07.23 Sat

S A T U R D A Y
July 23, 2011
Barry C. Silk

Theme: None

I was really afraid this was going to be a DNF for me today. That southeast corner gave me fits. But it eventually came together. I really enjoyed this challenge today. I'm late posting because I'm really not feeling very well today. So I'm going to go back to bed and you all can chat it up in the comments.

Everything Else — 1A: __ Cup: Canadian football trophy (GREY); 5A: They're waved (MAGIC WANDS); 15A: Sound detected with a stethoscope (RALE); 16A: Much of it is shipped via the Strait of Hormuz (IRANIAN OIL); 17A: What injured parties may try to get (EVEN); 18A: Critical period (CRUNCH TIME); 19A: Gumshoe (TEC); 20A: Walked (TROD); 21A: "It will be fair weather: for the sky __": Matthew (IS RED); 22A: Gallery event (ART SHOW); 24A: Like some candle scents (PINY); 26A: Bach, e.g. (GERMAN); 27A: Reasonable (SANE); 28A: Dave Matthews Band label (RCA); 31A: Lander at Orly (AVION); 32A: Library supporter? (BOOKSHELF); 34A: "Little Caesar" gangster (RICO); 35A: They extract oxygen from water (GILLS); 36A: With 40-Across, nocturnal noisemaker (HOOT); 37A: "Help!" predecessor (BEATLES VI); 39A: Viking language (NORSE); 40A: See 36-Across (OWL); 41A: Fleshy-leaved plant (ALOE); 42A: Blackmailer (GOUGER); 43A: Part of NBA: Abbr. (ASSN.); 44A: Bridge units (TETRADS); 45A: Unalaska denizen (ALEUT); 48A: See (DATE); 49A: Govt.'s Laboratory of Hygiene, now (NIH); 50A: Ancient rock engraving (PETROGLYPH); 53A: Gershon of film (GINA); 54A: City near Randolph Air Force Base (SAN ANTONIO); 55A: Sea of __, shallowest in the world (AZOV); 56A: Colorful (OPALESCENT); 57A: Pool member (GENE); 1D: "Ninotchka" star (GRETA GARBO); 2D: Pan's opposite (RAVE REVIEW); 3D: Outlet type (ELECTRICAL); 4D: Itch (YEN); 5D: .000001 meters (MICRON); 6D: Mall map symbol (ARROW); 7D: Showy trinket (GAUD); 8D: Place to retire (INN); 9D: Title spelled out in Art. 2 of the U.S. Constitution (CIC); 10D: Surfer girls (WAHINES); 11D: Restless (ANTSY); 12D: Film __ (NOIR); 13D: Olive branch site (DIME); 14D: Winter scene staple (SLED); 20D: Comparison word (THAN); 23D: 1930 tariff act co-sponsor (SMOOT); 24D: Philadelphia suburb (PAOLI); 25D: Pens' contents (INKS); 27D: Unravel (SOLVE); 28D: Overhaul (REORGANIZE); 29D: Got ready to trap (CLOSED IN ON); 30D: Occasional stinger (AFTERSHAVE); 32D: Nomadic grazers (BISON); 33D: Time to attack (H-HOUR); 35D: Stylist's stock (GELS); 38D: Warning to an overindulgent bar customer (LAST ONE); 39D: Bank robber's aid (NOTE); 42D: Break 90, say (GET HOT); 43D: Acoustic (AURAL); 44D: Green stroke (TAP-IN); 45D: Lhasa __ (APSO); 46D: Spring (LEAP); 47D: 1928 destroyer of the village of Mascali (ETNA); 48D: Physics unit (DYNE); 51D: Sporty cars (GT'S); 52D: __ cit. (LOC.); 53D: __ order (GAG).

07.22 Fri

F R I D A Y
July 22, 2011
David Poole

Theme: THEME — "ST" is changed to "TS" in familiar phrases, creating new wacky phrases clued "?" style.

Theme answers:

• 18A: Scene in "The Hustler"? (FATS BREAKS).
• 23A: Adam's apples? (EATS OF EDEN).
• 38A: Tubby tabbies? (BROAD CATS).
• 52A: Visitors to the Winter Palace? (TSAR GAZERS).
• 58A: Tusk warmers? (IVORY COATS).

Big thanks to Doug for stepping in yesterday. I finally got my van into the shop to get the air conditioning fixed. That's right, I've been driving around with no air conditioning in this God-forsaken heat. It's been unbearable. Anyway, with both kids going to camps in different directions we had some logistical "issues" which made yesterday a little stressful (plus the day started rather earlier than I would have liked). The good news is I have AC now. It's like heaven. So let's talk about this puzzle ….

Took me a while to get the hang of this theme. With one or two crosses in place, reading the clues to the first three theme answers allowed me to come up with half the answer, but I didn't know what was going on with the other half. Oh, and that's not totally true because I had the first E on 23A and plopped EDEN down at the front instead of the back of that answer. Created some problems, but it all worked itself out.

