You would wannabe her if you got paid $10mil to turn letters
"G" ( gee ), I vonder vhere LA Times Crossvord editor Patti VVVarol got the idea for this theme . . . and a packed theme it is, too - six, count 'em, SIX, themers today, for a total of 66 squares, or 35% of the total puzzle - I have not tracked this info, but I am curious about it in future puzzles. "V" replaces "W" in common phrases, a sort of German accent-type of sound which results in some humorous changes. Standard 15x15 grid, the triple-sixes and double-eights in the corners giving us a whopping 28 3LWs, no circles, too many names, four( ish ) Twurds, two stray "V"s, but overall, a typical Friday-level solve. The 6 themers;
17. Encouragement to a writer who shows an early penchant for rhyme?:
"YOU COULD DO VERSE~!" - "You could do WORSE", an additional spelling change with the "O" going to "E"
24. Carefully evaluate pasta?: VET NOODLES - Wet Noodles
31. Gardener who only plants the most exquisite ivy?: VINE SNOB - Wine Snob - too similar, less humorous
41. Anthem for a Colorado ski resort?: VAIL SONG - Whale Song; a bigger alteration, with the "H" dropped and the synonymous spelling
47. Weapon wielded by a particularly dangerous snake?: VIPER BLADE - Wiper Blade
Far Side snakes at "Vail"
54. Safes made in the Volunteer State?: TENNESSEE VAULTS - the biggest spelling change, Tennessee WALTZ. Learn more from this blue-highlighted web link and hear the song from another Patti, ( Page ) - lately, there seems to be some confusion from anon types in their comments indicating a lack of info regarding the clues & answers, and their connections - may I suggest checking the phrases and/or words highlighted in 🠆 blue 🠄 for web links to more; a ( PSA ) Public Service Announcement from your Friday fact-finding blogger 😁
But Vait, There's More~!
ACROSS:
1. Unaccounted-for period: GAP
4. Six-time WNBA All-Star Thomas: ALYSSA - name #1
10. Textspeak qualifier: IMHO - Text-speak, In My Humble Opinion
14. Timetable abbr.: ARRival
15. Talked up: TOUTED - think sales/advertising
16. Lion's "I'm going to eat you!": ROAR - at least it wasn't "RAWR"
20. Singer Jason with the album "Love Is a Four Letter Word": MRAZ - name #2 - the Wiki
21. Core muscles: ABs
Medieval workouts
22. Ga. capital: ATLanta, Georgia
23. Shadow: TAIL - think spies, cops & P.I.s
28. Quartz suffix: ITE - quartzite - I bought grey Kraftmaid cabinets to upgrade the original 1955 kitchen in my home; now I am looking for a purple-toned countertop to compliment my dishes, pots, pans and utensils - I like the look of this, called "tempest"
29. Much sitar music: RAGAS
Spinal Tap - "you don't wanna go raga . . . "
30. Actress Russo: RENE - name #3
33. Pop duo __ & Him: SHE - I have heard of them; Zooey Deschanel is "she"
She played Trillian in "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy", too
35. Scale intervals: OCTAVES - stray "V" #1
36. Cry of frustration: "BLASTIT~!"
Biggs had a larger, but edited, role in the first Star Wars movie
40. Waze tech: GPS - Waze, the app for getting you there . . .
42. Taylor, to Swifties: IDOL - Taylor Swift's fanatics are called Swifties
45. Actor Vaughn: VINCE - stray "V" #2, name #4
46. Compass dir.: ESE - I had ENE, couldn't parse the crossing Down; Inniston~? see 38D.
50. Punxsutawney figure: PHIL - #5, our weather predictor - and his accuracy compared
About as good as TV Weather reporters . . .
