The Press Box

The Ringer

The Ringer’s Bryan Curtis, David Shoemaker and Joel Anderson catch you up on the biggest media stories, from sports to politics and everything in between.

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1,299 episodes
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Episodes1299

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Jan 7, 2023 · 55 min
ESPN's Chris Fowler on Sportscasting During a Time of Crisis, College Football vs. the NFL, and Calling the National Championship
Bryan is joined by ESPN’s Chris Fowler to discuss his career as a sports broadcaster covering both college and professional sports since 1986. They begin by remembering the unfortunate death of college basketball player Hank Gathers back in 1990, then discuss what it was like to cover a tragedy. Later, they dive into the differences between covering NFL versus college games, the impact of the transfer portal, and preparing for the upcoming College Football National Championship between Georgia and TCU. Host: Bryan Curtis Guest: Chris Fowler Associate Producer: Erika Cervantes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jan 3, 2023 · 32 min
How ESPN Handled Damar Hamlin’s On-Field Collapse
Bryan is joined by Wall Street Journal columnist Jason Gay to discuss the Damar Hamlin incident during the Buffalo Bills–Cincinnati Bengals NFL game that has left him in critical condition. They touch on the aftermath from the perspective of the players and coaches, weigh in on the social-media response and support for Hamlin, and discuss ESPN’s coverage of the event. Host: Bryan Curtis Guest: Jason Gay Associate Producer: Erika Cervantes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Dec 28, 2022 · 1 hr 1 min
One Perfect Story: Stephen Rodrick on Writing About Lindsay Lohan
Bryan is joined by journalist Stephen Rodrick on the 10th anniversary of his New York Times story "Here Is What Happens When You Cast Lindsay Lohan in Your Movie." They dive into Rodrick’s career writing celebrity profiles and working with creatives, discuss the rare full access he had on the set of the film 'The Canyons,' touch on the writing process alongside director and screenwriter Paul Schrader and actress Lindsay Lohan, and more. Host: Bryan Curtis Guest: Stephen Rodrick Associate Producer: Erika Cervantes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Dec 26, 2022 · 49 min
The Takes We Had: 'The Press Box' Year in Media
Bryan and David reconvene for the last time this year to discuss their takes on the major media events of 2022. They weigh in on the Times buying The Athletic, the overturn of Roe v. Wade, Will Smith slapping Chris Rock, and much more! Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker Associate Producer: Erika Cervantes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Dec 22, 2022 · 44 min
Sean Fennessey on Covering Movies, Sight and Sound, and the State of the Top 10 List
Bryan is joined by The Ringer's Sean Fennessey to discuss his approach to covering movies in the year 2022. They dive into media critics' top 10 year-end lists, discuss how lists reflect the current culture, weigh in on the journalistic shift towards list-making, and wrap things up with thoughts on Sight and Sound. Host: Bryan Curtis Guest: Sean Fennessey Associate Producer: Erika Cervantes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Dec 19, 2022 · 1 hr 1 min
Elon Musk Versus Critics, Watching an Awesome World Cup Final, and a New Doc About Robert Caro
Bryan and David start off the pod by discussing a documentary revolving around the relationship of writer Robert Caro and editor Robert Gottlieb called ‘Turn Every Page’ (00:58). Then, they address all the drama with Elon Musk and Twitter and examine how the press should cover this story (13:25). Later, they give their match report from the World Cup final (36:13) and discuss how The New York Times figures out which books are bestsellers (46:58). Plus, the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week and David Shoemaker Guesses the Strained-Pun Headline (56:05). Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker Producer: Eduardo Ocampo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Dec 15, 2022 · 38 min
Katie Baker on the Sam Bankman-Fried FTX Scandal
Bryan is joined by The Ringer’s Katie Baker to break down the Sam Bankman-Fried FTX scandal with the help of her dictionary, found here. They begin by diving into Fried's background, discuss what it was like covering a scandal involving celebrities such as Tom Brady and Naomi Osaka, touch on winners and losers, and weigh in on the fallout that included a Bankman-Fried media tour. Host: Bryan Curtis Guest: Katie Baker Associate Producer: Erika Cervantes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Dec 12, 2022 · 52 min
Remembering Sportswriter Grant Wahl, Plus the NYT Strike and Sinema Purgatorio
Bryan is joined by Stadio co-host Musa Okwonga to remember the life and career of sportswriter Grant Wahl (5:36). Later, David joins to dive into the announcement from Senator Krysten Sinema (I-Arizona) that she is leaving the Democratic Party (26:49), then they talk through the impact of the New York Times staff's one-day strike (36:53). Plus, the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week and David Shoemaker Guesses the Strained-Pun Headline. Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker Guest: Musa Okwonga Associate Producer: Erika Cervantes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Dec 9, 2022 · 39 min
Covering College Football, the Playoffs, and the Transfer Portal Era With Kevin Clark
Bryan is joined by Kevin Clark to break down college football news and updates ahead of upcoming playoff and bowl games. They begin by discussing the state of the Alabama football program, weigh in on the impact of the transfer portal on the players, programs, and college football fan base, and touch on playoff scheduling. Host: Bryan Curtis Guest: Kevin Clark Associate Producer: Erika Cervantes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Dec 5, 2022 · 59 min
Can Herschel Walker Run to the U.S. Senate? Plus, Epic Twitter Threads and the Power of the List
