0:11:28
This started off strong with the self-referential 1A: Self-descriptive crossword answer (ABBR), and after that, it was easy-ish, but solid enough. Lots of cutesy clues, like 66A: What an ET pilots (UFO), and 34A: Musical key appropriate for an apartment dweller? (AFLAT). The RANDD (40A: Corporate division, imformally... or a hint to the answers to the eight starred clues) was a familiar gimmick. It seems that they don't always star the clues in themes like this. Is it really necessary? Also, FWIW (35D: "Take that as you will," in internet shorthand), I was just wondering what ever happened to RAYDAVIES (20A: *Lead singer of the Kinks). I've been singing the song "Apeman" to myself for weeks.
It seems Tim Croce might be about our age, as there is a lot of cultural stuff that is right in our wheelhouse. ASTRO (1D: "The Jetsons" dog), CPO (9D: Sharkey's rank, in '70s TV), ELLY (24A: ____ May of "The Beverly Hillbillies"), HAILE (48A: ____ Selassie), and others. QEII (11D: Long-reigning English monarch, informally) looks crazy, but I like it. I also like the pair SNOOZE (70A: Nap) and NODS (71A: Shows signs of wanting to nap).
Enjoyable.
- Horace
10:00
ReplyDeleteYes, good puzzle. I think you may be correct about Mr. Croce's age. I was sure that either you or Frannie wouldn't like AWGEEZ. I again enjoyed all of the Zs that appear in this puzzle (3?). Puzzlers must just write out a bunch of words with odd letters in them and fit them in somehow. NARC is seen quite a bit, but I thought that 50 Traffic stopper? was a great clue for it.
Back to Saturday's puzzle now.
I still don't like or understand ABBR. Could you explain it to me? First ever DNF on a Tuesday. I must be getting old.
ReplyDeleteI mean, don't really explain it to me. I get it well enough. I just can't stand it. The genericness of it bugs me. "Crossword answer" is just plain awful as part of a clue.
ReplyDelete