08.21 Sun

S U N D A Y

August 21, 2011

Pamela Amick Klawitter



[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: "Scrambled Signals" (or "Gal Sins") — Phrases that indicate anagrams in a cryptic way.

Theme Entries:

• 24A: 91-Across? (GARBLED SPEECH).
• 91A: Aviary sounds (CHEEPS).
• 49A: 1-Down? (ALTERED STATES).
• 1D: Tries (TASTES).
• 92A: 111-Down? (SHIFTING GEARS).
• 111D: Barracks bigwig (SARGE).
• 121A: 58-Across? (MIXED BLESSING).
• 58A: Lack of sincerity (GLIBNESS).
• 3D: 129-Across? (TWISTED SISTER).
• 129A: Put up a fight (RESIST).
• 61D: 79-Across? (CHANGE OF HEART).
• 79A: Milky Way planet (EARTH).

Hey, crossword fans. Doug here on Sunday. Wasn't I just here on Friday? I need a vacation. Anyway, today we've got anagrams. You can "garble" SPEECH to get CHEEPS, "alter" STATES to get TASTES, etc. If you solve cryptic crosswords, you're very familiar with this type of wordplay. In fact, some of these clue pairs are easily converted into cryptic clues: [Tries altered states (6)] or [Lack of sincerity is mixed blessing (8)], e.g.

My favorite pairing is TWISTED SISTER / RESIST because Twisted Sister's only hit was "We're Not Gonna Take It." A pretty awful song, but I must have watched the video a hundred times when I was in junior high. Those are some hours I'd like to have back. Check out the singer. He looks like an over-the-top nightmare version of Christina Aguilera. You've gotta love the '80s.



Lots of theme answers sprinkled around the grid, which led to some rough spots in the surrounding fill. The toughest section for me was the lower right, with the baffling AHERN & SERIATE. Let's jump to the bullets.

Bullets:

• 21A: Venue for newsgroups (USENET). Does Usenet still exist? I used to follow the rec.puzzles.crosswords newsgroup on Usenet, but that was a looong time ago. Hmm, looks like all the old newsgroups still exist on Google Groups. I'd be shocked if anyone under 40 looks at them.

• 57A: Actresses Gray and Moran (ERINS). I have fond memories of Ms. Gray from the old "Buck Rogers" series. Man, I watched a lot of crappy TV when I was a kid. Though you can see that "Buck Rogers" did have one redeeming feature: Colonel Deering's purple jumpsuit.
• 60A: With a cast of thousands (EPICAL). Epical? Yikes!
• 64A: Japanese-American (NISEI). This is an entry you'll run into every now and then, and you might confuse it with ISSEI. It helps to remember that ISSEI is a "First-generation Japanese-American" and NISEI is a "Second-generation Japanese-American."
• 96A: White Owl alternative (TE AMO). I saw this in the grid just now, and thought it was Team O. Sounds like something to join if you're really into Oprah. I'll stick with Team Jacob. Anyway, White Owl and Te Amo are both brands of cigars.
• 115A: Some tabernacle singers (ALTI). Plural of alto.

• 93D: TV's Buffy, e.g. (HEROINE). Yeah, Buffy was cool on "Family Affair," but calling her a heroine is a bit of a stretch. It's hard to look tough when you're carrying around a Mrs. Beasley doll, and I speak from experience.
• 94D: Where work piles up (IN-BOXES). Thanks for the reminder, puzzle. I took Friday off, so I'll have plenty piled up on Monday.
• 102D: Shylock's adversary (PORTIA). From "The Merchant of Venice." I thought Portia was from a different Shakespeare play. Well, it's too late to look it up now. The blog is almost over.

See, what did I tell you? All done. I hope you enjoyed today's mixed up puzzle. See you next weekend.



