Constructor: Ethan Cooper
Relative difficulty: Easy (3:11)
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THEME: BLT (56D: Sandwich whose initials have been rearranged in five other ways in this puzzle) — BUT WHY?
Theme answers:
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This, indeed, looks bad. What even is this? There are six permutations into which one can but any three letters: 3! = 3x2x1 = 6. OK, so ... we're just gonna do this with BLT. For ... no reason. Why would you do that to a BLT? Further, with this theme as precedent, why wouldn't a constructor repeat this theme with *any* three-letter abbreviation!? Why not, let's say, CBS! Let's see... "Better Call Saul," soft-baked cookie ... ugh. Seriously what is this? Why would this theme concept "tickle" anyone? I don't mind the individual theme answers as answers. The past tense on LOVED TO BITS is weird, but the others are OK. It's just ... the theme is not one. And the fill is pretty bad. Ordinary-to-godawful. SUMTO? URI *and* SURI? ISO *and* EXO? TONTO *AND* KATO!?!?! The dreaded STLEO. This is just rufffff. That's rough and also [dog bark sound]. I flattened it (it probably should've swapped places with yesterday's puzzle), but I didn't enjoy flattening it. At least the clue on LOWER BACK TATTOO wasn't [Tramp stamp]. Small blessings.
Sorry, I'm still hung up on this "theme." You absolutely have to have a reason—some kind of hook, a clever revealer, something—to justify trotting out five variations on a three-letter combo. You need to be able to answer the question "Why Are We Doing This?" The revealer clue doesn't even pretend to try to convince us there's a reason. "Look, the sandwich's initials have been rearranged in five ways, they just have. That's just it for today. Deal." And what is up with the clue on BORN TOO LATE? That is a long-winded and awful clue. Awful. A. if you're a huge fan of 1960s-'70s music, you were born just at the right time because you can listen to it whenever you want because the internet exists. B. "it's said"??? What? "It" is not "said"—like, there's no adage about millennials liking the Eagles. Also, what kind of category is "1960s-'70s music"!?!?!? That is not a meaningful category. Yikes on virtually every level to this clue.
Other minor struggles: Blanked on CALEB Carr's name at first pass. Thought 34A: Rocket-building company since 2002 was referring to *model* rockets, LOL. Had no idea re: UNISEX because I don't think we call gender neutral bathrooms that (anymore?) (21D: Available to all, as a bathroom). I wanted USEABLE in there. Had HOT for LIT (duh) (57D: Flaming). Anyway, not MAD, just disappointed.
Signed, Rex Parker, King of CrossWorld
[Follow Rex Parker on Twitter and Facebook]
Relative difficulty: Easy (3:11)
Theme answers:
- LOVED TO BITS (18A: Absolutely adored)
- THIN BLUE LINE (23A: The police, metaphorically)
- LOWER-BACK TATTOO (37A: Body art that might be revealed by hip-hugger jeans)
- THIS LOOKS BAD (49A: "Uh-oh")
- BORN TOO LATE (56A: Like a millennial who's a huge fan of 1960s-'70s music, it's said)
Caleb Carr (born August 2, 1955) is an American military historian and author. Carr is the second of three sons born to Lucien Carr and Francesca Von Hartz.He authored The Alienist, The Angel of Darkness, The Lessons of Terror, Killing Time, The Devil Soldier, The Italian Secretary, and The Legend of Broken. He has taught military history at Bard College, and worked extensively in film, television, and the theater. His military and political writings have appeared in numerous magazines and periodicals, among them The Washington Post, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal. He lives in upstate New York. (wikipedia)
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Sorry, I'm still hung up on this "theme." You absolutely have to have a reason—some kind of hook, a clever revealer, something—to justify trotting out five variations on a three-letter combo. You need to be able to answer the question "Why Are We Doing This?" The revealer clue doesn't even pretend to try to convince us there's a reason. "Look, the sandwich's initials have been rearranged in five ways, they just have. That's just it for today. Deal." And what is up with the clue on BORN TOO LATE? That is a long-winded and awful clue. Awful. A. if you're a huge fan of 1960s-'70s music, you were born just at the right time because you can listen to it whenever you want because the internet exists. B. "it's said"??? What? "It" is not "said"—like, there's no adage about millennials liking the Eagles. Also, what kind of category is "1960s-'70s music"!?!?!? That is not a meaningful category. Yikes on virtually every level to this clue.
[warning: here be profanity]
Other minor struggles: Blanked on CALEB Carr's name at first pass. Thought 34A: Rocket-building company since 2002 was referring to *model* rockets, LOL. Had no idea re: UNISEX because I don't think we call gender neutral bathrooms that (anymore?) (21D: Available to all, as a bathroom). I wanted USEABLE in there. Had HOT for LIT (duh) (57D: Flaming). Anyway, not MAD, just disappointed.
Signed, Rex Parker, King of CrossWorld
[Follow Rex Parker on Twitter and Facebook]