On-air challenge: Every answer today is the name of a famous person whose first initial and last name, in order, spell a word. For example, take Benjamin Rush, signer of the Declaration of Independence. The B of Benjamin + his last name spells BRUSH. I'll give you clues to the parts. You give me the names.
1. Oscar-winning actor (3,5) — expression of appreciation
2. Singer with the Supremes (5,4) — worthless stuff
3. Former baseball star (4,4) — writing that's not poetry
4. Comedian and former host of the Oscars (5,4) — earthenware pot
5. Singer with the group Hole (8,4) — garlic bulb
6. Oldtime comedian with a radio show (4,5) — opposite of risen
7. Co-star of "Desperate Housewives" (4,7) — former British prime minister
Last week's challenge: This challenge came from listener Alan Hochbaum, of Duluth, Ga. Think of a famous living American whose first and last names have a total of eight letters — all different. Five of these letters are consecutive in the alphabet. The remaining three can be rearranged to spell a woman's nickname. What famous American is this?
Challenge answer: Elon Musk --> KLMNO + SUE
Winner: Don Bottomley of Beaverton, Ore.
This week's challenge: This week's challenge comes from listener Barbara Weinstein, of Lincoln, Mass. Think of a famous living person in the entertainment field whose first name is a bird. The person's last name is a quality of this bird — something its feathers have. Who's the famous person, and what's the bird?
If you know the answer to next week's challenge, submit it here. Listeners who submit correct answers win a chance to play the on-air puzzle. Important: Include a phone number where we can reach you by Thursday, August 13, at 3 p.m. ET.
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LULU GARCIA-NAVARRO, HOST:
And it's time to play The Puzzle.
(SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC)
GARCIA-NAVARRO: Joining us is Will Shortz. He's puzzle editor of The New York Times and WEEKEND EDITION's puzzlemaster.
Hi, Will.
WILL SHORTZ, BYLINE: Hey there, Lulu.
GARCIA-NAVARRO: So what was last week's challenge?
SHORTZ: Yeah. It came from listener Alan Hochbaum of Duluth, Ga. I said, think of a famous living American whose first and last names have a total of eight letters - all different. Five of these letters are consecutive in the alphabet. The remaining three can be rearranged to spell a woman's nickname. What famous American is this? Well, the answer is Elon Musk - has K, L, M, N and O, plus Sue. There was an interesting alternative answer that a lot of people send in - Jim Kelly, former NFL quarterback. His name has I, J, K, L and M, plus the man's name Eli.
GARCIA-NAVARRO: We received nearly 800 correct responses. And the winner is Don Bottomley of Beaverton, Ore.
Congratulations.
DON BOTTOMLEY: Thank you.
GARCIA-NAVARRO: So how'd you figure it out?
BOTTOMLEY: It's one of those ones that just popped into my head almost immediately after the question was asked.
GARCIA-NAVARRO: And where were you when you got the call? And what did you think?
BOTTOMLEY: I was down at my local Elks Lodge doing a little maintenance. And I was just very surprised. I had forgotten about it.
GARCIA-NAVARRO: (Laughter) Fair enough. Are you ready to play The Puzzle?
BOTTOMLEY: I am.
GARCIA-NAVARRO: OK. Take it away, Will.
SHORTZ: All right, Don. Every answer today is the name of a famous person whose first initial and last name, in order, spell a word. For example, take Benjamin Rush, signer of the Declaration of Independence. The B of Benjamin, plus his last name, spells brush. I'll give you clues to the part. You give me the names.
BOTTOMLEY: OK.
SHORTZ: Here's number one. An Oscar-winning actor - 3, 5 - and makes an expression of appreciation.
BOTTOMLEY: Claps.
SHORTZ: You're - what's an expression of appreciation? What do you say in six letters?
BOTTOMLEY: Thanks.
SHORTZ: There you go. And who does that make?
BOTTOMLEY: Tom Hanks.
SHORTZ: Tom Hanks is it. Good. Number two - a singer with The Supremes - 5, 4 - and the word is worthless stuff.
BOTTOMLEY: Diana Ross.
SHORTZ: That's it. Former baseball star - 4,4 - writing that's not poetry.
BOTTOMLEY: Pete Rose.
SHORTZ: That's it - prose. Comedian and former host of the Oscars - 5, 4 - an earthenware pot.
BOTTOMLEY: Not getting it.
SHORTZ: Sort of an irreverent comedian, although maybe that's redundant.
BOTTOMLEY: Going to need some help here, I think.
SHORTZ: What if I told you the first initial is C for an earthenware pot?
BOTTOMLEY: Chris Rock - crock.
SHORTZ: Chris Rock is it. Good. Singer with the group Hole - 8, 4 - and a garlic bulb.
BOTTOMLEY: Courtney Love - clove.
SHORTZ: Nice. Old-time comedian with a radio show - 4, 5 - opposite of risen. What's the opposite of risen?
BOTTOMLEY: A bed doesn't fit.
SHORTZ: (Laughter) That's good.
BOTTOMLEY: Unleavened - no.
GARCIA-NAVARRO: It happens to angels when they end up in hell.
SHORTZ: There you go. Good clue. And there's that old expression. I've blank, and I can't get up.
BOTTOMLEY: Fallen - Fred Allen.
SHORTZ: Fred Allen - good one. It came to you. And here's your last one - co-star of "Desperate Housewives" - 4,7 - former British prime minister.
BOTTOMLEY: I never watched that show.
SHORTZ: It's an actress whose name you know. And the former British prime minister is the first female prime minister in Britain. And her first name was Margaret.
BOTTOMLEY: Margaret Thatcher.
SHORTZ: Yes. And so who's the co-star of "Desperate Housewives"? You got all the letters - T and Hatcher. What's her first name?
BOTTOMLEY: Teri Hatcher.
SHORTZ: Teri Hatcher - you got it.
BOTTOMLEY: Boy.
GARCIA-NAVARRO: Good job. How do you feel? That was a hard one.
BOTTOMLEY: Yeah. It's different. I liked it.
(LAUGHTER)
GARCIA-NAVARRO: For playing our puzzle today, you'll get a WEEKEND EDITION lapel pin, as well as puzzle books and games. You can read all about it at npr.org/puzzle. And Don, which member station do you listen to?
BOTTOMLEY: KOPB.
GARCIA-NAVARRO: That's Don Bottomley of Beaverton, Ore.
Thank you so much for playing The Puzzle.
BOTTOMLEY: All right. Thank you. I had a good time.
GARCIA-NAVARRO: I'm so glad. All right, Will. What is next week's challenge?
SHORTZ: Yes, it comes from listener Barbara Weinstein of Lincoln, Mass. Think of a famous living person in the entertainment field whose first name is a bird. The person's last name is a quality of this bird, something its feathers have. Who's the famous person, and what's the bird? So again, famous living person in entertainment field - first name is a bird. Last name is a quality of this bird, something its feathers have. Who's the famous person, and what's the bird?
GARCIA-NAVARRO: When you have the answer, go to our website, npr.org/puzzle, and click on the submit your answer link. Remember, just one entry per person, please. Our deadline for entries is Thursday, August 13, at 3 p.m. Eastern. Include a phone number where we can reach you at about that time. And if you're the winner, we'll give you a call. And you'll get to play on the air with the puzzle editor of The New York Times and WEEKEND EDITION's very own puzzlemaster Will Shortz.
Thanks so much, Will.
SHORTZ: Thanks, Lulu.
(SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC) Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.