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Sounds Like A Simpsons Holiday Special (Meta)

◆ · By benchen71 · Published 2023-11-21T05:00:05.915Z

Meta Prompt
The answer to the meta is something you might see on a laden table at this time of year (in the US)
Successful solvers should be able to work out what the seed entry was for this puzzle. Actually, you might be able to work that out even if you don't solve the meta, the answer to which is something you might see on a laden table at this time of year (in the US). Answer & explanation: https://www.xword-muggles.com/viewtopic.php?p=148752#p148752
Check out "The MOAT Music Meta Pack" here: https://www.ephesusscroll.com/about/interest4.html. US$10 gives you access to 12 music-themed metas that will not be published at any time in the future. In other words, this is not a pre-release pack!
Checking for previous play data...

Leaderboard (updated hourly)

  • Tom Wilson solved at 5:14 on 11/21/2023
  • markhr solved at 5:34 on 11/21/2023
  • Carolyn solved at 5:36 on 11/21/2023
  • Alex Sisti solved at 13:24 on 11/21/2023
  • lbray53 solved at 14:18 on 11/21/2023
  • Meg solved at 14:21 on 11/21/2023
  • boharr solved at 14:45 on 11/21/2023
  • Cindy Weatherman solved at 14:45 on 11/21/2023
  • edestlin solved at 14:50 on 11/21/2023
  • MatthewL solved at 14:51 on 11/21/2023
  • KayW solved at 15:00 on 11/21/2023
  • Dave C solved at 15:07 on 11/21/2023
  • Pair O Ducks solved at 15:11 on 11/21/2023
  • Darth solved at 15:22 on 11/21/2023
  • kurtalert solved at 16:00 on 11/21/2023
  • Hector solved at 16:13 on 11/21/2023
  • woozy solved at 16:33 on 11/21/2023
  • heidi solved at 16:50 on 11/21/2023
  • hoover solved at 16:59 on 11/21/2023
  • Mr Tex solved at 17:23 on 11/21/2023
  • Laura M solved at 17:26 on 11/21/2023
  • DIS solved at 17:52 on 11/21/2023
  • Sharkicicles solved at 18:29 on 11/21/2023
  • ajk solved at 19:01 on 11/21/2023
  • BarbaraK solved at 19:04 on 11/21/2023
  • I K Snamhcok solved at 20:02 on 11/21/2023
  • HeadinHome solved at 20:06 on 11/21/2023
  • rayyandroid solved at 20:34 on 11/21/2023
  • Jeremy Smith solved at 22:01 on 11/21/2023
  • whimsy solved at 22:27 on 11/21/2023
  • Qmark solved at 22:39 on 11/21/2023
  • Tyrpmom solved at 1:16 on 11/22/2023
  • LB800 solved at 1:57 on 11/22/2023
  • DebbieC solved at 2:39 on 11/22/2023
  • merlinnimue solved at 3:35 on 11/22/2023
  • Berto solved at 3:50 on 11/22/2023
  • Mikey G solved at 4:06 on 11/22/2023
  • JM solved at 14:16 on 11/22/2023
  • CPJohnson solved at 16:02 on 11/22/2023
  • Cindy Heisler solved at 16:56 on 11/22/2023
  • Katiedid solved at 17:56 on 11/22/2023
  • Spid4567 solved at 22:30 on 11/22/2023
  • Dow Jones solved at 2:41 on 11/23/2023
  • rjy solved at 5:46 on 11/23/2023
  • Darrell solved at 2:50 on 11/24/2023
  • DCBilly solved at 3:01 on 11/24/2023
  • SeamusOL solved at 3:06 on 11/24/2023
  • MrTheHan solved at 16:32 on 11/24/2023
  • Jerry Miccolis solved at 18:23 on 11/24/2023
  • frostyjhammer solved at 1:37 on 11/26/2023
  • Johnny Luau solved at 17:58 on 11/26/2023
  • Steve M solved at 20:12 on 11/26/2023
  • ChrisCross solved at 4:00 on 12/2/2023

