Some comments about today's crossword (SPOILERS! Contains information about the solution):
This puzzle is dedicated to a very close friend of mine whose birthday is today. If you look closely at the answer, you’ll notice that the letters that run diagonally across the puzzle, from top left to bottom right, spell out HAPPY BDAY DUDE, which, understandably, made this puzzle very tricky to construct. But it was worth it. The fill may be a little clunky, but I did come up with a few really nice entries (if I may say so), such as CADBURY, SUDSY, and GOOD IDEA.
The idea came from an episode of "The Simpsons", where Homer hides a message for Lisa (in the same way I did) in the New York Times crossword.
By the way, if you have no idea what I'm talking about at 48-Across:
Are these not the cutest pills you've ever seen?
