I don't get it (again)

Once again, I don't get the theme to today's crossword puzzle. It's called "Stat's All, Folks", and Johnston didn't give a hint in the clues (you know, like 33A: Duck soup, or a clue to the beginning of ...).

I think the four theme answers are 20, 35, 42, and 53 across - they're the four longest. But they're

the queen of mean
road median
pie ala mode
home on the range.

I don't see anything they have in common. I don't see where there are stats, or TH->ST, or words with a final letter missing (State?), or anagrams, or in fact anything.

Go ahead. Someone solve this for me. Please.