S A T U R D A Y November 6, 2010 Timothy L. Meaker

Theme: None


Happy Saturday, everybody. Nice to start off the weekend with a challenge like this one. I knew I was in a good place to solve when I looked at 1A: Hawaiian for "strong," saw that it was four letters, and thought, "Hmm … I wonder if it might be MAHI." Totally random! Confirming through crosses, I wasn't thrilled with the clue for MARE, but knew right away that it was right. 1D: Colt source? Source? I don't know. Just seems like a weird word to use. I had the same feeling about the clue for DNA TEST (19A: Proof of ownership?). Not exactly sure what that's all about, but assume it has something to do with my feminist upbringing.

Bullets:

• 17A: Libertines (RAKES). I know we've talked about this before, but all these words for undesirable people are awesome: cad, scoundrel, knave, scalawag, varlet. Today we come up with words like asshat, which is fine but doesn't quite have the same aura of condescension.
• 21A: Ranch handle (TEX). "Handle" in this case means "name." So a person working on a ranch, might be called Tex.
• 31A: Punched-out pieces (CHADS). So funny that this word has become part of the country's consciousness.
• 33A: 16-time Gold Glove-winning pitcher Jim (KAAT). No idea.
• 38A: Old-time soprano Lehmann (LOTTE). No idea.
• 39A: A lime-flavored version of it came out in 2004 (DIET COKE). I was thinking this was going to be a beer. I remember when Gen. McChrystal did that interview with Rolling Stone, he and the interviewer were drinking some type of lime-flavored beer.

• 42A: Stanley of "Julie & Julia" (TUCCI). Love him.
• 58A: Iowa Straw Poll city (AMES). Home of the Iowa State University Cyclones. Booooooo!
• 3D: Driver's ultimate destination? (HOLE). Golf!
• 4D: Noted 19th-century lithographer (IVES). I had the Exact Same reaction to this clue as I had last time I saw it, which was just over a month ago. Here's what I wrote back on September 17:
  

  This made me laugh. I'm all "I'm supposed to know lithographers now?!" And then it's our old friend from Currier & IVES, who I most certainly do know.

• 11D: Nueve's square root (TRES). Spanish!
• 12D: Subtle signal (PSST). Here's the thing. I totally get this clue and I totally get why people do this. Hell, I've done it myself. But come on. There's nothing subtle about it. When you try to get someone's attention with "psst," everybody within earshot looks, amirite?

• 26D: One might be dedicated to Mom, briefly (TAT). Short for tattoo. I'm still kinda mad at myself for never acting on my impulse to get a tattoo of the name Joey. I don't know anyone named Joey or anything, I just thought it would be funny.
• 31D: Where a small hand might get caught (COOKIE JAR). In our house, it's big hands (i.e., PuzzleHusband's) that get caught in the COOKIE JAR.
• 38D: Slightly (LITTLE). I had some trouble with this. When it became clear that the answer was LITTLE, I thought "But that needs an a at the beginning." There are times when it doesn't though. Maybe someone can give us an example in the comments.
• 45D: Chihuahua howdy (HOLA). Did you think this was going to be a dog sound? I did.
• 47D: Pod opening? (DECA-). I don't know what a DECApod is, but I assume it's a pod with a whole bunch of sides. [before you start correcting me in the comments, I'm kidding!]

Crosswordese 101:

• 24D: Onetime Coleco competitor (ATARI).
• 48D: Dutch export (EDAM).

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Everything Else — 5A: In __ (A FOG); 9A: Internet letters (HTTP); 13A: Positive (ABOVE ZERO); 15A: Many are imagined (FEARS); 16A: A great teacher might be one (ROLE MODEL); 18A: Urban renewal target (EYESORE); 22A: River through New Mexico (PECOS); 23A: Castigates (BASTES); 27A: Environmentalist's goal (CLEAN AIR); 30A: Stock phrase (AT PAR); 32A: 'Hood handle (BRO); 34A: Layers (COATS); 35A: Aero-X automaker (SAAB); 36A: Commit catcher's interference, e.g. (ERR); 37A: Faulkner's "__ for Emily" (A ROSE); 41A: Acted after a coin toss, maybe (WISHED); 43A: Chocolatier's container (VAT); 44A: Takeout option (CHINESE); 46A: Style revived in the '60s (ART DECO); 51A: 1961 Best Actress (LOREN); 52A: In disorder (JUMBLED UP); 54A: Umiak builder (ALEUT); 55A: Metaphorical victim of an upset (APPLE CART); 56A: Stinger (WASP); 57A: Spring (from) (RISE); 2D: "About __": Hornby novel (A BOY); 5D: São Miguel is the largest of them (AZORES); 6D: Golf's __ Cup (FEDEX); 7D: Bauxite, for one (ORE); 8D: Oscar's covering (GOLD PLATE); 9D: Romano's "Everybody Loves Raymond" co-star (HEATON); 10D: Loses big (TAKES A BATH); 14D: One acting badly? (EMOTER); 15D: Donnybrook (FRACAS); 20D: They're not optional (NEEDS); 23D: Potato choice (BAKED); 25D: Rolls seen at the beach? (SPARE TIRES); 27D: Go after (CHASE); 28D: Burning up (IRATE); 29D: Dressed for court (ROBED); 34D: Holey footwear (CROCS); 35D: One might be picked up in a storm (SOS); 37D: Stress (ACCENT); 40D: Mechanic's offer (TUNE-UP); 41D: Bird's song (WARBLE); 43D: Sirens (VAMPS); 44D: Scratch (CLAW); 49D: Salt, perhaps (CURE); 50D: Gets off the fence (OPTS); 53D: Gp. co-founded by publisher E.W. Scripps (UPI).

