Electoral-vote.com

I Read the News Today, Oh Boy: Everybody Loves Raymond Burr

Did you know that Perry Mason was, in fact, a 'Nade? And that show debuted 67 years ago. Never, ever doubt that the folks up north are playing the long game.

In any case, for last week's headline theme, we first gave the hint that "if a headline word appears to be misspelled on a Friday, it's probably deliberate." That would certainly apply to something like "The Weeknd." On Saturday, we added this: "you might need to put your thinking toque on." And now, courtesy of reader D.D. in Carversville, PA, here's the answer:

The headlines all contain the names of show people born in Canada (you might refer to it as the Great Blight North):

Nominations News, Part I: Gaetz Comes Up Short—Martin Short (comedian)

Nominations News, Part II: Is There Anyone Else Who Won't Make It through The Weeknd?—The Weeknd (musician)

Election Results: Casey Turns the Page—Elliot Page (Actor)

MSNBC Watch: Is Fox about to Secure a Total Victory?—Michael J. Fox

I Read the News Today, Oh Boy: Bad News Brown—Natalie Brown (actor)

This Week in Schadenfreude: Lake Is No Cruz—Here's a double... Don Lake (actor) and Ted Cruz (show pony in the Senate and perennial turkey)

This Week in Freudenfreude: She May Be Young, But She's Not Going to Be Silent—Stephen Young (actor)

You're laying it on Thicke. Keep Calm and Carrey On! Thanks for the Thanksgiving Candy!

Very good, though the Young we actually intended was Neil Young, eh.

Here are the first 50 readers to get it right:

M.Z. in Sharon, MA
J.N. in Zionsville, IN
M.W. in Altea, Spain
D.D. in Carversville
R.D. in Cheshire, CT
S.G. in Durham, NC
S.K. in Ardmore, PA
E.K. in Arlington, MA
E.O. in Melbourne, VIC, Australia
M.B. in Albany, NY
D.D. in Highland Park, IL
T.K. in Half Moon Bay, St. Kitts
P.C. in Austin, TX
R.A. in Chesterfield, MO
M.L. in Iowa City, IA
L.D. in Bedford, MA
E.B. in Avon, IN
A.C. in Minneapolis, MN
A.W. in Pittsburgh, PA
R.H.O. in Portland, ME
B.H. in Southborough, MA
J.C. in Trenton, NJ
E.B. in North Liberty, IA
S.H. in Santa Barbara, CA
R.M. in Concord, NH

C.W. in Hamilton, NY
M.S. in Canton, NY
L.J.D. in Orlando, FL
D.O. in Brookline, MA
J.S. in Pittsburgh, PA
L.A.J. in Bourbonnais, IL
D.M. in Oakland, CA
R.S. in Milan, OH
R.S. in Pittsgrove, NJ
J.S. in Columbia, MO
M.L. in West Hartford, CT
A.C. in Kingston, MA
P.W. in Tulalip, WA
V.M. in Indianapolis, IN
R.R. in Pasadena, CA
A.R. in Arlington, VA
M.M. in Leonardtown, MD
D.S. in Layton, UT
J.I. in San Francisco, CA
J.H. in El Segundo, CA
K.R. in Austin, TX
P.C. in Santa Monica, CA
L.B. in Cardiff, Wales
M.T. in Simpsonville, SC
D.M. in Austin, TX

R.H.O. in Portland adds: "Believe it or not, I struggled the most with "Cruz." Once I identified the theme (with Martin Short and The Weeknd I knew I had it...) I actually spent some time googling "Cruz" trying to find a Canadian actor, singer, or something similar. Then it finally dawned on me—and by "it", I mean why you have always been suspicious of Canadians. Given that Ted Cruz is the most powerful Canadian in the American government, I think your suspicion is justified. Sorry for ever doubting you."

Meanwhile, S.K. in Ardmore admits that their "paternal grandparents immigrated to Michigan (infiltrated?) from Ontario." If anyone from the FBI is reading, please reach out, and we'll be happy to provide identifying information.

As to this week's theme, it's definitely in the category Entertainment, and it relies on one word in some headlines, on multiple words in others. As to a hint, we'll just say outright that we tried desperately to find a way to work WKRP in Cincinnati into a headline, as that is far and away the best-known example, but it just wasn't doable. Anyhow, with God as your witness, you'll want to make sure your answer makes sense, given that hint. Again, WKRP in Cincinnati is far and away the best-known example.

If you have a guess, send it to comments@electoral-vote.com with subject "November 29 Headlines." (Z)

This item appeared on www.electoral-vote.com. Read it Monday through Friday for political and election news, Saturday for answers to reader's questions, and Sunday for letters from readers.

www.electoral-vote.com State polls All Senate candidates