COME WHAT MAYHEM
Credit: LA Times Crossword
Sylvia Bursztyn and Barry Tunick (#1-8 - adapted)

The answers to the clues below will have something in common.

1. Top everything
2. Deal with the situation
3. Exert influence
4. Experience rough times
5. Look for a job, perhaps
6. Entertain guests
7. Prelude to smoking
8. Be the first to inform someone
9. Test the limits
10. Percussionist's job, at times
11. Deliberate insult
12. Embark, as in a canoe
13. Fan-favorite basketball two-pointer
14. Traditional puppet show
15. Expose inconsistencies, as in a story
16. High-scoring baseball game
17. Look everywhere
18. Study hard
19. Request to prove you're not dreaming
20. "Good luck," in show business

Answers:

1. Beat the band
2. Bite the bullet
3. Pull strings
4. Hit the skids
5. Pound the pavement
6. Throw a party
7. Strike a match
8. Break the news
9. Push the envelope
10. Bang a gong
11. Slap in the face
12. Shove off
13. Slam dunk
14. Punch and Judy
15. Poke holes in
16. Slugfest
17. Beat the bushes
18. Hit the books
19. Pinch me
20. Break a leg