The New York Times Crossword in Gothic: June 2008

06.30.08 -- ALMS

Belisarius Receiving Alms, 1781 -- painting by Jacques-Louis David

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Monday, June 30, 2008

Puzzle by Lynn Lempel, edited by Will Shortz

Lynn Lempel, the author of today’s puzzle, is the mistress of the wisp of Monday New York Times crosswords -- PRAISE (46D. Kudos) is due, and this pleasant back-to-work crossword before the coming holiday weekend may provoke many to say IAGREE (47D. “That’s my opinion, too”).

Today, we are given ALMS (69A. Donations for the poor), amounting to FOUNDMONEY (61A. Unexpected wallet fattener … and what the circled words are) in the form of RAND, LIRA, YEN and PESO, existing within the inter-related entries of DURANDURAN (17A. British pop group with a repetitive name), MOSULIRAQ (25A. Kurdistan city on the Tigris); HIGHWAYENTRANCE (35A. On-ramp); and GRAPESODA (51A. Welch’s soft drink). Loosely related, there is also TIP (42A. Gratuity); ECU (6D. Bygone French coin); and 7. “ … NOR a lender be”.

People in the puzzle -- joining Duran Duran are KEATON (4D. Buster on the silent screen); a HINDU (9D. Worshiper of Brahma); ARTURO (11D. Conductor Toscanini); CHE (40D. Fighter with Fidel); a SGTMAJ (45D. High-ranking noncom); URI (23A. Geller who claims paranormal ability); SPITZ (45A. Mark who was a swimming phenom at the 1972 Olympics); a TEATASTER (48A. Lipton employee); MIRO (59A. Spanish artist Joan); TOSCA (65A. Cavaradossi’s love in a Puccini opera); along with RCA’s mascot (43A. Nipper the dog’s company) and a RARE (66A. Few and far between) straightforward clue for GOD (24A. The Lord).

Conversation and the like -- a CALL (10A. “Out!!” or “Safe!”), AHA (44A. “Now I get it!), and AHEM (49D. “Uh, excuse me”), along with descriptives ENRAGING (3D. Maddening), JEER (67A. Mock), LEERAT (12D. Regard with lust) in the telling of the STORY (68A. Tale).

The remainder of the solver’s ITINERARY (28A. Traveler’s route) includes the eight-letter NATIONAL (39D. Not local or state), the seven-letter ORDERED (26D. Chose from the menu, say), and the six-letter entries of CLASSY (8D. Chic); DENOTE (56A. Signify); LOWIQS (13D. Reasons for special ed); SONORA (50D. Mexican state bordering Arizona); 20A. STATUS quo; TOBOOT (48D. As well).

Five-letter -- BENCH (5A. Nonplayer’s spot in the dugout); ECOLI (15A. Meat-contaminating bacteria); LOOTS (31A. Pillages); ILLER (22D. In worse health); WIZEN (37D. Shrink from age); SIFTS (52D. Looks [through], as for information.

Four- and three-letter -- ASEA, BEDS, COS, DDAY, EAR and EYES, HOI, HONE, HTTP, IOTA, ISH, MANY, NCAA, NCR, NIB, NUDE (18. Like the upper half of the Venus de Milo), OAR, OREO, PHDS, PREK, REAP, ROUT, SAN, SDI, SET, STAT, STEW, TAG, TAI, TERM, USO.

END (33A. Termination)…

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Search information: Across: 1. Like students in the Head start program; 14. Sharpen, as a knife; 16. Double Stuf cookie; 21. Reagan antimissile plan, for short; 34. Filming site; 54. Dangler on an item for sale; 55. Pen point, 64. Far from land. Down: 1. Grad school achievements; 2. Defeat decisively; 5. Mattress sites; 10. Trig ratio: Abbr.; 25. Umpteen; 27. Smidgen; 28. Sort of: Suffix; 30. Harvest; 34. Rebounds or assists; 36. URL starter; 38. March Madness org.; 41. Audiologist’s concern; 56. June 6, 1944; 57. Six years, for a senator; 58. Peepers; 60. Crew implement; 62. Support grp. For the troops; 63. Big maker of checkout devices.

