Wednesday, June 3, 2026 - Shmuel Schmell

 

Theme:  "Attention K-Mart Shoppers: Clean-up on aisles 3, 6, and 10 [sic]"

 

 

 

Puzzling thoughts:

 

Chairman Moe here.  It's the first Wednesday of June and my turn to blog.  What a fun puzzle to recap today!  It's got circles (CSO to Anonymous), it's got word play, it's got an African Nation AND its capital city, it's got only a handful of three-letter words, each of its entries are completely unrelated which leads to a surprising reveal as I honestly didn't try to unscramble the circled letters before solving 61 across

 

Today's constructor, Shmuel Schmell, appears to have had a handful of published puzzles, dating back to 2021.  I was unable to find any biographical information for him, and I am guessing that this puzzle is his LAT debut.  Job well done, sir

 

The wordplay begins with the first entry:

 

17 across. One skilled in routine deliveries?: STAND UP COMEDIAN.  Love this clue!  Finding the first of the anagrams for the reveal (STAND UP = DUST PAN) was not readily seen by me.  Well-hidden in the circles.  And did I mention how much I loved this clue??!!  Not sure that I could choose among all of the stand-up comedians who is my favorite.  But this guy is pretty creative:

 

 

 

The second entry involves a throwback to my youth: 

 

26 across. San Francisco counterculture center of the 1960s: HAIGHT-ASHBURY.  As a child and teenager during the 1960's the San Francisco hippie scene was frequently featured in both newspapers and TV news programs.  Second of the circled anagrams for the reveal (ASHBURY contains the word BRUSH).  As I am sure many of you are aware, the name HAIGHT-ASHBURY is taken from a pair of intersecting streets in San Francisco as well as its neighborhood.  Lots of famous folks lived there:

 

 

The third entry is a CSO to my fellow Wednesday blogger, Jazz Bumpa, aka JzB, aka Ron.  His prowess as a SLIDE TROMBONE player only further defines his varied skills.  One of my earlier memories of a JzB post was around Christmas time - he shared a video of a guy who played Christmas and other holiday tunes on his trombone.  IIRC, the guy played all of the harmonies and spliced them together

 

46 across. Instrument that makes the sound of adults talking in "Peanuts" cartoons: SLIDE TROMBONE. Here is a "tutorial"

 

 

 

 

As you see, within the word TROMBONE is also the word BROOM.  And now, we have the trio of utensils that can be used to perform a clean-up:  BRUSH - BROOM - DUST PAN.  And this supports the reveal:

 

61. Overhauls that have lasting effects, or what can be found in this puzzle's circled letters: SWEEPING CHANGES.  I am not sure if this puzzle solves easily without the circles; the "sweeping" devices are very well-hidden

 

Here is the grid.  My only error was in the crossing of HARARE and REACHER 

 

 

 

 

Across:
1. Will beneficiary: HEIR. Nice, easy start to the solve

5. Thick-furred dog whose tail curls over its back: SPITZ. For some unknown reason, I chose AKITA before changing to SPITZ

10. "hahahahahaha": ROFL. Texting shortcut = Roll On Floor Laughing

14. Gillette razor: ATRA.  Rumor has it that Gillette named the razor ATRA because their CEO was big into crossword puzzles ...

15. "Yellow Odalisque" painter Matisse: HENRI.  This:

16. Adept: ABLE.

[entry word]

20. Many a Sunday talk show panelist: PUNDIT.  [AI overview] defines it as: A pundit is an expert who frequently shares their opinions with the public through mass media. Commonly referred to as "talking heads" or commentators, they are highly prominent in political, financial, and sports journalism

 

21. "Today" producer: NBC NEWS.  I have never been a fan of morning news programs, regardless of the network airing.  "The Today Show" debuted on January 14, 1952 and is the first of its kind.  Several other morning news programs followed but "Today" is the most-watched

22. Foal's father: SIRE.  Here is a video that was made before the last Triple Crown champion.  Of these horses Seattle Slew topped all Triple Crown winners as a sire; producing 8 champions, including Horse of the Year A.P. Indy, Swale (Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes winner), and Slew o’ Gold.

 

25. "Rules __ rules": ARE.  

