Rookie Corner 497

38 comments on “Rookie Corner 497”

1. Thanks AgentB. Given the background to your creation of this puzzle all I can say is that it was very enjoyable. No doubt there are some ‘warts’ in it but i don’t think it is necessary for them to be identified except for 1d which could be considered somewhat unfortunate from the timing perspective.

   Smiles for 12a (that’s what some of his comments on a Sunday seem like), 18a, 5d, 24d and an extra big smile for 8a.

   Thanks again and thanks in advance to Prolixic.

2. All good fun. There are some well-written easy clues here – often the harder ones to write! Many thanks!

3. Considering this was put together quickly, AgentB, it was a lot of fun with some nice surface references to names I recognise. I’d entirely agree with Senf; this is one where some slack can be cut (though probably not by Prolixic tomorrow – but, then, you wouldn’t want him to go easy on you, would you?). 1d is sensitive as a solution but I don’t think you have too much to worry about insofar as the surface/construction is not making any particular point.

   Well done and many thanks.

4. Well done AgentB for putting this crossword together so quickly and making it so much fun too. My favourite clues – well that’s obvious isn’t it :D

   Many thanks AgentB and, in advance, to Prolixic

5. We’re away from home and haven’t had a chance to look at this yet.
   Promise that we will give it a go tomorrow.

   1. Arrived home. A quick unpack and straight into solving the puzzle.
      Great fun and much appreciated. Favourite 14d of course.
      Thanks AgentB.

6. Great fun – many thanks to AgentB and well done on getting so many familiar names in.
   The clues I liked best were 9a, 5d and 28d.

7. Hi AgentB, producing a themed puzzle with so many references in short order is an achievement. While with more time I am sure some of the clues might have had more polish, they didn’t lack for accuracy of cluing and, above all, fun. My podium was 9a, 5d and 19d, but a special mention for the brilliant definition in 28d too, Good job!

8. What a wonderful puzzle! Very enjoyable indeed and, for obvious reasons, my favourite clue has to be 17A!!! Thanks to setter for an excellent job completed in such a short time.

9. Good fun, well done Agent B.
   I thought 9a was very smart, I’m surprised I’ve not seen that or a variation of it before. Also liked 29d for sentimental reasons and 28a as he appears in my latest offering. Of course my favourite has to be 16a and regarding the surface read all I can say is “if only!”
   Thanks to you and in advance to Prolixic

10. Delightful, AgentB. The perfect antidote to rugby pain. Funny and clever, with a brevity I can only envy. I especially enjoyed seeing Brian in such close proximity to Silvanus – that must be a first! 16a was comical too. If you really put that together on the fly, it certainly didn’t show. Well done. Again.

    1. Yes! I’m so glad you spotted that. It was a very much a ‘happy accident’, but I had a highly amusing (beer-induced!) mental image of the two exchanging salvos up and down the page with those poor salesgirls caught in the crossfire 🤣🤣 Such high dramas there are in life, eh 😎

11. Well done, AgentB, that was a lot of fun. Obviously my top clues were 2&19d but I also rather liked the letter from Greece and the terrible chap. Top of my pops were the ladies who shop in January – really made me laugh.
    I’ll never look at Brian’s comments in quite the same way again!

    1. Thanks Jane! I’m so glad you enjoyed this, as it was 19d which inspired the guzzle, a random thought which came whilst checking something on Google Maps.

       As is often the case, I thought of a far better 2d just after the deadline (homage to one of your backpager devotions); I’ll try to adapt that one into a future submission.

12. That was terrific, AgentB. It was great fun from start to finish, and very impressive that you managed to complete it in such a short space of time.

    Very well done and many thanks.

13. Most enjoyable and good fun looking for setters and blog members. Thank you, AgentB for compiling it.

    1. Thanks Steve! I had a great clue for you but sadly couldn’t fit it in for love nor money. Keep an eye out for something cheeky and relevant in a future submission 😁

14. Great fun. Thoroughly enjoyed. Thank you.

15. Well done on filling the Rookie Corner void.

    I won’t make any comments on the clues as I wouldn’t wish to rain on your parade, this time it wouldn’t be appropriate.

    The puzzle reminded me of one Sprocker compiled many years ago in this slot – Rookie Regulars (RC Number 083), which is well worth revisiting.

16. This was a fun puzzle to pass away the afternoon with.
    Several chuckles along the way, with a few head scratches.
    Needed some e-help on some too.

