03.24 Thu

T H U R S D A Y
March 24, 2011
Don Gagliardo and C.C. Burnikel

Theme: Make or Break — Each theme answer is a familiar phrase ending with a word that can be "made" or "broken."

Theme answers:

• 17A: Romantic evening components, perhaps (DINNER DATES).
• 22A: California Gold Rush staple (SOURDOUGH BREAD).
• 36A: Alien statutes (IMMIGRATION LAWS).
• 47A: Wurlitzer whirlers (JUKEBOX RECORDS).
• 55A: Decide once and for all, and what one can do to the ends of 17-, 22-, 36- and 47-Across (MAKE OR BREAK).

Congratulations to C.C. Burnikel on her crossword debut! C.C. and her team blog the L.A. Times puzzle over at L.A. Crossword Corner where she has fostered a very active commenting community. I'm sure all the Crossword Corner folks are proud of her — as they should be! This is a very smooth puzzle with an interesting theme and some smooth fill. Very nicely done!

Bullets:

• 19A: Strain (TAX). I tried VEX first, which I think is the same thing I did on an ACPT puzzle this past weekend. (BTW, must get my ACPT write-up done today before it becomes old news — look for it later!)
• 27A: Watering hole (PUB). With 1A: Soaking spots (BATHS) still on my mind I actually had to talk myself out of TUB here.
• 29A: "Able was __ ...": palindrome start (I ERE). Now this here is something you really hate to see, but I feel like it's the only real clunker in the grid so no harm done.

• 46A: Cause of star wars? (EGO). Great clue.
• 53A: Plant moisture buildup (EDEMA). Before I had read the clue for this one, I already had E*EMA in place, which reminded me of Merl Reagle's bit on word choice: "You can't use — usually — bodily functions in puzzles, you know. 'Urine' would bail me out of a corner, I mean, a million times a year." That's from the documentary Wordplay, which you really should see if you haven't already.

• 65A: He passed Lou in 2009 to become the Yankees' all-time hit leader (DEREK). Love him or hate him, you have to admit he's got some skillz. (Also easy on the eyes!)
• 66A: Pulitzer writer Kidder (TRACY). I really, really, really feel like I should know who this is. Oh, he's Iowa Writers' Workshop alum. Maybe that's why I've heard his name. His books don't really ring any bells for me.
• 23D: 2009 Peace Nobelist (OBAMA). Award winners all over the place in this grid!
• 25D: Sub (HERO). Other sandwich words to look out for: grinder, hoagie, and po-boy.
• 26D: British weapon designed in Czechoslovakia (BREN). A quick look through the data base shows me BREN has been in the puzzle a few times in the past, but it doesn't sound familiar to me at all. Thankfully, Thursday is the earliest in the week we're ever going to see this entry.
• 27D: Three-time Masters champ Mickelson (PHIL). Lefty!
• 31D: Ruffles features (RIDGES). Ooh, tricky. Did anyone else misread this as "ruffles feathers"? That had to be intentional!

• 39D: "A Clockwork Orange" narrator (ALEX). Random anecdote: Once when I worked at a bookstore in New York a hundred years ago, Adam Ant and Jamie Lee Curtis came in together looking for the screenplay of "A Clockwork Orange." It's possible they had previously had a few drinks.
• 43D: New Jersey's state tree (RED OAK). Do y'all have trouble parsing the down clues? Sometimes I have to write them out horizontally in order to really "see" them. With the RED in place, all I could see here was a RE- word, couldn't even see the RED.
• 49D: Homeland of 23-Down's father (KENYA). I was considering going off on a pseudo-rant here but it occurred to me you might not know I was kidding and it would likely have the unfortunate consequence of inviting a bunch of political commentary that would probably end up making me mad, so let's just not do that, okay?

• 50D: Volleyball great Gabrielle (REECE). Married to surfer Laird Hamilton. I bet their kids are going to be the coolest kids ever.
• 60D: Mary __ Ash, cosmetics company founder (KAY). If I ever knew that Mary Kay's last name was Ash, I had forgotten it. But it wasn't too hard to figure this one out.

Crosswordese 101: I've never actually heard the word TUN used in casual conversation, but then again I'm not much of a wine person. In any case, to clue TUN, take one word from List A and one word from List B:

List A: wine, winery, large, Napa, vintner's
List B: cask, vessel, container, holder

See how today's clue — 3D: Large cask — follows the pattern? That's cuz sometimes I know what I'm talking about. Just sayin'.

Other crosswordese in today's puzzle that we've already covered:

• 16A: She played Beatrix in "Kill Bill" (UMA).
• 41A: 4-Down titles (SRIS).
• 2D: Darth, at one time (ANI).
• 48D: Radii neighbors (ULNAE).
• 57D: Cassis apéritif (KIR).
• 58D: Seventh Greek letter (ETA).

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Everything Else — 6A: Mideast ruling family name (ASSAD); 11A: Field call (CAW); 14A: Language that gives us "kayak" (INUIT); 15A: Abu __ (DHABI); 20A: Reason-based faith (DEISM); 21A: Film in Cannes (CINE); 28A: 23-Down was one: Abbr. (SEN.); 30A: Try in court (HEAR); 32A: Came around regarding (AGREED TO); 40A: It can make a star shine (LEAD ROLE); 41A: 4-Down titles (SRIS); 42A: Stadium take (GATE); 43A: Like sashimi (RAW); 52A: 27-Across offerings (ALES); 54A: Quaint stopover (INN); 61A: Hens do it (LAY); 62A: Novelist Jong (ERICA); 63A: Blue Cross competitor (AETNA); 64A: Yellow __ (SEA); 1D: Certain eBay click (BID); 4D: Gandhi, for one (HINDU); 5D: Directs (STEERS); 6D: Attaches to the house (ADDS ON); 7D: SeaWorld performer (SHAMU); 8D: Did nothing (SAT); 9D: Symbol of honesty (ABE); 10D: Bad-mouth (DIS); 11D: Sweetie pie (CUTIE); 12D: Whirlpool brand (AMANA); 13D: Like some slippery floors (WAXED); 18D: Sally in space (RIDE); 21D: Anglers' baskets (CREELS); 22D: "So I was wrong" ("SUE ME"); 24D: Leslie Caron title role (GIGI); 32D: Had (ATE); 33D: Challenged (DARED); 34D: Campfire base (TWIGS); 35D: __ buco (OSSO); 37D: Snatch (GRAB); 38D: __-Rooter (ROTO); 44D: Top server (ACER); 45D: Burrowing marsupial (WOMBAT); 47D: Puts in the can? (JAILS); 51D: More elusive (RARER); 55D: Dr.'s study (MED.); 56D: Were now? (ARE); 59D: Mandela's org. (ANC).

03.23 Wed

W E D N E S D A Y
March 23, 2011
Farnk Virzi

Theme: TV Mash-Up — Theme answers are made-up two-word phrases where each word is the title of a television show.

Theme answers:

• 17A: Family line of bar makers? (SOAP DYNASTY).
• 24A: Windfall of chicken pieces? (WINGS BONANZA).
• 37A: Glasgow girl under a spell? (BEWITCHED LASSIE).
• 47A: Frat guy with a spatula? (HOUSE FLIPPER).
• 58A: Unwanted grass at the Cotton Bowl? (DALLAS WEEDS).

