M O N D A Y December 27, 2010 Gail Grabowski

Theme: It's all in how you look at it — Theme answers with a word that can describe what you see.


Theme answers:

• 17A: "Awesome!" ("OUTTA SIGHT!").
• 23A: 2006-'07 Microsoft release (WINDOWS VISTA).
• 37A: Financial projections (ECONOMIC OUTLOOK).
• 45A: Act embarrassingly in public (CREATE A SCENE).
• 58A: Cable TV offering (PAY-PER-VIEW).

I don't have a lot to say about this puzzle today. It's very smooth with some colorful fill and straightforward cluing, which is exactly what I expect from Gail Grabowski on a Monday. I've actually had a bad cold for a couple days so it's hard for me to really concentrate enough to give you the sparkling commentary you've become accustomed to around here. How about if you all have at it in the comments and I'll try to be back here tomorrow with something a little more interesting.

Crosswordese 101 Round-up:

• 15A: Son of Seth (ENOS).
• 29A: Mideast honcho (EMIR).
• 60A: Hairy Himalayan, reportedly (YETI).
• 61A: Job site standards org. (OSHA).
• 51D: Hot time in Toulon (ÉTÉ).

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Everything Else — 1A: Workshop holder (CLAMP); 6A: Fairy godmother's magic tool (WAND); 10A: Chopped-up fare (HASH); 14A: From around here (LOCAL); 16A: Indy racer (AUTO); 19A: Singer's syllables (TRAS); 20A: Rehab woes, briefly (DT'S); 21A: Monte __: gambling resort (CARLO); 22A: In pieces (APART); 25A: "Oops, sorry" ("MY BAD"); 28A: Cooped clucker (HEN); 30A: Member of the crew (SAILOR); 34A: Sleuths, for short (PI'S); 40A: Coll. helpers (TA'S); 41A: 1910s-'20s Ford assembly-line classic (MODEL T); 42A: Prefix with septic (ANTI-); 43A: Cone dropper (FIR); 44A: Expanse with waves (OCEAN); 52A: Jaunty tunes (LILTS); 53A: Fritter away (WASTE); 54A: Monopoly quartet: Abbr. (RRS.); 57A: Roller rink shape (OVAL); 62A: Where D.C. is, familiarly (U.S. OF A.); 63A: Part of a process (STEP); 64A: Pizza crust order (THIN); 65A: Out sick, say (NOT IN); 1D: Wad of dirt (CLOD); 2D: Boorish sort (LOUT); 3D: Stops stalling (ACTS); 4D: Place to wipe your shoes (MAT); 5D: Lake __, 1980 Winter Olympics town (PLACID); 6D: Very odd (WEIRD); 7D: English-speaking (ANGLO); 8D: "Not gonna happen" ("NO HOW"); 9D: Annual cause of losing an hr.'s sleep, perhaps (DST); 10D: Millinery accessory (HAT PIN); 11D: Subtle qualities (AURAS); 12D: Get going (START); 13D: Shade-tolerant plant (HOSTA); 18D: Start of many California city names (SAN); 22D: Keep from happening (AVERT); 23D: Say "Be careful" to (WARN); 24D: "Fore!" or "Olé!" (SHOUT); 25D: Encounter (MEET); 26D: Org. known by its first letter (YMCA); 27D: Revealing books, briefly (BIOS); 30D: Campground treat (S'MORE); 31D: Partner of abet (AID); 32D: Cooler cubes (ICE); 33D: Online cackle (LOL); 34D: Fried corn bread (PONE); 35D: Greek "i" (IOTA); 36D: Potato part served as an appetizer (SKIN); 38D: Forgets to mention (OMITS); 39D: Shoe securer (LACE); 43D: Scuffle souvenir (FAT LIP); 44D: What a solo homer produces (ONE RUN); 45D: Overdoes the sweetness (CLOYS); 46D: Girder fastener (RIVET); 47D: Send to cloud nine (ELATE); 48D: Flooded (AWASH); 49D: Greet someone casually (SAY HI); 50D: "Washington Journal" channel (C-SPAN); 54D: Unruly outbreak (RIOT); 55D: New mtge., e.g. (REFI); 56D: Graceful bird (SWAN); 58D: Word with belly or boiler (POT); 59D: Brandy bottle letters (VSO).

S U N D A Y December 26, 2010 Sylvia Bursztyn (calendar)

Theme: "It's a Z-in" — The letter Z is added to familiar phrases.

[Note: This is the puzzle that appears in the Sunday L.A. Times newspaper. If you don't get the paper, you can find the puzzle here. Scroll down to see today's syndicated puzzle.]


Theme answers:

• 24A: A nation's sluggards? (THE LAZY OF THE LAND).
• 39A: Cheat Franz out of his change? (SHORT LISZT).
• 50A: Toured westernmost Cornwall? (DID PENZANCE).
• 71A: State of Israel? (ZIONOSPHERE).
• 82A: Obfuscating? (MAKING HAZY).
• 99A: Cold autocrat? (REFRIGERATOR CZAR).
• 3D: Houseplant refreshers? (WATER SPRITZES).
• 53D: Do a marathon in Egypt? (RUN AROUND SUEZ).

