03.13 Sun

S U N D A Y
March 13, 2011
Jack McInturff

[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: "I Before EE's" — The letter "I" is changed to "EE" in familiar phrases, yielding wacky, punny entries.

Theme Entries:

• 23A: Meek Jolly Roger crewmen? (PIRATE SHEEP).
• 42A: Polish protector? (SHEEN GUARD).
• 51A: Red-costumed actor in "Veggie Tales"? (BEET PLAYER).
• 59A: Take really short naps during a Henny Youngman routine? (SLEEP BETWEEN THE CRACKS).
• 76A: Tiny nestling's cry? (MICROCHEEP).
• 88A: Ownership dispute? (DEED BATTLE).
• 109A: Meryl as a coquette? (STREEP TEASE).
• 16D: Drug money? (EVIL GREEN).
• 74D: Fund for hammer parts? (PEEN MONEY).

Hey, everybody. This is Doug, your weekend host. I won't be here next Sunday, because I'll be in Brooklyn with 700 or so of my closest friends at the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament! The puzzle constructors for this year's ACPT have officially been announced. In past years, the slate of constructors was a closely guarded secret, so this preview is causing quite a buzz in the puzzle world. Will Shortz is undoubtedly following the lead of Crosswords LA, who released their line-up a couple of months ago. If you're a West Coaster and can't make it to the ACPT, you should definitely make plans to attend the Crosswords LA Tournament. It's on May 1st at beautiful Loyola Marymount University, so mark your calendars now. And Amy Reynaldo just posted an announcement for the 3rd annual Chicago Tournament happening on April 16th. I've also heard a rumor that someone may be starting up a tournament in Seattle. If you love crosswords, you'll love going to a tournament. And if you're worried about not being an above-average solver, don't give it second thought. Solving prowess is irrelevant. To quote PuzzleGirl: "...the part that’s most important is hanging out with My People."

OK, today's puzzle. I thought it was solid, and I liked seeing the 21-letter SLEEP BETWEEN THE CRACKS smack-dab in the middle of the grid. Time is short, so I'm jumping to bullets.

Bullets:

• 26A: Theater aisles, usually (RAMPS). Great clue.
• 42A: Polish protector? (SHEEN GUARD). Or the guy who protects Charlie's supply of tiger blood and jaguar tears.

• 45A: Spent the cold season (in) (WINTERED). I had a hard time parsing the clue, but it made sense eventually. I'm planning to winter in St. Jetersburg, Florida, next year.
• 48A: How some soccer games end (IN A TIE). Or...how most soccer games end? Are soccer fans really satisfied when the game ends in a tie? Maybe that's why they're always rioting and burning down their stadiums. #Tying!

• 51A: Red-costumed actor in "Veggie Tales"? (BEET PLAYER). There's a guy who writes "Veggie Tales" books named Doug Peterson (not me). Now when people Google for him, maybe they'll find this blog post.We're always looking for ways to increase traffic.
• 69A: Failed flier (EASTERN). My first thought was ICARUS. Eastern Air Lines ceased operations in 1991.
• 94A: Londonderry's river (FOYLE). This entry's "Y" was the last thing I put into the grid. It crossed DAYS (88D: Popular shift), and that was another tough clue for me. I need to work on my Irish geography.
• 100A: Mideastern pastry dough (FILO). I know this one from crosswords. I think it's the stuff they use to make baklava.
• 32D: NBC newsman Roger (O'NEIL). In crossworld, there are two O'NEILs you need to remember: newsman Roger O'Neil and Negro Leagues baseball player Buck O'Neil. Tatum, Ryan, and Shaq are all part of the O'NEAL clan. And then there's...
• 47D: Oscar winner Patricia (NEAL). Confusing, isn't it? I recently learned that she was married to crossword regular Roald Dahl for thirty years. A match made in cruciverbial heaven.

• 38D: Boston department store founder (FILENE). I went to Boston once, but I didn't stop at Filene's. Was it founded by Filo Foyle Filene? Seriously, did anyone outside of Boston know this one?
• 58D: Occuring before: Abbr. (PREC). Ouch. An abbreviation for "preceding," I presume. I can't be the only solver who tried PREV first.
• 61D: '60s Israeli prime minister (ESHKOL). Levi Eshkol. He served from 1963-1969. 
• 67D: You can get down on one (KNEE). This reminds me of a kids' joke that it took me years to understand. "How do you get down off an elephant? You don't. You get down off a duck." It baffled me when I first heard it, and no one ever took the time to explain it to me. I swear, I didn't get it until I was in my 20's. I hate that joke.
• 84D: Orchestra members (CELLISTS). It's the Final Countdown.

• 97D: Wikipedia policy (NO ADS). That's also the policy of this blog and the reason PuzzleGirl won't let me sell my "Twilight" fan fiction here.
• 108D: Northwestern sch. where Cougar Gold cheese is made (WSU). Washington State University. Never heard of the cheese, but I know the Washington State teams are called the Cougars.

PuzzleGirl will be back on Monday. See ya later.

02.15 Tue

T U E S D A Y February 15, 2011
Jack McInturff

Theme: Next to Last — The first word of each theme answer can come after (i.e., next to) the word "last" in a familiar phrase.

Theme answers:

• 18A: Knock off (CALL IT A DAY).
• 23A: Doomed fairy tale abode (STRAW HOUSE).
• 40A: Stick to formalities (STAND ON CEREMONY).
• 51A: Fast-cook grain product (MINUTE RICE).
• 59A: Penultimate, and where you might see the first words of 18-, 23-, 40- and 51-Across (NEXT TO LAST).

This is the kind of early-week theme I like. It's easy but there's a purpose to it. You're not just making random phrases for no reason, you're putting the word next to the word "last" because there's this phrase "NEXT TO LAST" that we've all heard and used a million times and this puzzle is, like, taking it literally. Now I'm not saying that this theme would be totally stupid without the cool twist to it. I kinda think that there are only so many theme ideas out there and they're not all going to be awesome. So on a Monday or Tuesday? That's okay. Any later in the week though, I want some cleverness there. And this week, we got the cleverness early. Huzzah!

Bullets:

• 17A: Diamond team (NINE). That would be a baseball diamond. There are NINE positions on a baseball field.
• 33A: Satisfied sound (AAH). I'd never really taken the time to think about it until now, but I've just decided that I do not like the entries AAH, OOH, and SHH. On the other hand, I do not mind BRR and AWW. I can't really explain it and really, you'd probably just as soon I didn't.
• 36A: Drink away, as sorrows (DROWN).



• 39A: Largest of the Philippines (LUZON). Lots of random islands in the grid today. See also PALAU (7D: 2005 "Survivor" island) and ELLIS (8D: __ Island, former immigration center).

• 45A: Place for buoys and gulls (SEA). I didn't see this clue as I was solving. I can't decide if I love it or hate it. I think I kinda of love it.
• 46A: Gibson of tennis (ALTHEA). She was the first African-American woman to play on the world tennis tour and the first to win one of the Grand Slam tournaments (the French Open in 1956).
• 71A: Wall St. market (NYSE). New York Stock Exchange.
• 37D: Loos, briefly (WC'S). Can we ever really get enough of the British bathroom words?
• 38D: Big name in Indian politics (NEHRU). Okay, look. I don't really know anything about this guy but it seems like he's been in the puzzle every day for at least a week and I'm tired of him. Him and his jacket.
• 41D: Okinawa's capital (NAHA). Whoa. I didn't see this clue either. NAHA? That's awesome.
• 62D: Jilted lover's need, briefly (TLC). Heh.