[entry word]

32. Love, in Verona: AMORE.  

33. Cabbage side: SLAW.  One of my favorite slaw mixes is called "Tri-Color" and contains both green and red (purple) cabbage as well as chopped carrots

34. Fig. in a QB's completion percentage: ATT.   Attempts (actual passes thrown) divided by completions = the completion percentage.  One of the leading quarterbacks in winning Super Bowls, Terry Bradshaw, had a completion percentage of 51.9 - that is mediocre as far as statistics goes, but his 4 Super Bowl wins (no losses) is the highest winning percentage (based on total wins), tied with Joe Montana.  Tom Brady has 7 Super Bowl wins but has also had 3 Super Bowl losses

 

37. Second chances for students: RE-TESTS.  I can't recall ever having had a re-test when I was in school.  But this young woman did [Moe-ku]

 

Cosmetic student

Was absent; had to make-up

Her Makeup exam

 

39. Lee Child protagonist: REACHER.  Jack Reacher is a large, nomadic man with a military police background who wanders the country, taking odd jobs and stumbling into trouble

 

42. Genetic material: DNA.  Comparing the structure of DNA vs RNA: DNA is typically double-stranded, forming a twisted double helix. RNA is usually single-stranded and shorter, allowing it to easily interact with other molecules

43. Gymnast Korbut: OLGA.  Fun fact:  Olga Korbut never scored a perfect "10" in any of her Olympic events

45. TV executive Arledge: ROONE.  The man who brought ABC's "Wide World of Sports" and "Monday Night Football" to the TV Sports lineup

[entry word]

50. Smug cry: OHO.  

51. Blood bank fluids: SERA.

52. Kylo Ren's father in "Star Wars": HAN SOLO.  For those who are unfamiliar with some of the genealogy in "Star Wars":  Kylo Ren (born Ben Solo) is the biological child of Han Solo and Leia Organa. Because Leia is the daughter of Darth Vader (Anakin Skywalker), Darth Vader is Kylo Ren's grandfather

56. Jewel box: CD CASE.  Clever clue.  Fun Fact: [according to AI] CD case inventor, Peter Doodson christened the name "jewel case" in 1982 when he was working for Philips. He named the case "jewel" because he considered its structure "virtually perfect" and specifically designed its polished ribs to catch the light, giving it a shining, gem-like appearance

[reveal]

64. Paddington, but not Waterloo: BEAR.  This clue refers also to a pair of stations in the London Underground (Tube).  According to AI: the fastest way to travel between them is by taking the direct Bakerloo line on the London Underground, which takes around 10–15 minutes. Alternatively, a taxi ride takes 15–20 minutes

65. Grey Goose rival: STOLI.  Vodka rivals.  As an imbiber of various adult beverages, vodka is my least favorite.  I keep a bottle strictly for any guest who requests.  My "go-to's" include (in no particular favorite order): Single Malt Scotch (Highland and Islay), Bourbon and Rye whiskey, Gin, and Tequila/Mezcal

66. History book sections: ERAS.  Moe-ku #2:

Baseball history book

Has section for great pitchers:

E.R.A. eras 

 

67. USN officers: CDRS. I tried ADMS first before doing the down words

68. Schlepped: TOTED.  I have received many tote bags at various trade shows I've attended, but never one called a "schlepp bag"

69. Starchy root in poi: TARO.  I am trying to cut back on starches ...

Down:
1. Strongbox fastener: HASP.  Another word for "lock"

2. Words said to Marcus Junius Brutus: ET TU.  Does the "Marcus Junius" preface to Brutus make this a harder clue?  Any time I see the name "Brutus" I think of "et tu?"

3. Modern Persia: IRAN.  Modern Mesopotamia: IRAQ

4. Pretoria currency: RAND.  As of the day I wrote this blog, the value of a ZAR (also known as the South African Rand) is R1.00 = $0.06 USD

5. "Quit yapping!": SHUT IT.  

6. Cheer team feeling: PEP.  

7. Company abbr.: INC.  LLC also fits

8. Jumbo suffix: TRON.  Fun Fact: Jumbotron, although originally a registered trademark by Sony in 1985, has become a generic term for any oversized stadium screen [Wikipedia]

9. Country between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers: ZIMBABWE. Zimbabwe info And, we have as a supporting clue/answer: 30 down. Capital of 9-Down: HARARE.

10. "It's Always Something" memoirist Gilda: RADNER. 

