May 23, 2026

Title: NIGHT SHIFT

Constructor: Mark Budovitch

Editor: Amie Walker

Theme synopsis:

• PASSING THE TORCH (17A: Handing responsibility to another)
• HOLD ON TIGHT (38A: "Get ready for a wild ride!")
• MATCHING TATTOOS (59A: Coordinated body art for some couples)

NIGHT SHIFT: Each theme answer contains a hidden anagram of the word NIGHT: PASSING THE TORCH, HOLD ON TIGHT, and MATCHING TATTOOS.

Random thoughts and interesting things:

• TEAM (10A: There's no "I" in it) This clue and answer reminds me of the joke about finding the I in TEAM...
• AGAIN (20A: "Here You Come ___" (Dolly Parton song)) "Here You Come AGAIN" was the title track of Dolly Parton's nineteenth solo studio album, released in 1977. "Here you come AGAIN / Just when I'd begun to get myself together..."
• O'HARA (41A: "Home Alone" actor Catherine) Catherine O'HARA portrayed Kate McCallister (Kevin's mother) in the 1990 movie, Home Alone. (Just take a moment to let it sink in that Home Alone was released 36 years ago.)
• OILER (54A: Edmonton hockey player) The Edmonton OILERS joined the National Hockey League (NHL) in 1979 as a part of the NHL merger with the World Hockey Association (WHA). The OILERS are one of two NHL teams based in Alberta, Canada, and have a rivalry known as the "Battle of Alberta," with the Calgary Flames.
• BOSNIA (56A: ___ and Herzegovina) BOSNIA and Herzegovina is a country in Southeast Europe. Its capital and largest city is Sarajevo.
• TIDAL (67A: Fiona Apple album with "Criminal") Fiona Apple's debut studio album, TIDAL, was released in 1996. The most popular single from the album was "Criminal," which won a Grammy Award for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance in 1998.
• CUSACK (3D: "Toy Story 2" voice actor Joan) The animated movie Toy Story was released in 1995. Toy Story 5 is being released next month. There have also been a number of spin-off movies and TV shows. The character of Jessie – voiced by JOAN Cusack – was introduced in Toy Story 2 (1999). Jessie is a cowgirl doll.
• ESSIE (4D: Nail polish brand with the shade Adore-A-Ball) ESSIE's Adore-A-Ball nail polish is a light pink color. Although I rarely wear nail polish, I appreciate companies that give their products punny names.
• LEOS (30D: People born just after Cancers) Those born between June 21 and July 22 have the zodiac sign Cancer. Those born between July 23 and August 23 are LEOS.
• RESIST (45D: "I can ___ everything except temptation" (line from "Lady Windermere's Fan")) Lady Windemere's Fan, A Play About a Good Woman is a play by Oscar Wilde. Lady Windemere's Fan was performed for the first time in 1892. "I can RESIST everything, except temptation," is a line said by the character Lord Darlington.
• FRESNO (49D: City in California's Central Valley) FRESNO is a city in the San Joaquin Valley in central California. 
• ENNUI (52D: Jaded "Inside Out 2" character) In Pixar's 2015 animated movie, Inside Out, the emotions of a young girl named Riley are depicted as colorful beings helping her navigate life: Joy (yellow), Sadness (blue), Anger (red), Fear (purple), and Disgust (green). The sequel, Inside Out 2, was released in 2024. As 13-year-old Riley is getting ready to attend high school, a few new emotions join the cast of characters: Envy (cyan), Anxiety (orange), Embarrassment (pink) and ENNUI (indigo). ENNUI is voiced by Adèle Exarchopoulos. I'm always happy to see a reference to the Inside Out movies.
• Other clues I especially enjoyed:
• RARE (16A: Like snow in Phoenix)
• GYM (50A: Place to spot friends?)
• PLOT (25D: It unfolds in a book)
• ALCOVE (47D: Cozy nook for puzzle solving)

The word SHIFT in today's title is acting as an anagram indicator. The letters in the word NIGHT are SHIFTING places. Thank you, Mark, for this enjoyable puzzle.

A note about comments: I welcome your comments on the blog! For one thing it's nice to know folks are reading what I've written. My goal for this blog has always been for it to be informational, conversational, and kind. I ask that you keep those goals in mind when commenting. Unkind comments will be deleted. Note that I am more likely to delete a negative comment if it is posted anonymously. (P.S. You can point out when I make a mistake – in fact, I appreciate that so I can correct it.)