No longer gonna lie, felt ravishing true pulling off the double-J at 17-Down in Thursday’s puzzle. Solution there changed into HAJJ, clued as [Pilgrimage to Mecca], and these J crossings were both quality: Nicki MINAJ and elephantine-title BONG JOON-HO.
Or no longer it’s one thing to cowl HAJJ in a chunk of 4×3 nook; that’s love dunking in observe on an empty court docket. But crossing it with MINAJ and BONG JOON-HO front and center love that is more love dunking over LeBron in a playoff sport. OK, I am going to end now.
Uncommon double letters love JJ are constantly an unexpected twist for solvers. SKYY vodka is equally enjoyable since the double-Y is irregular, and same with one thing love OH, HEY! Where the double-H would possibly per chance additionally throw solvers off.
This puzzle additionally didn’t resolve for its two long theme entries: vogue at the 2021 Cannes Movie Festival purple carpet wasn’t restricted to 10-letter BELLA HADID and the aforementioned BONG JOON-HO. We additionally snuck references to SPIKE Lee, ANDIE MacDowell, and HELEN Mirren into the combo. And I’m ecstatic I resisted the usage of puns on “Cannes,” which are certainly performed out by now.
Did we miss anyone on the purple carpet? You Cannes tweet them to us at #beastxword. Oh, sorry…
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