Everything Else — 1A: Rubberneck (GAWK); 5A: Adequate (PASSABLE); 13A: Seraglio section (ODA); 16A: ThinkPad co. (IBM); 19A: Olympic skater Lysacek (EVAN); 20A: Tallinn native (ESTONIAN); 21A: Pinch (NAB); 22A: Miss Piggy's pronoun (MOI); 23A: "I can't believe --- ..." (I ATE); 27A: Direct (STEER); 29A: Begrudges (ENVIES); 30A: Dally (LOLLYGAG); 31A: Apollo Theater locale (HARLEM); 33A: Sample (TEST); 34A: Meaningless amount (SOU); 35A: Sup (DINE); 36A: MGM motto opener (ARS); 37A: Mist (VAPOR); 42A: Mister (SPRAYER); 44A: Rose (STOOD); 46A: "Giant" ranch (REATA); 47A: Stallone screen persona (RAMBO); 48A: Stockpile (HOARD); 49A: James who was in "Misery" (CAAN); 52A: Louis XIV et al. (ROIS); 53A: Buff (RUB); 56A: "The First --- the Deepest" (CUT IS); 57A: Thus (ERGO); 58A: Piaf, for one (CHANTEUSE); 60A: Ricelike pasta (ORZO); 61A: Till bills (FIVES); 63A: Pony's paces (GAITS); 64A: No-see-um (GNAT); 65A: Media briefing spot (PRESS ROOM); 67A: Rhine city (BONN); 68A: Rugged rocks (CRAGS); 69A: Carrier to Copenhagen (SAS); 70A: Big name in Vegas (WYNN); 74A: Silk, in Alsace (SOIE); 75A: Manilow hit (MANDY); 76A: "You --- right!" (ARE SO); 77A: Lament (MOURN); 79A: Smooths wood (SANDS); 80A: B.C. ruler of great wealth (CROESUS); 84A: Apple drink (CIDER); 85A: Eggy drink (NOG); 87A: Rapper turned TV detective (ICE-T); 88A: Beehive State native (UTE); 89A: Smidgen (WHIT); 91A: Be a buttinsky (MEDDLE); 93A: Seminary study (THEOLOGY); 96A: Zhivago portrayer (SHARIF); 98A: Cellist's purchase (ROSIN); 102A: "Bro!" ("DUDE!"); 103A: DOJ division (ATF); 104A: Tide competitor (ALL); 105A: Most elementary (SIMPLEST); 106A: Will of "The Waltons" (GEER); 107A: Rocker Tommy (LEE); 108A: Marina del --- (REY); 109A: Birthday bounty (PRESENTS); 110A: Pound of poetry (EZRA); 1D: Osaka entertainer (GEISHA); 2D: Online chat icons (AVATARS); 4D: Prepare to be knighted (KNEEL); 5D: Favorite (PET); 6D: Tennis star Arthur (ASHE); 7D: Loud speaker (STENTOR); 8D: Puzzle enthusiast (SOLVER); 9D: Writer Nin (ANAÏS); 10D: "Carmen" composer (BIZET); 11D: Chip brand (LAYS); 12D: Roxy Music's Brian (ENO); 13D: Promoting a new release, say (ON TOUR); 14D: Writer Roald (DAHL); 15D: Genesis son (ABEL); 16D: Amy Lowell, for one (IMAGIST); 17D: Series about Ben and his boys (BONANZA); 18D: Auto-racing class (MIDGET); 25D: Inundate (FLOOD); 26D: From 80A's kingdom (LYDIAN); 28D: Overhauls (REVAMPS); 32D: "We'll see" (MAYBE); 34D: Sporting loafers (SHOD); 38D: Drudge (PEON); 39D: Ticked off (SORE); 40D: Gets in shape (TRAINS); 41D: Minimum (LEAST); 43D: Transmits (RADIOS); 44D: "Free Bird" and "Wild Horses" (SONGS); 45D: Tex-Mex menu item (TACO); 48D: Seraglio (HAREM); 49D: Layer of polish (COAT); 50D: Sorghum variety (DURRA); 51D: "Werewolves of London" singer (ZEVON); 52D: Warner Music label (RHINO); 54D: Custom (USAGE); 55D: Gets into the pool? (BETS); 56D: The heat (COPS); 58D: Astute (CANNY); 59D: Way out (EGRESS); 61D: Using a skillet (FRYING); 62D: Donovan's actress daughter (IONE); 63D: Merchandise (GOODS); 66D: Under oath (SWORN); 67D: Tight spot (BIND); 68D: Team fan, often (CHEERER); 71D: Madcap (ZANY); 72D: Chalcedony variety (SARD); 73D: Intro (PROEM); 74D: Pitcher of woo (SUITOR); 75D: Labyrinth (MAZE); 77D: Bush whacker (MACHETE); 78D: Painter Georgia (O'KEEFFE); 79D: Sylvan deity (SATYR); 80D: Potential juror (CITIZEN); 81D: More substantial (SOLIDER); 82D: Kind of heart valve (MITRAL); 83D: In a big way (HUGELY); 84D: Word with inner or winner's (CIRCLE); 86D: Biological groups (GENERA); 89D: Phrase provoking "Yeah, you!" ("WHO ME?"); 90D: Stringed instruments (HARPS); 92D: Get out of the way (DODGE); 94D: Tale spinner (LIAR); 95D: Give the glad eye (OGLE); 96D: Use a swizzle stick (STIR); 97D: Quick (FAST); 100D: Nile biter (ASP); 101D: ACLU concerns (RTS.).

