10.04 Tue

T U E S D A Y
October 4, 2011
Ed Sessa

Theme: Kinky sex … oh wait, no …. — The last word of each theme answer is a type of prop used by Harry Houdini.

Theme answers:

• 20A: Understand how things are done (KNOW THE ROPES).
• 36A: Places to see links (FRENCH CUFFS).
• 42A: Simple floral garlands (DAISY CHAINS).
• 58A: Stage name of Ehrich Weiss, for whom the ends of 20-, 36- and 42-Across were props (HARRY HOUDINI).

Did you all see Joon on Jeopardy last night? Pretty exciting! The good news for anyone who missed it is that he'll be back on tonight. (I guess that's pretty good news for Joon himself too.) Those of you who did see the show last night might have chuckled, like I did, at 1-Across. Joon missed the first of his three Daily Doubles the correct answer to which was LAMB (1A: Its "fleece was white as snow"). In his defense, the reference on the show wasn't quite as simple as a nursery rhyme. But it was about someone named Mary. Weird how stuff like that happens.

But now let's turn our attention to Dr. Sessa. Nice solid Tuesday puzzle with a interesting theme and a wholly inappropriate sub-theme. I'm sorry. I don't usually highlight all the double entendre–type entries in a grid, because I don't like to get all nasty, but I really can't help it today. I mean, come on … we've got ROPES, CUFFS, and CHAINS in the theme. There's no way I'm not going to raise an eyebrow at KAMA (Sutra), SLID, SLIT, T-BONED, LICKS, BLEW IT, PUSH and NOT ONCE. No way around it, guys; sorry for the stumble into the gutter.

I had the most trouble over on the eastern seaboard where I entered SIMPLE where SIMILE was supposed to go (31A: As plain as day, e.g.). I can't be the only one who did that. That P caused all kinds of problems, but it eventually worked itself out.

Bullets:

• 18A: Got one's uniform dirty, maybe (SLID). For some reason I was picturing a nurse's uniform here and couldn't make sense of this. Duh. It's baseball. By the way, PuzzleSon played his first baseball game in several years last weekend and hit a stand-up, RBI double. He felt pretty good about himself.

• 54A: Broadsided (T-BONED). I had actually never heard this term used in this way until PuzzleHusband was involved in a car accident earlier this year in which his car was T-BONED. (Lots of damage to the car; no damage to the husband.)
• 65A: "__ Three Lives": TV oldie (I LED). Since I had no idea, I wanted this answer to end in an S, like "[Somebody's] Three Lives."
• 1D: The home team gets the last ones (LICKS). I do not know what this means.
• 2D: Hersey's "A Bell For __" (ADANO). A little high-end crosswordese to add to your repertoire. We've talked about it here on the blog before. I Ne-Ever remember this one until I have a couple crosses in place.
• 5D: Former Asian state known for goat wool (KASHMIR). Oh yeah. You know what's coming.



• 27D: Pasta topper (PESTO). Mmm, pesto ….

• 43D: Steinway alternatives (YAMAHAS). Okay, I have wondered this for probably 40 years now. Is the YAMAHA that makes pianos the same YAMAHA that makes motorcycles? I literally think of that question every time I see a reference to either the pianos or the motorcycles and I've never bothered to look it up. Well, that ends today. Let's see … what does Wikipedia have to say? …. Okay, interesting. Yes, it's the same company. Kind of. Yamaha Corporation is the parent company and Yamaha Motor Company is part of that conglomerate. Yamaha Corporation began as a manufacturer of pianos and organs and — get this! — their logo is made up of three tuning forks. That's awesome. Who knew?

Crosswordese 101 Round-up:

• 47A: Fair-hiring initials (EEO).
• 64A: Long, long time (AEON).
• 67A: Pear variety (BOSC).
• 2D: Hersey's "A Bell For __" (ADANO).
• 6D: Wheel holder (AXLE).
• 30D: Pioneering computer (ENIAC).

Everything — 1A: Its "fleece was white as snow" (LAMB); 5A: __ Sutra (KAMA); 9A: Go with the flow (ADAPT); 14A: Pastoral verse (IDYL); 15A: Pink-slipped (AXED); 16A: Ladies' man (ROMEO); 17A: Nicolas of "Adaptation" (CAGE); 18A: Got one's uniform dirty, maybe (SLID); 19A: Mississippi, e.g. (STATE); 20A: Understand how things are done (KNOW THE ROPES); 23A: Many frozen dinners are high in it (SODIUM); 24A: Taker of vows (NUN); 25A: Def Jam genre (RAP); 28A: Native American group (TRIBE); 31A: As plain as day, e.g. (SIMILE); 33A: Tax pro (CPA); 36A: Places to see links (FRENCH CUFFS); 38A: Friend (ALLY); 40A: Cancún uncle (TIO); 41A: 36-Across opening (SLIT); 42A: Simple floral garlands (DAISY CHAINS); 47A: Fair-hiring initials (EEO); 48A: Forensic facility (DNA LAB); 49A: Spy wear (CLOAK); 51A: Sí or oui (YES); 52A: Do-favor link (ME A); 54A: Broadsided (T-BONED); 58A: Stage name of Ehrich Weiss, for whom the ends of 20-, 36- and 42-Across were props (HARRY HOUDINI); 61A: Wife of Abraham (SARAH); 64A: Long, long time (AEON); 65A: "__ Three Lives": TV oldie (I LED); 66A: Michelangelo work (PIETÀ); 67A: Pear variety (BOSC); 68A: Charity (ALMS); 69A: Suisse peaks (ALPES); 70A: Like an animated Pea? (SWEE'); 71A: Cold-cock (KAYO); 1D: The home team gets the last ones (LICKS); 2D: Hersey's "A Bell For __" (ADANO); 3D: "Nearer, __, to Thee" (MY GOD); 4D: Messed up (BLEW IT); 5D: Former Asian state known for goat wool (KASHMIR); 6D: Wheel holder (AXLE); 7D: Golda of Israel (MEIR); 8D: Supplement (ADD ON); 9D: Poison in some whodunits (ARSENIC); 10D: Kids' book connectables (DOTS); 11D: GP's gp. (AMA); 12D: Gently stroke (PET); 13D: Place for a ring (TOE); 21D: Racetrack surface (TURF); 22D: Door sign (PUSH); 25D: Go through energetically, as drawers (RIFLE); 26D: 1966 Michael Caine title role (ALFIE); 27D: Pasta topper (PESTO); 29D: "Little Women" woman (BETH); 30D: Pioneering computer (ENIAC); 32D: Letters before nus (MUS); 33D: Tea leaves holder (CADDY); 34D: Wood shaver (PLANE); 35D: Fake name (ALIAS); 37D: Slinky's shape (COIL); 39D: Fashion monogram (YSL); 43D: Steinway alternatives (YAMAHAS); 44D: Trucker with a handle (CB'ER); 45D: Never (NOT ONCE); 46D: "Elephant Boy" actor (SABU); 50D: Alaskan brown bear (KODIAK); 53D: Iraqis, usually (ARABS); 55D: Nabisco brand named for its flavor (NILLA); 56D: The Penguin, to Batman (ENEMY); 57D: Playground retort (DID SO); 58D: Can't stand (HATE); 59D: "Ouch!" ("YEOW!"); 60D: Fire truck item (HOSE); 61D: Mineral spring (SPA); 62D: Feel sick (AIL); 63D: Workout unit (REP).

