This week, Ryan and Brian speak over music, customize their burgers, share more McCartneys than Jesuses, and offer one of the most nail-biting thrillers Kealoa has ever known -- but we won't harp on it, give a listen yourself. If you get bored (how could you?!), write something for the Fill Me In wiki. And if you're feeling philanthropic, donate to…

This week, reigning ACPT champion Paolo Pasco stops by for a chat, but not before Ryan and Brian learn a few new facts about defiant bagel slingers, George Lopez, and the curious lives of Captain and Tennille. Here are links to Paolo's work at the Atlantic, The New Yorker, his XWordInfo profile, his blog (which has good content, though hasn't been …

This week, Brian returns from the ACPT with all the news (but none of the puzzles), and Ryan hacks and coughs his way through another Thunder Round with all the puzzles (but none of the news?). Look, just because we don't think Alex Eaton-Salners is actually Will Shortz doesn't mean that he couldn't be. If you get bored (how could you?!), write som…

This week, Ryan and Brian make their ACPT predictions, consider their options for another eclipse in 2241, and attempt to learn pronunciation. We edited out most of Ryan's ills and woes, but there may be a few stray sneezes. On behalf of the wonderful constructors of our most recent Contest of Then, we would like to promote both the Midwest Crosswo…

This week, Ryan and Brian are joined by correspondent and superlinguist Ben Zimmer, who chats it up on topics like fluffles, ghost words, mountweazels, Hamburglars, Horshacks, and hurkle-durkles. Also, the Content of Still Going On still goes on — solve it here! If you get bored (how could you?!), write something for the Fill Me In wiki. And if you…

This week's long show is attributed in no small part to analyses of poetry, of cultural songs, and of hot dogs. Ryan and Brian are also thrilled to present a brand new contest puzzle, thanks to Shannon and Will — solve it here! If you get bored (how could you?!), write something for the Fill Me In wiki. And if you're feeling philanthropic, donate t…

This week, Ryan and Brian touch UPON topics such as Cheez-Its, Carrie Underwood, and Candleshoe (yes, we've bantered on this topic before), but it's clear Ryan won't wind up ATOP any tournament leaderboards if he can't get to Stamford. If you get bored (how could you?!), write something for the Fill Me In wiki. And if you're feeling philanthropic, …

This week, Ryan and Brian realize they know less than they thought about the "Welcome Back, Kotter" universe, mixology, and French pastries ... though Ryan knows more than anyone expected about geography -- but does anyone know who he is? If you get bored (how could you?!), write something for the Fill Me In wiki. And if you're feeling philanthropi…

This week, Ryan and Brian dig into a spate of television and movies, make but one small reference to a musical, and otherwise feel old about everything. (Someone, dear lord, send us email -- we need to hear from you to feel validated!) If you get bored (how could you?!), write something for the Fill Me In wiki. And if you're feeling philanthropic, …

This week, Ryan and Brian make more plans to see the solar eclipse in April, take a brief trip down a BEQ-specific memory lane, and invent a new contest that may require people to have never listened to this show. Ah, so very poetic. Stuff to click: nationaleclipse.com an article and video about Brendan Emmett Quigley Jane Asher's Wikipedia page (b…

This week, Ryan is away, so Brian is joined by fellow Syracusian and all-around crossword superstar Rachel Fabi! Topics include rice, the eclipse, Taylor Swift, Super Bowl updates -- but also breaking news about These Puzzles Fund Abortion 4, coming out in March! If you get bored (how could you?!), write something for the Fill Me In wiki. And if yo…

This week, Ryan and Brian are in a hurry, but that doesn't stop them from learning more about soup, stew, barnacles, and Jack Nicholson. Did you know there's going to be a total eclipse in April in Syracuse? Consider thee informed. Stuff to click: The 46th Annual American Crossword Puzzle Tournament facts about barnacles that article that spells th…

This week, Ryan pronounces names and shapes, and emails famous people whilst Brian plots mischief, tries again to know anything about soup, and stews over what is and isn't fair. If you get bored (how could you?!), write something for the Fill Me In wiki. And if you're feeling philanthropic, donate to our Patreon. Do you enjoy our show? Actually, i…

