L.A.TimesCrossword - Wednesday October 20, 2021 Kurt Krauss

Theme: Leave nothing to the imagination.  You might wonder what that means, but all will be revealed.  Meanwhile, here is today's theme song.

 Across:

 

17 A. *Well-worn, as carpets: THREAD BARE.  Having the nap worn off, so that the thread shows; thus, worn out and shabby.  Does the second word, now taken as a verb, indicate becoming naked, or early nude like Mother EVE?

25 A. *Lawn mower's spot: GARDEN SHED.  An out building used to store garden and yard maintenance tools and accessories.  The second word, as a verb, means to rid oneself of, slough off or lose something.

38 A. *Give the go-ahead from the control tower: CLEAR FOR TAKE OFF.  Assure that a plane may now go airborne with no danger of collision with other departing or approaching aircraft.  But the last two words, taken as a verb form, indicate the removal of something - such as free: clothing.  [I'm detecting a pattern here.]

61 A. *Slapstick slipper?: BANANA PEEL.  Slapstick is a form of low comedy based around pratfalls and mild comic violence.  The second word, as a verb, indicates the removal of an outer layer, as from a fruit or burlesque actor. 

50 A. *"Dilbert," e.g.: COMIC STRIP.   A sequence of drawings, often cartoon, arranged in interrelated panels to display brief humor or form a narrative.  The second word, again as a verb, means to remove the coverings from something, or - more specifically - an act of undressing, especially before an audience. Hence, today's alternate theme song.

 

 And the unifier -- 69 A. Remove, as clothing ... and a hint to the ends of the answers to starred clues: DOFF.  Well, if you were wondering what this is about, this should remove all doubt.  Anybody up for naked puzzle solving?  Or maybe it's bath time.

Hi gang - it's JazzBumpa, and under my cloths, I'm naked.  Now you know.  Gratuitous verberization - the reckless transformation of innocent helpless nouns into verbs sets my teeth on edge.  The classic example is "parent."  Ugh!  But in this puzzle, we have none of that.  The key words in their fill phrases are other parts of speech; but in a different context are perfectly legitimate verbs.  With that mini-rant out of the way, let's go boldly forth and see what else we can uncover.

1. Triangular sails: JIBS.   A jib is a triangular sail that sets ahead of the foremast of a sailing vessel. Its tack is fixed to the bowsprit, to the bows, or to the deck between the bowsprit and the foremost mast. 

5. Giant among speakers: BOSE.  Brand name

9. Belfry hangers: BATS.  And you know what is on the belly floor - crazy stuff.

13. Online money: E-CASH.  

15. Scoville __: chili pepper heat measurement: UNIT - of measurement; a subjective estimate of the heat sensation of the pepper due to its concentration of capsaicinoids.

16. Overly fussy, say: ANAL.  This is a non-technical use of the term which more specifically [since we're revealing all here] is relating to or denoting a stage of infantile psychosexual development supposedly preoccupied with the anus and defecation.

19. Tiny: ITSY.  Minuscule.

20. Bro or sis: SIB.  People who share parents.

21. Desert partly in northern China: GOBI.  And partly in Mongolia.  The GOBI is a rain shadow desert, formed by the Tibetan Plateau blocking precipitation from the Indian Ocean reaching the Gobi territory. It is the sixth largest desert in the world and the second largest in Asia after the Arabian Desert.

22. Put a thin cut in: SLIT.  As with a sharp knife.

23. Greek Mars: ARES.  Gods of war.

29. Internet connection: MODEM.  A combined device for modulation and demodulation, for example, between the digital data of a computer and the analog signal of a phone line.

31. "Friendly Skies" co.: UAL.  United Airlines Holding Company.

32. URL ending of a 37-Across: EDU. As in EDUcation.

33. Least distant: NEAREST.  Where you should keep your enemies.

37. Campus VIP: PROF.  A Professor.

42. To the __: maximally: HILT.  Completely, to the maximum degree, as in The house was mortgaged up to the hilt. This idiom alludes to the handle (hilt) of a sword, the only portion that remains out when the weapon is plunged all the way in. 

43. Oven pan: ROASTER.  A pan for roasting meat.

44. Cooling rocks: ICE.  Slangily.

45. Diddley and Peep: BOS.  Plural of a proper name

46. Core concepts: GISTS. The substance or essence of speeches or texts.

55. Metz milk: LAIT.  Metz is a city in north-east France.

56. Russo of "Tin Cup": RENE.  Rene Marie Russo [b.1954] is an American actress and model.  She has appeared in many comedy, thriller and action-adventure films

57. Loads from lodes: ORES.  Mineral deposits from which metals may be refined, and a nice word play.

59. To and __: FRO.  Back and forth.

60. Marine steering mechanisms: FINS.  Frequently found on fish.

64. Entr'__: ACTE.  Entr'acte means "between the acts". It can mean a pause between two parts of a stage production, synonymous to an intermission, but it more often indicates a piece of music performed between acts of a theatrical production.

65. Writer Harte: BRET. Bret Harte [1836 - 1902] was an American short story writer and poet, best remembered for short fiction featuring miners, gamblers, and other romantic figures of the California Gold Rush. In a career spanning more than four decades,

66. Swiss Miss product: COCOA.  A chocolate powder made from roasted and ground cacao seeds

67. Common awards word: BEST. As in : "Movie," or "In Show."

68. Barrie's nonconformist pirate: SMEE.  Hook's side kick, but I do not understand the clue.


Down:

1. Stuff thrown overboard: JETSAM.   Unwanted material or goods that have been thrown overboard from a ship and washed ashore, especially material that has been discarded to lighten the vessel.

2. 10-time MLB All-Star: ICHIRO.  Suzuki [b 1973] is a Japanese former professional baseball outfielder who played 28 seasons combined in top-level professional leagues. He spent the bulk of his career with two teams: nine seasons with the Orix BlueWave of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) in Japan, where he began his career, and 14 with the Seattle Mariners of Major League Baseball (MLB) in the United States. There's a lot more to his illustrious career, and you can read about it here.

3. Like fishhooks, usually: BARBED.    Having a sharp point that sticks out and backward from a larger point 

4. Atlanta-to-Miami dir.: SSE.  

5. Forrest's shrimp-loving friend: BUBBA.   Michael T. "Mykelti" Williamson (b. 1957) is an American actor best known for his roles in the films Forrest Gump, Con Air and Ali, and the television shows Boomtown, 24, and Justified. 

6. Broadcasting: ON AIR.  

7. __ Elton John: SIR.  On Feb. 24 in 1998, Elton John (born Reginald Kenneth Dwight) became Sir Elton John, knighted by Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace. He was awarded the title of Knight Bachelor for "services to music and charitable services." 

8. Mont Blanc summer: ETE.  French.

9. Uses a bucket in a boat: BAILS.  Scooping out water.

10. Film noir protagonist: ANTI-HERO.  A central character in a story, movie, or drama who lacks conventional heroic attributes.

11. Suggested, flavorwise: TASTED OF.  

12. Cunning: SLY.  Having or showing a cunning and deceitful nature.

14. "Macbeth" role: HAG.  The Three Witches, also known as the Weird Sisters or Wayward Sisters, are characters in William Shakespeare's play Macbeth 

Double, double toil and trouble;

Fire burn and caldron bubble.

