Formerly known as the “Sunday Summer Substitute”, editor Cap'n Rick now takes the helm for 'Smooth Sailing Sundays'. As The Commodores sang about Sunday morning, the SSS will focus on easier metas. SSS will also support smaller grids and will mentor new constructors on request. Puzzles released each Sunday around 8am Eastern. Nudges released same day at Noon Eastern. New constructors are welcome.
A prompt for a recent WSJ promised “a classic TV show.” The mechanism was clever, but the classic show turned out to be one that few people had seen or knew anything about save the title. Enough is enough. So much for “classics” that you need Google for.
Inspired by that puzzle, I created this SSS. (There’s a fine line between taking inspriration from something and just plain stealing an idea. Who is to say which side of that line the current puzzle falls on?)
Thanks to @Abide for editorial assistance (he came up with the title), to @KayW for test solving and general encouragement, and @Joe Ross for making it all accessible.
Deadline noon Saturday. Nudges probably some time in the first half today. Go Steelers! The answer is a classic, well-known* TV show.
*So well-known that it’s been in the news recently.
Shannon PS: If you want help with a meta, PM what you have so I can help without spoiling too much. I've received lots of help in the beginning and I love to pay it forward!
SSSolved with one nudge (and a funny coincidence that I didn't follow up on).
Funny story. I was all set to enter Par for the course for the CrossHare midi contest for April but I mistakenly thought midi meant 7x 7 and not 11 x 11. Oops. Well.... Here's a complex but **small** meta on the subject of golf.
Bird Lives wrote: ↑Sun Oct 29, 2023 6:20 am
(There’s a fine line between taking inspriration from something and just plain stealing an idea. Who is to say which side of that line the current puzzle falls on?)
Stealing is using more or less the same mechansim (itself subjective). Inspiration is a different or variation of a mechanism. This is definitely inspiration (and inspired).
Stealing isn't so bad either if you acknowledge it and have a reason or nuanced take on the stealing.
Funny story. I was all set to enter Par for the course for the CrossHare midi contest for April but I mistakenly thought midi meant 7x 7 and not 11 x 11. Oops. Well.... Here's a complex but **small** meta on the subject of golf.
Sssolved! Not an immediate get (and I needed all the nudges) but far superior to "That's Enough".
Check out "The MOAT MEOW Mashup Pack" here. US$10 for 14 metas that don't always abide by the "rules" of the game: asymmetry, 2-letter words, uncrossed letters, who knows. And this time there's a mega-meta!
SSSolved. A great idea and meta - thanks Jay!
