tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post7644943151567374530..comments2024-03-29T05:08:37.783-04:00Comments on Rex Parker Does the NYT Crossword Puzzle: Honey brand since 1921 / TUE 12-5-17 / Resource in Masabi Range / Instrument with cane blades / Sister brand of Baby RuthRex Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16145707733877505087noreply@blogger.comBlogger129125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-4409927213263665632018-01-09T16:30:56.004-05:002018-01-09T16:30:56.004-05:00Anytime I think "hey, maybe I should subscrib...Anytime I think "hey, maybe I should subscribe and become a real-timer", I read comments like many of today's and realize I'd become a schnook and argue with everybody. <br /><br />Forgetting the commentary, I liked the puzzle, as I do most of C.C.'s, and enjoyed the theme/clue combos a lot. The fill was AOK, and the grid looked good, even though it was square (hi, @Lady Di).<br /><br />Amazing how many people thought that the OH HENRY bar had anything to do with Hammerin' Hank. <br /><br />Good Tuesday.rainforestnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-74688561895827415692018-01-09T13:07:09.549-05:002018-01-09T13:07:09.549-05:00If only the theme were Seinfeld, the MARINE BIOLOG...If only the theme were Seinfeld, the MARINE BIOLOGIST and OHENRY would be perfect! Otherwise, a timid effort with a weak theme.<br /><br />HATTIPS is terrible. And anytime the clue is "appropriate rhyme for ___", that is a fail.<br /><br />Grade: CSloakahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15538326131998724905noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-19879554262438879202018-01-09T12:47:17.743-05:002018-01-09T12:47:17.743-05:00Didn’t finish in 3 minutes, but no write-overs, so...Didn’t finish in 3 minutes, but no write-overs, so that’s something. “Executive producer” will have to be on @Lewis’ list of favorite clues for this week.This puz is probably the only place where you’ll see ALGORE and ALLENGINSBERG mentioned in such close proximity.<br /><br />When I was a kid and there were no super-centers, SUEBEE honey was about the only brand you’d get, especially outside of any metro area. Maybe it was a Midwest thing? <br /><br />The Mesabi IRON Range a gimme for anyone from MN. Should be for most folks educated in the U.S. Biggest IRON mining production in the U.S. for a hundred or more years. From where do you think Pittsburgh and the other steel cities got their raw materials? OFL shoulda learned that in grade school geography.<br /><br />Loretta LYNN musta been a yeah baby in her youth; four kids before age 20.<br /><br />IMNOTREADY to say this was her best, but at LEAST CC turns out some nice grids.<br />rondonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-45263309333178495832018-01-09T11:39:19.213-05:002018-01-09T11:39:19.213-05:00OK - I see - it's about the clues to the theme...OK - I see - it's about the clues to the themers. Pretty soon @Rex will complain that the grid is a square, just like yesterday's grid.<br /><br />D,LIWDiana, LIWnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-84791512936554089892018-01-09T11:38:14.944-05:002018-01-09T11:38:14.944-05:00At last OFL prints his soul: "I'm pretty ...At last OFL prints his soul: "I'm pretty cynical about it all." Yeah, dude, we kinda had that one figured out.<br /><br />I liked this one--not knowing who Harry Smith is. Maybe that's why I never noticed that all the theme clues were TV jobs. I put it down as a rare Tuesday themeless, so I suppose the team can tell me "GOTYA!" Although, we have to mark a deduction for that. It's "GOTCHA!" as we all know. It gets just a little awkward at the bottom with the double H's going both directions--but no foul there.<br /><br />I did notice the top/bottom asymmetry; it didn't bother me. In fact, very little in this grid did. Burnikel plies her trade with Berry-like care. Outstanding long downs. Theme clues devilishly clever, almost to beyond Tuesday--yet the fill is clued so simply that this is just about the right day.<br /><br />Several choices for DOD today: I'd like to introduce you to LYNN Gilmartin of the World Poker Tour. Yeah baby, the sash is yours. Birdie.spacecraftnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-60598265676334182082018-01-09T11:36:37.477-05:002018-01-09T11:36:37.477-05:00Just skimmed thru OFL's comments. He checks T...Just skimmed thru OFL's comments. He checks Twitter whilst speed solving? Really? Does he bake a cake at the same time, too? Jeez Louizie...<br /><br />And what's with the snark about the co-conspirator (constructor) making the grid too CENTERED ON HIS "CELEB"NESS - TOO newsy? Really? OREO? POPEYE? Is OHHENRY too close to OHHarry? I just don't get it - what's the complaint about. Someone enlighten me. Oh well, haven't yet read the Futurelanders.<br /><br />Lady DiDiana, LIWnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-16398044308315250452018-01-09T11:09:03.698-05:002018-01-09T11:09:03.698-05:00Thin GREY gruel even for a Tuesday. It's a SAD...Thin GREY gruel even for a Tuesday. It's a SADDAY when the NYT uses "famous people" instead of just making good puzzles to celebrate <i>The Crossword</i>'s 75th anniversary. Celebrity pairings are fine as long as the end result is good enough to make you say AHH! instead of UGH! C.C. is better than this but she's been AWOL lately. I could YAK on, but this one deserves no HATTIPS.thefogmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01870509029973778266noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-52919791639419453962018-01-09T09:46:11.000-05:002018-01-09T09:46:11.000-05:00OH,HENRY, AGE GOTYA?
