08.28 Sun

S U N D A Y

August 28, 2011

Robert A. Doll



[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: "Fish Heads" — Take the first word of each theme entry and add FISH to get a type of fish.

Theme Entries:

• 23A: Constant threat, metaphorically (SWORD OF DAMOCLES).
• 33A: Confederate Memorial Carving site (STONE MOUNTAIN).
• 42A: Pianist who claimed to have invented jazz (JELLY ROLL MORTON).
• 71A: Doomed duo (STAR-CROSSED LOVERS).
• 97A: Esso ad phrase (TIGER IN YOUR TANK).
• 105A: Light dessert (ANGEL FOOD CAKE).
• 123A: Source of spy movie suspense (CAT AND MOUSE GAME).

Fish heads, fish heads, roly-poly fish heads. Do you remember that song? There will be no video provided. Anyway, this is Doug on Sunday. Pretty cool theme today. I'm not familiar with STONEfish or TIGERfish. Well, tigerfish sounds vaguely familiar. The rest of them all are solid. I don't normally eat seafood, but I had a swordfish steak once. It was OK. And they gave you the swordy part to use as a knife, so that was cool.

OK, I did a Google search for tigerfish, and look at the picture I found. That's a goliath tigerfish from Africa. Pure nightmare fuel! I was thinking tigerfish had black and orange stripes and looked kind of like Nemo from "Finding Nemo." I guess not. Now I'm too scared to look up stonefish.



I had a couple more things to say about the theme, but it's hard to concentrate with that demon fish staring at me. I do remember that SWORD OF DAMOCLES and STAR-CROSSED LOVERS were my favorites.

Bullets:

• 7A: Dirty dog (SCALAWAG). Great entry! Would you rather be called a "scalawag" or a "varmint"?

• 23A: Constant threat, metaphorically (SWORD OF DAMOCLES). I'm betting that most of you know the source of this phrase. If not, check it out here: Sword of Damocles.
• 25A: Inscribed pillar (STELA). I'm going to link to the Crosswordese 101 entry for STELE because as far as I can tell, STELA & STELE are interchangeable.
• 30A: Russian communications acronym since 1992 (ITAR). Information Telegraphy Agency of Russia. Sounds like something from the '50s, not the '90s.
• 50A: Yellow-fever mosquito (AEDES). I haven't seen this one in ages. Old-school crosswordese



• 76A: Tiberius' villa at Sperlonga included one (GROTTO). I love the specificity of this clue, even though I know nothing about Tiberius' villa or its bitchin' grotto.
• 111A: Aardwolf's diet (INSECTS). Everyone knows that aardvarks eat insects, but I thought an aardwolf would eat something more challenging. I mean, it's a wolf, right? OK, let's see what Wikipedia has to say: "It is related to hyenas, but unlike its relatives, it does not hunt large prey. It feeds mainly on termites and can eat more than 200,000 in a single night, using its long, sticky tongue to collect them." I take it all back. Aardwolves are awesome!
• 2D: Alamo hero (BOWIE). I was going to make a joke about David Bowie being at the Alamo, but I didn't want anyone to have to correct me in the comments. It was former baseball commissioner Bowie Kuhn who fought and died there.
• 72D: Almond __: candy (ROCA). One of my favorites. And great for destroying your dental work.

OK, I'm going to cut it a little short today. PuzzleGirl Central is closing up early because of Hurricane Irene, and I want to get this blog posted as soon as possible. I hope all of our East Coast readers stay safe and dry!

If you're looking for an extra puzzle this weekend, I urge you print out Brad Wilber's latest Free Themeless puzzle. Brad's put together a fabulous grid, and there are two ways to play. You can solve with the extra-challenging "Crunchy" clues or the easier "Smooth" clues. My advice is to print out both sets. See how far you can get with the Crunchy clues, and then sneak a peek at the Smooth clues when you get stuck.



