LAST WEEK’S RESULTS:
With one exception, each of last week’s theme entries spelled out the name of a TV network using three shows on that network:
19-a CSI / BECKER / SURIVIVOR (CBS)
34-a NURSES / BONANZA / CTRL (NBC)
51-a HUNG / BATTLESTARS / OZ (HBO)
71-a ALIAS / BARETTA / COACH (ABC)
The exception was BATTLESTARS at 51-a, which appeared not on HBO but rather on NBC. Which makes that 1980s game show our meta answer, as contest instructions asked for the one show that was “out of place.” 561 solvers got it right from a total of 580 entries.
AKO says:
Easily Solved Puzzle, Nice!!
Pete Mitchell liked it too:
Big Love. Not Bored to Death at all.
Papasmurf writes:
What’s scary is that I can remember the network affiliations of shows from so long ago. I think I’ll go read a book.
Golem asks:
No love for Firefly, O.C., X-Files?
I did consider a FOX entry, but it’s “The X-Files,” which ruins the pattern of one-word shows.
And finally, Steve T took an intriguing wrong turn during his solve:
For 40D, I put in TIGER (TIBER) before crossings led me elsewhere
The clue for 40-d was [Animal that’s one letter off from a river] for the answer RHINE (rhino being the animal).
Two minor technical things from last week’s puzzle: 1) I accidentally sent an unlocked Across Lite file to solvers on this one, so you may have noticed Mr. Happy Pencil at the end of your solve if you’re a Google Group member. He will not be making further appearances! 2) Also note that I’ve started putting contest instructions in the Notepad on the AL file.
This week’s winner, whose name was chosen at random from the 561 correct entries received, is Richard Freeland of Cambridge, U.K. In addition to a MGWCC pen, pencil and notepad set, Richard will also receive a copy of Andrew Ries’ new meta-contest.
SPECIAL PRIZES THIS WEEK AND NEXT:
In addition to a MGWCC pen, pencil and notepad set, winners this week and next will receive an autographed copy of Tyler Hinman‘s new book Winner’s Circle Crosswords: Puzzles From a Five-Time Champion.
THIS WEEK’S INSTRUCTIONS:
This week’s contest answer is a well-known company with six letters in its name. Submit your answer in the form on the left sidebar by WEDNESDAY at noon ET (note the extra day, given since the MIT Mystery Hunt is this weekend — good luck to those attending). Note: the submissions form disappears from the site promptly at noon on WEDNESDAY .
To print the puzzle out, click on the image below and hit “print” on your browser. To solve using Across Lite either solve on the applet below or download the free software here, then join the Google Group (1,952 members now!) here.
Solve well, and be not led astray by words intended to deceive.