Sunday, August 24, 2025 ~ Zhouqin Burnikel

Ship Building

This Sunday, C.C. meticulously builds a ship in a puzzle like the puzzle of a ship in a bottle.

23. "Don't wait to sign up!": REGISTER NOW. The STERN is the back of a ship.

25. Rolling aid at a sushi bar: BAMBOO MAT. The BOOM is perpendicular to the MAST.

Mmm... Sushi

36. Places to see turkeys: BOWLING ALLEYS. The GALLEY is the boat's kitchen. Note: Boomer said lanes; BOW is highlighted 'cuz, um... see 111a ;-)

58. Tree blight spread by bark beetles: DUTCH ELM DISEASE. The HELM is the ships wheel. Dutch elm disease is caused by sac fungi spread by bark beetles.

78. Christmas carol set to "Greensleeves": WHAT CHILD IS THIS. The HATCH is the door to the hold or cargo area. I'll admit I had to write this with out the circles in order to NOT parse it as WATCH ILDIST HIS.

95. "Mood Indigo" composer: DUKE ELLINGTON. The KEEL is ship's backbone.

Nice.

111. Boss at a hot spot: CLUB OWNER.

113. Like a blanket fresh from the dryer: WARM AS TOAST. The MAST is the center pole.

Not to be buttered.

And, just to keep us all on the same boat:

Ship's Bits

Across:
1. Father of Rosemary's baby: SATAN.

6. State tree of Texas: PECAN. My old neighborhood had pecan trees shading the streets. Every year, folks walk down the medians bagging them up.

11. Lhasa __: APSO.

Cousin Itt dogs.

15. Mlle., in Mexico: SRTA. Short for señorita.

19. Affordable, in brand names: ECONO. Economic or easy on your wallet.

20. Red Velvet leader: IRENE. Red Velvet is a female K-pop group. You can read about them here or listen below:

YMMV

21. Bring up: REAR. Not bring up the rear but bring up as child to adult.

22. Many a babysitter: TEEN.

23. [See: Theme]

25. [See: Theme]

27. Beach on a film set: ADAM. Canadian actor.

Rotten Tomatoes Bio

28. Hardly an angel: BRAT.

Calvin could be a real stinker.

29. Love to pieces: ADORE.

31. Sussex strollers: PRAMS.

32. In progress: AFOOT.

34. Some breakdancers: BGIRLS. B-Girls are breakdancing females.

35. Slip of the fingers: TYPO.

36. [See: Theme]

40. "SNL" actor Wakim: EMIL.

Emil on Weekend Update

42. Miracle-__: garden brand: GRO.

YMMV

43. Store with hiking gear: REI. Recreational Equipment Inc.

44. Sculling tool: OAR.

45. Chopping tool: AXE.

46. Sacred bird of the Nile: IBIS.

50. Share a viewpoint: AGREE.

52. Swindler's scheme: CON.

53. Cosmopolitan place?: BAR.
 

A Cosmo

55. Most exquisite: FINEST.

57. Shopping centers: MALLS.

58. [See: Theme]

61. Winds down: ENDS.

62. Top gear?: HATS.
 

Similar to my topper.

63. Tapestry creature: UNICORN. So, this was a thing [WikiP].
 

The Unicorn Purifies Water

64. Time out?: NAP.

65. __ press: small appliance: PANINI.

67. Dated: OLD. Think fashion.

68. Shade-loving plants with broad leaves: HOSTAS.

70. Come up short, maybe: OWE.

72. Largest fog desert in the world: ATACAMA. Atacama is a desert in Chile.

74. Street food vendor's need: CART. I've seen tamale sellers outside of bars with just a 5-gallon bucket.

75. Links org.: LPGA. Ladies Professional Golf Association.

78. [See: Theme]

81. Sensitive spots: SORES.

82. Setting: LOCALE.

83. Take a course?: EAT. Cute.

84. "__ Missing Hearts": Celeste Ng novel: OUR.

85. Dog, cutesily: POOCH. Cf. 121a.

86. Built on __: SPEC.

87. Blog feed letters: RSS. Really Simple Syndication. It's a protocol to update you without needing to constantly visit all of your subscribed websites to know if they've updated.

