Constructor: Andrew Colin Kirk
Relative problem: Straightforward-Medium (in all probability simply “Straightforward,” however I bought caught for a bit within the NE)
THEME: “The place’d You Go?” — acquainted phrases have their “U” modified to “ME,” creating wacky phrases, that are all tied collectively and defined by the theme revealer: “IT’S NOT YOU, IT’S ME” (115A: Traditional breakup excuse … or a phonetic trace to 23-, 36-, 47-, 67-, 86- and 93-Throughout)
Theme solutions:
- RESIST THE MERGE (from “resist the urge”) (23A: Keep in a single’s lane?)
- MEN SOLVED MYSTERIES (from “unsolved mysteries”) (36A: CliffNotes model of Holmes and Watson tales?)
- MENDER LINES (from “underlines”) (47A: “When do you want this patched up?,” “Do you have got the lacking button?,” and so forth.?)
- FINEST HOMER (from “most interesting hour”) (67A: Finest impression of a Springfield patriarch?)
- VOTER FRAMED (from “voter fraud”) (86A: Headline a few falsely incriminated particular person casting a poll?)
- NAILED THE DIS MOMENT (from “nailed the dismount”) (93A: Delivered a nasty insult with good timing?)
Phrase of the Day: panzanella (31A: Like bread extra appropriate for panzanella) —
Panzanella (Italian: [pantsaˈnɛlla]) or panmolle (Italian: [pamˈmɔlle]) is a Tuscan and Umbrian chopped salad of soaked stale bread, onions and tomatoes that’s well-liked in the summertime. It typically consists of cucumbers, typically basil and is dressed with olive oil and vinegar. […] The title is believed to be a portmanteau of “pane”, Italian for ‘bread’, and “zanella”, a deep plate during which it’s served. // Panzanella was based mostly on onions, not tomatoes, till the twentieth century. // Fashionable panzanella is mostly made from stale bread soaked in water and squeezed dry, pink onions, tomatoes, olive oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper. Cucumbers and basil are sometimes added. // Different substances—lettuce, olives, mozzarella, white wine, capers, anchovies, celery, carrots, pink wine, tuna, parsley, boiled eggs, mint, bell peppers, lemon juice, and garlic—are typically used, however Florentine traditionalists disapprove of them. (wikipedia)
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DREARY just about sums it up. This can be a theme style that I am simply not that keen on as a result of it is so exhausting to get the wackiness above polite-smile grade. There’s completely nothing “humorous” about “voter fraud” changing into “VOTER FRAMED.” That is the actual low level of the theme. The excessive level might be MEN SOLVED MYSTERIES, simply because it is foolish and it includes greater than only a “U”-to-“ME” swap (as with a couple of different themers, the modified letters are accompanied by the fragmentation of a phrase into two phrases—right here, UNSOLVED into MEN SOLVED). As for the remaining, shrug. For sheer ridiculousness, I suppose NAILED THE DIS MOMENT is noteworthy, however total there’s simply not sufficient cleverness or pleasure to be squeezed out of this idea. The title can be unhealthy, within the sense that it simply duplicates the “You” pun discovered within the revealer. You gotta take the “joke” in a special path there. However that is a superficial concern. The larger drawback is that the theme simply does not convey sufficient warmth. It is a variation on a well-worn idea that was by no means very humorous to start with. Except your puns are outrageous, gorgeous, proper on the cash … it is not price it.
Additionally not price it, beneath any circumstances: DEGERM (!?!?!?!?) (11D: Use a Clorox wipe on, say). It is apparent that DEGERM (the worst factor within the grid) was a results of ill-considered grid-building on the earliest levels. that’s, for those who strip out every part however the theme solutions (that are primarily mounted), you might be instantly introduced with a really massive grid-filling drawback: a six-letter reply that follows the sample –G–M. It is the primary place a constructor’s gonna should work on, as a result of your choices are *actual* restricted. There’s like … perhaps half a dozen not-completely-terrible solutions that may match that sample (MAGNUM, LOGJAM, ORGASM … DOGDOM? … there are extra, however they get much less interesting from there). So that you gotta lock a type of in early and construct round it. DEGERM???? How not-a-word is it? So not-a-word that This Is Its Debut (it was used as soon as earlier than, 25 years in the past, in a Diagramless selection puzzle, however by no means within the common crossword). The most effective factor to do is transfer your black squares round, or your themers round, and discover a method to keep away from that very unforgiving letter sample within the first place. That method, you do not have 1000’s and 1000’s of individuals fixing your puzzle and wincing on the similar reply. In order for you folks to focus in your theme, your fill ought to be neither STALER nor SMELLIER than it needs to be. DEGERM is not stale, however it’s positively “larger in rank?” than most solutions I’ve ever seen.
