Off the Grid: Sally breaks down Paste BN's daily crossword puzzle, Bed Bath & Beyond
There are spoilers ahead. You might want to solve today's puzzle before reading further! Bed Bath & Beyond
Constructors: Mark Valdez & Matthew Stock
Editor: Amanda Rafkin
What I Learned from Today’s Puzzle
- KAREN (22A: Actor Gillian) KAREN Gillian is a Scottish actor known for her role of Amy Pond, a companion to the Eleventh Doctor in the TV series, Doctor Who. She also portrays Nebula, a blue-skinned alien warrior who is the adopted daughter of Thanos, in the Marvel movies Guardians of the Galaxy (2014), Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017), Avengers: Infinity War (2018), and Avengers: Endgame (2019).
Random Thoughts & Interesting Things
- BOOT (13A: Italy's shape) I would like to personally thank the country of Italy for being shaped like a BOOT. It is one of the few countries I can reliably identify on a map.
- ARMAS (18A: "Knives Out" actor Ana de ___) Ana de ARMAS was truly incredible as Marta Cabrera in the 2019 mystery movie Knives Out. When Knives Out was first in theaters, I had three separate friends tell me they immediately thought of me when they saw the movie and knew I would like it. My friends know me well! I adored the movie, and the second Knives Out movie, Glass Onion (2022). It will come as no surprise that I am eagerly anticipating the release of Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery sometime next year.
- CPR (27A: First-aid procedure that can be done to the beat of "360" by Charlie XCX) I have previously written about songs that can be of assistance in maintaining the proper rhythm for CPR. The American Heart Association recommends that, for adults, chest compressions should be done at 100 to 120 beats per minute. Add to the list, "360" by Charlie XCX, which has 120 beats per minute.
- PRIUS (40A: Toyota hybrid) As a former PRIUS owner (for 14 years), I was happy to see it in the grid.
- SHORT (42A: "Only Murders in the Building" actor Martin) References to Knives Out and Only Murders in the Building in the same puzzle? This must be my lucky day! The fourth season of the Hulu TV series Only Murders in the Building, starring Martin SHORT, Steve Martin, and Selena Gomez, recently wrapped up. Fortunately for fans like me, the series has been renewed for a fifth season.
- INTO THE UNKNOWN (56A: "Frozen 2" song about embarking on an adventure) In the 2019 movie, Frozen 2, Elsa sings "INTO THE UNKNOWN" in response to hearing a call from The Voice. Idina Menzel, who voiced Elsa, sang the song, which featured Norwegian singer and songwriter Aurora as The Voice.
- STOWE (3D: Author Harriet Beecher) Harriet Beecher STOWE (1811-1896) is most well-known as the author of Uncle Tom's Cabin, the 1852 novel that describes the cruel treatment experienced by enslaved African Americans. Harriet Beecher STOWE and her husband, Rev. Calvin Ellis STOWE were vocal critics of slavery and supporters of the Underground Railroad (a series of secret routes and safe houses for enslaved Africans and African Americans seeking freedom).
- PET ROCK (31D: '70s fad that "lives" in a straw-filled box) I was a child in the '70s. I never bought a PET ROCK, but I certainly remember this fad. PET ROCKs came in cardboard boxes that imitated a PET carrier, complete with air holes and straw for bedding.
- TUT (36D: Egyptian boy king) The pharaoh Tutankhamun is commonly referred to as King TUT. Ruling in the 1300s B.C.E., King TUT was nine years old when he assumed his reign. The tomb of King TUT was discovered in 1922 near Thebes, Egypt.
- NEHWAL (46D: Badminton pro Saina) Saina NEHWAL, who I learned about from the March 24, 2022 puzzle, is a badminton player who has won 24 international titles.. She has represented India at the Olympics, the World Championships, and the Asian Games.
- ANGIE (55D: "The Hate U Give" author Thomas) ANGIE Thomas's first published novel, The Hate U Give, was released in 2017. It debuted at number one on the New York Times Best Seller list for young adult novels. The book tells the story of Starr Carter, a teenage girl, whose friend, Khalil - an unarmed Black teen - dies after being shot by a white police officer. ANGIE Thomas says, "I look at books as being a form of activism. Sometimes they'll show us a side of the world that we might not have known about."
- NESS (60D: The Loch ___ monster) On our recent trip to Scotland, my husband and I visited Loch NESS. Alas, we didn't spy the Loch NESS monster, though the weather was certainly amenable to it appearing.
- A few more clues I especially enjoyed:
- ITEM (5D: "Unexpected ___ in bagging area")
- REF (29D: Sports figure who throws flags)
- SNORTS (48D: Nasally noises)
Crossword Puzzle Theme Synopsis
- BLOW UP MATTRESS (19A: Inflatable sleep surface)
- CLAWFOOT TUB (37A: Elegant place for a hot soak)
- INTO THE UNKNOWN (56A: "Frozen 2" song about embarking on an adventure)
BED BATH & BEYOND: In the three theme answers, we have, in order, a BED, a BATH, and a reference to the BEYOND.
This is a clever theme! The retail store BED BATH & BEYOND may have gone out of business in 2023 as a result of bankruptcy, but it lives on in this puzzle. (It also lives on as an online retailer.) Thank you, Mark and Matthew, for this delightful puzzle.