| ASNECESSARY | When required ... or a terse hint to solving the starred clues |
| BRINGINTHEPROS | What to do when more expertise is required, or a theme hint |
| ABOUTFACE | Complete 180, or a terse description of this puzzle's theme |
| SWEETANDSOURMIX | Citrusy cocktail ingredient, or a hint to solving the starred clues |
| KNIVESOUT | 2019 Rian Johnson whodunit film, or hint to solving the starred clues |
| WHATSTHEIRMO | "How do these people pull that off?" (and a hint to solving the starred clues) |
| INN | Small wine bottle, and a hint to solving the starred clues |
| DROPIT | "That'll be enough of that subject" ... and a hint to solving the answers to starred clues |
| DIVING | With 49-Down, platforms for jumping in a pool, or a hint to solving the starred clues |
| TOTHEOTHERSIDE | Classic 1967 song by a group whose names a hint to solving the eight bonus clues |
| BREAKONTHROUGH | Classic 1967 song by a group whose names a hint to solving the eight bonus clues |
| ANAGRAM | Hint to solving the eight starred clues |
| SPINTHEBOTTLE | Classic party game ... or a hint to solving the answers that intersect circles |
| UCANTTOUCHTHIS | 1990 MC Hammer hit whose title is a hint to solving the meta |
| WHATSUPDOC | Classic Looney Tunes tagline offering some "direction" in solving the starred clues |
| DROPTHEBALL | Lose focus, and a visual hint to solving seven Across clues and a literal hint to seven Down answers |
| MINUSCULE | Minute required - or two thirds of a minute - solving clues (9) |
| CHECKLIST | A set of items required or things to be done as a reminder (9) |
| NEED | A desideratum; penury; that which is required or wanted; or, desire (4) |
| GIMMEABREAK | "You have got to be kidding!" (or a hint to solving eight theme answers) |
