09.29 Thu

T H U R S D A Y
September 29, 2011
Don Gagliardo & C. C. Burnikel

Theme: Made in China — Theme answers (and there are a lot of them!!) are all items that were invented in China.

Theme answers:

• 1A: *Rock conqueror? (PAPER).
• 10A: *Soy milk brand (SILK).
• 17A: *Dental checkup freebie (TOOTHBRUSH).
• 28A: *Wile E. Coyote buy (GUN POWDER).
• 35A: *Gets creative (NOODLES).
• 39A: *Extent (COMPASS).
• 45A: *Flashy display (FIREWORKS).
• 59A: *Beginner's piano piece (CHOPSTICKS).
• 64A: *Forged check (KITE).
• 66A: It celebrates National Day on October 1 (and it's where the answers to starred clues were invented) (CHINA).

This is one of those puzzles that's not going to be a hit with speed solvers. It has asterisks in some of the clues which makes you think maybe there's something tricky going on, but the chances are slim to none that the unifying concept will become clear before you reach the reveal answer. Now, I am generally a speed solver (at least I attempt to be; I may not be the speediest of speed solvers!), so I was sort of grudgingly making my way through this grid without really getting a foothold anywhere and actually starting to feel mildly annoyed. The only theme answers I had come up with after my first run through were SILK and KITE and I definitely couldn't see what those two had to do with each other. But then I got to CHINA. The clouds parted and the choir sang and I was back at it with a new determination. There's a rumor that I even had a small smile on my face, but I don't know if that's true.

I had two major trouble spots. The first was down in the Oklahoma/Texas area. I tried STEP OUT and SLIP OUT before the correct SKIP OUT (43D: Abandon, with "on"). And I had SNIPPY before SNAPPY (47D: Irritable). So there was a lot of erasing going on down there. Then there was the northwest. Even with TOOTHBRUSH and SNL in place, I struggled. I had DST for EDT (4D: Atlanta summer hrs.), which is really a rookie mistake and it messed me up good. Also, I've never heard of ARON Ralston (though I'm thankful for another way to clue ARON) (2D: Mountain climber Ralston, subject of "127 Hours"). And I couldn't get Barney the Freaking Dinosaur out of my head long enough to figure what the heck he had in common with Bo. (I knew Bo was the Obamas PET. I'm still not sure who Barney's owners were. … Oh, he was the Bushes' dog. That wasn't that long ago. You'd think I might have remembered it. But no.)

Other than that, I just had spelling errors at CODY and ASTIN (COTY and ASTON) (65A: Maker of Kate Moss fragrances / 63A: John who played Gomez Addams) and bad guesses at PESO (I tried EURO) (33A: Its symbol is "$") and USNA (I thought he might have been a marine; really who can remember back that far?) (57D: Oliver North's alma mater: Abbr.).

The only other things I want to mention are that I love how all the theme answers are not clued as the literal China-invented items that they represent in the theme. (Except for TOOTHBRUSH, so that's a little bit of a bummer. And, I guess GUN POWDER too. Darn.) I particularly like the clues for FIREWORKS and CHOPSTICKS. And some of the fill in this one is really sparkly, which you might not expect in a grid this theme-heavy. I especially liked the aforementioned SKIP OUT along with YOU'RE UP and FLOOR LIMIT. And did you notice a lot of Ks in the grid? That's always good.

One final thought, because I'm sure this will be confusing to somebody. The clue for ABLE (32A: Napoleon, before seeing Elba?) refers to the well-known palindrome ABLE WAS I ERE I SAW ELBA. Clever clue.

Crosswordese 101 Round-up:

• 16A: Singer with the platinum 1992 album "The Celts" (ENYA).
• 19A: Hungarian spa city (EGER).
• 44A: Pennsylvania port (ERIE).
• 29D: Japanese chip maker (NEC).

Everything — 1A: *Rock conqueror? (PAPER); 6A: Ilk (TYPE); 10A: *Soy milk brand (SILK); 14A: Diminish, as trust (ERODE); 15A: Court target (HOOP); 16A: Singer with the platinum 1992 album "The Celts" (ENYA); 17A: *Dental checkup freebie (TOOTHBRUSH); 19A: Hungarian spa city (EGER); 20A: "30 Rock" is loosely based on it, briefly (SNL); 21A: Georgia campus (EMORY); 22A: Transparent personality? (GHOST); 23A: Webber's partner (PAINE); 24A: Stink ending (-AROO); 25A: Are proper for (BEFIT); 28A: *Wile E. Coyote buy (GUN POWDER); 32A: Napoleon, before seeing Elba? (ABLE); 33A: Its symbol is "$" (PESO); 34A: West Bank initials (PLO); 35A: *Gets creative (NOODLES); 39A: *Extent (COMPASS); 41A: "Alice" spinoff (FLO); 42A: Gives goose bumps, maybe (AWES); 44A: Pennsylvania port (ERIE); 45A: *Flashy display (FIREWORKS); 48A: Umbrella brand (TOTES); 49A: Idiot (LUNK); 50A: Finalize, as a comic strip (INK IN); 52A: Pub drinks (SWIGS); 54A: Sudden outpouring (SPATE); 55A: Sch. with a Phoenix campus (ASU); 58A: Comic book buyer of old? (DIME); 59A: *Beginner's piano piece (CHOPSTICKS); 61A: Analogous (AKIN); 62A: Forceful takeover (COUP); 63A: John who played Gomez Addams (ASTIN); 64A: *Forged check (KITE); 65A: Maker of Kate Moss fragrances (COTY); 66A: It celebrates National Day on October 1 (and it's where the answers to starred clues were invented) (CHINA); 1D: Bo and Barney, e.g. (PETS); 2D: Mountain climber Ralston, subject of "127 Hours" (ARON); 3D: Hustler's game (POOL); 4D: Atlanta summer hrs. (EDT); 5D: Warm up (REHEAT); 6D: Crowd (THRONG); 7D: Words to one on deck (YOU'RE UP); 8D: Nosegay (POSY); 9D: Bk. before Philippians (EPH.); 10D: Envision a way (SEE HOW); 11D: To a great extent (IN GOOD PART); 12D: Caustic fluids (LYES); 13D: Go-__ (KART); 18D: ASCAP rival (BMI); 22D: Union member? (GROOM); 23D: Like pintos (PIED); 24D: Lhasa __ (APSO); 25D: Alberta national park (BANFF); 26D: "Christ Stopped at __" (EBOLI); 27D: Amount requiring a credit card authorization (FLOOR LIMIT); 29D: Japanese chip maker (NEC); 30D: Borden mascot (ELSIE); 31D: Derby prize (ROSES); 36D: Some green acres (LAWNS); 37D: "Star Wars" tree-dweller (EWOK); 38D: Sun. talk (SER.); 40D: Drudge (PEON); 43D: Abandon, with "on" (SKIP OUT); 46D: Oregon Ducks' home (EUGENE); 47D: Irritable (SNAPPY); 48D: Pin in a shirt (TIE TAC); 51D: Gold units: Abbr. (KTS.); 52D: Mt. Rushmore's state (S. DAK.); 53D: Joint Web project (WIKI); 54D: "Buzz off!" ("SHOO!"); 55D: When Emile sings "Some Enchanted Evening" (ACT I); 56D: Word with care or cream (SKIN); 57D: Oliver North's alma mater: Abbr. (USNA); 59D: V x LX (CCC); 60D: -like relative (-ISH).

09.14 Wed

W E D N E S D A Y
September 14, 2011
Don Gagliardo & C.C. Burnikel

Theme: Wheel of Fortune — Theme answers end with an article plus a vowel, like the way a contestant on Wheel of Fortune would say, "I'd like to buy AN A," e.g.

Theme answers:

• 17A: *"The Music Man" number (GARY INDIANA).
• 21A: *Sweet stocking stuffer (CANDY CANE).
• 34A: *Lead singer in No Doubt's hit "Don't Speak" (GWEN STEFANI).
• 42A: *Instrument using rolls (PLAYER PIANO).
• 52A: *Seven-time Grammy-winning jazz singer (AL JARREAU).
• 62A: Words in a classic game show that can be followed by the ends of the answers to starred clues (I'D LIKE TO BUY).

