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The Press Box

The Ringer

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

Location:

United States

Networks:

The Ringer

Description:

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

Twitter:

@BillSimmons

Language:

English


Episodes

The Media Slips Into a Warm Bloodbath, the Craziest Scoops of NFL Free Agency, and the Twilight of Investigative Journalism.

3/18/2024
Bryan and David kick off the show discussing a think piece in the Semafor from Max Tani on how hard it is to get a tough story out there (0:52), plus some good news about ‘Sports Illustrated’ (14:12). Then they discuss Donald Trump using the word “bloodbath” while campaigning in Dayton, Ohio (15:50). In the Notebook Dump, they discuss some of the funny tweets surrounding NFL free agency (27:45), as well as ‘New York Times’ obituaries and who meets the bar to get one (31:53), followed by this week’s media test (0:00) 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

Duration:00:48:49

Aaron Rodgers 2024, Don Lemon–Elon Musk, the Vibes Beat, and 'The Girls on the Bus' With The Washington Post’s Kara Voght

3/14/2024
On the Final Edition, Bryan is joined by Kara Voght of The Washington Post. They kick off the show with the Venn diagram of sports, politics, and media as they discuss Aaron Rodgers's potential vice presidential candidacy in support of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (1:50). Then they discuss Don Lemon’s interview with Elon Musk and what led to the end of their partnership (13:20). Later, they give an official review of 'The Girls on the Bus' and discuss how the reporters are portrayed on the show (23:37). Bryan closes by asking Kara rapid-fire questions about her career, including how she covers the vibes beat (47:18). Host: Bryan Curtis Guest: Kara Voght Producer: Brian H. Waters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Duration:01:03:27

Oscars Observations, a State of the Union U-Turn, a Royal Photo Scandal, and the Fate of ‘Good Morning Football.’

3/11/2024
Bryan and David kick off the show by discussing highlights and bad moments from the Oscars (00:56). Then get into this week’s topics, starting with President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address (24:04). Then they get into the Notebook Dump with the Royal Photo Scandal and the Princess's response regarding her photo editing skills (38:50), the changes coming to ‘Good Morning Football’ (44:30), and Deadspin’s new owners (52:40). In the Media Piss Test, they react to Donald Trump’s love for Mark Robinson (53:59), and Kayla Ard’s—Utah State’s basketball coach—press conference (54:400). 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

Duration:01:01:14

The New York Times Leak Hunt, the Lousy State of NBA Discourse, and the ‘Madame Web’ Anti-Junket With The New Yorker’s Isaac Chotiner

3/7/2024
On the Final Edition, Bryan is joined by The New Yorker’s Isaac Chotiner. They kick off the show by discussin the suggestions that NBA rookie Victor Wembanyama will want to be traded in the future. (1:38). Then they discuss whether or not The New York Times should investigate their own leaks (11:21). Later, they talk about Dakota Johnson trashing her latest movie … while it’s still in theaters (24:31), then talk Super Tuesday coverage on cable news (31:35). Bryan closes out with some rapid fire questions for Isaac about his career (34:15) Host: Bryan Curtis Guest: Isaac Chotiner Producer: Brian H. Waters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Duration:00:51:46

'The Press Box' (Trailer)

3/5/2024
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Duration:00:00:37

The Media's Take on Caleb Williams, Remembering Chris Mortensen, the Case of Timothy Burke and Bryan’s Movie Debut

3/4/2024
Bryan and David kick off the show with the announcement of Bryan’s movie debut (00:30). Then get into this week’s topics, starting from the NFL scouting combine and a discussion about what the media is saying about quarterback Caleb Williams ahead of the NFL draft (9:22). Afterwards, they discuss the legacy of the late Chris Mortenson (25:40). Later in the notebook dump, they discuss the case of Timothy Burke, the Joe Biden New Yorker profile, the fantasy booking of the Democratic convention, and politicians tweeting out sad polls (35:30). 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

Duration:00:54:55

Pitchfork’s Greatest Hits, Joe Biden Does Late Night, Richard Lewis Obits, and Revisiting 'The War Room' With Sean Fennessey

2/29/2024
On the final edition, Sean Fennessey, The Ringer’s head of content, joins Bryan. They discuss President Joe Biden’s appearance on 'Late Night With Seth Meyers' and how he addressed the concerns of his age (1:27). Then, they discuss Sean’s history with Pitchfork and its era of internet writing (13:32). Later, they discuss a couple of journalists who made headlines this week: Peter King with his departure (32:02) and Jon Stewart with his return (40:02). They also talk about the different Richard Lewis obits online and what they learned about him (43:02). Bryan also has a couple of surprise questions for Sean regarding his career (47:25). And after a listener’s request, they review the movie 'The War Room' (52:43). Host: Bryan Curtis Guest: Sean Fennessey Producer: Brian H. Waters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Duration:01:20:31