09.15 Thu

T H U R S D A Y
September 15, 2011
Ed Sessa

Theme: Silence of the Lambs — Each theme answer is a familiar word or phrase with one silent letter. From top to bottom, the silent letters spell LAMBS.

Theme answers:

• 14A: Corner-to-corner lines (CROSSWALK).
• 18A: Brand with a cuckoo mascot (COCOA PUFFS).
• 34A: Recall aids (MNEMONIC DEVICES).
• 55A: Disapproval (THUMBS DOWN).
• 60A: Nassau Coliseum NHL team (ISLANDERS).
• 39D: Characteristic of this puzzle's circled letters, which suggest a 1991 Oscar-winning film (SILENCE).

Very clever theme today from Dr. Sessa. I saw the random circles and wondered what the heck we were getting ourselves into. Once I had solved the puzzle, it still took me a minute to figure out the whole theme. I'm all "Okay, the letters are silent, got it. There was a movie called 'Silence'?" Well, no, PuzzleGirl. There was a movie called "Silence of the LAMBS." Aha! I am predicting right now that several commenters will complain that one or the other of these so-called silent letters isn't really silent. If I was a gambling person, I would actually bet quite a lot of money on that. Oh wait. I am a gambling person. Well, if it was at all customary or appropriate to gamble on crossword blog comments, I would actually bet quite a lot of money on that.

Bullets:

• 1A: Cabernets, e.g. (REDS). I thought this might have been a bonus non-theme answer having to do with a memorable line from the movie, but it turns out the actual memorable line (which apparently wasn't all that memorable, to me anyway) refers to chianti.

• 40A: Adams's "Nixon in China," for one (OPERA). Did y'all know there was an opera about this? I had no idea. And weren't we just talking about him yesterday?
• 3D: Prehistoric critters, briefly (DINOS). It was hard for me to think of anything other than T-REXES, which we saw in a puzzle earlier this week.
• 37D: Trump has an elaborate one (COMB OVER). Ha! Okay, I just found this on Wikipedia and I'm having a hard time believing it's actually true: "A variation of the comb over where baldness is concealed by long hair combed in three separate directions has a U.S. Patent 4,022,227 by Donald J. Smith and his father, Frank J. Smith, of Orlando, Florida. The Smiths were awarded an Ig Nobel Prize in Engineering for their effort." Oh, okay, I followed the link for the Ig Nobel Prize and found out it's a joke. Whew! (Oh, I get it. Ignoble. But is there really a patent?!)

I'll be traveling for a couple days and will see you back here Monday. Pretty sure someone will be here to open up tomorrow morning, but you'll need to come on back to find out for sure.

Crosswordese 101 Round-up:

• 22A: Literary schnauzer (ASTA).
• 49A: '40s film critic James (AGEE).
• 53A: Concert wind (OBOE).
• 4D: Dreamcast maker (SEGA).
• 9D: Belarus, once: Abbr. (SSR).
• 31D: Genre of the band Jimmy Eat World (EMO).
• 50D: Icelandic source of mythology (EDDA).

Everything — 1A: Cabernets, e.g. (REDS); 5A: __ Ababa (ADDIS); 10A: It's in poetry? ('TIS); 13A: Ray's mom on "Everybody Loves Raymond" (MARIE); 14A: Corner-to-corner lines (CROSSWALK); 16A: Blowing away (AWING); 17A: Small smoke (CIGARILLO); 18A: Brand with a cuckoo mascot (COCOA PUFFS); 20A: Enunciate poorly (SLUR); 21A: Spanish liqueur (ANIS); 22A: Literary schnauzer (ASTA); 23A: Invitation sender (HOST); 24A: Took care of (DID); 25A: Last pres. born in the 19th century (DDE); 26A: Fish and chips fish (COD); 29A: Jazz guitarist Montgomery (WES); 30A: IM user, perhaps (AOL'ER); 32A: News distributors (MEDIA); 34A: Recall aids (MNEMONIC DEVICES); 40A: Adams's "Nixon in China," for one (OPERA); 41A: Rice follower, at the market (-A-RONI); 42A: Colorful subway poster (MAP); 45A: Reagan era acronym (SDI); 46A: Load (TON); 48A: CCCX x V (MDL); 49A: '40s film critic James (AGEE); 51A: Injury reminder (SCAR); 53A: Concert wind (OBOE); 54A: Herring prized for its eggs (SHAD); 55A: Disapproval (THUMBS DOWN); 57A: Not easily comprehended (HARD TO SEE); 59A: Like some pride (CIVIC); 60A: Nassau Coliseum NHL team (ISLANDERS); 61A: Coeur d'__ (ALENE); 62A: "The X-Files" extras (ET'S); 63A: Proposal rarely made on one knee (TOAST); 64A: Arctic hazard (BERG); 1D: Salad veggie (RAW ONION); 2D: "Spamalot" co-creator (ERIC IDLE); 3D: Prehistoric critters, briefly (DINOS); 4D: Dreamcast maker (SEGA); 5D: Impeach (ACCUSE); 6D: Go with the tide (DRIFT); 7D: Having a mug like a pug (DOG-FACED); 8D: "A miss __ good ..." (IS AS); 9D: Belarus, once: Abbr. (SSR); 10D: Soapmaking material (TALLOW); 11D: Treat like dirt (ILL USE); 12D: Hybrid apparel (SKORTS); 13D: Crushed-stone surface (MACADAM); 15D: Words after a splash in a fountain, maybe (WISH); 19D: Artificially inflate (PAD); 25D: Dilating application (DROPS); 27D: Poetic dedication (ODE); 28D: Place to recline (DIVAN); 31D: Genre of the band Jimmy Eat World (EMO); 32D: __ Nashville: record label (MCA); 33D: Mattress filler (AIR); 35D: "Waking __ Devine": 1998 film (NED); 36D: Dún Laoghaire's waters (IRISH SEA); 37D: Trump has an elaborate one (COMB-OVER); 38D: Providing funds for (ENDOWING); 39D: Characteristic of this puzzle's circled letters, which suggest a 1991 Oscar-winning film (SILENCE); 42D: Old golf club name (MASHIE); 43D: White as a sheet (AGHAST); 44D: Diver's quest (PEARLS); 46D: Least likely to bite (TAMEST); 47D: Globe (ORB); 50D: Icelandic source of mythology (EDDA); 52D: Callers at round dances (CUERS); 53D: Ballet's Black Swan (ODILE); 55D: Uproar (TO-DO); 56D: Unpopular worker (SCAB); 58D: Blast cause (TNT).