Everything — 1A: Building supports (I-BEAMS); 7A: Dirty dog (SCALAWAG); 15A: Calyx part (SEPAL); 20A: Sarge, e.g. (NON-COM); 21A: Drive off (ALIENATE); 22A: Said in an ugly way (SNIDE); 23A: Constant threat, metaphorically (SWORD OF DAMOCLES); 25A: Inscribed pillar (STELA); 26A: Floor square (TILE); 27A: Is deceptive, in a way (LIES); 28A: Nile reptile (ASP); 30A: Russian communications acronym since 1992 (ITAR); 31A: Vacation area (SEASIDE); 33A: Confederate Memorial Carving site (STONE MOUNTAIN); 39A: German article (DER); 40A: Healthy as __ (AN OX); 41A: Do goo (GEL); 42A: Pianist who claimed to have invented jazz (JELLYROLL MORTON); 50A: Yellow-fever mosquito (AEDES); 54A: Bullfight cry (OLÉ OLÉ); 55A: __-de-France (ILE); 56A: Get the better of (ONE-UP); 58A: Watch (EYE); 59A: Controversial orchard spray (ALAR); 60A: Comic Carvey (DANA); 62A: "On His Blindness" poet (MILTON); 64A: River to the Rhein (AARE); 65A: Places to pick up cats (NAPES); 67A: "La Loge" artist (RENOIR); 69A: Deep-seated (INBRED); 71A: Doomed duo (STAR-CROSSED LOVERS); 76A: Tiberius' villa at Sperlonga included one (GROTTO); 78A: Current events? (EDDIES); 79A: Dabbling ducks (TEALS); 82A: Hot stuff (LAVA); 83A: 1951 Lanza role (CARUSO); 87A: Early '60s Polo Grounds team, nowadays (JETS); 89A: "Dragonwyck" author Seton (ANYA); 90A: Island strings (UKE); 91A: Country estate (MANOR); 92A: In place of (FOR); 93A: Trojan War counselor (NESTOR); 95A: Land in old Rome (TERRA); 97A: Esso ad phrase (TIGER IN YOUR TANK); 101A: Amsterdam street adornment (ELM); 103A: Results (ENDS); 104A: "Oz" airer (HBO); 105A: Light dessert (ANGELFOOD CAKE); 111A: Aardwolf's diet (INSECTS); 116A: Apply in a slapdash way (DAUB); 117A: Wood on a diamond? (ASH); 118A: Peek-__ (A-BOO); 120A: Seed pod (ARIL); 121A: Literally, "to God" (ADIOS); 123A: Source of spy movie suspense (CAT-AND-MOUSE GAME); 129A: Irritating (PESKY); 130A: Places for duds (ARMOIRES); 131A: Made square (EVENED); 132A: Head lock (TRESS); 133A: Foolhardy (RECKLESS); 134A: Ones who excite devils? (DARERS); 1D: MIT and others (INSTS.); 2D: Alamo hero (BOWIE); 3D: __ Gay: WWII plane (ENOLA); 4D: Plots that may be developed (ACRES); 5D: In style (MOD); 6D: Existed in a suppressed state (SMOLDERED); 7D: "Smooth Operator" singer (SADE); 8D: Word with act or action (CLASS); 9D: Draw a bead (AIM); 10D: Denebola's constellation (LEO); 11D: Mandela's org. (ANC); 12D: __-Mart Stores, Inc. (WAL); 13D: TV group with B.A. Baracus and Hannibal Smith (A-TEAM); 14D: Bas-relief medium (GESSO); 15D: Barbecue sound (SSS); 16D: Authorize (ENTITLE); 17D: St. Peter's Basilica masterpiece (PIETA); 18D: Dwight's two-time opponent (ADLAI); 19D: Get wind (of) (LEARN); 24D: '80s Pontiac (FIERO); 29D: Curly-tailed dog (PUG); 32D: Poem of everyday life (IDYL); 34D: Hardly racy (TAME); 35D: Notable 1969 bride (ONO); 36D: "The world will little note, __ long remember, what we say here": Lincoln (NOR); 37D: Heap praises on (EXTOL); 38D: Ebb's relative (NEAP); 42D: Shaw title saint (JOAN); 43D: Cinders of old comics (ELLA); 44D: Vaults (LEAPS OVER); 45D: Lynn from Kentucky (LORETTA); 46D: Titanic, e.g. (LINER); 47D: Grassy plain (LLANO); 48D: Can. province (ONT.); 49D: Con opener (NEO); 51D: Hopeful letter opener (DEAR SANTA); 52D: Rochester's love (EYRE); 53D: __ money (SEED); 57D: TCU part: Abbr. (UNIV.); 61D: S part (ARC); 62D: Botch (MISDO); 63D: Plenty mad (IRED); 64D: Up with, with "of" (ABREAST); 66D: Remained (SAT); 68D: Psych ending (-OSES); 70D: Surfing site (NET); 72D: Almond __: candy (ROCA); 73D: Tangy mustard (DIJON); 74D: On one's guard (LEERY); 75D: Düsseldorf direction (OST); 76D: Oversupply (GLUT); 77D: Croupier's tool (RAKE); 80D: City about 200 miles from Marseille (LYON); 81D: Cutty __: Scotch (SARK); 84D: Aardvark's tidbit (ANT); 85D: "Vive le __!" (ROI); 86D: More than suggested (URGED); 88D: Like a 29-Down (SNUB-NOSED); 91D: Shopping venue (MALL); 92D: Hall of Fame catcher Carlton (FISK); 94D: Libido symbol (EROS); 96D: Nikes alternative (REEBOKS); 98D: Something besides the ltr. (ENC.); 99D: Nutritional stat (RDA); 100D: Sch. in Athens (OHIO U.); 102D: Writer's deg. (MFA); 105D: Show flexibility (ADAPT); 106D: Perennial '90s-'00s presidential candidate (NADER); 107D: False front (GUISE); 108D: One may be present when an envelope is opened (OSCAR); 109D: Midwest hub (O'HARE); 110D: Chair designer Charles (EAMES); 112D: Anxious (EAGER); 113D: Film set contraption (CRANE); 114D: Track official (TIMER); 115D: They may follow teams (SLEDS); 119D: Honcho (BOSS); 122D: Procedure: Abbr. (SYS.); 124D: Cinephile's TV choice (TMC); 125D: Hunky-dory (A-OK); 126D: Nothing at all (NIL); 127D: Doctor of music? (DRE); 128D: Stowe girl (EVA).

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).