Ya know what I like about this theme? The variety of television shows represented in the theme answers. The shows span several decades and some have really become an integral part of our culture while others are more on the fringes. Comedy, drama, prime-time soap opera, western — this theme has it all. Nicely done.

Bullets:

• 11A: Jet or time follower (LAG). I ridiculously entered SET without even thinking. Time set? Um … no.
• 15A: __ vincit amor (OMNIA). Latin for "Love conquers all."
• 22A: "The Road to Wealth" author (ORMAN). Suze ORMAN.
• 27A: Four-time Masters winner, familiarly (ARNIE). Arnold Palmer.
• 30A: Cockamamie (INANE). Cockamamie is an awesome word.

• 32A: Lloyd or Paul of Cooperstown (WANER). No idea. That A was the last letter I put in the grid. If I was still at the ACPT talking about this entry, no doubt Peter Gordon would be explaining all of the WANERs' accomplishments to me and giving me a you're-such-a-girl look. It's really hard to convince a huge baseball fan that a certain obscure baseball player is, indeed, obscure is what I'm saying.
• 57A: Popular ending? (-IZE). -IZE is a suffix that you can tack onto the end of the word "popular" to make "popularize."
• 65A: Terre Haute sch. (ISU). Indiana State University.
• 66A: They may be French (DOORS). I tried MOORS first. Are there Moors in France?
• 2D: "Am __ strict?" (I TOO). Overwhelming answer to this question when asked by today's parents? NO.

• 3D: Nana (GRAN). I tried GRAM first. In fact, I didn't even check the across answer and once I had finished the whole grid, I had to go back and find that mistake.
• 12D: Desilu co-founder (ARNAZ). Yes, that really is how Desi ARNAZ spells his last name.
• 39D: Part of NFC: Abbr. (CONF.). Northern [Something] Conference, right? Football? Yes, Football.
• 45D: Me. hours (EST). Eastern Standard Time in Maine (abbreviated Me.).
• 55D: Not much at all (A DAB). I tried A TAD first.
• 60D: Wall St. action (LBO). Leveraged buyout.

Crosswordese 101 Round-up:

• 44A: City on the Aar (BERNE).
• 64A: Bunsen burner cousins (ETNAS).
• 26D: Turow work set at Harvard (ONE-L).
• 61D: 1940s mil. venue (ETO).

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Everything Else — 1A: Note for a soprano (HIGH C); 6A: Puts away (JAILS); 14A: Heart chambers (ATRIA); 16A: Dander (IRE); 19A: "Wheel of Fortune" request (AN E); 20A: Huge amount (TON); 21A: Malamute and mastiff (DOGS); 31A: Vichyssoise veggie (LEEK); 34A: Teachers College advanced deg. (ED.D.); 41A: Pitches between innings? (ADS); 42A: Clod choppers (HOERS); 43A: Source of Davy Crockett's cap (COON); 46A: Slugger Ramirez (MANNY); 52A: Angiogram image (AORTA); 53A: Like San Francisco's Coit Tower (DECO); 54A: Google Earth image (MAP); 62A: Celestial Seasonings product (TEA); 63A: Hot coal (EMBER); 67A: Reservations (DOUBT); 1D: "... why __ thou forsaken me?": Matthew (HAST); 4D: With it (HIP); 5D: Links assistant (CADDIE); 6D: Mah-__ (JONGG); 7D: Build up (AMASS); 8D: __ and outs: peculiarities (INS); 9D: Blotto (LIT); 10D: Michener novel set in Japan (SAYONARA); 11D: "Michael Collins" star (LIAM NEESON); 13D: Davis of "A League of Their Own" (GEENA); 18D: "Who touches a hair of __ gray head ...": Whittier (YON); 23D: Campaigned (RAN); 24D: Collaborative Web site (WIKI); 25D: Tight spots (BINDS); 27D: Goya's "Duchess of __" (ALBA); 28D: Pond plant (REED); 29D: Reuters, e.g. (NEWS BUREAU); 32D: Big shot (WHEEL); 33D: Cousin of atmo- (AER-); 35D: "Runaround Sue" singer (DION); 36D: Say no to (DENY); 38D: Like some machinery nuts (THREADED); 40D: Fight memento (SCAR); 46D: Sounded like a Siamese (MEOWED); 47D: Greater Antilles nation (HAITI); 48D: Percolates (OOZES); 49D: Lazybones (IDLER); 50D: Orchard fruit (PEARS); 51D: IBM products (PC'S); 54D: Maître d's offering (MENU); 56D: Soft "Hey!" ("PSST!"); 59D: Latin 101 verb (AMO).

03.22 Tue

T U E S D A Y
March 22, 2011
Kurt Mengel and Jan-Michele Gianette

Theme: State Mash-Up — Each theme answer is a familiar phrase where the last word of the phrase is the beginning of a U.S. state name.

Theme answers:

• 17A: Having a sense of the Prairie State? (FEELING ILLINOIS).
• 27A: Webster's impression of the Natural State? (NOAH'S ARKANSAS).
• 44A: Watch the Evergreen State? (EYE WASHINGTON).
• 59A: Close to the Magnolia State? (NEAR MISSISSIPPI).

Good morning, everyone! I'm not quite back to my usual awake and cheerful self, but I'm definitely getting closer. Sleeping for, say, eight hours all in a row really does make a difference. I had So Much Fun at the tournament over the weekend. I'll try to write up a summary later today before it gets to be old news. In the meantime, let's talk a little bit about this puzzle and then I need to be off to work where, with any luck, I'll be a little more focused than I was yesterday.

Solid, early-week theme here. Base phrases NOAH'S ARK and NEAR MISS are quite a bit better than FEELING ILL and EYE WASH, but overall, yes, fine. Not a lot of sparkle in the fill, but again it's only Tuesday so okay. Highlights for me include:

• 67A: Things to solve for, in some equations (X AND Y).
• 2D: West Point rookie (PLEBE). (I tried CADET first.)
• 45D: Nut (WEIRDO).

Not a fan of the partials CUT A and IT'S A, but there was enough solid fill overall that they didn't bother me too much.


Bullets:

• 15A: The Big Easy, briefly (NOLA).
• 4D: Beethoven's fifths? (SOLS). We talked about solfege not too long ago. I think solfege is Italian for "sight singing system that results in strong opinions." I played piano (and other instruments) for many, many years and never saw SOL written as SO until I saw it in a crossword puzzle. Other people have apparently never seen it written SOL, which I find really strange because it's, ya know, different than my experience. If you really feel strongly about something like that, though (and really, who doesn't?), I recommend a quick Google or two.
• 6D: Latino's white American buddies (ANGLOS). I had the G in place and wanted the answer to be GRINGOS.
• 7D: Sorbonne silk (SOIE). This is pretty high-end French for a Tuesday.
• 8D: What it takes, in an inclusive idiom (ALL SORTS). I wanted ALL KINDS, but already had some crosses in place that forced me to rethink it.
• 10D: Toe inflammation (BUNION). Ew.

