ACROSS
7. <ill-gotten gains> LUCRE = LURE outside C
9. L A UNDER = LAUNDER <do the washing>
10. <even> UNIFORM = U (IF inside NORM)
11. <caller> GUEST = "GUESSED"
12/15. (LAME THEORY)* outside CC = THE REAL MCCOY <genuine>
13/16. <make one's apologies> EAT HUMBLE PIE = _EEPIE_ outside (A L outside THUMB)
18. V_ I_ B_ E_ S_ = VIBES <ambience>
20. A ←GAUSS← E = ASSUAGE <temper>
22. ←(...n)G GETS EN(v...)← = NEST EGG <savings>
23. (...a)BLE EP(i...) = BLEEP <evidence of censorship>

DOWN
1. <show off> FLAUNT = F L_ + AUNT
2. <protest> DEMO = DEMO(-B)
3. (CHEMICAL AGENT)* = CLIMATE CHANGE <environmental concern>
4. <they can't decide> HUNG JURY = HUNGRY outside _J _U
5. <sharpness> EDGE = D_G_E_ after _E
6. <twist> WRITHE = H_E after WRIT
8. <hybrid> CHIMERA = (CAR HE)* outside I'M
13. <unable to escape> ENMESHED = END outside (ME + SHE)
14. I PLAN inside B E = BIPLANE <aircraft>
15. <gorge> RAVINE = RE outside A VIN
17. EXE + MP + T = EXEMPT <to spare>
19. <raid> BUST <lady's chest>
21. <Japanese buckwheat noodles> SOBA = "SOBER"