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Relative difficulty: Easy (solved Downs-only)
Theme answers:
This was pretty listless, as these types of themes go. The whole endeavor felt very dated, very old. Like, self-consciously old. Almost like the puzzle was doing a bit. I haven't seen a puzzle with this kind of non-consecutive letter theme for a while. They were more prevalent decades ago, but unless the concept is smashing, they generally seem kind of musty and passé these days. I don't think SCATTERSHOT is fresh enough or interesting enough to make the theme seem worth it. I guessed the revealer well before I even got there. The staleness extended beyond the theme, though. The fill ... I either winced or exclaimed "What!?" or laughed when I got to 17D: Brother on TV's "Bonanza" (HOSS). I knew it, but only from having done a million crosswords in the late 20th century and early '00s. "We're still doing HOSS?" is probably what I said, now that I think of it (this is the 106th NYTXW appearance of HOSS, but the first in five years and the first Bonanza-related clue in six). And HOSS came on the tail of a rather unpromising string of Downs (INURE, NSA, GEST).
- SQUASH COURT (16A: Walled area for a racket sport)
- SMASHMOUTH (25A: Band with the 1999 triple-platinum hit "All Star")
- "JUST THIS ONE TIME" (39A: "Pretty please? I won't ask again")
- PSYCHED OUT (48A: Played mind games with)
Smash Mouth is an American rock band from San Jose, California. The band was formed in 1994 and was originally composed of Steve Harwell (lead vocals), Kevin Coleman (drums), Greg Camp (guitar), and Paul De Lisle (bass). Harwell's departure in 2021 left De Lisle as the sole remaining original member. They are known for their songs "Walkin' on the Sun" (1997), "All Star" (1999), and "Then the Morning Comes" (1999), as well as a cover of the Monkees' "I'm a Believer" (2001).The band adopted retro styles covering several decades of popular music. They have also performed numerous covers of popular songs, including War's "Why Can't We Be Friends?", Rick Astley's "Never Gonna Give You Up", Simple Minds' "Don't You (Forget About Me)", ? & the Mysterians' "Can't Get Enough of You Baby", the Beatles' "Getting Better", Queen's "Under Pressure", House of Pain's "Jump Around", and "I Wan'na Be Like You" from The Jungle Book. They also composed two songs for the South Korean animated film Pororo, The Racing Adventure: "Beside Myself" and "Everything Just Crazy".
The group's debut album Fush Yu Mang has been certified platinum twice by the RIAA and their second album Astro Lounge has since been certified platinum thrice. Their song "All Star" was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals in 2001. (wikipedia)
• • •
Going back at least 50 years, we've also got RHODA (love her! but today, with so much other old stuff in the grid, she just makes the grid seem older). Also the E.R.A. (as clued). And TALIA Shire in the Godfather movies. Also Superman (in the "IT'S" clue) (65A: Word before "a bird," "a plane" and "Superman!"). And L'IL Abner (so many LILs out there, why this one when the puzzle already leans so ostentatiously into the far past?). And an Elvis song for SHOOK. And NAT King Cole. Even [Sergeant's superior, slangily] felt like a thing people would've been much more familiar with a half century+ ago than now. Almost all these things are before *my* time, and I am ... less and less young. Even the thing that is from Exactly my time is, I have to admit, quite old (19A: "___ Lips Are Sealed" (1981 Go-Go's hit) ("OUR")). First album I bought with my own money, that Go-Go's album—Beauty and the Beat— at the Wherehouse Records in the Fashion Fair Mall, Fresno, CA. I think I picked up Billy Squier's Don't Say No as well. Good times. This puzzle, in both theme concept and fill, was less of a good time. It's fine to wax nostalgic, but this is taking it all a little far. The crusty, overfamiliar fill (EIEIO ONEK OSE REFI NSA INURE GEST LOOIE) only makes the datedness more apparent. I do think the theme answers have some charm all on their own, though "JUST THIS ONE TIME" really really would rather be "JUST THIS ONCE" (in that it seems much more like what one would actually say). The clue on GHOSTS stands out for its relative currency (46D: Ends a relationship with by suddenly cutting off communication). I also like LITHUANIA. Challenged my geographical knowledge (totally forgot the capital was Vilnius). This is the sixth LITHUANIA appearance in NYTXW history. There was once a 56-year gap between LITHUANIA appearances (1953-2009). Not a fun fact, exactly, but a weird one.
