Listener 4,047: Cut Out by Lato

[s436]

I wonder how people are getting on with this one. I found that all but one of the "normal" clues fell in fairly quickly, but now I'm staring at an almost-full grid with no idea how to progress. Any thoughts on how to go about tackling the thematic material?

[Spaghetti]

I think I've paired up 4 of the 'associated entries' with their one-word definitions, and I have a suspicion as to what 32ac is, but as yet I can't make any connections between these, or between them and everything else...

[AHearer]

I thought the clues were fair, but had a devil of a time with the end-game. It did all fall into place unambiguously in the end. I was a little surprised that 15 accounted for the whole lot (according to one way of counting): somehow I'd always thought there were more.

[s436]

Can anyone confirm that all of the thematic entries are real words? If they are then I've slipped up somewhere, which may be what's holding me back

[AHearer]

Yes, all the entries are real words (apart from the one normal entry which is an abbreviation as noted in the rubric)..

[kwyjibo]

Very good puzzle. With so many unclued lights, including the thematic answer, it looked to be a tough slog.

[cluelessJoe]

I've just seen where this one is going, and can't really decide how much I like it. Took a while to get there, then when I did I started to lose interest, maybe because of links being limited to only bits of the ultimate complete thematic items. Kind of reminded me of the time a relative offered those present to have a sniff (and just a sniff) of her bag of newly bought rum truffles.
I'll finish off the last bit tomorrow - might seem a bit better after a night's rest!
Oh! ... and commiserations to our Everton supporter.

[IntoTheBlue]

Agreed CluelessJoe the Everton performance was a horror show. (I wouldn't bother with MOTD BobbieCollins!)

Just about there. I don't understand the wordplay to 9a yet and I'm trying to justify the entry to highlight. I wonder if the title comes into play...ah well off to bed I'll have a fresh look tomorrow.

IntoTheBlue

[Cruncher]

On the home straight now. I had originally convinced myself that this was going to be based on the Apocrypha, and then a list of hospitals, and the appearance of the letters of 'author' around the central square was another false trail. Now just the job of matching up the references.

By the way thought the Kea puzzle was superb - just the job for a wet and stormy Cornwall camping fortnight with my belligerent teens.

[midazolam]

having got the thematic link (concentrate on the anagrams first s436) back on friday, i could not face the word association game until today. Came together ok but i am not overly impressed. Very loosely contrived picking out words from the thematic "32"

intotheblue - nurses is a verb in this clue and highlight the anagram that is the odd one out (which is also thematic in its construction)

[cluelessJoe]

IntoTheBlue - check out the first two and last letter of 9a and the wordplay might fall into place. 90th minute job for me, getting that one (just like another team yesterday maybe?)

[IntoTheBlue]

Thanks Midazolam and CluelessJoe it's all clear now.

I should have realised sooner that nurses was being used as a verb and I'm now convinced about the entry to highlight and more importantly why..

(It was the 92nd minute yesterday before I could breathe a huge sigh of relief yesterday after a tigerish performance from the opposition...)

IntoTheBlue

[Cruncher]

IntoTheBlue - the title is, of course, a reference to 32ac....

[IntoTheBlue]

Thanks Cruncher, I'd missed that significance of the title...

[thebuzz999]

Just about done...the extra word that associates with the 3-letter down entry at the bottom of the central column is eluding me, unless it's in 24a, in which case, it's REALLY weak....

[perseverer]

Thebuzz999, there is an extra word in 24a, but by my reckoning it doesn't go with the entry you are referring to.

[turnerjmw]

I thought this was quite fun. The grid fill and anagrams were straightforward enough, and I liked the more lateral thinking required for the associations. So often it's just a matter of technique. I did feel the final step was slightly underwhelming, though.

[u10]

buzz - I associated the small three letter word with the extra word in 27a (the complete word is in Chambers). The extra word in 24a associated with the middle entry in the central column giving a cult TV personality (in my opinion!).
My final thematic entry associates with the last unfinished work. Am I on the right path?

[starwalker]

I thought that this was quite straightforward, with a nice PDM at the end.

[emcee]

I liked this one too. Lato seems to be making this 'word association' thematic game his own trademark - I haven't found it as tedious as some of you have. The only snag is I'm now unemployed 'til Friday!

Surely there must be a REAL stinker due soon otherwise they're going to have to invite alot of people to the next Listener bash...

[bobbycollins]

Thanks for your concerns clulessJoe and IntoTheBlue.

Sadly we have the ESPN sports channel and I had to endure the whole thing. Spookily, my first visit to Goodison was on 6 September 1958 (aged 6) and guess what the score was? (1-6 against the Arsenal). Can't remember if Bobby Collins played, although I have a book at home which will tell me.

Enjoyable puzzle, despite the dog not being shown too much of the rabbit.