Theme: Rhymes with lolly.
 |
| Golly, Wally, it's jolly on the trolley! |
Caroline Hand is getting to be an old hand at crossword construction. Today's little folly is a whole volley of actresses' names that rhyme with lolly. The theme clues and answers are;
17-Across. "The Piano" Best Actress Oscar winner: HOLLY HUNTER.
 |
| Passionate historical romance. |
28-Across. Actress known for saying "Kiss my grits!" on the sitcom "Alice": POLLY HOLLIDAY.
 |
| Polly Holliday is at right in Alice. DH knew the show, actress, and catchphrase. Maybe it was more popular in the South? |
48-Across. "Sixteen Candles" and "The Breakfast Club" actress: MOLLY RINGWALD.
 |
| Molly Ringwald was a teen icon in the 1980s. |
64-Across. Country music legend who founded the nonprofit literacy program Imagination Library: DOLLY PARTON.
 |
| This prolific singer songwriter is widely regarded as one of the kindest people alive. |
Having solved the theme entries -- with help from perpendicular entries, especially for 28-Across in my case -- we cannot lollygag around. Grab your brolly and the collie and let's go to Bali -- or at least on to the rest of the clues and answers.
6. On __ nine: elated: CLOUD.
11. Celebrity chef Fieri: GUY. This rowdy restaurateur is a Food Network star.
14. Starting squad: A-TEAM.
15. Scoundrel: LOUSE.
16. Card game based on Crazy Eights: UNO.
20. Like a global corp.: INTL. An abbreviation in the clue calls for an abbreviation in the answer. A global corporation is international.
21. Iowa college town: AMES. Ames is home to Iowa State University.
22. Loathe: ABHOR.
24. Numbered musical composition: OPUS.
26. "Aquarius" and "Good Morning Starshine" musical: HAIR. The soundtrack linked below starts slowly and quietly. Patience, grasshopper! Total time under 3 minutes.
28. [Theme clue]
33. Khaki kin: CHINO.
35. Ambient music composer Brian: ENO. Something recent from crossword favorite Brian Eno:
36. First word for some babies: MAMA.
37. Tyrannosaurus __: REX.
38. Money holders: WALLETS.
42. Nada: ZIP.
43. Region: AREA.
45. "The Bluest __": Toni Morrison novel: EYE. Her first novel, published in 1970.
46. Unwanted garden plants: WEEDS.
48. [Theme clue]
52. Animated character: TOON. This blogger first heard cartoon characters referred to as "toons" in the 1988 film Who Framed Roger Rabbit, in which human beings and toons co-exist in 1947 Los Angeles. Good movie.
53. Map publisher __ McNally: RAND.
54. American buffalo: BISON.
57. Clockwork part: GEAR.
59. "¿Cómo __ usted?": ESTÁ. A polite or formal "How are you?" in Spanish. Informal would be "¿Cómo estás?"
63. Sci-fi ship: UFO.
64. [Theme clue]
67. East Lansing sch.: MSU. Michigan State University.
68. Bring to mind: EVOKE.
69. Toy (with), as an idea: FLIRT.
70. Champagne cork's sound: POP.
71. Less cooked: RAWER. Technically correct, but sounds like a lion. I'd say, "More raw."
72. Set of four on a British car: TYRES.
Down:
1. Fish tacos fish, familiarly: MAHI.
2. Loads (of): A TON.
3. Cheesy diner sandwich: MELT.
4. Inflatable party decoration: BALLOON.
5. Actress Poehler: AMY. From Second City and the Upright Citizens Brigade, to Saturday Night Live and Parks and Recreation, Amy Poehler has acted, written, and laughed her way into movie stardom, two Golden Globe Awards, and Time's list of the 100 most influential people in the world (2011).
6. Bumbling: CLUMSY.
7. Unaccompanied: LONE.
8. Performed better than: OUTSHONE.
9. "__ as directed": USE.
10. Go off track: DERAIL.
11. Spew: GUSH.
12. "Do __ others ... ": UNTO.
13. "Ball's in __ court": YOUR.
18. Lug: HAUL.
23. Hat edge: BRIM.
25. Work the soil: PLOW.
27. Loads (of): A LOT.
28. Dot on a computer screen: PIXEL. The basic unit of programmable color on a computer display or in a computer image.
29. Oscar winner Mirren: HELEN. Helen Mirren is the only person to have achieved both the US and UK Triple Crowns of Acting -- the US version being crossword favorite "EGOT."
31. Surrounded by: AMID.
32. Prattles on and on: YAPS.
33. Study all night: CRAM.
34. Long sandwich: HERO.
39. Flight-related prefix: AERO.
40. Staying away from the spotlight: LYING LOW.
41. Graceful lake bird: SWAN.
44. Palo __, California: ALTO. We had Palo Alto last Monday!
47. On in years: ELDERLY.
49. Over thataway: YONDER.
50. Less sunny: GRAYER.
51. Bend out of shape: WARP.
54. Jostle: BUMP.
55. "Should that be the case ... ": IF SO.
