Sara Cantor & Max Schlenker’s Inkubator crossword, “The Right Outfit”—Amy’s write-up

Inkubator crossword resolution, “The Right Outfit” – 1 13 23

Jenni’s in any other case occupied, so I’m stepping in with a fast write-up earlier than the NYT puzzle comes out. This one is certainly, as billed, “lightly challenging.” The theme revealer is 60a. [Gender-bending performer who wears articles that can be found at the ends of the answers to the starred clues], DRAG QUEEN, and the title is borne out by components of a queen’s “outfit” showing on the “right” aspect of the starred solutions:

• 17a. [*”C’mon, matey, have some of this grog!”], TAKE A SWIG. Gotta have a WIG wardrobe, usually.
• 28a. [*Surfing location?], WEB ADDRESS. Yes, there may be usually a DRESS, generally designed and handcrafted by the queen herself.
• 45a. [*Beginner moves for gymnasts], CARTWHEELS. The sneakers are virtually all the time going to be HEELS.

Elegant that the themers go from head to toe, high to backside within the grid. Also? Seeing CARTWHEELS simply makes me completely satisfied. I’d most likely break myself if I attempted to show cartwheels now.

Didn’t notice TEA SNOB was a factor, however absolutely there’s a snob for all the things. Didn’t recall 44d. [2015 Flo Rida song that makes a great anthem for a party host], “MY HOUSE,” however the clue makes the title inferrable.

I might see solvers who don’t observe RuPaul’s Drag Race, present jewellery manufacturers, and Flo Rida’s oeuvre getting mired within the heart proper, however that’s on these solvers. I’m delighted to see wildly distinctive drag queen YVIE Oddly ([Performer and self-proclaimed “queerdo” ___ Oddly]) within the puzzle. Watch a few of her RPDR highlights within the video—your thoughts will boggle on the artistry.

Four stars from me.

Brad Wiegmann’s New York Times crossword—Amy’s write-up

NY Times crossword resolution, 1 13 23, no. 0113

Well, it’s Friday the thirteenth this week, so as an alternative of our customary themeless Fri NYT, we’ve received a vacation theme with plenty of circled/shaded letters. Bring on the superstitions!

• 13d. [With this answer’s number, a hit horror movie franchise], FRIDAY. The Friday the thirteenth films, obvi.
• 17a and 19a comprise STEPS on a CRACK. Bad luck, or so it’s mentioned.
• 30a’s circled letters proceed after a jagged crack (product of black squares) to spell that damaged MIRROR.
• 33d is a BLACK CAT that crosses your PATH at 40a.
• Down in 55a and 57a, we’ve received WALKS underneath a LADDER.

We do nonetheless are available on the 72-word mark, so it qualifies for Fri/Sat themeless standing. In that vein—Fave fill: IN DUE TIME, STEPS ON IT, CRACKPOT, BLACK CAT, and the oddball RORQUAL ([Streamlined type of baleen whale]).

Three extra issues:

• Didn’t know a dive boat’s ladder was referred to as a SEA LADDER. Seems extraneous! Where else would the boat’s ladder result in?? Just name it a ladder, you foolish boat folks.
• 7d. [Pollution source, say], EMITTER. Looks like a roll-your-own phrase, however hey! Factories that spew toxins into the air and water are referred to as EMITTERs, yeah? The worst emitters of greenhouse gases, and so on., and so on.?
• 11d. [Martin Luther King Jr., for one] was an ATLANTAN. This Sunday is Dr. King’s birthday, commemorated as a vacation on Monday.

3.75 stars from me.