Wednesday, December 6, 2023 - HICKHOP, best musical portmanteau ever!

It's hard to miss today's theme, as it's spelled out in large letters, in the middle of the grid, for all to see (as we describe in today's episode). But it's such an attention getter that it might detract from some other Highly Hentertaining clues, such as: 12D, Hah!, IBET; 24D, Hummer's interior, EMS (a reference to its two M's, which definitely warrants another Hah!); and 35A, Handle letters, AKA (heh, heh). More examples and deets inside, check it out! Today's artwork: One of Jimmy STEWA...