Theme: THE FOUR TOPS - The first word of each two-word common phrase can precede "top".
17A. *Hooch from the hinterlands: MOUNTAIN DEW. Yum . Mountain Top = TOP 1.
29A. *Spears or Twain: POP SINGERS . Britney and Shania . Pop Top = TOP 2.
39A. *Steve Forbes proposed a 17% one: FLAT TOP. Flat Tax = TOP 3.
48A. *Place to get tickets: BOX OFFICE . Box Top = TOP 4. Count them, four just like the group!
62A. "I Can't Help Myself" singers (1965), and hint to puzzle theme found in beginnings of answers to starred clues: THE FOUR TOPS. The first band I got a record deal for, covered this song on their second album.
Hello all, there is no way you can enjoy this puzzle as much as I did. It is I, Across 66. Lemon ending: ADE 714 here, providing you information and entertainment.
If any of you had any doubt about how powerful C.C.’s influence is, a look at this fun puzzle which includes not only my sobriquet, but also Across 34. It covers the pupil: CORNEA knowing I have had three CORNEA transplant operations, and 30. About the eye: OPTIC. The nerve of this guy; then all kinds of legalese, Across 26. Like a case before the court: AT BAR , 52. Parcel (out): METE. A favorite legal word, 53. Sale warning: AS IS . Real estate primarily is sold this way, 58. Certifies under oath: ATTESTS , 70. Property to divide, perhaps: ESTATE; it is eerie!
Anyway, it is Wednesday, so let’s get to it:
Across:
1. Country bumpkin: HICK . Tricky way to begin, as RUBE also fits, so you have to look at down: 1. Run smoothly: HUM , to get going, or at least that is how I approach solving.
5. In itself: AS SUCH.
11. When doubled, a dance: CAN. Another toughie, with CHA as an alternative.
14. Tangelo relative: UGLI. One of our common fruit responses.
15. Baum's good witch: GLINDA. If you have not seen the play wicked it is a fabulous prequel to L. Frank Baum’s WIZARD OF OZ.
16. Livy's "I love:" AMO. More Latin and history of old Romans .
19. Gun: REV we can all picture Barry G. gunning the engine in his new Chrysler, or Dennis doing so in any car.
20. Sends again, as a package: RESHIPS.
21. WellPoint competitor: AETNA, insurance companies.
23. Computer list: MENU.
24. Stated: SAID. This was so easy, it was hard, he indicated.
36. __-Man: PAC. Yes, I was a fanatic!
37. Youngest Bronte sister: ANNE. She died young of TB.
38. Brian who produced some U2 albums: ENO. A musician in his own right.
42. Lyric poem: ODE.
43. Fruit covering: RIND.
45. "Madama Butterfly" tie: OBI.
46. Hid, cardsharp-style: PALMED. Yes, be careful of dealers with big hands.
51. Deviates: VEERS.
55. Marina locale: INLET.
61. Daisy __: MAE . Al Capp’s creation.
67. Exalt: LIFT UP.
68. "Toreador Song," e.g.: ARIA. Do we ever go a week without this word?
69. Cougar or Impala: CAR. I wanted something more complicated, involving wild cats…silly me.
71. Monthly payment: RENT.
Down:
2. Borodin prince: IGOR. More opera knowledge, my weak suit in all puzzles.
3. Detective's need: CLUE. Did anyone know, the game originated in England? Well, with Colonel Mustard….
4. Brother or father: KINSMAN.
5. "Encore!": AGAIN .
6. Err: SLIP UP, and the quick echo, 7. Errs, morally: SINS .
8. Leipzig link: UND. How to say “and” in German.
9. B followers: CDE. Easy?
10. Game show winner's destination, maybe: HAWAII. I guess they have all left us to sit on the beach.
11. Market offering: CART. It is the first thing you get when you go to the grocery store.
12. Service finale: AMEN. Any French Open Tennis fans out there?
13. Bright star: NOVA. Help me scientists, I thought this meant an explosion on a star?
18. 1994 Denis Leary comedy: THE REF , odd movie.
22. Flamboyant Dame: EDNA, another export from the Commonwealth of Nations, funny?.
24. Tiff: SPAT.
25. Songwriters' org.: ASCAP.
26. Harsh: ACERB. IC? ICKY?
27. "Pagliacci" baritone role: TONIO. No clue.
28. Where the 2009 World Series was won: BRONX. No comment.
31. Garden statue: GNOME.
32. Word after East or West: ENDER. I used to watch the BBC TV Show .
33. Oboes and clarinets: REEDS. Are your instruments custom made, JzB?
35. Up in the air: ALOFT.
40. Irish Rose's lover: ABIE.
41. Missionary St. Francis __: XAVIER. Cute juxtaposition.
44. Stadium topper: DOME. They are building a new baseball stadium for the Florida Marlins with a retractable roof, but will anyone come?
47. Light cigarette ad claim: LESS TAR. Wow, a real blast from the past.
49. In fine __: fit: FETTLE. Nice word, and alliteration!
50. Enjoy a bistro: EAT OUT.
54. Knucklehead: STUPE . Really?
55. Apple with an electronic core: IMAC.
56. Zilch: NADA. Finally, some Spanish.
57. Lewd look: LEER. Okay, maybe this one applies to me also.
58. Aqua Velva alternative: AFTA. But neither of these two, ever!
59. Ripped off: TORE.
60. Turn in a kissing game: SPIN. The bottle; where are you Lo-li-ta?
63. Towel word: HIS.
64. Newt, at one time: EFT. Yes, again; try and work this word into a conversation.
65. Made a lap: SAT. Love them babies .
Thanks for letting me in your homes, have a great June and be careful.
