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Close, But No

· By Bird Lives · Published 2023-09-25T09:41:08.254Z

Meta Prompt
The answer is what each of the theme answers is.
Checking for previous play data...

Leaderboard (updated hourly)

  • KayW solved 2023-09-21T01:40:05.018Z
  • Berto solved 2023-09-25T11:13:15.160Z
  • Pair O Ducks solved 2023-09-25T11:16:30.822Z
  • Hector solved 2023-09-25T12:25:13.402Z
  • edestlin solved 2023-09-25T12:41:14.133Z
  • JM solved 2023-09-25T13:24:10.141Z
  • Darth solved 2023-09-25T13:35:53.123Z
  • boharr solved 2023-09-25T13:45:44.111Z
  • JHSeeman solved 2023-09-25T13:57:58.603Z
  • rjy solved 2023-09-25T14:04:29.654Z
  • MatthewL solved 2023-09-25T14:40:56.013Z
  • SamKat9 solved 2023-09-25T14:56:53.798Z
  • BarbaraK solved 2023-09-25T15:02:59.081Z
  • HeadinHome solved 2023-09-25T15:18:26.011Z
  • Meg solved 2023-09-25T15:59:45.181Z
  • Cindy Weatherman solved 2023-09-25T16:22:07.312Z
  • DIS solved 2023-09-25T16:28:21.083Z
  • bhamren solved 2023-09-25T16:34:19.527Z
  • rayyandroid solved 2023-09-25T17:16:59.832Z
  • heidi solved 2023-09-25T17:28:33.570Z
  • woozy solved 2023-09-25T17:28:54.519Z
  • Sharkicicles solved 2023-09-25T17:36:30.870Z
  • whimsy solved 2023-09-25T17:43:02.021Z
  • Laura M solved 2023-09-25T18:05:07.447Z
  • DrTom solved 2023-09-25T18:29:05.667Z
  • Mwoychick solved 2023-09-25T18:39:38.250Z
  • Carolyn solved 2023-09-25T18:50:39.979Z
  • Dow Jones solved 2023-09-25T19:22:45.944Z
  • I K Snamhcok solved 2023-09-25T19:28:16.153Z
  • kurtalert solved 2023-09-25T19:45:45.038Z
  • Philip Chow solved 2023-09-25T20:02:19.112Z
  • Gutman solved 2023-09-25T20:13:01.012Z
  • Dave C solved 2023-09-25T20:19:01.191Z
  • Wendy Walker solved 2023-09-25T20:52:19.587Z
  • Tyrpmom solved 2023-09-25T21:01:46.298Z
  • Tom Wilson solved 2023-09-25T21:12:02.843Z
  • Anita and Steve solved 2023-09-25T21:13:10.142Z
  • ajk solved 2023-09-25T22:30:04.108Z
  • BrennerTJ solved 2023-09-25T22:42:11.443Z
  • Cindy Heisler solved 2023-09-25T23:04:27.194Z
  • dannyvee solved 2023-09-25T23:51:29.422Z
  • markhr solved 2023-09-26T00:35:45.923Z
  • CPJohnson solved 2023-09-26T00:54:58.485Z
  • Katiedid solved 2023-09-26T02:59:04.967Z
  • SeamusOL solved 2023-09-26T03:36:25.634Z
  • Schmeel solved 2023-09-26T05:47:46.666Z
  • Ergcat solved 2023-09-26T12:13:24.873Z
  • Eric Porter solved 2023-09-26T16:13:29.186Z
  • LB800 solved 2023-09-26T17:31:02.934Z
  • FrankieHeck solved 2023-09-26T20:18:56.135Z
  • Jaclyn solved 2023-09-27T00:25:42.982Z
  • andeux solved 2023-09-27T04:10:37.640Z
  • rvkal solved 2023-09-27T05:26:50.024Z
  • Qmark solved 2023-09-27T06:34:20.701Z
  • Alex Sisti solved 2023-09-27T12:37:44.597Z
  • DCBilly solved 2023-09-27T13:25:51.380Z
  • david solved 2023-09-27T13:58:56.457Z
  • Snood solved 2023-09-27T14:20:14.985Z
  • Johnny Luau solved 2023-09-27T14:39:26.650Z
  • michaelm solved 2023-09-27T15:45:16.981Z
  • minimuggle solved 2023-09-27T16:27:56.720Z
  • ReB solved 2023-09-27T17:01:16.379Z
  • DebbieC solved 2023-09-27T17:29:46.302Z
  • Bbaack solved 2023-09-27T23:40:41.982Z
  • Alvibu67 solved 2023-09-28T05:30:41.633Z
  • OGuyDave solved 2023-09-28T20:13:05.612Z
  • Craig Mazin solved 2023-09-28T22:31:48.824Z
  • Capn Rick solved 2023-09-30T16:56:31.175Z
  • Prog solved 2023-09-30T18:31:21.583Z
  • Mikey G solved 2023-10-01T06:09:55.975Z
  • Darrell solved 2023-10-01T15:56:06.233Z
  • Sanne solved 2023-10-02T04:08:39.395Z