11. Theater honor: OBIE.  The "O" in EGOT

12. Fault: FLAW. If grammar and spelling errors in my blog are considered flaws, well, there could be a few

13. Camera part: LENS. Also a part of the eye.  I now have two artificial lenses as a result of cataract surgery last year.  Never have I ever seen better

18. Sink accumulation: DISHES.  Guilty as charged!  When I was a single man I always left the dirty dishes in the sink until enough were ready for transfer to the dishwasher.  Same now; however, Miss Margaret transfers to the dishwasher immediately OR washes them by hand

19. Sandy shade: ECRU.  

23. Do a bit of grapplin': RASSLE.  Grapplin' (missing the last letter "G") indicated to me that this was going to be an abbreviated form of the word WRESTLE

24. Night school subj.: ESL.  English as Second Language

26. Like some cider: HARD.  Not one of Moe's preferred "adult" beverages

27. Blessing response: AMEN.  

28. Bitty bits: IOTAS.

29. Pre-MBA hurdle: GRE.  Graduate Record Examination

[re-pasted with 9 down]

31. "Hot diggity dog!": YAHOO.  Another clue could have been: "alternate to Hotmail"

35. Miss. neighbor: TENN.  Considering that Mississippi has four neighbors, the only one of those that I think can be expressed in a four-letter abbr. is TENNessee - Louisiana, Alabama, and Arkansas are its other neighboring states

36. Cypress or cedar: TREE. 

38. Task manager?: TO DO LIST. I use one; on a piece of paper, as opposed to having something entered on my cellphone, e.g.

40. Ocean fleet: ARMADA.  For a "fleeting" moment, the Chairman and Miss M owned an Armada, which we "lovingly" called "The Beast".  This:

41. Corn core: COB.

44. Some classic muscle cars: GTS.  This GT was hardly a muscle car but it did have bucket seats and only two doors - more like a "mush muscle" car ... 

47. Total failures: LOSERS.

48. Waffle House rival: IHOP.  I would hardly compare iHOP to Waffle House.  IYKYK

49. Dragon's mouth, e.g.: ORCHID.  Learning "moe-ment".  I never heard of this example until today

52. U.K.-based bank: HSBC.  HBSC (Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation) is one of the world's largest banking and financial services organizations, serving approximately 41 million customers across 56 countries and territories. Founded in Hong Kong in 1865, the institution is headquartered in London and acts as a major global bridge for trade corridors between Asia, Europe, and the Americas [from their website]

53. Wowed: AWED. 

54. Close by: NEAR.

55. "I think you're __ something": ON TO.

57. Tech trends site: CNET.  I've used this site occasionally to read reviews about cellphones, computers, and even headphones

58. Indian tourist city with a mausoleum: AGRA.  Home to the Taj Mahal

59. Step in a scallops recipe: SEAR.  Here is a random recipe I found for seared scallops

60. Petro-Canada rival: ESSO.  Standard Oil

62. Realized: GOT.  

63. Guardians, on a scoreboard: CLE.  Fun Fact:  I have been a CLEveland baseball fan since the late 1950's.  And while I "GOT" (see 62 down clue) that their team's mascot (Chief Wahoo) was a bad choice, the elimination of the name Indians was not one I supported.  The Cleveland Baseball Franchise was the first to have a native American player (Louis Sockalexis), as well as the first black player (in the American League) Larry Doby.  At the time Sockalexis played for them (late 1890's) the team was known as the Spiders; Sockalexis was the inspiration to rename the team the Indians in 1915 after he was through playing, and many a Cleveland fan called the team the Indians while he was playing

The "Guardians" reference is to a pair of "Guardians of Traffic" statues located on the Hope Memorial Bridge, which stands near the team's ballpark (see image below).  The interesting thing is that until this "logo/image/name" was chosen, most Clevelanders were unfamiliar with the statues or never paid much attention to them as they drove across the bridge 

 

Summary:

Great puzzle; I give this ⭐⭐⭐⭐'s (one of my highest rankings, IIRC).  As a side note, the Chairman's alter ego (Chris Gross) will have a puzzle published @ Newsday tomorrow, June 4.  If you would like to solve it, please save this link - I think it will refresh to the correct date so you can fill it in on-line.  You can also change it from the drop down icon on its task bar.  Or, perhaps this link will provide you a copy to print and solve  This is my first published puzzle in quite a while.  Hope you enjoy!

Tuesday, June 2, 2026 Ken Buxton & Zhouqin Burnikel

SPRING HAS SPRUNG!

