Ryan solves the NYT, Tue 12-30-8
Today’s puzzle is by our good friend Doug Peterson, Crossword Gentleman and Man About Town. And thank god it was much easier than his Newsday Saturday Stumper from a couple of weeks ago.
The theme was:
52A. Ivan Turgenev novel … and a hint to 20-, 31- and 40-Across (FATHERS AND SONS).
20A. Incentive aimed at golden agers (SENIOR DISCOUNT).
31A. Chocolate-coated candy (JUNIOR MINTS). Well, obviously, I can’t let this one go without posting something from Seinfeld. “How could they not notice it?” “Because it’s a little mint, it’s a junior mint.”
40A. 1949 Orson Welles film (THE THIRD MAN). I feel like maybe I’ve seen this but I may be thinking of Touch of Evil.
Other highlights:
14A. Actress Petty (LORI). Why do I know who this person is? I know she was in Tank Girl but I’ve never seen Tank Girl. Come to think of it, why do I know she was in Tank Girl?
17A. Slugger Rodriguez (ALEX). Doug’s Yankee bias is quite blatant in this clue. He could very easily have gone with “Slugger Asencio” and the answer would have worked just fine. (For the few of you who don’t know, Alex Asencio played in the Dodgers minor leauge system from 1994-1996 and blasted 10 home runs in 269 games.)
63A. Marathon handout (WATER). I like this clue. It must be difficult to clue such a commonplace item in a new and interesting way.
48D. Jack of “Twin Peak” (NANCE). Ok, seriously, was this a good show or was it just weird?
Really nice, solid puzzle by Doug. And who knew you could put a Russian novel, an early bird special, a chocolate treat and a classic film noir all in one theme?
Next stop, Wednesday.
