01.26 Wed

W E D N E S D A Y

January 26, 2011
Robert A. Doll

Theme: I've Got a Secret — Theme answers are all super-heroes, clued by their secret identities.

Theme answers:

• 17A: Diana Prince's alter ego (WONDER WOMAN).
• 24A: Peter Parker's alter ego (SPIDER-MAN).
• 31A: Britt Reid's alter ego (THE GREEN HORNET).
• 37A: Steve Roger's alter ego (CAPTAIN AMERICA).
• 48A: Linda Lee Danvers's alter ego (SUPERGIRL)
• 56A: Reed Richards's alter ego (MR. FANTASTIC).

Hey, folks. This is Doug, filling in for PuzzleGirl. She's been called away to deal with a Girl Scout Cookie emergency. By day, she's a mild-mannered puzzle solver and blogger, but by night, she dons her cape and boots to become...Cookie Mom! Or maybe she's Cookie Mom during the day and a mild-mannered blogger at night. Anyway, she'll be back tomorrow.

I flew through this puzzle like a speeding bullet. I saw the clue for 17A and filled in WONDER WOMAN immediately. Then I went through the rest of the theme entries and got them all with no crossers. Yep, I used to be a major comic book geek. I haven't read a comic in years, but I've still got a few hundred of my old ones sitting in a closet. I suspect some of you non-geeky people had a tough time with this one. The heroes get more obscure as you move from top to bottom. Everyone's heard of Wonder Woman & Spider-Man, but Supergirl & Mr. Fantastic aren't household names. And just so you know, Batman could beat up all six of these heroes without breaking a sweat.

If you enjoyed this puzzle, you might want to solve this one too: Super-Hero Boots. Here's the set-up: The Flash, Batman, Superman, and Aquaman were caught with their boots off when an emergency call came in....

Bullets:

• 35A: Bite for Mister Ed (OAT). Are you kidding? That horse was a star. Remember when he hit a home run off Sandy Koufax? I hope he ate something better than plain old oats.

• 45A: "Kubla Khan" river (ALPH). As if there weren't enough real-world rivers in crosswords, there are also a few imaginary ones you need to remember. ALPH usually gets a clue referencing Coleridge's poem "Kubla Khan." There's STYX, often clued as "Underworld river" or "Charon's river." And finally LETHE, river of forgetfulness or oblivion.
• 61A: Bis plus one, to a pharmacist (TER). "Bis" means twice a day and "ter" means three times a day. I think. I'm always a bit hazy on the pharmacy clues.
• 3D: "General Hospital" actress (ANNA LEE). She played Lila Quartermaine from 1978-2003.
• 28D: "How now? ___?": Hamlet, before mistakenly slaying Polonius (A RAT). Sorry, I can't embed the video, but there's a great "The Simpsons" version of "Hamlet" here. Polonius: "I hide behind curtains because I have a fear of being stabbed."
• 29D: Letter after epsilon (ZETA). What's up with Catherine Zeta-Jones's name? I'm thinking about adding a random Greek letter to my name. How does Douglas Omicron-Peterson sound?
• 50D: 1961 British movie monster (GORGO). I've never heard of this movie, so did a little research on Mr. Gorgo. He's the usual dinosaur/Godzilla-type monster. And here's the exciting part: his mother is named Ogra! If the movie "Gorgo" experiences a sudden surge in popularity, OGRA could become the new go-to entry for crossword constructors. We wouldn't have to rely on OGRE as much as we do now. So please, everyone, add "Gorgo" to your Netflix queues.

• 53D: Lee who co-created 24-Across (STAN). This is a nice bonus to go along with the comic book theme. Stan Lee is a legend in world of comic books and was also instrumental in the creation of 56-Across and the rest of the Fantastic Four.
• 58D: Rhine feeder (AAR). Here's an excellent Crosswordese101 lesson on AAR and many other baffling rivers.

S U N D A Y December 12, 2010 Robert A. Doll (syndicated)

Theme: "Familiar Endings" — Phrases that begin and end with the same word.

[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 answers:

• 22A: Memorable 1994 film exhortation (RUN FORREST RUN).
• 27A: Ruthless (DOG EAT DOG).
• 35A: Skipping no pages (COVER TO COVER).
• 53A: In detail (PLAY BY PLAY).
• 71A: Defend one's principles bravely (FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT).
• 88A: 1969 Bob Dylan hit (LAY LADY LAY).
• 107A: Lehane crime novel about a missing girl (GONE BABY GONE).
• 115A: Complete (OUT AND OUT).
• 125A: Continually (YEAR AFTER YEAR).

Hey, folks. Doug here, back for another Sunday. Looks like this is my regular gig now. Once I caught onto the theme, I flew through the puzzle. The longer theme answers have more oomph than the shorter ones, and FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT looks great smack-dab in the middle of the grid. Solid work.

I do have a question for the constructor. Did you go by "Bobby" when you were a kid, and if so, did the other kids tease you by calling you "Bobby Doll"? That would have sucked. Also, the bassist for Poison is named Bobby Dall (don't ask me how I know that), and you really don't want to be mixed up with that guy. I'm glad I didn't get teased much in elementary school. Fortunately the mean kids didn't capitalize on the Doug/bug rhyme very often.

