Sunday April 13, 2025 Gary Larson & Amy Ensz

Theme:"Made to Measure" - Common phrases are reinterpreted as if they're units of measurement.

23. Increments of time spent on an assembly line?: FACTORY SECONDS.

28. Units of weight equivalent to roughly seven times that of a human?: DOG POUNDS.

43. Percentages of alcohol in shipboard grog?: GALLEY PROOFS.

65. Units of force required to bite into a Mediterranean fruit?: FIG NEWTONS.

72. Volumes of topping poured over movie theater popcorn?: BUTTER CUPS.

93. Lengths to which some teenagers will go to procure fake IDs?: MINOR LEAGUES.

109. Areas of land bought and sold by savvy real estate investors?: WISE ACRES.

118. Thermometer readings at a major golf tournament? : MASTER'S DEGREES.

Chuckled at a few clues. Definitely some grin-worthy moments. The units of measurement are, of course, playfully repurposed from phrases that originally had nothing to do with actual measuring.

Gary Larson & Amy Ensz are a husband-and-wife team.  Can you imagine the wordplay flying around their home?

Across:

1. Limp Bizkit genre: RAP METAL. Nu metal band.

9. "Welcome to Hawaii!": ALOHA.

14. Without bias: JUSTLY.

20. "Maybe it's true": I GUESS SO.

21. Pitney's partner: BOWES.

22. Course absent at a dim sum or tapas restaurant: ENTREE. Generous portions at the dim sum place. We normally ordered 3 or 4 baskets then yakked for hours.

 

25. "Seinfeld" role for Julia: ELAINE.

26. Priceless?: FREE. Nice clue also.

27. Slightest: LEAST.

30. Get a bunch of: AMASS.

32. Viscount's superior: EARL.

33. Discombobulate: ABASH.

34. Capital that replaced Istanbul: ANKARA.

38. Paddock pace: TROT.

41. Spilled the beans: TOLD.

46. Washstand toppers: BASINS. 86. Wash up: LAVE.

50. Stunt performer Knievel: EVEL.

51. Swiss chocolate brand: LINDT.

52. Three-spot in a hand: TREY.

54. WWE wrestler __ "Freakin" Rollins: SETH. Unknown to me.

56. Went back and forth: SEESAWED.

59. Transitions: SEGUES.

61. "Whoopee!": YAHOO.

62. Feathery wrap: BOA.

63. D.C. baseball team: NATS.

64. "Heavens to Betsy": DEAR ME.

74. Divvies up: ALLOTS.

75. Like a phone in need of a charge: DEAD.

77. Fly catcher: WEB.

78. Pride members: LIONS.

79. Sent an emoji: TEXTED.

81. Italian dessert: TIRAMISU. Want some?

87. Tick off: LIST.

88. Bishop's agent: VICAR.

90. Seemingly forever: EONS. Been over 8 weeks since I took Methotrexate. Alas, no improvement yet. Sure hope there's some alternative when I see the RA doctor again on 4/23.

91. Hold back: DETAIN.

96. Origin: SEED.

98. World Cup cheers: OLES.

99. Chalkboard accessory: ERASER.

100. Persian potentates: SHAHS. Followed by 104. Many a Riyadh resident: ARAB.

106. Diving positions: TUCKS. Pike and tuck.

111. Condition: SHAPE.

113. Some PC ports: USBS.

117. Figure skating biopic: I TONYA. Played by Margot Robbie.

122. Chops finely: MINCES.

123. Mystery prize?: EDGAR. The Edgar Awards.

124. Eroding: EATING AT.

125. Knights' mounts: STEEDS.

126. Coffee order: LATTE.

127. Some sporty Pontiacs: TRANS AMS.

Down:

1. Song opening, often: RIFF.

2. Biology lab supply: AGAR.

3. Purple shade: PUCE.

4. Ration (out): METE.

5. Spanish "that": ESO.

6. Original Dungeons & Dragons co.: TSR. Short for Tactical Studies Rules.

7. Safe places: ASYLA. I dreamed of ICE agents visiting my house one night. 

8. Takes the count: LOSES.

9. Primer material: ABCS.

10. Spoils: LOOT.

11. Have possession of: OWN.

12. "__ Gabler": Ibsen play: HEDDA.