06.29.08 -- 9 ½ K

Sunday, June 29, 2008

TEN GRAND SURPLUS, Puzzle by Tony Orbach and Patrick Blindauer

Nine inter-related humorous entries are featured in this Sunday puzzle by inserting ten K’s into standard phrases, et cetera -- SHOWMETHEMONKEY (22. Impatient kid’s plea at a zoo?); TRIPLEKLUTZ (31. Worrisome type at a china shop?); AFTERASKORT (48. Seeking the right women’s tennis attire?); PLANKAHEAD (54. Warning sign on a pirate ship?); WINKWINKSITUATION (61. Source of some inside humor?); BARKTENDER (71. Tree doctor?); AVERAGEJOKE (82. Your basic “So this guy walks into a bar …”?); GUNKCONTROL (94. Use of steel wool, e.g.?); INFLATABLEKRAFT (110. Cheez Whiz you could blow up?).

Across: 1. City once called Eva Perón; 8. Jim Belushi’s costume in “Trading Places”; 15. Cross stock; 19. Napoleon’s relatives; 20. Romance; 21. Reform Party founder; 24. Minneapolis suburb; 25. Four: Prefix; 26. Wipe out; 27. Animal with an onomatopoeic name; 28. More kempt; 29. Big name in computer printers; 33. X-rated; 36. Sea route; 39. “That hurt!”; 40. Count with a severe overbite; 43. Villa RICA (town near Atlanta); 44. Dwellers along Lake Victoria; 50. Love overseas; 51. Maker of the old Royale; 52. “Get it?”; 53. Insinuating; 57. Gold medalist skier Hermann; 59 Miss Piggy’s pronoun; 60. “Presto!”; 67. Name on a plane; 69. The dark side; 70. Young hog; 75. City WSW of Dortmund; 77. Geom. Point; 89. 24-hr. convenience; 81. Dope; 85. Disastrous drop; 88. Rabbit’s title; 89. Certain hand-held; 90. LESE majesté; 91. Brand-new to the language; 93. Gulf; 98. Palate appendage; 101. Butch Cassidy, for one; 102. EAT crow; 103. Peaks; 105. Swingers’ stats; 109. “Be that as ITMAY …”; 113. What a rake does; 114. Thaw; 115. Traveler’s temptation; 116. Once, in the past; 117. Hellish; 118. Bears witness.

Down: 1. In case; 2. Workout aftermath; 3. Churchyard unit; 4. Jack who wrote the lyrics to “Tenderly”; 5. Intend (to); 6. Nursery items; 7. Cartoon dog; 8. Father of Deimos and Phobos; 9. Apple or pear; 10. Comedic Philips; 11. Punch with a stick; 12. Take apart; 13. Become blocked, in a way; 14. Christie contemporary; 15. Took a two-wheeler; 16. “A Masked Ball” aria; 17. Music for a baseball team?; 18. Movie lover’s cable channel; 21. Have a quick look from the hallway, say; 23. Geiger of counter fame; 28. Alternative to J.F.K. and La Guardia; 30. Rain hard; 31. “TACT teaches you when to be silent”; Disraeli; 32. Prepare to chat, maybe; 33. Some hand-helds; 34. Golden pond fish; 35. Be something special; 37. Padded; 38. Laugh, in Lille; 41. Type of eye surgery; 42. Practically pristine; 44. Thurman of “Kill Bill”; 45. “When You AREIN Love” (1912 tune); 46. Actress Patricia; 47. Concession stand purchase; 49. Opera’s KIRI Te Kanawa; 50. Settled (on); 54. Luau fare; 55. Converse competitor; 56. Holler’s partner; 57. Use shamelessly; 58. Gray area?: Abbr.; 59. Co. with a butterfly logo; 61. Nature’s aerators; 62. Nikita’s no; 63. White wine aperitif; 64. Soyuz launcher; 65. Lots; 66. South Pacific kingdom; 67. “Voice of Israel” author; 68. Org. with peace-keeping forces; 72. Stock ticker’s inventor; 73. 1958 Best Actor David; 74. “DRE Day” (1993 rap hit); 75. Flush (with); 76. Arid; 77. Perfume brand; 78. Boxing stats; 79. There are 435 in Cong.; 82. Seed cover; 83. Ben-Gurion carrier; 84. Author portrayed in the miniseries “The Lost Boys”; 86. Indiana city near the Michigan border; 87. Spoils; 88. Illegal record; 91. Sly; 92. Boneheaded; 94. Deceit; 95. Out-and-out; 96. When doubled, sings; 97. Something to believe; 99. Roxie’s dance partner in “Chicago”; 100. “USEIT or lose …”; 103. Lead-in to girl; 104. Battle of Normandy city; 106. Streisand, to friends; 107. “IFAT first you don’t succeed …”; 108. Orch. Section; 110. Wallet items, informally; 111. Darth Vader’s boyhood nickname; 112. Chess piece: Abbr.