Crosswordese 101: O'SHEA is almost always clued like today's 44A: Milo of "Ulysses." Milo O'SHEA is an Irish-born actor whose other films include "Romeo and Juliet," "Barbarella," and "The Verdict." The only other O'SHEAs you're likely to see are the Welsh, Tony-winning actress Tessie O'SHEA and the rapper Ice Cube. "Ice Cube?" you ask? Yes, apparently Ice Cube's real name is O'SHEA Jackson. You're welcome.
Other Crosswordese in the puzzle that we've already covered:

• 14A: Old apple spray (ALAR).
• 30A: Max of "The Beverly Hillbillies" (BAER).
• 66A: Writer __ Rogers St. Johns (ADELA).
• 5D: Legendary bird (ROC).
• 60D: Tokyo, once (EDO).

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Everything Else — 1A: Rope material (HEMP); 5A: Ready for the picking (RIPE); 9A: Staff symbol (C CLEF); 15A: Like some vaccines (ORAL); 16A: "The Magic Flute," for one (OPERA); 20A: Screwups (GOOFS); 22A: Capitol worker (AIDE); 26A: Overcharge, in slang (SOAK); 31A: Point a finger at (ACCUSE); 43A: Reef material (CORAL); 48A: Let us know, in an invite (RSVP); 50A: __ bargaining (PLEA); 57A: Meat pkg. letters (USDA); 58A: It has banks and a mouth (RIVER); 65A: Ice cream drink (SODA); 67A: Cavern sound (ECHO); 68A: Metal sources (ORES); 69A: Veranda (PORCH); 70A: Gush (SPEW); 1D: Associates (with), slangily (HANGS); 2D: "The Naming of Cats" poet (ELIOT); 3D: Lord's estate (MANOR); 4D: Ready-made home (PREFAB); 6D: Songwriter Gershwin (IRA); 9D: Coop (COTE); 10D: No.-crunching pro (CPA); 11D: Guided (LED); 12D: Big Band __ (ERA); 13D: Wray of "King Kong" (FAY); 19D: It may be half-baked (IDEA); 21D: Wrap, as an infant (SWADDLE); 24D: Saver of the day (HERO); 25D: Maine college town (ORONO); 26D: Pond problem (SCUM); 27D: Greek liqueurs (OUZOS); 28D: What "two shall be" after the I do's, in song (AS ONE); 29D: Land of Obama's father (KENYA); 32D: Butcher's tool (CLEAVER); 33D: Musicians' org. (ASCAP); 34D: Lagoon border (ATOLL); 35D: Poker Flat creator (HARTE); 42D: Musical silence (REST); 47D: Playground retort (AM SO); 49D: Place up the 58-Across? (PRISON); 52D: Sits at a light, say (IDLES); 53D: Anti-racism gp. since 1909 (NAACP); 54D: Classic Procter & Gamble soap brand (IVORY); 55D: Formally gives up (CEDES); 56D: Wipe off the board (ERASE); 57D: Colorado neighbor (UTAH); 59D: Short sleep (NAP); 61D: Signer, at times (X'ER); 63D: Miss identification (SHE); 64D: Stranded motorist's need (TOW).

01.09 Sun

S U N D A Y (syndicated)

January 9, 2011
Jack McInturff

[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: "Oui" — The letters "OU" are replaced with "I" in familiar phrases, and the resulting entries are given punny clues.

Theme Answers:

• 23A: Herb homily? (SERMON ON THE MINT).
• 39A: Like a stroller out of breath? (WALKING WINDED).
• 50A: Golf pro's protection? (GRIP INSURANCE).
• 70A: Coffee at church? (HALLOWED GRIND).
• 81A: Adoptee's goal? (FINDING FATHER).
• 105A: "Last Comic Standing" winning routine? (CHAMPIONSHIP BIT).
• 35D: Knighted vintner's nickname? (SIR GRAPES).
• 46D: Dorm room Christmas tree? (FIR POSTER).

Hey, folks. Doug here with you on a Sunday. First, some sad news to report. Longtime L.A. Times Sunday puzzle constructor Sylvia Bursztyn has passed away. She and Barry Tunick began constructing a Sunday puzzle for the newspaper back in 1980, and it's become a weekly institution for many Angelenos. The Times has a nice write-up here: Sylvia Bursztyn.

Today's syndicated puzzle was a good one. Rather than simply adding or subtracting a letter, Jack McInturff pulls a little switcheroo, substituting "I" for "OU." My favorite theme entry is SIR GRAPES because it conjures up a goofy image, and goofy images are the bread and butter of my blog posts. My least favorite is FIR POSTER, because the clue (Dorm room Christmas tree?) feels a bit off. I think the idea is that a college student wouldn't have an actual Christmas tree in his or her dorm room, so the kid might tack up a poster with a Christmas tree on it. Hmmm. Maybe a clue about a "Christmas tree blog" and "blog posters" would make more sense.

Quite a few unfamiliar names in this one, but I didn't have trouble getting them from the crossing entries. Let's begin the bullets.

Bullets:

• 19A: Yellow spreads (OLEOS). You think "Big Tobacco" is too powerful? What about "Big Butter"? Oleo (margarine) is naturally white. In the early 19th century, the butter lobby supported legislation to ban the addition of yellow coloring to margarine. Some states even enacted laws to require margarine manufacturers to add pink coloring to make the product look unpalatable. By the start of the 20th century, eight out of ten Americans couldn't buy yellow margarine, and those that could had to pay a hefty tax on it. Bootleg colored margarine became common, and manufacturers began to supply food-coloring capsules so that the consumer could knead the yellow color into margarine before serving it. (Wikipedia)
• 26A: Canadian pianist Kuerti (ANTON). First "huh?" name of the day.

• 36A: Van Morrison's singing daughter (SHANA). Second "huh?" name of the day. To be fair, SHANA clues usually reference Shana Alexander, and I don't know her either. Maybe Ms. Morrison can supplant her as the go-to SHANA.
• 44A: Sound relatives (BAYS). Sounds and bays are bodies of water. Tricky.
• 78A: Former U.K. carrier (BOAC). British Overseas Airway Corporation. I once confused this with HUAC, House Un-American Activities Committee.
• 1D: Speaker of note (BOSE). Bose is a company that makes high-end audio equipment. My first guess for this one was TRIS Speaker, Hall of Fame centerfielder.
• 3D: Michael Corleone's bodyguard Al (NERI). Third "huh?" name of the day.
• 31D: "___ Promise You": *NSYNC hit (THIS I). This I promise you: I will never include an 'N SYNC video on the blog. But the Meaty Cheesy Boys are cool.

• 40D: Pianist/composer Chasins (ABRAM). Fourth "huh?" name of the day.

• 64D: Former title-winning women's wrestler Stratus (TRISH). Fifth and final "huh?" name of the day. I couldn't find a SFB (Safe For Blog) picture of Ms. Stratus, so you'll have to google your own. She's a seven-time WWE Women's Champion, and her signature moves include the Chick Kick, MaTrish Reloaded, and Stratusfaction. Maybe Iowa should hire her to help coach the wrestling team. (I'm kidding, PuzzleGirl! I just want to make sure you're reading this.)
• 81D: Bernie, Roz, and Greg, in a 2004 film (FOCKERS). I'm a little surprised to see this entry in a mainstream puzzle. I suspect it would have been disallowed if the word crossing the "O" was the least bit ambiguous. How many of these "Fockers" movies are there anyway? I've seen a lot of billboards for the latest installment.