Comments

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  • benchen71 constructor · 2023-11-21T05:00:05.915Z
    Happy Thanksgiving to my US solvers!
    • markhr 🤓12:11 · 2023-11-21T05:42:33.301Z
      Nice one, though I'm still working out the M. Thanks, Ben! (Shouldn't 8D8D"The Planets" composer, ___ Holst[------] clue be Holst?)
      • benchen71 constructor · 2023-11-21T07:38:29.516Z
        Indeed! I've fixed that clue.
        • woozy 16:25 · 2023-11-21T16:34:29.024Z
          Tress MacNeille
      • Carolyn 3s · 2023-11-21T05:36:32.109Z
        Delicious!
        • lbray53 2s · 2023-11-21T14:22:14.717Z
          BAZAAR14AMideast marketplace[------] was (sort of) close to AZARIA. At least close enough to send me to scour the grid for the other three themers. As I wrote on the Muggles thread - DOH!
          • Meg 2s · 2023-11-21T14:28:26.089Z
            Thanks, Ben. But don’t you really mean "sweet potatoes"? (it’s an ongoing American controversy).
            • benchen71 constructor · 2023-11-21T20:09:21.278Z
              That is indeed what we call them! :D
            • boharr 3s · 2023-11-21T14:45:53.814Z
              Thanks!
              • MatthewL 🤓7:30 · 2023-11-21T14:54:50.697Z
                Happy Thanksgiving Meta! Fun one (although I'm not a particularly big fan of yams). Thanks for the puzzle, Ben!
                • Dave C 3s · 2023-11-21T15:09:33.888Z
                  Nice puzzle for the holiday. I agree that the M was the most difficult to find - Tress MacNeille
                  • KayW 🤓8:46 · 2023-11-21T15:02:48.862Z
                    Thanks for making a meta celebrating a US holiday! I'm thankful for all the wonderful metas you share with us. And these are often on my table, Thanksgiving or not. YUM!
                    • benchen71 constructor · 2023-11-21T20:10:24.141Z
                      I was hoping to make up for last week's Aussie-centric meta! :D
                    • Darth 15:08 · 2023-11-21T15:26:48.447Z
                      I confess I've never watched a Simpsons episode. (I know, how un-American right?) But Google helped me back solve on what was my first guess. Fun one, Ben. Thankful for you. :)
                      • benchen71 constructor · 2023-11-21T22:04:08.518Z
                        I'm thankful to all the muggles who solve my puzzles each week - but I particularly enjoy your Star Wars references and I am always on the lookout for your Naboo post each week on the WSJ! (I'm with Ani - I hate sand, too!)
                      • kurtalert 🤓4:37 · 2023-11-21T16:26:40.631Z
                        Very nice - took me a while to find Tress!
                        • Mr Tex 🤓6:51 · 2023-11-21T17:25:27.974Z
                          I've been a writer for The Simpsons for 35 years. I loved seeing the names of my friends and co-workers in this beautiful puzzle.
                          • HeadinHome 🤓2:18 · 2023-11-21T20:09:28.540Z
                            That is amazing! I feel famous now, by association. ( :
                            • benchen71 constructor · 2023-11-21T20:11:18.572Z
                              That's so cool! It's an amazing show.
                            • Laura M 🤓7:01 · 2023-11-21T17:40:44.797Z
                              Nice puzzle, thanks! Happy... well, Thursday? :-)
                              • benchen71 constructor · 2023-11-21T21:54:07.760Z
                                Thanks! Thursday is a totally normal work-day here in Australia, but I will be thinking of my US friends!
                              • ajk 🤓5:32 · 2023-11-21T19:05:03.731Z
                                I got Tress MacNeille instantly, but agree that's a pretty deep cut for those who are not serious fans. Presumably back-solvable though, so no worries. Fun and timely, thanks!
                                • benchen71 constructor · 2023-11-21T20:12:07.604Z
                                  It was the only way I could get an M!
                                • HeadinHome 🤓2:18 · 2023-11-21T20:07:53.482Z
                                  Hah! Tried so many ways to come up with Turducken. Also tried Stuffing, since the long words were kind of “stuffed” with names. The obvious usually occurs to me wayyyy late. Doh!
                                  • benchen71 constructor · 2023-11-21T21:53:13.928Z
                                    "Turducken" or "Stuffing" would both be brilliant answers to a meta along those lines!
                                  • Qmark 4s · 2023-11-21T22:40:08.370Z
                                    Enjoyed it...thanks Ben!
                                    • Tyrpmom 2s · 2023-11-22T01:19:40.453Z
                                      Nope. As my granddaughter says, “It’s yucky!”.
                                      • whimsy 🤓11:42 · 2023-11-22T03:21:02.949Z
                                        Loved the pick-your-own generational clue at 17A17A"I'm loving this party!" (for younger solvers) / "This room has great lighting!" (for older solvers)[------]! Thanks for this and all your puzzles, Ben!
                                        • benchen71 constructor · 2023-11-22T04:53:52.027Z
                                          That was a favourite clue of mine!
                                        • merlinnimue 🤓5:22 · 2023-11-22T03:39:41.793Z
                                          took all day, my google fu is not what it used to be
                                          in the spirit of the holiday, thanks for all your amazing puzzles, all of ube well and safe and happy
                                          • Cindy Heisler 3s · 2023-11-22T16:57:18.892Z
                                            My favorite part of the meal! Thanks, Ben!
                                            • MrTheHan 🤓7:36 · 2023-11-27T00:02:59.219Z
                                              We're not having steamed hams, we're having steamed yams!
                                              Play today's daily mini crossword
                                              1A
                                              Floor-cleaning robot
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                                              Across
                                              1. 1A
                                                Floor-cleaning robot
                                              2. 7A
                                                Thickening agent
                                              3. 11A
                                                Weight statistic (abbr.)
                                              4. 14A
                                                Mideast marketplace
                                              5. 15A
                                                Japanese wrestling
                                              6. 16A
                                                "Apollo 13" director, ___ Howard
                                              7. 17A
                                                "I'm loving this party!" (for younger solvers) / "This room has great lighting!" (for older solvers)
                                              8. 18A
                                                Unpaid TV ads
                                              9. 19A
                                                First computer programmer, ___ Lovelace
                                              10. 20A
                                                Possible Cambridge (the US one) ad slogan directed at potential students
                                              11. 23A
                                                Words set to music
                                              12. 26A
                                                Notable time
                                              13. 27A
                                                "When in ___" (just go along with local customs)
                                              14. 28A
                                                Reason for coming together around a laden table at this time of year (in the US)
                                              15. 33A
                                                Small battery
                                              16. 34A
                                                Cryptanalyst, ___ Turing
                                              17. 35A
