Latest Lollapuzzoola Podcast Episodes
Fill Me In #413: Irreversible binomials.
Fill Me In - October 17, 2023 07:00 - 1 hour ★★★★★ - 101 ratingsThis week, Ryan is at ComiCon, so Ben Zimmer sails through to join Brian in talks of gridspotting, baseball+word nerdery, and potential new FMI clubs. All that plus a new Contest of Now, courtesy of Shannon Rapp and Will Eisenberg! Stuff to click: The Defector Crossword The Spam Haiku Arch...
Fill Me In #412: The foofier, the taddier.
Fill Me In - October 10, 2023 07:00 - 1 hour ★★★★★ - 101 ratingsThis week, Ryan and Brian learn a bit about Drake's Drum and a tad about Clayton Kershaw, and present a Harvest Round like nothing you've ever heard. Because it's never been a thing. Also, Peter Gordon wrote a book called Word Solitaire, and here's a link to buy a copy! If you get bored (how...
Fill Me In #411: You’re relegated down, and you’re uplegated up.
Fill Me In - October 03, 2023 07:00 - 1 hour ★★★★★ - 101 ratingsThis week, the geniuses behind Lemonade Disco – Taylor Johnson, Steve Mossberg, and Shannon Rapp – visit the studio to discuss their efforts in puzzles, publishing, and punctually putting out prompted content. Also, Kealoa, which is just a little bit of this and a little bit of that. Taylor Jo...
Fill Me In #410: It was confusing and also not confusing at the same time.
Fill Me In - September 26, 2023 07:00 - 1 hour ★★★★★ - 101 ratingsThis week, Francis Heaney and Scott Weiss stop by to discuss escape rooms, logic puzzles, and their fantastic new book, "Escape Room Logic Puzzles." Also: Ryan looks for redemption in a new Kealoa that may have some of you drooling with hunger. Stuff to click: Buy Francis and Scott's book on ...
Fill Me In #409: Not as cool as monkeys!
Fill Me In - September 19, 2023 07:00 - 1 hour ★★★★★ - 101 ratingsThis week, Ryan is back in spite of his overwhelming TikTok fame, and rejoins Brian for an episode like literally every other – musicals, baseball, some crosswords, and a somewhat disappointing Kealoan accomplishment. If you get bored (how could you?!), write something for the Fill Me In wiki...
Fill Me In #408: We're trying to get Zoom-bombed, and it's not working!
Fill Me In - September 12, 2023 07:00 - 1 hour ★★★★★ - 101 ratingsThis week, Ben Zimmer (30D!) joins Brian for discussions of #gridspotting, the Bryant Park tournament, and the Baby Mets. ALSO: Brian is not shy to perpetuate conspiracy theories about Will Shortz's alter ego, and contrary to the episode's title, we did actually get Zoom-bombed. Stuff to click...
Fill Me In #407: The internet is an umbrage machine.
Fill Me In - September 05, 2023 07:00 - 1 hour ★★★★★ - 101 ratingsThis week, Ryan and Brian welcome Jim Horne back to the show. Jim created XWordInfo.com, and now with major changes happening, shares his perspectives, stories, and highlights. And for a bit of nostalgia, you can listen to Jim's last FMI interview in 2008! If you get bored (how could you?!),...
Fill Me In #406: I’m just trying to stay within myself.
Fill Me In - August 29, 2023 07:00 - 1 hour ★★★★★ - 101 ratingsPsst! — we forget that we've said things on the show before. But, *ahem* — we don't mind repeating ourselves! Best way to complain is to write us email. We love it. Today: The Sound of Music, the words of Cody Bellinger, and please join everyone on Crosscord! If you get bored (how could you?!...
Fill Me In #405: Remembered briefly, then quickly forgotten.
Fill Me In - August 22, 2023 07:00 - 1 hour ★★★★★ - 101 ratingsWe call it a "season finale," but it's really just Ryan and Brian babbling at each other, like always. This week, it's a spoiler-free Lolla recap (you can still get the puzzles!) -- plus, don't you want a wild variation on Kealoa? So do I. If you get bored (how could you?!), write something f...
Fill Me In #404: They have liquid in them to help calibrate your horizon.
Fill Me In - August 15, 2023 07:00 - 1 hour ★★★★★ - 101 ratingsThis week, Ryan and Brian get down and dirty with French impressionist art -- that's right, it's the long-awaited MONET/MANET edition of Kealoa. Plus: NYT crosswords, undeniable sandwiches, and Ryan plans to go to space. If you haven't clicked Lollapuzzoola yet, you should do that. The NYC opt...