Several people I didn't know in today's grid:

• 9A: "The Maltese Falcon" actress (ASTOR).
• 15A: 1970 N.L. batting champ Carty (RICO).
• 8D: Arens of Israel (MOSHE).

Good thing MOSHE looks like an Israeli name to me — it occurred to me that Carty might be a first name and that his last name might be RICE. I'm guessing that cross probably caused problems for some. It would have been much better had RICO been clued as Lola's love interest in "Copacabana," right? Wait, what? That clue would have gotten the song "Copacabana" stuck in your head all day? You wouldn't have been able to stop yourself from singing "Her name was Lola / She was a showgirl / But that was 30 years ago / When they used to have a show …."? Yes. That would have been unfortunate.

No entries jump out at me as particularly sparkly, but the cluing was definitely jazzed up in places to make up for that. My favorites include:

• 65A: Lima's home (OHIO). I started to enter PERU but I had this nagging feeling ….
• 10D: Northerners with a lot of pull? (SLED DOGS).
• 39D: Cheaters, to teachers: Abbr. (ANAG.). The letters in the word "cheaters" can be ANAGrammed to "teachers."
• 53D: Bar goer's option (STOOL). You wanted this to be a drink, didn't you? I know I did.
• 61D: Thing that comes to those who wait (TIP). Can't believe I found this clip. The part I was looking for doesn't happen until the end, but it's short (plus this is a great movie — if you haven't seen it, check it out.)
  
  

Bullets:

• 1A: Penicillin source (MOLD). Ew.
• 17A: Debussy's dream (RÊVE). I assumed this answer would be the word "dream" in French (French!), but I didn't know that particular word off the top of my head. That V might have caused some trouble, but I just thought of the word "reverie" and decided it must be right.

• 47A: "The Tempest" king (ALONSO). Saw a production of "The Merchant of Venice" last weekend and promptly downloaded a bunch of Shakespeare onto my Kindle. Such good stuff and it's been way too long since I've read it.
• 66A: Start of an intermission? (ENTR). More French! ENTRE'acte is a French word we use to mean "intermission." So ENTRE is the "start" to an intermission.
• 1D: His clown alter ego was Bip (MARCEAU). How is it possible that I was just reading something about Marcel MARCEAU the other day and now can't for the life of me remember what it was. Thank goodness the "Bip" part stayed in my head anyway.
• 7D: The planets, e.g. (OCTAD). Never sure if this word is going to be OCTAD or OCTET so you need to check the crosses.
• 29D: Roy Halladay or the Red Baron (ACE). For some reason, my brain read "Roy Halladay" or "Doc Holliday." Me: "Did Doc Holliday … fly??"

• 38D: Voice of Puss in Boots in "Shrek" sequels (BANDERAS). ::Sigh:: It's a crime for him to be in a movie where we can't look at him.
• 41D: Thrilla in Manila winner (ALI). If you missed the discussion about Muhammad ALI in yesterday's comments, go check it out. Rojo told an awesome story about seeing him in an airport once.

Crosswordese 101 Round-up:

• 33A: "A Challenge for the Actor" author Hagen (UTA).
• 9D: Pearl Mosque setting (AGRA).
• 54D: Popular Japanese beer (ASAHI).

Everything Else — 5A: Wee bit (ATOM); 14A: Say it's so (AVER); 16A: Gather (GLEAN); 20A: Not wilted (CRISP); 22A: In the future (AHEAD); 26A: Duchamp genre (DADA); 30A: Orlon, for one (ACRYLIC); 31A: Hot and humid (TROPIC); 34A: Grover's veep (ADLAI); 37A: Correspond (AGREE); 40A: Faith symbolized by a nine-pointed star (BAHA'I); 43A: Blemish (TAINT); 44A: Off-rd. transport (ATV); 49A: Canal problem (EARACHE); 51A: Even (TIED); 55A: Gives off (EMITS); 57A: Provide with lodging (PUT UP); 63A: Sommelier's selection (ROSÉ); 64A: Plum tomatoes (ROMAS); 67A: Apprehension (ANGST); 68A: Mr. Potato Head piece (LIPS); 69A: Mtg. (SESS.); 2D: Be heavy-handed, in a way (OVERACT); 3D: Viagra competitor (LEVITRA); 4D: Stylish (DRESSY); 5D: Response from 24-Down (ARF); 6D: Familia member (TIA); 11D: Mad Hatter's offering (TEA); 12D: Iowa's state tree (OAK); 13D: Hosp. workers (RN'S); 19D: Proclivity (BENT); 21D: Part of the Little Dipper's handle (POLARIS); 24D: Rover's pal (FIDO); 25D: Fanfare (ECLAT); 27D: Abbr. in car ads (APR); 28D: Gaming cube (DIE); 32D: Fleabag (RAT TRAP); 35D: Nabokov novel (ADA); 36D: More unfriendly (ICIER); 40D: It may be held by one on deck (BAT); 42D: Gardening aid (HOE); 44D: Nail polish remover ingredient (ACETONE); 45D: Fencing moves (THRUSTS); 46D: Evening service (VESPERS); 48D: Suffix with psych (-OTIC); 50D: Common blues (AZURES); 56D: Games magazine's 1994 Game of the Year (MYST); 58D: Author Levin (IRA); 59D: Word in many German names (VON); 60D: Online "Yikes!" (OMG); 62D: "Mamma Mia!" song (SOS).

