Listener 4027: Command Performance by Centigram

[midazolam]

Centrigram gives us this weeks listener with a very nice denouement (better than squaring the circle last year)

Although the across anagrams makes it tougher than the clues actually are, there is a pleasing finish.

I know many do not like Listener's with anagrams, but sometimes they are necessary to make a more pleasing denouement, and I think this is a justifiable example.

[midazolam]

oops - subscribed not prescribed - that would have got listenerite going again (remembering the "here here" fiasco)

[JackDeCrow]

Ah - I see now why there was a bit of controversy over the whole thing. Never quite understood before! However, anything that removes the possibility of missing a Listener due to just not getting round to getting the paper, is a fine thing by me!

[Apache4D]

Well finally got some time in to finish this one and really enjoyed the final outcome, "apprpriately supported" indeed! Very clever.

Robinruth, thanks for your earlier comment re: last week's effort, didn't reply as haven't been on the thread until I solved 4027. I did have all the 52 letters highlighted, but just wasn't bright enough to see the relevance of the second phrase (that is still the case unfortunately haha!)

Looking forward to next week's immensely, luckily I have an interesting EV to keep me busy in the meantime.

[Clamzy]

At the time of writing, Listenerite and his friends are engaged in a lively debate in the other place. It's fairly amusing.

[robinruth]

Yes, I have been following it for a week. It was acrimonious but then turned very amusing with the 'April Fool' offence mailing. Sadly, it has now become bitter again. Isn't it astonishing? It is rather like children squabbling in the schoolyard about who said what. Have they nothing better to do? How good that this site is so warm and friendly (until Listnerite comes for a visit).

[cluelessJoe]

... doesn't seem to take an awful lot to get any of them going does it - but careful about waving that red rag in Listenerite's direction!

Meanwhile, harking back to your post Midazolam, I think you clearly end up quids-in, but paradoxically I think that The Times probably end up profiting too. I reckon that after production expenses, then allowing for distributors & news-vendors' mark up, they probably made just a few pence from your copy ... so your �25 for the sub is most likely a lot more than they originally used to make from you.
It's a very good deal anyway - particularly for anyone who likes to dabble in the other Times crosswords as it saves the cost of a paper every single day ... if only things were so black & white from my perspective - I need some decent hard copy to hide behind at the Saturday breakfast table, rely on the raw material to line the guinea pig cage and to light the woodburner, depend on the non-electronic tv guide and like real lists of runners & riders. Guess I'll stick to forking out �75 a year for that (however harking back to my post a few weeks back, I've now saved my 8 mastheads so get to pick up �20 worth of pizza express vouchers which leaves me about a tenner in profit for the past 2 months worth of the Saturday edition).

[cluelessJoe]

..... but I do miss having access to the Listener on a Friday evening!

[robinruth]

cluelessJoe, I've just downloaded it and if you email me at [email protected] with an address, I'll send you a copy - hope you're on-line as we are out this evening. I'll be starting tomorrow (perhaps - it looks impossible!)

[cluelessJoe]

Hi guys - many thanks for the kind offer ... mailed you back later but kept getting bouncebacks on that web address. Up & running now on today's hardcopy. Good Luck!

[naomirod]

clamzy-where is this other place you spoke of?

[robinruth]

Sorry Cluelessjoe, I've corrected it and gone back to [email protected] so email me there next week and I can send a pdf or whatever.
Naomirod, the 'other site' is Derek Harrison's Crossword Centre message board - a great resource for crosswords and follow ups BUT a very strict rule is that no current puzzle should be discussed or even mentioned until the solution is published. I think the address is crossword.org.uk - it comes up on Google anyway.