The Press Box

Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker kick off the year by discussing Trump's explosive phone call to Georgia's secretary of state in which he attempted to sway that state's election results (02:35). Later Bryan sits down with authors Jeff Benedict and Armen Keteyian to discuss the new HBO documentary based on their Tiger Woods book (21:26) before David guesses the first strained-pun headline of 2021 (...

Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker are rounding out the year by answering your Listener Mail (8:05). Then, writer Jesse Washington joins to discuss the writing process for John Thompson’s memoir, ‘I Came As a Shadow’ (38:00). Plus, the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week and David Shoemaker Guesses the Strained-Pun Headline. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker break down the Elle magazine story about journalist Christie Smythe and "pharma bro" Martin Shkreli's relationship (2:50). Then the Press Box gang talks holiday carols, food, and traditions (26:32) before sportscaster Jim Gray joins to talk about his book ‘Talking to GOATs’ (36:52). Plus, The Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week and David Shoemaker Guesses the Strai...

Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker break down what cable news networks such as MSNBC and CNN could look like after a Trump presidency (2:30) before tackling another round of Listener Mail, where they answer the question, “Who is the best strained-pun headline-creating writer/editor you have ever worked with?" (24:15) Then David Axelrod, a CNN senior political commentator and Barack Obama’s former ch...

Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker unpack the response to the news that the Pfizer vaccine has been cleared in the U.S. (2:12) before breaking down ‘Sunday NFL Countdown’ in We’ve Got Notes (19:00). Then writer Ken Layne joins to discuss his book ‘Desert Oracle,’ and his experience in the desert (45:45). Plus, the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week and David Shoemaker Guesses the Strained-Pun Headl...

Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker discuss media coverage for the COVID-19 vaccine (3:35) before Listener Mail, where they answer a question about the dramatic license taken in the portrayals of the royal family on ‘The Crown’ (23:10). Then, Maury Povich joins to discuss his career in media and his experience with 'A Current Affair' and 'The Maury Show' (41:10). Plus, the Overworked Twitter Joke of...

Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker tackle Biden’s digital divide (2:50) before breaking down the unfortunate news that ESPN is making additional layoffs (21:55). Then former ESPN commentator Michael Smith joins to discuss his career and his podcast, ‘Brother From Another.’ (39:00) Plus, the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week and David Shoemaker Guesses the Strained-Pun Headline. Learn more about yo...

Neera Tanden was nominated to be Joe Biden’s director of the Office of Management and Budget, which led Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker to discuss whether or not you can tweet your way into or out of the White House (3:25). Then, Listener Mail, where they answer the question, “Which three people would reassure you the most if they got vaccinated on live TV?” (26:45) Then, BuzzFeed’s Ruby Cramer j...

Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker break down ‘60 Minutes’ in the feature We’ve Got Notes (2:25) before discussing publishing news, including Penguin Random House buying Simon & Schuster and Trump’s future memoir (30:00). Then, FS1’s Emmanuel Acho joins to discuss his career and his new book, Uncomfortable Conversations With a Black Man (51:40). Plus, the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week and Davi...

Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker are answering your questions for a Thanksgiving edition of Listener Mail (2:30). Then magazine writer, editor, and podcaster Josh Dean joins to discuss his new podcast Chameleon: Hollywood Con Queen (37:45). Plus, David Shoemaker Guesses the Strained-Pun Headline.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker discuss Donald Trump’s disappearance from the media and weigh in on what a post-Trump presidency will look like (2:10). Then they break down ‘Meet the Press,’ in a new feature called We’ve Got Notes (21:25). Then Ben Mankiewicz of Turner Classic Movies joins to discuss his career and his favorite media movies (48:40). Plus, the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week a...

The Ringer's Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker catch you up on the biggest media stories, from sports to politics and everything in between.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Barack Obama has released his 768-page memoir, 'A Promised Land.' Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker discuss his book, his playlist, and the accompanying poster (2:10). Then, on Listener Mail, they answer the question “What is a piece of media you consume to get away from the world of media you spend the most time in?” (31:12) Then, Ringer writer and author Claire McNear joins to discuss her book, '...

Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker discuss Matt Yglesias’s announcement that he will no longer be writing for Vox but will be publishing his writing in Substack (1:45). They then write their own 2020 campaign retrospective, recounting the chain of events leading up to the election (22:10). Then New York Magazine editor and author Reeves Wiedeman joins to discuss the fall of WeWork and Adam Neumann (...

Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker attempt to break down the dynamic between Fox News and Donald Trump (3:30), before answering, Listener Mail, where they guess “Who will be Time’s person of the year?” (31:40) Then New York Times critic Dwight Garner stops by to discuss his new book and his career as a critic (53:40). Plus, the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week and David Shoemaker Guesses the Stra...

Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker weigh in on the aftermath of the 2020 election. They discuss major headlines that include Trump running for reelection in 2024 (2:30), review all the media stories that ran after Biden won the election (9:00), and then discuss who covered election week better: CNN or MSNBC? (32:00) Then, Washington Post political reporter Dave Weigel joins to discuss covering the 2...

Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker unpack the 2020 presidential election that resulted in Joe Biden and Kamala Harris being elected as President and Vice-President. They weigh in on the week-long process, Trump refusing to concede, and celebratory parades across the country. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker break down the day after the election. They discuss Trump’s late night and early-morning speech, each party's strategy, and media coverage on election night (2:00). Then, writer Jemele Hill joins to discuss election results and the state of our country (42:00). Plus, the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week and David Shoemaker Guesses the Strained-Pun Headline. Lear...

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...