Jill Singer’s Wall Street Journal crossword, “Inside Information”—Jim P’s evaluate

Today’s lengthy theme solutions encompass phrases which have a associated phrase hidden inside and recognized by circles. The clues all characteristic units of query marks which ought to be changed with the circled phrases.

Wall St Journal crossword resolution · “Inside Information” · Jill Singer · Wed., 10.19.22

• 20a. [It might be ????] PRECIPITATION. Rain.
• 36a. [Get rid of a ???, say] EXTERMINATE. Rat.
• 42a. [Result of a bad ????] INDIGESTION. Diet.
• 57a. [Like a ???? scream] BLOOD-CURDLING. Loud.

Pretty nifty theme. I don’t know the way one goes about looking for phrases that match this theme, apart from poring by means of lists of potential candidates, so kudos to our constructor for placing collectively a pleasant set. I’m wondering what different entries have been left on the slicing room flooring. Can you consider different examples?

Nice lengthy fill with Richard the LIONHEART and ENDTABLES topping issues. New-to-me are RIMA [Terza ___ (verse form)] and PENTE [Board game akin to go], however the crossings have been all truthful (assuming the solver is aware of Marisa TOMEI).

Clues of notice:

• 48a. [Ford and Friedan]. BETTYS. Betty Friedan was a author whose 1963 ebook, The Feminine Mystique, “is often credited with sparking the second wave of American feminism in the 20th century.” (Wikipedia)
• 54a. [Gimpel of “God Friended Me”]. ERICA. Never heard of the CBS present which was canceled through the peak of the pandemic.

Clever theme, strong fill. 3.5 stars.