The Press Box

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...

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 Time...

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 Curti...

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 Sho...

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 L...

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 Twi...

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

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 lea...

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 a...

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...

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/adc...

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

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 Davi...

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

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 Par...

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 m...

One week until the midterm elections, Bryan and David discuss signs that we have entered the late stage of the election cycle while discussing ad campaigns, reevaluating Senate races, and touching on Beto O’Rourke’s position in his state race (3:24). Later, they revisit Twitter underneath Elon Musk and touch on his recent response to Hillary Clinton, weigh in on the potential for misinformation, a...

Bryan is joined by Washington Post columnist Perry Bacon Jr. to discuss the upcoming midterm elections as well as recent media news. They begin by addressing the unified story represented by these elections, discuss which senate race has been of peak interest, and weigh in on whether the democrats are “screwing this up.” Later, they touch on how Twitter may or may not change under the ownership of...

In preparation for the midterm elections, Bryan and David check in on three of the biggest Senate races around the country, starting with Pennsylvania’s race between John Fetterman and Mehmet Oz, Ohio’s race between Tim Ryan and JD Vance, and Georgia’s race between Senator Raphael Warnock and Herschel Walker (7:46), before then addressing the embattled former prime minister Liz Truss (30:28). Late...

Bryan is joined by Wos to break down Draymond Green’s short doc, in which he addresses the recent altercation between himself and teammate Jordan Poole, before weighing in on player-driven media and its effect on the fan base. Host: Bryan Curtis Guest: Wosny Lambre Associate Producer: Erika Cervantes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bryan and David kick things off by discussing the news of Charles Barkley’s new 10-year deal with TNT worth over $100 million (0:22). Then, they touch on Bob Costas's return to broadcasting and his ad reads integrated into the telecast (9:21), before weighing in on Annie Karnie’s short essay in Vogue reflecting on her time covering politicians who never won (24:03). Later, they are joined by ESPN...

Bryan is joined by New York magazine writer Rebecca Traister to dive into John Fetterman’s Senate race in Pennsylvania after experiencing a stroke. They break down the health condition of Fetterman, discuss how he's recovering, talk through his status in the current Senate race, and weigh in on a journalist’s responsibility when covering the health of a politician and/or a public figure. Host: Bry...

Bryan and David break down the merger between The Athletic and The New York Times. They discuss the policies and standards enforced for both outlets, the evolution of the sports section at the Times, and the importance of finding identity (6:26). Later, they say goodbye to reporter Nikki Finke (34:06) before switching gears and diving into the transition of the late-night show from cable, with fig...

Bryan is joined by journalist and author Greg Bluestein of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution to discuss covering Herschel Walker’s Senate campaign. They begin by addressing recent accusations claiming he paid for a woman’s abortion back in 2009, touch on his response to the claims as well as his son’s response on Twitter, and break down how this might affect the Senate race in the coming weeks. Hos...

Bryan and David address the highly anticipated Maggie Haberman book ‘Confidence Man: The Making of Donald Trump and the Breaking of America.’ They discuss scoops within the book, Haberman’s relationship with Trump, and what this type of reporting reveals about media access (00:38). They then switch gears and weigh in on the reporting surrounding Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa before tou...