13. Classify: ASSORT.

14. Military vehicle: JEEP.

15. Vents: UNLOADS. Guess how much does it cost to change a Federal Pacific panel these days? $5K at least. I have to replace it if I want to sell the house, as it's regarded as a fire hazard. But I don't need to if I continue to live here. 

16. French cookware brand: STAUB. Pricey.

 

17. "Still da Baddest" artist: TRINA.

18. Advances: LENDS.

19. "Good grief": YEESH. 30. "__ you joking?": ARE. The panel!

24. Singer Sheena: EASTON.

29. Geography class spheres: GLOBES.

31. Kentucky Derby month: MAY.

32. Dark forest hypothesis subjs.: ETS.

34. Keeps in a cellar, perhaps: AGES.

35. Pews locale: NAVE.

36. "Castle and Sun" painter Paul: KLEE.

37. "__ Well That Ends Well": ALL'S.

39. Engine parts: RODS.

40. As a rule: OFTEN.

42. Nonprofessional: LAY.

44. Tennis skirt fold: PLEAT.

45. Clear (of): RID.

47. Oscar of "Dune": ISAAC.

48. Jacket named for an Indian prime minister: NEHRU.

49. Walk noisily: STOMP.

52. Ballet attire: TUTU.

53. Sabbath activity: REST.

55. Tilling tools: HOES.

57. Helps run a scam: ABETS.

58. Blows away: WOWS.

60. Make small talk: GAB.

61. __ Buena Island, California: YERBA.

64. Bambi, e.g.: DEER.

65. Pumpkin spice season: FALL. Lately I've been loving pumpkin millet congee. It soothes my stomach and brings me back to my childhood.

66. Trojan War saga: ILIAD.

67. Part of a fitting simile?: GLOVE. Fit like a glove.

68. Nine-piece band: NONET.

69. Poetic exaltations: ODES.

70. Call from a till: NEXT.

71. Did nothing: SAT.

73. Flower girl's dance move, perhaps: TWIRL.

76. Pitchfork wielder: DEVIL.

79. Quality of one who can't sing on pitch: TIN EAR.

80. Chow down: DINE.

81. 2022 Cate Blanchett drama: TAR. It's heavy.

82. Ginormous: MEGA.

83. Letters of debt: IOUS.

84. Old-fashioned blade: SNEE.

85. Space race initials: USSR.

87. Golf ball position: LIE.

89. One who shares the bill: CO-STAR.

92. Evaluated: ASSAYED.

93. Unruly group: MOB.

94. Sound of surprise: EEK.

95. Horace's "__ Poetica": ARS.

97. Multitool maker: DREMEL. We had this before.

100. Stays afloat: SWIMS. Been taking a break. Sure hope the ankle swelling goes away soon.

101. Water-skier's "Go!": HIT IT.

102. Collectively: AS ONE.

103. Thus: HENCE.

105. Carne __: ASADA. This looks delicious.

107. Unexpected sports outcome: UPSET.

108. Chest material: CEDAR.

110. Pop's Mama: CASS.

111. On the double: STAT.

112. "Take this!": HERE.

113. Banquet coffeepots: URNS.

114. Genesis creator: SEGA.

115. Skyscraper support: BEAM.

116. Fast fliers no longer flying, briefly: SSTS.

119. Title of a Beatles song?: SGT. Pepper!

120. Pilot's approx.: ETA.

121. __ rummy: GIN.

C.C.

Sunday March 23, 2025 Gary Larson & Doug Peterson

Theme: "World Series" - Each theme entry contains a popular TV series and the show is re-imagined at a different setting.