Comments

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  • Hector 🤓8:51 · 2023-09-25T12:27:31.579Z
    It was a riddle wrapped in a misery inside an enema, thank you!
    • Sharkicicles 1s · 2023-09-25T17:36:40.736Z
      Perfect.
      • DrTom 3s · 2023-09-25T18:37:18.999Z
        Very moving comment
      • boharr 5s · 2023-09-25T13:46:10.361Z
        What a hoot. Thanks, Jay
        • Darth 21:29 · 2023-09-25T13:41:40.930Z
          Nice idea! Fun puzzle. Loved the cluing, especially. Thanks, Jay.
          • rjy 2s · 2023-09-25T14:05:24.446Z
            My brain’s gonna be twisted for the rest of the day!
            • JHSeeman 6s · 2023-09-25T13:58:20.318Z
              Tough Grid, fun puzzle. Thanks
              • MatthewL 🤓11:12 · 2023-09-25T14:42:07.952Z
                That puzzle was as clever as a fax. Thanks Jay!
                • HeadinHome 🤓3:20 · 2023-09-25T15:21:19.114Z
                  So good!! That minstrel one reminds me of a most embarrass moment — for a friend of mine whom we called Miss Malaprop in high school. She could have helped you with this puzzle. And she would have been completely unaware. 😂
                  • SamKat9 🤓14:13 · 2023-09-25T14:57:31.016Z
                    This was a fun puzzle to complete, thank you!
                    • woozy 25:26 · 2023-09-25T17:29:36.648Z
                      So cute!
                      And what a great way to hide thinks in plain sight.
                      • whimsy 19:56 · 2023-09-25T17:52:35.276Z
                        Listening to George Harrison while solving - other Beatles are pretty good too. Close, but no sitar. Thanks for this fun puzzle, Jay
                        • DrTom 3s · 2023-09-25T18:39:03.302Z
                          If you think that is good you should see him play the hobo!
                        • Laura M 🤓16:23 · 2023-09-25T18:06:24.454Z
                          Very entertaining!
                          • DrTom 3s · 2023-09-25T18:37:02.352Z
                            Tired to spell MALAPROPISM three different ways and Crosshare told me all were wrong. My problem was that I misconfused the concept and was going for what they actually are as opposed to what they could strife to be. I am ashamed that it took so long for me to solve when Jay is at the pineapple of his art, I'm afraid I might just fade into Bolivian. His mechanism was tight and, given some of the placement, could not have been any clearer if it had been painted on the ceiling of the sixteenth chapel.😊
                            • Carolyn 3s · 2023-09-25T18:51:46.726Z
                              Great way to start the week!
                              • DrTom 3s · 2023-09-25T18:43:28.216Z
                                I forgot to say THANKS, very enjoyable. The fill and cluing were superb. I think my favorite (non-meta) were QAT, the waitress one (though I wonder how many people still enjoy the old time diners?) and of course the shout out. Fun stuff Jay
                                • Mwoychick 16:16 · 2023-09-25T18:40:59.875Z
                                  Nice one, Jay - very fun. I once read an article that describe a team on a hot streak playing like a "house of fire" - you can file that one away for a future puzzle
                                  • kurtalert 🤓8:03 · 2023-09-25T19:46:03.060Z
                                    Loved it, thanks!
                                    • I K Snamhcok 🤓12:07 · 2023-09-25T19:29:32.729Z
                                      Very amusing. Thanks, Jay!
                                      • Dave C 3s · 2023-09-25T20:19:35.067Z
                                        fun.
                                        • Wendy Walker 4s · 2023-09-25T20:56:54.819Z
                                          So much fun! You just KNOW it's a Jay puzzle when it references Broadway, Satie, opera, a British public school ... AND three different pro sports.
                                          • Tyrpmom 2s · 2023-09-25T21:04:05.654Z
                                            I supposably filled in the grid write.
                                            • Tom Wilson 🤓8:45 · 2023-09-25T21:16:01.786Z
                                              The most fun I've ever had on a Monday, methinks! Thanks, Jay.
                                              A reporter at our local paper (or maybe it was his wayward copy editor) recently wrote about "cutting off your nose despite your face." I'm still wincing ... and giggling.
                                              • ajk 15:15 · 2023-09-25T22:32:10.695Z
                                                Very fun stuff, thanks. Spelling the Bin Laden organization always trips me up, but the mechanism was apparent before even finishing the grid. Cool idea, thanks!
                                                • Ergcat 16:49 · 2023-09-26T12:15:20.489Z
                                                  Haha! Fun! Thought it was going to be KISMET ( which would be a MISTAKE) but finally saw to anagram it! Thank you!
                                                  • Eric Porter 3s · 2023-09-26T16:18:21.825Z
                                                    Nice puzzle! Took me too long. If only there was a golden rabbit award for these, check this out. Take the replacements like this:
                                                    moths -> moss
                                                    th / s
                                                    prema donna -> prima donna
                                                    e / i
                                                    france -> force
                                                    ran / or
                                                    menstrual -> minstrel
                                                    e ua / i  e
                                                    fender -> feather
                                                    nd / ath
                                                    electrical -> electoral
                                                    ric / or
                                                    cheap -> sheep's
                                                    c a / s e s
                                                    