07.21 Thu

T H U R S D A Y
July 21, 2011
Claiborne Thompson

Theme: Drinkin' in the Kitchen — Quip from a smashed chef. *Hic*

Theme answers:

• 17A: Start of a quip (I LIKE TO COOK).
• 25A: Quip, part 2 (WITH WINE).
• 32A: Quip, part 3 (SOMETIMES).
• 46A: Quip, part 4 (I EVEN PUT).
• 52A: End of quip (IT IN THE FOOD).

Hey, folks. This is Doug, pinch-hitting for PuzzleGirl. She had a busy Wednesday night and is anticipating an even busier Thursday, so I got the call. All members of the PuzzleGirl Blog Team have red phones that connect directly to PGBT HQ. When the phone rings, you'd better be ready to blog.

We got ourselves a quip puzzle today, and I thought the joke was pretty good. Some solvers hate quote/quip puzzles, but I don't mind seeing one every now and then. I'd say there are at most 1 or 2 quote puzzles a year in the L.A. Times, so they certainly aren't overdoing them.

The timing of today's quip is perfect, because I recently discovered a hilarious video series on YouTube called "My Drunk Kitchen." This episode will teach you how to make pancakes. There's adult language (swearing) and adult beverages (champagne) in the clip, so don't watch it around children, etc.

Bullets:

• 21A: Spanish possessive (NUESTRO) / 50A: You are, in Yucatán (ESTÁS) / 37D: Italian horse (CAVALLO). I know Spanish pretty well, so I had no trouble with these. Horse in Spanish is caballo, by the way.

• 28A: "them" author (OATES). A novel about giant ants? Cool!
• 31A: Word in a current account (AMPERE). Ampere is a measure of electric current. We're learning a lot of physics this week.
• 6D: Reading pen? (GAOL). Reading is a city in England, and a pen is a jail. And for some reason those crazy Brits spell it "gaol."
• 11D: Member of an ancient Asia Minor empire (HITTITE). You know, there are some tough answers in this puzzle.
• 33D: Forest safety concern (OPEN FIRE). Usually this is clued as "Start shooting." Today's clue makes me think of chestnuts.
• 39D: Inventing family (EDISONS). Were there other inventors in the family besides Thomas? Let's check Wikipedia... Yep, his son Theodore Edison registered over 80 patents. And his other kids were probably inventors too. Even the pets were inventing stuff over at Edison's house. Didn't Edison's cat invent the self-cleaning litter box?

OK, hope you enjoyed today's puzzle. And if you're tipsy, let someone else do the cooking. (I'm just saying that so we don't get sued.) PG will be back tomorrow. Bon appétit!

Crosswordese 101 Round-up:

• 39A: River wriggler (EEL).
• 48A: Hawks' homes (AERIES).
• 59A: Ike's WWII domain (ETO).
• 7D: Fabled flier (ROC).
• 40D: Prior to (ERE).
• 50D: French 101 verb (ÊTRE).

Everything Else — 1A: Grafton's "A" (ALIBI); 6A: Mill fill (GRIST); 11A: Witchy woman (HAG); 14A: Aristotle forte (LOGIC); 15A: Major outlet (AORTA); 16A: Chemical ending (-IDE); 19A: Lot (TON); 20A: First name in hair products (VIDAL); 23A: Like the 4-Down in a 1960 chart-topper (TEENIE); 26A: Bear (BRUIN); 27A: Champagne designation (SEC); 29A: Payoff (SOP); 30A: Acquire (GET); 35A: Take willingly (ACCEPT); 38A: Dreyer's partner in ice cream (EDY); 39A: River wriggler (EEL); 42A: Don't just want (CRAVE); 43A: Top-secret org. (NSA); 44A: PETCO Park player (PADRE); 48A: Hawks' homes (AERIES); 49A: Outclassed by a large margin, as competitors (DWARFED); 51A: Mid-seventh-century date (DCL); 56A: Deborah's "The King and I" costar (YUL); 57A: Thumbs-up person, perhaps (RATER); 58A: "Amazing" magician (RANDI); 59A: Ike's WWII domain (ETO); 60A: Alex's mom on "Family Ties" (ELYSE); 61A: Words of reassurance (IT'S OK); 1D: Poetic pugilist (ALI); 2D: Online chuckle (LOL); 3D: "Tell me already" (I GIVE UP); 4D: See 23-Across (BIKINI); 5D: Stranded in winter, perhaps (ICED IN); 6D: Reading pen? (GAOL); 7D: Fabled flier (ROC); 8D: Like many "Twilight Zone" episodes (IRONIC); 9D: Pub choice (STOUT); 10D: Pay after taxes (TAKE-HOME); 12D: Beautifier (ADORNER); 13D: Columbus, by birth (GENOESE); 18D: __ Bo (TAE); 22D: Exchanges (SWAPS); 23D: "Conan" channel (TBS); 24D: Handel cantata "__ e Leandro" (ERO); 25D: Least arid (WETTEST); 27D: Go out with (SEE); 30D: It's eight hours later than PST (GMT); 31D: Singer Grant (AMY); 32D: Cut (SEVER); 34D: Actress Lupino (IDA); 35D: Wool-coloring agent (ACID DYE); 36D: Close-cropped hair style (CREW CUT); 40D: Prior to (ERE); 41D: French article (LES); 43D: Feature of one who is barely sleeping? (NUDITY); 44D: "Great" czar (PETER I); 45D: Former PLO leader (ARAFAT); 47D: Corolla part (PETAL); 48D: Pompeii burier (ASH); 50D: French 101 verb (ÊTRE); 53D: Nintendo's Super __ (NES); 54D: Meter lead-in (ODO-); 55D: Hägar creator Browne (DIK).