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06.28.08 -- Parade

Saturday, June 28, 2008

Puzzle by Byron Walden, edited by Will Shortz

ZOMBIES (1D. Corp of corpses) lead the parade of personages OFNOTE (26D. Prominent) in this Saturday stomper. The ROYALWE (12D. The “I” of Elizabeth I?) beckons the troops from their WARRENS (33A. Cramped quarters) and SASHAYS (14D. Steps lively), daring the throng to KEEPUP (44D. Not lag) -- MRROMANCE (17A. 2005 reality show hosted by Fabio); SCHAFFER (31A. Playwright Peter of “Equus”); IAN (22A. “Lost” actor Somerhalder), ERLE (46A. Eponymous oilman Halliburton); an AGA (49A. Janissary commander); OSSIE (60A. Malcolm X eulogist Davis); 9. Owen GLENDOWER, rebel in Shakespeare’s “King Henry IV”; CSLEWIS (38D. Anthony Hopkins in “Shadowlands”); EUGENIA (41D. Southern historical novelist Price), and none TURNSTAIL (59A. Goes yellow, say) and none ESCAPES (20D. Houdini’s stock in trade) headed on IFIVE (27D. San Diuego-to-Seattle rte.) accompanied by 5D. “All Eyez ONME” (1996 Tupac Shakur album) for a journey of a PARSEC (Unit that’s larger than 19 trillion miles).

Sustenance of SPEARMINT (57A. Ingredient in a mojito highball) on an ONIONROLL (15A. Piquant base for a sandwich) in a ZIPLOCBAG (1A. Holder of many a sandwich) to SOCKAWAY (29A. Save) in your LARDERS (37D. Storage rooms) in decent AMTS (54D. A bushel and a peck?: Abbr.), TASTESOK (43A. Doesn’t need more seasoning), it’s TREF (47A. Not kosher) from the AGORA (16A. Heart of ancient Athens).

Well equipped be we with BEAMENGINES (19A. Steam-driven devices that pump water from mines), a WATERHEATER (51A. Item called a geyser in Britain), a LOOM (4D. 1785 invention of England’s Edmund Cartwright), all ATEINTO (36D. Corroded), a CELESTA (28D. “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy” instrument), HARPS (10A. They come with strings attached), YOYOS (18A. They come with strings attached) ala Shortzesque, all along with a BONGO (7D. What a beatnik beats) ECHOIC (25A. Coming right back at you?).

The PIRANHA (3D. Ruthless type) RESORTSTO (32D. Uses in desperation) TRICK (58A. Gull) and RENEGES (39A. Heart failures?) with a PROTEAN (13D. Changeable) NEWDO (55A. Change at the top?) SMARTLY (42D. With fashion sense) with a PLEA (24A. Video from a kidnappee’s family, e.g.) from ALCOVES (36A. Dinette settings) in ERSE (53D. Manx relative) for a 48A. Beau-FRERE (French in-law) with a group of pet ALCIDS (8D. Auks, puffins and related birds), and all for the price of a KRONA (30D. 100 aurar).

Oh my SACRUM (45A. Pelvic bone), “Deo GRATIAS”, it’s a good HAND (52D. Flush, for one), so here are the ODDS (23A. Track numbers) -- Across: 21. Letter getter: Abbr.; 34. “Where’s my serpent of old NILE?”: “Anthony and Cleopatra”; 35. “Gilgamesh,”, e.g.; 50. Chemical suffix. Down: 6. Start of some blended juice names; 10. Makes bales, say; 11. Long AGO; 51. More than stirred; 56. Century starter in the papacy of Gregory I.

Sorry, today no OPEDESSAY (61A. Will work?), just a puzzle parade!

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06.27.08 -- Words, Words, Words...

Carlo Carrà -- Interventionist Demonstration, 1914

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Friday, June 27, 2008

Puzzle by Brad Wilber, edited Will Shortz

Words, words, words…

Featured this Friday are two columns of three ten-letter down entries -- TURNTOMUSH (12. Get all sentimental), ELMERSGLUE (13. Big sticker?), RESTAURANT (14. Where to act on a gut feeling?), and SCREENTEST (24. What a potential player must pass), COURTORDER (25. Summons, e.g.), AMISHBUGGY (26. Sight in Lancaster County, Pa.), along with two layers of three nine-letter across entries -- TIKITORCH (1. Luau lighting), IRENECARA (15. Singer who plays herself in “D.C. Cab”), DONTSHOUT (17. “Tone it down!”), and AMERICANA (56. Norman Rockwell specialty), WEARSTHIN (59. Stops being funny, say), LOMALINDA (61. San Bernardino suburb) -- and going down the center of the miscellany, two nine-letter entries, HATINHAND (9. With respectful humility) and NEWSCRAWL (32. Ticker with headlines).

