tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post849965793632692790..comments2024-03-29T08:53:09.581-04:00Comments on Rex Parker Does the NYT Crossword Puzzle: Beverage called tonic in Boston / SUN 1-28-18 / Revere engineer best selling 2013 children's book / Skynet's T-800s e.g. / One side in college football's big game Rex Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16145707733877505087noreply@blogger.comBlogger127125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-37006541572636483182018-02-05T00:51:20.049-05:002018-02-05T00:51:20.049-05:00Really late to this one; I had a SUPER BOWL GAME t...Really late to this one; I had a SUPER BOWL GAME to watch: E! A! G! L! E! S! EAGLES!!! Sorry, @rainy.<br /><br />I liked this one more than most, including OFL. Dismayed for a moment at the use of pimps and prosties in the cluing, I soon recognized them as real plot features, so they get a pass. The fact that the final letters spelled out PLOTTWIST was totally missed by me till coming here. That is an AWESOME extra! I'm confused about the definition for SYNERGY, but the rest seems fine, and less of a slog than we have come to expect of a Sunday. No trouble at all with MUSCLECAR; in fact that was a gimme.<br /><br />ROSIE Perez wins honorable mention, but DOD has to be SOFIA Vergara. Bird--no, forget it. EAGLE! How could I not?spacecraftnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-31330769541216155642018-02-04T20:43:05.237-05:002018-02-04T20:43:05.237-05:00@rondo, I thought I was the only person who hated ...@rondo, I thought I was the only person who hated The Big Chill. Glad to know it wasn’t just me.Teedmnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12832353448839187816noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-88371783544718189722018-02-04T15:06:11.555-05:002018-02-04T15:06:11.555-05:00No a bad puzzle I guess, but more of a grinder tha...No a bad puzzle I guess, but more of a grinder than a joy. Happy to get the solve in any case. I do agree the 55A area was tough, it was the last to fall. AnonymousPVXhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10078186298428497941noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-3668569405085164882018-02-04T14:22:49.524-05:002018-02-04T14:22:49.524-05:00This was 3 puzzles in one for me. I found the Nor...This was 3 puzzles in one for me. I found the North zippy and entertaining, especially HUSTLE AND FLOP, the centre section was approaching slog territory in these little E and W sections, but then the entire South was dandy.<br /><br />The theme was fine in my book, but I found it annoying that the title "surprise endings" gave the game away, and the all-caps punchlines were overkill, as though we didn't know what was going on. Strange.<br /><br />Nevertheless, overall medium and fun, and what more can you ask of a Sunday when you are bed-ridden with the WORLD'S WORST COLD (cough).<br /><br />I really wanted the Vikings to make the Super Bowl, but as it is, Go Pats!rainforestnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-68309097746866238472018-02-04T13:25:07.892-05:002018-02-04T13:25:07.892-05:00Worked the NW down into themer TAXIDRIVEL and that...Worked the NW down into themer TAXIDRIVEL and that was an omen for an unfunny slog. TENDS to get that way when the only w/o is Dull before getting DRAB. Not my kind of humor; about as funny as Bob SAGET. THEBIGCHILI may have been the best themer, but I really disliked that PIC, so no bonus point there.<br /><br />I think ONEG may have a double use, gravity and blood type.<br /><br />Love ACTOR/writer ERICIDLE. The Galaxy Song is EARCANDY.<br /><br />AVA's bee DEAD for 30 years so I GLANCED over the puz and found unclued yeah babies ERIN Andrews and ROSIE Perez.<br /><br />Not in AWE of this puz, but I won't have a BEVERLYHILLSCOW over it.rondonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-74622507594289636932018-02-04T12:45:23.672-05:002018-02-04T12:45:23.672-05:00IT'S AMOUR
SOFIA PILOTS her MUSCLECAR NOVA
(N...IT'S AMOUR<br /><br />SOFIA PILOTS her MUSCLECAR NOVA<br />(NOLIE, the PLOTTWIST is great)<br />to HUSTLEANDFLOP down in EDEN'S clover:<br />the SYNERGY of a SPEEDDATE.<br /><br />--- ROSIE OBERONBurma Shavenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-83792108182456458512018-02-04T12:05:38.593-05:002018-02-04T12:05:38.593-05:00I found yesterday's @Rex comments (Saturday...I found yesterday's @Rex comments (Saturday's) to be kinda spot on, but today was truly a flop. I don't mind his rants - I think they're kinda funny - but today he just sounded like someone who never left his own back yard. So his comments come off as pointless.<br /><br />And I haven't read all comments, but what's with nan 11:13 - too easy? Read your local daily for easy, then come back here.