18. Follow closely: DOG.   Follow (someone or their movements) closely and persistently.

22. Kenan Thompson is its longest-tenured cast member, briefly: SNL. Saturday Night Live, broadcast since 1975.

24. Loi maker: SENAT.  The French SENAT makes laws.

26. Uses Pledge, say: DUSTS.    Multi Surface Furniture Polish Spray that works On Wood Granite And Leather. 

27. Patronize, as a restaurant: EAT AT.

28. Behind: DUFF.  The human posterior.  DUFFS may be observed when togs are DOFFED.

30. French sea: MER.  Equally wet in any language.

34. "Hair" styles: AFROS.  Prominent in the musical "HAIR."

35. Fowl pole: ROOST.  Where a bird sits - and a nice word play.

36. Big time: ERA.  

37. Danger: PERIL.

38. In vogue: CHIC.

39. Chewy candy: LICORICE.  A confection usually flavoured and coloured black with the extract of the roots of the liquorice plant Glycyrrhiza glabra.

40. Periodic table items: ELEMENTS.  Each of more than one hundred substances that cannot be chemically interconverted or broken down into simpler substances and are primary constituents of matter. Each element is distinguished by its atomic number, i.e. the number of protons in the nuclei of its atoms.

41. Tap site: KEG.  Container for ale or beer.

45. Dating letters: BCE.  Before the Common Era

47. Mariners' park, familiarly and formerly: SAFECO. Now known as T-Mobile Park.

48. Lose interest in: TIRE OF. 

49. Minn. college: ST OLAF.  St. Olaf College is a private liberal arts college in Northfield, Minnesota. The school was founded in 1874 on the land of the Wahpekute Band of the Dakota Nation by a group of Norwegian-American settler colonial pastors and farmers, led by Pastor Bernt Julius Muus.

51. Atlas box: INSET.   An inset map is a smaller map inset within a larger map. Inset maps can show the location of the main map in the context of a larger area or show more detail of a portion of the main map. 

52. Actress Blakley: RONEE.  Ronee Sue Blakley (b. 1945) is an American actress, singer-songwriter, composer, producer and director, perhaps best known for her work as an actress.

53. Steamed: IRATE.  Angry

54. Ballpoint, e.g.: PEN.   Writing implement.

58. Bunt on a scorecard: SAC.  SACrifice.  Deliberately batting the ball a short distance with the expectation of making an out at first base while advancing a runner already on base.

60. Groovy: FAB.  Cool, man.

61. Air rifle ammo: BBS.  Small metal spheres used as projectiles.

62. Chair part: ARM. They also have legs, a seat, and a back.  Hmm - they're almost human.

63. i follower: POD.  An i-Pod is an electronic device for storing and playing back music.

That's it for today.  If you DOFF your apparel and go outside naked, remember your sunscreen, and that you'll need it everywhere, especially on your DUFF, and other places where the sun don't usually shine.

Cool regards!

JzB

L.A. Crossword Wednesday, September 22, 2021 Craig Stowe

Theme:  The Bone Head connected to the Tail Bone. The end of each theme entry can follow the word BONE to yield an in-the-language phrase.

17. *Carrier with a Beijing Capital hub: AIR CHINA.  The Chinese national airline.  BONE CHINA is a ceramic made with BONE ash in its composition.  

25. *One barely awake: SLEEPYHEAD.  A sleepy or distracted person.  A BONE HEAD is a stupid person, or somebody who does a dumb or erratic thing.

36. *Keurig Dr Pepper brand since 2008: CANADA DRY. This is a brand name for a less sweet Ginger Ale. Over time, it expanded to include other soft drinks. Ironically, this company now also owns Vernors. BONE DRY is a descriptor for something that is extremely DRY.

51. *Nutritious intake: SQUARE MEAL.  A repast that is large and satisfying.  BONE MEAL is phosphorus-rich mixture of ground up animal bones used as a plant fertilizer and dietary supplement for animals

The unifier -- 61. Coccyx, familiarly, or what the ends of the answers to starred clues can do?: TAIL BONE.  The TAIL bone is the final segment of the vertebral column in all apes, and certain other animals. It is the remnant of a vestigial tai.  Here, the word BONE is at the end of, or TAILING the fill.  

Hi Gang - JazzBumpa, your resident 'BONE player, here ti lead you through today's BONE yard.  Let's see if we can find something to chew on.

Across:

1. Flying fox, e.g.: BAT.  A large fruit eating bat, indigenous to south-east Asia, east Africa, Australia and some near-by island groups.

4. Has the flu, say: AILS.  Suffers from an illness

8. Seed on a bagel: SESAME.  

14. All Hallows' __: EVE.  The night before.

15. Halt: STOP.   Go no farther.

16. More silly: INANER.  It's non common English to paste an -er suffix on polysyllabics.  Should be more INANE, though that doesn't fit the space, and there might be an irony in there.

19. Unemotionally, after "in": STRIDE.  Without feeling to ignoring the effects of some action or even.

20. Reid of "The Big Lebowski": TARA.  Millionaire Jeffrey [the BIG] Lebowski's trophy wife. There is confusion with Jeff [the DUDE] Lebowski, causing the ruination of the rug that tied the whole room together, and much hilarity ensues. 

21. Feudal peasant: SERF.  One in indentured servitude in medieval Europe.

23. "The Travels of Marco Polo" setting: ASIA.  He was born into a family of wealthy merchants, and traveled extensively throughout Asia.

24. "Without delay!": STAT. From the Latin word statin, meaning immediately

28. "Excusez-__!": MOI.  French for me.  This phrase is often used in a satirical way.

29. Nondairy milk ingredient: SOY.  Derived from soy beans.

30. Whopper: LIE.  A big one.  Can you handle it?

31. Automne preceder: ETE.  French seasons not involving tarragon.

32. Banks nicknamed "Mr. Cub": ERNIE.  He played short stop and first base for them from 1955 to 1971, and was inducted in the Hall of Fame in 1977.  HE was an 11 time all star and 2 time MVP.

34. Toxic but fragrant shrub: OLEANDER.   It contains several toxic compounds, but is so bitter that poisoning is rare.

39. Crude conduit: PIPELINE.  Also used for gasoline and natural gas.  It's been a rough few months for PIPELINE stocks.

42. Training line: LEASH.  A strap or cord restraining or guiding an animal.

46. Sean Lennon's mom: ONO.  Yoko.

47. Jodie Foster, in college: ELI.  A Yale student.

48. __ pride: GAY.  Confidence, self-respect, and solidarity as expressed by gay people, associated with openness about one’s own sexual identity, and the celebration of gay culture and history.

50. Teensy: WEE.  Very small.

54. Prefix with tasse: DEMI.  Half sized.

55. Adjust for pitch: TUNE.  Listen to the oboe.

56. Rank above viscount: EARL.  Nobility.

57. "Like that'll happen": AS IF.  Skepticism.

58. Black __: scary spiders: WIDOWS.  Black widow spiders are arachnids that are known for the females' unique appearance and tendency to eat their mates. They are considered the most venomous spiders in North America; however, their bite is rarely fatal to humans.

63. Ain't using proper language?: ARE NOT.  Grammatically correct.

64. Tommie of the Miracle Mets: AGEE.  Tommie Lee Agee (August 9, 1942 – January 22, 2001) was an American professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a center fielder from 1962 through 1973.  The two-time Gold Glove Award winner was named the AL Rookie of the Year in 1966 as a member of the Chicago White Sox. 

