tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post3201447967697222185..comments2024-03-28T20:49:13.267-04:00Comments on Rex Parker Does the NYT Crossword Puzzle: Jails British slang / SUN 2-20-11 / Astrologer to rich famous / Band 1998 song One Week / Three-stringed instruments / Spartan walkwayRex Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16145707733877505087noreply@blogger.comBlogger91125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-67076992874579163022011-03-06T12:36:18.150-05:002011-03-06T12:36:18.150-05:00Great puzzle. First time that I ever finished a Su...Great puzzle. First time that I ever finished a Sunday Puzzle. Loved the "bars". Discovered the theme at Pablo Escobar. Made rest of puzzle very easy.<br /><br />First time leaving a comment. I have been reading this blog for 2 years now. Learned a lot. <br /><br />Thanks.NM Robinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14920756034993068695noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-91807773191261450532011-02-27T18:55:42.507-05:002011-02-27T18:55:42.507-05:00Better syndi-late than never, maybe.
Fun theme, d...Better syndi-late than never, maybe.<br /><br />Fun theme, discovering it made everything else so much easier. Except for the occasional SADISTIC resort to obscure authors of obscure books, of course.<br /><br />Biggest nit: relegating Delores del Rio to the "silent era" when she made such important film acting contributions later as well, although mostly JUST in Mexican talkies.<br /><br />Reports here of GOD'S END may be somewhat exaggerated.NotalwaysrightBillnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-77702010775879300972011-02-27T17:39:38.532-05:002011-02-27T17:39:38.532-05:00Amazed that little ol' me got the bar theme as...Amazed that little ol' me got the bar theme as soon as ROOMBRAWL popped out, when so many others didn't. I immediately raced around looking for the others. Toughest was the band -- never heard of "One Week" or actually heard any of their music. Speaking of bands, "Pablo and the Dolls" would be a great name for one.<br /><br />The "fourscore" misdirect had me giving a big "Huh???" Figured Simon from Duran Duran had to be LEBON but ELIAn just would not tumble for me. Who? But just when I went to Google it the light went on above the little Cuban kid.<br /><br />Still not sure about QTY, but I guess the "reduced" clue = abbr. Also, there's a NOHO in NY? Nevah hoid of it here out West. EFT was another head scratcher, but possibly relevant as I see the slimiest NEWT of all is preparing to run for President again.<br /><br />All in all, fun for a Sunday. Finished by noon, although with a couple mistakes.Cary in Bouldernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-15872653651168862992011-02-27T12:30:24.077-05:002011-02-27T12:30:24.077-05:00@tita,it's "Wunderbar" because the b...@tita,it's "Wunderbar" because the bars magically become part of the puzzle ("wonder" bars); it's German for "wonderful" Nice doubleplay on words. Superb title.jerrygnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-20166203715252066402011-02-27T11:41:09.760-05:002011-02-27T11:41:09.760-05:00Greetings from Syndication City. Had a great time ...Greetings from Syndication City. Had a great time doing this puzzle after being sure and certain I would get <i>nowhere</i> with it. Nice surprise. I think I know "quod" from reading old English mystery writers like Dorothy Sayers and Agatha Christie.<br /><br />@Octavian: thanks for the fun Hollywood history.<br /><br />@syndy ("examine all grids") Ditto! Just learning here TODAY that grid shapes can have clues to the themes.<br /><br />@JaxInL.A. Sorry to hear about your cousin. Thx for referral to Liz Gorski's blog. As a newbie I am on the lookout for spiffy crossword sites to read and learn from.<br /><br />@Anonymous 10:36 AM Smiling at "etui" article. May it never fade.Palmdaliannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-63536948017981457812011-02-27T10:36:20.703-05:002011-02-27T10:36:20.703-05:00If you are new to these puzzles, as I am, and have...If you are new to these puzzles, as I am, and have no idea what an ETUI is, you might appreciate this article:<br />http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/ideas/articles/2009/02/15/farewell_etui/Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-29389216625523532742011-02-23T23:11:36.495-05:002011-02-23T23:11:36.495-05:00@Jax - condolences...I'm with you that curling...