SATURDAY, July 31, 2010 Timothy L. Meaker

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Theme: None


I'm going to go out on a limb here and predict that y'all had trouble with this one. It was hard, right?? I sort of picked and poked my way through most of it and then only had the northeast corner left but it wasn't budging. I set it down for a while — played a little sporcle, read some blogs — and when I went back to it everything fell right into place. That's so cool how that happens.

The biggest problem I had in the northeast is that I assumed 5A: Census bureau, essentially was some kind of COUNTER (I had the TER in place). Makes sense, right? That only left three letters up front though, and MAN COUNTER seemed a little … off. Also, with the ORS in place I wanted FLEXORS for a while instead of TENSORS (7D: Stretching muscles). I was flailing around in the dark is what I'm saying.

Overall, I'd say there's nothing super sparkly about this grid, except maybe SCHOOLMARM, WIND TUNNEL, and MOJO (53A: Old-time educator / 18A: Aerodynamics research tool / 58A: Mystical amulet), and it includes an awful lot of three-letter "words," but nothing jumped out at me as blatantly horrible and when it was all said and done I felt like I'd had an actual workout. And that's a good thing!

Several people tripped me up today. Most of whom I'd never heard of.

• 15A: Artist Bonheur (ROSA). Ringing vague, vague bells.

• 17A: Harpsichordist Kipnis (IGOR). Or maybe those aren't bells, maybe it's a harpsichord. (Seriously? Harpsichordist?)
• 44A: "Samson Agonistes" dramatist (MILTON). Obviously, I've heard of Milton, but the work title didn't do anything for me.
• 49A: Actress Van Devere (TRISH). No bells (or harpsichords) none.
• 51A: Beaumont, Texas, university (LAMAR). Again, back in the cobwebs somewhere.
• 44D: "Animal magnetism" coiner (MESMER). Never heard of him, but now that I've read a little about him that seems awfully weird.

More:

• 22A: Servers with wheels (TEA WAGONS). Of course, I wanted this to be CARHOPS.
• 41A: Hands and feet (MEASURES). Great clue. Reminded me of The Beekeeper's Apprentice (great book!), which I just finished. The characters in that book often talk about weight in terms of "stones."

• 46A: White Sands and others (TEST SITES). I first entered MONUMENTS, which maybe doesn't make any sense to a lot of you — I used to live very near White Sands and was surprised to learn that it is, in fact, a "monument." Obviously not the kind of monument that word generally evokes for me. Or maybe you all knew that already.
• 59A: Where to find waiters (TRAIN DEPOT). Another great clue.
• 2D: Subject of Joshua Kendall's "The Man Who Made Lists" (ROGET). I haven't heard of this book (is it a book? ... yep) but with a couple crosses in place, the answer became clear.
• 11D: Judgment for insufficient evidence (NONSUIT). I thought this was going to be something in Latin.

• 40D: Elvis sighting, e.g. (FACTOID). I recently read something about how the word FACTOID doesn't mean what people usually think it means. That is, it means (basically) "unverified fact" and not "little fact." (I like what this site has to say about the confusion.)
• 48D: Man of letters? (SAJAK). Did anyone else try SUPER here? Whenever I see a question-mark clue with the word "letters" in it, I assume the answer is going to be something about renting (letting).
• 53D: Houston in NYC, et al. (STS.). Another great clue. And one of my favorite streets in New York. Not that I've ever spent any time there, but I love how it's pronounced.