07.20 Wed

W E D N E S D A Y
July 20, 2011
Scott Atkinson

Theme: Duck! — Words that end in LING are clued as if LING is a suffix intended to convey smallness, as it does in the word DUCKLING.

Theme answers:

• 17A: Very narrow fissure? (CRACKLING).
• 26A: Landfill in a toy city? (DUMPLING).
• 38A: Minuscule tattoo? (INKLING).
• 40A: Dollhouse dress adornment? (BOWLING).
• 49A: Where to wear a training bra? (BUSTLING).
• 62A: Very young hobo? (TRAMPLING).
• 67A: Waterfowl whose young inspired this puzzle's theme (DUCKS).

I got the beginnings of the first two theme answers first, but didn't actually complete a theme answer — and figure out the theme — until INKLING, which has a pretty cute clue. It was still a little tricky figuring out the theme answers, having to shift from one part of speech to another in my head in order to really grok what was going on. A good workout, I think. I'm not crazy about the clue for BUSTLING (49A: Where to wear a training bra?) — the "where" kind of threw me. I don't think I'd describe someone as wearing a bra "on her bust," which is where this clue leads me, the way it's worded.

Did you notice the bonus non-theme theme answers?

• 60A: Mila of "Black Swan" (KUNIS).
• 8D: Swan constellation (CYGNUS).

I was going to be irritated with KUNIS, since I've never heard of her, but then I realized the connection to the theme and couldn't be mad any more.

I have to assume there was no way around GAMALIEL (10D: Warren Harding's middle name) because that's gotta be scored pretty low on the old word list. I remembered that Harding's middle initial was G but assumed the answer would be something at least vaguely resembling a name. I had to piece that one together cross by cross. The "I" was the last letter I entered into the grid. You're killing me, SMALLS! (48D: Some tees.)

Bullets:

• 16A: Hand-dyeing craft (BATIK). We just can't get enough of this particular craft, can we?
• 42A: Opposite of perfect pitch (NO EAR). I wanted TIN EAR here, but NO EAR is perfectly acceptable.
• 44A: Transp. group in the Loop (CTA). Chicago Transit Authority.
• 3D: Twinkie or Ding Dong (SNACK CAKE). Best entry in the grid. Great clue too. Man! those are silly names for food.

• 6D: Slip in a pot (CHIT). I always think this clue refers to, like, an onion or something, but it's an I.O.U. "slip" that's been added to the poker "pot."
• 7D: Strips of leaves (DENUDES). I'm pretty sure I've seen this word before but didn't know what it meant.
• 35D: Cardinal who was a foe of the Musketeers (RICHELIEU). See this is what I was talking about with GAMALIEL. I didn't know this name either, but once I put a few crosses in place I could infer it pretty easily because it looks like a name. GAMALIEL? Not so much.
• 39D: Unwanted playground game teammate (LAST PICK). Oh, I was so afraid this was going to be RUNT or LOSER or FAT KID or something horrible like that. Whew!

Crosswordese 101 Round-up:

• 34A: Where eaglets hatch (AERIE).
• 2D: Calvary inscription (INRI).
• 11D: Asteroids maker (ATARI).
• 25D: Bur. of Prohibition employee (T-MAN).
• 41D: Brewer's kiln (OAST).
• 61D: Palindromic airline (SAS).