Bullets:
- 6A: Doomed Ethiopian princess (AIDA) — class crossword fare. It is a tremendous reply, however the clue on OPERA (19A: Setting for 6-Throughout)—did not love that. It was straightforward sufficient, however cluing OPERA because the “setting” for AIDA simply appears perverse. I suppose it needs you to screw up and write in EGYPT (or CAIRO, the place AIDA premiered)
- 30A: Automobile in 2020’s “Nomadland” (VAN) — that is the one the place Frances McDormand rides across the nation residing out of her … VAN. Directed by Chloe ZHAO. Simply eager about that film provides me very sturdy peak COVID-era vibes. I do not know if I might name that film good, however I keep in mind actually feeling its loneliness.
- 56A: Determine on a Wyoming license plate (COWBOY) — for a short time, this determine was a COYOTE. I believe Wyoming ought to take into account the COYOTE for its license plate. However then they hunt coyotes in Wyoming, due to course they do, what else are you going to do in Wyoming? (besides yell at your smug, boot-licking Congressperson) (jk Wyoming, your state appears good, if pretty empty):
- 77A: Briefly banish, as a university roommate (SEXILE) — the idea existed, for positive, however I by no means keep in mind listening to this time period irl. Undecided how I do know the time period, however I do (that is its second NYTXW look, the primary in 8 years)
- 113A: Liqueur in a spritz (APEROL) — not my favourite drink. I’ve misplaced no matter style for fizz I ever had. Mixers usually usually are not actually my factor. Booze-forward and ice-cold (whether or not over rocks or up)—that is what I am in search of from a cocktail. The Manhattan stays the gold normal.
- 6D: Famous household of New York Metropolis’s Gilded Age (ASTORS) — talking of cruise ships … (sorry, too quickly for Titanic jokes?)
- 58D: Ambrosia salad substances (ORANGE) — I might describe stated “salad,” however I do not really feel like nauseating myself. Miniature marshmallows? Mayonnaise?!? What’s unsuitable with you folks? The one Ambrosia I care to consider is…
- 83D: Summer time setting in Somerset, for brief (EDT) — so … there should be a “Somerset” in … what? Massachusetts? Wait, Kentucky!?!? There’s additionally one in NJ and PA. All are within the Jap Time Zone. I do not know which Somerset was meant. I used to be pondering England. That misdirection was in all probability the purpose of the clue (in addition to the “summer season” pun, in fact)
- 1D: Wine whose title is the primary half of its nation of origin (PORT) — ah sure, PORT Ugal. My daughter simply flew house from there, after being caught at sea for slightly bit as a result of storms made the ocean too tough to sail into port at Lisbon. She’s been simply outdoors Venice for many of the previous couple of months, overseeing the set up of theaters in a model new cruise ship. However now she’s again stateside, the place in a couple of months she’ll be again in Minnesota as Manufacturing Supervisor of the Nice River Shakespeare Competition this summer season, earlier than packing up and transferring to Connecticut within the fall, the place she is going to turn out to be … [drum roll] … an ELI (48D: Yalie). Are graduate college students thought of ELIs? Anyway, after years of my mocking the crossword for being so rattling Yale-centric, I suppose this ironic accident was inevitable. However congrats to her, although. Yale College of Drama. Might do worse. (Sorry, it is technically the David Geffen College of Drama at Yale, LOL, the college bought demoted to second billing) (I consider this satisfies my “brag about my daughter” restrict for 2025; extra subsequent 12 months, I am positive.)
Take care,
Signed, Rex Parker, King of CrossWorld
