Theme: Switch Positions
20A: Contradictory testimony: HE SAID SHE SAID
40A: Competitor's realistic expectation: WIN SOME LOSE SOME
57A: Interrogation ploy: GOOD COP BAD COP
Before I forget, I would like you to see this hillarious Crossword Inker (about 7 minutes), what a spoof! I also want to share with you this fascinating Oprah interview (about 10 minutes) with Will Shortz (NY Times crossword editor) and Merl Reagle (the genius crossword constructor).
OK, back to the puzzle. I was really disappointed at the clue for LEVEL (68A: Relative rank) because RANKS is the answer for 27D: Puts in order. I don't believe this is Ms. Steinberg's original clue.
Other than that, it's just an ordinary Monday puzzle, nothing to RAVE (16A: Great review) about. This exact theme has been tried several TIMES (33D: Multiplication word) in NY Times before, with the omission of theme entry ON AGAIN OFF AGAIN.
Across:
1A: Group of zealots: CULT. The CULT of iPod and Mac.
14A: Paducah's river: OHIO. Not familiar with Paducah. Wikipedia says MLB player Steve Finley grew up here and PGA golfer Kenny Perry graduated from a school just outside Paducah.
15A: "Rosemary's Baby" author: LEVIN (Ira). Have you seen the Roman Polanski/Mia Farrow movie? It does not sound appealing to me at all.
17A: Classic Chevy model: NOVA. Unknown to me.
23A: Outward pose, slangily: 'TUDE (Attitude). Also new to me.
25A: ___ on the side of caution: ERRED. I don't like this fill-the-blank clue, which should have some past tense hint.
28A: Old towel, perhaps: RAG
35A: Snooknums: DEARIE. I've never heard of "snooknums". Just learned "sweetums" a short while ago. What's root for this"nums"?
37A: Spanish couple?: DOS. In Chinese, one is "一", two is " 二", three is " 三". So simple, isn't it? Even a caveman can write them.
45A: Springsteen's birthplace?: USA. Here is his "Born in the USA". This is probably the most sought-after Time magazine with Springsteen on the cover. This issue of Newsweek (Nov 1975) is also highly collectible, tough to find one in good condition and with no musty smell.
46A: Word on a poster: WANTED
63A: Oz man: BAUM (L. Frank). He has such a creative mind. Nice Set of Ashton Drake dolls, Dorothy looks so cute. I like these Munchkins barbies too. This is a Franklin Mint's "Wicked Witch of the West" porcelain doll. Almost impossible to find one with the original Certificate of Authenticity. I almost broke her broomstick.
Down:
4D: Speakers before drinks: TOASTERS
5D: Flowing: FLUID. Not fond of the clue. I dislike the letter "F' repetion.
7D: No. 2 in rentals: AVIS. Have not seen Alamo for a long time.
22D: Hero to some: SUB. I like this clue.
25D: "The Mystery of __ Drood": EDWIN. It's not a familar Dickens book to me.
26D: Marie Antoinett, e.g.: REINE. French for queen. Spanish is REINA.
43D: Tattle-tails: SNITCHES
48D: Skeptical disciple: THOMAS. Doubting THOMAS.
66D: Stripling: LAD. This young LAD looks very pensive.
C.C.
20A: Contradictory testimony: HE SAID SHE SAID
40A: Competitor's realistic expectation: WIN SOME LOSE SOME
57A: Interrogation ploy: GOOD COP BAD COP
Before I forget, I would like you to see this hillarious Crossword Inker (about 7 minutes), what a spoof! I also want to share with you this fascinating Oprah interview (about 10 minutes) with Will Shortz (NY Times crossword editor) and Merl Reagle (the genius crossword constructor).
OK, back to the puzzle. I was really disappointed at the clue for LEVEL (68A: Relative rank) because RANKS is the answer for 27D: Puts in order. I don't believe this is Ms. Steinberg's original clue.
Other than that, it's just an ordinary Monday puzzle, nothing to RAVE (16A: Great review) about. This exact theme has been tried several TIMES (33D: Multiplication word) in NY Times before, with the omission of theme entry ON AGAIN OFF AGAIN.
Across:
1A: Group of zealots: CULT. The CULT of iPod and Mac.
14A: Paducah's river: OHIO. Not familiar with Paducah. Wikipedia says MLB player Steve Finley grew up here and PGA golfer Kenny Perry graduated from a school just outside Paducah.
15A: "Rosemary's Baby" author: LEVIN (Ira). Have you seen the Roman Polanski/Mia Farrow movie? It does not sound appealing to me at all.
17A: Classic Chevy model: NOVA. Unknown to me.
23A: Outward pose, slangily: 'TUDE (Attitude). Also new to me.
25A: ___ on the side of caution: ERRED. I don't like this fill-the-blank clue, which should have some past tense hint.
28A: Old towel, perhaps: RAG
35A: Snooknums: DEARIE. I've never heard of "snooknums". Just learned "sweetums" a short while ago. What's root for this"nums"?
37A: Spanish couple?: DOS. In Chinese, one is "一", two is " 二", three is " 三". So simple, isn't it? Even a caveman can write them.
45A: Springsteen's birthplace?: USA. Here is his "Born in the USA". This is probably the most sought-after Time magazine with Springsteen on the cover. This issue of Newsweek (Nov 1975) is also highly collectible, tough to find one in good condition and with no musty smell.
46A: Word on a poster: WANTED
63A: Oz man: BAUM (L. Frank). He has such a creative mind. Nice Set of Ashton Drake dolls, Dorothy looks so cute. I like these Munchkins barbies too. This is a Franklin Mint's "Wicked Witch of the West" porcelain doll. Almost impossible to find one with the original Certificate of Authenticity. I almost broke her broomstick.
Down:
4D: Speakers before drinks: TOASTERS
5D: Flowing: FLUID. Not fond of the clue. I dislike the letter "F' repetion.
7D: No. 2 in rentals: AVIS. Have not seen Alamo for a long time.
22D: Hero to some: SUB. I like this clue.
25D: "The Mystery of __ Drood": EDWIN. It's not a familar Dickens book to me.
26D: Marie Antoinett, e.g.: REINE. French for queen. Spanish is REINA.
43D: Tattle-tails: SNITCHES
48D: Skeptical disciple: THOMAS. Doubting THOMAS.
66D: Stripling: LAD. This young LAD looks very pensive.
C.C.
