Gavin

@Steve L If [Bird] can be an accurate clue for EAGLE, then [Formerly known as] can be an accurate clue for NEE. “Bird” is a more general term than “Eagle”, and “formerly known as” is a more general term than “nee”. The link between clue and answer is never a two-way guarantee of equivalence.

@Gilead Kutnick They were instant write-ins for me. (My total solve time was about 45 minutes, though, so I’m not bragging.)

@Danielle SOUNDSLIKE… is the revealer. There’s not supposed to be wordplay there.

@MC in SJ I’ve been doing these about a year now, and I’ve only just started even looking at Fridays, and only occasionally attempt a Saturday. And that’s fine. Gotta have something to grow into.

@Dan Collins You add (“give”) an O to get the proper answer, and you remove (“steal”) an X to get the proper answer.

@Patrick J. Not only that, but words, or in this case, “words” can have many meanings. That you can use it differently doesn’t invalidate it.

@Niall I think I know this one from Futurama (an excellent cartoon), and got the correct spelling. The correct answer didn't come to me straight away, though. I needed one of the crossing letters.

@Heidi I never noticed the Easter egg, even though OXO was an easy fill for me. Thanks for mentioning it.

@Edward I originally has HOSIERY instead of LADDERS, thinking I was so clever…

@RichardZ I went and watched it. Thanks!

@ACDMD The confidence of your assertion is entirely misplaced. Asterix in no way implies rebus.

@SP Totally agree that the theme was a bit shallow. I’m surprised it’s getting so much acclaim. I enjoyed it, and the penny didn’t drop instantly, but when it did, that was it. No slow realisation; just get on with the rest of the puzzle.