Sun Tel 2378

[MCC]

3 down - Pasty-looking nincompoop! (6) ?O?D?E
It looks like NOODLE, but I don't much fancy that, and I wonder if I'm missing something!

23 down - The ice has melted, you say (5) ?L?E?
As above, is it FLOES ?

[Aquagility]

3d I have noodle, ditto 23d floes (say flows)

[MCC]

Thanks - I'll settle for those, then, but I don't think much of them. I often feel like that about the Telegraph - vaguely dissatisfying, somehow - and not just the crossword!

[Aquagility]

If you know's a better 'ole...................

[maxi2]

Noodles - made from pasta (Italian for paste) - are pasty looking. Whats wrong with that?

[utisz]

Aquagility, that dates you - go to it

[MCC]

I take your point, maxi2 - I can't actually disagree with anything you say. I still don't really like either of these clues, though!
I've never actually heard anyone described as a 'noodle' and I do think the expression 'pasty-looking' always denotes an element of sickliness, rather than a pasta connection.
However, I do agree the clue is technically correct. It doesn't mean I have to like it, though!