ACROSS LITE PUZZLE: [ TAKING DIRECTION]
PROGRAM: [Across Lite]
PROGRAM: [Java]
PRINTOUT PUZZLE: [ TAKING DIRECTION]
PROGRAM: [Adobe Acrobat]
So for the latest contest puzzle (“Where There’s A Will”) solvers were asked what name in the news was referenced in the following theme answers: MOSQUITO NET, CAT ‘O NINE TAILS, REINVENT ONESELF, PHOTO NEGATIVE and SWEET ONIONS. Most of the 124 contestants came up with the correct answer: Tyler, the Creator Kate Middleton. You see the letters T-O-N are in the middle of each theme entry. Middle + TON = your answer. Fun fact: I had never heard of her before I made the puzzle. Apparently, she’s some British bird who is sleeping her way into a monarchy. Good for her.
So why the Tyler, the Creator picture, BEQ? Couple reasons: Tyler’s rap outfit Odd Future was referenced at 62-Across, and he pretty much sums up how I felt about the event of 4/29/11 (’nuff said).
A few people mentioned that they saw TONE and TONI and were looking for TONY in the grid somewhere. Needless to say, Tony! Toni! Toné! is not a name in the news. I mean, I guess Raphael Saadiq is sort of in the news, but that TONY omission pretty much kills this argument.
The current and two-time defending American Crossword Puzzle Tournament champion Dan Feyer chimed in with Middleton, before solving the puzzle. He told me he got it just by reading the title of the puzzle and the instructions. Folks, let me tell you, if this is where “Steely” Dan is now in terms of his solving-prowess, it’s over. Will Shortz is going to have to title all the ACPT puzzles “Themed Puzzle” and give clues like {Noun}, {Location}, {Gerund} just to stop Dan’s newly adopted prescient gifts.
Dan Seidman of Parts Unknown felt pretty confident he got it right because supposedly my name anagrams to “QUEEN BRIDGE, MELT MY TANG.” Make of that what you will. Me? I’ve always told people, that is the small handful who care about this stuff, “BRENDAN E. QUIGLEY” anagrams to “DRAG QUEEN BY-LINE.”
Thanks to all who sent in some doctored photos for the creative entry this time around. None really tickled my fancy, though. The winner this go around is Kurt Krauss of Naples, FL. This time last year, he tried to butter my wife up with flowers. Alas, he sent in the wrong answer. However for this time, he got the answer right this time, as well as sent it via a teddy bear for our daughter. Thanks, Kurt. He knows the way to an expecting father’s heart is through gifts for his daughter.
Our other randomly selected winner is John LaFianza of Glen Rock, NJ. Congrats to both. And thanks to all who competed.
Heads up: this puzzle is a rerun from the old Paste days. Share the puzzle. New one tomorrow.
Even knowing all those directors, that took longer than it should have.
I think paying any attention or respect to any “royals” is about the most un-American thing one can do, and I’m amazed there was so much airtime and breath wasted on that.
And you mean Tyler Perry isn’t the creator?!
Uh, no offense to Kurt (who was obviously trying very hard), but didn’t the contest rules explicitly state, “send your answer via email, Facebook message or direct tweet”? Just how did he manage to fit a teddy bear in there?
Yesterday, Wednesday, I saw my solved (printed-out) copy of this puzzle, and it hit me very hard that the Royal Wedding, which I had been avoiding anyway, really seemed like a hundred years ago. Current events move so quickly!
So, the contest. I saw — somehow — 1 & 9 & 1 & 1 — and started looking up centennials. I tried to think about “the wedding” because of “Will” but I could not figure it out.
Very clever!
i love your puzzles and appreciate yr hard work. i’ve been away for a while, and just got around to working 329. i gotta say, yr better than this one – 7 clues involving proper names, places, cultural references, towns in the lower left corner alone. ridiculous to fill without yr specific cultural knowledge.
in all though, you’re one of my favorite constructors. keep up the good work – except on this one.