Hook, Line, and Sinker/Brief Oscar Recap

Uggie

Happy Monday! The Oscars are over and I am so glad "The Artist" won the award for Best Picture. It really was a well-done, beautiful film. And you gotta give credit to Uggie, one of the best film dogs ever! He was there in an adorable back bow tie. IMO, the best dressed were Emma Stone, Cameron Diaz, Penelope Cruz, Octavia Spencer, Meryl Streep, Viola Davis, and Michelle Williams. Everyone fawned over JLo's gown, but I though it was tacky and too tight for her. It made her look a porker. Angelina Jolie showed too much leg, and Sandra Bullock looked just plain dull. Thankfully, Billy Crystal was back as host after last year's James Franco/Anne Hathaway fiasco. Personally, I would like to see Will Ferrell and Tina Fey host the show.


Just like we had the Oscars last night, Amy Reynaldo, author of the "Crossword Fiend" blog presented the "Orcas". These are her picks for crosswords of the year in many categories. Matt Gaffney won "Puzzle of the Year" with his creation called "Moving Day."


http://www.crosswordfiend.com/blog/2012/02/26/the-2011-orca-awards/#more-27189


Now onto today's crossword by Billie Truitt. It's called "Go Fish" and here are the theme answers:


20A: Native American carving (TOTEM POLE). The nicest totem poles I saw were at Stanley Park in Vancouver. This is the same Lord Stanley who the Hockey trophy is named after. Totem poles can celebrate cultural beliefs, or they can recount family lineages, notable events, or folk legends. 


57A: Joke's ending (PUNCHLINE). I didn't realize there was a magazine by the same name. Alex could have used this during his brief career as a child stand-up comic with Kids 'n' Comedy. All was going well until he had a teacher who tried to change his jokes completely. Lately, he has shown an interest in returning. Maybe next year when he turns 18, he can take an adult class.


29D: Browse online (SURF THE WEB). One of my favorite activities. Need I say more? 

10D: Be forced off stage (GET THE HOOK). Remember "The Gong Show"? It was a very bad amateur talent contest that ran on NBC. It was hosted by Chuck Barris. A panel of judges gave the act the gong if they thought it was really bad. We met The Unknown Comic, Gene, Gene the Dancing Machine, "Larry and His Magic ____", among other assorted characters. A very early incarnation of Oingo Boingo appeared. They won that night. 





Oingo Boingo recorded many great albums. Their lead singer, Danny Elfman, went on to a prolific composing career and wrote "The Simpsons" theme song.


That's all for today! I need to catch up on "The Celebrity Apprentice" and "Jerseylicious" (two guilty pleasures).


Signing off,
The Puzzlechick