• 19D: __ Canarias (ISLAS). The Spanish spelling in the clue is hinting that the answer will also have a Spanish spelling.
• 29D: Very, in music (ASSAI). My first thought was MOLTO, which also means "very" but, in this case, isn't the correct answer.
• 34D: Feeling sluggish (LOGY). I was going to complain about this "word" until I remembered that Doug and I put it in a puzzle once. No, I'll complain about it anyway. And you should all feel free to complain about it if you ever see it in a grid of mine. That's just a terrible word.
• 46D: More snoopy (NOSIER).
• 52D: Most popular baby girl's name, 1996-2007 (EMILY). Got it with no crosses. No idea how.
• 54D: The Mediterranean, to Hans (MEER). I guess this is German for "sea." According to cruciverb.com data base, MEER has never been clued this way before. Again, like SOIE, seems pretty high-end for a Tuesday foreign language clue.

Crosswordese 101 Round-up:

• 23A: "V for Vendetta" actor Stephen (REA).
• 25A: Scandinavian capital (OSLO).
• 48A: One-named Deco designer (ERTÉ).
• 63A: Sooner State tribe (OTOE).
• 24D: Its cap. is Abu Dhabi (UAE).
• 33D: Architect's S-curve (OGEE).
• 43D: Lyon summer (ÉTÉ).
• 58D: Old Italian dough (LIRA).

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Everything Else — 1A: Crick in the neck, e.g. (SPASM); 6A: Exec's "I want it now!" (ASAP); 10A: Sci. class (BIOL.); 14A: Foil maker (ALCOA); 16A: Golden rule word (UNTO); 20A: Retreats (EBBS); 21A: Pub quaffs (ALES); 22A: Between then and now (SINCE); 24A: Mil. morale booster (USO); 33A: '50s song, e.g. (OLDIE); 35A: Fr. holy women (STES.); 36A: Not con (PRO); 37A: Soccer score (GOAL); 38A: En __: all together (MASSE); 40A: Like the Reaper (GRIM); 41A: Breakfast food (EGG); 42A: __ rug: dance (CUT A); 43A: Skip over (ELIDE); 49A: Mine output (ORE); 50A: Verizon forerunner (GTE); 53A: Test during pregnancy, briefly (AMNIO); 56A: Start of a birth announcement (IT'S A); 58A: Potting soil (LOAM); 62A: Have to have (NEED); 64A: Staggering (AREEL); 65A: Estimate words (OR SO); 66A: Political org. until 1991 (USSR); 1D: Not so dangerous (SAFER); 3D: Injury treatment brand (ACE BANDAGE); 5D: Spring month in Paris (MAI); 9D: Buddy (PAL); 11D: Aware of (IN ON); 12D: Suffix with narc (-OTIC); 13D: Misplace (LOSE); 18D: Poet Ogden (NASH); 26D: __-Ball: arcade game (SKEE); 28D: Olive or peanut product (OIL); 30D: Emulate a jack-in-the-box (SPRING OPEN); 31D: Saharan (ARID); 32D: Vague number (SOME); 38D: Has to (MUST); 39D: Nonbelievers (ATHEISTS); 40D: Mop & __: floor cleaner (GLO); 42D: Pool shot (CAROM); 47D: Mardi __ (GRAS); 51D: Recorded, in a way (TAPED); 53D: A.D. part (ANNO); 55D: Scot's turndowns (NAES); 57D: General __ chicken (TSO'S); 60D: Debt acknowledgment (IOU); 61D: Clinton played one (SAX).

03.21 Mon

M O N D A Y
March 21, 2011
David Levinson Wilk

Theme: R.O. MAN — Theme answers are famous men whose initials are R.O.

Theme answers:

• 17A: *"Barry Lyndon" star (RYAN O'NEAL).
• 59A: *Lead singer of The Cars (RIC OCASEK).
• 10D: *"Oh, Pretty Woman" singer (ROY ORBISON).
• 30D: *Henry Ford contemporary (RANSOM OLDS).
• 40A: Caesar, e.g. (or each of the answers to the starred clues?) (ROMAN).

I got home from ACPT really late last night and need to get my butt into work this morning, so all you get today is the grid. I should be back in full force tomorrow and I promise I'll tell you all about the puzzle festivities soon! (Spoiler alert! It was a blast.)

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Everything Else — 1A: King, queen or jack (CARD); 5A: URL starter (HTTP); 9A: Van Gogh setting (ARLES); 14A: Alan of "M*A*S*H" (ALDA); 15A: Davenport's state (IOWA); 16A: Dracula's title (COUNT); 19A: Singer Lauper (CYNDI); 20A: Against (ANTI); 21A: Used to reach a high shelf (STOOD ON); 23A: Sodom escapee (LOT); 26A: Armored vehicle (TANK); 28A: Being off target (ERRING); 29A: Genesis mountain (ARARAT); 31A: Brandy's music genre, briefly (R AND B); 33A: Under-the-chin helmet securer (STRAP); 34A: Saintly circle (HALO); 35A: Types (ILKS); 39A: Suffix with tele- (THON); 41A: It may be reserved (SEAT); 42A: Heavy drinkers (SOTS); 43A: Functions (USES); 44A: Second longest African river (CONGO); 45A: Deed holder (OWNER); 47A: Sea between Greece and Italy (IONIAN); 48A: Start of Juliet's balcony plea (O ROMEO); 51A: Male heirs (SONS); 53A: Opposite of SSW (NNE); 54A: Virgin Mary (MADONNA); 56A: Poet Silverstein (SHEL); 58A: Like the Leaning Tower (ATILT); 64A: Mazda rival (HONDA); 65A: Apple computer since 1998 (IMAC); 66A: Fairy tale beginning (ONCE); 67A: Dread (ANGST); 68A: Turkey meat choice (DARK); 69A: Fake coin (SLUG); 1D: Elevator compartment (CAR); 2D: One of the Khans (ALY); 3D: Nutritional no. (RDA); 4D: "The X-Files" agent Scully (DANA); 5D: Suggest (HINT AT); 6D: Wheel alignment service (TOE-IN); 7D: First coml. airline to show in-flight movies (TWA); 8D: Friends (PALS); 9D: Harmony (ACCORD); 11D: Day before mardi (LUNDI); 12D: __ a happy note (END ON); 13D: Attack, bee-style (STING); 18D: Ready to serve, as beer (ON TAP); 22D: Mortise insert (TENON); 23D: Doesn't fade (LASTS); 24D: Big name in garden care (ORTHO); 25D: Medium's card (TAROT); 27D: Adversaries in a Hoffman/Streep film (KRAMERS); 32D: "Woe is me!" ("ALAS!"); 34D: Siphoning aid (HOSE); 36D: Russian Revolution leader (LENIN); 37D: Elena of the Supreme Court (KAGAN); 38D: Weapon for David (STONE); 40D: Sentence that should be two sentences (RUN ON); 44D: Trig function (COSEC); 46D: Charged angrily (WENT AT); 47D: Like pawned items (IN HOCK); 48D: Nebraska city (OMAHA); 49D: Boca __ (RATON); 50D: Taking too much (OD'ING); 52D: Sesame Street grouch (OSCAR); 55D: Parched (ARID); 57D: Thailand neighbor (LAOS); 60D: Britney Spears's "__ Slave 4 U" (I'M A); 61D: NBC weekend revue (SNL); 62D: Old French coin (ECU); 63D: Oktoberfest need (KEG).

