The Press Box
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.
Episodes
Jon Ossoff Gave Us Permission to Record a Natalie Harp Podcast. Plus: CNN’s Elex Michaelson!
Today on The Press Box, Bryan and Joel talk more about Jon Ossoff and Natalie Harp. They talk about this week's coverage of her and what it's all for. Then Bryan is joined by CNN's Elex Michaelson to talk about his start in news, how he pitched his late-night show to CNN, making cookies with his mom, and much more (36:04).
Hosts: Bryan Curtis and Joel Anderson
Guest: Elex Michaelson
Producers:
Why Pat McAfee Went Unplugged. Plus: Jon Ossoff Breaks the Natalie Harp Fourth Wall.
Today on The Press Box, Bryan and David start by reviewing Pat McAfee’s album, 'The Diary of a Polarizing Figure.' Then in the notebook dump, they remember ESPN co-founder Bill Rasmussen, who passed away at age 93. They also talk about the updates on the NBA’s investigation of the Clippers, Natalie Harp, and a crazy book story (36:33).
Plus, the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week, and David Shoe
Senator Adam Schiff on the Democrats’ Direction, Election Day Nightmares, Data Centers, and JD Vance
Today on The Press Box, Bryan is joined by California U.S. Senator Adam Schiff to discuss a wide range of topics, including the state of the Democratic Party; President Donald Trump’s business ventures and financial growth while in office; the ongoing conflicts in Iran; David Ellison’s threat to leave California if the Paramount–Warner Bros. merger isn't approved, and much more.
Additionally, th
The Fallout from This Week’s Primaries. Plus: Joel Has Thoughts on "Woke 1".
Today on The Press Box, Bryan and Joel react to the primary races this week with David Crowley upsetting Francesca Hong in Wisconsin’s race for governor (1:32). Was Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez out of line with her comments on “Woke 1” (33:32)? Plus, Bryan eviscerates new Lakers co-owner Bob Iger.
Hosts: Bryan Curtis and Joel Anderson
Producers: Jon Jones and Clifford Augustin
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AOC, Francesca Hong, and the Battle for the Democratic Party. Plus: Stephen A. Smith, Journalist?
Today on The Press Box, Bryan and David take a look at the Democratic Party. They talk about Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s recent interview on ABC, Francesca Hong’s takes on holidays, and much more (8:30). Then in the notebook dump, they take a look at the discussion around whether Stephen A. Smith is still a journalist and if it's Greg Olsen’s time to be on the no. 1 broadcast team (45:03).
Plus, t
Jason Concepcion on the Right-Wing Media Slump, David Ellison’s Pitch for Owning CNN, and Portland vs. the Blazers’ New Owner
Today on The Press Box, Bryan is out but Joel is in and he is joined by co-host of the Wait a Second podcast, Jason Concepcion. In the spirit of that podcast, they take a look at a few big stories through a conspiratorial view. They talk about the decline in right-wing media ratings (01:49), David Ellison’s New York Times piece (17:13), the Portland Trail Blazers' new owner (28:06), and the Sophie
Abdul El-Sayed Wins the Michigan Democratic Senate Primary
Today on The Press Box, Bryan and David react to the contentious Democratic Senate primary race in Michigan between Abdul El-Sayed and Haley Stevens in which El-Sayed claimed the narrow victory. They talk about what El-Sayed's victory means, all the think pieces that will come out of this race, cable news coverage, and more.
Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker
Producers: Isaiah Blakely and J
CBS's Big Tony Romo Decision and ESPN's Anti-Debate Pivot. Plus: The New Yorker's Hua Hsu on the Lost World of Magazines.
Today on The Press Box, Bryan Curtis is joined by the New Yorker's Hua Hsu to talk about their shared love for magazines. They talk about the magazines from their youths, letters to the editor, what happened to magazines, and much more (01:44). Then Bryan gives his thoughts on some other stories from the media world. He talks about ESPN's pivot away from debate shows, Tony Romo getting placed on l
Mark Guiducci Grew Up Reading Vanity Fair. Now, He's Running the Place.
Today on The Press Box, Bryan is joined by Vanity Fair's global editorial director, Mark Guiducci. They talk about how he became interested in Vanity Fair, his time at Vogue, his editorial purview at Vanity Fair, his five favorite Vanity Fair covers, and much more.Host: Bryan CurtisGuest: Mark Guiducci
Producers: Isaiah Blakely, Jon Jones, and Lucy Brick
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Governor Tim Walz on the Democrats’ Midterm Momentum, the Danger of Prediction Markets, and Replaying His Debate With JD Vance. Plus: Thoughts on Bari Weiss’s New ‘60 Minutes’ Cast.
