04.30.08 -- Googling on My Mind

Copperstate Design

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Wednesday, April 30, 2008

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Puzzle by Henry Hook, edited by Will Shortz

GOOGLING (1D. Solver’s online recourse) has changed the world of crossword puzzles as surely as it has changed the world. Authors (or constructors) of crosswords, along with solvers are falling further and further into the pit of electronic entries -- even the clues are being affected. The crossword puzzle constructor has forced the issue -- it is possible to find a justification for almost every combination of letters in any corner of the puzzle into which the constructor has been painted. It doesn’t take a vast array of knowledge or exhausting tactile research to come up with a Mann’s “Der TOD in Venedig”.

Change that clue for GOOGLING to (1D. Crossword constructor's online recourse). Like it or not, it's here to stay! So Google this!

GENTLEONMYMIND (20A. 1968 Glen Campbell hit); GEORGIAONMYMIND (34A. 1960 Ray Charles hit); and ALWAYSONMYMIND (53A. 1982 Willie Nelson hit) are this Wednesday’s inter-related entries.

Across: 1. Taunt; 5. Slalomer’s moves; 9. “ALLI ask is a tall ship…”; John Masefield; 13. Sans deferment; 14. Till you get it right; 16. “Present” in bad kids’ Christmas stockings; 17. Acapulco acclamations; 18. Bellini two-actor; 19. Fail miserably, in slang; 23. Daughter of Muhammad Ali; 24. Cut into parts; 25. Mouse who’s always throwing bricks at Krazy Kat; 27. Hardly stuffy; 28. Aficionado; 29. Gets; 40. Peace-and-quiet venue; 41. “Whaddya waiting’ for?!”; 42. Title lover in a 1920s Broadway hit; 44. Little fingers or toes; 47. He wrote “If God did not exist, it would be necessary to invest him”; 52. Borrow a partner; 55. Nolo contendere, for one; 56. Get by; 57. False deity; 58. “Gilmore Girls” daughter; 59. New Jersey’s SETON Hall University; 60. Novel ending?; 61. 1961 “space chimp”; 62. Wraps (up); 63. Accordion part.

Down: 2. Allied (with); 3. Enjoyed doing; 4. Title locale in a Cheech Marin flick; 5. Actor Billy of “Titanic”; 6. “What AGOOD boy am I!”; 7. Adorned, in the kitchen; 8. Super Bowl XXI M.V.P., first to say” I’m going to Disney World!”; 9. What demonstrators demonstrate; 10. Auto shop’s offering; 11. Longtime Cowboys coach Tom; 12. Sort; 15. Senate tally; 21. Midback muscle, briefly; 22. Villain; 26. Suffix with Meso- or Paleo-; 30. Ewe said it; 32. Singer DiFranco; 33. Mosque V.I.P.; 35. Things people are trained in?; 36. Van Susteren of Fox News; 37. Begin; 38. Put up; 39. Approached zero; 42. Burial place of King Arthur; 43. Ravel work; 45. Unfriendly; 46. Repertoire component; 48. Senate tally; 49. N.H.L. Eastern Conf. team; 50. What a traveling salesman travels; 51. Establish, as a chair; 54. Department store section; 55. Opposite of post-.

Today's Shortzesque twin clues? 15- and 48- Down, Senate tally, NAYS and AYES.

Google it!

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04.29.08 -- SYZYGY

Syzygy, stained glass by Carl Powell

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Tuesday, April 29, 2008

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Puzzle by Will Nediger, edited by Will Shortz

Five alphabetical syzygies are the inter-related entries of today’s crossword: ALLTHATJAZZ (17A. Semiauto- biographical Bob Fosse film); ALEXRODRIGUEZ (38A. A.L. M.V.P. in 2003, 2005 and 2007); APOLLOSOYUZ (60A. 1970s joint U.S./Soviet space project); ASHKENAZ (12D. Namesake of a branch of Judaism); and ALCATRAZ (38D. The Rock) -- that is to say, each entry begins with the letter A and ends with the letter Z.

