| 100% | MYGOALINLIFEIS | 14 | Start of a wish by 112-Across on 9/21/09 |
| 49% | CONVENTIONALITY | 15 | Start of a quote by 9-Down |
| 49% | TOLOVEONESELFIS | 15 | Start of a quotation by 9-Down |
| 48% | AMEDIUMSOCALLED | 15 | Start of a definition of television, by 9-Down |
| 47% | THE | 3 | Start of a quote on obstinacy by James Russell Lowell |
| 45% | BORN | 4 | "___ to Run," song by Bruce Springsteen about driving on U.S. Route 9 and hope of starting anew with a girl |
| 45% | IREALLYDIDNTSAY | 15 | Start of a quote by 39-Across |
| 45% | TOOMUCHOF | 9 | Start of a thought by 29-Across |
| 45% | WERELIVINGINAN | 14 | Start of a quip by 67-Across |
| 45% | POETRY | 6 | Start of a quote by 50-Across |
| 45% | LANGUAGEISACITYTO | 17 | Start of a quote by 59-Across |
| 45% | ISIGNEDWITHTHEMILWAUKEE | 23 | Start of a quip by 58-Across |
| 45% | MOSTROCK | 8 | Start of a quote by 102-Across |
| 45% | ISAWANOTICE | 11 | Start of a quip by 44-Across |
| 45% | ADVERTISINGIS | 13 | Start of a quote by 115-Across |
| 45% | FORGIVEYOUR | 11 | Start of a quote by 56-Across |
| 44% | HAVINGAFINETIME | 15 | Start of a message on 20-Across |
| 44% | YOUCAMPAIGNIN | 13 | Start of a quote by 1-/73-Across |
| 44% | MYFAKEPLANTS | 12 | Start of a one-liner by 54-Across |
| 43% | IHOPE | 5 | Start of a wish |
| 42% | DEARSANTA | 9 | Start of a wish-list letter |
| 42% | IFATFIRST | 9 | Start of a quote about creativity by 58-Across/39-Down |
| 41% | NOWIDONTWANTTOGET | 17 | Start of every opinion piece by 24 Down on his old live show (continues at 119 Across) |
| 41% | ITHINKHAILTO | 12 | Start of a quote by 53-Across, when asked to name his favorite song |
| 41% | GOODNEWSBADNEWS | 15 | Start of a mixed message, as illustrated by 17-, 23-, 39- and 54-Across |
| 40% | OUTOFTHECRADLE | 14 | Start of a 36 Across poem |
| 40% | WHENLILACSLAST | 14 | Start of a 36 Across poem |
| 40% | OROMEO | 6 | Start of a cry by Juliet |
| 40% | TOERR | 5 | Start of a saying on forgiveness |
| 40% | POOR | 4 | Start of a word ladder whose first and last words are suggested by 36-Across |