Theme: ODD COUPLES! Each of the similarly clued theme answers are a pair of famous people whose last names combine to form a sound alike fill for the clue. I will always have a soft spot for today's constructor who the created the very first LA Times puzzle when TMS syndicate made the switch. A very proper name intense puzzle, and with six theme answers, all clechos, we have an effort which was clearly a challenge to create. let's play.
17A. Actor roomies' mailbox label that sounds like racing groups? : PITT/CRUISE. Pit Crews. Brad Pitt. Tom Cruise. The two appeared together in Interview with a Vampire.
24A. Actor/flutist roomies' mailbox label that sounds like a crook? : CAAN/MANN. Con man. James Caan. Herbie Mann. a great jazz MUSICIAN. (3:50).
32A. TV host/singer roomies' mailbox label that sounds like a vital sign? : HART/RAITT. Heart rate. Mary Hart recently retired co-host of Entertainment Tonight, who also was one of Regis' early co-hosts; and Bonnie Raitt, daughter of musical theater great John Raitt. Bonnie is a star in her own right, and to be PC, I chose her for all female studio apartment.
45A. Actress/comic roomies' mailbox label that sounds like an auto safety feature? : ROLLE/BARR. Roll bar. Esther Rolle, a Florida girl who found fame as JJ Walker's mom, and your favorite comedienne Roseanne Barr.
51A. Actress/cartoonist roomies' mailbox label that sounds like an airport employee? : SKYE/CAPP. Sky cap. You better tip if you want your bags to travel with you. Ione Skye is the actress. Oddly paired with L'il Abner creator Al Capp.
17A. Actor roomies' mailbox label that sounds like racing groups? : PITT/CRUISE. Pit Crews. Brad Pitt. Tom Cruise. The two appeared together in Interview with a Vampire.
24A. Actor/flutist roomies' mailbox label that sounds like a crook? : CAAN/MANN. Con man. James Caan. Herbie Mann. a great jazz MUSICIAN. (3:50).
32A. TV host/singer roomies' mailbox label that sounds like a vital sign? : HART/RAITT. Heart rate. Mary Hart recently retired co-host of Entertainment Tonight, who also was one of Regis' early co-hosts; and Bonnie Raitt, daughter of musical theater great John Raitt. Bonnie is a star in her own right, and to be PC, I chose her for all female studio apartment.
45A. Actress/comic roomies' mailbox label that sounds like an auto safety feature? : ROLLE/BARR. Roll bar. Esther Rolle, a Florida girl who found fame as JJ Walker's mom, and your favorite comedienne Roseanne Barr.
51A. Actress/cartoonist roomies' mailbox label that sounds like an airport employee? : SKYE/CAPP. Sky cap. You better tip if you want your bags to travel with you. Ione Skye is the actress. Oddly paired with L'il Abner creator Al Capp.
63A. Screenwriter/actor roomies' mailbox label that sounds like an old announcer?: TOWNE/CRYER. Town crier. Robert Towne wrote the screenplay for such diverse wonderful movies as Chinatown and Shampoo. Jon Cryer, has made a career of being second banana on Two and a Half Men.
On to the puzzle:
Across:
1. Legendary kicker : PELE. I knew it was going to be a good day when I grokked his thought and the Downs confirmed. Edson Arantes do Nascimento, who is still considered by many to be the greatest soccer player of all time.
5. Go slowly : SEEP. So much for a speed run, this took perps as the fill slowly seeped into my brain.
9. Start to strip? : DRAG. Dragstrip. Whoa boys no strip tease HERE.(0:58) This was filmed in part right here in Ft. Lauderdale at the now torn down Solid Gold.
13. Neural transmitter: AXON. Oh goody, our science learning moment.
14. Old carrier : PAN AM. Soon to be cancelled TV SERIES.
16. Count (on): RELY. You can rely on Pancho for really diverse fill.
19. Fifty-fifty : EVEN. Odds.
20. In the wrong way : ASTRAY. Marti is forever trying to lead us astray.
21. On a cargo ship, say : AT SEA.
23. Mink cousin : STOAT. perhaps you are more familiar with its name Ermine.
Across:
1. Legendary kicker : PELE. I knew it was going to be a good day when I grokked his thought and the Downs confirmed. Edson Arantes do Nascimento, who is still considered by many to be the greatest soccer player of all time.
5. Go slowly : SEEP. So much for a speed run, this took perps as the fill slowly seeped into my brain.
9. Start to strip? : DRAG. Dragstrip. Whoa boys no strip tease HERE.(0:58) This was filmed in part right here in Ft. Lauderdale at the now torn down Solid Gold.
