Ryan does the NYT, 10-15-8
Fun puzzle by the Great Kevin G. Der, Reducer of Black Squares. Not my favorite type of theme but well done nonetheless.
53D. Word before the starts of 16-, 36- and 58-Across and 10-, 14- and 33-Down (BABY)
16A. Self-important sort (GRANDPOOBAH). Years ago, when the first Flintstones movie came out, McDonalds had a tie-in value meal called the Grand Poobah Meal. It featured the wonderfully delicious McRib. Why is the McRib so hard to find? Everybody loves it. Ok, not everybody. I love it and…hmm…just found a picture of the McRib with the sauce washed off. Kinda gross. Why does it still make me hungry?
36A. Chill (SITBACKANDRELAX). Just to clear up any confusion, I don’t hate the state of Pennsylvania. I just hate the Phillies. I mention this because during tonight’s game as the Dodgers try to stave off elimination I will neither be chill, sitting back nor relaxed.
58A. Words to a blowhard (TALKISCHEAP)
10D. Krill-eating creature (BLUEWHALE)
14D. Hoops announcer’s “Slam dunk!” (BOOMSHAKALAKA). I was pulling for this to be Boom Goes the Dynamite. 19 letters. I guess that wouldn’t fit unless you broke it up. Maybe in a Sunday-size puzzle. And just because it’s awesome, here it is.
33D. Wastes no time (STEPSONIT)
A few things I didn’t know:
41A. “M*A*S*H” soldier (ROK). Something of Korea? Maybe?
49A. Sourdough’s strike (LODE). Last time I checked, sourdough was bread.
4D. Grab, as an ice cube (TONG). Ok, I will use this in a sentence. “Boy oh boy, my soda is tepid so I better tong myself a few ice cubes.” Hmm, TONG as verb. Interesting.
I can’t remember if I posted any pictures of me climbing a rock wall. Here is one in honor of 37D. Mountaineer’s grip (CRAG).
I hope everybody is enjoying our new interview series on the podcast. In the next week or so, we will be setting up a podcast page where you’ll be able to download the interviews directly. We encourage you to suggest crossword people you’d like to hear interviewed and/or questions you’d like us to ask them.
Next stop, Thursday.
