Hello Cornerites!
Today's theme is: 
Well, not necessarily the soap opera....
And, not necessarily the puzzle....
It is our Cornerite Solvers who are Bold and/or Beautiful! (I will let you self-categorize. 😀)
Builder Bill Thompson earns extra points for fitting 5 horizontal themed answers into his grid. Each is a 2-word answer where both of the words begin with the letter B. We have:
18 Across. Some barbecue ribs: BABY BACKS. These pork ribs come from the back loin section so they are smaller and more tender than regular spare ribs.
23 Across. Safest courses of action: BEST BETS. I'm not a gambler but I can pass on to you that the casino game with the best odds of winning is blackjack, at a 49% chance of coming out ahead.
36 Across. Star of classic TV's "The Incredible Hulk": BILL BIXBY.
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| Bixby played Dr. David Banner and Lou Ferrigno played Hulk. (1978-1982) Sadly, Bill passed away in 1993 at the age of 59 due to complications from prostrate cancer. |
50. Nickname of boxer Ray Mancini: BOOM BOOM. Mancini was an American southpaw boxer who held the WBA Lightweight title from 1982-84. Today he works in the entertainment industry. His 1982 bout vs Duk Koo Kim is said to have changed boxing forever.
55. Cartoon rabbit with a Brooklyn accent: BUGS BUNNY.
50 Down. Cozy lodging hinted at by 18-, 23-, 36-, 50-, and 55-Across: B AND B. Bed and Breakfast (not the same as Airbnb)
29. Abruptly broke off communications: GHOSTED. "Ghosting" is when someone cuts off all online communication with someone else without an explanation. Instead of saying why, they just vanish -- like a ghost. 👻 Ouch!
31. Japanese currency: YEN. Last week the rate was 1 USD = 146 YEN.
32. Site: LOCALE.
35. Folder projections: TABS. Oh, those types of projections!
38. Song sung alone: SOLO.
41. Spoken: VERBAL.
42. Perform on stage: ACT.
45. Math exercise: PROBLEM.
47. __ pub: GASTRO. The term "gastropub" was coined in 1991 and is a combination of the words "gastronomy" and "pub" to emphasize the food aspect of this kind of establishment. Basically, it is an edgy restaurant in a pub. source
49. Island near Venezuela: ARUBA. and 24 Down. Island near Java: BALI
52. Citi Field team, on scoreboards: NYM. New York Mets
64. "Dear" advice giver: ABBY.
65. Boston airport: LOGAN.
Down:
1. Intelligence org. with a Cryptologic Museum: NSA. "Organization" is abbreviated, so is National Security Agency. The museum is "NSA's gateway to the public and educates visitors about the role of cryptology in shaping history." It is located in Annapolis Junction, MD. website
2. Luau instrument: UKULELE. Ukes were probably introduced to Hawaii in 1879 by Portuguese settlers from Madeira. source
21. Clear up, as a dispute: RESOLVE.
23. Chesapeake __ Bridge-Tunnel: BAY. You can travel its 17.6 miles (28.3 km.) via this 3 min. video.
26. Spider's trap: WEB. You can watch a garden spider spinning its WEB in this 1:51 min. video.
29. Smooth-talking: GLIB.
30. Six-sided shape: HEXAGON.
33. Skelton's Kadiddlehopper: CLEM.
34. Like some dicts.: ABR. "Dictionaries" is abbreviated, so is "ABRidged".
36. Anklets worn with poodle skirts, informally: BOBBY SOX.
Bugs Bunny at the Symphony "Rabbit of Seville" Excerpt (2:14 min.)
Plus the unifier:
50 Down. Cozy lodging hinted at by 18-, 23-, 36-, 50-, and 55-Across: B AND B. Bed and Breakfast (not the same as Airbnb)
I BeeBopped along through today's puzzle. The theme was easy to spot and could have been helpful should one need an 'it starts with a B' hint. The television actor and the boxer's nickname might have caused some solvers difficulty; however, this time, both were in my punchbowl (#GenXer).
Before moving on to the rest of the clues, it seems fitting to enjoy a musical break featuring the one, the only B.B. King!
Don't Answer the Door by B.B. King (1966)
Across:
1. Elbow gently: NUDGE. I find interesting U.S. economist Richard Thaler's ideas on NUDGE Theory. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Economics in 2017 for his work in Behavioral Economics. An example of NUDGE Theory is when a company makes participation in a retirement plan the default option because it is a good thing to do. In order to opt out, one would need to take extra steps. It seems like a small push (a "nudge", if you will) but the opposite (having to fill out a ton of paperwork to opt in) can be enough of a hurdle to discourage participation. If this is your cup of tea, I recommend Thaler's 2021 book, Nudge: The Final Edition.
6. Questions: ASKS. Both are verbs. However, we are hearing "ask" as a noun more and more these days.
10. "Jeopardy!" contestant lineup, e.g.: TRIO.