SYZYGY (46D. Alignment of the sun, earth and moon, e.g.) is given an astronomical definition; however, it has a broader meaning, as defined in Webster’s:

Beyond that, this crossword puzzle’s entries are like bumper cars at an amusement park -- BATTY (4D. Loco) and CRAZED (48D. Loco), the requisite Shortzesque twin clues are a good definition. Can’t remember seeing KALKAN (2D. Brand name in dog food) and OSAKAN (8D. Resident of Japan’s “second city”) on the same page. Bashing about are JAG and ZAG, LIZ and IZE, UGH and URN, EWOK and EXES, EZRA and UZI, and the wee and wild PYX ramming about with TANYA, TARTAN, TASK, TECHNO, TOJO, TUNES and TYPE, leaving the only other long entries, JACOBITE (11D. Supporter of the House of Stuart) and LAGRANGE (39D. Georgia city or college), IDLING (3D. In neutral) in a LAZE (10D. Loll).

This puzzle also HADAGO (14A. Tried one’s hand [at]) such fare as The Beatles’ “I Am the WALRUS” (23A.) and WAGERS (34D. Exactas and trifectas); SKIBUM (1A. No stranger to the slopes) and SHASTA (1D. Daisy developed by Luther Burbank); NEWLINE (33A. “Lord of the Rings” studio); New Jersey’s MCGUIRE Air Force Base (43A.); RETINA (27D. Eye part); RUPAUL (40D. Drag performer with a wax likeness in New York’s Madame Tussauds) and ALEXEI (25D. Only son of Czar Nicholas II); AIRDRY (32D. Hang on the line) and SERUMS (35D. Blood fluids) -- rounding out with OBEYED (68D. Followed orders), “JINGLE Bells” (65A.), BLARED (41A. Trumpeted) and EUROPE (44A. It was divided by the Iron Curtain).

MOAB? UGH! SFC? Get out the FERULE (47D. Punishing rod)!

The ROLL (7A. Bun) call Across: 11. Sporty auto, for short; 15. Mongolia’s home; 16. Cigarette’s end; 19. Tai CHI (meditative martial art); 20. “Saturday Night Live” bit; 21. Schnoz; 22. Creature from the forest moon of Endor; 24. Country singer Tucker; 26. Blacken on the barbecue; 28. Laid up; 30. “Brokeback Mountain” director Lee; 31. “Well, LAH-di-dah!”; 35. River along the Quai d’Orsay; 37. Highlander’s textile pattern; 42. Things to whistle; 45. Bogey beater; 46. Certain NCO; 49. “Getting close”; 50. Arizona birthplace of Cesar Chavez; 52. More cunning; 54. It’s a piece of work; 56. Decisive defeat; 58. Book after II Chronicles; 59. Part of a coffee service; 63. Sharp turn; 64. Ilk; 66. Suffix with modern; 67. Former mates.

The DEN (29D. Cub’s place) of Downs: 5. “Yecch!”; 6. Ancient land along the Dead Sea; 7. Eastern prince; 9. Clairborne of fashion; 13. 4, on a keypad; 36. Summer hrs. along the Atlantic; 41. Audi competitor; 51. Lawn diggers; 53. Spaghetti western director Sergio; 55. Actress Winslet; 57. Hitler : Germany :: TOJO : Japan; 59. Gun in an action film; 61. Eucharist vessel; 62. Sis or bro.

About that bumper car analogy -- one last look -- HERE!

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04.28.08 -- NECKING

Monday, April 28, 2008

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Puzzle by Gary Disch, edited by Will Shortz

NECKING (41A. Making out … or a hint to this puzzle’s four hidden articles of clothing), along with ROOMSTOLET (17A. Boardinghouse sign); NOVASCOTIA (64A. Halifax’s home); ANTIELITE (11D. Favoring common folk) and NASCARFAN (34D. Daytona 500 enthusiast), are this Monday back-to-work crossword inter-related entries.

