During the ACPT, while sitting at a virtual "table" with Cece, Horace, Frannie, Phil, and others, we discussed that sometimes theme answers can go in the downs, but usually only if there's a good reason. Today's puzzle is an example.
Unlike yesterday's puzzle (well-spotted, oh commenters), there are five theme answers, and an additional revealer at 66A: Casual ... or a hint to the answers to the five starred clues (LOWKEY). Indeed, if you look at the referenced answers, each one ends in a typical key on modern keyboards. I did not see it coming, which is the way you want it to work, getting that "Aha!" moment. A fairly low-key aha, but there nonetheless.
My favorite of the answers was 3D: Steps taken in an emergency? (FIREESCAPE). A good answer, a fun clue. The others didn't have quite the same zing, but they worked well enough.
 |
| STING |
I'm more impressed with how smooth the puzzle is, given the density of theme material. FRANKOCEAN makes his NYT crossword puzzle debut. I just read that Don Henley of the Eagles called him "a talentless little prick" because he dared to sample Hotel California for a song. Other nice finds in the puzzle include MUSCAT, BLACKSEA, and ALLEGRO.
You know IMFINE with a puzzle that hits all the marks without too much of INRE or ESA (I remembered to leave the third letter blank this time until I had the cross). And if it contains a TWIX, well, I'm better than fine.
- Colum
I had a FWOROTA (Finished With One Running Of The Alphabet) on ?ART crossing ?ALSEY. Hadn't heard of either of those fine people.
ReplyDeleteOn 1A I kept wondering how to spell "futon" in four letters, but once I got some crosses my dilemma resolved itself.
I was luckily familiar with Kevin HART, mostly due to all of the references to him in "After Life," saving me from a FWOROTA, as Mr. Kingdon puts it. Lots of proper names in this one, though, which doesn't always bode well for a fast solve, but I was able to get in there with a 5:40, which isn't too bad for a Tuesday. I didn't know the theme until reading Colum's blog.
ReplyDelete