NPR Sunday Puzzle (Aug 17, 2025): Sylvester and the Magic Pebble

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Aug 17, 2025): Sylvester and the Magic Pebble

Q: Take the classic illustrated children's book Sylvester and the Magic Pebble. Rearrange its 26 letters to name a famous film director (first and last names) and a noted role on stage (in two words).Who is the director and what is the role?

I removed the letters AVSI.

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Aug 10, 2025): What's Up, Doc?

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Aug 10, 2025): What's Up, Doc?

Q: Name something many hospitals have, in 7 letters. Rearrange the letters to name two things you can get inside a hospital (4 and 3 letters each).

I wasn't looking in the right place.

Edit: Don't look inside the hospital. The title was a hint, to look UP.

A: HELIPAD --> HELP, AID

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Aug 3, 2025): What's on TV?

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Aug 3, 2025): What's on TV?

Q: "I turned on the TV and saw anger, evil, slander, and ruin. It was all pleasant news. What channel was I watching and what specifically was on the screen?"

I remember watching this channel back in the days of standard definition CRTs. Anyone else?

Edit: CRTs often exhibit overscan where part of the TV signal is outside the visible region of the screen. Broadcasters had to be careful not to put titles in these areas or else they might get cutoff, like in this puzzle. "Anyone" (NE-one) was a clue to the states being in the North East.

A: They were watching ice hockey (NHL Eastern division) probably on ESPN. The particular teams are the New York Rangers, New Jersey Devils, New York Islanders and the Boston Bruins.

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Jul 27, 2025): Spot's IQ is Tops! (continued)

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Jul 27, 2025): Spot's IQ is Tops! (continued)

Q: This is a two-week creative challenge, and it's a tough one. Most people are familiar with palindromes, which read backward and forward the same. For example:

Rise to vote, sir.

Lid off a daffodil.

The object is to write a palindrome that contains the letter Q. Entries will be judged on sense, naturalness of syntax, and overall elegance. The person who submits what Will considers to be the best palindrome containing the letter Q will play the puzzle on the air with him next week.

Edit:I guess I should be pleased that the winning answer was an extension of mine.

A: God y'know Spot's IQ is tops. Wonky dog!

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Jul 20, 2025): An Oz, Iraq, Arizona

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Jul 20, 2025): An Oz, Iraq, Arizona

Q: This is a two-week creative challenge, and it's a tough one. Most people are familiar with palindromes, which read backward and forward the same. For example:

Madam, I'm Adam.

Do geese see God?

Sit on a potato pan, Otis.

The object is to write a palindrome that contains the letter Q. Entries will be judged on sense, naturalness of syntax, and overall elegance. The person who submits what Will considers to be the best palindrome containing the letter Q will play the puzzle on the air with him in two weeks.

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Jul 13, 2025): Take Me Out to the Ballgame

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Jul 13, 2025): Take Me Out to the Ballgame

Q: Take two different articles of clothing and place them one after the other. The result will spell something seen at a baseball game. What is it?

At first I thought the answer would literally spell out something like B-A-T. My second thought was that it must be a Team Mascot with the second piece of clothing being an ascot. But before I could think of a third incorrect answer, it hit me.

Edit: The shortstop plays between 2nd and 3rd base.

A: SHORTS + TOP = STORTSTOP

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Jul 6, 2025): Nice Place in the U.S. to Vacation

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Jul 6, 2025): Nice Place in the U.S. to Vacation

Q: This is a phonetic challenge in four parts. First, say a letter of the alphabet out loud -- like B, C, or L. Then name something you might carry around in your pocket. Say it twice. Finally, name a variety of tree. Say these four things in order, and phonetically they'll name a nice place in the United States to vacation. What is it?

This place was mentioned on this blog in the last couple years by someone from a city and state that started with the same letter.

Edit: As part of a two-week challenge, Tim Pearce of Pittsburg, PA sent in HAWAII = "Honolulu and Waikiki — awesome, I imagine".

A: WAIKIKI BEACH (Y + KEY + KEY + BEECH)

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Jun 29, 2025): Famous Movie Actor and Brand

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Jun 29, 2025): Famous Movie Actor and Brand

Q: Think of a famous movie star (6 letters, 6 letters). The first name, when said out loud, sounds like a brand of a certain object. The last name is someone who uses this object. What movie star is this?

Has this puzzle got you over a barrel?

Edit: A barrel maker is a cooper which is also a model of the Mini car brand.

A: MINNIE DRIVER --> MINI, DRIVER

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Jun 22, 2025): Film Award

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Jun 22, 2025): Film Award

Q: Take the first and last names of a major film director. Drop the last six letters of his name, and rearrange what remains. You'll get the name of a major film award -- for which this director has been nominated six times. Who is he and what is the award?

Technically, the director has one more name.

Edit: Wikipedia adds his maternal surname (Caballero). Also, I probably shouldn't have used the graphic that I did.

A: PEDRO ALMODÓVAR, PALME D'OR

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Jun 15, 2025): Child's Play

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Jun 15, 2025): Child's Play

Q: Take a child's game, in eight letters. Change the sixth letter to 'ch' and, phonetically, you'll have a popular animated children's character. What are the game and the character?

How manu of us remember the first time we played this?

The first time I played this game, I was on the receiving end and don't remember playing. But I do remember later when I was on the giving end.

A: PEEK-A-BOO, PIKACHU