tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post6586168547129425574..comments2024-03-29T09:58:30.660-04:00Comments on Rex Parker Does the NYT Crossword Puzzle: Mata Hari portrayer of 1931 / FRI 10-30-15 / Lewis presidential also-ran 1848 / Halloween antagonist's surname / Deluded prospector's find / Excellent in 1990s slang / Joe Buck's pal in 1969 film / Theme song of Doris Day show Rex Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16145707733877505087noreply@blogger.comBlogger85125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-21195049367784439172016-02-16T11:04:52.783-05:002016-02-16T11:04:52.783-05:00Most of the references to "old" pop cult...Most of the references to "old" pop culture didn't have to be there; it was a choice of the person who made the clues.<br /><br />There are lots of people named MYERS, not to mention Fort Myers. FAME and ITS MAGIC could have had lots of non-pop culture clues. <br /><br />REESE had a prominent part in the recent movie about Jackie Robinson. So this is not just "old" culture.<br /><br />TIPPI Hedren has appeared in quite a few TV shows and movies since 2006. She was a big star in "The Birds", and if you don't know what movie that is, you have no business doing a NYT crossword puzzle. Similarly, I don't care if you're 18 or 80, if you don't know who GRETA GARBO is you may as well hand in your pencil.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12615127379610257120noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-19108498433577184402015-12-04T22:38:41.310-05:002015-12-04T22:38:41.310-05:00Glad someone was more knowledgeable than I, as I w...Glad someone was more knowledgeable than I, as I was upset with NY Times for getting DD theme song wrong. I knew from experience that it was que Sera Sera for the TV show, but didn't know about the radio showUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02763162686034610785noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-86004590784870710422015-12-04T17:16:08.283-05:002015-12-04T17:16:08.283-05:00Hey, it looks like I can post again- the Captcha G...Hey, it looks like I can post again- the Captcha God has relented. yOu know it's an age thing, lots of this puzzle skewed "young. For me! fInally solved it after seeing PB's name- always doable if you stick with it. did have to change PUTEE to GAITER! DMGnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-12124389990932347362015-12-04T16:55:56.490-05:002015-12-04T16:55:56.490-05:00All went pretty well until--you guessed it--the BE...All went pretty well until--you guessed it--the BET/SPITTAKE cross, where I made a bad BET on Bid/SPIdTAKE , misspelling STUPIFIED in the process. (Bronx cheer here.)<br /><br />Otherwise, some good, clever, misdirecting clues, which are expected from Mr. Berry (first name, RASP).leftcoastTAMnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-51524104467656901912015-12-04T16:07:53.487-05:002015-12-04T16:07:53.487-05:00Who really cares if a puzzle's "pop cultu...Who really cares if a puzzle's "pop culture" references are old, new, or somewhere in between (what is the dividing line, btw?)? Why does there need to be a balance? Ah, I see: Rule 12A of the Arcane Crossword Puzzle Rules, just after Rule 11: How to do Wacky, which follows Rule 10: Puzzles should be FUN. Author--M. Sharp. Got it.<br /><br />This enjoyable puzzle was like all of Berry's--get a few gimmes (DUNS, GRETA GARBO, FIATS, GAITER), and let PB guide your pen smoothly through the rest.<br /><br />I just about did a SPIT TAKE when I saw that was actually going to be the answer. Beauty.<br /><br />Yeah, I'm an oldie, but I don't think that really matters. As an observation, I would have liked to see CASS clued via Robert Penn Warren's masterpiece, All the King's Men. I think OFL would get that one, even though it is, ahem, OLD.<br /><br />rain forestnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-46616717410403789542015-12-04T13:46:21.164-05:002015-12-04T13:46:21.164-05:00Brutal fill (spittake, cass) but finished. Yay!Brutal fill (spittake, cass) but finished. Yay!Torbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01813931192681953872noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-10627262704122566132015-12-04T12:45:02.153-05:002015-12-04T12:45:02.153-05:00I could take puzzles like this ALLTHETIME. Not par...I could take puzzles like this ALLTHETIME. Not particularly SPEEDY, but once you get a STARTER things roll along with a little brainwork. Since I am older than OFL, I guess this puz was made for me, though I don’t mind some “newer” fill intimidating either.<br /><br />I’ve mentioned before that yeah baby GRETAGARBO was my grandmother’s cousin – my small claim to FAME. And that Swede crossed with SAABS (my very own group protesting the micro-aggression that using the term MN Vikings makes my people seem to be war-like, Scandinavian Americans Against Blatant Slurs – SAABS) was nice. <br /><br />In my line of work our clients have DUNS numbers; does not exactly fit the clue, but financially related.