ACROSS LITE PUZZLE: [ THEMELESS MONDAY]
PROGRAM: [Across Lite]
PROGRAM: [Java]
PRINTOUT PUZZLE: [ THEMELESS MONDAY]
PROGRAM: [Adobe Acrobat]
Dear Tinseltown:
First off, I want to thank you for casting Sandra Bullock as a crossword construcor in the latest movie “All About Steve.” A lot of people who aren’t part of the puzzling community think of crossworders as a scary looking bunch of folks. You bravely had a spunky, cute, talented, and funny actress as a puzzler. Bravo. Don’t hesitate to continue this trend. In fact, when we negotiate the movie rights on my upcoming book “Sex Drugs and Rock and Roll Crosswords,” we really, really, really need Don Cheadle to play me. Two words: Oscar nomination. Anyway, if we can’t get him, maybe Mos Def will be available.
Back to this “All About Steve” film. I know us puzzle people are unique, but c’mon. Quit perpetuating this stereotype that we are complete freaks. We are well-adjusted, family people who lead exciting lives. When not making puzzles, we climb rocks and are in rock bands. (We play in orchestras too.) We work for Pixar and for Google. We teach math, english, biology, music, and chemistry. We’ve written humor books and spy novels. We’re actors and theater directors. We’re worldly travelers. We may lead unique lives, but please, quit labeling us a freaks. Thanks.
Back to my pitch: I’m telling you, Oscar Nom. Get the Chead’s agent on the phone. Let’s do lunch.
-B
P.S.: The contest is still open (the deadline is Tuesday!) Share the puzzle! New one on Wednesday.
Thought I was going to have to look up a bit of the obscure stuff, but then remembered 1A from an old joke. Last in was 59 across (didn’t know 50 or 55 down). Could the crossing of 27 and 12 work with a Y or an I?
I’m trying to remember the last movie I saw about ‘well-adjusted, family people’. Wait, the Incredibles, that was it. Really enjoyed this puzzle. I’ll be watching for Cheadle to show up as an answer soon.
27A could be spelled with an I or a Y, but 12D can’t.
I loved the profusion of high-point Scrabble letters in this grid. Definitely a fun solve.
Pixar? Who works for Pixar?
kevin der.
I agree with the Medium rating except for the SABRA/SHAH/ESHKOL area which I rate Impossible.
seconded.
SABRA & ESHKOL were tough…but I tought SHAH was pretty easy enough to get off the S–H. I’ve never heard of a TEAZLE or an AIGLET either, but everything was gettable from the crosses…great medium themeless!!
And, like Craig said…I loved all of the J’s, K’s and Z’s!!
“us” puzzle people are unique??? Are us?
“We teach math, english, biology, music, and chemistry. ”
Especially math, IIRC.
I second Jimmy D about AIGLET and TEAZLE. I also had FAR for 12A, which prevented me from getting Mr Happy Pencil for a long time and made me doubt AIGLET and TEAZLE until I finally realized that FAR LOVE OR … and AN ALERT don’t make sense. BIO instead of MRI or CAT SCAN caused trouble too, as did AL QAEDA for 1D.
On the other hand, the misdirect of making AL CAPONE sound like a rapper was appreciated, and I liked FOLK ART for [Some crafts].
Good puzzle: Loved “Picture of fear” and “Spartans’ home.” Think I’m somewhere just inside the BEQ Medium range.
Us *are* all unique, especially me.
Have you seen “The Story of Us?” It’s a Michelle Pfeiffer/Bruce Willis our-marriage-is-falling-apart-wait-no-it-isn’t-or-maybe-it-is movie in which Pfeiffer plays a crossword constructor.
Looked this review up today after enduring endless commercials during Top Chef; thought of you:
Movie Review
All About Steve (2009)
Brainy Crossword Creator Tackles the Puzzle of Love
By MANOHLA DARGIS
Published: September 4, 2009
It seems incredible, but the grimly unfunny comedy “All About Steve” might just be the worst movie on Sandra Bullock’s résumé.