The New York Times crossword puzzle
Across
1 Cable news lineup 6 Only character with the same name in both “Rent” and “La Bohème” 10 Some urgent messages, in brief 14 Dramatic device 15 What’s before after, at the end? 16 Kaplan course subj. 17 “That’s enough for now” 19 Singular 20 Most promising slate of candidates 21 Decision spot 22 Dark half 23 Sexy 24 One who might have a brush with fame? 26 Jobs at Apple, once 27 Prom night worry 29 Puzzle solver’s cry 30 Legal pad alternative 33 Lightly lined apparel 34 Batting equipment? 35 Cost-of-living fig. 36 Array on a screen 37 The season opener? 38 Author who was a childhood friend of Harper Lee 40 Filch 41 Melissa Jefferson ___ Lizzo 44 Spots for bulbs 45 Celebrity’s influence 48 Overhaul 49 Goes in 100% 50 Single piece of underwear, paradoxically 51 Highland slope 52 Background distraction 53 Some are traditional, in brief 54 Steel (oneself) 55 Mount
Down
1 Mark 2 Japanese beer brand 3 Camera mentioned in Paul Simon’s “Kodachrome” (not a Kodak!) 4 River of Germany 5 Upgrade at a dealership 6 Warrant 7 Singer/actor who narrated 1964’s “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” 8 Gist 9 Put out 10 Divvy up 11 Autoimmune condition with itchy skin 12 Use of a cushion or a backboard 13 Anne or Jeanne: A bbr. 18 B+ or A21 E-tail perk 24 Tree toppers 25 Pine product 26 Pine product 27 Pieces of pomegranate 28 Nightclub of song, familiarly 30 Resource with content in 300+ languages 31 ___ school 32 Seeks judgment, in a way 33 Fairy tale patriarch 34 Grp. that watches TV 39 Some may linger 40 Encrusted 41 Be in store 42 Ashton Kutcher’s role on “That ’70s Show” 43 Longtime senator Specter 45 Who asks “What can I help you with?” 46 Former Bulgarian monarch 47 Omaha relative 48 Tech sch. in upstate N.Y. 49 Initials of the person who said “Fight for the things that you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you”