The only thing rebelling in my garden this year is either the Mealy Bugs, or Wooly Aphids that leave a white fluffy cotton-like wax that looks like mold, because this year I am spraying my rose bushes with Neem Oil!  Don't wait until you see damage, start spraying now!

The Reveal:

64 Across. Rebelled, or what can be found in 3-, 10-, 24-, and 29-Down: ROSE UP. Because the themers are all downs, you can find the word ROSE rising from bottom to top in each. All are split between words, but not all are split in the same place...

3 Down. Success for a pitcher?: SALES ORDER. (Sales order) 

10 Down. Shifts to eco-friendly farming: GOES ORGANIC. (Goes organic)

24 Down. "Save your apologies": DON'T BE SORRY. (Don't be sorry)

29 Down. Refreshing citrus dessert: LIME SORBET. (Lime sorbet)

Across:

1. Betting setting: CASINO.

7. Bad air day factor: SMOG.

11. Comprehend: GET.

14. Figure of speech?: ORATOR.  Very clever word play here, because Orator is a noun, you have to use your imagination to see Orator as a figure of speech....

15. City near Stanford University: PALO ALTO.

17. Experience again: RELIVE.

18. Restore from the trash, say: UNDELETE.

19. Big primates: APES.

20. "The Far Side" cartoonist Larson: GARY.

Name #1

22. Nasal cavity: SINUS.

23. "Viva __ Vegas": LAS.

24. Ellipsis trio: DOTS. Yes, I know I use them excessively...

25. __ for apples: BOB. This really got me. After doing years of puzzles with clues like 3 letter (blank) for murder by Sue Crafton, I automatically inked in "A IS."

26. Depleted atmospheric layer: OZONE.

28. Largest and strongest of the 19-Across: GORILLA.

32. Kitchen cover: APRON.

34. Cloth that protects hair waves: DURAG. Curious clueing, hair waves? I mean, I have wavy hair, but it seems oddly specific... The simplest etymology for do-rag is that it is named as such because it is a rag worn to protect one's hairdo. Do-rag is the preferred spelling by Miriam-Webster Dictionary.

36. Bond creator Fleming: IAN. Also Chitty Chitty Bang Bang... He also has a rather lengthy Bio on Wiki. Name #2

37. "Wonder Woman" actress Gal: GADOT. Name #3

For Splynter...

38. Cookbook writer Garten: INA. Name #4

The Barefoot Contessa.

She also worked in the White House!

39. Let in or let on: ADMIT.

41. Morn's opposite: EVE.

42. Noble rank below viscount: BARON.

44. Dorothy, to Em: NIECE.

Not names as much as film legends...

45. Snake: SERPENT.

47. Hangs on the line: DRIES.

49. World-warping drug: LSD. (lysergic acid diethylamide)

50. Computer repaired at a Genius Bar: IMAC.

51. Egg cells: OVA.

54. Competition with barrel racing: RODEO. 

My 1st thought was Roleo, but it seems those log rollers do not appreciate doing the same thing on barrels...

57. Alum: GRAD.

58. "Everybody Loves Raymond" actor Garrett: BRAD.

Name #5

59. "That makes sense": I HEAR YOU.

61. Ready for farming: ARABLE.

63. Canada's second-most populous city: MONTREAL.

64. [ Theme Reveal ]

65. Sun spot?: SKY. 😀

66. Big name in locks: YALE.

67. Six-line section of a sonnet: SESTET.

Down:
1. Reef material: CORAL.

2. Griddled corn cake: AREPA.

Kind of reminds me of a skinny English Muffin...

3. [ Theme ]

4. "Yes, indeed!": IT IS.  As one word, itis is a suffix used to indicate inflammation, but as two words  reminds me of a lot of people that use it as a twurd...

5. Mo. that was ninth in a 10-month Roman calendar: NOV. November Believe it or not, March used to begin the year..

6. State with the deepest lake in the U.S.: OREGON.

Crater Lake Tour.

7. San Antonio NBA team: SPURS.

8. More than a few: MANY.

9. Timeworn: OLD.

10. [ Theme ]

11. "Twisters" star Powell: GLEN. Name #6.

From the sequel to the original 1996 movie.

Just new faces on an old classic...