I'm not gonna spend a lot of time on this puzzle because, frankly, I don't think very much of it. The theme is extremely thin, the crosswordese is rampant, and the fill is pretty sketchy in that it includes:

• several prefix/suffix entries (-ISH, API-, PERI-);
• a Random Roman Numeral (DCC);
• an awkward plural (TEMPI);
• half of a Gabor sister (ZSA); and
• ISIAH Thomas.

I actually do like both AL JARREAU and GWEN STEFANI (although GWEN's clue was oddly specific), but there's just not enough theme here. Three letters at the end of four entries and only two at the end of the fifth. Add to that the awkward reveal clue and, well … I'm just not feeling it.

I have now made a puzzle constructing rule for myself. If I ever find that a grid needs to contain both SOU and ÉCU, I will scrap it and start over. I don't even think having both of those words in the grid can be counter-balanced by a phenomenal theme (which, unfortunately, isn't even a consideration in this particular case).

If you all found anything redeeming in this puzzle, I'd love to hear about it in the comments. Telling me that HOBO is awesome doesn't count, though, because that's just obvious.

Crosswordese 101 Round-up:

• 20A: Early computer (ENIAC).
• 41A: Ernst contemporary (ARP).
• 65A: Geological time division (AEON).
• 24D: Vietnamese holiday marking the arrival of spring (TET).
• 26D: Ottoman big shots (AGHAS).
• 51D: Arctic diver (AUK).
• 55D: "The Time Machine" race (ELOI).

Everything — 1A: Wasn't renewed (LAPSED); 7A: Fiend's tail? (-ISH); 10A: Biographical datum (AGE); 13A: World Cup chant (OLÉ OLÉ); 14A: They're "high" but not dry (SEAS); 16A: Little shaver (LAD); 17A: *"The Music Man" number (GARY INDIANA); 19A: Ginormous (BIG); 20A: Early computer (ENIAC); 21A: *Sweet stocking stuffer (CANDY CANE); 23A: Not quite a compulsion (ITCH); 25A: W-2 info: Abbr. (SSN); 26A: Perceptive (ASTUTE); 30A: Predecessor of 33-Down (JOHNSON); 34A: *Lead singer in No Doubt's hit "Don't Speak" (GWEN STEFANI); 37A: Bee fore? (API-); 38A: Plate in a park (HOME); 39A: Took by the hand (LED); 40A: Aptly named movie channel (FLIX); 41A: Ernst contemporary (ARP); 42A: *Instrument using rolls (PLAYER PIANO); 46A: Grab ahold of, as an idea (SEIZE ON); 48A: Cross to bear (BURDEN); 49A: Trivial amount (SOU); 50A: Sandbox sight (PAIL); 52A: *Seven-time Grammy-winning jazz singer (AL JARREAU); 56A: Tibetan capital (LHASA); 61A: Showy wrap (BOA); 62A: Words in a classic game show that can be followed by the ends of the answers to starred clues (I'D LIKE TO BUY); 64A: Lumber tree (ELM); 65A: Geological time division (AEON); 66A: Fare-minded one? (CABBIE); 67A: Family pooch (LAB); 68A: Command to a 67-Across (SIT); 69A: WWII fleet (U-BOATS); 1D: Prime seating (LOGE); 2D: Rickman of Harry Potter films (ALAN); 3D: Prefix with meter (PERI-); 4D: Miso bean (SOYA); 5D: Extracts (ELICITS); 6D: Place to relax (DEN); 7D: Hoops legend Thomas (ISIAH); 8D: Penn of "Milk" (SEAN); 9D: Like computer lab learning (HANDS-ON); 10D: Goya's "Duchess of __" (ALBA); 11D: Put on a spare tire? (GAIN); 12D: Upper hand (EDGE); 15D: Greets someone with more than a nod (SAYS HI); 18D: LXX x X (DCC); 22D: MSNBC rival (CNN); 24D: Vietnamese holiday marking the arrival of spring (TET); 26D: Ottoman big shots (AGHAS); 27D: Talked a blue streak? (SWORE); 28D: Musical speeds (TEMPI); 29D: French article (UNE); 30D: Shade of green (JADE); 31D: Leaves for lunch? (SALAD); 32D: Speak one's mind (OPINE); 33D: Successor to 30-Across (NIXON); 35D: Pizazz (ELAN); 36D: Tina of "30 Rock" (FEY); 40D: Tree often brought into the house (FIR); 42D: Illinois River port (PEORIA); 43D: French pilgrimage site (LOURDES); 44D: DH's stat (RBI); 45D: Can opener (PULL TAB); 47D: When doubled, sister of Eva (ZSA); 50D: A stripper takes it off (PAINT); 51D: Arctic diver (AUK); 52D: Genesis shepherd (ABEL); 53D: 1970 Kinks classic (LOLA); 54D: It's perpendicular to a threshold (JAMB); 55D: "The Time Machine" race (ELOI); 57D: Vagabond (HOBO); 58D: "Take a Chance on Me" quartet (ABBA); 59D: Dressy duds (SUIT); 60D: Thumbs-up votes (AYES); 63D: Former French coin (ÉCU).

09.04 Sun

S U N D A Y
September 4, 2011
Don Gagliardo & C.C. Burnikel

[Note: This is the syndicated L.A. Times puzzle. It does not appear in the actual newspaper, but is available for free at cruciverb.com.]

Theme: "Secret Stash" — Phrases in which ST is changed to H, yielding wacky results.

Theme Entries:

• 24A: Jack Benny in his patented pose? (HAND-UP COMIC).
• 26A: One military stint after another? (CHAIN HITCH).
• 37A: Causes serious damage at sea? (HACKS THE DECK).
• 61A: Getting flattened by a gridiron lineman? (HUMBLING BLOCK).
• 75A: Hollywood hopeful's pursuit? (PUBLICITY HUNT).
• 97A: Cad on his best behavior? (TEMPERED HEEL).
• 111A: Coven gatherings? (HAG PARTIES).
• 117A: Give a ride to roadside yokels? (PICK-UP HICKS).
• 14D: One going from theater to theater? (SHOW HOPPER).
• 73D: Pawnbroker's niche? (HOCK MARKET).

Hey, crossword fans. Doug here on Sunday. Fun puzzle today from the familiar duo of Don and C.C. If you're baffled by the title, try reading the second word this way: "ST as H." ST masquerading as H, you might say.

First I want to comment on the grid. Our constructors have given us ten theme entries today, including two theme pairs that intersect in the upper right and lower left. And even with all that theme coverage, they've squeezed in some interesting long entries like ALFA ROMEO, GO FIGURE, and BALTIC SEA. Impressive.

The HAND-UP COMIC entry is wonderful if you're old enough to remember Jack Benny. I'm not that old, but I have seen quite a few episodes of "The Jack Benny Show" and I'm familiar with his signature hand-on-the-chin gesture. I like listening to old-time radio shows, but most of the comedy routines haven't aged well. There are a couple exceptions though. Jack Benny's still funny, and I love Burns & Allen. Gracie cracks me up every time she opens her mouth.

I also like HUMBLING BLOCK. That's a great entry for football season, which is starting soon. Or maybe it's already started. I'm not sure. I don't follow football much anymore. I've never recovered from the confusion of the Seahawks' shift to the NFC, and that was almost 10 years ago.

