Ryan and Brian Do Crosswords

So here is the Thursday puzzle that Patrick Blindauer alluded to on our podcast.  Patrick, once again, has come up with a grid full of fun clues and answers.

First, the theme:

55D. “Marchers” through the answers to the five starred clues (ANTS).

So ANTS marched from left to right down the grid.

14A. *Settler in a pharmacy (ANTACID).  Very clever.  I had no idea what he was going for here.  I kept envisioning some guy in a covered wagon pulling up for some band-aids.

21A. *”___ Island” (FANTASY).  A gimmie.

37A. *B’way hit beginning in ‘88 (PHANTOM).  Just one of those things I know.

48A. *Where Delta Air Lines is headquartered (ATLANTA).  Does Delta make you pay to check baggage now?  What is up with that?  Once you buy a $500 ticket to somewhere you should not be forced to pay another $15 to check your baggage.  If they try to charge me to recline I might have to start taking the train.

61A. *Cast a spell over (ENCHANT).  Just watched Enchanted.  What a great movie!

I just watched a show on the Science HD Channel (who knew we had a Science HD Channel?) about ants.  How the heck do they get that footage?  How do they get the camera that close?  They showed a bunch of ants pinning a grasshopper to a leaf and literally tearing it to pieces and carrying it off to their colony.  Fascinating.  Here’s the schedule for the show.  Highly recommended.

The rest of the puzzle was lots of fun and very well done.  Except for ONE glaring exception.

52D. Yank or Ranger (ALER).  Patrick, Patrick, Patrick, Patrick…Patrick, Patrick, Patrick, Patrick…Patrick, Patrick, Patrick, Patrick…Patrick, Patrick, Patrick, Patrick…Patrick, Patrick, Patrick, Patrick…Patrick, Patrick, Patrick, Patrick…bleh.

Other than that the puzzle was full of great stuff.  As Orange would say, lively fill.

7A. “Men in Black” actor (RIPTORN).  I’ve always liked his name.  If I RIP something then it’s TORN.  His name tells a story.  He was also in Summer Rental and anybody who was in Summer Rental is awesome.

17A. Bawl club? (WEEPERS).

44A. Spilling one’s drink at a shindig, for one (PARTY FOUL).

53A. Product once pitched by Pelé (VIAGRA).  Ok, I have an applet complaint.  At least on my computer at work any letter with an accent shows up as a question mark.  So this clue appeared as Product once pitched by Pel? which was quite confusing.  Who is Pel?  I asked myself.

60A. Bygone McDonald’s mascot (SPEEDEE).  What is Grimace?  I also ask myself.  I think he’s a shake.  This theory is supported by the existence of Uncle O’Grimacey, Grimace’s Irish relative who comes stateside once a year to promote the Shamrock Shake.  Uncle O’Grimacey is the same color as the Shamrock Shake (green) and seems to have a similar consistency as well.  Watch this commercial and judge for your self.

Oh, by the way, I had a Shamrock Shake last March for the first time since I was a kid.  I was not disappointed.  Not only is it a blinding shade of green but it was one of the most delicious items I’ve ever sucked through a straw.

27D. The “Working Girl” girl and others (TESSES).  Yes, kids, it’s true.  There was a time long ago when Harrison Ford made movies that were enjoyable to watch.  Wow, even Harrison doesn’t look like he believes me.

28D. San Luis ___ (OBISPO).  Weird Al Yankovic went to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, was a college DJ there and even signed his first recording contract while still a student.  And, yet, there’s barely any mention of him on their website.  What the hey?  You’d think they’d at least name a building after him.  Oddly, the kid on the front of the site looks vaguely like Al.  Maybe it’s a subtle, unspoken nod to the master.

Quite a fun puzzle by Patrick.  If you haven’t listened to our interview with him and you’d like to please click here.

Next stop, Friday.  I’m predicting a Nothnagel.