"Sounds Like A Simpsons Holiday Special" by benchen71

Can you storm the castle by getting across the MOAT? A weekly meta crossword constructed by forum member Ben (aka benchen71). These metas range from relatively easy to more challenging, depending on how many Australianisms he puts in them! Puzzles are posted in a new thread every Tuesday, with nudges appearing on Saturdays, and the solution coming out on Mondays. (At least, that's the plan. Given he lives in Australia, and they are so far ahead of the US time-zone-wise, things may get posted early!)
Qmark
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Joined: Thu Aug 25, 2022 4:33 pm
Location: Ottawa, Canada

#21

Post by Qmark »

Crossed the MOAT...Woo Hoo! Thanks Ben!
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whimsy
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Joined: Sun Jun 21, 2020 9:51 am
Location: Hopkinton MA

#22

Post by whimsy »

"Over the river, and through the moat..." or something like that.

Untitledzzovertheriver.png

Thanks, Ben for this and all your puzzles.
We're throwing another shrimp on the barbie so you can feast too!
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benchen71
Posts: 2448
Joined: Thu Jul 22, 2021 8:50 pm
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#23

Post by benchen71 »

We're at the end of the first 24 hours, and we've had 38 solvers so far!

Tom Wilson
markhr
Carolyn
LindaPRmaven
Alex Sisti
lbray53
Meg
boharr
Cindy Weatherman
edestlin
MatthewL
KayW
Dave C
Pair O Ducks
Darth
kurtalert
Hector
woozy
heidi
hoover
Mr Tex
Laura M
DIS
Sharkicicles
ajk
BarbaraK
I K Snamhcok
HeadinHome
rayyandroid
Jeremy Smith
whimsy
Qmark
Tyrpmom
LB800
DebbieC
merlinnimue
Berto
Mikey G
Last edited by benchen71 on Wed Nov 22, 2023 12:50 am, edited 1 time in total.
Check out "The MOAT MEOW Mashup Pack" here. US$10 for 14 metas that don't always abide by the "rules" of the game: asymmetry, 2-letter words, uncrossed letters, who knows. And this time there's a mega-meta! :shock:
LindaPRmaven
Posts: 11
Joined: Tue Mar 01, 2022 1:27 pm

#24

Post by LindaPRmaven »

I believe you left me off the solver list.
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benchen71
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#25

Post by benchen71 »

LindaPRmaven wrote: Wed Nov 22, 2023 12:16 am I believe you left me off the solver list.
I did indeed. I will rectify that immediately.
Check out "The MOAT MEOW Mashup Pack" here. US$10 for 14 metas that don't always abide by the "rules" of the game: asymmetry, 2-letter words, uncrossed letters, who knows. And this time there's a mega-meta! :shock:
LindaPRmaven
Posts: 11
Joined: Tue Mar 01, 2022 1:27 pm

#26

Post by LindaPRmaven »

Thank you, Ben
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Cinny
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#27

Post by Cinny »

Crossed the moat. Thanks, Ben!
Cindy Heisler
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benchen71
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#28

Post by benchen71 »

Another day, another batch of solvers:

JM
CPJohnson
Cindy Heisler
Katiedid
Spid4567
Dow Jones

We're up to 44 now. Nudges tomorrow morning, Australia time.
Check out "The MOAT MEOW Mashup Pack" here. US$10 for 14 metas that don't always abide by the "rules" of the game: asymmetry, 2-letter words, uncrossed letters, who knows. And this time there's a mega-meta! :shock:
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rjy
Posts: 1032
Joined: Fri Oct 08, 2021 12:52 pm
Location: Gaithersburg, MD

#29

Post by rjy »

Cowabunga, Ben! Took me awhile, but a great aha! when it hit me… fun one, thanks!
Ray
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lbray53
Posts: 1223
Joined: Fri May 08, 2020 8:34 am
Location: Elkhorn, WI

#30

Post by lbray53 »

Leapt the MOAT and stormed the castle. Posted twice but do not see it here. Must have forgotten to push Submit. DOH!!!
My avatar proves that it is sometimes better to be lucky than good!
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benchen71
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#31

Post by benchen71 »

Just one more solver, bringing us to 45:

rjy

Let's see if some nudges help!
Check out "The MOAT MEOW Mashup Pack" here. US$10 for 14 metas that don't always abide by the "rules" of the game: asymmetry, 2-letter words, uncrossed letters, who knows. And this time there's a mega-meta! :shock:
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benchen71
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#32

Post by benchen71 »

Nudges, in order of increasing blatancy:

1. There are no additional hints in the grid, but one of the long entries will reveal what holiday is in focus. The other three long entries are quite strange. I'd focus on all these long entries, if I were you.

2. 20 across and 55 across both have quite obvious names hidden in them. It might be harder to find the names hidden in 28 across and 47 across, but they're there.

3. What links these names? A knowledge of The Simpsons will definitely help here.

4. The names are voice actors (hence "sounds like" in the title). But you will need their other name, either first or last, depending on which one was hiding in the grid.
Check out "The MOAT MEOW Mashup Pack" here. US$10 for 14 metas that don't always abide by the "rules" of the game: asymmetry, 2-letter words, uncrossed letters, who knows. And this time there's a mega-meta! :shock:
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benchen71
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#33

Post by benchen71 »

I've been a bit quiet over the weekend (two family functions) but here's the final solver update:

Darrell
DCBilly
SeamusOL
MrTheHan
Jerry Miccolis
frostyjhammer
Johnny Luau
Steve M

That's a total of 53. Answer soon...
Check out "The MOAT MEOW Mashup Pack" here. US$10 for 14 metas that don't always abide by the "rules" of the game: asymmetry, 2-letter words, uncrossed letters, who knows. And this time there's a mega-meta! :shock:
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benchen71
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#34

Post by benchen71 »

Here's the solution to "Sounds Like A Simpsons Holiday Special":

Sounds Like A Simpsons Holiday Special (solution).png

Many people had to back-solve for the M. It's true that Tress Macneille is not one of the main voices. But that was the only way I could get an "M"!

This week's MOAT will be somewhere in "week 4" territory, so gird your loins! :D
Check out "The MOAT MEOW Mashup Pack" here. US$10 for 14 metas that don't always abide by the "rules" of the game: asymmetry, 2-letter words, uncrossed letters, who knows. And this time there's a mega-meta! :shock:
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sharkicicles
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Joined: Fri May 10, 2019 12:03 pm
Location: Chicago

#35

Post by sharkicicles »

Love the Simpsons, love Benchen metas, loved this puzzle.
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