Bullets:

• 5A: Carlisle's wife in "Twilight" (ESME). For crossword purposes, there are only two names you need to remember from the "Twilight" series: ESME and BELLA. Bella's the main character and Esme is...somebody else. Carlisle's wife I guess. And I think she's the mom of sparkly vampire Edward.
• 34A: "Crispin: The Cross of Lead" Newbery Medal-winning author (AVI). I'm surprised we don't see his name more often in puzzles. AVI is usually clued as a bird-related prefix. But this AVI guy is certainly crossword-worthy.
• 48A: 2, at Putt-Putt (PAR). I figured that "Putt-Putt" and miniature golf were the same thing. Well, Putt-Putt is a trademark, and Wikipedia informs me that there "are several significant differences between Putt-Putt's brand of miniature golf and other versions." What, no windmills? I get the impression that Putt-Putt is for more "serious" miniature golfers.
• 67A: Wee start? (PEE). Did this clue/answer pair make you giggle?
• 106A: Tilde feature? (SHORT I). Tricky. The word "tilde" features a short i sound. And you thought Shorti was a new "Jersey Shore" character.
• 109A: Word after Wuzzy (WAS). From the immortal "Fuzzy Wuzzy was a bear..." tongue twister.

• 40D: Yankees all-time hit leader Jeter (DEREK). 3,064 and counting.
• 90D: Head turner, say (EYE CANDY). Another nice long entry.
• 113D: Ones knocked off during strikes (PINS). I don't think "knocked off" makes sense. Should be "knocked down," right?

OK, it's Labor Day Weekend, so I'm taking off early. Enjoy yourselves!

Everything — 1A: Award named for a Muse (CLIO); 5A: Carlisle's wife in "Twilight" (ESME); 9A: "No prob!" (A SNAP); 14A: Kane's Rosebud, e.g. (SLED); 18A: Loch with sightings (NESS); 19A: Financial claim (LIEN); 20A: Hooch source (STILL); 21A: "I'd like a say" sounds (AHEMS); 22A: St. Petersburg is on it (BALTIC SEA); 24A: Jack Benny in his patented pose? (HAND-UP COMIC); 26A: One military stint after another? (CHAIN HITCH); 28A: Recently retired NBAer (YAO); 29A: Mac-PC battles, e.g. (AD WARS); 30A: Hole advantage (ACE); 31A: Expression of disdain (TUSH); 33A: Semicircular structure (ARCH); 34A: "Crispin: The Cross of Lead" Newbery Medal-winning author (AVI); 37A: Causes serious damage at sea? (HACKS THE DECK); 42A: Hautboy, more commonly (OBOE); 46A: Certain boss's group (GANG); 48A: 2, at Putt-Putt (PAR); 49A: Saintly Mother (TERESA); 50A: 29-Across units (SPOTS); 51A: Spider automaker (ALFA ROMEO); 54A: Cop's catch (PERP); 55A: Tradition-challenging genre (POP ART); 56A: Pageant topper (TIARA); 57A: "&iques;Cómo __?" (ESTÁ); 59A: Under-the-hood knock source, perhaps (ENGINE ROD); 61A: Getting flattened by a gridiron lineman? (HUMBLING BLOCK); 65A: You may read it before turning a page (OVER); 66A: Poehler of "SNL" (AMY); 67A: Wee start? (PEE); 68A: "... boy __ girl?" (OR A); 69A: UAL West Coast hub (SFO); 70A: Consequence of over-toasting?: Abbr. (DUI); 73A: Piltdown man, say (HOAX); 75A: Hollywood hopeful's pursuit? (PUBLICITY HUNT); 79A: Stuff, pad, cover, etc. (UPHOLSTER); 83A: Hopper (FROG); 84A: Indian melodies (RAGAS); 85A: Breaks bread? (SLICES); 86A: Conn of "Grease" (DIDI); 89A: "I'm not making this up!" (TRUE STORY); 91A: Dweebs (DORKS); 92A: Elegy, for example (LAMENT); 94A: What big girls don't do, in a '60s hit (CRY); 95A: Sport with Shinto rituals (SUMO); 96A: "Up and __!" (AT 'EM); 97A: Cad on his best behavior? (TEMPERED HEEL); 100A: Sch. in Nashville (TSU); 101A: Magician's opening (ABRA); 103A: Bailiff's request (RISE); 104A: Pres. after JAG (CAA); 106A: Tilde feature? (SHORT I); 109A: Word after Wuzzy (WAS); 111A: Coven gatherings? (HAG PARTIES); 117A: Give a ride to roadside yokels? (PICK UP HICKS); 120A: Ritual before a fall, hopefully? (RAIN DANCE); 121A: First pot chips (ANTES); 122A: Shower time (APRIL); 123A: Repair (MEND); 124A: Scientology's __ Hubbard (L. RON); 125A: Now, in the ER (STAT); 126A: Kid's choice word (MEENY); 127A: __ listening (EASY); 128A: Give, but expect back (LEND); 1D: "Street Signs" network (CNBC); 2D: Wife of Jacob (LEAH); 3D: Cuba, to Cubans (ISLA); 4D: Old Roman port (OSTIA); 5D: "Your Stinginess" ("EL CHEAPO"); 6D: "You bet, señor!" ("SÍ SÍ!"); 7D: Assemble (MEET); 8D: Puts into law (ENACTS); 9D: Shade of blond (ASH); 10D: "Don't move!" ("STAY HERE!"); 11D: "Project Runway" judge Garcia (NINA); 12D: Designer Gucci (ALDO); 13D: Like cats and dogs: Abbr. (PLU.); 14D: One going from theater to theater? (SHOW HOPPER); 15D: 1964 British Open champ (LEMA); 16D: Qatar bigwig (EMIR); 17D: Mil. medals (DSC'S); 21D: Current initials (AC/DC); 23D: Foot part (INCH); 25D: Use a lot? (PARK); 27D: Pizza the __: "Spaceballs" role (HUTT); 32D: Herding dog name (SHEP); 33D: Here, in Havana (ACA); 34D: First name in mystery (AGATHA); 35D: Drug for anxiety (VALIUM); 36D: Disrepute (INFAMY); 38D: Followed (CAME NEXT); 39D: Kmart founder (KRESGE); 40D: Yankees all-time hit leader Jeter (DEREK); 41D: "Home Run Derby" airer (ESPN); 43D: Hog wild? (BOAR); 44D: Juan's "other" (OTRO); 45D: Abbr. before a year (ESTD.); 47D: Duds (GARB); 50D: Loudness unit (SONE); 52D: "Too-Ra-Loo-Ra-Loo-__": Irish lullaby (RAL); 53D: Handicapper's hangout, briefly (OTB); 55D: Turning point (PIVOT); 58D: Jesus of baseball (ALOU); 60D: "Beats me" ("GO FIGURE"); 62D: "No thanks" ("I PASS"); 63D: Heavenly body (ORB); 64D: Little lower? (CALF); 69D: Burn badly (SCORCH); 70D: Where many bats are seen (DUGOUT); 71D: Takes weapons from (UNARMS); 72D: Fitting room "That looks fabulous!" ("IT'S YOU!"); 73D: Pawnbroker's niche? (HOCK MARKET); 74D: Corrida cries (OLÉS); 75D: Dress fussily (PRIMP); 76D: NYC subway (IRT); 77D: Mos. and mos. (YRS.); 78D: Bowlers, e.g. (HATS); 79D: Food stamp (USDA); 80D: Novel idea (PLOT); 81D: Take on (HIRE); 82D: Dutch treat (EDAM); 87D: Fur trader's supply (DEERSKIN); 88D: Cross letters (INRI); 90D: Head turner, say (EYE CANDY); 92D: Green span (LEA); 93D: New Ager John (TESH); 97D: Stumble (TRIP); 98D: "Oh, no!" ("DEAR ME!"); 99D: Hog fat (LARD); 102D: Heat meas. (BTU'S); 105D: Even a little (AT ALL); 106D: Places with lots of white robes (SPAS); 107D: Request from one who's stumped (HINT); 108D: Numerical prefix (OCTA-); 109D: Rub dry (WIPE); 110D: Lot size (ACRE); 112D: Mother of the Titans (GAEA); 113D: Ones knocked off during strikes (PINS); 114D: Memo starter (IN RE); 115D: MBA course (ECON.); 116D: iPhone command (SEND); 118D: It may be cured (HAM); 119D: Crafty (SLY).