Everything — 1A: Popular tank fillers (TETRAS); 7A: First word in many addresses (LADIES); 13A: Aurora borealis region (ARCTIC); 19A: If all goes wrong (AT WORST); 21A: Venue for newsgroups (USENET); 22A: Slain Tejano singer (SELENA); 23A: Chills (SHIVERS); 24A: 91-Across? (GARBLED SPEECH); 26A: Immobilizes, as a perp (TASES); 27A: She played Dottie in "A League of Their Own" (GEENA); 29A: Florentine evening (SERA); 30A: Where to see the Kon-Tiki (OSLO); 31A: Sinusitis doc (ENT); 32A: Give the go-ahead (OKAY); 34A: One with "Esq." on the door (ATT.); 36A: Xing people? (PEDS); 38A: "Woo-__!" (HOO); 39A: Flow slowly (SEEP); 41A: Utah city on I-15 (OREM); 43A: Hi, in Honduras (HOLA); 45A: "__ Peculiar Man": Paul Simon song (A MOST); 47A: React to humidity, in a way (DROOP); 49A: 1-Down? (ALTERED STATES); 53A: __ Friday (CASUAL); 55A: Stir up (AROUSE); 56A: Gave a whirl (SPUN); 57A: Actresses Gray and Moran (ERINS); 58A: Lack of sincerity (GLIBNESS); 60A: With a cast of thousands (EPICAL); 64A: Japanese-American (NISEI); 65A: Sharp dresser's standard? (NINES); 66A: Directional finish (-ERN); 68A: "I get it," humorously ("AH SO"); 69A: Grounded flier (SST); 70A: Three sheets to the wind (SAUCED); 72A: Beethoven's "Pathétique," e.g. (SONATA); 75A: Both of racing's Unsers (ALS); 76A: Seine summers (ÉTÉS); 78A: Colour suffix (-ISE); 79A: Milky Way planet (EARTH); 80A: Things of passing interest? (LANES); 82A: "Do I __ eat a peach?": Eliot (DARE TO); 84A: StubHub competition (SCALPERS); 87A: Wistful remark (OH GEE); 88A: Thing to play (ROLE); 90A: Colored ring (AREOLA); 91A: Aviary sounds (CHEEPS); 92A: 111-Down? (SHIFTING GEARS); 96A: White Owl alternative (TE AMO); 97A: Future, for one (TENSE); 98A: Has second thoughts about (RUES); 99A: Members of the flock (EWES); 101A: Bay Area blues, briefly (SFPD); 104A: NYSE figure (ARB); 105A: Parking area (SPOT); 107A: Spinning toon (TAZ); 110A: Beaux-__: architectural style (ARTS); 112A: __ polloi (HOI); 113A: No longer worth discussing (MOOT); 115A: Some tabernacle singers (ALTI); 117A: Lacking integrity (LOOSE); 119A: 1990s-2000s Irish leader (AHERN); 121A: 58-Across? (MIXED BLESSING); 124A: Arranged in sequence (SERIATE); 126A: Hot months in Chile (ENEROS); 127A: "Stand By Me" director (REINER); 128A: Largest African country (ALGERIA); 129A: Put up a fight (RESIST); 130A: Pull out (SECEDE); 131A: Rice creation (LESTAT); 1D: Tries (TASTES); 2D: Fuel gas (ETHANE); 3D: 129-Across? (TWISTED SISTER); 4D: Drift (ROVE); 5D: Sandbox comeback (ARE SO); 6D: Abbr. on outdated maps (SSR); 7D: Vehicle for supine sledders (LUGE); 8D: Hatha yoga posture (ASANA); 9D: Clear of vermin (DERAT); 10D: Having five sharps, musically (IN B); 11D: Skinny swimmers (EELS); 12D: Skyline highlight (STEEPLE); 13D: Big name in Syrian politics (ASSAD); 14D: Gym unit (REP); 15D: Geppetto's goldfish (CLEO); 16D: Opening stroke (TEE SHOT); 17D: How a macro lens is used (IN CLOSE); 18D: (In) partnership (CAHOOTS); 20D: Fictional author of "The World According to Bensenhaver" (T.S. GARP); 25D: Hates the thought of (DREADS); 28D: Private __ (EYE); 33D: __-Aid (KOOL); 35D: This and that (THESE); 37D: Suddenly paid attention (SAT UP); 40D: Danish fruit? (PRUNE); 42D: Iwo Jima figure (MARINE); 44D: Unrefined finds (ORES); 46D: Craze (MANIA); 48D: Welcome desert sight (OASIS); 50D: Like lungs (LOBED); 51D: Winery casks (TUNS); 52D: Out of gas (SPENT); 53D: Perfumed, as a chancel (CENSED); 54D: Label founded in 1975 by Clive Davis (ARISTA); 55D: Eatery "just a half a mile from the railroad track" (ALICES); 58D: Serengeti roamers (GNUS); 59D: Popular Nissan (SENTRA); 61D: 79-Across? (CHANGE OF HEART); 62D: Dead to the world (ASLEEP); 63D: Red ink entries (LOSSES); 67D: Three cheers, maybe (RAHS); 71D: Garlicky spread (AIOLI); 72D: Palate stimulus (SAPOR); 73D: "... otherwise, you'll be sorry!" ("… OR ELSE!"); 74D: Wailuku welcome (ALOHA); 77D: Feudal laborers (SERFS); 79D: Ancient home of Parmenides (ELEA); 81D: Reminders to conversation monopolizers (AHEMS); 83D: Rainy day brand (TOTES); 85D: Exercise wheel site (CAGE); 86D: "Give it __!" (A REST); 89D: Join the club (ENROLL); 91D: "__ Magnifique": Porter tune (C'EST); 92D: Barely get the words out (STAMMER); 93D: TV's Buffy, e.g. (HEROINE); 94D: Where work piles up (IN-BOXES); 95D: Alley boundaries (GUTTERS); 96D: Saint of Ávila (TERESA); 100D: Isn't anymore (WAS); 102D: Shylock's adversary (PORTIA); 103D: Give business to, as a café (DINE AT); 106D: Longtime beer experiencing a 2000s resurgence (PABST); 108D: Dress with a flare (A-LINE); 109D: Divided into districts (ZONED); 111D: Barracks bigwig (SARGE); 114D: Actress Garr (TERI); 116D: Words with a nod (I SEE); 118D: Grimm heavy (OGRE); 120D: Makes tracks (HIES); 122D: Bob and flip (DOS); 123D: [Not my mistake] ([SIC]); 125D: Allen wrench shape (ELL).

06.19 Sun

S U N D A Y
June 19, 2011
Pamela Amick Klawitter

[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: "Broadway Showstoppers" — Phrases that end with a Broadway show.

Theme Entries:

• 23A: Airport pickup spot (BAGGAGE CAROUSEL).
• 39A: Norman landmark (UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA!).
• 56A: Troublemaker's credo? (NO REST FOR THE WICKED).
• 82A: One might prompt a curtain call (BIG ROUND OF APPLAUSE).
• 99A: Fleeting celebrity (FIFTEEN MINUTES OF FAME).
• 120A: Relax (LET DOWN ONE'S HAIR).

Hey, crossword fans. Doug here on Sunday. Today's theme, Broadway musicals, isn't my area of expertise. Not even close. I'm not going to hold that against the puzzle though, because lots of my crossword friends are Broadway professionals and/or fans. Maybe I'm the ideal person to review this one, because if the shows are familiar to me, they're going to be familiar to everyone. Ms. Klawitter did a nice job. The only one I've never heard of is APPLAUSE. Wikipedia tells me that it was based on the movie "All About Eve" and won the Tony Award for Best Musical in 1970. Works for me. The long phrases containing the show names were solid, especially NO REST FOR THE WICKED and FIFTEEN MINUTES OF FAME.

