Theme: [WILL WORK FOR HAY] - Three old oater stars get answers to their questions.
20A. "What is our flatware made of, Lone Ranger?" : "STERLING, SILVER"
36A. "What does it take to succeed in Hollywood, Tonto?" : "TALENT, SCOUT"
43A. "What makes up my mane, Roy Rogers?" : "HAIR, TRIGGER"
57A. Start of the "Mister Ed" theme song, and hint to who is asking 20-, 36- and 43-Across : "A HORSE IS A HORSE"
Argyle here. David gave us a cute concept today with very few missteps. Not much to comment on.
Across:
1. Toast spreads : JAMS
5. Head-and-shoulders statuette : BUST. Reprise.
9. Charitable sort : DONOR
14. Cain's victim : ABEL
15. Lotion additive : ALOE
16. "Drab" color : OLIVE
17. Ashram authority : GURU. Ashram - a religious retreat or community where a Hindu holy man lives.
18. Agent Scully on "The X-Files" : DANA. 1993 to 2002 on Fox.
19. Rubber tree product used in paint : LATEX
23. Pea container : POD
24. "Sonic the Hedgehog" developer : SEGA. The title character and protagonist of a series released by Sega, as well as numerous spin-off comics, five animated shows, and a Original Video Animation.
25. NFL scores : TDs
28. Red, White or Black : SEA. Update: White Sea
30. Reddish-yellow : ORANGE
35. Toward the ship's rear : AFT
39. Quahog, for one : CLAM
41. In the past : AGO
42. Write with acid : ETCH
48. Environmental prefix : ECO
49. Meryl who played Julia Child : STREEP
50. Nine-digit-number issuing org. : SSA. (Social Security Administration)
51. Bad-mouth : DIS
52. Rock concert gear : AMPS
55. CBS forensic drama : CSI. (Crime Scene Investigation)
64. North Carolina fort : BRAGG
65. "It's a __!": "Easy!" : SNAP
66. Abound : TEEM
67. Quotable Yogi : BERRA. "A nickel ain't worth a dime anymore." More
68. "Canterbury" story : TALE
69. Eve's mate : ADAM
70. Bakery array : CAKES. A CED specialty.
71. Google find : SITE
72. VAIO PC maker : SONY
Down:
1. Sporty English autos : JAGS. (automobiles/Jaguars)(M's company car is a Jaguar XJ L)
2. Lie against : ABUT
3. Nothing more than : MERE
4. Drink inelegantly : SLURP
5. "I wouldn't do that if I were you" : "BAD IDEA"
6. __ Bator : ULAN
7. Top 40 numbers : SONGS
8. Poke fun at : TEASE
9. Cents partner : DOLLARS
10. One of five Norwegian kings : OLAV
11. Evening, in ads : NITE
12. Above : OVER
13. Tyrannosaurus __ : REX
21. ABC drama about a missing plane : "LOST"
22. "__ Rhythm" : I GOT. An American in Paris - I Got Rhythm(4:52)
25. Dials next to speedometers, for short : TACHS and 45D. Readings on 25-Down: Abbr. : RPMs
26. C sharp equivalent : D FLAT
27. Step in a flight : STAIR
29. Jai __ : ALAI
31. Blackjack half : ACE
32. Pre-eminent : NOTED
33. Designer Aldo : GUCCI
34. Spirit of a culture : ETHOS
37. With 38-Down, yuletide quaffs : EGG
38. See 37-Down : NOGS
40. G.I. field ration : MRE. (Meals Ready to Eat)
44. Riot squad's supply : TEAR GAS
46. Bloodhound's quarry : ESCAPEE
47. Unthinking : RASH
53. Orkin targets : PESTS
54. Mount in Exodus : SINAI
56. Greek i's : IOTAs
57. Field of expertise : AREA
58. Quaint "Listen!" : "HARK!"
59. Fairy tale baddie : OGRE
60. Crystals in a shaker : SALT
61. Change the decor of : REDO
62. Actor Connery : SEAN
63. Television award : EMMY
64. "Doctor Who" network : BBC. (British Broadcasting Corporation)
Argyle
