Tuesday, April 26, 2022

QOD:  Life is too short to miss out on the beautiful things, like a double cheeseburger.  Channing Tatum (né Channing Matthew Tatum; b. Apr. 26, 1980), American actor

Lou, Lou, Skip to My Lou!  I didn't see the theme until I went searching after I finished the puzzle.  The last syllable of each theme answer has the same "oo" sound.

17-Across. Was completely crushed by the competition: MET ONE'S WATERLOO.

39-Across. Actress who played Joan Watson on "Elementary": LUCY LIU.

61-Across. Is hopelessly confused: DOESN'T HAVE A CLUE.

3-Down. Catches a seasonal malady: GETS THE FLU.

27-Down. Threepio's companion: ARTOO.

32-Down. Stuffed with ham and cheese: CORDON BLEU.

Across:

1. Cleaning cloths: RAGS.

5. Branch of govt.: DEPT.

9. Suffers after a CrossFit workout, say: ACHES.

14. "Just gimme __!": A SEC.

15. Really, really enjoy a joke: ROAR.  Followed by: 16-Across. Enjoy a joke: LAUGH.  And also: 26. "Good one": HA HA!  A comedian, a lawyer, and a war hero walk into a bar.  The bartender says:  What can I get you Mr. Zelinskyy?

20. Orzo and ziti: PASTAs.

Orzo

Ziti

21. Grand total: SUM.

22. History: PAST.

23. Part of a server's income: TIPS.

24. __ soup: sushi bar bowlful: MISO.  Yummers!

28. "La La Land" Oscar winner Stone: EMMA.  Emma Stone (née Emily Jean Stone; b. Nov. 6, 1988) and Ryan Gosling (né Ryan Thomas Gosling; b. Nov. 12, 1980) co-stared in this film.

31. Chocolaty drink: COCOA.

35. Before, in classic palindromes: ERE.  Napoleon never said what you thought he said.

36. Continent with most of the world's people: ASIA.  Continents by population.

37. "Adios!": SO LONG.

38. Org. with bomb-sniffing dogs: ATF

.  The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms is a law enforcement agency within a 5-Across.

41. __ de Janeiro: RIO.  The name of this Brazilian city literally means the River of January.

42. Blob: DOLLOP.

44. Asteroid formation: BELT.

45. Put on: DON.

46. "Gonna join us?": YOU IN?

47. __ the deal: SEAL.

48. Fair ride: PONY.

49. Number-picking bar game: KENO.

51. "__ open book": "Ask me anything": I'M AN.

53. A single time: ONCE.  Also the beginning of many a fairy tale.

56. "Maa" ma: EWE.  What happens if you never shear a sheep?

58. Just okay: NOT BAD.

64. Spine-tingling: EERIE.

65. Yard sale caveat: AS IS.

66. Queen of Mount Olympus: HERA.  Everything you wanted to know about Hera, but didn't know to ask.

67. Roofing stone: SLATE.  The pros and cons of a slate roof.

68. Golf pegs: TEEs.

69. Chinese currency: YUAN.

Down:

1. Wheelchair access: RAMP.

2. Between ports on a cruise: ASEA.

4. Nova __: SCOTIA.  Hi, Canadian, Eh!  We visited Nova Scotia quite often when we were kids.

5. Gets into character for Comic-Con, say: DRESSES UP.  The 2022 Comic-Com International event will be in San Diego in July.  I'll pass.

6. Lip balm brand with egg-shaped containers: EOS.  They come in all sorts of flavors.

7. Bear feet: PAWS.

8. Damage that may be psychological: TRAUMA.

9. Smithwick's beer: ALE.  I am not familiar with Smithwick, but apparently it comes from Ireland.

10. Commuting arrangement: CAR POOL.

11. Hip-moving Hawaiian dance: HULA.

12. Alter __: secret identities for superheroes: EGOs.  Superman was Clark Kent's alter Ego.

13. Completely worn out: SHOT.

18. Quick snooze: NAP.

19. "I could do without this knowledge," way less formally: TMI.  Text speak for Too Much Information.

25. Merit badge earner: SCOUT.  I earned many badges when I was a girl scout.

26. Stimulating: HEADY.

29. Open __ night: MIC.

30. "I'll think about it": MAYBE.

33. French __ soup: ONION.  Yummers!

34. Anguish: AGONY.

36. Flying solo: ALONE.

37. Inanity: SILLINESS.

40. __ & Perrins steak sauce: LEA.

43. Gives something a thumbs-up: LIKES IT.

47. "Big deal": SO WHAT.

48. Uneven, as fog: PATCHY.

50. Badminton court divider: NET.

52. Extinct emu-like bird: MOA.

53. Poetic tributes: ODES.

54. Yule tune: NOEL.

55. "Superbad" actor Michael: CERA.  Michael Cera (né Michael Austin Cera; b. June 7, 1988) makes frequent guest appearances in the puzzles.  He co-starred with Alia Shawkat (née Alia Martine Shawkat; b. Apr. 18, 1989 ) in Arrested Development.

57. Simplicity: EASE.

59. Mystical glow: AURA.

60. Campus official: DEAN.

62. Alumna bio word: NÉE.  Today's French lesson.

63. Compete (for): VIE.

Here's the Grid:

חתולה