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thanks jono. still no light dawns.
specifically i don't have 5a (not MATINS, then!) - I can think of a word that just about works, but can't see any parsing; 22,8, 23d, 24a and 26a.

OK got 22,8

All done now. Not sure 23d is fair!

I too generally find Vlad on the harder side and it took me a while to get in the swing of this. FOI 7, LOI 23 (which I originally had a different answer for but changed as a result of comments here). Am I right to think it is also a US sitcom - or have I got it wrong again?

Well, that took longer than usual and still lost with 23d :-(

COD definitely 1d.

Now got an answer for 23d but can't parse it.

read it upwards. it's a "pauline" go...

Thank you, I think, :-) think the clue for last three letters is weak.

Unusually I am able to spend time on this today, it's usually Sunday. Thanks Covid. I am struggling with the NE corner. It didn't help that apparently I have 5a wrong, and I thought it was so easy. 22,8 is also eluding me.