65. Deface: MAR.  Cause surface damage.

66. Biblical escape obstacle: RED SEA.  From Egypt to the Arabian Peninsula. 

67. Crammer's concern: TEST.   Studying hard at the last minute.  Good luck.

68. Triage ctrs.: ERS. Emergency Rooms.

Down:

1. "I haven't the foggiest": BEATS ME.  I do not know

2. Sunglasses style: AVIATOR.  "The perfect solution to protect a pilot's eyes against the elements."

3. Part of ATV: TERRAIN.  Between "All" and "Vehicle."

4. __-blond: grayish shade: ASH.  Read about it here.

5. Formal affirmation: IT IS SO.  If not, make it so.

6. Needing company: LONELY.  Sad because one has no friends or company.

7. Bowler's pickup: SPARE.   After leaving some pins standing with the first ball, knocking them all down with the 2nd.

8. One in the fam: SIS.  Female sibling.

9. Strep-treating doc: ENT.  Ear, Nose and Throat specialist; not a talking tree.

10. Emmy-winner actress Paulson: SARAH.  Sarah Catharine Paulson (born December 17, 1974) is an American actress. She is the recipient of several accolades, including a Primetime Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award. In 2017, Time magazine named her one of the 100 most influential people in the world in the artists category.

11. Ouzo flavoring: ANISEED.   A flowering plant in the family Apiaceae native to the eastern Mediterranean region and Southwest Asia. The flavor and aroma of its seeds have similarities with some other spices, such as star anise, fennel, and liquorice.

12. Help to settle: MEDIATE.  Intervene between people in a dispute in order to bring about an agreement or reconciliation.

13. Modern library?: E-READER. A handheld device on which electronic versions of books, newspapers, magazines, etc., can be read.

18. Litter box user: CAT.  Feline house pet.

22. Dude: FELLA.  Just some guy, y' know.

26. Like a noted piper: PIED.  Dressed in multi-colored clothing.

27. How some taxes are paid: YEARLY.  One time, every year.

29. Undercoat: SEALER.  A paint layer applied after the primer and before the topcoat.

33. Crushed __: ICE.  

34. Dedicated poem: ODE.

35. Science guy Bill: NYE.  William Sanford Nye (born November 27, 1955),[3] popularly known as Bill Nye the Science Guy, is an American mechanical engineer, science communicator, and television presenter.

37. Khartoum's river: NILE.  The longest river in Africa.

38. Japanese art genre: ANIME.  Japanese animated art work.

39. Like boomers' birthdays: POST WAR.  The war ended in September, 1945.  Mine is in 1946

40. Ask: INQUIRE.

41. Throbbed, like one's heart: POUNDED.  With excitement or fear.

43. Really cool: AWESOME.  Inspiring great admiration or fear.

44. Advanced college course: SEMINAR. A class at a college or university in which a topic is discussed by a teacher and a small group of students.

45. Some young bovines: HEIFERS.  Young female cows that have not borne calves.

48. Usually unheated home part: GARAGE.  A building for housing a motor vehicle or vehicles.

49. They're on your side: ALLIES.   Persons or groups that provide assistance and support in an ongoing effort, activity, or struggle.

52. Long stretches: AEONS.   Immeasurably or indefinitely long periods of time 

53. Really bother: EAT AT.

54. Tiny bit: DAB.  A small amount. 

59. Misfortune: WOE.  A condition of deep suffering from misfortune, affliction, or grief

60. Greyhound destination: Abbr.: STA.  Station - a regular stopping place in a transportation route.

62. Give permission to: LET.  Allow.

That wraps it up.  A nice adventure, with no bone head plays.

Cool Regards!

JzB

Wednesday, September 8, 2021 Mark McClain

Theme: Plant Kernels.  Things you can plant to get a new plant.

17. *Devoted ESPN viewer: SPORTS NUT.  ESPN is a TV network devoted to various athletic events.  A NUT is a perhaps overly-avid fan. A NUT is also a dried fruit or SEED having a hard shell.

23. *Spec for sandpaper or salt: COARSE GRAIN.  This refers to particle size, which you can read about here and here.  A GRAIN is also the SEED of a plant that is harvested for human of animal food.

36. *Quarry that supplies aggregate: GRAVEL PIT.  This is an  an open-pit mine for the extraction of loose rock fragments.  A PIT is also the single shell of hardened endocarp with a SEED inside, found in drupaceous fruits, such as the cherry, peach or olive.  

Just Peachy.

54. *Garden walkway component: PAVING STONE.  A flat stone or brick used to make a hard surface to walk on outdoors.  A Stone is another name for the hard central portion of a drupaceous fruit, as above.

We have a pattern similar to this in our patio.

62. Last player selected for a Wimbledon ranking ... or part of each answer to a starred clue: FINAL SEED.  This would be the statistically weakest player in the competition.  Read about it HERE.  

In each of the theme entries, a SEED is identified that can be planted to bring forth the next generation of plant.  It is the last word of the entry, hence final.

Hi Gang.  JazzBumpa here.  I've proven myself to be not much of a gardener, so let's just move right along.

Across:

1. Chess result: DRAW.  The technical difference between a DRAW and a stalemate is that in a DRAW, both players agree that further play would not result in a victory for either player, while a stale mate is a situation where one side's king is not captured, but has no legal move.

5. "NASCAR on NBC" analyst Earnhardt Jr.: DALE.

9. Metalworker: SMITH. 

14. Cancun coin: PESO.

15. A party to: IN ON. Knows about.

16. Island near Maui: LANAI.  Hawaiian Islands

19. Uneasy feeling: ANGST.  An unfocussed feeling of dread or anxiety, typically about external conditions.

20. Word after box or law: OFFICE.

21. Bullish sound?: SNORT.  

22. Wail: CRY.

27. Coll. near the Rio Grande: UTEP.  University of Texas at El Paso.

29. Hard rain: SLEET.  Precipitation falling in hard particles - almost like SEEDS.

30. Dance class topic: STEP. 

31. First name in skin care: ESTEE. Lauder,  née Josephine Esther Mentzer [1906 – 2004] was an American businesswoman. She co-founded her eponymous cosmetics company with her husband, Joseph Lauter (later Lauder). [Wikipedia]

33. Caddie's offering: CLUB.  An iron or wood.

35. Make a wrong turn, say: ERR.  Go off course

40. Guys: HES.  Does anyone encounter this plural form outside of a crossword puzzle?

43. Jai __: ALAI.  A sport involving bouncing a ball off a walled space by accelerating it to high speeds with a hand-held wicker cesta. 

44. Quebec's __ Peninsula: GASPE.  The Gaspé Peninsula, also known as Gaspesia is a peninsula along the south shore of the Saint Lawrence River to the east of the Matapedia Valley in Quebec, Canada, that extends into the Gulf of Saint Lawrence.

Oh, Canada

48. Racecourse shape: OVAL.

50. Ready for bed, briefly: IN PJS.  Wearing pajamas.

53. Long-running CBS series: NCIS.   The Naval Criminal Investigative Service.

57. Malarkey: ROT.  Nonsense.

58. Pachelbel work: CANON.

 

 59. Treasury secretary Janet: YELLEN.  Janet Louise Yellen (b. 1946) is an American economist, public servant, and educator who has served as the 78th United States secretary of the treasury since January 26, 2021. She previously served as the 15th chair of the Federal Reserve from 2014 to 2018. She is the first woman to hold either role. 

