Crossword Editor's Desk: Clues for Michael Stipe and an Existence in Brainteasers
A new publication about crosswords? By one of the esteemed crossword creators? And, one who has crafted puzzles across the board, edited other series, and brought fresh faces into the game?
It's accurate. Maskarade, also known as Tom Johnson, has published All Squared. I hereby recommend it and advise you can find out how to order a copy for your own collection and another as a cherished holiday gift for a friend or family member.
In the previous column, I questioned why humorous advertisements have disappeared. I'm pleased to share a commenter's point-by-point take. If your corner of the world lacks comedy and if you have, like Leadballoon, an analysis that doesn't constitute an blatant political statement, please contribute. Additionally: is it correct in thinking that cryptics are nowadays increasingly – not less – amusing?
Some eye-catching aspects of the latest Genius puzzle: the underlining in the instruction “Solutions should be placed into the grid jigsaw-wise, wherever they will go.” Terms recognizable from a legendary setter's puzzles, but the clue "Soup" must mean something different. And is that … eleven 15-letter entries?
It is! But in this interlocking puzzle, some of the entries slot next to one another in those extended lines: a different kind of test and congratulations to those who made the perfect fit.
The setter Odo is responsible for the current Genius: tell your friends. And if your friends believe they are unable to do “advanced cryptics”: point them to resources.
Heartfelt gratitude for the submitted hints for STIPE. The audacity award goes to Jacob_Busby for the extended “One who calls Leonard Bernstein, Leonid Brezhnev, Lenny Bruce, Lester Bangs and Penelope Pitstop back, albeit briefly” – and imagine how she could have improved the song?
- Second place include Montano’s clever “Science, Technology, Engineering, Math: Technology, IT, Physics and Engineering, to start with”
- and Newlaplandes’s refined “Vocalist's backing contribution to keep it simple”
- the winner is the splendid “Band losing religion’s lead?”
Kudos to Calmasyoulike; please submit entries for ALL SQUARE in the comments, along with any preferred clues or puzzles you have encountered.