<br /><br />Minnesota Public Radio has a couple of stations that often play and stream ALT/indie-rock and ALT-country/Americana as well as stuff that is not ALT. It keeps me Current. You should google MPR.<br /><br />It’s not much of a structure if the shingles are supported by LATH. The stucco outside or real plaster inside cold be supported by LATH, but certainly not a roof.<br /><br />More current would have been ELO’s Oh Oh ITSMAGIC.<br /><br />ASPERUSAL I liked this PB puz.<br />rondonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-67821550875358810842015-12-04T12:34:23.731-05:002015-12-04T12:34:23.731-05:00Thanks to @roo monster for 'splaining SPITTAKE...Thanks to @roo monster for 'splaining SPITTAKE, which was such a WOE that I pored over that corner for uncounted minutes trying to see where I'd gone astray. But every letter seemed locked in, so I LEFT it with a shrug.<br /><br />Although this is a marvel of long answers--triple 10-stacks and the 8-9-9 STRATA--ASPERUSUAL for Mr. B, I was struck by the common-letter crutchiness of ASSETS, SETTEES and, good grief, TETEATETES. Glad he doesn't do that ALLTHETIME.<br /><br />@Fabozz: hand up for KIDSMEALS; would've been a great clue. The NW was yet again the last to fall for me; last two letters were the P and T of BPICTURES: oh, THAT kind of [play]bill, and the "it" of "Stick with it" was the actual answer TAPE. <br /><br />Tricky clues as befit endweek made for more of a medium-challenging (in spots) rating, IMHO. TIPPI shoehorned me in, but you're right, guys: she was never an Oscar threat. But, Alfred loved blondes, and she had that classy aristocratic look. I always wondered what the hell was wrong with Eva Marie Saint, who did a smashing job in "North By Northwest?" BTW, the other end of the acting scale is well represented here with DH's amazing portrayal of RATSO Rizzo.<br /><br />SPIT TAKE. Go figure. I mean, I've seen it, but never had a clue that someone had actually NAMED it. I guess we can grant PB immunity. A-.spacecraftnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-63575134658104366402015-12-04T12:10:26.377-05:002015-12-04T12:10:26.377-05:00I join the bit/spittake gripers and wonder why no ...I join the bit/spittake gripers and wonder why no one else sees this as a bona fide natickLongbeachleehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10945278798020339134noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-10952216662420909342015-12-04T12:02:33.998-05:002015-12-04T12:02:33.998-05:00STARTER ASSETS
I asked ASPERUSUSAL, and ALLOT RHE...STARTER ASSETS<br /><br />I asked ASPERUSUSAL, and ALLOT RHETORICAL,<br />“Do these STUPEFIED BOATMEN know SHIITE?”<br />ALLTTHETIME they think ITSMAGICal,<br />YETI BET their LUCRE is only IRONPYRITE.<br /><br />RATSO “GAITER” ASHRAMS<br />Burma Shavenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-11053529884556626362015-12-04T11:27:11.125-05:002015-12-04T11:27:11.125-05:00Teepee? Really? I hope you are kidding. Teepee? Really? I hope you are kidding. Syndyland Solvernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-78123505774900364662015-11-01T16:03:01.434-05:002015-11-01T16:03:01.434-05:00I know I'ts Magic from the Bugs Bunny cartoon....I know I'ts Magic from the Bugs Bunny cartoon. Now THAT's timeless.bedfordthoughtshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06658098553256201413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-61910574994742720092015-11-01T16:00:45.823-05:002015-11-01T16:00:45.823-05:00The credits always have Tippi.The credits always have Tippi.bedfordthoughtshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06658098553256201413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-76678223078747857292015-11-01T15:56:03.657-05:002015-11-01T15:56:03.657-05:00It's cien, not cientoIt's cien, not cientobedfordthoughtshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06658098553256201413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-12994756505574508592015-11-01T15:39:58.728-05:002015-11-01T15:39:58.728-05:00Assai is "rarther". The clue is correct....Assai is "rarther". The clue is correct.bedfordthoughtshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06658098553256201413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-12523387797098713292015-10-31T20:41:32.046-04:002015-10-31T20:41:32.046-04:00So often @Rex will rave about a Berry puzzle I don...So often @Rex will rave about a Berry puzzle I don't care for, and now he upchucks all over this gem. Soooo many ambiguous clues to puzzle out, and every obscure answer crossed fairly. I loved it.<br />'Dated' pop culture has stood the test of time to be remembered at all, and thus is valid. Modern pop culture may likewise be remembered, or may be forgotten faster than ... something we've all forgotten.kitshefnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-37630370035567610262015-10-31T11:54:34.844-04:002015-10-31T11:54:34.844-04:00What is SPITTAKE?What is SPITTAKE?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-85629459055245320612015-10-31T10:03:38.490-04:002015-10-31T10:03:38.490-04:00@Leapfinger - Zing!