89. QB misfire: INT. An interception is a quarterback's error.

90. Drink in a growler: ALE.

About 4 pints

92. Luau instrument, briefly: UKE.

93. Don't throw away: KEEP.

95. [See: Theme]

99. Best buds: PALS.

101. Continental divides?: OCEANS.

103. Speak in public: ORATE.

104. Labyrinthine puzzles: MAZES.

A maize maze at nearby Dewberry Farm

105. "Gosh!": OH GEE.

106. Movie ending?: GOER. A moviegoer sees films.

107. Tom yum cuisine: THAI. Tom yum is a hot (as in spicy) and sour soup. WikiP says, "Tom yam [alt.] is composed of two words in the Thai language. Tom refers to the boiling process, while yam means mixed."

Yummers!

111. [See: Theme]

113. [See: Theme]

116. Prefix with space: AERO.

117. Roll-call call: HERE.

118. Like some college walls: IVIED. Also like Wrigley's outfield walls.

Two early ground-rule doubles.

119. Monument Valley land formation: BUTTE.

120. "__ hates pushups": message on a silly tee: T-REX.  Me parsing: "What's a TREX? Oh, a T-Rex!"

LOL!

121. Garfield's frenemy: ODIE.

122. Baby bear?: TEDDY. #Roosevelt

123. Mist in a sauna: STEAM.

Down:
1. "Buona __!": SERA. "Good night" in Italian.

2. Totally crushed, as a test: ACED.

3. Classic dorm party costume: TOGA.

Animal House

4. Cat or mouse: ANIMAL.

5. Thumbs-downs: NOS.

6. Dumplings often served with sour cream: PIEROGI.

Yummers!

7. Printed slips: ERRATA. Ha!

8. Bit of change: CENT.

9. "It's __-win situation": A NO.

10. Crystal collector, maybe: NEWAGER. A newager is into new age crystal healing.

11. Shady spots: ARBORS.

12. Tapioca unit: PEARL.

13. Like some couples: SAME SEX.

14. Space ball?: ORB.

15. Thread that unfolds in a courtroom drama: STORY LINE.

16. Craft a new plot: REMAP.

17. Phrase heard before un beso, at times: TE AMO. I love you followed (at times) by a kiss.

18. Six-legged social workers: ANTS.

24. Cut from the short loin: T-BONE.

26. __-Free: contact lens solution: OPTI.

30. Handy letters: DIY. Do It Yourself.

33. Camp cracklers: FIRES.

34. Sauvignon __: BLANC. A dry, herbal, white-grape wine.

36. Second-best effort: B-GAME. A-Game is a thing... B-Game, not so much(?).

37. Brain or heart: ORGAN.

38. Global harmony: WORLD PEACE.

John Lennon's Vision ;-)

39. Takes inventory?: LOOTS. Ha!

41. Selfish shout: ME FIRST.

45. __ quarterback: ARM CHAIR. During the game as opposed to Monday-Morning around the watercooler.

47. Shoot added to pho: BEAN SPROUT. They add a bit of crunch to your soup.

48. Rae of "Barbie": ISSA.
 

President Barbie

49. "Take a __ back": STEP. And look at the bigger picture.

51. Queen with a frosty touch: ELSA. Disney's Frozen movie.

52. Manicure targets: CUTICLES.

53. Be flexible: BEND.

54. "Aladdin" prince: ALI. Another Disney reference.

56. Ain't right?: ISN'T. Cute.

58. Gurira of "Black Panther": DANAI.
 

Danai Gurira

59. Luau dances: HULAS.

60. Access points: DOORS.

62. "Well, hello!": HI THERE.

66. Salt formula: NACL. Sodium [Na] Cloride [Cl].

67. Fail to include: OMIT.

69. __ gobi: vegetarian curry dish: ALOO. Even though I enjoy Indian cuisine often, it's crosswords that have taught me potato is aloo.