• 84D: Spy covers (FAKE IDS). Remember "The Bourne Identity" movie? While in Zurich, the amnesiac Jason Bourne (Matt Damon) opens up a safe deposit box and finds a collection of his fake passports and IDs. And all of them have my birthday on them: month, day, and year! Cool, eh? A couple years after the movie came out, I noticed that some company was selling "Bourne Identity" props on eBay, so I emailed to ask them about the fake passports. They said they can't sell items that could be used for fraudulent purposes. Lame!
• 106D: Hugs, on cards (OOO). You don't usually see them without kisses (XXX).

Crosswordese101 Round-up:

• 19A: Yellow spreads (OLEOS).
• 74A: Hindu title (SRI).
• 96A: Pelvic bones (ILIA).
• 108A: It has banks in Switzerland (AARE).
• 24D: One-time partner of novelist Miller (NIN).
• 54D: African antelope (ELAND).
• 65D: Saree wearer (RANEE).

Everything Else — 1A: Language group that includes Swahili (BANTU); 6A: "Great" swingers (APES); 10A: Yaks (GABS); 14A: "Get out!" ("SCRAM!"); 20A: "Gloria" actress Rowlands (GENA); 21A: It will probably keep you in bed (AGUE); 22A: Raccoon kin (COATI); 27A: It's usually over a door (EXIT SIGN); 28A: Australia's __ Rock (AYERS); 29A: Current concern (EL NIÑO); 30A: Dismayed cry (OH NO); 31A: One begins "Rhapsody in Blue" (TRILL); 32A: Witness to the Transfiguration of Jesus (ST. PETER); 33A: Mag transformed by Helen Gurley Brown (COSMO); 37A: Union leavers (SECEDERS); 38A: Hawaiian tuna (AHI); 43A: Fallen orbiter (MIR); 45A: With no rocks (NEAT); 46A: Suspect story, maybe (FIB); 49A: '90s game disc (POG); 55A: Nest egg initials (IRA); 56A: Upgrade to five stars, say (RERATE); 58A: Not rented (OWNED); 59A: Capers (LARKS); 61A: "Sherlock Holmes" actress Rachel (MCADAMS); 63A: "What __ Is This?" (CHILD); 64A: Wander (TRAIPSE); 66A: Attend to loose ends (MOP UP); 67A: Look uncertainly (for) (GROPE); 68A: 1972 Oscar refuser (BRANDO); 69A: Wrath (IRE); 77A: Elected ones (INS); 79A: Slick trick (RUSE); 80A: Lincoln progeny (TAD); 86A: Director's challenge (EGO); 87A: Remove with effort (DISLODGE); 91A: Use the soapbox (ORATE); 92A: Spanish others (OTRAS); 94A: Lures (ENTICES); 95A: Moccasin, e.g. (SNAKE); 98A: Areas above hooves (SHANKS); 99A: Pursue (CHASE); 100A: Torino tongue (ITALIANO); 104A: Pasta often served alla vodka (PENNE); 107A: Drive-thru decision (ORDER); 109A: Not a happy fate (DOOM); 110A: Writer Zora __ Hurston (NEALE); 111A: Tries out (TESTS); 112A: Lulus (PIPS); 113A: Sound measure (SONE); 114A: Taunts (GIBES); 2D: Author Haley (ALEX); 4D: Hand-played drum (TOM TOM); 5D: Wartime diversion (USO SHOW); 6D: To the max, in the disco era (A-GO-GO); 7D: Ivy League member (PENN); 8D: Stud attachment? (-ENT); 9D: Dry and hot (SAHARAN); 10D: Some wardens' concern (GAME LAW); 11D: "__ Like You": Young Rascals hit (A GIRL); 12D: Keister (BUNS); 13D: Place to be quiet (SET); 14D: Like Super Bowl tickets, perhaps (SCALPED); 15D: Hustled (CONNED); 16D: Kiwi or rhea (RATITE); 17D: Sorry sort (ATONER); 18D: They may have 84-Down (MINORS); 25D: Giving the once-over (EYING); 29D: "Yada, yada, yada ..." ("ETC., ETC. …"); 32D: Family car (SEDAN); 33D: Summer getaway (CAMP); 34D: River formed at Pittsburgh (OHIO); 36D: Internet communications company (SKYPE); 37D: Golf's Slammin' Sammy (SNEAD); 41D: Café additions (LAITS); 42D: Denoting a loss (IN RED); 47D: Bugs (IRKS); 48D: It may be stolen (BASE); 50D: Plotting aid (GRAPH); 51D: Not at all (NO HOW); 52D: Steal (SWIPE); 53D: Without direction (UNLED); 57D: http://ucla.__ (EDU); 60D: It may be financial or legal (AID); 61D: Year of Super Bowl XXXVI (MMII); 62D: Muffin grain (CORN); 63D: Signs of spring (CROCI); 67D: Forest clearing (GLADE); 68D: Cruel, as force (BRUTE); 71D: Stomachs (ABIDES); 72D: Suit sizes (LONGS); 73D: Irritate (GRATE); 75D: Shankar music style (RAGA); 76D: Nuptial vows (I DOS); 82D: They aren't stars (NO NAMES); 83D: Understand (GRASP); 85D: Like white water (ROILING); 87D: Absolute ruler (DESPOT); 88D: Beckoning words (IN HERE); 89D: Score holders (STANDS); 90D: Small finch (LINNET); 93D: Capital city that hosted the 2007 Baseball World Cup (TAIPEI); 95D: #, on scores (SHARP); 96D: "Whoís there?" reply ("IT'S ME"); 97D: "Well, __-di-dah" (LAH); 99D: Indian spiced tea (CHAI); 100D: A party to (IN ON); 101D: Rhyme scheme of Kipling's "Ifó" (ABAB); 102D: Cairo's river (NILE); 103D: Plural suffix with Capri (-OTES); 105D: Salary limit (CAP).

F R I D A Y September 10, 2010 Jack McInturff

Theme: Someone's gonna poke an EY out — Familiar phrases omit the letters EY, creating wacky new phrases clued wackily.


Theme answers:

• 20A: Faultfinding brother? (MONK ON ONE'S BACK).
• 29A: Debris in the hayloft? (BARN RUBBLE).
• 38A: Impervious to chutzpah? (GALLPROOF).
• 50A: What Michelle Kwan might do in a financial emergency? (HOCK SKATES).
• 59A: Haystack-hiding Ottoman? (TURK IN THE STRAW).

Today we're going straight to …

Bullets:

• 11A: Short nightwear? (PJ'S). It's not that the nightwear is short in length, it's that the word for nightwear we're looking for here is a shortened form. I.e., PJ'S for "pajamas."

• 17A: "Big Girl in the Middle" co-author Gabrielle (REECE). She's a professional beach volleyball player married to a professional surfer. I'm sure they both work really hard at their jobs, but I have to say it sounds a little bit like a charmed life.
• 23A: Spat end (-ULA). I entered "ter" at first. Besides being wrong, that's a terrible answer.
• 34A: Shivering causes (FEARS). All I could think of was temperature but couldn't find anything to fit. Had to get this one through crosses.
• 42A: Jordan was part of it: Abbr. (NBA). HAha! This one totally tricked me. Thought it was referring to the Kingdom of Jordan not His Airness, Michael Jordan.
• 55A: First daughter of the '60s (LUCI). That would be Luci Baines Johnson.
• 65A: MGM motto word (ARS). MGM's motto is "ARS Gratia Artis," Latin for "Art for art's sake." Personally, I prefer Ubu Productions' motto "Sit, Ubu, sit!"

