Constructed by: Bruce Haight
Edited by: Rich Norris
Quicklink to a complete list of today’s clues and answers
Quicklink to comments
Theme: Abhor a Bore?
Each of today’s themed answers comprises two parts: a verb followed by an indefinite article with a noun. The catch is that the two parts of the answer sound exactly the same:
- 17A. Fall in love with something at the home improvement center? : ADORE A DOOR
- 25A. Bring Bugs into harmony? : ATTUNE A TOON
- 37A. Get voices in all ranges? : ACQUIRE A CHOIR
- 52A. Severely criticize the store special? : ASSAIL A SALE
- 61A. Criticize the stringed instrument? : ABASE A BASS
Bill’s time: 6m 24s
Bill’s errors: 0
Today’s Wiki-est, Amazonian Googlies
Across
10. Ski area in Utah’s Wasatch Mountains : ALTA
Alta ski resort actually lies within the Salt Lake City Metropolitan Area. The first ski lift in the resort was opened way back in 1939. Today, Alta is one of only three ski resorts in the country that prohibits snowboarding (along with Deer Valley, Utah and Mad River Glen, Vermont. The ski resort of Snowbird located next to Alta has been in operation since 1971.
The Wasatch Range is at the western edge of the Rocky Mountains and runs through Utah. “Wasatch” is a Ute word meaning “mountain pass”.
16. Classic cars : REOS
The REO Motor Company was founded by Ransom Eli Olds (hence the name REO). The company made cars, trucks and buses, and was in business from 1905 to 1975 in Lansing, Michigan. Among the company’s most famous models were the REO Royale and the REO Flying Cloud.
20. “Frasier” role : NILES
In the sitcom called “Frasier”, Niles Crane is the brother of the title character Frasier Crane. Frasier is played by Kelsey Grammer and Niles is played by David Hyde Pierce. Frasier was originally intended to be an only child in the show’s storyline, but the producers decided to add a brother when they noted the remarkable similarity in appearance between David Hyde Pierce and Kelsey Grammer.
23. iPhone, e.g., briefly : PDA
Personal digital assistant (PDA)
24. Scooby-__ : DOO
“Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!” is a series of cartoons produced for Hanna-Barbera Productions, first broadcast in 1969. The title character is a great Dane dog owned by a young male called Shaggy Rogers. The character’s name was inspired by the famous “doo-be-doo-be-doo” refrain in the Frank Sinatra hit “Strangers in the Night”. Shaggy was voiced by famed disk jockey Casey Kasem.
25. Bring Bugs into harmony? : ATTUNE A TOON
Bugs Buggy debuted in the 1940 animated short “A Wild Hare”. Since then, Bugs has appeared in more films than any other cartoon character.
31. “Flashdance…What a Feeling” singer Cara : IRENE
“Flashdance” is a 1983 romantic drama film about a young welder at a steel plant who aspires to become a professional dancer. The movie’s soundtrack was also a big hit and features songs like “Maniac” and “Flashdance …What a Feeling”. The latter was performed by Irene Cara, and won the Best Original Song Oscar for that season.
36. Med. condition with repetitive behavior : OCD
Apparently, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is the fourth most commonly diagnosed mental disorder, making it about as prevalent as asthma.
49. Get fuzzy, as vision : BLEAR
To blear is to dim the vision, usually with watery eyes.
51. Grand __ Opry : OLE
The Grand Ole Opry started out as a radio show in 1925 originally called the WSM “Barn Dance”. In 1927, the “Barn Dance” radio show was broadcast in a slot after an NBC production called “Musical Appreciation Hour”, a collection of classical works including Grand Opera. In a December show, the host of “Barn Dance” announced, “For the past hour, we have been listening to music taken largely from Grand Opera. From now on we will present the ‘Grand Ole Opry'”. That name was used for the radio show from then on.
54. “Breaking Bad” org. : DEA
Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
The AMC drama “Breaking Bad” is a well-written show about a high school teacher stricken by lung cancer who turns to a life of crime to make money. It turns out that the teacher has a talent for making high-quality crystal meth. The show was created by Vince Gilligan who had spent many years as producer and writer of “The X-Files”. There is a “Breaking Bad” spin-off show running on AMC called “Better Call Saul” that focuses on the life of lawyer Saul Goodman. I hear that it’s pretty good …
55. Org. offering written and road tests : DMV
In most states, the government agency responsible for vehicle registration and the issuing of driver’s licenses is called the DMV. This initialism usually stands for the Department of Motor Vehicles, but there are “variations on the theme”. For example, in Arizona the responsible agency is called the Motor Vehicle Division (MVD), and in Colorado the familiar abbreviation “DMV” stands for Division of Motor Vehicles.