08.18 Thu

T H U R S D A Y
August 18, 2011
Don Gagliardo & C.C. Burnikel

Theme: Plus Signs — Three blocks of black squares look like plus signs and the first three (four?) letters of each theme answer can be a word having to do with addition.

Theme answers:

• 16A: Rikishi's contest (SUMO MATCH).
• 28A: City known as the political capital of Africa (ADDIS ABABA).
• 43A: Pacific Northwest cedar monuments (TOTEM POLES).
• 55A: The three in this grid are a hint to the starts of 16-, 28- and 43-Across (PLUS SIGNS).

First of all, I just want to say Happy Birthday to PuzzleHusband! What are we doing to celebrate? Well, I'm going to drop the PuzzleKids at day camp and drop my van off at the shop. He's going to meet me at the shop and give me a ride to work and then head off on a business trip. I will spend the rest of the day hoping and praying that the shop is able to finish its work on the van today so the kids and I aren't stranded. Oh, and somewhere in there we're hoping the landlord will somehow be able to fix our air conditioner. So, yeah. Looking like a great day ahead.

This puzzle was … not my favorite. I did notice the unusual grid pattern right off the bat, so that helped with the theme. I'm not entirely sure if the relevant part of the last theme answer is TOT or TOTE. Both have dictionary support for fitting with the theme. I want to say it's TOT so that each of the three theme answers starts out with three theme letters to go along with the three plus signs in the grid. So, okay, let's go with that.

Tons of crosswordese and uninteresting fill in this one. A few gems distinguish themselves from the crowd:

• 35A: Reorganize, and then some (SHAKE UP).
• 7D: Prom corsage (ORCHID).
• 11D: Prepare for the hot tub (DISROBE).
• 36D: Jeter's 3,000th hit, e.g. (HOME RUN).

They're offset by words that just sit there — like AMMETER, LOOKED, OBTAIN, COMPILER — and a couple real clunkers — AEROBAT and AT A TIME, I'm looking at you. So, overall, as I said, not my favorite. Don and C.C. have set the bar pretty high for themselves, though, so that might be part of it.

Crosswordese 101 Round-up:

• 1A: Altar constellation (ARA).
• 22A: Bit for the dog bowl (ORT).
• 25A: Plaintive wind, perhaps (OBOE).
• 26A: First-year law student (ONE-L).
• 33A: Polo Grounds #4 (OTT).
• 47A: Scandinavian saint (OLAF).
• 29D: "The Clan of the Cave Bear" writer (AUEL).
• 51D: Strategic WWI river (YSER).

Everything — 1A: Altar constellation (ARA); 4A: Picked locks? (AFRO); 8A: Where to see Goyas (PRADO); 13A: Translating computer program (COMPILER); 15A: Had pizza delivered, say (ATE IN); 16A: Rikishi's contest (SUMO MATCH); 18A: Vice __ (VERSA); 19A: DFW airport home (TEX); 20A: Lei presenter (WAHINE); 22A: Bit for the dog bowl (ORT); 23A: Tapped-out character (DIT); 24A: Popping up all over (RIFE); 25A: Plaintive wind, perhaps (OBOE); 26A: First-year law student (ONE-L); 28A: City known as the political capital of Africa (ADDIS ABABA); 30A: Battlefield display (HEROICS); 32A: King's problem in "The King's Speech" (STUTTER); 33A: Polo Grounds #4 (OTT); 34A: Place to see bull horns (LEA); 35A: Reorganize, and then some (SHAKE UP); 39A: Thrill (DELIGHT); 43A: Pacific Northwest cedar monuments (TOTEM POLES); 45A: NYC neighborhood (NOHO); 46A: Make __ dash (A MAD); 47A: Scandinavian saint (OLAF); 48A: Rascal (IMP); 49A: Like Gen. McChrystal (RET.); 50A: Quite soon (ANY DAY); 52A: Bearded beast (GNU); 53A: What a case may go to (TRIAL); 55A: The three in this grid are a hint to the starts of 16-, 28- and 43-Across (PLUS SIGNS); 58A: Gravy no-no (LUMPS); 59A: Billie Holiday's real first name (ELEANORA); 60A: El primer mes (ENERO); 61A: Houston MLBer (STRO); 62A: "Just kidding!" ("NOT!"); 1D: Rm. coolers (AC'S); 2D: Stand-up performance (ROUTINE); 3D: Current contraption (AMMETER); 4D: Align the cross hairs (AIM); 5D: Fly in the ointment (FLAW); 6D: Slows (RETARDS); 7D: Prom corsage (ORCHID); 8D: Work on the street (PAVE); 9D: MapQuest output: Abbr. (RTE.); 10D: Pilot in a show (AEROBAT); 11D: Prepare for the hot tub (DISROBE); 12D: Painting the town red (ON A TEAR); 14D: "A __ upon thee!" (POX); 17D: Oldies players (HI-FIS); 21D: Gets cozy (NESTLES); 23D: [Facepalm!] (D'OH); 25D: Lay one's hands on (OBTAIN); 27D: Undid the blindfold (LOOKED); 28D: Do more than just consider (ACT UPON); 29D: "The Clan of the Cave Bear" writer (AUEL); 31D: Tabloid pair (ITEM); 35D: Scare (STARTLE); 36D: Jeter's 3,000th hit, e.g. (HOME RUN); 37D: Unit by unit, in succession (AT A TIME); 38D: Coral component (POLYP); 39D: Foreclosure cause (DEFAULT); 40D: In progress (GOING ON); 41D: Author better known as Saki (H.H. MUNRO); 42D: Word with seed or banana (TOP); 44D: Tureen utensils (LADLES); 50D: Besides (ALSO); 51D: Strategic WWI river (YSER); 52D: Gibson need (GIN); 54D: Spring mo. (APR.); 56D: Common word on Brazilian maps (SÃO); 57D: Watched the kids (SAT).

08.04 Thu

T H U R S D A Y
August 4, 2011
Don Gagliardo & C.C. Burnikel

Theme: Left-Right — Each theme answer is a two-word phrase, the first word of which is typed completely with the left hand. The second word is typed completely with the right hand.

Theme answers:

• 17A: *Informal survey (STRAW POLL).
• 29A: *Young starlet's driver (STAGE MOM).
• 45A: *Jeweled fashion accessory (DRESS PIN).
• 4D: *Ominous salutation (DEAR JOHN).
• 11D: *Fresh dairy product (SWEET MILK).
• 22D: *Garage lubricant (GEAR OIL).
• 28D: *Retro '80s British indie rock genre (TWEE POP).
• 35D: *Be of one mind about (AGREE UPON).
• 41D: *Astral wildflower (STAR LILY).
• 62A: Repeated words in a drill sergeant's marching order, and a hint to how the first and second word, in turn, of each starred answer would be touch-typed (LEFT RIGHT).

Oh man, I have so much to do today. I still have to get ready for my trip to New York for Lollapuzzoola 4, plus I have to make sure the PuzzleKids are all ready for sleep-away camp before I go. And then there's that pesky job which is gonna eat up a bunch of my day. Hate that! So I'll just say first of all that's a lot of dang theme in that there puzzle! Whoa! Also, I've seen this type (ha!) of theme before and I had the same feeling about it today as I've had in the past: I wish I had solved the puzzle on the computer. I think I probably would have had a nice aha moment if I was actually typing the words, but writing them in? They just seemed random. How did you all solve today? On computer or on paper?

I just have a couple quick comments and then you guys can hash out the rest of the grid.

Bullets:

• 14A: Strike zone? (LANE). Cute clue. This is a reference to bowling.
• 24A: Legendary Henie (SONJA). Is she a skier? Skater? I know it's some kind of winter Olympic sport. I only know her from crosswords.
• 67A: New York's __ Island (CONEY). Here's what went through my head: LONG, STATEN, ROOSEVELT, ARGH!
• 52D: Taj __ (MAHAL). I guess the least I can do is leave you with some music today.

Crosswordese 101 Round-up:

• 42A: Rocket tail? (-EER).
• 44A: WBA stats (TKO'S).
• 47A: Mauna __ (LOA).
• 68A: German auto (OPEL).
• 1D: Lund of "Casablanca" and others (ILSAS).
• 31D: Medley (OLIO).