07.11 Mon

M O N D A Y
July 11, 2011
Ed Sessa

Theme: " … and I'm not gonna take it any more!" — Each theme answer is a familiar phrase that begins with a word that can be a synonym for "angry."

Theme answers:

• 17A: Rhetorical question on a sultry day (HOT ENOUGH FOR YOU?).
• 26A: Shellfish order (STEAMED CLAMS).
• 38A: Pitcher's malady (SORE ARM).
• 48A: Off one's rocker (MAD AS A HATTER).
• 63A: What you're solving (in more ways than one, based on the starts of 17-, 26-, 38- and 48-Across) (CROSSWORD PUZZLE).

This puzzle really kept me going today. And that's saying a lot for a Monday. First of all, I made a mistake right out of the gate by trying DOZEN for BATCH (1A: Cookie quantity). Monday and I'm hosing up 1-Across? Yikes! Then I winced a little when I saw the ugly plural BAHS (1D: Scroogean outbursts), but had to chuckle when I got to D'OHS (8D: Homer Simpson outbursts). The next chuckle came at HOT ENOUGH FOR YOU? That's just an awesome awesome phrase to find in the grid. It's one of those questions that I'm pretty sure is still asked unironically from time to time, which is enough to make me roll my eyes. Not that it takes much to make me roll my eyes.

Despite a clunker here and there (I'm looking at you ACRED), the theme is what really makes this puzzle shine. First of all, it's totally tight. The "angry" words are all used in a "non-angry" context, and the phrases are all well-known. Okay, SORE ARM just kinda sits there, but the reveal answer more than makes up for that little nit. It's a CROSSWORD PUZZLE and the theme is CROSS WORDS. Love it.

Bullets:

• 6A: Partner of a mani, salon-wise (PEDI). Just had one yesterday. Aaaaahhhhhhh.
• 21A: Illness suffix (-OSIS). I tried -OTIS here first.
• 23A: Enjoy a chaise longue, say (LAZE). There is apparently a rule now that every grid has to include either LAZE or LOLL.
• 43A: "Sexual Healing" singer Marvin (GAYE). A man that could even make the National Anthem sexy.



• 71A: U.S.-Canada defense acronym (NORAD). I'm sure someone will be kind enough to tell us in the comments what this stands for. This is the organization that tracks Santa Claus every year, isn't it?

• 7D: Vet (EX-G.I.). This one was tough for me. I first went down the "animal doctor" road, then switched to the "investigate" definition and really only got to "veteran" once I had the whole thing pretty much filled in by crosses.
• 10D: How lovers walk (ABREAST). Heh heh. You said breast.
• 18D: Slimy stuff (OOZE). Goopy stuff!
• 24D: Writers Lowell and Tan (AMYS). And, of course, crossword blogger and all-time cool chick Reynaldo.
• 47D: "What craziness!" ("IT'S A ZOO!"). Another great colloquial phrase. Extra points for its exclamatory-ness.

Crosswordese 101 Round-up:

• 25D: Neet rival (NAIR).
• 30D: Hawaii's Mauna __ (LOA).
• 40D: "The Crying Game" actor Stephen (REA).
• 58D: Folk singer Guthrie (ARLO).
• 60D: Drug kingpin (CZAR).

Everything Else — 10A: "Dancing Queen" group (ABBA); 14A: Hawaiian hi (ALOHA); 15A: Neural conductor (AXON); 16A: Area outside the city, briefly (BURB); 20A: Appear to be (SEEM); 22A: Blood lines (VEINS); 25A: Subtlety (NUANCE); 31A: Striped cat (TABBY); 32A: __ polloi (HOI); 33A: Deck swabbers (TARS); 37A: Cavity fillers' org. (ADA); 42A: Tennis do-over (LET); 45A: Meaning of a wd. (DEF.); 46A: Shrek's love (FIONA); 52A: Boutonniere spots (LAPELS); 55A: Striped fish (BASS); 56A: Earthy tone (OCHRE); 57A: Lion's den (LAIR); 59A: West Point, e.g.: Abbr. (ACAD.); 66A: Lottery-like game (KENO); 67A: Look at leeringly (OGLE); 68A: Italian white wine (SOAVE); 69A: Original sin site (EDEN); 70A: Carpenter's supply (WOOD); 2D: Natural balm (ALOE); 3D: Shopping bag (TOTE); 4D: Class with flasks and beakers (CHEM LAB); 5D: Solo in "Star Wars" (HAN); 6D: Stopped briefly (PAUSED); 9D: Having one flat, musically (IN F); 11D: Poker tournament entrance fee (BUY-IN); 12D: Rodeo bucker (BRONC); 13D: Nasty treatment (ABUSE); 19D: Latin egg (OVUM); 26D: Party without women (STAG); 27D: Exclamation with a flourish (TA-DA); 28D: Cybermarketplace (EBAY); 29D: Master slicers and dicers (CHEFS); 34D: Scads (A LOT); 35D: Russo of "Get Shorty" (RENE); 36D: Marquee luminary (STAR); 39D: Las Vegas numbers (ODDS); 41D: Advanced degs. for writers (MFA'S); 44D: "Nature" author (EMERSON); 49D: Brewpub pints (ALES); 50D: Tolerated (ABIDED); 51D: Heavenly music maker (HARP); 52D: "Social contract" philosopher John (LOCKE); 53D: Like a big landowner (ACRED); 54D: Call up (PHONE); 57D: Nike's Swoosh, e.g. (LOGO); 61D: Edison's middle name (ALVA); 62D: Ownership document (DEED); 64D: "Golly!" ("WOW!"); 65D: Mil. branch with ships (USN).

06.30 Thu

T H U R S D A Y
June 30, 2011
Ed Sessa

Theme: Mickey Mouse Club — Theme answers are familiar phrases that begin with a letter. The letters spell out M-I-C-K-E-Y.

Theme answers:

• 20A: *13th in a literary series of 26 (M IS FOR MALICE).
• 29A: *Me.-to-Fla. route (I NINETY-FIVE).
• 35A: *Benjamin (C-NOTE).
• 39A: *Blue Light Specials store (KMART).
• 43A: *The Boss's backup (E STREET BAND).
• 53A: *All men have them (Y CHROMOSOMES).
• 52D: When spelled out, word that follows the beginnings of the starred answers in a memorable kids' show theme song (MOUSE).

