Theme: Going in circles
18A. Poof : UP IN SMOKE.
23A. "Danger, Will Robinson!" sci-fi series : LOST IN SPACE.
37A. "Lincoln" director : STEVEN SPIELBERG.
53A. Gilbert and Sullivan work subtitled "The Lass That Loved a Sailor" : HMS PINAFORE.
And the unifier:
59A. Washing machine phase graphically shown in this puzzle's circles : SPIN CYCLE.
I really like the progression, where the "S" moves from the end position, one at a time, pulling the rest of the word along with it. But I have the feeling I have seen this theme recently...no?
The fill seemed like a Monday romp to me. I made one pass across and down, and was done. How was your experience?
Across:
1. Nine-time Grammy winner Mary J. ___ : BLIGE. Introduced to her from crosswords. But I do like her Mary Jane (All Night Long).
6. Honeyed quaff : MEAD.
10. High point : ACME. Or, a Road Runner supplier.
14. Pine product : ROSIN. Used often on my violin bow, in my ute...
15. Nobel Peace Prize city : OSLO.
16. Mount color : ROAN.
17. Kind of elephant : ASIAN.
20. Wide-headed fasteners : T-NUTS.
22. Peppy and then some : HYPER.
28. Big jerk? : TUG.
29. Actress Thurman : UMA. I loved her "Kill Bill" series.
30. ___ cotta : TERRA.
31. Frequent award for Tiger Woods : ESPY. Nice change from "Catch sight of" clue. Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly award.
32. Christmas buys : GIFTS. Santa Argyle, who are you gifting with coal this year?
35. River mammal : OTTER.
43. Godly : PIOUS.
44. Group scuffle : MELEE.
45. Layered haircut : SHAG. Like Mike Myers'?
48. Get a giggle from : AMUSE. Does he amuse you?
51. "Inferno" author Brown : DAN. He is a big crossword aficionado.
52. Prosciutto, e.g. : HAM.
56. Difficult high school sci. course : AP BIO. Advanced Placement Biology. One of my courses in H.S.
58. Solitary soul : LONER.
63. Private account : DIARY.
66. One still maturing : TEEN.
67. "___ go bragh!" : ERIN.
68. Common Sundance entry : INDIE. I always wondered why India was such a big presence at the Sundance film festival. But I finally learned that the name stands for "Independent" films.
69. Author Radcliffe and a cape : ANNS. Huh? An author and a Massachusetts cape?
70. Russian refusal : NYET.
71. Preppy collars : ETONS.
Down:
1. Strapped support : BRA. I bet Alessandra Ambrosio gets a lot of support from her fans.
2. UCLA article : LOS. Los Angeles ("The" Angels.)
3. "Can I come out now?" : IS IT SAFE?
4. Really big : GIANT.
5. Bordeaux boredom : ENNUI. Not sure why "Bordeaux" is in the clue. It's the same word in English.
6. Chocolate treat : MOUSSE.
7. Purported ability : ESP. "Purported" because it is not scientifically proven.
8. 2001 boxing biopic : ALI. Starring Will Smith.
9. Step into, as a pair of slacks : DON. Wha? Why not clue it as "Half of the Crossword Corner Dynamic Duo"???
10. West Point team : ARMY. My nephew is the athletic trainer for them.
11. Appropriates : CO-OPTS.
12. Facial cosmetics : MAKEUP.
13. Cabinet department created under Carter : ENERGY.
19. Lady's pronoun : SHE.
21. "Falling Skies" network: TNT. Never saw it. Any good?
23. Schleps : LUGS.
24. Replace with an ellipsis : OMIT...
25. Supports : PROPS UP.
26. Drawing intro : ART I.
27. Oscar winner Blanchett : CATE. "The Aviator" was one of my favorite films that year. She did a great job portraying Katharine Hepburn.
31. Kathryn of "Law & Order: C.I." : ERBE. No clue. Lots of ladies in this puzzle.
33. Freq. sitcom rating : TV PG.
34. Sicilian six : SEI. Had to sharpen up my Italian counting skills when I went to Italy in June. Uno, due, tre, quattro, cinque, sei...
36. Stately shader : ELM.
38. Author Chomsky : NOAM. From M.I.T. He's waaaay over my head!
39. Column enders : SUMS.
40. Mythical city of gold : EL DORADO.
41. Duff : REAR. Was thinking "golf" here! So, kick me in the butt!
42. DNA component : GENE.
45. Soda born at the base of a California mountain : SHASTA.
.JPG)
46. Go down, so to speak : HAPPEN. It's what's happening!!
47. Insomniac's prescription : AMBIEN.
49. Like one "k" in "knuckle" : SILENT.
50. Byrne's "Strange Overtones" collaborator : ENO. Brian, of elevator music fame.
53. Ad ___ committee : HOC.
54. Bill's "Groundhog Day" co-star : ANDIE. MacDowell. And Bill Murray. He is a regular visitor to my town. I have even had drinks with him at the local watering hole.
55. False move : FEINT.
57. Places to stay : INNS.
60. Craving : YEN.
61. Howl or bark : CRY.
62. Tell a tale : LIE.
64. "A Dog of the Regiment" dog ___ Tin Tin : RIN.
65. "Without a doubt!" : YES. I believe we are done here!
And that's it for this week. Till next time!
Marti