56. Dish eaten with a spoon: SOUP.
58. Actress Sommer: ELKE. Elke Sommer was one of the top film actresses of the 1960s.
60. Kerfuffle: STIR.
61. Moved very fast: TORE. A secondary meaning of tear/tore, as in "He tore down the hall in his rush to greet the guests."
62. Targets of Terro insect traps: ANTS. Not familiar with this brand, but who you gonna trap? ANTS!
Across:
1. Venomous African snake: MAMBA. The bite of the black mamba is frequently fatal unless antivenom is administered. Those photos you've seen of a big, black snake with huge fangs? Not the mamba. It's a pale brown snake with an mouth that is black on the inside.
 |
| Black mamba |
6. On __ nine: elated: CLOUD.
11. Celebrity chef Fieri: GUY. This rowdy restaurateur is a Food Network star.
 |
| Guy Fieri -- best known for the blond dye and hair gel? |
14. Starting squad: A-TEAM.
15. Scoundrel: LOUSE.
16. Card game based on Crazy Eights: UNO.
17. [Theme clue}
19. Disco __ of "The Simpsons": STU.
19. Disco __ of "The Simpsons": STU.
20. Like a global corp.: INTL. An abbreviation in the clue calls for an abbreviation in the answer. A global corporation is international.
21. Iowa college town: AMES. Ames is home to Iowa State University.
22. Loathe: ABHOR.
24. Numbered musical composition: OPUS.
26. "Aquarius" and "Good Morning Starshine" musical: HAIR. The soundtrack linked below starts slowly and quietly. Patience, grasshopper! Total time under 3 minutes.
28. [Theme clue]
33. Khaki kin: CHINO.
35. Ambient music composer Brian: ENO. Something recent from crossword favorite Brian Eno:
36. First word for some babies: MAMA.
37. Tyrannosaurus __: REX.
38. Money holders: WALLETS.
42. Nada: ZIP.
43. Region: AREA.
45. "The Bluest __": Toni Morrison novel: EYE. Her first novel, published in 1970.
46. Unwanted garden plants: WEEDS.
48. [Theme clue]
52. Animated character: TOON. This blogger first heard cartoon characters referred to as "toons" in the 1988 film Who Framed Roger Rabbit, in which human beings and toons co-exist in 1947 Los Angeles. Good movie.
53. Map publisher __ McNally: RAND.
54. American buffalo: BISON.
57. Clockwork part: GEAR.
59. "¿Cómo __ usted?": ESTÁ. A polite or formal "How are you?" in Spanish. Informal would be "¿Cómo estás?"
63. Sci-fi ship: UFO.
64. [Theme clue]
67. East Lansing sch.: MSU. Michigan State University.
68. Bring to mind: EVOKE.
69. Toy (with), as an idea: FLIRT.
70. Champagne cork's sound: POP.
71. Less cooked: RAWER. Technically correct, but sounds like a lion. I'd say, "More raw."
72. Set of four on a British car: TYRES.
Down:
1. Fish tacos fish, familiarly: MAHI.
2. Loads (of): A TON.
3. Cheesy diner sandwich: MELT.
4. Inflatable party decoration: BALLOON.
5. Actress Poehler: AMY. From Second City and the Upright Citizens Brigade, to Saturday Night Live and Parks and Recreation, Amy Poehler has acted, written, and laughed her way into movie stardom, two Golden Globe Awards, and Time's list of the 100 most influential people in the world (2011).
 |
| Amy Poehler on Parks and Recreation |
6. Bumbling: CLUMSY.
7. Unaccompanied: LONE.
8. Performed better than: OUTSHONE.
9. "__ as directed": USE.
10. Go off track: DERAIL.
 |
| literal derailment |
11. Spew: GUSH.
 |
| Spew? Let me count the ways. |
12. "Do __ others ... ": UNTO.
13. "Ball's in __ court": YOUR.
18. Lug: HAUL.
23. Hat edge: BRIM.
25. Work the soil: PLOW.
27. Loads (of): A LOT.
28. Dot on a computer screen: PIXEL. The basic unit of programmable color on a computer display or in a computer image.
29. Oscar winner Mirren: HELEN. Helen Mirren is the only person to have achieved both the US and UK Triple Crowns of Acting -- the US version being crossword favorite "EGOT."
 |
| Dame Helen Mirren as The Queen (2006) |
30. In a mental fog: DAZED.
31. Surrounded by: AMID.
32. Prattles on and on: YAPS.
33. Study all night: CRAM.
34. Long sandwich: HERO.
39. Flight-related prefix: AERO.
40. Staying away from the spotlight: LYING LOW.
41. Graceful lake bird: SWAN.
44. Palo __, California: ALTO. We had Palo Alto last Monday!
47. On in years: ELDERLY.
49. Over thataway: YONDER.
50. Less sunny: GRAYER.
51. Bend out of shape: WARP.
54. Jostle: BUMP.
55. "Should that be the case ... ": IF SO.
