Constructor: David Phillips
Relative difficulty: Easy-Medium
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THEME: MIDTERMS (56A: Some tests … or what's found literally in 17-, 24-, 30-, 39- and 44-Across) — letter string "TERM" appears in the "mid" section of each theme answer:
Theme answers:
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I liked this basic theme … seven years ago, when the NYT did it the first time. '08 puzzle was superior for a couple of reasons: fill quality and consistent breakage of "TERM" across two words / word parts. I liked BATGIRL (39D: Barbara Gordon's secret identity, in comics). That's about all I have to say about this one. Sorry. I can't work up the energy to do a new review if the NYT couldn't even work up the energy to publish a new puzzle. Please feel free to read the review of the '08 puzzle. I loved that thing. But then I was not the jaded husk of a man you see before you today. (Sincerely, though, constructors should do their due diligence—at least do a basic search of databases to see if your theme has been done) (But bigger fault lies with the editor, of course—I discovered the replication a. because of my memory, and b. through the simplest of searches)
(Of course, most solvers will not remember the '08 puzzle, so who cares, right? No. There are issues of craftsmanship and professionalism at play here—you don't redo an idea, except, perhaps, if you can bring something fresh and new. This puzzle does not do that. So either the constructor was lazy or the puzzle is a ripoff) (I'm told the constructor believes the placement of "TERM" at the *exact* center of the theme answers is what makes it new … I'll let you be the judge of that) (If you want to see a virtuosic variation on this theme (two-TERM answers!), go here—crazy.)
Relative difficulty: Easy-Medium
Theme answers:
- "LATER, MAN" (17A: "Catch ya on the flip side")
- UNDETERMINED (24A: Up in the air)
- MASTERMIND (30A: Genius)
- BUTTERMILK (39A: Ingredient in some pancake batter)
- MONSTER MOVIE (44A: "Mothra vs. Godzilla," e.g.)
Amar'e Carsares Stoudemire (/əˈmɑreɪ ˈstɒdəmaɪər/; born November 16, 1982) is an American professional basketball player who currently plays for the Dallas Mavericks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). […] Listed at 6 feet 10 inches (208 cm) and 245 pounds (111 kg), the highly athletic Stoudemire has suffered from chronic knee problems, including undergoing microfracture surgery on his knees. In spite of this he won the 2003 NBA Rookie of the Year Award, made six appearances in the NBA All-Star Game, was a first-team All-NBA selection in 2007, and won a bronze medal with the United States men's national basketball team at the 2004 Olympic Games.His off-court ventures include a record label, a clothing line, acting and a series of children's books for Scholastic Press. In addition, Stoudemire owns a significant share of the Hapoel Jerusalem Basketball Club.Stoudemire's first name had previously been listed in the Phoenix Suns media guide as Amaréor Amare, but it was changed to Amar'e in October 2008. Stoudemire told NBA.com that his name had always been spelled Amar'e, but the media had been spelling it incorrectly since he joined the NBA. (wikipedia)
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(Of course, most solvers will not remember the '08 puzzle, so who cares, right? No. There are issues of craftsmanship and professionalism at play here—you don't redo an idea, except, perhaps, if you can bring something fresh and new. This puzzle does not do that. So either the constructor was lazy or the puzzle is a ripoff) (I'm told the constructor believes the placement of "TERM" at the *exact* center of the theme answers is what makes it new … I'll let you be the judge of that) (If you want to see a virtuosic variation on this theme (two-TERM answers!), go here—crazy.)