23. A spunky teenage girl works as an intern in Silicon Valley?: APPLE BLOSSOM.

29. A forensic anthropologist investigates crime at a topless beach on the French Riviera?: BARE BONES.

42. Hugh Laurie's character practices medicine in Tokyo?: HOUSE OF THE RISING SUN.

68. The bar where "everybody knows your name" opens a franchise in a New York borough?: BRONX CHEERS.

93. Rachel, Ross, and the gang climb the Himalayas?: FRIENDS IN HIGH PLACES.

109. A navy lawyer visits the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem?: CRYING JAG.

116. High-powered attorneys vacation at the Yellowstone Hot Springs?: BATHING SUITS.

The new settings are all over the place, hence "World Series".

Gary and Doug have collaborated quite a few Sunday puzzles. From the byline we can see that this is Gary's initial idea. Doug helped him find more theme entries.

Across:

1. Fashion brand that makes Luna Rossa Ocean fragrances: PRADA. For man. This is Jake Gyllenhaal.

6. Web crawler?: SPIDER. Not the website.

12. "The Big Bang Theory" character: RAJ.

15. Sale caveat: AS IS.

19. Narrow: TAPER.

20. "Sweet": OH NICE.

21. Big bird: EMU.

22. Fill a hold: LADE.

25. Home of the Lili'uokalani Botanical Garden: HONOLULU. Streams and waterfalls. I want to be there.

27. "Goosebumps" series writer: STINE (R.L.)

28. Bard's nightfall: EEN.

30. Bach work: CANTATA.

33. Center of activity: HUB.

34. Blue-white twinklers: B STARS.

35. Actress Gilbert: SARA.

38. Tic-__-toe: TAC.

39. Shadowbox: SPAR.

41. Basketball great Bird: SUE.

48. Yosemite photographer Adams: ANSEL.

49. Tabasco kin: TIO.

50. Arabian Peninsula citizen: OMANI.

51. Sugar __ peas: SNAP. You can just pop them into your mouth.

53. [Yawn]: MEH.

54. Tasteless: INSIPID. My taste buds have changed. The COVID I got last spring changed everything.

57. "Sick!": RAD.

58. Saint __ fire: ELMO'S.

60. Actress Rae: ISSA.

62. Major obligation: ONUS.

64. Most in need of a trim: WEEDIEST.

66. Is not misused?: AIN'T.

72. "California Gurls" singer Perry: KATY. I like her "Teenage Dream".

73. Plan for: FIGURE ON.

75. Gobsmack: STUN.

76. Get ready: PREP.

78. Familiar theme: TROPE.

79. Wearable souvenir: TEE.

81. Resembling the king of the jungle: LEONINE.

84. Crater's edge: RIM.

87. Budget execs: CFOS.

88. Eel, to a sushi chef: UNAGI. Mouth-watering. Eels boost your stamina.

90. "Lost" actor Daniel Dae __: KIM.

91. Stand for: ABIDE.

97. Pops: DAD. Ba ba.

98. Nodder's phrase: I SEE.

99. Shake a leg, quaintly: HIE.

100. Salty expanses: SEAS.

101. More glum: SADDER.

105. Explosive block in Minecraft: TNT.

106. Nursery noisemakers: RATTLES.

111. Former Interior Secretary Haaland: DEB. Not many way to clue this word.

112. Wonderland cake words: EAT ME.

115. Spot of Texas tea: OIL STAIN.

120. Not very convincing: WEAK.

121. Wily: SLY.

122. Camden Yards player: ORIOLE.

123. "Sneak Previews" co-host Roger: EBERT.