Bullets:

• 1A: Bear mascot of the 1980 Moscow Olympics (MISHA). I was guessing it might be BORIS, but MISHA sounds good too
• 20A: Roll player (PIANOLA). Another name for a player piano.

• 22A: Memorable 1994 film exhortation (RUN FORREST RUN). From Forrest Gump, of course. Sorry to tick off the Gumpophiles, but I wasn't a big fan of that movie. I thought it was OK, but I've never felt the urge to watch it again. For the record, I've seen Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure at least 20 times, so you might not want to rely on me for film critiques.
• 65A: Have in spades: (OOZE). Great clue for OOZE. Think about someone who "oozes insincerity," e.g.
• 77A: ___ Tunes (LOONEY). I wanted to include a Looney Tunes video here, but if I start watching Looney Tunes on youtube, I'll be there all day and never finish the blog. I wonder if that ever happens to PuzzleGirl.
• 107A: Lehane crime novel about a missing girl (GONE BABY GONE). This was made into a movie a couple years ago. I didn't see it, so I have no idea what it's about. I was probably at home watching my Bill and Ted's DVD.
• 134A: Bee killer (STING). Cool clue. I hate bees. Yeah, I know we need bees for pollination and all that, but I don't need to see them buzzing around
• 15D: Aqaba is its only seaport (JORDAN). Michael Jordan is so awesome he has a country named after him. As Larry Bird said after he watched Jordan score 63 points in a playoff game against the Celtics, "I think he's God disguised as Michael Jordan."

• 50D: Team with a mascot named Uga, familiarly (DAWGS). The University of Georgia Bulldogs are called the "Dawgs," and I just found out that "Uga" is an actual bulldog who sits on the sidelines. His name is derived from University of GeorgiA.

• 61D: Crüe-ish? (MOTLEY). Mötley Crüe, a band known for their use of the "heavy metal umlaut." I'm thinking of adding one to my name (Döug.) And there's this from The Onion: "In a move designed to make the United States seem more "bad-assed and scary in a quasi-heavy-metal manner," Congress officially changed the nation's name to the Ünited Stätes of Ämerica Monday. "Much like Mötley Crüe and Motörhead, the Ünited Stätes is not to be messed with," said Sen. James Inhofe (R-OK)."
• 106D: ___TV: "actuality" network (TRU). This has a Crosswordese 101 entry (TRU), but that write-up only mentions the play about Truman Capote. truTV used to be called Court TV, but I guess they figured a misspelled, strangely capitalized name would be more "edgy." And they've got an online feed that features "car chases, dumb criminals, gun fights, drunk drivers, drug busts, naughty girls, police, things that blow up, taser attacks, naked thieves and more!" We might have to spice up the blog a little to compete. 

Crosswordese 101 Round-up:

• 80A: Hard to catch (EELY).
• 110A: Divided sea (ARAL).
• 114A: Foe of the Iroquois (ERIE).
• 36D: Earthen stewpot (OLLA).
• 57D: Nitrogen-based dye (AZO).
• 80D: Best of the stage (EDNA).
• 86D: Hunter of fiction (EVAN).  
• 121D: Vintage pop (NEHI).
• 126D: Dawn deity (EOS).

