Word Freak: Articles and Interviews
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Time, December 7, 2008
Nice mention (and much of my reporting) in a piece about Scrabble’s 60th anniversary.
Nightline, March 21, 2008
I discuss the controversy over the popular online game Scrabulous.
Southern California Public Radio, January 17, 2008
More Scrabulous, in greater depth, on KPCC’s “Patt Morrison” show (guest-hosted by old friend David Lazarus of the Los Angeles Times).
Talk of the Nation, March 12, 2007
I talk on NPR about the 32-word NCAA-style Scrabble bracket I contributed to The Enlightened Bracketologist: The Final Four of Everything.
Slate, October 26, 2006
“830!” My take on a record-setting Scrabble game, in which a Massachusetts carpenter scored 830 points.
All Things Considered, August 26, 2005
I talk about 2005 National Scrabble Championship with Robert Siegel.
The Wall Street Journal, August 22-25, 2005
My blog from the 2005 National Scrabble Championship in Reno, Nevada.
Weekend Edition, August 7, 2004
Scott Simon and I talk about the 2004 National Scrabble Championship—and the controversial use of the word LEZ in a game.
All Things Considered, October 24, 2003
Robert Siegel and I talk about the 2004 World Scrabble Championship.
Readerville, September 16-20, 2002
A too-much-fun weeklong question-and-answer session with the highly intelligent audience at Readerville.com.
Seattle Times, August 30, 2002
A profile and review.
Morning Edition, August 19, 2002
My profile of Scrabble inventor Alfred Butts for NPR’s series “Present at the Creation.”
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, August 8, 2000
A Q&A about the book.
Talk of the Nation, August 6, 2002
I join a conversation about puzzles and the mind.
New York Times, March 3, 2002
Our apparently much-viewed, Scrabble-themed wedding announcement.
People, October 15, 2001
A profile in People. Now I can die in peace.
The Pennsylvania Gazette, September/October 2001
An excerpt and interview in the alumni magazine of my alma mater, the University of Pennsylvania.
The Independent (London), September 7, 2001
A feature story from over there.
Boston Globe, August 16, 2001
Nice feature by Fred Kaplan.
Chicago Tribune, August 7, 2001
A Q&A about the book.
Weekend Edition, August 4, 2001
Scott Simon interviews me.
Hartford Courant, August 1, 2001
An excellent feature by a writer who got it.
Los Angeles Times, July 22, 2001
A reporter challenges me.
Entertainment Weekly, July 18, 2001
Troy Patterson and I play a game. EW later names WF the No. 2 nonfiction book of 2001 (behind Jessica Mitford’s Savage Beauty).
Today, July 3, 2001
Katie chats me up on a giant outdoor Scrabble board.
All Things Considered, November 5, 1999
I chat with host Noah Adams from Melbourne, Australia, where I’m reporting on the 1999 World Scrabble Championship.
All Things Considered, December 31, 1998
I recite the then-96 two-letter words acceptable in Scrabble.
All Things Considered, August 14, 1998
Noah Adams talks to me after I return from the 1998 National Scrabble Championship, my first nationals.
Sports Illustrated, December 18, 1995
S.L. Price’s fabulous (and personally influential) story about competitive Scrabble.
Atlantic Monthly, June 1987
“Master of the Tiles”: A terrific early story about competitive Scrabble by Barry Chamish.
