Themeless 63

Comments

• Sendhil Revuluri 🤓6:11 · 2023-10-22T21:58:35.330Z

  Love the non-theme theme! And you got quite a few entries in there. (I was hoping for something special at 42A42ASee 19 Across[---], though!)

  Some notes on a few clues:

  • 35D35DCurrent event that might drag you down?[--------] was tricky and clever — nice!
  • The phrasing of 40A40AAlmost all the characters other than Arthur Dent in "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the [44 Across]"[---] and 59A59AUltimate[--------] didn’t quite agree for me.
  • 45D45DConsistent with expectations[------] didn’t seem quite right — not expectations, but history.
  • Finally 56D56DSee 62 Across[----]/62A62A56 Down, in a way[--------] was tricky but I got there eventually.

  • Larry Edelstein 🤓6:13 · 2023-10-23T00:07:08.479Z

    40A40AAlmost all the characters other than Arthur Dent in "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the [44 Across]"[---] yes, the declensions of the clue and answer didn’t agree 59A59AUltimate[--------] “eventual” can often substitute for “ultimate”, so it’s OK 45D45DConsistent with expectations[------] also often substitutable, OK
  • JeffsPuzzles constructor · 2023-10-23T01:31:47.448Z

    Thanks for solving! I tried to do something with 42A42ASee 19 Across[---] at one point but didn't spend enough time to come up with anything. The phrasing of 40A40AAlmost all the characters other than Arthur Dent in "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the [44 Across]"[---] still gives me trouble, too, but I couldn't come up with a clearer alternative. Now that I look back at 56D56DSee 62 Across[----]/62A62A56 Down, in a way[--------] I do think it's unfair for this type of puzzle. I've been solving lots of Tim Croce's excellent grids (Club 72) and he uses this type of cross-reference regularly. The difference, I think, is that his freestyles are meant to be super-challenging. I really appreciate the detailed feedback!
• Brian Callahan 🤓7:57 · 2023-10-23T00:23:25.439Z

  Fun! I was almost hoping you'd be able to fit METS in the grid and clue it the same way as YANKEES16DOne of two disappointing New York baseball teams in 2023[-------], haha

  • JeffsPuzzles constructor · 2023-10-23T01:33:56.575Z

    Thanks, Brian! I would have if I'd had the YANKEES16DOne of two disappointing New York baseball teams in 2023[-------] clue earlier. When I constructed the grid in mid-August, the Orioles were in first place in the AL East and the Yankees were in last place, and I clued each team accordingly. When I went back over the puzzle yesterday before posting it, I changed to the current Oriole and Yankees clues. By that point it would have required major surgery to shoehorn the METS in somewhere, but I did think about it.
• Puzzled 34:54 · 2023-10-24T21:14:36.147Z

  I had fun but needed help for the 33D33DUbiquitous television personality[-------]/61A61AApt slant rhyme for whoopie[------] crossing and in the bottom-right corner. 33D33DUbiquitous television personality[-------]/61A61AApt slant rhyme for whoopie[------] were just outside my knowledge base, but the bottom-right corner was significantly harder for me than most of the rest of the puzzle, and I just couldn't get a toe in it.

  Thanks for sharing, and I got to learn a few new words. :)