GREY HAREd AGATHA is a MARI...OH,HENRY, AGE GOTYA? <br /><br />GREY HAREd AGATHA is a MARINEBIOLOGIST<br />who HAS URGES that ACCENT she’ll wanna<br />PLOT which ROMEOs ARE, at LEAST, PRO-risk,<br />or HOW to BED POPEYETHESAILOR in the SAUNA.<br /><br />--- RITA LYNN HALE-WHARTON<br />Brma Shavenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-79057265322829844352017-12-06T14:42:11.002-05:002017-12-06T14:42:11.002-05:00Just bad punnery: "CC was angry" was a p...Just bad punnery: "CC was angry" was a play on George's "The SEA was angry" AND an allusion to the puzzle constructor (she's also known as "CC"). Sorry for my lame attempt. Joe Bleauxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13161776968606180476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-87747270430310238392017-12-06T05:44:27.339-05:002017-12-06T05:44:27.339-05:00I am no longer a fan of Jonathan Norwich. She whi...I am no longer a fan of Jonathan Norwich. She whines too much.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-20898940786279851182017-12-06T01:45:02.587-05:002017-12-06T01:45:02.587-05:00@Jonathan Norwich, he is a she and English is her ...@Jonathan Norwich, he is a she and English is her second language, you might want to rethink your opinion. She is pretty damn brilliant in my opinion.chefwenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03999206352243329280noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-8844511735652380652017-12-06T01:44:15.277-05:002017-12-06T01:44:15.277-05:00@BarbieBarbie 9:51 PM let us linger among the line...@BarbieBarbie 9:51 PM let us linger among the lines...<br />(no, wait...that's more like Whitman than Ginsberg) it's only now that i recognize the three, long, question clues are newsroom-related...so, thank you, Barbie... i was wondering if there was anything at least partially intelligible left to say... very perspicacious... a crossword puzzle is not an IQ test... one doesn't have to answer every clue and query... until one is weak and weary... no, no, don't make me channel Poe...Girishhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06905274808378712801noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-15364951084137904892017-12-06T00:20:59.935-05:002017-12-06T00:20:59.935-05:00I'm no longer a fan of Zhouqin puzzles. He sac...I'm no longer a fan of Zhouqin puzzles. He sacrifices enjoyability to flagrantly display cheeky cleverness. This puzzle was too difficult for a Tuesday. Theme was loosey goosey, fill abstract, and construction awkward.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05327019234458793386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-18109546782871494092017-12-05T23:12:41.340-05:002017-12-05T23:12:41.340-05:00Does anyone remember Yaacov Smirnoff?Does anyone remember Yaacov Smirnoff?Boris Bladderoffnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-72285430721956883312017-12-05T21:51:29.529-05:002017-12-05T21:51:29.529-05:00OK it’s late enough to leave a nerd-note nobody wi...OK it’s late enough to leave a nerd-note nobody will see. The person who did timed typing at 2:something and then wanted to give each clue 1sec to read and grok... you would, mostly, get 2 seconds, not 1, because you only need to answer about half the clues in any puzzle, if you’re flat-out answering them and not skipping and going back. And, that’s pretty doable (and impressive, of course).BarbieBarbienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-82352175979843833682017-12-05T21:09:31.679-05:002017-12-05T21:09:31.679-05:00@twoponies oboe reeds have two blades of cane (aka...@twoponies oboe reeds have two blades of cane (aka swamp grass or arundo donax: the Latin name) A reed knife as sharp as a scalpel is used to shave each blade symetrically so that they vibrate to produce the distinctly plaintive sound of the oboe.<br />Best,<br />john <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Ed’sjohnnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-39359639416236494312017-12-05T21:08:31.955-05:002017-12-05T21:08:31.955-05:00@Anon 7:06,
Focusing on that minor detail is ignor...@Anon 7:06,<br />Focusing on that minor detail is ignoring the general point.<br />Afraid of who those winning applicants might be?Moon Childnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-47069793595186964782017-12-05T20:18:21.868-05:002017-12-05T20:18:21.868-05:00@Anonymous 7:27pm
