The Spectator 2590 -Pabulum

[Matakari]

Good morning, I’m stuck on the following for which I would appreciate answers, thanks!
ACROSS:
16 Tinware company backed predator (6) : ?????A
20 Bovine in old poem digs up underground stem (7) : ??????H
24 Author noticed a probable 36 in Shakespeare (7) : ?A?????
DOWN:
11 Moderately stunted cardinal shuts a small low window (9) : ?????NIB?
15 Ancestor of magnificent Man Friday? (7) : ?????P?
21 Chairman hugging honey with capital gets cross in Rio (8) : ??M?L?C?

[klazomaniac]

F.A.O Tilly 2
'Those slightly thicker lines can be difficult to see sometimes. :-)'

I shall be using RED pen next week :-)

[Neveracrossword]

Klazo, I'm delighted to hear how well you did, how you enjoyed the puzzle and so on. I too liked this one, it was from one of my favourite setters. Next week's offering is likely to be ... far less tricky, shall we say?

[Matakari]

I've got 36d to go with 24a. The answer for 7d as an example
of how I should proceed, thanks:
S?L?O?

[bobbinwales]

Just a guess as I read_ watched romeo and Julie. Sallow?

[novalis]

All 7 unclued are 36 dowh minus a letter. 7 down is a 36 down which loses its second letter.

[Neveracrossword]

Matakari, you'll get to be one of the happy people... one day!

[klazomaniac]

Thank you NAC. I did receive some great help though. Now I have an understanding how the speccie works.
Was expecting to find the end game more involved ( was overthinking things) But a scrawl in the wrong place that covered a dividing line sent me on the wrong path. Am hoping I can finish next weeks without assistance (we shall see. Lol )

I would just like to say a big thank you to all who helped me on my inaugural effort. :-)

[Neveracrossword]

Thanks, Klazo, and interesting to watch/hear about your progress. The clues in this puzzle were definitely tougher than in most Spectator puzzles, so I can see the need for a bit of help.
It'll be interesting to see how you fare next week!

[Tilly2]

In the field...:-)

[Matakari]

Good morning, Pabulum is still baffling me with the UNCLUEDS. I got much insight from all the posted threads, I believe I have 36d, but am at a loss with the UNCLUEDS. Can someone tell me if these are correct? And an example of one completed UNCLUED would be appreciated, thanks in advance!
14a W?N
18a ROU?E
22a PE?SAN?
40a T?L

7d S?L?O?
29d R?ST?R
30d ?I?M?R

[Tilly2]

Yes, all correct so far.
30d Simmer. (A letter has been taken out of this to become part of an example of 36d)

[Neveracrossword]

Matakari, there was a post from Novalis last night - and that explained exactly how the theme worked. I don't know if you missed that - or if it still wasn't enough for you...

[bobbinwales]

Im not even doing it but my guess after reading this for a minute is thats its something like swallow to sallow, pheasant to peasant, rooster to maybe ......., grouse to ... well you see the pattern

[Neveracrossword]

Yes, Bobbinwales, that's it. I'm still a little bewildered, Matakari seems to be making life very difficult for himself!

[Farrwest]

Hi NACW. How about hacksaw for 24a. Wikipedia talks about a newspaper hack referring to a low level journalist/writer. I don't see any Shakespearian reference to either hand or hack. Appreciate your opinion as always.

[Neveracrossword]

Morning, Farrwest. Handsaw is in my Chambers, with 'in Shakespeare , perhaps mistakenly written or copied in place of heronshaw' and that's a 36 D.

[Tilly2]

''I am but mad north-north-west. When the wind is Southerly, I know a hawk from a handsaw."

Hamlet

[Neveracrossword]

Thanks, Tilly2 - nice to have it rounded off!

[Matakari]

Many thanks, Tilly2, Bobbinwales, NACW, I see the light! I went astray with the word wind in the Shakespeare reference for 36d in the beginning and that really made things harder for me, but it's crystal clear now with your help and it's done, phew!

[Neveracrossword]

Matakari, glad AB finished another one for you!