14. Hybrid garment: SKORT. skirt + short. I usually wear these while doing errands on my bicycle.
15. Made off with: TOOK.
16. Hockey venue: RINK. and 39 Down. NHL great Bobby: ORR.
17. Cars: AUTOS.
20. Kareem's former name: LEW. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was born Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor Jr. on April 16, 1947. He went by LEW Alcindor until he changed his name when he converted to Islam in 1971 while studying at UCLA.
21. Low-tech leaf blower alternative: RAKE. Haha! Yes, this is my kind of gardening.
22. Lacto-__ vegetarian: OVO. vegetarians who also eat dairy products and eggs
25. Food pkg. info: NET WT. "Package" and "information" are abbreviated, so is "net weight".
28. Hawaiian hellos: ALOHAS. ALOHAS are also "Hawaiian good-byes."
1. Elbow gently: NUDGE. I find interesting U.S. economist Richard Thaler's ideas on NUDGE Theory. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Economics in 2017 for his work in Behavioral Economics. An example of NUDGE Theory is when a company makes participation in a retirement plan the default option because it is a good thing to do. In order to opt out, one would need to take extra steps. It seems like a small push (a "nudge", if you will) but the opposite (having to fill out a ton of paperwork to opt in) can be enough of a hurdle to discourage participation. If this is your cup of tea, I recommend Thaler's 2021 book, Nudge: The Final Edition.
6. Questions: ASKS. Both are verbs. However, we are hearing "ask" as a noun more and more these days.
10. "Jeopardy!" contestant lineup, e.g.: TRIO.
 |
| It's pretty easy to overthink this one. |
14. Hybrid garment: SKORT. skirt + short. I usually wear these while doing errands on my bicycle.
15. Made off with: TOOK.
16. Hockey venue: RINK. and 39 Down. NHL great Bobby: ORR.
17. Cars: AUTOS.
20. Kareem's former name: LEW. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was born Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor Jr. on April 16, 1947. He went by LEW Alcindor until he changed his name when he converted to Islam in 1971 while studying at UCLA.
21. Low-tech leaf blower alternative: RAKE. Haha! Yes, this is my kind of gardening.
22. Lacto-__ vegetarian: OVO. vegetarians who also eat dairy products and eggs
25. Food pkg. info: NET WT. "Package" and "information" are abbreviated, so is "net weight".
28. Hawaiian hellos: ALOHAS. ALOHAS are also "Hawaiian good-byes."
The Beatles perform Hello, Goodbye (1967) from their Magical Mystery Tour album.
(George does not look happy in that hat.)
29. Abruptly broke off communications: GHOSTED. "Ghosting" is when someone cuts off all online communication with someone else without an explanation. Instead of saying why, they just vanish -- like a ghost. 👻 Ouch!
31. Japanese currency: YEN. Last week the rate was 1 USD = 146 YEN.
32. Site: LOCALE.
35. Folder projections: TABS. Oh, those types of projections!
41. Spoken: VERBAL.
42. Perform on stage: ACT.
45. Math exercise: PROBLEM.
47. __ pub: GASTRO. The term "gastropub" was coined in 1991 and is a combination of the words "gastronomy" and "pub" to emphasize the food aspect of this kind of establishment. Basically, it is an edgy restaurant in a pub. source
49. Island near Venezuela: ARUBA. and 24 Down. Island near Java: BALI
A perp or two helped to pinpoint these familiar XWD destination islands.
52. Citi Field team, on scoreboards: NYM. New York Mets
As of this writing, they are 23 games back in the NL East.
53. Madeline of "Blazing Saddles": KAHN. For the BS fans....
54. Actress de Armas: ANA.
58. Corn-based breakfast side: GRITS. Back when I was in college, I lived with a couple from Georgia who occasionally made GRITS. I'm afraid that is the extent of my GRITS experience.
60. Apt name for a tuxedo cat: OREO.
61. Bar mixer: SODA. not a person
62. Bert's "Sesame Street" pal: ERNIE. a person-like Muppet
63. "Ideas worth spreading" spinoff: TEDx. TED Conferences are organized and run directly by TED. TEDx events are fully planned and coordinated independently, on a community-by-community basis. more info.
53. Madeline of "Blazing Saddles": KAHN. For the BS fans....
Madeline Kahn sings I'm Tired in Mel Brooks' 1974 movie, Blazing Saddles. (4:34 min.)
54. Actress de Armas: ANA.
58. Corn-based breakfast side: GRITS. Back when I was in college, I lived with a couple from Georgia who occasionally made GRITS. I'm afraid that is the extent of my GRITS experience.
60. Apt name for a tuxedo cat: OREO.
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| Click to enlarge. |
61. Bar mixer: SODA. not a person
62. Bert's "Sesame Street" pal: ERNIE. a person-like Muppet
63. "Ideas worth spreading" spinoff: TEDx. TED Conferences are organized and run directly by TED. TEDx events are fully planned and coordinated independently, on a community-by-community basis. more info.
64. "Dear" advice giver: ABBY.