Well a fine good morning to all of the 16 people who are likely reading this blog today. It was weird yesterday at my office — it was so eerily quiet I could have sworn the long weekend had already started. And if the traffic here at LACC is any indication, my office wasn't the only place. Y'all are in vacation mode! I can tell! Well here at LACC we never go on vacation! (Not exactly true, but it felt good to say.) So anyway let's talk about this puzzle.

Super ambitious theme today. Basically six theme answers across plus the reveal at 52D — that's quite a lot of theme. The fill suffers a little (I'm looking at you, southern Texas, with your RONEE / TOKED / SNOOTED collision), but overall this puzzle seemed to continue the trend of smooth grids we've seen this week.

Bullets:

• 10A: Net info sources (FAQS). Always a good place to look if you have a question. Like, for example, if you don't know why an entry is always highlighted in the grid at the top of my posts. It's right there in the FAQ!

• 25A: Diary of a sort (LOG). Can anyone think of the "diary"-type LOG without picturing Captain Kirk? I know I can't.
• 33A: Party invite inits. (BYO). Bring Your Own … chair. Or booze or whatever. Depends on what kind of party it is.
• 51A: Cooks quantity? (TOO MANY). Cute. As in the phrase "TOO MANY cooks spoil the lasagna." Or something.
• 61A: Blakley of "Nashville" (RONEE). No idea.
• 63A: "I Love Lucy" producer/writer Oppenheimer (JESS). Again with the absence of ideas.
• 64A: Tipped at the casino (TOKED). I'm not the inveterate gambler you might find in some people's families (*cough* mine *cough*), but I have spent a little time in the casino now and then and I have no idea what this means. Perhaps PuzzleMom will be by to enlighten us. Not that she's spent a lot of time in casinos or anything.
• 2D: Complain (REPINE). I don't believe I've ever heard this word in my life.

• 4D: Argonauts' island refuge (CORFU). This is another place I would point to as a victim of the ambitious theme, but I'm not sure that's fair. Is this legit and I'm just annoyed because I didn't know it? I hate when that happens.
• 5D: Kate's "Charlie's Angels" role (SABRINA). So I'm just scanning the down clues going, "'Potemkin mutiny city'? Not off the top of my head …. 'Argonauts' island refuge'? Nope …. 'Kate's "Charlie's Angels" role'? Easy! SABRINA!"
• 31D: Popularity (FAME).



• 38D: Decisive downfall (WATERLOO). John Wayne's hometown. (Yes, I know that's not true, so no need to write to me about it. It's a joke.)
• 41D: 1980s sitcom set in rural Vermont (NEWHART). The only thing I know about this show is "My brother Darryl and my other brother Darryl." And I'm not even sure I'm spelling Darryl right, not that it matters. Also, I believe as an inn proprietor, Bob NEWHART was able to use his famous "one-sided telephone conversation" schtick quite a bit.



• 42D: Acted snobbishly toward (SNOOTED). Ouch. Took me a while to get SNUBBED out of there.

Crosswordese 101 Round-up:

• 17A: Copycat (APER).
• 32A: Actress Gardner (AVA).
• 65A: Winged archer (EROS).
• 3D: Potemkin mutiny city (ODESSA).

[Follow PuzzleGirl on Twitter.]

Everything Else — 1A: Nile reptile (CROC); 5A: Dance in Rio (SAMBA); 14A: Make over (REDO); 15A: Dwindling Alaskan tribe (ALEUT); 16A: It runs in Juárez (AGUA); 18A: Horn without keys (BUGLE); 19A: Place to brood (COOP); 23A: Glucose regulator (INSULIN); 24A: Winter phenomenon, commercially (SNO); 28A: Cultural org. since 1965 (NEA); 34A: "So be it!" ("AMEN!"); 38A: "__ to him who believes in nothing": Hugo (WOE); 40A: Bats (LOCO); 41A: "Platoon" setting, briefly (NAM); 42A: Author Grafton who wrote 20-Across (SUE); 46A: Basic resting spot (COT); 49A: "So that's it!" ("OHO!"); 50A: Where kronor are spent: Abbr. (SWE.); 55A: Bunker smoother (RAKE); 58A: Give __: inspire (A LIFT); 59A: Capable of (UP TO); 60A: Cell impulse transmitter (AXON); 62A: Put in stitches (SEWN); 1D: Fill snugly with (CRAM IN); 6D: Some booster club members (ALUMNI); 7D: Byte beginning (MEGA-); 8D: Dartboard area (BULLS-EYE); 9D: Diminished slowly (ATE INTO); 10D: Watch part (FACE); 11D: Back in time (AGO); 12D: Status __ (QUO); 13D: Deplete (SAP); 21D: Martini garnish (OLIVE); 22D: Demure (COY); 25D: Andean bean (LIMA); 26D: Done (OVER); 27D: Mannerly fellow (GENT); 30D: Nuclear radiation weapon, for short (N-BOMB); 32D: Comment end? (-ATOR); 35D: Mark's love (CLEO); 36D: Chips and dip, say (NOSH); 37D: Twice quadri- (OCTO-); 39D: Praise (KUDOS); 44D: PC key (ESC); 45D: Payment for cash? (ATM FEE); 46D: Boy scout, at times (CAMPER); 47D: Fight combo (ONE-TWO); 48D: Boxer Mike et al. (TYSONS); 53D: Desires (YENS); 54D: Pen call (OINK); 55D: British rule in India (RAJ); 56D: Bush whacker? (AXE); 57D: Haymaker consequences (KO'S).

06.02 Thu

T H U R S D A Y
June 2, 2011
Ed Sessa

Theme: Oh yeah? Let's see you do that with New Hampshire! — The first several letters of each theme answer is an anagram of a U.S. state.

Theme answers:

• 20A: Words of regret (HAD I ONLY KNOWN). [IDAHO]
• 32A: Samaritan's assurance (I MEAN NO HARM). [MAINE]
• 43A: Classic kids' wagons (RADIO FLYERS). [FLORIDA]
• 58A: Paddy Chayefsky novel, and literally, what the beginnings of 20-, 32-, and 43-Across all are (ALTERED STATES).

Good morning, everyone, and happy Thursday. I don't know what it's like where you live, but it's hot here. Like in the 90s hot and way more humidity than you really want to be having when the temperature is in the 90s. Ran into a friend last night who said, "It's supposed to be really nice tomorrow. Only 86." Whatevs. Did I mention that the air conditioning is out in my mini-van? Argh! With any luck, I'll get it fixed next week. Meanwhile I'm a little whiny. (PuzzleHusband: "A little?")