Everything Else — 6A: Like some dancing (AEROBIC); 13A: Grunt's position (MCJOB); 18A: Modern messages (EMAIL); 19A: Horace's "Ars __" (POETICA); 24A: Well-fortified, in a way (ARMORED); 25A: __ Pie (ESKIMO); 26A: Nail site (TOE); 29A: Q5 maker (AUDI); 32A: Intrude (IMPOSE); 34A: '60s activist Bobby (SEALE); 40A: Spirited horse (ARAB); 42A: Nintendo's Super __ (NES); 43A: Game show name (ALEX); 44A: Originate (from) (STEM); 45A: Bribe (SOP); 47A: "The Gold Bug" author (POE); 49A: "If you prick us, do we not __?": "The Merchant of Venice" (BLEED); 51A: Understood (SAW); 59A: Feature of many a bad review (SARCASM); 62A: Here-there link (NOR); 64A: Pitching staff leaders (ACES); 66A: "Hold it!" ("WHOA!"); 68A: NASCAR racer Mark (MARTIN); 70A: Penn or Pitt (ACTOR); 75A: He-men (STUDS); 78A: Needing ice, maybe (SORE); 79A: "I, Claudius" role (NERO); 81A: Power tool? (DAM); 83A: Stock holder? (RANCHER); 91A: Fate (LOT); 93A: "Three Coins in the Fountain" fountain (TREVI); 94A: Baltimore daily (SUN); 95A: Fa-la link (SOL); 97A: Maker of PowerCat soccer shoes (PUMA); 100A: Divided sea (ARAL); 101A: Crime show with two spin-offs (CSI); 104A: Wilson's predecessor (TAFT); 112A: "Twelfth Night" duke (ORSINO); 117A: Navig. aid (GPS); 119A: Like many beach bums (TANNED); 124A: Sports no-no (STEROID); 129A: Goes after crustaceans (SHRIMPS); 130A: Access, in a way (LOG ONTO); 131A: India's first prime minister (NEHRU); 132A: SAT segment (ESSAY); 133A: Paul Anka love song with a Spanish title (ESO BESO); 1D: No more than (MERE); 2D: 1989 Radio Hall of Fame inductee (IMUS); 3D: Went under (SANK); 4D: Old player (HI-FI); 5D: 10-time Gold Glove winner Roberto (ALOMAR); 6D: Loan no. (APR); 7D: Want ad letters (EOE); 8D: Musical symbol (REST); 9D: Emperor under Pope Innocent III (OTTO IV); 10D: Galleys with two banks of oars (BIREMES); 11D: Post-ER area (ICU); 12D: Unofficial Seabees' motto (CAN DO); 13D: Hardly the macho type (MAMA'S BOY); 14D: 100 clams (C-NOTE); 16D: Corrida cry (OLÉ OLÉ); 17D: Scouting prizes (BADGES); 20D: Means to get in touch (PAGER); 21D: High dudgeon (IRE); 23D: Whomps (ROUTS); 28D: Adventurers/documentarians Martin and __ Johnson (OSA); 30D: Period, e.g. (DOT); 31D: Seals, as a deal (ICES); 33D: Support, with "up" (PROP); 35D: Hacks (CABS); 37D: Zig or zag (VEER); 38D: Perk recipient (EXEC); 39D: Muscat's land (OMAN); 41D: They may include ht., wt., skin color, etc. (APB'S); 46D: Academy teacher (PLATO); 48D: Pleistocene, e.g. (EPOCH); 52D: Bryn Mawr undergrads (WOMEN); 54D: Etcher's supply (ACIDS); 55D: Have a __: crave (YEN FOR); 56D: Ex-senator Trent (LOTT); 58D: Law closing? (-YER); 60D: "Pipe down!" ("SHH!"); 63D: Was relentless, as a storm (RAGED); 67D: Reef ring (ATOLL); 69D: Shade of blue (ROYAL); 70D: Secret __ (AGENT); 71D: Violent anger (FURY); 72D: Admired stars (IDOLS); 73D: Georgetown athletes (HOYAS); 74D: Fund for later yrs. (IRA); 75D: Irreverent NBC hit (SNL); 76D: Something to take in the afternoon (TEA); 82D: Wear a long face (MOPE); 84D: Climber's challenge (CRAG); 85D: Parade honoree (HERO); 87D: Get to (RILE); 89D: Parent/teen sticking point (AUTONOMY); 90D: Jellystone Park bear (YOGI); 92D: CRT part (TUBE); 96D: Tale starter, perhaps (LONG AGO); 98D: Scratch (MAR); 99D: Grab __: eat on the run (A BITE); 101D: Rupert of "The Reivers" (CROSSE); 102D: __ Oldest Rivalry: Virginia/North Carolina annual college football game (SOUTHS); 103D: Lays to rest (INTERS); 105D: Dietitian's forte (FOODS); 108D: "Piece o' cake!" ("NO PROB!"); 109D: Hankers (YEARNS); 111D: "Beavis and Butt-head" spin-off (DARIA); 113D: Elegance (STYLE); 116D: Go down a bit (DIP); 118D: Compos mentis (SANE); 120D: No, across the Bering Strait (NYET); 122D: Bring home (EARN); 123D: Put under (DRUG); 127D: NBA stats (FT'S); 128D: To boot (TOO).

M O N D A Y October 25, 2010 Robert A. Doll

Theme: Every Tom, Dick, and Harry — Theme answer are familiar phrases that begin with words that can be men's names.


Theme answers:

• 17A: Wealthy relative (RICH UNCLE).
• 24A: Emulate Muhammad Ali (BOB AND WEAVE).
• 39A: Father-son talk, e.g. (FRANK DISCUSSION).
• 50A: Assembled in a makeshift manner (JERRY RIGGED).
• 64A: Get-together for the starts of 17-, 24-, 39- and 50-Across? (STAG PARTY).

The only thing that really jumped out at me with this theme was remembering that we just had jury-rigged in a puzzle recently. (Didn't we?) I guess both jury and jerry are legitimate in this phrase. Who knew. Other than that, well, I just really don't have a lot of time today, so we're gonna go straight to bullets and you all can flesh it out in the comments.

Bullets:

• 1A: Eve's youngest (SETH). I first tried ABEL. Why I thought Adam and Eve would somehow be able to populate the world by having only two children is beyond me.
• 15A: "The __": placekicker Lou Groza's nickname (TOE). That's an awesome nickname.
• 33A: Older but __ (WISER). I've always thought of it as older and WISER.
• 44A: Annually (A YEAR). Never been a fan of "a" being used in place of "per." Just one of my pet peeves. We all have 'em, right?
• 66A: Used a prie dieu (KNELT). A prie dieu is that little bench thing that comes down at the bottom of a pew so you can kneel down. I learned that in a puzzle once.
• 71A: Rockwell or Gothic (TYPE). Okay, I went and found this really bad blast from the past for you, but I was watching it I realized that I totally forgot that Michael Jackson sings back-up in this song! How in the world did the King of Pop get himself mixed up in this lame song?