Bryan and David weigh in on the media’s perspective of the runoff election in Georgia between Herschel Walker and Raphael Warnock (4:58). Then, they discuss Matt Taibbi’s Twitter thread and the argument behind free speech on the platform (27:18). Later, they touch on the Sight and Sound list of the Greatest Movies of All Time and dive into the appeal of the “list” (42:39). Plus, the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week and David Shoemaker Guesses the Strained-Pun Headline. Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker Associate Producer: Erika Cervantes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Dec 2, 2022 · 31 min
What It’s Like to Cover the World Cup With Jason Gay
Bryan is joined by The Wall Street Journal’s Jason Gay to discuss the World Cup in Qatar and what it’s like to cover it. Host: Bryan Curtis Guest: Jason Gay Associate Producer: Carlos Chiriboga Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Nov 28, 2022 · 56 min
The Joe Biden Semi-Boomlet, the Jerry Jones Photo, and a New Book by Anthony Bourdain
Bryan and David kick things off discussing Anthony Bourdain’s biography, ‘Down and Out in Paradise’ (0:33), before weighing in on Joe Biden’s bid for re-election in 2024 against former president Donald Trump (13:44). Then, they address the Washington Post story about Dallas Cowboys owner and GM Jerry Jones and discuss his impact, or lack thereof, in diversifying hiring practices throughout the league (28:21). Plus, the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week and David Shoemaker Guesses the Strained-Pun Headline. Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker Associate Producer: Erika Cervantes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Nov 23, 2022 · 43 min
George Lois and the Lost Art of the Magazine Cover
Bryan and David are joined by ForbesLife editor Michael Solomon to reflect on the career of George Lois and the lost art of the magazine cover. They discuss the statements Lois made and the influence of his art before running through a number of his most memorable covers, such as Muhammad Ali posing as St. Sebastian, Virna Lisi shaving, Andy Warhol drowning in soup, and more! Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker Guest: Michael Solomon Associate Producer: Erika Cervantes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Nov 21, 2022 · 48 min
Conservative Media vs. Donald Trump, Plus Who Wants to Cover the World Cup?
Bryan and David address Donald Trump’s announcement that he will run for president in 2024, and discuss which conservative media figures are behind him and which are leaving him behind (9:25). Later, they talk through the ongoing coverage of the World Cup (27:05), before switching gears and discussing Michael Lewis announcing his next very timely book (38:32). Plus, the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week, and David Shoemaker Guesses the Strained-Pun Headline. Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker Associate Producer: Erika Cervantes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Nov 18, 2022 · 31 min
The Night Everyone Thought Twitter Was Going to Die
In this near-emergency podcast, Bryan and David discuss the madness happening with Twitter and if it could actually shut down. They talk about the reaction to the potential end of the social media site, how the conversation has evolved, and the Musk of it all. Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker Associate Producer: Carlos Chiriboga Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Nov 17, 2022 · 1 hr 22 min
The 10 Best Media Movies With Sean Fennessey
Bryan is joined by The Ringer’s Sean Fennessey to discuss their top 10 media movies, and hand out awards for their Favorite Movie Journalist, Worst Movie About the Media, and more! Host: Bryan Curtis Guest: Sean Fennessey Associate Producer: Erika Cervantes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Nov 14, 2022 · 1 hr 1 min
The Red Wave That Wasn’t, Trump for Prez (Again), and Revisiting the Fetterman Debate
Bryan and David revisit the midterm elections and touch on CNN’s loss of viewership compared to the other networks, weigh in on the unexpected results that swayed blue, and discuss both Trump and Biden’s bid for re-election (7:42). Later, they revisit the John Fetterman and Mehmet Oz debate addressing the exit polls from CNN, and more (45:41)! Plus, the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week and David Shoemaker Guesses the Strained-Pun Headline. Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker Associate Producer: Erika Cervantes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Nov 9, 2022 · 1 hr 25 min
Press Box Election Night Live Podcast
Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker sort through the midterm election results, ponder the fate of the republic, and make fun of the pundits on cable news. Plus, David Shoemaker Guesses the Strained-Pun Headline. Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker Associate Producer: Erika Cervantes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Nov 7, 2022 · 59 min
Predictions for Tomorrow's Midterms, Bottom-Five Senate Candidates, and the Musk-Twitter Meltdown
Ahead of tomorrow’s midterm elections, Bryan and David discuss overarching pundit projections, touch on the most contentious elections, and weigh in on the news that Donald Trump could announce his candidacy next week (6:20). Then, they revisit the chaos on Twitter with Elon Musk restricting accounts, “legalizing” comedy, and bringing back former employees (32:40), all before reminiscing about Parade magazine, which will no longer print its paper version (38:16). Plus, the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week, and David Shoemaker Guesses the Strained-Pun Headline. Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker Associate Producer: Erika Cervantes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Nov 3, 2022 · 1 hr 8 min
Verne Lundquist on Calling Huge SEC Games, Memories of Kick Six, Johnny Football, and More
In preparation for Saturday’s prime-time game between undefeated Georgia and Tennessee, Bryan chats with former CBS sports commentator Verne Lundquist. Lundquist discusses what he misses most about calling sports, talks through his time working alongside Terry Bradshaw covering NFL games, and how he made it to the no. 1 spot at CBS with Gary Danielson. All the while, they revisit some of the top moments calling prime-time SEC games with players such as Johnny Manziel, Tim Tebow, Jacob Hester, and more! Host: Bryan Curtis Guest: Verne Lundquist Associate Producer: Erika Cervantes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices