Wednesday, October 18, 2023, Joseph Gangi

OK, this is pretty cute. Mr. Gangi has performed a magic trick in the grid by pulling a rabbit out of a hat. He's pulled out by his feet, apparently - TIBBAR - while the black squares around him form a sort of rabbit image with ears up. That's my only complaint - that the upside down name doesn't match with the image, but I guess maybe it was thought that putting the word in backwards would delay the surprise? Hmmmm... maybe. Still, it's a fun trick, and the magician's patter makes it even moreso - FORTHEFIRSTTIME, BEAMAZED, ABRACADABRA, ITSMAGIC!

The fill started off well with "Rent in the garment district?" (RIP). Heh. "Hell of a poem?" (INFERNO) was good, "Foosball apparatus" (ROD) was oddly interesting, and "Name seen going down the drain?" (EDDY) was guffaw-worthy.

I thought "Kind of belt" was a bit of a stretch for BIBLE. I mean, sure, there's a Bible Belt, but would they have used that clue for "corn," say? I guess maybe... why not. Oh, who am I to say. It's not like I'm any kind of arbiter. And I suppose it's better than "Not as well" (ILLER). 

Overall, though, a fun puzzle. It's a good way to start hump day, no?

- Horace