Ryan and Brian Do Crosswords

And a new no-google streak begins. I solved this Cathy Millhauser puzzle in just under an hour which is a pretty good Sunday time for me. I really enjoyed the ‘TWAS PUZZLING theme which resulted in some nicely goofy answers.

23A. When jerks come out? (THETWITCHINGHOUR). You ever see that episode of Fawlty Towers where Basil has to introduce a guy named Mr. Twitchen to a guy who has a twitch? Well, if you haven’t you really should. The bit begins at the 3:30 mark in the video.

38A. String around a cake box? (DESSERTTWINE)

53A. Men or women who pinch? (THETWEAKERSEX)

78A. Nerd’s essence? (THESOULOFTWIT). This is my favorite one. Sounds like a band that performs at Comic Cons.

95A. Roast the other side of the marshmallow? (FLIPONESTWIG)

113A. Discouraging comment to a cloner? (YOUCANTTWINEMALL)

36D. Moth, perhaps? (TWEEDKILLER)

41D. Fabric that really breathes? (LIVINGTWILL). I put LIVING TWEED here first thinking it was some drug reference of which I was unaware.

Other highlights:

15A. [How dare you!] (SLAP). Great way to clue SLAP.

29A. Novice (NEWBIE). Am I a moron? I thought this was spelled NOOBIE.

33A. Some people or food at parties (DIPS). Another great clue. How long has it been since you’ve heard someone called a dip? Sounds like something out of the Mary Tyler Moore show.

34A. Nonkosher sandwiches (BLTS). Anybody remember the McDLT? Ok, but does anybody remember the commercial for the McDLT that had Jason Alexander showing off his song and dance skills? It is possibly the most awesome thing I’ve ever seen. And here it is.

60A. Orbital point (APSIS).  Never encountered this word before so I looked it up: The point of greatest or least distance of the orbit of a celestial body from a center of attraction.

62A. Dope (SKINNY).  Many years ago I came up with a catchphrase that I was certain would sweep the nation.  If you wanted information from somebody you would say, “Fatten me up with the skinny!”  Never really took off like I thought.  Mostly because it was never uttered outside my apartment.  Well, that, and politics.  You know, it’s always politics with these things.

89A. Capital of South Australia (ADELAIDE).  Are you like me?  Does the mention of this city immediately make you think of Adelaide resident Francis Cadell who successfully navigated the Murray River?  Let me tell ya, if these banks could talk.  Am I right?  Who’s with me?

117A. ___ Center, home of the New Jersey Nets (IZOD).  This one took me a while as I know zip doodley about basketball but, really?  There’s a sports arena named after a brand of polo shirts?

16D. Gyro meat (LAMB).  If you ever find yourself in Jackson Heights make sure to stop at Sammy’s Halal Cart for the best lamb gyro platter in the city.  $5 for an enormous amount of delicious food.

43D. Strawberry of note (DARRYL).  The first of two Dodger references in today’s puzzle.  Most people don’t associate Darryl with the Dodgers but he played 3 troubled seasons with them from 91-93.  He was, without a doubt, the most talented baseball player I’ve ever seen.  Obviously, things didn’t work out like everybody envisioned.  I hope he has found some happiness and peace.

63D. Pitcher of a perfect game, 9/9/65 (KOUFAX).  Sandy is the kind of guy that when you see him it makes you want to be a better person.  Not only the greatest pitcher in Dodgers history but, arguably, the great left-hander in the history of the game.  In his last season he had 27 wins, 317 strikeouts and an ERA of 1.73.  Amazing.

So, we’ll see how the Dodgers do today on the last day of the regular season and I’ll update their crossword stats tomorrow.

Next stop, Monday