S U N D A Y December 26, 2010 Kathleen Fay O'Brien (syndicated)

Theme: "Many Happy Returns" — The last word in each theme answer is "returned," resulting in wacky phrases.

[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: "Honest, Professor, I studied very hard for this test"? (ALLEGED PREP).
• 25A: Visibly shaken king? (PALE REGAL).
• 37A: Rejection at McDonalds? (HAMBURGER SNUB).
• 64A: Error that just got bigger? (DILATED SLIPUP).
• 91A: What Red Riding Hood wisely didn't do? (GO WITH THE WOLF).
• 109A: Green poet? (OLIVE BARD).
• 112A: Effect of Pepe Le Pew battling a romantic rival? (DOUBLE STINK).
• 40D: Quick look across the moat? (CASTLE PEEK).
• 45D: Fowl injustice? (TURKEY TORT).

Doug here, wishing you a Happy Boxing Day! I hope you're having fun with boxes or whatever you're supposed to do today.

I thought the title was clever, but I hope none of you are actually going to the mall to return gifts today. A complete nightmare. Stay home and do the puzzle. The first theme entry was the oddest, playing off the term ALLEGED PERP. That's not a phrase I hear much. HAMBURGER BUNS, GO WITH THE FLOW, OLIVE DRAB, etc., were more familiar.

Bullets:

• 40A: Things used in semi circles? (CBS). I loved this clue. Do truckers still use CBs, or do they all talk on cell phones now?

• 43A: Bucky, in "Get Fuzzy" (PET CAT). "Get Fuzzy" is a comic strip that people tell me I should like, but I rarely find it funny. I'm more of a "Pearls Before Swine" fan. Here's a picture of my pet cat. I can never get her to look at the camera.
• 47A: Concludes (ENDS). Nope, I don't have anything to say about this entry, but I need to fill some space before I insert a picture for 48A. This blogging stuff is harder than it appears.

• 48A: Photographing giraffes, perhaps (ON SAFARI). Hey, looks like my cat is about to pounce on that giraffe.
• 79A: Harlem sch. (CCNY). Short for City College of New York. I tried SUNY and CSNY and some other combos before I got it.
• 81A: Princess born on Polis Massa (LEIA). I don't think this was covered in PuzzleGirl's hilarious "Star Wars" video yesterday.
• 95A: Betty Grable's were insured (LEGS). I remember watching MTV all day waiting for this video to come on. Kids have it easy today with their fancy YouTube!

• 4D: Tough test metaphor (A BEAR). "That test was a bear!"
• 34D: Novus ___ seclorum: Great Seal motto (ORDO). Check the back of a dollar bill. It's under that scary pyramid with the eye on top.
• 38D: Lick (BEAT).

• 51D: Chicago Sting org. (NASL). That'd be the North American Soccer League, which went under in 1984, so don't feel bad if you've never heard of it. The league had a team called the Washington Diplomats. That's even less intimidating than "Senators."
• 88D: "Overnight" surprise for some (STARDOM). This was an interesting clue. I had all kinds of weird ideas running through my head before I got the answer. My pet cat's overnight surprises usually involve a dead animal left on my bed

OK, it's still Christmas night for me, so I'm outta here. Have a great rest of the weekend.

Crosswordese 101 Round-up:

• 107D: Tony's cousin (OBIE).