Everything Else — 1A: Birthday secret (WISH); 5A: "Back in Black" band (AC/DC); 9A: Visibly amazed (AGAPE); 14A: __ Domini (ANNO); 15A: Bodybuilder's supplement (WHEY); 19A: Vintage violin (AMATI); 20A: Michael Moore health-care film (SICKO); 21A: Melody (TUNE); 23A: Rock 'n' roll middle name (ARON); 24A: Didn't sell (KEPT); 28A: CIA part: Abbr. (AGCY.); 30A: Arthur Fiedler et al. (MAESTRI); 32A: Hamm of soccer (MIA); 33A: Ryder rentals (VANS); 43A: Composer __ Carlo Menotti (GIAN); 45A: Pago Pago people (SAMOANS); 48A: Did a farrier's job (SHOD); 52A: Lacking spice (TAME); 54A: Chain selling stacks (IHOP); 55A: Clue in a case (LEAD); 57A: Dip for a chip (SALSA); 64A: "Fear of Flying" author Jong (ERICA); 65A: Sneaky trick (WILE); 66A: Luke's sci-fi sister (LEIA); 68A: Black stone (ONYX); 69A: Enjoys a smorgasbord (SUPS); 1D: WWII auxiliaries (WACS); 4D: Game with sticks (HOCKEY); 5D: Pointy tool (AWL); 9D: The N.Y. Nets were its last champion (ABA); 12D: Spike for a mountaineer (PITON); 13D: Squeezing (out) (EKING); 18D: Keystone character (KOP); 22D: Ambulance VIP (EMT); 27D: Shrimp relative (PRAWN); 28D: Key with no sharps or flats: Abbr. (A MIN.); 29D: NFL Hall of Famer Marchetti (GINO); 31D: Zambia neighbor: Abbr. (ANG.); 33D: Like megapopular web videos (VIRAL); 36D: Wild about (INTO); 37D: "Zounds!" ("EGAD!"); 40D: Recycling vessel (BIN); 43D: Yuri who was the first to orbit Earth (GAGARIN); 46D: Wire measure (MIL); 47D: Punch sequence (ONE-TWO); 49D: Pedaled (BIKED); 50D: Freedom, in Swahili (UHURU); 51D: Part of SST (SONIC); 53D: "Antony and Cleopatra" killer (ASP); 56D: Tyne with a Tony and Emmys (DALY); 58D: Salon sound (SNIP); 59D: "What __!": "How fun!" (A GAS); 63D: Tex-__ cuisine (MEX).

07.19 Tue

T U E S D A Y
July 19, 2011
Don Gagliardo

Theme: Inner Circle — Words that can describe circles are hidden in familiar phrases.

Theme answers:

• 17A: St. Patrick's day shout (ERIN GO BRAGH).
• 32A: Business that serves smokers (TOBACCO INDUSTRY).
• 39A: With "leave," settle for the existing situation (WELL ENOUGH ALONE).
• 60A: Privileged group, and an aptly highlighted feature of 17-, 32- and 39-Across (INNER CIRCLE).

Good morning, everyone, and happy Tuesday! I was a little disappointed with this puzzle. It just didn't hang together very well for me and Don has set the bar pretty high for himself, so I expected something much more solid. I like the theme concept well enough and did you notice that all three "circles" break across theme answer words? That's very nice. But the "circles" themselves seem kind of random to me. RING is perfect, I get that one. But COIN? If I stretch a little, I come up with, for example, a piece of candy being described as a "coin." And HALO, well, here's the thing. I want each "circle" word to be a thing that is quintessentially circular, not just an example of something that's a circle. I mean, what about these: FRISBEE, PLATE, JAR LID. Those are all circles, but they don't make very good theme answers. So that's all I'm saying.

My favorite entries today are ODD LOT (23A: Unconventional merchandise quantity) and the two baseball answers: STRIKE TWO and HANK AARON (11D: Ump's call / 12D: "Hammerin'" baseballer). I like that we have both of AARON's names in the grid and, for some reason, sports nicknames have always made me chuckle. There's just something inherently funny about them to me. I prefer the ones that come in between the athlete's names (e.g., Evander "The Real Deal" Holyfield). Those really crack me up.

Bullets:

• 11A: Finger-to-lips syllable (SHH). Seems like kind of an awkward clue.
• 21A: Linus awaits the Great Pumpkin in one (PATCH). As opposed to this clue, which is all kindsa awesome.

• 27A: Lewinsky confidante Linda (TRIPP). It's hard for me to gauge how well-known people involved in political scandals are. I mean, sure, everybody knows who Monica Lewinsky is, but did people pay close enough attention to hear about Linda TRIPP?
• 30A: Delinquency word more commonly heard in the plural (ARREAR). Yep. It's more commonly heard in the plural. That's for sure.
• 37A: Contraire à la __: illegal, in Lyons (LOI). French!

• 47A: Drum major's cap (SHAKO). I am glad to have learned this word today. Also, drum majors' hats are awesome.
• 62A: Bachelor in personals, briefly (SWM). Well, some bachelors, sure ….
• 65A: Half and half (ONE). Now this is the kind of math clue I can handle. It's a little tricky, but once I figured out what it was going for, I could actually do the math. (One-half and (i.e., plus) one-half = ONE.)
• 8D: Sky surveillance acronym (AWACS). Airborne Warning and Control System.
• 9D: Swollen ego (BIG HEAD).

