Andrea Carla Michaels and Kevin Christian’s New York Times puzzle – Sophia’s write-up

Theme: ACDC – Each theme reply comprises the strings “AC’ and “DC” in that order.

New York Times, 01 09 2023, By Andrea Carla Michaels and Kevin Christian

• 16a [Concept that can’t be criticized or questioned, metaphorically] – SACRED COW
• 23a [Seafood often served with picks] – CRACKED CRAB
• 36a [Pre-employment investigation] – BACKGROUND CHECK
• 44a [Cocktail named for two iconic beverage brands] – JACK AND COKE
• 57a [Behaved in a laid-back way] – ACTED COOL
• 55d [“Highway to Hell” rock group … or a hint to electrical switches found in 16-, 23-, 36-, 44- and 57-Across] – ACDC

Whenever I resolve a puzzle by Andrea and Kevin I do know that I’m going to be in for a strong theme and clear gridwork, and right this moment was no exception. The ACDC theme is elevated by how the AC seems earlier than the DC in each reply – it’s additionally attention-grabbing that the DC bridges the 2 phrases in every theme entry; I’m wondering how a lot of that was by alternative versus necessity?

I hadn’t heard of this use of SACRED COW, and I hadn’t heard of CRACKED CRAB in any context, so the primary two solutions have been difficult for me. Luckily, issues sped together with the final three solutions and the revealer. BACKGROUND CHECK is a enjoyable grid spanning reply.

KICKS BACK and its multitude of Okay’s was enjoyable to uncover early within the puzzle. LEMON SODA, on the opposite aspect, was additionally good, however the clue of [San Pellegrino offering] made me assume it was going to be the branded drink “Limonata”, which didn’t match. But apart from the KESEY/CTRL-V space, the grid may be very Monday-friendly given the quantity of theme materials.

Other notes:

• Things that made the puzzle more durable for me, personally: Not remembering the best way to spell SACHA Baron Cohen’s identify, the phrase GELID, no matter shoofly PIE is??
• 4d [Commits a fumble] because the clue for ERRS ties in properly to this being the ultimate week of the NFL’s common season.
• I disagree with the clue on 9a [How revenge (or pizza for breakfast) is best served] for COLD. Warm pizza perpetually! That’s what the microwave is for!!