Everything Else — 1A: Hussein : Obama :: __ : Garfield (ABRAM); 6A: Comforter (DUVET); 11A: Taking badly? (ABDUCTION); 20A: Dunces (BOOBS); 21A: Informal bid (ONE NO); 22A: Zap (MICROWAVE); 26A: Circus leaper (FLEA); 27A: Ad gp. (AGCY.); 28A: U.S. tender (DOLS.); 30A: Oddly amusing (DROLL); 31A: It affects your take-home pay (TAX RATE); 33A: Civil War authority Shelby (FOOTE); 35A: Per (A POP); 50A: Reunion attendees (ALUMS); 51A: Technology prefix (NANO-); 52A: Pico de gallo holders (TACOS); 54A: Pronto, to execs (ASAP); 55A: Scarlett's refuge (TARA); 56A: Like granola (OATY); 57A: Deck out (ARRAY); 58A: Bar orders for the calorie-conscious (LITES); 59A: Laser alternatives (INK JETS); 61A: Expected to land (DUE IN); 62A: Gloomy atmosphere (PALL); 63A: Dedicated verse (ODE); 68A: PC panic button (ESC); 71A: The "Y" in YSL (YVES); 73A: Wise guys (SAGES); 74A: Detailed (INDEPTH); 76A: Unlock the door for (LET IN); 78A: House reporter? (C-SPAN); 82A: Love, to Caesar (AMOR); 83A: Acts skittish (SHIES); 84A: Vidal's Breckinridge (MYRA); 85A: Lurches (REELS); 86A: Fighting practice (WAR GAMES); 88A: Kemo __ (SABE); 89A: Like the Finger of Fate on "Laugh-In" (FICKLE); 90A: Friday, e.g.: Abbr. (SGT.); 96A: Show again (REAIR); 97A: Source of inside info? (CAT SCAN); 102A: Suite spot (HOTEL); 105A: "Mr. Mom" actress (GARR); 106A: Do some bartending (POUR); 108A: Wrist-to-elbow bone (ULNA); 115A: Pretends to be what one isn't (LIVES A LIE); 116A: All, to Caesar (OMNIA); 117A: Els on the links (ERNIE); 118A: Backyard buildings (TOOL SHEDS); 119A: One you might not want to meet? (MAKER); 120A: Carried on (WAGED); 1D: Sternward (ABAFT); 2D: Italian vintner (BOLLA); 3D: Subject of the book "The Best of Time" (ROLEX); 5D: Stir-fry additive (MSG); 6D: Former bumper car trademark (DODGE M); 7D: Like "waitress," e.g. (UN-P.C.); 8D: "Ha ha" ("VERY FUNNY"); 9D: L.A.-to-N.Y. dir. (ENE); 10D: Champs (TOP DOGS); 11D: More copious (AMPLER); 12D: Preconception (BIAS); 13D: MCCC halved (DCL); 14D: Cult following? (-URE); 15D: City on the Guadalquivir River (CORDOBA); 16D: Insignificant one (TWERP); 17D: Othello's betrayer (IAGO); 18D: Like many a palette (OVAL); 19D: "Little" Dickens girl (NELL); 24D: Bother (EAT AT); 29D: Suffix with Capri (-OTE); 32D: Cries of clarity (AHAS); 35D: Bother (ANNOY); 36D: Kisser (PUSS); 39D: "Me too!" ("SO CAN I!"); 41D: Bluff in Banff (BRAE); 42D: Small samplings (SIPS); 43D: House party setting (PATIO); 44D: Serengeti grazer (ELAND); 46D: Key of Bizet's most popular sym. (C MAJ.); 49D: Bomb (FAIL); 52D: Hair piece (TRESS); 53D: Seed covering (ARIL); 56D: Publisher Chandler (OTIS); 57D: "September 1, 1939" poet (AUDEN); 58D: Lt. Columbo's employer (LAPD); 60D: Starting place? (EDEN); 61D: Painter of ballerinas (DEGAS); 62D: Small and weak (PUNY); 65D: St. Clare's town (ASSISI); 66D: Word with deck or drive (TAPE); 67D: __ colada (PIÑA); 69D: Unmoving (STILL); 70D: Scene with stuntmen (CHASE); 72D: Shenandoah Natl. Park site (VIRG.); 75D: Wire service?: Abbr. (ELEC.); 76D: Code contents, maybe (LAWS); 77D: Webzine (E-MAG); 78D: Scolds, with "out" (CHEWS); 79D: High tech/lowlife sci-fi genre (CYBERPUNK); 80D: Hands across the water? (CREW); 83D: Skyline obscurer (SMOG); 84D: Half a fish (MAHI); 85D: Falling-out (RIFT); 87D: Eternal (AGELESS); 89D: Turnpike alert (FLARE); 92D: Sports page deals (TRADES); 93D: Ship designation (HER); 94D: Eye-related (OCULAR); 95D: Flatten (LEVEL); 98D: Kama __ (SUTRA); 99D: Stick (CLING); 100D: "Tomorrow" musical (ANNIE); 101D: Starkers, across the pond (NAKED); 102D: Romance novelist Victoria (HOLT); 103D: Eclectic assortment (OLIO); 104D: Show recorder (TIVO); 105D: Crisscross pattern (GRID); 110D: Dissatisfied cry (BAH); 111D: Bar quaff (ALE); 113D: Medical suffix (-OMA); 114D: Alter, perhaps (SEW).

S A T U R D A Y December 25, 2010 Doug Peterson

Theme: None


I'm not gonna lie to you. This isn't my favorite Doug Peterson puzzle. (Sorry, Doug, but it's your own fault for setting the bar so damn high.) There's some good stuff in it, but nothing that made me go "Wow! Great puzzle!" Which is what I usually expect from Doug. I had to laugh at myself when I realized "Saint Peter" was totally wrong for 1A: Noted list keeper. Don't know why I didn't think of SANTA CLAUS! Some of the long entries are really awesome, like GENTLE BEN and DOUBLE CHIN, although I must say I'm skeptical about the clue for the latter. 12D: Chewing gum could help prevent one? Seriously? Speaking of cluing: The clue for NICK AT NITE really struck me as bizarre (60A: Ad exec's pithy description of 1-Across?). NICK AT NITE is actually a great entry, and it really doesn't need that cutesy clue. What's up with that? Some of the other longer entries have no sparkle whatsoever. Yeah, I'm looking at you, SAFETY RAIL and INVESTMENT. Overall, this was a decent workout. Not as difficult as I like my Saturdays to be, but I'm sure a lot of people don't have hours to spend on a puzzle today, what with it being Christmas and all.

Bullets:

• 17A: Superhero who had an arch foe named Bull's-Eye (GREEN ARROW). Once you get past Superman, Batman and Spiderman, I'm pretty much out of superhoes.
• 28A: __ Bass Fishing: video game (SEGA). Now that sounds like an exciting game.

