This week, Ryan and Brian find their thunder in a new set of puzzles -- August's Sunday puzzles from the Washington Post, all constructed by Evan Birnholz. Also, if this show evolves from a crossword podcast to a sandwich podcast by the end of Season 11, that may be considered a success. Stuff to click: Washington Post puzzles: WaPo's site | anothe…

In 2008, there were literally zero people who would have thought that two idiots like us would get to something we could realistically call "Season Eleven" of this podcast, but here we are. We start with sandwiches, continue with crosswords, and there's only the tiniest sliver of baseball at the end. Stuff to click: "Um, Actually" Owen Bergstein-Bo…

This week, Ryan and Brian recap Lollapuzzoola (puzzles are still available!), get a beatdown on beaming up, learn that some people believe cake cannot be savory, and in a post-Lolla stupor, Brian concedes that tacos are sandwiches. If you get bored (how could you?!), write something for the Fill Me In wiki. And if you're feeling philanthropic, dona…

This week, Brian can barely think straight, what with Lollapuzzoola looming in five days. Ryan tries to pick up the slack with talk of potato cakes, Paul McCartney, and Scott Weiss's newest Anti-Match Quiz. 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…

This week, Brooke Husic drops by the FMI studio to offer the Announcement of the Year — who is making puzzles for Lollapuzzoola! Is there more? Well, yes: how to count, how to order food in Russian, how to alienate a brilliant web designer ... typical stuff. If you get bored (how could you?!), write something for the Fill Me In wiki. And if you're …

This week, Ryan and Brian can't say real words ("reminiscences"), create fake words ("touichisón"), attempt to explain things astronomical, acoustic, and binary, and argue about (so sorry) sandwiches. 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…

This week, Ryan and Brian celebrate 500 episodes with some fond memories, celebratory tributes, fictional lyric performances, little known facts, sticks, canes, deckers, Dodgers, and more than anything, a sincere and overwhelming sense of gratitude to everyone who has been a part of the FMI universe over the years. If you get bored (how could you?!…

This week, Ryan and Brian predict patterns, fear asteroids, reminisce spreadsheets, promote other things like tournaments and YouTube channels, and marvel at two more relevant publications from The Barnacle. All that, plus a brand new audio Contest of Now, courtesy of Jenna LaFleur! If you get bored (how could you?!), write something for the Fill M…

This week, Ryan and Brian recap Westwords, sports from many years ago, trees from Connecticut, Ryan's once and future middle name, and Menudo. In other news, there are now Fill Me In t-shirts!!! 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 s…

This week, Ryan is on vacation, so Ben Zimmer saves the day and joins Brian with renewed excitement over the National Spelling Bee, the National Puzzlers' League, and the National League East-leading Mets. Also: follow-up news on the 2025 Tonys Anti-Match Quiz, as well as several upcoming puzzle get-togethers (Westwords, SPAMcon, Boswords, and Loll…

This week, Claire, the kids, and I learn more about hot lead in the New York Times, the Pope in the mini crossword, and Phil Silvers musicals in the 1950s. 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, it doesn't matter! Pleas…

This week, Ryan and Brian learn something new about the newspaper, reminisce about body-swap films, and aim to put the ASS into this first clASS podcast. 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, it doesn't matter! Please …

This week, Ryan and Brian have not watched NCIS (well, not both of them), not watched Susunu! Denpa Shōnen (not either of them), and have not critically reviewed ramen from overseas (but someone else has). 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 …

This week, Ryan and Brian have no Pope news! Instead, it's baseball (shocking), musicals (also shocking), and arrogant opinions (you've probably turned it off by now). Sorry -- we don't mean to yuck your yum. You might have better luck with Ryan's other podcast, Adventures Assemble. If you get bored (how could you?!), write something for the Fill M…

This week, Ryan and Brian examine the balance between good and bad, the origin of names they already know, and the demographics of the average NCIS episode. Check out Scott Weiss's new Anti-Match Quiz, and be sure to subscribe to Ryan's other podcast, Adventures Assemble. If you get bored (how could you?!), write something for the Fill Me In wiki. …

This week, Ryan and Brian rank people and fruit, try to remember Snoopy's friends, and travel west by a continent or two for a special request 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 show? Actually, it doesn't matter! Please con…

This week, Ryan is a little less sick but still just as much in Japan. He's visited both Tokyo and Kyoto, which you'd think would come in handy a little later in the show. Otherwise, Brian and Ryan deal with typos, horse races, more coughing than we'd like, and multiple spellings of "wolf." If you get bored (how could you?!), write something for th…

