Saturday, February 24, 2024 - We're willing to let TIGONS be TIGONS 🙄

A tough but fair Saturday crossword, and, coincidentally (since they always solve independently), both Jean and Mike ended up at the same spot, 20A, Pink-headed mushroom in Mario games, TOADETTE. There were at least two portmanteaus in the grid -- 8A, Hybrid fruit akin to an apium, PLUOT; and the aforementioned 30A, Feline hybrids, TIGONS. There were many other admirable clues in the grid, such as 42D, Things that might hurt you to the core, SITUPS 😀 ; 33D, Fashion items that might be ...