05.06.08 -- Diamond

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

Puzzle by Gary J. Whitehead, edited by Will Shortz

The capital of Delaware, DOVER (70A. Capital suggested by the circled letters and by the starts of 17- and 63-Across and 11- and 29-Down); DELTAFORCE (17A. Special Operations group); DELIGHTFUL (63A. Highly pleasing); DELLAREESE (11D. TV angel portrayer); and DELINQUENT (29D. Overdue) are the featured entries in this Tuesday crossword, along with DIAMONDSTATE spelled out in a diamond formation of circles in the center of the diagram. Is someone from Delaware?

Crossword blogs today:

JimH delights us with a brilliant satire on crossword criticism with "The JimH Sudoku Blog" and unusual information on the Delaware Diamond.

Ryan discusses SUGAR/CIGAR, the bizarreness of today's inter-related entries and Francis, the Talking Mule.

LindaG enjoyed the puzzle's circles, the several references to food and winds up with a few words on Britney Spears.

Rex Parker discusses his solving methods, the lack of obstacles in today's puzzle, making note of ONEG, YENTA, NAS/DRE, UPSALA/LUNT and the Rex Sox.

Orange dissects Grary (sic) Whitehead's crossword with her usual manner of exacting criticism.

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For today's cartoon, go to The Crossword Puzzle Illustrated.

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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.

Across: 1. Mag. sales info; 5. Cat calls; 10. Dutch cheese; 14. Baseball’s Matty or Felipe; 15. First string; 16. Danish-based toy company; 19. And; 20. Makings of a hero, perhaps; 21. Food giant that owns Ball Park Franks and Hillshire Farm; 23. Domain; 2. Tabula _)__; 27. Part of M.O.; 30. Way back when; 32. Welsh breed; 35. Universal donor blood type, for short; 36. Not susceptible; 38. German article; 39. Kilmer of film; 40. Dr. ___ formerly of Death Row Records; 41. Tiny amount; 42. Coast Guard officers below lt.; 43. “Richard ___”; 44. Busybodies; 46. Hey there!”; 47. War correspondent Pyle; 49. Asian holiday; 50. Nun, in Nanterre; 51. N.F.L. periods: Abbr.; 53. “The Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing” author; 55. Takes to the police station; 58. New Jersey college until 1995; 62. Biblical brother; 66. Impart; 67. Brooke’s longtime rival on “All My Children”; 68. “Rule, Britannia” composer; 69. “Beetle Bailey” dog; 71. Fails to keep. Down: 1. Scoundrels; 2. Intestinal parts; 3. Sushi bar offering; 4. Dance; 5. Capo’s organization; 6. Ike’s W.W. II arena; 7. Done, to Donne; 8. 1954 war comedy “Francis Joins the ___”; 9. Dirty political tactic; 10. Rio Grande city; 11. TV angel portrayer; 12. Fit of shivering; 13. Jazzman Allison; 18. University town near Des Moines; 22. Ran; 24. “Alas, poor Yorick!,” e.g.; 25. RKO competitor; 27. Picture; 28. Studio sign; 29. Overdue; 31. Beat in a Nathan’s hot dog contest, e.g.; 33. Supersharp knife; 34. Violin or cello: Abbr.; 36. Fury; 37. “Illmatic” rapper; 40. Batick artists, e.g.; 45. 1773 jetsam in Boston Harbor; 45. Britney Spears, for one; 48. “That’s enough, I guess ...”; 50. Year before jr.; 52. Allied; 54. Cuban export; 55. Heavenly circle; 56. Help in mischief; 57. Stout’s Wolfe; 59. Bushy do; 60. Fontanne’s stage partner; 61. Publican’s stock; 64. Tyler of “Stealing Beauty”; 65. Swelling reducer.