This puzzle was a good distraction for me today though. Lots of good stuff. The theme didn't help me at all during the solve, but I enjoyed figuring it out once I was done. I'm really terrible at anagrams so it didn't come easy, but I did eventually put it all together.

COOL CAT and CHALLAH were my favorite entries today (42D: Hipster / 7D: Traditional Jewish bread). But I don't love RESINY (67A: Like pine pitch). And even though I got it right way, I'm not crazy about the plural PASTAS (1A: Elbows and bow ties) — isn't the plural of PASTA … PASTA?

Stuff that gave me trouble includes:

• 7A: Floppy-eared "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" demon (CLEM). Can't say that I could name any character on "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" besides Buffy herself.
• 11A: RMN's first veep (S.T.A.). Ooh, ouch. Spiro T. Agnew. Not a politician typically referred to by initials, but okay.
• 16A: Gist (NUB). I pretty much needed every cross for this one. I get it now, but it wasn't coming to me At All at the time.

• 36A: Freq. performer at Tanglewood (B.S.O.). That would be the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Perfectly legit. The fact that I had to look it up afterwards says more about me than it does about the puzzle.

But you know what? All of those three-letter entries that gave me trouble allowed the side-by-side entries SNOW JOB and TURN-ONS (11D: Flattering trickery / 12D: Excitement generators). And that's just funny, I don't care who ya are. So all is forgiven.

Bullets:

• 24A: Martial arts schools (DOJOS). Love this word. I want to take a martial arts class so I can talk about my DOJO MOJO.

• 52A: Responded to a bailiff's request (STOOD). Tricky! The bailiff says "All rise," right? (Well, that's what he says on TV anyway.) So ROSE might have been the first thing that came to your mind.
• 62A: Piker's nickname (EL CHEAPO). Apparently, I have no idea what a "piker" is.
• 5D: Wiesbaden wheels (AUDIS). Hmmm, AUDIS in the puzzle again. Do you think it's a sign?
• 30D: Plum's title, briefly (PROF.). Clue!
• 44D: Cook's announcement (IT'S DONE). Oh this one was such a disappointment to me. I so so so wanted the answer to be IT'S SOUP. But, unfortunately ….

Crosswordese 101: Ya know, we haven't had a real CW101 lesson for a while now. That's mostly because when I look over the grid, all I usually see is entries that we've already covered. Every once in a while, I'm surprised though. Like today I'm surprised to see we haven't covered SESE yet (69A: Africa's Mobutu __ Seko). This entry is only clued one way. Oh sure, sometimes you'll be informed that he was a president/dictator/autocrat/leader/ruler and sometimes (like today) he'll be generically African, while others you'll learn he was specifically from Zaire. But you'll always get his first and last name, with a blank right there in the middle. So hang onto this one, kids. You will definitely need it again.

Other crosswordese in the puzzle that we've already covered:

• 9D: The Phantom of the Opera (ERIK).
• 55D: Arcade games leader (ATARI).
• 62D: Summer in the cité (ÉTÉ).

[Follow PuzzleGirl on Twitter.]

Everything Else — 14A: Pre-deal demand (ANTE UP); 15A: Roll call response (HERE); 17A: City on the Rio Grande (LAREDO); 18A: Plane folks? (AVIATORS); 22A: Lair (DEN); 23A: Vodka brand that sounds like a toast (SKOL); 26A: TV's Mrs. Peel (RIGG); 28A: Oil holder, perhaps (LAMP); 31A: Hawaiian coffee region (KONA); 37A: Lauderdale neighbor (BOCA); 38A: Bleachers sound (ROAR); 40A: Non-Rx (OTC); 48A: Good time (BOOM); 50A: Memo starter (AS TO); 51A: Physical, e.g. (EXAM); 54A: Brittle cookie (SNAP); 57A: Actress Zadora (PIA); 63A: Nailed the test (ACED IT); 65A: Earl or Lady Grey (TEA); 66A: Rodent control brand (D-CON); 68A: N.C. summer hrs. (EDT); 70A: Things on strings (I.D. TAGS); 1D: Sidekick (PAL); 2D: Angels' home (ANAHEIM); 3D: Off-the-wall (STRANGE); 4D: Fit to be tied, with "off" (TEED); 6D: Scare (SPOOK); 8D: Assess (LEVY); 10D: "__ My Shadow": 1927 song (ME AND); 13D: Six-pack __ (ABS); 19D: Had the desired effect (TOOK); 21D: Some mutual funds (NO-LOADS); 22D: Soft & __: deodorant (DRI); 25D: __ Paulo (SÃO); 27D: Jabber (GAB); 29D: Abandons at sea (MAROONS); 33D: Postal motto word (NOR); 34D: Sweet Sixteen gp. (NCAA); 35D: __ de mer (MAL); 39D: Catcher's place? (RYE); 40D: Dictionary cousin of arch. (OBS.); 41D: Unsalvageable after an accident (TOTALED); 45D: "Where you book matters" online service (EXPEDIA); 46D: Barn ritual (RAISING); 47D: "He'll hae misfortunes great an' __": Burns (SMA); 49D: Adult silkworm (MOTH); 53D: Some sealed documents (DEEDS); 56D: Took measured strides (PACED); 59D: America's Cup competition, say (RACE); 60D: Poetic saga (EPOS); 61D: Drill (TEST); 64D: TV host Pennington et al. (TYS).

03.20 Sun

S U N D A Y
March 20, 2011
Ed Sessa

[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: "New B-ginnings" — The title says it all. Add a "B" sound to the beginnings of familiar phrases to get wacky theme entries.

Theme Entries:

• 24A: Result of the cock's crow? (BROOD AWAKENING). [rude awakening]
• 38A: "Bungling for Dummies," e.g.? (BONERS MANUAL). [owner's manual]
• 59A: Shindig for Swahili VIPs? (BWANA DANCE). [wanna dance?]
• 83A: Bedbugs on the Orient Express? (BERTH WORMS). [earthworms]
• 97A: Bird with a tan? (BROWNED ROBIN). [round robin]
• 119A: Hibernation luxuries? (BEAR MATTRESSES). [air mattresses]
• 3D: "$#%^*& geckos!"? (BLEEPING LIZARDS). [leaping lizards!]
• 47D: Prize for an inn's best guest? (BOARDER OF THE DAY). [order of the day]

Hey, everybody. This is Doug, reporting from the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament. Actually, I'm not reporting yet. I'm too busy solving puzzles and hanging with the puzzle people. I hate to be a name-dropper, but last night I had dinner with Garson Hampfield. Interesting guy.

OK, today's puzzle. I liked it. Nice grid with some fun theme answers. BLEEPING LIZARDS is awesome, and I like BROWNED ROBIN too. No comment on BONERS MANUAL.