<br /><br />I enjoyed the twisted movie titles. Love, love, love "About a Boy," and was thrilled to see it in the puz. IPSO FACTO. <br /><br />Diana, Lady-in-Waiting for Crosswords, and Syndie reviewsDiana, LIWnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-81175264514446530042018-02-04T11:13:59.588-05:002018-02-04T11:13:59.588-05:00I'm sorry- what happened to the sunday puzzle ...I'm sorry- what happened to the sunday puzzle being challenging and interesting. This was just too easy and lame. Not worth my time. Just ho hum clues and stock cw answers. I did like eric idle of course but my first thought was Monty python which of course wouldnt fit. sigh. Now that would be a good theme for a puzzle. Huge disappointment. I hate easy puzzles. Come on will - step it up!!This puzzle was drivel and a flop. Loved the movie hustle and flow- now I get to watch these 2 great actors on empire. How about a puzzle with that theme. Mix it up!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-4999191665753945432018-02-02T01:14:28.715-05:002018-02-02T01:14:28.715-05:00Folks, too many of you are so vehemently against w...Folks, too many of you are so vehemently against wordplay, puns, delighting in language, Britishisms...I could go on...I wonder why on Earth you do crossword puzzles. It's supposed to be fun. I enjoyed this puzzle greatly. Rex Parker is a killjoy and I log on here once in a while for pure Schadenfreude. I don't know why this blog exists, considering its host's hatred of fun.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03556212991145268563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-25927443845182592262018-02-02T01:09:05.743-05:002018-02-02T01:09:05.743-05:00This was a delightful puzzle and Rex Parker is, pe...This was a delightful puzzle and Rex Parker is, perpetually, an asshat.<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03556212991145268563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-9529371737025560922018-01-31T18:16:47.896-05:002018-01-31T18:16:47.896-05:00Not now James, we’re busy. Not now James, we’re busy. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02426010496735989074noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-7986531299534809472018-01-31T18:15:21.543-05:002018-01-31T18:15:21.543-05:00True! It was fun. True! It was fun. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02426010496735989074noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-58842628130521454232018-01-29T22:13:56.752-05:002018-01-29T22:13:56.752-05:00Wowz'ugh. I think I will check out the WAPO p...Wowz'ugh. I think I will check out the WAPO puzzle. I can't recall a puzzle this uninspired in recent memory. thawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10445981757448481059noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-73607029957466426212018-01-29T17:47:00.579-05:002018-01-29T17:47:00.579-05:00In no way am I trying to defend the NYT Sunday puz...In no way am I trying to defend the NYT Sunday puzzle's poor quality of late, but I'm certain that if the latest Washington Post Sunday puzzle ("Downsizing") turned up in the NYT, Rex would poop all over it. <br /><br />It's theme - dropping one letter to form wacky answers - isn't any cleverer than today's NYT puzzle's mechanics, and look at these terrible theme entries. (Spoilers below.)<br /><br />Private equity firm that, after downsizing, becomes a supplier of recycling containers? BINCAPITAL <br />Film studio that, after downsizing, becomes a paper mill? REAMWORKS<br />Financial services giant that, after downsizing, becomes an auto dealership for chess experts? MASTERCAR<br />Electronics and lifestyle products retailer that, after downsizing, becomes a retailer of more intelligent sorcery products? SHARPERMAGE<br />Movie-themed restaurant that, after downsizing, becomes a manufacturer of movie aircraft? PLANEHOLLYWOOD<br />Classified ads website that, after downsizing, becomes a website about rugged cliffs? CRAGSLIST<br />Plumbing repair company that, after downsizing, becomes a company whose employees cheer for decay? ROTROOTER<br />Atlas publisher that, after downsizing, becomes basically the same company but way cool? RADMCNALLY<br /><br />Even ignoring a clue whose length reaches 125 characters, is there anything NOT terrible about this theme?<br /><br />Also, there's NAILUP crossing TOTALSUP at the P! Plus, plenty of cheap fill: UMA, EATAT, MAE, ENTS, LSD, ELS, ASL, EKG, CSI, ITT, ANDS.<br /><br />Overall, blech!Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10894403089282402453noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-18433277608540005322018-01-29T17:46:48.541-05:002018-01-29T17:46:48.541-05:00Doesn’t “T-shirt choiceS” suggest a plural answer?...Doesn’t “T-shirt choiceS” suggest a plural answer? So I had the awkward SMS rather than better (but singular) SML. Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12247154089836968621noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-23727273323306189412018-01-29T15:43:06.604-05:002018-01-29T15:43:06.604-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.jb129https://www.blogger.com/profile/10135969815748026355noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-17602018770698624672018-01-29T11:22:56.787-05:002018-01-29T11:22:56.787-05:00I enjoyed this; not a stunner or anything but I ha...I enjoyed this; not a stunner or anything but I had fun with it. Only real bone I have to pick is that I’ve lived in Boston for almost 15 years and have literally never once heard anyone refer to soda as “tonic”. When I lived in Chicago, I heard lots of people use POP... and it irritated me to no end. Of all the midwestern regional terms, POP is the only one that bugs me. Oh, actually, also “putt-putt” for mini golf. But anyway using POP as the canonical term, and implying “tonic” is the term typically used in Boston.... double whammy of nope.Dan Mhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08236384059182792790noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-3206809579514999292018-01-29T09:33:08.142-05:002018-01-29T09:33:08.142-05:00LICENCE is the actual spelling of the word in the ...LICENCE is the actual spelling of the word in the movie title and it is also the correct way to spell the word in the UK and other countries that do not recognize US English.thefogmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01870509029973778266noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-9680439547032961442018-01-29T09:14:14.148-05:002018-01-29T09:14:14.148-05:00"LICENCE TO KILT"????? The word is spell..."LICENCE TO KILT"????? The word is spelled LICENSE. There's no alternate spelling. How did this get by?bob millsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-35727549573672907752018-01-29T04:08:03.899-05:002018-01-29T04:08:03.899-05:00Leave the construtors - they are doing fine! CHANG...Leave the construtors - they are doing fine! CHANGE the editor! Rapidly!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-84621541446174258142018-01-28T23:23:35.317-05:002018-01-28T23:23:35.317-05:00Not a smooth grid (way too many short words), and ...Not a smooth grid (way too many short words), and the reward is not big enough. That being said, good enough for a Sunday.<br /><br />NW and E were the most unpleasant spots. CARP-AVOCETS-PRIAM was a tough troika, and the section with ILOVEYOUMAO took me a while. Yet that was the best aha moment for me because it finally unlocked that part.<br /><br />I like the theme idea. WaPo might have run a better version, sure, but I don't have the extensive historical knowledge to make such comparisons, and I don't want to raise the bar that high because I wouldn't be able to hold it. Was it fun? Yeah, it was OK. <br /><br />Oh, and I like it when the constructors try hard with the clues. They definitely put an effort into that. <i>"Something coming off the shelf?"</i> Brilliant. Except for Bitcoin = ECASH. They are definitely not called that. ecash is something else altogether.<br /><br /><b>GRADE:</b> B, 3.45 stars.<br />semioticus (shelbyl)https://www.blogger.com/profile/16204028248874222567noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-49982639197535467632018-01-28T22:04:41.397-05:002018-01-28T22:04:41.397-05:00Does anyone remember Michael Sharp SCAT? Oh I forg...Does anyone remember Michael Sharp SCAT? Oh I forgot, he posts his sh*t every day on this blog.Oldfatbasterdnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-88176263877454280242018-01-28T22:00:24.900-05:002018-01-28T22:00:24.900-05:00I was surprised it was POP, too. I live in POP cou...I was surprised it was POP, too. I live in POP country, but given that terminology is considered so foreign to much of the US, I wasn't expecting it here and it threw me for a loop.Trilliannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-89652922974026907932018-01-28T21:26:39.954-05:002018-01-28T21:26:39.954-05:00Although I was born near the Meadowlands in NJ, I ...Although I was born near the Meadowlands in NJ, I spent my years from 0.5 - 12 in the Bay Area just north of Stanford’s campus. I went to all of Stanford’s home games with the Cub Scouts, so I saw some of the Big Games. Bob Mathias of Olympic Decathalon fame was in the backfield for some of those years. Hungry Motherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13465905817770134952noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-77136604475057014912018-01-28T20:23:40.877-05:002018-01-28T20:23:40.877-05:00@Adam Frank -- you didn't think "my Thai&...@Adam Frank -- you didn't think "my Thai" was overly obvious? Plus, too much reliance on anagrams, plus, other cutesy cluing, at least in this puzzle. It was just too easy for my taste.Joe Dipintohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07922691457886440325noreply@blogger.com