10.02.08 -- V as in Victory

Thursday, October 2, 2008

Puzzle by Samuel A. Donaldson, edited by Will Shortz

NIXON, 62A. Two-time Time Man of the Year (and a hint to 17-, 27-, 41- and 54-Across), read that as “two-timing two-time Time Man of the Year”, is interrelated with BAT TWIRLER (17A. Anxious baseball player at the plate?); PICK YOUR POIS (27A. Sign above a luau buffet?); YUK TERRITORY (41A. Land of laughs?); and BRAIN SURGE (54A. Flood of ideas?). That’s right, nixed “ON”s -- baton twirler, pick your poison, Yukon territory, and brain surgeon.

As a VOTER (3D. Campaign target) I waxed wistful upon the entry of ABE (8D. Five-spot) -- where are the great presidents? I digress -- this is a crossword blog -- must stay on topic!

Dreary and solemn, this crossword is one that DEPRESSES (13D. Takes the starch out of) any joy, being rife with such fare as AWRY (36D Out of whack); GANGS (35A. High-school disrupters); GORE (35D. Blood); LISP (19A Talk like Daffy); OMEN (44D. Harbinger); RILEUP (10D. Provoke); SMUT (21A. Great literature it’s not); SNAKEEYES (31D. Loser at the dice table); STERN (49D. Draconian); TROUNCE (25A. Worst in the worst way); and that gloomy ever-present RAVEN(1A. In a poem, it “perched upon a bust of Pallas just above my chamber door”).

Samuel A. Donaldson is credited with the authorship of this crossword, and even if not the newsman, a quote from Wikipedia rewarded the search -- “At a White House Press conference, Donaldson shouted, "Mr. President, should Mel Gibson be forgiven?", referencing reports of the actor/producer's alleged anti-Semitic remarks. Mr. Bush laughed and looked up to see who had asked the question. Bush joked, "Is that Sam Donaldson? Forget it...you're a 'has-been'! We don't have to answer has-beens' questions." Donaldson replied, "Better to have been a has-been than a never was."

Must stay on topic!

Other long entries, ASSOCIATE (12D. Business partner); AWAYGAMES (29D. Road trip events); EPICNOVEL (11D. “War and Peace,” e.g.); SATURDAYS (30D. Popular dates for dates).

Mid-size -- AMOEBAS (46A. They may be seen on slides); DROPSIN (40D. Pays a visit); GREELEY (45A. Horace who founded the New York Tribune); KEROUAC (23A. “Big Sur” writer, 1962); NEWSUIT (5D. Preinterview purchase, maybe); STRUCK (6D. Lit, as a match); TARIFF (43D. Duty); TENORS (42D. Choir section).

Short stuff: ADENI, ANGIO, ANNA, APACE, ASSET, ATA, BCC, BORAX, CALF, CHEF, CULT, DALES, DÉCOR, DELI, DORA, DOWN, ENT, EYER, FETE, ICE, IMAC, INAIR, MAYO, ONT, OPED, PALE, PREP, RAH, READ, RUBIK, RUNS, SCAT, TAR, TONG, TUBA, UNI, UPONE, WAND , YANNI, and SSSS (60A. Flat sound).

33-Across, VAS in victory, however, is this puzzle’s reward.

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Xword Info -- Across: 6. Sing like Mel Torme; 10. Use cue cards; 14. Slightly ahead; 15. Part of a military band; 16. ___ dixit; 20. Supermarket bagful; 22. Wallpaper and such; 29. Working factory, e.g.; 32. Actress Popplewell of “The Chronicles of Narnia”; 34. Hogwarts stick; 37. Big party; 38. ___ premium; 39. Out of order; 40. Broad valleys; 50. Certain resident of Yemen; 51. Ready; 52. Home of Sault Ste. Marie: Abbr.; 53. It may be held at a 39-Down; 57. Observer; 58. Barn young ‘un; 59. Where to see “bombs bursting”; 61. One who wants you to put away everything he sets out. Down: 1. 1980s craze starter; 2. Quickly; 4. Suffix with insist; 7. Zealot’s group; 9. Contents of some pits; 18. Product promoted as having both “beauty” and “brains”; 22. Nickelodeon’s explorer; 24. Newspaper piece; 25. Chinese secret society; 26. Directs; 28. One-named New Age musician; 37. Actress Dunaway; 39. Shop with 53-Across; 47. Powdered cleaning agent; 48. Hospital procedure, for short; 51. Washed out; 54. Abr. Atop some e-mails; 55. Cheering word; 56. Sea urchin, at a sushi bar.