Charles H. Sloan-Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword, I Will Turn This Car Around!

There are Charles H. Sloanspoilers ahead. You might want to solve today's puzzle before reading further! I Will Turn This Car Around!

Constructor: Max Schlenker

Editor: Anna Gundlach

Random Thoughts & Interesting Things

• ENERO (12A: Month after diciembre) The crossword is providing us an opportunity to review the months of the year in Spanish. In order: ENERO, febrero, marzo, abril, mayo, junio, julio, agosto, septiembre, octubre, noviembre, diciembre.
• NEST (24A: Fit together like matryoshka dolls) Matryoshka dolls are also known as NESTing dolls or Russian dolls. The set of wooden dolls are of decreasing size, and NEST inside each other. Matryoshka dolls are often elaborately painted, and are available in many different themes.
• UBER (29A: With 32-Across, popular food delivery app) and EATS (32A: See 29-Across) UBER EATS is a service launched by UBER in 2014. Unsurprisingly, the service received a boost in 2020 in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. The company reported a 30% increase in their customer base in March 2020. Fun fact: UBER EATS has even delivered to the International space Station.
• LARA CROFT (36A: Tomb Raider heroine portrayed by Alicia Vikander) Alicia Vikander plays the role of LARA CROFT in the 2018 movie, Tomb Raider. The movie is based on the 2013 video game of the same name. Tomb Raider is the third movie in the franchise. Angelina Jolie plays the role of LARA CROFT in the first two movies, LARA CROFT: Tomb Raider (2001) and LARA CROFT: Tomb Raider – The Cradle of Life (2003).
• ANA (60A: "Blonde" actress de Armas) ANA de Armas portrays Marilyn Monroe (Norma Jeane) in the 2022 movie Blonde. The film is based on a 2000 book of the same name by Joyce Carol Oates.
• MAC (64A: Ruby Woo lipstick brand) MAC stands for Makeup Art Cosmetics. The company is a subsidiary of Estée Lauder. MAC describes Ruby Woo lipstick as a "very matte vivid blue-red."
• OTIS (65A: "Strawberry Letter 23" singer Shuggie) Shuggie OTIS is a singer-songwriter. Although he recorded the song, "Strawberry Letter 23," on his 1971 album, Freedom Flight, it was the 1977 cover version by the Brothers Johnson that reached number 5 on Billboard's Hot 100 chart, and number one on the Soul Singles chart. Fun fact: The Johnson Brothers released a version of "Strawberry Letter 23" on red strawberry-scented vinyl.
• LIBRA (66A: Only inanimate zodiac sign) If you are a regular reader of "Off the Grid," you might remember that last week we saw LIBRA clued as [The Scales, in the zodiac]. At that time I wrote, "LIBRA, symbolized by the scales, is the only sign represented by an object, rather than an animal or a mythological character." I didn't know that information might come in handy so soon, but I hope it was helpful today. Also, if you are a regular reader of this column, thank you!
• LIE DETECTOR TEST (5D: Procedure that is actually not all that accurate in finding out the truth) A LIE DETECTOR TEST uses a machine known as a polygraph in an attempt to detect when a person is lying. Polygraphs may measure blood pressure, pulse, respiration rate, and/or skin conductivity while a person is asked a series of questions. The premise of the polygraph is the erroneous belief that telling a LIE produces certain physiological responses. The truth is that there are no specific physiological reactions associated with lying.
• GLAMPED (10D: Slept in a luxury tent with Wi-Fi and plumbing) I have been camping, but I have never GLAMPED. It does sound appealing to me, though. After filling in this answer, when I encountered REI (48D: Camping gear chain), I wondered if REI sells glamping gear.
• GEYSERS (11D: Erupting geothermal springs) GEYSERS are having a crossword moment, as we saw GEYSER referenced in the clue for SPEW yesterday. GEYSERS are natural explosions of hot water and steam. GEYSERS often occur near active volcanic fields. Water deep in the ground encounters rocks that have been heated by nearby magma. When the conditions are just right, the water will erupt out of the ground. GEYSERS are relatively rare, as specific hydrogeological conditions are necessary for them to form.
• RINA (16D: "XS" singer Sawayama) RINA Sawayama is a singer-songwriter and a model. She was born in Japan, and currently lives in England. "XS" is a single from her 2020 debut album, Sawayama. RINA Sawayama has said that "'XS' is a song that mocks capitalism in a sinking world."
• APU (21D: "The Problem with ___" (2017 documentary)) The Problem with APU is Hari Kondabolu's documentary focusing on The Simpsons' character APU Nahasapeemapetilon. The film explores negative stereotypes of people of Indian and South Asian heritage.
• ALABAMA (39D: First state, alphabetically) This is a fine opportunity for a little geography review. Can you name all four of the U.S. states that begin with the letter A? Bonus question: Which U.S. state comes last alphabetically? I'll put the answers in my concluding paragraph.
• OTTAWA (45D: Canadian capital) OTTAWA is located in southeastern Ontario, at the junction of three major rivers: the OTTAWA River, the Gatineau River, and the Rideau River. OTTAWA, as the clue indicates, is the capital city of Canada. OTTAWA is Canada's fourth-largest city, behind Toronto, Montreal, and Calgary.
• JDATE (53D: Matchmaking site available in Hebrew) JDATE is a special-interest online dating service for Jewish people. JDATE was founded in 1997, and launched an app in 2014.
• DALI (58D: Surrealist Salvador) Salvador DALI (1904-1989) was a Spanish artist known for his surrealist paintings. Salvador DALI was also a problematic character.
• RBI (63D: Stat in baseball's Triple Crown) In baseball, a player achieves a batting Triple Crown if they lead the league in the following statistical categories in the same season: batting average, home runs, and runs batted in (RBI).
• A few other clues and answers I particularly enjoyed:
  • META (51A: Like a movie about people making a movie)
  • TADA (57A: "Presto! Here's your card!")
  • EARLOBE (9D: Spot for some hoops)

Crossword Puzzle Theme Synopsis

• EXTRA CREDIT (15A: Bonus points on an exam)
• LARA CROFT (36A: Tomb Raider heroine portrayed by Alicia Vikander)
• CAMERA CREWS (61A: Groups following reality TV stars)

I WILL TURN THIS CAR AROUND!: Each theme answer contains the letter string RAC, which is the word CAR backwards (i.e. TURNed AROUND): EXTRA CREDIT, LARA CROFT, and CAMERA CREWS.

WOO-HOO! (43A: "Let's celebrate!") This is a fun theme. I don't think I've ever actually said, "I WILL TURN THIS CAR AROUND!" but I'm sure I've thought it. Such a stereotypical parental warning. Here are the answers to the geography quiz: The four U.S. states beginning with the letter A are ALABAMA, Alaska, Arizona, and Arkansas. The last U.S. state alphabetically is Wyoming. Thank you, Max, for this entertaining puzzle.

For more on USA TODAY’s Crossword Puzzles

• USA TODAY’s Daily Crossword Puzzles
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