The Press Box

Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker cover 2020's election night. They address votes in swing states, the needle, and media coverage, and then make predictions while results come in and a winner has yet to be announced. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

David and Bryan sit down for the final time before the 2020 election to look over what the candidates are doing in their final hours before November 3. They also look at the bizarre prop bets that Vegas has concocted for election night. And Bryan is joined by The New York Times’ Mark Leibovich to discuss the end of the campaign trail, how Trump has changed Washington, and more. Hosts: Bryan Curtis...

Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker break down the predictions, reactions, and coverage we might see from TV networks and media on election night (4:00). Then on Listener Mail, they answer the question “Who else will get an exclusive interview with the president with a week until election day?” (27:00) Then Politico’s Jake Sherman joins to discuss Politico’s Playbook newsletter and much more (47:00)....

Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker take a mental break and try to ax any mention of the pandemic, election, or Trump. They rank pun column names (3:00); throw it back to 1996 to discuss early internet journalism (8:30); test Chris Almeida with a new game, Generational Media Literacy (30:30); and then former producer Jim Cunningham joins to say a few words (44:00). Then author Ben Macintyre stops by...

Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker react to the second and final Trump-Biden presidential debate. They offer first impressions, discuss each candidate's effectiveness, and predict how the election might unfold moving forward. Plus, journalist Peter Hamby joins to discuss campaign advertising, media coverage, and much more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker offer a debate preview prior to the second and last 2020 presidential debate. They then discuss anti-Trump rhetoric, including a New York Times editorial highlighting Trump’s failures. Then, MSNBC’s Jacob Soboroff joins to discuss his new book, Separated: Inside an American Tragedy, as well as his career as an MSNBC correspondent. Plus, The Overworked Twitter Joke...

Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker break down the top Failed October Surprises, ranging from Hunter Biden’s emails to a Benghazi conspiracy theory. Then, Listener Mail, when they address the most pressing questions regarding the restaurant Ruby Tuesday. Then Keith Olbermann joins to discuss his political commentary on YouTube and how he got denounced by Senator Mitt Romney. Plus, the Overworked Twit...

Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker break down the Trump campaign after Trump declined to participate in a virtual presidential debate. They then weigh in on the re-reporting of The New York Times' narrative podcast, ‘Caliphate.’ Plus, The Washington Post’s Robert Costa joins to discuss covering politics, interviewing Trump, and booking John Mayer for his senior prom. Learn more about your ad choices...

Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker react to the 2020 vice presidential debate between Mike Pence and Kamala Harris. They discuss each side's game plan, who came out victorious, and how they expect this debate to impact the candidates' respective campaigns going forward. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Trump has tested positive for COVID-19. Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker discuss the president’s well-being, the impact it has on the election, and how the media has responded (0:38). Then on Listener Mail, they answer the question “How would the media have covered the last four days if Joe Biden were the one in the hospital?” (26:58) Then, The New Yorker’s Jeffrey Toobin joins to talk a...

Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker discuss the fallout from the first presidential debate. They weigh in on responses from several reporters and news anchors (2:38) and discuss conspiracy theories that have surfaced. Then on Listener Mail, they answer the question “What cardboard cutouts should be put in the audience at the presidential debates?” (22:53) Then, Texas Monthly writer and editor Skip Ho...

Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker react to the first presidential debate of the 2020 election with Trump and Biden. They offer their impressions and reactions, as well as predictions for the upcoming debates. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With presidential debates around the corner, Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker break down what to expect from both Trump and Biden (3:20). Then they answer your questions during Listener Mail and say their farewell to newspaper editor Sir Harold Evans (26:10). Plus, NYT TV critic James Poniewozik joins to discuss Trump’s impact on television, and what he expects television to look like after Trump'...

