IMPORTANT NOTE: As of January 2015 MGWCC is a subscribers-only crossword. The cost is $26 per year, and you can subscribe (or get a free trial month first) here:
LAST WEEK’S RESULTS:
She’s recovering nicely, and will soon be back at the helm of Crossword Fiend. By whom I mean AMY at 40-Across, clued as [Crossword Fiend founder/blogger Reynaldo, who underwent this operation successfully last weekend].
456 solvers found KIDNEY TRANSPLANT as the relevant medical procedure. KID and NEY had each been taken from one phrase and transplanted to another, like so:
17-A [Begins to memorize all dictionary entries starting with the 19th letter? (to 24-Across)] = HITS THE S’S (“kid” removed from “hits the skids”)
24-A [Very impressive abduction and ransom note? (from 17-Across)] = POWER KIDNAP, with “kid” transplanted into the phrase “power nap.”
52-A [Person who washes the clothes of humorist Rocca? (to 63-Across)] = MO LAUNDERER (“ney” removed from “money launderer”)
63-A [Film genre where a former presidential candidate falls in love? (from 52-Across)] = ROMNEY-COM, with “ney” transplanted into the phrase “rom-com.”
Amy Reynaldo says:
D’aw! Thanks, Matt. This was my first postop crossword!
Rosebud quips:
Some re(n)ally clever clues.
Ben Vincent says:
how fiendish!
Neil B writes:
As a physician I am requesting next time make the medical procedure week 4
Tahnan took an interesting detour:
I wonder if anyone did what I thought about: got the first pair of theme entries and submitted “Caesarian section”.
And finally, Lynne R Equation expressed the thoughts sent in by many, many commenters:
Wishing Amy Reynaldo good luck and a speedy recovery from her surgery.
This week’s winner, whose name was chosen at random from the 456 correct entries received, is Lorraine Barg of Stamford, Conn. In addition to a MGWCC pen, pencil and notepad set, Lorraine will also received a signed copy of Jeff Bartsch‘s new crossword-based young adult novel, Two Across. Next week’s winner will receive the same. 
THIS WEEK’S INSTRUCTIONS:
This week’s contest answer is a three-word phrase whose second word is “or.”
IMPORTANT NOTE: As of January 2015 MGWCC is a subscribers-only crossword. The cost is $26 per year, and you can subscribe (or get a free trial month first) here:
Solve well, and be not led astray by words intended to deceive.