Monday, September 14, 2026, Brian Keller

  Today's Theme:

The Reveal:

60 Across. Game division, or what can be found in 16-, 26-, and 44-Across: FIRST HALF.

The First Half:

16 Across. Star of "Ghost" and "The Substance": DEMI MOORE.

The Second Half:

26 Across. "For Whom the Bell Tolls," for one: HEMINGWAY NOVEL.

The Third Half???

44 Across. Indigenous people of Oklahoma who originated in Florida: SEMINOLE NATION.

Demi, Hemi, and Semi are all prefixes meaning "half."

Onward!

Across:
1. Highly skilled: ABLE.

5. Mop (up), as gravy: SOP.

8. Valuable item: ASSET.

13. Spring: LEAP.

14. Perlman of "Cheers": RHEA.

You remember Carla...

15. "Hello," in Mandarin: NIHAO. My first guess would be to pronounce this NiH"a"-o, but I would be wrong.

16. [Theme.]

18. Believe without questioning: TRUST. Belief without questioning would be faith...

19. Former: ONE TIME. ("At" one time seems more plausible to my ears...)

20. Chemical in oven cleaners: LYE. No Lie! Why would you trust your lungs to this stuff?

22. "New" prefix: NEO.

23. "I'm __ roll!": ON A. (I think it would have to be two N's to be considered one word...)

24. Informal lingo: SLANG. (See above 23A.)

26. [Theme.]

32. Supergirl accessory: CAPE.

No Capes!

33. Actor's prompt: CUE.

34. One-named singer whose studio albums have numerical titles: ADELE.

35. Braying pack animal: ASS.

36. Thawing of diplomatic tensions: DETENTE.

39. Digital collectible: Abbr.: NFT. More info here...

40. Tale: STORY.

42. Fruit-filled pastry: PIE. Tart wouldn't fit..

43. French friends: AMIS.

44. [Theme.]

48. Stately home in the country: MANOR.

49. Wheels: CAR. Curious that you need "wheels" (plural, 4 to be exact,) for this clue to work...

Pardon my dust...

50. No. 1 pal: BFF. Best Friend Forever.

53. Cow sound: MOO.

54. French island near Sardinia: CORSICA.

58. Perp's excuse: ALIBI.

60. [Theme Reveal.]

62. Ancient artifact: RELIC.

63. "Up, up, and __!": AWAY.

64. Dr. Frankenstein's assistant: IGOR.

Obligatory pronunciation lesson...

65. Maroon vegetables: BEETS.

66. Pig heavier than 120 pounds: HOG.Some have been known to reach 1,400 lbs...

67. __ stick: POGO.

Down:
1. Gucci of fashion: ALDO.

2. "We've all __ there": BEEN.

3. Gold fabric: LAME.

4. Perfect example: EPITOME.

5. Jimmy Choo creation: SHOE.

6. Above, poetically: OER.

7. Spanish rice dish seasoned with saffron: PAELLA. During my recent trip to Spain (CE:D here...) I eagerly awaited tasting authentic Spanish Paella. However I was disappointed at every dinner in Barcelona and Girona. Too dark, brothy, and/or fishy. It was not until our cruise tour of Valencia that I was made aware that Paella originated here, and I sampled a delicious home made Paella of my dreams...

8. Insect feelers: ANTENNAE.

Some are more extravagant than others...

9. Knight's title: SIR.

10. Exclude: SHUN.

11. Smooth sailing: EASE.

12. Dog who visits Oz: TOTO.

14. Nora Roberts genre: ROMANCE.

17. Short skirt: MINI.

For Splynter...

For the Ladies...

21. "Yippee!": YAY. (Don't get too excited...)

24. Center defender in soccer: SWEEPER. Ack!again! We had this Wednesday!

25. Immortal being: GOD.

26. Speed: HASTE.

27. __ salts: bathwater additive: EPSOM. Would you bathe in it if it were called magnesium sulphate?