    Thanks

17. Good on you for all the effort that must have gone into putting this together in so short a space of time. Brian as an ICBM the biggest chuckle though Daisy’s essentials in a man’s grip ran it close.
    Great fun & many thanks Agent B

18. Thanks all for your kind words and feedback – I’m glad everybody (well, almost 😉) enjoyed the guzzle.

    Thanks also to Prolixic for the review. All points duly noted; re 24d, that was a very dry-witted pertinent comment – for a minute I thought I’d offended you with a major faux pas 😅

    Being away for a while with limited internet access, this was composed over an afternoon with just laptop and paper, and far more importantly, lager! 🍻 I knew there were wordplay repetitions I’d normally avoid, hence the preamble, but wanted to get it sent ASAP shoehorning as many RC chat regulars as possible. If it was half as much fun to solve as it was to compile then it’s been time very well spent 👍

    Always happy to hear feedback re individual clues (preamble not a request for approval!), so please fire away with any constructive advice.

    I’d like to make special mention of Mr K for politely putting up with several late alterations – it’s clear from making submissions just how much work goes into the blog behind the scenes, more than most people think, I suspect 🎖️🏆

    Thanks all, it’s been a blast! See you next time.
    AB 😎

19. Prolixic – I’m going to start an award for “intended Freudian slip of the year”, and you win first prize for the comment at 16a 🤣🤣🏆🏆

20. Truly superb, AB! I applaud you. A comedian and a compiler. Stacks of humour and great constructions.

    I genuinely look forward to your weekly slot in the DT. Chris and the gang will be so pleased to have people like you, cutting their teeth.

    What a great blog this is. Big Dave is a ledge.

    There’s only one clue that gets on my podium.

    You are a natural……something.

    2*/5*

    1. Thanks for the kind words as ever Tom, I’m glad you liked it. I hope your clue was appropriately silly :yahoo:

       I’m a long way off the refined technical excellence of a printed backpage I’m afraid. Anyway, Chris L would fast become infuriated by my constant attempts to smuggle childish smut and blue-chip filth into his fine institution!

       1. You have it all there. It just needs to go through the Telegraph filter.

          I’m always in awe of setters. It’s such a great challenge to do one and massively rewarding when completed. Any positive comments from solvers are a bonus.

          Tomfoolery is such a top word.

          Bravo again!

          1. Actually, Tom, I must be on CL’s radar, look at this selection of clues from today’s Quick Crossword:

             Attractive (6)
             Secret agent (3)
             Appears (5)

             Senior (7)
             Person in charge (4)
             Tries (8)
             Delights (7)

             Fees (5)
             Changed (7)

             Messy (6)
             Hideous (4)
             Error (7)

             🤣🤣 Other people will probably think I’m being serious, I’m trusting you to understand I’m just in a very odd mood this afternoon 🤪

             1. Not odd, AB.

                You are absolutely buzzing and are, quite rightly, on a huge high.

                You should be very proud of yourself,

                1. To be honest, I’m nearly always like this 😁 “Insufferable” is the term the family uses.

       2. Do you know where the expression ‘blue chip company’ comes from, btw?

          It’s a goodie.

          1. It wasn’t that time when McCain’s used the wrong food colouring?

             1. The highest value casino chip is blue.

21. Away yesterday so we had the joy of completing this puzzle this morning. Many thanks AgentB and of course our favourite clue is 22 across. Thank you for the inclusion. We look forward to your next one and hope it will be soon. Thank you also to Prolixic.

22. This was such fun, AgentB! Delightful from start to finish. How splendid of you to have put this together at speed for the missing Rookie puzzle last week! I can only offer praise,
    There were chuckles galore. My fave is the 20d 21d pair, followed by 5d, 9a, 10a, 12a and 18a. Also it was very touching to find the tribute to Big Dave.
    Very well done, and many appreciative thanks, AgentB.
    Many thanks to Prolixic.

    1. Thank you so much Catnap! Sorry I couldn’t fit you in – Fez also proved impossible 😕

23. Many thanks for the review, Prolixic, and for giving the commentometer a week off. I’m sure this was compiled as a bit of fun and it does seem to have been received in the spirit in which it was intended.

24. Very late to the scene, having just returned from a break away from the internet but had to come in to comment.
    Outstanding! You’ve done Rookie Corner proud AgentB! Lots of fun and lots of great cluing and all done at express pace. I’m sure you are going to be in great demand for more of the same. I, for one, thoroughly enjoyed it. We all love to read the Tales of the Unexpected from Brian and 12a captured things perfectly! That topped my list but big ticks too for 9, 11, 18a and 5, 14, 20 and 21d

    Keep it up!

    1. Thank you Jeemz, that’s very kind 😁😊 Sorry I couldn’t fit you in, more users than you’d expect have awkward letters in their handles – it’s like everyone’s trying to get a Scrabble score with them 🤣

       Looking forward to your next NTSPP too; I find puzzles in that slot quite challenging so yours was very satisfying to complete 👍

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