61. Sahara features: DUNES.   Big piles of sand, with random GRAIN size, I suppose.

65. Locale: VENUE.  The place where something happens, especially an organized event such as a concert, conference, or sports event.

66. Heck of a hike: TREK. A long arduous journey, especially one made on foot.

67. Dell rival: ACER. ACER Inc. is a Taiwanese multinational hardware and electronics corporation specializing in advanced electronics technology.

68. Brings in: REAPS.

69. Actor Grant: CARY.  (b. Archibald Alec Leach [1904 – 1986] was an English-American actor. Known for his transatlantic accent, debonair demeanor, light-hearted approach to acting, and sense of comic timing, he was one of classic Hollywood's definitive leading men during the 1940s and 1950s.  He was well trained.

 

 70. Drive-__: THRU.  As, frex, fast food restaurants. 

Down:

1. MLB rally killers: DPS.  Double Plays.

2. Researchers' publications: REPORTS.

3. To date: AS OF YET.  Up until now.

4. Klingon officer in the "Star Trek" franchise: WORF.  

5. '70s hot spots: DISCOS.

6. Strengthen, as glass: ANNEAL.  Controlled cooling to prevent residual localized stresses. Not so much strengthening as preventing weaknesses.

7. Seuss' Cindy __ Who: LOU.  Who was no more than two.

 

 8. Suffix with exist: -ENT.  Having reality.

9. Language student's challenge: SLANG.  A type of language that consists of words and phrases that are regarded as very informal, and are more common in speech than writing.  All rules are off.

10. Medieval estates: MANORS.  A large country house with lands; the principal house of a landed estate.

11. Thankless sort: INGRATE.

12. Preferable, gastronomically: TASTIER.  Yum!

13. Major success: HIT.  As a movie, stage play or popular song.

18. Half a mint?: TIC.  The front half of a Tic-tac.  It is far past time to banish "Half a-" clues for the next half a eternity.

21. Contrived plot: SET UP.  Otherwise known as foreshadowing?

22. Alert for an actor: CUE.  A thing said or done that serves as a signal to an actor or other performer to enter or to begin their speech or performance.

24. Checkout printout: RECEIPT.  Paper strip with items, prices and the total.

25. Unload, say: SELL.

26. "Morning Edition" airer: NPR.  National Public Radio.

28. Alternative to Margie: PEG.  Nicknames for Margaret.

32. Noted period: ERA. As, frex. Jazz.

34. Important: BIG.  As a business deal or sports event.

37. Square up: ALIGN.  

38. Hotel shuttles: VANS.  

39. Light earth tone: TAN.  Ocher doesn't fit.

40. Short flight: HOP.  Skips and jumps not included.

41. Hurricane mandate responder: EVACUEE.   Of whom there are now many.

42. Tropical grassland: SAVANNA. A mixed woodland-grassland ecosystem characterised by the trees being sufficiently widely spaced so that the canopy does not close. The open canopy allows sufficient light to reach the ground to support an unbroken herbaceous layer consisting primarily of grasses. {Wikipedia]

45. Sudden stop sound: SCREECH.  As of a vehicles brakes.

46. Trailblazer: PIONEER. A person who is among the first to explore or settle a new country or area of knowledge.

47. "C'__ la vie!": EST.  In French, c'est la vie means "that's life," borrowed into English as idiom to express acceptance or resignation, much like "Oh well."

49. Umpire's pregame request: LINE UP.  List of starting players. 

51. Olympic star Jackie __-Kersee: JOYNER. [b 1963] She won three gold, one silver, and two bronze Olympic medals in heptathlon and long jump at four different Olympic Games from 1984 to 1996.  She now is an active philanthropist in children's education, racial equality and women's rights

52. Deceptive: SNEAKY.

55. Wine qualities: NOSES.  A wine tasting term used to describe how wine smells in the glass. Different wine varietals produce different aromas. The nose is also affected by how the wine is made and stored.

56. Building wing: ELL.  An extension at right angles to the length of a building

60. Challenge for an atty. wannabe: LSAT.   Law School Admission Test.  It is presumed to test the skills necessary for success in the first year of law school. 

61. TiVo, for one: DVR.  Digital Video Recorder.

62. Agcy. concerned with fraud: FTC.  The Federal Trade Commission.

63. Gershwin brother: IRA.  The Lyricist for brother George's compositions.  After working with other partners, they wrote almost exclusively with each other from 1924 until George's death in 1937, composing over two dozen scores for Broadway and Hollywood. 

 

  64. R&B's __ Hill: DRU.  Not a person, rather an American R&B group mostly popular during the 1990s, whose repertoire included soul, hip hop soul and gospel music. The group was founded in Baltimore in 1992 and is still active. 

And so we end on a note of high musical drama.  Hope you enjoyed the tour.

Cool regards! 

JzB

L.A.Times Crossword Wednesday, July 11, 2021 Enrique Henestroza Anguiano and Steve Mossberg

Theme: STRING THEORY.  Things described are discrete collections of small, roughly similar items that are arranged on and suspended by a string, cord or wire. 

17. A *Popular display after Thanksgiving: CHRISTMAS LIGHTS.  

Only the best

27 A. *Jewelry-themed treat: CANDY NECKLACE.  I guess whether I would want to eat it or not would depend on who had worn it.

Only $5.00

45 A. *Stereotypical fortuneteller's entrance item: BEADED CURTAIN.

Not much privacy

59 A. Chamber groups ... and the answers to starred clues?: STRING ENSEMBLES.  In the theme we get those collections I described above.  At Berklee, we get this.

 

Hi Gang.  JazzBumpa here to string you along.  Let's get at it.

Across:

1. Overnight portmanteau: MOTEL A traveler's accommodation named as a mash-up of Motor and hOTEL.

6. Virtual video game characters: SIMS.    Because they are SIMulated.

10. Earn: MAKE.  Receive as take-home pay.

14. Northeast speedster: ACELA.  Amtrak Service

15. Cookie with a Red Velvet limited edition: OREO.  The prototypical crossword cookie.  Sadly, never any love for Hydrox - which was the original.

16. Gobi location: ASIA.  The desert and it's continent.

20. Word that can be possessive or objective: HER.  Give HER HER things.

21. __ moment: AHA. When that sudden realization happens

22. Easiest to kick back in: HOMIEST.  Most comfortable and inviting.  But does it really fit?

23. Sci-fi zappers: RAY GUNS. Hand held weapons that typically emit beams of energy.

26. "You've got mail" ISP: AOL.  America On Line.  Does anyone still subscribe?

32. 5-Down attribute: AROMA.  Appetizing.

34. Have: EAT.  Consume something edible.

35. Common quote "source": Abbr.: ANON.  Anonymous - therefore highly reliable.

36. Dirt road feature: RUT.  Wheel tracks.

37. Sty guys: BOARS. Male hogs.

39. Ecstatic shout: YAY.  Hooray and yippee don't fit.

40. Negative start: ANTI-.  For whatever you are against.

42. Torah holder: ARK.  

43. Cabbage or cheddar: MOOLA.  Slang terms for money - though cheddar is new to me.

49. Walgreens rival: CVS.  Retail pharmacies

50. Highly intelligent dogs: POODLES.  Arf!

52. Vacuum challenge: PET HAIR.  

56. Strummed strings: UKE.

57. Petting zoo bird: EMU.  Really?  Anyway, the male does the incubation; during this process he hardly eats or drinks and loses a significant amount of weight. The eggs hatch after around eight weeks, and the young are nurtured by their fathers. 

