Thursday, October 2, 2008
Puzzle by Samuel A. Donaldson, edited by Will Shortz
NIXON, 62A. Two-time Time Man of the Year (and a hint to 17-, 27-, 41- and 54-Across), read that as “two-timing two-time Time Man of the Year”, is interrelated with BAT TWIRLER (17A. Anxious baseball player at the plate?); PICK YOUR POIS (27A. Sign above a luau buffet?); YUK TERRITORY (41A. Land of laughs?); and BRAIN SURGE (54A. Flood of ideas?). That’s right, nixed “ON”s -- baton twirler, pick your poison, Yukon territory, and brain surgeon.
As a VOTER (3D. Campaign target) I waxed wistful upon the entry of ABE (8D. Five-spot) -- where are the great presidents? I digress -- this is a crossword blog -- must stay on topic!
Dreary and solemn, this crossword is one that DEPRESSES (13D. Takes the starch out of) any joy, being rife with such fare as AWRY; GANGS; GORE; LISP; OMEN; RILEUP; SMUT; SNAKEEYES; STERN; TROUNCE (25A. Worst in the worst way); and that gloomy ever-present RAVEN (1A. In a poem, it “perched upon a bust of Pallas just above my chamber door”).
Samuel A. Donaldson is credited with the authorship of this crossword, and even if not the newsman, a quote from Wikipedia rewarded the search -- “At a White House Press conference, Donaldson shouted, "Mr. President, should Mel Gibson be forgiven?", referencing reports of the actor/producer's alleged anti-Semitic remarks. Mr. Bush laughed and looked up to see who had asked the question. Bush joked, "Is that Sam Donaldson? Forget it...you're a 'has-been'! We don't have to answer has-beens' questions." Donaldson replied, "Better to have been a has-been than a never was."
Must stay on topic!
A few more links: EPICNOVEL (11D. “War and Peace,” e.g.); GREELEY (45A. Horace who founded the New York Tribune); KEROUAC (23A. “Big Sur” writer, 1962); ANGIO (48D. Hospital procedure, for short); BORAX (47D. Powdered cleaning agent); DORA (22D. Nickelodeon's explorer); RUBIK (1D. 1980s craze starter); WAND (34A. Hogwarts stick).
33-Across, VAS in victory, however, is this puzzle’s reward. -----------------
For today’s cartoons, go to The Crossword Puzzle Illustrated.
