Related Clues:

• Eager
• Bombing, as a comic
• See 6-Across
• Not getting many laughs, as a comedian
• On the way out
• On one's last legs
• Failing on the stage
• Expiring
• Like a graying ember
• About to go out
• Withering
• Faulkner's 'As I Lay ___'
• Moribund
• Desperately longing (to)
• Very eager (to)