June 21, 2026

Title: POP IN 

Constructor: Amie Walker

Editor: Amie Walker


Theme synopsis:
  • WE HAD A DEAL (18A: "No take-backsies")
  • HELP WANTED ADS (39A: "Come work here" postings)
  • GOOD ADVICE (59A: "I should listen to you")
POP IN: Each theme answer has the word DAD (a synonym for POP) IN it: WE HAD A DEAL, HELP WANTED ADS, and GOOD ADVICE.

What I learned from today's puzzle:
  • RECESS (20A: Classic Disney cartoon about fourth graders) RECESS is an animated TV series that originally aired from 1997 to 2001. The series centers on six elementary school students: T.J., Vince, Spinelli, Gretchen, Mikey, and Gus. There have also been several movies based on the series:  RECESS: School's Out (2001), RECESS Christmas: Miracle on Third Street (2001), RECESS: All Growed Down (2003), and RECESS: Taking the Fifth Grade (2003). This series is new to me, but I'm sure that has less to do with its popularity that it does with our house not having a TV.
  • HILTON (35A: International Delight Paris ___ Raspberry Champagne Coffee Creamer) As you might deduce from its name, International Delight Paris HILTON Raspberry Champagne Coffee Creamer is a result of a partnership between media personality Paris HILTON and the International Delight brand of coffee creamer. In addition to the Raspberry Champagne flavor, this partnership has led to two other flavors: Sweet & Spicy Creamer and Cotton Candy Cold Foam Creamer.
  • TIL (50A: "___ I Hear It From You" (Gin Blossoms song)) "TIL I Hear It From You" is a 1995 song from the rock band Gin Blossoms. 
  • CHIC-A-CHERRY COLA (3D: Made-up soda in Savage Garden's "I Want You") Savage Garden released their song, "I Want You," in 1996 as the lead single from their self-titled debut album. The song contains the lyric, "Sweet like a CHIC-A-CHERRY COLA."
Random thoughts and interesting things:
  • GRETA (8A: With 26-Across, "Past Lives" star) and LEE (26A: See 8-Across) Past Lives is a 2023 movie written and directed by Celine Song. The movie centers on Nora (GRETA LEE) and Hae (Teo Yoo), who were childhood friends in South Korea until Nora moved to Canada with her parents. Since GRETA and LEE both ended up in the grid, it was a fun choice to link these two answers.
  • OAHU (13A: Hawaiian home of Disney's Aulani resort) Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa is one of Disney's "stand-alone" hotels, meaning it isn't in a location with a theme park. Aulani is located on the Hawaiian island of OAHU. 
  • MIRROR (22A: This'll show you!) An exclamation point at the end of a clue alerts solvers to interpret the clue literally. When you stand in front of a MIRROR, it will literally show you. This is a fun clue!
  • ACLU (30A: "Freedom is a journey we are on together" org.) I'm always happy to highlight the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). 
  • HISS (32A: Sound like a mad cat) My cat, Willow, will really only HISS when another cat is allowed to come into her house. Although she was the second cat in the house when we adopted her, now that she is an only cat, she prefers to keep it that way.
A calico cat is perched on a pillow in front of the headboard of a bed.
  • OBOE (34A: Woodwind instrument in "Nightswimming") "Nightswimming" is a 1993 song by R.E.M. In addition to piano, the accompaniment includes strings and an OBOE.
  • MARC (43A: Maron of "GLOW") GLOW (2017-2019) is a TV series about the 1980s syndicated women's professional wrestling circuit, Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling (GLOW). MARC Maron portrays GLOW's director Sam Sylvia.
  • NEPHEW (57A: George Clooney, to Rosemary) It's interesting, because even though I know of George Clooney and Rosemary Clooney (1928-2002), and even though they share a last name, I've never thought about the fact that they might be related. Indeed, George Clooney is Rosemary Clooney's NEPHEW. George Clooney's father, Nick Clooney, was Rosemary Clooney's brother.
  • EVE (5D: "Killing ___" (Sandra Oh show)) Killing EVE (2018-2022) is a British TV series about an investigator, EVE Polastri, who is tracking the psychopathic assassin, Villanelle. Sandra Oh portrays EVE, and Jodie Comer plays the role of Villanelle.
  • REHM (6D: Retired NPR host Diane) From 1984 to 2016, Diane REHM was the titular host of NPR's The Diane REHM Show. (She began hosting the show in 1979, and it was named for her in 1984.) The show aired live for two hours Monday through Friday. It featured in-depth discussions of topics in the news and interviews with newsmakers.
  • TED (29D: "The Good Place" star Danson) The Good Place (2016-2020) is a TV series about a heaven-like utopia where humans spend their afterlife. TED Danson portrays Michael, an afterlife "architect" who designs the Good Place neighborhood where the main characters of the show reside.
  • OCALA (34D: Florida city hidden in "Best Pop Vocal Album") OCALA, Florida is located in the north central part of the state. It's also found in "Best Pop Vocal Album." 
  • HEAL (39D: Drink a red potion in a video game, say) In The Legend of Zelda video game franchise,  a player can drink red potions, also known as medicines of life, to HEAL.
  • SWANS (53D: Birds in a Tchaikovsky ballet) The ballet by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893) that features SWANS is, of course, SWAN Lake. Although initially a failure, SWAN Lake is now one of the most popular ballets of all time.
  • OUR (60D: "___ Love is God") Heathers is a musical based on the 1988 movie of the same name. I learned about the movie Heathers last month. "OUR Love is God" is a song from Heathers the Musical. 
  • COX (61D: "Friends" star Courteney) Courteney COX portrayed Monica Geller on Friends (1994-2004).
  • Other clues and answers I especially enjoyed:
    • COW (24A: Moo's source)
    • SEXT (67A: Message with a hot-face emoji, maybe) 🥵
    • CAMERA (2D: "Say cheese!" device)
    • EVERYBODY GO HOME (10D: "There's no topping that, so feel free to leave, y'all")
I appreciate the fact that I had to do a little extra work to realize the POP that is IN each theme answer is the word DAD. That made for a nice "Aha!" moment. This puzzle is a nice tribute to Father's Day, so that's fun, too. Thank you, Amie, 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.)

Comments

Post a Comment