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Everything Else — 1A: Not clear-cut (GRAY); 16A: Sight from Sydney Harbour (OPERA HOUSE); 19A: Cares for (TENDS); 21A: Beginnings (SEEDS); 25A: Co. whose largest hub is at O'Hare (UAL); 28A: Shooting sound (REPORT); 29A: Items in a nautical table (TIDES); 31A: Pub employees (BARMAIDS); 34A: Show-off (HOT DOG); 35A: Land in un lac (ILE); 36A: Lo-__ graphics (RES); 37A: Vigor (PEP); 38A: Suffix with string (-ENT); 39A: Took off (DOFFED); 43A: Wind threat (SHEAR); 45A: Indirect route (ARC); 60A: Replacement for those left out (ET AL.); 61A: Weathers the struggle (SOLDIERS ON); 62A: Rink fake (DEKE); 1D: Abrasive bits (GRIT); 3D: In unison (AS ONE); 4D: Spar part (YARDARM); 5D: Stock page name (DOW); 6D: Bee: Pref. (API-); 8D: Hot-blooded (ARDENT); 9D: "Gremlins" actress (CATES); 10D: Former Israeli prime minister Olmert (EHUD); 12D: Napa vessel (TUN); 13D: Capt.'s heading (ESE); 14D: Family mem. (REL.); 20D: Oath taker (SWEARER); 23D: On foot, in France (À PIED); 24D: Jupiter and Mars (GODS); 26D: Scary snake (ADDER); 27D: Freetown currency (LEONE); 29D: Nursery purchase (TOPSOIL); 30D: York and Snorkel: Abbr. (SGTS.); 31D: Orders (BIDS); 32D: Welcoming word (ALOHA); 33D: Direct (REFER); 34D: Qualifying races (HEATS); 37D: Bombard (PELT); 41D: Accidents (MISHAPS); 42D: Not tractable (UNTAMED); 46D: Symbol of equivalence, in math (TILDE); 47D: Fake feelings (EMOTE); 50D: Noodle __: old product name (RONI); 52D: Part (ROLE); 54D: Zagreb's land, to the IOC (CRO); 55D: Holbrook of "Evening Shade" (HAL); 56D: Eeyore pal (ROO); 57D: K2, for one: Abbr. (MTN.).

TUESDAY, May 18, 2010 — Timothy L. Meaker

Theme: Hippie Slogan, er, I mean, Counterculture Phrase — Starts of the theme answers are a familiar phrase from the 1960s.


Theme answers:

• 20A: Provide some room illumination (TURN ON THE LIGHT).
• 37A: TV promo exhortation (TUNE IN TONIGHT).
• 53A: Disappear from the radar, so to speak (DROP OUT OF SIGHT).
• 66A: Timothy who preached the message found in this puzzle's theme (LEARY)

Wikipedia notes that in his autobiography, Leary explained the phrase:

"Turn on" meant go within to activate your neural and genetic equipment. Become sensitive to the many and various levels of consciousness and the specific triggers that engage them. Drugs were one way to accomplish this end. "Tune in" meant interact harmoniously with the world around you - externalize, materialize, express your new internal perspectives. "Drop out" suggested an elective, selective, graceful process of detachment from involuntary or unconscious commitments. "Drop Out"meant self-reliance, a discovery of one's singularity, a commitment to mobility, choice, and change. Unhappily my explanations of this sequence of personal development were often misinterpreted to mean "Get stoned and abandon all constructive activity."

When it comes to recognizing this phrase, I assume there will be two camps: those on the bus and those off the bus. Me, I'm on the bus. Recognized the phrase right away and actually kind of like the idea. Not so thrilled with the execution though. "TUNE IN TONIGHT"? I guess I've heard that, but "Tune in next week," sounds more familiar. There also seems to be an awful lot of crosswordese in the grid. Highlights of the puzzle for me were NOT SURE (33A: On the fence), which I like for some reason I can't really put my finger on, and SANTAS (1D: December temps). I couldn't stop thinking weather and when the answer finally fell it was a major head-slap moment.

Misc.:

• 6A: Unwanted e-mail (SPAM). What? People don't want email that offers "Today you get 85% Cash-Back visible was It ago Iron"?*
• 16A: Dom Perignon producer, familiarly (MOËT). I can't believe I'm going to admit this, but I always get MOËT confused with MOAB.

• 17A: Grammy winner Jones (NORAH). How many other Grammy winning Joneses are there? Extra points for any whose first name is five letters. I'll start things off with Quincy.
• 41A: Bright spot on a lunar halo (MOON DOG). I've never heard of this. I've never even heard of any of the bands of that name or the Jamie Kittle, "a local celebrity in Northern Kentucky, famous for the catch phrase 'everybody thinks I'm a darn freshman,'" whose stage name is Moondog. (Seriously? "A local celebrity in Northern Kentucky" gets a Wikipedia mention? I guess it's possible to slip anything in there.)
• 58A: Kennedy half, e.g. (COIN). Is it common for a Kennedy half dollar to be referred to as a "Kennedy half"? Is it common for a Kennedy half dollar to be referred to at all?
• 62A: Jeweler Lalique (RENÉ). Now we have to know jewelers? Yeesh!