51. Individual: ONE
52. Small battery: AAA
53. Experts: PROS
60. Lake into which the Cuyahoga empties: ERIE - the most poular lake in crosswordom, geo name #6
61. "A Real Pain" Oscar winner Culkin: KIERAN - half a WAG on my part; name #7 - his Wiki
62. Mama deer: DOE
63. Heap affection (on): DOTE
64. Has disdain for: SCORNS - "feet hath no fury like a woman's corns" 😜
65. 1975 TV debut, familiarly: SNL - Saturday Night Live
Star Wars casting spoof
DOWN:
1. Writer/editor Roxane who co-owns the online literary magazine The Rumpus: GAY - name #8
2. Like basmati rice: AROMATIC - I have not had this rice, so I have not smelled it . . .
3. Appealing to one's baser nature: PRURIENT - $2 eight-letter fill
4. Encyclopedic in range: ATOZ - Amazon's logo, implied by the arrow
Everything from A to Z
5. Reed of the Velvet Underground: LOU - I knew who this was, name #9
7. Time zone wd.: STD - meh. An abbr in an abbr clue/answer; from November 2nd (ish) through March 8th (ish), I live in EST, or "Eastern Standard Time"
8. Some cars: SEDANS
9. Vinegary marinade: ADOBO - Español for 'marinade' - more here
10. Choler: IRE
11. Spirits: MORALE - LIQUOR fit, too - so you know where my mind is . . .
12. Hurry: HASTEN
13. "... if you know what's good for you!": "ORELSE~!"
18. Berkeley, familiarly: CAL - As I said @ 7D, I am an East coaster; I tried USC
19. Brandy letters: VSO - meh. Very Special/Superior Old ( Pale ) - I couldn't find a link to just V.S.O.
23. DVR option: TiVo
24. Wind instruments?: VANES - Now this is clever clue/answer
25. Big personalities: EGOS
26. Word often seen under a tilde?: TAB - TAB is beneath the keyboard [~ `] key
27. __ code: DRESS - Dah~! Not MORSE
29. Say "I'll be there," say: RSVP - meh - IMHO, you don't SAY an RSVP, you WRITE an RSVP
33. Cake serving: SLICE - I eat nothing less than a SLAB in my house
34. In fine fettle: HALE
36. Kansas or Alabama: BAND - name(s) #11; "band" was my first guess; I know KANSAS ( and HuskerG linked Dust in the Wind last Saturday ); I am not familiar with the music of Alabama - their website
37. Climbers' supports: TOEHOLDS
38. Demand: INSISTON - Ah - not the town of Inniston, UK
39. Neutrogena shampoo: T-GEL - name(ish)
41. Passing through: VIA - meh. "I got to my brother's house via I-495" does not mean I was 'passing through' the asphalt 😜
42. November sticker: I VOTED - Twurd; did you hear that Apple has come out with a new device for finding leprechauns~? It's called the "iRish"
Hi Irish Miss~!
43. Bread: DINERO - I figured this was slang for 'money', waited on perps; the Wiki for US words
44. "I can't wait to see what's inside!": "OPEN IT~!" - Twurd
45. Pickle brand: VLASIC
48. "Hair Love" voice actress Issa: RAE - name #12, a crossword staple
49. Soaks up the sun: BASKS - TANS was a bit "light"
50. Newark-based insurer, on stock tickers: PRU - I shoulda known this - the NJ Devils of the National Hockey League play at the "Prudential Center"
Their logo can almost be seen on the sign
53. Kitchen array: PANS
55. Once called: NÉE
56. Job listing letters: EEO - Equal Employment Opportunity - I always make the mistake of filling in EOE ( thinking employeR ), and mess up that section of the puzzle
57. Make a blunder: ERR
58. Many an airport shuttle: VAN
59. Salt, in French: SEL - and our last 3-Letter Word
Well, let me be the first to "make some noise" by applauding our "Fearless Leader" for this Sunday contribution! I only wish my Across Lite App highlighted the acrosses that corresponded with the reveal, because I actually had some trouble figuring what went where... I can't say I DNF'd, because, obviously, I did finish (or this write up would not be making any noise at all...) but, here is my "almost" completed grid, with what got me to WAG mercilessly right at the end...
