34D MAX (Mel Gibson's "mad" role)
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Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Puzzle by Daniel Kantor, edited by Will Shortz
AGOODDEAL (60A What 17-, 25-, 36- or 50-Across is); BLACKJACK (17A 21 in two cards); TWOFORONE (25A Happy hour offering, maybe); GOLDENPARACHUTE (36A C.E.O. protector); and BAJILLION (50A Huge amount , slangily) are the inter-related entries, or as some might say, THEMA (4A Discourse topic) of this Wednesday crossword. The topic is centered on an activity performed with the hands, a saloon special, a career guarantee, and a hyperbole for an infinitesimal number.
Appropriately enough, there is a good deal of oft-seen crossword entries with clues constituting just one degree of separation. MAX (34D Mel Gibson’s “mad” role) in dead center astride the A in “golden parachute” is the best example -- relating to a maximum good deal, and giving it the most. The dwindling numbers are as follows:
Eight letters: ITSOYOU (11D Dress shop compliment) and LEEJCOBB (38D Willy Loman player on Broadway).
Seven letters: BENDERS (29A Drinking sprees); SPOTTER (46A Gymnast’s helper); CANDIDE (18D 1956 Bernstein operetta); OFFRAMP (22D Means of exit); RENTALS (30D Bowling shoes, often); and PHOTOID (35D Airport security request).
Six letters: HOBNOB (1D Pal around [with]); ABLARE (2D Loud, like trumpets); DIALIN (3D Try to reach a talk show, say); ENACTS (6D Puts into effect); SHADOW (9D Follow secretly); ELAYNE (45D Comic Boosler); SNOOZE (46D Catch some Z’s); TINEAR (47D Musical inability); ESCAPE (48D Go over the wall, maybe); REALTY (Donald Trump’s field).
Five letters: SKIED (9A Raced the Super G, say); SONAR (15A Underwater wave generator); HITME (16A Vegas request); ANSON (19A Williams of “Happy Days”); ORING (23A Circular seal); POISE (53A Runway asset); GOOEY (58A Like melted caramel); URBAN (62A Citified); HAZES (63A Initiates, in a cruel way); SABRE (65A Brit’s blade); SNELL (66A Fishhook attachment); MACAW (7D Brilliantly colored bird); KINER (10D Seven-time N.L. home run champ); IHEAR (51D Rumormonger’s start); and ORGAN (52D Item with pedals).
Four letters: NALA, ODES, POUR, IDEE, CHAS , INCA, HOJO, GERE, OVER, NAUT, EYRE, GIBB, ODEA, PERI, COOP, and NOEL.
Three letters: HAD, OBI, OCA, VFW, YAY, IRE, MER, TEX, MOO, BEE, EAR, RON, APT, REY, TSK, ARK, EMO, DEN, MAX , GUS, ORA, AHS, and DSL.
The amount of retread entries and speedy clues? The max for the solver!
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