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg dies at 87. Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker discuss Ginsburg’s reputation on the Supreme Court and her impact (2:10). They then say their farewells to columnist and critic Stanley Crouch who died at 74 (22:08). Then Wall Street Journal sports columnist Jason Gay joins to discuss his experience being a sportswriter during a pandemic (34:18). Plus, the Overworked Twitter...

College football is back ... sort of. Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker discuss the unusual return of college football, but more specifically the Big Ten (2:20). Then, Listener Mail, when they answer the question, “What’s your favorite word to try and jam into every one of your stories?” (24:20) Plus, Barack Obama and Ronald Reagan White House photographer Pete Souza joins to discuss his journey in...

Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker break down what the upcoming presidential debates could look like with moderator Chris Wallace—or perhaps Joe Rogan, who recently expressed interest in moderating on a recent episode of his podcast (3:08). They then discuss the return of the NFL (19:00) and its broadcasting as Fox sportscaster Adam Amin joins to discuss his first game back in the booth (30:40). Plu...

Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker dive deep into Trump’s recent comments to veteran journalist Bob Woodward (2:08). They question Woodward’s motives and examine whether or not he should’ve waited to release his revealing interview earlier (13:33). Novelist Don Winslow joins to discuss his latest collection of short stories, ‘Broken’ (32:10). Plus: The Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week and David S...

Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker dissect Trump’s complicated relationship with the military and the truth (2:36), and they break down Jeffrey Goldberg’s Atlantic story on the president and the complexities of anonymous reporting (3:34:). Then, they discuss remote learning and COVID-19’s impact on education (22:37). Next, Time magazine’s Molly Ball joins to discuss her book ‘Pelosi’ (36:00). Plus:...

From antifa planes to golf metaphors and bags of soup, Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker break down the chaotic Trump campaign (2:05). Then, during Listener Mail, they answer the question, “Why does every nonfiction book have such a long subtitle?” (23:18). Then CNN commentator Brian Stelter stops by to discuss his new book, ‘Hoax: Donald Trump, Fox News, and the Dangerous Distortion of Truth.’ (36...

Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker discuss Trump’s approach to this year’s election. They break down his remarks on protesting, violence, and the Democratic Party (2:35). They then discuss the newspapers that are getting rid of their newsrooms and the impact it could have on the profession (20:30). Then, sportswriter Jeff Benedict joins to talk about his new book about the New England Patriots, ‘The...

Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker break down the best and worst of the Republican National Convention (3:00). Then they discuss the NBA strike and how it has turned the attention from Orlando to Kenosha, Wisconsin (36:10). Then it's time for Listener Mail, as the guys answer the question, “What is the highest achievement a Press Box listener can unlock?” (44:05). Plus: the Overworked Twitter Joke o...

The Republican National Convention kicks off today. Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker break down what we can expect (2:58). Then, they discuss sports announcer meltdowns during the pandemic and weigh in on some of the racist, homophobic, misogynistic comments from some of the most popular announcers (20:55). Then political writer Ben Jacobs joins to discuss his journey covering the Kanye West campa...

Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker break down the best and worst moments from the 2020 Democratic National Convention (2:45). Then, Listener Mail, where they answer the question, “What is the worst pun meteorologists are using in 2020 and how do we stop it?” (42:40). Plus: The Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week, and David Shoemaker Guesses the Strained-Pun Headline. Learn more about your ad choices...

The Democratic National Convention kicks off tonight with speakers including Michelle Obama, Bernie Sanders, and Quibi CEO Meg Whitman. Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker discuss what we can expect and what a virtual convention could look like (2:25). The NBA playoffs have also commenced, and they address the league’s newest free agent, Shams Charania (21:05). Then, Politico reporter Alex Thompson j...

Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker weigh in on how the Kamala Harris selection could affect the Biden campaign (2:15). Next, Listener Mail, where they answer the question, “Why does every celebrity who gets written about by the media have a great sense of humor?” (21:45). Then, Ringer staff writer Rodger Sherman joins to discuss the news that conferences have canceled college football this fall (35:...