12. Caesarean delivery?: ET TU.

13. Digits in socks: TOES.

16. Suspect's excuse: ALIBI.

21. Groveled: ATE DIRT.

2. [ Theme ]

25. Feathery scarf: BOA.

27. Menagerie: ZOO.

28. Consultant on a family history project, perhaps: GRANDMA.

29. [ Theme ]

30. Secular: LAIC. A.I. Overview

31. Penny-__: trivial: ANTE.

32. Forever and ever: AGES.

33. Smooth (over): PAVE.

35. Family card game: UNO.

40. Cube with pips: DIE. Cubes would be dice...

43. "Go on ... ": AND.

46. Fold on a kilt: PLEAT.A rather complicated subject...

48. Tracking devices: RADARS.

50. "Yay, me!": I RULE.

52. Hold dear: VALUE.

53. Very good (at): ADEPT.

54. Edges of hoops: RIMS.

55. "If you insist": OH OK.

56. Disavow: DENY.

57. Soccer score: GOAL.

58. Hunting/fishing retailer __ Pro Shops: BASS.

60. Affirmative vote: YEA.

62. Caviar: ROE. (Fish eggs...)

And, The Grid...

CE:D out...

≽^•⩊•^≼

BUT WAIT! THERE'S MORE!

Today's constructors are none other than our CC, and our TehachapiKen! (Father of Arizona Jim.)

Here's hoping both will chime in on the Blog today with crossword constructing secrets, and tips on how to make our roses rise up!

Monday, June 1, 2026, Katie Hale

Theme:  Yada yada yada.

Today's crossword puzzle comes to us from Katie Hale, assistant crossword editor of the Los Angeles Times.  Although she is clearly a sparkling wit and wordsmith, today Katie is concerned with conversation that lacks spark.  The theme answers are:

20-Across. Warning on delicate garments: DRY CLEAN ONLY.  A DRY conversation is lifeless, humorless, or matter-of-fact.

34-Across. Feature of nonglossy countertops: DULL FINISH.  A DULL conversation is boring, tedious, or uninteresting.

44-Across. Espressos with steamed milk: FLAT WHITES.  A FLAT conversation lacks energy, emotion, or enthusiasm.

56-Across. "... and other meaningless drivel," or what can be found at the start of 20-, 34-, and 44-Across: BLAH BLAH BLAH.  All of these conversations are BLAH and sound to at least one of the participants like BLAH BLAH BLAH (or yada yada yada) -- in other words, meaningless drivel.  Katie has clued us in to look for something BLAH at the start (or beginning) of the answers cited.

Let's not put you to sleep with all this blather.  On to the rest of the clues and answers!

Across:

1. Timelessly stylish: CHIC.

5. Many a robocall: SCAM.

9. Brewery tour pours, for short: IPAS.  India Pale Ales.

13. Polo ground chunk: DIVOT.  A divot is a small chunk of grass and soil dug out of the ground, most commonly the result of swinging a golf iron.  In polo, divots are torn up by the horses' hooves as they gallop, stop or turn.  Polo matches feature a halftime break during which spectators stomp the upturned chunks of turf back into place, making the field safer for the horses.

The divot stomp is even more fun if you're drinking.

15. __ stick: POGO.  The pogo stick's name comes from the surnames of two German inventors, Max Pohlig and Ernst Gotschall, who registered a German patent for a "spring end hopping stilt" in 1920.

Pogo stick

16. French peak, to locals: ALPE.  The French Alps are located in southeastern France, along the borders with Switzerland and Italy.  The French language loves unpronounced letters, so of course Alp is Alpe in French.

17. Public tantrum: SCENE.  As in, "Don't make a scene!"

18. Bring in: EARN.

19. Stare open-mouthed: GAPE.

20. [Theme clue]

23. On land: ASHORE.  As a landlubber, I don't generally think of myself as being ashore, but my late sister's husband lives on a little sailboat and is usually out at sea, so his time ashore is a distinct experience.

26. Verbal hesitations: ERS.

27. Lipton drink: TEA.

28. The Jazz of the NBA, on scoreboards: UTA.  The Utah Jazz are a professional basketball team based in Salt Lake City.

29. "Most definitely": IT IS.  Is the weather getting weirder every year?  IT IS.

32. Vlogger devices, informally: CAMS.  A vlogger (or video blogger) produces video content to share online.  CAMeraS are essential.

34. [Theme clue]

37. Like a room with open windows: AIRY.

40. Parquet floor feature: INLAY.  Parquet is a geometric mosaic of wood pieces used for decorative flooring.  Inlay is a technique of setting wood or other materials into shallow recesses carved in a base surface so that the inserted pieces are flush with the surrounding surface.

