QOD: Difficulty is the excuse history never accepts. ~ Edward R. Murrow (Apr. 25, 1908 ~ Apr. 27, 1965), American broadcast journalist
Today's Theme: U can come, too. Each of the theme responses is a common phrase, except for the fact that an additional "u" has been added to one word, making an amusing new phrase.
16. Opening with a Thud? = BAD DEBUT. The common phrase is Bad Debt.
19. Staple in a Hollywood First-Ade Kit? = STAR GAUZE. The common phrase is Star Gaze.
26. Compulsion to Set Up Camp? = TENT DURESS. The common phrase is Tent Dress.
34. Hoss and Little Joe’s Off-Color Jokes? = PONDEROSA RAUNCH. Hoss and Little Joe worked on the Ponderosa Ranch.
43. Civil Unrest in Brest? = FRENCH FURY. The common phrase is French fry.
50. Restrain a Legendary Soul Seller? = HOLD FAUST. The common phrase is Hold Fast.
58. Classy Accommodations at the Spider Ritz? = WEB SUITE. The common phrase is Web Site.
47-D. “Have a Nice Day” Response, and a Literal Hint to this Puzzle’s Theme = YOU TOO. The common phrase has an added You (U).
Across:
1. Bucolic = PASTORAL.
9. Sushi Choices = EELS.
13. Wood Preservative = CREOSOTE. Whoa! Who would have come up with this word??!!
14. Plays the Class Clown = CUTS UP. I wanted Acts Up.
17. Showy = ORNATE.
18. Oversees Fem. Title = SRA. Spanish for Senora.
21. Clueless = AT SEA. I think this is a bit of a stretch.
25. Source of Ulee’s Gold = BEES.
29. She Played Emma in “The Avengers” = UMA. UMA Thurmond played the part in the movie, which I never saw.
32. Mideast Language = IRANI. I wanted Farsi.
33. Support Group? = BRAS. Not where I was headed.
40. Lake Near Niagara Falls = ERIE. A fresh clue for this lake.
41. Atlanta Campus = EMORY. I thought of going here for graduate school because it is where my Organic Professor earned his Ph.D.
42. Jets Coach Ryan = REX. No idea.
48. Fizzled Out = DIED.
49. Gulf of Finland City = ESPOO. No idea.
55. Word with a Head Slap = D’UH!
57. Six-Day War Country = ISRAEL.
62. Insurer of Tina Turner’s Legs = LLOYD’S. As in Lloyd’s of London.
63. One Transferring Property Rights, in Law = ASSIGNOR.
64. Plenty = TONS.
65. As Terrific as They Say = THAT GOOD.
Down:
1. Banned Pollutants = PCBS. Stands for a group of chemicals known as PolyChlorinated Biphenyls.
2. Biblical Resting Place = ARARAT. Noah’s ark is said to have come to a rest “atop one of the mountains of Ararat.” Genesis 8:4.
3. Composed = SEDATE.
4. “The Fox and the Hound” Fox = TOD. No idea.
5. Suffix with Fruct- = OSE. As in Fructose.
6. Hold Up – ROB.
7. “Do You Bite Your Thumb ____, Sir?: “Romeo and Juliet” = AT US. I am not familiar with this phrase from Romeo and Juliet.
8. Riga Resident = LETT. As in one from Latvia.
9. Old Lab Heaters = ETNAS. A crossword staple.
10. Isaac’s Eldest = ESAU. His twin brother was Jacob.
11. Eponymous Skater Alois ____ = LUTZ. This was an “aha” moment, as I have heard of the triple Lutz as being a skating jump.
12. WWI German Vice-Admiral = SPEE. No idea.
14. Centers = CORES.
15. Prods = URGES.
20. Justice Fortas = ABE.
22. Derisive = SNIDE.
23. Raison d’____ = ETRE. Another crossword staple.
24. Month before Nisan = ADAR.
27. Card Game Warning = UNO. Don’t remember how to play this game.
28. Out of Bed = RISEN.
29. Still-Life Subject = URN.
30. Bud = MAC. A “bud” as in “buddy.”
31. Tip for a Smoker = ASH. My favorite clue in this puzzle.
33. Corner the Market On = BUY UP.
34. In Accordance With = PER.
35. It May be Found in a Deposit = ORE.
36. Outlaw = NIX. Oh, as in forbid. I was thinking of a person.
37. Onetime Jeep Mfr. = AMC. Stands for American Motor Company.
38. Architect Mies ven der ____ = Rohe. He is becoming a crossword staple.
39. Pound Sounds = ARFS.
43. Fluted, in a Way = FIFED. As in a musical instrument.
44. Old Spanish Coins = REALS.
45. Web Address Ender = EDU. As in the ending of an educational institution’s web address.
46. House Judiciary Committee Chair = RODINO. No idea.
48. Critical Moments to Gear Up For = D-DAYS.
50. Maximum Degree = HILT.
51. European Capital = OSLO. An actual city went here instead of the country’s currency!
52. Hubbard of Scientology = L RON.
53. Team Acronym = SWAT. Stands for Special Weapons and Tactics.
54. John with Emmys and a Journalism Award = TESH.
56. Rancher’s Concern = HERD.
59. Jamboree Gp. = BSA. Stands for Boy Scouts of America.
60. Be in Session = SIT.
61. Trendy Boot Brand = UGG.