• 34A: Tenn. awards org. (CMA). Country Music Association.
• 35A: Surprises for some swingers (OFF-SPEED PITCHES). I'm sure this was the seed entry for the puzzle and I had a really hard time with it. I'm a baseball fan, but I don't recall ever hearing this phrase. I mean, I can figure out what it means and it makes sense that there's a name for it, but it didn't come to mind the way some other baseball terms — say, "ground-rule double" or "sacrifice bunt" — would have.
• 41A: Penn. is on it (EST). Eastern Standard Time.
• 44A: "'Tis he, that villain Romeo" speaker (TYBALT). I wasn't 100% sure of this guy's name and for a while I thought it ended with a D, which made that center area pretty tricky to figure out.
• 6D: Palminteri of "A Bronx Tale" (CHAZZ). I totally know who CHAZZ Palminteri is, but I wouldn't have guessed that his name ended with two Zs.

• 10D: Place for pins and needles (SEWING KIT). This answer made me chuckle. The SEWING KIT we use here at the PuzzleHouse is one of those little plastic boxes with a couple little spools of thread and a plastic thimble that you can buy, say, in a hotel gift shop. It has belonged to PuzzleHusband since before we got married 12 years ago. And there's still plenty of thread in it. I guess you could say I don't do a lot of mending.
• 28D: Meal during Nisan (SEDER). Nisan is a Hebrew month that shows up in the puzzle occasionally. Although not as frequently as ADAR.
• 45D: "Twilight" protagonist (BELLA). I happen to know that Doug is a huge "Twilight" fan. And don't even talk to him about Edward. He's Team Jacob all the way.
• 56D: Solo in sci-fi (HAN). Yes, yes, I know I've posted this video a couple times already. But it really never gets old to me.

Crosswordese 101 Round-up:

• 11A: Deuce follower, at times (AD IN).
• 16A: Isle of Mull neighbor (IONA).
• 20A: Biblical reformer (EZRA).
• 53A: __ Mountains: Mt. Narodnaya's range (URAL).
• 2D: Its Plus version has a lubricating strip (ATRA).
• 14D: Cartoonist credited with the modern image of 1-Across (NAST).
• 55D: Tech sch. overlooking the Hudson (RPI).

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Everything Else — 15A: Depot (STOREHOUSE); 18A: Expeditions, e.g. (SUV'S); 19A: Latvian chess champ of 1960-'61 (TAL); 21A: "Ri-i-ight" ("I'LL BET"); 23A: Not well-defined (HAZY); 24A: Gets down, in a way (KNEELS); 25A: They might be stolen (BASES); 29A: And such: Abbr. (ETC.); 31A: "Haven't decided yet" ("I MAY"); 32A: Battle of Salamis victors (GREEKS); 38A: Gallic title: Abbr. (MME.); 39A: Take over (INFEST); 40A: Breakfast item (LINK); 42A: Change one's position (STIR); 43A: Philippics (RANTS); 46A: Time for action (D-DAY); 48A: Composed (SERENE); 49A: A-line designer (DIOR); 50A: "That's odd ..." ("HMM …"); 53A: __ Mountains: Mt. Narodnaya's range (URAL); 54A: Military foothold (BRIDGEHEAD); 57A: Diamond with records (NEIL); 58A: Bath additive (EPSOM SALTS); 59A: Nut for drinks (KOLA); 1D: Mil. squad leader, perhaps (SSGT); 3D: "The First __" (NOEL); 4D: Roman numeral (TRE); 5D: Trojan War survivor (AENEAS); 7D: Hampshire hauler (LORRY); 8D: Subtle quality (AURA); 9D: Private entertainers, for short? (USO); 11D: Target area (AISLE); 13D: Bond, for one (INVESTMENT); 22D: Numerical extreme (LEAST); 23D: Cries for attention (HEYS); 24D: Doesn't go bad (KEEPS); 25D: Tundra or coral reef, e.g. (BIOME); 26D: Auto feature (AM/FM STEREO); 27D: Toddler's bed attachment (SAFETY RAIL); 30D: Staved containers (CASKS); 32D: '60s TV role for Bruno the Bear (GENTLE BEN); 33D: Ready for another voyage (REFIT); 36D: Fibonacci, by birth (PISAN); 37D: Makeup of Martha's Vineyard's Gay Head Cliffs (CLAY); 43D: Hardest to get hold of (RAREST); 46D: Got by (DID O.K.); 47D: Bane of liberal religion (DOGMA); 48D: Doomed (SUNK); 49D: Piece in the game Reversi (DISC); 50D: Pad opener (HELI-); 51D: Simpsons creator Groening (MATT); 52D: Inventory abbr. (MDSE.).

F R I D A Y December 24, 2010 Kenneth J. Berniker

Theme: Ours is not to reason Y — Add a Y to the beginning of familiar phrases.


Theme answers:

• 17A: Those who outwit safecrackers? (YEGG BEATERS).
• 26A: 1945 view for Churchill, Roosevelt and Stalin? (YALTA VISTA).
• 39A: Chronologists? (YEAR SPECIALISTS).
• 50A: Core of the dark side? (YIN ESSENCE).
• 60A: Paradise brewing aid? (YEAST OF EDEN).

