Big Names In Business

The NYTimes puzzle aforetitled arrived today, and after the cleverness of last week's this was really disappointing. Composed by Patrick Berry, it contains a lot of awkward clues that are definite 'stretchers.' Examples? Water Sprite = 'nixie.' Lean = 'List.' Huh? Isolate, possibly? = "Ice In". Black varnish = 'Japan'. These are pretty cheap, really. While the primary theme isn't especially difficult, a lot of the small corners or sections of the puzzle will throw most people, understandably. Some other words, not illegal or awkward per se, include 'daphnia,' 'diopter,' 'cassoulet.' And, of course, obscure names: Bendict I, Cuyp, Samsa.

The theme? Oh, silly clues related to celebrities. "Studio started by a TV actor?" = "TEDDANSONSTRUCTION." "Travel services started by a Spanish actress? = "PENELOPECRUZLINE". The others are at least a bit better (Eydie Gorme Foods, Oscar de la Renta Car, Mean Joe Greene House, Tammy Faye Bakkery), but 'Jodie Foster Care is just pathetic. Not impressed with this one.

More than a whiff of desperation here.