Theme: "I'm Drawing a Blank"
19. Blank : EXPRESSIONLESS.
24. Blank : HOLD SCORELESS.
43. Blank : LINE ON A SURVEY.
48. Blank : EMPTY CARTRIDGE.
This is a "definition puzzle." Usually in this type of puzzle, all of the theme entries have the same clue. In this case, not only do the four long entries have the same clue, but every clue in the puzzle has a "fill in the BLANK." So that's an impressive 179 squares with theme entries. Has that ever been topped in a weekday puzzle? Kudos to Rich for seeing the brilliance of this one!
OK, since I can't review all the "theme" entries, let's play a little psychology game with this one. Say the first thing that pops into your mind when you read each clue (whether the # of letters fits or not!!) Let's have some fun!! My first thoughts are in caps, in parentheses. But bear in mind, most of my answers are tongue-in-cheek.
Across:
1. __ Club : SAMS. (BOOK)
5. Eat __ : CROW. (SHIT)
9. Film __ : NOIR. (STAR)
13. Sleep __ : APNEA. (IN)
14. Mata __ : HARI. (HARI)
15. "I'm __ you!" : ON TO. (BEGGING)
16. "__ to please!" : WE AIM. (Sign in the men's restroom: YOU AIM TOO, PLEASE!)
17. __-steven : EVEN. (CAT)
18. SWAT __ : TEAM. (FLIES)
22. __ of bounds : OUT. (OUT)
23. Electric __ : EEL. (GUITAR)
31. "It __ to reason" : STANDS. (STANDS)
33. "You're taking a big __" : RISK. (BITE)
34. __-TURN : NO U. (U)
35. Good for what __ you : AILS. (AILS)
36. Costa del __ : SOL. (MAR)
37. __ Elevator Company : OTIS. (OTIS)
38. "I Like __" : IKE. (IT LIKE THAT)
39. __ the scales : TIPS. (TIPPED)
41. San Diego __ : PADRES. (CONVENTION CENTER)
46. Hopping __ : MAD. (TOAD)
47. Jacqueline Kennedy __ Bouvier : NEE. (She had another name???)
56. Quod __ demonstrandum : ERAT. (ERAT)
57. __ to one's senses : CAME. (COME)
58. Shed __ : A TEAR. (BLOOD)
59. __-Honey : BIT-O. (God, i loved those things when I was a kid. But I haven't had one in ___ ...)
60. "Rock of __" : AGES. (...AGES)
61. From beyond the __ : GRAVE. (UNKNOWN)
62. __ nuts : BEER. (CHOCK FULL O')
63. "__-a-Cop": 1988 film : RENT. (RENT)
64. "Jane __" : EYRE. (DOE)
Down:
1. X-Ray __: U.K. punk band : SPEX. (VISION)
2. Take __: doze : A NAP. (A NAP)
3. Golda __ : MEIR. (MEIR)
4. "It's the __ story" : SAME OLD. (SAME OLD)
5. __ of drawers : CHESTS. (CHEST)
6. __ Shankar : RAVI. (RAVI)
7. __ Cakesters : OREO. (OREO)
8. __ circle : WINNERS. (ARCTIC)
9. __ motel : NO TELL. (ROACH)
10. "A Room of __ Own" : ONE'S. (ONE'S)
11. "Take __ a compliment" : IT AS. (IT AS)
12. CD-__ : ROM. (PLAYER)
13. "I'm in __": "Wow!" : AWE. (FRONT)
20. Soap __ : SUDS. (OPERA)
21. __ and potato soup : LEEK. (LEEK)
24. Van __ : HALEN. (GOGH)
25. Carry-__: luggage : ONS. (FORWARD) (Hey, it's tax season!!)
26. Victoria __ : CROSS. ('s SECRET)
27. Olive __ : OIL. (OYL)
28. __-level : ENTRY. (SPLIT)
29. Peau de __: satin-weave cloth : SOIE. (SOIE)
30. __ 22-Across: solve : SUSS. (huhhh??)
31. Set __ : SAIL. (THE TABLE)
32. __ torch : TIKI. (CARRY A)
36. Day __ : SPA. (-O, DAY-O, DAYLIGHT COME AND ME WAN' GO HOME)
37. "__ to Joy" : ODE. (ODE)
39. Suit __ : TO A T. (CASE)
40. __ Series: auto races : INDY CAR. (No clue…wait a minute while I check the perps.)
41. __-à-porter: ready-to-wear : PRET. (PRET)
42. __ Joe : AVERAGE. (AVERAGE! On the Crossword Corner!!)
44. Caveat __ : EMPTOR. (EMPTOR)
45. Civil __: protest : UNREST. (RIGHTS)
48. __ Canal : ERIE. (ROOT)
49. __ for life : MATE. (FIGHT)
50. Rib __ : CAGE. (EYE STEAK)
51. "__ to that!" : AMEN. (AMEN)
52. "Lord knows __!" : I TRY. (I'VE TRIED)
53. __ Abby : DEAR. (DOWNTON) (I know, I know - it's "abbey")
54. __ birth to : GAVE. (GIVE)
55. "... __ I saw Elba" : ERE. (ERE)
56. __ and flow : EBB. (EBB)
So, how did you do? I think I matched about a third of them immediately, which helped fill in the others big time.
Happy Thursday!
Marti
Note from C.C.
Happy Birthday to dear Santa Argyle, my trusted adviser & friend, who's always, always there for me when I'm in trouble.
Note from C.C.
Happy Birthday to dear Santa Argyle, my trusted adviser & friend, who's always, always there for me when I'm in trouble.