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).

03.19 Sat

S A T U R D A Y
March 19, 2011
Frederick J. Healy

Theme: None

Crosswordese 101 Round-up:

• 32A: "Gunfight at the O.K. Corral" screenwriter (URIS).
• 38A: Mauna __ (LOA).

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Everything Else — 1A: Jags of the past (XKE'S); 5A: 32 ounces at Long John Silver's, e.g. (MEDIUM SIZE); 15A: Actress Thompson (SADA); 16A: Good time for criticism? (OPEN SEASON); 17A: "__ of beauty outvalues all the utilities of the world": Emerson (A RAY); 18A: Brains (MASTERMIND); 19A: Merrimack River city (NASHUA); 21A: __-Z: Camaro model (IROC); 22A: Ref's ruling (TKO); 23A: "Singin' in the Rain" co-director (DONEN); 24A: Caspian country (IRAN); 25A: Refuge (LAIR); 26A: "Works for me" ("OKEY-DOKEY"); 28A: They may be held up by fans (SIGNS); 29A: Wkly. message (SER.); 30A: Lea ladies (EWES); 31A: Easy mark (STOOGE); 32A: "Gunfight at the O.K. Corral" screenwriter (URIS); 33A: Kinkajou cousin (COON); 34A: Color on the Irish flag (ORANGE); 37A: Group that offers free memberships to spouses (AARP); 38A: Mauna __ (LOA); 41A: Baccarat call (BANCO); 42A: Trying to be quiet (TIPTOEING); 44A: Dominates (OWNS); 45A: Villain named Julius (DR. NO); 46A: Bubblegum pioneer (FLEER); 47A: Chemical ending (-IDE); 48A: San Francisco's __ Tower (COIT); 49A: Eminent (OF NOTE); 50A: Starts an operation (SETS UP SHOP); 53A: Jazz singer Anderson (IVIE); 54A: One who gives things away (TATTLE-TALE); 55A: Marlinís lost son (NEMO); 56A: Half-awake (SLEEPY-EYED); 57A: Opera conductor Daniel (OREN); 1D: Romantic writing? (X'S AND O'S); 2D: Bar staple (KARAOKE); 3D: He won comedy and drama Emmys for the same role (ED ASNER); 4D: Nickname for an athletic "kid" (SAY HEY); 5D: Home of A. Warhol's "Campbell's Soup Cans" (MOMA); 6D: 1972 DDT banner (EPA); 7D: They may be fond (DESIRES); 8D: Work basket (IN-TRAY); 9D: Apply to (USE ON); 10D: Cougar, e.g., for short (MERC); 11D: Rickís pianist (SAM); 12D: "Did we get the nod?" ("IS IT A GO?"); 13D: Nodding, with "out" (ZONKING); 14D: Give the nod (ENDORSE); 20D: Have (UNDERGO); 24D: Clanton and a "South Park" sibling (IKES); 25D: Royal Arms of England symbol (LION); 27D: Scrape, to a tot (OWIE); 28D: Rest, as at an inn (STOP OFF); 31D: Database command (SORT); 32D: Family nicknames (UNCS); 33D: Pitching device? (CAPO); 34D: Some winds (OBOISTS); 35D: Unfair treatment (RAW DEAL); 36D: Warren's "Bugsy" co-star (ANNETTE); 37D: Bears no resemblance to peanuts? (AIN'T HAY); 38D: Be postponed (LIE OVER); 39D: Previous (ONE-TIME); 40D: Get together about (AGREE ON); 42D: Sad, on the Seine (TRISTE); 43D: Current event around Christmas? (EL NIÑO); 45D: Stupid (DOPEY); 48D: Star of TV's "Trackdown" (CULP); 49D: Personal column? (OP-ED); 51D: Abbr. in Québec place names (STE.); 52D: Triumphant cry (OLÉ).

03.18 Fri

F R I D A Y
March 18, 2011
Dan Naddor

Theme: Outing — Theme answers are familiar phrases with the letterstring ING removed (i.e., taken "out").

Theme answers:

• 17A: Lodging surplus? (EXTRA INNS).
• 20A: Versace creation? (ITALIAN DRESS).
• 37A: Misplaced Yogi and Smokey? (LOST ONE'S BEARS).
• 58A: Plant at Sotheby's? (BRITISH SHILL).
• 62A: Investment in fine fabric? (SILK STOCK).
• 48D: Pleasure trip, and a hint to this puzzle's theme (OUTING).

Still at the ACPT. Talk amongst yourselves.

Crosswordese 101 Round-up:

• 31A: Penn et al.: Abbr. (STNS.).
• 67A: "Night" author Wiesel (ELIE).
• 3D: Tonsillitis M.D. (ENT).

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Everything Else — 1A: Hardly a walk in the park (TREK); 5A: "American __" (IDOL); 9A: Provoke (ROIL); 13A: Russo of "Tin Cup" (RENE); 14A: Heavyweight fight? (SUMO); 15A: Snoring cause, perhaps (APNEA); 19A: Settles in (NESTS); 22A: Blotter letters (AKA); 25A: However, contracted (THO); 26A: Bygone Chrysler (LEBARON); 27A: Target of a military press (DELT); 29A: Animal rights org. (PETA); 31A: Penn et al.: Abbr. (STNS.); 32A: Backed up, in a way (ON DISC); 35A: Quad building (DORM); 42A: Limo occasion (PROM); 43A: Maker of pianos and bikes (YAMAHA); 45A: Pacific salmon (COHO); 49A: Scholarship drive donor (GRAD); 51A: Carnival starting point? (PIER); 52A: Blood specification (ONE UNIT); 54A: "Gotcha!" ("AHA!"); 57A: Hydroelectric structure (DAM); 61A: Busted (RAN IN); 66A: __ acid (AMINO); 67A: "Night" author Wiesel (ELIE); 68A: Way-back-when time (YORE); 69A: Coatrack items (PEGS); 70A: Just slightly (A TAD); 71A: Classic theater name (ROXY); 1D: What's a little past due? (TRE); 2D: Name fit for a king? (REX); 3D: Tonsillitis M.D. (ENT); 4D: "Felicity" star Russell (KERI); 5D: Thomas of the NBA (ISIAH); 6D: Maker of tires and tennis balls (DUNLOP); 7D: Present opening? (OMNI-); 8D: Silicon Valley city (LOS ALTOS); 9D: Grammy category (R AND B); 10D: Met expectations? (OPERAS); 11D: Supplement (INSERT); 12D: Reveals (LETS ON); 16D: Clubs: Abbr. (ASSNS.); 18D: One of two authorized U.S. iPhone carriers (ATT); 21D: Close at hand (NEARBY); 22D: Flap (ADO); 23D: __ Ration (KEN-L); 24D: Designer Gucci (ALDO); 28D: "My country __ ..." ('TIS); 30D: Swelling (EDEMA); 33D: Additive sold at Pep Boys (STP); 34D: Pembroke or Cardigan dogs (CORGIS); 36D: Start of an apology (MEA); 38D: View from Edinburgh (NORTH SEA); 39D: Band aid? (AMP); 40D: Bust (RAID); 41D: 2000 World Series stadium (SHEA); 44D: Ready for battle (ARM); 45D: Army attack helicopter (COBRA); 46D: Cloverleaf component (ON RAMP); 47D: Duff (HEINIE); 50D: Flowering plant used for food by the Aztecs (DAHLIA); 53D: Yucatán youngsters (NIÑOS); 55D: Hoofed it (HIKED); 56D: Roker and Rosen (ALS); 59D: Bank deposit? (SILT); 60D: About 10 trillion kil. (LT. YR.); 63D: Valentine symbols (OOO); 64D: '80s-'90s Honda model (CRX); 65D: Critical (KEY).