It's 31 degrees outside right now, but I don't think that's why this puzzle left me cold. I know people get tired of add-a-letter themes, but I guess I've always thought there are only so many things you can do, so if adding a letter is the one you want to use that's fine. But then you have to do something with it. YEGG is a word I learned from crossword puzzles. I assume it's a word you see a lot if you read books in which men wear fedoras, smoke cigarettes and call women "dames." But it's pretty weak as the key part of a theme answer. And the rest of the theme answers? They kinda just lie there, don't they? The base phrases are … boring. And the resulting phrases are … also boring.

I see three entries in the grid that look like their purpose is to toughen this puzzle up:

• 70A: Newbery Medal winner for "Island of the Blue Dolphins" (O'DELL).
• 13D: "Pal Joey" author (O'HARA).
• 24D: First multiracial coed college in the South (BEREA).

But none of these are interesting either. There's just nothing here to get excited about. Oh, except for POPS. 40D: Opens, as a hood is an excellent, excellent clue for POPS. Sadly, that was the high point of the puzzle for me.

Bullets:

• 14A: Princess Toadstool's rescuer (MARIO). I watch my kids playing the Mario Bros. games and I realize how truly old I am. Give me Space Invaders, Pac Man, … I would say Pong here, but that would probably be excessive. These newfangled games where people jump and fly around and grab stuff in the air? I can't keep track of what the hell is going on! Now you kids get off my lawn!
• 19A: "__ Believer" (I'M A). Sure, why not?



• 44A: TV world (ORK). Okay, okay, we get it. Enough with the "Mork & Mindy" already!
• 48A: Botanical cavity (ALVEOLA). I've seen this word in puzzles twice in the last week. The first time, I got it totally through crosses but now I think it's something I actually know.

• 69A: Neighbor of Homer (NED). Simpsons!
• 1D: Etiquette guru Vanderbilt (AMY). Personally, I find Miss Manners much more entertaining.
• 2D: Inventing initials (TAE). Thomas Alva Edison.
• 31D: Paper cutters, briefly? (EDS.). EDitorS make papers shorter (i.e., they "cut" them).
• 38D: Lamb piece (ESSAY). Charles Lamb, whose nom de plume, Elia, is a long-time CrossWorld resident.
• 47D: Words after "Because" (I SAY SO). Personally, I always say "Because I said so." Not that I say that more than … oh once or twice a day.
• 52D: Put the kibosh on (NIXED). "Kibosh" is an awesome word.
• 58D: "The X-Files" gp. (SETI). Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence.

Crosswordese 101 Round-up:

• 66A: Squeeze (out) (EKE).
• 3D: Fraction of a joule (ERG).
• 9D: Boston sports legend (ORR).
• 18D: "A Day Without Rain" musician (ENYA).
• 41D: Gaelic tongue (ERSE).

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Everything Else — 1A: '50s headline event (A-TEST); 6A: Architectural style (TUDOR); 11A: Status follower (QUO); 15A: Accustom (ENURE); 16A: Its law sch. is in Concord (UNH); 20A: Artist Matisse (HENRI); 23A: Law school standards-setting org. (ABA); 29A: Beef (RED MEAT); 32A: Really riles (IRES); 33A: Bucks (BREAD); 34A: See 51-Down (IKE); 35A: Zap with a weapon (TASE); 43A: Asian wrap (SARI); 45A: Chimú conquerors (INCAS); 46A: Light bites (NIPS); 54A: Miss Pym's creator (TEY); 55A: Woman in a "Paint Your Wagon" song (ELISA); 56A: Auspices (AEGIS); 59A: Do some bartending (MIX); 67A: Ranch wanderer (STRAY); 68A: Boosted (STOLE); 71A: Parts of pig tales (OINKS); 4D: [I give up] (SIGH); 5D: Start of a classic question (TO BE); 6D: Claw (TEAR AT); 7D: Up to (UNTIL); 8D: Anticipated (DUE); 10D: Back up anew (RESAVE); 11D: Marx forte (QUIPS); 12D: Like certain expectations (UNMET); 21A: Regarding (AS PER); 22D: __ Chapel (SISTINE); 23D: Fast food chain known for roast beef (ARBY'S); 25D: "Be __ ..." (A DEAR); 27D: Kind of torch (TIKI); 28D: Gazetteer figure (AREA); 30D: Quantico inhabitants (MARINES); 34D: Opposite of "Yum!" ("ICK!"); 36D: English racing town (ASCOT); 37D: Old hat (STALE); 42D: Tyler of "The Incredible Hulk" (LIV); 48D: Like a vinegar radical (ACETYL); 49D: One of more than 245,000 in a Christmas tree at a California theme park (LEGO); 50D: Oman neighbor (YEMEN); 51D: With 34-Across, '50s slogan (I LIKE); 53D: Like a cold sufferer's voice (NASAL); 57D: "Say that's true ..." ("IF SO …"); 61D: LAX listing (ETD); 62D: Exist (ARE); 63D: Tough boss (DON); 64D: Forest ranger? (ELK); 65D: Old console using Game Paks (NES).

T H U R S D A Y December 23, 2010 John Lampkin

Theme: Seasonal Puns — Yes, that's right, seasonal puns.


Theme answers:

• 20A: Seasonal cheeses? (SUMMER BRIES).
• 59A: Seasonal seasoning? (WINTER THYME).
• 11D: Seasonal smoked salmon? (SPRING LOX).
• 35D: Seasonal costume? (FALL GUISE).

