An almost perfectly symmetric grid on this Friday themeless, with six 15-letter grid-spanning answers. The solve was delightful, with some challenges happening for this solver in the lower middle section, but the rest moving smoothly along.
I amusingly had made an assumption when reading the clue at 14A: Hot shot producer (ESPRESSOMACHINE) that it would start with EStRogen____. I put in 17A: What late-night partying might lead to (NOISECOMPLAINTS), and had a fair amount moving down the right side before I saw that 5D: Short Instgram video (REEL) couldn't start with RoE_. I literally had StILLEDTHEB___ before I figured out my mistake!
A similar issue happened in the northeast of the grid, where I put in gEe at 20A: "Jeepers!" (EEK). I still think my answer is more apt. Apt! When I finally figured out 13D: Typewriter settings (DESKS) - cute - and 9A: Intro course? (SALAD) - should have gotten that earlier - LINEOFREASONING came into sight.
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| Diego RIVERA murals in Detroit |
My final challenge came with 54A: "It hasn't happened to me, but ... wow!" (ICANONLYIMAGINE), where I had ICANjustIMAGINE. The actual answer here beats mine, for sure. I figured it out with THEYRE. I remember that video! But I'm not going to post it here due to how annoying it is. On the other hand, FANINTERFERENCE is an amusing clue and answer.
I love love love 45D: Proceed with a game plan (HUNT). Oh, man, that's a great non-QMC. So clever!
- Colum
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