Ryan solves the NYT, Tue 7-29-8
The theme for this David Kwong and Emily Halpern puzzle is “Titles of Books, Areas to Scuba Dive, Movies and Songs That Have the Word Great in Them but When You Replace the Word Great with Other Words You Can Make it Seem Like They’re Talking About Something Mediocre Instead of Something Great Which was The Initial Intention of the Titles”.
17A. Mediocre F. Scott Fitzgerald novel? (THEDECENTGATSBY)
27A. Mediocre place to scuba? (GOODBARRIERREEF)
49A. Mediocre Steve McQueen film? (THENOTBADESCAPE)
65A. Mediocre Jerry Lee Lewis hit? (OKAYBALLSOFFIRE)
Other clues that caught my eye:
9A. Legendary cowboy ___ Bill (PECOS). Just been reading up on the story of Pecos Bill. Honestly, it seems a little crackers to me. Something about his fiancee, Slue-Foot Sue, falling on her bustle which bounces her higher and higher until she hits her head on the moon which causes Bill to shoot her to put her out of her misery. I think Bill should have at least taken it up with the bustle manufacturer before he went to such drastic measures.
25A. Daisy ___, who went to Marryin’ Sam (MAE). For something that’s been a popular comic strip, a movie and a Broadway musical I know shockingly little about Li’l Abner. Apparently, Sadie Hawkins day originated in the strip. That was the day in high school when girls didn’t ask me to a dance, or talk to me or know my name. Sadie Hawkins day was just one day a year right? Seems like it might have been a four-year long celebration.
69A. Barbie’s beau (KEN). I’ve gotta agree with Barbie on this one, math IS hard.
7D. Actress Skye (IONE). Thank god for all those vowels otherwise who’d remember her. Seriously, has anybody seen her in something besides Say Anything?
18D. Items of apparel for Dracula (CLOAKS). Hmmm, I thought he wore a cape.
We had some technical difficulties with our podcast last night. We couldn’t get the mic to work so we’re trying again this afternoon. We should be able to record something although I’m not sure when we’ll be able to post it. In other news, we are being interviewed by the local paper today. They’re doing a profile of us and Lollapuzzoola 2008. We’ll let you know how that goes.
Next stop, Wednesday.