Sorry, no bullets today, but I'll be back with a full Sunday write-up next weekend. Have fun in the comments & I'll see you later.

Crosswordese 101 Round-up:

• 33A: At one time, once (ERST).
• 46A: "Voice of Israel" author (EBAN).
• 62A: Sch. whose mascot is Rhody the Ram (U.R.I.).
• 78A: Child expert LeShan (EDA).
• 86A: Toon Chihuahua (REN).
• 8D: Avis adjective (RARA).
• 40D: Oklahoma's "Wheat Capital" (ENID).
• 43D: "Young Frankenstein" role (IGOR).
• 54D: "My Way" lyricist (ANKA).
• 69D: Gator follower? (ADE).
• 115D: Canadian gas (ESSO).
• 121D: Past fast flier (SST).

02.04 Fri

F R I D A Y February 4, 2011
Ed Sessa

Theme: A Spot of T — The letter T is added as the second letter to words and phrases that begin with the letter S.

Theme answers:

• 17A: "Oklahoma!" prop? (STAGE BRUSH).
• 21A: Time off spent with Rover? (STICK DAY).
• 34A: Undercover operations where agents can bring guests? (STING-ALONGS).
• 42A: Dance for louses? (STINKER BALL).
• 52A: Taser switch? (STUN DIAL).
• 61A: Fancy shoes for the campaign trail? (STUMP PUMPS).

Can't say this puzzle really moved me one way or the other. Didn't love it. Didn't hate it. The theme answers don't seem particularly amusing or clever, but I had fun trying to figure them out once I understood the theme. And there were an awful lot of them, which is always kind of impressive in a grid, like this one, that doesn't rely on a lot of crosswordese and clunky fill. It's a shame that all the crosswordese is right up at the top of the grid. Seeing ETON, AGORA, and GAR right off the bat made me think we were in for a real CW-fest, but the rest of the grid thankfully steered clear.

My favorite grid entries include:

• 10A: Bloke (CHAP).
• 20A: Subject of a 2009 national tournament cheating scandal (SUDOKU). Great clue.
• 11D: Not easily topped (HARD TO BEAT).
• 45D: Mighty Dump Trucks, e.g. (TONKAS).

Bullets:

• 16A: Symbolic ring (HALO). Also an extremely violent video game.
• 28A: Fingers (ID'S). Tricky clue, in that I don't usually think of "fingers" as a verb.
• 56A: Mickey's "The Wrestler" co-star (MARISA). I haven't seen this movie, but I've heard it's good. I loved MARISA Tomei in "In the Bedroom" and, of course, "My Cousin Vinny."

• 65A: Lollipop, for one (SHIP). Wikipedia tells me that the "ship" in "On the Good Ship Lollipop" is actually an airplane. I did not know that.
• 1D: "Summertime" singer (BESS). From the Gershwin opera "Porgy and Bess."
• 5D: Rock collection? (ALBUM). Are ALBUMs still called ALBUMs today even though they're not really ALBUMs any more? I know I still call them ALBUMs but I wonder if that's just an oldster thing or if it held up the same way "dialing a phone" or "rolling up the car window" did.
• 27D: Penguins' home (PITTSBURGH). I believe there's another team in PITTSBURGH that's doing pretty well this year.
• 40D: Clear as mud (ABSTRUSE). I don't think I've ever used the word "abstruse," but I have occasionally explained things to the point where they are "clear as mud." Right here on this blog even!

• 53D: Hip Charlie, in ads (TUNA). I forgot that Charlie the TUNA was supposed to be hip. But he does where that rakish beret. And if a rakish beret isn't hip, then I don't know what is.
• 55D: "Kick, Push" rapper __ Fiasco (LUPE). Never heard of this guy, but that is one fantastic name.

Crosswordese 101 Round-up:

• 5A: Ancient meeting place (AGORA).
• 14A: School since 1440 (ETON).
• 46A: Head of government? (GEE).
• 6D: Needle-nosed fish (GAR).

[Follow PuzzleGirl on Twitter.]

Everything Else — 1A: In development, as software (BETA); 15A: Really enjoy (LAP UP); 19A: Heavenly bodies (ORBS); 23A: Star car (LIMO); 25A: Downsizing event? (DIET); 26A: Extend across (SPAN); 31A: Fumble (for) (GROPE); 37A: Tampa NFLer (BUC); 38A: Jobs, idiomatically (HATS); 39A: Tesla, by birth (CROAT); 40A: Sol lead-in (AERO-); 41A: Creative output (ART); 44A: "Beau __": Gary Cooper film (GESTE); 47A: Body shop figs. (ESTS.); 48A: Close connection (BOND); 50A: Water carrier (DUCT); 60A: "Young" reformer (TURK); 63A: "Young Frankenstein" lab assistant (INGA); 64A: Small thicket (COPSE); 66A: Cheers (RAHS); 67A: Exhaust (SPEND); 68A: A long, long time (EONS); 2D: Caesarean rebuke (ET TU); 3D: Warty hopper (TOAD); 4D: Luanda natives (ANGOLANS); 7D: Numbered piece (OPUS); 8D: Sign of age (RUST); 9D: Garden pest (APHID); 10D: Round jewelry item (CHOKER); 12D: Jessica of "Sin City" (ALBA); 13D: Bridal accessory (POSY); 18D: Scratching (out) (EKING); 22D: Butts (CIGS); 24D: Deepwater Horizon, for one (OIL RIG); 26D: Disconcerting look (STARE); 29D: Blackmore heiress (DOONE); 30D: Took a sinuous path (SNAKED); 32D: Knitting stitches (PURLS); 33D: Sci. concerned with biodiversity (ECOL.); 34D: Thick carpet (SHAG); 35D: Behave (ACT); 36D: Co. that merged into Verizon (GTE); 42D: Texting button (SEND); 43D: Newscast segment (RECAP); 49D: Saucers and such (DISCS); 51D: Made lots of calls, in a way (UMPED); 52D: Mix (STIR); 54D: At the peak of (ATOP); 57D: "As I see it," online (IMHO); 58D: Go a few rounds? (SPIN); 59D: Slithery threats (ASPS); 62D: Co. with a butterfly logo (MSN).

12.28 Tue

T U E S D A Y
December 28, 2010
Ed Sessa

Theme: Scat! — The last syllables of the theme answers can be put together to make a Frank Sinatra lyric.

Theme answers:

• 17A: *Amount of money to pay (BALANCE DUE).
• 24A: *Beach Boys hit with the line "the first mate, he got drunk" (SLOOP JOHN B).
• 30A: *Shaggy's dog (SCOOBY-DOO).
• 44A: *Aggressive African swarmer (KILLER BEE).
• 50A: *Drops on the grass (MORNING DEW).
• 62A: Trademark Sinatra lyric heard at the ends of the answers to starred clues (DO BE DO BE DO).