Everything — 1A: Chatted via AOL (IM'ED); 5A: "Legend of the Guardians" birds (OWLS); 9A: Product prefix with -matic (INSTA); 14A: Strike zone? (LANE); 15A: State with a five-sided flag (OHIO); 16A: Staircase post (NEWEL); 17A: *Informal survey (STRAW POLL); 19A: Lose no games (SWEEP); 20A: São Miguel's islands (AZORES); 21A: Get dolled (up) (TOG); 23A: Kings and queens (BEDS); 24A: Legendary Henie (SONJA); 25A: Discharge (EMIT); 27A: Great Lakes prov. (ONT.); 29A: *Young starlet's driver (STAGEMOM); 33A: Six-sided state (UTAH); 36A: Tends the lawn (WATERS); 38A: Key for Debussy? (ILE); 39A: + or -, e.g. (SIGN); 40A: It's not chilly in Chile (ENERO); 41A: Buttonhole, e.g. (SLIT); 42A: Rocket tail? (-EER); 43A: Russian leader, 1682-1725 (PETER I); 44A: WBA stats (TKO'S); 45A: *Jeweled fashion accessory (DRESS PIN); 47A: Mauna __ (LOA); 49A: Prefix with -morphic (ECTO); 50A: Albee offering (DRAMA); 54A: "Out of the question!" ("UH-UH!"); 56A: Bud (PAL); 59A: Haul in (COLLAR); 60A: Slangy denials (NOPES); 62A: Repeated words in a drill sergeant's marching order, and a hint to how the first and second word, in turn, of each starred answer would be touch-typed (LEFT RIGHT); 64A: Ad (PROMO); 65A: Brace (PAIR); 66A: Pastures (LEAS); 67A: New York's __ Island (CONEY); 68A: German auto (OPEL); 69A: Every 12 mos. (YRLY.); 1D: Lund of "Casablanca" and others (ILSAS); 2D: Seder staple (MATZO); 3D: "The Smartest Guys in the Room" company (ENRON); 4D: *Ominous salutation (DEAR JOHN); 5D: "My bad!" ("OOPS!"); 6D: Question from 5-Across? (WHO); 7D: Jaunty tune (LILT); 8D: New pilot's milestone (SOLO); 9D: Connections (INS); 10D: Online novice (NEWBIE); 11D: *Fresh dairy product (SWEET MILK); 12D: Ready to drive (TEED); 13D: Salzburg vista (ALPS); 18D: Withdraw by degrees (WEAN); 22D: *Garage lubricant (GEAR OIL); 26D: U.K. sports cars (MG'S); 28D: *Retro '80s British indie rock genre (TWEE POP); 29D: 17th-century Dutch painter (STEEN); 30D: Okla., once (TERR.); 31D: Medley (OLIO); 32D: Citi Field team (METS); 33D: Pre-owned (USED); 34D: Theater section (TIER); 35D: *Be of one mind about (AGREE UPON); 37D: Naysayer (ANTI); 41D: *Astral wildflower (STAR LILY); 43D: LAX setting (PST); 46D: Work on a plot (SCHEME); 48D: Renuzit target (ODOR); 51D: Rags-to-riches author (ALGER); 52D: Taj __ (MAHAL); 53D: Pretentious (ARTSY); 54D: Like sexist jokes, for short (UN-P.C.); 55D: Scope starter (HORO-); 57D: Best friend's meal? (ALPO); 58D: Ballet move (LEAP); 59D: Key used in combinations (CTRL); 61D: Tempeh base (SOY); 63D: "For shame!" ("FIE!").

07.19 Tue

T U E S D A Y
July 19, 2011
Don Gagliardo

Theme: Inner Circle — Words that can describe circles are hidden in familiar phrases.

Theme answers:

• 17A: St. Patrick's day shout (ERIN GO BRAGH).
• 32A: Business that serves smokers (TOBACCO INDUSTRY).
• 39A: With "leave," settle for the existing situation (WELL ENOUGH ALONE).
• 60A: Privileged group, and an aptly highlighted feature of 17-, 32- and 39-Across (INNER CIRCLE).

Good morning, everyone, and happy Tuesday! I was a little disappointed with this puzzle. It just didn't hang together very well for me and Don has set the bar pretty high for himself, so I expected something much more solid. I like the theme concept well enough and did you notice that all three "circles" break across theme answer words? That's very nice. But the "circles" themselves seem kind of random to me. RING is perfect, I get that one. But COIN? If I stretch a little, I come up with, for example, a piece of candy being described as a "coin." And HALO, well, here's the thing. I want each "circle" word to be a thing that is quintessentially circular, not just an example of something that's a circle. I mean, what about these: FRISBEE, PLATE, JAR LID. Those are all circles, but they don't make very good theme answers. So that's all I'm saying.

My favorite entries today are ODD LOT (23A: Unconventional merchandise quantity) and the two baseball answers: STRIKE TWO and HANK AARON (11D: Ump's call / 12D: "Hammerin'" baseballer). I like that we have both of AARON's names in the grid and, for some reason, sports nicknames have always made me chuckle. There's just something inherently funny about them to me. I prefer the ones that come in between the athlete's names (e.g., Evander "The Real Deal" Holyfield). Those really crack me up.

Bullets:

• 11A: Finger-to-lips syllable (SHH). Seems like kind of an awkward clue.
• 21A: Linus awaits the Great Pumpkin in one (PATCH). As opposed to this clue, which is all kindsa awesome.

• 27A: Lewinsky confidante Linda (TRIPP). It's hard for me to gauge how well-known people involved in political scandals are. I mean, sure, everybody knows who Monica Lewinsky is, but did people pay close enough attention to hear about Linda TRIPP?
• 30A: Delinquency word more commonly heard in the plural (ARREAR). Yep. It's more commonly heard in the plural. That's for sure.
• 37A: Contraire à la __: illegal, in Lyons (LOI). French!

• 47A: Drum major's cap (SHAKO). I am glad to have learned this word today. Also, drum majors' hats are awesome.
• 62A: Bachelor in personals, briefly (SWM). Well, some bachelors, sure ….
• 65A: Half and half (ONE). Now this is the kind of math clue I can handle. It's a little tricky, but once I figured out what it was going for, I could actually do the math. (One-half and (i.e., plus) one-half = ONE.)
• 8D: Sky surveillance acronym (AWACS). Airborne Warning and Control System.
• 9D: Swollen ego (BIG HEAD).

Crosswordese 101 Round-up:

• 7D: Lion player Lahr (BERT).
• 24D: Dungeons & Dragons monster (ORC).
• 26D: R&B's __ Hill (DRU).
• 49D: Broadway matchmaker (YENTE).
• 61D: UN workers' gp. (ILO).

Everything Else — 1A: "I'm clueless!" ("GOT ME!"); 6A: Half of Ethiopia's capital (ABABA); 14A: 1994 peace prize sharer Yitzhak (RABIN); 15A: C.S. who created Narnia (LEWIS); 16A: Chinese word of enlightenment (TAO); 19A: IV administrators (RN'S); 20A: 0, in Spain (CERO); 22A: Singer's aid (MIKE); 25A: "Breaking Up Is Hard to Do" singer Neil (SEDAKA); 36A: Fifth in NYC, e.g. (AVE.); 38A: Finished first (WON); 46A: "M*A*S*H" system (TRIAGE); 48A: Heat rub product (BENGAY); 50A: Oysters-on-the-half-shell seller (RAW BAR); 54A: Menlo Park middle name (ALVA); 55A: Somewhat warm (TEPID); 58A: Wave radio maker (BOSE); 59A: Work the soil (HOE); 63A: Short explosive? (NITRO); 64A: It's not an express (LOCAL); 66A: Yarn unit (SKEIN); 67A: Buck of country music (OWENS); 1D: Artist El __ (GRECO); 2D: Rowed (OARED); 3D: Classic Ford (T-BIRD); 4D: Company that merged with Konica (MINOLTA); 5D: Stonehenge loc. (ENG.); 6D: Actress Jessica (ALBA); 10D: Smudge on Santa? (ASH); 13D: Watering aid (HOSE); 18D: Fiber-__ (OPTIC); 22D: Fourth planet (MARS); 28D: Casual shirt (POLO); 29D: Reverent (PIOUS); 31D: Sandberg with nine Gold Gloves (RYNE); 32D: "I __ I taw a puddy ..." (TAWT); 33D: Excessive (OVERBLOWN); 34D: "This is no lie" ("BELIEVE ME"); 35D: Expected soon (NIGH); 40D: Turner on screen (LANA); 41D: Poached fare (EGG); 42D: Slob's opposite (NEATNIK); 43D: Either of the first two consonants in "coccyx" (HARD C); 44D: Wanted poster abbr. (AKA); 45D: Unintellectual (LOWBROW); 51D: Italian ball game (BOCCE); 52D: Narnia lion (ASLAN); 53D: Fishing gear (REELS); 54D: Facetious "I see" ("AH SO"); 56D: Prefix with scope (PERI-); 57D: Crease remover (IRON); 60D: Access points (INS).

