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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Mar 17, 2025 · 50 min
John Feinstein and March Madness, News From The New Yorker, and Gutting the Voice of America
Hello, media consumers! Bryan and David kick off the week by discussing Donald Trump’s dismantlement of the U.S. Agency for Global Media, which oversees the Voice of America (0:45). Then they get into the Old Guy’s Still Got It Segment with sounds from Rick Pitino (8:40), Tom Izzo (10:30), and Dick Vitale (14:20). Afterward they discuss Michael Wilbon’s tribute to John Feinstein (16:20). Later in the Notebook Dump they discuss the changes happening at The New Yorker (38:42). Plus, the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week and David Shoemaker Guesses the Strained-Pun Headline. Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker Producers: Jessie Lopez and Brian H. Waters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Mar 13, 2025 · 1 hr 10 min
The Horrors of NFL Free Agency, Michelle Obama and Gavin Newsom Pivot to Podcasts, and Remembering John Feinstein
Hello media consumers! "Bryan and Joel kick off the show with J-School during which they discuss Monday’s topics, including Stephen A. Smith vs. Tim Walz for the 2028 democratic nominee, sources calling after a Kendrick Perkins story, and more (1:24) They then get into the following headlines: Reflecting on John Feinstein’s legacy including his book, ‘A Season on the Brink’ (16:36) NFL free agency week in America (24:55) Michelle Obama and Gavin Newsom launching podcasts (43:38) Three pieces of audio that may make you smile, laugh, or furrow your brow (57:10) Hosts: Bryan Curtis and Joel Anderson Producer: Brian H. Waters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Mar 10, 2025 · 1 hr 1 min
Four NBA Media Meltdowns, Oscar Season for Democrats, and a Great Editor’s ‘Only in Journalism’
Tim Walz is making the media rounds, leading The Ringer’s Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker to ask whether the Minnesota governor or Stephen A. Smith is more likely to run for president in 2028 (00:00). Then, the guys get into a series of media meltdowns, including the ongoing beef between Stephen A. and LeBron James (13:00), Charles Barkley vs. Kendrick Perkins (26:12), Draymond Green’s shameless self-promotion (35:08), Mark Cuban’s thoughts on the Luka Doncic trade (40:57), and more. Plus, the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week, and Shoemaker Guesses the Strained-Pun Headline. Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker Producer: Troy Farkas Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Mar 7, 2025 · 1 hr 18 min
The Curious Case of Shedeur Sanders, the L.A. Times’ Broken Bias Meter, and Farewell to ‘Around the Horn’
Hello, media consumers! Bryan and Joel return to discuss the State of the Union address (2:04). Then, they break down the press surrounding NFL draft prospect Shedeur Sanders and the Bias Meter (21:40). They close by remembering 'Around The Horn' and FiveThirtyEight (56:43). Hosts: Bryan Curtis and Joel Anderson Producer: Stefan Anderson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Mar 3, 2025 · 1 hr 9 min
Conan and the Oscars, Trump and Zelensky, and More WaPo-Bezos Fallout
Hello, media consumers! Bryan and David kick off recapping the Oscars, including Conan O’Brien’s performance as host (0:34). Then they discuss the following stories from Washington: Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky meeting in the Oval Office (18:39) Finally having the Jefferey Epstein files (33:20) The Washington Post losing over 75,000 subscribers (41:23) Then in the ‘Notebook Dump’, they discuss Jimmy Johnson’s retirement from television (52:37) and former Biden officials' explanation of the 2024 election (58:09). Plus, the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week and David Shoemaker Guesses the Strained-Pun Headline. Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker Producer: Brian H. Waters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Feb 27, 2025 · 1 hr 19 min
Jeff Bezos Vs. The Washington Post, When NFL Insiders Attack, and the Remaking of MSNBC