Fill Me In #403: Everybody stumbling on the red carpet and just kind of collapsing on their way into the grand hall.
Fill Me In - August 08, 2023 07:00 - 1 hour ★★★★★ - 101 ratingsThis week, Brooke Husic and Sid Sivakumar visit the studio to drop the big news of the week — the Lollapuzzoola constructor lineup! Ryan's also got a new favorite sandwich, plus at least one viewer doesn't have rabies. If you haven't clicked Lollapuzzoola yet, you should do that. If you get...
Fill Me In #402: The bitter vetch.
Fill Me In - August 01, 2023 07:00 - 1 hour ★★★★★ - 101 ratingsThis week, Will Eisenberg and Shannon Rapp join Ryan and Brian in the studio to talk about meta crosswords, flowers they don't understand, and exactly where the crook goes in the leadpipe -- plus, things get a little intense with a three-way Kealoa! Things to click: Will's crossword blog, Twi...
Fill Me In #401: The world is getting away from us, Ryan.
Fill Me In - July 25, 2023 07:00 - 1 hour ★★★★★ - 101 ratingsThis week, Ryan and Brian get in deep with movies, Twitter, Vicki Lawrence, and what does or does not belong in a small velvet pouch. You might think that's all, but -- AHA! Kealoa is back, plus we have a contest puzzle from Shannon Rapp and Will Eisenberg! Download it here: https://www.dropbox....
Fill Me In #400: If you like all these things about the movie, just go watch the movie!
Fill Me In - July 18, 2023 07:00 - 1 hour ★★★★★ - 101 ratingsThis week, Ryan and Brian reach a milestone and celebrate with a weird discussion about tooth-pulling, musicals that need not be, and a general haze of feeling old. No kealoa this week, but we do have a new contest puzzle from Shannon Rapp and Will Eisenberg! Download their puzzle here: https://...
Fill Me In #399: They have snacks and the lord.
Fill Me In - July 11, 2023 07:00 - 1 hour ★★★★★ - 101 ratingsThis week, there are clubs without hosts, songs without performances, and a first-time Viewer Mail correspondent thinks he's super funny. Kealoa is back, if you give a darn about that sort of thing. If you get bored (how could you?!), write something for the Fill Me In wiki. And if you're fee...
Fill Me In #398: It fructified like vegetation in steamy heat.
Fill Me In - July 04, 2023 07:00 - 1 hour ★★★★★ - 101 ratingsThis week, Brian descends upon Cloverdale and the boys go old school, recording the show with one microphone, a hot studio lacking ventilation, and zero audio editing capabilities. If you're in California, drop by Next Door Comics and get an authentic behind-the-scenes tour of how the podcast is...
June 27, 2023 - no episode this week
Fill Me In - June 27, 2023 07:00 - 45 seconds ★★★★★ - 101 ratingsHi viewers, this is Brian with a quick bit of info -- if I scheduled this right, today is Tuesday, June 27, and there will not be a new episode today. The good news is that Ryan and I will be back again on Tuesday, July 4 with the next installment of Fill Me In. The even better news is that we...
Fill Me In #397: Phonetic spellings of overdramatized performances.
Fill Me In - June 20, 2023 07:00 - 1 hour ★★★★★ - 101 ratingsThis week, Ryan and Brian learn new principles of sandwich-making, struggle with late week crosswords, and attempt to promote the hell out of the upcoming Lollapuzzoola tournament in August. But puhlease, no fuss or fanfare, we keep things stoic and stony around here. If you get bored (how co...
Fill Me In #396: You cannot have anything other than a real experience when you’re watching 'Stayin' Alive.'
Fill Me In - June 13, 2023 07:00 - 1 hour ★★★★★ - 101 ratingsThis week, Ryan and Brian are joined by Ben Zimmer for a spot of spelling and a piece of apizza. There's also the return of Kealoa and a fantastic contest puzzle from Brian Gubin! If you get bored (how could you?!), write something for the Fill Me In wiki. And if you're feeling philanthropi...
Fill Me In #395: The build of June.
Fill Me In - June 06, 2023 07:00 - 1 hour ★★★★★ - 101 ratingsWe're back! After a nearly unprecedented two-week absence, Ryan and Brian return with their greatest hits -- hidden name crosswords, nachos-or-not-nachos, and failed efforts at pronunciation. All that plus a brand new contest puzzle from Brian Gubin! If you get bored (how could you?!), write ...