Bullets:

• 5A: Like pro football players (MALE). I don't think we're ever going to see a female playing in the NFL. As far as I know, the closest that women have come to breaking into one of the big four leagues (NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL) was in 1992. Goalie Manon Rhéaume played in an exhibition game for the NHL's Tampa Bay Lightning. But who knows. Maybe we'll be watching Debbie Jeter play shortstop for the Yankees on Opening Day in 2035.
• 47A: Captain Hook's last words are its motto (ETON). I had to look this one up. Hook's last words in the play "Peter Pan" are "Floreat Etona" which translates to "Let Eton Flourish." Is this while he's being eaten by a crocodile? My "Peter Pan" knowledge is a little hazy.
• 54A: Alas., once (TERR). Does anyone actually abbreviate Alaska as "Alas."? You've already written 2/3 of the name, so suck it up and add the "-ka" on the end!

• 74A: 2000 Gere title role (DR. T). Which movie was seen by more people: "Dr. T. & the Women" or "Ulee's Gold"? I've seen neither.
• 8D: And others, to Cicero (ET ALII). Sometimes this is ET ALIA and sometimes it's ET ALII. If you want to the know the difference, click here. (It's boring.)
• 43D: Took off (FLEW). I had the first couple of letters, so when I read the clue, I confidently filled in FLED. That left me with an interesting answer for 56-Across.
• 44D: "Hamlet" courtier (OSRIC) / 45D: Olympic volleyball medalist ___ Kiraly (KARCH) / 55D: Seuss, actually (GEISEL) / 60D: "The Jungle Book" python (KAA). Wow, lots of wicked tough names in this section, and they all cross WICKED.
• 46D: Big name in traitors (ARNOLD). Benedict Arnold. But he's not the biggest name in traitors. That would be Vidkun Quisling. He was the politician who assisted Nazi Germany as it conquered Norway, his home country, so that he'd be put in charge of the collaborationist Norwegian government. He was such a bad guy that now the word "quisling" is synonymous with traitor, particularly one who collaborates with enemies. Worst eponym ever.

• 71D: '30s-'40s actress D'Orsay (FIFI). That was back when people, not poodles, were named Fifi.
• 93D: Angel Clare's love, in an 1891 novel (TESS). "Tess of the d'Urbervilles."
• 94D: Lochinvars (SUITORS). OK, here's your vocabulary word for the day. Lochinvar. Apparently the word derives from "young Lochinvar," the hero of Sir Walter Scott's 1808 poem "Marmion."
• 122D: People people, briefly (EDS). Editors at People magazine. Clues about editors and editing are often tricky.

I won't be here next Sunday, so I'm asking PuzzleGirl to call upon one of her many minions to fill in for me. You'll be in good hands. See you in July.

Everything Else —1A: Cotton-picking handful (BOLL); 9A: Libreville is its capital (GABON); 14A: Seasonal crew? (ELVES); 19A: Moises of baseball (ALOU); 20A: One often thickens on stage (PLOT); 21A: Word with soap (OPERA); 22A: Corporate reward (RAISE); 26A: Ballet __ (RUSSE); 27A: "__ and his money ..." (A FOOL); 28A: Toledo toast (SALUD); 29A: Certain Honshu resident (OSAKAN); 31A: __ Sauer: handgun (SIG); 33A: Library ID (ISBN); 35A: Urges (ITCHES); 46A: Prop- suffix (ANE); 48A: Gives an earful (YELLS AT); 49A: Frat characters? (PSIS); 50A: Some HDTVs (RCA'S); 52A: Sunscreen additive (ALOE); 55A: Iona College athletes (GAELS); 61A: British miler Steve (OVETT); 62A: One in a pool (STENO); 63A: Trendy tea (CHAI); 64A: Some NFL linemen (RT'S); 67A: Class unit (LESSON); 69A: Assistants and such (STAFF); 72A: Like a wake (ASTERN); 75A: It may be fenced (LOOT); 78A: Mrs. Gorbachev (RAISA); 81A: Relative of -ish (-ESQUE); 86A: Dressing target (SALAD); 89A: "Let __!" (IT GO); 90A: Inventor Sikorsky (IGOR); 91A: Cheese holder (RITZ); 92A: Nutmeg covering (ARIL); 93A: Like most sandals (TOELESS); 96A: Fictional futuristic race (ELOI); 98A: Big foot letters (EEE); 103A: Some kitchens (EAT-INS); 104A: Gossip (DIRT); 105A: Moral slip (SIN); 106A: Cellist awarded a posthumous Lifetime Achievement Grammy in 1989 (CASALS); 110A: Second-deepest U.S. lake (TAHOE); 113A: Convertible alternatives (T-TOPS); 117A: Burst of activity (SPASM); 123A: Come to terms (AGREE); 124A: Many a chat room visitor (AOL'ER); 125A: __ Center: N.J. arena (IZOD); 126A: Italian hot spot (ETNA); 127A: Like some bulls (PAPAL); 128A: Hoity-toity types (SNOBS); 129A: British tax (CESS); 130A: Voicemail accumulation: Abbr. (MSGS.); 1D: Radner's Wawa (BABA); 2D: Minnesota's St. __ College (OLAF); 3D: Company symbol (LOGO); 4D: 1931 count portrayer (LUGOSI); 5D: SUV stat (MPG); 6D: Some draft picks (ALES); 7D: Like "la vida" in a Ricky Martin hit (LOCA); 9D: Splitting word? (GOODBYE); 10D: Springfield storekeeper (APU); 11D: Carlos's kiss (BESO); 12D: Mined finds (ORES); 13D: "The Lion King" lioness (NALA); 14D: Slips (ERRATA); 15D: Takeoff place (LAUNCHPAD); 16D: Before and after "à," compared with (VIS); 17D: Safe opener? (ESS); 18D: Have a look (SEE); 24D: Better way to be wanted? (ALIVE); 25D: Needing practice (RUSTY); 30D: Clan attire (KILT); 32D: Gain access to (GET AT); 34D: "Peaceful Warrior" actor (NOLTE); 36D: Flimflam (HOSE); 37D: Silents star Jannings (EMIL); 38D: Sign of freshness (SASS); 39D: Find out (UNCOVER); 40D: Most handy (NEAREST); 41D: Massages deeply (ROLFS); 42D: Hoity-toity type (SNOOT); 51D: Match parts (SETS); 53D: Part of a Spanish 101 conjugation (ERES); 57D: Not easily excited (STOLID); 58D: "The Closer" channel (TNT); 59D: Stock and then some (HOARD); 64D: Passing notes? (REQUIEM); 65D: Chairman of the board, for one (TRUSTEE); 66D: Blessed event? (SNEEZE); 68D: Fireside quaff (NOG); 70D: __ Schwarz: 5th Avenue toy store (F.A.O.); 73D: Former despot (TSAR); 76D: Hunter of the stars (ORION); 77D: Carved pole (TOTEM); 79D: Prudent advisers (SAGES); 80D: Skating gold medalist __ Anton Ohno (APOLO); 82D: Latvia-Sweden separator (BALTIC SEA); 83D: Grapefruit relative (UGLI); 84D: Eternally (NO END); 85D: Faculty mems. (PROFS.); 86D: Heist target (SAFE); 87D: La Scala highlight (ARIA); 88D: Garage apparatus (LIFT); 95D: Turkey's place, in song (STRAW); 97D: "__ Lovin' That You Want": Rihanna hit (IFITS); 100D: Crown cover (ENAMEL); 101D: Like some restaurants (ETHNIC); 102D: Game opener (ANTHEM); 107D: It might precede bad news (ALAS); 108D: 2009-'11 CIA director Panetta (LEON); 109D: City of NW France (ST.-LÔ); 111D: Slow flow (OOZE); 112D: "The Dukes of Hazzard" deputy (ENOS); 114D: Porridge base (OATS); 115D: Ball game opener? (PING); 116D: Ladies of Sp. (SRAS.); 117D: It's tapped for syrup (SAP); 118D: FedEx Cup org. (PGA); 119D: Ernst collaborator (ARP); 121D: Belle of the ball (DEB).

