NYT Mini Crossword — September 14, 2026
Hints — one at a time
Hint 1 of 5
Today's five-by-five opens with the network behind competitive reality shows about surviving on an island and living under one roof, then a sweet after-dinner wine.
Hint 2 of 5
Continue across with a brief on-screen appearance a famous director was known for making in nearly all his films, and a description of elephants known for smaller, rounder ears.
Hint 3 of 5
The last across answer is part of the title of a cult musical that returned to Broadway with a wave of Tony nominations.
Hint 4 of 5
Down starts with a word before "relief," "book," or "strip," and a word for suddenly snapping something off.
Hint 5 of 5
Finish down with a word for being emotionally cold and unfeeling, the West Texas city that follows "El," and a common, expensive present for a teenager's milestone birthday.
The answer — spoilers!
Reveal the full answer
- Channel for "Survivor" and "Big Brother" — CBS
- Dessert wine — PORT
- Alfred Hitchcock famously made one in 40 of his 53 films — CAMEO
- Like elephants distinguished by their smaller rounded ears — ASIAN
- "The ___ Horror Show," 2026 Broadway revival with nine Tony nominations — ROCKY
- Word before relief, book or strip — COMIC
- Snap (off) — BREAK
- Cold and unfeeling — STONY
- El ___, West Texas metropolis — PASO
- Expensive gift for a 16th birthday — CAR
This puzzle by the numbers
- 5 across, 5 down
- CAMEO (5)
Counted from our own archive of NYT Mini Crossword answers — not published anywhere else.
