Fill Me In

Latest Episodes:

Fill Me In #307: How many gallons go down in a flush? Aug 03, 2021

Show notes

This week, Ryan and Brian check in with Crucinova.com, and sit down for a chat with editor Lisa Bunker. Also included: an unrelated story about how Emperor Palpatine made Ryan sick, a deep dive into ORE clues, and the briefest of Viewer Mail. There's a contest crossword, which you can download at https://bit.ly/fmi306con, and you should check out our weekly Twitch stream at https://www.twitch.tv/nextdoorcomics on Saturdays at 4pm PT / 7pm ET.

Shameless promo you probably know about: Lollapuzzoola is on August 21. Sign up today at www.bemoresmarter.com!

If you get bored, write something for the Fill Me In wiki.

And if you're feeling philanthropic, donate to our Patreon. We shout out the names of our patrons on the first new episode of each month!

Do you enjoy our show? Actually, it doesn't matter! Please consider leaving us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts. This will help new listeners find our show, and you'll be inducted into the Quintuple Decker Turkey Club.

Drop us a note or a Tweet or a postcard or a phone call — we'd love to hear from you.

Helpful links:

Apple Podcasts link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fill-me-in/id1364379980
Google Play link: https://player.fm/series/fill-me-in-2151002
RSS feed: http://bemoresmarter.libsyn.com/rss
Contact us: Email (fmi@bemoresmarter.com) / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Google Voice (315-510-9892)

We're putting these words here to help with search engine optimization. We don't think it will work, but you probably haven't read this far, so it doesn't matter: baseball, crossword, crosswords, etymology, game, hunt, movies, musicals, mystery, oscar, pizza, puzzle, puzzles, soup, trivia, words

Fill Me In #306: Gonzo would eat anything for an audience. Jul 27, 2021

Show notes

This week, Ryan and Brian reflect on hot sauce, explore the various ELIs in crosswords, and learn that knickers are not socks. There's a new contest crossword, which you can download at https://bit.ly/fmi306con, and you should check out our twice-weekly Twitch stream at https://www.twitch.tv/nextdoorcomics on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 4pm PT / 7pm ET.

Shameless promo you probably know about: Lollapuzzoola is on August 21. Sign up today at www.bemoresmarter.com!

If you get bored, write something for the Fill Me In wiki.

And if you're feeling philanthropic, donate to our Patreon. We shout out the names of our patrons on the first new episode of each month!

Drop us a note or a Tweet or a postcard or a phone call — we'd love to hear from you.

Helpful links:

Apple Podcasts link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fill-me-in/id1364379980
Google Play link: https://player.fm/series/fill-me-in-2151002
RSS feed: http://bemoresmarter.libsyn.com/rss
Contact us: Email (fmi@bemoresmarter.com) / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Google Voice (315-510-9892)

Fill Me In #305: It could be called "The Kathryn Sigh" … It could be called "The Kathryn Leaves The Room" question ... Jul 20, 2021

Show notes

This week, we get a visit from the Barnacle where we learn some new words and word origins, all courtesy of Ben Zimmer's signature linguistic brilliance. Also included: a supervocalic or two, a thunder round, and a Viewer Mail from Brian's father! There's an ongoing contest crossword, which you can download at https://bit.ly/fmi303con, and you should check out our twice-weekly Twitch stream at https://www.twitch.tv/nextdoorcomics on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 4pm PT / 7pm ET. In particular, join us on Saturday, July 24 for The Spicy Solve, where we imitate Hot Ones and solve cryptic crosswords while eating spicy wings!

Stuff to click:

Spectacular Vernacular, the new podcast from Slate featuring Ben Zimmer and Nicole Holliday
The Facebook group on Supervocalics
Solve old puzzles on XWordInfo
Scott Weiss's new Anti-Match Quiz on the 2021 Emmys

If you get bored, write something for the Fill Me In wiki.

And if you're feeling philanthropic, donate to our Patreon. We shout out the names of our patrons on the first new episode of each month! Also, the longer and uncut edition of our Ben Zimmer segment is available to all of our patrons!

Drop us a note or a Tweet or a postcard or a phone call — we'd love to hear from you.

Helpful links:

Apple Podcasts link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fill-me-in/id1364379980
Google Play link: https://player.fm/series/fill-me-in-2151002
RSS feed: http://bemoresmarter.libsyn.com/rss
Contact us: Email (fmi@bemoresmarter.com) / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Google Voice (315-510-9892)

Fill Me In #304: One box at a time. Jul 13, 2021

Show notes

This week, we delve a bit deeper into old puzzles, learn how to pronounce a name, read old poetry, and attempt to sort out seals and spiders. There's a contest crossword, which you can download at https://bit.ly/fmi303con, and you should check out our twice-weekly Twitch stream at https://www.twitch.tv/nextdoorcomics on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 4pm PT / 7pm ET.

Stuff to click:

The Pre-Shortzian Puzzle Project (no longer being updated, but still cool)
The Lay of the One Fish Ball
The entirety of the George Brett pine tar game. (And while we're at it, the entirety of Game 4 of the 2004 ALCS.)

If you get bored, write something for the Fill Me In wiki.

And if you're feeling philanthropic, donate to our Patreon. We shout out the names of our patrons on the first new episode of each month!

Drop us a note or a Tweet or a postcard or a phone call — we'd love to hear from you.

Helpful links:

Apple Podcasts link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fill-me-in/id1364379980
Google Play link: https://player.fm/series/fill-me-in-2151002
RSS feed: http://bemoresmarter.libsyn.com/rss
Contact us: Email (fmi@bemoresmarter.com) / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Google Voice (315-510-9892)

Fill Me In #303: We have three pounds of cream cheese in today's show. Jul 06, 2021

Show notes

This week, we revisit a puzzle from 1953, introduce two new clubs, and get a surprise on-the-street interview with Tyler Hinman whilst eating pizza. There's a new contest crossword, which you can download at https://bit.ly/fmi303con, and you should check out our twice-weekly Twitch stream at https://www.twitch.tv/nextdoorcomics on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 4pm PT / 7pm ET.