56. Mason jar attachment : LID
Mason jars were invented in 1858 in Philadelphia, by a tinsmith named John Landis Mason.
65. Greek peak : OSSA
Mount Ossa in Greece is located between Mt. Pelion in the south, and the famed Mt. Olympus in the north. Mount Ossa is also known as Kissavos.
67. Site with tech reviews : CNET
c|net is an excellent technology website. c|net started out in 1994 as a television network specializing in technology news. The host of “American Idol”, Ryan Seacrest, started off his career as host of a c|net show.
69. Wild West transport : STAGE
Although the stagecoach is very much associated with the Wild West, the vehicle originated in England in the 16th century. Stagecoaches provided transportation for travellers and goods over long distances. The rest points for the travellers were known as “stages”, and later “stations”, hence the name “stagecoach”.
70. Run-of-the-mill : SO-SO
Something described as run-of-the-mill is unspectacular, quite normal. The idea is that the regular production from say a sawmill isn’t perfect, but does the job. Imperfections in the wood can be expected, but the milled wood should get the job done. Going back a few years, similar expressions were quite common, such as “run-of-the-kiln” and “run-of-the-mine”.
Down
1. __ Joe, Charlie’s companion on his tour of Wonka’s chocolate factory : GRANDPA
Willy Wonka is the lead character in the 1964 novel by Roald Dahl called “Charlie & the Chocolate Factory”. Willy Wonka has been portrayed on the big screen twice. Gene Wilder was a fabulous Wonka in the 1971 version titled “Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory”, and Johnny Depp played him in the Tim Burton movie from 2005 called “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”. I’m not too fond of Tim Burton movies, so I haven’t seen that one …
4. “Where __ you?” : WERE
Right here …
5. Actress Ortiz of “Ugly Betty” : ANA
Ana Ortiz played the title character’s older sister in the TV series “Ugly Betty”.
“Ugly Betty” is a drama-comedy show that originally aired on television from 2006 to 2010. The show is based on a telenovela soap opera from Colombia called “Yo soy Betty, la fea”. The title role of Betty Suarez is played by America Ferrera.
6. Fish sticks fish : COD
Fish sticks are known as fish fingers in the UK and Ireland.
7. Midori on the ice : ITO
Midori Ito is a Japanese figure skater. Ito was the first woman to land a triple/triple jump and a triple axel in competition. In fact, she landed her first triple jump in training when she was only 8 years old.
8. Pop singer Warwick : DIONNE
Dionne Warwick is a very, very successful singer, with more Top 100 hits than any other female vocalist other than Aretha Franklin. Warwick had a pretty successful cousin who was a singer as well … named Whitney Houston.
10. Reliever’s asset : ARM
That would be baseball.
12. Pooch in your lap, maybe : TOY DOG
The toy group of dogs is made up of the smallest breeds. The smallest of the small breeds are sometimes called teacup breeds.
13. Most people : ASIANS
Most of the world’s population lives in Asia (60%), and Asia is the largest continent in terms of landmass (30% of the world). Asia also has the highest population density (246 people per square mile), and the most populous city on the continent is Shanghai, China.
18. Actor Morales : ESAI
The actor Esai Morales is best known in the world of film for the 1987 movie “La Bamba”, which depicted the life of Ritchie Valens and his half-brother Bob Morales (played by Esai). On the small screen, Morales plays Lt. Tony Rodriguez on “NYPD Blue” and Joseph Adama on “Caprica”.
34. Jordan’s only port : AQABA
The coastal city of Aqaba is the only seaport in the country of Jordan. The city lies at the very northern tip of the Gulf of Aqaba, which is off the Red Sea.
40. Tiny tunes player : IPOD NANO
The iPod Nano was the successor to the iPod Mini and was introduced to the market at the end of 2005. There were seven versions of the Nano, until it was discontinued in 2017.
46. Somewhat flabby male physique, informally : DAD BOD
A “dad bod” is a man’s body that is softly rounded. Well, that’s the description I like to use …
47. Diffuse slowly through a membrane : OSMOSE
Osmosis is the movement of a solvent (often just water) across a semipermeable membrane. In the process of osmosis, the solvent tends to flow from an area of less concentration to an area of higher concentration. This sense of absorbing water effortlessly gives rise to the expression “learning by osmosis”.