This week, Ryan challenges the equity of Kealoa AND knows something about soup, all of which puts Brian into a rather grumpy mood. It's either a week of frustration and mediocrity, or of eggs and chickens. ¿Por qué no los dos? If you get bored (how could you?!), write something for the Fill Me In wiki. And if you're feeling philanthropic, donate to…

Friends, viewers, countrymen, loan us your ears? Ryan and Brian take turns in two different quizzing hot seats and a surprise audio segment includes MLB predictions and new developments in breakfast namesakes. Stuff to click: Where's Waldo got banned? Boswords' 2024 Winter Wondersolve The menu at First Watch Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus (just…

January! Again! Ryan's back for a Kealoa he wishes he could avoid, and Ben Zimmer returns with a Word of the Year recap. There's some saucy language (courtesy of the WOTY content), so let this be your warning. Stuff to click: Westport Library crossword tournament Great British Bake Off hosts discuss American snack foods American Dialect Society (an…

Happy New Year! To celebrate, Ryan has gone AWOL, so we're delighted to bring Ben Zimmer back into the studio. We've got announcements and teasers and puzzles and Lingo and ... does anyone have a Hebrew word list? Stuff to click: Natan Last's essay in The New Yorker, "Can Crosswords Be More Inclusive?" David Steinberg's swan song? Daily Crossword L…

This week, Ryan and Brian learn more about a very specific librarian (boy oh boy is this amazing!), investigate Oz-adjacent cinema, and take a lesson in musical modality with a new spin on Kealoa. If you get bored (how could you?!), write something for the Fill Me In wiki. And if you're feeling philanthropic, donate to our Patreon. Do you enjoy our…

This week, Ryan and Brian rank desserts, learn about The Waldos, and (at the time of recording) know more about Pablo Picasso than Shohei Ohtani. There's also a fascinating Shcrödinger puzzle from Israel, merch from Long Island, a lot less music (but a better arrangement of it) to welcome Paul McCartney, and as everyone knows, it takes six to samba…

This week, Ryan and Brian remember the Oscars, are riddle-color blind, and have questions about beer. If you feel the same way, vote aye (or yea). There's also a brilliant contest sudoku from Jaime Stearns! A note from Scott Weiss: "I just wanted to give one more reminder to your viewers about Conline 5 happening over Zoom this Sunday, December 10 …

This week, Ryan and Brian bicker about soup, banter about a sign in Florida, and dig into a fresh Kealoa like the good little nerdy geeks they are. They also say Paul McCartney's name nine times (sorry), and present a brand new contest sudoku (!) from Jaime Stearns! (Different but important sandwich info here.) If you get bored (how could you?!), w…

This week, Ryan and Brian don't know the size of a trilobite, the origin of a certain pasta dish, the difference between Sharon Stone and Madonna, nor what they're doing in the C Rundle, but Decker Math is still a core value, and for that, they shout a unified cry of victory. If you get bored (how could you?!), write something for the Fill Me In wi…

This week, Ryan and Brian talk crosswordese in great detail with David Bukszpan, author of "Crosswordese," a brand new book taking a deep dive into the vocabulary you all write into grids each and every day. Plus a #NYTXW Thunder Round, and we go wading into a new avian Kealoa. Stuff to click: Crosswordese, and everything you could want to know abo…

This week, Ryan and Brian revisit non-related sauces and homeowner miseries, and everything Brian thought he knew about Sweeney Todd is apparently meaningless. PSA: No matter what the kids say, candy corn is actually delicious. If you get bored (how could you?!), write something for the Fill Me In wiki. And if you're feeling philanthropic, donate t…

This week, Brian actually IS in the episode (and so is Ryan) -- and so are special guests Shannon Rapp (tnifbtpar) and Will Eisenberg to talk about their recent contest puzzle, Paul McCartney, and bringing the fam back together for a Kealoa reunion. All that, plus a surprise Thunder Round of AVCX puzzles from the last few weeks of October. Stuff to…

