A.V. Club Picks 18 Best TV Shows of 2026 So Far as Emmy Entries Fall to 555

3 articles · Updated · The A.V. Club · Jun 22

The A.V. Club named 18 TV favorites from the first five-and-a-half months of 2026, spanning returning series, anthologies and new comedies across streaming and cable.
555 programs were submitted for Emmy consideration in 2026, down from 600 in 2025, but the outlet said the shrinking production slate still produced a strong field.
Highlighted picks include Dark Winds season four, Beef season two, The Comeback’s third and final season, DTF St. Louis, The Fall And Rise Of Reggie Dinkins and Hacks’ fifth and final season.
The list emphasizes shows tackling Hollywood decline, AI anxiety, class imbalance, Native American history and identity, suggesting quality TV has held up even as the industry contracts.