May 15, 2026

Title: MIXED MEDIA

Constructor: Joe Rodini

Editor: Amie Walker

Theme synopsis:

• DREAM DIARIES (20A: Notebooks that might be kept on nightstands)
• BIG NAME DIRECTOR (39A: Greta Gerwig or Wes Anderson, e.g.)
• MADE A MISTAKE (59A: Messed up)

MIXED MEDIA: Each theme answer contains an anagram of the word MEDIA: DREAM DIARIES, BIG NAME DIRECTOR, and MADE A MISTAKE.

What I learned from today's puzzle:

• DALI (47A: "Mae West Lips Sofa" artist) The Mae West Lips Sofa is a sofa designed by Salvador DALI. The red sofa is in the shape of lips (and was apparently based on the lips of Mae West). The sofa was designed as a sculpture, and DALI never intended for it to be functional. Five versions of Mae West Lips Sofa were originally produced in 1937-38. These sofas are on display at museums around the world. 

Random thoughts and interesting things:

• EMMA (14A: Jane Austen novel adapted into a film starring Anya Taylor-Joy) Anya Taylor-Joy plays the title role of EMMA Woodhouse in the 2020 movie, EMMA, which is based on Jane Austen's 1815 novel.
• ROLE (15A: The "R" of LARP) LARP stands for "live action ROLE-playing." In a LARP game, participants physically portray their characters, combining elements of gaming, cosplay (costume play), and improvisational acting. 
• OKAPI (28A: Animal also called a zebra giraffe) Although the striped legs of an OKAPI resemble a zebra, it is actually a member of the giraffe family. OKAPIs are only found in the wild in one country, the Democratic Republic of Congo. Fun fact: An OKAPI has a long tongue that is black or dark blue in color. An OKAPI's tongue is so long it can be used to wash its eyelids or clean out its ears!
• OWEN (30A: "Zoolander" star Wilson) In the 2001 movie Zoolander, which is a satire on the fashion industry, Ben Stiller portrays the title character, fashion model Derek Zoolander. OWEN Wilson portrays Hansel McDonald, a rising star in the fashion world. 
• IPO (37A: Wall St. debut) IPO stands for "initial public offering" and refers to a company's stock launch.
• ASIA (38A: Continent with about 60% of the global population) ASIA accounts for about 30% of Earth's land area, and – as the clue informs us – is home to about 60% of the planet's population. Our crossword friend ASIA is making its first appearance of the month today.
• BIG NAME DIRECTOR (39A: Greta Gerwig or Wes Anderson, e.g.) Greta Gerwig's directing credits include Lady Bird (2017), Little Women (2019), and Barbie (2023). (Side note: I write about so many movies I haven't seen, so I'd just like to say that I have seen all three of these movies.) Wes Anderson's directing credits include The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014), Isle of Dogs (2018), and The Phoenician Scheme (2025). (Truer to form, I haven't seen any of these movies.)
• EPIC (44A: ___ Games (Fortnite developer)) Fortnite is an online video game first released in 2017 by EPIC Games. I enjoyed seeing a different clue angle for EPIC than what we usually see.
• AGE (45A: Leave in a cheese cave, say) AGE is making back-to-back puzzle appearances. We saw it yesterday clued as [60-69, for a sexagenarian].
• NOV (58A: National Sandwich Day mo.) National Sandwich Day is NOV. 3. Mark your calendar and start thinking about what kind of sandwich you're going to eat that day.
• ALAN (67A: Computer science pioneer Turing) I have previously written about ALAN Turing.
• RENE (69A: "Avengers: Endgame" star Russo) RENE Russo portrays Frigga, the mother of Thor, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe movies Thor (2011), Thor: The Dark World (2013), and Avengers: Endgame (2019).
• AMTRAK (2D: Operator of Cascades trains) The AMTRAK Cascades trains run from Vancouver, British Columbia in Canada to Eugene, Oregon in the United States. These trains serve 18 cities, including Seattle, Washington and Eugene, Oregon.
• PRADA (5D: "The Devil Wears ___") The Devil Wears PRADA is a 2006 movie starring Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, and Stanley Tucci. All four actors reprise their roles in the sequel, The Devil Wears PRADA 2, which was released earlier this month. I have seen The Devil Wears PRADA and am looking forward to seeing The Devil Wears PRADA 2.
• MOIRA (21D: "Schitt's Creek" matriarch) Schitt's Creek is a TV series about a formerly wealthy family that relocates to a small town named Schitt's Creek, which they once purchased as a joke. The family's matriarch, MOIRA Rose (played by Catherine O'Hara) is an eccentric and exceedingly dramatic former daytime soap opera star.
• TRIO (27D: Green Day, e.g.) The punk rock band Green Day is a TRIO consisting of Billie Joe Armstrong (singer and guitarist), Mike Dirnt (bassist and backup vocalist), and Tré Cool (drummer).
• EWOKS (43D: "Star Wars" creatures that live in trees on Endor) In the Star Wars franchise, EWOKS are small, furry, bipedal creatures that inhabit the forests of Endor, a fictional moon. EWOKS made their debut in Return of the Jedi (1983). EWOKS were the title characters of two TV movies, The EWOK Adventure (1984) and EWOKS: The Battle for Endor (1985).
• EURO (60D: Spanish currency) EURO is also making back-to-back puzzle appearances. Yesterday it was clued as [French currency].
• TAPS (62D: Dances like Savion Glover) Savion Glover is a TAP dancer, actor, and choreographer. He won a Tony Award for his choreography of the 1996 Broadway musical, Bring in 'da Noise, Bring in 'da Funk.

The word MIXED in today's title is acting as an anagram indicator. In each theme answer the letters of the word MEDIA are MIXED up. Thank you, Joe, for this enjoyable puzzle.

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