![]() REAGLE: No, because, no, that's - it's fine to do that because it's not in the exact purview of the Washington Post. Times or the San Francisco Chronicle, where, you know, you have like a nine-county exclusive and they pay much more so that you're not in the neighboring papers.ĬONAN: Does this mean the deal with the Washington Post syndicate mean you won't be contributing puzzles to the New York Times anymore? So there's a lot of little newspapers that can't pay that much so you can't charge them that much. ![]() REAGLE: Because it varies, because it's usually based on circulation. I'm not supposed to talk about that on the air. So not only was it a perfect match economically, it probably was a good deal too.ĬONAN: How much money do you make from a puzzle? And all newspapers are feeling the pinch a little bit. So, when you syndicate a puzzle, actually it's little cheaper. So this was really like a match made in heaven when it actually happened again.Īnd the crossword puzzle biz, you know, based on syndicates and things like that - I'm the only self-syndicated Sunday puzzle in the country. And as you know, I'm - I kind of lean toward puzzles that like a kind of a bent sense of humor. ![]() The thing about that Washington Post is that their Sunday magazine has a pretty great sense of humor. REAGLE: Well, the Washington Post actually asked me to join their little organization five years ago, but it was just probably not the right timing. But anyway, that while we're waiting…ĬONAN: …for people to call in - good, yes, you don't like it on the other side, do you?Įxplain - how big a deal is this for the Washington Post syndicate to be picking up your Sunday puzzle? And by way of explaining that, tell us little bit about the crossword puzzle business, if you would. Or if you got a suggestion for a blank nation, you can send it by e-mail: Maybe you can stop Merl Reagle by that method. So if you'd like to participate in our on-air puzzle with Merl Reagle, give us a call: 800-9898255. Now, sometimes, they're based purely on sounds. For example, what do you call a nation obsessed with Oscar-winning actress Thompson, you'd say Emmanation(ph). REAGLE: Consider common words ending with nation and which the front part of the word is being punned on. The idea is, well, in this day and age of "Fast Food Nation" and "Kid Nation," I thought I might mention some of the lesser-known nations. REAGLE: Well, it's a TALK OF THE NATION puzzle. MERL REAGLE (Puzzle Constructor, Washington Post): Thank you, Neal.ĬONAN: And first of all, let's explain that - the puzzle you created for us today. Merl Reagle joins us now from the studio at member station WUSF in Tampa, Florida. If you have questions about crosswords and how they're constructed - but you're going to have to also be willing to play a puzzle with us live on the air - our phone number is 80, e-mail There's also a conversation underway on our blog at npr.org/blogofthenation. You may know him as one of the stars of the documentary film "Wordplay." And those who've tried to solve his puzzles know him as that, blankety blank asterisk dollar sign who tortures them with painful puns and brain benders. Listeners to NPR's WEEKEND EDITION SUNDAY knows - know him as our old pal Merl Reagle. The Washington Post syndicate will start to carry Sunday puzzles by Merl Reagle. And starting this Sunday, many solvers have a new option. At the kitchen table, in front of the TV, in bed with a bagel - for many millions, the Sunday crossword puzzle is a ritual.
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