CE:D "Almost Crash and Burn..."
In hindsight, it should have occurred to me that the clues with the question marks were trying to make some noise...
22 Across. Corn?: KITCHEN EARS (Kitchen SHears) This is what started me off not knowing what the heck was going on without the reveal...
39 Across. Bailing out of a storied couples' cruise?: JUMPING THE SHARK. Very Clever, Couples Cruise... But when you add the missing "SH" it becomes:
How to bail out of a SitCom when you run out of plots...
54 Across. Toymakers who really help with the holiday rush?: STORE ELVES. Now, this is where i really got confused. Because this statement stands by itself... I would not have even thought this part of the Theme, but if you add SH, it becomes Store Shelves... Which makes me think I should type less, because some one out there is shouting Shhh! Like this is some kind of Library...
Well, I will not be silent!
Here's the full episode!
(Um, the excessive scotch consumption was an accident, i swear!)
81 Across. King Kong after his glow-up?: CHANGED APE. Ack! How can I splain this? I don't know what a "glow up" is... Hmm, Google says: A significant, positive transformation in a persons appearance, confidence, or lifestyle... Hmm, the only glow up I've ever had was after the excessive scotch consumption incident...
Oh, I forgot to add, "Changed SHape"... (hmm, makes me wonder what King Kong looked like after losing 200 pounds on that diet...)
94 Across. Unwilling to lace up skates?: RINK RESISTANT (reimagined SHrink resistant...) OK, I get it, but do we really want to be assaulted with this image again?
I think not...
112 Across. Material used to make Nuggets uniform tops?: JERSEY ORE. I had to take a break here, and come back, because this was confusing until I separated the twurds... Uniform Tops = Jersey. Nuggets come from Ore. Denver Nuggets are a team. I still am not sure why they would be at the Jersey SHore...
114 Across. Missions to obtain keepsakes?: SOUVENIR OPS. Ah! Of course! It is starting to make sense! Souvenir Ops! Excellent! I think I'm starting to see a Theme here... =Souvenir SHops!
(See, you didn't have to yell... I would have figured it out eventually...)
102 Down. Holler, or when parsed differently, an alternate title for this puzzle: SHOUT.
Ah! Here it is, hidden way down in the Downs! The Reveal that makes it all make sense! SH-out!
Ops become Shops, Ore becomes Shore, Rink becomes Shrink, Ape becomes Shape, Elves become Shelves, Ark becomes Shark, and Ears become Shears! So that's what all the shouting was about!
Unless your CrossEyed like me, and mix up a puzzle from a couple of days ago, that had "Hollar" instead of "Holler," and your shouts become hoots, and you have to WAG (Wild A** Guess) your way through...
Anywho! Onward!
Across: 1. Buckled accessories: BELTS. (I could have used a couple of these under my belt...)
6. Talk a big game: BRAG. (The above is not one...)
10. "Macbeth" quintet: ACTS. I wanted "Hags" getting confused with the trio of fates, Lachesis, Clotho, and Atropos. Of course, if I had read the clue correctly, I would have been in a different play...
14. Pet rescue org.: S.P.C.A. I always wonder if it is A.S.P.C.A. or just S.P.C.A... I was this many years old when I discovered: The Difference: The ASPCA is a national charity with high-profile advertising, while your local SPCA is the shelter in your community helping local pets.
18. Dollar alternative: ALAMO. Rent A Car options...
20. Seasonal song: NOEL. I don't mean to opine, but I always wondered about this, so I Googled.
"Noel" is derived from the Latin word Natalis, meaning "birth" or "birthday." It specifically refers to the birth of Jesus Christ (the nativity,) evolving into the old French word Noel (or Nael) which became a standard French term for Xmas... Apparently, even Google does not know why Noel became a name for a seasonal song...
