Ryan solves the NYT, Tue 6-24-8
Good puzzle by Barry C. Silk although Brian and I have to come up with a name for the type of theme that can really only be enjoyed after puzzle completion. These themes are usually quite clever but don’t add much to the solving experience.
67A. Something you can do to the starts of 17-, 21-, 37-, 53- and 60-Across (DRAW)
17A. Hotel offering (BATHTOWEL)
21A. Bow-taking occasion (CURTAINCALL)
37A. Poker face (BLANKEXPRESSION)
53A. Cinema offering (PICTURESHOW)
60A. Flintlock need (GUNPOWDER)
Again, very clever and well done but just not my favorite type of theme.
I had a big misstep here which added 3 or 4 minutes to my time.
5D. “If asked, yes” (IWOULD). I put ICOULD which seems to be a valid answer to me. Of course that gave me COMB for 15A. Birth place (WOMB) which gave me slight pause when I first looked at it but not enough to do anything about it. I do have a bit of a problem with that clue. Does birth happen in the womb? I thought that’s where people are before they’re born. Or are they saying a womb is one of the many places involved in a birth? Well, whatever the meaning of the clue, the answer is most certainly not COMB. I eventually found my answer and was able to finish the puzzle.
16A. French-speaking African nation (GABON). Continuing my own personal theme of geographic ignorance, GABON makes an appearance as a country I’ve never heard of before.
26A. Charisse of “Singin’ in the Rain” (CYD). She just passed away last week.
46A. Grier of “Jackie Brown” (PAM). Tarantino’s most underrated film in my opinion. Not as great as Pulp Fiction or the Kill Bills but still very good and features a fantastic performance by Robert Forster.
1D. Internet-on-the-tube company, formerly (WEBTV). Why formerly? This company still exists. Oh wait, I get it, Microsoft bought them out.
10D. Friend of Peppermint Patty (MARCIE). What’s that you say? What would the Peanuts gang look like if they were drawn in the Manga style? Would it be disturbing and make me sleep with the light on? Quite possibly.
35D. Leaf-to-branch angle (AXIL). Weren’t we just talking about this last week?
Well, I’m sure you already know this but Episode #16 of the podcast (now titled Fill Me In) has been uploaded. Enjoy.
Next stop, Wednesday.
