| THREEMENINABOAT | Book title that's a cryptic hint to get agent male fellowship? |
| FACTORS | Fine performers to get agents |
| FACTOR | Fine performer must get agent (6) |
| TAKEAPOISONPILL | Employ defensive tactics to thwart corporate takeovers ... and a cryptic hint to the shaded squares |
| MUDSLINGING | Dirty tactics, and a cryptic hint to what's happening in the shaded squares |
| MTEREBUS | Southernmost active volcano in the world ... or a cryptic hint to certain squares in this puzzle |
| CIVILFRAUD | What Donald Trump was found guilty of on February 16, 2024, and a cryptic hint to the shaded squares. |
| SURELYANDSIMPLY | Just underplays cryptic hint (6,3,6) |
| PURELYANDSIMPLY | Just underplays cryptic hint |
| GONEWITHTHEWIND | Film title that's apropos to this puzzle's theme |
| HASTEMAKESWASTE | Sees Matthew ask a cryptic proverb (5,5,5) |
| THEFOURTHOFJULY | A cryptic clue for the Y in 'Independence Day' (3,6,2,4) |
| TIGHTEN | Hint to get out in order to press together (7) |
| INTHEEND | Ultimately, need hint to get a letter jumble (2,3,3) |
| ELLE | Magazine title that's a pronoun |
| SIR | Title that's a bit desirable? (3) |
| STEWEDPEARS | Cooked fruit dessert ... and a cryptic hint to the start of 17-, 31- and 38-Across |
| SPIN | Twirl ... or a cryptic hint to 20-, 36- and 51-Across? |
| TEASER | A prankster, ribber, tantaliser or taunter; a brain-twister, mind-bender, poser, puzzle or other riddle; a jaeger; a cryptic advertisement designed to entice or titillate; or, a wool-comber (6) |
| DOTHEBRIGHTTHING | Film about how to win a MacArthur Fellowship? |