07.08 Fri

F R I D A Y
July 8, 2011
Don Gagliardo & C.C. Burnikel

Theme: Take As Directed — Theme answers are familiar two-word phrases where the first word is a direction. Instead of including the direction word, the second word of the phrase is oriented in the grid so that you have to read it in that "direction."

Theme answers:

• 1A: Aptly, Chinese, e.g. (ASIAN). [East Asian]
• 6A: Aptly, Park Avenue area (SIDE). [East side]
• 10A: Aptly, New Jersey beach phenomenon (WIND). [East wind]
• 67A: Aptly, Israeli-occupied territory (KNAB). [West Bank]
• 68A: Aptly, Oval Office site (GNIW). [West Wing]
• 69A: Aptly, Hollywood locale (TSAOC). [West Coast]
• 1D: Aptly, about 5 percent of the Earth's surface (ACIREMA). [North America]
• 46D: Aptly, Pyongyang resident (NAEROK). [North Korean]
• 13D: Aptly, Pierre's state (DAKOTA). [South Dakota]
• 45D: Aptly, "Happy Talk" musical (PACIFIC). [South Pacific]
• 37A: "Apt" geographical element needed to complete the answers to 10 of this puzzle's clues (DIRECTION).

Interesting theme today. And I'm glad I didn't try to solve this on the computer. When you have words going every which way, it's very confusing to the fingers. In fact, when I filled out the grid in AcrossLite so I could post it at the top of this blog, I typed in WING instead of GNIW at 68A. It's hard to type words backwards! It didn't take me too long to figure out what was going on here. The whole northwest corner came pretty easily and when it was obvious that 1D was nonsense read the normal way, I figured it would have to be read some other way. That made the rest of the theme answers fun to figure out. Can't say that I've ever heard reference to New Jersey's East WIND, and embarrassed to say I needed a couple crosses before "remembering" that Pyongyang is in one of the KOREAs (have I mentioned that geography isn't my strong suit?).

Nobody likes to see EEE in the grid (55A: Width measure), but that probably couldn't be helped. Also, SEA BOAT? I assume that's a real word, but it doesn't mean it's a good word (26A: Main vessel). But there was a lot I liked in this grid. For example, I enjoyed the questions/exclamations:

• 50A: "So soon?" ("ALREADY?").
• 60A: "Shoot!" ("RATS!").
• 44D: "Are we in?" ("IS IT A GO?").

There were two points during this solve when I completely cracked myself up. First of all I can never get Prado and Prada straight, so when I saw [65A: Prado display] I'm thinking "Shoes? Purses?" Um, no. Prado is actually a museum. That displays art. Or rather, in Italian, ARTE. Then I read the word "morels" as "morays" and couldn't figure out why EELS wouldn't fit where FUNGI was supposed to go (66A: Morels, e.g.).

Bullets:

• 18A: Tour de force (FEAT).



• 11D: Succinctly (IN A WORD). Another great colloquial phrase. Love it.
• 30D: Quebec's Sept-__ (ILES). Never heard of this. It sounds vaguely … French! doesn't it?
• 41D: '70s Robert Blake cop show (BARETTA). I just had a question about BARETTA tonight when I was playing Facebook Jeopardy. It had something to do with this:



• 51D: Trendy headgear (DO-RAG). Trendy? Okay.
• 54D: Foot bone (TALUS). I tried TARSI first and then wondered where the hell I came up with that. Turns out the TALUS is part of the TARSUS. The fact that I tried to enter a plural for a singular clue? Well, that's another story.

Crosswordese 101 Round-up:

• 16A: Conscription category (ONE-A).
• 59A: European wine area (ASTI).
• 9D: Big name in compacts (ESTÉE).
• 35D: Thames landmark (ETON).

Everything Else — 14A: Treinta ÷ seis (CINCO); 15A: Some Neruda works (ODES); 17A: "What else __?" (IS NEW); 19A: Terrible (WACK); 20A: Bona fide (REAL); 21A: Wall makeup, maybe (STONES); 23A: Intl. commerce group (WTO); 24A: Anger (ENRAGE); 28A: '60s chic (MOD); 29A: Virgil contemporary (OVID); 32A: Earth, to 29-Across (TERRA); 33A: 29-Across's "__ amatoria" (ARS); 34A: Contradict (BELIE); 36A: Pop-ups, perhaps (ADS); 40A: Diamond stat (RBI); 42A: Assault (STORM); 43A: Spot in a poker game (PIP); 46A: Isn't far from reaching (NEARS); 48A: Like some blog comments: Abbr. (ANON.); 49A: Peruvian pronoun (ESA); 53A: Kind of acid (NITRIC); 56A: Relax (GO EASY); 62A: Relative position (RANK); 63A: "... __ of Bread ..." (A LOAF); 64A: "__ take arms against a sea ...": Hamlet (OR TO); 2D: Latin agreement (SÍ SENOR); 3D: Machine makeup, informally (INNARDS); 4D: Amtrak's bullet train (ACELA); 5D: Word of impatience (NOW); 6D: Lax (SOFT); 7D: Prefix with logical (IDEO-); 8D: Heads with lists (DEANS); 10D: Eye-popper response (WOW); 12D: Bee drawers (NECTARS); 21D: Break off (SEVER); 22D: Warmed the bench (SAT); 25D: "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" setting (GOBI); 27D: Certain counter's unit? (BEAN); 31D: Orders (DICTA); 37D: Urgent (DIRE); 38D: It may be dramatic (IRONY); 39D: Luxury hotel (OMNI); 40D: Freshen one's familiarity with (RELEARN); 43D: Public projection (PERSONA); 47D: Slump (SAG); 52D: Long (YEARN); 57D: Objector (ANTI); 58D: Slant, as to a specific audience (SKEW); 61D: Graveside sound (SOB); 63D: Popeye's behind? (AFT).

06.22 Wed

W E D N E S D A Y
June 22, 2011
Don Gagliardo & C. C. Burnikel

Theme: The Racer's Edge — Each theme answer is a familiar three-word phrase with the initials STP.

Theme answers:

• 16A: Makes an offer more desirable (SWEETENS THE POT).
• 27A: Hopelessly ruined (SHOT TO PIECES).
• 36A: Stock trader's goal (SHORT-TERM PROFIT).
• 44A: "Satisfaction guaranteed" catchphrase (SURE TO PLEASE).
• 58A: Editor's "Whoa!" (STOP THE PRESSES).
• 58D: Auto additives co. that hints at this puzzle's theme (STP).

Wow. Don and CC have been busy! Here's another solid puzzle with a tried-and-true theme concept. Was I complaining about a financial theme answer being boring the other day? Because today SHORT-TERM PROFIT kinda just sits there. But SURE TO PLEASE and STOP THE PRESSES are both awesome, so all in all I'd give the theme answers a win.

