Iq 1777

[hankir]

I have a full grid and the messages from across and down clues.

I have no idea what I am looking for in highlighting 26 cells.

Is this a British theme? TV shows?

Any hint appreciated.

[Neveracrossword]

Hankir, the last words of the Down message are crucial - and the term is used in, say, the USA as well as in Britain, It's not necessarily tv shows, the first word of the Down message covers more than that. A quick wordsearch, good stare at the grid, should give you a couple of the ...necessary (and my first one definitely isn't British).

[hankir]

Thanks NAC.
I thought of Casablanca, Cheers etc.
Give me a starting cell for one.

[ProfessorMaisie]

I think the most obscure one starts on the bottom row - but i'm not very up to date and that's the more recent one (maybe you'll know it).

[Neveracrossword]

Hankir, you're on the trail of the wrong kind of '???', last word. You haven't followed all the evidence...

[ProfessorMaisie]

...the short one on the top row is American.

[hankir]

Thanks NAC and ProfessorM.
I see my mistake.
Killing a bird kind etc.