48. Permit to enter the States : US VISA
A visa is a usually a stamp in one’s passport, an indication that one is authorized to enter (and less often, to exit) a particular country. The word “visa” comes into English, via French, from the Latin expression “charta visa” meaning “paper that has been seen”, or “verified paper”.
50. Country’s McEntire : REBA
Reba McEntire is a country music singer and television actress. McEntire starred in her own sitcom called “Reba” that aired on the WB and the CW cable channels from 2001 to 2007.
Complete List of Clues and Answers
Across
1. Got taller : GREW
5. Etching supplies : ACIDS
10. Ski area in Utah’s Wasatch Mountains : ALTA
14. See 66-Across : … RACE
15. Bad news for the waiter : NO TIP
16. Classic cars : REOS
17. Fall in love with something at the home improvement center? : ADORE A DOOR
19. “Pretty please?” : MAY I?
20. “Frasier” role : NILES
21. Debuting on screen : NEW
23. iPhone, e.g., briefly : PDA
24. Scooby-__ : DOO
25. Bring Bugs into harmony? : ATTUNE A TOON
30. Golf tee, e.g. : PEG
31. “Flashdance…What a Feeling” singer Cara : IRENE
32. Barbecue pair : TONGS
33. Solo in a spotlight : ARIA
35. Smallish batteries : AAS
36. Med. condition with repetitive behavior : OCD
37. Get voices in all ranges? : ACQUIRE A CHOIR
42. Colony resident : ANT
43. Gallery filler : ART
44. Went like crazy : SPED
46. Second thought : DOUBT
49. Get fuzzy, as vision : BLEAR
51. Grand __ Opry : OLE
52. Severely criticize the store special? : ASSAIL A SALE
54. “Breaking Bad” org. : DEA
55. Org. offering written and road tests : DMV
56. Mason jar attachment : LID
57. Humdrum : BANAL
59. Start bubbling : BOIL
61. Criticize the stringed instrument? : ABASE A BASS
65. Greek peak : OSSA
66. With 14-Across, event with batons : RELAY
67. Site with tech reviews : CNET
68. __ end : DEAD
69. Wild West transport : STAGE
70. Run-of-the-mill : SO-SO
Down
1. __ Joe, Charlie’s companion on his tour of Wonka’s chocolate factory : GRANDPA
2. Time before TV : RADIO ERA
3. Environment-related : ECOLOGIC
4. “Where __ you?” : WERE
5. Actress Ortiz of “Ugly Betty” : ANA
6. Fish sticks fish : COD
7. Midori on the ice : ITO
8. Pop singer Warwick : DIONNE
9. Binge : SPREE
10. Reliever’s asset : ARM
11. Seize, as an opportunity : LEAP ON
12. Pooch in your lap, maybe : TOY DOG
13. Most people : ASIANS
18. Actor Morales : ESAI
22. Keep an eye on : WATCH
26. Personal attribute : TRAIT
27. Rip (up) : TEAR
28. Opens, as an official document : UNSEALS
29. Commotions : TO-DOS
34. Jordan’s only port : AQABA
36. In base eight : OCTAL
38. No later than : UNTIL
39. Space : AREA
40. Tiny tunes player : IPOD NANO
41. Big events for film studios : RELEASES
45. Gives a hand : DEALS TO
46. Somewhat flabby male physique, informally : DAD BOD
47. Diffuse slowly through a membrane : OSMOSE
48. Permit to enter the States : US VISA
49. Unwise wager : BAD BET
50. Country’s McEntire : REBA
53. Whopper creators : LIARS
58. Basics : ABCS
60. Young chap : LAD
62. According to : A LA
63. Give in to gravity : SAG
64. Word after eagle or hawk : -EYE
6:59, no errors.
Wasn’t easy. But once I got the hang of the theme, the other long answers were a cinch. Here is a mini challenge. Can you think of five verbs that fit the theme, not already seen. My 2 cents- avail, await, appall, amuse, avoid, atone, apprise, appraise, appoint. Next, non verbs. eg. alas a lass, agent a gent, …
IMO, profusion of proper nouns makes it difficult to solve a grid, agreed? (@Carrie how does one insert a wink emoji ;o ).
Had to Google 2, today: PDA, IPODNANO. IPODNANO especially hard since I never heard of CNET. Also, didn’t know ALTA. It’s not usually the computerese that I need to Google.
Liked the theme. Could go on and on with that.
9:31, no errors. Seeing “cnet” a lot these days.
LAT: 8:48, no errors, cute theme. Newsday: 7:46, no errors, pretty minimal theme. WSJ: 12:24, no errors, good theme.
