Today’s Saturday Stumper

Today’s Newsday  Saturday Stumper is by “Anna Stiga,” or Stan Again, Stan Newman, the puzzle editor, using the pseudonym that signifies an easier Stumper. What else might signify easier Stumper ? Teresa Umpires? I think Stan’s pseudonym is better.

This Stumper was easier, though not too easy. Some clue-and-answer pairs of note:

1-A, twelve letters, “One paid to talk since the 1920s.” The decade should have helped, but for me this clue seems to have a deliberate obliqueness.

6-D, seven letters, “Show stoppers.” BIGHITS? No. So simple once you see it, if you see it.

12-D, six letters, “Melt down or hand down.” Really clever.

18-A, seven letters, “Not as sensible.” I typed this word yesterday, probably for the first time, and checked to make sure it’s a real word.

29-A, four letters, “Painter’s canvas.” Nice.

48-A, five letters, “Sweet sandwich.” Five letters — no OREO here.

56-D, four letters, “Very soon after.” The most modest words can slightly baffle.

62-A, twelve letters, “Hardly in a sorry state.” I would’ve liked FITASAFIDDLE.

My favorite clue in this puzzle: 59-A, fifteen letters, “Supermarket checkout staple.” Definitely not an IMPULSEPURCHASE for me.

No spoilers; the answers are in the comments.