Crossword Puzzle Gets more arduous, in a way

Clue: Gets more arduous, in a way

Morey Amsterdam's instrument (CELLO with 5 letters)
Interview show since 1947 ... and what this puzzle's starred answers do in two ways (MEETTHEPRESS with 12 letters)
Arduous challenge (BEAR with 4 letters)
Not as arduous as it might be (BEARABLE with 8 letters)
Less arduous (EASIER with 6 letters)
Not so arduous (EASIER with 6 letters)
Least arduous (EASIEST with 7 letters)
Arduous (e.g. HARD with 4 letters)
Doing arduous work (LABORING with 8 letters)
Arduous task (ONUS with 4 letters)