03.17 Thu

T H U R S D A Y
March 17, 2011
Bruce Venzke

Theme: LIFT — Each theme answer is a definition of a different type of LIFT.

I'm off to the ACPT today so my write-ups for the next few days will probably be slim to nonexistent. I'll definitely post the grid and the theme answers for you each day so you have a place to chat about the puzzle — and I'll be following the comments sporadically throughout the festivities — but I probably won't take the time to entertain you with my sparkling commentary and intelligent critique. I hope you can find a way to pick up the pieces and move on.

Theme answers:

• 17A: See 53-Down (BRITISH ELEVATOR).
• 26A: See 53-Down (FOOTWEAR INSERT).
• 45A: See 53-Down (BOOST IN SPIRITS).
• 60A: See 53-Down (HITCHHIKER'S RIDE).
• 53D: Clue for 17-, 26-, 45- and 60-Across (LIFT).

Crosswordese 101 Round-up:

• 63A: Andy Taylor's son (OPIE).
• 1D: Cake with a kick (BABA).
• 40D: Island welcome (LEI).
• 44D: Lakeshore natives (ERIES).

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Everything Else — 1A: Bingo call (B-TEN); 5A: Gordon __: Michael Douglas's "Wall Street" role (GEKKO); 10A: One may require stitches (GASH); 14A: German import (AUDI); 15A: Slangy negative (IXNAY); 16A: Control (RULE); 20A: Fairy tale ender (AFTER); 21A: Amazement (AWE); 22A: Early surgery aid (ETHER); 23A: Talking with one's hands?: Abbr. (ASL); 25A: Ante- (PRE-); 34A: Washington's Grand __ Dam (COULEE); 35A: Fierce anger (RAGE); 36A: Carnival city (RIO); 37A: Old, in Oberhausen (ALTE); 38A: "Good heavens!" ("EGADS!"); 40A: Humdinger (LULU); 41A: Relieve (of) (RID); 42A: Pencil remnant (STUB); 43A: Legal-sized fish (KEEPER); 48A: Neighbor of Nev. (ORE.); 49A: Reggae singer Kamoze (INI); 50A: Big name in food service (SYSCO); 53A: Brine-cured delicacy (LOX); 55A: Remove forcibly (EXPEL); 63A: Andy Taylor's son (OPIE); 64A: Submit taxes, nowadays (E-FILE); 65A: Kong's kin (APES); 66A: Guam, for one: Abbr. (TERR.); 67A: '50s experiment, briefly (H-TEST); 68A: Longings (YENS); 1D: Cake with a kick (BABA); 2D: Horse racing surface (TURF); 3D: Cut, perhaps (EDIT); 4D: Nick at __ (NITE); 5D: Dogfaces, briefly (GI'S); 6D: Yoga instruction (EXHALE); 7D: Had no doubts about (KNEW); 8D: Leafy vegetable (KALE); 9D: Santana's "__ Como Va" (OYE); 10D: Irritates, with "on" (GRATES); 11D: One may have an agt. (AUTH.); 12D: Fruit used to flavor gin (SLOE); 13D: Bavarian mister (HERR); 18D: Really peeved (IRATE); 19D: Fogg's creator (VERNE); 24D: Honeybunch (SWEETIE); 25D: What might be used when a bomb is hurled on a field? (PIGSKIN); 26D: Port closing? (-FOLIO); 27D: Show up (OUTDO); 28D: Flamenco exclamation (OLÉ); 29D: Bedouins, e.g. (ARABS); 30D: "Really cool!" ("RAD!"); 31D: Break out, as violence (ERUPT); 32D: Ticks off (RILES); 33D: Organized string of gigs (TOUR); 34D: Atkins diet taboo (CARB); 39D: Pistol (GUN); 40D: Island welcome (LEI); 42D: Old Detroit brewery name (STROH); 44D: Lakeshore natives (ERIES); 46D: World Cup sport (SOCCER); 47D: Digital dots (PIXELS); 50D: Used a 39-Down (SHOT); 51D: "Gadzooks!" ("YIPE!"); 52D: Swizzle (STIR); 54D: Haggard's "__ from Muskogee" (OKIE); 56D: See-through, in comics (X-RAY); 57D: Meerschaum or brier (PIPE); 58D: Genesis locale (EDEN); 59D: Subtraction word (LESS); 61D: Half a devious laugh (HEH); 62D: Living in Ariz., maybe (RET.).

03.16 Wed

W E D N E S D A Y
March 16, 2011
John Lampkin

Theme: Thinking Happy Thoughts — Theme answers are words that follows the word "positive" in familiar phrases.

Theme answers:

• 17A: *Survey response (FEEDBACK).
• 21A: *Trying to remember (THINKING).
• 26A: *Prospects (OUTLOOK).
• 48A: *Disposition (MINDSET).
• 55A: *Cocky manner (ATTITUDE).
• 63A: Word (suggested by the black shape in this grid's center) that can precede the answers to starred clues (POSITIVE).

I didn't catch onto the theme while I was solving, because I didn't get to the reveal until the end. Then I thought, "Okay, that's good." Then later when I was looking it over to do this write-up it occurred to me that POSITIVE THINKING, POSITIVE OUTLOOK, POSITIVE MINDSET, and POSITIVE ATTITUDE are all pretty closely related while POSITIVE FEEDBACK … isn't. But, you know what? I'm just going to stay POSITIVE today so I guess the puzzle rubbed off on me.

[Hey, that's Mr. Noodle!]
You know what you can expect from a John Lampkin puzzle? Music and nature, that's what. I had to piece together the first two musical entries, but didn't have any trouble with the staccato music notation:

• 53A: Beethoven's only opera (FIDELIO).
• 30D: 19th-century Italian violin virtuoso (PAGANINI).
• 49D: Like staccato notes (DOTTED).

And, as for nature, it's all for the birds today:

• 16A: Bird that hangs its nest from a branch (ORIOLE).
• 60D: Brutus' bird (AVIS).
• 61D: Eat like a bird (PECK).

As you may know, in addition to puzzles, John is interested in music and nature photography. In fact, that oriole over there? Yeah, John sent me that picture to use with the blog. If he hadn't sent it, you probably would have gotten Cal Ripken, so everybody say "Thank you, John!" (Not that there's anything wrong with Cal Ripken. Oh what the hell, here's Cal anyway.)