                                                Prepared to lade a table
                                              18. 39A
                                                Old-school online chat option, briefly
                                              19. 40A
                                                Sweetie
                                              20. 41A
                                                "Ouch!" relative
                                              21. 42A
                                                Plural form of "am"
                                              22. 43A
                                                "I love the smell of ___ in the morning." ("Apocalypse Now" quote)
                                              23. 45A
                                                Role for Jodie opposite Chow Yun-Fat
                                              24. 46A
                                                Computers connected to a router, collectively (abbr.)
                                              25. 47A
                                                Anxiety felt by those who consider themselves gourmands
                                              26. 50A
                                                Instrument that must be an absolute pain to play in a marching band
                                              27. 53A
                                                "Mad About You" cousin
                                              28. 54A
                                                Out of the wind
                                              29. 55A
                                                What a Herman Melville fan might say while pointing at dark bread (which they detest)
                                              30. 60A
                                                Plural form of "my"
                                              31. 61A
                                                Charlize Theron film, "___ Flux"
                                              32. 62A
                                                Puccini opera, "La ___"
                                              33. 66A
                                                Opposite of post-
                                              34. 67A
                                                Blunder
                                              35. 68A
                                                ___ truck (good for towing and carrying heavy loads)
                                              36. 69A
                                                Unhappy
                                              37. 70A
                                                45 down45DHomes that function as hotels[-------], for example
                                              38. 71A
                                                Online investing site
                                              Down
                                              1. 1D
                                                Baseball stat. known as a "ribeye"
                                              2. 2D
                                                Milk source for the lactose intolerant
                                              3. 3D
                                                Birth announcement abbr.
                                              4. 4D
                                                Speak ill of
                                              5. 5D
                                                ___-and-switch
                                              6. 6D
                                                Patron of the ___ (cultural funder)
                                              7. 7D
                                                Headache remedy derived from willow bark
                                              8. 8D
                                                "The Planets" composer, ___ Holst
                                              9. 9D
                                                Eastern nanny
                                              10. 10D
                                                ___-coloured glasses (optimism idiom)
                                              11. 11D
                                                "Well done!"
                                              12. 12D
                                                What you need to connect a 46 across46AComputers connected to a router, collectively (abbr.)[---] to the internet
                                              13. 13D
                                                Nonsensical
                                              14. 21D
                                                Rapper, ___ Thee Stallion
                                              15. 22D
                                                Best Picture movie directed by (and starring) Ben Affleck
                                              16. 23D
                                                Blotch
                                              17. 24D
                                                "Gone With the Wind" protagonist, Scarlett ___
                                              18. 25D
                                                Civil rights org.
                                              19. 29D
                                                Mexican artist, Frida ___
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                                                Sporting replay speed, for short
                                              21. 31D
                                                Clickable desktop images
                                              22. 32D
                                                "Jack Sprat could eat ___"
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                                                Superman's real name
                                              24. 37D
                                                Delete the contents of a harddisk
                                              25. 38D
                                                Tightly packed
                                              26. 41D
                                                Actress Tatum (or her father, Ryan) ___
                                              27. 44D
                                                Where the Three Kings of Orient traverse
                                              28. 45D
                                                Homes that function as hotels
                                              29. 48D
                                                Become extinct
                                              30. 49D
                                                Single strip of bacon
                                              31. 50D
                                                Car roofs with removable panels on each side of a rigid bar
                                              32. 51D
                                                Character portrayed by Celia Rose Gooding in "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds"
                                              33. 52D
                                                Uncovered
                                              34. 56D
                                                Nadal's nickname
                                              35. 57D
                                                "You stepped on my tail!" (but in dog-speak)
                                              36. 58D
                                                Instrument Father Gabriel plays in "The Mission"
                                              37. 59D
                                                "___ You Be My Neighbor?"
                                              38. 63D
                                                "When will you get here?" (abbr.)
                                              39. 64D
                                                Computer game addon that changes the functionality in some way
                                              40. 65D
                                                67.5 degrees on a compass
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