Listener 4507 Agreement By Samuel

[Liathach]

On the easy side, perhaps

[Alekhine]

Yes … but welcome relief after recent horrors.

Mrs Alekhine is getting into this now. Soon I will be able to delegate.

[s_pugh]

Either I'm getting better or these are getting easier - had the thematic name after cold solving 7 clues. I think Sabre has spoilt us! Thanks Samuel.

[starwalker]

OK, so it was easier than some of the more recent, but no harm there. Clues were fairly straightforward and fair. I just had a couple that I had to re-check at the end, but all in all I thought it was a nicely weighted offering. Thanks Samuel.

[Encota]

Gentle & enjoyable. And a nice contrast to some of the more challenging ones this year. I always think it's good to have a strong mixture - thanks Samuel!

[emcee]

A bit too easy for the Listener; I do feel that easy puzzles are important to encourage beginners but think this puzzle was, perhaps, more suitable for another paper.

I guess I've been spoilt with the offerings from Ifor and Sabre whose construction times must have been far greater than this setter's.

[Hagen]

Yes, this was easier than the last two, though some of the extra letters didn't yield themselves without a struggle. I guessed the theme early on from one of the clues; no doubt this was an intentional extra hint but perhaps not necessary. A relief to have a puzzle that's more suited to my abilities! Thank you Samuel.

[12barblues]

Well after recent weeks it’s nice to finish in one sitting. If they were all like the last couple (and I’ve only just finished Sabre, never mind Igor) then there would be at least one fewer trying the crossword, life would be too short. This range of difficulty is part of the attractiveness of the puzzle, you never know quite what you will get.

[Scorpius]

On the easy side, yes, but I don't agree with emcee that it's too easy for a Listener (there have been many easier ones), and it's a bit unfair to compare the grid construction with that of either of the previous two puzzles, which had particular thematic requirements.
I certainly welcomed a gentle solve after the last two, and found it far more enjoyable than last week's slog.
Admittedly, the theme emerged very early, making the misprints completely superfluous for me, though they do add to the puzzle's thematic coherence.

[pushmi-pullyu]

I was held up at the last stage because I misread the instructions and thought I was looking for a 10 WORD phrase. Otherwise very straightforward which was good for me because it's a busy weekend.

[sunny-dave]

All very pleasant - I think we need puzzles like this for a decompression period after the brain scramblers we’ve had for the last fortnight.

Thanks Samuel - an ‘old school’ Listener and none the worse for that.

[Ruthrobin]

Yes, I must emphatically endorse what the last few commentators have said in response to emcee.This Listener was a model for setters in that it was thematic in the devices and all clearly led to the phrase to be highlighted with the corrected misprints, the title and the letters to be adjusted all contributing to the theme. The editors have made it clear, in their choice of puzzles with a complete range of difficulty, that it is that kind of diversity that is ideal and this one was by no means the easiest we have seen and beautifully balanced the recent mental challenges. We want to keep our solvers.
Are you a setter emcee? A polished puzzle like this takes many, many-hours to set. No setter does it for the income which is considerably less per hour than we would manage to earn if we were Her Majesty's guests in Strangeways, say.
We do come here to see what you think and appreciate the thoughtful and balanced views of the Answerbank audience but it is depressing to read dismissive comments and whatever you say about one's right to an opinion, I tend to the view that if you can't say something positive, you should say nothing at all.

[Philoctetes]

Ruthrobin,
I agree with everything you say - until that last sentence. Even Listener setters should be able to accept criticism, so as to be able to learn from it. That is the way the puzzle stays fresh and responsive to its target audience. That criticism is usually in context, remember. Here we have a marginally grumpy response from Emcee, and several equally marginally enthusiastic comments from others. We love and respect our setters, but, in the long run, we are the ones they are trying to cater for. If they don't, they need to know.

[Cruncher]

My word! What a dreadful comment Emcee. I personally think it is important that there is a range of difficulty in these puzzles. I usually complete all of them each year and am normally just a few puzzles off an all-correct - so guess I am a reasonably competent solver - but I confess I find some of the very hard ones a real slog and not always terribly satisfying. I always enjoy well-crafted puzzles and good clue-writing - and thought this puzzle ticked both boxes - and, like others, enjoy the respite when a puzzle doesn't take to finish. There are other things in life...

[Hagen]

Cruncher, you must be a mind-reader because you've stated exactly how I feel. Except that you've put it rather more succinctly and diplomatically than I would have done.

[emcee]

If Ruthrobin wants to hurl grenades into a room then I will quite happily toss them back in her direction.

If she expects me to comment on crossword puzzles using sickeningly flowery platitudes every time they are set -- as she does -- then she is slightly more warped than I first thought.

Gentlemen, this is not the first time I've had a dust up with this "lady" however I have long ceased treating her as one.

Now, let this be an end to it.

[sunny-dave]

Steady on chaps (and ladies) - it looks like the general grumpiness from elsewhere in AB land is seeping into The Listener threads - which would be a great shame.

I agree that criticism of puzzles has to be permissible (else there's little going here on but a self-congratulatory love-in) - but personal comments and aspersions are surely de trop.

[icynorth]

I was going to settle back with my popcorn and enjoy a good old-fashioned messageboard flame war, but Having learned that you are both setters, I can’t take sides. You’re both equally appreciated, as is everyone who produces this marvellous entertainment.

As to this puzzle, not a lot to add, but I cracked it by looking in likely places for the hidden phrase. Please could setters hide these a little less obviously? Enjoyable, though - thanks, Samuel!

[jim360]

No complaints from me, first I've completed all year.

[vetuste_ennemi]

That's because you haven't been trying, Mr G.

PS: such intemperate language on the Listener thread. Who would have thought it?