Bullets:

• 20A: Juliet's volatile cousin (TYBALT). You'd think this would be easy for me, being that I majored in English and all. Well, you'd be wrong. I misspelled it TYBALD. D'oh!
• 34A: Know-it-all (SMARTIE). Great word. When I got the SMART part in there, I wondered for a minute if we might be headed in a different — less appropriate — direction.
• 40A: Push-up sound, perhaps (GRUNT). See also 46A: Push-up garment (BRA). Two totally different kinds of push-ups.
• 5D: "Not to worry" ("THAT'S OK"). I'm a fan of the colloquial phrase!
• 6D: Cristal maker (BIC). For some reason I thought this was alcohol-related. But I guess a "Cristal" is a type of pen. Huh.
• 8D: Best-seller (HOT ITEM). Another sparkly entry.
• 9D: Age opening? (IRON). The word IRON "opens" for the word "Age" in the phrase "IRON Age."

• 11D: Like a rock (SOLID). Okay, the first song I thought of was Ashford & Simpson's "Solid as a Rock," but that song is, well, I liked it in the 80s but it doesn't seem to have aged very well. Then there's Bob Seger's "Like a Rock," but that got all commercialized a while back. So I just happened to come across an awesome cover of Paul Simon's "Loves Me Like a Rock" on YouTube that I've never seen before, but it's not embeddable. Here's a link if you want to head over to YouTube to see it. It's pretty funky.
• 18D: "SportsCenter's Not Top Plays" videos, e.g. (BLOOPERS). Oh man. So hard to decide which BLOOPER to include. I think I'll have to go with a classic.

Crosswordese 101: There's not too much you need to know about ELENI for crossword puzzles. It's always clued as a Nicholas Gage book/memoir/best seller or as a 1985 John Malkovich/Kate Nelligan movie directed by Peter Yates.

Other crosswordese in today's grid that we've already covered:

• 24D: Pre-op test (EKG).
• 26D: Play-of-color gem (OPAL).
• 27D: Forearm bone (ULNA).
• 37D: Pierre's state (ÉTAT).

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Everything Else — 1A: Inedible Swiss cheese part? (HOLE); 5A: Sched. uncertainty letters (TBA); 8A: Greets the bad guy (HISSES); 14A: Bard's black (EBON); 15A: "__ Latest Flame": Presley hit (HIS); 19A: Rang (TOLLED); 23A: Suffer defeat (LOSE OUT); 25A: Cubic roller (DIE); 29A: Cartoon skunk Le Pew (PEPÉ); 32A: Mideast political gp. (PLO); 33A: UPS delivery (PKG.); 38A: "Tomorrow" musical (ANNIE); 41A: Longtime Dodgers manager (LASORDA); 44A: Org. with shrinks (APA); 47A: Software buyer (USER); 50A: Chinese menu general (TSO); 58A: Draw into wrongdoing (ENTRAP); 62A: __ Tomatoes: film review website (ROTTEN); 65A: "Wait!" ("ONE SEC!"); 66A: Calendar col. (THU.); 67A: Weighty production (EPIC); 68A: Oppressive boss (TYRANT); 69A: Short flight (HOP); 70A: Cubicle furnishing (DESK); 1D: Test the weight of (HEFT); 2D: Carry out (OBEY); 3D: Leopold's co-defendant (LOEB); 4D: Ultimate goal (END-ALL); 7D: Mail an invitation for, as a wedding (ASK TO); 10D: Hairlike corn feature (SILK); 12D: Nicholas Gage memoir (ELENI); 13D: Rushlike plant (SEDGE); 22D: Marching syllables (HUPS); 28D: Lots (TONS); 31D: Commit 18-Down (ERR); 35D: Old boats (TUBS); 36D: Memo "apropos of" (IN RE); 39D: Paper in a pot (IOU); 42D: Gone (DEFUNCT); 43D: Bone-dry (ARID); 44D: Pierre's soul (AME); 45D: More than fills the inbox (PILES UP); 50D: Medium's medium (TAROT); 51D: Expressionless (STONY); 52D: Playful swimmer (OTTER); 54D: Diver's concern (DEPTH); 56D: "__ girl!" (IT'S A); 57D: Former girls' magazine (TEEN); 59D: Ready to eat (RIPE); 64D: "Now I get it!" ("OHO!").

03.15 Tue

T U E S D A Y
March 15, 2011
Gary Steinmehl

Theme: Hitting the Gym — The last word of each theme answer is (arguably) something you would do REPS of while exercising.

Theme answers:

• 20A: Last leg of a race (HOME STRETCH).
• 27A: Chocolate bar with crisped rice (NESTLÉ CRUNCH).
• 49A: Overseas news-gatherers (FOREIGN PRESS).
• 59A: Very little, in slang (DIDDLY SQUAT).
• 57D: PR specialists, and a word associated with the ends of 20-, 27-, 49- and 59-Across (REPS).

I have mixed feelings about this theme. The theme answers themselves are all colorful and the theme hangs together very well until … you get to the reveal. REPS? Do you really do REPS of STRETCHes? Um, no. No, you don't. You just STRETCH. And then (if you're motivated and you're at, say, a gym) you do the rest of the things mentioned. So, to me, THE GYM would have been a much better reveal. If I had seen that, I would have been all "Oh, right! These are all things you do at a gym!" With STRETCH as the first entry, I might have even thought they were in some kind of logical order. It all would have been very pleasant and right now I would be talking some more about how sparkly the theme entries are. Instead, though, right now I'm going: REPS? Really?!

If you're not a fan of foreign words in your puzzle, you were probably troubled by all the French in this grid:

• 16A: Author Zola (ÉMILE). Which reminds me, if you haven't seen "Wordplay," you really should.
• 23A: Nice season? (ÉTÉ). We've covered this in Crosswordese 101 — both the answer and the way it's clued.
• 46A: Paris's __ la Paix (RUE DE). This one is not only French, it's also an ugly partial. Twofer!
• 10D: Porthos, to Athos (AMI). French for "friend" (and previously covered in CW101).
• 13D: Place for a beret (TÊTE). French for "head."
• 35D: D-Day target city (ST.-LÔ). Another CW 101 alum.

You also might be able to include BEAU (15A: Steady fellow) in this list without getting into too much trouble. Speaking of CW 101, here are the other grid entries that we've already covered. Each answer word below is a link to the post where you'll find more details.

• 18A: Elongated fish (EELS).
• 39A: Sheltered Greek walkway (STOA).
• 43A: IRS agent (T-MAN).
• 66A: Cleveland's lake (ERIE).

So, what else? Well there are some nice Scrabbly entries in ZAGAT, ZEPHYRS, and SEQUIN (9A: Big name in restaurant guides / 9D: Gentle winds / 51D: Fashion sparkler). SEQUIN was actually hard for me to come up with because I had RHINESTONE in my head and couldn't shake it.

Bullets:

• 19A: Turning point (PIVOT).



• 52A: Run or ruin (DASH). Great clue. Think "50-yard DASH" or having your hopes DASHed.
• 67A: DDE's alma mater (USMA). Dwight D. Eisenhower's alma mater is the U.S. Military Academy.

• 69A: Ole Miss rival (BAMA). When I was a kid, I thought Duke and Marquette were the coolest college names. I still think they're awesome, but I love BAMA too (even though it's obviously not the school's official name). I always hoped I'd graduate from a college with a cool name. But instead I ended up at … Maryland.
• 11D: Abraham, to Lincoln (GIVEN NAME). I tried FIRST NAME first.
• 26D: Bee or Em (AUNT). I think of Em as AUNTIE, but I see that's what she's called in the film but not in the books. AUNT Bee is from "The Andy Griffith Show" and, yes, that is how her name is spelled.
• 28D: Fa follower (SOL). Do re mi fa SOL la ti do.
• 34D: DoD fliers (USAF). The U.S. Air Force flies for the Department of Defense.
• 50D: Letters under a 4 (G-H-I). Today's random letter string is clued in relation to the telephone keypad.

