October 3, 2020

Title: TYPE IN

Constructor: Evan Kalish

Editor: Erik Agard

Theme Answers:

PARTY PEOPLE (19A: Celebration attendees)

KATY PERRY (34A: Singer of "Rise" and "Roar")

FRUITY PEBBLES (53A: Colorful cereal)

Theme synopsis: Each theme answer contains the letter string T-Y-P-E, spanning two words. Therefore, the word TYPE is found IN each theme answer.

And now a word from our constructor:

Evan: This idea stemmed from an observation of the letters in 34-Across. The puzzle has just 33 theme squares, but I hope the design makes it feel fairly substantial. I was pleased with the 7+-letter downs I was able to incorporate around the corners of the grid.

Things I learned:

• AIR SIGN (43D: Gemini, Libra or Aquarius) Each of the twelve astrological signs is associated with one of the four classical elements - Fire, Earth, Air, and Water. (Side note: These four elements were the theme of the first puzzle I blogged about.) 

Random thoughts and interesting things:

• ADOPTEE (3D: Randall or Deja on "This is Us," e.g.) The TV show This is Us centers on the lives of two parents and their three children. The story is told in several different time frames. Sterling K. Brown, who plays the role of Randall, has won several awards for the part, including an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series. Lyric Ross plays the role of Deja, Randall's daughter. 
• ROSA PARKS (4D: Activist arrested on Dec. 1, 1955, nine months after Claudette Colvin) On March 2, 1955, Claudette Colvin, who was 15 years old at the time, was arrested in Montgomery, Alabama for refusing to give up her seat to a white woman on a crowded, segregated bus. Colvin was one of five plaintiffs in the case Browder v. Gayle, that challenged bus segregation in Montgomery. This is a nice value-added clue. The clue could have been [Activist arrested on Dec. 1, 1955]. By adding additional information, we are reminded that segregation did not end by the actions of one person, but by the combined actions of many. Seems like a good time for the reminder: Black Lives Matter.
• RASTA (20D: Follower of Jah) Rastafarianism developed as a religion in Jamaica during the 1930s, and is based on a specific interpretation of the Bible.  RASTA beliefs include monotheism, a belief in one God, referred to as Jah. 
• POWER (21D: "All ___ to the People" (1996 documentary)) All POWER to the People: The Black Panther Party and Beyond was directed and produced by Lee Lew-Lee. The documentary includes archival footage and interviews of members of Black Power organizations and government agents.
• NETFLIX (38D: Streaming service with a Strong Black Lead initiative) Strong Black Lead is a marketing initiative spearheaded by a team of Black NETFLIX staffers. The initiative amplifies and prioritizes content for Black audiences. During the BET Awards in 2018, NETFLIX introduced Strong Black Lead with an ad that featured Black talent from their series and films.
• EYE ROLL (39D: Sarcastic gesture) I have been known to use this sarcastic gesture, but I promise this answer did not elicit an EYE ROLL, merely a chuckle.
• PREEMIE (42D: Baby born early) Shoutout to my PREEMIE, born nine weeks early who is now a thriving adult! 

Geography review:

• RUPEE (50D: Pakistani currency) The RUPEE has been the official currency of Pakistan, a country in South Asia, since 1948. The Pakistani RUPEE is distinct from the Indian RUPEE, though both are subdivided into one hundred paise.

I enjoyed the theme, and while I don't have any FRUITY PEBBLES in my house, and being PARTY PEOPLE is not currently a good idea, I will honor this puzzle by listening to some KATY PERRY today. This puzzle is an example of left-right mirror symmetry. This type of symmetry is useful from a constructor's standpoint when your theme answers are not paired in length. (The theme answers here are 11, 9, and 13 letters long.) There were a lot of great down entries in the corners of the puzzle, as Evan noted. In fact, I realized all of the entries I highlighted today were down entries. I believe that is a first. This was an enjoyable solve to start off my Saturday.