124. HR dept. data: SSNS.

125. NYC subway org.: MTA.

126. Formal announcement: DECREE.

127. Bowling alley lineup: LANES. Just had this last week. 

Down:

1. Fundraising org.: PTA.

2. Knocks: RAPS.

3. Calendar entry: Abbr.: APPT.

4. One might be full of baloney: DELI CASE. Fun clue.

5. Big game venue: ARENA.

6. Fa follower: SOL.

7. Vietnamese soup: PHO. They use thin rice noodles. I like wide noodles.

8. Map feature: INSET.

9. Pathologists' focus: DISEASE.

10. Sci. of money: ECON.

11. Sleep acronym: REM.

12. Post-surgery therapy, for short: REHAB.

13. Spanish "love": AMOR.

14. Insect similar to a figeater beetle: JUNE BUG.  Not familiar with the figeater beetle. But I like fresh figs also.

  

15. Parcel out: ALLOT.

16. Hot spot: SAUNA.

17. One whiling away the time: IDLER.

18. Sam-I-am's creator: SEUSS.

24. Square meal?: BENTO. Some squares inside, but bento boxes are often rectangular.

26. Preoccupied (with): OBSESSED.

29. Tuition collector: BURSAR. Learning moment for me.

31. White House family of the early 1910s: TAFTS.

32. Popcorn brand: ACT II.

33. One of "The Two Coreys": HAIM. Corey Haim and Corey Feldman.

35. Bogus: SHAM.

36. First-class: A ONE.

37. Heading out in a hurry: RUSHING OFF.

40. Collection of a brand's goods: PRODUCT LINE. Aritzia stopped their Go-to T-shirts. Drive me crazy.

41. Dee of heavy metal: SNIDER. Lead singer of Twisted Sister.

43. Yale grads: ELIS.

44. "I'll give you a lift!": HOP ON.

45. Not just impressed: IN AWE.

46. Not similar to: UNLIKE.

47. Prepare to haggle, perhaps: NAME A PRICE. I'm not good at haggling. You?

52. Fence upright: POST.

55. Part of town, for short: NABE.

56. "Devil Inside" band: INXS.

59. Pen for a pig: STY.

61. Daze: STUPOR.

63. Elisabeth of "The Boys": SHUE.

65. "NBA Today" airer: ESPN.

66. Toward the stern: AFT.

67. Texter's "Unless my memory deceives me": IIRC. If I Recall Correctly.

69. Portly: ROTUND.

70. Upright: ON END.

71. Long, thin mushroom: ENOKI. Essential in hot pot dishes.

74. Junk mail addressee: RESIDENT.

77. Not made up: REAL.

80. Softening: EASING.

82. __-light: NIGHT.

83. Battle cry: I'M HIT.

85. Notion: IDEA.

86. Total jumble: MESS. I'm slowly starting to understand this medical insurance thing. Scary.

89. Point: GIST.

92. Low-pitched wind in a marching band: BASS TUBA.

94. Auditory ecstasy: EARGASM.

95. Religious dissident: HERETIC.

96. "Moby-Dick" figure: PELEG.

101. Freight tubs: SCOWS.

102. Sign of spring: ARIES. Can't wait for dandelions to pop up everywhere.

103. "The Practice" actor McDermott: DYLAN.

104. Floppy __: DISKS.

105. Tucker of country: TANYA.

107. Detest: ABHOR.

108. Meeting room stand: EASEL.

110. Stand up: JILT.

111. "I double-dog __ you!": DARE.

113. Personal bearing: MIEN.

114. Basic French verb: ETRE.  And 117. __ de la Cité: Notre-Dame locale: ILE.

116. Physique, for short: BOD.

118. Once called: NEE.

119. Ave. crossers: STS.

Dear Irish Miss (Agnes) shared with me this sweet picture of her and her siblings at the first Christmas cocktail party in her new home in 2004. She and Eileen hardly aged.

Left to Right: 

 

Seated: Bud, Agnes, Anne, Mary and Eileen

 

Standing: Jack, Peggy, Bill

Anne, Bud, Mary, and Jack now deceased.

Sunday February 23, 2025 Gary Larson

Theme: "Toy Story" - Each common phrase is humorously reinterpreted as if it's a toy.

23A. Spinner for an early riser?: TOP OF THE MORNING.

44A. Classic playset made of cut logs?: LUMBERJACKS.

67A. Equipment for playing catch in a costume?: MASQUERADE BALLS.

93A. Rollerblades that are a dime a dozen?: CHEAPSKATES.

