Leo

I liked the puzzle's construction theme, but I think there were a bit too many US-specific clues that had me Googling: the two late-night hosts, Rapinoe, Superbowl, red carpet, the discontinued beer, conservadox... Seems consistent that most people saying they loved the puzzle are Americans, and the ones complaining about the trivia are foreigners.

Amazingly constructed puzzle, perfect for the occasion and with a lot of pleasant extra bits. I particularly loved LAM and ALIBI crossing each other. And the theme, of course, was flawless.

Loved the puzzle, Thursdays are always my favorites. But as others commented *SPOILERS* I'd have preferred if the down answers crossing the (R) had the right-related answer associated to the right entry of the clue, while the left part of the clue would give the answer with the empty blinker spot. This would follow the convention on the across answers, where the left has the (L) and the right has the (R). This threw me off a bit near the end, when I had already understood well the theme.