Stuff to click:

If you get bored, write something for the Fill Me In wiki.

And if you're feeling philanthropic, donate to our Patreon. We shout out the names of our patrons on the first new episode of each month!

Drop us a note or a Tweet or a postcard or a phone call — we'd love to hear from you.

Helpful links:

Apple Podcasts link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fill-me-in/id1364379980
Google Play link: https://player.fm/series/fill-me-in-2151002
RSS feed: http://bemoresmarter.libsyn.com/rss
Contact us: Email (fmi@bemoresmarter.com) / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Google Voice (315-510-9892)

Fill Me In #302: Not hanging out with us, and enjoying his hair. Jun 29, 2021

Show notes

This week, Brian is in Maine and Ryan still can't sell Wingspan. Also: other word games, the history of AREA, a personal P&A challenge, and a new club! There's a contest crossword, which you can download at https://bit.ly/fmi301con, and you should check out our twice-weekly Twitch stream at https://www.twitch.tv/nextdoorcomics on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 4pm PT / 7pm ET.

If you get bored, write something for the Fill Me In wiki.

And if you're feeling philanthropic, donate to our Patreon. We shout out the names of our patrons on the first new episode of each month!

Drop us a note or a Tweet or a postcard or a phone call — we'd love to hear from you.

Helpful links:

Apple Podcasts link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fill-me-in/id1364379980
Google Play link: https://player.fm/series/fill-me-in-2151002
RSS feed: http://bemoresmarter.libsyn.com/rss
Contact us: Email (fmi@bemoresmarter.com) / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Google Voice (315-510-9892)

Fill Me In #301: Whether you like it or not, the password is Scott Conant. Jun 22, 2021

Show notes

This week, Ryan and Brian discuss the history of ERA clues, talk through the past week of NYT crosswords, and announce one or two details about Lollapuzzoola 14. There's a new contest crossword, which you can download at https://bit.ly/fmi301con, and you should check out our twice-weekly Twitch stream at https://www.twitch.tv/nextdoorcomics on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 4pm PT / 7pm ET.

If you get bored, write something for the Fill Me In wiki.

And if you're feeling philanthropic, donate to our Patreon. We shout out the names of our patrons on the first new episode of each month!

Drop us a note or a Tweet or a postcard or a phone call — we'd love to hear from you.

Helpful links:

Apple Podcasts link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fill-me-in/id1364379980
Google Play link: https://player.fm/series/fill-me-in-2151002
RSS feed: http://bemoresmarter.libsyn.com/rss
Contact us: Email (fmi@bemoresmarter.com) / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Google Voice (315-510-9892)

Fill Me In #300: Have we started? Jun 15, 2021

Show notes

This week, Ryan and Brian blast to the past and revisit some older puzzles to see how they've held up over time. In current events, there's still a contest crossword, which you can download at https://bit.ly/fmi299con, and you should check out our twice-weekly Twitch stream at https://www.twitch.tv/nextdoorcomics on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 4pm PT / 7pm ET.

If you get bored, write something for the Fill Me In wiki.

And if you're feeling philanthropic, donate to our Patreon. We shout out the names of our patrons on the first new episode of each month!

Drop us a note or a Tweet or a postcard or a phone call — we'd love to hear from you.

Helpful links:

Apple Podcasts link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fill-me-in/id1364379980
Google Play link: https://player.fm/series/fill-me-in-2151002
RSS feed: http://bemoresmarter.libsyn.com/rss
Contact us: Email (fmi@bemoresmarter.com) / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Google Voice (315-510-9892)

Fill Me In #299: I spend a lot of my time subtracting things from reality. Jun 08, 2021

Show notes

This week, Ryan and Brian open with puzzles, talk about puzzles, and actually it's all quite surprising the amount of proper puzzle content. It's almost like 299 episodes in, they figured out what to do. (Narrator: They didn't.) There's a new contest crossword, which you can download at https://bit.ly/fmi299con, and you should check out our twice-weekly Twitch stream at https://www.twitch.tv/nextdoorcomics on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 4pm PT / 7pm ET.

If you get bored, write something for the Fill Me In wiki.

And if you're feeling philanthropic, donate to our Patreon. We shout out the names of our patrons on the first new episode of each month!

Drop us a note or a Tweet or a postcard or a phone call — we'd love to hear from you.

Helpful links:

Apple Podcasts link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fill-me-in/id1364379980
Google Play link: https://player.fm/series/fill-me-in-2151002
RSS feed: http://bemoresmarter.libsyn.com/rss
Contact us: Email (fmi@bemoresmarter.com) / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Google Voice (315-510-9892)

Fill Me In #298: Hexagons don't look like flowers. Jun 01, 2021

Show notes

"Explicit," you say? This week, Ben Zimmer (aka "The Barnacle") stops by to talk about a bunch of dirty words! Ryan expresses his love for Sinead O'Connor, Brian is scared of financial risk, and the Patreon music timed out really well! There's a contest crossword, which you can download at http://bit.ly/fmi297con, and you should check out our twice-weekly Twitch stream at https://www.twitch.tv/nextdoorcomics on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 4pm PT / 7pm ET.

Stuff to click:

If you get bored, write something for the Fill Me In wiki.

And if you're feeling philanthropic, donate to our Patreon. We shout out the names of our patrons on the first new episode of each month!

Drop us a note or a Tweet or a postcard or a phone call — we'd love to hear from you.

Helpful links: