Theme: location, location, location - The unifier can be located behind the last word in the three theme entries.
17A. Former kids' show title character named for the large pockets in his coat : CAPTAIN KANGAROO. Kangaroo Court, a court that jumps to a foregone conclusion on an invalid basis.
27A. Fuse blower : SHORT CIRCUIT. Circuit Court, where a traveling judge would preside over over various locations at set intervals. If you were locked up, you had to wait for the judge to come to town.
44A. Apollo Theater tryout for nonpros : AMATEUR NIGHT. Night Court, convenes at night for the quick disposition of charges and the granting of bail. And an excuse for this clip: Necco Wafers(3:30)
58A. Judge's demand, and a hint to this puzzle's theme words, which end 17-, 27- and 44-Across : ORDER IN THE COURT. And a little more from Night Court.(0:41)
Argyle here; I have to tear myself away from those clips and write this post. A crossword regular, Mel Tormé, was often on the show.
A little more standard puzzle today. Two impressive grid spanners, a nice mix of other length entries and no cheater squares. Throw in a clecho and no Naticks that I noticed and we're good to go.
Across:
1. Like a visit from Benedict XVI : PAPAL
6. Ginormous : VAST
10. Currier's partner : IVES. "The Fair Ground"
14. Sans chaperon : ALONE. (sans = without)
15. Mystery writer __ Stanley Gardner : ERLE. Perry Mason creator.
16. Maryland athlete, briefly : TERP. The Maryland Terrapins.
20. U.K. record label : EMI
21. Egg container : NEST
22. Popular name for a tree-lined rd. : ELM ST. In the day.
23. Any of the "Be My Baby" singers : RONETTE. No lip-sync Clip.(2:46)
26. Scott of "Happy Days" : BAIO. Chachi Arcola.
32. Like the first stage of a car wash : SOAPY
35. Really riles : IRES
36. TV Guide's "We don't know yet" : TBA. (To Be Announced)
37. Pseudo-sophisticated : ARTY
38. Chopper blade : ROTOR. (helicopter)
40. "__ Harry Met Sally..." : WHEN
41. Understand : GET
42. Mrs. Dithers of "Blondie" : CORA
43. Nuisances : PESTS
48. Morse creation : CODE
49. Yellow-disked flowers : DAISIES
53. Puppet pal of Fran and Ollie : KUKLA
55. Pants part : SEAT. Hand up for SEAM.
57. Teachers' lobbying org. : NEA. (National Education Association). The other NEA.
62. Hymn starter : "O, GOD ..."
63. Brussels-based defense gp. : NATO
64. Where eagles dwell : AERIE
65. Toy with theme parks : LEGO
66. No.-crunching pros : CPA's. (Certified Public Accountant)
67. Kennel club classification : BREED
Down:
1. Harness race horse : PACER. And trotters.
2. Texas mission : ALAMO
3. Show up unannounced : POP IN
4. Tiny soldier : ANT
5. Where the herd grazes : LEA
6. Plywood layer : VENEER
7. Boats like Noah's : ARKS
8. Blind component : SLAT
9. Perfect score : TEN. If you're into quantification.
10. Slanty, typewise : ITALIC
11. Martini ingredients : VERMOUTHS. The Perfect Martini: gin, dry vermouth and sweet vermouth.
12. Love personified : EROS
13. Notice : SPOT And 24D. Notice : ESPY
18. Division word : INTO
19. Shifted car parts : GEARS. If you have a standard transmission.
25. Biblical possessive : THY
26. Oktoberfest draft : BIER. Beer in German.
28. One of a powerful race of gods : TITAN. The elder gods, ruled the earth before the Olympians overthrew them.
29. __-Magnon : CRO. The first early modern humans.
30. "As if!" : "I BET!"
31. Beachgoers' hues : TANS
32. Epic story : SAGA
33. Utah city : OREM
34. Junkyard guard : ATTACK DOG
38. Casanova : ROUE
39. Bruins Hall of Famer Bobby : ORR
40. Makes moist : WETS
42. Fragrant wood : CEDAR
43. __ Beta Kappa : PHI
45. City west of Cleveland : TOLEDO. T-town.
46. Gem State potatoes : IDAHOs
47. Scandal suffix : GATE. As in Watergate or Nannygate.
50. Accustom (to) : INURE
51. Paranormal, say : EERIE
52. Filled completely : SATED
53. __ & the Gang: "Celebration" group : KOOL. Clip.(2:20)
54. Yen : URGE
55. Go past one's breaking point : SNAP
56. Jazzy James : ETTA
59. Ltd. counterpart, in the States : INC.
60. Airport queue vehicle : CAB
61. Above, in verse : O'ER
Argyle