03.10 Thu

T H U R S D A Y
March 10, 2011
Pamela Amick Klawitter

Theme: Switchblade — The letters BLADE appear in the theme answers, in a different order each time.

Theme answers:

• 17A: Negotiation obstacle (DEAL BREAKER).
• 23A: Recovery sites (HOSPITAL BEDS).
• 48A: Most agree it should be reduced (NATIONAL DEBT).
• 59A: Street weapon, and a hint to the circled letters in 17-, 23- and 48-Across (SWITCHBLADE).

Before we get started talking about this fun puzzle, I just want to say a little bit about the blog's Crosswordese 101 feature. This blog has always been geared toward solvers who might just be starting out doing crossword puzzles or who want to learn some things that will help them enjoy crossword puzzles more fully. We decided to highlight in each puzzle a word that will be super helpful to you as a solver — a word that appears over and over again in puzzles because of its useful letters. A list of all the crosswordese we've featured is available here, with links to the individual posts.

For a while now, I've been including a "Crosswordese 101 Round-Up" at the end of each post because a lot of times we've already covered all the crosswordese in that day's grid. But having it down there at the bottom means people ignore it, which is totally fine! Believe me, I'm not under the impression that everyone gives their full attention to this blog every single day, reading every single word. But if you're new to solving or are having trouble parsing a short entry with a lot of common letters, chances are it would be really helpful for you to know that word and how it's likely to be clued. This is all a long drawn-out way of saying that I'm moving the CW101 round-up to the top of the blog because I think it might be more helpful up here. I guess we'll see.

Crosswordese 101 Round-Up:

These words should be added to that part of your brain where you keep information you need for solving crossword puzzles. They appear over and over (and over and over … and over) in puzzles, so it will help you to know them! (Each word in this list is a link. If you click on it, you'll be taken to the post where the word was first featured in CW101. There are probably some details there that will help you remember the word and how it's clued!)

• 1D: Yeats's "__ and the Swan" (LEDA).
• 27D: "House" actor Omar (EPPS).
• 41D: Dubai big shot (EMIR).

So. On to the puzzle. Today's puzzle has one of those themes that makes sense to me. The letters of the word BLADE are "switched" around in the theme answers because there's this thing called a SWITCHBLADE that we've all heard of. The word BLADE was not chosen randomly — it's word play is what it is, and I appreciate that. HOSPITAL BEDS and NATIONAL DEBT are kind of ho-hum as far as phrases go, but DEAL BREAKER is awesome and is a tricky first theme entry. I saw that the circled letters were DEALB and wondered what the heck that could be about. (Me: "DEAL B? Does that come after DEAL A?")

There was some fun, tricky cluing in this one too:

• 40A: State capital component, often (SALES TAX). "Capital" in this clue is the money kind, not the seat of government kind.
• 46A: Trading places (EMPORIA). Places where things are traded.

• 54A: Reason for the downfall of many kings? (ACES). The question mark should have clued you into the fact that this wasn't about actual royalty.
• 3D: Sweet Sixteen initials (NCAA). When the NCAA basketball tournament is narrowed down to 16 teams, that's called the "Sweet Sixteen." After that you get the "Elite Eight," then the "Final Four." Is there a nickname for the championship game? I thought it was "The Big Dance," but that's actually a nickname for the whole tournament. Hmmm.