Whoa! This is certainly minimal clothing -- stole, ascot, tie, scarf -- sounds like formal wear at a nudist colony. Other articles of “clothing” (or the lack of it) in the puzzle include SASH (1A. “Miss America” might be printed on one); LOADS (57D. Laundry units) and naturally, NUDE (41D. Michelangelo’s David, e.g.).

The TANGLE (25A. Snarled mess) of the Monday commute could easily lead off this puzzle’s rubber- NECKING plethora of crosswordese with the six-letter group including NEPALI (23A. Katmandu resident); PREVUE (35A. Sneak peek: Var.); UNSEAL (44A. Open, as an envelope); ACETIC (50A. Vinegary); THRALL (54A. Slave); BEAGLE (10D. Snoopy, for one); ICEAGE (47D. Time of advancing glaciers); preceded by two seven-letter entries: HYMNALS (4D. Church songbooks) and PERGOLA (45D. Shaded passageway).

Five-letter entries include ALTAR, ANIME, AROSE, ASONE, CAPOS, COVEN, GRECO, INPEN, IGLOO, IVORY, LOIRE, LUCID, OMEGA, PILOT, RELAX, SARAN, SETON, STOOP, SYNOD, TANGS, UNLIT.

Four-letter: ALFA, ALTO, ANON, ARES, ARTY, ASPS, ATOP, AVOW, BABA, BOON, CARE, CASH, CHIC, ENOS, GINS, GREG, HONE, LANA, LARD, LICE, NOGO, PEAL, PEAS, PUNS, SELA, STAG, URDU, VIAL, WACO.

Three-letter: ADS, CAT, EKE, ERA, ISM, SOD and TEA.

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Across: 5. Mafia bosses; 10. “Ali ___ and the Forty Thieves”; 14. Painterish; 15. Japanese cartoons; 16. Grandson of Adam; 19. Perched on; 20. Together; 21. Canceled; 22. Goes out in game of rummy; 27. Old-time actress Turner; 29. “Chill!”; 32. Many conundrums have them; 39. Suffix with human or organ; 40. Pitcher’s stat; 45. Pod contents; 46. Perfectly clear; 48. Some creepy-crawlies; 58. The “C” in T.L.C.; 60. Openly declare; 62. Eskimo home; 63. ___ Romeo (car); 66. Male-only; 67. El ___, Spanish artist; 68. Cooking fat; 69. Sharpen, as skills; 70. Church council; 71. God of war. Down: 1. Brand of kitchen wrap; 2. Lifted off the launch pad, e.g.; 3. Not stand completely erect; 5. Purrer; 6. Soon, to poets; 7. Stove light; 8. Letter after phi, chi, psi; 9. Not vacillating about; 12. Great benefit; 13. Nile reptiles; 18. Emmy-winning Ward; 24. Permanently, as writing; 26. Tour de France winner LeMond; 28. Rainbow shapes; 30. Between ports; 31. Lennon/Ono’s “Happy ___ (War is Over)”); 32. Sound of laughter; 33. Language of Lahore; 36. ___ out a living; 37. Lab bottle; 38. Not yet burning; 49. A la mode; 51. Zesty flavors; 52. Old piano key material; 53. Witches’ group; 55. Place to exchange “I do’s”; 56. Valley known for its chateaux; 58. Bills and coins; 59. Saxophone type; 61. Texas city on the Brazos; 65. Old prairie home material.

04.27.08 -- Oops!

Sunday, April 27, 2008

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Puzzle by Oliver Hill, edited by Will Shortz

Perhaps in anticipation that this crossword puzzle would not be dreary or tedious enough, there are ten across entries deliberately misspelled, which along with the central across entry IMPROPERLYSPELLED (65A. Like the answers to the 10 asterisked clues, more often than any other English words, according to a 1999 study) are today’s little spelling bee lesson of inter-related entries.

