Crossword Blog & Answers for May 19, 2025 by Sally Hoelscher

Constructor: Max Schlenker

Editor: Anna Gundlach

What I Learned from Today’s Puzzle

• TRENT (19A: Nine Inch Nails singer Reznor) Nine Inch Nails is a rock band formed in Cleveland, Ohio in 1988. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (which is located in Cleveland) in 2020. This much I knew, but I didn’t know the names of the band’s members. Today I learned that Nine Inch Nails is comprised of TRENT Reznor and Atticus Ross. The band has had a number of other members and touring musicians over the years.

Random Thoughts & Interesting Things

• OH SO (1A: Too, too) OH SO is making back-to-back puzzle appearances. We saw it yesterday clued as [Very].
• SYRIA (16A: Country where Aleppo peppers come from) Aleppo peppers are mildly spicy peppers grown in SYRIA and Turkey. The peppers are named after the city of Aleppo, SYRIA.
• RERUN (29A: Any episode of “30 Rock,” now) The sitcom 30 Rock, which was created by Tina Fey, originally aired from 2006 to 2013. The series centers on the behind-the-scenes happenings of a fictional live sketch comedy show. Its name is a reference to 30 Rockefeller Plaza in New York City, where Saturday Night Live is written, produced, and performed.
• EWAN (38A: Obi-Wan Kenobi portrayer McGregor) Obi-Wan Kenobi is a Jedi Master in the Star Wars franchise.  In the original Star Wars trilogy (Episodes IV, V and VI – 1977, 1980, 1983) Obi-Wan Kenobi is portrayed by Alec Guinness. In the prequel Star Wars trilogy (Episodes I, II, and III – 1999, 2002, 2005), a younger Obi-Wan Kenobi is portrayed by EWAN McGregor. 
• MOSQUE (40A: Place of worship such as Masjid al-Haram) Also known as the Great MOSQUE of Mecca, Masjid al-Haram is located in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, and is the destination for Hajj, an annual Islamic pilgrimage. At the center of the MOSQUE is the Kaaba, a building that is considered Islam’s most sacred site. When Muslims pray, they face the direction of the Kaaba.
• NOBLE GAS (42A: Krypton, xenon or argon) There are six naturally-occurring NOBLE GASes: krypton, xenon, argon, neon, helium, and radon. Under standard conditions, a NOBLE GAS is odorless, colorless, and has very low chemical reactivity. Hooray for science in the crossword!
• USTED (59A: “Como esta ___?”) “Como esta USTED?” means “How are you?” in Spanish. Thanks for checking in, puzzle, I’m doing well.
• OCT (62A: Indigenous Peoples’ Day day (Abbr.))  Indigenous Peoples’ Day celebrates and honors the history and cultures of indigenous peoples. In the United States it is observed each year on the second Monday of October, which this year will be October 13. 
• PET (65A: Guinea pig or potbellied pig) Although I have had several guinea pigs as PETs, I have never had a PET potbellied pig. My current PET, my cat Willow, is an expert at sleeping and looking adorable while doing so.

• HOLI (2D: Colorful Hindu festival) HOLI, also known as the “festival of spring” and the “festival of colors,” is a Hindu festival celebrating the end of winter and the arrival of spring. The date of HOLI varies with the lunar calendar. This year HOLI was celebrated on March 13 and 14.
• A STRANGE LOOP (9D: Winner of Best Musical at the 75th Tony Awards and the 2020 Pulitzer Prize for Drama) A STRANGE LOOP is a one-act musical about a Black, queer writer (named Usher) writing a musical about a Black, queer writer writing a musical about a Black, queer writer. The musical was written by Michael R. Jackson. 
• GYROS (10D: Sandwiches sometimes served with dolmas) In Greek cuisine, GYROS are pita-wrapped sandwiches containing meat and vegetables, and topped with tzatziki – a yogurt, cucumber sauce. They may be served with dolmas, leaf-wrapped dishes that are a traditional part of Middle Eastern cuisine.
• ARES (11D: War god in “Xena: Warrior Princess”) The TV show Xena: Warrior Princess originally aired from 1995 to 2001. It was a spin-off of the TV series Hercules: The Legendary Journeys. On that show, Xena was a recurring character who was originally going to die in her third appearance. The character became so popular, that instead of being killed off, Xena got her own show. Lucy Lawless portrayed Xena, and Kevin Smith portrayed ARES, who was a recurring character on the show.
• CECE (54D: Gospel singer Winans) CECE Winans has won 17 Grammy Awards, the most for any female gospel singer. She has also been honored with seven NAACP Image Awards.
• A few other clues I especially enjoyed:
  • LION’S DEN (20A: Extremely hostile place, idiomatically)
  • CRUD (61A: “Dagnabbit!”)
  • LUMP (51D: Oatmeal imperfection)