• 25D: Alamo hero (BOWIE). Never sure how to pronounce James Bowie's name. Is it like David Bowie (boe-ee)? Or like Bowie, Maryland (boo-ee)?
• 35D: Scrawny one (SCRAG). Whoa. Is this a word? I've heard of scraggly but I don't think I've heard of SCRAG.
• 37D: Walt Kelly's possum (POGO). Me: "Who the hell is Walt Kelly and why the hell does he have a possum?"

Crosswordese 101 Round-up:

• 21A: Rio automaker (KIA).
• 45A: Jason's vessel (ARGO).
• 55A: North Carolina university (ELON).
• 2D: Nobelist Wiesel (ELIE).
• 29D: Arabian sultanate (OMAN).
• 38D: Soon, poetically (ANON).
• 51D: Kagan who replaced Stevens on the Supreme Court (ELENA).
• 63D: RR depot (STA.).
• 65D: Literary collection (ANA).

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Everything Else — 5A: Special __: military force (OPS); 8A: Priest's place (ALTAR); 13A: Trojan War epic (ILIAD); 16A: Dog (POOCH); 19A: Sidekick who rode Scout (TONTO); 20A: Bagel flavoring (SESAME); 23A: Bones partner (SKIN); 27A: Free, as legal work (PRO BONO); 31A: Author Fleming (IAN); 32A: Titled woman (DAME); 36A: Dean's list factor: Abbr. (GPA); 43A: D.C. bigwig (SEN.).

46A: Had some grub (ATE); 47A: Leave high and dry (ABANDON); 56A: Fed. loan guarantor (SBA); 57A: Take turns (ROTATE); 62A: Bank takebacks, briefly (REPOS); 67A: Many, many moons (EON); 68A: Coach : athlete :: __ : student (TUTOR); 69A: When tripled, and so on (YADDA); 70A: Gun lobby org. (NRA); 1D: 32-Acrosses' spouses (SIRS); 3D: Nervous spasms (TICS); 4D: "Very funny!" ("HA HA!"); 5D: Non-Rx (OTC); 6D: Oktoberfest dance (POLKA); 7D: Make welcome (SEE IN); 8D: On-target (APT); 9D: Let out a few notches in (LOOSEN); 10D: Toy truck brand (TONKA); 11D: When Ophelia drowns (ACT IV); 12D: River at Arles (RHONE); 14D: Disney pachyderm (DUMBO); 18D: One of the noble gases (NEON); 22D: French farewell (ADIEU); 26D: Part of V.F.W. (WARS); 27D: Commonly e-mailed files, for short (PDFS); 28D: Porterhouse order (RARE); 30D: Golfer Hogan (BEN); 34D: "This __ ripoff!" (IS A); 36D: Prepare, as for action (GIRD); 40D: "K-K-K-__": 1918 song (KATY); 41D: Batik artisans (DYERS); 42D: __ Francisco (SAN); 46D: Composer Schoenberg (ARNOLD); 48D: Arctic floater (BERG); 49D: Take in from a pet shelter (ADOPT); 50D: Beef __: dried meat (JERKY); 52D: Enticed, with "in" (ROPED); 53D: "Peer Gynt" dramatist (IBSEN); 54D: Croc's cousin (GATOR); 58D: Drawn tight (TAUT); 59D: Culturally pretentious (ARTY); 60D: 'Vette roof option (T-TOP); 61D: Brontë's "Jane __" (EYRE).

T U E S D A Y September 21, 2010 Robert A. Doll

Theme: I've got this property in Arizona I'd like to sell you …. — Theme answers start with words that can come after the word "beach" in a familiar phrase.


Theme answers:

• 17A: Top banana (HEAD HONCHO).
• 23A: Unstable situation, metaphorically (HOUSE OF CARDS).
• 37A: Huge mess (BALL OF CONFUSION).
• 45A: Gregarious fun lovers (PARTY ANIMALS).
• 58A: Valuable shore property, and a hint to what the first words of 17-, 23-, 37- and 45-Across have in common (BEACH FRONT).

Not a lot to say about this one. The theme is fine, the fill is decent, and it's just about the perfect difficulty level for Tuesday. I'm off to a job interview this morning, so I'll tell you a few things that jumped out at me and then I'll leave it to y'all to talk it out in the comments.

Bullets:

• 6A: Zip (ZERO). I tried NADA first.

• 30A: Louise's gal pal (THELMA). This clue makes it sound like they're just a couple of everyday gals going out to the mall or something.
• 40A: "Danny and the Dinosaur" author Hoff (SYD). This clue for SYD is used more often in late-week puzzles. On Mondays and Tuesdays, we're usually treated to SYD Barrett.
• 43A: Blood fluids (SERA). Ew.
• 52A: Assumed name (ALIAS). I never got into this show. (Yes, I know the clue doesn't refer to the show, but that's where my brain took me.) I used to read television show recaps on a site called Mighty Big TV (now Television Without Pity) and the write-up for Alias's pilot episode made it sound so dumb that I couldn't really ever watch it again. ("She's a CIA agent! She's a college student! She's a CIA agent!")
• 63A: Sacher treat (TORTE). I've Ne-ever heard of this before, but it's kind of interesting.