• 63A: More under the weather (ILLER). The only acceptable context for this word is rap music. Even if you don't think rap is really music, you must agree with me on this one.
• 3D: More than just fear (TERROR). For some reason, PuzzleSon has it in his head that he wants to see "Nightmare on Elm Street." I believe he is familiar with the concept of fear but not TERROR.
• 5D: Manhattan area above Houston Street (NOHO). NOrth of HOuston.
• 10D: Chihuahua gal pal (AMIGA). Chihuahua in this case is the Mexican state, not the dog.
• 21D: Quiet period at day care (NAP TIME). Unfortunately, at the PuzzleHouse, NAP TIME is rarely quiet enough for my taste. ::sigh::

Crosswordese 101: Every once in a while ARGO is clued as a cornstarch brand, but the vast majority of the the times it appears, you're going to see a clue like today's [64A: Golden Fleece ship]. Words you should look out for in clues for ARGO are vessel, craft, ship, Jason, fleece, and Iolcus. Also know that ARGO is a constellation. Wait for it …. In the shape of a ship.

*Actual subject line of an email in my spam folder right now.

Everything Else — 1A: Resolute about (SET ON); 10A: Church recess (APSE); 14A: Wind: Prefix (ANEMO-); 15A: Doily material (LACE); 18A: Gillette razor (ATRA); 19A: College in New Rochelle, N.Y. (IONA); 23A: In the past (AGO); 24A: Monogram of a '50s White House aspirant (AES); 25A: Speedy (RAPID); 27A: "Popcorn" shellfish (SHRIMP); 30A: Conditions (IFS); 32A: Anthem contraction (O'ER); 36A: Really long time (EONS); 40A: Decorative vases (URNS); 42A: Brit's rainwear (MAC); 43A: Hymnals may be found in one (PEW); 44A: Marked down (ON SALE); 48A: Emergency tire (SPARE); 50A: Lab greeting (ARF); 52A: Teachers' org. (NEA); 59A: Resting on (ATOP); 60A: Dote on (ADORE); 61A: Thoreau's Walden __ (POND); 65A: Went lickety-split (SPED); 2D: "Stop!" ("ENOUGH!"); 4D: Arabian Sea nation (OMAN); 6D: Pool table layer (SLATE); 7D: They may be beaten (PATHS); 8D: Farm unit (ACRE); 9D: Cafeteria offering (MEAL); 11D: Express disdain for (POOH POOH); 12D: Conscious (SENTIENT); 13D: Greek vowel (ETA); 22D: 1040-issuing org. (IRS); 26D: AMA members (DRS.); 28D: Holiday buildings? (INNS); 29D: Bartender on "The Simpsons" (MOE); 30D: Red meat nutrient (IRON); 31D: Keep away (FEND OFF); 34D: Winter blanket (SNOW); 35D: __-Aztecan languages (UTO); 36D: Bacon go-with (EGGS); 37D: Hidden way out, maybe (TRAP DOOR); 38D: Hardly sympathetic (UNCARING); 39D: Electrical particle (ION); 40D: Speaker's hesitations (UMS); 43D: Get-up-and-go (PEP); 45D: Zambia neighbor (ANGOLA); 46D: "PBS NewsHour" anchor Jim (LEHRER); 47D: Hash house, e.g. (EATERY); 49D: Sonata movement (RONDO); 50D: Make things right (ATONE); 51D: Blocked (off), as a crime scene (ROPED); 54D: Dory propellers (OARS); 55D: Sun Bowl Stadium coll. team (UTEP); 56D: Go to sea (SAIL); 57D: Goofing off (IDLE); 58D: 22-Down employee (CPA).

TUESDAY, December 8, 2009Timothy L. Meaker

Theme: Can you hear me now? — Theme answers end with words that come after the word phone in familiar phrases.

Theme answers:

• 17A: *Art class supply (SKETCHBOOK).
• 35A: *Suitcase attachment (NAME TAG).
• 53A: *Arcade attraction (PHOTO BOOTH).
• 11D: *Dreaded end-of-semester handout, perhaps (REPORT CARD).
• 27D: *Hotel offering (WAKEUP CALL).
• 61A: Caller's device, and word that can precede the ends of the answers to starred clues (PHONE).

