August 24, 2023

Title: BUST A MOVE

Constructors: Darby Ratliff & Amanda Rafkin

Editor: Amanda Rafkin

Theme Answers:

MODERN LOVE (20A: Anthology series based off of a relationship column)

MIRANDA COSGROVE (35A: Two-time star of "iCarly")

MOTOR NERVE (55A: Neuron that allows for physical movement)

Theme synopsis: The word MOVE is BUSTed by each theme answer.

Things I learned:

• MODERN LOVE (20A: Anthology series based off of a relationship column) The TV series MODERN LOVE is based on the New York Times weekly column of the same name. I'm familiar with the column, but didn't realize a TV series had been made. Both the column and the TV show explore "love in its multitude of forms - including sexual, romantic, familial, platonic, and self love." Each episode of the show focuses on a love story in New York City.
• LAS (41A: "Nuestra Senora de ___ Iguanas" (Graciela Iturbide photo)) Graciela Iturbide is a Mexican photographer. Her photoessay, Juchitán of the Women (1979-86) documents the indigenous Zapotec people that live in southeastern Mexico. One photo from that series, "Nuestra Señora de LAS Iguanas " ("Our Lady of the Iguanas") shows a woman with a crown of iguanas. 
• SONIC (44A: Fast-food chain with nugget ice) I can count on one finger the number of times I've been to a SONIC Drive-In (nothing against it, just not part of my routine). Therefore, I was unfamiliar with nugget ice - the chunks of flaky ice that apparently have a loyal following. Fans of nugget ice can buy bags of it from SONIC. Portable nugget ice makers are also available from several companies for a couple of hundred dollars.

Random thoughts and interesting things:

• KOALA (6A: Marsupial with a spoon-shaped nose) The word marsupial in the clue narrows the choices down to just a few choices. Marsupials are mammals (they have mammary glands and hair), but most of them are distinguished by the fact that females have a front pouch in which they carry their young. The marsupial this clue is looking for is, of course, the KOALA, with it's spoon-shaped nose that is fairly large, and covered in leathery skin.
• MIRANDA COSGROVE (35A: Two-time star of "iCarly") The sitcom iCarly is a TV show about making a web show. MIRANDA COSGROVE plays the title character, social media influencer Carly Shay. The show originally aired on Nickelodeon from 2007-2012, and was revived by Paramount+ in 2021.
• ACT (60A: ___ Up (AIDS advocacy group)) ACT UP (AIDS Coalition To Unleash Power) is a grassroots group, formed in 1987, working to end the AIDS crisis. ACT Up advocates for sustained investment in research, equitable access to prevention and care, and dismantling of the stigma, discrimination, and poverty systems that have driven the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
• CLYDE (67A: "Bonnie & ___" (2011 Broadway musical)) Bonnie & CLYDE is a musical based on the infamous Bonnie Parker & CLYDE Barrow, burglars that robbed a series of banks, small stores, and funeral homes from 1932 to 1934. Even solvers unfamiliar with the musical may have heard of Bonnie and CLYDE, making this answer inferable. 
• ALDO (2D: Canadian shoe chain) I learned about the Canadian shoe company founded by ALDO Bensadoun from the December 17, 2021 puzzle. (And I definitely remembered the name of it when I encountered this clue... That's my story and I'm sticking to it.)
• I ATE IT (11D: Possible answer to "What happened to that last slice of cake?") Ha! This clue answer pair made me laugh. I easily filled in "I ATE IT" after I realized, "Cake, what cake? I have no idea what you're talking about," didn't fit.
• DOG DAD (13D: Parent that might buy bone-shaped toys) DOG DAD is fun fill, and the clue here made me smile.
• DOLLY (51D: "Jolene" singer Parton) According to DOLLY Parton, the song "Jolene" was inspired by a red-headed back clerk that flirted with DOLLY's husband, Carl. Fun fact: DOLLY Parton wrote the songs "Jolene" and "I Will Always Love You" on the same day.
• KNISH (53D: Stuffed snack at a Jewish deli) A KNISH consists of baked or deep fried dough enclosing a filling. The traditional filling is mashed potato.
• TLC (61D: "No Scrubs" group) "No Scrubs" is a 1999 song by the girl group TLC off of their album FanMail.

Geography review:

• ISLAM (15A: Major religion in Indonesia) The country of Indonesia consists of over 17,000 islands  located between the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Indonesia is the most populous Muslim-majority country in the world. Over 86% of Indonesias follow ISLAM. One of Indonesia's provinces is a notable exception. Bali is the only province of Indonesia where Hinduism is the main religion.
• UAE (34A: Home to the Dubai Frame, for short) The Dubai Frame is an observatory and monument in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE, for short). Construction on the Dubai Frame began in 2013, and the building opened in 2018. The Dubai Frame is 492 feet tall and looks like - no surprise - a giant picture frame. The building houses a museum, and an observation deck at the top that offers views of the city. I enjoyed reading this article, which describes a visit to the Dubai Frame and includes photos. At the top of the Dubai Frame, there are panels on the floor that, when stepped on, allow a view straight down. 
• OSLO (7D: Norwegian city home to the National Theatre) The National Theatre in OSLO, Norway has been hosting performances since it opened in 1899, and is Norway's largest theatre. It is located between the Royal Palace and the Parliament.

Time to BUST A MOVE! In addition to the answers I've already highlighted, I enjoyed the answers EUREKA, EROTICA, KIELBASA, and ONLY ONCE. Congratulations to Darby Ratliff making her USA Today debut! I met Darby in June 2022 at the St. Louis Crossword Puzzle Tournament. Darby is one of the current Lil AVC X roster members. I was delighted to see her name when I opened today's puzzle! Thank you, Darby and Amanda, for this puzzle that was a delightful way to start my Thursday.

Me and Darby