This week, Ryan is both sick and in Japan -- and he still shows up for a fresh episode. (Brian is neither sick nor away from home, so his contributions are adequate and predictable. Derbies, Verdugos, and (hopefully not vulgar) stories about bathrooms. Also, check out Ryan's other podcast, Adventures Assemble, available here, and anywhere else you …

This week, Ryan and Brian learn about crossing the street, what may or may not be in a salad, and raise questions about hats and horses. Bon voyage to Ryan as he departs soon for his favorite Asium -- follow his new podcast, Adventures Assemble, available here, and anywhere else you find podcasts. If you get bored (how could you?!), write something…

This week, Ryan and Brian recap the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament (even though only one of them was there), perpetuate rumors of traveling to Japan (even though only one of them is traveling), and get the down and dirty about some of the New York Times games (even though one of the stories is completely made up). Check out Ryan's new podcast…

This week, Brian and Ryan are scared of the National Puzzlers' League, emboldened to challenge the talents of certain prominent gamespeople at the ACPT, and looking at the possibility of renaming the game Orskorel. 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…

This week, Alex Verdugo signs with Atlanta for $1.5M. First of all, that's ridiculous. Second of all, why is this part of the Fill Me In universe? Rest assured, Ryan and Brian are unable to answer that question. Also: mark your calendars for August (not April) 9. If you get bored (how could you?!), write something for the Fill Me In wiki. And if yo…

This week, Ryan and Brian share the glory of the non-defunct XWordInfo (acrostics, anyone?), spill the news of the ACPT constructor lineup, and recognize no particular connection between Irish soda bread and Tucson native Alex Verdugo. If you get bored (how could you?!), write something for the Fill Me In wiki. And if you're feeling philanthropic, …

This week, Ryan reports on spring training, drinks Scottish beer, and suggests a potential hot dog tasting competition, while Brian loiters around Syracuse being relatively unproductive. This week's episode title might be the longest ever, but we haven't actually fact-checked that claim. If you get bored (how could you?!), write something for the F…

Not one but two AI baseball players infiltrate the viewer mail this week (and honestly, we hope more than you do that this marks the end of this nonsense). Outside of that, Ryan and Brian talk briefly about the Oscars (both the awards and the children), and rumble through a Thunder Round of this past week of #nytxw puzzles. If you get bored (how co…

You know the old adage "victory is sweet, but losing comes with free lessons"? Or ... wait -- is that an axiom? No matter. Ryan is back with Brian to banter about Frank Sinatra, failing to do basic stuff in new ways, and how long ago was fifty years ago. If you get bored (how could you?!), write something for the Fill Me In wiki. And if you're feel…

This week, special guest co-host Rachel Fabi joins Brian for the goods and bads of Pittsburgh sports, Cinderella musicals, and New York Times crosswords. If you're able, please support These Puzzles Fund Abortion 5 at abortionpuzzles.com. Presale is available now, with puzzles available as early as March 1. If you get bored (how could you?!), write…

This week, Ryan and Brian reminisce about Canada, marvel at the history of technology, and question the quality of really bad movies. (Oh yeah, and it's a normal episode again, sorry about last week.) 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…

This week, Ryan and BrianBy Brian Cimmet, Ryan Hecht

This week, Ryan and Brian wonder about missing accolates, consider entering a 45-year-old contest, envy a boat and a pool and a river, and struggle with most of the crosswords from the past seven days. 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 enjo…

This week, Ben Zimmer joins Brian in the FMI studio for a thorough recap of the 2024 Word of the Year! Also: NYT games, the ORCAs, a little known fact about Russian poetry, and a Brian Wecht sighting! 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…

This week, Ryan and Brian try to warm up to Letter Boxed, look for hidden meaning in AI art, and remember things Zero Mostel wasn't famous for. 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, it doesn't matter! Please consider l…

This week, Ryan and Brian attempt to pronounce words that may or may not be from other languages, shore up on knowledge of international parking, and despite their grand dreams, have not unlocked the secrets to time travel. If you get bored (how could you?!), write something for the Fill Me In wiki. And if you're feeling philanthropic, donate to ou…

This week, Ryan and Brian try to understand holidays in the far north, inter-island travel in the south Pacific, and gamble the entirety of Kealoa on a nearly scripted coin toss. Also, please take a look at these two wonderful crossword ventures, and consider giving them some of your business -- the AVCX and Daily Crossword Links. If you get bored …

This week, Ryan and Brian visit Utah, doubt Dan Feyer, and learn a new word: toothsinkability. The final votes on Ryan's middle name have been cast, and now only time will tell if it was all worth it. 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…