Howdy, folks. PuzzleGirl is still feeling a bit under the weather, so this is Doug blogging again. Get well soon, PG, and "Say boo to the flu" (see 29A).

I'm not a big Frank Sinatra fan, but I really liked this puzzle. Lots of theme answers and a nice reveal that I didn't see coming. I could hear Sinatra singing "Do be do be do" in my head, but I wasn't sure which song it was from. Let's go to the video:

Quite a musical puzzle today. Besides Ol' Blue Eyes, Ed Sessa referenced the Beach Boys, Beethoven, Eminem, Pink Floyd, Steely Dan, and Perry Como. And for good measure, he included the catch-all answer BAND (19A: Rock group). I'll give the puzzle 4 stars. It's got a good beat and you can dance to it.

Bullets:

• 15A: Cap'n Crunch, e.g. (CEREAL). My favorite selection from the Cap'n Crunch family of cereals is Peanut Butter Crunch. Delicious sugary peanut buttery balls.

• 20A: Popular tattoo spot (ANKLE). For women, right? I don't think many guys get ankle tattoos. Or maybe I'm just not looking at guys' ankles enough. The ankles on the right belong to Rex Parker's favorite crossword aficionado.
• 29A: "___ to the flu": vaccination slogan (SAY BOO). I didn't know there were any vaccination slogans. This one has its own website, so it must be legit. I never get a flu shot. I figure getting sick is better than getting a shot, but I'm kind of a baby.

• 38A: Supporter of Boris Godunov, say (TSARIST). Want to make a crossword with Russian movie puns? Here's your first theme entry: "The Accidental Tsarist."
• 44A: Aggressive African swarmer (KILLER BEE). The idea of swarming killer bees scares me to death. Even worse than getting a shot.
• 66A: Always, rarely or never: Abbr. (ADV). All three of those words are adverbs. Tricky, eh?
• 3D: Velvety smooth (SILKY). A shout-out to veteran constructor Barry C. Silk.
• 28D: NYC dance company (ABT). American Ballet Theatre. If it's American, why do they spell "theater" wrong?
• 43D: Batter's grip aid (PINE TAR). Baseball players smear this sticky stuff on their bats to get a better grip. It's well-known to anyone who remembers the infamous Pine Tar Incident involving Billy Martin and George Brett.
• 47A: Reds, on scoreboards (CIN). More baseball with the Cincinnati Reds. Trivia nugget of the day: During the McCarthy Era, the Reds changed their name to the Cincinnati Redlegs so people wouldn't think they were a bunch of Commies.

Everything Else —

W E D N E S D A Y December 1, 2010 Ed Sessa

Theme: We Have Met the Enemy …. — Hidden in each theme answer is the letter string NME, which sounds like the word "enemy" if you say it out loud.

Theme answers:

• 20A: Viral illness associated with a rash (GERMAN MEASLES).
• 35A: List that comes from the top (DROP-DOWN MENU).
• 43A: Possible response to "Gotcha!" (THAT'S ONE ON ME).
• 57A: Pie with a fluffy topping (LEMON MERINGUE).
• 56D: Foe hiding, in a way, in the puzzle's four longest answers (ENEMY).

Well, so far the day hasn't gone exactly as I had planned. PuzzleDaughter woke me up at 4:30 because her throat really hurt, but we had to wait until 8:00 to get to the doctor. Let's just say there was a lot of whining and whimpering between 4:30 and 8:00. Poor girl. Anyway. I assume she has strep but don't really know for sure because … she talked the doctor out of giving her the strep test. Man does she hate the strep test! She gave him these pouty eyes and he fell for it! Unbelievable! But he gave her a prescription anyway and now we're back home, she's sleeping on the couch, and I'm trying to catch up. So I'm just going to post the grid and the theme here and you guys can chat it up in the comments. See you back here tomorrow.

Crosswordese 101 Round-up:

• 65A: Humorist Bombeck (ERMA).
• 36D: Reed instrument (OBOE).
• 58D: Hot times in the cité (ÉTÉS).
• 63D: Year, in Yucatán (AÑO).

[Follow PuzzleGirl on Twitter.]

Everything Else — 1A: Chews the fat (GABS); 5A: "Here's to ..." tribute (TOAST); 10A: Lingerie size (C-CUP); 14A: Inuit word for "house" (IGLU); 15A: Like bighorns (OVINE); 16A: Obsessed fictional captain (AHAB); 17A: Modeler's aid (GLUE); 18A: More inclined to butt in (RUDER); 19A: Comes together (GELS); 23A: Paint base (LATEX); 24A: A major, e.g. (KEY); 25A: Healthful resort (SPA); 28A: 911 responder, for short (EMS); 29A: Lanchester of "Witness for the Prosecution" (ELSA); 33A: Like Fran Drescher's voice (NASAL); 38A: Cuba or Mallorca (ISLA); 41A: Thumper's friend (BAMBI); 42A: Agenda listing (ITEM); 46A: Like some waves (TIDAL); 47A: Have to have (NEED); 48A: Fond du __, Wisconsin (LAC); 51A: "School's out" response (YAY); 52A: "Eeeuuw!" ("ICK!"); 55A: Bloodsucker (LEECH); 62A: Tight (TAUT); 64A: Sister's daughter (NIECE); 65A: Humorist Bombeck (ERMA); 66A: "Going __, going ..." (ONCE); 67A: On the wrong side (of) (AFOUL); 68A: Track competition (MEET); 69A: Stir-fry cookers (WOKS); 70A: Full of juicy tidbits (NEWSY); 71A: Longings (YENS); 1D: Embarrassed reaction, maybe (GIGGLE); 2D: Shining brightly (AGLEAM); 3D: Exclaims suddenly, with "out" (BLURTS); 4D: "Do something about it! I dare you!" ("SUE ME!"); 5D: Betwixt and between (TORN); 6D: Egg, to Ovid (OVUM); 7D: Right-hand man (AIDE); 8D: Tiptoe (SNEAK); 9D: Succinct (TERSE); 10D: Place with bars (CAGE); 11D: Where to find four knights (CHESS SET); 12D: "Friendly skies" co. (UAL); 13D: "Masterpiece" airer (PBS); 21D: Hatchet man (AXER); 22D: "Coal Miner's Daughter" subject Loretta (LYNN); 26D: Glass section (PANE); 27D: Former senior, for short (ALUM); 30D: "Rio __": John Wayne film (LOBO); 31D: Wingspread, say (SPAN); 32D: Madison Ave. figures (ADMEN); 34D: Dijon honey (AMIE); 35D: Statistical input (DATA); 36D: Reed instrument (OBOE); 37D: Red, white or Blue Nun (WINE); 38D: Bitty start? (ITTY-); 39D: Islamic branch (SHIA); 40D: Gambler's favorite woman? (LADY LUCK); 44D: Svelte (SLIM); 45D: 1551, on monuments (MDLI); 48D: "Uncle Tom's Cabin" villain (LEGREE); 49D: Keen judgment (ACUMEN); 50D: Marked deck users (CHEATS); 53D: Movie barbarian (CONAN); 54D: Swiss Army __ (KNIFE); 58D: Hot times in the cité (ETES); 59D: Catty remark (MEOW); 60D: Old gold coins of France (ECUS); 61D: Bank (on) (RELY); 62D: Auto club service (TOW); 63D: Year, in Yucatán (AÑO).