Fill Me In #394: Is there a pungency scale for horseradish?
Fill Me In - May 16, 2023 07:00 - 1 hour ★★★★★ - 101 ratingsThis week, Ryan and Brian ... well, the predictable truth is that they talk about food and baseball, Ryan gleefully upsets Brian, and Brian rants for about ten minutes too long on topics no one cares about. Typical show. If you get bored (how could you?!), write something for the Fill Me In w...
Fill Me In #393: I said, “What’s poppin?” and he said, “Corn.”
Fill Me In - May 09, 2023 07:00 - 1 hour ★★★★★ - 101 ratingsThis week, Ryan and Brian kibbitz about Jewish food, practice pronunciation, and discover the abundant array of thunder gods in the universe. And because you're all barking and braying for more Kealoa content, there's some of that too. Please consider supporting Crosswords For Cancer, a new co...
Fill Me In #392: You have been subsumed.
Fill Me In - May 02, 2023 07:00 - 1 hour ★★★★★ - 101 ratingsThis week, Ryan and Brian learn the numerically least amount about football possible, experiment with words and phrases no one actually says, and fantasize that there's a parallel universe with a French edition of "Fill Me In." All that plus the best choral singing you've ever heard, and a relat...
Fill Me In #391: 1983 was a sketchy time.
Fill Me In - April 25, 2023 07:00 - 2 hours ★★★★★ - 101 ratingsIf you're into listening to Ryan and Brian talk, then you're in luck this week. They take a crack at the ACPT puzzles from both 2023 and 1983, examining the good, the bad, and the stuff they didn't understand. If you get bored (how could you?!), write something for the Fill Me In wiki. And i...
Fill Me In #390: The great papal headwear schism.
Fill Me In - April 18, 2023 07:00 - 1 hour ★★★★★ - 101 ratingsThis week, Ryan and Brian mention Passport Rummy, Banana Slingshot, and Lemonade Disco -- but only two of three are actually things. Brian cackles more than usual, and Ryan screws up the Viewer Mail song, so gape and gawk all you want. If you get bored (how could you?!), write something for t...
Fill Me In #389: I don’t know the coin equivalent of a comic book.
Fill Me In - April 11, 2023 07:00 - 1 hour ★★★★★ - 101 ratingsThis week, Ryan and Brian discuss copyright, collectibles, tobacco, and the apparently hysterical death of a cat. Content is scarce ... or is it sparse? Listen to this week's Kealoa to find out! If you get bored (how could you?!), write something for the Fill Me In wiki. And if you're feeling...
Fill Me In #388: I wanted this to be a celebration, not an embarrassment.
Fill Me In - April 04, 2023 07:00 - 1 hour ★★★★★ - 101 ratingsFill Me In is almost entirely rooted in the unnecessary glorification of the E Division ... and despite all of Brian's attempts at celebration, Ryan makes a complete disaster of everything. All that, plus a contest puzzle (!!!) from Stephanie Lane and Norah Sharpe (aEiS, WotED). If you get bo...
Fill Me In #387: It may not be sultry, but it slaps.
Fill Me In - March 28, 2023 07:00 - 1 hour ★★★★★ - 101 ratingsThis week, Brian is joined by musical theater connoisseur Rachel Fabi for an in-depth analysis of Bad Cinderella. Actually, yes -- but we also talk crosswords and most notably draw your attention to These Puzzl3s Fund Abortion, a charity puzzle pack in support of reproductive healthcare. All tha...
Fill Me In #386: There’s a whole suite of obfuscators.
Fill Me In - March 21, 2023 07:00 - 1 hour ★★★★★ - 101 ratingsThis week, Ryan and Brian are joined by Norah Sharpe (aEiS) for a recap of the first ever Naked Crossword Challenge! (It's not what you think.) Also: bassless accusations, "facts" about Mountain Dew, and Kealoa featuring CREED vs. CREDO. Stuff to click: Norah Sharpe aka Shannon Rapp – website...
Fill Me In #385: These things don’t have guacamole in common.
Fill Me In - March 14, 2023 07:00 - 1 hour ★★★★★ - 101 ratingsYou know what an extra long show (usually) means? More Ben Zimmer! This week, Ryan and Brian are joined by their dear friend The Barnacle who educates on demonyms and other wonderful topics. Also: a week in crosswords and a rousing edition of Kealoa featuring EON vs. ERA. Click ahead to read B...
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