July 17, 2023

Title: ABOVE BOARD

Constructor: Matthew Stock

Editors: Kelsey Dixon & Amanda Rafkin

Theme Answers:

SCHOOL COUNSELOR (17A: Professional offering student support)

DRAWING A BLANK (36A: Failing to come up with an answer)

MESSAGE RECEIVED (55A: "I hear you!")

Theme synopsis: The first word of each theme answer can be placed ahead of (ABOVE, say) the word BOARD, giving us SCHOOL BOARD, DRAWING BOARD, and MESSAGE BOARD.

Things I learned:

• PBS ("Cyberchase" channel) Cyberchase is an animated sci-fi TV series that airs on PBS Kids. Three children from Earth - Jackie, Matt, and Inez - are transported to a digital universe to protect the world from a villain named Hacker. The kids are aided by a "cybird" named Digit, in their quests that require the use of problem-solving skills. Cyberchase premiered in 2002, but somehow it has escaped my notice until now. (Not having a TV may have something to do with that...)

Random thoughts and interesting things:

• NAM (22A: Artist ___ June Paik) I learned about video artist NAM June Paik (1932-2006) from the  December 11, 2021 puzzle. Many of NAM June Paik's pieces included TV sets, such as "TV Cello," which you can see in use by Charlotte Moorman in this video clip.
• YOM (23A: ___ Kippur) YOM Kippur is a Jewish holy day known as the Day of Atonement. It is observed by fasting and prayer. This year YOM Kippur will be observed from sunset on September 24 to nightfall on September 25. 
• AARP (30A: 50+ org. with over 38 million members) Although AARP promotes itself as a 50+ organization, and advocates for those in that age range, the organization does not have a minimum age requirement for membership, as I discussed earlier this year.
• OED (32A: Its 2022 Word of the Year was "goblin mode") The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) was first published by Oxford University Press in 1884. Not only was "goblin mode" the OED's 2022 Word of the Year, it was also notable because it was the first time the public was allowed to weigh in on the word of the year selection. Past OED Words of the Year include "selfie" (2013), 😂 (the emoji Face with Tears of Joy, 2014), and "vax" (2021).
• PIES (39A: Desserts with chess and chiffon varieties) Chess PIES are sometimes described as pecan PIES without nuts. It's likely that the name is derived from "cheese PIE." Chiffon PIES have an airy filling produced by folding meringue into a fruit curd. The most common flavor of chiffon PIE is lemon.
• ADAM (60A: "American Idol" alum Lambert) In 2009, ADAM Lambert (*spoiler alert!!*) was the runner-up on Season 8 of American Idol. Since then he has had a successful solo career, as well as collaborating with the band Queen as the lead vocalist for Queen + ADAM Lambert. 
• LABYRINTH (18D: Maze) Merriam-Webster informs me that although the words "maze" and "LABYRINTH" have similar meanings, they have different origins. The word "maze" likely came from an Old English word, "masian" that meant "to confuse." The word LABYRINTH has its origins in Greek mythology from the tale of King Minos of Crete who created a LABYRINTH to house the Minotaur, a creature with the body of a man and the head of a bull.
• ISSA (42D: "Rap Sh!t" creator Rae) ISSA Rae created the comedy TV series, Rap Sh!t, for HBO Max, where it premiered in 2022. The TV show is about two rappers trying to make a living. I have previously written about Rap Sh!t.
• OLIVIA (44D: ___ Pope (Kerry Washington's character on "Scandal") On the TV series Scandal, Kerry Washington portrays OLIVIA "Liv" Carolyn Pope, who runs a crisis-management firm.
• MLB (55D: Tampa Bay Rays org.) Major League Baseball's (MLB's) Tampa Bay Rays are having a good year. They are currently at the top of the American League standings. This is in contrast to my favorite MLB team, the St. Louis Cardinals, who are not having a good year. Sigh.

Geography review:

• TORONTO (33A: Canadian city in Pixar's "Turning Red") TORONTO is the capital of the Canadian province Ontario. Pixar's 2022 animated movie, Turning Red, is set in TORONTO, and tells the story of a teenage girl who transforms into a giant red panda when she experiences strong emotion. I have previously written about Turning Red.
• RIO (12D: City that hosts the largest Carnival in the world) RIO de Janeiro is the second most populous city in Brazil, after São Paulo. During the five days prior to Lent each year, RIO de Janeiro hosts a Carnival. During Lent, Roman Catholics and some other Christians have traditionally abstained from eating meat. The word "carnival" derived from the word "carnelevare," which was a combination of the Latin words meaning "to remove meat."

The title of today's puzzle had me searching for vertical theme answers, but as soon as I uncovered SCHOOL COUNSELOR, I was on BOARD. Ha! I previously served on the Iowa City SCHOOL BOARD, so that was an easy connection for me to make. Some fun answers I haven't mentioned yet: PROBIOTIC, REALISTS, and CALM DOWN. Alas, no PEPPER STEAK in today's theme. After his last puzzle, Matthew did let me know that the PEPPER STEAK themes were done,  but he also told me he was working on another set of themed themes. I'm looking forward to seeing what he has in store for us. Thank you, Matthew for this puzzle that was a delightful way to start my Monday.