Scott Earl’s New York Times crossword—Amy’s recap

NY Times crossword resolution, 12 2 22, no. 1202

Solved this one on a laptop computer with out Black Ink fixing software program so I used the NYT internet interface and I actually don’t groove on it—so take my fixing time with a grain of salt, and don’t assume that is Saturday-tough … except it kicked your butt, by which case I’ll agree it’s a toughie! I did sluggish myself down with 1d, guessing HERE’S fairly than MELBA toast, which dominated out MONSTER MASH and despatched me elsewhere within the grid.

Lots of nice fill right here: That novelty tune is stacked with the EDITORIAL “WE” and a LIFETIME BAN. “I CAN’T WATCH!” and “NO SPOILERS!” are enjoyable. The backside stack places the terrific RECENCY BIAS atop a PHOTO CREDIT and MIND-READERS. Elsewhere, I favored “GREAT GAME!,” NORTH STAR, and Okay-POP.

20a. [Like Chicago, geographically], UPSTATE. True story: We Chicagoans name just about your entire state outdoors of the town and suburbs (and probably the exurbs) “Downstate.” Freeport and Galena are effectively north(west) of Chicago, however I’d completely bundle them with all of the locations south of Chicagoland. I half suspect New York City does an analogous factor—is western New York deemed to be upstate?

Four stars from me.