| 100% | CONCERTPIANIST | 14 | ... and 23-Across: "should be comfortable sitting on the bench" |
| 49% | HEARACASE | 9 | Sit on the bench |
| 49% | IDLE | 4 | Sitting on the bench, say |
| 48% | REST | 4 | Sit on the bench between innings |
| 47% | PIANIST | 7 | One sitting on the bench, maybe |
| 47% | PLAYED | 6 | Didn't sit on the bench |
| 47% | PIANO | 5 | Its players sit on the bench |
| 44% | VEG | 3 | Sit on the couch and do nothing, slangily |
| 44% | SAT | 3 | Was on the bench |
| 44% | TASTEBUD | 8 | Sits on the tongue and identifies sweet and sour |
| 42% | THELAST | 7 | What shall be first ... or words that can precede 17-, 23-, 52- and 60-Across |
| 41% | UPSDELIVERY | 11 | Package on the porch ... or what's been brought to 18-, 24-, 41- and 51-Across |
| 40% | ASCEND | 6 | Be on the up and up? |
| 40% | ASCENDS | 7 | Is on the up and up? |
| 40% | LOSSLEADERS | 11 | Retail come-ons ... and what the starts of the longest Across answers can be? |
| 40% | RESTORING | 9 | Eliminating the effects of wear and tear on, as was done to 38-Across |
| 39% | MEDITATE | 8 | Sit quietly and empty the mind, be mindful |
| 39% | RES | 3 | Team that is on the bench: Abbr. |
| 38% | ITSGOTLEGS | 10 | Surprised shout when a spot on the wall starts moving, and what can be said about 17-, 26-, and 43-Across |
| 38% | SABBATH | 7 | The child born on this day is bonny and blithe |
| 38% | SEX | 3 | "___ and the City" (show being revived on HBO Max) |
| 38% | SUNSHINE | 8 | Katrina and the Waves were Walking on it |
| 38% | CARLLEWIS | 9 | ... and 23-Across are Olympic gold medalists |
| 38% | KNIGHT | 6 | Start on the first letter and finish on the last after 23 moves |
| 38% | XXXXXXXXXXXXX | 13 | Get in on the winnings after "I-24" and "G-55" are called? |
| 38% | KENNETHBRANAGH | 14 | "Murder on the Orient Express" and 45-Across star who is the only actor to direct himself playing Hercule Poirot (2 wds.) |
| 38% | TOTALECLIPSE | 12 | Event across the U.S. on 4/8/24 ... and, with 57-Across, 1983 Bonnie Tyler hit that would be apt to play during a 46-Across |
| 38% | CARDIGAN | 8 | Hit single from 15-Across with the lyrics "You put me on and said I was your favorite" |
| 37% | SIDELINED | 9 | On the bench |
| 37% | GREEN | 5 | Where the hole and flagstick are, on a golf course |