Cryptic crossword No 3,173

21a is fantastic!

I’m not normally one for complicated-looking instructions, extra words, etc. but I had a bit of time this evening, so I thought I’d give it a go. After a very slow start, and a realisation that I did not know the theme (not that it really mattered), I was very pleased to finish it. Thanks, Fez, for a great hour or so of entertainment, and for again showcasing your ability to pack so much theme into such a small space. Like Clueless, 21a made me laugh when the penny finally dropped.

What a delight! I did not manage, alas, to see where you had hidden some things - to manage that, without loss of good surfaces and proper grammar, is amazing. Almost impossible to pick faves but here goes: 13a (what a def!),16a (of course, FOI), 19a,24a, 2d (brilliant!),4d, 6d,23d

Geez! Got to the end with just a couple of final reveals. nho the theme, I'm afraid. So rather bumbled my way through without really spotting what thematic deductions were going on. Well, saw some superfluous words but could not link them in any way. Lots of typically clever Fezzy stuff at many levels. Another tour de force. Thanks. PM

Well I nearly gave up disheartened when I realised I hadn’t seen the show but perseverance furthered and I got a sense of how things were working and finally solved everything with a few guess and checks. Masterful in both concept and execution, and ultimately worth the struggle for me if only to admire from afar. My picks are from the non-thematic clues because I knew what I was appreciating them for: 13a, 16a (despite not realising its significance), 21a, 24a, 26a, 2d, 4d, 8d & 18d. Cheers