Looks like Liz Gorski and Will Shortz forgot that Sean Connery played Bond again in 1983's "Never Say Never Again".

Is 80-across EAAYA? What the...?
Tuning Spork | Homepage | 05.24.08 - 11:46 pm | #

Aah, nevermind. It's TBS and EASY A.

heh.
Tuning Spork | Homepage | 05.24.08 - 11:58 pm | #

My order:

Sean Connery
Daniel Craig
Roger Moore
Pierce Brosnan
Tim Dalton
George Lazenby

The Daniel Craig Casino Royale was really good, although the key poker hand was even more preposterous than the one in the Cincinnati Kid.

I didn't bother to figure out what the circled letters meant and thank you for pointing it out. An excellent puzzle.

Steve
Steve Manion | 05.25.08 - 12:07 am | #

I read the title of the puzzle, saw the circles, and drew the martini glass. Knew the theme before I had even read a clue.

I like that the Bonds are placed in the grid in chronological order, from Connery to Lazenby down through Brosnan and then Craig. Nice touch.

Not a big Bond fan, but enjoyed the puzzle.
kratsman | 05.25.08 - 7:38 am | #

Orange, thanks for the note. I do think Liz is a great constructor and I would hate to try to rank her 1,000+ puzzles in order of likability...she is great.

The NYT crossword puzzles require a good working knowledge of NYC and California place names. Think I'll keep your posted map for reference. I gave up on the applet posting last night as it would not accept my answer. I can't spell very well and tried many alternatives. Finally, I realized it was ICES not aces for 114d Clinches. duh!

I did think it was intelligent and quite enjoyable. Hope it is a reflective and wonderful Memorial Day weekend for all. Think we will have a themed puzzle on Monday?
PhillySolver | 05.25.08 - 8:29 am | #

Soho is SOuth of HOuston, NOho is NOrth. Houston is pronounced with an 'oust'. You also get Nolita for NOrth of Little ITAly, Tribeca for TRIangle BElow CAnal, I think one or two others like that.

At least that's what I've heard--I'm from Squirrel Hill, which has never been called Squihi or Squill as far as I know.

I was hoping for a sub-2 moot, but I'll have to settle for 2.x and a personal best.
SethG | Homepage | 05.25.08 - 9:11 am | #

I grew up in Wayne NJ, which is in Passaic county. Loved the puzzle. Big bond fan. The LATIMES was slog this week. Trouble in the southern middle.
John | 05.25.08 - 12:12 pm | #

Tuning Spork, I deleted your last comment and my e-mail explaining why bounced back undelivered. Can you give me an alternate e-mail address?
Orange | Homepage | 05.25.08 - 1:07 pm | #

loved that I got the NYT theme (and the martini glass) *without* looking at the Notepad. Not bad for an old lady. And hooray! Another crossword bird/word that I've seen. Although I thought it was spelled with a Z so I was happy to see in Philly Solvers blog that it is the same bird. Loved the puzzle -- Liz Gorski is amazing.
sallie rainville | Homepage | 05.25.08 - 1:23 pm | #

Adding "2008" to the clue for Daniel Craig would
have been a nice touch ... even though the film has not been released yet.
Nice theme by Ms. Gorski.
License to Nit | 05.25.08 - 2:00 pm | #

mmm, klahn themeless. gotta love that! XFACTOR was probably the highlight. i spent some time trying to remember jazzy jeff's last name and could not. RHUMB was a new one for me, too. also BLINDPIG, but i was happy to learn it. very colorful phrase.

NYT puzzle was great, too, but everybody else seems to have already said anything i was going to say about it. i guess that's what i get for getting around to these things a day late.
joon | 05.26.08 - 5:12 pm | #