Hello, media consumers! Bryan and Joel fire up the mics to close out the week here at 'The Press Box.' Joel takes you to “J-school,” where he talks to Bryan about his media diet, Stephen A. Smith's presidential bid, and his return to D.C. (1:22). Then they get into the following headlines: Jeff Bezos’s extreme opinion section makeover (19:24) When NFL insiders attack: the battle between Ian Rapoport and Jordan Schultz (47:14) A new book on Joe Biden (53:55) Joy Reid out and the remaking of MSNBC (57:16) Curt Menefee interviews New York Mayor Eric Adams (1:00:42) Hosts: Bryan Curtis and Joel Anderson Producer: Brian H. Waters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Feb 25, 2025 · 56 min
The Trump Dump Theory of News, Stephen A. for President, and an ‘Only in Journalism’ All-Timer
Hello, media consumers! Bryan and David kick off the week by discussing the massive amount of news coming from Donald Trump and how people outside of news are trying to process it (0:30). Then they discuss the following topics this week: Stephen A. Smith’s odds to be president (12:23) The AP getting banned for not using the term ‘Gulf of America’ (32:38) A new press box rule clarification (42:27) Remembering Dimitri Sotis (44:16) Plus, the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week and David Shoemaker Guesses the Strained-Pun Headline. Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker Producer: Brian H. Waters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Feb 18, 2025 · 1 hr 24 min
'25 for 25': Nick Wright on the Future of Sports Debate
Hello, media consumers! Bryan and Joel kick off their new podcast series, '25 for 25'. They welcome Fox Sports 1’s Nick Wright, and he discusses the following: His thoughts as the Chiefs were losing the Super Bowl (5:25) Why the Chiefs are the villains (12:56) Why he decided to start his career in sports radio (20:00) The biggest difference between TV and radio (40:00) Linear television vs. streaming (1:01:10) Quick takes on current TV hosts (1:09:34) Hosts: Bryan Curtis and Joel Anderson Guest: Nick Wright Producer: Brian H. Waters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Feb 13, 2025 · 1 hr 12 min
Trump Presses the Press, Luka Doncic and the Fans, and Introducing ‘25 for 25’
Hello, media consumers! Bryan and Joel kick off the show with this week’s class in J-School. Joel discusses Bryan’s appearance on ‘The Bill Simmons Podcast’ in which they talked about whether or not Patrick Mahomes will reach another Super Bowl (1:26). Then he gets into the Jalen Hurts media tour that Hurts himself appears disinterested in, John Rocker vs. Patrick Mahomes Sr., and Kendrick Lamar’s performance. (7:49). Then they go over the following headlines: Donald Trump’s full court press on the media (20:18) Luka Doncic’s fans are still upset (45:48) Jeffrey Toobin joins the New York Times (59:01) Journalism advice from a basketball coach (1:00:35) They conclude the show by introducing a new bonus podcast series called ‘25 for 25’ (1:04:35). Hosts: Bryan Curtis and Joel Anderson Producer: Brian H. Waters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Feb 10, 2025 · 1 hr 4 min
The Best Super Bowl Review in the Business, the Trump-Politico Gambit, and the Death of the Book Blurb
Hello, media consumers! Bryan and David are here to review the Super Bowl, where the Eagles dethroned the mighty Chiefs. The best review features the following: The amount of money Fox spent (0:40) Tom Brady’s best game of the year (13:32) Kevin Burkhardt’s grade after his second Super Bowl (28:28) Fox’s broadcast production magic (33:04) The pivot of the game (35:40) Later, in the Notebook Dump, they discuss the following: Donald Trump is canceling his subscriptions to Politico Pro (45:15) Hubie Brown’s final sign-off (48:25) The death of the book blurb (50:12) Plus, the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week and David Shoemaker Guesses the Strained-Pun Headline. Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker Producer: Brian H. Waters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Feb 7, 2025 · 1 hr 28 min
Super Bowl Stories From New Orleans, a Farewell to Hubie Brown, and Eagles Talk With CNN’s Kasie Hunt