                                                    You get the phrase "Si or I eat horses", which is almost a sentence. 'Horse' is used in many expressions.
                                                    • Bird Lives constructor · 2023-09-26T23:17:45.491Z
                                                      Not "almost." It is indeed a sentence. "Do you get really really hungry, Senor, on those long cattle drives?"
                                                    • Qmark 4s · 2023-09-27T06:34:40.010Z
                                                      Fun one...thanks!
                                                      • Snood 24:07 · 2023-09-27T14:23:52.439Z
                                                        Always enjoy your puzzles! Thank you for sharing
                                                        • michaelm 🤓8:44 · 2023-09-27T16:02:55.020Z
                                                          If I didn't solve this one, Youth in Asia was an option. Loved that Minstrel, Menstrual and Madonna were all somehow involved in an MMM. Thanks as always, Jay!
                                                          • OGuyDave 4s · 2023-09-28T20:19:51.812Z
                                                            Nice puzzle. Found it too bee a tuff Phil.
                                                            • Capn Rick 🤓12:07 · 2023-09-30T18:52:53.555Z
                                                              Fun one, Jay! Glad I got a chance to solve before the deadline!
                                                              • Mikey G 🤓9:26 · 2023-10-01T06:12:12.632Z
                                                                Jay is watching me type this comment on the Zoom video I'm sending him of the solve. I also forgot to eat a porterhouse today - that was a missed steak!
                                                                1A
                                                                Big-time, prefix
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                                                                69
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                                                                71
                                                                72
                                                                73
                                                                Across
                                                                1. 1A
                                                                  Big-time, prefix
                                                                2. 5A
                                                                  Its alumni include Eddie Redmayne and Dominic West
                                                                3. 9A
                                                                  "A rolling stone gathers no ___"
                                                                4. 14A
                                                                  Major force in Mideast politics
                                                                5. 15A
                                                                  Word after club or baking
                                                                6. 16A
                                                                  What you read on a Kindle
                                                                7. 17A
                                                                  They're often sold along with Barbies
                                                                8. 18A
                                                                  "That haughty singer is so old; she's a real ___"
                                                                9. 20A
                                                                  Like alpacas and chinchillas
                                                                10. 22A
                                                                  Abate
                                                                11. 23A
                                                                  "___ bees sting?"
                                                                12. 24A
                                                                  Women's magazine you can read backwards or forwards
                                                                13. 25A
                                                                  Primary concern of a prima donna
                                                                14. 28A
                                                                  Member of parliament?
                                                                15. 29A
                                                                  Mideast chewable not let out of the bag on Wednesday
                                                                16. 31A
                                                                  Rocket retiree Ming
                                                                17. 33A
                                                                  Falcons on the scoreboard
                                                                18. 34A
                                                                  "That spectacular performance was a real tour de ___"
                                                                19. 37A
                                                                  Nation that's less than half the size of Manhattan (and has fewer Broadway shows)
                                                                20. 39A
                                                                  "That White male club has all the racial sensitivity of a ___ show."
                                                                21. 42A
                                                                  It happened one night
                                                                22. 45A
                                                                  "You could have knocked me over with a ___"
                                                                23. 47A
                                                                  Short short time
                                                                24. 48A
                                                                  Trapp loc.
                                                                25. 51A
                                                                  Miss Piggy's pronoun
                                                                26. 52A
                                                                  What a feather floats on
                                                                27. 55A
                                                                  SASE often
                                                                28. 57A
                                                                  Yiddish dork (var.)
                                                                29. 59A
                                                                  Drop a sound
                                                                30. 61A
                                                                  Country that's roughly 300,000 times larger than Manhattan (and has fewer Broadway shows)
                                                                31. 63A
                                                                  Did what one does on Yom Kippur
                                                                32. 64A
                                                                  "The President is officially chosen by the ___ college."
                                                                33. 67A
