Theme: Simian set-up - The last word of the unifier can precede the last word of the indicated phrases.
60A. It more or less coincides with 2016 on Chinese calendars ... and a hint to this puzzle's circles : YEAR OF THE MONKEY
16A. Ready to admit customers : OPEN FOR BUSINESS. Monkey business. It was a Howard Hawks film in 1952 with real monkeys, no monkey business. (mischievous or deceitful behavior)
38A. Outfit for the slopes : SKI SUIT. Monkey suit, slang word for a tuxedo.
10D. Seller's come-on : FREE TRIAL. Monkey trial. Scopes
34D. Snickers and Milky Way : CANDY BARS. Monkey bars, aka, Jungle gym. Found on playgrounds everywhere.
Argyle here. An ambitious if somewhat ambiguous offering from C.C. to start the week. The use of circles instead of stars seems odd as does 29-Across clue/answer. Nice to see the two grid spanners and the two long columns, as well as the center of the pinwheel being used.
Across:
1. "That was close!" : "PHEW!"
5. Fictional whale hunter : AHAB
9. Dying-out sound : [PFFT!]
13. Affectionate email closing : LOVE
14. Farmer's place, in song : DELL. Hi-ho, the derry-o.
15. Cuisinart setting : PUREE
19. Al __: firm, as pasta : DENTE. (firm to the bite)
20. "Splish Splash" singer Bobby : DARIN. A far cry from Mack the Knife
21. Inexact no. : ESTimate
22. Baseball card figs. : STATS
24. Skillful : ADEPT
26. Blot up the moisture on : PAT DRY
29. Like a perfect game : NO-RUN. While a perfect game IS a no-run game, so are many others that are far from "perfect".
32. Cinderella's horses, after midnight : MICE
35. "I __ you one" : OWE
36. Like wolves : LUPINE
37. Springsteen's "Born in the __" : USA
40. TV program breaks : ADs
41. Cocktail party bite : CANAPÉ
43. Envoy's bldg. : EMB. (Embassy)
44. Thicken, as cream : CLOT
45. Many-headed monster : HYDRA
46. Potato or rice, e.g. : STARCH
48. Gulf of Aden republic : YEMEN
50. False name : ALIAS
53. Texter's "Hang on a minute" : [BRB]. (Be Right Back)
55. Super-fun party : BLAST
58. Planet attacked in some sci-fi films : EARTH
63. Fortune-teller's deck : TAROT
64. Coke, e.g. : COLA
65. Like a 2-2 game : TIED
66. "What __ is new?" : ELSE
67. Wait on the phone : HOLD
68. Memo starter : IN RE
Down:
1. Walk with difficulty : PLOD
2. Crosses one's fingers : HOPES
3. The World Series, e.g. : EVENT
4. Came unglued : WENT APE
5. Hue and cry : ADO
6. Buffalo group : HERD
7. "Dark Angel" actress Jessica : ALBA
8. Movie disk format : BLU RAY
9. "I used to be a banker but I lost interest," e.g. : PUN
11. Come clean, with "up" : FESS
12. Dry run : TEST
15. Pesto ingredient : PINE NUT
17. Brine-cured Greek cheese : FETA
18. Vicious of the Sex Pistols : SID
23. Tend, as a fire : STOKE
25. Dad : POP
27. SADD focus : DWI. Students Against Destructive Decisions, formerly Students Against Driving Drunk.
28. Put back to zero : RESET
30. Bring to ruin : UNDO
31. Hornet's home : NEST
32. "__ obliged!" : MUCH
33. Words to an old chap : "I SAY ... "
36. Sign of many an October baby : LIBRA
38. Program that sends unsolicited messages : SPAMBOT
39. Thurman of "The Producers" : UMA
42. "__ you nuts?" : ARE
44. Wine in a straw-wrapped bottle : CHIANTI
46. Grab : SNATCH
47. 1963 Liz Taylor role : CLEO
49. Helper for Santa : ELF. I'd rather have Liz.
51. "Argo" actor Alan : ARKIN. Got enough A's?
52. T-bone source : STEER. Talk about going to the source!
53. Computer memory unit : BYTE
54. Genuine : REAL
56. "Beat it!" : "SHOO!"
57. Be a snitch : TELL
59. Jekyll's alter ego : HYDE
61. Lobster eggs : ROE
62. Fuming : MAD
Argyle
Notes from C.C.:
1) I finally figured out why Rich put circles in this puzzle (no circles in my original submission). My original reveal clue for YEAR OF THE MONKEY is [2016, on Chinese calendars, and a hint to the ends of answers to starred clues]. As you can see, I made a big mistake in putting part of the answer in the clue. Thanks for fixing my goof, Rich!
2) Constructor Todd Gross took these pictures while he visited the Bellagio in Feb. He said they had an elaborate display celebrating Chinese New Year there. Thanks for the pictures, Todd!
3) Wish Bluehen a successful hip surgery today! You're my our thoughts and prayers, pal.
