| ALLBETSAREOFF | "We're don't know where things are headed," and a cryptic literal hint to this puzzle's theme |
| TREND | Where things are headed |
| TRENDLINES | Where things are headed, figuratively |
| OAF | The lout seems empty-headed and a bit daft (3) |
| LOOFAH | Deplorably aloof, hot-headed and a sponge (6) |
| YOUTOO | "Have a nice day" response, and a literal hint to this puzzle's theme |
| EXTREMEMAKEOVER | Reality series with a "Home Edition" spinoff, and a literal hint to this puzzle's theme |
| TAKEAPOISONPILL | Employ defensive tactics to thwart corporate takeovers ... and a cryptic hint to the shaded squares |
| RUNAROUNDSUE | 1961 #1 hit for Dion, and a literal hint to this puzzle's hidden theme |
| DRINKSAREONME | "I've got this round!" ... or a literal hint to this puzzle's theme |
| DRINKSONME | "I'm paying for this round" ... or a literal hint to this puzzle's theme |
| MUDSLINGING | Dirty tactics, and a cryptic hint to what's happening in the shaded squares |
| CIVILFRAUD | What Donald Trump was found guilty of on February 16, 2024, and a cryptic hint to the shaded squares. |
| PICKLEBALL | Court sport, and a literal hint to this puzzle's theme |
| GRANDFINALE | Climactic show ending, and a literal hint to this puzzle's circled letters |
| BOYCRAZY | Like many teen girls, and a literal hint to this puzzle's circled squares |
| ASPEN | Where Lloyd and Harry are headed in road trip comedy "Dumb and Dumber" (1994) |
| TAILSPINS | Sudden downturns, and a literal hint to this puzzle's circles |
| TURNCOAT | Traitor, and a literal hint to this puzzle's circles |
| SITS | "If you're blue and you don't know; Where to go to, why don't you go; Where fashion ...? Puttin' on |