13. Neural transmitter: AXON. Oh goody, our science learning moment.
14. Old carrier : PAN AM. Soon to be cancelled TV SERIES.
16. Count (on): RELY. You can rely on Pancho for really diverse fill.
19. Fifty-fifty : EVEN. Odds.
20. In the wrong way : ASTRAY. Marti is forever trying to lead us astray.
21. On a cargo ship, say : AT SEA.
23. Mink cousin : STOAT. perhaps you are more familiar with its name Ermine.
28. Jodie Foster title role: NELL. Somewhat disturbing MOVIE.(2:22).
31. First apartment, perhaps : STUDIO. The famous 0 bedroom apartment.
37. Begins a tour : OPENS. They usually open in LA and work east.
38. Flamenco shout : OLE.
39. Cyberspace giant : YAHOO. The now also have their own radio sports network.
41. Waikiki wreath : LEI. Aloha. Not to be confused with 29D. Not clerical : LAY. How utterly ironic
42. Digestion-related commercial prefix : PEPTO. Mel Brooks' street name in this silly MOVIE.
48. Youth who flew too near the sun: ICARUS. His father was DAEDALUS, he was just dead.
50. Appointment : DATE. Hey baby, how about going on an appointment with me?
54. Frankfurt's state : HESSE. Not clued with Herman, but this GEOGRAPHY lesson. Comments KZ?
58. Winningest NFL coach : SHULA. The Dolphins' own Don Shula, now a steak house impresario. I guess after watching all those 300 pounders eat, he saw where the real money was.
59. Resentful : BITTER. Also a type of vetch.
60. Former eft : NEWT. Being non-political, no Gingrich humor here. Maybe we can talk about EFT.
65. Track : OVAL.
66. Net business : E-TAIL. I want in this business, I need a piece of etail now!
67. "Sesame Street" giggler : ELMO. Which is your favorite character?
68. Heredity unit : GENE.
69. "Now!" relative : STAT. Used in hospitals, from the Latin STATIM: Immediately.
70. Road sign silhouette : DEER. Be careful crossing over to the downs, oh dear!
Down:
1. Half a '60s quartet : PAPAS. Beautiful VOICES, (2:34)weird people. Dance Cass, dance! Right Papa Cass?
2. Get a life? : EXIST. A very Camus like clue.
3. Game you usually lose : LOTTO. But you never win if you do not play!
4. 3-Down player, e.g. : ENTRANT. Half a BILLION Dollars!
5. Nimble : SPRY. I associate with old people, even if I am one of them.
6. Seine filler : EAU. The French river is made of water; where are you Lolita? Robin, I thought you were back?
7. 30-ton computer : ENIAC. Electronic Numerical Integrator And Computer. An acronym.
8. Ristorante offering : PASTA. Italian lesson.
9. Invent : DREAM UP. Don't you wonder how the constructors dream up so many themes?
10. Gun : REV. Engines, not weapons.
11. Stein filler : ALE. My first thought was Alice B. Toklas, but the beer reference was simpler.
12. MD for women : GYNecolegist. The lady parts doctor.
15. Desert rises : MESAS.
18. Work the party, in a way : CATER.
22. Opposite of exo- : ENTO. Latin prefixes for outside and inside.
25. "A Passage to India" heroine : ADELA. It is Friday, and this BOOK about the tension caused when Adela Quested an Englishwoman accuses an Indian Muslim doctor, Aziz, of attempted sexual assault.
26. Montana, once : NINER. Not the state but Joe the hall of fame quarterback.
27. Respectful response : NO SIR. Yes sir!
30. Alibi provider, sometimes : LIAR. Rhymes with Lawyer.
32. Pueblo people : HOPIS. The too have their 2012 PREDICTIONS.
33. Smart guy? : ALECK. ORIGIN.
34. Make good on : REPAY.
35. However, briefly : THOugh.
36. Blabbed : TOLD. Big mouth.
40. Plug end? : OLA. Plugola. Another term the Payola given to 1950s and 60's DJs to promote acts or products.
43. Railroad crossing : TRESTLE. It is the support, can also be part of a table, etc.
44. "That hurt my feelings!" : OUCH. "If you prick me, do I not bleed?" Hey anon.
46. Code of conduct : ETHIC.
47. Visibly furious : BEET RED. Could not resist.
49. Cook on the range : SAUTE. As opposed to using the oven, not out in the fields.
52. Conspires : PLOTS. Some authors are great at plots some at creating characters, the great ones do both.
53. Poke, kitten-style : PAW AT. For all the kitty lovers this LINK.
55. Elegance : STYLE. Like C.C.'s puzzles and blogs.
56. Note next to a red F, maybe : SEE ME. A nice shout out to all of our teachers past and present.
57. Miscue : ERROR.
59. Circular road : BELT. Like at NCIS.
60. Frothy traditional beverage : NOG. EGGsactly.
61. "__ of Destruction": 1965 protest song : EVE. No wonder my generation is all a little crazy with this our ANTHEM. (3:37) Very graphic and violent.
62. Pallid : WAN. This clue pales in comparison to others.
64. Peeples of "Fame" : NIA. I leave you with this memory
Well another Friday and another month almost gone; thanks for inviting me in and see you next time. If you want information on Pancho read his INTERVIEW. Lemonade out.
PS for Dennis, there actually two Jack's Old Fashion Hamburger House restaurants in the area, the other is at 4201 N. Federal Highway, a little south of Commercial. Jack Berry the founder was a wonderful man, and a good friend who died in 2011. If I could get his burgers and 5 guys fries I would weigh a ton. Pompano is just over a two mile walk for me, and Ft. Lauderdale 3 miles.
Here is an article from our LAT constructor Mangesh Ghogre regarding his forthcoming visit to the US as a judge for the ACPT. I especially enjoyed the last paragraph, so true! Click here to see his picture with Will Shortz during the Judges' Dinner.
