MGWCC #742 - “Chain Gang”

[Joe Ross]

MGWCC #742 — Saturday, August 20th, 2022 — “Chain Gang”

THIS WEEK’S INSTRUCTIONS:

This week’s contest answer is an infamous American of the 20th and 21st centuries.

NOTE: Due to the delayed post, the entry deadline this week is Noon ET on Wednesday, August 24th.

Solve well, and be not led astray by words intended to deceive.


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[paige11]

Hoping I didn't jump the gun... waiting for confirmation!

Edit: Beam me up

[Joe Ross]

Hoping I didn't jump the gun... waiting for confirmation!

Edit: Beam me up

4. pvs 08/20 - 12:40

[Bird Lives]

In his summary of last week's puzzle, Matt
1. posts a nice graphic of the solution (BrennerTJ?)
2. singles out my comment to note that it was wrong

[Wendy Walker]

Fingers crossed for beaming-up-ness!
EDIT: Right behind Meg at #10, my best finish EVER!

[Meg]

I’ve beamed up at #9! Some days the pieces fall into place.

[Laura M]

Fingers crossed for beaming-up-ness!
EDIT: Right behind Meg at #10, my best finish EVER!

Congrats! And I'm right behind you at #11!

[Bob cruise director]

Just starting on week 3 and having this ear worm

[Wendy Walker]

"Uhh .... ahhh ... That's the sound of the men ... workin' on the Gaff--neEEey"

[Bird Lives]

Uncertain since the thing that would make it 100% seems to be missing. But I'll take a chance.

UPDATE: Beamed up at #17 just behind oldjudge, my highest finish ever. Needless to say, I found this one much easier than Week #2.

[Joe]

I'm finding this meta so relaxing.

I stare at the grid. And then listen to the sound of tumbleweeds as they go blowing by. Very soothing. Almost makes me wa....zzzzz

[MikeyG]

Funny themers always make me smile. (I would eat a 51-Across!)

[ky-mike]

Grid done. Step 1 done. Stuck!

At least I am seeing more here than WSJ Meta.

[ajk]

Suppose I should have expected that failure to have a clue on either WSJ or MGWCC would be added to the usual week-before-classes-sux vibe.

ETA: at least the former issue was fixed by the Zoom gang

[HeadinHome]

Well this is strange… I have a very clear and clever path to a very clear answer, but it does not fit the prompt. It’s gotta be it, or related… but what the ???. I could jump to a better answer related to it, but it’s a leap. Anybody else?

UPDATE: My “can’t be” answer finally developed into a submittable answer, so despite completely satisfying confirmation from the grid/clues, I am in at #55 (I mean, I see some confirmation, but it isn’t what I would expect for a solid click). Very clever mechanism, however… enjoyed it once I got on to the first step.

[MikeyG]

Just starting on week 3 and having this ear worm

Typically, if there is some key song reference in a meta, I'll listen to it on loop to assist! Past instances included Paula Abdul's album (during that ridiculously long column of text), Blonde on Blonde (I'm a huge Dylan fan anyway), and - as of recently - Ed Ames' "My Cup Runneth Over" about fifty times.

If you need auditory inspiration, see if Sam Cooke (what a voice) helps!

Mikey G

[dudeski]

Like Bird Lives, 92% sure but can't make one piece fit.

Edit: 100% in at 32

[MMe]

but it does not fit the prompt

There are zero incorrect answers at last update.

[HeadinHome]

but it does not fit the prompt

There are zero incorrect answers at last update.

I find this unfathomable, given the dilemma I have… maybe there are a bunch of people like me hanging back, thinking “this HAS to be it, but it CAN’T be it!”

[MikeyG]

Huh. Now I'm feeling infamous.