• 68A: Blow without distinction? (JOE). As in the phrase "any old Joe Blow…." Good clue.
• 73A: Finishing stroke (SERIF). Mmmm … typography.
• 6D: Arizona's "Red Rocks Country" (SEDONA). Beautiful!
• 12D: Nocturnal scavengers (JACKALS). I know SethG wasn't thrilled about the first theme answer. He's not a fan of familiar phrases that are generally directed at "you" being changed to "one." You know what he does like, though? This.



• 13D: Friday was one: Abbr. (SGT.). Jack Webb's character Joe Friday from Dragnet, which I just learned right this moment was a radio show before it was on television.
• 26D: Stars of "Two and a Half Men," e.g. (HES). Just becuase you can pluralize any word, doesn't mean you should.
• 40D: Airport near Citi Field, briefly (LGA). LGA is the code for New York's LaGuardia Airport.

• 41D: Dandy (FOP). FOP is an awesome awesome word. I don't have enough FOPs in my life. Or cads. I need more FOPs and cads.
• 48D: Sharon, notably (ISRAELI). This an example of the old pronunciation trick. Ariel Sharon (pronounced like share-OWN) is a former Israeli Prime Minister.
• 49D: London classic, with "The" (SEA-WOLF). Okay, this is how dumb I am. I had No Idea what this meant until I was reading through the clues and answer in preparation for writing this post. I'm thinking it's the name of a famous ship that's docked in England? Maybe the nickname of a famous British sailor? No. It's the name of a book. A classic book — it even says that in the clue! — written by Jack London.
• 63D: Ohio State basketball coach Matta (THAD). I'm not really up on my college basketball coaches but this guy seems to have had an impressive career. Despite the fact that he started out playing for the Hoopeston-East Lynn High School Cornjerkers in Hoopeston, Illinois.

Crosswordese 101: ROCS are … 9D: Mythical birds. Ta-da! Big surprise, right? Okay, how else might you see ROC clued? How about "Arabian Nights" bird, Sinbad's transport, or mythical/fabled/legenday predator/flier. It has been clued twice this year in the New York Times as Jay-Z's hip-hop label ROC-A-Fella Records. So you might want to watch out for that clue as well.

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

• 36A: Each (A POP).
• 8D: Wheelset component (AXLE).
• 22D: Tirana is its cap. (ALB.).
• 28D: Work unit (ERG).
• 51D: Cassis apéritif (KIR).

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Everything Else — 1A: Spread __ (EAGLE); 6A: Rises to great heights (SOARS); 14A: Series (ARRAY); 15A: Speedpass brand (EXXON); 16A: Space in time (LAG); 18A: Longtime DieHard rival (DELCO); 19A: Fake it (ACT); 24A: Carmelite, e.g. (NUN); 25A: Daughter of Laban (LEAH); 27A: Lighten up (FADE); 37A: WWII intelligence gp. (OSS); 45A: Dreamcast maker (SEGA); 46A: Dona __ pacem: grant us peace (NOBIS); 54A: Pretense (POSE); 56A: Boomer's kid (X'ER); 58A: Basso Berberian (ARA); 66A: D-Day beach (OMAHA); 67A: Wedding memento (VIDEO); 69A: Not fresh (BANAL); 70A: Green shampoo (PRELL); 71A: Balaam's beast (ASS); 72A: Radiate (EXUDE); 1D: Canal protector (EAR MUFF); 2D: Colorful rings (AREOLAE); 3D: Caribbean island nation (GRENADA); 4D: Dearth (LACK); 5D: "__ America Tour": 2006 CBS News event (EYE ON); 7D: Team members (OXEN); 10D: Arty type, maybe (SNOB); 11D: Controversial testing component (PLACEBO); 21D: Heart (NUB); 30D: Knock on (RAP AT); 31D: "Fresh Air" airer (NPR); 32D: Friend of Pooh (ROO); 33D: Knowledgeable about (UPON); 35D: Reason for grounding, perhaps (SASS); 39D: Coin in Tirana (LEK); 42D: Sabres' org. (NHL); 43D: Former U.N. secretary-general __-Ghali (BOUTROS); 44D: Charges (ACCUSES); 47D: One taken in (BOARDER); 52D: Yoga command (EXHALE); 53D: Date (SEE); 57D: Requested answers (RSVP'S); 60D: Eastern beef city (KOBE); 61D: It gives you the big picture (IMAX); 62D: Half a sitcom signoff (NANU); 64D: Flag (TIRE); 65D: Grammy-winning Steely Dan album (AJA).

FRIDAY, July 2, 2010 — Jack McInturff

Theme: King Me — Theme answers are familiar phrases with "KING" added to the end, creating new wacky phrases, clued "?"-style.


Theme answers:

• 18A: Temporary teacher's lot? (SUB PARKING).
• 23A: What it would have been if 10-Down went down? (ORIGINAL SINKING).
• 52A: Brusque words about strong coffee? (ESPRESSO BARKING).
• 61A: Actress Brenneman losing on purpose? (AMY TANKING).
• 71A: Board game demand, and hint to this puzzle's theme (KING ME).

This is a fun theme and, overall, I like this puzzle a lot. That northwest corner was a B***CH though, wasn't it? Wow. It took me a long time to figure out what was going on up there. Of course, I started by entering LUCY at 14A: Sitcom redhead. I've gotta believe a lot of you did too. When I realized LUCY wasn't going to work, I figured it must be REBA. And then it took a while to figure out she wasn't working either. OPIE! D'oh! I also had SAW IN for a while instead of LED IN (20A: Escorted). And have I ever mentioned that I'm not really up on my rivers? Argh! I really need to just sit down and learn the rivers someday. When I finally got RESIGN (4D: Quit) and realized the river needed to end in R, the only two I could think of were the Yser and the Oder, neither of which were right (obviously).

The only other real trouble spot I found was the cross of SHAKE and KIROV (32D: Wooden shingle / 49A: Former name of the Mariinsky Ballet). I'm going to declare that this cross violates the Natick Principle. Perhaps Rex Parker will give us an official ruling in the comments. The Natick Principle states that: "If you include a proper noun in your grid that you cannot reasonably expect more than 1/4 of the solving public to have heard of, you must cross that noun with reasonably common words and phrases or very common names." The question, then, is whether we can reasonably expect more than 1/4 of the solving public to have heard of KIROV. I wouldn't be completely surprised if it's just something that I've never heard of, but I can tell you for sure that "wooden shingle" doesn't show up until the ninth definition of SHAKE in the dictionary I checked, so that definitely doesn't count as "reasonably common." I'll be interested to hear what you think about that cross!

Only a few other things I want to mention.

Like:

• 35A: Former sergeant, perhaps (EX-COP). I thought the answer here would be a rank above sergeant. Like, the sergeant got promoted so now he's a former sergeant.
• 46A: Pond papa (DRAKE). Can't see duck words without remember the bookstore manager I once had named Mallard.
• 48A: __ Arc, Arkansas (DES). No idea.
• 67A: Normal opening? (PARA-). Even though it's a prefix, I like this clue better than that other one that keeps showing up that I hate.
• 70A: It acquired Applebee's in 2007 (IHOP). I did not know that. A couple years ago my brother-in-law (now my former brother-in-law) was boycotting Applebee's. I asked him why and he said, "Because it sucks."
• 73A: Peter of reggae (TOSH). Saw him live. Must have been, what? A hundred years ago?
• 11D: VW hatchback (GTI). Didn't know this one either. Usually the car names sound vaguely familiar even if I don't know them off the top of my head. Not this one.

