| A crossword editor has to be very careful when changing one--unlike this puzzle's editor, who was careless four times herein |
| Jason Ritter sci-fi series that lasted for one season, with "The |
| First word across in the first-ever crossword (1913) and the first of a dozen appearances of the word in this puzzle's grid, written word search-style (left, right, down, and diagonally) ... Can you f |
| Long-lasting (illness) |
| Architectural pilaster |
| Causes of Bikini blasts |
| Activity suggested by this puzzle's theme entries |
| Target of Bill Maher's "New Rule: stop wearing plastic shoes |
| All, e.g., for this answer's last six letters? |
| Toast of the Town" host |
| Actress Mendes who comforts Will Ferrell in "The Other Guys" by singing "Pimps Don't Cry |
| Last traces |
| Alternative title of this puzzle, in view of what can be placed in front of the answers to the 10 asterisked clues |
| Partially obscured (and a hint to this puzzle's theme) |
| She voices Elastigirl in "The Incredibles |
| Annual cause of losing an hr.'s sleep hidden in this puzzle's 10 longest answers |
| Surprises unpleasantly, and a hint to each starred answer's first two + last two letters |
| Video game that comes out today (9/9/09), whose songs/levels are referenced in this puzzle, with "The |
| Alternate title for this crossword? |
| Average guys |
| Agriculture giant celebrating its 175th anniversary this year |
| Saint who founded Scholasticism |
| Cleopatra's last request? |
| Asleep ... or a hint to this puzzle's theme |
| Blasts from the past? |
| Contract extras, and read differently, a hint to this puzzle's theme |
| This (girl), to Brutus |
| Alternative words used as alternatives for each other in this puzzle's theme answers |
| Plastic ingredient |
| Give Schweppes Ginger ___ try!" (brilliant soda slogan I just made up) (this clue dedicated to the great Merl Reagle, the master of saving weak entries; RIP, Merl) |