September 18, 2023

Title: SHOWDOWNS

Constructors: Jasmeet Arora & Brooke Husic

Editor: Amanda Rafkin

Theme Answers:

SLIP 'N SLIDE (3D: Backyard water toy)

ROCKY ROAD (7D: Crunchy / gooey ice cream flavor)

THERAPY DOG (30D: Pooch trained to provide emotional support)

FAIR TRADE (33D: Sustainable, ethical commerce practice)

Theme synopsis: The last (DOWN-most) word of each vertical theme answer can be paired with the word SHOW. Today's SHOWDOWNS: SLIDE SHOW, ROAD SHOW, DOG SHOW, and TRADE SHOW.

And now a word from our constructors:

Jasmeet: I am so excited to publish my debut puzzle, and even more so that it’s with Brooke! I love the image evoked by THERAPY DOG, which is the answer we started with — a big smiling golden retriever comes to my mind! It was so wonderful to get to work with Brooke. I have learned so much from her and I’m excited to continue to work with her!

Brooke: A mutual friend connected me and Jasmeet and this is the first of several puzzles we've made together! It's been fun to work with someone with similar inclinations about filling and cluing, and so cool to become friends with Jasmeet through doing so. My favorite answers in this grid are ESI, SANGEET, and KEGELS.

Things I learned:

• IS A (60D: "The cake ___ lie" (Portal catchphrase)) Portal is a video game first released in 2007. It consists of a series of puzzles that must be solved by teleporting the player's character through various portals throughout the game. "The cake IS A lie" is a catchphrase from the game. The phrase first appeared as graffiti, meant to warn that the game's villain GLaDOS was deceiving the player. The phrase became popular, and has been used in memes and referenced in fan films. Mashable ranked "The cake IS A lie" as one of "The unforgettable gaming memes of the 2000s."

Random thoughts and interesting things:

• KOALAS (21A: Aussie "bears") The "bears" is in quotation marks here, because although KOALAS are sometimes referred to as KOALA bears, they are actually marsupials rather than bears. KOALAS are more closely related to kangaroos and possums than to true bears. KOALAS are interesting creatures, whatever you want to call them. 
• ESI (37A: "Half-Blood Blues" author Edugyan) Half-Blood Blues, released in 2011, is the second novel by ESI Edugyan. The book is centered around a jazz bassist (Sid Griffiths) and his bandmates, and has storylines set in 1939 and 1992. Half-Blood Blues won the Scotiabank Giller Prize, an award for Canadian authors. I first learned about ESI Edugyan from the January 30, 2023 puzzle. 
• FREELANCES (63A: Is self-employed, perhaps) I liked seeing this answer. I have done FREELANCE work for many years, first as a writer, and now as a crossword blogger, constructor, and editor. 
• EDNA (66A: "The Incredibles" fashion designer Mode) Ten days ago we saw the clue [Family name in "The Incredibles"], and I commented that when I read the clue (the answer is PARR), the only name I could remember was EDNA Mode, fashion designer for the Supers. That knowledge came in handy today!
• DOULA (68A: Childbirth professional) A DOULA is a trained professional that provides guidance and support for a person through a significant health-related event, such as childbirth (probably what most people associate a DOULA with), and end-of-life (referred to as a death DOULA or death midwife).
• ROCKY ROAD (7D: Crunchy / gooey ice cream flavor) ROCKY ROAD ice cream has a chocolate base, to which nuts and marshmallows are added. I went down a bit of a rabbit hole here, learning that there are two men that claim to have invented ROCKY ROAD ice cream, William Dreyer and George Warren. 
• OCTOPI (13D: Ink-producing sea creatures) Either OCTOPI or octopuses is correct as the plural form of octopus. Personally, I think OCTOPI is fun to say.
• SIT-IN (31D: 504 ___ (1977 disability rights protest)) I have previously written about the 504 SIT-IN. The 504 SIT-IN was historically important, as it brought awareness to the lack of regulation, and laid the groundwork for the Americans with Disabilities Act enacted in 1990.
• FAIR TRADE (33D: Sustainable, ethical commerce practice) FAIR TRADE is a term used to designate products that have have been produced to standards that aim to help countries achieve sustainable and equitable trade relationships. FAIR TRADE movements focus on developing trading partnerships based on dialogue, transparency, and respect. Some common goods certified by FAIR TRADE organizations are handicrafts, coffee, and chocolate.
• SANGEET (44D: Musical celebration before a wedding) A SANGEET ceremony is a tradition that originated in the Punjab regions of India. SANGEET is a Sanskrit word meaning "sung together," and the ceremony celebrates the union of two families. Typically occurring a day or two before the wedding, the SANGEET involves singing, dancing, and instrumental music. Just a couple of months ago, this answer would have been in the "Things I learned" section. However, shoutout to my friend, Sarah (Hello, Sarah!), whose daughter just got married in a ceremony combining Indian and American cultures. Their wedding ceremony included a SANGEET.
• KEGELS (51D: Exercises that a pelvic floor therapist might prescribe) KEGELS, exercises that involve contracting and relaxing the muscles of the pelvic floor, are named after gynecologist Arnold KEGEL, who published a description of the exercises in 1948.

Geography review:

• PALO (12A: ___ Alto, California) "PALO Alto" is Spanish for "tall stick." PALO Alto, California, a city in the San Francisco Bay Area, was named for a specific tall stick, a redwood tree known as El PALO Alto.

Are you in the mood for a SHOWDOWN? How about four SHOWDOWNS? I can get behind this kind of SHOWDOWN, with a fine set of theme answers. I also liked the answers SAYS CHEESE, OMG YES, and GIDDY UP. Congratulations to Jasmeet Arora making a USA Today crossword debut! Thank you, Jasmeet and Brooke, for this excellent Monday puzzle.