I heard a whisper we would have some repeat of the Friday mini-theme puzzle and my first puzzle back in the country appears to be such. Still being a bit jet-lagged, I do not remember the author of the first themeless Friday here, but I believe it was this year. While today's effort from Dr. Ed includes various pop culture references, the specific MAD MAGAZINE double-bill is key today.
30. One on many covers since 1954: ALFRED E NEUMAN. His complete (?) HISTORY. Paired with 17D. 30-Across catchphrase: WHAT ME WORRY? Thus creating a mini-theme for this Friday themeless.
Without the constraint of a theme, there is much sparkly fill packed into this puzzle, highlighted by the introduction of grid spanner THE NEWLYWED GAME paired with the classic TEENAGE WEREWOLF. The grid is then fattened up with ANOTHER, LAGASSE, SAPHEAD, SPEEDER, SPRUCED, TREACLE, AVON LADY, NAP TIMES (also a LAT debut word), OPEN AREA and PRETRIAL.
Let me know what you think of this addition to our rota.
Across:
1. Kia sedan: OPTIMA. The last car I owned and drove was an Optima and I enjoyed it very much.
7. Nincompoop: SAPHEAD. This is a TERM I have never heard. Of course, since it has only been around since 1691...
14. Made dapper, with "up": SPRUCED. Speaking of sap, its history likely has little to do with the TREE.
15. Syrupy stuff: TREACLE. A CSO to Steve and all our UK readers, this LINK makes it all make sense.
16. 1957 title role for Michael Landon: TEENAGE WEREWOLF. The original trailer...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADLfJk2267M
18. Lays to rest: INTERS.
19. Recipient of unearned income, perhaps: HEIR.
20. Teammate of Babe: LOU. Ruth: Gehrig.
21. Lash with a bullwhip: LARUE.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGnwwXqZ4D8
22. Like jawbreakers: HARD. Well duh!
23. Mountain __: soft drinks: DEWS. A gratuitous way to get the S in.
24. "Wheel" deal: TRIP. Wheel of Fortune.
25. November honorees: VETS. Coming soon to a calendar near you.
26. Range rovers?: POSSE. Very fun clue; followed by...
27. Sub mission site: SEA. Don't ignore the space.
28. Law __: FIRM. Why are there no law pillow tops?
29. Mekong River native: LAO. This river is the 12th longest river in the world and the 7th longest in Asia. It flows through six countries: China, Myanmar (Burma), Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam. We visited the Golden Triangle last year. The Mekong is on the right.
35. Showed the way: LED.
36. Cry: WAIL.
37. Some govt. hospitals: VAS. Veteran's Administrations.
39. Eponymous musical revue of 1978: EUBIE. Eubie BLAKE was a born musician who continues to learn and entertain.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBnGIfwPdg4
42. Downsides: CONS.
43. 1995 comet spotter Thomas: BOPP. He, along with another amateur astronomer, Alan Hale, spotted the now named Hale-Bopp Comet.
44. In a tussle: AT IT.
45. 10-year-old adventurer who was 7 when she debuted in 2000: DORA. Her movie appeared in a puzzle here recently.
46. Group taking power by force: JUNTA.
47. Sink: SAG.
48. Othello, for one: MOOR.
49. Lacking color: PALLID.
50. Show that has appeared in various versions for six decades: THE NEWLYWED GAME.
53. "Pork fat rules!" chef: LAGASSE. Early Emeril. +
54. Smokey's target: SPEEDER. Remember?
56. Square-burgers server: WENDY'S. The third mega-successful fast-food chain was founded by a high school dropout who began life as an adopted child. HISTORY. Dave moved to South Florida and became an important figure in children's education and the rights of the adopted. He also was a genuine and friendly man.
Down:
1. Place to go fly a kite: OPEN AREA. If you believe Charlie brown, it doesn't matter. There will be a kite eating tree waiting for you.
2. Like some hearings: PRE-TRIAL. In litigation almost every hearing is either pre or post-trial.
3. Cause of purring?: TUNE-UP. Not a furry friend but the practice of adjusting the automobile engine. MODERN MECHANICS.
4. Words of sympathy: I CARE.
5. Parts of gigs: MEGS.
6. Lemon finish: ADE. Talk about your straight to the point CSO; thank you, Dr. Ed.
7. Follows directions?: STEERS. Nice misdirection about the joy of driving.
8. Ban competitor: ARRID. Under-arm deodarants.
9. One in a jury box: PEER. From the British common law, and now a debated concept. Who are your peers?
10. Equivocate: HAW. Hmm, no hem?
11. They give lessons in French: ECOLES. Just the French word for school.
12. Permits: ALLOWS.
13. Neutralize: DEFUSE. We need more people who will be successful in defusing all the conflicts in the world.
14. Uplifting things: STILTS. A very nice visual of one of two poles each with a strap for the foot used to elevate the wearer above the ground in walking.
22. Trail mix?: HERD. More nice misdirection; not a snack.
23. Marvel doctor: DOOM. Did anyone dress up as Victor von Doom for Halloween this year?
https://i.ytimg.com/vi/h_lSvSWZQSU/maxresdefault.jpg
25. Competed: VIED. Middle English, short for envien, from Anglo-French envier to invite, call on, challenge, from Latin invitare to invite
26. Simon with songs: PAUL.
28. __ ride: FREE.
29. Waikiki neckwear: LEIS.
31. Move like a hummingbird: FLIT.
32. Pan pooch: NANA. Did anyone dress up as Peter Pan this year?
33. Peripatetic bell ringer: AVON LADY.
34. Breaks for sitters: NAP TIMES.
38. "The Blacklist" star: SPADER. He is a wonderful actor who has matured as he has aged. I still watch, even after all the reveals.
39. Calif. barrio region: EAST LA.
40. Jazz fan?: UTAHAN. Basketball.
41. Problem in an ensemble: BIG EGO. Lebron James?
42. Tailgating sight: COOLER.
43. Stuck out: BULGED.
45. Seek out water: DOWSE.
46. Actor/rapper Smith: JADEN. Son of Will and Jada.
48. Dovetail: MESH.
49. First name in smelly romantics: PEPE. M. LePew.
51. __ Geo: cable channel: NAT.
52. Denver-to-Vegas dir.: WSW. Don't tell my son the way.
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