T H U R S D A Y October 21, 2010 Ed Sessa

Theme: 3.14169.... — Familiar phrases are clued as if the first word is a type of pie.

Theme answers:

• 18A: Pie flop? (CHERRY BOMB).


• 23A: Pie taste-test site? (CHOCOLATE LAB).


• 39A: Pie to-do? (MUD FLAP).


• 50A: Pie charts? (APPLE RECORDS).


• 60A: Pie patter? (MINCE WORDS).

Mmmmm. Pie. Cute theme and I like how the clues are all short and to the point. Two elements of the theme are a little off to me. First, MINCE WORDS is, unlike the others, a verb phrase. And second, "Pie charts" is an actual thing while the other clue phrases are simply made up. Those two things definitely detract from the theme's elegance, but the puzzle is still enjoyable. At least it was for me.

Except down there in the southwest corner. I had a heckuva time down there. The trouble started with me wanting the first word of the 60A phrase to be an adjective and continued with my inability to think of anyone but Lola and Tony at the stupid Copacabana. (And, yes, thanks for the earworm. Really appreciate it.) Once I got MINCE in place, my guess of CRANIAL seemed wrong because of the consonant collision at the front of 56D, but when I got past that, the rest of the section fell pretty easily.



Bullets:

• 9A: Spring bloomer (LILAC). Tried ASTERS first.


• 14A: His epitaph reads "And the beat goes on" (BONO). That's pretty sweet.


• 17A: TV role for Bamboo Harvester (MR. ED). Wait, what? It never occurred to me that I didn't know the real name of the horse who played MR. ED. Horses, as I'm sure many of you know, are often named by combining the names of their "parents." Bamboo Harvester's sire's name was The Harvester, but his dam's name was Zetna Hara which doesn't look to me like it relates to bamboo, but maybe it does. I mean really. I don't know what I'm talking about half the time.


• 22A: Travelers' burdens (VALISES). Are you still burdened by VALISES? I usually carry a suitcase.


• 38A: Buckeyes' home: Abbr. (OSU). Boooo! (Nothing personal, I just always feel the need to boo all Big Ten teams other than the Hawkeyes.)


• 64A: Days of Hanukkah, e.g. (OCTET). Did I tell you all that PuzzleDaughter asked if we could celebrate Hanukkah this year? She swears it's not just about the eight days of presents. (Yeah, right.) I think we'll probably do it. We're not Christian and we celebrate Christmas every year so why not? Need to get myself a menorah.


• 1D: High-tech debut of 1981 (IBM PC). With the I in place all I wanted was a Mac product but couldn't get one to fit.


• 5D: 1980s-'90s slugger Fielder (CECIL). Unfortunately, he played first base. I wish he had been an outfielder.


• 9D: Clapton title woman (LAYLA). Maybe this will help get that awful Copacabana song out of our heads.





• 13D: Male swans (COBS). The things you learn!


• 29D: Tunnel entrance of sorts (GOPHER HOLE).


• 54D: Mild expletives (DANGS). Very mild indeed.

Crosswordese 101 Round-up:

• 33D: Name meaning "hairy" in Hebrew (ESAU).


• 36D: Airline to Oslo (SAS).


• 62D: Grammy-winning Dr. (DRE).

[Follow PuzzleGirl on Twitter.]

Everything Else — 1A: A party to (IN ON); 5A: Quite the fashion plate (CHIC); 15A: Faulkner femme fatale Varner (EULA); 16A: BP merger partner (AMOCO); 20A: Italian deli sandwich (PANINI); 26A: X, at times (TEN); 27A: www bookmark (URL); 28A: Film director's headaches (EGOS); 32A: Luther's lang. (GER.); 34A: First Amendment lobbying gp. (ACLU); 36A: Numbers game (SUDOKU); 41A: Post- opposite (PRE-); 42A: One in distress? (DAMSEL); 44A: Slug or song ending (-FEST); 45A: Loft material (HAY); 46A: Apartment manager, familiarly (SUPE); 47A: Quaff for Andy Capp (ALE); 48A: Curling setting (ICE); 56A: Like the auditory and optic nerves, e.g. (CRANIAL); 59A: Aspen topper (SKI HAT); 63A: Prohibited thing (NO-NO); 65A: Flag (TIRE); 66A: First name in Olympics gymnastics (OLGA); 67A: Like beer halls, usually (NOISY); 68A: Eyewear, in ads (SPEX); 69A: Raid target (PEST); 2D: Grammy winner Jones (NORAH); 3D: Bridge opening (ONE NO TRUMP); 4D: "Fuggedaboutit!" ("NO DICE!"); 6D: "Whazzat?" ("HUH?"); 7D: Seine sight (ILE); 8D: Longtime ice cream cake brand (CARVEL); 10D: Wet one's whistle (IMBIBED); 11D: Johns, to Elton (LOOS); 12D: Top (ACME); 19D: "Too-Ra-Loo-Ra-Loo-__": Irish lullaby (RAL); 21D: Hardly distinguished (NO-NAME); 24D: Nostalgic song title word (AULD); 25D: Godiva product (TRUFFLE); 30D: Gumbo ingredient (OKRA); 31D: Chop __ (SUEY); 32D: Mars and Venus (GODS); 35D: __-de-sac (CUL); 37D: Slight market improvement (UPTICK); 40D: Disconcerting glance (LEER); 43D: Hand-holding events (SEANCES); 47D: Parcels out (ALLOTS); 49D: Requiring change, briefly (COIN-OP); 51D: Reverence (PIETY); 52D: A pad helps protect it (PAW); 53D: Elizabeth I's beloved (ESSEX); 55D: Brown ermine (STOAT); 56D: "Get real!" ("C'MON!"); 57D: Guy who "wore a diamond," in the song "Copacabana" (RICO); 58D: ABM component? (ANTI); 61D: Scary current (RIP).