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:
Title: “I’ve Got Your Number”
Instructions: Two of this puzzle’s four theme entries are found at 15-A and 55-A. Which two one-named celebrities in the grid are also theme entries?
Answer: IMAN and LORDE at 1-A and 50-A
More like a Week 2, I know! MGWCC #550 is a Week 1 now to make up for it, then next week we’ll get back on track with a Week 3.
The two theme entries at 15-A and 55-A were:
15-A:[Constructor who wrote the extremely intricate puzzle “Shell Game” here last week] = XAN VONGSATHORN
55-A:[Four-time winner of the Grammy for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance] = LUTHER VANDROSS
Guided by the title, solvers noticed that each of these stars’ initials are also his clue number in Roman numerals. So X.V. is at 15-A, and L.V. is at 55-A. Which of the six one-named celebrities in the grid also fit the bill? IMAN at 1-Across, whose sole initial is I, and LORDE at 50-A, whose sole initial is L.
XV15 says:
Oh LORDE, I’M AN answer in this puzzle!
Smelnick says:
It took me V minutes to get this
Megan Amram says:
Really sad you didn’t use LIL XAN
And Norm Hurlbut suggests:
Could have made a 21×21 to squeeze in Cher. Drake and Madonna — forget about it.
This week’s winner, whose name was chosen at random from the 469 correct entries received, is Jerry Miccolis of Basking Ridge, N.J.. In addition to a MGWCC pen, pencil, and notepad set, Jerry will also receive a copy of Patrick Berry’s new cryptic series The 3rd Crypt.
NOVEMBER WINNERS:
Congratulations to the following twelve MGWCC winners for November, whose names were chosen at random from among the 80 people who sent in the correct contest answer to each of last month’s five puzzles (TEXAS, TIGER SHARK, MACAO, CANARY ISLANDS, SLUG/RING POP). Each will receive a MGWCC pen, pencil, and notepad set:
Peter Abide — Biloxi, Miss.
Alan Arbizu — Foster City, Calif.
Adam Doctoroff — Brookline, Mass.
Jeremy Horwitz — San Francisco, Calif.
Bill Katz — San Rafael, Calif.
Andy Kravis — Brooklyn, N.Y.
A.L.
Louis Lana — New York City, N.Y.
P.M.
Scout Mitchell — Bellingham, Wash.
Rich Novo — Andover, Mass.
Maggie Wittlin — Lincoln, Nebr.
Congratulations again to our twelve winners, and to everyone who went 5-for-5 in November.
THIS WEEK’S INSTRUCTIONS:
This week’s contest answer is a language.
Solve well, and be not led astray by words intended to deceive.