| SHIPSHAPE | In perfect order ... or, as two words, what's formed by applying the answers for the five starred clues to the |
| AUTOMATES | Streamlines, as a factory ... or, when read as two words, what the beginnings of the answers to starred clues are |
| SHAKENBAKE | Breadcrumb coating brand ... or, as two words, what is found in the answers to starred clues |
| HEART | Valentine symbol ... or, when read as two words, what you can't do when the answers to starred clues |
| PEND | Remain unsettled, or, read as two words, what five of this puzzle's long answers have DOWN Shaggy beasts Came to rest Pull up stakes for one's co. |
| POSITIVE | Word (suggested by the black shape in this grid's center) that can precede the answers to starred cl |
| MIDDLEEAR | Site of the hammer, anvil and stirrup ... and a hint to the hidden word in the answers to starred cl |
| BEONTHEBALL | Demonstrate effectiveness, and a literal hint to the puzzle theme found in the answers to starred cl |
| ANIMALENCLOSURE | Stable, for one ... or what's formed by the start and end of each starred clue's answer? |
| BCS | Recently retired NCAA football ranking system, and, as a plural, a hint to the answers to starred cl |
| STAVES | Charles Dickens' word for the five chapters in A Christmas Carol or, sets of five parallel lines upon which musical notes are written (6) |
| STOP | "Freeze!" ... or, when broken into three parts, how the answer for each of the six starred clues goe |
| PENTANGLES | Five-pointed stars ... or, in two words, what the sets of circles represent? |
| STEVEMARTIN | L.A. Story actor whose The Crow: New Songs for the 5-String Banjo won the Best Bluegrass Album Grammy in 2010: 2 wds. |
| ZONES | Word originally for the five belts of the Earth's surface, later any regions with particular characteristics (5) |
| QUIZMASTER | He must know all the answers for all the question he puts. (10) |
| WHEELOFFORTUNE | This game show filmed three weeks' worth of shows at the Opry House in 2003; FIDDLES, BANJOS, AND STEEL GUITARS was one round's answer, for the category "Things" |
| BEHEST | What is returned or found in perfect order? |
| TUNED | In perfect order, as a piano |
| JUSTSO | Only with the intention that it's in perfect order (4,2) |