28. Belly: GUT.

29. Mobile payment app: VENMO.

30. Small and pointy-eared, perhaps: ELFIN. Large and pointy-eared, perhaps: Vulcan?

31. Tennis do-overs: LETS.

32. Elliot of the Mamas and the Papas: CASS.

Best video quality I could find, song starts at 1:20.

36. Branch of mechanics: DYNAMICS.

37. Diarist Anaïs: NIN. More info here.

38. Pot insulator, in England: TEA COSY.

41. Part of a basketball hoop: RIM.

43. Blimp, for one: AIRSHIP.

45. Peace activist Yoko: ONO.

46. Exfoliating scrubber: LOOFAH.

47. Fruit-filled pastry: TART. Oho! A 42 across Clecho!

50. Spike on a dragon's tail: BARB. I don't know why Mace came to mind...

51. Make a run for it: FLEE. If you see the above!

52. Nail salon tool: FILE.

54. Jagged rock: CRAG. More info here.

55. "Aladdin" parrot named for a Shakespeare villain: IAGO.

Not to be confused with Igor...

56. Plumbing problem: CLOG.

57. Natural hairstyle: AFRO.

59. Drill insert: BIT.

61. __ Jima: IWO.

And The Grid.

7 personal names, 13 three letter words, (more if you include God.) but easy enough for a Monday to breeze through. Brian Keller is an up and coming constructor we hope to see more of, his last puzzle  Was reviewed here.

I feel I went on far too long, so I have saved Demi, Hemi, and Semi for discussion on The Blog. What were your  experiences with Demi's, Hemi's, and Semi's? And/or have you ever met Demi, Hemingway, or a Seminole Indian? I would love to hear your stories!

 

Chris Gross (Chairman Moe on our blog) made today's Universal. Click here to solve.

CE:D out...

Sunday September 13, 2026 Betsy Ochester & Andrew Gutelle

Theme:  "A.I. APPLICATIONS" - I is replaced by AI in each common phrase.

23. Concern over travel plans to Portland, Oregon?: THAT'S NOT MAINE. That's not mine.

39. Tumbler that needs a deep clean?: TAINTED GLASS. Tinted glass. 

45. Gets design help from an M.C. Escher-loving architect?: GOES STAIR CRAZY. Goes stir-crazy.

63. Warning about interns hired every spring?: BEWARE THE AIDES OF MARCH. Beware of the Ides of March. 

83. Talk into a pay hike?: GET A RAISE OUT OF. Get a rise out of.

91. Jewelry store section for May birthday gifts?: EMERALD AISLE. Emerald Isle. 

111. Was a complete disappointment as a nanny?: FAILED CHARGES. Filed charges.

So this isn't simply an A-addition theme. A is inserted immediately before an I in each phrase, turning I into AI. Great title.

Here's Brian's info on the two constructors from his recap of their last puzzle: "Betsy Ochester writes books for children, including over 100 published puzzle books. Andrew Gutelle is also a prolific children's author, with puzzle books among his many published titles. They have collaborated on a few of these books."

Congratulations on your first Sunday, Betsy and Andrew!

Across:

1. L'Oreal's Telescopic, e.g.: MASCARA. I don't wear mascaras. 

8. Stanley of "The Devil Wears Prada 2": TUCCI. Loved his "Big Night".

13. Beehive sound: HUM.

16. Short filmmaker?: CAM. Short indicates a "shortened" answer. Camera. 

19. Make like: ACT AS IF.

20. Tea region of India: ASSAM. Black tea.

21. Run: OPERATE.

25. Souvenir shop items: T SHIRTS. 11. Deliverer of 25-Across, at times: CANNON.

26. Align, as devices: SYNC.

27. Not all, but not none: SOME.

28. South Pacific nation now known as the Republic of Naoero: NAURU.  Very updated clue. On 6/26/2026, Nauru informed the UN that it had changed its official name to the Republic of Naoero.