65. Boston airport: LOGAN.
 |
| an aerial image of BOS |
Down:
1. Intelligence org. with a Cryptologic Museum: NSA. "Organization" is abbreviated, so is National Security Agency. The museum is "NSA's gateway to the public and educates visitors about the role of cryptology in shaping history." It is located in Annapolis Junction, MD. website
2. Luau instrument: UKULELE. Ukes were probably introduced to Hawaii in 1879 by Portuguese settlers from Madeira. source
Hawaiian sweet bread is another example of a Portuguese influence in Hawaii.
3. Spoils, as a grandchild: DOTES ON.
4. __ chart: kid's height tracker: GROWTH.
5. "Take me to your leader" speakers, briefly: ETS.
6. Chance to get a hit, in baseball: AT BAT.
7. Relaxes in the tub: SOAKS.
8. Japanese beef city: KOBE. 神戸
3. Spoils, as a grandchild: DOTES ON.
4. __ chart: kid's height tracker: GROWTH.
5. "Take me to your leader" speakers, briefly: ETS.
6. Chance to get a hit, in baseball: AT BAT.
7. Relaxes in the tub: SOAKS.
8. Japanese beef city: KOBE. 神戸
Perhaps you are more familiar with Wagyu beef. "Wagyu" refers to any cattle that are bred in Japan. KOBE beef is a subset of Wagyu called Tajima-Gyu, which are raised to strict standards in the prefecture of Hyogo. KOBE is the capital city of Hyogo, thus the name.
9. Rainbow's place: SKY.
10. __ of justice: case that makes a mockery of the court: TRAVESTY.
11. Italian cheese in stuffed shells: RICOTTA. pasta shells
12. Pen filler: INK.
13. Greenlights: OKs. Did anyone else read Matthew McConaughey's book?
19. U2 lead singer: BONO. Paul David Hewson (b. May 10, 1960) is known by his nickname BONO. He is an Irish singer/songwriter, activist, and philanthropist.
9. Rainbow's place: SKY.
10. __ of justice: case that makes a mockery of the court: TRAVESTY.
11. Italian cheese in stuffed shells: RICOTTA. pasta shells
12. Pen filler: INK.
13. Greenlights: OKs. Did anyone else read Matthew McConaughey's book?
19. U2 lead singer: BONO. Paul David Hewson (b. May 10, 1960) is known by his nickname BONO. He is an Irish singer/songwriter, activist, and philanthropist.
U2 performs Sunday Bloody Sunday (released March 1983)
at the Red Rocks Amphitheater in Colorado.
The song is about a deadly clash in Northern Ireland on Sunday, Jan. 30, 1972.
21. Clear up, as a dispute: RESOLVE.
23. Chesapeake __ Bridge-Tunnel: BAY. You can travel its 17.6 miles (28.3 km.) via this 3 min. video.
26. Spider's trap: WEB. You can watch a garden spider spinning its WEB in this 1:51 min. video.
27. NFL scores: TDS. "National Football League" is abbreviated, so is "Touch DownS".
29. Smooth-talking: GLIB.
30. Six-sided shape: HEXAGON.
 |
| "Regular" means that all sides and angles are congruent (equal). |
33. Skelton's Kadiddlehopper: CLEM.
 |
| CLEM Kadiddlehopper was a comedic character portrayed by American entertainer Red Skelton (b. July 18, 1913; d. Sept. 17, 1997). My grandfather used "CLEM" to describe a person making not-bright choices. Perhaps this is why??? |
34. Like some dicts.: ABR. "Dictionaries" is abbreviated, so is "ABRidged".
36. Anklets worn with poodle skirts, informally: BOBBY SOX.
I used to play BOBBY SOX softball when I was a teenager. Our uniform socks were knee-highs. 
37. "Bang!": BLAM. It has been a while since I bestowed the Giant Leap award. 
38. Health resort: SPA.
40. Took it easy: LOUNGED.
42. Making up (for): ATONING.
43. Zagreb's country: CROATIA. This capital city's population in 2019 was 806,341 people.
44. Actor Hanks: TOM. You cannot get more 'Monday' than this clue!
46. Young sheep: LAMB.
48. Mall pizza chain: SBARRO. We had this one last Monday.
51. "What a great surprise!": OH YAY.
53. Door handle: KNOB.
55. Plant sci.: BOT. "Science" is abbreviated, so it "BOTany".
40. Took it easy: LOUNGED.
42. Making up (for): ATONING.
43. Zagreb's country: CROATIA. This capital city's population in 2019 was 806,341 people.
TOM Hanks' first appearance on The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson (1982)
46. Young sheep: LAMB.
48. Mall pizza chain: SBARRO. We had this one last Monday.
51. "What a great surprise!": OH YAY.
53. Door handle: KNOB.
55. Plant sci.: BOT. "Science" is abbreviated, so it "BOTany".
Capt. James Cook named Botany Bay (near Sydney, Australia) because of the "great quantity of new plants collected there."
56. Suffix with script: URE.
57. Mex. neighbor: USA.
58. Salon goo: GEL.
59. Capitol Hill VIP: SEN.
56. Suffix with script: URE.
57. Mex. neighbor: USA.
58. Salon goo: GEL.
Here's the grid. Notice how the reveal lies in the center column. Well done!
That's all for today. Wishing everyone a good week. Bye Bye!