Um, er,, apologies... I blame Daughter #1, who said, "I should stop being so lazy, and research more for the benefit of others." So, here is what Google said when I "re-asked" :)
"The First Noel" is a traditional English Christmas carol from the 13th-14th century that tells the story of the Nativity, specifically the announcement of Jesus’ birth to shepherds and the journey of the Wise Men
. "Noel" comes from Latin/French roots meaning "birth" or "news," functioning as a shout of joy.
21. Give a ring: CALL.
22. [ Theme ]
24. "Naked Lunch" in a lunchroom, say?: TRAY NOVEL. This was my downfall... immediately after Kitchen Ears, and not yet having a clue, I left this for the end, and wound up trying to turn it into an aSHtray... Luckily, like the Phoenix, I arose from this mess....
26. Part of i.e.: EST. I.E. is an abbreviation for the Latin phrase id est, meaning "that is," "in other words," or "namely." Used to define or restate a preceding statement, kind of like trying to make whole the explanation of my ashtray of a puzzle solving attempt...
27. More mature: OLDER. (Not today...)
28. "Happy __!": June greeting: PRIDE. I wanted Fathers Day, but, to each their own...
30. Cookie invented in Manhattan: OREO. What? This is another one of those Clue/Answers I never saw till the write up! More Research Needed! In a nut(sh)ell, the Chelsea Factory located at Ninth Avenue and 15th Street in NYC is on a Block now called "Oreo Way." (Who Knew?)
31. Instagram video: REEL. (I sincerely doubt there has ever been an Instagram video that was "ever" on a reel...)
33. __ school: MED. Actually, this 4 years is just a prerequisite. It takes 11 to 16 years to become a Doctor, depending on your specialty... For instance, it took me almost 70 years to learn how to post this kind of silliness on this venue...
34. Indigo Girls, e.g.: DUO.
35. Showbiz quartets: EGOTS. A rare achievement of winning an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Award.
37. Winged archer: EROS. I dunno, it's Greek to me.... (you might be more familiar with the Roman "Cupid.")
39. [ Theme ]
44. Scotland's national dish: HAGGIS. (Do you really want an image?)
Seeing is better than knowing what's really inside it...
47. Planned (out): MAPPED. No! I am not linking a recipe for Haggis! (I would rather jump a shark...)
48. Victim of Iago in "Othello": CASSIO. I am led to believe that "Cassio" is the definition of "Unwitting Pawn," but. To explain further would require more time, and tickets to The Globe Theatre...
49. Latish lunch hr.: ONE PM.
Nonsense!
I am sorry, but I can't let this go! Some one must teach you Americans why The Shire was The Happiest Place In Middle Earth! Late-ish Lunch? One PM? Gore BeGoren! I'm stewing in my Haggis!
Would you be a fine Gentleman, and pass the pitcher of Guinness...
50. Out of sight: GONE. Hmm, what happened to Lunch?
51. Noche's opposite: DIA. I would have thought this to be Italian, but Google says its Spanish... Idunno, it's all Latin to me... (or is it Night and Day...). Hmm, more research needed...
53. "Groovy!": NEATO. Nope, not going there...
54. [Theme?]
56. Offhand comment: REMARK. (Excuse me...)
59. Chum: PAL.
60. Sandcastle destroyer: TIDE. ( I really liked this one;)
61. Fragrant ring: LEI.
62. "Best wishes": GODBLESS. Now, I know I going to get reprimanded for not separating this into twurds, but where I come from, this is One Word!
64. Pros: ACES.
65. Mayflower vehicle: VAN. (As in "moving.") (surely, no pic needed...)
66. Catchy tune: BOP. (There has got to be a better 3 letter word for a catchy tune? A little help here?)
67. Silence a growling belly: EAT. (Pls see elevenses, above...)
68. Cheryl of "Charlie's Angels": LADD. Unlike Mayflower Vehicle, this one needs a pic...
This one's for you Splynter!
