% replaces any number of letters (la% - lake, lamp)_ replaces one letter (ca_ - car, cat)

Crossword clues for part of this puzzle's theme

AnswerClue
JUMPSOVERPuzzle theme, part 3
CLUESPart of this puzzles' theme
DARKESTTIMELINEAlternate universe in which things are extremely bad, and a hint to the hidden parts of this puzzle's theme
BUNSHamburger parts, or this puzzle's theme?
SQUARESPart of this puzzle's theme
ZAMBIAUnited Nations member since 1964 (but not part of this puzzle's theme)
SONSSome relatives (not, strictly speaking, part of the puzzle's theme)
DROPDOWNLike some menus, and what parts of this puzzle's theme answers do
TWOSTheme of the puzzle, in part
SCHISMRift ... or, read in three parts, a description of this puzzle's theme
OPERATIONClassic kids' game involving removal of body parts ... with a hint to this puzzle's theme
GEARSHIFTAutomotive part ... and a hint to this puzzle's theme
IBEFOREEPart of a spelling rule, and a hint to this puzzle's theme
BLINDCARBONCOPYWith 74- & 75-Across, "invisible" part of a distribution list ... or a hint to this puzzle's theme
TUESDAYPart of a calendar septet, and a phonetic hint to this puzzle's theme
MUSICALSCALEParts of it appear at both the starts and ends of this puzzle's eight theme phrases
PLAYHORSETake part in an add-a-letter basketball game, as demonstrated by this puzzle's theme answers
THEParts 1 and 4 of this puzzle's theme