| 100% | SCANDAL | 7 | Kerry Washington political thriller created and produced by 32-/34-Across |
| 50% | PRIVATE | 7 | With 50-Across, former Kate Walsh medical drama created and produced by 32-/34-Across |
| 41% | SCANDAL | 7 | American political thriller starring Kerry Washington and Scott Foley |
| 39% | SCANDAL | 7 | Kerry Washington political thriller on ABC |
| 36% | THECATCH | 8 | Mireille Enos crime drama produced by 32-/34-Across: 2 wds. |
| 36% | SCANDAL | 7 | ABC political thriller created by Shonda Rhimes |
| 33% | ARGO | 4 | 2012 political thriller starring and directed by Ben Affleck |
| 32% | DAVIDBALDACCI | 13 | Bestselling author of more than 40 political thrillers, including "The Camel Club" and 15-Across and 32-Across (2 wds.) |
| 27% | MAHAGONNY | 9 | Operatic city created by Brecht and 64-Across |
| 27% | THISCHRISTMAS | 13 | Holiday song by 32-Across and 2007 holiday movie starring 48-Across: 2 wds. |
| 26% | SUPERFUNNIGHT | 13 | ABC sitcom created by and starring 18-Across: 3 wds. |
| 26% | SHAMPOO | 7 | 1975 film drama starring, co-written and produced by Warren Beatty |
| 26% | SPORES | 6 | Reproductive cells produced by fungi and plants |
| 26% | ELEPHANT | 8 | Political symbol created by Nast |
| 25% | RUTHHANDLER | 11 | Former 29-Across president and inventor who created 32-Across (2 wds.) |
| 25% | DAVIDEKELLEY | 12 | TV producer/writer who created 32-Across and "Boston Legal": 3 wds. |
| 25% | CHUCKNORRIS | 11 | Celebrity hinted at by the ends of 30-, 32- and 36-Across |
| 25% | TANGELO | 7 | Hybrid produced by crossing the tangerine and grapefruit |
| 25% | TORTILLAFLAT | 12 | Novel by 32-Across made into a 1942 film starring Spencer Tracy and Hedy Lamarr (2 wds.) |
| 25% | PASTIMES | 8 | Diversions ... as hinted at by the ends of 17-, 34- and 52-Across |
| 25% | HELLSKITCHEN | 12 | Cooking competition show created and hosted by 18-Across: 2 wds. |
| 25% | ARGO | 4 | 2012 political thriller starring Ben Affleck and Alan Arkin |
| 25% | OFMICEANDMEN | 12 | Novella by 32-Across made into a 1939 film starring Lon Chaney Jr. and Burgess Meredith (4 wds.) |
| 25% | COMMUNISM | 9 | Political system followed by Marx and Lenin |
| 24% | NOBEL | 5 | With 32- and 38-Across, 2014 honor won by the writer of 15-Across |
| 24% | MOON | 4 | Its cycle is indicated by the starts of 20-, 32-, 40- and 55-Across |
| 24% | BOND | 4 | James ___ (character portrayed by 15-/53-Across and 34-Across) |
| 24% | GREYSANATOMY | 12 | ABC medical drama since 2005 starring 26-Across and created by 38-Across (2 wds.) |
| 24% | BINGO | 5 | Cry spelled out by the first syllables of 16-, 18-, 32-, 50- and 53-Across |
| 24% | SLEEPY | 6 | With 32-Across, 1999 fantasy horror film directed by Tim Burton and starring Johnny Depp |