• 12D: Creator of Q and M (IAN). This is a James Bond reference. Ian Fleming, who created James Bond, also created the characters called Q and M. And, oh my God. You know that former brother-in-law I was talking about earlier? He had two cats named Q and M and I JUST NOW figured out that they were named after the James Bond characters. [[[headdesk]]]
• 21D: __ green (NILE). I don't know what this means.
• 29D: Punkies (GNATS). Wow there's an awful lot of stuff I've never heard of in this puzzle.
• 42D: Arctic predator (SKUA). We'll cover this when we get to Crosswordese 501.

Crosswordese 101: Today we're going to talk about one of the most hideous "words" in all of crossworld. That's right, NLER, I'm looking at you. NLER is the desperate puzzle constructor's way of saying "professional baseball player in the National League." Obviously, you will also see ALER in puzzles ("blah blah blah American League"). Which teams are in which league? Who knows?? Well maybe you do, but I don't. So, if you're like me, you plug in the LER and wait for the cross. Clues for these abominations typically reference two baseball teams at least one of which has a name that can be (or is typically) abbreviated: Buc or Phil, Nat or 'Stro, D'back or Card for NLER; Jay or Ray, Yank or Angel, A or O. You get the idea.

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

• 1A: Rhine tributary (RUHR).
• 14A: Sitcom redhead (OPIE).
• 22A: Where to kiss the Blarney Stone (EIRE).
• 32A: '60s activist gp. (SDS).
• 8D: Pong creator (ATARI).
• 28D: Shell layer (NACRE).
• 47D: French 101 verb (ÊTRE).

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Everything Else — 5A: Word spoken while pointing, perhaps (HER); 8A: Slow tempo (ADAGIO); 15A: Stock ending? (-ADE); 16A: Sole sauce (TARTAR); 17A: Hosp. workers (LPN'S); 22A: Where to kiss the Blarney Stone (EIRE); 30A: Nat or Red (NLER); 31A: "The 9 Steps to Financial Freedom" author (ORMAN); 38A: Classic Callas role (TOSCA); 39A: "Very funny" ("HAHA"); 41A: Greenish blues (TEALS); 43A: Links sight (CART); 44A: Memorable mission (ALAMO); 50A: Fanatics (NUTS); 59A: Like an undeliverable pkg. (RETD.); 60A: Where to get down (EIDER); 68A: Hunts diligently (SCOURS); 69A: Date (SEE); 72A: Little shaver (TOT); 1D: Rich kid in "Nancy" comics (ROLLO); 2D: Berth place (UPPER); 3D: Language that gives us "cheetah" and "chutney" (HINDI); 5D: Holds (HAS); 6D: 13-Down relative (EDU); 7D: Rise up (REBEL); 9D: Are more than reluctant to (DARE NOT); 10D: Ararat arrival (ARK); 13D: 6-Down relative (ORG); 19D: Circle constants (PIS); 24D: "What happened __?" (NEXT); 25D: Bowed (ARCED); 26D: McDonald's founder (KROC); 27D: "When __ she comes to me with a thousand smiles": "Little Wing" lyric (I'M SAD); 33D: "The Sacrament of the Last Supper" and others (DALIS); 34D: Off-key, in a way (SHARP); 36D: Watercraft control (OAR); 37D: Alternate strategy (PLAN B); 40D: Cupid (AMOR); 45D: Like many a baseball pitch (OVERARM); 51D: "Never mind" ("SKIP IT"); 53D: Common quality? (SENSE); 54D: NYSE buy (STK.); 55D: Lyrical poet (ODIST); 56D: Only state that borders six states and Canada (IDAHO); 57D: __ Circus, where St. Peter was crucified (NERO'S); 58D: Plotting device (GRAPH); 61D: Quiz (ASK); 62D: Verizon subsidiary (MCI); 63D: That, old-style (YON); 64D: Harbor vessel (TUG); 65D: Revival prefix (NEO-); 66D: Fetch (GET).

WEDNESDAY, June 2 — Jack McInturff

Theme: THE FOUR TOPS (62A: "I Can't Help Myself" singers (1965), and hint to puzzle theme found in beginnings of answers to starred clues) — Four theme answers each begin with a word for a kind of top.


Theme answers:

• 17A: *Hooch from the hinterlands (MOUNTAIN DEW).
• 29A: *Spears or Twain (POP SINGER).
• 39A: *Steve Forbes proposed a 17% one (FLAT TAX).
• 48A: *Place to get tickets (BOX OFFICE).

Hey, everyone. Here I am on a Wednesday. Sick of me yet?

I had some trouble getting started on this one because right off the bat I wanted rube for HICK (1A: Country bumpkin). Is that even close? Or is a rube more of a cad? I'm too lazy to look it up. Then for [1D: Run smoothly] I wanted purr instead of HUM. You can see the problem there. So then I skipped over to [5A: In itself], which I just knew had to be per se and … it wasn't. I did, however, know [15A: Baum's good witch]. If only I knew how to spell her name! I tried Glynda before GLINDA became clear. Argh. When I had finally finished the top third or so, PuzzleKids came in yelling and carrying on. Apparently there had been some kind of badminton fiasco. I'm not sure I fully understand the situation, but oh boy! they were upset.

When I got back to it, it was slow and steady and, I think I'll go out on a limb and say enjoyable. I mean, how can you not enjoy seeing THE FOUR TOPS? Even though, again, I had an issue there! I kept hearing the Michael Jackson song "I Can't Help It," instead of the Four Tops' "I Can't Help Myself," so even that took a few crosses to work out.

I like this theme. The theme answers are shorter than usual, but they're still kind of cool with their X's and whatnot. And there are four of them. Four different tops. Get it? What? You got it back, like, five hours ago? Okay, well, I'm just trying to help, no need to get snippy.



More:

• 11A: When doubled, a dance (CAN). Tried cha first.
• 21A: WellPoint competitor (AETNA). If you were paying attention yesterday, you probably got this easily.
• 43A: Fruit covering (RIND). Considered both peel and skin before RIND.

• 61A: Daisy __ (MAE). Not to be confused with Daisy Duke. Or maybe Daisy Duke is actually intended to be confused with her. Again, too lazy to go look it up.
• 8D: Leipzig link (UND). German! UND = and, a linking word.
• 9D: B followers (CDE). Random letter string. That's something you really don't like to see.
• 11D: Market offering (CART). Super- not stock-.
• 18D: 1994 Denis Leary comedy (THE REF). I would go try to find a clip of Denis Leary, who I think is hilarious, but I know I would get sucked into the vortex that is YouTube and I would never get to bed. Maybe next time.
• 44D: Stadium topper (DOME). There's a national high school wrestling tournament held at the Fargodome every year. I grew up in Fargo, but moved away before the Dome was built. So all the people I know from college wrestling have pretty much been there, but I haven't.

Crosswordese 101: A newt is a salamander, and when a newt is in its "terrestrial juvenile" stage it's called an EFT (64D: Newt, at one time). As far as crossword puzzles are concerned, EFTs live in ponds, terrariums, and bogs. That's pretty much all you need to know. Try not to confuse EFT with ENT, which is a creature in "The Lord of the Rings."

There was quite a bit of other crosswordese in the puzzle that we've already covered, so here's a summary if you want to do a little studying:

• 14A: Tangelo relative (UGLI).
• 38A: Brian who produced some U2 albums (ENO).
• 2D: Borodin prince (IGOR).
• 25D: Songwriters' org. (ASCAP).
• 40D: Irish Rose's lover (ABIE).
• 58D: Aqua Velva alternative (AFTA).

