MGWCC #567 — Friday, April 12th, 2019 — “The Leftovers”

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:

http://www.mgwcc.com/

LAST WEEK’S RESULTS:

Title: “The Big Picture”
Instructions: This week’s contest answer is a classic movie that would have made a good fifth theme entry.
Answer: KING KONG

That was easy, as the Staples ads say. Successful meta-solvers recognized the pattern in the four theme entries:

15-A: [“Inside Out” character voiced by Richard Kind] = BING BONG

9-D: [Doorbell’s sound] = DING-DONG

52-A: [Will Shortz’s sport] = PING-PONG. And mine, too — here’s a view from my office chair to prove it. I bet Shortz could crush me, though. I only play four times a week.

28-D: [Having a rising and falling rhythm, as someone’s voice] = SINGSONG.

So we need another ?ing-?ong phrase, and the 1933 classic KING KONG it is.

JanglerNPL writes:

Possibly the easiest meta ever. Going for an entry record? 🙂

Yes, and got it! 653 right answers, beating the old Subscription-Era record by two. But still shy of the Pre-Subscription Era record, which was 723.

Amy Reynaldo says:

Putting GO APE and FAY Wray in the middle is a nice touch.

Tough to sneak anything by someone who’s blogged many thousands of puzzles…

Laura M says:

Well NOW I feel “babied.” 🙂

And finally, StevetheSax argues that my Difficulty-O-Meter is still off!

This is a week zero!!!

This week’s winner, whose name was chosen at random from among the 653 correct entries received, is Jeff Davidson of Mountain View, Calif. In addition to a MGWCC pen, pencil, and notepad set, Jeff will also receive a signed copy of my book Pint-Size Crosswords.

THE 2019 INDIE 500:

I’ll be there as a competitor! Definitely say hi if you’re there, too. It’s Saturday, June 1st, 2019, in Washington, D.C., and a lot of fun (this’ll be my third year). Hosted by a band of high-powered young crossword stars. All the info here. I’m going to win the whole thing so don’t get your hopes up.

THIS WEEK’S INSTRUCTIONS:

This week’s contest answer is something you might say while struggling with a tough meta.

Solve well, and be not led astray by words intended to deceive.

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