30. Activewear brand: AVIA.

31. Helps with a job, say: ABETS.

33. Name on a stadium, often: SPONSOR.

35. Gumshoes: TECS. Detectives. 

36. Song that tells a story: BALLAD.

41. Leaning: ATILT.

42. Social app with a synagogue directory: JDATE.  Can't use "Dating app" as DATE is in the answer.

44. Italian six: SEI.

50. King with a golden touch: MIDAS.

55. Texting tech: SMS. Short Message Service.

56. Quarter: FOURTH.

57. Fire up, as an engine: REV.

58. Dress top: BODICE.

59. Mass. neighbor: CONN.

60. "Copy what I'm doing": LIKE ME.

62. High-end Italian shoe brand: TOD'S. Not named after anyone. It's simply a made-up name.

70. Actor Guinness: ALEC.

71. Takes by force: USURPS.

72. "Walkabout" director Nicolas: ROEG. He also directed "The Man Who Fell to Earth". 

73. Nicki Minaj genre: HIP-HOP. And 91. Moody 73-Across subgenre: EMO RAP.

75. Long of "Michael": NIA.

76. Loud weather event, briefly: T-STORM.

79. Sparky the Sun Devil's sch.: ASU.

82. Carried: TOTED.

86. Celestial body: ORB. 

89. Heart throb?: PULSE.  Great clue.

90. 101-level course: INTRO.

97. Generates a hard copy of: PRINTS.

98. MC alternative: AMEX. Mastercard.

99. Pro-am, for one: TOURNEY.

100. Last word: SAY-SO.

102. Maki roll wrap: NORI. Maki means "to roll".

103. Clue board areas: ROOMS.

104. Bit of reality: FACT.

105. "Blame It on the Bossa __": NOVA.

109. "The Firm" novelist: GRISHAM (John)

115. Pie crust pattern: LATTICE.

116. Get the knots out?: UNTIE.

117. "Erin Brockovich" Oscar winner: ROBERTS (Julia)

118. Shortish albums: EPS.

119. "Chopped" host Allen: TED.

120. Goes first: LEADS.

121. Three-syllable poetic foot: ANAPEST.  It consists of two unstressed syllables followed by a stressed one.

Down:

1. Yoga surfaces: MATS.

2. Sore: ACHY.

3. Comics icon Lee: STAN.

4. Jeers: CATCALLS.

5. Burro: ASS.

6. Ran the hose over, say: RINSED.

7. In development, quaintly: AFOOT.

8. Like pet dogs: TAME.

9. Katie Ledecky's Olympic team: Abbr.: USA. She'll win the the 1500-meter in 2028. 

10. Forensic drama franchise: CSI.

12. "To be clear ... ": I MEANT.

13. Dragsters: HOT RODS.

14. Sudden rise: UPSURGE.

15. So-so: MEH.

16. Sculpts: CARVES.

17. Some creepy stories: ATTICS. "Stories" as in levels, not tales.

18. Small plateaus: MESAS.

22. Vaquero's lasso: RIATA.

24. Co.'s protected symbols: TMS. Trademarks. 

29. Put into practice: USE.

32. Takes the place of: BATS FOR.

33. Louis Armstrong nickname: SATCH. Or Satchmo. Boomer loved "Good Morning, Vietnam" and  often imitated Armstrong's gravelly voice singing "What a Wonderful World."

34. Docking station: PIER.

36. Bases, in baseball slang: BAGS.

37. Tiny particle: ATOM.

38. "You made all of that up!": LIES.

39. Small fruit pie: TART.

40. Long ride, for short: LIMO.

42. Excursions: JAUNTS.

43. SSE or NNW: DIR.

46. Get in shape: TONE UP.

47. Extremely dry: ARID.

48. "The Wizard of Oz" farmhand: ZEKE. Cowardly Lion's Kansas counterpart. Played by Bert Lahr. 