MILLENIUM (26. *Long, long time) = millennium; INNOCULATE (32. *Stick with a needle, maybe) = inoculate; EMBARASSMENT (34. *Absence at a nudist colony?) = embarrassment; HARRASSES (44. *Bugs) = harasses; MINISCULE (51. Wee) = minuscule (however, Webster‘s has miniscule as an alternate spelling); NOTICABLE (82. *Conspicuous) = noticeable; SUPERCEDE (87. *Supplant) = supersede; PERSEVERENCE (94. *Doggedness) = perseverance; ACCOMODATE (97. *Oblige) = accommodate; OCCURENCE (107. *Event) = occurrence.

I just had a war with my spell-check function while typing the above.

Saturday’s puzzle offered us CURATESEGG (18A. Something damned with faint praise, in British lingo); today’s gives us CURES (99D. Parish priests) and VICARS (96D. Parish priests) -- very Shortzesque -- Heavens (114D. SKY) and then “Heavens!” (109D. EGAD) -- well it is Sunday!

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Across: Program executors, for short; 5. Miracle- ___; 8. Tribal council makeup, often; 14. Casual attire; 19. Like the carol “Away in a Manger,” originally; 21. Wine sometimes blended with Cabernet Sauvignon; 22. Be; 23. Turn away; 24. Foot, slangily; 25. 2% alternative; 28. Loot; 30. Yank or Tiger; 31. Half-baked; 41. What a Tennessee cheerleader asks for a lot?; 42. Stuck; 43. Neighbor of Ga.; 50. Jazzy Jones; 54. Below par; 55. X-ray ___; 56. “What a moron I am!”; 57. Gawk at; 58. Whatchamacallit; 60. Monterrey mister; 62. Suffix not seen much in London; 63. Least bold; 69. Narrative; 71. ___ choy (Chinese vegetable)(; 72. Contract specifics; 73. Luster; 74. Tip of the Arabian Peninsula; 76. Massage target?; 77. Spicy cuisine; 81. Debt acknowledgment; 86. Trying period for a doctoral student; 91. Clean air org.; 91. Baseball’s ___ league; 93. Gen ___; 103. Commotion; 104. Series of rounds; 105. Is undecided; 113. Root used in perfumery; 115. Farmer’s ___; 117. Attempts; 118. T-shirt style; 119. Follows; 120. Like some pens; 121. Swift’s “A Modest Proposal,” e.g.; 122. Plain; 123. Alternative to dial-up; 124. French noblemen. Down: 1. Symbol of happiness; 2. Long-haired sheepdog; 3. Regulated bus.; 4. Writer/illustrator Silverstein; 5. Mustang competitor; 6. Photoshop options; 7. Tops; 8. Ambulance figure: Abbr.; 9. Many August babies; 10. Disarming words?; 11. Rocker John; 12. Violinist’s need; 13. Pen, to Pierre; 14. 1950’s Braves All-Star pitcher Burdette; 15. Relaxes, in a way; 16. It’s bowed; 17 Archipelago part; 18. Cubic meter; 20. Laredo-to-Galveston dir.; 27. “Bro!”; 29. Cliff; 33. Spanish “a”; 34. Karl Max’s one; 35. Alphabet quartet; 36. Expose; 37. Product with TV’s first advertising jingle, 1948; 38. Word of encouragement; 39. QB Manning; 40. “Illmatic” rapper; 44. Most massive; 45. The whole wide world; 46. Show up again; 47. Judged, with “up”; 48. They’re seen in many John Constable paintings; 49. ___ machine; 51. Orator’s no-no; 52. Restaurant chain since 1958; 53. Close, as a relationship; 56 Laura of “Jurassic Park”; 58. Some shampoos; 59. Running mate with Dick; 60. Like cotton candy; 61. Commercial come-on; 62. Type; 64. Ticklish one?; 65. Freeze; 66. Target of many a Bart Simpson prank call; 67. Rice-A-___; 68. Marmalade component; 69. Without adjustments; 70. Dynasty of Confucius and Lao-Tzu; 75. Trendy; 77. Olive or apple; 78. Goldie of “Cactus Flower”; 79. Actor Baldwin; 80. “Ah, yes”; 83. O.K. mark; 84. When Earth Day is celebrated: Abbr.; 85. ___ profundo; 86. Anthem contraction; 88. Rare imports, maybe; 89. Crucial sleep stage; 90. Cock-a-doodle-doo; 92. Examination; 94. Opposite of “nod off”; 95. Marked permanently; 96. Parish priests; 97. Previously mentioned; 98 Toes’ woes; 99. Parish priests; 100. Matriarchs; 101. ___ -garde; 102. Brusque; 106. Ooze; 108. Dorm heads, for short; 109. “Heavens!”; 110. International chain of fusion cuisine restaurants; 111. Course after trig; 112. Somme times; 114. Heavens; 116. Literary inits.

