THEME: first word of a phrase suggest emptiness
GOOD ONES: Insincere talk {& theme} EMPTY WORDS
Opening for a chorus line TRA [as in tra-la-la]
Roller with pips DIE [a unit of dice --- pips are the dots]
BTW: Cherub, in Chambrey
ANGE [but not in the English-speaking world]
Free from bias FAIR [It seems to me that bias, a propensity toward or against someone or something, does not preclude fairness. Prejudice, an unreasoned bias, suggests unfairness by definition.]
I'll bet the submitted clues for GO UP, LOTUS, SPADE, SPY, PET... were better than the pedestrian ones published. I reiterate, cleverness and interest are not mutually exclusive from ease.
RATING:
Three grins = Loved it; Two grins = Enjoyed it; One grin = A bit bland for my taste; One teardrop = Not much fun