Authors: Roger Barkan, Dan Katz, and Chris Morse
This is a standard cryptic, with answers below. In five different squares,
one crossing clue requires an H and the other requires a B. In every case,
filling an O into that square will make words in both directions. Thus the
answer word is HBO (also hinted at by the four channels in the grid,
Encore, Bravo, A&E, and Nickelodeon).
Across: 1 S(low)poke
7 As+ian
10 Top(R)+az
11 Bunch(2)
15 De[p]rive
16 Ale+c
17 Fer(m)i*
18 Cos+sack
21 A(tar)(R)i
23 Limb(2)
24 Hobbes(H)
25 Se+esto
27 [n]Ails
28 React(2)
30 K[emp] i[s] l[oser] o[f]
31 houSEMITEvicted
34 Busted*
36 Oboe(H)
38 P(ap)er
39 Sn(ork)el(R)
41 Brav[ad]o
43 Tabs(2)
45 (Strat+a)(R)
46 E+lsie*
47 S(pen)t
48 assassiNINJApan
49 Me+r+cedes
Down: 2 L[o]o[t]d[i]e[s]
3 Opera+ble[w]
4 War+mt+h
5 Obverse*
6 Encore(H)
7 Surface-surf
8 [br]A[un]&[fr]E[ud]
9 Nickel+ode+on
12 B+asis
13 S+lam
14 Afghan+is+tan
19 Choler(H)
20 Poison*
22 A+erie
23 (Le+tup)(R)
26 T+it+rated
29 Cha(ste)r
32 M(or+s)e
33 The(is)m
35 Se(rap)e
37 Bohr(H)
40 (Ko)(R)la
42 Vane(H)
44 finALInterview
SLOWPOKEASIAN
TOPAZBUNC*S&I
ADERIVECEALEC
FERMIECOSSACK
GPATARIRLIM*E
HOB*ESSEESTOL
AILSREACTKILO
NSEMITE*USTED
IOBOEHPAPERRE
SNORKELSBRAVO
TA*SOISTRATAN
ALRELSIESPENT
NINJAMERCEDES