Cryptic crossword No 2,297

Hehe very good Gollum, I enjoyed the lampooning in this one! Favourite clues were 10a, 20a, 6d and 16d.

Thanks Gollum. Very impressive to fit so much thematic bashing into one grid! I managed 2/3 but had to admit defeat at that point. Favourites from those I solved: 20a, 27a, 16d and 24d.

Almost got to the end Gollum. Some difficulties in the far SE - 23d, 19d and 14d in particular (the last of which would have made podium, had I solved it). My podium, therefore: 18d - COTD, 25a, 9d. Some amusing surfaces and plenty of solutions connected to your theme which is very much the point of the puzzle. I hope you feel better after writing it! Thanks. PM

Haha that was a treat on today of all days! Enjoyed 12, 20, 26/5 in particular, although I could not crack it all.

Thanks Gollum. That made my morning, waiting for a delayed flight! Only one I couldn’t get was 3d, due to my ignorance of some British slang. A few others tough-ish but the laughs were great compensation. Faves 22a, 25a, 4d, 6d, 18d (COTD) but lots else to like, both in the cluing and the theme.

Beautifully done Gollum. I thought 4 down was just an Australianism and then I saw your annotations. We call these puzzles 'themers' is that British usage too? By the way I have written a short piece about this puzzle for one of my substack groups. see https://open.substack.com/pub/darbycryptics/p/can-cryptic-crosswords-save-the-world

Very good :-)