It's not often that the clue at 1 Across really makes me sit up and take notice but wow! Ptolemaic constellation that is now divided into Carina (the keel), Puppis (the poop deck) and Vela (the sails)! That is one serious clue right there, people. We've covered ARGO in CW101, but I'm pretty sure we've never said anything that would have helped you today. I realized pretty quickly (somewhere between "Ptolemaic" and "constellation") that I had no idea what the answer would be, so I moved on. When I made it back up that way I had a couple crosses in place and — ::head-slap::! Good stuff right from the get-go. I like it.

Other noteworthy entries today include IN A HUFF (40A: Fuming), which is an awesome colloquial phrase. Also SMURF (22D: Blue toon). It's just fun to say, isn't it? Oh and the theme. If you like your puns on the groan-worthy end of the spectrum, you probably weren't thrilled with these. I really like them though. The base phrase for SPRING LOX is kinda drab, but the rest feel really solid and the theme clues are cute.

Bullets:

• 15A: Grade leader? (CENTI-). Wanna know what I popped right in here without even thinking about it? "Hard G." It's official: I've been doing way more crossword puzzles than a person should.

• 19A: Hammock support (TREE). I could not come up with this and when I finally did it made me laugh. Down at the PuzzleParents' place in Costa Rica they have something like seven hammocks and not one of them is supported by a tree!
• 25A: Miller's salesman (LOMAN). Had to rack my brain for this one. Man getting old sucks sometimes! I remembered right off that the son's name is Biff because it was mentioned in one of my favorite "Seinfeld" episodes (yes, I realize how sad that is), but the last name took a while. (This is a reference to Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman, by the way.)
• 36A: "What's cooking?" elicitor (ODOR). And ODOR can, of course, elicit other, less appropriate, questions as well.
• 42A: Sitcom planet (ORK). Ladies and gentlemen, your "Mork and Mindy" reference of the day.

• 68A: New kids' block since 1958 (LEGO). First thing that came to my head was "Sesame Street." I don't think it's been around that long though.
• 2D: Old air fare? (RERUN). I'm all, "They used to serve some other kind of food on airplanes?" No, the "air" in this clue refers to broadcasting.
• 5D: Venomous arachnid (SCORPION).




• 26D: Dating concern (AGE).
• 34D: One-time pal of Baker and Charlie? (ABLE). I assume this is a reference to a phonetic alphabet.
• 37D: Pianist Laredo (RUTH). Whoa. Anyone ever heard of her?
• 41D: Ottoman (FOOT REST). In the PuzzleHouse, the word "ottoman" is always accompanied by air-quotes. The first time I ever used the word in front of the kids, they looked at me like I had three heads. They think it's a little hoity-toity for a, ya know, FOOT REST.
• 44D: "At Seventeen" singer Janis (IAN).




• 52D: Join (ENROL). If you know anything about me, you probably know that I'm not a fan of the one-L ENROL.

Crosswordese 101 Round-up:

• 10A: Exxon forerunner (ESSO).
• 18A: Mountain nymph (OREAD).
• 46A: Wheelbarrow feature (AXLE).
• 33D: "Rubáiyát" poet Khayyám (OMAR).

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Everything Else — 5A: Utter (SHEER); 14A: Miller's product (MEAL); 16A: Peak (APEX); 17A: West Point team (ARMY); 23A: Place purveying potent pints (INN); 24A: Grab from the shelves (SNAP UP); 27A: Dickens's Heep (URIAH); 30A: Fried chicken piece (NUGGET); 33A: Klutzes (OAFS); 38A: Race with batons (RELAY); 39A: Finance major's deg. (MBA); 43A: Pooped (ALL IN); 45A: Con __: briskly, on scores (MOTO); 47A: Empathize (RELATE); 49A: Gallery events (SHOWS); 51A: Troll (GNOME); 53A: Peak (TIPTOP); 57A: Feathered runner (EMU); 62A: Put down (LAID); 64A: "__ under pressure": guts, to Hemingway (GRACE); 65A: Potent pints (ALES); 66A: Japanese soup (MISO); 67A: Retirement plans, informally (ROTHS); 69A: Foreshadowing (OMEN); 70A: "Cats" poet (ELIOT); 71A: Musical syllables (TRAS); 1D: Stockpile (AMASS); 3D: Kind of ray emitted by a supernova (GAMMA); 4D: Greek mount (OLYMPUS); 6D: It may be medicinal (HERB); 7D: Nuke-testing dept. (ENER.); 8D: Much modern business (ETAIL); 9D: Continue the journey, oater-style (RIDE ON); 10D: Corrode (EAT); 12D: Dated (SEEN); 13D: Paired pullers (OXEN); 21D: Ger. setting (EUR.); 28D: Sixth-day creation (ADAM); 29D: Seasonal rooftop noises? (HO HOS); 31D: British nobleman (EARL); 32D: Kid (TYKE); 40D: Like trailers on the road (IN TOW); 46D: Cloverleaf cover (ASPHALT); 48D: Political refugee (EMIGRE); 50D: Cleverness (WIT); 54D: Tippecanoe's partner, in an 1840 campaign (TYLER); 55D: Last in a series (OMEGA); 56D: Sonoran smackeroos (PESOS); 57D: Saint with a fire (ELMO); 58D: Hurt severely (MAIM); 60D: "Mon Oncle" director (TATI); 61D: Nymph who loved her own voice (ECHO); 63D: Put on (DON).