@Jax - condolences...I'm with you that curling up with a good puzzle is a comforting diversion from even a profound sadness.Titahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16368251255494687496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-12666605681846937332011-02-23T23:09:24.968-05:002011-02-23T23:09:24.968-05:00Liked the puzzle, didn't notice the bars until...Liked the puzzle, didn't notice the bars until I was done, scratched my head over ELY and KED AT...<br /><br />Only thing I didn't like was the title...<br />Why "Wunderbar"? I too searched for "W", even searched for double "U"...!<br /><br />I read lots of the comments here, still dont' get the title. Not even Alan's attempt at explaining it.<br />Ah well, this has been a VERY slow puzzle week for me.Titahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16368251255494687496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-4092372094984431352011-02-23T17:34:09.397-05:002011-02-23T17:34:09.397-05:00@Alan
How do the bars at the top factor into your ...@Alan<br />How do the bars at the top factor into your theory? You're not 'still right,' in fact you're reaching. But kudos for a good idea. Made me really think.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-4363255857770125372011-02-22T12:04:36.731-05:002011-02-22T12:04:36.731-05:00I had a memorial service for my cousin on Sunday (...I had a memorial service for my cousin on Sunday (my age contemporary--only in his early 50s). I wrote this comment but never did post it. The puzzle gave me a real smile on a sad day, so I thought I'd come back and post it anyway, though I know that few will stumble on it now. <br /><br />This is my favorite puzzle of 2011 so far. Hooray for Liz Gorski and if you have not checked out her delightful <a href="http://crosswordcity.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">Crossword City</a> blog, you are missing a treat. <br /><br />I solved this mostly from the bottom up and, like @Greene, got BELLY UP TO THE *** from remembering the song in The Unsinkable Molly Brown. Clearly a rebus would not work, and then I saw the "bar" and had that delicious AHA! moment that is a big part of why we do these puzzles. I kept chuckling, oohing, aahing, and muttering about how I love Liz Gorski as I filled in the theme answers, until my husband demanded an explanation. I nearly came to the blog right then to share that sweet feeling, but decided to finish the puzzle and fell asleep before the end. <br /><br />Finishing the NW this a.m. was really hard for me. I forgot that the bars worked vertically too, and wrestled for too long with "Reprimanded sharply" as KE_AT. And even though I could remember that Amos and Andy lived in Pine Ridge, Arkansas, I could not remember in what city Fibber McGee kept his famously stuffed closet.<br /><br />In the end I finished with one wrong letter, as I took a chance that Dernier CRu was a wine appellation, rather than a synonym for fad. <br /><br />By the way, I love all the stuff that @Andrea knows. My mum had a crush on Hal Linden in the Barney Miller days. Actually, I love what everyone knows here. Thanks for sharing.<br /><br />Thanks very much, Ms. Gorski!JaxInL.A.https://www.blogger.com/profile/13792405579998093081noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-62476888450532774342011-02-22T09:08:34.252-05:002011-02-22T09:08:34.252-05:00The late Dan Naddor did a similar theme a few mont...The late Dan Naddor did <a href="http://rexwordpuzzle.blogspot.com/2010/10/princess-loved-by-hercules-thu-10-21-10.html" rel="nofollow">a similar theme</a> a few months back, where a 2x2 black square stood for "block" in every entry entering or exiting it. <br /><br />Very enjoyable theme, but a smattering of white spaces left behind thanks to some of the more obscure fill.efrexnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-2986530991290686442011-02-21T21:27:53.396-05:002011-02-21T21:27:53.396-05:00Didn't see the 3-blalck-square bars thing,(tha...Didn't see the 3-blalck-square bars thing,(thanks @Rex for pointing it out) but found the puzzle quite fine, not hard, even though, as usual, had never heard of song "one week" but lome was a gimme, and I loved PabloEsco_____ and bellyup to the; hd ot look twice at Dickens clue, but then pretty easy, I read it A tale of 2 cities in the last year, cause it's a free download on the ipad. Also" Our Mutual Friend", but mostly Trollope.<br />Like @r.alphbunker had partyhats before paperhats, hadat before kedat & Pattie before Bettie, though thought PP had an i in Paige. Otherwise, once I saw it didn't have as @SethG puts it "rebustude" great word, plain sailing.