Listener 4148 - More Collusion by The Magpie

[starwalker]

Having seen the setter(s) I thought that this would be a real problem. Surprisingly, despite some tricky clues, it all fell into place quite quickly.
I notice that these days they omit the instruction to use a pencil first, but then I always take that for granted.

[TheBear69]

contendo, I think the definition to 16a is kosher; look at the 2nd def of the word in the BRB.

[perseverer]

Speravi - don't think 1ac needs an acronym....

[Zabadak]

I'll come clean and say I haven't twigged this one, so am in the semi-clever-clogs camp - all 35 (!) letters identified but no clue as to how to use them. I can (I'm sure) stick all the letters in some order in some part of the grid to make lots of lovely new words, but that's obviously not the point and would probably lead to several alternative solutions, each one pushing the final transformation further away. I can see (I think) some possible places where some "final" words might appear, but I haven't had that moment of lateral thought/lucky guess/sudden inspiration which shows how everything is done. Which means that, for the time being, the instructions are just meaningless gibberish. Zabadak is currently grumpy and irritated!

[perseverer]

Zabadak - don't want to say too much, but keep it simple.

[JackDeCrow]

Phew, just got there after a whole day stuck on step 3, which I was making more complicated by trying to make the changes symmetrical as well as the results. Similar to others, finally saved by an inkling of what step 4 might be. Very enjoyable (now!).

[IainGrace]

We are at the bright spark stage, so steps 2 and 3 to follow. Encouraged by earlier posts which suggest that this may be less of a challenge than meets the eye. Clever construction.

[aldanna]

Yes, I'm stuck on step 3 also, fine so far, some clever clues, but no idea what to do next. At least I'm a cleverclogs, if not a smartypants.

[Walterloo]

Hmmm, I'm not even a bright spark. Still have 16a to solve (I just cannot unravel the clue) and no idea how to look for the 'portion' of the grid. Like others I can see many words that can be altered by changing a single letter. I'm trying to keep it simple, as perseverer states, but so far nothing is clicking into place.

[perseverer]

Walterloo - check your email re 4145

[Paula]

I'm with you Zabadak. Filled the grid on Friday night but cannot see the portion of the grid to place my extra letters. Keep putting it down and coming back but still tearing my hair out!

[tenflags]

Oooh and ahhh on the construction. Although as I said to a friend whilst I have the upmost admiration for setters; given that some have access to grid filling software in some ways I think the solvers are just as clever. Especially those without anything but pencil and rubber.
In awe at the Friday nighters speed of solve on this one.

[trux]

As expected, very beautifully constructed and successive PDMs leading to most satisfactory conclusion ... many thanks, The M - do collude some more, especially if they remain as approachable as this ! (though each stage took some working out, which is how it should be, methinks)

[pushmi-pullyu]

Only started today after a long weekend away, and have finally made it to clever clogs. Hoping my pants will be on smartier form tomorrow.

[serpentinew]

I do agree with the sentiments - a very pleasing puzzle and a nice humourous touch to finish. All in all, what the listener should be all about, IMHO.

[cross_lover]

Once again I'm part of the way and then losing it! Got the 35 letters in place but no idea what "change this plan" is referring to. Can't see any latent "reason" either since some of you seem to have got that before changing the eight words. Wish I was a smartypants!

[Speravi]

I didn't explain myself clearly, perseverer - it was the new word created using the unnecessary letter from 1ac that I have as an acronym, not 1ac itself.

[contendo]

Finally got elevated from the rank of bright spark to clever clogs but promotion to smartypants may take a little longer. Wonder whether "they" in the penultimate line of the preamble (twice) refers to the letters. Seems a little clumsy.

[Clamzy]

speravi - I think perseverer may still be puzzled as may a certain well known Dame from Oz:-)

[Speravi]

Many thanks, Clamzy - your analysis is spot on (as usual).

[Scree]

Things are looking up! Completed grid in a day, and my daughter worked out the second phase. Then I was stuck for a while, but light dawned and I cracked phase three. As usual, I marvel at the ingenuity of the setters.

I'm still sulking though - I thought I'd manged quite a neat printer's devilry clue for EASTER in a recent Azed:

'Jack was glad to be safe as hor/rible storm broke.'

The winning clue was 'Sailor lengthens stay as hor/rible wind hits port.' I appreciate that 'lengthens stay' is clever, but I still reckon mine was more inscrutable - and I don't even get a mention as VHC!

Perhaps only the best example of each approach gets that high a ranking, but it's still galling. So near and yet so far...