Listener No. 4381: Awful By Towser

[AHearer]

In my version, it's terrible, but thanks to Towser for raising a smile.

[starwalker]

I cannot say that I am surprised to see such an early posting, after I guessed the phrase with just a couple of entries. Thanks Towser for the generosity and the smile. Now, I just have to finish off.

[Ruthrobin]

Lovely laugh - a favourite of my son's when he was six or so.

[Contrarian]

Thanks for an easy one Towser. Too much to deal with today to be spending hours on a Listener.

[cross_lover]

I agree it's a simple solve, but I can't fathom the significance of the "thematic omission". Must get the lateral thinking cap on.

[jim360]

I was puzzling over that too, but just looked it up again in BRB and all is revealed. A useful find for Towser, I suspect.

The smile came early, and then it was a bit of a ponderous gridfill, particularly with the head-scratching over the significance of the thematic omission. That cleared up, it was a fine puzzle in the end.

[upsetter]

Filled grid - laughed at old joke - in same boat as cross_lover.
Will do further and better research in the BRB.

[Flocker14]

A stroll in the park perhaps - but good fun. Thanks, Towser.

[Pasquin]

From schooldays I knew the connection between the theme and what was to be omitted, but it took me ages to think of using it here. Thanks, Towser.

[easylistener]

A great puzzle. So glad to be able to do one without having to resort to asking for hints from some of you kind Fridaynight-er people out there. I'm chuffed to be a Saturdaymorning-er instead of a Sundaynight-er.

[aldanna]

Easy but fun. So well into the Friday club that Himself posited I was almost in the Thursday club. However, as yet I haven't fathomed the significance of the term "thematic" for the omissions. I will follow Jim's tip and look it up again in the BRB, but not too sure what "it" is. Don't understand the title either.

[s_pugh]

Very straightforward but fun. The significance of the omission was lost on me but a glance in the BRB confirms it not once but in two locations so absolutely no ambiguity this week (a welcome change!). Thanks Towser.

[contendo]

Has anyone else got a problem with a definition/wordplay mismatch at 32A?

[AndrewG-S]

This was a bit of a joke.

[Cruncher]

32ac looked fine to me although you have to pursue the definition a little in the BRB. Fun puzzle and likewise had no idea about the thematic omission until I did a little search in Chambers

[icynorth]

Not a lot to add, really. A simple solve, but a well-executed puzzle, which will hopefully swell the numbers. I was wondering whether a less definitive preamble would have made it a stiffer challenge, but I don't think it would. Thanks Towser!

[towsertaylor]

I'm a trifle puzzled by the references to the BRB (I'm guessing it's not the Birmingham Royal Ballet). Might anyone kindly enlighten me.
Towser

[Neveracrossword]

Chambers Dictionary - the Big Red Book.

[AndrewG-S]

Towser, many thanks for an enjoyable and amusing puzzle. I hope you didn't take my earlier comment the wrong way!

[roslyn251254]

Passed on this afternoon nicely for me!

[upsetter]

contendo - the answer is an alternative spelling for a word that has the desired meaning but the BRB is not terribly clear.