<br />forced to recite lord's prayer in public school, didn't learn until much later it was specifically Christian, and I wasn't. But since prayer has been outlawed in school, nation has become much more religious. Anything the schools make you do, many tend to end up hating, imho. so outlawed prayers = mixed blessing. reminded of this by captcha = holdicr, i..e hold onto Iesu Cristo I guess.I skip M-Wnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-64142185036079504442011-02-21T13:04:50.924-05:002011-02-21T13:04:50.924-05:00C'mon now Rex, show me the "W".C'mon now Rex, show me the "W".Alannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-42433608895503385522011-02-21T12:01:17.025-05:002011-02-21T12:01:17.025-05:00i am a relative newcomer and not very good at it s...i am a relative newcomer and not very good at it so am really WOWED when I read Rex and all the comments after I can't in good conscience spend any more time on it. pabloescoBARbieandken - double WOW.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-2620478145482758622011-02-21T11:37:39.415-05:002011-02-21T11:37:39.415-05:00Surprise, surprise .... this magnificent puzzle he...Surprise, surprise .... this magnificent puzzle held my interest until the "aha, now I see the bars!" ending. A pleasure to solve and save as a favorite. it's on the fridge door, as of this a.m.<br /><br />..you had me at "wunderbar"papa haydnnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-35873187549219795822011-02-21T10:42:42.245-05:002011-02-21T10:42:42.245-05:00I agree with Rex. Awesome construction and theme ...I agree with Rex. Awesome construction and theme execution..!! <br /><br />Loved, loved, loved this puzzle with a surprise ending; I enjoyed the aha! reveal at the very end (the bars were there all the time); after solving the grid, I stared at the answers... and then POW! As an architect, I admire fine construction.<br /><br />Mr Shortz, thank you for a cerebral, high-quality Sunday challenge. As others have said here....more, please.joefrombostonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-47785966698665156852011-02-21T07:55:52.682-05:002011-02-21T07:55:52.682-05:00Hated this puzzle! I got all the answers and stil...Hated this puzzle! I got all the answers and still didn't "get" the theme. Too smart-assy for me!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-5558374916450723642011-02-21T01:10:41.395-05:002011-02-21T01:10:41.395-05:00I understood the puzzle just fine. Count me in as ...I understood the puzzle just fine. Count me in as getting the theme and enjoying it very much. Thx, Will and Liz. More, please!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-56643717179924383312011-02-21T00:55:50.038-05:002011-02-21T00:55:50.038-05:00We LOVED this puzzle-the bars were hidden in plain...We LOVED this puzzle-the bars were hidden in plain sight! Many of us "got" the theme and enjoyed the layers unfold. Brilliant, memorable construction, worthy of the praise expressed here.Dannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-33615816037031950042011-02-21T00:32:28.832-05:002011-02-21T00:32:28.832-05:00The phrase "too clever by half" comes to...The phrase "too clever by half" comes to mind--hardly anyone "got" the puzzle (I, too, finished without ever seeing the black bars), therefore a failure in my book.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-77783551324929340072011-02-20T23:59:10.368-05:002011-02-20T23:59:10.368-05:00Ok but I'm right.Ok but I'm right.Alannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-22645769651203183292011-02-20T23:45:13.300-05:002011-02-20T23:45:13.300-05:00@abvollmer - The NY Times disagreed with you then,...@abvollmer - The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Gettysburg_Address,_New_York_Times.jpg" rel="nofollow">NY Times</a> disagreed with you then, and disagrees with you now.Grey Ladynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-79626747363169562011-02-20T23:43:26.889-05:002011-02-20T23:43:26.889-05:00Hence "W under bar"Hence "W under bar"Alannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-79265193466237664502011-02-20T23:41:36.853-05:002011-02-20T23:41:36.853-05:00Didn't anyone get the "W" that was f...Didn't anyone get the "W" that was formed by connecting a straight line between the center of the correct "bar"s needed to form it?Alannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-58845712614976950772011-02-20T22:21:52.275-05:002011-02-20T22:21:52.275-05:00Dolores Del Rio played Inez in Wonder Bar.Dolores Del Rio played Inez in Wonder Bar.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com