70. Hooting birds: OWLS.

71. Hit with force: WHOP.

73. Orthodontist's org.: ADA.

74. Skydiver's need: CHUTE. You only need a chute if you expect to skydive more than once.

76. Lizard with sticky toe pads: GECKO.

77. Visibly frightened: ASHEN.

79. Container with lures and worms: TACKLE BOX. I have a tackle box filled with IC [integrated circuit] components ;-)

80. Strengthens, as muscles: TONES.

81. Totally wiped: SPENT.

88. Cuddled in bed: SPOONED.

89. "Told ya so!": I KNEW IT.

90. "So soon?": ALREADY.

91. Make-up artists?: LIARS.

94. Petro-Canada rival: ESSO.

95. Academic goal: DEGREE.

96. Dubai's fed.: UAE.

97. Was imminent: LOOMED.

98. "Beat it!": GET OUT.

99. Lighter in color: PALER.

Procol Harum's 1967 A Whiter Shade of Pale

100. Shade of blue: AZURE.

102. Darling, in Dijon: CHERI.

Pepé Le Pew

104. Aspiring doc's exam: MCAT. The Medical College Admission Test.

106. Aid in solving a logic puzzle: GRID.

108. "Stop the __": HATE.

109. Hammett dog: ASTA.

110. Article: ITEM.

112. "__ told you?": WHO.

The WHO who told(?)

114. Blvd. kin: AVE.

115. Conan's former network: TBS. Originally, the Turner Broadcasting System.

The Grid:

The Grid (for the visually impaired)

WO: HaSTAS
ESPs: SATAN (as clued), IRENE, ADAM, ATACAMA | DANAI, T-REX (as clued)
Fav: LOOTS' clue.

Well, what do you think? (I know, I know, "circles")
I say this was a another fun Sunday puzzle by our hostess C.C..

Now it's time for me to SHIP out.
Cheers, -T

Sunday August 17, 2025 Kaye Brown

Theme: "PARTING COMPANY" - Each theme answers is a farewell phrase paired with an animal, with the phrases rhyming to the animal names.

22. Response to "See ya later, alligator": AFTER A WHILE, CROCODILE.

38. 22-Across variation in a flower garden?: BYE BYE, BUTTERFLY.

57. 22-Across variation in a desert?: IN A SHAKE, RATTLESNAKE.

82. 22-Across variation in a forest?: TAKE CARE, GRIZZLY BEAR.

102. 22-Across variation in a birdcage?: BE SWEET, PARAKEET.

118. 22-Across variation in Ontario?: HANG LOOSE, CANADA GOOSE.

Cute idea. Each answer follows the same pattern. I'm not famliar with "in a shake" as a goodbye phrase. When I lived in Guangzhou, there was a German lady who sometimes hiked with us. She always said "Stay sweet!"

Congrats to Kaye Brown on her LAT debut!

Across:

1. Starts using, as an accent: ADOPTS. My English has an Xi'an accent.

7. Accumulate: AMASS.

12. Challenging bio course: AP CLASS.

19. Like a network used in machine learning: NEURAL.

20. Finish, as a crossword, e.g.: SOLVE.

21. Evergreen seed: PINE NUT.

25. Anxiety from social media scrolling, for short: FOMO. Fear of Missing Out. The opposite is JOMO, the Joy of Missing Out.

26. Voices above tenors: ALTOS.

27. Used in beta: TESTED.

29. Part of the hook in a 2007 Rihanna hit: ELLA. Her song "Umbrella".

32. "The Pitt" figs.: MDS.

35. Amble (along): TOOTLE.

37. Cautionary __: TALE.

42. Studio Ghibli film about a magical goldfish: PONYO. She became a human in the end. 

43. Member of the fam: BRO.

44. Sketch comedy series starring Odenkirk and Cross: MR SHOW. Bob Odenkirk. David Cross. 

45. City in western Germany: ESSEN.

47. Iroquois nation: SENECA.

49. Clarinetist's supply: REEDS.

53. Above, poetically: OER.

54. Orb weaver's creation: WEB.

62. "Pull up __": A SEAT.

63. Soprano solo: ARIA.

64. Spoke like a cat: MEOWED.

65. Garden bed planting: BULB. I want more peonies. 

68. Peter's adversary in a Prokofiev composition: WOLF. "Peter and the Wolf".

71. "Clueless" source novel: EMMA.

