Culture Clash

How to Play

What is a mashup puzzle?

A mashup puzzle fuses two pop culture properties into one before-and-after phrase by sharing a word (or part of a word) at the junction. You must identify both elements, and the appropriate order that completes the before-and-after phrase. But don't worry! You can use the one item you do know to get a clue to the other item.

Each puzzle image is a visual representation of the mashup, containing elements of both titles. Your job: identify the two items and combine them into one before-and-after phrase.

Elements can overlap in a variety of ways. Here's a quick guide to the available overlap types:

Overlap types

Full Overlap — The shared word is a full word in both titles.

Saving Private Ryan + Ryan Adams

= Saving Private Ryan Adams

Partial Overlap — The overlap is a complete word in one title, and part of a word in the other title.

LCD Soundsystem + System of a Down

= LCD Soundsystem of a Down

Double Partial Overlap — The overlap is only part of a word in both titles.

The Hangover + Overwatch

= The Hangoverwatch

Typically the overlap word will be a valid word on a standalone basis, but it may be part of two different compound words, like in the above example.

Nested Overlap — One entire title is absorbed into the other.

The Notorious / B.I.G. + Big

= The Notorious Big

I try to avoid these unless there is something distinctive about the overlapping word, like different punctuation. In this event, the final answer should represent the punctuation/spelling of the fully contained item, so that both items are represented in the final phrase.

Slant Overlap — The overlapping word is close but not quite identical in both items.

Legally Blonde + Blondie

= Legally Blondie

I try to avoid these unless a theme really demands it.

Single Character Overlap — The overlap is just a single letter!

WarrenG + G-Force

= Warren G-Force

In both items, the overlapping letter is literally pronounced as part of the item. These are very rare!

Puzzle types

Each image combines a specific pair of pop culture categories, with one exception.

The exception

Set Design

Any single category

Not a mashup — identify a set of pop culture properties that all share a common theme. Each image also provides a visual clue to the theme and the title.

Example sets: TV shows with colors in the title · Movies with a US state in the title

Mashup series

Double Feature

Movie + Movie

Come for one movie, stay for the second!

Vanilla Sky + Sky High = "Vanilla Sky High"

The Underscore

Movie + Musician

Musicians have busted out of the soundtrack and into the film set!

Twisted Sister + Sister Act = "Twisted Sister Act"

Channel Surfing

TV Show + TV Show

You've been changing channels so long that the TV shows are starting to blend together!

Big Love + Love Boat = "Big Love Boat"

Picture in Picture

TV Show + Movie

The big screen and the small screen combined into one!

Eight-Legged Freaks + Freaks and Geeks = "Eight-Legged Freaks and Geeks"

Supergroup

Musician + Musician

Unlikely musical pairings combine for one epic show!

The Grateful Dead + Dead Kennedys = "The Grateful Dead Kennedys"

Music Television

Musician + TV Show

I want my MTV! The melding of two media creates a new unique art form!

Jack White + White Lotus = "Jack White Lotus"

Killer Crossover

Video Game + Video Game

Two distinct games come together into one truly memorable event.

Burger Time + Time Splitters = "Burger Time Splitters"

Challenger Approaching!

Movie + Video Game

A new foe has entered the cineplex. Movies meet video games.

Office Space + Space Invaders = "Office Space Invaders"

Chiptunes

Musician + Video Game

The unlikely melding of music and video games!

World of Goo + Goo Goo Dolls = "World of Goo Goo Dolls"

Couch Co-Op

Video Game + TV Show

Combining two different things that are best enjoyed from the couch!

AP Bio + Bioshock = "AP Bioshock"

Ready to play?