The Ezra Klein Heat Check, Peter King’s Exit, Vice’s Implosion, and the Allure of the First-Person Essay

2/26/2024
Bryan and David return this week with a lot to talk about! First they discuss Ben Smith’s tweet, which could lead to an instant think piece (:42). Then they get into Ezra Klein’s comments about President Joe Biden, comments that Klein says the president's supporters will not like (8:10)! In the notebook dump, they say a couple of farewells—first to Peter King (30:10), then to Vice (39:09). And later, they talk the allure of the first-person essay (45:05). 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

Duration:00:59:56

Covering a Campaign Rematch, Media Free Agency, and the Return of Jon Stewart With The New York Times’ Astead Herndon

2/15/2024
Covering a TK Campaign, Media Free Agency, and the Return of Jon Stewart With the New York Times’ Astead Herndon On the Final Edition, Bryan is joined by Astead Herndon—reporter at The New York Times and host of ‘The Run-Up.’ They discuss how the election coverage will change since the Republican primary is ending so early (1:54). They also get into his conversation on ‘The Run-Up’ with an organizer of Free Palestine Charleston, who was a protester at President Biden’s campaign at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston (19:10). Later they react to Ryan Clark’s video on X in which he shared his media free agency status (37:56). Astead also discusses what he learned from The Boston Globe in the beginning of his career (44:52). They close out with a discussion of Jon Stewart’s return (51:45). Host: Bryan Curtis Guest: Astead Herndon Producer: Brian H. Waters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Duration:01:01:23

Super Bowl Broadcast Reactions, the Right Take on Tony Romo, a Report From Vegas, and How to Cover a Well-Meaning, Elderly Man

2/12/2024
Bryan is back from Las Vegas after covering the Super Bowl, and he shares his observations with David (0:53). They discuss the broadcast, including when Tony Romo sang Adele (21:46), Jim Nantz’s game-winning call (27:43), how Phil Simms botched his own prediction (31:30), and more. Later, they talk about President Biden’s back-and-forth with Fox’s Peter Doocy (42:47). Plus, Only in Journalism, 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

Duration:01:00:32

Radio Row Mega-Show With Nora Princiotti and Chris “Mad Dog” Russo

2/8/2024
On the Final Edition, Bryan is live in Las Vegas at Radio Row ahead of the Super Bowl. He is joined by two guests! First, by The Ringer’s own Nora Princiotti, and they kick off the show by discussing their favorite Radio Row moments (1:30). They then talk about the race to defend Taylor Swift in the media (7:17); whether or not we need to make new passwords once ESPN, Warner Brothers, and FOX create their new sports network (18:30); and what type of announcer Tom Brady will be this fall (28:52). Then, he is joined by Chris “Mad Dog” Russo and they immediately get into Mad Dog’s interesting relationship with Dan Orlovsky (49:50), whether or not he has been confronted by athletes (51:34), why Tony Romo has a lot of pressure calling this year’s Super Bowl (55:10), and whether or not Mad Dog grades his radio shows (55:15). Host: Bryan Curtis Guests: Nora Princiotti and Chris “Mad Dog” Russo Producer: Brian H. Waters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Duration:01:07:13

How Sportswriters Can Win the Super Bowl. Plus: Inside Radio Row, Politicians Avoiding Nosy Reporters, and the Death of the D.C. Bureau

2/5/2024
Bryan and David discuss Super Bowl week’s radio row with the Radio Row power rankings (2:12)! Then they host a Super Bowl editorial meeting that touches on Taylor Swift being the biggest story (9:55) and Brock Purdy’s legacy if he wins the big game (19:49). Later they talk about the Wall Street Journal cutting jobs from the D.C. Bureau (31:06). Plus, the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week and David Shoemaker Guesses the Strained-Pun Headline. And finally, the Media Piss Test returns. Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker Producer: Brian H. Waters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Duration:00:44:08

Autopsy for The Messenger, Tom Brady to Fox, 2024 Media Rooting, and Farewell to Anthony Lane With The New York Times’ Benjamin Mullin and Puck’s Teddy Schleifer

2/1/2024
On the Final Edition, Bryan is joined by two guests! First, Benjamin Mullin of The New York Times to discuss the shut down of The Messenger—a story he broke this week (1:32). Then he is joined by Puck’s own Teddy Schleifer and the latest in media, including the latest media apocalypse (17:51), Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift versus certain elements of the Right (29:41), how long Tom Brady will last calling games for Fox next year (40:28), and the current state of the Presidential election and whether or not reporters are rooting for Nikki Haley (47:12).Plus, Bryan has a few surprise questions for Teddy—and an editor's note. Host: Bryan Curtis Guests: Ben Mullin and Teddy Schleifer Producer: Brian H. Waters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Duration:01:08:52

Our Media Apocalypse, NFL Championship Game TV Notes, and the Feel-Bad Presidential Election