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Everything Else — 16A: Livy's "I love" (AMO); 19A: Gun (REV); 20A: Sends again, as a package (RESHIPS); 23A: Computer list (MENU); 24A: Stated (SAID); 26A: Like a case before the court (AT BAR); 34A: It covers the pupil (CORNEA); 36A: __-Man (PAC); 37A: Youngest Brontë (ANNE); 42A: Lyric poem (ODE); 45A: "Madama Butterfly" tie (OBI); 46A: Hid, cardsharp-style (PALMED); 51A: Deviates (VEERS); 52A: Parcel (out) (METE); 53A: Sale warning (AS IS); 55A: Marina locale (INLET); 58A: Certifies under oath (ATTESTS); 66A: Lemon ending (-ADE); 67A: Exalt (LIFT UP); 68A: "Toreador Song," e.g. (ARIA); 69A: Cougar or Impala (CAR); 70A: Property to divide, perhaps (ESTATE); 71A: Monthly payment (RENT); 3D: Detective's need (CLUE); 4D: Brother or father (KINSMAN); 5D: "Encore!" ("AGAIN!"); 6D: Err (SLIP UP); 7D: Errs, morally (SINS); 10D: Game show winner's destination, maybe (HAWAII); 12D: Service finale (AMEN); 13D: Bright star (NOVA); 22D: Flamboyant Dame (EDNA); 24D: Tiff (SPAT); 26D: Harsh (ACERB); 27D: "Pagliacci" baritone role (TONIO); 28D: Where the 2009 World Series was won (BRONX); 30D: About the eye (OPTIC); 31D: Garden statue (GNOME); 32D: Word after East or West (ENDER); 33D: Oboes and clarinets (REEDS); 35D: Up in the air (ALOFT); 41D: Missionary St. Francis __ (XAVIER); 47D: Light cigarette ad claim (LESS TAR); 49D: In fine __: fit (FETTLE); 50D: Enjoy a bistro (EAT OUT); 54D: Knucklehead (STUPE); 55D: Apple with an electronic core (IMAC); 56D: Zilch (NADA); 57D: Lewd look (LEER); 59D: Ripped off (TORE); 60D: Turn in a kissing game (SPIN); 63D: Towel word (HIS); 65D: Made a lap (SAT).

MONDAY, May 17, 2010 — Jack McInturff

THEME: Cowboys and their horses ... three theme answers are "Cowboys who rode the end of X-Across" and the other three are phrases that end with the name of the appropriate horse


Sorry, but no time to write this up fully today. Also, no energy, no focus. Still quite jet-lagged and pajama-clad. I don't have much nice to say about this one, so it's probably for the best that I'm saying virtually nothing. Never heard of a SAM CHAMPION (when the hell was this guy a weatherman? When Silver and Trigger were alive? ... whoa, he's the current weatherman! Born 1961. Does anyone watch GMA anymore? I just don't see this guy as crossworthy. No offense.) or FREE SILVER, and didn't know AUTRY rode CHAMPION. These cowboys are all ancient. OTERO EERO OTTOI ugh. I pray Friday will bring more joy.

THEME ANSWERS:

• 17A: Cowboy who rode the end of 25-Across (ROY ROGERS)
• 25A: Sensitive gun-firing mechanism (HAIR TRIGGER)
• 31A: Cowboy who rode the end of 41-Across (LONE RANGER)
• 41A: Anti-gold standard policy that climaxed in the Bryan-McKinley campaign (FREE SILVER) — as if the historical epicenter of this puzzle weren't early enough already with the cowboys. Yeesh.
• 46A: "Good Morning America" weatherman (SAM CHAMPION)
• 58A: Cowboy who rode the end of 46-Across (GENE AUTRY)

Crosswordese 101: OTERO (52D: Alamogordo is its county seat) — not to be confused with another perennial crossword denizen, Cheri OTERI. OTERO is a county in New Mexico. It's also a county in Colorado. I don't know anything else about it, except it has that VCVCV structure that is crossword Gold, and so you're gonna see it, like it or (more likely) not.

See you Friday,

~RP

[Follow Rex Parker on Twitter]

Everything Else — 1A: Diagnostic procedure (SCAN); 5A: Potatoes' partner (MEAT); 9A: Robert Burns and Sean Connery, e.g. (SCOTS); 14A: Inner Hebrides isle (IONA); 15A: Et __: and others (ALII); 16A: Seer's card (TAROT); 17A: Cowboy who rode the end of 25-Across (ROY ROGERS); 19A: Santa __ racetrack (ANITA); 20A: Hustlers (CONMEN); 21A: Underage one (MINOR); 22A: Place to wipe your shoes (MAT); 25A: Sensitive gun-firing mechanism (HAIR TRIGGER); 27A: Three, in Tours (TROIS); 29A: Enero begins it (AÑO); 30A: Early bird's victim (WORM); 31A: Cowboy who rode the end of 41-Across (LONE RANGER); 38A: Pat down, as dirt (TAMP); 39A: Came to (AWOKE); 40A: Flying shore scavenger (ERNE); 41A: Anti-gold standard policy that climaxed in the Bryan-McKinley campaign (FREE SILVER); 43A: Gen-__: post-baby boomers (X'ERS); 44A: One quarter of M (CCL); 45A: 10th-century emperor known as "the Great" (OTTO I); 46A: "Good Morning America" weatherman (SAM CHAMPION); 53A: __ Arbor, Michigan (ANN); 54A: Golf tournament kickoff, often (PRO-AM); 55A: Basketball big man (CENTER); 57A: Acrobat software creator (ADOBE); 58A: Cowboy who rode the end of 46-Across (GENE AUTRY); 62A: Croatian-born physicist Nikola (TESLA); 63A: Always (EVER); 64A: Olin of "Chocolat" (LENA); 65A: Legree-like look (SNEER); 66A: Designer Saarinen (EERO); 67A: Test (EXAM); 1D: Knight's title (SIR); 2D: Whisper sweet nothings (COO); 3D: "__ questions?" (ANY); 4D: Drug cop (NARC); 5D: __ Carta (MAGNA); 6D: Fragrant resin (ELEMI); 7D: Broadcaster (AIRER); 8D: Old-fashioned denial ('TISN'T); 9D: Endurance (STAMINA); 10D: "My turn?" ("CA NI GO NEXT?"); 11D: Round sealing gasket (O-RING); 12D: From head __ (TO TOE); 13D: Ringo of the Beatles (STARR); 18D: Fireworks cries (OOHS); 22D: Workweek sequence: Abbr. (MTWTF); 23D: Like a cheering crowd (AROAR); 24D: Velvet-voiced Mel (TORMÉ); 26D: Harder to find (RARER); 28D: Flawless (IMPECCABLE); 31D: Boxer Ali (LAILA); 32D: "Wise" bird (OWL); 33D: Turkey mo. (NOV.); 34D: __ out a living (EKE); 35D: Reclusive actress Garbo (GRETA); 36D: Bankrupt energy giant (ENRON); 37D: Varnish ingredient (RESIN); 42D: Lay on thick, as cream cheese on a bagel (SCHMEAR); 45D: Fit to serve (ONE-A); 46D: Tiffs (SPATS); 47D: Shakespearean forest (ARDEN); 48D: Maine's state animal (MOOSE); 49D: Fibber or Molly of old radio (MCGEE); 50D: "Pet" irritation (PEEVE); 51D: Kind of tube or ear (INNER); 52D: Alamogordo is its county seat (OTERO); 56D: Occupy the throne (RULE); 59D: Stereotypical cowboy nickname (TEX); 60D: Genetic transmitter: Abbr. (RNA); 61D: Candied veggie (YAM).

THURSDAY, May 6, 2010 — Jack McInturff

Theme: Afterlife — The end of each theme answer can come after the word life in a familiar phrase.