There were a couple things in the grid that I just really didn't know:

• 1A: Calrissian of "Star Wars" films (LANDO). Is there a first name in there somewhere? Okay, LANDO Calrissian is the character played by Billy Dee Williams in a couple of "Star Wars" movies.
• 16A: __ mater (PIA). Never heard of this. Apparently it's the "delicate innermost layer of the … membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord." So, yeah, kind of important I guess.
• 26D: "Taking Woodstock" director (LEE). I kind of knew this but couldn't come up with it without crosses.
• 61D: Electronic storage density meas. (BPI). "Bits per inch" or "Bytes per inch" indicates the density of magnetic tape, which is used as electronic storage.

Bullets:

• 22A: Surgeon's patient, perhaps (TREE). I mistyped TBSP. (22D: Kitchen meas. ) as GBSP and couldn't figure out what the heck a GREE was.
• 45A: Apollo 11 destination (MOON). Four letters having to do with space? Yeah, my first thought was MARS. (Mars!)
• 65A: Turk's topper (FEZ). Always happy to see a FEZ in the grid. People should wear more FEZes.
• 66A: Fills (up) (GASES). The other college sports tournament gearing up right now is, of course, the NCAA Wrestling Championships (Go Hawks!). In wrestling, the word GAS is mostly used to describe a wrestler who isn't in good enough condition to be competitive through a match's total seven minutes. Example: "I can't believe Bubba Jenkins got the fourth seed. You know he just gases in the third."
• 9D: Rush find (ORE). Followed immediately by 10D: Galley tool (OAR). There are days when this probably would have annoyed me, but today I thought it was kinda cute.
• 24D: Come-__: lures (ONS). Really the only entry that jumped out at me as a real clunker today.

• 32D: First name in comics villains (LEX). LEX Luthor, right? Something to do with Superman? Help me out here, Doug.
• 38D: Cops' favorite birds? (CANARIES). CANARIES is a slang word for police informants (because they "sing").
• 42D: Jack of "Barney Miller" (SOO). Is it time to have another conversation about the best television theme songs of all time? Why yes, I believe it is.



• 51D: Petrol unit (LITRE). The word "petrol" in the clue is a hint that the answer will not have an American spelling.

Crosswordese 101: EMME (21A: Palindromic fashion model) is a plus-size supermodel who just goes by the one name. Her "real" name is Melissa Miller. She hosts the current television show "More to Love," and previously hosted the show "Fashion Emergency."

[Follow PuzzleGirl on Twitter.]

Everything Else — 6A: Playground rejoinder (AM TOO); 11A: Down (SAD); 14A: Center of Florida? (EPCOT); 15A: Pageant prop (TIARA); 19A: Gallery opening? (ART); 20A: PDQ relative (ASAP); 21A: Palindromic fashion model (EMME); 27A: Chip away at (EAT INTO); 30A: Paint choices (HUES); 31A: A and B, at times (PLANS); 32A: Holdup note? (LATE PASS); 36A: '70s-'80s televangelist show "The __ Club" (PTL); 37A: Vinegary prefix (ACETO-); 39A: Be in the running (VIE); 43A: Old fallout source (A-TEST); 52A: Skunk's weapon (ODOR); 53A: "Children of the Poor" author (RIIS); 58A: __-secret (TOP); 62A: Rollover subj. (IRA); 63A: Turn away (AVERT); 64A: Kitchen tubes (PENNE); 67A: Germs may lead to them (IDEAS); 2D: Copies (APES); 4D: 7-Down athlete (DOLPHIN); 5D: Place to play favorites, briefly (OTB); 6D: Score direction after accelerando, perhaps (A TEMPO); 7D: Home of a 4-Down (MIAMI); 8D: Words of aggression (TAKE THAT); 11D: Fifth wheel (SPARE); 12D: Broadcast (AIRED); 13D: Some are blind (DATES); 18D: Doctor's suggestion (REST); 25D: Bronco or Charger (AUTO); 28D: Wasatch Mountains resort (ALTA); 29D: One way to stand (TALL); 33D: Say and mean (AVER); 34D: Speedy Gonzales assent (SÍ SÍ); 35D: __ precedent (SET A); 37D: Loads (A TON); 43D: NYPD broadcast (APB); 44D: Beyond repair (TOTALED); 46D: Orders from above (EDICTS); 47D: Screen door material (MESH); 48D: "__ you paid me!" (NOT IF); 49D: Hold precious (ADORE); 50D: Birthstone after opal (TOPAZ); 55D: Mr. Peanut prop (CANE); 56D: Tracy Turnblad's mom in "Hairspray" (EDNA); 57D: Gets it (SEES); 59D: Show age, in a way (SAG); 60D: Sen. Byrd's state (W. VA.).

F R I D A Y December 3, 2010 Pamela Amick Klawitter

Theme: Add ARY — The letters ARY are tacked onto the end of familiar phrases, then … everything's wacky.

Theme answers:

• 20A: Where a witch's influence ends? (SPELL BOUNDARY).
• 25A: Office employee to avoid? (DEADLY SECRETARY).
• 47A: Shuttle evangelist? (SPACE MISSIONARY).
• 53A: Bird in a landfill? (GARBAGE CANARY).

The big news at the PuzzleHouse is that I got a new job yesterday. Yay! I know, I know. You probably thought I still had that other job. Well, that one didn't work out and it ended sort of traumatically, so I didn't really want to talk about it. But yesterday I got two job offers, chose the one that I think will be best for me, and am now ready to get back to work later this month. With the interviewing, waiting, weighing, and negotiating (plus dealing with strep girl), this week has been a little stressful. Today it's time to get caught up on everything I missed. But let's talk about today's puzzle first.

I really like this puzzle. It seems like more of a Monday/Tuesday theme and, in fact, the puzzle overall was much easier than I like to see on Friday. There were definitely a few iffy spots, but nothing that made me fight with it too hard. Basically, this feels like a perfect Wednesday puzzle.

