"Special Guest Star": The Comet's 1st Meta Contest Crossword of 2022!

START SOLVING HERE (after reading the OPTIONS, HINT & RULES below first):

Other OPTIONS for solving:
Download & print: [PDF file] [Get Adobe PDF Reader]

HINT #1: The meta answer is an 8-letter word.


THE RULES: First, if you've never done a meta crossword before--no problem! Just solve the puzzle like normal ... but when you're ready to solve the  meta answer, check out how to do that at tinyurl.com/corymetas. If you think you've figured out the 8-letter-word meta answer, you'll have a chance to win a cool mystery prize!

On to the puzzle: this meta puzzle has a special guest star! (Really!) What does that mean? You'll have to complete the grid to find out! And remember, it's OK to use Google if you need help.

HOW TO ENTER:
1. Solve the crossword above.
2. Solve its meta answer (again, if you need them, see tinyurl.com/corymetas for tips).
3. When you've finally figured it out, email just the 8-letter-word meta answer for the hint (and not the solved grid!) to cscxwords@gmail.com by 12am PT, January 24, 2022. (One submission per entrant, please.)

We'll randomly pick a winner from the correct entries, and announce the winner and puzzle answers in both in the next issue of The Comet and on this blog. (Entrants will also be informed via email whether they've won or not.)

If you have any questions related to the puzzle, contact me at cscxwords@gmail.com. Good luck!