# Vertical Microdramas Are Saving Hollywood (Until AI Kills Them)

> 90-second soap operas with pregnant werewolves are keeping the industry afloat, but AI threatens to end the party.
- Title: Vertical Microdramas Are Saving Hollywood (Until AI Kills…
- Summary: 90-second soap operas with pregnant werewolves are keeping the industry afloat, but AI threatens to end the party. Vertical microdramas are the smartphone…
- Keywords: vertical microdramas, hollywood, tiktok, soap operas, streaming, kelsey weekman, kate lindsay, icymi, smartphone video, entertainment industry, yahoo, Vertical
- Source: Slate Magazine — https://slate.com/podcasts/icymi/2026/09/we-must-save-trashy-vertical-microdramas-from-ai?via=rss
- Published: 2026-09-16T07:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: vertical microdramas, hollywood, ai, tiktok, soap operas, streaming, kelsey weekman, kate lindsay, icymi, smartphone video, entertainment industry, yahoo
## Meet the vertical microdrama
These are 90-second soap opera clips made for smartphones. Think pregnant werewolves, surprise quadruplets, and cursed billionaires.
## They're keeping Hollywood afloat
During a turbulent time for the entertainment industry, these ridiculous short-form stories are actually sustaining the business.
## Fans love the absurdity
Dedicated viewers are tuning in for these poorly-written, over-the-top stories. The ridiculousness is part of the appeal.

> They're ridiculous and poorly-written, and we must protect them at all costs.
## Soap operas for smartphones
Vertical microdramas are the next evolution of TV, designed specifically for how people consume content on their phones today.
## AI is already threatening them
This rare good thing in entertainment is facing an existential threat from artificial intelligence before it's even fully taken off.
## Key takeaway

Vertical microdramas are the smartphone era's answer to soap operas, and they're one of the few bright spots in a struggling Hollywood.