• 55D: Cass and Michelle, famously (MAMAS). Cass Elliot and Michelle Phillips were the MAMAS of the 1960s group, "The MAMAS and the Papas."
• 62D: Bean town? (LIMA). Get it? 'Cuz the name of the town is also a type of bean. (Ugh.)

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Everything Else — 1A: Cote bleats (BAAS); 5A: Further (ALSO); 14A: Flattop opposite (AFRO); 17A: Plane or sander (TOOL); 24A: Snail mail need (STAMP); 25A: Color in the four-color process (CYAN); 34A: Plug-and-play PC port (USB); 37A: Borat creator Sacha Baron __ (COHEN); 38A: Trapper's gear (SNARE); 41A: Number-guessing fund-raiser (LOTTO); 44A: False __ (ALARM); 48A: Ambulance initials (EMS); 53A: Times spent in prison or in office (TERMS); 57A: Dusting aid (RAG); 64A: Remove from the videotape (ERASE); 68A: Argentine grassland (PAMPA); 70A: Modern Roman, e.g.: Abbr. (ITAL.); 71A: Take badly? (STEAL); 72A: Disappearing slope apparatus (T-BAR); 73A: Big Board letters (NYSE); 1D: They're drawn in tubs (BATHS); 2D: In progress (AFOOT); 3D: Bakery quality (AROMA); 4D: Serious (SOLEMN); 5D: Aid's partner (ABET); 6D: Look that may be accompanied by a smirk (LEER); 7D: Shopping news (SALE); 8D: Bounce, as from a bar (OUST); 12D: Oodles (A LOT); 21D: Risky business, briefly (SPEC); 22D: Brutus' 300 (CCC); 29D: Rose feature (THORN); 30D: Rain more gently (LET UP); 31D: Rectangular computer key (ENTER); 32D: Stuff (into) (CRAM); 33D: Lady birds (HENS); 36D: Monopoly, for one (BOARD GAME); 40D: House painter's calculation (AREA); 42D: Dedicated verse (ODE); 45D: Card player's goof (MISDEAL); 47D: Ballpark figs. (ESTS.); 54D: Out of practice (RUSTY); 56D: Old hat (STALE); 58D: "I smell __!" (A RAT); 60D: Unpaid loan, e.g. (DEBT); 61D: Not bright at all (DRAB); 63D: Wine taster's guesstimate (YEAR); 65D: Healthful resort (SPA).

03.14 Mon

M O N D A Y
March 14, 2011
Billie Truitt

Theme: Hard to describe but ... — Theme answers are familiar phrases that follow the pattern "[xx]ing [xx]g."

Theme answers:

• 17A: Lather-holding cup (SHAVING MUG).
• 25A: Sock mender's tool (DARNING EGG).
• 36A: Violin knob for pitch adjustments (TUNING PEG).
• 48A: Retriever or pointer (HUNTING DOG).
• 57A: Joke that gets funnier with repetition (RUNNING GAG).

Looks like we're starting the week off with a really solid Monday puzzle. As I was solving, I have to admit the theme did provoke a raised eyebrow, but the more I look at it the more I like it. And the reason I'm even looking at it again is to make sure I'm not missing something. Is there a vowel progression in the first words? Are the last words related in some way? No and no. But that's okay with me today. Say the phrases one right after the other. Even though it's difficult to describe their connection in words, they definitely go together.

Not much crosswordese in the grid today, which is a nice surprise for a Monday.

• 19A: Homely fruit (UGLI).
• 58D: Author Anaïs (NIN).

Crosswordese 101: This is more like Crosswordese 301, but you're ready for it, right? Dame NGAIO Marsh was an author who wrote mysteries. You will almost always see the words mystery, whodunit, and/or writer in clues for NGAIO (as in today's 34D: Whodunit writer Marsh). Other details to try to hold onto: she was a contemporary of Agatha Christie and Erle Stanley Gardner, and the protagonist in her books is a detective named Roderick Alleyn.

Entries that jumped out at me as particularly nice include WISE MEN, BIG NEWS, and ARUGULA (I don't like to eat it, but I do like to say it) (28A: Magi / 11D: Special report subject / 38D: Peppery salad green). It took me way too long to come up with DIET from its clue, 16A: Losing strategy? You'd think I'd be hip to that trick by now but apparently not. Love the clue for STINKS, 65A: Smells to high heaven; not so much the clue for AGE, 52A: 2011 minus year of birth, roughly.

38A: "AMEN to that!" is my colloquial phrase of the day. And, I tell you what. I must really like this puzzle because I'm not even going to rant about the horrible, horrible earworm of 41D: "Afternoon __": suggestive #1 hit of 1976 (DELIGHT). And that seems like something I would rant about, doesn't it?

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Everything Else — 1A: World Wide __ (WEB); 4A: Gunpowder element (SULFUR); 10A: Turns seaward (EBBS); 14A: Firefighter's tool (AXE); 15A: Dream up (CREATE); 20A: Eye part containing the pupil (IRIS); 21A: Timeline divisions (ERAS); 23A: Habit wearer (NUN); 24A: Kimono sashes (OBIS); 30A: Sweden neighbor (NORWAY); 31A: Utmost degree (NTH); 32A: Church instrument (ORGAN); 35A: Flag maker Betsy (ROSS); 40A: Ecstatic way to walk (ON AIR); 41A: Roman 700 (DCC); 44A: 1992 Olympic skating champ Yamaguchi (KRISTI); 46A: As an alternative (INSTEAD); 51A: Heidi's heights (ALPS); 53A: It replaced the franc (EURO); 54A: Handling the job (ON IT); 55A: Member of an Iraqi minority (KURD); 61A: "Now ___ me down ..." (I LAY); 62A: Complete (ENTIRE); 63A: Hurry, old-style (HIE); 64A: Clearance event (SALE); 66A: Blasting sply. (TNT); 1D: Used to be (WAS); 2D: Lettered piece of court evidence (EXHIBIT); 3D: Pessimistic about Wall Street (BEARISH); 4D: Biol. and chem. (SCIS.); 5D: Coffeepot for a crowd (URN); 6D: Jeans part (LEG); 7D: Hall of __: enshrined athlete (FAMER); 8D: One-eighty (U-TURN); 9D: Win back (REGAIN); 10D: Campus e-mail address letters (EDU); 12D: Sturgeon yielding expensive caviar (BELUGAS); 13D: Tight-fisted (STINGY); 18D: Workbench clamp (VISE); 22D: Noisy sleepers (SNORERS); 24D: Part of BYOB (OWN); 25D: Bruce of "Coming Home" (DERN); 26D: Prefix with -plasty (ANGIO); 27D: Pirate's quaff (GROG); 29D: Canadian lawman on horseback (MOUNTIE); 33D: Raggedy doll (ANN); 36D: Try out (TEST); 37D: Unwelcome engine sound (PING); 39D: Twenty Questions choice (MINERAL); 42D: Ship's leader (CAPTAIN); 43D: Jewel box contents, briefly (CD'S); 44D: Military pants (KHAKIS); 45D: Hardens (INURES); 47D: Zesty taste (TANG); 49D: McJob holder (GRUNT); 50D: "__ know you?" (DON'T I); 54D: Vending machine bills (ONES); 56D: Hair coloring agent (DYE); 59D: Rub the wrong way (IRK); 60D: Retrieve (GET).