This week, Ryan reports on Back to the Future (the musical), attempts multiple foreign languages, and bemoans the Dodgers. Also, Brian is present for the episode. All that plus a Contest of Still Going On, courtesy of Shannon Rapp and Will Eisenberg! If you get bored (how could you?!), write something for the Fill Me In wiki. And if you're feeling …

This week, Ryan is at ComiCon, so Ben Zimmer sails through to join Brian in talks of gridspotting, baseball+word nerdery, and potential new FMI clubs. All that plus a new Contest of Now, courtesy of Shannon Rapp and Will Eisenberg! Stuff to click: The Defector Crossword The Spam Haiku Archive If you get bored (how could you?!), write something for …

This week, Ryan and Brian learn a bit about Drake's Drum and a tad about Clayton Kershaw, and present a Harvest Round like nothing you've ever heard. Because it's never been a thing. Also, Peter Gordon wrote a book called Word Solitaire, and here's a link to buy a copy! If you get bored (how could you?!), write something for the Fill Me In wiki. An…

This week, the geniuses behind Lemonade Disco – Taylor Johnson, Steve Mossberg, and Shannon Rapp – visit the studio to discuss their efforts in puzzles, publishing, and punctually putting out prompted content. Also, Kealoa, which is just a little bit of this and a little bit of that. Taylor Johnson (he/him) is a taco enthusiast who can be found at …

This week, Francis Heaney and Scott Weiss stop by to discuss escape rooms, logic puzzles, and their fantastic new book, "Escape Room Logic Puzzles." Also: Ryan looks for redemption in a new Kealoa that may have some of you drooling with hunger. Stuff to click: Buy Francis and Scott's book on Barnes & Noble, Amazon, or Maggie Mae's Bookshop Test out…

This week, Ryan is back in spite of his overwhelming TikTok fame, and rejoins Brian for an episode like literally every other – musicals, baseball, some crosswords, and a somewhat disappointing Kealoan accomplishment. If you get bored (how could you?!), write something for the Fill Me In wiki. And if you're feeling philanthropic, donate to our Patr…

This week, Ben Zimmer (30D!) joins Brian for discussions of #gridspotting, the Bryant Park tournament, and the Baby Mets. ALSO: Brian is not shy to perpetuate conspiracy theories about Will Shortz's alter ego, and contrary to the episode's title, we did actually get Zoom-bombed. Stuff to click: XWordInfo, all that remains CrossCord, the crossword D…

This week, Ryan and Brian welcome Jim Horne back to the show. Jim created XWordInfo.com, and now with major changes happening, shares his perspectives, stories, and highlights. And for a bit of nostalgia, you can listen to Jim's last FMI interview in 2008! If you get bored (how could you?!), write something for the Fill Me In wiki. And if you're fe…

Psst! — we forget that we've said things on the show before. But, *ahem* — we don't mind repeating ourselves! Best way to complain is to write us email. We love it. Today: The Sound of Music, the words of Cody Bellinger, and please join everyone on Crosscord! If you get bored (how could you?!), write something for the Fill Me In wiki. And if you're…

We call it a "season finale," but it's really just Ryan and Brian babbling at each other, like always. This week, it's a spoiler-free Lolla recap (you can still get the puzzles!) -- plus, don't you want a wild variation on Kealoa? So do I. If you get bored (how could you?!), write something for the Fill Me In wiki. And if you're feeling philanthrop…

This week, Ryan and Brian get down and dirty with French impressionist art -- that's right, it's the long-awaited MONET/MANET edition of Kealoa. Plus: NYT crosswords, undeniable sandwiches, and Ryan plans to go to space. If you haven't clicked Lollapuzzoola yet, you should do that. The NYC option is sold out, but you can still get PDF or USPS deliv…

This week, Brooke Husic and Sid Sivakumar visit the studio to drop the big news of the week — the Lollapuzzoola constructor lineup! Ryan's also got a new favorite sandwich, plus at least one viewer doesn't have rabies. If you haven't clicked Lollapuzzoola yet, you should do that. If you get bored (how could you?!), write something for the Fill Me I…

