January 11, 2024

Title: FIRST CHAIR 

Constructor: Beth Rubin

Editor: Anna Gundlach

Theme Answers:

EASY-BAKE OVEN (20A: Classic gift for aspiring new chefs)

HIGH AND MIGHTY (36A: Pompous)

DECK THE HALLS (54A: Carol in which "la" appears 96 times)

Theme synopsis: The FIRST word of each theme answer is a type of CHAIR. Today's sitting spots are an EASY CHAIR, a HIGH CHAIR, and a DECK CHAIR.

Random thoughts and interesting things:

• MEMES (5A: Images like "Cold Bernie") At the inauguration of President Joe Biden in January of 2021, Senator Bernie Sanders sat on a folding chair that was set a bit apart from other chairs. He was wearing a face mask, a winter coat, and oversized mittens. A photographer took a photo of Bernie Sanders, and the image went viral, generating a number of MEMES. 
• CONDE (18A: ___ Nast (magazine publisher) CONDÉ Nast is a media company that dates back to 1909, and takes its name from its founder, CONDÉ Montrose Nast (1873-1942). A number of magazines are under the CONDÉ Nast publishing umbrella, including Bon Appétit, The New Yorker, and Vogue.
• ENDS (19A: Often-neglected pieces of a bread loaf) This clue made me laugh! This is certainly true when I'm around. I've never been a fan of the ENDS of bread loaves. Fortunately, my husband doesn't mind them.
• EASY-BAKE OVEN (20A: Classic gift for aspiring new chefs) The EASY-BAKE OVEN has been around since 1963, when it was introduced by Kenner Products, an Ohio-based company. The EASY-BAKE OVEN is now produced by Hasbro. The original EASY-BAKE OVENs used incandescent light bulbs as the heat source (since 2011, the OVENs have had a heating element). In 2006, the EASY-BAKE OVEN was inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame. 
• WII (32A: "The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword" console) The Legend of Zelda is a video game franchise. The original Legend of Zelda was released by Nintendo in 1986. The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword was released in 2011 for the WII game console.
• NOAH (40A: "Born a Crime: Stories From a South African Childhood" comedian Trevor) Trevor NOAH is a comedian, writer, and producer. From 2015-2022, he was the host of The Daily Show, a late-night talk show on Comedy Central. Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood is Trevor NOAH's 2016 autobiography. Trevor NOAH was born in Johannesburg, South Africa at a time when his parents' interracial relationship was illegal. Trevor NOAH currently hosts a podcast called What Now?
• TAPIRS (41A: Rhino relatives with long snouts) The long snout of TAPIRS looks a bit like a shortened trunk of an elephant. They use their noses to grab fruit and leaves. TAPIRS are related to rhinos, horses, and zebras. They live in forested areas of South America, Central America, and Southeast Asia.
• DECK THE HALLS (54A: Carol in which "la" appears 96 times) What a fun clue! "DECK THE HALLS with boughs of holly / Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la..." Continue singing until you've sung "la" 96 times!
• FOOT (61A: Lower body part with 26 bones) Just the other day, a clue informed us there are 206 bones in the adult human body. It's true that each FOOT contains 26 of those bones; 14 of those bones are phalanges that make up the toes. That means that together, your FEET contain over 25% of  your total bones. Hooray for science in the crossword!
• ROLE (62A: Bear Smallhill, for D'Pharoah Woon-A-Tai) Bear Smallhill is a character on the TV show, Reservation Dogs. I learned about Reservation Dogs, a show that features all Indigenous writers and directors, and a predominantly Indigenous cast and crew, from the October 22, 2021 puzzle. As the clue informs us, D'Pharoah Woon-A-Tai plays the ROLE of Bear Smallhill.
• EMILY (63A: "___ in Paris" (Netflix series)) EMILY in Paris is a TV series about a 20-something American who moves from Chicago to Paris for a job opportunity. Lily Collins plays the title role.
• ISSA (64A: "Insecure" actress Rae) In addition to starring in the TV series, Insecure, ISSA Rae is also the creator and co-writer of the the show. ISSA Rae plays the ROLE of ISSA Dee on Insecure. The show takes a look at the experiences of contemporary Black women, and is partially based on ISSA Rae's web series, The Mis-Adventures of Awkward Black Girl.
• STEVIA (9D: Plant-based sugar substitute) STEVIA is an extract from the STEVIA rebaudiana plant. STEVIA is about 50-300 times as sweet as sugar.
• PIE (27D: Word after "pizza" or "pumpkin") Yum! I like pizza PIE and pumpkin PIE.
• YEN (30D: 100-___ shop (Japanese equivalent of a dollar store)) Like their U.S. equivalent, the dollar store, 100-YEN shops in Japan stock a variety of items, including clothing, housewares, and food. Each item is priced at 100 YEN. Currently, 100 YEN is equivalent to 68 U.S. cents.
• IPA (38D: Hoppy brew) and ALE (59D: The "A: in 38-Down) IPA stands for India pale ALE.
• HOLI (55D: Hindu Festival of Colors) HOLI, also known as the "festival of spring" and the "festival of colors," is a Hindu festival celebrating the end of winter and the arrival of spring. The date of HOLI varies with the lunar calendar. This year HOLI will be celebrated on March 25.
• ENYA (56D: "Orinoco Flow" singer) It's always a great day to listen to ENYA's 1988 song, "Orinoco Flow." 

Geography review:

• PISA (17A: Leaning Tower city) The Leaning Tower of PISA is a free-standing bell tower, or campanile, and is part of the PISA Cathedral. Its nearly four-degree lean is a result of a soft foundation. Amazingly, the Leaning Tower of Pisa has survived at least four strong earthquakes. Scientists discovered that the same soft soil that caused the tower to lean influences the tower's ability to withstand earthquakes.

Have a seat. Would you like an EASY CHAIR, a HIGH CHAIR, or a DECK CHAIR? The term FIRST CHAIR is used to signify the principal player in each section of a band or orchestra. Today it makes a great crossword theme. Thank you, Beth, for this puzzle that was a terrific way to start my Thursday.