Answer grid.
Lemonade714
17A. *Hooch from the hinterlands: MOUNTAIN DEW. Yum . Mountain Top = TOP 1.
29A. *Spears or Twain: POP SINGERS . Britney and Shania . Pop Top = TOP 2.
39A. *Steve Forbes proposed a 17% one: FLAT TOP. Flat Tax = TOP 3.
48A. *Place to get tickets: BOX OFFICE . Box Top = TOP 4. Count them, four just like the group!
62A. "I Can't Help Myself" singers (1965), and hint to puzzle theme found in beginnings of answers to starred clues: THE FOUR TOPS. The first band I got a record deal for, covered this song on their second album.
Hello all, there is no way you can enjoy this puzzle as much as I did. It is I, Across 66. Lemon ending: ADE 714 here, providing you information and entertainment.
If any of you had any doubt about how powerful C.C.’s influence is, a look at this fun puzzle which includes not only my sobriquet, but also Across 34. It covers the pupil: CORNEA knowing I have had three CORNEA transplant operations, and 30. About the eye: OPTIC. The nerve of this guy; then all kinds of legalese, Across 26. Like a case before the court: AT BAR , 52. Parcel (out): METE. A favorite legal word, 53. Sale warning: AS IS . Real estate primarily is sold this way, 58. Certifies under oath: ATTESTS , 70. Property to divide, perhaps: ESTATE; it is eerie!
Anyway, it is Wednesday, so let’s get to it:
Across:
1. Country bumpkin: HICK . Tricky way to begin, as RUBE also fits, so you have to look at down: 1. Run smoothly: HUM , to get going, or at least that is how I approach solving.
5. In itself: AS SUCH.
11. When doubled, a dance: CAN. Another toughie, with CHA as an alternative.
14. Tangelo relative: UGLI. One of our common fruit responses.
15. Baum's good witch: GLINDA. If you have not seen the play wicked it is a fabulous prequel to L. Frank Baum’s WIZARD OF OZ.
16. Livy's "I love:" AMO. More Latin and history of old Romans .
19. Gun: REV we can all picture Barry G. gunning the engine in his new Chrysler, or Dennis doing so in any car.
20. Sends again, as a package: RESHIPS.
21. WellPoint competitor: AETNA, insurance companies.
23. Computer list: MENU.
24. Stated: SAID. This was so easy, it was hard, he indicated.
36. __-Man: PAC. Yes, I was a fanatic!
37. Youngest Bronte sister: ANNE. She died young of TB.
38. Brian who produced some U2 albums: ENO. A musician in his own right.
42. Lyric poem: ODE.
43. Fruit covering: RIND.
45. "Madama Butterfly" tie: OBI.
46. Hid, cardsharp-style: PALMED. Yes, be careful of dealers with big hands.
51. Deviates: VEERS.
55. Marina locale: INLET.
61. Daisy __: MAE . Al Capp’s creation.
67. Exalt: LIFT UP.
68. "Toreador Song," e.g.: ARIA. Do we ever go a week without this word?
69. Cougar or Impala: CAR. I wanted something more complicated, involving wild cats…silly me.
71. Monthly payment: RENT.
Down:
2. Borodin prince: IGOR. More opera knowledge, my weak suit in all puzzles.
3. Detective's need: CLUE. Did anyone know, the game originated in England? Well, with Colonel Mustard….
4. Brother or father: KINSMAN.
5. "Encore!": AGAIN .
6. Err: SLIP UP, and the quick echo, 7. Errs, morally: SINS .
8. Leipzig link: UND. How to say “and” in German.
9. B followers: CDE. Easy?
10. Game show winner's destination, maybe: HAWAII. I guess they have all left us to sit on the beach.
11. Market offering: CART. It is the first thing you get when you go to the grocery store.
12. Service finale: AMEN. Any French Open Tennis fans out there?
13. Bright star: NOVA. Help me scientists, I thought this meant an explosion on a star?
18. 1994 Denis Leary comedy: THE REF , odd movie.
22. Flamboyant Dame: EDNA, another export from the Commonwealth of Nations, funny?.
24. Tiff: SPAT.
25. Songwriters' org.: ASCAP.
26. Harsh: ACERB. IC? ICKY?
27. "Pagliacci" baritone role: TONIO. No clue.
28. Where the 2009 World Series was won: BRONX. No comment.
31. Garden statue: GNOME.
32. Word after East or West: ENDER. I used to watch the BBC TV Show .
33. Oboes and clarinets: REEDS. Are your instruments custom made, JzB?
35. Up in the air: ALOFT.
40. Irish Rose's lover: ABIE.
41. Missionary St. Francis __: XAVIER. Cute juxtaposition.
44. Stadium topper: DOME. They are building a new baseball stadium for the Florida Marlins with a retractable roof, but will anyone come?
47. Light cigarette ad claim: LESS TAR. Wow, a real blast from the past.
49. In fine __: fit: FETTLE. Nice word, and alliteration!
50. Enjoy a bistro: EAT OUT.
54. Knucklehead: STUPE . Really?
55. Apple with an electronic core: IMAC.
56. Zilch: NADA. Finally, some Spanish.
57. Lewd look: LEER. Okay, maybe this one applies to me also.
58. Aqua Velva alternative: AFTA. But neither of these two, ever!
59. Ripped off: TORE.
60. Turn in a kissing game: SPIN. The bottle; where are you Lo-li-ta?
63. Towel word: HIS.
64. Newt, at one time: EFT. Yes, again; try and work this word into a conversation.
65. Made a lap: SAT. Love them babies .
Thanks for letting me in your homes, have a great June and be careful.
Answer grid.
Lemonade714