Theme answers:

• 17A: Hunk (DREAMBOAT).
• 23A: Upstages a performer, e.g. (CRAMPS ONE'S STYLE).
• 39A: Becomes less leery (LOWERS ONE'S GUARD).
• 49A: Gets a single, double, triple and homer in one game (HITS FOR THE CYCLE).
• 62A: Spiritual existence, and where the ends of 17-, 23-, 39- and 49-Across can go (AFTERLIFE).

Really sorry, but I don't have time for a write-up today. I was up late helping PuzzleSon with his first big writing project and thought I'd have time to blog this morning, but ended up taking care of a few last-minute things on the paper. So I'm off to work. But you've got the grid and the theme answers here. Knock yourselves out in the comments.

Everything Else — 1A: Bump into (MEET); 5A: Muslim journey (HADJ); 9A: Dig deep (PROBE); 14A: First name in mystery (ERLE); 15A: '50s Hungarian premier Nagy (IMRE); 16A: Kind of police gun that doesn't use bullets (RADAR); 19A: Thus follower (AND SO); 20A: It's charged (ION); 21A: One of a Latin trio (VICI); 22A: Called, old-style (DIALED); 26A: 33-time Rose Bowl sch. (USC); 27A: You, to Yves (TOI); 28A: Campus home for some (FRAT); 31A: "Whoops" ("UH-OH"); 34A: Pat, for one (NFLER); 42A: Seriously chubby (OBESE); 43A: Separate into like groups (SORT); 44A: Jam causes (LOGS); 45A: Beautician's supply (DYE); 47A: Actor Holbrook (HAL); 58A: '50s-'60s TV Earp portrayer (O'BRIAN); 59A: Congo river (UELE); 60A: Fireplace shelf (HOB); 61A: "Bye Bye Bye" singers ('N SYNC); 64A: Do a winter airport maintenance job (DE-ICE); 65A: Knock for a loop (STUN); 66A: "A Jug of Wine ..." poet (OMAR); 67A: Tossed in a chip (ANTED); 68A: Nile biters (ASPS); 69A: Baltic dweller (LETT); 1D: Doc (MEDIC); 2D: Boot in the field (ERROR); 3D: Actress Verdugo (ELENA); 4D: Crumpets' partner (TEA); 5D: Flower used in herbal teas (HIBISCUS); 6D: It began as Standard Oil of Indiana (AMOCO); 7D: Bathtub feature (DRAIN); 8D: Deep black (JET); 9D: Applauding (PRAISING); 10D: Attacked on foot (RAN AT); 11D: "Strange to say ..." ("ODDLY …" ); 12D: Swiss city on the Rhine (BASEL); 13D: Eat away at (ERODE); 18D: N.L.'s Pujols and A.L.'s Mauer in 2009 (MVPS); 22D: Brit. military award (DSO); 24D: Deadens (MUTES); 25D: Old knockout cause (ETHER); 28D: Showman Ziegfeld (FLO); 29D: Hold up (ROB); 30D: Wonder (AWE); 32D: Firefighter, at times (HOSER); 33D: Lennon's love (ONO); 35D: To the nth degree (FULLY); 36D: Mekong River dweller (LAO); 37D: Work measure (ERG); 38D: Tobacco and Abbey: Abbr. (RDS.); 40D: Embarrassed (RED-FACED); 41D: 1980 erupter (ST. HELENS); 46D: Over there, poetically (YON); 48D: One serving well (ACER); 49D: Civic engineer? (HONDA); 50D: "Peer Gynt" playwright (IBSEN); 51D: "Have a little" ("TRY IT"); 52D: "__ You Went Away": 1944 Best Picture nominee (SINCE); 53D: The great horned owl has prominent ones on its ears (TUFTS); 54D: Excited (HET UP); 55D: Add one's two cents, with "in" (CHIME); 56D: Dieter's catchword (LO-FAT); 57D: "Questions for the Movie Answer Man" author (EBERT); 62D: Comparison words (AS A); 63D: Online yuk (LOL).

THURSDAY, April 22, 2010 — Jack McInturff

Theme: "Lily Tomlin" — Theme answers are familiar phrases the first word of which is a type of lily.


Theme answers:

• 18A: Father of Sam and Charlie (TIGER WOODS).
• 20A: South Pacific site of large stone statues (EASTER ISLAND).
• 35A: Continuously (DAY AFTER DAY).
• 54A: Asian draft animal (WATER BUFFALO).
• 57A: "All of Me" actress whose first name is a hint to this puzzle's theme (LILY TOMLIN).

I'm running late this morning so this will be quick. I thought this was a perfectly serviceable puzzle. No major complaints. Well, I'm not crazy about seeing TIGER WOODS in my grid these days but you probably shouldn't get me started. Haven't seen "The Soloist," with Jamie Foxx co-starring Robert DOWNEY, Jr., but it looks pretty interesting (9D: "The Soloist" co-star). I'm not sure that FALSE FACE is a thing (34A: Mask), and the last letter I put in the grid was the X at the cross of NO-TAX and MEAT AX (64A: Feature of Oregon sales / 43D: Spareribs separator). I couldn't make sense of either of those clues. Sorry to blog and run, but that's just how it is today. Have fun in the comments.

Crosswordese 101: ADELA Rogers St. Johns is an author/writer/journalist. Do I know anything about her? Why no. No, I don't. I just know that's her name and so far that has served me pretty well.

Everything Else — 1A: Tsp. and tbsp. (AMTS.); 5A: Old orchard spray (ALAR); 9A: Abu __ (DHABI); 14A: Separate by color, say (SORT); 15A: Angle function (SINE); 16A: Barely flowed (OOZED); 17A: Hairy "pet" (CHIA); 22A: Casual evenings (NITES); 23A: Dull (TIRESOME); 27A: One might be snappy (DRESSER); 30A: Anti vote (NAY); 31A: __ Kan: Alpo rival (KAL); 32A: Some game enders (MATES); 34A: They come and go (FADS); 39A: Enter (GO IN); 41A: Search stealthily (PROWL); 42A: Abate (EBB); 43A: Rosemary's portrayer (MIA); 46A: Hides (STASHES); 50A: Mind (LISTEN TO); 53A: Clinton Labor secretary Robert (REICH); 60A: __ on the shoulder (A TAP); 61A: Author __ Rogers St. Johns (ADELA); 62A: __ sci (POLI); 63A: Pointed end (CUSP); 65A: Singles (ONES); 66A: Latin I word (ESSE); 1D: Go up (ASCEND); 2D: Angora fabric (MOHAIR); 3D: Sad, to Sarkozy (TRISTE); 4D: Churchill or Roosevelt, e.g. (STATESMAN); 5D: Star sci. (ASTR.); 6D: 10% of DXXX (LIII); 7D: Apprehension (ANGST); 8D: Catch from a pier (REEL IN); 10D: Robbery accessories (HOODS); 11D: Nitrogen-based dye (AZO); 12D: Something that goes with breakfast? (BED); 13D: Psyche parts (IDS); 19D: Avis lead-in (RARA); 21D: Samuel Johnson work (ESSAY); 24D: "You bet" ("OKAY"); 25D: Alfred E. Neuman is its mascot (MAD); 26D: Overhead transports (ELS); 28D: LAX posting (ETA); 29D: Court decision maker (REF); 33D: Indy 500 advertiser (STP); 34D: Mask (FALSE FACE); 35D: Ownership call (DIBS); 36D: Speech hesitations (ERS); 37D: Malarkey (ROT); 38D: Happy, for one (DWARF); 39D: Hair stiffener (GEL); 40D: Geisha's sash (OBI); 44D: Keen on (INTO); 45D: Musical direction after ritardando, perhaps (A TEMPO); 47D: Gap (HIATUS); 48D: Mercedes sedan category (E CLASS); 49D: Quaint retail word (SHOPPE); 51D: Tony winner Tharp (TWYLA); 52D: Sweater synthetic (ORLON); 55D: Peevishness (BILE); 56D: Les États-__ (UNIS); 57D: Data-sharing syst. (LAN); 58D: Chapel vow (I DO); 59D: Ease, with "up" (LET).