04.27.08 -- Dog Show -- the Acrostic

Sirius Rex, 1984, photo by Donald

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Sunday, April 27, 2008

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Acrostic Puzzle by Emily Cox & Henry Rathvon, edited by Will Shortz

One might encounter some difficulty in locating a copy of “The Pant Glas Story” by Elma Williams, but today’s acrostic allows us a glimpse in the form of a quotation from same:

Quotation: DOGS WAVE TAILS IN SEVERAL INDICATIVE WAYS THERE IS THE WIDE SWEEP OF EXPECTANCY OR THE MORE VIGOROUS MOVEMENT OF GREETING OR TAIL UNDER TUMMY A SUBTERRANEAN WAGGLE WHICH CAN BE PLEASURE TINGED WITH GUILT OR FEAR.

Author’s name and title of the work: ELMAWILLIAMSPANTGLASSTORY

The defined words: A. Top-level canines, EYETEETH; B. TV role for eight generations of one acting family, LASSIE; C. 1812 invention featuring a pendulum, METRONOME; D. Swift hunter or colorful cover, AFGHAN; E. Yarn used in weaving bark, WOOF; F. Nobel scientist with canine experiments, IVANPAVLOV; G. Stuff to be picked up; group from which to make a pick?, LITTER; H. Wrapping that may make a pill more palatable to a canine, LIVERWURST; I. “Come Back, Little Sheba” author, INGE; J. Valley around Leeds, England, AIREDALE; K. Like the hairless breed Xoloitzcuintli, MEXICAN; L. Human pal of Scooby-Doo, SHAGGY; M. Half-pint, run, miniature, PEEWEE; N. “The Call of the Wild” genre, ADVENTURE; O. Ratter from East Anglia, for short, NORWICH; P. Regarded as a faithful friend, TRUSTED; Q. Like an Irish wolfhound or St. Bernard, GIANT; R. Shade of a beagle’s ears, often (2 wds.), LIGHTBROWN; S. First character to recognize Odysseus upon his return, ARGUS; T. Four-legged Monopoly token, SCOTTIE; U. Shook, trembled, vibrated, SHIMMIED; V. Playful struggle for dominance (3 wds.), TUGOFWAR; W. Kind of school where students may learn to beg, OBEDIENCE; X. St. Bernard’s job description?, RESCUER; Y. Cry of complaint from a pound, YAWP.

I'll not argue with "Argus", but I cannot find "Argos" with that alternate spelling -- however, Wikipedia gives us this beautiful little paragraph:

In Greek mythology, Argos was Odysseus’ faithful dog. He waited for his master's return to Ithaca for over twenty years while most presumed Odysseus dead. He was the first (after those to whom Odysseus revealed his identity) to recognize the King returning from the Trojan War, even though Odysseus was disguised as a beggar to discover what had been going on in his palace during his absence. It was said that as soon as Argos recognized his master, he dropped his ears and did his best to wag his tail. Having fulfilled his destiny of faith by laying his eyes upon his master once more, he released a final whimper and died.

