Theme: "Case in Point" - Each familiar phrase is humorously clued as if it's law-related.
23A. Bailiff who keeps the jury in stitches?: COURT JESTER.
34A. Music played between attorneys' arguments?: BRIEF INTERLUDE.
52A. Polite argument on behalf of the accused?: CIVIL DEFENSE.
76A. Cartoon dialogue introduced as evidence?: TRIAL BALLOON.
93A. Satisfaction for a prosecuting attorney?: GUILTY PLEASURE.
109A. Action brought by a cowardly plaintiff?: CHICKEN SUIT.
15D. High-hat challenge of a conviction?: SNOB APPEAL
69D. Magistrate who specializes in agricultural litigation?: FIELD JUDGE.
Solid punny theme from Mark. I bet our regulars can come up with more sentence/hearing candidates.
Great grid design as well. Theme entries are spread everywhere. And you won't find strange Abbrs or words in Mark's grids.
Across:
1. Jouster's wear: ARMOR.
6. Language of 100,000+ Canadians: CREE. Winnipeg is Cree for "muddy water".
10. "Waterloo" group: ABBA.
14. Jr. challenge: PSAT.
18. Early "Masterpiece Theatre" host Alistair: COOKE.
19. Got the news: HEARD.
21. Champagne word: BRUT.
22. Toy owner in "Toy Story" films: ANDY. Saw lots of Buzz Lightyear toys at our flea market over the years.
25. Hotel unit: ROOM.
26. Egg-white omelet's lack: YOLK.
27. Close friends, say: DEAR ONES.
28. Dramatic technique: IRONY.
30. "The Sandbox" playwright: ALBEE.
31. Frigg's spouse: ODIN. Or Frigga (Rene Russo).
32. Parade features: FLOATS.
33. Bull alligator sounds: ROARS. Really?
39. Faithful spring?: LEAP. Leap of faith.
40. Pal played her in early films: LASSIE. Pal the dog.
41. Invitation encl.: SASE. Self-Addressed Stamped Envelope.
42. First of an alley's 10: HEADPIN. Bowling alleys here have been reopened. 25% of the capacity only.
45. Tribute creator: ODIST.
46. Palm species: ACAI.
48. Home of the Big 12's Cyclones: AMES.
50. Actress Ward: SELA.
51. "The Great" detective of kid-lit: NATE.
56. Ins. giant: AIG. Founded in Shanghai in 1919. AIA is a subsidiary of AIG.
57. Bar group: DRINKERS.
59. Toyota logo shape: OVAL.
60. Chaucer works: TALES.
62. Prompts on stage: CUES.
63. Steam up: ANGER.
65. Vanishing act word: POOF. PFFT too.
67. Send (to): REFER.
70. Do the crawl, e.g.: SWIM.
71. Cause of ruination: DOWNFALL.
75. Action film shooter: UZI.
81. Garfield's foil: ODIE.
82. Place for a nest: TREE.
84. Vishnu's quartet: ARMS. Can you imagine life with four arms? I'll be so confused.
85. Solemn promise: OATH.
86. Get a hard copy: PRINT.
87. Persian hunting dogs: SALUKIS. Wiki says they hunt "primarily by sight rather than scent".
89. Sing the praises of: LAUD.
91. Turn into cash: REDEEM.
92. Scott in an 1857 case: DRED.
97. Mustard town: DIJON.
99. __ Fables: AESOP'S.
100. Plate crossings: RUNS.
101. Blow a gasket: ERUPT.
102. Justice Kagan: ELENA.
103. Aggressive stingers: FIRE ANTS.
107. __ one's time: wait: BIDE.
108. Tennis great Steffi: GRAF. Happy couple.
112. Links org.: USGA.
113. In __: unmoved: SITU.
114. Spot cost: AD FEE.
115. "Neon" fish: TETRA.
116. After that: THEN.
117. Scientist __ deGrasse Tyson: NEIL. He was the classmate of constructor Andrea Carla Michales at Harvard.
118. Alan in old films: LADD.
119. "My bad, Francesca": SCUSI.
Down:
1. Clemson's NCAA div.: ACC.
2. Large cross: ROOD.
3. Pouty face: MOUE.
4. Often-fried veggie: OKRA.Tastes great with bonito flakes.
5. Upgrade technologically: RETROFIT.
6. __ blanc: Loire Valley wine: CHENIN. Not familiar to me. Not a wine drinker.
7. Take exception to: RESENT.
8. Digs in: EATS.
9. Prior to, in verse: ERE.
10. Out of the country: ABROAD.
11. Literary Yorkshire family name: BRONTE.
12. Channel markers: BUOYS.
13. Drive-thru device: ATM.
14. Truckers' cargoes: PAYLOADS.
16. Freud disciple: ADLER (Alfred)
17. Little shavers: TYKES.
20. Goes for oil: DRILLS.
24. Foster with Oscars: JODIE. I've only seen one of her movies.
29. Bounder: ROUE.
30. Tiler's calculation: AREA.
32. Sickly: FRAIL.
34. Flaxen, as hair: BLOND.
35. Speed gauge: RADAR.
36. Question in Matthew: IS IT I.
37. Heart and soul: ESSENCE.
38. Morales of TV's "Titans": ESAI.
39. Not as much: LESS.
42. Female lobster: HEN.
43. "Would __ to you?": I LIE.
44. Pesters: NAGS.
46. Refreshes, with "out": AIRS.
47. Walgreens rival: CVS.
48. Way over yonder: AFAR.
49. Filmmaker Gibson: MEL.
52. So-so mark: CEE.
53. Firm belief: DOGMA.
54. Genesis matriarch: EVE.
55. Town across the Thames from Windsor: ETON.
58. Composer Weill: KURT. Known for "Mack the Knife", which Boomer loves.
61. Makes available to: AFFORDS.
63. Hole-making tools: AWLS.
64. Pen part: NIB.
65. Milne creation: POOH.
66. Control: OWN.
67. Wagon road features: RUTS.
68. Biblical scribe: EZRA.
70. "Cheers" bartender: SAM.
71. URL element: DOT.
72. "Ta-ta, Thierry!": ADIEU.
73. Big ship: LINER.
74. "I can do that": LET ME. I finally planted daikon radishes this year. Hope mine can be as good as these ones in a few months'.
77. Carefully timed operation: RAID.
78. E-file org.: IRS.
79. Awkward sorts: LOUTS.
80. Title for Gaga: LADY.
83. Pole, for one: EUROPEAN. Nice clue.
86. Farm workers of old: PEASANTS.
88. Canterbury's county: KENT.
89. Companion of Dorothy: LION.
90. Camel cousin: ALPACA.
91. O'Connor who played Gabrielle on "Xena": RENEE. Learning moment for me.
93. Italian treats: GELATI.
94. Handy: USEFUL.
95. Selling for, with "at": PRICED. Grape prices are finally down here. Been $3.99/lb for a few months.
96. Waited in hiding: LURKED.
97. First appearance: DEBUT.
98. "Fighting" Indiana team: IRISH.
99. Lofty home: AERIE. So many sticks.
103. World Cup org.: FIFA.
104. Tiny bit of a min.: NSEC.
105. Ballet attire: TUTU.
106. Titles of respect: SIRS.
108. "Family Feud" reruns channel: GSN.
110. "Good" cholesterol initials: HDL.
111. Mai __: TAI.
C.C.