No real challenge today for the Downs-only solver (i.e. me). Took a few inferred crosses for me to pick up LITHUANIA, as I say. I idiotically wanted "FIRED" and "RILED" before having a massive "Duh" + D'oh!" moment with "SHOOK" (26D: "All ___ Up" (Elvis #1 hit)). [Bogeymen] seem like something other, something more specific than MONSTERS, so that also took some crossing. Otherwise, no issues. Saw right through the "trick" clue at 1D: Firing offense? (ARSON), and mostly cruised the rest of the way.
That's all for today. See you next time.
Signed, Rex Parker, King of CrossWorld
[Follow Rex Parker on BlueSky and Facebook and Letterboxd]
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- Pop Sensation (vintage paperbacks)
Rex, your first album was the Go-Gos? What a sweet boy!
ReplyDeleteMine, I’m reluctant to admit, was Herman’s Hermits. Pure dreck. That was back when HOSS and family were still on TV. In my defense, I had an older brother who was bringing home the Beatles and other good stuff.
Curious to know what others’ first albums were. Anyone?
Animalization
DeleteQueen, ‘News of the World,’ if yard sale purchases count. If record-store-specific: ‘Stop Making Sense.’ :)
DeleteMeet the Monkees
Delete@Andy Freude - long enough ago that I'm not sure. I think it was probably Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.
DeleteBorn in early 80s and mine was Genesis “invisible touch”
DeleteTapestry
DeleteAlso too far back to really remember but I think the Led Zepplin album with the blimp on the cover.
DeleteLikely Billy Joel's, The Stranger. Though @Kitshef, one of the 12 albums that my older brother got through K Tell records for a dime was Goodbye Yellow Brick Road. I stole that one and still have it. Of course he had agreed to by 10 more albums at regular prices within the next 12 months...
DeleteGeez @Andy Freude, it was a long, long time ago. Could possibly have been Herman's Hermits (whom I did see live) but I really don't remember. Great question. The answers will provide a walk down memory lane.
DeleteIn-A-Gadda-Da-Vida (embarrassingly)
DeleteFragile, by Yes.
DeleteRay Conniff ‘S Wonderful
DeleteAnyone remember the Columbia Record
Club ? 7 albums for 99 cents then one a month
The Soundtrack to Grease (LP) and Randy Neumann’s Short People (EP).
DeleteI was a child of the 70’s and 80’s —good times!
I was thinking Tommy, but I’d completely forgotten about In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida (thanks for that, Beezer).
DeleteAlthough Adam was my official “favorite” brother, I always loved Dan Blocker the actor (gone too soon). He wouldn’t let his children hunt: “not until the deer have guns, too.”
I did this one downs only and it was all reasonable/guessable with a couple of tough spots except the NW corner, which was nigh impossible. I ended up kinda seeing 1A and then realized it had to be APING. (4 down could have been ciA or NSA…. And I hadn’t figured out ARSON, which I guess was just dumb on my part). But GEST???? What kind of Monday answer is that??? I had __ST and just could not think of anything….maybe tEST??? Finally tried APING, saw ARSON, and RINSE, and it was over. SCATTERSHOT is a neat revealer, and those S-H-O-T fill in the circle letters helped me a LOT! : ) The TIME dupe makes downs only solving harder, cuz you really don’t want the end of the spanner to be TIME as well…. But it is!!! 22 three-letter entries, that’s a little close to my limit…. I love SMASHMOUTH, so that and PSYCHEDOUT (and maybe LITHUANIA) were the highlights. Fun collab, ACM and Kevin! Thanks : )
ReplyDeleteMy five favorite original clues from last week
ReplyDelete(in order of appearance):
1. First and last, say (4)(4)
2. Track event won by the fastest four legs (5)(4)
3. One may sit near a bench marking time (9)
4. Boundaries between areas with different amounts of coverage (3)(5)
5. Annual appraisal statement (4)(1)(4)
FULL NAME
HORSE RACE
METRONOME
TAN LINES
WHAT A YEAR
My favorite encore clues from last week:
Delete[Ubiquitous head coverings] (6)
[Butter up?] (5)
SCALPS
ARIES
Kevin and Andrea, you two sure CLAS(S) UP T(H)E J(O)IN(T). You ought to go out and celebrate your ninth collaboration, perhaps with a (S)US(H)I B(O)A(T)!