115A. Competitive activity with infinite possibilities?: GAME FOR ANYTHING.

17D. Shapers for kids' goo?: SLIME MOLDS.

73D. Travel version of a stackable building set?: ROADBLOCKS.

I like this playful twist. Reminds me of this "This is not a toy" puzzle I made with Tom Pepper five years ago.  

My childhood was stolen. No toys or games. We did kick Jianzi a lot. I was wearing my red scarf just like this little girl does.

 

Across:

1. Halls rival: RICOLA. Boomer liked Halls cough drops.

7. Open to change: ADAPTIVE.

15. Irritates: RASPS.

20. Undermines: ERODES.

21. Army training exercise: MANEUVER.

22. Radiant: AGLOW.

25. Waititi of "What We Do in the Shadows": TAIKA. Husband of xword regular Rita Ora.

26. Proton partner: NEUTRON.

27. Finish: END.

28. Fate: KISMET.

29. Future esq.'s exam: LSAT.

30. Punchy salad ingredient: CRESS. This refers to watercress, right?

33. Overused theme: TROPE.

34. Sp. titles: SRAS.

37. Free: LET OUT.

39. James of "Funny Lady": CAAN.

40. __ and cheese: MAC.

43. Unkempt do: MOP.

47. Magic, on scoreboards: ORL. Orlando.

48. Headline writer: EDITOR.

52. "Enough already!": TMI.

53. Build on: ADD TO.

54. Muse of history: CLIO.

55. Discover: LEARN OF.

57. Japanese dog breed: AKITA.

59. Gamekeeper: WARDEN.

61. Phrase on Texas license plates: LONE STAR.

63. Nickel, e.g.: METAL.

66. Verdon partner: FOSSE. Gwen Verdon and Bob Fosse.

71. "A Christmas __": CAROL.

74. "The Hobbit" dragon: SMAUG. I'm a descendant of the dragon. All Chinese are. 

75. Homer that scores one run: SOLO SHOT.

79. Likes a lot: ADORES.

81. Arena levels: TIERS.

84. Like a sailboat's mainsail: SCALENE. Scalene triangle with the longest edge along the mainmast.

85. Narrow inlets: RIAS.

86. Louisiana cuisine: CAJUN.

89. Volkswagen convertible: EOS. Not a car person. No idea.

91. Did a do: STYLED.

92. Place to retire: BED. And 98. Study, say: ROOM.

96. Fellow: LAD.

97. Hero: SUB.

99. Tailor, at times: FITTER.

101. "__ cannoli!": HOLY.

102. Rest atop: LIE ON.

104. Step up from nano-: MICRO.

106. Buggy terrain: DUNE.

108. Ethically challenged: AMORAL.

110. Embargo: BAN.

111. Folks who may be up a creek with a paddle: CANOERS. Now I know how to swim, I look forward to canoe someday.

114. Center of power: LOCUS.

120. Bracelet spot: ANKLE.

121. Natives of Wyoming: ARAPAHOS. Google shows that they were close allies of the Cheyenne tribe.

122. Skilled speaker: ORATOR.

123. Honkers: NOSES.

124. Totals: DESTROYS.

125. Meditative genre: NEW AGE.

Down:

1. No longer working, briefly: RET.

2. Part of a press kit?: IRON. Pressing.

3. Carry on: COPE.

4. Nonalcoholic beer brand: O'DOULS. 

5. Some driving instructions: LEFTS.

6. Type of plane that doesn't fly: ASTRAL. Astral plane.

7. Hymn ending: AMEN.

8. Three Gorges project: DAM.

9. "Should I take that as __?": A NO.

