The New York Times Crossword, Themeless 11-12-2022 by Billy Bratton — norah’s write-up

NYT, B. Bratton, 11-12-2022

Amy stated of final week’s Saturday, “The second straight Saturday NYT that felt like a Friday to me.” Well, add this one to that record. I count on we’ll see a whole lot of of us pr-ing this one. For me, it definitely performed sooner than a median Saturday. I ascribe this to the middle stack of good entries (and most entries all through, actually) being clued comparatively straightforwardly and a scarcity of lengthy correct names or overseas phrases extra generally present in Saturday grids. This seems like a Friday to me. (And yesterday’s was slower than a median Friday; I imagine these two puzzles might have swapped.)

I actually loved and advocate Billy’s constructor notes with the tongue-in-cheek “How to make a crossword in three easy steps.”

FAVORITE ENTRIES:

• ANTMAN 22A [Small role in a superhero movie?] To be honest, typically ANTMAN will get actually massive, proper?
• BANANASPLIT 31A [Dessert served in a boat] Indeed! Having “in” within the clue (vs. “on,” say) eliminates the potential for misdirection.
• YOGASESSION 34A [Time when it helps to be flexible] I’m not completely bought on “time” within the clue, but it surely works properly sufficient.
• ZOOMMEETING 35A [Platform for a modern job interview] This is a brilliant simple clue! It’s positive, however I count on way more trickery on a Saturday for a phrase that’s extraordinarily well-known at this level.
• OMG 41A [[!!!]] I actually like these kinds of nonverbal clues, and this one evokes simply the proper feeling.
• GUILTTRIP 49A [“Travel” for someone who’s feeling bad?] Surprised that this one is a debut entry within the Times, however it is a good clue for it.
• PIES 55A [Some budget graphics] This was in all probability the clue that gave me probably the most hassle – I simply couldn’t work it out (having forgotten how MORRIE was to be spelled momentarily). But sure, PIE charts for budgeting functions. Makes sense.
• STALAGMITE 18D [One growing up in a cave?] So cute. Remember, stalagmites “might” contact the ceiling and stalactites hold on “tight.”
• DIPPINDOTS 21D [“Ice Cream of the Future”] Another nice debut entry! DIPPINDOTS are an odd confection made and transported at ultra-low temps – about -40°C/°F (simply so occurs to be the temperature at which Celsius and Fahrenheit are the identical!)
• CLOG 30D [Apt shoe for a plumber?] I’m usually not a fan of the “apt name” kind of clues, however this one simply made me giggle for no matter cause. Perhaps it’s as a result of I’m picturing a plumber carrying picket clogs on the job.
• ZAMBONI 35D [It resurfaces after 20 minutes] Does it? Ohhh, google tells me a hockey interval is 20 minutes lengthy. Okay, positive.

If I’ve any nits to choose, it’s that the NYT interface continues to behave oddly. Does 1A spotlight when 40D is chosen for anybody else? Why??

I realized about:

• KOFI 9A [Actor Siriboe of “Queen Sugar”] I’ve by no means watched “Queen Sugar” however upon wanting him up, I acknowledge him from Insecure.
• WACOTEXAS 20A [Southwestern city that produces most of the U.S.’s Snickers bars] This is a brand new reality to me!
• HOTWAR 1D [Conflict with fighting] A good friend assures me it is a actual factor – versus a Cold War – but it surely positive did really feel greenpainty to me at first.
• SOUSA 7D [“Minnesota March” composer]

Thanks Billy!

Universal Crossword, “Universal Freestyle” by Drew Schmenner — norah’s write-up

THEME: None

FAVORITE ENTRIES:

Universal, D. Schmenner, 11-12-2022

• BYEFELICIA 17A [Dismissive send-off that’s from the movie “Friday”]
• EARCANDY 21A [Catchy music, slangily]
• SHARINGISCARING 35A [Friendly advice?]
• DOGTREAT 48A [Compensation for sitting?]
• CLEANSLATE 3D [New record?]
• RACEAGAINSTTIME 7D [Rush to score before the final buzzer, say]
• REALTALK 36D [Direct messages?]

OTHER NOTES:

I actually dig the intersecting (15)s of RACEAGAINSTTIME and SHARINGISCARING. A bunch of nice ? clues all through this clear up that give enjoyable however not difficult. Nice evocative cluing for ANGST (31D [Feeling that may inspire a teen’s poetry]), a new-to-me OREO reality (49D [Cookie invented in Chelsea, NYC]), and a bit enjoyable misdirection for ALARM (15A [It’s often set on Sunday night) combine to strike the just-right balance of smoothness and interesting that the Universal themeless is known for.

Someone asked me since last weekend what software I use to solve the Universal puzzles. This is the Crossword Nexus solver, and don’t forget you can get .puz files here.

Thank you Drew!