Making the Cut
◆ · By Brian Callahan
Constructor's Note
: I had my Sunday debut yesterday in the L.A. Times! If you want to check it out, it's still available here. Two clues/answers in this mini are identical to the full-size grid (if you need a head start
).
: I had my Sunday debut yesterday in the L.A. Times! If you want to check it out, it's still available here. Two clues/answers in this mini are identical to the full-size grid (if you need a head start).Thanks for solving! A full archive of my puzzles can be found at OlioGrids.com or at crosshare.org/oliogrids.
Checking for previous play data...
.
And congratulations 
on the Sunday puzzle! That was very fun (even if it took me well after I was done to figure out the theme 
)1A
Brand that received blowback from American conservatives in 2022 because some of its formerly feminine-presenting "spokescandies" had adopted more gender-neutral appearances and personas (constructor's note: 
)
)1
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Across
- 1ABrand that received blowback from American conservatives in 2022 because some of its formerly feminine-presenting "spokescandies" had adopted more gender-neutral appearances and personas (constructor's note:)
- 7AGive the cold shoulder
- 8AWith "the," sandwich ingredient that's idiomatically "cut"
- 9AGas additive brand
- 10APolitical candidate's TV buy
- 13ASuckerfish
- 14A"Strange, huh?"
Down
- 1D___ drop (triumphant post-speech maneuver)
- 2DDistressed Deutschlander's call
- 3DHailey Bieber ___ Baldwin
- 4DChildish retort
- 5DWith "the," sandwich ingredient that's idiomatically "cut"
- 6DMember of a blended family
- 10D___ Lanka
- 11DTinkerbell, Peter Pan, Diamond Baby, Marilyn Monroe, Harajuku Bitch, Slivington, Princess Paris Jr., Prince Hilton, The Pom, Prince Baby Bear, Crypto Hilton, or Ether Reum, to Paris Hilton
- 12DMeditative syllables