I did get a response from my ...@Leapfinger - Zing!<br /><br />I did get a response from my friend regarding "Twelver." If I'm understanding his response, Twelvers are a subset of Shi'a. Sort of like Baptists being Protestants doesn't make all Protestants Baptists. He also said it is not especially pejorative, but it can be used that way. So, now you know. Zhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16181544219511150272noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-70533826046314995062015-10-31T01:14:51.758-04:002015-10-31T01:14:51.758-04:00Now that I think of it, it's fairly surprising...Now that I think of it, it's fairly surprising that nobody complained Ms Hedren's first name is normally spelled TEPPEE.Leapfingerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14243620614139990887noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-9033238524071663172015-10-30T23:12:54.760-04:002015-10-30T23:12:54.760-04:00Yuck. The NW corner had too much dreck - BPICTURE...Yuck. The NW corner had too much dreck - BPICTURES with a completely obscure clue, crossed by TAPE with a clue that should have had a ? next to it, or something - just unpleasant.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-89647948927606778322015-10-30T22:51:52.600-04:002015-10-30T22:51:52.600-04:00@Anon 3:02, once a geologist, always a geologist. ...@Anon 3:02, once a geologist, always a geologist. Rock on!<br /><br />Heehee, there's a CATALONIA for anyone who wants to borrow a kitty.Cat's Eyenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-40075242764034314552015-10-30T21:41:16.919-04:002015-10-30T21:41:16.919-04:00@Z, not every puzzle is a microcosm.@Z, not every puzzle is a microcosm.Elephant's Childnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-52965136196383617422015-10-30T20:37:59.613-04:002015-10-30T20:37:59.613-04:00I thought NOTASYET and IRONPYRITE were stretched o...I thought NOTASYET and IRONPYRITE were stretched out for the sake of the grid. I've only ever heard it called pyrite.Albynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-31714013215801056872015-10-30T19:59:24.527-04:002015-10-30T19:59:24.527-04:00@Anon 3:01 is correct, IT'S MAGIC is from the ...@Anon 3:01 is correct, <i>IT'S MAGIC</i> is from the <a href="https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Doris_Day_Show" rel="nofollow">1952 radio show</a>. YIKES. It's even worse than I thought. <br /><br />@Oldtimer and @anonymous counter-curmudgeon, and @other defenders - No. There is no more reason to know <i>IT'S MAGIC</i> or TIPPI Hedron or RENÉ Lacoste or PHAT if you are my sons' age than for a 70-something to know The Weeknd, Keira Knightley, John Varvatos, and Lin-Manuel Miranda. And worse for this puzzle, there's no balance. The world did not end in 1990, but you can't tell that from this puzzle. "I don't want to learn anything about your interests but expect you to know everything about mine," is an interesting attitude, but I prefer to listen a little more to people younger than me. Keeps me free of mold.Zhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16181544219511150272noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-30193851324727185552015-10-30T19:18:48.919-04:002015-10-30T19:18:48.919-04:00There was a Doris Day Show besides the Que Sera Se...There was a Doris Day Show besides the Que Sera Sera one? And believe me I'm not that young. Not knowing that hopelessly threw me off from that whole corner. Well for me to get anything on Friday is progress. Benhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14694141518852975293noreply@blogger.com