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04.26.08 -- Egg

Bishop: "I'm afraid you've got a bad egg, Mr Jones";

Curate: "Oh, no, my Lord, I assure you that parts of it are excellent!"

"True Humility" by George du Maurier, originally published in Punch, 1895.

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Saturday, April 26, 2008

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Puzzle by Brad Wilbur, edited by Will Shortz

This is a nice-enough crossword for a Saturday -- a quick countdown and then I’m out of here!

Ten letters: IAMACAMERA (5A. Play for which Julie Harris won the 1952 Tony for Best Actress); MRSMINIVER (16A. Title housewife in an Oscar-winning film); CURATESEGG (18A. Something damned with faint praise, in British lingo); ONARAMPAGE (51A. Like King Kong in New York City); MADAGASCAR (56A. Its currency unit is the ariary); PLOTTWISTS (58A. O. Henry specialty).

Nine letters: WAXPOETIC (30A. Rhapsodize); CESTSIBON (37A. Song title followed by the lyric “Lovers say that in France); SCHEMATIC (1D. Techie’s drawing); PHONELINE (2D. Cell’s lack); CODENAMES (3D. Indicators of intelligence?); TAILSKIDS (31D. Some airplane runners); ISLEOFMAN (32D. Douglas is its capital); CLOWNCARS (33D. High-occupancy vehicles?).

Seven letters: MENIALS (22A. Drones); ENTITLE (24A. Call); STPETER (44A. Titular author of two books of the Bible); NILSSON (47A. Swedish soprano noted for her Wagnerian roles); MISFILE (11D. “Lose” at the office); TREERAT (38D. Small, furry African climber).

Six letters: ALARUM (27A. Old-style call to arms); CURLEW (43A. Cousin of the sandpiper); IMCALM (5D. Response to “Don‘t panic“); CIDERS (43D. Some like them hot).

Five letters: AXIAL (28A. Kind of skeleton or symmetry); TIMED (29A. Like Olympic races); HEROS (35A. Torpedoes); PHILO (40A. Gunsmith Remington); RAVEN (42A. Croaking flier); ARUMS (6D. Green dragon and skunk cabbage); EVERT (12D. Winner of six U.S. Opens); REGAL (13D. Splendid); ARGUE (14D. Get into it, so to speak); EXXON (24D. Replacer of the Humble brand in the early 1970s); AARON (28D. One of a pair of biblical brothers); WEBER (30D. Max who wrote “Politics as a Vocation”); STOMP (44D. Jazz Age dance); TONAL (45. Like much music); PRADO (46D. Home of “The Garden of Earthly Delights”); NAGAT (47D. Plague).

Four Letters: ADAR, CHOW, FRAU, HIVE, HODS, LAMP, LAUD, MACS, MADE, MSRP, NIPS, PIMA, PULE, SPCA, SSNS, TORE.

Three letters: AMA, ANE, ASL, AWS, CIT, ENE, HRS, INE, IRE, KFC, MAW, PAS, PSI, SAT, TAO.

As puzzle‘s go, I suppose one might say that parts of it are well-rounded, egg and all!

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Across: 1. Pound sign letters; 15. Galley output; 17. Burdens on some shoulders; 19. Navigation abbreviation; 20. Desktop accessory; 21. Married woman abroad; 34. Ending like -like; 36. Syst. of unspoken words; 48. Rent; 49. Synthetic; 55. Gila River native; 57. Time of Ta’anit Esther; 59. Hyphenated figs. Down: 4. Sounds of feigned sympathy; 7. Letters on a new car sticker; 8. Overseer of some practices: Abbr.; 9. Summons: Abbr.; 20. Give a glowing review; 23. More than upset; 25. Defeats narrowly; 26. Process of nature by which all things change; 39. Gathered dust; 40. Whimper; 41. Timecard abbr.; 52. Rep.; 53. Cavernous opening; 54. Telepathy, e.g.; 55. Announcement carriers, for short.