The fill, as I said, is solid. The only real clunkers I found were EYERS and RE-EXPOSE (21A: Lookers / 37D: Uncover again) which, yes, are technically words but that doesn't mean I have to like them. STUPE (35A: Dumbbell) is a word I've seen in crosswords but I can't say I've ever actually heard anyone use that particular slur. Regional? Generational? Whatever. Oh, and AX JOB (51A: Editor's ruthless overhaul, informally) is unfamiliar to me. Is that the same thing as a HATCHET JOB? Cuz that's the way I've heard it.

Good stuff:

• 14A: Used cars (RODE). I'm a fan of clues that make you think about a word as more than one part of speech. Here, you need to flip the switch in your brain from "adjective" to "verb." Love it.
• 19A: Entertain at one's loft (HAVE UP). Okay, here's what I don't get. What exactly is a loft? When I lived in New York, I thought it was just a big garage-kinda apartment. But I always wondered if there was a part of the apartment that was actually The Loft. Like it was up higher than the rest of the place. It makes sense to me that a loft is, somehow, up. So this clues makes sense in that way. But I've always felt confused about the technical details.
• 22A: Org. that provides handicaps (USGA). I tried LPGA here first.

• 65A: Multicolored (PIED). This term is usually used to refer to horses, right? How exactly was the PIED Piper PIED? I've never thought of him as particularly colorful. I guess maybe it's just his clothes?
• 2D: Network marketing giant (AMWAY). They still have AMWAY?
• 7D: Paper back items? (ADS). Another good clue. ADS are items you might find in the back of a newspaper. Actually, you find them throughout the paper, but there are more of them in the back, don't you think?
• 17D: Fanny (TUSH). Oh sure, why not?



• 26D: Lukewarm (TEPID). TEPID is an awesome word. This is my standout entry of the day.

• 52D: "Friday the 13th" villain (JASON). PuzzleSon has been bugging me about watching a bunch of horror movies lately. I think I'm going to turn that one over to PuzzleHusband. I used to love those movies back in high school but I'm pretty sure I couldn't handle them now.
• 53D: Ferrell's partner in "SNL" Spartan Cheerleaders bits (OTERI). I know she's crosswordese, but I still like the look of her name in the grid.

Crosswordese 101 Round-up:

• 15A: Jacob's twin (ESAU).
• 22D: __ Reader: eclectic bimonthly (UTNE).
• 45D: Brewery oven (OAST).
• 53D: Ferrell's partner in "SNL" Spartan Cheerleaders bits (OTERI).

[Follow PuzzleGirl on Twitter.]

Everything Else — 1A: Religious ritual (MASS); 5A: Bell sound (PEAL); 9A: Like freshly washed hair (DAMP); 13A: Skip (OMIT); 20A: Big rig (SEMI); 24A: They appear before U (R-S-T); 31A: Digital comm. method? (ASL); 34A: Santa __ winds (ANA); 41A: Former country on its own peninsula (KOREA); 42A: Little piggy, so to speak (TOE); 43A: Govt. Rx watchdog (FDA); 49A: Ranch handle (TEX); 50A: Votes of support (AYES); 55A: Blog comment (POST); 57A: Take to the air (AVIATE); 62A: Shock with a stun gun (TASE); 63A: Cookie since 1912 (OREO); 64A: Ripped (TORE); 66A: Geeky type (NERD); 67A: Foul mood (SNIT); 1D: Mideast statesman Dayan (MOSHE); 3D: Strainer (SIEVE); 4D: Takes the helm (STEERS); 5D: SAT practice (PREP); 6D: Long time, even in the singular (EON); 8D: "Time to leave" ("LET'S GO"); 9D: Regard (DEEM); 10D: Aim for (ASPIRE TO); 11D: Statesman on a 100-yuan note (MAO); 12D: Delay, with "off" (PUT); 18D: Clunker (HEAP); 23D: Surprise with a "Boo!" (STARTLE); 25D: Shoe mark (SCUFF); 28D: Brittle cake grain (OAT); 29D: 1-Down's land: Abbr. (ISR.); 30D: Words with date or record (SET A); 31D: Seeks, as permission (ASKS); 32D: Loud tone (SHOUT); 33D: Moto player (LORRE); 38D: What Tweety tawt he taw (TAT); 39D: "The Simpsons" bar (MOE'S); 40D: Green shade (PEA); 46D: Long boa (PYTHON); 47D: Keep for later (SAVE); 48D: Lives (EXISTS); 54D: Harass (BESET); 56D: Guest columnist's piece (OP-ED); 57D: 2007 signer of the richest contract in MLB history (A-ROD); 59D: Mai __ (TAI); 60D: Long beginning? (ERE); 61D: By authority of (PER).

06.07 Tue

T U E S D A Y
June 7, 2011
Don Gagliardo & C.C. Burnikel

Theme: Split Peas — The letter string PEA is "split" between two words of a multi-word familiar phrase.

Theme answers:

• 17A: Ali ring trademark (ROPE-A-DOPE).
• 23A: Epcot's "giant golf ball" (SPACESHIP EARTH).
• 37A: Painter of outdoors scenes (LANDSCAPE ARTIST).
• 50A: Rolling over, so to speak (GIVING UP EASILY).
• 62A: Soup ingredients, and a hint to the hidden theme in 17-, 23-, 37- and 50-Across (SPLIT PEAS).

Good morning, everyone, and happy Tuesday. Today we've got another well-made Don and C.C. collaboration. There's not much to the theme — it's more interesting when the split word is a little longer than three letters, but SPLIT PEAS is a phrase just begging for a crossword theme, so there ya go. And it is Tuesday, so we can't really expect anything earth-shattering.

All the theme answers are pretty good. If we're going to rank them by awesomeness, ROPE-A-DOPE seems like an obvious front-runner. Other than, I noticed a baseball mini-theme:

• 32A: Miracle Mets' stadium (SHEA). Ah, the good old days when baseball stadiums weren't named after corporations.
• 36A: Stat for Cliff Lee (ERA). I actually threw RBI in there at first (Me: "stat, baseball, three letters…"), but remembered a split second later that Cliff Lee is a pitcher. Now that I think about it though, he plays in the league where pitchers also hit, right? So RBI would have been a legitimate answer, too!

• 68A: Home run jog (TROT). I swear to you when I filled this in, I thought "Well sure, unless you're somebody like Charlie Hustle." And then … bam!
• 25D: Red Rose (PETE). Speaking of the devil!
• 26D: "A League of __ Own" (THEIR).

If you watched any political news yesterday, you might also have seen a mini-theme in these answers:

• 9D: Member of Congress, say (LAWMAKER).
• 54D: Some storytellers (LIARS).
• 55D: Like some limited-choice questions (YES/NO).

That's probably all I should say about that.

Bullets:

• 14A: Restrictive membership word (ONLY). Remember those Members Only jackets that were so cool back in the 80s? Do they still make those? Oh man they do.
• 21A: Conestoga-made grooves (RUTS). Yeah, yeah, yeah. Okay, I know what a conestoga is now.
• 22A: Church-owned Dallas sch. (SMU). The abbreviation in the clue hints that the answer will also be an abbreviation.
• 64A: Des Moines resident (IOWAN). Me: My niece?
• 7D: "For those who think young" soft drink (PEPSI). Is this a relatively new slogan? I'm pretty sure I've never heard it before.
• 34D: Listless feeling (ENNUI). Great word.
• 49D: Damon of "Invictus" (MATT). For those of you who watch "Friday Night Lights": Don't you think Landry looks like Matt Damon? (Also, I always expect Buddy Garrity to fly off into a Robin Williams riff.)

Crosswordese 101 Round-up:

• 1A: Ivan the Terrible, e.g. (TSAR).
• 35A: Eyelid annoyance (STYE).
• 65A: Slithery fish (EELS).
• 33D: Game start? (HARD G).