This definitely felt like a Tuesday puzzle to me. The theme was easy enough to figure out but there are a couple things about the execution that didn't thrill me. First, I don't like that PHOTO BOOTH and PHONE BOOTH are two very similar things, plus PHOTO and PHONE share 3/5 of their letters. Also a WAKEUP CALL is a PHONE CALL, so that's a little snoozy. But speaking of snoozy: the clues. I usually leave complaining about the difficulty factor to Rex and Orange, but I don't see anything the least bit interesting about any of these clues. I know it's Tuesday, I know it's supposed to be easy, but there must be a dozen ways to clue WAKEUP CALL that would make it sparkle at least a little. And describing a phone as a "caller's device" is about as boring as you can get. Unfortunately, the rest of the puzzle's clues are also very flat. But let's see if there's anything I liked about the puzzle:

Bullets:

• 6A: Solheim Cup co-sponsoring org. (LPGA). Ladies and gentlemen, may I introduce you to the only tricky clue in this puzzle. The Solheim Cup is the women's equivalent of the Ryder Cup.
• 16A: McEntire of country (REBA). I've heard she's fantastic in concert but I've never been a big fan.
• 58A: Furry aquatic frolicker (OTTER). I never think of them as furry, but I always think of them as frolicking.
• 18D: Slugger's stat: Abbr. (HRS). Home RunS. Not to be confused with Holy Roman Emperors (55D: Any of four Ottos: Abbr.)
• 26D: Frosting feature (SWIRL). Mmmmm, frosting.
• 29D: Southfork Miss (ELLIE). This would be Miss Ellie Ewing of "Dallas."

• 36D: Iowa college town (AMES). Ames is home to Iowa State University. For some reason that's ringing a bell for me today.... Did something interesting happen there recently? Hmm... Oh yeah — the reigning champion Iowa Hawkeye wrestlers beat the #2 Cyclones Sunday night in Ames! It wasn't quite the beatdown we Hawkeye fans are always looking for, but keeping the winning streak (now at 46) intact is excellent. Hey, if you don't really have a feel for how huge wrestling is in Iowa, take a look at the first minute of this clip. It's sooooo cheesy but it actually gives me goosebumps. That's how much of a dork I am.

• 49D: Schneider of film (ROMY). Never heard of her. Hey, she was once engaged to 32A: Actor Delon (ALAIN). That saves it for me.

Crosswordese 101: I don't know if OPAL really counts as crosswordese because it's a relatively common word, but it shows up a lot so I thought it might be worth it to talk about it today. The OPAL is October's birthstone. People born in October fall under the zodiac sign Libra or Scorpio, so a clue like today's 19A: Birthstone for a [Libra], often is fairly common. It will also sometimes be clued as birthstone after sapphire (September's) or after topaz (November's). Also good to know that the OPAL is the national gemstone of Australia. Other descriptors you want to look for are milky white, iridescent, and translucent.

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Everything Else — 1A: Caught some z's (SLEPT); 10A: With 10-Down and "and," rigidly formal (PRIM); 14A: Moth-eaten (HOLEY); 15A: Problems (ILLS); 20A: Words of apology (I'M SORRY); 21A: Left, at sea (APORT); 22A: __ Nostra (COSA); 23A: Not as ruddy (PALER); 25A: Egyptian city on the Nile (ASWAN); 28A: Like some chocolates purchases (ASSORTED); 31A: Graceful bird (SWAN); 33A: Ohio A.L. team, on scoreboards (CLE); 34A: Commercial suffix with Water (-PIK); 37A: Bottom-row PC key (ALT); 38A: Rage (IRE); 39A: Apple models (IMACS); 40A: Soft cheese (BRIE); 41A: In the dark (CLUELESS); 43A: Judaic feast (SEDER); 44A: Fourth estate, as it's known (PRESS); 45A: Thai bread? (BAHT); 47A: Food that's filled and folded (TACOS); 49A: Brockovich portrayer (ROBERTS); 52A: "__ my lips!" (READ); 56A: Author __ Stanley Gardner (ERLE); 57A: San __, Italy (REMO); 59A: Bought, to a retailer (SOLD); 60A: Jet-black stone (ONYX); 1D: NYSE units (SHS); 2D: Mythical trickster (LOKI); 3D: K-6 (ELEM.); 4D: X-ray alternative (PET SCAN); 5D: Business big shot (TYCOON); 6D: Fall sign (LIBRA); 7D: Tricky maneuver (PLOY); 8D: Shine, in product names (GLO); 9D: Inquire (ASK); 10D: See 10-Across (PROPER); 12D: Reinforcing beam (IBAR); 13D: Soda shop buy (MALT); 21D: As a companion (ALONG); 23D: Tests for jrs. (PSATS); 24D: Big land mass (ASIA); 25D: Meat garnish (ASPIC); 28D: Baldwin and Guinness (ALECS); 30D: Discourage (DETER); 32D: Stockpile (AMASS); 35D: "Frasier" brother (NILES); 40D: Promise to marry (BETROTH); 42D: Worn by wind (ERODED); 43D: 1984 Cyndi Lauper hit (SHE BOP); 45D: Wrinkle remover (BOTOX); 46D: Blood typing letters (ABO); 47D: Very, in Verdun (TRÈS); 48D: Prefix with sol (AERO-); 50D: Oz barker (TOTO); 51D: WWII weapon (STEN); 53D: In favor of (PRO); 54D: Egg producer (HEN).