• 10D: Kid's make-believe phone (TIN CAN). Last time I saw a tin can used as a phone was just the other day when Jon Stewart used one as a prop in the bit where he announced his Rally to Restore Sanity. (I'm so there.)
• 18D: Its flagship sch. is in Stillwater, west of Tulsa (OSU). Oklahoma State University. Their wrestling team holds the record for most national championships. But it's only a matter of time ….
• 23D: Oates's musical partner (HALL).



• 27D: One-horse carriage (SHAY). Have I ever mentioned how much I love the Nickelodeon kids' show "iCarly"? I have? Well, Carly's last name on that show is SHAY.
• 32D: Performers' union: Abbr. (AFTRA). American Federation of Television and Radio Artists.
• 35D: Letter after theta (IOTA). Someday I'm going to memorize the Greek alphabet. And the Jewish months. And the European rivers.

• 1D: "High Hopes" lyricist Sammy (CAHN). A little surprised to see both Sammy CAHN and 38D: "Misery" actor James CAAN in the same grid.
• 49D: "Miracle on 34th Street" setting (MACY'S). Was just there today! I don't know if their customer service is getting better or if my standards are just getting lower. I used to hate going in there, but the last few times it hasn't been that bad. At least it's been a while since I got trapped in a fitting room because someone shoved two big rolling racks of clothes in front of the door and I had to scream until another customer helped me get out. I guess it's all uphill from there.

Crosswordese 101: The 19A: Depilatory brand NAIR is very popular in CrossWorld. It's generally clued (like today) straightforwardly as a popular (or top-selling) depilatory (or hair removal) brand (or product or option). It is also likely to be clued as an alternative, competitor, or rival of the other popular hair removal product, NEET. Occasionally, the clue for NEET will indicate "bygone" or "once" because the product is now called VEET, which for some reason never shows up in puzzles.



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

• 15A: Country on the tip of the Arabian Peninsula (OMAN).
• 26A: Workplace inspection org. (OSHA).
• 2D: Top draft status (ONE-A).
• 9D: John __ Lennon (ONO).
• 50D: Rhine whine? (ACH).
• 56D: Editor's "leave it in" (STET).
• 60D: Future fish (ROE).

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Everything Else — 1A: Briquettes (COALS); 10A: Country music pioneer Ernest (TUBB); 14A: "As a result ..." ("AND SO …"); 16A: Spot in the ocean (ISLE); 20A: '60s-'70s war site, briefly (NAM); 21A: "Now it makes sense!" ("I SEE!"); 22A: Cake finish (ICING); 29A: Comportment (MIEN); 33A: Buzzing swarmers (BEES); 34A: Performed (DID); 41A: Court postponement (STAY); 42A: Ancient Greek military power (SPARTA); 44A: Veggies studied by Mendel (PEAS); 53A: Defensive spray (MACE); 54A: Marx's "__ Kapital" (DAS); 57A: Thin curl of smoke (WISP); 61A: Third man (ABEL); 62A: High-strung (EDGY); 64A: Goodyear product (TIRE); 65A: Member's obligation (DUES); 66A: What matzo lacks (YEAST); 3D: Father of 61-Across (ADAM); 4D: '60s "trip" drug (LSD); 5D: Early gas company based in Cleveland (SOHIO); 6D: Districts (ZONES); 7D: Roast host (EMCEE); 8D: Bleachers cry (RAH); 11D: Carrier that added "ways" to its name in 1997 (USAIR); 12D: Duck hunter's cover (BLIND); 13D: Cold-water hazards (BERGS); 22D: Freezes over (ICES UP); 24D: Divine sign (OMEN); 25D: Feudal domains (FIEFS); 26D: Gambling parlors, briefly (OTB'S); 28D: Had in one's hands (HELD); 31D: Strolls (along) (MOSEYS); 33D: Tarzan's son (BOY); 34D: Awful (DIRE); 36D: Genetic info carriers (DNA'S); 39D: Easy targets (SAPS); 43D: Swingline fastener (STAPLE); 45D: Touch, cat-style (PAW AT); 46D: Accused's excuse (ALIBI); 47D: Choir platform (RISER); 48D: Likeness (IMAGE); 51D: Sandy Koufax or CC Sabathia (LEFTY); 54D: The first Mrs. Copperfield (DORA); 55D: Insects on farms (ANTS); 58D: B&B part (BED); 59D: College URL ending (EDU).

T U E S D A Y August 31, 2010 Robert A. Doll

Theme: Trip Planner — First words of the theme answers describe the progression of a round-trip.


