Ryan solves the NYT, Fri 5-30-8
Ok, I sort of no-googled this Natan Last puzzle. And, then again, I sort of didn’t. I had all the boxes filled with all the right letters except for one. When the applet wouldn’t accept my solution I knew I had made a mistake somewhere but I couldn’t find it. I googled a couple of answers just to verify if I had them correct. It was only after that, that I found my mistake. I did come up with all the answers by myself but I also did use google to help me pinpoint my error so I guess I can’t count this as a No Google Friday. Oh well.
Here’s where I made my mistake:
8D. Invented things (LIED). I read this clue as “Things that are invented” and entered in LIES. It crossed with 19A. “The Wandering Heir” novelist, 1872 (READE) which I didn’t know, so REASE made just as much sense to me.
As for the rest of the puzzle, I thought it was great. Especially the bottom right.
55A. Old comedian known for his unique piano-playing style (CHICOMARX). I love the Marx Brothers. Duck Soup and Animal Crackers are my two favorites. There was a time when I was a kid that I put myself into training to be the next Harpo. I walked around the house in a top hat and carried a horn. Didn’t work out though. Anyway, here’s Chico and Groucho doing their thing.
[video removed]
60A. “My parents are gonna kill me!” (IAMSODEAD). This is great. Perfect clue and answer.
Other clues I enjoyed:
10D. Follower of Sha Na Na at Woodstock (JIMIHENDRIX). After I figured out the answer because of the “X” in ORYX it soon became apparent that I had no idea how to spell his first name. On a side note, I’m not really sure what Sha Na Na is but I remember watching their show as a kid and wanting to be like Bowser. I can’t remember if this was before or after my Harpo phase.
59A. Disclosure on eHarmony (TYPE). Up-to-the-minute culture reference. Lots of fun.
36A. Call in the game Battleship (DTEN). This is a pretty lame game that provided me with hours of entertainment. Did you ever get Electronic Battleship? That rocked the Casbah.
50D. Jets used to be seen there (SHEA). Going here tonight to see my beloved Dodgers play.
51A. Org. that can’t be lax about LAX? (FAA). Obvious answer, but still a great clue.
I had the most trouble with the top left. I got ILER and ROBE right away but the rest was like pulling teeth.
1A. Elaborate procedure (RIGMAROLE). Somehow this just came to me.
7D. Sealab inhabitants (OCEANAUTS). I had AQUANAUTS here for a long time. I still think it’s the better answer. Here’s one from Mattel.
Great puzzle with lots of fun fill. Good job, Natan.
Next stop, Saturday.
