January 30, 2026

Title: 2FA

Constructor: Stella Zawistowski

Editor: Amie Walker


Theme synopsis:
  • FAN FAVORITE (18A: Popular vote winner on some reality shows)
  • FARRAH FAWCETT (39A: '70s icon who starred in "Charlie's Angels")
  • FAST FASHION (60A: Business model associated with Zara and H&M)
2FA: Each theme answer consists of two (2) words beginning with the letters FA: FAN FAVORITE , FARRAH FAWCETT, and FAST FASHION.

What I learned from today's puzzle:
  • BEN (65D: "Black Doves" actor Whishaw) Black Doves is a Netflix TV series that premiered in December 2024. The spy series stars BEN Whishaw, Kiera Knightley, and Sarah Lancashire as agents working for the Black Doves, a mercenary organization that buys and sells information. The series was created by Joe Barton, who named the show after his local pub in Brighton, England.
Random thoughts and interesting things:
  • FOUR (10A: Number of members of BLACKPINK) BLACKPINK is a South Korean girl group. Its FOUR members are Jisoo, Jennie, Rosé, and Lisa. The band's name was chosen to represent both the group's edgy side and their feminine side. BLACKPINK's fourth concert tour – Deadline World Tour – kicked off in July 2025 and ended just a few days ago.
  • ANNE (16A: "___ of Green Gables") ANNE of Green Gables was originally published in 1908. It is the first of a series of books written by L. M. Montgomery. The stories have been adapted into movies, stage productions, and TV series.
  • SCI-FI (28A: Octavia E. Buler's genre) Octavia E. Butler (1947-2006) was a SCI-FI author whose books include the Patternist series, the Xenogenesis series, and the Parable series. In 1995, Octavia E. Butler became the first SCI-FI author to receive a MacArthur Fellowship. 
  • POM (32A: Juice company whose name drops "egranate") POM Wonderful is a company founded in 2002 by Stewart and Lynda Rae Resnick. The company's main product is pomegranate juice, which is sold in a double-bulb-shaped bottle. (The shape of the bottle is trademarked.)
  • FARRAH FAWCETT (39A: '70s icon who starred in "Charlie's Angels") I knew this answer immediately, particularly since I had already figured out the puzzle's theme and realized that FARRAH FAWCETT fit that theme. The Charlie's Angels franchise began with a TV show of that name that aired from 1976-1981. I was 11-years old when the show first aired, and I was a fan. The original Charlie's Angels were FARRAH FAWCETT, Kate Jackson, and Jaclyn Smith. My brother, who is a year-and-a-half older than me was a big FARRAH FAWCETT fan and had a large poster of her in his room.
  • SIESTA (43A: Nap, in Spanish) When I first read this clue I thought, "I don't think my minimal Spanish knowledge includes the word for "nap." Then I thought about it some more ... "oh, right, SIESTA!"
  • FAST FASHION (60A: Business model associated with Zara and H&M) FAST FASHION refers to businesses that replicate FASHION trends, mass-producing them at a low cost. 
  • EMTS (66A: Extras on "The Pitt") The Pitt is a TV series that premiered in January of this year. Set in the Emergency Room of the fictional Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Hospital, the entire season of the show covers one 15-hour work shift, with each episode covering approximately one hour.
  • CAT (2D: Pet that meows) My CAT, Willow, has a lot to say, so I hear "Meow" quite a bit! 
A calico cat has its front paws perched on the edge of a chair. A fireplace is in the background.

  • REF (21D: NWSL official, for short) NWSL is the National Women's Soccer League.
  • CAFES (29D: Spots with shots) That would be shots of espresso, not alcohol shots or flu shots.
  • NASA (34D: "Apollo 13" org.) I wrote about the NASA mission Apollo 13, and the movie based on the mission, last month.
  • IT'S IT (38D: Ice cream sandwich brand) I learned about IT'S IT ice cream sandwiches from the March 18, 2023 puzzle. I still haven't tasted one, however. Perhaps it's time for a trip to the west coast.
  • RICE (40D: Waakye grain) Waakye is a RICE and beans dish that originated in Ghana. The beans are usually black-eyed peas. The RICE and beans are cooked with dried red sorghum leaves and an additive similar to baking soda, which gives the dish a distinctive red color. In Ghana, waakye is sold as street food, wrapped in a banana leaf.
  • CARDINAL (41D: One who votes in a conclave) This reminded me of the clue for POPES that we saw earlier this month, [They're elected in conclaves]. When the Pope dies, CARDINALS from around the world gather in Vatican City. A conclave is held to elect a new Pope.
  • EGG (49D: Bit of ikura) Ikura is red caviar. It is made from the roe (i.e. EGGs) of salmon and trout.
  • ASIA (58D: Drag queen O'Hara) Drag queen ASIA O'Hara competed on Season 10 of RuPaul's Drag Race. This is the second appearance this year for our crossword friend ASIA.
  • A few other clues I especially enjoyed:
    • CANON (29A: Established lore in a video game, e.g.)
    • GADGETS (53A: Fun doohickeys)
    • LAST (57D: Like a "cellar dweller" in a sports league)
The abbreviation 2FA stands for two-factor authentication, a security measure most of us are probably familiar with. You don't need a code texted to your mobile device to discover the 2FAs in today's puzzle. Thank you, Stella, for this enjoyable puzzle.


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