Parquet floor.

41. Airport entry org.: TSA.  The Transportation Security Administration was established in 2001, in direct response to the September 11 terrorist attacks. Originally under the Department of Transportation, the agency was moved to the Department of Homeland Security in 2003. 

42. Mentor's pupil: TUTEE.

43. "You told me a thousand times already!": OK OK.  But is that enough?  IT IS!

44. [Theme clue]

46. Glam gala: FETE.

48. Elderly Shakespearean king: LEAR.

49. All Hallows' __: EVE.

50. 1980s sitcom ET: ALF.  ALF was a television sitcom that aired on NBC from 1986 to 1990.  The title character, ALF (an acronym for Alien Life Form), crash-lands in the garage of a suburban California family.  ALF ran for four seasons, with a total of 97 episodes.  Did anyone here watch it?

52. Each and every one: ALL.

54. Not top quality, screenwise: LOW RES.  A LOW RESolution display lacks sharpness and fine detail.

56. [Theme clue]

60. Crimson Tide team, familiarly: BAMA.  The Alabama Crimson Tide (known as "Bama") represents the University of Alabama in NCAA Division I athletics.

61. October birthstone: OPAL.  My sister and I used to speculate about who would inherit Mom's incredible antique opal necklace.  Mom had no idea we were interested.  She sold it.

Opal

62. Baby shower bear: TEDDY.

66. Bad news bringer: OMEN.

67. "Now __ talking!": WE'RE.

68. "I'm so great!": YAY ME.

69. Fixes, as potholes: TARS.

70. Snow glider: SLED.

71. Assessment: TEST.

Down:

1. Record store section: CDS.  Compact discs -- the format between vinyl records and online digital music.  Except there were a lot of tape formats, too!  And audio DVDs.  Audiophiles, your comments are welcome.

CDs

2. Sound of a diaphragm spasm: HIC.  The sound of a hiccup.

3. "__ been meaning to tell you ... ": I'VE.

4. Unit in a complex: CONDO.

5. Hardware detail, for short: SPEC.  Hardware SPECifications are the technical details of a computer’s hardware -- such as the processor, memory, storage, graphics card, and operating system -- that define its performance and capabilities.  I suppose there are SPECs for other kinds of hardware, too, like nuts, bolts, and hinges.

6. Snowman's eyes, sometimes: COAL.

7. Be in harmony: AGREE.

8. Charles III, e.g.: MONARCH.  Ever heard of Charles III?  He's the reigning MONARCH in the UK.

9. "Othello" villain: IAGO.  Iago is a fictional character in Shakespeare's Othello. 

10. Friend who maintains one's watering schedule, say: PLANT SITTER.  Or hire a professional!

11. Orchard pick: APPLE.

12. "Bye now": SEE YA.

14. Fill with fear: TERRIFY.

21. Hairy cryptid: YETI.  A cryptid is a creature whose existence has been suggested by legends or eyewitness accounts, but whose existence remains unproven or unrecognized by scientific consensus.  A prime example is the North American Bigfoot AKA "Sasquatch."  The Himalyan Yeti AKA "Abominable Snowman" is another.

22. Govt. intel org.: NSA.  The National Security Agency is a U.S. Department of Defense intelligence agency tasked with global monitoring of information, and protecting U.S. government communications networks and information systems.

23. Broadcast's sound component: AUDIO.

24. Didn't do well: STUNK.

25. Cooperstown honoree: HALL OF FAMER.  Cooperstown is a village in central New York State, known for the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.

30. Abbr. in some airport names: INTL.  Abbreviation for "international."

31. Doormat fiber: SISAL.

33. "You're Welcome" singer in "Moana": MAUI.

Moana and Maui

35. Waterskiing spot: LAKE.

36. Fully gratify: SATE.

38. Superman player Christopher: REEVE.  Christopher Reeve (1952-2004) played Superman in the 1978 film and three sequels (1980-1987), along with a number of other fine film performances.

Christopher Reeve as Superman

39. Affirmative replies: YESES.

42. Husky, as a voice: THROATY.

44. Guys: FELLOWS.

45. Barrier: WALL.

47. Tavern tally: TAB.

50. Religious brotherhood leader: ABBOT.

51. Vicuña kin: LLAMA.  The vicuña is a wild South American camelid which lives in the high alpine areas of the Andes. Vicuñas are relatives of the llama, and are the ancestors of domesticated alpacas.  The vicuña is the national animal of Peru and appears on the Peruvian coat of arms.