49. First name in haute couture: YVES. 52. Last name in haute couture: DIOR.

51. Collar attachment: ID TAG.

53. "Highway to Hell" band: AC DC.

54. Meeting, casually: SESH.

58. Previously: BEFORE.

59. Private supply: CACHE.

60. Fleur-de-__: LIS.

61. Gloomy: MOROSE.

63. Thai currency: BAHT.

64. Pixar film featuring a supercomputer named Ooooo: ELIO.

65. Cried: WEPT.

66. Like museum paintings: HUNG.

67. Cedar Point lake: ERIE.

68. "Give yourself __ on the back!": A PAT.

69. Autobiographies: MEMOIRS.

74. Aroma: ODOR.

76. Sincerely: TRULY.

77. Prime Day event: SALE. There's another Prime Day next month.

78. Taylor Swift's "__ the Damn Season": TIS.

79. Memo abbr.: ATTN.

80. Kind: SORT.

81. Airborne mysteries: UFOS.

84. Church recess: APSE.

85. Local labor leader: UNION REP.

87. Daily grind: RAT RACE.

88. Opened, in a way: BLOOMED. I can't wait for my peonies to bloom next year. They were sulking this year. 

92. Deserves: MERITS.

93. Be real: EXIST.

94. Bert and Ernie, e.g.: DUO.

95. Carrying capacity: ARMFUL.

96. Ridiculously high-risk, as a scheme: INSANE.

97. Programming language with a reptilian name: PYTHON.

98. Hidden motive: ANGLE.

100. Gloomy: SAD.

101. West African capital: ACCRA. Capital of Ghana. Have any of you tried African chicken peanut stew? I thinks it's of Ghana origin. 

104. Membership dues, e.g.: FEES.

106. Nasty sort: OGRE.

107. Dog docs: VETS.

108. Little help?: ASST.

110. Billboard success: HIT.

112. "Give __ rest!": IT A.

113. Pot top: LID.

114. Legal org.: ABA.

C.C.

Saturday, September 12, 2026, Doug Peterson

 Saturday Themeless by Doug Peterson

Doug's puzzle provided a real challenge and the NW corner was my "last stand". I crossed the finish line unscathed once I sussed JACKETS for Book keepers which unlocked that corner. 

Most of Doug's puzzles I have blogged have been collaborations but his solo job here provided me with a lot of, uh, fun. I'll tell you about my travails as we plow through the puzzle. 

Across:

1. Some park visitors: CAMPERS - These CAMPERS had a surprise visitor. 

8. Book keepers: JACKETS - Since the clue was two separate words, I knew it wasn't about accounting.

15. Concierge's handout: AREA MAP.

16. Tragic character in the title of a 2025 Taylor Swift chart-topper: OPHELIA - Jeffrey Wechsler would be so proud! Taylor sang of a Shakespearean woman who was undone by grief and betrayal. How Taylor's new husband rescued her from Ophelia's fate.

17. Act sassy: GET CUTE.

18. Item under a weizen glass: BEER MAT ¯\_(ツ)_/¯  BEER MAT is another name for a coaster and a weiznen glass has a narrower base and curves upward.

Prost!

19. Lowood attendee of literature: EYRE.

20. Brand with a paw in its logo: IAMS.

22. Celtic __: CROSS.

23. Animated bouncer: ROO.

24. Celebrity chef Cat: CORA ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ - Cat is capitalized.

25. Jet setting: SKY. 😀

26. Building worker: SUPER - Pat Harrington Jr. played the building SUPER on TV's One Day At A Time

28. Bipedal cryptid: YETI.

30. Entree often garnished with lime: PHO.

33. Hall of Fame wrestler who was a commentator for the first eight Wrestlemanias: GORILLA MONSOON.

37. Western wear with a clasp: BOLO TIE.

38. California city where "American Graffiti" was set: MODESTO - Producer George Lucas wanted to use his hometown of MODESTO to film the movie but felt it had changed too much since he lived there. Most of the scenes were shot in Petaluma, CA.