Hello, media consumers! Bryan and Joel kick off the show with this week’s class in J-School. Joel discusses some of the highlights from Bryan’s interview with Chris Berman (1:45). Then Bryan shares some of the best stories from radio row (15:59). Then they get into some more headlines, including: Donald Trump being the first sitting president to attend the Super Bowl (25:20) The Dallas fan base's feelings after Luka Doncic was traded to the Lakers (29:25) Hubie Brown’s farewell tour (39:40) Stephen A. Smith’s potential presidential bid (59:08) And as they get ready for Sunday’s big game, they welcome CNN anchor and Eagles superfan Kasie Hunt, who discusses her excitement for Super Bowl LIX. She discusses the following about her fandom: Her worst experience as an Eagles fan (1:03:32) The secret society of Eagles fans in Washington (1:08:23) Rapid-fire questions, including her favorite Eagles player, who she considers to be their biggest rival, and more (16:48) Hosts: Bryan Curtis and Joel Anderson Guest: Kasie Hunt Producer: Brian H. Waters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Feb 6, 2025 · 1 hr 10 min
Chris Berman on Covering Super Bowls, ESPN’s Three Eras, and the Origin Story of ‘NFL Primetime’
Hello, media consumers! Bryan has a special bonus episode for you. He caught up with one of ESPN’s originals, Chris Berman, in New Orleans. They sit down and discuss the following: What Chris Berman’s Super Bowl week is like (2:12) When ESPN asked him to stop using nicknames (14:34) The original idea for ‘NFL Primetime’ (23:33) Turning down NBC (36:14) The three eras of ESPN (53:08) And then Bryan closes out the show with a fun lightning round where Berman talks about his favorite anchors to work with, getting a Super Bowl ring from the San Francisco 49ers, what he would have done if he wasn’t a sports anchor, and more (58:27). Host: Bryan Curtis Guest: Chris Berman Producer: Brian H. Waters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Feb 3, 2025 · 51 min
The WTF Luka Scoop, Super Bowl Scenes From New Orleans, and Trump’s Pentagon Switcheroo
Hello, media consumers! Bryan and David kick off the week by discussing the chaos surrounding the reporting on the blockbuster trade involving the Dallas Mavericks' decision to send Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis (0:30). Then Bryan, who is in New Orleans, shares the current temperature of radio row (19:16). Later, in the Notebook Dump, they discuss the following: Reports that Chuck Todd is leaving NBC (38:30) The new media switcheroo (42:16) In the Hall of Departed Journalists, they reflect on the life of Jules Feiffer (48:55). Plus, Bryan shares an update on his movie career (0:00).Finally, the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week and David Shoemaker Guesses the Strained-Pun Headline. Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker Producers: Brian H. Waters and Carlos Chiriboga Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jan 30, 2025 · 1 hr 11 min
New Media Invades the White House, Chiefs Conspiracy Theories, and When Ex-Quarterbacks Attack
Hello, media consumers! Bryan and Joel fire up the mics to close out the week here at The Press Box. Joel takes you to “J-School,” where he discusses Donald Trump’s first press briefing since returning to the White House, the tragic plane crash in Washington, and giving props to The New Yorker, and he revisits an interview he had with the late Cedric Benson (1:53). Then they get into the following headlines: The White House embracing new media (14:45) Whether the Chiefs really are the villains (23:00) Ryan Fitzpatrick with an edition of ‘when ex-quarterbacks attack’ (37:25) Paul Krugman’s exit from The New York Times (47:037) Nick Saban on the media (59:24) Hosts: Bryan Curtis and Joel Anderson Producer: Brian H. Waters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jan 27, 2025 · 1 hr
The CBS Disaster and NFL Sound, The New Yorker Turns 100, and More Tales of Journalistic Failure
Hello, media consumers! Bryan and David kick off the week by discussing The New Yorker turning 100 and what it has been throughout time (0:00). Then they get into the sounds of the NFL playoffs: Strangest moment from the Eagles-Commanders … from the referee (32:00) Tom Brady on his future in the broadcast booth (40:34) The CBS disaster with the phantom flag in the Bills-Chiefs game (44:12) Then in the Notebook Dump they follow up Thursday’s episode of how failed profiles came apart with a couple of stories from listeners (50:32). Plus, the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week and David Shoemaker Guesses the Strained-Pun Headline. Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker Producer: Brian H. Waters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jan 23, 2025 · 1 hr 2 min
White House Media Wellness Check, the New NBA Announcers, and a Report From the Press Box in Atlanta