03.13 Sun

S U N D A Y
March 13, 2011
Merl Reagle

[Note: This is the puzzle that appears in the Sunday L.A. Times newspaper. If you don't get the paper, you can find the puzzle here. Scroll down to see today's syndicated puzzle.]

Theme: "The Fashion Police"

Theme answers:

• 22A: INSP: "HEY PULL OVER! We're the Fashion Police!"
• 28A: DESIGNER: "What'd I do, officers?" LIEUT: "You STOLE A PEEK at a competitor's designs."
• 36A: DESIGNER: "But I'm innocent!" LIEUT: "Maybe so, but we have A MATERIAL WITNESS."
• 48A: LIEUT: "He says you're PART OF A RING." DESIGNER: "That's not true!"
• 60A: INSP: "Don't worry. You'll look good in STRIPES."
• 66A: INSP: "Okay, lieutenant, SLAP THE BRACELETS ON HIM."
• 78A: (((One Week Later))) LIEUT: "What happened? I thought we had him!" INSP: "He gave us THE SLIP."
• 88A: INSP: "His attorney filed some LEGAL BRIEFS."
• 95A: INSP: "And then his SUIT WAS THROWN OUT."
• 108A: LIEUT: "GOOD COLLAR, though ..."
• 120A: INSP: "Yeah, even if he was just AN ACCESSORY."

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Everything Else — 1A: Vacation isle (BALI); 5A: Debt-free, perhaps (PAID-UP); 11A: Styling stuff (GEL); 14A: Fret and fume (STEW); 18A: Actor Rickman (ALAN); 19A: Esoteric (ARCANE); 20A: ___ big hurry (IN A); 21A: Practice piece (ETUDE); 24A: Cook, in a way (FRY); 25A: Ohio city (XENIA); 26A: Regions (AREAS); 27A: Most eligible, to the SSS (ONE-A); 30A: Anne ___ Lindbergh (MORROW); 32A: Refreshing place (SPA); 34A: Take it easy (LOLL); 35A: Mgr.'s helper (ASST.); 45A: Gaucho's rope (RIATA); 46A: Badly or hardly (ILL); 47A: Watch brand (SEIKO); 53A: Like a shot (FAST); 57A: Desertlike (ARID); 58A: Bring to bear (EXERT); 59A: African nation (MALI); 62A: Wiki conclusion (-PEDIA); 63A: ___ shoestring (ON A); 65A: Utter (SHEER); 75A: Belgian bucks, now (EUROS); 76A: 1970s pop-rock grp. (ELO); 77A: Racket (NOISE); 81A: Helen of Troy's mom (LEDA); 84A: Olivia's leading man, often (ERROL); 85A: Caprice (WHIM); 86A: Minus (LESS); 90A: Sized ___ (customized) (TO FIT); 92A: Site of "Oz" reruns (HBO); 94A: Adored ones (IDOLS); 100A: Salad-bowl wood (TEAK); 104A: Arch type (OGEE); 105A: Scratch (out) (EKE); 106A: Set aside (SHELVE); 113A: Remarkable times (ERAS); 117A: Hercules types (HE-MEN); 118A: Heart chambers (ATRIA); 119A: Toy shop employee (ELF); 122A: Beef on the hoof (STEER); 123A: Cartoon collectible (CEL); 124A: Campus VIP? (BIG MAN); 125A: Sky bear (URSA); 126A: Sentry's place (POST); 127A: Taste (TRY); 128A: E-mail again (RESEND); 129A: Hammer part (PEEN); 1D: Grand ___ Island (BAHAMA); 2D: Old Olds models (ALEROS); 3D: Strata (LAYERS); 4D: To a certain extent (IN PART); 5D: Buddy (PAL); 6D: Woody's son (ARLO); 7D: Image (ICON); 8D: Nighttime host (DAVE); 9D: Discomfort (UNEASE); 10D: For each (PER); 11D: Birthday buy (GIFT); 12D: Sign up (ENROLL); 13D: Incapacitate (LAY LOW); 14D: Put your foot down (STEP); 15D: Catchy item, perhaps (TUNE); 16D: Actress Falco (EDIE); 17D: Lacking oomph (WEAK); 21D: Venerates (EXALTS); 23D: R&R provider (USO); 28D: Ply the waves (SAIL); 29D: He played Calvera in "The Magnificent Seven" (ELI); 31D: Homeless child (WAIF); 33D: Bluenose (PRIG); 37D: "Yes, ___" (MA'AM); 38D: Gillette razor (ATRA); 39D: Alteration makers (TAILORS); 40D: TV alien (ALF); 41D: A tide (NEAP); 42D: Yeats's home (EIRE); 43D: Stowe gear (SKIS); 44D: Ground cover (SOD); 45D: Turns on an axis (ROTATES); 48D: Livens (up) (PEPS); 49D: Lipinski's leap (AXEL); 50D: Prynne's symbol (RED A); 51D: Voyage (TRIP); 52D: Famed Spanish ship (NIÑA); 54D: Tennis great (ASHE); 55D: Editor's note (STET); 56D: Chic modifier (TRES); 61D: Laundry workers (IRONERS); 64D: Expert (ACE); 65D: Fizz ingredient (SLOE GIN); 67D: Ship's frame (HULL); 68D: Pennsylvania port (ERIE); 69D: Hits on the head (BOPS); 70D: French pronoun (ELLE); 71D: Cousin of "Me, neither!" ("NOR I!"); 72D: Take on (HIRE); 73D: "Time ___ the essence" (IS OF); 74D: TV diner (MEL'S); 78D: Commandment start (THOU); 79D: LP player (HI-FI); 80D: Send out (EMIT); 82D: Carpentry groove (DADO); 83D: Baseball's Matty (ALOU); 85D: Lbs., etc. (WTS.); 87D: "Quiet!" ("SHH!"); 88D: "Check it out!" (LOOK); 89D: Deli orders (BLT'S); 91D: ___ garage (TWO-CAR); 93D: Uncle Remus's ___ Fox (BR'ER); 96D: In the past (AGO); 97D: Pick (SELECT); 98D: Money handler (TELLER); 99D: Roast need (WEENIE); 100D: Prepares to drive (TEES UP); 101D: Author Leonard (ELMORE); 102D: Loath (AVERSE); 103D: Somali neighbor (KENYAN); 107D: A Cabinet Dept. (HHS); 108D: ("I'm shocked!") (GASP); 109D: Bart and Lisa's bus driver (OTTO); 110D: Magnetite et al. (ORES); 111D: Atkins, for one (DIET); 112D: Wouldn't hurt ___ (A FLY); 114D: Pauper's garb (RAGS); 115D: Pinnacle (ACME); 116D: Read a bar code (SCAN); 120D: Like some dicts. (ABR.); 121D: Be over with (END).