10. Piece of rpm: PER.

11. Fixes, as a piano: TUNES. My mentor Don G is a piano tuner.

12. Political columnist Molly: IVINS. Quick wit.

13. Hawk: VEND.

14. Indoor rower, for short: ERG.

15. Controls supply: RATIONS.

16. Showing shock: AGASP.

18. Jab: POKE.

19. Smack: SWAT.

24. Monopoly purchase: HOTEL.

28. Polish metropolis: KRAKOW. Poland's second-largest city.

30. Clause separator, at times: COMMA.

31. Puzzle cube creator: RUBIK.

32. Nice season: ETE. Nice, France.

33. Diplomat's skill: TACT.

34. Common sense?: SMELL. Also like this clue: 76. Phone line?: HELLO.

35. Bull rider's sport: RODEO.

36. Like some drones: APIAN.

38. Sound of reproach: TUT.

39. Currency with toonies, briefly: CAD. The code for Canadian $. More here. CNY is Chinese Yuan.

41. Sign before Taurus: ARIES.

42. Geneticist's research subject, perhaps: CLONE.

45. Like most films: RATED.

46. Social app with a synagogue directory: JDATE.

49. Kevin Bacon horror film with an "Aftershocks" sequel: TREMORS.

50. Marked down: ON SALE.

51. Goes off: ROTS.

54. In an angry manner: CROSSLY.

56. Website help pages: FAQS.

58. Public relations concern: IMAGE.

60. Like ice cubes in water: AFLOAT.

62. Piña colada ingredient: RUM.

64. Muscles worked by planks: ABS.

65. Southeast Asian nation: LAOS.

68. Really enjoy: EAT UP.

69. Ancient civilization remnants: RUINS. So many ruins in my hometown Xi'an. Our city wall. Rectangular. 4-hour walk.

70. Inc. relatives: LLCS.

71. Keto no-nos: CARBS.

72. "So long, mon ami": ADIEU.

77. NBA analyst Shaquille: O'NEAL.

78. Bear in a crib: TEDDY.

80. Pod relative: SCHOOL.

82. Broadcast again: RE-AIR.

83. __ voce: SOTTO.

87. Many moons: AEON.

88. Copier problem: JAM.

90. Firm up: SET.

93. Clothing lines: CREASES.

94. Colonel Sanders's place: KFC.

95. Midsize car: SEDAN.

100. Damon who wrote the stories adapted as "Guys and Dolls": RUNYON.

101. Donkey's call: HEEHAW.

103. Victor's cry: I RULE.

104. 111-Down and Phillips, in a 1960s pop group: MAMAS. And 111. Singer Elliot: CASS.

105. Klutzy: INEPT.

107. Paris possessive: NOTRE.

108. "The Traitors" host Cumming: ALAN.

109. Not stereo: MONO.

110. Show: BARE.

112. Actress Wilson: RITA.

113. Lip-lock, in London: SNOG.

115. Josh of "Wolf Like Me": GAD.

116. Way off: FAR.

117. "Well, lookee here!": OHO.

118. Wizzard singer Wood: ROY.

119. Test for M.A. hopefuls: GRE.

 

Thank you, Husker Gary, for making my 400th LAT puzzle so memorable. Thank you all for the sweet messages.

C.C.

Friday, December 27, 2024, Gary Larson, Amy Ensz

 Today's theme is SELF-EVIDENT.

Gary Larson and Amy Ensz have placed five OBVIOUS theme clues symmetrically throughout the grid.  The first word of each answer is a synonym for OBVIOUS.

The theme clues and answers (all Across) are:

15. Casino employee, obviously?: PLAIN DEALER.  PLAIN is a synonym for OBVIOUS, as in, "It is PLAIN to me that the readers of this blog enjoy crossword puzzles."  A DEALER is a casino employee who runs games by distributing cards and managing chips.  A PLAIN DEALER is a person who interacts with others honestly and openly.

23. Natural pillow stuffing, obviously?: MARKED DOWN.  MARKED is a synonym for OBVIOUS, as in, "There is a MARKED difference between summer and winter temperatures."  DOWN is a layer of fine feathers found under the exterior feathers of birds, often used as pillow stuffing.  MARKED DOWN is a phrase that means reduced in price.