Scattered about the crossword are two seven-letter entries, CAFTANS (10D. Loungewear) and PIERROT (39D. Pining pantomime persona), along with four six-letter entries, OCHRES (6D. Canyon tones), SACHET (43A. It may be found in one’s chest), SCALES (24A. Some are minor), SIERRA (43D. Radio code word after 47-Down).

There's a plethora of five-letter entries, including ARIES (11D. Spring arrival); 16. “Any fool can make ARULE, and every fool will mind it”: Thoreau; 23. “Per Ardua ad ASTRA” (Royal Air Force motto); ATEAM (48D. Squad stars); BOSUN (40A. Crew leader); CATER (10A. Do the dishes?); COMER (31A. Future star); CRUDE (8D. Neanderthal); EDGAR (55A. Son of Gloucester in “King Lear”); FIRMS (18A. Conglomerate parts); HELEN (22A. Legendary abductee); JENNY (36A. With 46-Across, program pitched by Queen Latifah); CRAIG (46A. See 36-Across); LEANS (45D. Is cockeyed); NEARS (32A. Bellies up to); NOBLE (44A. Lofty); PAWED (39A. Wasn’t gentle with); RAOUL (7D. “The Phantom of the Opera” suitor); ROMEO (47D. Radio code word before 434-Down); SEGNO (58A. Repetition mark, in music); TENET (21A. Conviction); TRUER (49A. Less specious); TRYST (60A. Billet-doux suggestion).

Four-letter words and the like -- ACED (51A. Nailed); ACTI (51D. When Maggie calls herself “a cat on a hot tin roof”); CAHN (52D. “Let it Snow” lyricist); 54D. Francis DANA, signer of the Articles of Confederation; ENID (53D. Cherokee Strip city); ENOL (19A. Carbon compound); HULA (37A. Activity near a 1-Across); INTL (4D. Not just at home: Abbr.); IRON (2D. Unyielding); KENO (3D. Drawing game); ROTE (50A. Mechanical); RUDI (20A. Gernreich who invented the monokini); RUIN (35A. Bankrupt); TIDE (1D. Trend).

Finally, those handy-little-three-letter-happenstance-fill-for-the-nth-time entries -- BAG (40D. Give up on, in slang); ENE (33D. Charlotte-to-Raleigh dir.); ERS (38A. Workup locales: Abbr.); ETH (41A. Archaic verb ending); 22D. “HER Cardboard Lover” (Norma Shearer film); 37D. Post HOC; HON (28A. Love); ISL (57D. Montreal, e.g.: Abbr.); JAR (36D. Be discordant); LEN (27D. Footballer Ford); 29. “Le Comte ORY” (Rossini opera); OSU (30A. Six-time Rose Bowl winner: Abbr.); TES (5D. Your, in Tours); and the Shortzesque-clued IRS (42A. Schedule maker: Abbr.); MGR (34A. Schedule maker: Abbr.).

Words, words, words…

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06.26.08 -- YSL

Thursday, June 26, 2008

Puzzle by David J. Kahn, edited by Will Shortz

YVESSAINTLAURENT (7D. Legendary name in 31-Across) is the main subject of today’s crossword puzzle. Sixteen squares were required to accommodate his name, making the diagram 15x16 with four squares of the puzzle containing the initials YSL. Also part of the tribute are the entries of FASHION (31A. See 7-Down), COLOGNE (43A. Product introduced by 7-Down in 1971) and RESPECTS (56A. What may be paid when someone dies).

Utilizing the four YSL squares are CITYSLICKERS (17A. Rube’s opposite) crossed by LAYSLOW (4D. Knocks to the ground); 21A. New York’s CHRYSLER Building, tallest in the world in 1930, crossed by LADYSLIPPER (11D. Orchid variety); GALLEYSLAVE (36D. “Ben-Hur” extra) crossed by PAYSLIPS (54A. Check attachments); and KEYSLOT (53D. Lock opening) crossed by BEAUTYSLEEP (60A. Extra shuteye).

