Pun of a Kind

PDF  /  PUZ Hello hello! I'm not sure where in the world these White Sox came from after the All-Star Break, but I'm here for it, honestly! (Except after they trounced my Cubbies last night.) Trade deadline before the next puzzle releases, so hopefully we'll have some new players by then! --- 1.  Puzzle #143 answer: FRED ROGERS (MR. ROGERS) Correct entries:  72 Shortest explanation: The "X"-shapes in the grid spell out "THE OWL." The other numeric signposts lead us to the fact that the only other word in the fictional character is a...one letter long? Yes, simply "X." String together "X THE OWL" (in quotes!) and go to Mr. Google if you need to, and you'll see he was performed by (and likely created by) beloved MR. FRED ROGERS , the answer to our meta in honor of #143, one of his favorite numbers (for it enumerating "I love you"). --- 2.  This was slated to be Week 4 of 4 in July, but the testers are all converging around...

PDF  /  PUZ Hello hello! An incredible All-Star weekend! National League won both  the Futures and All-Star games, Cal Raleigh had an incredible Home Run Derby, and the Cubs are back in fine form! Let's do this! --- 1.  Puzzle #142 answer:  MINT CHOCOLATE CHIP (or any ice cream with those initials, I guess, haha) Correct entries:  73 Shortest explanation: The four "meals" have initials that are roman numerals: C (100), CDL (450), CCL (250), CD (400). Add these numbers to get 1200, or MCC, in honor of MINT CHOCOLATE CHIP , my favorite. (There are probably others, though, as several have noted!). Note the Easter egg of the Mad Gab-esque MEANT CHALK LETS SHIP in the corners. --- 2. This is Week 3 of 4 in July, and I think this is a legitimate Week 3 , maybe a bit on either side of it. Good luck, and may all your solves be beautiful! Mikey G A fictional character is hiding in the grid! The answer to the meta is the well-known personality who brought him to life...

PDF  /  PUZ Hello hello! My Cubbies have been a bit on a struggle bus this week against the Twins and the Yankees, so we'll try to right the ship soon. Looking forward to the All-Star game also, of course! --- 1.  Puzzle #141 answer:  LOLCAT Correct entries:  61 Shortest explanation: Per the entry for HAHA, find the six entries whose clues' initial letters spell HAHA. Those initial letters give us LOLCAT , the answer to the meta. --- 2. I planned this one as a Week 2 , and I think I have enough signposts along the way, but we'll put it in the 2.25/2.5  range as well if your mileage varies. We'll see what happens! (Check out Crosshare for early nudges!) Good luck, and may all your solves be beautiful! Mikey G The answer to the meta is the generic, well-known  ice cream flavor (my favorite!) I'm having for dessert.  

  PDF  /  PUZ Hello hello! My Cubbies set a franchise record yesterday with EIGHT home runs in a single game, including THREE back-to-back homers and three from our first baseman Michael Busch! The future is bright! (But it's also still hot, so I'm staying inside!) --- 1.  Puzzle #140 answer:  FORTY WINKS Correct entries:  60 Shortest explanation: "Index" each entry, and take the Zth letter of each themer, where "Z" is the number of, well, "Z"s in the entry! You'll spell FORTY and can probably inference the second word. Otherwise, go to the clues and repeat! You'll get  FORTY WINKS  (in honor of puzzle #140), the answer to the meta! --- 2.  June was a complete roulette wheel in terms of levels, but I think I have a rough sequence for July planned. We start off with a breezy  Level 1 . Good luck, and may all your solves be beautiful! Mikey G The answer to the meta is something I find hilarious.