Comments on: Independent 7709/Phi

By: Phi

Phi — Sat, 02 Jul 2011 09:44:30 +0000

This came about because I was fascinated to see Hugh Laurie as House (quite unlike anything he’s done hitherto) and then realised that most of the characters had surnames that were either words, or perfectly reasonable crossword entries – always a good opener for a ‘ghost theme’. I had hoped the use of CUDDY when CADDY was much more obvious might have provoked a few people to look for the the theme.

By: Allan_C

Allan_C — Sat, 02 Jul 2011 07:33:09 +0000

As caretman says, solvable without knowing the theme: just as well as I’m still not sure what it’s all about. Though I thought I saw a mini-theme emerging in the SW corner with CUDDY, COCKPIT and SIDECAR which are all somewhat confined spaces.

By: John

John — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 22:30:28 +0000

My apologies for misleading everyone. I think that the message referred to a Full House, not a full house. That would have made it easier; for some, but not for me: I have never seen the programme, although I think very highly of Hugh Laurie and he was wonderful in Blackadder and wonderful as Bertie Wooster.

By: Thomas99

Thomas99 — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 11:00:24 +0000

Of course! How could I miss the House connection! Especially with Cuddy there – a word I only know in that context. My favourite’s Cameron – and Doctor Ceausescu of course, he’s very dashing.

By: scchua

scchua — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 10:10:23 +0000

Thanks John, and Phi.

Like others, no problems completing it without knowing of the theme. Favourites were 12D HOISIN SAUCE, one of the first in for me; 27A D’ARTAGNAN, one of the last in; and 18A PARASITIC. Adding to caretman@1, I think “drastic” describes something at the extreme, where there is no tolerance or spare, and thus “unsparing”.

By: flashling

flashling — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 08:55:03 +0000

Oh the TV programme House? Never seen it, anyway easy enough for me after yesterday anyway.

Did hmmm a bit at ICI. Have to read the paper on the wasy home now!

Thanks John/Phi

By: Kathryn's Dad

Kathryn's Dad — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 08:28:38 +0000

Thank you, John, for your blog.

Well-clued and entertaining as always from Phi. I’ve never seen the TV programme, but I have read that Hugh Laurie was well-received by US audiences. Didn’t matter though – perfectly enjoyable puzzle despite my ignorance of the theme.

I liked AGNUS DEI and DARTAGNAN. I didn’t bother looking up CUDDY because it couldn’t be anything else, but for me, it’s a North-East dialect word for ‘horse’.

I didn’t have a problem with ICI in 13dn, but I have noticed that a number of other setters are using ‘old chemical firm’ these days, since ICI haven’t been around for a good few years.

Fine end to the week, thank you to Phi.

By: kloot

kloot — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 06:22:04 +0000

The theme is House. Well worth watching for the unsurpassed level of grumpiness from Hugh Laurie!

By: sidey

sidey — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 05:16:39 +0000

I think it’s the telly programme House.

By: caretman

caretman — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 03:30:15 +0000

Well, John, I’m as blind as you are when it comes to the theme for this puzzle. But it is clearly solvable without recognizing the theme. For 22a, I considered that a drastic cut in the budget would mean that no one was spared, making ‘drastic’ equivalent to ‘unsparing.’ Maybe a stretch but I imagine other responders to the blog will have better examples than I just gave. It was an eminently fair puzzle and quite enjoyable, so thanks to Phi.