62. "That's enough!": STOP!

63. Cub pickup spot: NAPE.  The scruff of the neck.

64. Market path: AISLE.

65. They may be fake: TANS.  Potentially sprayed on.

66. Agile: SPRY.  active and lively.

67. Caroler's selections: NOELS.

Down:

1. Eponymous physicist Ernst __: MACH.   The ratio of an object's velocity to the speed of sound is its Mach number, named in his honor.

2. Autumn tone: OCHER.  A natural ferrous clay pigment. varying in tone from yellow to orange to deep brown..

3. Color that literally means "baked earth": TERRA COTTA.  A brownish-orange hue named for the natural color of the clay.

4. He's "coming," in a Laura Nyro song: ELI.    

5. Layered entrÈe: LASAGNA.  Meat, noodles, cheese and tomato [usually] based sauce

6. Quite a lot of: SO MANY.

7. Golden yrs. fund: IRA.  Individual Retirement Account.

8. Netting: MESH.  A material of open texture with evenly spaced holes. 

9. One-person shows: SOLO ACTS.

10. Gorilla of '60s cartoons: MAGILLA.

 

 11. Queens stadium namesake: ASHE.  Named for the famous tennis star.

12. Hobbyists' purchases: KITS.  a set of articles or equipment needed for a specific purpose.

13. Right on the map: EAST.

18. Floor-hitting sound: THUD.

19. Reassurance heard after a crash from another room: I'M OK.  Are you OK?

24. November tuber: YAM.  Typically part of Thanksgiving dinner.

25. Prepare to surprise, with "on": SNEAK UP.

28. Shape of orecchiette pasta: EAR.

Rather a vague resemblance

29. "Last chance to speak up!": ANYONE ELSE.

30. Out-of-favor power source: COAL.  Dirty energy.

31. "Orinoco Flow" singer: ENYA.   Eithne Pádraigín Ní Bhraonáin [b. 1961]

32. Speedy steed: ARAB.   With a distinctive head shape and high tail carriage, the Arabian is one of the most easily recognizable horse breeds in the world. It is also one of the oldest breeds, with archaeological evidence of horses in the Middle East that resemble modern Arabians dating back 4,500 years. [Wikipedia]

33. Mystical video game symbol: RUNE.  In the real world, runes were an alphabet used by Germanic-speaking peoples until they were replaces by the Latin alphabet.  They were sometimes associated with mystical or magical significance

37. Dark clouds, say: BAD SIGNS.  BAD OMENS also fits.  Either way, events or observations believed to tell the future.

38. Tolkien villain: ORC.  A fictional humanoid monster similar to a goblin.   The goblins of THE HOBBIT are ORCS in THE LORD OF THE RINGS.

41. Implanted tracking devices, briefly: ID CHIPS.  As described - a  subcutaneous object that may include an identifying integrated circuit RFID device encased in silicate glass which is used to implant in the body of a human being. This type of subdermal implant usually contains a unique ID number that can be linked to information contained in an external database, such as personal identification, law enforcement, medical history, medications, allergies, and contact information.

43. Guy who's set for life: MADE MAN.  One whose success in life is assured.

44. Olive extract: OIL.

Is this wrong?

46. "Dear __ Hansen": Tony Award-winning musical: EVAN.  Dear Evan Hansen is a coming-of-age stage musical with music and lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, and book by Steven Levenson

47. Wrestler Ronda: ROUSEY.  Ronda Jean Rousey [born February 1, 1987] is an American professional wrestler, actress, retired mixed martial artist, and judoka. She is best known for her time in UFC and her stint as a WWE wrestler. Her longstanding nickname, "Rowdy", was inherited from late professional wrestler Roddy Piper. Rousey has not wrestled since she took time off from WWE after WrestleMania in April 2019. [Wikipedia]

Wikipedia

48. Joint puff: TOKE.  Mary Jane

51. One of the senses: SMELL.  Can let you know if Mary Jane is in the room.

52. Whispered call: PSST.  Attempted attention getter.

53. James with soul: ETTA.

 

 54. 2010 sci-fi sequel subtitled "Legacy": TRON.   In the original, Kevin Flynn, a computer programmer and video game developer who is transported inside the software world of a mainframe computer where he interacts with programs in his attempt to escape. 

55. Collect, as rewards: REAP.   By analogy to harvesting.

58. Trades on: USES.

60. D.C.-based airwaves org.: NPR.  National Public Radio

61. Twitter profile info: BIO.  Short for biography.

That wraps up another Wednesday.  Hope you didn't end up beady-eyed.

Cool Regards,

JzB

L.A. Times Crossword Wednesday, July 7 Kurt Krauss

Theme: AND WHAT TO MY WONDERING EYES SHOULD APREAR?  Theme answers are all on or two-word phrases that are [more or less] synonyms for AMAZED.

17 A. Amazed: TAKEN ABACK.  Surprised or shocked.

39 A. Amazed: STUNNED So shocked that one is temporarily unable to react;

62 A. Amazed: GOBSMACKED. Utterly astonished.

11 D. Amazed: BOWLED OVER.  Amaze, astonish, astound, 

29 D. Amazed: DUMBSTRUCK. So shocked or surprised as to be unable to speak.

Hi Gang, the Amazing JAzzBumps here shock and astound you. Or maybe not.  Anyway, I'll lead you through today's AMAZNG puzzle.  One might chose to quibble with these equivalences, but I'm just going to let them be.  Let's see what surprises are in store.

Across:

1. Tomato used for paste: ROMA.  Oval shaped, meaty variety with less liquid content than most.

5. Comic strip frame: PANEL.

10. Cookbook abbr.: TBSP.  Tablespoon 

14. Issue with a URL: E-MAG.  Electronic Magazine

15. Colleague of Amy and Sonia: ELENA.  Justice Kagan.

16. Roast, on le menu: ROTI.    Is this French?

19. Wilson of "Zoolander": OWEN. [b 1968]. One of this actors that I find to be rather annying.

20. Boring lecture feature: DRONE. A low continuous humming sound, or a semi-articulate speaker with little change in pitch or inflection.

21. Agatha contemporary: ERLE.  Mystery writers Christie and Stanley Gardner, respectively. 

22. Blue Bonnet, e.g.: OLEO.  Can't believe it's not butter.

23. Small change: DIMES.  

25. Swear off sinning: REPENT.   Feel or express sincere regret or remorse about one's wrongdoing or sin. Does this mean I'll never do it again?  Only maybe.

27. Shout from Speedy Gonzales: ANDALE.  In context, a rather non-specific expression of enthusiasm.

30. Set, as a price: ASKED.  To which a prospective buyer might counter with a bid.

31. Herr's home: HAUS.  House auf Deutsch.

32. A or Ray, say: ALER.  Baseball player in the American League.  Inferior fill, IMHO.

35. Chip away at: ERODE.  OK. Now I am going to quibble. "Chip away" implies some sort of percussive action removing discrete chunks, while "ERODE" means a gradual wearing away at a micro level.  Not equivalent.

38. Branch: ARM. as of, for example, a body of water.

41. "101 Dalmatians" villain Cruella de __: VIL.

 

 42. __ Ludington, 1777 militia-alerting rider: SYBIL.   Sybil Ludington[April 5, 1761 – February 26, 1839,] was a heroine of the American Revolutionary War. On April 26, 1777, at age 16, she made an all-night horseback ride to alert militia forces in the towns of Putnam County, New York, and Danbury, Connecticut, of the approach of British forces.    I did not know that.

44. "Well done!": GOOD.  

45. Widen, as a hole opening: REAM.   to enlarge, shape, or smooth out (a hole) with a rotating finishing tool.  

46. Attempts: STABS.  Tries [which also fits, I discovered.] 

48. Very: EVER SO.

50. __ music: orchestrates: SETS TO.  Actually, this cold mean simply sitting a melody for a set of words.  Orchestration wold be considerably more elaborate.  Another iffy equivalence.

52. Ate: DINED.

54. End for soft or silver: -WARE.  Sadly, I need perps.

55. GPS options: RTES.  Routes to get you were you are going.

57. Bob Marley, e.g.: RASTA. Short fo  Rastafari, also known as the Rastafari movement or Rastafarianism, is a religion that developed in Jamaica during the 1930s. It is classified as both a new religious movement and a social movement by scholars of religion.

61. Lago contents: AGUA.  Spanish lake water

64. Foul weather gear for Brits: MACS. Short for Macintosh - a full length waterproof coat.

65. Permeate: IMBUE.  Fill with [something.]

66. A fisherman may spin one: TALE.  About the one that got away.

67. Jet black: INKY.  Ebon also fits.

68. Until now: AS YET.  Will it continue?

69. British submachine gun: STEN. A family of British submachine guns chambered in 9×19mm which were used extensively by British and Commonwealth forces throughout World War II and the Korean War.  

Down:

1. Collecting Soc. Sec., maybe: RET'D.  No longer working, like, frex, me.

2. Sharif of "Che!": OMAR.

3. Great white shark relative: MAKO.  A fast and dangerous predator.

4. Ulterior motives, perhaps: AGENDAS.  Sometimes considered hidden.

5. Patch veggie: PEA. The small spherical seed or the seed-pod of the pod fruit Pisum sativum. Each pod contains several peas, which can be green or yellow. Botanically, pea pods are fruit,[2] since they contain seeds and develop from the ovary of a (pea) flower.  

6. "Three Tall Women" Pulitzer playwright: ALBEE.   Tis play by Edward Albee [1928-1916] won the Pulitzer Prize for drama in 1994.

7. Approaches: NEARS.

8. Something in addition to the letter: Abbr.: ENCL. An ENCLOSURE.

9. Celtic rivals: LAKERS.  U.S. Professional basketball teams,

10. State cop: TROOPER.

12. Dutch painter Jan: STEEN.  [1626 - 1679] From the Dutch golden age, he was one of the leading genre painters of the 17th century. His works are known for their psychological insight, sense of humor and abundance of color.  

13. Burgundy grape: PINOT.  Fro wine-making

18. Astronaut Armstrong: NEIL. [1930-2012] He was the first person to walk on the moon.

24. Protein provider: MEAT.  Nutrition.

26. Barely managed, with "out": EKED.   

27. Cries of discovery: AHAS. Eurekas doesn't fit.

28. __ a one: NARY. Totally absent.

30. River near Arezzo: ARNO. In the Tuscany region of Italy

33. Carries with effort: LUGS.  Schlepps

34. "Another Green World" musician: ENO.  Brian [b 1948] was a pioneer in ambient music.  This was his 3rd studio album, released in 1975.

36. "Buenos __": DIAS.  A good gad in Spain.  

37. Red Muppet: ELMO.  

39. Bed board: SLAT.  It supports the box springs.

40. Biblical plot: EDEN.  The early garden.

43. "Piece of cake": IT'S EASY. 

45. Censors for security reasons: REDACTS.  Conceals portions of a text.

47. Noble Italian house that produced two popes: BORGIA.A Spanish-Aragonese family that rose to prominence during the Italian renaissance. The Borgias became prominent in ecclesiastical and political affairs in the 15th and 16th centuries, producing two popes: Alfons de Borja, who ruled as Pope Callixtus III during 1455–1458, and Rodrigo Lanzol Borgia, as Pope Alexander VI, during 1492–1503.

Especially during the reign of Alexander VI, they were suspected of many crimes, including adultery, incest, simony, theft, bribery, and murder (especially murder by arsenic poisoning).  

49. Aloe __: VERA.  An evergreen perennial cultivated for commercial products, mainly as a topical skin treatment.

50. Hindu ascetic: SWAMI.  Read about it here.

51. Eddie __, Olympic gold-medalist in boxing and bobsledding: EAGAN. He [1897 - 1967]  is notable as being the only person to win a gold medal at both the Summer and Winter Olympic Games in different disciplines.  

52. Disney Channel star __ Ryan: DEBBY. She [b 1993] started acting in professional theatres at the age of seven, and has since starred in several Disney productions.

53. It's debatable: ISSUE. An important topic or problem for debate or discussion.  

56. Whiskered males: TOMS.  Cats, I suppose.  But most males can be whiskered, and so are female cats.  So - ???

58. 32-card game: SKAT. A three-handed trick-taking card game with bidding, played with 32 cards. It is the official game of Germany.

59. Marketing leader?: TELE-.  Cutesey affix clue.

60. Yemeni port: ADEN. Its natural harbor lies in the crater of a dormant volcano, which now forms a peninsula joined to the mainland by a low isthmus.    

63. Bumped into: MET.  With a little luck, nobody was harmed.

That wraps up another Wednesday.  I had my nits, but over-all not too bad.

Cool regards!

JzB

L.A. Times Crossword. Wednesday, June 22, 2021 Kevin Christian

Theme: To Kill a Vampire.  The last word of each theme fill is something that a vampire cannot abide.

17. Netflix series about unintended consequences of new technology: BLACK MIRROR.  A British dystopian science fiction series with stand alone episodes.

As the legend goes, a vampire will not reflect in a MIRROR.  This is because, traditionally, MIRRORS were backed with a thin layer of silver, which, due to its purity, is incompatible with creatures of darkness. Cf silver bullets and were-wolves.

29. Campground support: TENT STAKE. A spike designed to hold the tent to the ground, either directly or by connecting to ropes.

A STAKE through the heart will take the un from the undead. Decapitation also works.  Leaving nothing to chance, a diligent vampire hunter will do both.

48. Part of a southpaw's ring repertoire: LEFT CROSS.  I boxing, a power punch delivered with the dominant hand when the opponent leads with the opposite hand.

The idea that a vampire cannot abide the CROSS stems from folk lore in Christian Europe.  Evidently, since vampires are taken to be agents of Satan, the crucifix is anathema to them.  Ditto holy water and the eucharist host.  But Anne Rice discarded these concepts in her more modern vampire novels.

61. On earth: UNDER THE SUN.  On earth; in existence (used in expressions emphasizing the large number of something.)

Since vampires are creatures of darkness, they cannot abide direct SUNlight.  Light reflected by the moon, however, is perfectly acceptable to all sorts of macabre and nocturnal entities.

And the unifier - 46. Classic Lugosi character with an aversion to the ends of 17-, 29-, 48- and 61-Across: DRACULA. The prototypical vampire, from Bram Stoker's novel, and its various adaptations.