The remaining acrosses: 1. Omani’s money; 5. It circles Hades nine times; 9. Pro Football Hall of Fame coach who once played for the New York Yankees; 14. Spanish pronoun; 15. Runoff site; 16. Airport rental option; 19. Circle lines; 20. Lets out; 22. Agonizes (over); 23. Submarine base?; 25. Want ad letters; 26. Graduated; 28. Figs. In sports reports; 33. “Paradise Lost,” e.g.; 34. “Upidstay” language; 37. Girl’s name that’s a butterfly genus; 38. First name in erotic writing; 39. Tow truck tool; 42. Two- or three-year-old, maybe; 45. Photograph abbr.; 46. “SATANS Mistress,” 1982 horror flick; 47. One for the road; 50. 1974 hit my Mocedades; 52. Dog from Japan; 59. Make APACT with the devil; 61. Bank manager?; 62. Stud fee?; 63. River to the English Channel; 64. Push (oneself); 65. Wee, informally; 66. Liz Taylor’s husband before Fisher.

Downs: 1. Disqualify in court; 2. Enjoys a lot; 3. Potsdam Conference attendee; 5. Short moments; 6. Receipts; 8. See 37-Down; 9. Sarcastic laugh; 10. Bank feature; 12. Gallic girlfriend; 13. It may be “bon”; 18. Cyclades isle; 21. Reunion group; 24. Phone greeting in Central America; 26. Former fleet member; 27. Cub’s home, for short; 29. One of the Jacksons; 30. Word with brain or price; 31. Dart; 32. Some batteries; 33. Canal near Rome; 34. Gait; 35. Privy to; 37. With 8-Down, one who grew up on MTV, maybe; 40. Discontinued Saturn; 41. Some QB protectors; 43. Whom Taylor defeated for president in 1848; 44. Giant among Giants; 46. Wedding band, maybe; 47. “De Oratore” writer; 48. Take care of; 49. Scraped; 51. Kitchen gizmo; 52. Suitable; 53. Lock opening; 54. Prone to freckles; 55. Ne plus ultra; 57. Grub; 58. Chop SUEY; 60. Actress BAI Ling of “Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow.

YSL is one of those standard fill entries of crossword puzzles that we have seen time and again -- today, it gets the royal treatment. It might be interesting to see what cluing YSL receives in the future, noting that in this puzzle SST is clued as Former fleet member. Most recently, Tuesday of this week, CYD appeared (albeit without a tribute) -- who’s next?

Lastly, I am always so amused by the fashion/fragrance industry’s utilization of exquisite human specimens for advertising purposes, sans clothing in the throes of passion, that I simply couldn’t resist brandishing one of YSL’s -- ergo, the lead advertisement of this commentary. If that’s a bit much, well…

C’est la vie!

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06.25.08 -- REAL LOCATION

Naiads Pool -- Anonymous engraver after a picture by Herbert James Draper

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Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Puzzle by Rob Cook, edited by Will Shortz

What would crossword puzzles do without NAIADS (8D. Nymphs of myth) and ALIENS (20A. 1986 sci-fi sequel)? Or for that matter quite a few of this puzzle’s old standards -- ah, those lovely vowels in their strange arrangement -- RERAN (47D. Played over) as often as the refrain from “Old MacDonald’s Farm” -- EIEIO!

Today, reallocation , or the real location, or just plain “parse this” is the device of the inter-related entries, indicated solely by the individual clues -- REST ORATION (17A. Talk in one’s sleep?); RED ACTION (24A. Building the Berlin Wall?); REIN HABIT (34A. Equestrian addiction?); REAR RANGE (46A. Back burner?); and READ MISSION (54A. Literacy campaign?). Without the space, of course, the two words become one. Cool! ...and here are the supporting entries:

Seven-letter -- ABSENCE (42D. Report card notation); AIRDUCT (36D. Ventilation system part); CASINOS (3D. Houses of cards?); ERUDITE (40D. Well-versed); ETCHING (25D. Dürer work); ETHANOL (13D. It gives punch to punch); FORAGES (1A. Seeks food); MADEIRA (11D. Dessert wine); OMELETS (2A. Chefs flip them); ONAROLL (12D. Hot, in Vegas); PURLOIN (41D. Make off with); SCARILY (38D. In an alarming way); SNEEZER (37D. Blessing receiver).

Six-letter -- ALLIED (58A. United by treaty); ASSORT (36A. Put into piles); AVIARY (15A. Building with lots of wings); COGNAC (5A. Snifter filler); GODSON (45D. Barry Bonds, to Willie Mays); INTERN (4D. Often-unpaid worker); NEEDLE (61A. Eye site); ONCALL (32A. Ready at any time); ONSALE (44D. Marked down); SADDLE (52A. Get ready to ride, with “up”).

