SATURDAY PUZZLE — That is Ryan Decide’s fourth crossword for The New York Occasions, all of which have been themeless. His puzzles have fascinating geometry; right this moment’s has diagonal symmetry, which permits for an uncommon association of lengthy and quick entries. The 2 full-length phrases are off-center, and the remainder of the grid is then crammed with nooks and crannies that type of pop up as you go: I discovered some fascinating, troublesome spots within the higher proper nook and the underside of the puzzle.
There’s a ton of fine trivia right here: I used to be satisfied to get the sports activities factoids, though it helped that a few of the cluing concerned poets and graphic design relatively than groups and statistics.
Tough Clues
17A. The [Sitcom set in a corner store run by a Korean Canadian family (2016-21)] is a debut puzzle entry, KIM’S CONVENIENCE, a present that had a excessive ranking and a cult following. It was by no means a community present in america; it streamed on Netflix and ran on CBC Tv in Canada.
39A. Solver, might I persuade you {that a} [Type that’s compatible with everyone else, in brief] is ONE G, quick for “one gangster?” That’s what “G” apparently means in trendy slang; it’s meant as a time period of respect or familiarity, which works with this clue, and “one g” sounds type of catchy to me. I bought myself on this concept whereas fixing the puzzle, however later I spotted it was O NEG, or O unfavorable blood, the common donor.
62A. Welcome to the puzzle, Polar Bear! The [M.L.B. star Pete who holds the single-season record for homers by a rookie (53)] is Pete ALONSO, who performs for the New York Mets. (He donates a thousand bucks to an animal shelter for each house run, so cheer for him a bit.) ALONSO has been an entry for a few years, but it surely has been principally clued because the Shakespearean king.
3D. [Prime choice] is a reference to the ever-present Amazon, and its subscription Prime service that provides SAME-DAY DELIVERY. It is a debut entry, and I respect the way in which it performs off KIM’S CONVENIENCE, which it intersects.
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