Part of Bette Midler's nickname (and what the starred answers do)

Question:

Answer:

MISSM

Length:

Similar Crossword Questions:

When most top-rated shows are on, and a hint to the kind of numbers in the starred answers
Informal chat, and based on the starts of the starred answers, this puzzle's title
Bette Midler specialty
Midler's "Divine" nickname
"Scenes from ___" (1991 Bette Midler film)
One of the four that end this puzzle's starred answers
Postseason gridiron game, and a hint to the puzzle theme found in starred answers
What the starred answers start with
1987 market crash, and this puzzle's title, whose first word can precede each word in the starred answers
Classic ad line, and question you need to answer to find the hidden theme in four starred answers
Like Bette Midler concerts
Where the ends of the starred answers are filed
#1 Bette Midler hit from 'Beaches'
Title associated with the 11 starred answers
1979 Bette Midler film
Subject of an annual March 14 celebration and of this puzzle, celebrated in both a literal and a numerical way in the first square of the starred answers, reading left to right
Word that can precede either part of each starred clue's answer
Maurice Sendak kids' book, and the starts of starred answers
Emergency fund ... or what the second part of each answer to a starred clue ends with?
1989 Bette Midler hit, aptly
Bette Midler classic
Where this grid's starred answers' ends have particular relevance
Bette Midler's "Parental Guidance" costar
When night owls thrive, or where the last words of the starred answers can go
"Gosh!" (or, based on the starts of starred answers, one who is expert at solving this puzzle's theme?)