Listener Crossword 4262 - One Across By Mr Magoo

[starwalker]

Was a bit upset to have to put the latest Magpie (plug, plug) aside, but lo and behold - it's a Magoo ! With just a couple of clues to go, the light has dawned and the penny has hit the ground. Just a little tricky partitioning to go, and then it's back to the Magpie. (plug) Thanks Magoo.

[olichant]

In the spirit of plugging, the Mash crossword in the Magpie is a thing of beauty.

[BobHWW]

Usual high standard from MM. Like starwalker just a final bit of barring to go.

Agree with all said about this month's Magpie. I'm just the final step away on both the D grades.

[emcee]

Just beat me to it starwalker.

Quite a straightforward one for Mr. Magoo -- I was expecting far worse -- and the idea isn't new.

[Contrarian]

Hmm. Easy gridfill, but not sure how to partition it.

[Ruthrobin]

Yes, the penny dropped a while ago and we, too, have the partitioning to do. Thanks, Mr Magoo.

[upsetter]

Convinced that entering the bars would be unedifying and thus pointless.
But did it anyway, just in case.
It was.
What has happened to the much-revered Mr Magoo?

[Ruthrobin]

Disagree, upsetter, I thought it was a lovely little endgame and proved that there was a unique solution, which question must always be at the back of a compiler's mind.

[AHearer]

I thought the grid fill was a little too easy -- perhaps two rather than three seven-letter across entries would have been better. I can't say I enjoyed the end-game, but I was willing to go through it. Not one of Mr Magoo's best.

[martdwyer]

The theme is clear enough, but I can't see any natural or obvious way to divide up the grid.

Hint, anyone?

[email protected]

[Aloysius535]

In the Friday club at last!!!.
Relatively easy but I marvel at the construction.
Thank you Mr Magoo.

[jim360]

If there is any weakness it's in the full checking. I still haven't solved, nor can I be bothered to, 13a and 3, 4, 7, 15d. But that small point aside, I really liked this one. A wonderful construction. Thanks Mr Magoo!

[Alekhine]

Yawn.

The idea is devalued by having such a small grid, and the ability to complete without solving several clues. The purist in me forced me to complete properly, but I didn't need to. That can't be right, surely?

[Mesnilpat]

For once, I am inclined to agree with Alekhine. Grandparental duties kept me busy until this am and I am already half-way through the gridfill. Perhaps the endgame will provide the challenge?

[emcee]

I'm afraid it won't, Mesnilpat!

[jim360]

I thought fitting the partitioning in at the end took a little more care and in itself was entertaining. I do hope I'm not missing anything but I wonder how it is that people can have gone through that and not thought "Wow" at the construction. A place for everything and everything in its place ... so many other crosswords rely only on parts of the crossword to be thematic -- to have a whole is surely special in itself?

[upsetter]

Ruthrobin is characteristically generous, Alekhine firm but fair and accurate in his comments.
You can't dress up the entry of the bars as anything but a fairly simple chore. Mr Magoo is big enough to learn from this, and we look forward to being put in our place next time.

[Cloverjo]

I thought the construction was clever, too, although I suppose the setter only has to find words with letters in the right order. Not too constraining for someone like MM, I'd have thought. I enjoyed it anyway. I'm sure I've seen the endgame before.

[upsetter]

PS, Agreed Jim 360, but solving a crossword is not just a spectator sport

[olichant]

Fair comments above, but I enjoyed it.

Anyone wanting a trickier challenge (without wanting to do down Mr Magoo) - just pick up this month's Magpie. There's a delightful Chalicea, a mind-mangling Mash (one of the most brilliant constructions I, for one, have ever seen) and a whole host of others besides.

[sunny-dave]

All done easily enough - can't parse 7d, but I'm sure it will come to me eventually.

I liked the partitioning, not a chore at all, just a nice logical problem rather than the vile grid-staring of last week.