72. Tries to hit: SWINGS AT. Hmm, is this a twurd? I'm not sure... I tried to Splain it, but I missed...
75. Narrow inlet: RIA. Now, this one has bugged me for years. I always wanted somebody to post a picture of a Ria. I'm sure it would be beautiful... So I tried,
But they wanted Money...
76. At any point: EVER.
Jeepers! I thought I would never. See a Ria!
Hmm, but now I want to see what it looks like from that point...
77. In the style of: ALA. (The above is brought to you in the style of CE:D)
80. Debit card provider: ISSUER.
81. [Theme]...
84. Gold __ flour: MEDAL. This seems a little strained as a clue, surely there could have been something better. Maybe "King Biscuit Flour Hour..." in my opinion, award winning concerts back in the day...
86. Part of mph: PER. Lessee, what fits, Mile? Hour?
87. President of Brazil since 2023, familiarly: LULA. OK, this freaked me out,,, because I thought He was a girl... full name: Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva And no, you do not want a pic...
88. Small combos: TRIOS. Smaller combos: Duo's... I wanted to post a clip from Yellow Submarine, where the Blue Meanies Bonk the band with apples, and our guide announces, the quartet is now a trio, then a Duo... But when I went to look for the pic, I was presented with THE ENTIRE MOVIE!...
Oh My Gosh! This has not been available for years!
Catch it while you can!
89. Take too far: OVERDO. I hope I didn't above, and overdo is not a twurd...
91. Pre-election event: DEBATE. (Oh please, Not again...)
93. Props for hillside homes: STILTS. Doesn't work, i have videos...
94. [Theme]
97. Go first: LEAD. (Not Lead, that would be the first to sink...)
101. Best Play, for one: ESPY. I could use some help with this one, because, when I Google Espy, I get this... Um, Play? (You sure the "S" isn't for Shakespeare...?)
105. Zero-star reviews: PANS. My take on above...
107. Heartless monsters: OGRES. No I am not,, I just don't understand...
109. Record of the year?: ANNAL. Derived from the Latin, Annus. (Year) A historical record of events, listed in chronological order, by year...
111. Bit of a chuckle: HEE. (I'm not sure if this will transpose to the 3/22/26 Luann comic, but here goes...) La,La,,La...
112. [ Theme ]
114. [ Theme ]
117. Diva's time to shine: ARIA.
118. Such a long time: AGES.
119. Noted New York Judge: AARON. Oooh,,, I see what you did here! Very Sneaky! IT'S A BASEBALL REFERENCE!
120. Botch (up): LOUSE. ( I believe I apologized already...)
121. Signs of spring: BUDS. Ah, relationships grow from Best Buds, to Summer, Fall, Winter, Compost...
(Note, come back and fix this...)
122. Event for swimmers: MEET. Hmm, in retrospect, this should be obvious... But in trying to take Daughter #1's advice, I Googled, and Autocorrect changed my "meet" to "How did Meat become a name for a swimming contest..." The little A.I. Wheel is still spinning,,, I think I broke the Internet...
123. Dental exam picture: X-RAY. OK, OCD time out for a sec, but does anyone like those new fangled gizmos that they re-use, and have been in dozens of other peoples mouths before you? I dont' care how many times you sterilize the Dang Thingie, you could run that thingie thru the Fires of Hell, and you still would not be able to put it in my mouth... (and yes, my Dentist loves me, he works very well with children. And yes, I do get a toy, but these days its a toothbrush and floss in a baggie...)
124. Himalayan cryptids: YETIS. Learning moment: Cryptids. You will have to Google this yourself, because when I went to link the explanation, the internet went Kerflooie... (It might have something to do with Swimming Meat above...)
Down: (Finally!) 1. One who typically kneads the job?: BAKER. (Haha!)
