Ryan and Brian Do Crosswords

There was a time, a very brief time, when I thought I had the potential to be a good poker player.  I got a couple of books, watched the TV tournaments and rode the bus to Atlantic City to play cards.  This dream lasted, oh, maybe 3 months.  It became very clear, very quickly that a) I couldn’t do all the necessary math in my head, b) I didn’t have the killer instinct needed to win hands consistently and c) anytime I had good cards my hands started shaking.  So I decided to forget it and stick with the much more reliable pursuit of professional actor.  I still enjoy playing but have no aspirations of being anything but mediocre.  Plus, I’d much prefer avoiding situations like this:

Which brings me to the theme of this Peter A. Collins puzzle.

40A. With 42-Across, prepare to play cards (and a hint to this puzzle’s circled letters) (SHUFFLE)

42A. See 40-Across (THEDECK)

The theme answers had anagrams of DECK hidden within.

17A. Library copy of a book, commonly (HARDBACKEDITION).  This one took me a while as I parsed it as HARD BACKED something.

24A. Prepared some desserts (BAKEDCAKES)

52A. Hunting aids (DUCKDECOYS)

64A. Place to get an Electra, once (BUICKDEALERSHIP)

Here’s why I’m a square:

50A. High, in a way (ONPOT).  I put ON TOP and really thought it was right.

Here’s why I should never eat oysters:

72A. Like non-oyster months (RLESS).  I put N LESS.  By that logic you should be able to eat oysters in all months except January and June.  Enjoy!

Here’s why I’m excited:

5D. Umpire’s shout (PLAYBALL).  It’s October 8th and the Dodgers still have games to play.  The first game of the NL Championship Series is on Thursday at 8:22 ET against the Phillies.

Here’s why I’m confused:

67D. Rock’s Tommy, ex-husband of Pamela Anderson (LEE).  I know a number of people who really hate Pamela Anderson.  I’m not 100% sure why.  I know she’s somewhat ridiculous looking but I think she knows it.  She knows exactly why she’s famous and rich and has never tried to be anything else.  You don’t see her starring on Broadway or in a Scorcese film or running for office.  She does silly movies and TV shows, raises money for PETA and the MAC AIDS fund, and walks around looking like Pamela Anderson.  I don’t know, I find her to be a much more useful human being than people like Julia Roberts, Gwyneth Paltrow or Nicolas Cage.  Am I alone with this?

Next stop, Thursday.