One of our regular Friday contributors is back with a puzzle, which I expect will be debated. The clues give you a hint of what is going. For example, the "B" in 17 A is read as "BE" which makes "EZR" the interpretation "EASIER." Once you get the idea then the puzzle is not too difficult for a Friday. But you need to get the push from the crosses. We have had various letter sound puzzles before, but none quite like this one. I related to 4 of the themers, but I struggled with sounding out JQZ. Which is a significant fill because it was the cornerstone of making this puzzle a pangram using three of the least used letters. Of course, once I sussed the sound, it was one so obvious. There really are so many types of HOT TUBS, I like the fact that the clue with a letter/word let us know the fill will also need the same. With two grid-spanners and 29 other blocks used in the theme, it is awesome to also get COZUMEL, ERITREA, HURTLED, I LOST IT, MENORAH, ONEONTA, PETTILY, PLATOON, SENEGAL, and SILENT C. Heavy on geography again. Damn, I wish I had studied harder.
17A. Likely to B surprisingly difficult: EZR SAID THAN DONE (15). Easier said than done is something that is easy to suggest, but much more difficult to make happen. Like keeping CED's cats of the furniture.
23A. One might Q Shamu: NML TRAINER (10). Q - cue. An animal trainer worked with Shamu who was the first killer whale (orca) which appeared in shows at SeaWorld San Diego in the mid/late 1960s.
38A. U can soak in one: JQZ HOT TUB (9). Jacuzzi jets provide serious therapeutic benefits.
54A. Something to C at Carnegie Hall: PNO RECITAL (10).
61A. Possible reason Y lights get turned off: NRG CONSERVATION (15).
Across:
1. Figura de __: Spanish skating move: OCHO. The figure eight which is a skating move translated to Spanish. A CSO to our dear departed Clear Ayes and a winsome friend Robin.
5. Besides: ALSO.
9. Cut back a lot: SKIMP. Skimp and save. No comment considering the times.
14. It might not be proper: NOUN. An oldie but goodie clue/fill combo.
15. Secular: LAIC. Adjective for the lay - non-cleric.
16. Edmonton athlete: OILER. The greatest, Wayne Gretsky, started there.
20. __ space: OUTER. Could be inner, also.
21. Spring bloom: IRIS. The iris family is closely related to the lily and amaryllis families, differing from them in having three stamens rather than six. A shout out to our reprentative from Delaware.
22. __-fa: set of musical syllables: SOL. Do re mi ...
26. Cycle starter: TRI. Here the look like this...
27. Place to drive from: TEE. A cso to Gary and George and more.
28. Not irr.: STD.
29. Affirmative reply: YES I AM.
32. "The Aviator" (2004) Oscar nominee: ALDA.
34. Buffoons: OAFS.
37. "The fool __ think he is wise ...": "As You Like It": DOTH.
41. Biblical hunter: ESAU.
43. It was originally called a "Biscuit": OREO.
44. They're mostly on the phone: APPS.
48. Bygone predators: T-REXES.
50. Long-legged runner: EMU.
52. Bulldog booster: ELI.
53. Component of a sweep, maybe: WIN.
58. Downed: ATE.
59. Countenance: MIEN.
60. Lenya of "From Russia With Love": LOTTE.
65. They're changed on the road: GEARS. Very nice clue for simple fill.
66. Sandwich staple: TUNA. I am a fan.
67. Frequently: A LOT.
68. French greeting: SALUT. A French shalom.
69. Reach: SPAN. Fighters have their's measured.
70. Out of __: SYNC.
Down:
1. College town WSW of Albany: ONEONTA. Another shout out to upstate New York contingent.
The COLLEGES.
2. Island resort near Cancún: COZUMEL.
3. Went like a runaway train: HURTLED.
4. It's a start: ONSET.
5. Lord of the ring?: ALI.
6. Brit's bud: LAD.
7. Sub (for): SIT IN.
8. Earthy tone: OCHRE.
9. Juniors, maybe: SONS.
10. Razz: KID.
11. "My temper got the best of me": I LOST IT.
12. Holiday candle holder: MENORAH.
13. Heat at a meet, for short: PRELIM.
18. LAX landings: ARRS.
19. Opposite of stuffy: AIRY.
24. Entire range: A-TO-Z.
25. Shoshone Falls state: IDAHO.
30. Academic address ending: EDU.
31. Nagano noodle: SOBA.
33. "Iliad" warrior: AJAX.
35. Behind: FOR.
36. Handle the wheel: STEER.
39. Ont. neighbor: QUE.
40. Heavy reading?: TOME.
41. Coastal East African country: ERITREA.
42. Coastal West African country: SENEGAL.
45. In a small-minded way: PETTILY.
46. Army outfit: PLATOON.
47. Bit of obscenity?: SILENT C. A witty way to hide the answer.
48. Musical saw sounds: TWANGS.
49. Bias: SPIN.
51. Pauley Pavilion Pac-12 team: UCLA.
55. Fits one within another: NESTS.
56. Best: ONEUP.
57. Frat letters: IOTAS.
59. Guinness book adjective: MOST.
62. French vineyard: CRU.
63. Biological chain letters: RNA.
64. Moving aid: VAN.
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