ReplyDeleteThree things Andrea and Kevin did here that gave the puzzle shine, that showed what pros they are:
ReplyDelete• These theme answers freshen up the box, with the first two being NYT debuts, and the last three once-befores. Wow!
• Beauty added loveliness, with LOATH, EXTOL, PIQUE, POESY, and GEST, in addition to the colorful theme answers.
• The SHOTs are truly scattered, as none of the circled letters in the theme answers are next to each other.
They didn’t have to do any of these; this just shows their push for excellence. And the theme is not only Monday-perfect, it’s never been done before.
I had a grand time trying (unsuccessfully) to guess the revealer, not even reading its clue. My brain loved the ride.
Thank you, Andrea and Kevin for that, and for the excellence you poured into this. Standing-O!
First downs-only solve in a minute. Getting the SHOT in the circles early opened up toeholds all over. NE was last to fall—after LITHUANIA, I changed ROBOT to IDIOT and bingo. I did notice some mustiness along the way. Good start to the week!
ReplyDeleteYep. Pretty easy. Apparently it's an old standby, but what exactly does "gest" mean? Thanks!
ReplyDeleteOld fashioned noun describing a legendary feat, daring adventure, or heroic exploit.
DeleteHey All !
ReplyDeleteNothing wrong with this nice LIL MonPuz. Theme does what Revealer reveals. Simple, easy*, plus an ACME sighting. Nice.
Got MONSTERS in, but I'm not going to grab a point for that. Maybe if it was singular. One of me is enough. 😁
Do agree about some old-timey clues, but all's fair in puz cluing. Bedside, we don't know how many were changed by the editing team.
*Only tough spot? POESY. Had POEms, completely missing the DImTINCT wrongness (I think the ole brain made it into "diminish" to trick me), and figuring NsT was a Manhattan based media place I had just never heard of. So, that caused a DNF here. Ouch.
Welp, hope y'all have a great Monday!
One F
RooMonster
DarrinV
Solved as a themeless. Early week I’m looking for a simple but nuanced theme with decent fill - today we get the lazy circle ploy and a tired grid - not what I typically anticipate from ACME.
ReplyDeleteIDIOT Wind
Rex summarizes the flat fill nicely - not much to PIQUE my interest. I’m assuming inserting an NYT reference brings extra acceptance points?
Rough start to the solving week after a disastrous Jets’ loss yesterday. TCM ran an Eva Marie Saint tribute so I did get to watch Raintree County - that and a strong black manhattan made things better.
We’ll Sweep Out The ASHES In The Morning
Enjoyed much more than Rex did, probably because I, too, am kind of musty and passé. I'm happy to avoid 'fresh' fill like some unknown actor on an apple+ show I've never heard of.
ReplyDeleteI don't look at constructor names before solving, but when I got to that clue for ARE I knew we had an Acme puzzle.
Amen!! lol
DeleteIN TIME and JUST THIS ONE TIME on the same grid is pretty unforgivable
ReplyDeleteRex’s critique seemed harsh to me (as it often does). Every Monday I imagine a new crossword solver sticking their toe in the water, and this puzzle would be fun for them. Yes the fill is old, but that didn’t bother me. The time dupe did. I already had both times in place through crosses, so knew it was right, but didn’t like it.
ReplyDeleteIt would not be fun for a “new solver” under 30, which is the likely age of a “new solver”
DeleteAppropriate Monday easiness, slight snag a POEMS for POESY which I had to fix, which I did by actually reading the NYT clue. Noticed the SHOTs in the circles so read the revealer clue and filled that in and the end.
ReplyDelete"Skews old" is probably correct--HOSS and RHODA and ITS a bird were gimmes, but no idea about where Better Call Saul was aired. Tells you something about my tv watching habits.
My first album I bought with my own money (I think, it was a long time ago) was "Peter, Paul and Mary", featuring, guess who, Peter, Paul, and Mary. Early stages of The Great Folk Scare.