We covered OONA previously in Crosswordese 101, but there are a couple other names in the puzzle that I'm going to guess caused problems for some solvers. I would consider these names CW301 — not so common that I'm going to spend a lot of time on them, but common enough that they definitely should be noted:

• 8D: Linebacker Junior who played in 12 consecutive Pro Bowls (SEAU).
• 29D: Gulager of "The Virginian" (CLU).
• 56D: "The Long, Hot Summer" vixen __ Varner (EULA).

Then there are a couple names that I don't consider crosswordese at all, but that I might have been problematic for some of you: that would be YANCY (32D: "The Waltons" handyman Tucker) and ALS (24A: Tim's "Tool Time" sidekick et al.). Because "The Waltons" was before my time, I know the name "John Boy" and that the name of the actor who played Grandpa is like Richard Gere's name but spelled differently (that would be Will Geer). Obviously, there are many ways to clue ALS, but if you didn't watch "Home Improvement" religiously the way some people did (who me?), you might not be familiar with AL Borland.

Bullets:

• 23A: River past Memphis (NILE). I admit it, I was tricked by this for a hot minute. Was thinking Tennessee and not Egypt.
• 34A: What a recent ex may need (TLC). I actually tried "tac" for this at first, thinking the ex in the clue was the first X in "tic tac toe."
• 35A: With 62-Down, call (SEE A). Funny that the clue for the cross-reference answer BET has to include the word "see" (62D: See 35-Across), when SEE is part of the answer.
• 42A: Cookie recipe morsels (NUTS). I tried "oats" first.
• 59A: Actress Thomas who is now St. Jude's National Outreach Director (MARLO). St. Jude's must have a lot of banner ads on the internet because I totally knew this even though I don't recall ever consciously thinking about it.
• 65A: Kate __, a.k.a. Batwoman (KANE). Not knowing my superheroes, I considered the possibility that Batwoman was Lois Lane's evil twin.
• 3D: Source of the food thickener alginate (KELP). If this is in any of the food I eat, I really don't want to know about it.

• 12D: Unlike folks on "Hoarders" (TIDY). I haven't watched this show because the few ads I've seen for it make me really, really sad for those people.
• 22D: Some traffic monitors (NARCS). Drug traffic.
• 50D: Mississippi source (ITASCA). I knew this because as a child growing up in North Dakota, I visited ITASCA State Park.
• 53D: 8 on the Beaufort scale (GALE). I guess the Beaufort scale measures wind. Good to know.

Crosswordese 101: ÉTAT is the French word for "state." It's often clued as the partial "Coup d'_____" or "'L'_____, c'est moi': Louis XIV." Other clues, however, are a little trickier, but they definitely give you a hint that the answer you're looking for is French. It might include the name of a place that you know is a state, but use the French word for it, like Californie, Pennsylvanie, or Floride. Or, it will indicate the need for French with an obviously French name, like "Jacques's state," "State to Sarkozy," "South Dakota, to Pierre, " or 28D: Texas and Tennessee, in Toulouse.

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

• 15A: Cartoon drooler (ODIE).
• 18A: Eugene O'Neill's daughter (OONA).
• 64A: Actor Baldwin (ALEC).
• 11D: Kuwaiti VIP (EMIR).
• 39D: Sch. in Troy, NY (RPI).
• 57D: Some HDTVs (RCA'S).

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Everything Else — 1A: Actor Gyllenhaal (JAKE); 5A: Big rolls (WADS); 9A: "Zorba the Greek" setting (CRETE); 14A: Very top (APEX); 16A: Invoice word (REMIT); 17A: Downed shot (BELT); 19A: Lab flask contents, perhaps (ACIDS); 33A: Teen sensation? (ANGST); 36A: Early 16th-century date (MDI); 37A: "Also sprach Zarathustra" composer (STRAUSS); 41A: Shade on a beach (TAN); 44A: Fitting (APT); 45A: Phoenician dialect (PUNIC); 51A: Part of a roadie's load (AMP); 52A: __ bomb (ATOM); 60A: For all of us (OURS); 61A: Certain line crosser (SCAB); 63A: Sunburn soothers (ALOES); 66A: Air ducts (VENTS); 67A: "There you have it!" ("TA-DA!"); 68A: USMC rank (SSGT); 1D: Setup punch (JAB); 2D: Fossey focus (APES); 4D: Lengthens (EXTENDS); 5D: Wild associate? (WOOLLY); 6D: Sun-dried structures (ADOBES); 7D: Flintstones' Snorkasaurus (DINO); 9D: Treetop rocker (CRADLE); 10D: Changes the actor (RECASTS); 13D: Saturn drivers? (ET'S); 21D: Light melodies (LILTS); 25D: Condemns (DAMNS); 26D: Become, finally (END UP); 27D: Antacid target (AGITA); 30D: Insurance company named for a mountain (AETNA); 31D: Televise again (REAIR); 38D: City on its own bay (TAMPA); 40D: Item in a stirring picture? (SPOON); 43D: Like an infamous "A" (SCARLET); 46D: Exposes (UNMASKS); 48D: Make stand out (EMBOSS); 49D: Divine (SACRED); 54D: Elvis __ Presley (ARON); 55D: Billy __ (GOAT); 58D: Bright side? (YANG); 59D: Dallas NBAer (MAV).

W E D N E S D A Y November 10, 2010 Pamela Amick Klawitter

Theme: Give-and-Take — Theme answers are familiar phrases that begin with a word meaning quid pro quo.


Theme answers:

• 18A: Flea market cousin (SWAP MEET).
• 24A: Mickey Mantle or Mark Teixeira, notably (SWITCH HITTER).
• 39A: Fill in at school (SUBSTITUTE TEACH).
• 51A: Currency differential (EXCHANGE RATE).
• 62A: Commercial imbalance (TRADE GAP).