Theme answers:

• 17A: Have significant influence (PACK A PUNCH).
• 26A: "Enough on this subject" ("LEAVE IT AT THAT").
• 46A: Persevere (STAY THE COURSE).
• 61A: Respond at the front (RETURN FIRE).
• 63A: "Round" thing suggested by the first words of 17-, 26-, 46- and 61-Across (TRIP).

This wasn't a smooth puzzle for me and I therefore didn't love it. I cringed a little when I got to the really awful plural BAMS (10A: Shouts from Emeril) and actually groaned when I saw EEE (48A: Ample shoe width). Those are two things you just don't want to see in your grid. The rest of the fill was fine, but nothing exciting enough to make up for those two clunkers. Then there's the theme. Actually, the theme itself is fine but the clue is … weird. Was the "round" aspect emphasized just to make it difficult? Well, it succeeded in making it difficult but in a way that I found more irritating than clever. Yes, I realize that some trips are one-way and the theme answers specifically describe a "round"-trip. But I guess I see "round"-trip as the default. If you say to someone "How was your trip?" they're not going to be confused and ask which trip you mean, the way out or the way back. They're going to know you mean the whole trip. Also the STAY kind of bugged me. I would have been more comfortable with VISIT, I think. STAY seems so permanent and obviously if the next thing you do is RETURN, well you didn't really STAY, did you?

All of my confusion was, of course, exacerbated by the fact that I read 51D: Prime rib order as simply "rib order" and, because I had the RA in place already, entered RACK without thinking twice about it. That made the reveal answer "tcip" which I was pretty sure wasn't right. It all worked itself out eventually.

Crosswordese 101: 10D: Boxer Max BAER was a heavyweight champion of the 1930s. BAER defeated Primo Carnera to win the world title in 1934. In 1935, he lost the title to James J. Braddock. After his boxing career ended, BAER appeared in several movies but was never as successful in acting as his son, Max BAER, Jr. who played Jethro Bodine on "The Beverly Hillbillies."

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

• 19A: Sight from the Sicilian village of Taormina (ETNA). Just yesterday!
• 2D: Algerian seaport (ORAN).

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Everything Else — 1A: __ d'état (COUP); 5A: Winger of "Shadowlands" (DEBRA); 14A: Guesstimate phrase (OR SO); 15A: Fiat (EDICT); 16A: From the top (ANEW); 20A: Ali trainer Dundee (ANGELO); 21A: Sunroom (SOLARIUM); 23A: Doctrinal suffix (-ISM); 25A: Rent (LET); 33A: Starbucks order (ESPRESSO); 34A: Charm (ENAMOR); 36A: Show worry, in a way (PACE); 37A: Former California fort (ORD); 39A: Disease cause (GERM); 40A: Makes amends (ATONES); 43A: Puts in a new pot, say (REPLANTS); 49A: According to (ALA); 50A: Belgian capital (BRUSSELS); 55A: Aleve alternative (ANACIN); 60A: Superboy's girlfriend Lang (LANA); 64A: Mushrooms used in Asian cuisine (ENOKI); 65A: Elemental unit (ATOM); 66A: Places for props (SETS); 67A: Coolidge's vice president (DAWES); 68A: City NNE of Lake Tahoe (RENO); 1D: Historic NYC club, with "The" (COPA); 3D: SOS responder, often (USCG); 4D: Creep (along) (POKE); 5D: Kicks out of office (DEPOSES); 6D: Coll. dot follower (EDU); 7D: Storage containers (BINS); 8D: Pepsi competitor (RC COLA); 9D: Wheaties box picture (ATHLETE); 11D: Hostile to (ANTI); 12D: Computer list (MENU); 13D: Showed off one's butterfly? (SWAM); 18D: Kicking partner (ALIVE); 22D: Business letter abbr. (ATTN.); 24D: Sushi bar soup (MISO); 26D: Exams for future attys. (LSAT'S); 27D: Florida theme park acronym (EPCOT); 28D: Place to play (ARENA); 29D: Dodgers manager Joe (TORRE); 30D: Viking in the comics (HAGAR); 31D: Chorus from the pews (AMENS); 32D: Flourless cake (TORTE); 33D: Ecol. watchdog (EPA); 35D: Apt. parts (RMS.); 38D: Ten: Pref. (DECA-); 41D: Looks over warily (EYES); 42D: Took the wheel (STEERED); 44D: North Star (POLARIS); 45D: Greg Evans comic strip (LUANN); 47D: Treasure State capital (HELENA); 50D: Popular diner orders, for short (BLT'S); 52D: Part of ICU (UNIT); 53D: Easy marks (SAPS); 54D: Put away (STOW); 56D: A long way off (AFAR); 57D: Name as a source (CITE); 58D: Boxing's "__ Mike" Tyson (IRON); 59D: Nautilus captain (NEMO); 62D: Tiny Tim played one (UKE).

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).

TUESDAY, March 30, 2010 — Robert A. Doll

Theme: "Make Like a Banana …." — Theme answers start with synonyms for "splitting."


Theme answers:

• 17A: Critters with powerful jaws (SNAPPING TURTLES).
• 27A: Program interruption (BREAKING NEWS).
• 46A: Spurning learning (CUTTING CLASS).
• 60A: Discontinuing relations of any kind (SEVERING ALL TIES).