2. Beethoven dedicatee: ELISE. (Bagatelle No.25 in A minor)
3. Milky espresso drink: LATTE. (Phooey! I like my espresso strong! With 3 coffee beans...)
{oh wait! Sorry! That's my Sambuca...}
4. Cinemax alternative: TMC. (Or TCM, or TNT,,, no wait,,, that's an explosive blockbuster...)
5. Gallery-rich area near Tribeca: SOHO. New Yorkers are well aware this refers to "South" of "Houston" street... However, since the growth of NYC over the years, there is now a NOHO, And a WOHO (if you like swimming in the Hudson,,, I hear they are having a "meat" there...) And, a soon to be new development, the EOHO... (right now a landfill in the East River, the "E" stands for "Eeeeuw...!)
6. Beagle or bulldog: BREED.
7. Back end: REAR. (Nope, not hoping there...)
8. Earth Day mo.: APR. Short for April, Lovely Girl,,, You should meet her Sister "Dawn..."
9. Premium location?: GASPUMP. Ack?!? There's a (?) Could this be a Themer? Lessee, Gas(space)pump... Hmm, Where would you put an SH here? (I swear, Ocifer,, I did'nt haves drink... it's this puzzle just got me confused...)
10. Counter: ANTI. No. Ante, and then counter with a raise...
11. "Carpool Karaoke" co-creator: CORDEN. Hmm, not sure about this one (and the internet went Kerflooie...)
12. Savory snack with a cracked shell: TEA EGG. (OMG! I wouldn't eat this, let alone Parse it...)
Image deleted due to breakfast rules...
13. Cunning: SLY. Just try to sneak in a Tea Egg pic, I dare You!
14. "Casino" director: SCORSESE.
15. Improve, as a dirt road: PAVE.
16. Geppetto's goldfish: CLEO. (See Pinocchio.)
17. "It's __ good": ALL.
19. Mountain range that's home to Aconcagua: ANDES. Ok, This one kinda P'd me off, because I thought the Aconcagua were a people that lived in the Andes... A Google Search reveals It is just a mountain.
But, what a Mountain...
23. Saint __ fire: ELMOS. OK, this goes back to the early Seafaring Days, when masts would light up with electrical energy. Freaked Sailors out! (Understandable) In today's modern explanation of things, it is really just a bigger version of rubbing a balloon, and making it stick on the wall... Static Electricity...
Except, Yikes! Whataya rubbing? The Hindenburg!
25. "Hard pass": NO THANKS. (Obligatory space between twurds...)
29. Theme park opening ritual: ROPE DROP. Now, this really P'd me off... I had to ask DW for help, and she was like, "oh, of course...". ( all I can think, is how much you wanted for admission to this freakin' thing...)
Apparently, this is a "thing."
I'm sorry, I just dont get it... Now "if" they had a rope drop to get into "The Budweiser School of Beers,"
I would be first in line...
32. Exercise that targets quads and glutes: LEG PRESS.
34. Hoodwinks: DUPES.
36. Available without an Rx: OTC. (Over The Counter...) What I wanted to do recently at CVS, when they wanted me to type into a giant screen, all my personal info, on a skeevey thingie that God Knows how many sick people had touched before me,... Yes, I will be that guy on the news, who jumped over the counter, to grab my meds, which belong to me anyway, before they tried to make me touch all their skeevey crap! (Dont get me started on $4-off over priced crap that doesnt apply because its on sale...)
38. Winter coat: RIME. Spring is here! Forget this clue/answer...
39. Primatologist Goodall: JANE.
40. "That was mortifying": IDIED. Ok, in our current political climate, this requires more "apostrophe" placement... Was it "I'Died", or was it, ID'ied. Either way, scary stuff...
A second look at this clue/answer begs the question of what was meant here. Mortifying describes something causes extreme shame, embarrassment, or humiliation. Or was it meant in the sense of a mortuary, (or funeral home.) that specializes in the storage, preparation, and care of human bodies before burial or cremation... in either case, I guess you could say, "I Died..."
41. "Quickly!" letters: ASAP.
42. Hayworth of the silver screen: RITA.
She was the first Poster, but got replaced by Racquel Welch when the hammer wore out...