56. Dish eaten with a spoon: SOUP.
58. Actress Sommer: ELKE. Elke Sommer was one of the top film actresses of the 1960s.
 |
| Elke Sommer in the 1960s |
60. Kerfuffle: STIR.
61. Moved very fast: TORE. A secondary meaning of tear/tore, as in "He tore down the hall in his rush to greet the guests."
62. Targets of Terro insect traps: ANTS. Not familiar with this brand, but who you gonna trap? ANTS!
65. Egg cells: OVA.
66. Toward the stern: AFT.
66. Toward the stern: AFT.
Here's the grid:
Solvers, did you BUMP into A TON of unknowns, leaving you DAZED?
Or were you a crossword HERO today, who TORE through the grid with no CLUMSY errors?
Let us know, down YONDER in the comments!
NaomiZ
26 comments:
I knew three out of the
four actresses, and the other ( the actress who played “Flo”) was easily perped.
A fun puzzle.
FIR, so I’m happy.
Good morning!
Wow, d-o knew the names of all four actresses. Unheard of. Insane. ZIPped right through this one, unimpeded. HOLLY HUNTER is currently starring as the head of the streaming show Star Trek: Starfleet Academy. She's in no danger of winning another Emmy. Nice early-week puzzle. Thanx, Caroline and NaomiZ.
Hi there~!
Loved the rhyming write-up, Naomi~!
Splynter
FIR, but cobra->MAMBA (Starship never explained how Marconi played the MAMBA,) pardon->PARTON, and the fix that opened up the last of the grid for me, nil->ZIP.
CSO to ELDERLY greyhound Zoё, who turns 13 today. CSO to me, Zoё's servant, who is also ELDERLY.
I wondered where all my photos are. Guess they are somewhere on CLOUD nine.
Thanks to Caroline for the fun start to the work week. And thanks to NaomiZ for your clever review. I think you're on to something with Alice being a southern thing. Kinda like Free bird.
Easy Monday as expected. Like NaomiZ I knew all the actresses except POLLY HOLLIDAY, so I FLIRTed with a DNF, but perps helped me finish.
I’ve had lots of fish tacos with various fish, but never with MAHI.
Thank you NaomiZ for the clever and fun review.
FIR. I started off on the wrong foot by throwing down adder before mamba. That made for a slow beginning. But it was soon made right when the perps showed me the way.
I too knew 3 out of the 4 actresses, Polly Holliday the outlier. But I got the gist of the theme rather quickly and had Molly and Dolly nailed, so to speak.
Overall a very enjoyable puzzle.
Thank you, Caroline and NaomiZ
Easy peasy to start the week. That's what a Monday puzzle should be.
Based solely on the clues, I only knew MOLLY and DOLLY.
I could picture "Flo" but did not know her real name was POLLY.
I knew HOLLY Hunter from other roles, but never heard of "The Piano."
I predict that UncleFred will not like this puzzle due to all of the names. :>)
Musings
-Good Golly Miss Molly, what a nice Monday kickoff puzzle. I can’t let Naomi have all the fun!
-Molly came to our small town of 1,200 people a few years ago because her grandfather lived here many years ago. She caused quite a STIR and was the lead story for the local newspaper.
:-)
-Making the A-TEAM when I was in high school was a very big deal
-Iowa State of Ames embarrassed blue blood program Kentucky yesterday in the March Madness Tournament which amplified calls to fire the Wildcat coach.
-PLOWS are rarely seen in the age of minimum or no-till agriculture
Super quick solve even for a Monday
At first I thought it was going to be H/H names when I had HOLLY HUNTER and the HOLLIDAY for the second themer - but the other themers don't start with H and were easier to solve
DOLLY PARTON's Imagination Library program just recently started in our state - a free book sent to children once a month up to age 5.
Thanks Naomi and Caroline for a fun start to the week
Good Morning:
Newbies would certainly enjoy this easy-peasy exercise, but might need some extra help with the lesser-known Polly Holliday. I know Mondays are supposed to be solver friendly, especially for beginners, but this was much too easy for my taste, Monday or not.
Thanks, Caroline, and thanks, Naomi, for the entertaining review and commentary.
Have a great day.
Good Golly Miss MOLLY.