Five-letter -- ADELE (48D. Dancer with Fred); AROMA (9D. Coffee lure); CYNIC (10D. Ambrose Bierce, notably); GENRE (23A. Funk or punk); SOURS (49A. Goes bad).

Four-letter -- ABLE (35D. Fully fit); ARLO (29A. Janis’s hubby in the funnies); 5D. Bumper CARS; ETON (27A. School of William and Harry); FOCI (1A. Meeting points); GRUB (45A. Chuck wagon load); IBEX (39A. Long-horned goat); INCA (43A. Atahualpa’s people); NENE (62A. Protected state bird); OBEY (32D. Passé wedding vow verb); OMAN (14A. Neighbor of Yemen); ONLY (44A. Word before a discounted price); OTIC (59A. Suffix with hypn-); RAIN (24D. Reason for a makeup game); ROAR (34D. MGM sound effect); SATS (28A. Exams with three sects.); SIDE (52D. Flank); SPIT (28D. Rod at a roast); TACT (26D. Mediator‘s skill).

Three-letter: AMI, ANT, CEL, DAH, DER, DID, EDS, EER, EPA, ERA, GIT, MEL, MOE, NIX, OVA, SAS, SSS, TRY, UZI.

…and finally, a rest-in-piece oration by GEORGE.

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06.24.08 -- CYD

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Puzzle by Barry C. Silk, edited by Will Shortz

One of the crossword world's most frequently encountered three-letter fill entries, CYD (26A. Charisse of "Singin' in the Rain") passed away last Tuesday at the age of 86. The New York Times article, June 18, 2008.

The featured inter-related entries of today's crossword are tied together with DRAW (67A. Something you can do to the starts of 17-, 21-, 37-, 53- and 60-Across) -- BATHTOWEL (17A. Hotel offering); CURTAINCALL (21A. Bow-taking occasion); BLANKEXPRESSION (37A. Poker face); PICTURESHOW (53A. Cinema offering); and GUNPOWDER (60A. Flintlock need).

Other long entries include AGONIZES (9D. Has a touch time deciding); AMAZEDAT (27A. Blown away by); EATOUT (45D. Have dinner in a restaurant); KENTUCKY (38D. Home of Mammoth Cave); PETITES (49A. Dress store section); SERENELY (44A. In a calm way); VISIBLY (23A. In an obvious way).

Conversation in the crossword: IWOULD (5D. “If asked, yes”); IDARE (22D. Start of a challenge); 7D. “Since IMET You Baby” (1956 hit); AONE (64A. With “and” and 47-Down, Lawrence Welk’s intro); ATWO (47D. See 64-Across); and 66A. “Coffee, Tea ORME?”

PEOPLE (46D. Us Weekly rival) in the puzzle: ABBA (11D. “Waterloo” pop group); AMATI (9A. Valuable violin); ANOUK (62A. Actress Aimee); 33D. General Robt. ELEE; 51. Jimmy Dorsey’s “Maria ELENA”; an EMEER (39D. Arab chieftain: Var.); EMILE (42A. Novelist Zola); MARCIE (10D. Friend of Peppermint Patty); PAAR (53D. Jack who quipped “A funny thing happened to my mother one day: Me”); PAM (46A. Grier of “Jackie Brown”); and I guess we could count APE (36A. Pal of Tarzan) and WOMB (15A. Birth place).

Five-letter entries ADHOC (59A. Like some committees); AMORE (35A. Love, Italian-style); AMPLY (27D. Adequately, and then some); ATARI (2D. Pong maker); DOWRY (6D. Bride’s worldly possessions); GABON (16A. French-speaking African nation); ORBIT (19A. Asteroid’s path); 49. PHNOM Penh, Cambodia; RATES (3D. Motel posting); ROOTY (65A. Like ground around a tree); STREW (52D. Scatter, as seed); TUDOR (50D. Henry VIII's house); WEBTV (1D. Internet-on-the-tube).

Short fill -- APOP, ATE, AXIL, BESO, BBQS, CHOO, DAIS, DII, EGGO, ESPN, ETAT, ICON, IDIO, IDNO, INTL, GEOL, MORE, NTH, OBLA, QED, SADR, SEMI, SUER, TCBY, TENN, TOIL, TRE, WAD, WARN and, of course, CYD.

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