04.25.08 -- Fossil

Friday, April 25, 2008

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Puzzle by Mike Nothnagel, edited by Will Shortz

Get out your Rosetta Stone, it's going to be a bumpy solve!

PENNYWISEAND (30A. With 36-Across, shortsighted); POUNDFOOLISH (36A. See 30-Across); along with THEBORNLOSER (7D. Long-running Art and Chip Sansom comic strip); and MAXWELLSMART (21D. Fictional secret agent) are the longer entries in this Friday fossil -- a tedious exercise in etymological archaeology.

OOLONGS (37D. Gunpowder alternatives) is the star relic in this dig -- I was thinking ammunition. ICEDTEAS (12D. Some are sweetened) has all the potential for being "deals". RACEME (18A. Simple inflorescence, as in a lily of the valley) could have been more simply clued, perhaps something to do with the Indianapolis 500? MATZO (25A. Food described in Exodus) really should be MANNA. ETTA (38A. Editorial cartoonist Hulme) is usually "James".

Other than “penny-wise and pound-foolish”, “The Born Loser” and the secret agent named “Smart”, the author of the puzzle has a fondness here for even more gradations of intelligence, e.g., EASYA (43A. Piece of cake in school); HIPTO (50A. In on); ONTARGET (17A. Accurate); APES (49D. Goons); SOTOSAY (8D. In a manner of speaking).

I am sure it’s my lack of total-knowledge-of-everything-in-the-universe that kept me from instantly recognizing such rarely-seen artifacts as KARA Sea (arm of the Arctic Ocean) (5D); ALEPH number (set theory concept) (26D.); LORAX (28A. Dr. Seuss book, with “The”); or the preposterously overdressed clue for LEOI (29A. He was succeeded by his archdeacon Hilarius), not hilarious at all! ZMED? I can honestly say I have never heard of, nor have I any idea how to pronounce this man's name, nor have I seen the referenced "T. J. Hooker" of the clue, where to access same, nor any idea what subject matter is involved! HERE!

CAROM (48A. Two strikes?) is but one of many clues so far-fetched that a question mark is required after the clue. Others are ESS (27A. Start to salivate?); GRIDIRON (56A. Rushing home?); ECG (6D. Thing that keeps track of the beat?: Abbr.); OUTSCORE (34D. Come home more often than?). Other clues that could use a question mark are those for GOTAFTER (33D. Urged persistently); BMOVIE (1D. No Oscar contender) or should that be BOMBS (20A. Zero-star movies); and half-a-dozen others -- take your pick!

Bones sticking up through the hardened lava at the outset of the solution are SONOF (24D. Sequel title starter), SOSA (24A. Future star athlete who debuted with the Rangers in 1989) and SASE (32D. Response facilitator: Abbr.) -- of course, each solver will have their own bone to pick with this puzzle. Did METEOR (41A Streaker with a tail) flash to mind for you? Or did you instantly recognize UMPIRE (40D. Masked official)? MUCHACHO (15A. Hombre-to-be) doesn’t help much either with the SOLVE (39A. Work out).

The remaining fragments strewn across the puzzle are clued as 1. Tournament organizer’s concern; 9. Cheerleaders’ doings; 16. Brings out; 19. Outlook; 22. “DER Kommissar” (1983 pop hit); 23. Much often follows it; 33. Disappear, in a way; 35. Run out; 40. She played Fantine in ‘”Les Misérables,” 1998; 45. Programming command; 46. "T. J. Hooker" actor Adrian; 47. Its logo is a goateed man in an apron; 51. Plug; 53. Landmark on the Chicago shoreline; 55. Fill up with gas; 58. Its dome was designed by Michelangelo.

