In some respects, Fox delivered the most traditional upfront presentation anybody is likely to see this week. Executives and talent kept the focus on live sports and news, all of the men wore suits and there was nary a mention of a subscription service. Even if they have one.

In other respects, the Monday afternoon program was a postmodern odyssey — as evidenced by 95-year-old Rupert Murdoch, seated in the fourth row with son Lachlan and members of the proletariat, nodding his head along to Jay Z’s “Public Service Announcement” as Jamie Foxx came on stage to deliver an impression of President Donald Trump mispronouncing “Tesla.”

And that was within the first five minutes.

Denis Leary told the Boston Celtics fans in the Manhattan Center audience to “fuck off” as a Knicks pep rally grew outside the Madison Square Garden adjacent venue. David Letterman was lifted in the air, a la Jennifer Grey,...