1/29/2024
Bryan and David begin the episode discussing cuts that major publications have been making over the last two weeks, and what it means for the future of journalism (0:37). Then, they discuss the fun sounds from both the AFC and NFC championship games, including Phil Simms being the voice of Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift’s on-field celebration (19:11). Later, they discuss the creative ways that political writers are describing the upcoming election (47:57). 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

Duration:00:57:28

What Do You Tell Someone Who Wants to Be a Journalist? Plus: Jon Stewart, New Hampshire, and ‘Barbie’ Think Pieces With The Washington Post’s Chris Suellentrop

1/25/2024
On the Final Edition, Bryan is joined by his big brother in the media, Chris Suellentrop After thousands of conversations, their first recorded discussion will address the following: Advice you give to students who want to be in journalism (2:30) Whether or not the New Hampshire primary is a semi-decisive moment (13:02) The expectations set for Nikki Haley and how to interpret the results in real time (24:52) Jon Stewart’s new show coming in February (36:27) An inevitable “somebody’s got to say it” think piece on ‘Barbie’ (45:52) Host: Bryan Curtis Guest:Chris Suellentrop Producer: Brian H. Waters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Duration:00:58:11

The Latest Death of ‘Sports Illustrated,’ Playoff Audio and Observations, and Pitchfork and the Plight of the Midsized Publication

1/22/2024
Bryan and David kick off the show by discussing the latest news regarding ‘Sports Illustrated’ and its many deaths. (0:37). Then they get into the NFL divisional round and some of the observations from the games, such as the Texans special teams coaches’ reactions (13:20) and Jason Kelce’s reaction to his brother Travis’s touchdown (27:40). Later, talk of Ron DeSantis ending his presidential campaign with a “quote” and some only-in-journalism words from an unlikely source: Donald Trump (41:46). Plus, the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week and David Shoemaker Guesses the Strained-Pun Headline.Read Bryan’s column on the Ringer dot com regarding Sports Illustrated. Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker Producer: Brian H. Waters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Duration:00:47:39

Covering a War, Reinventing the Newspaper, and NFL Press Conference Questions With The New Yorker’s Clare Malone

1/18/2024
Covering a War, Reinventing the Newspaper, and NFL Press Conference Questions With The New Yorker’s Clare Malone On the Final Edition, The New Yorker’s Clare Malone joins Bryan. First she talks about her piece that discusses Clarissa Ward’s coverage of the war in Gaza (2:00). Then they get into Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles’s response to questions about the upcoming weather in Detroit even though the game will be played in a dome (12:39). Then they discuss what newspapers will look like in 2024 (19:30), Mark Thompson's reinvention of CNN (32:22), and a journalist's thoughts when someone calls their work a “great write-up” (51:50) Host: Bryan Curtis Guest: Clare Malone Producer: Brian H. Waters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Duration:01:00:29

NFL Wild-Card Weekend Fun, How the Networks Botched Iowa, and ESPN’s Year From Hell

1/16/2024
Bryan and David kick off the show by discussing how 2024 can rival 2017 as ESPN's year from hell. From fake names, to Stephen A. Smith’s spat with Jason Whitlock, to Pat McAfee … and we're only days into January (00:30). Then they get into NFL wild-card weekend, from streaming on Peacock to the Cowboys' and Eagles' meltdowns (18:10). Later, they discuss the Iowa caucus and some interesting sound from Donald Trump (46:44). 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

Duration:01:06:04

Bill Belichick’s Awkward Goodbye, Business Insider, the Iowa Caucuses, and Campaign War Stories With the Atlantic’s Mark Leibovich

1/11/2024
For the ‘Press Box’: Final Edition, Bryan starts off with his thoughts on Stephen A. Smith’s takedown of Jason Whitlock and what it says about ESPN’s management style (07:37). Then, Mark Leibovich of The Atlantic joins the show to discuss Bill Belichick’s farewell press conference with the Patriots, his relationship with the media, and whether he could find himself working in television (07:37). Then, they talk about the lead-up to the Iowa Caucuses, Nikki Haley, how a horse race–less field impacts reporters, and more (19:23). Host: Bryan Curtis Guest: Mark Leibovich Producer: Eduardo Ocampo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Duration:00:52:27

Pat McAfee Vs. Norby Williamson, the NFL Playoffs on Peacock, the Messenger in Peril, and the Debut of Press Botch

1/8/2024
Bryan and David kick off the show with a discussion about McAfee calling out ESPN executive Norby Williamson. (00:40) Then they get into what is going on with the Messenger (25:15). Later in weekend audio, they discuss Shannon Sharpe reacting to the criticism he faced after his interview with Katt Williams (33:40), the AFC wild-card game being available on only Peacock (42:00), and more. In our brand new segment, Press Botch, they revisit the Embroidery of Brian Williams (47:12). 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

Duration:01:14:09