Cryptoquote Spoiler – 12/02/17

“I’m dating a woman now who, evidently, is unaware of it.”   —   Garry Shandling

(Just about everybody can relate to self-deprecating humor, and Garry was a master at it!  I also have a certain fondness for any comedian that I was introduced to via the Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.  For me, and countless others, Johnny set the gold standard for late night talk shows.  He frequently gave opportunities to up-and-coming comedians, like Garry Shandling, Gary Wright and Jerry Seinfeld, as well as the more established comedians like Jonathan Winters, Robert Klein, Rodney Dangerfield, Joan Rivers, David Steinberg, Don Rickles,  Phyllis Diller, John Byner, Rich Little, etc., etc..  Great monologues, great characters/skits, and a great rapport with both his sidekick, Ed McMahon, and bandleader, Doc Severinsen.  I miss Johnny, and I miss David Letterman too.  Letterman was great with his guests, and had a kind of sardonic humor that always appealed to me.  The new guys are okay, I guess.  Fallon is a little too forced, for my taste.  And, as talented as Stephen Colbert is, he rubs me the wrong way as being exceedingly conceited.  I always feel like he’s trying to outdo his guests.  And, that does not make for good interviews.  I actually like Jimmy Kimmel, as best of the current big three, but I’ve sorta become a slave to CBS Late Night!  There are other things that I don’t like about Colbert, but I’ve already rambled on longer than I had planned.  So, that can wait for another post!  Be well and do good, friends.)   —   YUR

Jumble Spoiler – 12/02/17

Visual Description:  Rolling in the knolls.

LHYYS  =  SHYLY,  OTBUD  =  DOUBT,  ALENDH  =  HANDLE,  GLEHIS  =  SLEIGH   —   Giving us:  HLDOTHLESLI

Clue/Question:  The Scottish highlands’ land formations are as – – –

Answer:  OLD AS THE HILLS

(I’m not all that crazy about today’s pun, as it is just too literal, in my opinion.  But, there are – as usual – good things about today’s Jumble.  None of today’s clue words are new, yet all of the jumbles were.  I was able to see them all instantly.  The answer letter layout was actually a very good jumble.  But, the leading nature of the clue/question, along with the word “AS” in the answer layout, made the answer thoroughly obvious, to me.  I do really like the cartoon though.  The Scotsman in his kilts and tam, with his walking stick.  The faint outline of Nessie, in the lake, and a castle off in the distance!  I’m not sure what that thing on the hill, below the castle, is supposed to be though.  Any guesses?  Be well and do good, friends.)   —   YUR