Cory

@Tom Stalnaker fwiw, "hot and bothered" has a slang meaning aligning with "aroused".

@Barry Ancona I don't read comments enough, must know where 'DOOK' comes from. We call them FATAL BERTs around here, because that was my first experience with this phenomenon :) ....aahhhhh, DO OK?

@Marie TETO, but I found this to be exactly what I love to see on a Sunday morning now and again.

@Michael can't put it any better than you did, I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and this took me about a minute longer than average (apparently) ... an average which was being slashed by smooth-sailing Fridays for as long as I can remember (though most quite enjoyable!) Looking forward to more, and enjoyed the constructor's notes quite a bit as well!

@Darius after a lot of puzzles, one here will often find themselves consistently finishing under average.

@cf only in hopes that it'll make you feel better, it's just a reference to an ad campaign/slogan to raise awareness from the American Cancer Society.

@ad absurdum count me in as one of absolutely everybody... oooo, or if you put a letter (besides M) on a MINE square!

@Times Rita fascinating! Thanks for sharing, fun AM read.

@N.E. Body interesting, today took me 4x the time Friday’s did. It’s crazy how one clue either falling into place or not (or, possibly, kids either being at school or creating and attempting to demo chair forts) can impact solve time!

@Jim right there with ya, but essentially they're leaving out "that feeling..." before it.

@ad absurdum sorry, re-read your post and you've already specified the mine square bit. Apologies, coffee just starting for the day.

@Mark M This is it! I am thrilled to hear of this concept being taught to kids early on, as well. @dlr Apologies, but I already clicked comments just to share a similar tale, and now I'm taking up space in your replies section! @Deb Congratulations, and all the best in your next chapter! :)

@Nancy I had D 4 _ ... (thinking the space bar is under the 'c' on the keyboard), then my Dad (who solves online with me while we chat on Teams) said, "why isn't there a clue for this one?" and it allowed me to re-think the whole thing :)

@Andrzej this reminds me of our family chat on Spelling Bee - "I'm just missing a 5... hmmm, well, probably a fabric, plant, hat, or... possibly a soup!"

@Mean Old Lady fear not, ESPN Deportes is simply the name of ESPN's Channel in Spanish. They've got a bunch of channels.

@Bmac yes, sometimes there are multiple accepted forms online, but generally if it's the same both directions, no "xx/xx" needed, just "xx".

@Lewis I will need to start reading the bylines for mini's, because I thought, "hey, Sam stole Christina's idea!!" which is far less positive than reality, in this case.

@Barry Ancona it was creative use of a double answer in the mini, I gave it a/an (insert word for something acknowledging and slightly below chuckle here).

@Marlene Midi arrived as scheduled for me just a moment ago, might be worth another look!

@ad absurdum most definitely mumbled something about spelling bee while entering this answer; came here to reaffirm non-acceptance.

@Cindy Saves me every time... except then of course you have to sing it every time you enter it!

@Lynn I've a list of clues called "Thanks, Final Fantasy!" and that clue was added today! Of course, "Final Fantasy, e.g." is on that list.

@Charles Nelson Reilly for some reason, having it clued as an "electronic" effect made me (fondly, somehow) recall what happens when it and the volume are cranked up in your old Peavy practice amp and you decide to pick it up and move it, not-so-carefully!

@Jacob this clue sent me down a fun rabbit hole, because I was trying to remember a single guitar I'd seen which might have a "treble" knob, and tried to remember an old one a buddy of mine had about 30 years ago which had many knobs and switches. Reached out to said buddy and used the internet and decided it was a Cort "Effector" and found pics! ...and it's a TONE knob :) Glad for the chance to reconnect with an old friend over it, at least!

@Bruce I can only think of the 80's Casio "Data Bank" watch. MAN, was I excited to get one of those back then.

@FJ filling in the answer today I was reminded of a conversation this year (on the golf course!) trying to suss out the meanings of "bugbear" vs "bugaboo". Just to add to the confusion.

@David Connell I came to the comments searching for the same - enjoyable puzzle but I swear I just did this theme! (Also crawl through the archives on the regular)...

@Jeb Jones I used to work in a call center and one poor tech said "Z as in xylophone.... wait, did I just say that?!" and we shared a nice laugh.

@David Connell I came to the comments searching for the same - enjoyable puzzle but I swear I just did this theme! (Also crawl through the archives on the regular)... EDIT - Found it! 08/13/2020 :)

@Sally in my (blurry) memory, it was replaced with "I gotta dip" more often sometime in the '90s, then... whatever the kids are saying now.