Ruins running down are RUNINS (2. Encounters); 3. Is temporarily; 4. Raps; 9. Dinar earner; 10. Tissue material; 11. Need to get hitched: Abbr.; 13. Mountain, e.g.; 14. Inflammation reducer; 28. Dirty; 30. Iloilo’s island; 31. Helen Keller’s “The World ILIVE In”; 36. Views through a keyhole; 42. Trims; 44. It’s never right; 50. 1996-2001 House Judiciary Committee chairman; 52. Irene’s Roman counterpart; 54. Kind of lounge.

In this puzzle pit, TREXES (57A. Some natural history museum attractions) are afoot! ...and with that I'll ZIPIT (“Shut your pie hole!”)?!

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04.24.08 -- Who?

Thursday, April 24, 2008

Click here for abridged post in LARGE PRINT.

Puzzle by Michael Langwald, edited by Will Shortz

Feeling silly? Good. This will be right up your alley!

IGOTYOUBABE (62A. 1985 hit by the performers suggested phonetically by the ends of 18-, 24-, 37- and 56-Across), MIDNIGHTSUN (18A. Summer arctic phenomenon); WOUNDEDKNEE (24A. 1890 battle site that’s now a memorial); SAINTANNE (37A. Grandmother of Jesus); and MARKETSHARE (56A. Measure of a company’s dominance) combine for I Got You Babe, Sonny & Cher. What the…?!

I mean, what the….??!!!?

Oh well, here’s the rest of the acrosses: 1. Cleanse; 4. Former New York governor; 9. Trayful of cookies; 14. Alicia Keys #1 Album” ASI Am”; 15. Big name in pest control; 16. ALOHA Bowl; 17. Denials; 20. Bad off, after “up”; 22. G; 23. Predecessor of Romans; 28. Mayo can be found in it; 29. Try to get in; 30. In addition; 31. “Solaris” author Stanislaw LEM; 32. Mysterious creature; 33. Turnabout, in slang; 35. Follows: 41. Hamilton who wrote “Mythology”; 44. Approximately; 45. Pool accessory; 49. From, in some names; 50. It’ll never fly; 53. “Ghostbusters” director Ivan; 55. Petition; 58. Sound; 60. Secretive org.; 61. “Sanford and Son” setting; 66. Daybreak deity; 67. Classic sportster, for short; 68. Mucho; 69. French article; 70. City NW of Frankfurt; 71. Cross as ABEAR (annoyed); 72. Alphabet trio.

Downs: 1. Escaped; 2. Elemental form; 3. Shake up; 4. Field for Fields; 4. Field for Fields; 5. The Rams of the Atlantic 10: Abbr.; 6. Initialed; 7. European capital; 8. Like some bagels; 9. Cross word; 10. Baja’s opposite; 11. Proportionately; 12. Condiment made with a mortar and pestle; 13. Two-wheeled carriages; 19. “Yippee!” feeling; 21. Prepare to serve; 25. Item for a travel bag; 26. Off; 27. Education provider since 1440; 34. Foreign visitors?; 36. Mother of Charlemagne; 38. Attention getter; 39. River to the Rhine; 40. Vote in the Duma; 41. Slippery; 42. Recommendations on bottles; 43. Tiled up; 46. Hobbyist; 47. Smokes in bulk; 48. Israeli parliament; 51. War preceder; 52. Actress Andress; 54. “Honest!”; 57. Cookout offering; 59. Suffix with novel; 63. Itch; 64. Put away; 65. Youth org.

SUNKNEEANNESHARE -- Who?

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Puzzle available on the internet at

THE NEW YORK TIMES -- Crossword Puzzles and Games

If you subscribe to home delivery of The New York Times you are eligible to access the daily crossword via The New York Times - Times Reader, without additional charge, as part of your home delivery subscription.