04.17 Sun

S U N D A Y
April 17, 2011
Dan Naddor

[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: "Audiovisual Aids" — The letters "AV" are added to familiar phrases to make wacky entries
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Theme Entries:

• 24A: Salon tool for recalcitrant customers? (STYLING GAVEL).
• 30A: Not the best purple flower? (SUB-PRIME LAVENDER).
• 45A: Where the experts hang out? (MAVENS' ROOM).
• 64A: Colorado brewer's rodent mascot? (COORS BEAVER).
• 77A: Culinary product of a French-Italian region? (SAVOY SAUCE).
• 97A: Group that ruins commercials? (AD HAVOC COMMITTEE).
• 104A: Bad news about a tooth? (TWIN CAVITIES).
• 15D: Prefer Hitchcock's Bodega Bay classic to his other films? (FAVOR THE BIRDS). 
• 52D: Cryptologist's rant? (DECODER RAVING).

Hey, puzzle fans. Doug here. Today's puzzle is by Dan Naddor, and it's a winner. Solid theme and lots of fun entries throughout the grid. I enjoyed solving it, but I found myself slowing down as I neared the end, savoring the last few answers. This is Dan's final puzzle for the L.A. Times. For those of you who don't know the story, Dan passed away in December 2009 from complications related to cancer. He was an amazingly prolific constructor, and it's wonderful that his puzzles continued to run, bringing humor and joy to his many fans. Rich Norris published over 150 of Dan's puzzles, and it seemed like they'd go on forever. He leaves behind a legacy of creativity and craftsmanship that few can match. Next time you're in a bookstore, pick up an L.A. Times Crossword collection. I can guarantee it'll be jam-packed with Dan's puzzles. They're worth solving again.

Bullets:

• 1A: "This ___ fine mess you've gotten us into, Ollie!" (IS A). ISA isn't a great entry, but the clue is genius. You read the clue, think of Laurel and Hardy, and forget all about the awkwardness of the entry.
• 18A: Three-time all-star closer Robb (NEN). One of those weird names that non-baseball people must hate.

• 22A: Hunter attachment? (GATHERER). Hunter-gatherer.
• 24A: Salon tool for recalcitrant customers? (STYLING GAVEL). So the hairdresser bonks someone on the head with a gavel, accompanied by a Three Stooges-style empty-coconut sound effect. I love it.
• 34A: Statistical hypothesis trial (T-TEST). I vaguely remember this from Statistics class. If I look it up and try to explain it, I'm going to give myself a headache.
• 61A: Boss's address? (E STREET). Bruce Springsteen ("The Boss") and his E Street Band. Awesome clue!
• 82A: Semicircular antenna housing (RADOME). I had to get this one from the crossing entries, and I wasn't sure whether it was a "radome" or an "R.A. dome." Turns out it's "radome," short for "radar dome." OK, I think we can all remember that the next time it shows up in a grid.
• 13D: USAF E-6 (TSGT). Short for Technical Sergeant. Do you have to pass a T-test to become a T-Sergeant?
• 41D: Wrestling holds (NELSONS). For this entry, I couldn't decide whether to use an Iowa Hawkeyes (real) wrestling video, or a "Rowdy" Roddy Piper (fake) wrestling video. So I found a pair of Nelsons that everyone will enjoy.

• 70A: Recently discontinued retro Chrysler (PT CRUISER). Very cool entry. For those of you who like mini-themes, today we have PT Cruiser, V-chip, A sharp, t-test, E Street, TSgt, MLife, and N-Go.
• 96A: Abba of Israel (EBAN). If you're not familiar with crossword mainstay Abba Eban, you might wonder how you're supposed to know the name of an Israeli Abba tribute band.

• 99A: MGM Resorts loyalty program (MLIFE). Tough answer, but easy to get from crossers. I always sign up for a players' club card when I'm in Vegas, but I never redeem the points. I also usually lose the card in about five minutes. 
• 105A: "Stop-___": UGK hit (N-GO). The song "Stop-N-Go" by the rap group Underground Kingz (UGK). Never heard of any of that. Maybe the Israeli Abba band will do a cover version. The album that features "Stop-N-Go" was produced by "AVEREXX, Below, DJ Paul & Juicy J, Jazze Pha, Joe Traxx, John Bido, Lil Jon, Marley Marl, MoMo, N.O. Joe, Pimp C, Swizz Beatz, DJ B-Do Scarface, and Yung Fyngas." That's a sweet list of rappy names.

I hope you all enjoyed the puzzle. Thanks, Dan!