Crosswordese 101 Round-up:

• 7D: Lion player Lahr (BERT).
• 24D: Dungeons & Dragons monster (ORC).
• 26D: R&B's __ Hill (DRU).
• 49D: Broadway matchmaker (YENTE).
• 61D: UN workers' gp. (ILO).

Everything Else — 1A: "I'm clueless!" ("GOT ME!"); 6A: Half of Ethiopia's capital (ABABA); 14A: 1994 peace prize sharer Yitzhak (RABIN); 15A: C.S. who created Narnia (LEWIS); 16A: Chinese word of enlightenment (TAO); 19A: IV administrators (RN'S); 20A: 0, in Spain (CERO); 22A: Singer's aid (MIKE); 25A: "Breaking Up Is Hard to Do" singer Neil (SEDAKA); 36A: Fifth in NYC, e.g. (AVE.); 38A: Finished first (WON); 46A: "M*A*S*H" system (TRIAGE); 48A: Heat rub product (BENGAY); 50A: Oysters-on-the-half-shell seller (RAW BAR); 54A: Menlo Park middle name (ALVA); 55A: Somewhat warm (TEPID); 58A: Wave radio maker (BOSE); 59A: Work the soil (HOE); 63A: Short explosive? (NITRO); 64A: It's not an express (LOCAL); 66A: Yarn unit (SKEIN); 67A: Buck of country music (OWENS); 1D: Artist El __ (GRECO); 2D: Rowed (OARED); 3D: Classic Ford (T-BIRD); 4D: Company that merged with Konica (MINOLTA); 5D: Stonehenge loc. (ENG.); 6D: Actress Jessica (ALBA); 10D: Smudge on Santa? (ASH); 13D: Watering aid (HOSE); 18D: Fiber-__ (OPTIC); 22D: Fourth planet (MARS); 28D: Casual shirt (POLO); 29D: Reverent (PIOUS); 31D: Sandberg with nine Gold Gloves (RYNE); 32D: "I __ I taw a puddy ..." (TAWT); 33D: Excessive (OVERBLOWN); 34D: "This is no lie" ("BELIEVE ME"); 35D: Expected soon (NIGH); 40D: Turner on screen (LANA); 41D: Poached fare (EGG); 42D: Slob's opposite (NEATNIK); 43D: Either of the first two consonants in "coccyx" (HARD C); 44D: Wanted poster abbr. (AKA); 45D: Unintellectual (LOWBROW); 51D: Italian ball game (BOCCE); 52D: Narnia lion (ASLAN); 53D: Fishing gear (REELS); 54D: Facetious "I see" ("AH SO"); 56D: Prefix with scope (PERI-); 57D: Crease remover (IRON); 60D: Access points (INS).

07.18 Mon

M O N D A Y
July 18, 2011
Robert Fisher

Theme: Photo Finish — The first word of each theme answer can follow the word "photo" to create a familiar word (i.e., it "finishes" the word "photo").

Theme answers:

• 17A: Penning ads and such (COPY WRITING).
• 26A: Mall habitué's motto (SHOP TIL YOU DROP).
• 42A: Instrument Bob Dylan was once booed for playing (ELECTRIC GUITAR).
• 56A: Race decided by a camera, or what the start of 17-, 26- or 42-Across literally is (PHOTO FINISH).

I decided not to try to race through this puzzle and I pretty much couldn't help it. Very very smooth fill. In fact, I threw two of the theme answers in without even reading their clues — I had enough crosses in place that they were just obvious. I only had one write-over in the whole grid: I first tried ONE SEC instead of IN A SEC (48A: "Comin' right up").

Cute theme idea. I like it when a word-before theme has a purpose. You know, it's not just random words being thrown together — they're being thrown together for a reason. In this case the phrase PHOTO FINISH is what holds it all together and gives it purpose. I really appreciate that. I don't, however, appreciate PHOTOELECTRIC. No doubt joon will be along any minute to explain why this word should be on the tip of everyone's tongue, but I'm pretty sure I've never heard it. So that kind of took away from the theme for me.

Nothing particularly exciting about the long downs, but some of the shorter entries tickled my fancy. Like:

• 6D: Showy to a fault (CHI-CHI).
• 41D: Scary beach current (RIP TIDE).
• 44D: In great numbers (GALORE).
• 48D: Far from certain (IFFY).

Those are very nice words, particularly on a Monday. A little Scrabbliness here and there also adds some sparkle

• 11A: Use a stun gun on (ZAP).
• 33A: Puppy's protest (YELP). I'm a little surprised YELP is still only clued as a puppy noise and not as the popular website yelp.com.
• 64A: Old Montreal team (EXPOS). Sorry, Crosscan. I know this is a sensitive subject for you.

Hmmm, what else? I didn't know [36D: HERSCHEL Bernardi, who played Tevye on Broadway], but got it easily through the crosses. I would probably have spelled HORSY with an E (36A: Equine, to a 19-Across). And the [62A: "Is it soup __?"] actually sounds better to me without the YET at the end. And with that, I'll leave you with this. (22A: Browsing the Web, say (ONLINE)).