FRIDAY, Apr. 9, 2010 — Jack McInturff

THEME: "PO BOY" (63A: N'awlins sandwich, and this puzzle's title) — "PO" is added to familiar phrases, creating wacky phrases, which are clued "?"-style. Don't ask me what "BOY" as to do with anything.


Tied for the toughest Friday LAT of the year for me. Horrible first step — TERNS for GULPS (1A: Large swallows) kinda put me back a little in the NW, and then, much later, the entire SE was a bear. So many proper nouns, two of which I didn't know at all and another (BOLGER, 41A: Scarecrow portrayer) I got only after much mental prodding from crosses. LEILA what? (37A: Priestess in Bizet's "The Pearl Fishers") ... RILEY who? (57A: Op artist Bridget) ... Eeks. Plus, INURN (60A: Bury)? That's up there on the "Worst Words In The World" list. I, of course, had the *actual* synonym for [Bury], which is INTER. If you change MCAN to MCAT, NYNY to TREY, and RILEY to, I don't know, let's say TILER, you can fix it. No, wait — better:

*MCAT
ZILCH
INURE
POBOY

I don't think ACRO- is any worse than AERO- as prefixes go, and, well, a "Z" is a "Z." Plus, you could have cross-referenced ZILCH and ZIP as synonyms of one another, if you wanted to be especially mean. The moral of the story is — if a word is a heinous abomination loved not even by God Herself, then do your damnedest to keep it out of your grid.

I liked half the theme — the top half. I didn't like that BELLYPOACHER is odd man out for changing the sound of the word to which "PO" was added. Everywhere else, you just add the sound "PO"; here, long "A" sound disappears and hard "K" sound of "CH" disappears as well. Not a fan of inconsistency, esp. when just *one* theme answer fails to meet the norm established by the others. I did enjoy the somewhat challenging cluing, and the rather lovely NW. Ooh, and PORNO / PINKO side-by-side = a thing of beauty (12D: Blue books? + 13D: Cold War put-down).

Theme answers:

• 21A: Criticize a small town? (SLAM PODUNK)
• 26A: Checking for doneness at the grill? (BURGER POKING)
• 42A: Certain pork thief? (BELLY POACHER)
• 49A: Spelling contest notice? (BEE POSTING)

Crosswordese 101: Catherine PARR (34D: Henry VIII's sixth) — not to be confused with former "Tonight Show" host Jack PAAR, Catherine PARR was the last of Henry VIII's wives. First Queen of Ireland (after Henry assumed title of "King of Ireland"). Then there's this, from wikipedia: "She will be portrayed by actress Joely Richardson on the fourth and final season of Showtime’s The Tudors, which is set to debut in Spring 2010." Catherine is the most famous of PARRs, though John is surely a close 2nd for anyone who was a teenager in the '80s.


What else?

• 10A: Joseph who brought Shakespeare to Central Park (PAPP) — nice fat gimme for me, which felt good after flailing around in the NW for a while. Kind of a New Yorky puzzle for the LAT, what with this answer here and NYNY in the SE corner.
• 30A: Jackie Chan and others (ASIANS) — !?!?! He's the representative ASIAN now? Why not clue MEN as [Rod Blagojevich and others]? Makes as much sense.
• 10D: Eddie of "Frasier," for one (PET DOG) — feels iffy to me. I don't think I'd accept PET GERBIL either.
• 44D: Retailer whose middle name was Cash (PENNEY) — as in J.C.
• 26D: Munchkin creator (BAUM) — as in L. Frank. First thought: "Dunkin' Donuts?"

See you Monday,

~RP


Everything Else — 1A: Large swallows (GULPS); 6A: Loosen (up) (WARM); 10A: Joseph who brought Shakespeare to Central Park (PAPP); 14A: Director Kurosawa (AKIRA); 15A: Plant with thick, fleshy leaves (ALOE); 16A: Morlock prey (ELOI); 17A: Elementary particle (MESON); 18A: Neeson of "Nell" (LIAM); 19A: Undecided (TORN); 20A: Abbr. followed by a year (ESTD.); 21A: Criticize a small town? (SLAM PODUNK); 23A: Old Ford (PINTO); 25A: Bad luck (HOODOO); 26A: Checking for doneness at the grill? (BURGER POKING); 30A: Jackie Chan and others (ASIANS); 31A: Magic 8-Ball response (YES); 32A: Rug feature (NAP); 35A: Giving word? (UNCLE); 36A: Fertilization targets (OVA); 37A: Priestess in Bizet's "The Pearl Fishers" (LEILA); 39A: West famous for "Come up sometime and see me" (MAE); 40A: Tournament pass (BYE); 41A: Scarecrow portrayer (BOLGER); 42A: Certain pork thief? (BELLY POACHER); 45A: St. Clare's town (ASSISI); 48A: Finish by (END AT); 49A: Spelling contest notice? (BEE POSTING); 52A: Name on some Kmart shoes (MCAN); 55A: Subordinate (AIDE); 56A: Mountain lake (TARN); 57A: Op artist Bridget (RILEY); 58A: List of games, briefly (SKED); 59A: Presque Isle's lake (ERIE); 60A: Bury (INURN); 61A: __ d'oeuvre (HORS); 62A: Opposite of bleak (ROSY); 63A: N'awlins sandwich, and this puzzle's title (PO-BOY); 1D: Hunter's quarry (GAME); 2D: Some are made from koa wood (UKES); 3D: Amount rarely paid (LIST PRICE); 4D: Spendthrift (PRODIGAL); 5D: __ Bernardino (SAN); 6D: Belt or sock (WALLOP); 7D: Et __ (ALIA); 8D: Knock around (ROAM); 9D: Tennessee's largest city (MEMPHIS); 10D: Eddie of "Frasier," for one (PET DOG); 11D: Orally (ALOUD); 12D: Blue books? (PORNO); 13D: Cold War put-down (PINKO); 21D: Narrow waterways: Abbr. (STRS.); 22D: Bass attachment? (-OON); 24D: Endangered state bird (NENE); 26D: Munchkin creator (BAUM); 27D: Annapolis sch. (USNA); 28D: Kvetch's words (OY VEY); 29D: Mauna __ (KEA); 32D: Bouncer employer (NIGHTCLUB); 33D: Opposite of aweather (ALEE); 34D: Henry VIII's sixth (PARR); 36D: Olive __ (OYL); 37D: Burden (LOAD); 38D: 1950s-'80s Chevy utility vehicle (EL CAMINO); 40D: Runner's problem (BLISTER); 41D: Big bell sound (BONG); 42D: Two-footers (BIPEDS); 43D: Spanish pronoun (ESO); 44D: Retailer whose middle name was Cash (PENNEY); 45D: Put to shame (ABASH); 46D: Watch handle (SEIKO); 47D: Feast that includes the Cup of Elijah (SEDER); 50D: Tropical tuber (TARO); 51D: Tennessee state flower (IRIS); 53D: Nautical leader? (AERO-); 54D: Big Apple ltrs. (NY, NY); 57D: Tear (RIP).