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Thanks to Prize regular Paul for this week's challenge.

Fairly clear theme cleverly executed. Slightly on the gentle side, solving time under Prize median despite long thought on one solution that seemed obvious from crossers but required Google (UK solvers may consider that one easy). Paul's naughty ("Pauline") side very restrained here, though an Americanism (AFAIK) in one clue is funny.

FOI 17.
LOI 10 (in grid), 13 (parsed).

COD tie between 2 and 3, with 26 rounding out the podium. Most thematics elicited smiles and got consideration.

Rosa Klebb in the FT is a good one. I'm getting some kicks out of it. ;-)

FOI 14, LOI 15.
I’m generally a Paul fan, but I didn’t like the thematics here. I just don’t think they’re right, and one in particular struck me as both wrong and inapt, if you see what I mean (and I can’t say more for fear of a spoiler).
As a result, my contestants for COD are all non-thematic: 2, 5 and 6.
Thanks Paul, but also sorry Paul: not one of my favourites from you.

Oh actually yes I also liked 13.

A very enjoyable Paul. Just the right level of annoyance.

Who is setting under Paul’s name. This was way too easy to be Paul. I did like the theme clues.

Hi all, I agree with Darla 100%. Foi 7 and fave probably 22a.

Sorry, I'm finding the repeated "joke" solutions tedious. On the point of throwing it away. Least favourite compiler.

OK, I did finish, though I was held up by having the wrong dynasty at 8d - it works, though the OED says "obsolete".

Favourite 24a.

Agree this was on the gentler side of Paul but enjoyable nonetheless. Once I picked up the theme I was sad there weren’t more of them… then spent an inordinate amount of time on LOI 10 before remembering the setter’s reputation. Many thanks to Paul for starting off Saturday on a positive note!