Cryptic crossword No 1,149

Hint follows:

Can't say I was entirely surprised when I read what was spelt out for me (I'd sort of guessed half of it, anyway), 'cause the puzzle was both great fun and proper quality, even if all the 80s stuff went over my head! My personal ticks went to 10a, 12a, 14a, 27a, 4d, 7d, 18d & 29d, which I hope isn't inadvertently lopsided. I suppose the only question I have left is - why "Mort"?

Lovely top quality puzzle, thanks, but I've stared at this for ages and can't for the life of me find what I'm supposed to find. Please put me out of my misery! Defeated by 1a and 31a. Favourites 3a, 13a, 14a, 21a, 2d, 7d, 11d, 16d and 26d.

Very nice puzzle but no idea about the SI, even having read the hint, panthera's comments, the interaction between the two of you, Coot's comments, the interaction between the two of you ... Way above my pay grade, I'm afraid. I may have seen similar before, I think, but 27a gave me the biggest smile. Thanks. PM

Hello Mort, and welcome to MyC :D You have made a really fun puzzle and while I needed the comments to tip me off to the conceit this has all amused me greatly, bloody well done! I particularly liked 1a (very neat), 3a (nice surface), 13a (neat), 21a (neat), 23a (smooth), 27a (fun), 28a (very neat), 2d (very neat), 11d (neat), 17d (fun assembly), 18d (smooth), 20d (neat), 26d (neat and fun) and 29a (fun and neat) - top stuff :)

Ha! well done M.O('c) and R.T. Very clever grid!

How on earth did you manage to produce that without resorting to obscure words? Well done!

Sensational, well done! I had to read most of the comments and responses before I twigged. What a challenge to put that together!