QOD: Your whole life passes in front of your eyes before you die.This is called living.~Sir Terry Pratchett (né Terrance David John Pratchett; Apr. 28, 1948 ~ Mar. 12, 2015), British humorist and novelist
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.
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.
QOD: To be persuasive we must be believable; to be believable we must be credible; credible we must be truthful.~Edward R. Murrow (né Egbert Roscoe Murrow; b. Apr. 25, 1908 ~ Apr. 27, 1965), American journalist
QOD: The most profound relationship we’ll ever have is the one with ourselves. ~ Shirley MacLaine (née Shirley MacLean Beaty; b. Apr. 24, 1934), American actress