73. Some recital attendees: DADS.

74. Like characters that lean one way?: ITALIC.

77. Require: NEED.

79. Likeness: IMAGE.

87. Part of a pronoun pair: SHE.

88. "Origin" director DuVernay: AVA.

89. SpongeBob's pet, for one: SNAIL. Gary the Snail. 

 

 

90. Party balloon filler: HELIUM.

93. Rough it in comfort: GLAMP. Anon-T was vacating in our Boundary Waters region a few weeks ago. Tough guy.

95. "The Phantom Tollbooth" author Juster: NORTON.

98. The NCAA's Tigers: LSU.

99. Broken wagon part in Oregon Trail: WHEEL.

107. Supplant: OUST.

108. __ fin: DORSAL.

109. Bichon frise bark: YIP.

110. Brontë's Jane: EYRE.

111. Wife, in 101-Down: ESPOSA. And 101. Francia's neighbor: ESPANA. Francia is Spanish for France.

113. Film without a major studio: INDIE.

115. 106-Down portrayer McGregor: EWAN. 106. Skywalker mentor: KENOBI.

125. Acrobat's attire: UNITARD.

126. "The Dark Knight __": RISES.

127. Set of grading criteria: RUBRIC. Not a word I use. 

128. Scapegoats: PATSIES.

129. Porterhouse, e.g.: STEAK.

130. Averred: SAID SO.

Down:

1. Santa __ winds: ANA.

2. Pt. of HDTV: DEF.

3. Not in the closet: OUT.

4. Assembled on-site: PREFAB.

5. Poi source: TARO. Love taro. Never had poi before. 

6. __ poetry: SLAM.

7. Volcanic fallout: ASH.

8. "You're accusing me!?": MOI.

9. Pesto __ Genovese: ALLA. Pesto originated in Genoa. 

10. Lithe: SVELTE.

11. Subdivision: SECTOR.

12. Biblical disciple: APOSTLE.

13. Insta grid item: PIC.

14. Benjamin: C NOTE.

15. Graf below a headline: LEDE.

16. Jennifer of "Murder Mystery": ANISTON. So happy to see her in love again. 

17. "Aladdin" title: SULTAN.

18. Icy, as a glare: STEELY.

23. Ovens for buns, but not loaves: WOMBS. Also love this clue: 34. Certain delivery worker?: STORK.

24. Satellite dish spot: ROOF.

28. "Gloria in Excelsis __": DEO.

29. Recedes: EBBS.

30. Ancient harp: LYRE.

31. Téa of "Death of a Unicorn": LEONI.

33. "Oh, of course!": DUH.

36. Disinfectant brand: LYSOL.

39. Some fitness orgs.: YMCAS.

40. Wipe away: ERASE.

41. Cutesy: TWEE.

42. In and of itself: PER SE.

46. Appear: SEEM.

48. Activate: ENABLE.

50. Segment of a Taylor Swift show: ERA.

51. Truth or __: DARE.

52. Perform repetitive movements to self-soothe, say: STIM. Like shaking your legs while sitting?

54. East Coast mini-mart: WAWA. I just learned Daiso opened a store in MN in April. 

55. Barely achieved, with "out": EKED.

56. Items of varying comfort for Goldilocks: BEDS.

58. "Yee-__!": HAW.

59. Make up (for): ATONE.

60. Language from which "curry" is derived: TAMIL.

61. "I'll keep opening briefcases, Howie!": NO DEAL.

65. Twitch currency: BITS. Not famliar with this. 

66. Four Corners state: UTAH.

67. Tahoe or Huron: LAKE.

69. Millipede's multitude: LEGS.

70. Common houseplant: FERN.

72. Actress Poehler: AMY.

75. Poker proclamation: I CALL.

76. Catalan sparkling wine: CAVA.

78. One-seventh of una semana: DIA.

80. Loathe: ABHOR.

81. Davis of "The Fly": GEENA.

83. Stallone franchise: RAMBO.

84. Low-budget pub: ZINE. Publication/Magazine.

85. Polish currency: ZLOTY.

86. "Inside Out" kid: RILEY.