Another overcast and rainy day here in Colorado. Feels more like the Northwest; not a bad thing, I guess, but my seasonal depression is starting to kick in. (Nevertheless, considering all the news from elsewhere, I’m counting my blessings.)
13:28 . A+ theme on this one.
I had to endure one of the most traumatic events in one’s life this morning. Of course I’m referring to the breaking in of a new coffee maker. I had to make sure I was filling the correct amount of beans for the amount of water etc on that particular machine. Quite a traumatic experience…
Better Call Saul is a very entertaining show although Saul isn’t quite as caustic as he was in Breaking Bad, and that’s what had made him so amusing. It would violate the breakfast table rule to list them, but you can Google Saul Goodman’s top 10 or 15 one-liners. It’s quite a list. All come from Breaking Bad. None come from Better Call Saul…
Best –
Nice comment Francophile !! Very cute, and noteworthy. I never even thought of alternate versions of the clues and answers …. I am generally too busy solving the puzzle, in the first instance.
I got most of the answers in the puzzle, fairly easily, which helped to solve some of the answers that I had never even heard of …. like Dad Bod, which I should personally and physically, be familiar with …..
Jeff, I have finally got hold of ( Btw, a gift – ) , the Breaking Bad season two (seven episodes – ) and Season Four ( all 13 episodes -). I used to have a DVD of the first four episodes – but I threw it away … a long time ago.
As I have written earlier, I was very wary and afraid, no, put that as, terrified !, of watching any of this nonsense, especially since I am simply horrified at the making of a drug kingpin hero – even if there is a lot chemistry ( pun) involved among the plots and characters.
BUT …. since it has your personal recommendation (!),and Bill’s (!!!) , and that of IMDB and Rotten Tomatoes … and all those plaudits on Wiki, …. I will gird up my loins, shutter my ears, put on my blankets, and see this maxi-fest sometime soon …. and God help me, and I’ll probably go to sleep with a big steak knife under my pillow, and the security alarm on full decibel strength.
Have a nice day, folks.
Jeff, Better Call Saul is only now getting around to introducing the character of Saul Goodman (transformed from the original Jimmy McGill), so there wouldn’t be many (any) BCS quotes from Saul Goodman. BCS is different from Breaking Bad, but a great show in its own right–IMHO
Good point. Nevertheless, I think even if they combined all the best one liners from both shows, nothing from BCS would make the top 15 or so IMO. That said, I really like the show. In fact, I thought this past season was the best of all of the three. I wonder if we’ll find out what’s up with the Cinnabon job next season….
One quibble, I would not consider an iPhone a “personal digital assistant” that was a term used years ago before cell phones…remember palm pilots? Googling reveals that it is a hand held computer. Which I guess phones are that, but it is SO 1990….
Pretty easy Wednesday; about 15 minutes with no errors. A little trouble in the NE with the ski resort and lapDOG vs TOYDOG but resolved pretty quickly.
I agree with Laura on iPhone as a PDA (!?), but whatever.
@Carrie I have to disagree with you about Audrey Hepburn. I’ve only seen a few of her films but I think she had a serene elegance. Which doesn’t say anything about her acting skills, but still. Her personal script for “Breakfast at Tiffany” just sold for $800K today, a world record for a script.
I totally agree with you on the DH though. I mean if Babe Ruth came up today (Boston or NY), he’d never even get a chance to hit, since he came up as a pitcher.
Hey all! ?
Fuzzle!! Cute theme, somewhat challenging. I almost threw in the towel at one point, when I realized I could NOT come up with one letter: BOU_T for “second thought.” THEN I realized that 46D wasn’t BAD BOD but DAD BOD. Okay! …. but that’s kind of a harsh term, isn’t it??!? Geez.
Hey Vidwan! I’m also a huge Breaking Bad fan. I’d recommend that you start from the beginning, with season one… if you do decide to watch it, that is. It’s pretty gnarly, but it’s the best new TV show I’ve seen in probably 20 years. (In other words, since the premiere of Seinfeld ?!)
Hey Francophile! I use my Android tablet when I comment here, and it has a bunch of emojis!! ??????!!! I don’t have them on my desktop.
And I like your idea!! Especially “Amuse a Muse.”
Dirk, I think you’re right; she did have that serene quality, and that’s an aspect of acting IMO, but her damsel-in-distress thing irritates me!! The problem is also with the material. I just am not a fan of Breakfast at Tiffany’s or My Fair Lady or Roman Holiday. Outside of her beauty, I don’t see the appeal….. but of course I’m not one to criticize…..?!!!
Be well~~™⚾