On today’s special episode of The Press Box, Bryan is joined by Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. But first, Bryan opens by talking about the new ‘60 Minutes’ correspondents at CBS. Then, Bryan and Governor Walz talk about why he is not running for reelection, the midterms, his coaching career, and much more (06:05).
Host: Bryan CurtisGuest: Tim Walz
Producers: Isaiah Blakely and Jon Jones
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The Democrats Picked Their 2028 Primary Calendar. Which Contender Benefits? Plus: Our July Issue Grapples With Hulk Hogan.
Today on The Press Box, Bryan and David take a look at the shift in the 2028 Democratic primary calendar and discuss which contenders can win which states (02:58). They also talk about the rescheduled White House Correspondents' Dinner (38:12). Then they get to the July Issue (47:08). Bryan talks with David about his new book, 'Why Hulk Hogan Matters.' They talk about the ups and downs of Hogan’s
Senator Elissa Slotkin on the Democrats, the Mideast, and Election Security. Plus: Why Were the ESPN Layoffs So Messy?
Today on The Press Box, Bryan and Joel start by talking about the ESPN’s layoffs again and getting Joel’s thoughts on how that process went down. Then they are joined by Michigan Senator Elissa Slotkin. They discuss election security, the Democratic Party’s messaging, Trump’s self-enrichment, and much more.
Hosts: Bryan Curtis and Joel Anderson
Guest: Sen. Elissa Slotkin
Producers: Isaiah Blake
MS NOW’s Stephanie Ruhle on Trump’s Billions, the Biggest Issues of the Midterms, and Moving From the Business World to Cable News
Today on The Press Box, Bryan is joined by MS NOW's Stephanie Ruhle. They talk about the money Trump has made in office, working in investment banking before getting into media, the purpose of cable news, and much more.Host: Bryan CurtisGuest: Stephanie Ruhle
Producers: Isaiah Blakely, Jon Jones, and Lucy Brick
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What Do the ESPN Layoffs Tell Us About ESPN’s Future? Plus: Trump vs. The New York Times, Tom Brady and WWE, and Bryan’s Broadway Notes.
Today on The Press Box, Bryan and David start by talking about Bryan's vacation in New York. Then they discuss the layoffs at ESPN (13:02), Trump's battle with The New York Times (59:11), and Tom Brady's newest endeavor (01:04:08).
Plus, the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week!
Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker
Producers: Isaiah Blakely and Jon Jones
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Bomani Jones on Our Post-Literate Society, Who to Root for in the World Cup, the LeBron-Industrial Complex, and Jay-Z (Again)
Today on The Press Box, Bryan is out, but Joel Anderson is here, and he's joined by Bomani Jones. They discuss myriad topics, including the literacy crisis (04:07), Bomani's time at summer league (45:14), LeBron's decision (50:49), the Jay-Z concerts (01:00:52), and much more.
Host: Joel AndersonGuest: Bomani Jones
Producers: Isaiah Blakely and Jon Jones
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The Mitch McConnell Photo and the ‘Death’ of Reading. Plus: Comics Legend Frank Miller!
Today on The Press Box, Bryan and David start by looking back at the life of political cartoonist Pat Oliphant. Then they discuss the Mitch McConnell hospital photo and the conspiracy theories surrounding it (8:15). Next they talk about the death of Lindsey Graham (18:54), the "death" of reading, and some Trump news. Finally, Bryan is joined by comic book creator Frank Miller to talk about how he
The End of the Platner Campaign, Where's Mitch McConnell, and the Future of Youth Sports in America.
Today on The Press Box, Bryan Curtis and Joel Anderson discuss the end of Graham Platner's campaign for the U.S. Senate seat in Maine. Then they talk about Mitch McConnell's whereabouts and health before checking in on the Texas Senate race. Plus, they react to the New York Times' competition with AI slop and Alexi Lalas's take on youth soccer in America.
(00:00) Intro(01:13) The end of the Pla
The New Yorker’s Richard Brody on Movie Critics, the Complaints About Hollywood, and the Future of the Written Review. Plus, His Five Politically-Relevant Summer Movies.
Today on The Press Box, Bryan sits down with New Yorker film critic Richard Brody. The duo discuss Brody’s career reviewing movies, being a filmmaker in the early ’90s (while also working at a detective agency), and how exactly he shifted careers and got hired at The New Yorker.