91. The "U" in EULA: USER. EULA stands for End-User License Agreement.

92. Silencing button: MUTE.

93. "Start already!": GET ON IT.

94. Dots: PERIODS.

96. Troy tech univ.: RPI. Hi there Agnes!

97. Playable on a VCR: TAPED.

99. Misery: WOE.

100. Sweep under the rug: HUSH UP.

103. Tax doc IDs: SSNS.

104. Thigh-high waterproof boots: WADERS.

105. Inspire: ELICIT.

108. __ Lama: DALAI.

112. Cpls.' superiors: SGTS.

114. Lighten (up): EASE.

116. Edit __: battles on Wikipedia: WARS.

117. Piscina filler: AGUA. Piscina is Spanish for "pool".

119. Mined resource: ORE.

120. Principals' org.: NEA.

121. Query: ASK.

122. Chicago airport code: ORD.

123. Member of the fam: SIS.

124. Friendly prefix: ECO.

C.C.

Sunday August 10, 2025 Amanda Cook

Theme: "EXCHANGE" - Ex is added to a common phrase, then removed from the next one, alternating in order.

22. Student council leader with demanding bake sale goals?: EXACTING PRESIDENT. Acting president.

33. Drama at the salon?: HAIR TENSIONS. Hair extensions. 

49. "Halt all Acela trains immediately!"?: STOP THE EXPRESSES. Stop the presses. 

65. Wizard at converting spreadsheets to PDF?: EXPORT AUTHORITY. Port authority. 

82. Spending one's days reading philosophy and meditating?: PENSIVE LIFESTYLE. Expensive lifestyle.

98. Shocking article proving the conspiracy theory that birds aren't real?: PIGEON EXPOSE. Pigeon pose.

111. Status of an unexpectedly viral research study?: CITED BEYOND BELIEF. Excited beyond belief.

I wonder if Amanda planned to have one more theme entry with EX removed but could not find a workable candidate. 

Total 105 theme squares. About our average. This grid was so carefully filled, no obscure names or Abbrs.

Across:

1. Times up: AT BATS.

7. Brightest star in the constellation Lyra: VEGA.

11. Look (like): SEEM.

15. Bowler or boater: HAT.

18. Vegetable in some cakes: CARROT. In Guangzhou, we have taro cakes, traditional Spring Festival treats.

19. "Pronto!": ASAP.

20. __ dish: PETRI.

21. Fútbol cheer: OLE.

25. Accessory that may match a prom date's dress: TIE.

26. Wistful exhalation: SIGH.

27. Coffee or tea: NOUN. Not BREW.

28. Mauna __: KEA.

29. From days past: OLDEN.

31. First name in cosmetics: ESTEE.

37. Fuming: IRATE.

40. Purple bloom: LILAC. We have pink lilacs here.

42. Mailing: SENDING.

43. Skater Harding: TONYA.

44. Had the courage: DARED.

46. Desktop feature since Windows 95: TASK BAR.

54. Nice one: UNE. Nice, France. 

55. Fashion: MODE.

56. Landmark Obama legislation, initially: ACA.

57. Kodiak, for one: BEAR.

58. Fruit soda created by Coca-Cola Deutschland: FANTA.

60. Before, poetically: ERE.

61. Bonfire remnants: ASH.

62. Confide in: TRUST.

64. Shimmering threads: TINSEL.

69. Selling points?: STORES.

72. Comes by honestly: EARNS.

73. UFO pilots: ETS.

74. "Harriet the __": kid-lit classic: SPY.

77. Himalayan country: NEPAL. They live in year 2082 now. Nepali calendar is about 56 years and 8 months ahead of the Gregorian calendar.

 

78. Like an underwatered plant: LIMP. I now have a peony besides my Asiatic lilies. Let's see if it blooms next year. 

79. Slick-back product: GEL.

80. Item removed at a TSA checkpoint: SHOE.

81. Raw bar bed: ICE.

87. Put into words: PHRASED.

90. Spud: TATER.

91. Cookies that may be crumbled to make cheesecake crust: OREOS.

92. Claims: ALLEGES.

95. Warble: TRILL.

97. Wetland: MARSH.

101. Like sardines: BONED. My RA doc says I can enjoy all the sardines I want. So I will. 

103. Henhouse perch: ROOST.

104. __ for the course: PAR.

