THURSDAY, July 1, 2010 — Robert A. Doll

Theme: Hot Hot Hot — Each theme answer starts with a word that can follow the word hot in a familiar phrase.


Theme answers:

• 16A: *Tennis legend nicknamed "Rocket" (ROD LAVER).
• 23A: *Mighty Mouse's archenemy (OILCAN HARRY).
• 33A: *1983 film that won the Oscar for Best Music, Original Song (FLASHDANCE).
• 38A: *Stray hunter (DOG CATCHER).
• 51A: *Deli side (POTATO SALAD).
• 61A: 1979 song for which Donna Summer won a Grammy, and a hint to the puzzle theme found in the answers to starred clues (HOT STUFF).

Running super, super late today so this will be really, really quick. I really had no idea where this theme was going until I hit the reveal clue at 61A. Theme answers all seem pretty cool to me. Except POTATO SALAD. Not that there's anything wrong with POTATO SALAD, it's just kind of … there, right? It's awesome to see REDRUM (59A: "The Shining" mantra) in the grid, although I admit my first thought was "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy." Obviously, that wouldn't fit. I also like the clue for HAL (25D: Difficult computer of film). On the other hand, AAHED AT? DABO?? (66A: Showed awe over / 19A: Olivia of "The Wonder Years"). Not pretty. Okay, I've gotta jet outta here. See you back here tomorrow.

Crosswordese 101 Round-Up:

• 22A: Hebrides tongue (ERSE).
• 67A: Safari sightings (ELANDS).
• 23D: Giant of a Giant (OTT).
• 62D: Defense gp. founded in Bogot· (OAS).

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Everything Else — 1A: Minute Maid product (LIMEADE); 8A: John or Paul (BEATLE); 14A: Hotel option (TWIN BED); 15A: Corsage flower (ORCHID); 18A: Early hr. to retire (NINE P.M.); 20A: Resident's suffix (-ITE); 22A: Hebrides tongue (ERSE); 27A: Watch (EYE); 28A: Squirrel's home (TREE); 29A: Put away (ATE); 30A: Claude who played Sheriff Lobo in "B.J. and the Bear" (AKINS); 32A: Profs' aides (TA'S); 35A: Swing __ (ERA); 37A: Granola grain (OAT); 44A: Call from a crow's nest (CAW); 47A: Mozart is on some Austrian ones (EUROS); 48A: Hefty ref. (OED); 49A: Pesky yard critter (MOLE); 50A: Spot to stop: Abbr. (STA.); 55A: Stevie Wonder's "__ She Lovely" (ISN'T); 57A: Court cry (LET); 58A: Partner of void (NULL); 65A: Rio Grande city (EL PASO); 67A: Safari sightings (ELANDS); 68A: Arachnophobe's fear (SPIDERS); 1D: USPS delivery (LTR.); 2D: WWII battle site, briefly (IWO); 3D: Means (MIDDLES); 4D: Intertwine (ENLACE); 5D: Addis __ (ABABA); 6D: Cornwall neighbor (DEVON); 7D: Stamp finish? (-EDE); 8D: Faux pas (BONER); 9D: Airport north of Pittsburgh, in itineraries (ERI); 10D: Reason to see a dermatologist (ACNE); 11D: Legalese adverb (THEREIN); 12D: Mouth the words (LIP SYNC); 13D: '80s attorney general (ED MEESE); 17D: Gaucho gear (RIATA); 21D: Half of seis (TRES); 23D: Giant of a Giant (OTT); 24D: Lyricist Gershwin (IRA); 26D: "Blah ..." (YADA); 31D: "Krazy __" (KAT); 33D: Sprat's taboo (FAT); 34D: Old TV knob (HOR.); 35D: "Foucault's Pendulum" author (ECO); 36D: Farrier's tool (RASP); 38D: Obama's first social secretary __ Rogers (DESIREE); 39D: Move more goods than (OUTSELL); 40D: Pop's pop (GRANDPA); 41D: Pigeon shelter (COTE); 42D: "Macbeth" setting (HEATH); 43D: N.J. summer setting (EDT); 44D: Plan a heist (with) (COLLUDE); 45D: Cookbook words (A LA); 46D: Marry (WED); 49D: Shake alternative (MALTED); 52D: "Stand and Deliver" star (OLMOS); 53D: Ready to be drawn (ON TAP); 54D: Sashimi cousin (SUSHI); 56D: Air__: budget carrier (TRAN); 60D: Amer. currency (USD); 62D: Defense gp. founded in Bogot· (OAS); 63D: Way off (FAR); 64D: NBA stats (FT'S).