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Everything Else — 5A: Deadly snakes (ASPS); 9A: Simple hoops shot (LAY-UP); 15A: Digital water testers? (TOES); 16A: Make laugh (AMUSE); 19A: Alumnae, e.g. (WOMEN); 20A: La la lead-in (OOH); 28A: Victoria in Africa (LAKE); 29A: Comics scream (EEK); 30A: Easter basket delivery gait? (HOP); 42A: Coffee hour vessel (URN); 43A: It was often worn over a tunic (TOGA); 44A: Rocks to refine (ORES); 45A: Academic address letters (EDU); 46A: Carnival resort (RIO); 47A: Battling group (ARMY); 56A: Fingers for the D.A. (ID'S); 57A: Opposite of pre- (POST-); 58A: Subside, with "down" (DIE); 59A: Subside (ABATE); 66A: "Heck!" ("DARN!"); 67A: Lived (DWELT); 69A: To boot (ALSO); 1D: Bulls in Argentina (TOROS); 2D: Poke around (SNOOP); 3D: Pack leader (ALPHA); 4D: Corned beef bread (RYE); 5D: Just after sunset (AT DUSK); 6D: Relieve (SOOTHE); 8D: Duluth-to-Dubuque dir. (SSE); 10D: Love in Lille (AMOUR); 11D: "Tasty" ("YUM"); 12D: Exploit (USE); 13D: Con's home (PEN); 18D: Vicinity (AREA); 22D: "Gotta run!" ("SEE YA!"); 24D: Dressed (CLAD); 27D: Silver in old Westerns (HORSE); 31D: Loving strokes (PATS); 32D: Swing around (SLUE); 35D: Hot tub (SPA); 38D: Grating (STRIDENT); 39D: Nickel and dime (COINS); 40D: Wide-eyed (AGOG); 41D: Kids' stuff (TOYS); 47D: 17-mission NASA program (APOLLO); 48D: Fight back (RESIST); 51D: Indispensable (VITAL); 52D: Berth place (UPPER); 53D: Perfect (IDEAL); 59D: Help (AID); 60D: Gift decoration (BOW); 61D: Blow away (AWE); 62D: Tennis unit (SET); 63D: iPhone, e.g. (PDA).

05.25 Wed

W E D N E S D A Y
May 25, 2011
Don Gagliardo & C.C. Burnikel

Theme: Surround Sound — Theme answers are familiar phrases "surrounded" by the word "sound."

Theme answers:

• 19A: "Afraid you can't have your money back" ("SORRY NO REFUND").
• 22A: Progresso or Lipton (SOUP BRAND).
• 32A: Refuse to budge (STAND ONE'S GROUND).
• 46A: Home of Notre Dame (SOUTH BEND).
• 50A: Home theater feature, and a hint to the puzzle theme in 19-, 22-, 32-, 46-Across and the first word of this answer (SURROUND SOUND).

Hey, everybody. I'm back. Thanks so much to Neville and Doug for stepping in when I was down for the count. I'm doing much better today and it was nothing serious, so it's all good.

Another nice puzzle from Don and C.C. today. As I've mentioned in the past, C.C. and her team offers another daily L.A. Times puzzle blog. It's got a little different feel than this place and it also has an active group of regular commenters. Check it out if you're so inclined. And now, on to the puzzle ….

This puzzle pretty much had me at the first three acrosses. [1A: Winter break?] is a great clue for THAW, SLURP is an awesome word all by itself (5A: Drink noisily), and who knew there was an [10A: Agcy. that established rules for kite flying]?? That would be the FAA, of course, and that made me chuckle for sure. Theme answers are cute. Nothing super sparkly, but definitely nothing to complain about either. I tried NAME BRAND first where SOUP BRAND was supposed to go because I overthought it. I was all "Oh, that's tricky, using two soup brands to clue the generic NAME BRAND." Um … no. I think the only other write-over I had was when I tried HEM for NET (29D: Bottom line). I'm sure I'm not the only one who did that.

The only reason I didn't have write-overs for LENYA and PETR (6D: Actress Lotte / 9D: Sykora of the NHL), is because I really had no idea. I don't recall ever hearing of either of them. But they were filled in easily through crosses, so no worries there.

Bullets:

• 16A: The Dixie Chicks, e.g. (TRIO).



• 18A: Strip light (NEON). I'm not gonna lie to you. This clue gave me pause.
• 38A: Young in films (LORETTA). I always think LORETTA Young is a singer, but that's LORETTA Lynn.

• 43A: Chinese, e.g. (ASIAN). If, like me, you know that C.C. is from China, you might have gotten a little chuckle from this one. I have to say that it also reminded me of a bit Stephen Colbert did not too long ago when China's president, Hu Jintao, visited the United States. Apparently, Rush Limbaugh was disturbed by the fact that Mr. Hu was allowed to speak Chinese for quite some time before having his words translated, arguing that "the translator could be making it all up," adding that when he hears Chinese and Japanese "it sounds like all the same word," and he "can't comprehend anybody understanding it." To which Colbert responded, "Off the top of my head, I can only think of 1.5 billion people."
• 58A: Ragú rival (PREGO). Have you ever heard Will Shortz share some of his mail? He once received a complaint from a solver about this clue because either Ragú or PREGO (I don't remember which) was so far superior to the other that they couldn't accurately be described as rivals. I can only imagine the mail he gets.
• 60A: Food additive (DYE). This D was the last letter I entered into the grid. And I have to admit my first thought was LYE. Which is, of course, … not a food additive.
• 3D: Customarily (AS IS USUAL). I'm not crazy about this answer because it sounds awkward to me. Of course, people say things that sound awkward to me all the time, so that doesn't necessarily mean anything.

• 5D: Best successor of 1962 (STARR). Pete Best was the Beatles' drummer before Ringo STARR took over.
• 20D: NFL ball carriers (RB'S). On these football answers, you know the first letters is going to be R or L and the second letter is going to be B or G, right? Anything else that second letter can be?

Crosswordese 101 Round-up:

• 15A: "__ la Douce" (IRMA).
• 39A: Sushi topping (ROE).
• 23D: Hops drier (OAST).
• 46D: Hägar's dog (SNERT).

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Everything Else — 13A: Poet known for inventing words (NASH); 14A: Prairie home (TEPEE); 17A: "__ of robins in her hair": Kilmer (A NEST); 24A: Climber's toehold (LEDGE); 25A: Fertile desert spot (OASIS); 26A: New Deal inits. (FDR); 27A: Sch. with a Spokane campus (WSU); 28A: Like the Parthenon (ANCIENT); 41A: Rapids transit (CANOE); 52A: Cement piece (SLAB); 53A: Auto buyer's choice (SEDAN); 54A: Ages and ages (EONS); 57A: Hgts. (ALTS.); 59A: Hurry (RUSH); 61A: Scatter (STREW); 62A: Hang around (STAY); 1D: "We know drama" channel (TNT); 2D: Guffaw syllable (HAR); 4D: Moderator of a panel including Joy, Elisabeth and Sherri (WHOOPI); 7D: Wharton's sch. (U. PENN.); 8D: Fix, as a green (RESOD); 10D: "The Ego and the Id" author (FREUD); 11D: Included in (AMONG); 12D: "Dog the Bounty Hunter" airer (A AND E); 15D: Oven, so to speak (INFERNO); 21D: Revered figure (ELDER); 22D: Plants (SOWS); 26D: Newton fruit (FIG); 28D: Farm denizen (ANT); 30D: Rebs' gp. (CSA); 31D: Ended up (TURNED OUT); 33D: Feature of some extreme diets (NO CARBS); 34D: Pipe cleaner (DRANO); 35D: Atop, poetically (O'ER); 36D: High time? (NOON); 37D: Safe document (DEED); 40A: Lincoln or Ford (CAR); 41D: Obama's secretary of energy (CHU).

42D: Doubleday and Yokum (ABNERS); 43D: Syrian president (ASSAD); 44D: Tarnish (SULLY); 45D: Steaming (IRATE); 47D: More eccentric (ODDER); 48D: Linguist's concern (USAGE); 49D: Thus far (TO NOW); 51D: Mail letters (USPS); 55D: Gp. whose insignia consists of a bald eagle holding a key (NSA).

56D: Bashful (SHY).