WEDNESDAY, July 22, 2009—Timothy L. Meaker

THEME: "How's About a Crazy Sandwich?"—Three phrases begin with words that can precede SANDWICH, but they might not all be familiar to you

This theme really threw me. The puzzle was easy enough, sure, and the SANDWICH clue, 70A: Lunch order that can follow the starts of 1-, 35- and 43-Across, was crystal clear. But the sandwiches! They hit my sweet spot a mere one third of the time.

Theme answers:

• 1A: Bar mixer (CLUB SODA). We all know what a club sandwich is, right? Some sort of lunchmeat, maybe turkey, plus bacon, lettuce, and tomato on toast? Cut into cute little triangles?
  
• 35A: Jerusalem prayer site (WESTERN WALL). Neither PuzzleGirl nor I had ever heard of the Western sandwich. Professor Google tells me that first of all, a Denver omelet and a Western omelet are pretty much the same thing, and a Denver sandwich or a Western sandwich is that omelet smacked between a couple slices of toast. Ham, green peppers, and onions mixed into the eggs, if I recall correctly. I can't say I've ever seen this concoction on a diner menu in the Midwest.
  
• 43A: Unrestricted trading areas (OPEN MARKETS). OPEN MARKETS doesn't feel like a Monday-friendly entry, which helps account for why this is a Wednesday crossword. I hit the skids here, too, as I call 'em open-faced sandwiches rather than open sandwiches.

So that was a weird experience, finding two thirds of the theme entries to evoke jarringly unfamiliar entities. How awesome would it have been to have DAGWOOD BUMSTEAD as a theme entry relating to his famous skyscraper-height sandwiches?

Crosswordese 101: POLA!. Actresses who were big in the silent-movie era remain famous in crosswords thanks to nobody with the same name coming along later to eclipse their fame. Today, 37A: Negri of silents clues POLA. She was Polish (that's not her real name), and her accent was not a hit with audiences when talkies began, but before her fame waned, She dated Rudolph Valentino. In the Cruciverb.com database, every single clue for POLA includes the last name Negri, and the accompanying key words silent, film, and actress/star usually figure in somewhere too.

And now, a smattering of clues and their answers:

• 15A: Tangy dessert (LEMON PIE). I don't care for lemon desserts, frankly. Is LEMON PIE as common as lemon meringue pie?
  
• 17A: Sets free (UNLOOSES). UNLOOSES is a crazy word in that if you remove the UN- prefix...it still means the same thing.
  
• 18A: In the prior month (ULTIMO). I know this word from crosswords, but I haven't seen it used in the wild.
  
• 44D: Like Mr. America (MUSCLED). I think somebody's been hitting the steroids too much.
• 41A: Pelota catcher (CESTA). Jai alai! The ball thingamabob is the pelota, and the basket/racket catcher doodad is the CESTA. I hope you paid attention on July 7 when ALAI was the crosswordese of the day—the CESTA and pelota were mentioned in the comments by Charlie and Jet City Gambler. Thank them if that's how you learned CESTA!
  
• 59A: Community west of Montebello, Calif. (EAST L.A.). I've never heard of Montebello, but I'll bet the folks who buy the L.A. Times have.
  
• 69A: Groups of eight (OCTADS). In crosswords, it's rarely safe to plunk down OCTET. Work the crossings to see if OCTET or OCTAD will fit.
  
• 3D: Düsseldorf feature? (UMLAUT). The umlaut is the two-dots mark that can appear above a, o, and u in German.
  
• 10D: 1977 Bronson/Remick mind-control thriller (TELEFON). Speaking of German, TELEFON is the German word for "telephone." I don't remember the movie at all. This trailer features shootings, explosions, car chases, and throttling—no wonder my parents didn't take me to it when I was 11:
  
  