I have recently run a Seinfeld ...@Anonymous 7:27pm<br /><br />I have recently run a Seinfeld trivia night, I watch the whole series from beginning to end every 4 years and I know people who have message groups dedicated to seeing Seinfeld in their daily lives.<br /><br />Mohair can come at me all he wants, I'm ready.<br /><br />On a semi-related note, I thought that people who solve crossword puzzles in only a few minutes were cheating/imaginary etc. Then I attended a couple of Crossword tournaments and have with my very own eyes witnessed that they are indeed real. Improbable != impossible. semioticus (shelbyl)https://www.blogger.com/profile/16204028248874222567noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-88487594828907175422017-12-05T20:13:04.191-05:002017-12-05T20:13:04.191-05:00CHIP,
May I ask your age? I'll concede the cou...CHIP,<br />May I ask your age? I'll concede the country is riven. But as for the quality of discourse being nastier than ever, I respectfully disagree. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-72178433074371241882017-12-05T19:55:54.861-05:002017-12-05T19:55:54.861-05:00@Anonymous 7:06
I respectfully disagree. Go back ...@Anonymous 7:06<br />I respectfully disagree. Go back a few years and you don't find the political barbs posted anonymously. Nor were the Rex comments anywhere as nasty as they are nowadays (neither were Rex's essays, in my opinion). "Neither is the country"? Wow.Chip Hiltonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-13892500092092519982017-12-05T19:27:21.507-05:002017-12-05T19:27:21.507-05:00Semiotics,
Careful. You'll offend Mohair who&#...Semiotics,<br />Careful. You'll offend Mohair who's on record about being surprised that anyone could associate a particular subject with Seinfeld episode at will.<br /><br />COME ON MOHAIR! If Semis post isn't proof that evil dougs posts are inane nothing is. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-59033334822210783132017-12-05T19:06:31.594-05:002017-12-05T19:06:31.594-05:00Moon,
IQ is based on age. Reconsider your proposis...Moon,<br />IQ is based on age. Reconsider your proposisition, and we'll reconsider your application.<br /><br />(Signed) The admissions office.<br /><br />CHIP,<br />Check the archives. This blog is no angrier than it's ever been. Neither is the country. This blog is not representative of the populace.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-23172651735370420292017-12-05T18:47:00.821-05:002017-12-05T18:47:00.821-05:00Let's see if I will be able to figure out the ...Let's see if I will be able to figure out the theme by the time I get to the corresponding paragraph.<br /><br /><i>Fill:</i> ABCS, YEOW, APIA, SYN were not fun. Other than that, decent fill for a Tuesday. The bonus answers could have been more bonus-y, I guess, but I will not complain. <b>17/25</b><br /><br /><i>Theme/long answers:</i> I still don't get it. Sailor/Marine/I(ce)berg/Whar(f)? What is this? I give up, I'll read the review.<br />...<br />Oh come on this is not a theme. This is a weak ass excuse to feature a celebrity-adjacent puzzle constructor. I don't even know him, sorry Mr. Smith. I'll give some credit to the clue for WHARTON (because apparently the clues are the themers) which got a sincere laughter out of me. That's it. <b>4/25</b><br /><br /><i>Clues:</i> This is where the puzzle shone. "Executive producer?" was brilliant. "Hot ones can cause trouble," "Melville monomaniac" etc. demonstrated that the puzzle knew the quality of the answers and were trying to make them funner than they are. And it worked to an extent. <b>19/25</b><br /><br /><i>Pleasurability:</i> For what's practically a themeless puzzle, it was OK. Mostly smooth, funny at times. It was easy to completely forget about the theme while solving it, but this could have easily become a tedious endeavor. <b>18/25</b><br /><br /><b>GRADE:</b> C+, 3 stars.<br /><br /><b>P.S.:</b> One of the answers is Oh Henry! and no one mentiones Sue Ellen Mischke, the Braless Wonder in these 100+ comments? Wow. I'm thoroughly disappointed in all of you... <br />semioticus (shelbyl)https://www.blogger.com/profile/16204028248874222567noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-63429516054816250882017-12-05T18:38:57.061-05:002017-12-05T18:38:57.061-05:00I'm not angry.
I am abashed, though.I'm not angry.<br /><br />I am abashed, though.Kevin Spaceynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-64668890805533356072017-12-05T18:13:11.610-05:002017-12-05T18:13:11.610-05:00It's amazing how angry this country has become...It's amazing how angry this country has become in a mere eleven months. This little puzzle community serves to illustrate.Chip Hiltonnoreply@blogger.com