105. Croft of "Tomb Raider": LARA.

106. Marcel Duchamp genre: DADA.

110. Be in debt: OWE.

117. Spoil: MAR.

118. Cherish: ADORE.

119. Connection: BOND.

120. Warm-up for a headliner: OPENER.

121. Walk-__: ONS.

122. Vent: RANT.

123. Software issues: BUGS.

124. Cozy eatery: BISTRO.

Down: 

1. King toppers: ACES.

2. Hailed ride: TAXI.

3. Gloat: BRAG.

4. Perfect example: ARCHETYPE. Three more great 9's in the Down slots: 7. Inkling: VAGUE IDEA. 79. The Go-Go's and the Bangles: GIRL BANDS. 80. Is on both sides of: STRADDLES. Plus a pair of 10s: 15. Ball Park Franks holders: HOT DOG BUNS. And 71. Donizetti devotees: OPERA-GOERS. 

5. Kiddo: TOT.

6. Period of work: STINT.

8. "First Take" network: ESPN.

9. Needle-nosed fish: GAR. Huge.

10. Donkey Kong, e.g.: APE.

11. Steady and measured: SEDATE.

12. Le Tour de France saison: ETE. Did you know that those bikes cost more than $13K?

13. Sea eagle: ERN.

14. Cell division process: MITOSIS.

16. Stitch, for one: ALIEN.

17. Many first-year students: TEENS.

20. Jetties: PIERS.

23. "The Great British Baking Show" co-host Fielding: NOEL.

24. Hit the slopes: SKI.

30. "The Legend of Zelda" protagonist: LINK.

32. Ticket assignment: SEAT.

33. Concerto instrument: HARP.

34. HP competitor: ACER.

35. "It's open!": ENTER.

36. Secrecy docs: NDAS.

37. Words before and after "hi, I'm the problem" in Taylor Swift's "Anti-Hero": IT'S ME.

38. Brake disc: ROTOR.

39. Battery part: ANODE.

41. Easygoing: LAX.

45. Premieres: DEBUTS.

47. Stake: ANTE.

48. Genuine: REAL.

50. Shed fasteners: HASPS.

51. Cavern effect: ECHO.

52. Casual band practice: SESH. Session. 

53. Puerto Rican rescue mutt: SATO. Learning moment for me. AI Overview: A Sato is Puerto Rican slang for a mutt or mixed-breed dog, particularly those that are stray or abandoned on the island.

58. Needs no tailoring: FITS.

59. Whichever: ANY.

61. Skating jump: AXEL.

62. La Brea attraction: TAR PIT.

63. Cry in a horror film: RUN.

64. IMDb search result: TITLE.

65. Pitching stat: ERA.

66. Bridle part: REIN.

67. Doctoral regalia: TAMS.

68. Utah's Capitol __ National Park: REEF. 

69. Scissors sound: SNIP.

70. Bay Area industry: TECH.

74. More demure: SHYER.

75. Tops that might have popped collars: POLOS.

76. "I'm embarrassed for you": YEESH.

78. Mantel: LEDGE.

82. Hammer end: PEEN. I fixed this crack, with cement powder and a butter knife.  

83. Distillery drums: VATS.

84. Raison d'__: ETRE.

85. Fragrant neckwear: LEI.

86. Not all: SOME.

88. Sudsy pintfuls: ALES.

89. Tiny track racer: SLOT CAR.

93. Connoisseur: EXPERT.

94. Garden shovel: SPADE.

96. Peerage member: LORD.

98. Film trailer, e.g.: PROMO.

99. Sioux City citizen: IOWAN.

100. Sphere: ORB.

102. Bigwig: NABOB.

105. Pine (for): LONG.

107. "It __ over till it's over": AIN'T.