W E D N E S D A Y December 22, 2010 Dan Naddor

Theme: Panel Discussion — End of the each theme answer can precede the word "panel" in a familiar phrase.

Theme answers:

• 17A: Escapes dramatically from prison (GOES OVER THE WALL).
• 28A: Narrow defeat, e.g. (HEARTBREAKER).
• 38A: Warning about wind chill, say (WEATHER ADVISORY).
• 46A: Steinbeck novel set in Monterey (TORTILLA FLAT).
• 61A: The lead pipe, the wrench or the candlestick, but not the rope (BLUNT INSTRUMENT).
• 54D: Discussion group, and a word that can follow the ends of this puzzle's five longest answers (PANEL).

I found this puzzle a really smooth solve. I was slightly — slightly! — bothered by the sheer volume of crosswordese, but for the most part just sort of made my way through it steadily. I didn't use the theme at all, which I always feel is kind of a shame. On the other hand, this theme isn't really all that exciting anyway. Panels? Well okay.

Bullets:

• 9A: Energize, as a crowd (AMP UP). This didn't come to me easily. I think of AMP UP more as being hyper on drugs. I would be more likely to "rev" up a crowd. Well not me personally, but you know what I mean.
• 15A: Nomo with two no-hitters (HIDEO). I have a really hard time with the Asian baseball names. I miraculously only needed the H to remember this one though.

• 37A: Boxer's wear (ROBE).
• 5D: Actress Tyler (LIV). Steven Tyler's daughter. Has "American Idol" started yet with the new judges? I'm pretty sure I can't bring myself to watch it.
• 8D: Back porch luxury (HOT TUB). With HOTT** in place I thought "Hottie? Do rich people just keep hotties around on the back porch?"
• 32D: Husband-and-wife creators of Curious George (REYS). Here's the thing about Curious George. The stories are very cute and that darn monkey is very entertaining but damn they can be long! I also recall raising an eyebrow once when I was reading to the PuzzleKids and got to a part where George drinks something in the doctor's office that he's not supposed to drink and he gets all drunk. I thought that was a little strange.
• 35D: Sporty 1960s-'70s Plymouth (BARRACUDA).



• 48D: "Hi-__, Hi-Lo" (LILI). I assume this is from a song. I also assume someone will enlighten us in the comments.

Crosswordese 101 Round-up:

• 56A: Gumshoe (TEC).
• 58A: "The Time Machine" race (ELOI).
• 60A: "Dies __" (IRAE).
• 2D: One point from a service break (AD OUT).
• 12D: Wrinkly fruit (UGLI).
• 29D: 1921 sci-fi play (RUR).
• 31D: Longest river in Spain (EBRO).
• 34D: Vintner's prefix (OENO-).
• 39D: Hanoi holidays (TETS).
• 57D: Airline to Ben Gurion (EL AL).
• 62D: Palindromic diarist (NIN).

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Everything Else — 1A: Is down with (HAS); 4A: Walk through puddles (SLOSH); 14A: Mean Amin (IDI); 16A: Europe's longest river (VOLGA); 20A: Laurie of "House" (HUGH); 21A: Vitamin __: PABA (B-TEN); 22A: Peke squeak (YIP); 23A: Torrid (STEAMY); 26A: Impulses (URGES); 33A: Blubber (SOB); 36A: Potentially slanderous remark (SLUR); 43A: Concerning, in memos (IN RE); 44A: 13 popes (LEOS); 45A: Part of UCLA (LOS); 51A: Computer data acronym (ASCII); 52A: Sandal parts (STRAPS); 66A: Dogpatch's Hawkins (SADIE); 67A: "Silas Marner" author (ELIOT); 68A: Opposite of alt, in Augsburg (NEU); 69A: Preferred option (PLAN A); 70A: "__ at 'em!" (LEMME); 71A: European peak (ALP); 1D: Euphoric feelings (HIGHS); 3D: Prolonged attack (SIEGE); 4D: HBO alternative (SHO); 6D: Tribute that usually rhymes (ODE); 7D: Belgrade native (SERB); 9D: Right, as a wrong (AVENGE); 10D: Do some yard work (MOW); 11D: Mr. Potato Head maker (PLAYSKOOL); 13D: Insect feeler (PALP); 18D: Bygone Mideast despot (SHAH); 19D: Frau's partner (HERR); 24D: Dovetail (MESH); 25D: Where Bill met Hillary (YALE); 27D: Canal zones? (EARS); 30D: Refrain syllables (TRA-LA); 33D: Houlihan portrayer on "M*A*S*H" (SWIT); 40D: Rock's __ Leppard (DEF); 41D: Encyc. units (VOLS.); 42D: "Time __ a premium" (IS AT); 47D: Summer cooler (ICE TEA); 49D: Big name in small trains (LIONEL); 50D: Svelte (TRIM); 53D: Gladiator's milieu (ARENA); 55D: Frame (SET UP); 56D: Recipe abbr. (TBSP.); 59D: Man, for one (ISLE); 63D: Tiny guy (TIM); 64D: Bulg. neighbor (ROM.); 65D: Versatile vehicle, for short (UTE).