PUZZLE #2 & David Cross zinger

ACROSS LITE PUZZLE: [ WAR ON DRUGS?] 
PROGRAM: [Across Lite]

PROGRAM: [Java]

PRINTOUT PUZZLE: [ WAR ON DRUGS?]
PROGRAM: [Adobe Acrobat]

When it doubt with a theme, crossword constructors can turn to the ever-reliable quip/quote/aphorism/rhetorical question/zen koan/recipe/etc. Here's one from the ever-reliable comedian David Cross. You might know him as Tobias Fünke on Arrested Development, or one of the Mr. Show guys. While I'm doing some hyperlinking here, I'll just throw out David's inspired turn in this New Pornographers video.

The hard thing with making quotation puzzles is that they're mighty limiting. For starters, the quotes got to be right up there with some of the funniest/wittiest/most introspective/apposite/salient/etc. things you've ever heard. Secondly, they can't be long spiels as they have to fit into something small as a crossword. And then there's this crossword construction rule that they've got to split up in some sort of a symmetrical fashion to fit into a grid.

Another puzzlemaking constraint is the so-called “breakfast rule” which I believe to be the brainchild of Merl Reagle, god-like constructor and recent guest on “The Simpsons.” The rule say that since the majority of puzzles are solved over breakfast, there can't be anything in the puzzle that might upset the sensibilities of those eating a bagel and having a cup of coffee.

All of those rules tend to created a bit of a problem. With those kinds of constraints, quote puzzles tend to be a bit bland, a real workout for every theme entry, and generally not much of a payoff.

Thing is, genuinely hysterical jokes are the sorts of things that would spit in the face of the “breakfast rule.” Sure, maybe the dead tree editions of puzzles have to apply to that rule, but who's to say savvy on-line solvers can't enjoy some more off-beat material?

Enough spieling today. Enjoy this one. New puzzle on Friday.