Hello, media consumers! Bryan opens the show to share some notes from the press box of the national championship game with David (1:01). Then, they discuss notes and sounds from the game, including Donald Trump’s message at halftime and Kirk Herbstreit’s emotional reaction to his Ohio State Buckeyes winning it all (11:30). Later, they get into what journalists are facing covering Donald Trump's second presidency (23:21) and the new NBA announcers for NBC and Amazon (37:35).Then, in the Notebook Dump, they discuss the appetite for profiles and movies that were never published (44:11).In the hall of departed journalists, they reflect on the life of Jules Feiffer (48:55). And Bryan shares an update on his movie career .Plus, the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week and David Shoemaker Guesses the Strained-Pun Headline. Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker Producer: Brian H. Waters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jan 20, 2025 · 1 hr 5 min
NFL Playoff Sound, Trump’s Inauguration, and Covering the National Title Game in Atlanta
Hello, media consumers! Bryan and Joel are in Atlanta for the national championship game. They kick off the week with J-School. Joel discusses a question he didn’t get to ask Rece Davis during their interview Saturday, Snoop Dogg performing at the Crypto Ball, and more (1:38). Then they get into the NFL playoffs with lots of sound from Tom Brady, Mike Tirico, Jim Nantz, and Dan Campbell (13:13)Later, they discuss Donald Trump’s inauguration and the media climate fear (42:55). They close the show talking about what it has been like to cover the national title game (49:55). Hosts: Bryan Curtis and Joel Anderson Producer: Brian H. Waters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jan 19, 2025 · 52 min
ESPN's Rece Davis on Year One of the College Football Playoff, Lobbying the Committee on TV, and the True Story of LANK
Hello, media consumers! Bryan and Joel are in Atlanta for the National Championship game and they kick off the weekend with an interview with ESPN's Rece Davis. They discuss the following: What worked with year one of the playoffs (2:06) His influence on the committee (6:05) Should first two rounds be at home campuses (20:18)? Working with Nick Saban and Pat McAfee (33:41) The real story behind “let a naysayer know” (47:25) Hosts: Bryan Curtis and Joel Anderson Guest: Rece Davis Producer: Brian H. Waters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jan 16, 2025 · 1 hr 12 min
The Cowboys Coaching Content Machine, More on Big Cat, and Zuck’s Inauguration Plan
Hello, media consumers! Bryan and Joel kick off the show with this week’s class in J-School. Joel discusses ways he is looking to assist those affected by the L.A. fires, feeling bad about Bryan’s Longhorns losing, and more (2:05). Then they get into some headlines, including: Tom Brady continuing his broadcast career (16:20) The Dallas Cowboys' coaching search (21:36) Mike Tomlin is the most coveted would-be announcer (37:28) Mark Zuckerberg is attending the inauguration with Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos (51:54) They close the show by remembering Bob Uecker, who has passed away at the age of 90 (57:10). Hosts: Bryan Curtis and Joel Anderson Producer: Brian H. Waters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jan 13, 2025 · 58 min
More Notes on the L.A. Fires, the Tom Brady One-and-Done Theory, and Sounds From the NFL Playoffs
Hello, media consumers! Bryan and David begin the week by showing love to Ringer colleague Yasi Salek, who was affected by the L.A. fires (1:07). If you would like to help out Yasi, here is a link to the GoFundMe that Bryan mentions. Then they get into the stories and sounds from wild-card weekend, including: Tom Brady’s Game of the Year and the one-and-done theory (7:19) A.J. Brown reading a book on the sideline (15:57) The proud franchise tier (20:30) Kirk Herbstreit’s promo on the Steelers (23:57) The "I Have Seen the Future" Call of the Week (31:27) Then, in the Notebook Dump, they discuss: Barstool’s Big Cat’s interesting revelation (33:46) Venu, the sports streamer, is no more (46:23) Rachel Maddow returns to MSNBC prime time (49:24) Plus, the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week, Only in Journalism, and David Shoemaker Guesses the Strained-Pun Headline. Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker Producer: Brian H. Waters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices