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Mike Shenk’s Wall Road Journal crossword, “Thanksgiving Unfold”—Jim P’s assessment
Theme: In honor of Thanksgiving, we’re given acquainted phrases with the letters Y-A-M spreading out as we proceed down the grid.
- 17a. [Iconic Cold War novel by Eugene Burdick and William Lederer] THE UGLY AMERICAN.
- 24a. [Ex claims] ALIMONY PAYMENTS.
- 44a. [They’re used with whiteboards] DRY ERASE MARKERS.
- 58a. [Builders and would-be drivers do it] APPLY FOR A PERMIT.
I guessed the theme earlier than filling in a single letter, so no thematic aha second for me. However I like that every entry is a well-recognized grid-spanning phrase. It could have been superb if the letters in query might’ve been centered precisely in the course of the grid like the primary entry. However that’s in all probability an impossibility whenever you add the grid-spanning constraint. As well as, every “unfold” is consecutive with 0, 1, 2, after which 3 letters between the YAM letters, additional limiting the variety of potential entries. So regardless of the comparatively simple theme, there are many constraints occurring right here making for a pleasant, tight theme.
The lengthy fill is has some sparkle with SERENITY, TSUNAMI, SKI TRIP, and TO AND FRO.
Additionally, PEER GYNT. I stepped away from this puzzle for a bit, and once I returned, my eye lit upon PEER GYNT and I used to be immediately reminded of the “Am I Pregant?” tune which I binge-watched x variety of occasions final evening. I hoped for an excuse to embed the video, and the puzzle supplied up PEER GYNT. Thanks crossword gods! If the vacation has you burdened, take pleasure in just a few laughs by watching this video just a few dozen occasions. (It will get higher with every viewing.) No, “Am I PEER GYNT?” shouldn’t be within the tune…nevertheless it might have been!
Clue of word: 1d. [One problem after another?]. MATH. Wanted 3/4 crossings, however a enjoyable aha second available right here. Good clue.
A easy theme, however a pleasant puzzle nonetheless. 3.5 stars.
I hope everybody has a contented Thanksgiving! (Reminder: No WSJ puzzle tomorrow.)
Erica Hsiung Wojcik & Matthew Inventory’s New York Instances crossword—Amy’s recap
Cherished the theme on this 14×16 tallboy puzzle, tall and thin with left/proper symmetry to accommodate the four-part theme. Begin with two coloured circles (pink and yellow), then add one other shade at every step until you’ve acquired 5:
- 15a. [Red and yellow circles], MASTERCARD LOGO.
- 25a. [Red, yellow and green circles], TRAFFIC LIGHT.
- 46a. [Red, yellow, green and blue circles], TWISTER MAT. The sport of Tornado, that’s.
- 54a. [Red, yellow, green, blue and black circles], OLYMPIC RINGS.
Elegantly conceived and executed.
General vibe of recent fill and clues. Highlights within the fill embody DEATH GRIP, RAW TALENT, HAT TIP, SLOSH, DART OFF, “WHY, YES,” and a tire model I keep in mind from my childhood, PIRELLI. (Did they make Pirellis for the 1973 Mazda RX-3 rotary wagon? Ours was lime inexperienced.)
Cute clue: 29a. [Like 🙁 vis-à-vis :/], WORSE. Unhappy face emoticon vs. extra of a wry face.
By no means excited to see URAL in a puzzle, however I’m digging the tectonicity of 59a. [___ Mountains, formation made by the collision of the continents Laurasia and Kazakhstania]. A fast go to to Wikipedia affords a bit element. I didn’t know there’d been an historical continent known as Kazakhstania. Laurasia was a supercontinent, finally break up asunder by the Atlantic Ocean.
I deplore DR WHO as an entry and that “informally” within the clue doesn’t salvage it. Purge out of your wordlists, constructors!
4.25 stars from me.
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