Independent Crossword 9009 by Nimrod (29-08-2015)

As summer approaches its conclusion – an offering from Nimrod to ease the transition to autumn.

Some quite tricky clues mixed with a number of more straight forward ones.

And a familiar (to me anyway) theme to boot 27ac and 9ac of 2dn 22dn written by 10ac starring 20dn 5dn. also a catch phrase from the show 24/13/18 made famous by CJ. With quite a number of clues also nudging the grey cells to remember the classic comedy. Also mentions of two of the companies associated with the show 25ac and 16dn 19dn.

Nimrod also manages to reference the following works in one way or another:

• The Two Ronnies (David Nobbs was a contributor) (see 3dn)
• Shine a Light (See 9dn – clue)
• The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin (see above)
• A Bit of a Do (11ac 8ac)
• Fairly Secret Army (24ac clue with Extremely replacing fairly)
• The Life and Times of Henry Pratt (23dn)
• Cupid’s Dart (7ac)
• Fair Dos (15dn – clue with answer)

I suspect there may be more!!!

A fitting mark of respect to the humanist David Nobbs who left this earth on the 9th August to celebrate some of the great achievements of his lifetime. 24/13/18 aptly describes the subject of the crossword’s passing.

Independent’s obituary

For those unfamiliar with the theme.

Reggie Perrin

And a classic he wrote for Ronnie Barker (which reminds me of ty myping)

Ronnie Barker

Many thanks Nimrod for a challenging puzzle and so much thematic material.

PS. Any help parsing 14dn gratefully received.

Key:

* Anagram; Rev. Reverse; Underline definition; DD Double definition

ACROSS

1 Pointless  infection from Cupid’s Dart?

DD LOVE (pointless as in Tennis)

8 See 11

9 Decline to retire a little ill-affected (4)

Rev. Hidden iLL AFfected = FALL

10 Domino’s topping ratings, introducing comeback of Thunderball theme (5,5)

D (Domino’s topping) + abs (ratings) around Rev. Bond IV (Thunderball – 4th Bond film) in DAVID NOBBS

11/8 Party area? Too bad if nuts around (1,3,2,1,2)

(Too bad if)* = A BIT OF A DO

12 Rapid firing from above when reclining in office “fart-seats” (6)

Rev. Hidden officE “FART-Seats” = STRAFE

13 See 24dn

15 There can be no number determined to reverse direction  (7)

Dead set – Determined changing SE to ES (Reverse direction) = DEADEST ((Most numb)

17 Skirting artillery, snipe perhaps appears above ground (7)

Ra (artillery) in Birds (Snipe perhaps) = BRAIRDS

21 See 29

24 Extremely Secret Army avoiding ransom? It’s irregular (6)

(ransom it – RA (army) = INMOST

25 Principally 4, rubbish or tat (4)

G (Garbage) + R(Rubbish) + O(or) + T(tat) = GROT

26 Gimme that I don’t unfortunately have right to accept (4, 2, 4)

(have I don’t + r)* = HAND IT OVER

27 Difficult times: getting out of Civil Service, come back to life (4)

Crises (difficult times) N- CS (Civil service) = RISE

28 Asian river followed a course westward? Yes and no (5)

Rev. Ran (followed a course) + YN (Yes and No) M= NARYN

29/21 For refreshing main taste, sup (4, 8)

(main taste sup)* = ASTI SPUMANTE

DOWN

1 G & S production line, on which 10’s written articles (8)

IO (10) on L(line) + an + the (articles) = IOLANTHE

2 Perhaps Maudling and Hill forgetting to say Linda’s sorry (8)

Tor (hill) – to + eg (say) + (Linda)8 = REGINALD

3 “It’s good night from me..”, settling up in the Inn, Orpington (6)

Rev. Hidden thE INN ORpington = RONNIE (as in Two Ronnies)

4 Refuse some luggage found in French station (7)

Gare (French station) around bag (luggage) = GARBAGE

5 See 20

6 Those embarking on routine eleven irritating minutes late getting up to end of line (covered with more leaves) (6)

e (end of line) + Re. initials of routine eleven irritating minutes late) = ELMIER

9 Shine a Light, following sweep (5)

F(following) + lash (sweep) = FLASH

14 Top journos’ send offs for one 10 (3)

???? = EDS

15 They could be fair pushing up the turf, as the old fellow’s doing (3)

Rev (Sod – turf) = DOS

16 Good weather to avoid without heading initially for 9ac… (8)

Shun (avoid) + shine (Fall) = SUNSHINE

18 See 24

19 .. to be fair, they’re just under great pressure to get a 27 (8)

Rev (Stressed- under great pressure) = DESSERTS

20/5 Actor reprising De Niro’s star role? (7,8)

(Deniros star + role)* = LEONARD ROSSITER

22 French Physicist’s patron initially bein’ human (6)

P (patron initially) + errin’ (To err is to be human) = PERRIN

23 Pratt finally seen immersed in pure and simple poetry (5)

Mere (pure and simple) around T (Pratt finally) = METRE

24/13/18 Tired Now I’m Dead at Eighty – alternative title (1,5,3,5,1,2,5)

(Tired now I’m dead at eighty)* = I DIDN’T GET WHERE I AM TODAY