How to Solve a Cryptic Crossword

[Tallulah!]

Programme about this at 8pm tonight on BBC4. Repeated at 2.05 am.

[cruciverbali]

This is well worth a look, thanks Tallulah !

[gen2]

If it is the same programme that has been on before, then it was very interesting but not very instructional for the budding solver.

It had many snippets of crossword setters that I found informative, revealing who was behind those pseudonyms.

[MLN:RUGBY]

I hope a few people on this site took notes! ;-)

[Tallulah!]

It didn't have the repeat symbol in RT nor Sky Programme Guide.

[ABconsultant]

some on the AB site do not have a telly will they show it on the radio

[cruciverbali]

No, but it will be shown again on BBC4 on Friday 11 December at 01:35 :

A look at the world of cryptic crosswords, offering up the secrets of these seemingly impenetrable puzzles.

Crossword setter Don Manley, AKA Quixote, reveals the tricks that compilers use to bamboozle and entertain solvers using a crossword he created especially for the programme.

We also find out why Britain became home to the cryptic crossword, how a crossword nearly put paid to the D-Day invasion and why London Underground is elevating the crossword to an art form.

Author Colin Dexter explains why Inspector Morse loved his crossword, Martin Bell reveals how his father became the first crossword setter of the Times without ever having solved one and the crossword editor of the Daily Telegraph opens up her postbag.

Also sharing their enthusiasm for cryptic crosswords are actors Prunella Scales and Simon Russell Beale, Val Gilbert of the Daily Telegraph and Jonathan Crowther, AKA Azed of the Times.

Broadcasts:

Mon 10 Nov 2008 21:00 BBC Four
Tue 11 Nov 2008 01:30 BBC Four
Sun 16 Nov 2008 21:30 BBC Four
Mon 17 Nov 2008 01:00 BBC Four
Sat 22 Nov 2008 21:10 BBC Four
Sun 23 Nov 2008 01:30 BBC Four
Mon 7 Dec 2009 20:00 BBC Four
Tue 8 Dec 2009 02:05 BBC Four
Fri 11 Dec 2009 01:35 BBC Four

[zita-green]

Thanks, Cruciverb. I missed it yesterday.

[Tallulah!]

HaHa ABconsultant! I've never heard of a radio with a screen!
Thanks for all that info, cruciverbali. I may have taped it last time it was on but we are only watching February at the moment!

[bathtub]

... or even Jonathan Crowther, Azed of the Observer!

I saw this first time round - very good and I'll try to catch the early showing on Friday. It's remarkable how little media coverage crosswords (cryptic or otherwise) get when one considers their popularity.