Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Puzzle by Stella Daily and Bruce Venzke, edited by Will Shortz
Thrilling this puzzle isn't, but it's squeaky clean in the form of the inter-related entries of SOAPS (71A. This puzzle's theme); ZESTFORLIFE (17A. Joie de vivre); TONEOFVOICE (63A. Speaking manner); IVORYTOWER (11D. Lofty place for an academic); COASTGUARD (29D. Its academy is in New London, Conn.); and, In LIEU of (40D.) CAMAY, or perhaps just a personal preference for the lesser-known CAMEOFF (24D. Didn‘t stay on.). Or not? A bit confusing, no lye!
The remainder of the puzzle is fairly antiseptic … a walk down the soap aisle of the crossword supermarket.
Across: 1. Some charity fund-raisers; 6. Outspoken; 11. Org. with a code; 14. Singer Davis with the 1998 hit “32 Flavors”; 15. Airplane seat choice; 16. Old VIC, London theater; 17. Joie de vivre; 19. Lab eggs; 20. Accomplish; 21. Star-related; 23. Prank player; 26. “South Park” kid; 27. Preceder of Bell or shell; 31. Speed-happy driver; 33. Book in which the first Passover occurred; 35. Castle protector; 36. Middle-earth meanie; 39. Teacher’s charge; 40. Paris’s LES Invalides; 41. Colder and windier; 43. “HES a Tramp” (“Lady and the Tramp” tune); 44. Singer Pinza; 46. Popular setting for a wedding; 47. Fantastically wonderful; 50. Snare; 51. Daughter of Czar Nicholas I or II; 53. Arctic bird; 55. Newswoman Katie; 57. Diner sign filler; 62. TRA-la-la; 63. Speaking manner; 66. Go wrong; 67. Proficient; 68. O.K.; 69. Newsman Koppel; 70. Fix, as laces.
Down: GAZA Strip (much-fought-over area); 2. British P.M. ALEC Douglas-Home; 3. Whip; 4. Prefix with matter; 5. Like wearing a seat belt, e.g.; 6. Lombardy province or its capital; 7. De-squeak; 8. CBS forensic drama; 9. “Our Gang” kid; 10. Famous Virginia family; 11. Lofty place for an academic; 12. Pepsi vis-à-vis Coke; 13. Symbol of justice; 18. Racetracks; 22. Bout decision; 24. Didn’t stay on; 25. Kerfuffles; 27. Part of M.I.T.: Abbr.; 28. Highway toll unit; 29. Its academy is in New London, Conn.; 30. Some E.R. cases; 32. OTRA vez (again, in Spanish); 34. Preowned; 37. Singer McEntire; 38. Wheat, barley or beans; 42. First drug approved to treat AIDS; 45. 90210, for Beverly Hills; 46. Feeling of loss; 48. Person obeying a coxswain; 49. Significant; 51. Four duos; 52. Peter of “M”; 54. Super stars; 56. ITAR-Tass news agency; 58. Court plea, informally; 59. Tributary of the Colorado; 60. Rent-ACOP (security person for hire); 61. Wraps (up); 64. Snare; 65. Prefix with dermis.
Hope I haven‘t thrown the baby out with the bath water!
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