Fisticuffian 
Head of Quebec TETE
Base runner? AWOL
One playing the field, e.g. ATHLETE
Holliday friend EARP [note spelling]
Like biased writing? ITALIC
Turns blue, perhaps TINTS
Somme one UNE
Theme: boxing terms reinterpreted
Very angry, informally RIGHTCROSS
Chuck steak, for example? UPPERCUT
What {theme is} figuratively and literally
PUNCHLINESRATING:
Three grins = Excellent: Loved it; Two grins = Good: Enjoyed it; One grin = Satisfactory: A bit bland for my taste; One teardrop = Unsatisfying: No fun
