December 5, 2025

Title: IT'S SHOWTIME! (Freestyle)

Constructor: Willa Angel Chen Miller

Editor: Amie Walker

Theme synopsis:

IT'S SHOWTIME! (Freestyle): There's no theme today, as this is a freestyle, or themeless, puzzle. The title is a nod to PRESS TOURS (20A: Promotional trips involving multiple media outlets).

What I learned from today's puzzle:

• SHANGHAI (31A: Home of the Oriental Pearl Tower) The Oriental Pearl Tower is a TV tower in SHANGHAI, China. The tower consists of three large spheres, which are connected by pillars. The 15 observation decks are accessible by elevator. The Oriental Pearl Tower was built in 1994 and is 1,500 feet tall, including its 450-foot antenna. 
• MALTA (39A: Mediterranean island nation where giant swans once lived) MALTA is an island country located in the Mediterranean Sea, between Sicily and North Africa. The remains of giant swans have been discovered on MALTA, as well as on the nearby island of Sicily. These swans are thought to have had a bill-to-tail length of over 80 inches, and a wingspan of about 9.8 feet. Due to their size, it's thought these birds may have been flightless.

Random thoughts and interesting things:

• ALPS (1A: Mountain range where the Dolomites are found) The Dolomites, also known as the Dolomite ALPS, are a mountain range in northern Italy, and are part of the larger mountain range known as the ALPS. The Dolomites are named for a type of rock – dolomite – that is found in the range.
• HALAL (5A: Opposite of haram)  In Islam, HALAL refers to foods that are permissible to eat, and haram refers to those that are forbidden. Although the terms are often used in reference to Islamic dietary laws, their meaning can be expanded to be used to refer to actions or the use of other items such as pharmaceuticals.
• TIED (19A: Lacking a leader, say?) This is a fun question mark clue. The phrase "lacking a leader" at first makes me think of a committee, organization, or country without a leader. Instead, the clue is talking about a TIED game that, by definition, has no leader.
• FERRERA (41A: "Ugly Betty" star America) Ugly Betty is a TV series that originally aired from 2006-2010. The series was based on the telenovela Yo soy Betty, la fea. Despite her lack of fashion sense, the title character on the show, Betty Suarez (portrayed by America FERRERA), lands a job at Mode magazine, a trendy fashion magazine. America FERRERA also starred in the 2023 movie Barbie, as Gloria, a Mattel employee who helps Barbie (Margot Robbie) navigate the real world.
• STILLER (42A: "Severance" executive producer Ben) Severance is a TV series that premiered in February of 2022. Adam Scott plays the role of Mark Scout, one of the workers at Lumon Industries who agrees to a "severance" procedure that separates work memories from non-work memories. In addition to being an executive producer of Severance, Ben STILLER also directed many of the show's episodes.
• CLUE (55A: This is one) I'm always up for a self-referential CLUE!
• LESS THAN (9D: <) I know all the tricks to differentiate < (the LESS THAN sign) from > (the greater THAN sign), yet I still have to stop and really think about this anytime I encounter one of these symbols.
• SITAR (29D: Plucked instrument with sympathetic strings) The SITAR was invented in India in the 13th century. This plucked instrument is widely used in Hindustani classical music. A SITAR has 18, 19, 20, or 21 strings. The instrument is played by plucking the six or seven strings which run over raised frets. The remainder of the strings are under the frets, and are "sympathetic strings" that resonate with the played strings.
• SWERVE (42D: Narrowly avoid a banana peel in Mario Kart, perhaps) Mario Kart is a Nintendo video game series in which players compete in go-kart races. If a player drives over a banana peel, it will cause the go-kart to spin out. Therefore, it's a good idea to SWERVE around banana peels. This is a clever way to clue the word SWERVE.
• MACH (46D: ___ 1 (speed of sound)) An object's MACH number is the ratio of the speed of an object to the speed of sound. Therefore, objects moving at the speed of sound have a speed of MACH 1. The MACH number is not a unit of measure, since it varies depending on the medium the object is traveling in.
• Several other clues I especially enjoyed:
• PHRASES (26A: Many "Wheel of Fortune" puzzles)
• SPOON (33A: Cuddle, in a way)
• WANDER (45A: "Not all those who ___ are lost")
• HAND (58A: Body part traced to make a turkey, in a kid's craft project)

All of the 10-letter Down answers in today's puzzle are great. In addition to the previously mentioned PRESS TOURS, we have MUSIC NOTES, ACT THE PART,  LET IT SLIDE, PETER PIPER, SHELLED OUT, and EASTER EGGS. Thank you, Willa, for this enjoyable puzzle.