39. Freebie with an airline snack box: MOIST TOWELETTE.

41. Collections of letters: Abbr.: WDS 😀

42. Itsy: EENY.

43. Con's decoy: SHILL - One SHILL could be a false bidder in the audience used to drive up the price

45. Students who may take 14-Down: SRS and 14. Pre-coll. exams: SATS.

46. Hose problem: LEAK.

49. Menu eponym: TSO.

50. Look a lot like: MIMIC.

53. Ground substance: MEAL - Corn grain in and corn MEAL out.

54. Nibble away: GNAW.

55. Song heard at Rogers Centre: O CANADA - I am blogging this as I am watching the KC Royals play Toronto in The Rogers Centre

 

57. Leave: TIME OFF - Noun not a verb

59. Lego line that includes a 587-piece Eevee set: POKEMON - This Lego's line of toys includes this

60. Soda alternative: ICED TEA.

61. Traps under a blanket?: SNOWS IN 😀

62. Least chill: TENSEST.

Down:

1. Hoopsters: CAGERS - NBAERS didn't make the cut

2. "Need anything?": ARE YOU GOOD?

3. Comic book city nicknamed "The Big Apricot": METROPOLIS - Since NYC was the Big Apple, DC Comics decided on this name for METROPOLIS

4. Show impatience: PACE.

5. Shaggy outback runner: EMU.

6. Secant, for one: RATIO - This math major nailed it 

7. Valkyrie's weapon: SPEAR.

8. Capers: JOBS - I wonder if Bonnie and Clyde ever used the word capers?

9. Dr. Zaius, for one: APE ¯\_(ツ)_/¯  He even has his own doll

10. Conventioneer's first stop: CHECK-IN DESK.

11. Washington who played a Pope: KERRY - I watched KERRY Washington play the lead character Olivia Pope on this ABC series.

12. Red Halloween costume for toddlers: ELMO.

13. Rosario relations: TIAS - Rosario is in Argentina and is known as the birthplace of soccer great Lionel Messi. Sr. Messi might have some TIAS (aunts) in his hometown.

21. Rudolph of "Loot": MAYA - A very funny alum of SNL

24. Motion-activated trail monitors: CRITTER CAMS - Smile!

25. Counter position: STOOL - The counter and STOOLS at Lou's Cafe in Back To The Future 

27. Lovers' deity: EROS.

29. Supermodel born Melissa Miller: EMME - The first plus size super model

30. Tacky square: POST IT NOTE. 😀

31. Passport holders, perhaps: HOTEL SAFES.

32. "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)" vocalist: ONO.

34. Miller offerings: LITES.

35. Spanish city or province: LEON - If you look closely, you can see the city of LEON in the NW province of Castille-Leon

36. Brother of Cain: SETH - What ever happened to Cain's other brother?

37. Company with a museum in Munich: BMW.

40. "The Pitt" star: WYLE.

44. Cottage cheese option: LOW FAT.

45. Tendon: SINEW.

47. 1984 "Weird Al" Yankovic hit: EAT IT - A parody of Michael Jackson's Beat It

How come you're always such a fussy young man?

Don't want no Captain Crunch, don't want no Raisin Bran

Well, don't you know that other kids are starving in Japan?

So, eat it, just eat it

48. __ + Olivia: clothing brand: ALICE ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 

50. Unruly dos: MOPS.

51. Billboard __ Award: ICON - Neil Diamond was the initial recipient 

52. Chum of "Finding Nemo," for one: MAKO.

53. Grammy winner Aimee: MANN.

54. Pre-coll. exams: GEDS - Four years after getting their GED, 50% of recipients go to college.

56. "Heck yeah!": DOI.

58. Chaps: MEN.