| BACKCHANNEL | Unofficial means of communication, and a hint to each set of circled letters |
| DOUBLETALK | Evasive communication, and a hint to 18-, 27-, 36- and 45-Across |
| INSIDESTORY | Facts known to a select few ... and a hint to each set of circled letters |
| MIXEDFEELINGS | What a bittersweet moment may evoke ... and a hint to each set of circled letters |
| CHANGEHANDS | Be sold, as property ... and a hint to each set of circled letters |
| ALTERNATEROUTE | GPS suggestion, and a hint to each set of circled letters |
| ROCKYROAD | Nutty ice cream parlor order ... and a hint to each set of circled letters |
| INSIDEPITCH | Ballpark brushback, perhaps ... and a hint to each set of circled letters |
| LETSGOCRAZY | First track on Prince's "Purple Rain," and a hint to each set of circled letters |
| SIDECAR | Brandy cocktail, and a hint to each set of circled letters |
| TRIMTHETREE | Do a Christmas activity, or a hint to each set of circled letters |
| REFORMPARTY | Political organization founded in 1995 by 35- Down... and a literal hint to each set of circled letters |
| JOYDIVISION | "Love Will Tear Us Apart" band . . . and a hint to each set of circled letters in this puzzle |
| SHIFTGEARS | Go from neutral to reverse ... and a hint to each set of circles |
| MIXEDDOUBLES | Tennis format with man-and-woman pairs ... and a hint to each set of circles |
| GANGOFFOUR | Faction in China's Cultural Revolution ... or a hint to each set of circled letters |
| HOUSEBROKEN | Like a well-trained pet, and a hint to each set of circles |
| NAMECHANGE | Postnuptial alteration, and a hint to each set of puzzle circles |
| MIDDLEMAN | Go-between ... and a hint to each set of circles |
| CALLLETTERS | Station identifiers, and a hint to each set of circles |