Hi Gang - JazzBumpa here, STAKing a claim to to this vampiric puzzle.  Let's avoid getting CROSSED up, and finish it before the SUN goes down.

Across:

1. Digital money: ECASH.  Originally a digital-based system that facilitated the transfer of funds anonymously.  eCash was created by Dr. David Chaum under his company, DigiCash, in 1990. Though there was interest in the platform from large banks, eCash never took off and DigiCash filed for bankruptcy in 1998. Apparently the term is now used generically for a variety of electronic money transfers.

6. Welcomed at the door: SAW IN.  According to legend, a vampire can Olly enter a home if invited.

11. "Happy little trees" painter Ross: BOB.  He [1942-1995] died young from a lymphoma.  His TV show lived on long after his passing.

14. Elder Obama daughter: MALIA. She [b 1998] is to the left in this family photo.

15. Ad: PROMO.  Promotional spot

16. Sci-fi vehicle: UFO.  Unidentified Flying Object.

19. Cal. airport not in its namesake city: SFO.  It is located 13 miles from downtown San Francisco.

20. Arcing shot: LOB.

21. Like money in a poker game: AT RISK.  Or the stock market.

22. Some "Rocky" settings: GYMS.  Movies about a boxer.

23. Historic chapters: ERAS.  Long and distinct periods of history having  a particular feature or characteristic.

25. "__ la France!": VIVE.  An expression of French patriotism, on a par with God Bless America.

26. Embezzler's dread: AUDIT.  When the cooked books don't match the expected recipe.

27. Actors sans lines: MIMES.    Those using the theatrical technique of suggesting action, character, or emotion without words, using only gesture, expression, and movement.

31. Google: SEARCH.  Exploring the inter-tubes.

33. Uses a needle: SEWS.  Making a mend, perhaps.

34. "__ out!": YER.   Umpires declaration in baseball.

35. Dutch colonist: BOER. A member of the Dutch and Huguenot population that settled in southern Africa in the late 17th century.

37. Per __: DIEM.  Per diem is a Latin phrase that translates to “by the day.” The term also refers to the amount of money paid to employees for 2 different types of “day” scenarios. The most common use of the term per diem refers to expenses a company reimburses an employee when they travel on business. Another type of per diem is for employees who receive a set amount of pay for a single days’ work.

39. "Get a room!" elicitor, for short: PDA.  Public Displays of Affection.  Stop it - you're making me sick!

42. Pants, briefly: TROU.  Short for trousers.

44. Fashions: TRENDS.  That come and they go.

51. Insignificant person: TWERP.  A silly or annoying person.  Might or might not be insignificant.

52. TV host with her "OWN" network: OPRAH.  Needs no introduction

53. Fruity antacid: TUMS.  I prefer the old-fashioned minty-chalk version.

55. ROFL relative: LMAO. Laughing My Aft-regions Off

56. Colorful cereal brand: TRIX.

Silly Rabbit!

57. Homes high up: AERIES.  An AERIE is a large nest of a bird of prey, especially an eagle, typically built high in a tree or on a cliff.

59. Green prefix: ECO-.  -logical.  

60. Efron of "High School Musical": ZAC.  He [b 1987] has since moved on to a variety of other roles since this 2006-8 trilogy

63. Spacewalk initials: EVA.  Extra-Vehicular Activity

64. Image on some birth announcements: STORK.  

65. Hirsch of "Into the Wild": EMILE. [b 1985] Since then he has gone on to other movies, an assault conviction for an event he claims not to remember due to substance involvement, and a rehab stint.

66. Hibernation location: DEN.  If you are a bear.

67. Itty-bitty: EENSY.  teeny-tiny.

68. "Alas!": SO SAD.

Down:

1. Insignias: EMBLEMS.

2. Some diet soda has one: CALORIE.  A measure of the energy content of ingestibles.

3. College football powerhouse: ALABAMA.  The Crimson Tide.

4. [not my mistake]: SIC.  Sic is a Latin term meaning “thus.” It is used to indicate that something incorrectly written is intentionally being left as it was in the original. [Sic] is usually italicized and always surrounded by brackets to indicate that it was not part of the original.  If it ends up being unintentionally funny, it's {sic} humor.

5. Maori dance with rhythmic chanting: HAKA. If, like me, you knew noting about this, you can learn more here.

6. Exorcist's target: SPIRIT.  Presumably of the evil variety.

7. Gets in: ARRIVES.

8. Took a downturn: WORSENED.  

9. "Everything's fine!": I'M OK.

10. Postal motto word: NOR.  "Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds"   Until recently.

11. Reason to skip lunch, maybe: BUSY DAY.  If it's really busy, I might miss my nap.  But lunch?!? Hardly.

12. How some candid comments are made: OFF MIKE.  Or so the speaker hopes.

13. Enthusiastic supporter: BOOSTER.

18. "Jersey Shore" airer: MTV.

22. __ check: test of character: GUT.  An evaluation or test of a person's resolve, commitment, or priorities, typically with respect to a particular course of action.

24. Belgrade resident: SERB.  City and citizen of Serbia.

26. Aver: ASSERT.  Avow, proclaim..

28. Rusty nail liquor: SCOTCH.  The Rusty Nail is a cocktail made from Drambuie and SCOTCH whisky. Drambuie is a liqueur with a SCOTCH whisky base.  The classic recipe is two parts Scotch to one part Drambuie, over ice. Modern versions are as dry as 5 to 1.  A lemon twist is optional. 

30. Silly person: TWIT.

32. Munich address: HERR.  Meaning Mister or Sir.

36. Cheered for: ROOTED ON. For your favorite sports team

38. Whimper: MEWL.

39. Was overcome with emotion, informally: PLOTZED.  I was unfamiliar with this Yiddish term.

40. Corrupt: DEPRAVE.  This equivalence is legit, but I would never use them interchangeably

41. Like some violets: AFRICAN.   The various pecies and cultivars are commonly called African violets (although they are not closely related to true violets) or saintpaulias. They are commonly used as indoor houseplants, but can also be kept as outdoor plants in certain climates.

My mom was fond of them

43. Loan sharks: USURERS.  Lenders of last resort who charge exorbitant fees.

45. Draco Malfoy, to Harry Potter: NEMESIS.  A loog-standing rival, or arch enemy.

47. Cuddled, in a way: SPOONED. In a couple of ways.  You choose.

1 : to nestle close together while lying down with one person facing the back of another

2 [perh. from the Welsh custom of an engaged man's presenting his fiancée with an elaborately carved wooden spoon] : to engage in amorous caressing, kissing, and conversation : NECK

49. Line on many bills: TAX.  Sales tax, in this instance.

50. Condescending: SMIRKY. characterized by or having a smirk, especially so as to seem irritatingly smug or conceited..  Could be condescending, by not necessarily.

54. "Quiet on the __!": director's cry: SET.

57. Pay to play: ANTE.  An initial bet before the cards are dealt.

58. Sows, e.g.: SHES.  Females.

61. Operate: USE.    Run also fits. Need perps.

62. Punk rock offshoot: EMO.  A style of rock music resembling punk but having more complex arrangements and lyrics that deal with more emotional subjects.  

So ends another Wednesday.  Now, go out and get some SUN.

Cool regards,

JzB

L.A. Times Crossword Wednesday, May 26, 2021 Winston Emmons

Theme: Stagecraft.  The last lines of the theme entries construct a PLAY, from the ground up.

