMISTERTOAD
MOEREC
COSTASPOLAROID
ANTICPANTYHOSE
REAMCASTSOKLA
ATTEMPTTOPRIER
TOULOUSENINETY
TITSOX
THEMISFITSATOP
CALIFORNIAGIRLS
BRATWELLLADIDA
YEWSSTATETAXES
Mon 6/28/2010
JAGSRULESVEST
IRAQAPARTAXIS
LIEUREPROVERA
LALALANDPHASER
ROADLIEV
LIVETVLETLOOSE
ACESIXAMMOBIL
SEEMSETUPMACE
SARAHRERANMEN
OXYMORONPAJAMA
APEXJADE
FITSINBABAWAWA
AREAADOBEFLAT
MAXIMAMBARENT
ESTDEMBAROXEN
Thu 10/22/2009
ECRUGLASSTEEM
ALUMSINAIEMMA
NOTBYALONGEMIR
SARATNTELI
LEBANONASHOTIN
ADAGUAMAUTO
GIGAIMEANIT
SNAPJELLODOWN
HOARDEROCHO
SHIPSUVSCIG
THEDARKTOPHATS
HUTHANEASE
UTEPGUNWEDDING
GURUAROARJOEL
SPOTSLINGINDO

6 Variety puzzles by Joel Fagliano

Sun 9/3/2023
SWEPTUPAMUSE
HEADCASEREPAY
BARRISTERITSME
INERTIDEATES
NONEUNIONSRHO
GIANTPANDAPEER
OTISSHARE
ASIGNOFTHETIMES
LANAIYOGI
LUNGTELEGRAPHS
STUCOMEDYWOOL
TEETHEDPASSE
APNEAAPPRAISED
RADARSEAOTTER
SNORTHARNESS
Sun 6/3/2018
IDEALISTALLOTS
DISCOVERWIENIE
ANTIGONEABATES
HEEDRELAYSASS
ORECYCLEMERCI
SOMMEAISLEGOO
ALLSOUTHERN
BACKLEGPILATES
UNLEADEDSIT
ROERESETFEUDS
GRABSSPICEPEI
LEVIDOLCESTET
AXILLAOKLAHOMA
RINGERYELLOWER
SAGESTSTIPENDS
Sun 7/16/2017
GENERALLEEBERG
ABOVEBOARDOVEN
MONITORINGWISE
SNITREDSEALEI
SECTSTOUPEES
HASSLEUTURNS
EAUEDUCATOR
SHEBASURGETGO
UNSEEMLYSAP
BADREPARTIST
EPIGRAMACORN
HENSNAPTOEGGO
ERGOINABSENTIA
ACEDESTATECARS
DUDELESTERHOLT
Sun 7/31/2016
COVERALLSSPORT
ARENAROCKWIPER
FIRSTLADYANISE
TOTSETLETTUCE
ALESSHEIKHMUM
NEXUSERNESDIO
BIRDIESMENS
SIMILEBRINGS
ANONPARTYON
MTVPARERTORSO
SEELIMBICREPS
PROVERBBONVIM
APNEAAMERICANO
DOTESNICKNAMES
ELOPEDNASAMPLE
Sun 12/20/2015
INSTAGRAMCANAL
NOTATRACEIMACS
SURPLUSESGOMAD
IVESMCSQUARED
DEESPAUNRATED
EATENLAICLAME
SUSSEXSTUDGYM
CAFETERIA
EBBKILOLETSIN
TERPLORDTOWNE
HEARKENEDSEDT
LIONSGATENAIF
BILBOANECDOTAL
INLETTOSCANINI
NEEDSESTATETAX
Sun 9/1/2013
ACCEPTPUSHUP
SHILOHATHENA
SETFORTHFIREEXIT
ROHEANTS
BEARCUB
ADEER
STATE
POGOS
HEF
SENAT
PATCH
BADSEED
AVECWOMB
SEEEYETOEYE
FELIXMANORMICRO
ERODEALOOKAGAIN
WAXEDNESTSNEWME
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