Ellen Brunsberg author page
1 puzzle by Ellen Brunsberg
with Jeff Chen comments
See the 4 answer words debuted by Ellen Brunsberg.
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Charles Nelson Reilly of the Match Game demands his respect, Ray and Ellen!
We've seen a lot of "combine two elements of a set for kooky results," including some featuring games — one even using SORRY OTHELLO — so my long memory made it difficult to enjoy any humor in today's. I wondered if it'd have been more interesting to aim for all real-sounding phrases. I can see the Department of Justice using the phrase MONOPOLY RISK, for example.
Where Ray and Ellen shined: their cluing, I can't remember another early-week debut with such a memorable mix of clues that entertain, pique curiosity, and shine in their wordplay:
- I had no idea all those folds in a chef's toque represented the multitude of ways to cook an EGG. Excellent way to make a boring ol' short entry sizzle.
- "Kiss-fist" and "shaking L"? That's the way to spark interest in learning! I might even take an ASL class now.
- It's so rare that we get a stumping wordplay clue on a Tuesday. Sure, a punny [Make oneself heard in a herd] for a cow's LOWing. But [In which head shots can be taken]? Perhaps a studio? Photo shoot? The answer is ... SOCCER? Ah, as in a header! Brilliant.
Not a standout theme. However, the solid gridwork — nothing flashy, but minimal gloopy short entries — and uncommonly strong cluing made for a fun debut.