OK Mondecito, KC and ACM. I Know Collaboration is A Complicated Mission, but you're very good at it. Thanks for the Monday fun.
poesy?
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the puzzle. But I just want to speak up for GEST--one of the things I miss about the Middle Ages. I'm glad to see Lewis appreciates it, too. I liked the all-vowel French words, as well, and of course LITHUANIA.
ReplyDeleteA typical enjoyable Monday puzzle. (First album: 1940’s Sinatra).🎈🎈🎊🎊
ReplyDeleteAndrea and Kevin two-timed us! (INTIME and JUSTTHISONE TIME)
ReplyDeleteBut I was happy to see they didn't DOOM again, you know, with the chants.
One of the constructors and Will are good friends and I can’t help but think that had something to do with the acceptance of this puzzle. Rex is perhaps too harsh on the overall “oldness” but he’s not wrong, and that TIME dupe, which he somehow (kindly?) overlooked? Really bad.
ReplyDeleteEasy down-only, but I accidentally saw the clue for 1 Across and that made it even easier. I did get stuck on 11D even with everything else in place, and finally looked at one or two across clues in that corner. But overall, the down only solve was smooth and easy. And I thought it was a nice cozy Monday, despite Rex’s complaints. Thanks, ACME!
ReplyDeleteWhat do you call it when someone is totally accustomed to your looks? INURE face.
ReplyDeleteNancy always maintained that after deuce you go TOAD.
Plato: What letter comes after Pi and before Sigma? I'll bet no one can guess.
Socrates: RHO...DA.
Could have avoided the TIME dupe by cluing INTIME as "French in private" or some such.
HOSS brought back pleasant memories of my youth with the whole family gathered around the set every Sunday to watch Bonanza. I can still see the map burning away in the opening. Thanks Kevin Christian and Andrea Carla Michaels.
Enjoyed it. For some reason though it played hard for me!
ReplyDeleteMy first album: I was 13 & my sister gave me a Nat King Cole album, which I was happy to get but we didnt have a record player. And werent getting one (“….. money, honey …..”)
ReplyDeleteSuccessful as Downs only, so no whining.
ReplyDeleteThe theme Across answers pretty much came into view by getting some, but not all, of the Down answers. Once we guessed the revealer, and entered the remaining S-H-O-T letters in the circled squares, the end was in sight.
Liked it better than Rex, likely an age thing. The long Downs provided some decent answers for a Monday. Didn't remember LITHUANIA specifically, but thought it was a Baltic former SSR and so its length gave it away.
Biggest challenge was failing to see that the clue for 22D was a plural (read as "man" before "men"). And so stalled over what that could possibly be beside MONSTER.
Didn't see the clue for 59A until post-solve. Taunting reference to the (absent) Red Sox during the World Series? (But go Brewers!!)
This was a fine Monday. Old fill never bothers me for a couple of reasons: First, I'm getting up there myself so much of the musty stuff is often in my wheelhouse (thought I was only witness to re-runs of Bonanza). Second, I usually learn something worth knowing, not always, but usually.
ReplyDeleteMy brain had some strange technical problems today, maybe because I solved a bit earlier than usual. I was slowed down a bunch as I kept reading the clue to the revealer as if it was for the first themer (??) For some inexplicable reason, at 16A, my eyes kept getting drawn all the way down to the clue for 61A and I couldn't understand how something ending in COURT could connect to "all over the place"! I don't know.. 16 vs. 61 maybe... as I said, I'm getting up there.
Other than that absurd and boring for everyone else experience, I thought this worked. Like @Rex, I felt all the themers were nice words on their own and there were some other nice moments with ESSAYTESTS and MONSTERS. The NW was a little sticky for me, as NSA and GEST were not front of brain and I always spell INURE wrong. That incorrect "e" gummed up the works longer that it should have. Because of that, I had APeon for a hot second even though I knew it had to be wrong...my spelling error finally hit me and it all fell.
I have this blog to thank for easily getting ARSON. Rex has often pointed out that ARSON is nearly always clued in some kind of coy, cutesy way, so I’ve learned to see them coming.
ReplyDeleteGood thing too, because being neither a long-time solver nor yet to my 50s, a lot of the fill that Rex calls stale was way out of my wheelhouse. Hopefully any new solvers this Monday were older than I am!