                                                                  Mitch McConnell's wife Elaine
                                                                34. 68A
                                                                  French composer ("Gymnopedies")
                                                                35. 69A
                                                                  At Citi Field, when the rain comes down, this comes out
                                                                36. 70A
                                                                  Fashion model Moss
                                                                37. 71A
                                                                  "He seems nice, but he's a wolf in ___ clothing"
                                                                38. 72A
                                                                  Sheep's mothers
                                                                39. 73A
                                                                  Fr. holy women
                                                                Down
                                                                1. 1D
                                                                  With "The," operetta in which Nanki Poo sings "A Wandering Minstrel I"
                                                                2. 2D
                                                                  Up to this moment, quaintly
                                                                3. 3D
                                                                  Ian McKellen's LOTR role
                                                                4. 4D
                                                                  Photographer Adams
                                                                5. 5D
                                                                  Producer of "The Last Dance"
                                                                6. 6D
                                                                  Team that's in the AL East but not in the US
                                                                7. 7D
                                                                  Beckham, Jr. of the Browns, Giants, Rams, Ravens
                                                                8. 8D
                                                                  To wit
                                                                9. 9D
                                                                  Just what the doctor (DrTom?) ordered
                                                                10. 10D
                                                                  Orchestras tune to their A
                                                                11. 11D
                                                                  69A for a car
                                                                12. 12D
                                                                  Any diner customer, to the waitress
                                                                13. 13D
                                                                  Reggae relative
                                                                14. 19D
                                                                  On the briny
                                                                15. 21D
                                                                  Bin Laden's group
                                                                16. 24D
                                                                  List-enders (abbr.)
                                                                17. 26D
                                                                  Printer setting, (abbr.)
                                                                18. 27D
                                                                  Avoiding it might be worth a shot
                                                                19. 30D
                                                                  Cape in Massachusetts, Arbor in Michigan
                                                                20. 32D
                                                                  Working in middle management?
                                                                21. 35D
                                                                  LBJ follower
                                                                22. 36D
                                                                  Type of pooled asset you can buy on the NYSE
                                                                23. 38D
                                                                  It might be brown or pale in the pub
                                                                24. 40D
                                                                  San ___, Italian Riviera town
                                                                25. 41D
                                                                  Calling card game
                                                                26. 42D
                                                                  Lincoln-to-Topeka dr.
                                                                27. 43D
                                                                  Wisconsin and Missouri have this many electoral votes
                                                                28. 44D
                                                                  Grow bigger, like a coral reef
                                                                29. 46D
                                                                  Gloucester fisherman's headgear
                                                                30. 49D
                                                                  61 Across was a big part of it
                                                                31. 50D
                                                                  Like most Muslims in 14 Across
                                                                32. 53D
                                                                  Come up with a plan
                                                                33. 54D
                                                                  Starts it all again
                                                                34. 56D
                                                                  St. ___ , only country named for a woman
                                                                35. 58D
                                                                  Colorful parrot
                                                                36. 60D
                                                                  Sure-thing bets
                                                                37. 62D
                                                                  Part of the meta-solving process
                                                                38. 63D
                                                                  Heidi's location
                                                                39. 64D
                                                                  F1 neighbor usually
                                                                40. 65D
                                                                  ___-di-dah
                                                                41. 66D
                                                                  Is for you
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