THEME: ANTE spelled "upward" found in phrases Down
GOOD ONES: Poker request {& theme} ANTE UP [loved this theme]
Like some bands ONE-MAN
Honey and Boo Boo, e.g. PET NAMES [not "Honey Boo Boo" of the net]
Matthew Fox and Peter Coyote ACTORS [not canines]
BTW: "Cat got your tongue?" SAY IT [the idiom is general while the fill is particular: I'd go with the pop song of the Big Band Era --- well, maybe too tough --- how about "Come out with"?]
Square root of
nove TRE [integers are international but not words]
Countess' husband EARL [COUNT didn't fit]
Crossing GET NAKED with TWERKING! Well, I never…!
RATING:
Three grins = Loved it; Two grins = Enjoyed it; One grin = A bit bland for my taste; One teardrop = Not much fun