Vicuñas

53. Jacket flap: LAPEL.

55. Flour source: WHEAT.

57. "Dune" film score composer Zimmer: HANS.  Hans Zimmer is a German composer who has scored over 150 films.  He won two Academy Awards for Best Original Score, for The Lion King (1994) and for Dune (2021).

Hans Zimmer

58. Fabled race loser: HARE.

59. Turned light laundry pink accidentally, perhaps: BLED.  Who hasn't washed a red shirt and gotten pink socks by accident?

63. Turn light laundry pink intentionally, perhaps: DYE.  Cute follow-up to the previous clue.

64. Private app convos: DMS.  A DM is a Direct Message, sent privately between social media or app users.

65. As of now: YET.  Is it over ... as of now?

Here's the grid:

Do we all AGREE that this was a nifty puzzle?  Do I hear YESES?

Or do you think it STUNK?

SEE YA in the comments section!

-- NaomiZ

Sunday May 31, 2026 Samuel A. Donaldson

 Theme: "HARDLY RIGHT" - LY is added the end of the first word in each common phrase.

23. Kinda sorta up for it?: FAIRLY GAME. Fair game.

29. Like a portrait hung by a professional?: HIGHLY LEVEL. High level.

35. How beer is served?: COMMONLY COLD. Common cold.

49. Geeky without shame?: PUBLICLY SQUARE. Public square.

62. Faking trendiness?: ARTIFICIALLY HIP. Artificial hip.

93. Having the wealth of kings and queens?: ROYALLY FLUSH. Royal flush.

98. Like a smart recycler?: SAGELY GREEN. Sage green.

108. Sad, but composed?: CALMLY DOWN. Calm down.

A very consistent letter-addition theme. Adding LY to the first word of each familiar phrase transforms an adjective into an adverb. The noun in the second word becomes an adjective.  

Can someone explain the title to me? I don't quite get it. To me, it's just another theme entry. 

Across:

1. Sporty wheels: COUPE.

6. Cinematographer's choice: LENS.

10. Hasty: RASH.

14. "Purgatorio" poet: DANTE. "The Divine Comedy" consists of three parts: "Inferno", "Purgatorio", and "Paradiso".

19. Invalidate: ANNUL.

20. Four Corners state: UTAH.

21. Director Kazan: ELIA.

22. Hilo "Hi": ALOHA.

25. First man, in Maori mythology: TIKI. Gimme! 

26. Two-thirds of a magnum: LITER.

27. Cable giant acquired by AT&T: TCI.

28. An end to reason?: ABLE. Reasonable. 

31. Four-footed Jetson: ASTRO.

33. City on the Orne: CAEN. A city associated with the Battle of Normandy.

34. Ghostly sound: MOAN.

39. Yields to gravity: SAGS.

40. Promise not to tell, for short: NDA.

43. "__ of Girls' Things": poem by Sharon Olds: ODE.

44. "Great Expectations" ward: ESTELLA. Learning moment for me. 

45. Actress Spelling: TORI.

46. Marshmallow treat: PEEP.

47. Curly dos: PERMS.

52. Son of Rebekah and Isaac: ESAU. Isaac's favorite son. Rebekah liked Jacob more. 

53. "OutDaughtered" family name: BUSBY.

55. Unenviable grade: DEE.

56. "¿Cómo está __?": USTED.

57. Seawater evaporation site: SALT PIT. Also a learning moment. 

59. Sandwich shops: DELIS.

61. "Sure, I get it": AH OK.

67. Astrobiology subj.: SETI.

69. Toyed with: LED ON.

70. Cary Grant film about a gambler: MR LUCKY. Agnes probably saw this movie.

74. OB test: AMNIO.

75. Suffix with percent: ILE.

76. Print media: PRESS.

79. Unpartnered: LONE.

84. Early Mexican civilization: OLMEC.

85. Touchscreen image: ICON.

86. Charged particles: IONS.

87. Layered potluck staple: LASAGNA.

90. One of the orgs. merged in the Maastricht Treaty: EEC. European Economic Community. The Maastricht Treaty laid the foundation for today's European Union. Another learning moment for me.

