MIXED DOUBLES
Credit: NY Times Crossword
Edward J. O'Brien

1. What's the difference between John Audubon and W.A. Spooner?

2.  What's the difference between foregoing story hour and shifting the balance of power?

3. What's the difference between a newspaper headline of June, 1876 and an early comedian who was a former Olympic swimmer?

4. What's the difference between an emcee and one who declines an expensive fish delicacy?

5. What's the difference between a playing card and too many helpers?

6. What's the difference between Sleeping Beauty and a good salesman?

Answers:

1. One was a bird watcher and the other a word botcher.
2. Skipping the tale and tipping the scale
3. Custer Beaten and Buster Keaton
4. One runs the show and the other shuns the roe. 
5. Eight of spades and a spate of aides
6. Sleeping Beauty has a spinning wheel and a good salesman has a winning spiel.