| NEWSPAPERNAME | The first syllable of 20-A, 27-A, or 44-A |
| BROADCASTING | On the air...or word following the first part of 20-A, 27-A or 42-A |
| SWAMP | Overwhelm, or a relative of the first syllable of 20-, 36-, or 53-Across |
| ANDABOTTLEOFRUM | Phrase that follows the first syllables of 20-, 33- and 43-Across, especially today |
| SITUATIONCOMEDY | 17-A, 27-A or 48-A, or another title for this puzzle |
| PIRATESHIP | Vessel for 17-A, 27-A or 41-A |
| SOFTC | What the first syllable of "circle" has that the second syllable lacks |
| HAMLET | Speaker of the first syllables of the answers to starred clues |
| NPR | "All Things Considered" airer; the first syllables of the long entries provide a clue |
| TANDEM | ... and in the first syllable of tempest is Daisy's transport (6) |
| THESEARCHERS | Fitting name for a rock group made up of 20-A, 28-A and 44-A |
| BILLMURRAY | "Send the invoice to WJM's Mr. Slaughter" or star of 17-A, 27-A, 38-A and 46-A |
| ROONEYMARA | Star of the 2022 film adaptation of 20-A as well as The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo |
| SPORTSWRITER | Profession of 20-A and 37-A |
| NCAA | Sponsor of 20-A and 28-A |
| REFUSE | Say "No! Rubbish! The accent is on the first syllable!" (6) |
| TIC | First syllable of a kids' menu game |
| SCI | First syllable of a rhyming film genre |
| ROM | First syllable of a rhyming film genre |
| RECESSIVE | Falling on the first syllable (stress) (9) |
