2026 TV Upfronts: Scripted TV is Back, Baby!

Support #Millennial!⁠⁠⁠ Visit Patreon.com/millennial to get exclusive bonus episodes, live stream access, and more! Visit our merch store: ⁠⁠https://shop.millennialshow.com⁠⁠ Follow the show in your favorite podcast app and leave us a review! In the Dumpster Fire Corner: Is anyone really surprised at the reported under bookings of hotels leading up to the FIFA World Cup in US host cities? Then, Pam has some insights into what this year's TV Upfronts mean for what audiences will be seeing on the small screen in the next year. We break down what the annual TV industry preview event actually is, what studios announced for the upcoming season, and what it all means for your watchlist. The big headlines: scripted programming is making a comeback on broadcast networks, lighter and more optimistic TV is the vibe networks are chasing, and comedy is somehow still getting left behind. Also, AI is everywhere — even in how advertisers are targeting you mid-episode. Then we get into something we're all guilty of: the second screen problem. We're sharing our favorite background shows (no judgment) and already calling which Upfronts announcements are destined for the "playing while I fold laundry" category. This week's recommendations are on theme with our TV-themed discussion: 'Amadeus' on Starz (Laura) and 'The Other Bennett Sister' on BritBox (Pam). Join us over on our Patreon for this week's installment of After Dark, where we get very personal and take some questions and topic suggestions from our live audience. 👀 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices