___ Wong, co-star of “Always Be My Maybe” - NYT Crossword Clue

Introduction

Today's clue, "___ Wong, co-star of “Always Be My Maybe”," is a classic fill-in-the-blank that tests your knowledge of contemporary pop culture. It points directly to a specific, well-known comedian and actress. For those who keep up with modern comedy or popular Netflix films, this clue is likely a quick and satisfying fill.

Clue Analysis

The structure of the clue is straightforward. We are given a last name, "Wong," and a significant credit, the film "Always Be My Maybe." The blank represents the person's first name. The solver's task is simply to recall the first name of the actress who fits this description. There's no wordplay or trickery here; it's a direct trivia question.

Thinking Approaches

1. Direct Recall: The most common path to solving this is immediate recognition. If you've heard of the comedian or seen the movie, her name will likely pop into your head right away.
2. Contextual Association: If the name isn't coming to you, try to visualize the movie "Always Be My Maybe." Who were the main actors? You might remember Randall Park and the female lead. Thinking about her other work, like her stand-up specials or the series "Beef," can also trigger the memory.
3. Leveraging Crossings: For a short, three-letter answer, crossing clues are incredibly powerful. If you're unsure, getting even one or two letters from intersecting entries can confirm the name or narrow down the possibilities significantly. For instance, if you have A _ I, the answer becomes almost certain.

Background Context

The clue refers to Ali Wong, an American comedian, actress, and writer. She gained widespread fame for her Netflix stand-up specials Baby Cobra (2016), Hard Knock Wife (2018), and Don Wong (2022).

She co-wrote and co-starred in the 2019 romantic comedy film Always Be My Maybe alongside Randall Park. More recently, she received critical acclaim and a Golden Globe award for her leading role in the 2023 Netflix series Beef. Her prominence in modern entertainment makes her a common and fair subject for crossword puzzles.

Conclusion

This clue is a great example of how modern pop culture figures are integrated into crosswords. It's a direct and accessible clue that rewards solvers for being familiar with current film and television. Its simplicity makes it a welcome entry point into a section of the puzzle.

Hints

1. Hint 1: The answer is the first name of a popular stand-up comedian and actress.
2. Hint 2: She is known for her Netflix comedy specials like "Baby Cobra" and "Hard Knock Wife".
3. Hint 3: She also had a prominent role in the acclaimed series "Beef".
4. Hint 4: Her first name is a common three-letter name, often a shortened form of Alison or Alexandra.

The answer is ALI.