Crosswordese 101 Round-up:

• 25A: Church alcove (APSE).
• 53D: Norway's capital (OSLO).

Everything Else — 1A: Gold medalist's place (FIRST); 6A: Buddies (CHUMS); 14A: Boise's state (IDAHO); 15A: Saigon's Vietnam War counterpart (HANOI); 16A: "__ had it!" (I'VE); 19A: Wee one (TOT); 20A: PC key next to the space bar (ALT); 21A: Buttery and creamy, as pastry (RICH); 24A: When doubled, make light of (POOH); 32A: Ending for micro- or oscillo- (SCOPE); 34A: Big Band __ (ERA); 35A: Tackle box item (LURE); 38A: Odds partner (ENDS); 39A: Like most codgers (OLD); 40A: Long-haul rig (SEMI); 41A: Postal postings (RATES); 46A: Gold medalist, vis-à-vis competitors (BEST); 47A: Egyptian snakes (ASPS); 51A: Part of a blind (SLAT); 52A: "Unbelievable!" ("WOW!"); 55A: Whopper junior? (FIB); 59A: Seasonal malady (FLU); 60A: Crowbar, essentially (LEVER); 61A: How objects are seen through a mist (DIMLY); 63A: Skip the announcement, invitations, etc. (ELOPE); 1D: Payroll tax acronym (FICA); 2D: Teen favorite (IDOL); 3D: Totally absorbed (RAPT); 4D: Hardly outgoing (SHY); 5D: Line on a tugboat (TOW ROPE); 7D: "What __ God wrought?" (HATH); 8D: Prefix with verse (UNI-); 9D: Game with tiny hotels (MONOPOLY); 10D: Volunteers (for) (SIGNS UP); 11D: Penne relative (ZITI); 12D: Skin So Soft maker (AVON); 13D: Townshend of The Who (PETE); 18D: Mob disorder (RIOT); 23D: Was in front (LED); 24D: Benedict I, e.g. (POPE); 25D: Affirmative votes (AYES); 26D: Oar (SCULL); 27D: Large crowd (HORDE); 28D: Emotionally expressive, as poetry (LYRIC); 29D: Avis __ Car (RENT A); 30D: Tell the waiter what you want (ORDER); 31D: Avoid flunking (PASS); 32D: Gin fizz flavoring (SLOE); 37D: Fail to mention (OMIT); 38D: Diner sign (EATS); 40D: Church topper (STEEPLE); 43D: TV network with an eye logo (CBS); 45D: "Wild Blue Yonder" mil. group (USAF); 49D: River through Egypt (NILE); 50D: Be contiguous with (ABUT); 51D: Aerobics accessory (STEP); 52D: Spineless one (WIMP); 54D: __ and wherefores (WHYS); 57D: Lacto-__ vegetarian (OVO); 58D: Put the kibosh on (NIX).

S U N D A Y
July 17, 2011
Merl Reagle

[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: "Card Game" — The word/name/letter string JACK is placed all in one box.

Theme answers:

• 5A: Actor Hugh (JACKMAN).
• 18A: 1967 film starring George Hamilton as a jewel thief (JACK OF DIAMONDS).
• 20A: Largest city by area in the contiguous United States (JACKSONVILLE).
• 36A: Slangy sailor (JACKTAR).
• 40A: Cold weather personified (JACK FROST).
• 47A: Plug-in of a sort (PHONE JACK).
• 48A: Heavy military footgear (JACKBOOTS).
• 60A: Theme of this puzzle (JACK IN THE BOX).
• 63A: Son of a 1970s president, or host of the weekend edition of "Today" in the late 1990s (JACK FORD).
• 74A: Noted fat avoider (JACK SPRAT).
• 81A: British flag (UNION JACK).
• 101A: Dairy case item (MONTEREY JACK).
• 103A: Forsyth novel (DAY OF THE JACKAL).
• 110A: Wesley Snipes-Ice T drama, "___ City" (NEW JACK).
• 5D: "Faster than you can say" guy (JACK ROBINSON).
• 13D: Radio legend (WOLFMAN JACK).
• 18D: Big money prize (JACKPOT).
• 20D: Tom Clancy hero (JACK RYAN).
• 36D: Adds to the bottom line (JACKS UP THE COST).
• 40D: Star of the original "Hawaii Five-O" (JACK LORD).
• 48D: European crow (JACKDAW).
• 60D: Early TV host (JACK PAAR).
• 63D: Chan, Collins, or Cooper (JACKIE).
• 64D: IHOP offering (FLAPJACK).
• 72D: 2003 Down Under comedy (KANGAROO JACK).
• 74D: Fitness guru, 1914-2011 (JACK LALANNE).
• 80D: Tuna for which Navy subs have been named (SKIPJACK).
• 86D: Seaman's wool coat (PEA JACKET).