108. Skittish forest creature: DEER.

109. Prefix with futurism: AFRO. Afrofuturism. 

112. Wyo. neighbor: IDA.

113. Freight weight: TON.

114. Recede: EBB.

115. Both Y's in IYKYK: YOU.  If You Know, You Know.

116. Prefix with Pen: EPI.

I'm sorry that Jayce lost his precious Lotus. As most of you know, Lotus was from Hong Kong and Jayce speaks fluent Chinese. This makes me feel an even closer connection to him in his grief. I'm glad you have a caretaker with you now, and I hope you're surrounded by comfort, kindness, and support during this difficult time.

 

 

Sunday August 3, 2025 Ella Dershowitz

Theme: "Kinetic Exercises" - Anagrams of various sports are hidden inside each theme entry. 

22. Series of musical tones that evoke sadness: MINOR SCALES. Lacrosse.

24. Weaponized food in a Hitchcock episode: LEG OF LAMB. Golf.

31. Desire to cause harm: MALICIOUS INTENT. Tennis.

37. Mathematical operation that may have a remainder: LONG DIVISION. Diving.

55. Scam: CONFIDENCE TRICK. Cricket.

64. Like some voting systems: WINNER TAKE ALL. Karate.

78. Lip product in a Katy Perry song: CHERRY CHAPSTICK. Archery.

92. Lean patty choice: TURKEY BURGER. Rugby. 

 99. July Fourth: INDEPENDENCE DAY. Dance.

115. Athletic record: SCORECARD. Soccer. 

Reveal: 

117. Party poopers, or what this puzzle's circled letters do: SPOILSPORTS.

Congrats, Ella, on your first LAT Sunday!

This is just brilliant construction. Some of the sports names are long, not easy to anagram. And we have 11 theme entries with one reveal. Normally we have 7 or 8. Ella is an actor. 

Ella Dershowitz

Across:

1. Romantic painter Francisco: GOYA.

5. "Is it ever!": AND HOW.

11. Lettuce variety: BIBB. Also called butter lettuce. Sweet and buttery.

15. Levy of "Schitt's Creek": DAN.

18. Copied: APED.

19. Copy illegally: PIRATE.

20. Taiwanese laptop brand: ACER.

21. Unlikely cat name: FIDO.

26. Main course: ENTREE.

27. Damage: MAR.

28. "Elsbeth" network: CBS. Wikipedia says "Elsbeth" is "a spin-off of "The Good Wife" (2009–2016) and "The Good Fight" (2017–2022)". 

29. Name-caller: MEANIE.

30. Artifact: RELIC.

34. __ as a pin: NEAT.

36. Add to, as an already big pile: HEAP ON.

43. Fixes, at the vet: NEUTERS.

49. Favor: PREFER.

50. Like mood lighting: DIM.

51. Inflation no.: PSI.

53. Gymnast Comaneci: NADIA. First gymnast to receive a 10.

54. Blood test liquids: SERA.

59. Bach production: SONATA.

62. Fairy tale first: ONCE.

63. Detest: LOATHE.

69. Cinder collector: ASH PAN.

73. Director Kazan: ELIA.

74. Colorful New Zealand fish: RED COD. Due to its color. 

83. Villainous Count of kid-lit: OLAF.

85. Handed (out): DOLED.

86. Feel ill: AIL.

87. German outburst: ACH.

88. Spanish grandmother: ABUELA. Po Po in Chinese.

90. Techie's major, for short: COMP SCI. Computer science. 

95. State where almost all of U.S. hazelnuts are grown: OREGON. I didn't know this. 

98. Check in spots?: ATMS. Meaning you can deposit a check at an ATM?

107. Counter: REBUT.

111. Spot for self-reflection?: MIRROR. Ha. 

112. Half an inning?: ENS. Three n's in inning.

113. Title for two Beatles: SIR.

114. Private sign?: SALUTE.

119. Unagi roll fish: EELS.

120. First name in whodunits: ERLE. Erle Stanley Gardner, creator of Perry Mason.

121. Like chinchillas: ANDEAN.

122. Olympian with a fighting spirit: ARES.

123. 31-Down countdown show: TRL. Total Request Live. 31. "Unplugged" network: MTV.

