Sally Analyzes USA TODAY’s Daily Crossword Puzzle and Nonsense Outro

There are spoilers ahead. You might want to solve today’s puzzle before reading further!

Constructor: Amie Walker

Editor: Amanda Rafkin

Today’s puzzle brings an array of cultural references and musical insights. Here’s a breakdown of some interesting clues and answers.

• STAR (24A: “When the first ___ you see may not be a ___” (“Konstantine” lyric)). “Konstantine” is a 2003 song by the alt rock band Something Corporate. The lyrics reference the song “For Me This is Heaven” by Jimmy Eat World, which begins with, “The first STAR I see may not be a STAR.”
• MOOS (34D: Animal sounds in “Over the Moon”). “Over the Moon” is a song from the musical Rent, performed by the character Maureen. At the end of the song, there are several MOOS.
• BRA (37D: “Long hair (No ___) / It’s my type (That’s right)” (“Red Wine Supernova” lyric)). “Red Wine Supernova” is a 2023 song by Chappell Roan, who describes herself as “pop’s DIY Pop Princess.”

The puzzle also includes a variety of interesting trivia and references to popular culture.

• SKA (1A: Less Than Jake genre). The SKA band Less Than Jake released their ninth studio album, Silver Linings, in 2020. They participated in the SKA Against Racism Tour in 1998, which aimed to raise awareness about racism.
• PROP (4A: The Burn Book in “Mean Girls,” for one). The Burn Book appears in the 2004 movie Mean Girls, its 2018 Broadway adaptation, and the 2024 movie adapted from the musical. All versions were written by Tina Fey.
• ALTO (15A: Tracy Chapman’s vocal range). Tracy Chapman, an ALTO, released her debut single “Fast Car” in 1988. Country artist Luke Combs covered the song in 2023, and it won Song of the Year at the CMA Awards. Chapman is the first Black songwriter to win a CMA Award.
• LION (17A: Leo’s symbol). Today is the last day of Leo season. The zodiac sign Leo, symbolized by the LION, covers those born between July 23 and August 22.
• OBOE (26A: Instrument used for tuning). Orchestras tune to the OBOE, a double-reed woodwind instrument known for its bright, penetrating sound and stable pitch.
• BBC (31A: “Killing Eve” network). Killing Eve, a BBC series running from 2018 to 2022, follows Eve Polastri, portrayed by Sandra Oh, as she tracks psychopathic assassin Villanelle, played by Jodie Comer.
• HALSEY (42A: “Bad at Love” singer). HALSEY released “Bad at Love” in 2017, describing the song as embodying a carefree, Miami Vice-like vibe.
• SNL (62A: “Jumanji” sketch show). Saturday Night Live (SNL) referenced “Jumanji” in a sketch on April 6, featuring Kristen Wiig as a character afraid of playing board games due to the supernatural elements of Jumanji.
• KITTY TREATS (2D: Rewards for cats, casually). My cat, Willow, believes she deserves KITTY TREATS simply for being adorable.

• ODIN (6D: Thor’s dad). In Norse mythology, ODIN is associated with wisdom and healing. He is the father of Thor, the god of lightning, thunder, and storms.
• BILLIE (8D: “LUNCH” singer Eilish). BILLIE Eilish released “LUNCH” in May of this year.
• ELMO (13D: Muppet with a pet goldfish). ELMO’s pet goldfish is named Dorothy.
• AOC (25D: Rep. who said “We open doors so others can walk through them”). Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) represents New York’s 14th congressional district. She was the youngest woman to serve in the U.S. Congress at age 29.
• BLUE (32D: “My heart’s been borrowed and yours has been ___ / All’s well that ends well to end up with you”). These lyrics are from Taylor Swift’s 2019 song “Lover.”
• BALLROOM (36D: Site with a piano in the game Clue). The BALLROOM in the board game Clue often features a piano.
• ARYA (50D: Sansa Stark’s sister). ARYA Stark is a character from Game of Thrones, the TV adaptation of George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Fire and Ice series.
• SHE (55D: “___ Used to Be Mine” (“Waitress” song)). Sara Bareilles wrote “SHE Used to Be Mine” for the musical Waitress.

The puzzle’s theme revolves around synonyms for NONSENSE, cleverly integrated into the clues:

• BOTTOM BUNK (18A: Tiered bed part that’s lower to the ground)
• MECHANICAL BULL (34A: Bar fixture that simulates riding a bucking animal)
• TALKING TRASH (48A: Insulting the other team, say)

The last word of each theme answer forms a synonym for NONSENSE: BUNK, BULL, and TRASH. The theme of “NONSENSE” ties appropriately with the title, referencing Sabrina Carpenter’s 2022 song, “NONSENSE,” where she ad-libs the song’s OUTRO. The puzzle blends musical references into an enjoyable theme.

Source: USA TODAY