Spoilers are present in the following content. It is advisable to complete today’s puzzle prior to continuing with the reading.
Comments From Today’s Crossword Constructors
Amie & Amanda: We have been devoted fans of Something Corporate for over two decades and recently attended the band’s performances on consecutive nights in our respective cities.
This theme is particularly fitting for our collaboration, as our initial interaction on social media occurred after Amie witnessed Andrew McMahon perform “Konstantine” at a solo concert in 2022.
The first time we met in person, Amanda played that very song on the piano. The lyrics include, “I always catch the clock it’s 11:11 / and now you want to talk.” We appreciate your participation on this 11/11!
What I Learned from Today’s Puzzle
USERS (47D: Individuals with LiveJournal accounts, once) LiveJournal was a widely used blogging platform during the early 2000s. While the social networking service remains operational, it currently has a diminished number of USERS compared to its peak. In 2007, LiveJournal was acquired by a Russian company, leading to updates in its terms of service to align with Russian legislation.
Random Thoughts & Interesting Things
- THELMA (13A: “___ & Louise”) THELMA & Louise is a film released in 1991 featuring Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis in the lead roles. Here is a challenge for your cinematic knowledge: can you identify which actress plays THELMA? If you recalled that Geena Davis takes on the role of THELMA while Susan Sarandon plays Louise, congratulations are in order.
- IS IT A GO? (16A: “We gonna do this?”) and LET US (46A: We’d love to do it) I find it delightful that these two entries appear to engage in a dialogue within the puzzle.
- THETA (27A: Letter after eta) The sixth, seventh, and eighth letters of the Greek alphabet are the rhyming letters zeta, eta, and THETA.
- EVA (30A: “Girls5___”) I have previously discussed the sitcom Girls5EVA.
- LIE (39A: It’s not to be believed) This clue is quite clever.
- KEATS (41A: “Bright Star” poet John) John KEATS (1795-1821) dedicated his poem, “Bright Star,” which expresses unwavering love, to his fiancée and muse, Fanny Brawne (1800-1865). The poem can be found on the Poetry Foundation website, beginning with the lines, “Bright star, would I were stedfast as thou art –.”
- ERAS (43A: Taylor Swift’s “Red” and “folklore,” e.g.) and SAW (23D: “I don’t wanna look at anything else now that I ___ you”) Once again, Amie and Amanda have seamlessly integrated references to Taylor Swift into their puzzle. “I don’t wanna look at anything else now that I SAW you” is a lyric from Taylor Swift’s song, “Daylight,” which belongs to her Lover ERA.
- SHE (50A: “Every Little Thing ___ Does is Magic”) and I’M HERS (16D: “That woman has my whole entire heart”) I believe these two clues complement each other nicely. “Every Little Thing SHE Does is Magic” is a song by the Police released in 1981.
- HORSE (62A: Animal on the cover of “Cowboy Carter”) Cowboy Carter marks Beyoncé’s eighth studio album, which debuted in March of this year. The album is uniquely formatted as a radio broadcast from the fictional “KNTRY Radio Texas,” featuring Dolly Parton, Linda Martell, and Willie Nelson as the disc jockeys. It incorporates a diverse array of musical genres, including country, Americana, zydeco, blues, and honky-tonk, among others. This clue is particularly relevant, as it was announced last week that Beyoncé garnered 11 Grammy nominations for Cowboy Carter.
- SCOT (15D: Glasgow resident) Glasgow, situated in the west-central region of Scotland along the River Clyde, holds the title of the most populous city in the country.
- AMEN (25D: Word repeated in Hozier’s “Take Me to Church”) Hozier, an Irish singer-songwriter, features “Take Me to Church” as the opening track of his debut album released in 2014. The title of the song aids in making this answer accessible even to those who may not be familiar with it.
- TAIL (28D: Part of a cat costume) My cat, Willow, is thrilled to encounter this clue, as she believes it has been far too long (eight days!) since we last had a cat-related reference. Here is a photo of Willow playfully hiding behind her fluffy tail.
- ANNIE (29D: “Tomorrow” musical) “The sun’ll come out / Tomorrow / Bet your bottom dollar / That tomorrow there’ll be sun … Tomorrow, tomorrow / I love ya tomorrow / You’re always a day away.” This delightful excerpt has certainly provided an earworm, thank you, puzzle!
- DEER (34D: “Now she’s smilin’ ear to ear / She’s the headlights, I’m the ___”) The line “Now she’s smilin’ ear to ear / She’s the headlights, I’m the DEER” is taken from Billie Eilish’s 2024 song, “Lunch.”
- MATT (36D: “Friends” star LeBlanc) MATT LeBlanc is well-known for his role as Joey Tribbiani in the sitcom Friends, which aired from 1994 to 2004, as well as in its spinoff series, Joey, from 2004 to 2006.
- SNL (38D: NBC show with a “Totino’s” sketch) Totino’s is a well-known brand of frozen pizza. Several sketches featuring Totino’s aired
- TIO (57D: Bruno, to Mirabel, in “Encanto”) The puzzle obviously forgot that “We don’t talk about Bruno, no, no, no / We don’t talk about Bruno, but…” In the animated movie Encanto (2021), Bruno is Mirabel’s TIO (uncle).
Crossword Puzzle Theme Synopsis
- KEEP ME COMPANY (17A: “Stay so I’m not lonely!”)
- I MEAN BUSINESS (35A: “This is serious to me now”)
- STANDING FIRM (52A: Refusing to budge)
SOMETHING CORPORATE is an alternative rock band. Notably, in their puzzle dated September 29, 2024, Amie and Amanda incorporated a lyric from the SOMETHING CORPORATE track “Konstantine” as part of a clue. Currently, SOMETHING CORPORATE provides an engaging theme. I valued the numerous musical references included today, which I have come to anticipate from the collaboration of Amie and Amanda. My gratitude goes to Amie and Amanda for this outstanding puzzle.