34. Actor Jude's offspring, obviously?: PATENT LAW.  PATENT is a synonym for OBVIOUS, as in, "He told a PATENT lie."  LAW is the surname of actor Jude Law.  PATENT LAW is a legal framework providing exclusive rights to inventors.

48. Honorific, obviously?: CLEAR TITLE.  CLEAR is a synonym for OBVIOUS, as in, "It is CLEAR to me that the theme answers are humorous double entendres."  TITLE can refer to an honoric, like "Mr.," "Ms.," or "Dr."  CLEAR TITLE is a phrase that means undisputed ownership.

58. Convenient excuse, obviously?: STRIKING OUT.  STRIKING is a synonym for OBVIOUS, as in, "The younger Law bore a STRIKING resemblance to his father, Jude."  OUT can be used to mean an excuse, as in, "I didn't want to attend the party, and my sniffles gave me an OUT."  STRIKING OUT has a number of meanings -- setting out on a course of action, having three unsuccessful swings in baseball, failing at something, or in this case, a spectacular excuse!

And now, it is obviously time to review the remaining clues and answers!

Across:

1. Made-up band: KISS.  The American rock band KISS has been made up of various members over the years.  They are known for being MADE-UP with lots of makeup.

5. EPA concern: SMOG.

9. "Rules __ rules": ARE.

12. Native of Pre-Columbian Peru: INCA.

13. Gaze: STARE.

14. T. follower: REX.  T. rex is short for Tyrannosaurus rex, a large, carnivorous dinosaur that lived in western North America during the Late Cretaceous period.

15. [Theme clue]

17. Red block in Minecraft: TNT.  Minecraft is the best-selling video game of all-time, with over 300 million copies sold and nearly 170 million monthly active players as of 2024.  The game world is composed of cubes (or "blocks") representing materials such as ores, water, and lava.  And TNT!

18. Retinol Correxion skin care brand: RoC.  Apparently this stuff is the fountain of youth for your face.  Stay out of the sun if you use it, and watch out for skin irritation!

19. Hair-raising: EERIE.

20. Manitoba people: CREE.  The Cree are a North American Indigenous people. They live primarily in Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and the Northwest Territories of Canada.

21. "Plus some other folks" abbr.: ET AL.  Short for "et alia," a Latin phrase meaning "and others."

23. [Theme clue]

26. Leave the band, perhaps: GO SOLO.

28. Rejected: VETOED.

29. Pirouetting, perhaps: ON TOE.  A ballet dancer supporting their weight on the tips of their toes is said to be en pointe.  

30. Call on: VISIT.

33. Physicians, briefly: MDs. Medical doctors.

34. [Theme clue]

37. Coolers, briefly: ACs. Air conditioners.

40. A mile a minute: SIXTY.  If you're going a mile a minute, that's sixty miles per hour.

41. "Up in Smoke" co-star: CHONG.  "Up in Smoke" is a 1978 comedy film starring Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong.

45. New Jersey city: CAMDEN.

47. Black eye: SHINER.

48. [Theme clue]

52. Cacio e __ pasta: PEPE.  "Cacio e pepe" is Italian for "cheese and pepper."  The classic dish is made with just pecorino romano cheese, black pepper and pasta.  Some folks consider this a good dish to order to test the quality of the kitchen in an Italian restaurant.  If they offer pizza, try margherita, topped with crushed peeled tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and fresh basil leaves.

53. Not pretty: UGLY.

54. Plays: DRAMA.

56. GPS display: RTE.  A Global Positioning System app (like Google Maps or Waze) displays a "route" to follow.

57. Was on the bottom?: SAT.  Oh, *that* bottom! 

58. [Theme clue]

61. Before, before: ERE.  Ere used to mean before, well before our time.

62. Filch: SWIPE.

63. Nature or nurture: NOUN.  Nature and nurture are both nouns.  

64. Leb. neighbor: SYR.  Lebanon and Syria.

65. Schnoz: NOSE.  Likely from Yiddish שנויץ (shnoyts), cognate to German Schnauze (“snout”) and English snout.

66. Ill at __: EASE.

Down:

1. Unit of explosive force: KILOTON.  A unit of explosive power equivalent to 1,000 tons of TNT.

2. Plastered?: IN A CAST.  Plaster casts are used to treat bone fractures.

3. __-fi: SCI.