Everything Else — 1A: Fiction material? (PULP); 9A: Toss (about) (STREW); 14A: Grandkid in Genesis (ENOS); 15A: Place to play (ARENA); 16A: Leading (AHEAD OF); 22A: TV show, for ex. (PROG.); 23A: Dropcloth? (BIB); 24A: Got going (STARTED); 26A: Brand of nonstick cookware (anagram of FLAT) (T-FAL); 27A: Gretzky's team, once (OILERS); 29A: Solemn assent (I DO); 31A: Bake shop buys (RYES); 32A: Daisy portrayer in "The Great Gatsby" (MIA); 33A: Little bit (TAD); 34A: Centric intro (ETHNO-); 37A: Horrify (APPALL); 41A: Bernie Sanders, for ex. (SEN.); 42A: Carter's home (PLAINS); 43A: Word with night or right (ALL); 45A: Solitario number (UNO); 46A: California's Big ___ (SUR); 50A: Cold in a stinging way (NIPPY); 52A: Cassini et al. (OLEGS); 53A: The third one usually doesn't feel so good (DEGREE); 54A: Pin cushion? (MAT); 55A: They may need massaging (EGOS); 56A: Calif. city, in airport shorthand (SFO); 59A: Battery terminal (ANODE); 65A: Mus. partner? (WDS.); 66A: Lhasa ___ (APSO); 67A: Meadow mom (EWE); 68A: Taken, as a position (FILLED); 69A: Like some rituals (PAGAN); 71A: "I'm ___ on the ocean ..." (Brian Wilson lyric) (A CORK); 73A: Checks out (LEAVES); 75A: Pot for pods (WOK); 76A: Blood letters (ABO); 78A: Walker, on signs (PED); 79A: He played Starsky on TV (GLASER); 80A: Airline to Oslo (SAS); 83A: Vandyke's cousin (GOATEE); 84A: "SNL" bit (SKIT); 85A: Where Socrates shopped (AGORA); 86A: Weasel's sound? (POP); 89A: "Ha ha ha!" online (LOL); 90A: Gambler's marker (CHIT); 91A: Word with bees or breeze (SEA); 92A: "The King's ___" (SPEECH); 94A: Petri dish stuff (AGAR); 96A: Snare, tom, etc. (TRAP SET); 98A: Ill-fated 1789 figure (ROI); 100A: Duo before do (LA TI); 106A: 1970 hit, "___ Bell To Answer" (ONE LESS); 107A: Keats poem, "The ___ St. Agnes" (EVEOF); 108A: It's hot in here (OVEN); 109A: Are (EXIST); 111A: Astronaut Conrad (PETE); 1D: Everytown, USA (PEORIA); 2D: Develop (UNFOLD); 3D: Mountain getaway (LODGE); 4D: Greek letter (PSI); 6D: Oater cast, mostly (MEN); 7D: "___ it goes" (AND SO); 8D: Boss Tweed's artful critic (NAST); 9D: Bowling rentals (SHOES); 10D: Look after (TEND); 11D: With 4, a Toyota (RAV); 12D: Do paper work (EDIT); 15D: Bordeaux buddy (AMI); 16D: Late bloomer? (ASTER); 17D: Grain-threshing tools (FLAILS); 19D: Hard to grasp (ABSTRUSE); 21D: It serves Tel Aviv (EL AL); 25D: Main road (ARTERY); 28D: "Offside" official (REF); 30D: Flyspeck (DOT); 35D: Judge's adj. (HON.); 37D: Athol Fugard's "A Lesson from ___" (ALOES); 38D: Twinge (PANG); 39D: Thanksgiving desserts (PIES); 42D: Popular perennial (PHLOX); 43D: Evening, in Essen (ABEND); 44D: Corporate symbols (LOGOS); 46D: Bit of bickering (SPAT); 47D: Jump up and down to punk music (POGO); 49D: Golf gadget (TEE); 51D: Mae West's "___ Angel" (I'M NO); 55D: Stylist to the stars José (EBER); 56D: Work, as a puzzle (SOLVE); 57D: Shackled no more (FREED); 58D: Track figures (ODDS); 61D: "___ She Lovely" (ISN'T); 62D: Lucas creature (EWOK); 66D: Say yes (AGREE); 68D: Stomps on the gas (FLOORS IT); 69D: Exam for H.S. juniors (PSAT); 70D: Church section (APSE); 71D: Lies in store for (AWAITS); 77D: This is your life (BIO); 79D: Baby talk (GOO GOO); 81D: Abu Dhabi's fed. (UAE); 82D: Short time-out (NAP); 83D: Glitzy, for short (GLAM); 84D: Light carriages (SHAYS); 87D: Gas info (OCTANE); 88D: TV Dr. (PHIL); 90D: Trough's opposite (CREST); 91D: Barrel strip (STAVE); 93D: Parisian pupil (ÉLÈVE); 95D: Abbr. after Ron Paul's name (R-TEX.); 96D: Very, to Villon (TRES); 97D: Carl Sagan's "The Dragons of ___" (EDEN); 99D: Not running (OFF); 102D: Mr. Lilly (ELI); 104D: Poisonous evergreen (YEW); 105D: Get aboard, as a train (HOP).