This puzzle is a little unusual in that we don't often see eight-letter theme answers. The theme is totally solid although not particularly sparkly and the fill is smooth with a touch of scrabbliness. Overall, thumbs up.

Bullets:

• 1A: "60 Minutes" correspondent (SAFER). I tried STAHL first.

• 44A: Friend's pronoun (THEE). Friends as in Quakers.
• 60A: Smack back? (-EROO). EROO can go on the "back" of the word smack. Smackeroo.
• 64A: "The Sound of Music" quintet (OSCARS). I only know a few things about "The Sound of Music." One is that there's a family with a lot of kids named Von Trapp. I actually had it in my head that there were more than five children and, obviously, Von Trapp didn't fit anyway, but the misdirection definitely worked on me.
• 68A: Golf commentator Pepper (DOTTIE). Yeah, it figures. I've been bragging so much about knowing all the golf answers that we were bound to get one I had no clue about.
• 70A: Texter's sign-off (TTYL). Talk To You Later. I actually tried TTFN first (Ta-Ta For Now).
• 9D: Danced like Bojangles Robinson (TAPPED).



• 19D: Sportscaster Albert (MARV). This is a pretty common "trick": using a person whose last name can also be a first name. I thought of Al Michaels first but don't recall him ever being called Albert.
• 29D: Apple touchscreen computer (IPAD). Want!

Crosswordese 101: Luckily for us, there's only one guy named EBAN we have to know, so he's pretty easy to see once you know what to look for. Abba EBAN was an Israeli statesman who died in 2002. He was Israel's first ambassador to the United Nations. EBAN is often clued as simply "Israel's Abba" or "Abba of Israel." Sometimes — like today — he's clued with a reference to one of his books, typically "My Country," "Voice of Israel," or "Diplomacy for the Next Century."

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

• 32A: "__ Gold": Peter Fonda film (ULEE'S).
• 8D: Ticketing place: Abbr. (STA.).
• 57D: Name on a razor (ATRA).

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Everything Else — 6A: __ Helens, Wash. (MT. ST.); 10A: Setup punch (JAB); 13A: Pump option (PREPAY); 15A: Tad (IOTA); 16A: L.A.-based oil giant, familiarly (OXY); 17A: Get there (ARRIVE); 20A: Soccer VIPs? (MOMS); 21A: Source of low-alcohol wines (ASTI); 23A: No longer newsworthy (PASSE); 27A: Diet successfully (LOSE); 28A: Counsel (ADVISE); 35A: Helper: Abbr. (ASST.); 38A: Lobbying gp. (PAC); 43A: Modern __ (ERA); 45A: "Then ..." ("AND SO …"); 46A: Karate instructor (SENSEI); 49A: Glued to the tube, say (RAPT); 57A: Shoelace protector (AGLET); 61A: It's wet in Oaxaca (AGUA); 66A: "Awesome!" ("RAD!"); 67A: Botanical junction (NODE); 69A: Poet Lowell (AMY); 71A: Many Miley Cyrus fans (TEENS); 1D: Sends unwanted e-mail (SPAMS); 2D: Road sign symbol (ARROW); 3D: Nuclear pioneer Enrico (FERMI); 4D: Bible letters (EPISTLES); 5D: Toyota __4: SUV model (RAV); 6D: Peruvian volcano El __ (MISTI); 7D: Namely (TO WIT); 10D: Stereotypical diner name (JOE'S); 11D: Forest choppers (AXES); 12D: Unit of computer memory (BYTE); 14D: Slangy assents (YEAHS); 22D: Knife holder (SHEATH); 25D: Budgetary concern (COST); 26D: British art institution (TATE); 30D: Anatomical pouches (SACS); 31D: Return from a cave? (ECHO); 32D: Finds a purpose for (USES); 33D: Dangle a carrot in front of, so to speak (LURE); 36D: Seek damages (SUE); 37D: Buffet heater (STERNO); 40D: Suffix with meteor (-ITIC); 41D: Finish line indicator (TAPE); 42D: Play break (ENTR'ACTE); 47D: Watermelon bit (SEED); 48D: Magnitude (EXTENT); 50D: "... 'What __ boy am I!'" (A GOOD); 52D: Exciting (HEADY); 53D: Adrien of cosmetics (ARPEL); 54D: Colorful quartz (AGATE); 55D: Shroud city (TURIN); 56D: Lets up (EASES); 58D: Fat measure (GRAM); 59D: __ Luck (LADY); 63D: Understood (GOT); 65D: Heavy drinker (SOT).

S U N D A Y August 22, 2010 — Pamela Amick Klawitter (syndicated)

Theme: "An Earlier Flight" — The letter string SST is hidden in theme answers

[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:

• 23A: Military overstock seller (ARMY SURPLUS STORE).
• 33A: 21-Across are taken on it (WITNESS STAND).
• 38A: Nickname at the Derby (BLUEGRASS STATE).
• 65A: "No verdict yet" ("THE JURY IS STILL OUT").
• 92A: Applying to all (ACROSS THE BOARD).
• 101A: Exerts influence (PULLS STRINGS).
• 116A: 1952 Jane Russell film (THE LAS VEGAS STORY).
• 118D: Earlier flight hidden in the seven longest puzzle answers (SST).

Crosswordese 101 Round-up:

• 53A: New Balance competitor (AVIA).
• 1D: Ice cream thickeners (AGARS).
• 15D: Arp contemporary (ERNST).