Good morning, everybody! It's Spring Break here in Arlington, Virginia, and I hear it's even going to feel like spring in a couple days. The PuzzleKids are off to a basketball camp every day and I'm working longer hours than I typically do. Perhaps I need to look up the definition of "break." Speaking of "break," let's talk about the puzzle. (See what I did there?)

I kinda like this theme. It's a strange looking grid, with a ton of three-letter words and abbreviations, which I'm not crazy about. On the other hand, if you're kind of new to solving I can see where the short answers might help you get a foothold. Let us know in the comments if you thought the three-letter stuff was so easy it was annoying, or if it was more of a welcome relief.

Highlights:

• 15A: California fruit (RAISINS).



• 20A: Server on skates (CARHOP). I never really thought about this word before. Shouldn't it be CARGLIDE. I mean, for CARHOP they should be on … pogo sticks, right? (That would be cool.)
• 49A: Caribbean isl. belonging to France (ST. BARTS).
• 58A: Game in which love is expressed frequently? (TENNIS). Cute clue.

• 5D: Ship's captain (SKIPPER).
• 7D: Apollo's twin sister (ARTEMIS). I heard that when a hunter was caught watching her taking a bath, she turned him into a stag and his own dogs ripped him to shreds. Harsh!
• 8D: Movie girl with "perils" (PAULINE). I do not know what this means.
• 61D: __ de Janeiro (RIO). Olympics!

Everything Else — 1A: Casey and Kildare: Abbr. (DRS.); 4A: Clairvoyant's claim, for short (ESP); 7A: Courses for coll. credit (APS); 10A: Ball support (TEE); 13A: Actor McKellen (IAN); 14A: Classic Jag (XKE); 21A: Sniggler's prey (EEL); 22A: Eliel Saarinen's son (EERO); 23A: Normandy battleground (ST.-LÔ); 24A: Chinese government bigwig (PREMIER); 32A: Bedroom set piece (ARMOIRE); 35A: Sun. speech (SER.); 36A: Catch a few z's (NAP); 37A: "Green Eggs and Ham" author (SEUSS); 38A: Writer Jong (ERICA); 40A: USNA grad (ENS.); 41A: Sephia automaker (KIA); 44A: Took, as advice (ACTED ON); 50A: "¿Cómo __ usted?" (ESTA); 54A: The Phantom of the Opera (ERIK); 57A: River inlet (RIA); 63A: Apple-polishers (TOADIES); 64A: __ canto: singing style (BEL); 65A: Post- opposite (PRE-); 66A: Govt. ID (SSN); 67A: Frequently, in verse (OFT); 68A: Words in a simile (AS A); 69A: Old JFK arrival (SST); 1D: 45s, e.g. (DISCS); 2D: Charged (RAN AT); 3D: Watchdog's warning (SNARL); 4D: __ 67: Montreal World's Fair (EXPO); 6D: Proverbial sword beater (PEN); 9D: "To __, With Love" (SIR); 10D: Mah-jongg piece (TILE); 11D: Cabinet dept. formed after the 1977 oil crisis (ENER.); 12D: "Tiger in your tank" company (ESSO); 16D: Bow's opposite (STERN); 18D: Greek god of fear (PHOBOS); 19D: Nerd (GEEK); 25D: Actress __ Dawn Chong (RAE); 26D: "Snowy" wading birds (EGRETS); 28D: Take a chance (RISK IT); 29D: Arthurian lady (ENID); 30D: Texas city on the Brazos (WACO); 31D: Wing tip-to-wing tip distance (SPAN); 32D: "Just __!" (A SEC); 33D: Contact lens solution brand (RENU); 34D: Is required to (MUST); 39D: Take offense at (RESENT); 42D: "To sum up ..." (IN BRIEF); 43D: Not with (AGAINST); 44D: Cockpit abbr. (ALT.); 45D: Sand structures (CASTLES); 47D: Tut-tutted (TSKED); 48D: Rugged rock (CRAG); 51D: Haircut sounds (SNIPS); 52D: Stadium levels (TIERS); 53D: Balance sheet item (ASSET); 54D: Approximations: Abbr. (ESTS.); 55D: Classic autos (REOS); 56D: 58-Across star Lendl (IVAN); 59D: Cinders of old comics (ELLA); 62D: Lawyers' gp. (ABA).

SATURDAY, March 13, 2010—Robert A. Doll

THEME: No theme today—It's a themeless/freestyle puzzle

If you've been struggling with recent Saturday puzzles, perhaps you'll find this one to be more pliable. I zipped right through it like it was a Wednesday NYT crossword.

I like it when people's full names are included in the grid. Today, we have two people whose first names show up a lot because they have only three letters, two of them vowels. IRA GLASS and YMA SUMAC, today is your day to shine! I'm especially psyched about YMA SUMAC because she is way overdue for Crosswordese 101 attention (see below).