4. Sensible: SANE.

5. Step: STAIR.

6. "Bohemian Rhapsody" Best Actor Oscar winner: MALEK.  Rami Malek portrayed Queen lead singer Freddie Mercury in the 2018 biographical film "Bohemian Rhapsody."

Rami Malek as Freddie Mercury

7. Lode load: ORE.

8. Neighbor of Aus.: GER.  Austria and Germany.

9. Creative venue: ART ROOM.

10. Like some library books or contracts: RENEWED.

11. Stretches out: EXTENDS.

13. "Buona __": SERA.  "Good evening" in Italian.

15. Barilla rival: PREGO.  Competing brands of bottled marinara sauce, made with tomatoes, onions, garlic and herbs.

16. Expo presentation: DEMO.  At an exposition, exhibitors offer demonstrations of their products.

20. Chi. summer setting: CDT.  Chicago is on Central Daylight Time in the summer.

22. Aerial maneuver: LOOP.  A loop maneuver is an aerial stunt performed by airplane pilots.  The loop is achieved by diving and pulling back sharply. In every loop, the pilot has to navigate through a force of gravity nine times the normal.  It's dangerous!

24. Malicious: EVIL.

25. Rip off: DETACH.

27. Landlord: LEASER.

30. Bother: VEX.

31. Abbr. on a bank statement: INT.  With any luck, your bank statement shows interest.

32. Mud hole: STY.  A sty is a pig pen, which is often muddy.

35. Shade: TINT.

36. Blender setting: WHIP.

37. Charges: ACCUSES.

38. Home of the Stampede: CALGARY.  The Calgary Stampede is an annual rodeo, exhibition, and festival held every July in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

39. Place of refinement?: SMELTER.  A smelter is a machine or factory that heats ore to high temperatures to separate metal from other elements.

42. Burdensome: ONEROUS.

43. Planet with the Great Dark Spot: NEPTUNE.  The Great Dark Spot was observed by NASA's Voyager 2 space probe in 1989, and later by the Hubble Space Telescope.  It is a large storm.

44. Welcome: GREET.

46. Same-__ delivery: DAY.

47. Formal introduction?: SEMI.  Semi-formal is a dress code:  more polished than work wear, but less formal than black-tie.  For men, a suit is in order.  For women, who the heck knows?

49. Actor Elba: IDRIS.  Idris Elba is an award-winning English actor and singer.  He is OBVIOUSLY sexy, having been named Essence's annual Sexiest Man of the Year in 2013 and People's Sexiest Man Alive in 2018.

50. Drivel: TRIPE.  Drivel is nonsense.  Tripe is slang for nonsense.  The first meaning of tripe is the edible lining of a cow, pig, or sheep's stomach.  The edible tripe looks like rubbish, which led to the secondary meaning of rubbish or nonsense.

51. Camp sight: LAKE.

55. Celebrity chef Burrell: ANNE.  Anne Burrell is an American chef and television personality She hosts the Food Network show Secrets of a Restaurant Chef and co-hosts Worst Cooks in America. 

58. Digits from the government: SSN.  Social Security Number.

59. Wee hour: TWO.  The wee hours are the first few hours after midnight, so called because they have wee (or small) numbers.  TWO o'clock AM is a wee hour -- but not the only one.

60. Indian state whose capital is Panaji: GOA.  Goa is a state on the southwestern coast of India.  It is India's smallest state by area and fourth-smallest by population. India rates Goa as having the best quality of life in the country.  The state capital, Panaji, retains cultural influences from its 456 years as a territory of Portugal.  The beaches of Goa appear to be popular tourist destinations.

Here's the grid:

So, was this puzzle perfectly CLEAR to you?

Or did you find yourself STRIKING OUT along the way?

NaomiZ