OCTILLIONTH

Default: 338492
Default with Spaces: 119413

Transposal: Alternative to Adobe Photoshop (5 7) / Particles in a covalent bond, e.g. (8 4)

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EEP (50)

I watched The Croods this weekend, wending my way through Academy Award nominees that are available through Netflix. The visuals were more interesting than the dialogue, but what I ultimately took away from the animated caveman comedy was the set of crossword-friendly character names. EEP was already in Default, as a potential partial in the title of the song “Eep Opp Ork Ah-Ah” from The Jetsons, but it was scored as a 35. Dreamworks intends to franchise commercially successful Croods as it did with Shrek and Madagascar so I can see EEP getting more exposure, which is good for puzzlers.

IBMPCJR (70)

And then there are the “anti-crosswordese” entries that are so full of consonants that they essentially require seed placement. This entry could actually be fun to place at 1 Across in a stacked-sevens themeless grid pattern to see what comes up.

OCTILLIONTH (40)

A while back I posted the database addition ELEVENFOLD and asked readers for potential clues. I received some impressively specific suggestions. Anyone want to take a crack at OCTILLIONTH?

SAMPECKINPAH (70)

My dad watched Monty Python’s Flying Circus when it aired on public television in the early 1970s. I watched along with him, and while most of the comedy went over my head I could certainly appreciate the slapstick and visual gags. I maintained an interest in Monty Python and in my college years the episodes were more easily available on videotape and cable. My favorite Monty Python sketch has changed over the years, but when I was in high school, hanging out with a group of friends who were outside the popular circles and fighting demons of resentment, my favorite was “Sam Peckinpah’s Salad Days.” It’s a bit disturbing to recall that juvenile blood lust. What is your favorite Monty Python sketch?