| FATHERFIGURES | Some male role models, and what can be found at the starts of the answers to the starred clues |
| ELIAKAZAN | On the Waterfront director who was a role model and mentor for Mike Nichols: 2 wds. |
| FATHERLESS | Thus pal becomes left without male role model? |
| FATHERFIGURE | Male role model (6,6) |
| WILDFLOWERS | Colorful elements of a meadow, and what can be found at the starts of the answers to the starred clues |
| SINKORSWIM | Success-versus-failure metaphor, and what can be found at the starts of the answers to the starred clues |
| FOURQUARTERS | Change for a dollar, and what can be found at the starts of the answers to the starred clues |
| DOWNSIZING | Cornerstone of the Konmari method, and the progression found at the starts of the answers to the starred clues |
| SPA | Place to enjoy the kinds of pampering found at the starts of the answers to the starred clues |
| LEGOBRICKS | Toy construction pieces. or what can be found at the starts of the starred clues' answers? |
| PENNAMES | Writers' aliases, and what are found at the starts of the answers to the starred clues |
| TRIMLEVEL | Options package for a new car, and what can be found at the start of the answer to each starred clue |
| DOGTAGS | Military IDs on chains, and what can be found at the ends of the answers to the starred clues? |
| EYEOPENER | Revelation, or what can be found at the starts of the starred answers |
| FAILURETOLAUNCH | Rocket mishap, or what can be found at the start of the answer to each starred clue |
| XMEN | Marvel Comics mutants, four of whom can be found at the ends of the answers to the starred clues |
| MACOPERATINGSYSTEMS | Things found at the starts of the answers to the six starred clues |
| SCALE | Musical sequence found at the starts of the answers to the starred clues |
| STUFFEDANIMALS | Cuddly toys, or what can be found at the two-letter "head" and "tail" of the answers to starred clue |
| USATODAYSECTION | One can be found at the starts of 17-, 29- and 45- Across |
