Ben Bass and Beyond: For shame!

Thursday, May 15, 2008

For shame!

FOBB&B Stephen Schmidt is running a Final Four-style summer blockbuster box-office tournament (pity whoever had Speed Racer taking the checkered flag).

While handicapping a few upcoming releases the other day, he referred to the "Sex and the City" movie as Horse-Face, Lezzie, Cougar and The Hot Chick.

My heavens! Such language! I can't endorse that kind of gratuitous ad hominem attack.

But really, is he wrong?

NPR Sunday puzzle

This week: Think of a familiar two-word phrase, five letters in each word. The second word starts with P. The phrase names something that is nice to have after dinner. Change the P to an S, and you'll get another familiar phrase that names something that's nice to have before you start a job. What phrases are these?

Enter here or email me for a hint.

Last week: This puzzle comes from Scott Kim, the puzzle maker for Discover Magazine. He has a 2010 page-a-day calendar just out called "Mind Benders and Brainteasers." Here's one of the puzzles in it: Name five two-digit numbers that are evenly spaced out — like 32, 34, 36, 38 and 40 — in which all 10 digits from 0 to 9 are used once each. What numbers are these?

Highlight for answer: There are four possible solutions: 18, 36, 54, 72, 90; or 54, 63, 72, 81, 90; or 50, 61, 72, 83, 94; or 10, 32, 54, 76, 98. As long as the first digit keeps moving up or down at a steady pace, and so does the last digit, you're good.

Two weeks ago: From Will Shortz's old pal Merl Reagle, whose Sunday crosswords appear in the Washington Post, Los Angeles Times and many other newspapers: Take the letters in PLEASANTLY, plus the letter I. Rearrange these 11 letters to name a well-known place. What is it?

Highlight for answer: Naples, Italy

Three weeks ago: Think of three six-letter words starting with B, G and F. The last five letters of the words are the same and in the same order, yet none of the words rhymes with any of the others. What words are these?

Highlight for answer: Bather, Gather, Father