Easy puzzle with lots of old favorites. No need for a reveal. Like InaneH I first thought of actresses names starting with H (HOLLY and HELEN)
Inkover: Ilke/Elke
Almost tried Anna Paquin for Holly Hunter plus the H help prevent me from entering tote for HAUL. HERO cuz hoagy wouldn’t fit (we just call ‘em “subs”)
Do you say WALLET like “wall” or rhyme it with “DOLL”(Y PARTON) ?
“Toy with an idea” … first thought was Woody 🤠 an “animated character”
One fish 🌮: MAHI, two🌮🌮: MAHI MAHI.
I see that laying LOW is grammatically incorrect 😟
TERRO gel is the most effective way to say goodbye to ants we’ve found in the spring when we open camp in the Adirondacks
Happy week to all. Our last in SW Florida. 🫤
Good prediction! See my comments, below.
Took 4:37 today for me to sing the song HG mentioned (he stole my thunder).
I knew 4 out of 6 of the Actresses of the Day (I didn't know Polly or Elke, but I knew Holly, Dolly, Molly, & Amy).
I printed the CW from my SFSS newspaper and counted the names, circling the clues that involve names with a red pen, as I do every day, then counted the names. 20!! With 10 DNKs among them. I almost threw the CW in the trash in disgust, but decided to try it. To my surprise I enjoyed the solve: FIR in 14, pen-on-paper, no red-letter help. My usual Monday time is ~10 minutes, so the names slowed me down quite a bit.
Only W/O = NIL/ZIP.
Thanx CH. PLEASE try to minimize names in your future creations.
Thanx NaomiZ for the terrific write-up. Good music and video clips.
I've owned my Jeep Renegade since buying it new July 2017. (I really like the car, BTW). So I've had the car almost 9 years. I have often looked at the rear window, on the lift tailgate, in the rearview mirror and seen how dirty it was, and thought, "I wish there was a washer for that window, running the wiper will only smear the dirt." Yesterday (after almost 9 years) I discovered there IS a washer for it! It's been there the entire time. I just didn't know it! The stalk on the right side of the steering wheel: pull it toward me, and the windshield washer activates. Push it toward the dashboard, and the rear washer activates. Geez. It took me almost 9 years to discover that. I'm still smiling over: 1.- My own dopiness, and 2.- discovering I have a washer for the rear window! Geez. It took quite a while to spray, since it's a long way from the reservoir under the hood to the rear lift tailgate. Maybe that's why I never discovered it: lack of patience. Comments??
My golf pal who also owns a pest control company prescribed TERRO gel for ants in my RV too. Worked great.
I believe your Huskers have reached the Sweet Sixteen
"Kiss My Grits" was definitely a widespread catchphrase, circa 1980. The show was set in the Phoenix area, but the nation was embracing the South (old and new) during the 1970s, so the show pretty much needed countrifying. As for the insult aspect of "Kiss my grits," this was the era of "Sit on it, Ralph" and "Up yer nose with a rubber hose." You didn't miss much, NaomiZ.
Delightful Monday puzzle, many thanks, Caroline. And your commentaries are always a pleasure, NaomiZ, thanks for those too.
Well, we received a lovely series of wonderful women throughout this puzzle, with Holly, Polly, Molly, and Dolly. You can't get a more delightful group than this terrific A-TEAM, giving us lots of pleasure with nothing to ABHOR. Thankfully none of them will end up with a LOUSE in their HAIR, and lets hope they all get a series of great jobs that will fill their WALLETS and blow away any CLOUDS that might hang over them. Hope they all have a loving MAMA to look after them, and sweet pets for their youngsters so that they won't have to bring home a BISON for them to play with. And let's hope these mamas will have great gigs coming up soon, so they won't have to spend any time LYING LOW. Well, that's enough GUSH for this Monday morning.
Have a great week coming up, everybody.
C.C. constructed today's USA Today crossword,"Touch Grass".
“Stick a sock in it” as well
Wall and doll rhyme in my Canadian pronunciation. See my comment re WALLET.
Miss Molly Monday. Thanks for the fun, Caroline and NaomiZ.
I FIRed in good time and saw the __ OLLY actresses theme early in the solve.
Was WALLET an Easter Egg OLL sound right smack in the middle of the grid, or is that just my Canadian pronunciation? (Too bad Wally is a man’s name or there could have been a themer here.)
Hand up for initially thinking there would be a HH connection.
Another hand up for changing Nil to ZIP.
I noted MAMA and POP.
My HAIR may be GRAYER (greyer) than it used to be, but I am not ELDERLY. Elderly is 20 years older than your current age LOL!
Wishing you all a great day.
I went with cobra, first.
I noted LOUSE and ANTS
LOUSEs?
Fun, easy Monday puzzle that I enjoyed. I actually knew all the actresses. I grew up in the south, so maybe that gave me “kiss my grits” and Polly Holliday.
Thank you Caroline and NaomiZ.
Post a Comment