Everything Else — 9A: Long pace (STRIDE); 16A: Deceive (LEAD ON); 19A: Precisely (TO A T); 20A: Shrek, for one (OGRE); 22A: Beat overwhelmingly (CRUSH); 24A: Taxing mo.? (APR.); 25A: Title role for 13-Down (FATSO); 30A: Riled (up) (HET); 31A: Has much too much, briefly (ODS); 33A: Self-centered types (EGOISTS); 42A: Buck tail? (-AROO); 46A: Le Car maker (RENAULT); 47A: "Michael Collins" actor (REA); 48A: Spaniards roll theirs (ARS); 51A: Easy gaits (TROTS); 52A: UFO pilots, in theory (ETS); 54A: Discover with effort (DIG UP); 56A: Wild West showman (CODY); 58A: Edge (out) (NOSE); 63A: Unwavering (RESOLUTE); 67A: Bureau compartment (DRAWER); 68A: Like much of Rossini's work (OPERATIC); 1D: Shifting mechanism (CLUTCH); 2D: Lost love in "The Raven" (LENORE); 4D: Cowboy's footwear (BOOTS); 5D: __-cone (SNO); 6D: Brief photo sessions? (OPS); 7D: Craps cube (DIE); 8D: Man of many morals (AESOP); 9D: Disparaging remark (SLUR); 11D: Stoolie (RAT); 12D: First name in tyranny (IDI); 13D: Actor DeLuise (DOM); 14D: Rock producer Brian (ENO); 21D: Hosts, at times (GREETERS); 23D: "And __!": "Absolutely!" (HOW); 24D: Said positively (ASSERTED); 26D: Former Sanyo competitor (AIWA); 27D: Russian despot (TSAR); 28D: WWII French battle site (ST. LO); 29D: Nobel Peace Prize city (OSLO); 32D: Window sticker (DECAL); 34D: Prepare Parmesan (GRATE); 36D: "Mustn't do that" ("TSK!"); 37D: Computer connection (PORT); 38D: Letters near zero? (OPER); 39D: O'Brien's predecessor (LENO); 40D: Med school subj. (ANAT.); 45D: Melancholy (SAD); 48D: Rabbitlike rodent (AGOUTI); 49D: Backwoodsy (RUSTIC); 50D: Soapbox output (SPEECH); 53D: Greenhorns (TYROS); 55D: Marriage acquisition (IN-LAW); 57D: Propellers on ponds (OARS); 59D: Tokyo, once (EDO); 60D: Pendulum path (ARC); 61D: Met (SAT); 62D: Defunct flier (TWA); 64D: AQI user (EPA); 65D: One of a D.C. 100 (SEN.); 66D: Former Monterey Bay fort (ORD).

TUESDAY, June 30, 2009 — Timothy L. Meaker

Theme: "You Gotta Be" — Theme answers start with a homophone of "B"

Theme answers:

• 20A: February greeting card request (BE MY VALENTINE).
  
• 30A: Utah's nickname (BEEHIVE STATE).
  
• 39A: "Petticoat Junction" star (BEA BENADERET).
  
• 51A: Sue Grafton's second Kinsey Millhone novel ("B" IS FOR BURGLAR).
  

I like this type of theme for an early-week puzzle. It's simple, but allows for some creativity and when it's done well (like today, where none of the four theme answers start with the same form of B), that's definitely a plus. And yet ... Bea Benaderet? I can't wait to hear how many of you know who she is. I'm hoping it's just that I'm too young to have her in my memory bank and not that she's completely obscure. My gut reaction is that she's obscure. She was offered the role of Ethel Mertz in I Love Lucy, but didn't take it. She was considered for the role of Granny in The Beverly Hillbillies, but she didn't get it. She played the Lisa character in the radio version of Green Acres, but Eva Gabor was cast for the television series. She was the voice of Betty Rubble (not Wilma!) for four of the six years The Flintstones aired. She was definitely hanging around the edges for a number of years but ... is that enough? I'm gonna say "no." But I'm eager to hear your thoughts.

Crosswordese 101: SSTS (62A: Grounded fleet, briefly) are the go-to aircraft for crossword constructors. SST stands for "supersonic transport" and is a passenger aircraft that travels faster than the speed of sound. In other words, it "broke the sound barrier" (don't forget that — those words show up in clues!). Remember the Concorde? It was an SST. And it took its last flight on November 26, 2003. Will that keep it from showing up in the puzzle? With those letters?? Hell No! See, what you do is, you use words like bygone, retired, historic, or former (or today's grounded) in the clue and — problem solved! Otherwise, you just need to know that SSTs flew in and out of JFK International Airport and they crossed the Atlantic. That should be enough information for you to spot an SST clue.

I spent so much time researching Bea Ben-a-what's-her-name that I don't have a whole lot of time for the rest of the puzzle. So....

Quick hits:

• 1A: Tout's topic (ODDS). According to Merriam-Webster Online, a tout is "one who spies out racing information for betting purposes." Did any of you know that? I sure didn't. And I've been known to place a bet or two on the ponies from time to time. Oh, it's "chiefly British." Maybe that's why I haven't heard it.
  