Everything Else — 1A: Ed of "Lou Grant" (ASNER); 6A: Lou Grant's ex (EDIE); 10A: Cuts the crop (REAPS); 15A: Even start? (EQUI-); 19A: Dutch big wheel? (GOUDA); 20A: Falana of "Golden Boy" (LOLA); 21A: Formal promises (OATHS); 22A: Arrivals at home, perhaps (RUNS); 26A: "Sorry, can't" ("NOPE"); 27A: Stonewall Jackson et al. (REBS); 28A: Sales chart metaphors (PIES); 29A: R&B singer __ Marie (TEENA); 30A: Sean of the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy (ASTIN); 31A: Jun. grads (SRS.); 32A: Corp. moneymen (CFO'S); 35A: Yoo-__: beverage (HOO); 36A: 50-Across wrong? (AIN'T); 37A: Deli array (MEAT); 44A: Often critical innings (NINTHS); 49A: Turner on the screen (LANA); 50A: 36-Across right? (ISN'T); 51A: Pro foe (ANTI); 54A: All worked up (IN A LATHER); 56A: List of rounds (BAR TAB); 58A: Stock holder? (BARN); 59A: Skins (PELTS); 60A: Chair designer Charles (EAMES); 62A: Reason for a court replay (LET); 64A: Born (NÉE); 71A: "Ginger __": 1952 Newbery Medal-winning book (PYE); 73A: Big rig compartment (CAB); 74A: Pitch-related (TONAL); 75A: "A Paper Life" autobiographer (O'NEAL); 78A: Spanish bread (EURO); 80A: Places under siege (BESETS); 83A: San Bernardino suburb (LOMA LINDA); 86A: Draft choices (ALES); 87A: A TV Maverick (BRET); 88A: Notice (ESPY); 89A: Go off the deep end (SNAP); 90A: Play the siren (SEDUCE); 97A: Ray Stevens's "Ahab the __" (ARAB); 99A: Skin soother (ALOE); 100A: River to the Rhone (AIN); 106A: Bribes, with "off" (PAYS); 108A: Pepper, e.g.: Abbr. (SGT.); 111A: Novelist Nin (ANAÏS); 112A: Engineer Nikola (TESLA); 113A: Ball role (MAME); 114A: Restaurateur Toots (SHOR); 115A: Devils' playground? (RINK); 119A: Old Venetian elder (DOGE); 120A: Brings down the house? (RAZES); 121A: Start of an Andy Capp toast ('ERE'S); 122A: Backs up (SAVES); 123A: Tens neighbor (ONES); 124A: Controversial explosion (A-TEST); 125A: Unschooled signers (X'ERS); 126A: Lott of Mississippi (TRENT); 2D: More put out (SORER); 3D: Uses an icepack on (NUMBS); 4D: Slow Churned ice cream brand (EDY'S); 5D: Dorm bosses, briefly (RA'S); 6D: Ventura County town who name means "the river" (EL RIO); 7D: Chowderheads (DOPES); 8D: Afflictions (ILLS); 9D: Mer filler (EAU); 10D: Nile home of an historic stone (ROSETTA); 11D: Moth tail? (EATEN); 12D: Satisfaction of a sort (ATONEMENT); 13D: It's elegant when turned (PHRASE); 14D: Opposite of NNW (SSE); 16D: Limit of a kind (QUOTA); 17D: Let down, as hair (UNPIN); 18D: "Children, Go Where __ Thee": spiritual (I SEND); 24D: Raring to go (UP FOR IT); 25D: Hitch (STINT); 30D: Italian wine city (ASTI); 32D: ___ railway (COG); 33D: Badger's st. (WIS.); 34D: Florida resort island (SANIBEL); 35D: A "4-H" H (HEALTH); 36D: Bad way to be led (ASTRAY); 38D: Radar signal (BLIP); 39D: Spot for a strike (LANE); 40D: The same as always (UNALTERED); 41D: Reminder of an old flame? (ASH); 42D: Disdainful glance (SNEER); 43D: Road topper (TAR); 45D: Collar (NAB); 46D: Dish alternative (TV ANTENNA); 47D: Bring aboard (HIRE); 48D: Having no screws loose? (SANE); 52D: Like a hard-to-fill order (TALL); 55D: "Hang on __" (A SEC); 56D: Córdoba kisses (BESOS); 57D: AAA part: Abbr. (ASSN.); 61D: You might have a hand in it (MITT); 63D: Shop item (TOOL); 66D: Goes on and on (JABBERS); 67D: It's over for Hans (ÜBER); 68D: "Unto the Sons" novelist (TALESE); 69D: Postgame recap? (I LOST); 70D: A choir may sing in it (UNISON); 71D: Pod fillers (PEAS); 72D: Time for carols (YULE); 76D: Purim's month (ADAR); 77D: "Dragnet" gp. (LAPD); 79D: The Beavers of the Pac-10 (OSU); 81D: Boardwalk cooler (SEA BREEZE); 82D: More of the same, briefly (ETC.); 84D: NASCAR stat (MPH); 85D: Madagascan lemurs (AYEAYES); 91D: Mama of pop (CASS); 93D: Didn't outrace anyone (RAN LAST); 94D: Gymnast Korbut et al. (OLGAS); 95D: "Mamma Mia" number (SOS); 96D: Grafton's "__ for Burglar" (B IS); 98D: In addition (AT THAT); 101D: "SNL" announcer (PARDO); 102D: Group for people in labor? (UNION); 103D: "Tootsie" role winner (LANGE); 104D: eHarmony category (LIKES); 105D: Archipelago units (ISLES); 106D: Sales rep's gadget (PAGER); 107D: Get a load of (AMASS); 108D: Sail, with "off" (SHOVE); 109D: Bridge immortal (GOREN); 110D: Risky rendezvous (TRYST); 113D: It often precedes technicalities (MERE); 114D: Bronze __ (STAR); 116D: Part of a chorus line? (TRA); 117D: Bug (VEX).