Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY’s daily crossword puzzle, Connect Four

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

Contents

Comments from Today’s Crossword Constructor What I Learned from Today’s Puzzle Random Thoughts & Interesting Things Crossword Puzzle Theme Synopsis For more on USA TODAY’s Crossword Puzzles

Constructor: Matthew Luter

Editor: Jared Goudsmit

Comments from Today’s Crossword Constructor

Matthew: Sometimes, I’ve learned, one puzzle construction can inspire another one. A while back, in a crossword for another publication, I clued the common 3-letter entry SIS with a reference to the line “pretty sneaky, sis!” in the classic Connect Four commercial (if you know, you know). I then filed away CONNECT FOUR as a good possible title or theme revealer, and now here we are. I hope this one plays for you all as more smooth than sneaky.

What I Learned from Today’s Puzzle

SITAR (30A: Roopa Panesar’s string instrument) Roopa Panesar is a SITAR player from the UK. In addition to playing Indian classical music, she also plays jazz and western classical music.
TEENA (64A: “Square Biz” singer Marie) TEENA Marie (1956-2010) was a soul and R&B singer-songwriter. Her 1980 song, “Square Biz” is a single from her fourth studio album, It Must Be Magic. “Square Biz” includes a rap break, which was unusual at the time it was released.
ALTO (32D: Yona Marie’s vocal range) Yona Marie is a singer, songwriter, composer, and music blogger. And, oh yes, she’s an ALTO. On her music blog, Yona Marie Music, she gives career advice and provides resources for those interested in the music industry.

Random Thoughts & Interesting Things

UPON (16A: Second word in many fairy tales) and ONCE (62A: First word in many fairy tales) What a fun pairing! ONCE UPON a time…
ISLE (17A: Landmass like Capri) The Italian ISLE of Capri is located in the Tyrrhenian Sea, which is part of the Mediterranean. Capri is a popular resort destination.
FEED ME SEYMOUR (20A: Audrey II’s command in “Little Shop of Horrors”) Little Shop of Horrors is a rock musical that has been adapted into a movie of the same name. It is set in a florist shop and the story concerns a large Venus flytrap-like plant – Audrey II – that feeds on human blood and flesh. “FEED ME, SEYMOUR!” was a great find for this theme.
FIG (23A: Christmas pudding fruit) “Oh, bring us some FIGgy pudding / Oh, bring us some FIGgy pudding…”
LOVE (43A: “I don’t wanna call it off / But you don’t wanna call it ___” (“Good Luck, Babe!” lyric)) “Good Luck, Babe!” is a 2024 song by Chappell Roan.
RIAN (65A: “Knives Out” director Johnson) In addition to directing the 2019 movie Knives Out, RIAN Johnson also directed the 2022 movie Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery. As a fan of these movies, I am looking forward to Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, which is also directed by RIAN Johnson. It is scheduled to be released later this year.
ACNE (68A: Proactiv target) Proactiv is a brand of skin-care products that were developed by dermatologists Katie Rodan and Kathy A. Fields. The brand is particularly known for their anti-ACNE products.
SNL (13D: “Career Day” sketch show) “Career Day” is a 2018 SNL (Saturday Night Live) sketch featuring Adam Driver playing Abraham H. Parnassus, the aged father of a middle school student. The father comes to school to speak at career day. “For 82 years, I’ve been an oil man.”
TOUCAN (49D: ___ Sam (Froot Loops bird)) TOUCAN Sam has been the mascot of Froot Loops since the cereal was first introduced in 1964. “Follow your nose, it always knows…”
JIM (60D: “The Great Muppet Caper” director Henson) The Great Muppet Caper is a 1981 musical movie directed by JIM Henson. The movie features the Muppets who get caught up in a jewel heist while investigating a robbery in London. The Great Muppet Caper is the only Muppets feature film directed by JIM Henson (1936-1990), who was the creator of the Muppets. I happen to know that today’s constructor and I share a love of the Muppets, and it made me extremely happy to see this clue.

Crossword Puzzle Theme Synopsis

FEED ME SEYMOUR (20A: Audrey II’s command in “Little Shop of Horrors”)
FAREWELL TOUR (58A: Traveling band’s last hurrah)
FINEST HOUR (58A: Time to do your most admirable deeds)

CONNECT FOUR: Each theme answer is CONNECTing the word FOUR in a sense: FEED ME SEYMOUR, FAREWELL TOUR, and FINEST HOUR.

I am familiar with the classic “Pretty sneaky, Sis,” CONNECT FOUR commercial Matt referenced in his notes, but it had been some time since I’d seen it. The game CONNECT FOUR first came on the market in 1974, and that particular commercial aired in the late 1970s-early 1980s. At any rate, I’m glad that thinking about that commercial ultimately led Matt to making this puzzle. Thank you, Matt, for this enjoyable puzzle.