This week, Will Eisenberg and Shannon Rapp join Ryan and Brian in the studio to talk about meta crosswords, flowers they don't understand, and exactly where the crook goes in the leadpipe -- plus, things get a little intense with a three-way Kealoa! Things to click: Will's crossword blog, Twitter, and Bluesky Shannon's crossword blog, Twitter, and …

This week, Ryan and Brian get in deep with movies, Twitter, Vicki Lawrence, and what does or does not belong in a small velvet pouch. You might think that's all, but -- AHA! Kealoa is back, plus we have a contest puzzle from Shannon Rapp and Will Eisenberg! Download it here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/gobe662em5guups/fmi400con.puz?dl=1 Things to cli…

This week, Ryan and Brian reach a milestone and celebrate with a weird discussion about tooth-pulling, musicals that need not be, and a general haze of feeling old. No kealoa this week, but we do have a new contest puzzle from Shannon Rapp and Will Eisenberg! Download their puzzle here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/gobe662em5guups/fmi400con.puz?dl=1 T…

This week, there are clubs without hosts, songs without performances, and a first-time Viewer Mail correspondent thinks he's super funny. Kealoa is back, if you give a darn about that sort of thing. If you get bored (how could you?!), write something for the Fill Me In wiki. And if you're feeling philanthropic, donate to our Patreon. Do you enjoy o…

This week, Brian descends upon Cloverdale and the boys go old school, recording the show with one microphone, a hot studio lacking ventilation, and zero audio editing capabilities. If you're in California, drop by Next Door Comics and get an authentic behind-the-scenes tour of how the podcast is made. And if you're in NYC in August, come to Lollapu…

This week, Ryan and Brian learn new principles of sandwich-making, struggle with late week crosswords, and attempt to promote the hell out of the upcoming Lollapuzzoola tournament in August. But puhlease, no fuss or fanfare, we keep things stoic and stony around here. If you get bored (how could you?!), write something for the Fill Me In wiki. And …

This week, Ryan and Brian are joined by Ben Zimmer for a spot of spelling and a piece of apizza. There's also the return of Kealoa and a fantastic contest puzzle from Brian Gubin! If you get bored (how could you?!), write something for the Fill Me In wiki. And if you're feeling philanthropic, donate to our Patreon. Do you enjoy our show? Actually, …

We're back! After a nearly unprecedented two-week absence, Ryan and Brian return with their greatest hits -- hidden name crosswords, nachos-or-not-nachos, and failed efforts at pronunciation. All that plus a brand new contest puzzle from Brian Gubin! If you get bored (how could you?!), write something for the Fill Me In wiki. And if you're feeling …

This week, Ryan and Brian ... well, the predictable truth is that they talk about food and baseball, Ryan gleefully upsets Brian, and Brian rants for about ten minutes too long on topics no one cares about. Typical show. If you get bored (how could you?!), write something for the Fill Me In wiki. And if you're feeling philanthropic, donate to our P…

This week, Ryan and Brian kibbitz about Jewish food, practice pronunciation, and discover the abundant array of thunder gods in the universe. And because you're all barking and braying for more Kealoa content, there's some of that too. Please consider supporting Crosswords For Cancer, a new collection of puzzles you can get in exchange for making a…

This week, Ryan and Brian learn the numerically least amount about football possible, experiment with words and phrases no one actually says, and fantasize that there's a parallel universe with a French edition of "Fill Me In." All that plus the best choral singing you've ever heard, and a relatively stupid return of Kealoa. Please consider support…

If you're into listening to Ryan and Brian talk, then you're in luck this week. They take a crack at the ACPT puzzles from both 2023 and 1983, examining the good, the bad, and the stuff they didn't understand. If you get bored (how could you?!), write something for the Fill Me In wiki. And if you're feeling philanthropic, donate to our Patreon. Do …

This week, Ryan and Brian mention Passport Rummy, Banana Slingshot, and Lemonade Disco -- but only two of three are actually things. Brian cackles more than usual, and Ryan screws up the Viewer Mail song, so gape and gawk all you want. If you get bored (how could you?!), write something for the Fill Me In wiki. And if you're feeling philanthropic, …