Before I move on to my other favorite answers, let me call your attention to a couple pairs of answers that bump up against the duplication rule, with related French and English words. 10A: [Orly sight] clues AVION, the French word for "airplane." Airplanes fly, and words like avion and aviation are derived from the Latin word for bird, avis. That word is half of RARA AVIS (36D: [One in a million]), which is Latin for "rare bird." Too close for comfort or a lovely pairing? You decide. Even more closely related are the French IDÉE (7D: [__ fixe]) and the second half of "NEAT IDEA!" (14D: ["Very clever!"]).

Groovy bits:

• 1A: ["Scram!"] ("TAKE A HIKE!"). I gotta start saying that more often.
  
• 17A: [It often requires a bedroom set] (LOVE SCENE). True enough.
  
• ELOI has been covered in Crosswordese 101 before, but this clue has a little extra oomph. 27A: [Group that "had decayed to a mere beautiful futility": Wells] (ELOI).
  
• 59A: [Team with a flaming ball in its logo] (MIAMI HEAT). Lively entry, that. (What kind of picture did you think I'd include?)
  
• 1D: [Know-it-all's taunt] ("TOLD YA"). I gotta start saying that more often, too.
  
• Potty humor! 13D: [Rustic place to go?] (OUTHOUSE).
  
• 35D: [Contest that's usually over in less than 20 seconds] (DRAG RACE). Cool answer.
  
• 56D: [Broccoli __] (RABE). I do not like anything in the broccoli category. This is a leafy green veggie with broccoli-like buds and bitter-flavored greens, the dictionary tells me. Bleh. It's also spelled broccoli raab and rapini, the latter word being a recent killer in a tough Fireball crossword. If you wish the Saturday L.A. Times puzzle were twice as hard, you should definitely subscribe to Fireball Crosswords. $10, cheap!
  

Less savory stuff:

I dunno. There's kind of a lot of not-so-hot fill today, isn't there? A Roman numeral (DCL), a direction (SSE), fill-in-the-blanks (PAO, DRU), ESSES, European geography (AAR, EDAM, ALSACE) and languages (ETE, GATO), RIAS, a weirdly clued plural abbreviation (SCIS, [Some H.S. courses]), a plural first name (GINAS), ANTRUM/[Anatomical cavity]...

Crosswordese 101: I don't know how many people who don't do crosswords know of YMA SUMAC (41A: [Singer in the 1954 film "Secret of the Incas"]). Her first name has been in crosswords for decades now. Clues generally touch on these things: she was born in Peru and her voice spanned five octaves. Something like [Singer Sumac] invariably clues YMA. Would you like to hear those octaves? Have at it:



Everything Else — 15A: Got very sore, maybe (OVERDID IT); 16A: Eva of "57-Across: Miami" (LARUE); 18A: Montana motto word (PLATA); 19A: Seventh-century date (DCL); 20A: Cooper's creation (KEG); 21A: Accepted without question (BOUGHT); 22A: Pines (YEARNS); 25A: Kung __ chicken (PAO); 28A: Features of some hotels (ATRIA); 29A: Effort (DINT); 30A: King deposed in 1964 (SAUD); 31A: Go along with (ASSENT TO); 34A: Vane reading: Abbr. (SSE); 35A: Sudafed alternative (DRISTAN); 38A: Sight from Marie Byrd Land (ROSS SEA); 40A: Took off (RAN); 43A: Like the Kalahari (ARID); 45A: Town inland of the IJsselmeer (EDAM); 46A: Actress Gershon et al. (GINAS); 50A: It may be chased by un perro (GATO); 51A: Lake Thun feeder (AAR); 52A: Studio renamed Paramount Television in 1967 (DESILU); 53A: 1986 N.L. batting champ Tim (RAINES); 55A: R&B group __ Hill (DRU); 57A: Show with DNA testing (CSI); 58A: __-garde (AVANT); 62A: Paramecium features (CILIA); 63A: All in all (ON BALANCE); 64A: Test track challenges (ESSES); 65A: Living end (BEE'S KNEES); 2D: Long-legged shore bird (AVOCET); 3D: Body armor fiber (KEVLAR); 4D: Poet's preposition (ERE); 5D: Things to zap (ADS); 6D: Bumpkins (HICKS); 8D: Top dog (KINGPIN); 9D: Hiver's opposite (ETE); 10D: Chop House Originals brand (ALPO); 11D: Societal concerns (VALUES); 12D: "This American Life" host (IRA GLASS); 21D: Duff (BOTTOM); 23D: Inlets (RIAS); 24D: Cold and rainy, say (NASTY); 29D: "Gracias" reply (DE NADA); 32D: Just like, with "the" (SAME AS); 33D: Truman Dam river (OSAGE); 37D: Approves, in a way (INITIALS); 42D: Certain rush hour commuter, metaphorically (SARDINE); 44D: "__ Darko": 2001 sci-fi film (DONNIE); 47D: Christianity's __ Creed (NICENE); 48D: French region along the Rhine (ALSACE); 49D: Bach compositions (SUITES); 52D: "The Count of Monte Cristo" author (DUMAS); 54D: LAX postings (ETAS); 59D: Hit-making group? (MOB); 60D: Kind (ILK); 61D: Solo in space (HAN).