• 17A: Cath. prelate (MSGR.). Totally legitimate, but you have to admit that's an ugly abbreviation for Monsignor. Looks more like messenger.
  

• 23A: Baker or Bryant (ANITA). I think I've mentioned this before. Plural proper names, obviously, don't make for ideal fill. If this clue was "Singer Baker, and others" I wouldn't have liked it a bit. But if the two people with the same name are not related at all, it's cool with me. In fact, the more not-related they are the better. So Anita Baker and Anita Bryant? Two thumbs up from PuzzleGirl.
  
• 25A: "Mamma Mia!" trio? (EMS). I'm no math major, but I'm pretty sure there are four EMS in "Mamma Mia!" And that four makes a quartet, not a trio. Unless I'm totally missing something here, this is a mistake. If you're new to crossword puzzles, I bet this threw you off. I hope it wasn't too bad for you.
  

• 27A: "You __!": "Sure thing!" (BETCHA). A gimme for this Fargo girl, dontcha know.
  
• 29A: Four-time Wimbledon champ Rod (LAVER). You know who got this one easily? Me. Oh, and SethG.
  
• 54A: First name in daredeviltry (EVEL). Whoa, whoa, whoa — daredeviltry?? That's an awesome, awesome word.
  
• 64A: Hang around (STAY). Okay, here's the thing about doing this blog. You have no idea how easy it is to get sucked into YouTube when you're looking for a certain clip. I went looking for a clip from "The Office" that I thought would go with this answer (it was in the "Cafe Disco" episode where Michael is trying to get Kevin to stay at the Cafe Disco and Angela is trying to get him to go back to work) but I ended up spending, like, half an hour looking at other clips from "The Office." I didn't find the one I was looking for, but maybe you'll enjoy this:



• 22D: In apple-pie order (NEAT). Apple-pie order. I don't know what that means. Well, I guess it means "neat" but I've never heard it before. (More British?)
  
• 23D: Palindromic pop group (ABBA). Wait — I have a better clue! "'Mamma Mia!' quartet"!
  
• 37D: Bridle strap (REIN). I misread this clue as "Bridal strap" and was trying to think of the word garter. Basically, I'm an idiot is what I'm saying.
  

Everything Else — 5A: Broad tie (ASCOT); 10A: Left the launch pad (ROSE); 14A: Slightest concern (HOOT); 15A: Juniper fruit (BERRY); 16A: Black, to Byron (EBON); 18A: Come apart (BREAK); 19A: Keycard receiver (SLOT); 26A: Bernese Alps peak (EIGER); 34A: Super Bowl highlights? (ADS); 35A: "Hedda Gabler" dramatist (IBSEN); 36A: Bauxite, to aluminum (ORE); 43A: Unrefined (CRASS); 45A: Tell to enter, as a prospective job applicant (SEND IN); 46A: Kitchen bigwigs (CHEFS); 47A: Braz. neighbor (ARG.); 50A: Sports venue (ARENA); 55A: "Yippee!" ("OH BOY!"); 56A: Leaves (GOES); 59A: Actress Russo (RENE); 60A: Strikeout king Ryan (NOLAN); 61A: Continental currency (EURO); 63A: "Looks __ everything" (AREN'T); 1D: Resistance unit (OHM); 2D: MS-__ (DOS); 3D: Animal control officers' concerns (DOG BITES); 4D: Yawn accompanier, often (STRETCH); 5D: "Dear" columnist (ABBY); 6D: Dish up (SERVE); 7D: Dairy aisle buy (CREAM); 8D: Think-on-your-feet tests (ORALS); 9D: Wee one (TYKE); 10D: Nervous (RESTIVE); 11D: Accommodate (OBLIGE); 12D: At an earlier time (SOONER); 13D: Key in (ENTER); 21D: When doubled, a fish (MAHI); 24D: Requirement (NEED); 28D: Alternatives to Reeboks (AVIAS); 29D: Actress Turner et al. (LANAS); 31D: Tidal action (EBB); 32D: Seattle-to-Reno dir. (SSE); 33D: Common news hour (TEN); 36D: Have pizza delivered, say (ORDER OUT); 38D: Frequent Italian erupter (ETNA); 39D: Perplexes (BAFFLES); 40D: Standard Oil name (ESSO); 41D: Start a new hand (DEAL); 42D: Angers (ENRAGES); 43D: Leek cousins (CHIVES); 44D: React indignantly to (RESENT); 46D: Turnpike "breakers" (CB'ERS); 47D: Despise (ABHOR); 48D: Kirov cash (RUBLE); 49D: Corny joke reaction (GROAN); 52D: Novelist Jaffe (RONA); 53D: 35-Across's "Peer __" (GYNT); 57D: Historical period (ERA); 58D: Salty bean sauce (SOY).