Hi all!
Jeffrey here.
“Not Thinking Straight” is this week’s puzzle title and there is only one obvious theme answer:
40a [Hidden prejudice exposed when this puzzle is solved] – UNCONSCIOUS BIAS.
The other theme answers are hidden (well hidden in plain sight of the circled letters), appropriately on diagonals: SLANT, LEAN, TILT, LIST, SLOPE, SKEW.
Canadian content:
14a [____-la-Crosse, Sask. (historic trading post)] – ILE-A.
32a [R.C.M.P. member, informally] – COP.
6d [Canadian tennis star known for his punishing serve] – Milos RAONIC.
36d [Trading place on Bay St.] – TSX. Toronto Stock Exchange.
41d [Young singer from Toronto?] – NEIL.
44d [“___ Lady” (Tom Jones) song] –SHE’S A. Written by Paul Anka.
More concert time:
5a [Disney mermaid] – ARIEL.
15a [Song “___ Horse (Ride a Cowboy)”] – SAVE A.
22a [Title boy played by Streisand] – YENTL.
65a [Goofy Gomer of TV] – PYLE.
62d [“___ yellow ribbon round …”] – TIE A.
64d [Like the Eagles’ eyes of song] – LYIN’.
Tip of the Week
The diagonal hidden words are triple-checked, meaning each of those letters need to fit 3 words – the usual across and down as well as the diagonal. This makes constructing this puzzle exponentially more difficult than a normal one. Kudos to Barb for getting this to work.
Bonus Tip of the Week
If you want to join others at a virtual crossword tournament, sign up for Lollapuzzoola being held on Saturday August 21.
See you next week!