This week, Ryan and Brian discuss fork usage in Italian cuisine, attempt to self-educate in the making of bricks, and predict the future of itinerant outfielder Alex Verdugo. Also, it's the FINAL VOTE for Ryan's new middle name! Take part in history! 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 learn about the powers of Patreon (not the money part), the films of Park Chan-wook (not the Evil Dead part), and the last four candidates for Ryan's new middle name! Vote in this awe-inspiring semifinal! If you get bored (how could you?!), write something for the Fill Me In wiki. And if you're feeling philanthropic, donat…

This week, Ryan and Brian try to learn about Canadian geography, Latin computer programming, and French literature, but best of all, it's the next round of voting for Ryan's middle name! Vote again and again and again. We hear you. We always hear you. If you get bored (how could you?!), write something for the Fill Me In wiki. And if you're feeling…

Vegas, baby! Ryan is winning big and Brian is ... actually, still in Syracuse. And yet, the show must go on. Voting continues on Ryan's middle name -- it's now the Sweet 16, so vote again and again and again, it's the only power you have in this world. If you get bored (how could you?!), write something for the Fill Me In wiki. And if you're feelin…

It's Round Two (the round of 32) of Ryan's Middle Name -- vote AGAIN in the bracket (and see the previous round's scores here). This week, Ryan and Brian do some non-NYT puzzles in the Thunder Round, so solve them if you haven't: Sat. 9/28/24 Spyscape ("Bridge of Spies") by Shannon Rapp and Will Eisenberg (online link) Tues. 10/8/24 Universal by Sh…

This week, Ryan and Brian get Viewer Mail from Alex Verdugo, a Little Known Fact from Matthew Gritzmacher, and launch the Official Ryan's Middle Name Bracket. There's also a new Contest of Now, available at https://bemoresmarter.com/contest If you get bored (how could you?!), write something for the Fill Me In wiki. And if you're feeling philanthro…

This week, Ryan and Brian encounter a spicy meatball, try (and fail) to understand how multiverses work, and envision a Punnett square combining baseball and government. 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, it doesn't…

This week, Ryan and Brian argue about what is and is not meat, try to remember movies they may have never seen, and learn exactly what's exciting enough for Brian's personal Mount Rushmore. There's also a new Contest of Now, available at bemoresmarter.com/contest. If you get bored (how could you?!), write something for the Fill Me In wiki. And if y…

This week, Ryan and Brian enjoy frothy beverages whilst podding, examine the peculiar lyrics of "Pippin," and try out a not-particularly-thrilling variation on Kealoa. Solve our current contest puzzle at bemoresmarter.com/contest. If you get bored (how could you?!), write something for the Fill Me In wiki. And if you're feeling philanthropic, donat…

This week, Ryan and Brian bring two new challenges to the table, one you should try and one you should not. They are a new Contest of Now (at bemoresmarter.com/contest) and the notion of mixing beer and milk. You decide which we endorse. Also: how many Fleet Streets, how many spellings of Zihuatanejo, and how many middle names is Ryan allowed to ve…

It's the return of many things: crosswords in real life, the ground level club of indeterminate length, references to Episode #442, the long lost FMI musical, and best of all, cohost Ryan Zwickel Hecht! (Also, solve our Contest of Still Going On at bemoresmarter.com/contest) If you get bored (how could you?!), write something for the Fill Me In wik…

Ryan is away this week so once again, Brian is joined by The Great and Powerful Barnacle, Ben Zimmer! Topics include baseball nightmares, rhyming word etymology, #rip Googlewhacks, and a brand new Contest of Now at bemoresmarter.com/contest Stuff to click: Ben's new newsletter at https://buttondown.com/benzimmer Ben's old "From A to Zimmer" post on…

Front runners are beginning to emerge in the "pick Ryan's middle name" game, but is the voting secure? This week, Ryan and Brian yak about Bangor, the rising number of Raising Cane's, and whether or not names like Cottontail, Intriligator, and Wecht are real. Sounds like a bunch of tittle-tattle. If you get bored (how could you?!), write something …

Season Ten! Sounds exciting, no? Well, if you know the show then you know exactly how exciting it is. This week's topics: Wilbur, chicken, more chicken, Kealoa, Greek phrases, middle names, a contest puzzle, a Thunder Round, some glitchy Zoom, and a big shout out and thank you to our loving and dear Patreon supporters. Also: buy the Lollapuzzoola s…

PLOT TWIST! If you know, you know. And if you don't — give it a listen. Season 9 wraps with one of the most delightful surprises in the history of FMI, and we're not even talking about a brand new contest puzzle (!!!), available at bemoresmarter.com/con457. And anyone still looking to take part in Lollapuzzoola from home, the puzzles are available …