Tuesday, January 5, 2021

NYT Crossword January 5, 2021

Time of a Tuesday crossword! This one is okay. I didn't like it at first, but it grew on me as I thought through the solve a bit more.

Tuesday, January 5

Time: 6:18


The theme was basically actors who have verbs for names, finding phrases that use these verbs, and creating a different scenario in which the phrase makes sense (e.g., "pats down" -> "Pat's down"). It's an okay theme and because of the shorter length, it creates more opportunities to see this play out. While I wasn't a huge fan of the theme, I think it's awesome that we got 7 instances of it rather than the typical 3-4.

  • 16A Singer Benatar feels blue: "PAT'S DOWN". References singer Pat Benatar, likely after singing "Hell is for Children".
  • 20A Author Grafton has arrived for dinner: "SUE'S OVER". References mystery novelist Sue Grafton, in "D as in Dinner".
  • 26A Actress Wells has just entered the scene: "DAWN'S ON". References actress Dawn Wells (RIP Mary Ann).
  • 37A Actor Nicholson will bat next: "JACK'S UP". References actor Jack Nicholson, who creepily crept up the stairs in The Shining.
  • 48A Baseball's Boggs has agreed to join us: "WADE'S IN". References third-baseman Wade Boggs, who's only in if he's getting fried chicken and beers.
  • 53A Actor Norris got tagged: "CHUCK'S IT". References actor and martial artist Chuck Norris, who cannot legally be tagged. When Chuck Norris plays tag, the person who is "it" runs from him. (Sidenote - this fill also works for 8D Throws a lo-o-ong pass)
  • 59A TV father Cleaver has just left the starting line: "WARD'S OFF". References Ward Cleaver from "Leave it to Beaver", I assume.
No real clues of note, though I did learn about CBGB, the Manhattan music club. I'd never heard of it before, but now I know it stands for country, bluegrass, and blues. I give it 7 out of 7 clues solved.

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