Pun of a Kind

PDF / PUZ Hello hello! A brutal road series, where the Cubs go 1-2 against both the Mariners and the Diamondbacks, the latter of which always play us tough. --- No answer for the previous meta, since we're posting this one a day early to avoid a double-post with MGWCC. This is puzzle #190, almost to 200 and our final puzzle in this year's Summer of Solves. We will go back to every other Saturday until the Winter Solvestice , as long as inspiration strikes! Final one will clock in at Level 3/3.5 , and thanks to Jangler for test-solving and somehow getting the entire thing in 8 minutes. Good luck, and may all your solves be beautiful! Mikey G The answer to the meta is my apropos message to you right after you finish it.  

PDF / PUZ Hello hello! And now Cubs are six  games back at the Brewers. Sigh. --- Puzzle #188 answer:  COUNT BASIE Correct entries:  62 Shortest explanation: A bit SAD: the five main themers have the numbers ONE through FIVE appearing, with a letter change. Those letter changes spell BASIE, suggesting (with the numbers) COUNT BASIE , the answer to the meta. --- Penultimate meta in the Summer of Solves ! I had no idea here, so I asked a buddy behind the scenes for some brainstorming topics, and this is what resulted! Solid Level 2 . Good luck, and may all your solves be beautiful! Mikey G The answer to the meta is a 2-word phrase in the form (7, 4).  

PDF / PUZ Hello hello! Cubs are only 3 games back on the Brewers, so I'm happy. That is all. --- Puzzle #187 answer: MACBETH Correct entries: 92 (!!!) Shortest explanation: The five themers all have the letters A, B, and C in various permutations: L ABC OAT, CASH CAB , D CBA SED, RI BCA GE, and WIN BAC K. The missing permutation of ACB can be found in MACBETH  (also 7 letters!) - and the answer to the meta! --- Antepenultimate meta in the Summer of Solves ! I'd say somewhere in the Level 2.5/3  range. Good luck, and may all your solves be beautiful! Mikey G The answer to the meta is a well-known 20th-century American in the form (5, 5).  

PDF / PUZ Hello hello! Cubs had an incredible series at home. Yeah, we only took 1 of 3 from the Yankees - but then have since swept the Dodgers, had an incredible Blue Jays come-from-behind win, and are taking care of business on the road. (Too bad the Brewers are always perfect, haha.) --- Puzzle #186 answer: EMMA Correct entries:  70 Shortest explanation: Unfortunately, I underestimated this one. There were nine surnames in the grid, of people both real and fictional: PEEL, WATSON, WOODHOUSE, SLATER, THOMPSON, BARON, LAZARUS, ROBERTS, and STONE.  I was hoping a few of these would nudge in the direction to EMMA , but I think too many were rather obscure. However, at least one got it immediately upon seeing WOODHOUSE in the grid, so I'll take it! --- This has to be a Level 1 . Please lol Good luck, and may all your solves be beautiful! Mikey G The answer to the meta is the Shakespearean play that would have made a good sixth theme entry.