(A Shawshank Redemption Reference...)
43. __ & the Gang: KOOL. Hmm,,,
44. Shade-loving plant: HOSTA.
45. Shenanigan: ANTIC.
46. Crystal-lined rock: GEODE.
Did you know you can buy and break open your own at Walmart?
47. Going places: MOVING UP.
50. Picks up bit by bit: GLEANS. (My CC puzzle solving strategy...)
52. Light suds: AMBER ALE. (I still prefer Lager...)
55. Graceland icon: ELVIS.
57. "Sitting Pretty on Top of the World" country singer Lauren __: ALAINA.
I have no idea what this even sounded like,
Because DW decided to Vacuum around me while I was working...
58. Put a new label on: RETAG.
62. Figured out: GOT.
63. Snowy day activity: SLED RIDE.
It's a Rite of Passage...
66. Hair clip: BARRETTE.
I had no idea...
69. To no __: in vain: AVAIL.
70. Train station: DEPOT.
71. Gown: DRESS.
73. Iowa's state flower: WILD ROSE. (A state Flower can be a Twurd? Who Knew?)
74. Core group?: SEEDS.
77. Love, to Bad Bunny: AMOR.
78. Denim pioneer Strauss: LEVI.
79. Yemen's Gulf of __: ADEN.
81. Clash heard in a swordfight: CLANK. Even more so if you get struck by lightning, and your Armor becomes magnetic...
But who has time for clanking when the poisons in the...
82. Jabba the __: HUTT.
OOPS! Sorry, wrong link...
83. "At Last" singer James: ETTA. (Crosswordese staple, over linked...)
85. The Natural State: ARKANSAS. Just try to say it, an spell it, there's nothing NAtural about it!
90. Contraction in some hymns: O'ER. A contraction of Over, but then they got even lazier, and left out the apostrophe. So now Oer is even more incomprehensible... (hmm, i wonder what a contraction of incomprehensible would be?)
92. Very low woodwind: BASS SAX. (Although, as one word, would be Basssax, hmm, kinda Bad A**...)
93. Car rental choice: SEDAN.
95. Curly, for one: STOOGE.
96. "So true!": I AGREE! (Needs an exclamation mark, so I added one...)
97. Wrinkle-prone fabric: LINEN. What irons were invented for...
100. Embassy go-between: ENVOY.
102. [ Theme ]
103. Sister brand of Aquafina: PEPSI.
104. Positive replies: YESES. Well, I can't be positive about this! You can't expect CrossEyedDave, who has trouble seperating twurds, to know if this needs an apostrophe... I mean, Even Google is conflicted...
105. Country where Inca Kola originated: PERU. What? I thought this was The Kola Nut in 7UP...
106. Like a vast, rainless plateau: ARID. (Or my mind, after learning Inca Kola...)
108. Take it easy: REST. (Yes, good idea...)
109. Radiant vibe: AURA.
110. Flower on a floating pad: LILY.
112. Poke: JAB.
113. Tuber in the Nigerian dish asaro: YAM. I would have clued this as "what Popeye is." (I yam what I yam,) but it probably would not make it past the editorial process...
115. Paddle kin: OAR.
116. Masago or tobiko: ROE. This was under the belt, (where most Sushi and Sashimi wind up...) Which begets the question, Is this Sushi, or Sashimi?
Anywho, you can all give CC a shout out in the comments for this Sunday Marathon.
(I, for one, yell "Thank You." And maybe throw in a Hoot and Hollar too...)
Ah yes,
The Completed Grid
CE:D (Quietly slipping out...)
Notes from C.C.:
Happy 85th birthday to dear Irish Miss (Agnes), who has brought so much joy and meaning to our lives. I'm deeply grateful for all the guidance and care she's given me through the years.
L-R: Anne, Agnes, Eileen, Mary, and Peggy. 3/17/2019
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.
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.
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.
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?