91. Rainbow backdrop: SKY.

92. Burden: ONUS.

95. Baba ghanoush bread: PITA.

96. Bodies of water: SEAS.

97. "Here we go!": IT'S ON.

102. Yokozuna's sport: SUMO. Yokozuna is the highest rank in sumo wrestling. 

104. "__ Twist, Scientist": Netflix series with a magic lab: ADA.

106. Caffeinated: AWAKE.

107. Isn't 100%: AILS.

111. Spanish title: SENOR.

112. Many a "Survivor" locale: ISLE.

113. Magazine founder Eric: UTNE.

114. Pitcher's jam: MEN ON.

115. Barely beats (out): EDGES.

116. "Queer Eye" expert Jonathan Van __: NESS.

117. Letter opener: DEAR.

118. "Hello" singer: ADELE. Hello from the other side!

Down:

1. Lunchroom, for short: CAF.

2. Go __ great length: ON AT.

3. Like some parliaments: UNICAMERAL.

4. Perfectionist's creed: PURISM.

5. Beginning to lose?: ELL. The staring letter in lose.

6. Fastener on many European cars: LUG BOLT. I only know lug nut.

7. List abbr.: ET AL.

8. Reputation: NAME.

9. "That's all __ wrote": SHE.

10. Fixed, as shoelaces: RE-TIED.

11. Set straight: ALIGN.

12. One resisting the five thieves: SIKH. Here are the five thieves in Sikhism are kaam (lust), krodh (wrath), lobh (greed), moh (attachment) and ahankar (arrogance).

13. Last-ditch attempt: HAIL MARY.

14. Texas city where German chocolate cake was invented: DALLAS. I know this trivia.

15. "In space, no one can hear you scream" film: ALIEN.

16. Punishment for a Gen X kid: NO TV.

17. "Beautiful Mistakes" rapper Megan __ Stallion: THEE.

18. Viscount superior: EARL.

24. Tall tales: YARNS.

29. Permissible, in some diets: HALAL. Opposite of Haram.

30. Some meditation practitioners: YOGIS.

32. Temperature testers, at times: TOES.

33. Cheddar kin: COLBY.

35. Manages: COPES.

36. Ukrainian port south of Kyiv: ODESA.

37. Informal approvals: YEPS.

38. __ soda: CLUB.

39. Cirque du __: SOLEIL.

40. "How cool": NEATO.

41. Baseball Hall of Famer Jeter: DEREK.

42. Mimicked: APED.

45. Immune system component: T CELL.

46. Muscle training method: PUSH PULL. As in the popular Push/Pull/Legs workout split.

48. Genetic change: MUTATION.

50. Creative development: IDEA.

51. Covey member: QUAIL. A group of quail is called a covey. We also have 100. Group of pals: GANG.

53. Small amount: BIT.

54. Gas or elec.: UTIL.

58. Abbey figure: PRIOR.

59. Hullabaloo: DIN.

60. Sylvia of jazz: SYMS.

63. Makes a false show of: FEIGNS.

64. Runs in place: IDLES.

65. Last name of filmmakers Ethan and Joel: COEN.

66. Atty.'s billing units: HRS.

67. Noisy kiss: SMACK.

68. Relish: ENJOY.

71. Fall apart: COME UNDONE.

72. Joints with caps: KNEES.

73. "Ew!": YECCH.

74. "The Information" novelist Martin: AMIS. Son of Kingsley Amis. 

76. Says grace, e.g.: PRAYS.

77. Tabula __: RASA.

78. Airline that doesn't fly during the Sabbath: EL AL.

81. Like a fuzzy navel?: LINTY. Not orange.

82. "If it isn't my nemesis!": YOU AGAIN.

83. Online finance firm: E LOAN.

84. Bozos: OAFS.

88. Twinkle: GLIMMER.

89. Sleep aid brand: NYTOL.

92. Edmonton NHL team: OILERS.

93. Big Cup candy brand: REESE'S.

94. Like some questions: LOADED.

95. Black tea grade: PEKOE.

96. Hawks: SELLS.

98. RSVP convenience: SASE.

99. Blown away: AWED.

101. Ascend: RISE.

102. Quench: SATE.

103. Funny bone neighbor: ULNA.

105. USMC truant: AWOL.

108. Ruminant's mouthful: CUD.

109. Peruvian legend Sumac: YMA.

110. SSW reverse: NNE.

C.C.