20 A. Reveal more than is acceptable, say: CROSS THE LINE.  Go to far, in almost any context

36 A. Bicker in public, say: CAUSE A SCENE.  Who would ever do this?

42 A. Avoid involvement: REFUSE TO ACT.  See no evil, avoid taking a side.

, since all the world's a stage, 54 A. Miss a bunt sign, say: BOTCH THE PLAY.  Any sort of offensive or defensive mis-play in a sport

And the unifier: 63. The four longest Across answers can cause it, and their last words suggest it: DRAMA.

Each entry, in order, specifies a larger portion of a theatrical production - though, since all the world's a stage, DRAMA can ensue independently with any of the theme clues.

Hi, Gang, JazzBumpa here to direct our way through this presentation.  Let's not miss any cues. 

Across:

1. Yearn: LONG.  Earnestly desire something

5. Son of Homer: BART.  On the long-running Simpsons TV show

9. New Zealand bird: KIWI. 

13. Decorate: ADORN.  Presumably enhance the beauty of.

15. Son of Isaac: ESAU.  Biblical twin.

16. Turkmenistan neighbor: IRAN.  In Western Asia, 

17. Homeland of Heraclitus: IONIA.   An ancient region on the central part of the western coast of Anatolia in present-day Turkey, 

18. The Heritage Foundation, for one: THINK TANK.  A research institute that advocates for program actions regarding economics, social policy, political strategy, etc.  

22. Philosopher __-tzu: LAO.

23. Miami-to-Kingston dir.: SSE.  South-south-east to Jamaica.

24. Texting format, for short: SMS. Short Message Service.

27. __-bitty: ITTY.  Teeny tiny.

30. H.S. record: GPA. Grade Point Average from your Time in High School.

33. "Can we do this?": IS IT OK?   Are we allowed?

35. Crow call: CAW.  Sound of crows - if there is a crow call roll call, it could lead to murder.

38. Island greeting: ALOHA.  In Hawaii

40. Chiefs' org.: NFL. Kansas City tea in the National Football League.

41. Chillingly strange: EERIE.  Disturbingly mysterious.

45. Bottom line: NET.  The final total of a balance sheet or other financial document.

46. Password preceder: USER I D. You need both to get past a pay wall.

47. Messenger __: RNA.  A single-stranded molecule of RNA that corresponds to the genetic sequence of a gene, and is read by a ribosome in the process of synthesizing a protein. 

48. Reel holders: RODS. Fishing gear

49. Sun. speech: SERmon, delivered in church.

50. Never, to Nietzsche: NIE.  German.

52. Biol. or ecol.: SCI.  Sciences.

60. Sleeveless undergarments: CAMISOLES.  Usually made of satin , nylon, silk or cotton

Silk

64. Track shape: OVAL. A closed planar curve having a long axis and a short axis.

65. Hindu deity: RAMA.  The 7th avatar of Vishnu.  {more]

66. Peter, vis-‡-vis pumpkins: EATER.   From a nursery rhyme about revenge on a wayward wife. 

67. Like some basements: DANK.  Dark, cold and damp.

68. Recipe verb: STIR.  Blend with mixing device.

69. Await judgment: PEND. Remain undecided.

Down:

1. Not clerical: LAIC.  Not of the clergy.

2. Skunk tipoff: ODOR. The unpleasant aroma of butyl mercaptan.

3. Taboo: NONO.  Something to not do.

4. Like details that make you go "Eww!": GRISLY.

5. One of the March sisters: BETH.  She dies during the course of Little Women, an 1868 novel by Louisa May Alcott

6. Arthur of tennis: ASHE.  Arthur Robert Ashe, Jr. [1943-1993] won three grand slam singles titles, and was the first black player selected to the U.S. Davis Cup team. 

7. Train tracks: RAILS.

8. North African country: TUNISIA.  The northernmost country in Africa, along the Mediterranean Sea, bordered by Algeria to the west and Lybia to the east.

 

Mandatory

 9. Toy on a string: KITE.  Or could be a yoyo, as I first thought .

10. George's lyricist: IRA.  The Gershwin brothers

11. Pale: WAN. In an unhealthy way.

12. Printer fluid: INK.

14. "Apollo 11" org.: NASA. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is an independent agency of the U.S. federal government responsible for the civilian space program, as well as aeronautics and space research. 

19. Israeli parliament: KNESSET.  The Knesset passes all laws, elects the president and prime minister (although the latter is ceremonially appointed by the President), approves the cabinet, and supervises the work of the government. In addition, the Knesset elects the state comptroller.

21. Frat party garb: TOGA. The toga, a distinctive garment of ancient Rome, was a roughly semicircular cloth, between 12 and 20 feet in length, draped over the shoulders and around the body. It was usually woven from white wool, and was worn over a tunic

24. Fondue fuel: STERNO.  Jellied denatured alcohol in a can, used for buffet heating.

25. Affluent: MONIED.  Wealthy.

26. Robot companion of superhero Booster Gold: SKEETS. More here, in case you care.

27. Wax-winged flier of myth: ICARUS.  He flew too close to the sun.  Could this be a metaphor?

28. "Unto the Sons" memoirist: TALESE. Gay Talese [b 1932] started as a sports writer in high school, and as a journalist for The New York Times and Esquire magazine during the 1960s, he helped to define contemporary literary journalism. 

29. BOGO offering: TWOFER. Buy One, Get One [at no extra charge}: two for the prices of one.

31. Fourth-down play: PUNT.  In American football, a play that gives up the ball by kicking it down the field to give the opposing team a less advantageous position.
  
32. Concerning: AS FOR.  In regard to

34. Drink cooler: ICE.  Frozen water.

36. Foxwoods and Caesars: CASINOS.  Gambling establishments.  Remember - odds always favor the house.

37. Vigorous spirit: ELAN.   Energy, style and enthusiasm.

39. Ben-__: HUR.  An epic 1959 film set in A.D. 26 about a Jewish prince in Jerusalem betrayed into slavery by a Roman commander who was his childhood friend.  After that, DRAMA happens.

43. Masthead names: EDITORS.   The masthead is a printed list, published in a fixed position in each edition, of a publication's owners, departments, officers, contributors and address details.

44. Credit alternative: CASH.  Money handed over.

48. Breakwater material: RIPRAP.  Loose stone piled in place to prevent shore erosion.

51. Dazzling display: ECLAT.  Brilliant success.

53. Surrender, as land: CEDE.  To yield or grant, typically by treaty.

54. Defraud: BILK.  Cheat.

55. Prefix with sphere: HEMI.  Indicating half of

56. Winter Palace resident: TSAR. Pre- WWI Russian despot.

57. Of __: recently: LATE.  Currently

58. Congregation cry: AMEN.  Utterance at the end of a prayer, meaning "so be it."

59. Very tall beer glass: YARD.  

60. "Sacred" fish carving in the Massachusetts State House: COD.   Read about it here.

61. "Selma" director DuVernay: AVA.  Ava Marie DuVernay [b 1972] is an American filmmaker. She won the directing award in the U.S. dramatic competition at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival for her second feature film Middle of Nowhere, becoming the first black woman to win the award.

62. Hombre: MAN.  Spanish

And so we draw the curtain on another Wednesday.  Hope you found it worth the price of admission.

Cool regards!

JzB