124. Bucks and does: DEER.

125. Invitees: GUESTS.

126. Nick Jr. explorer: DORA.

Down:

1. Minecraft streamer, e.g.: GAMER.

2. Give a take: OPINE.

3. Streisand musical: YENTL.

4. Groupie: ADORING FAN. Partnered with 75. Class list: COURSE LOAD. Not a lot of long fill due to the heavy themeage. 

5. Church nook: APSE.

6. Actor Cage, to fans: NIC.

7. Emmy category: DRAMA.

8. Haram counterpart: HALAL. We've yet to see HARAM in our LAT grid.

9. "Dog Man" voice actress Cheri: OTERI.

10. Director Craven: WES.

11. Fictional boxer for whom Philadelphia's Rocky Steps are named: BALBOA. AI Overview: The Rocky Steps are a set of 72 stone steps leading to the entrance of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, made famous by the movie "Rocky".

12. Freezes over: ICES UP.

13. Ask and then some: BEG.

14. Hot tub chemical: BROMINE. To disinfect the water. Chlorine too.

15. Actress Keaton: DIANE.

16. One with extra online privileges: ADMIN.

17. "Check," in a casino: NO BET.

21. Like hair after removing a beanie: FLAT. 

23. Move back: RECEDE.

25. Bog: FEN.

28. Diez squared: CIEN. 100. 

32. Comic Margaret: CHO.

33. Genesis hedgehog: SONIC.

35. Element whipped into eggs to make meringue: AIR.

37. Collection at a listening bar, briefly: LPS.

38. Major finds for miners: ORES.

39. "Too Many Cooks" sleuth Wolfe: NERO.

40. Uniting words: I DO. Wedding. 

41. Transgression: SIN.

42. U.N. financial arm: IMF.

44. Indescribable: UNTOLD.

45. Olympic gold medalist Lipinski: TARA.

46. Cut and paste, say: EDIT.

47. Loaded: RICH.

48. Sushi bar drink: SAKE. Can't have sake or any alcohol due to the methotrexate. 

51. Demure kiss: PECK.

52. Giants legend Chris: SNEE. Didn't know him. Fresh clue angle.

55. Tuna holder: CAN.

56. Little letters?: IOTAS.

57. CSI stuff: DNA.

58. French fashion magazine: ELLE.

60. Nobels, e.g.: AWARDS.

61. __ houses: minimalist trend: TINY. This one looks nice.

65. Peach soda brand: NEHI.

66. Mideast airline: EL AL.

67. Tear (into): RIP.

68. Genesis boat: ARK.

69. Australian rock band: AC DC.

70. "Don't bug me!": SHOO.

71. Vessel control post: HELM.

72. Mise en place: PREP. Wikipedia gives this example: mise en place for a peanut brittle recipe.

76. Cassini of fashion: OLEG.

77. Small valley: DALE.

79. Pile of stones to mark a trail: CAIRN.

80. Pitch: TAR.

81. "So gross": ICK.

82. Revolutionary Guevara: CHE.

84. Miles away: FAR.

88. NYC dance co.: ABT. American Ballet Theatre.

89. Undeserved infamy, informally: BUM RAP.

91. Compelled: COERCED.

92. Oodles: TONS.

93. Coll. in the Research Triangle: UNC. Didn't know the Research Triangle, formed by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Duke University and North Carolina State University. 

94. "Excellent news!": YAY.

96. English Channel swimmer Gertrude: EDERLE.

97. __ reveal party: GENDER.

99. "All good here": I'M SET.

100. Like party clothes compared to everyday clothes: NICER.

101. Oddly funny: DROLL.

102. Books a table for seven at 6 instead of six at 7, say: ERRS.

103. Macabre poet: POE.

104. Channel for college games: ESPNU.

105. The "D" of LED: DIODE.

106. Sign of spring: ARIES.

108. Small donkey: BURRO.

109. Say aloud: UTTER.

110. Thompson of "Westworld": TESSA.

114. Form W-2 digits: SSNS.

116. Is for many?: ARE.

117. Mattress malady: SAG.

118. Muscle useful in rock climbing: LAT.

C.C.