The guys also talk through the main complaints consumers have about movies these days and how warranted they are.
To c
The American Men's Soccer Bust, Graham Platner’s Media Refuge, and the Return of LeBron’s Free Agent Spotlight
Today on The Press Box, Bryan and David recap their experiences watching Team USA’s run at the World Cup come to an end. Then they discuss Politico's story about Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner (14:30). They also talk about LeBron James taking his time with the latest version of "The Decision" (36:50) and the guest list at the Taylor Swift–Travis Kelce wedding (43:14).
Plus, the
Why Democrats Fell in Love With Jon Ossoff. Plus: NPR’s Supreme Court Botch, and The Athletic Vs. The New York Times.
Today on The Press Box, Bryan and Joel have a Senate race check-in. They take a look at multiple high-profile senate races in different states and provide their thoughts. Then, they check back in on the World Cup after the U.S. beat Bosnia-Herzegovina to advance to the Round of 16 (35:18). They also discuss the New York Times piece about Dianna Russini (40:38), NPR’s Supreme Court mishap (59:20),
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro on His Party’s Path, JD Vance’s Lectures, and Life as a Point Guard
Today on The Press Box, the Press Box primaries roll on with Bryan and Joel being joined by Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro. They discuss the potential ideological shift in the Democratic Party, the through line for voters that vote for Trump and Shapiro (19:08), lessons from Meek Mill (34:25), and much more.
Hosts: Bryan Curtis and Joel AndersonGuest: Josh ShapiroProducers: Isaiah Blakely and
The June Issue: LeBron’s Final Decision With Brian Windhorst
Today on The Press Box, it's the June Issue! Ahead of what could be LeBron James's last free agency decision, Bryan is joined by ESPN's Brian Windhorst to look back at LeBron's past decisions and how they were covered by the media.
Host: Bryan CurtisGuest: Brian WindhorstProducers: Isaiah Blakely and Sarah Reddy
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Nuggets From the Haberman-Swan Trump Book, the Best Announcer at the World Cup, and a Mark Singer Syllabus
Today on The Press Box, Bryan and David start by updating the list of announcers with no fans that Bryan made with Joel last week. Then Bryan shares his big takeaways from Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan’s book, ‘Regime Change.’(14:56) Then they talk about longtime ESPN anchor Linda Cohn retiring, discuss a Nancy Guthrie update, and say farewell to The New Yorker’s Mark Singer (47:33).
Plus, Da
The Mysterious Iran Deal and the World Cup Announcer Nobody Likes. Plus: Joe Biden’s Comeback With New York Magazine’s Ben Terris.
Today on The Press Box, Bryan and Joel discuss how the media covered the Iran deal, despite the administration initially not letting anyone see the deal. Then they discuss an ESPN fight and what other ESPN figures could pick a fight with a colleague (10:25). Later, they dive into some World Cup thoughts and discuss the discourse around Alexi Lalas (29:00). After that, the two are joined by New Yor
World Cup Takes and Trump’s UFC Birthday Party. Plus, Peter Kafka on Fox and Roku.
Today on The Press Box, Bryan and David share some thoughts from the first few days of the World Cup. Then they dive into UFC Freedom 250 at the White House and discuss the event and Trump's attraction to UFC (15:30). Then they give a few notes from the NBA Finals (35:05). Finally, Bryan is joined by Peter Kafka, chief correspondent for Business Insider, to talk about Fox's $22 billion purchase of
ESPN’s Game 4 Flop, Trump’s Epstein Strategy, and Everyone’s Favorite World Cup Fan. Plus: Semafor’s Dave Weigel!
Today on The Press Box, Bryan and David start with their thoughts on the Knicks' historic comeback over the Spurs to take a 3-1 lead, and Bryan gives his notes on ESPN’s coverage of the game down the stretch. Then they talk about the New York Times excerpt from Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan's upcoming book about how the White House has been handling the Epstein files (16:23). They also talk ab
A Trumpy NBA Finals, Pat McAfee’s New Deal, and Scott Pelley’s Interview. Plus: MS NOW’s Michael Steele
Today on The Press Box, Joel takes over the Tuesday slot. Bryan and Joel start the show by discussing Pat McAfee’s reported extension with ESPN (01:11) before talking about Trump’s attendance at Game 3 of the NBA Finals (14:52). After that, the guys dive into the Scott Pelley–'60 Minutes' situation, including Pelley’s interview with The New York Times (26:02) and what Bryan would have asked Scott
'60 Minutes,' the NBA Finals, and the California Primaries
Today on The Press Box: '60 Minutes,' the NBA Finals, and the California primaries. Joel and Bryan react to the latest news regarding '60 Minutes,' including the hiring of Nick Bilton, Scott Pelley's departure, and more (01:20). Then, ESPN's Vince Goodwill joins from San Antonio, sharing his observations from Game 1 of the NBA Finals (25:30). Plus, Gustavo Arellano breaks down the California prima
The May Issue: The Unknockables 2026
Today on The Press Box, it's the May Issue! Bryan and David create the 2026 version of an Esquire magazine feature from 60 years ago, called "The Unknockables." They talk through a bunch of categories and nominees across society and culture, and they pick people in 2026 who are unknockable.
Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David ShoemakerProducers: Ben Cruz, Isaiah Blakely, Jon Roemer, and Oscar De La Luz
Another CBS Earthquake and the Texas Senate Showdown. Plus, Tales from the Knicks Locker Room With Frank Isola.
Today on The Press Box, Bryan and Joel talk about Ken Paxton winning the Republican Senate nominee runoff in Texas, setting up a showdown with Democratic nominee James Talarico. They also talk about Jill Biden’s interview on CBS, another Bari Weiss story, and a sports Emmys snub. Then, they are joined by ESPN and Sirius XM’s Frank Isola to discuss his tales of covering the New York Knicks for 22 y
ESPN vs. NBC on the NBA, Trump’s Health, and the Splendid ‘Star Wars’ Discourse. Plus, a New Feature With Jason Concepcion.
Today on The Press Box, Bryan and David kick things off by discussing Bryan's Memorial Day trip to the movie theater and why the ‘Star Wars’ discourse has become more interesting than the movies themselves. Then they offer a side-by-side comparison of the NBA playoff coverage on ESPN versus NBC (19:10) and analyze the recent reporting surrounding Donald Trump's health (44:52). Then they debut a br
The Bulwark’s Sarah Longwell on Early 2028 Vibes, a Post-Trump GOP, and Building a Personality-Driven Media Company
On today’s bonus episode of The Press Box, Bryan sits down with the Bulwark’s Sarah Longwell to discuss her early thoughts on the 2028 political landscape, starting the Bulwark (29:09), and much more.
Host: Bryan CurtisGuest: Sarah LongwellProducers: Isaiah Blakely and Sarah Reddy
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Is Sports Journalism Dead? Plus: Google’s Killing Search and Fear and Loathing on the Wemby Beat.
Today on The Press Box, Joel is back, and he’s here with Bryan to talk first about the sale of New York magazine. Then they talk about the changes coming to the Google search bar (9:13), whether sports journalism is dead like Dan Le Batard said (21:53), and more. Then they are joined by San Antonio Express-News sports columnist Mike Finger to discuss what it’s like covering Victor Wembanyama (58:2
Jon Krakauer on Climbing Mt. Everest, Writing Non-Fiction, and 30 Years of ‘Into Thin Air’
On today’s bonus episode of The Press Box, Bryan is joined by bestselling author Jon Krakauer. It’s the 30th anniversary of his book ‘Into Thin Air,’ so they talk about climbing Mount Everest, the quick writing process of the book (21:25), why he stopped writing books (38:34), and much more.
Host: Bryan CurtisGuest: Jon KrakauerProducers: Donald LoBianco Isaiah Blakely, and Oscar De La Luz
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How to Interview Wemby and the Clipping Nightmare. Plus: Stephen Colbert’s Last Stand, With Jason Zinoman.
Today on The Press Box, Bryan and David react to a wild Game 1 of the Western Conference finals between the Spurs and Thunder, and they talk about how to revamp postgame interviews. Then they talk about another Bari Weiss story at CBS (15:28), the decline in “dad books” (22:01), a breakfast taco controversy (36:16), and much more. Then Bryan is joined by New York Times critic Jason Zinoman to disc
A Fresh CBS Controversy, and Nick Kristof’s Column. Plus: A Midterms Check-in with Vox’s Benjy Sarlin
Today on The Press Box, Joel is out, so Bryan is back with David and they start by discussing another Bari Weiss and CBS story. Then, they move to the discourse around Nick Kristof’s recent column (23:17), they say goodbye to a legendary sports broadcaster, and much more. Then, Bryan is joined by Vox’s senior editor for politics Benjy Sarlin to do a midterm elections check-in (37:10).
Hosts: Brya
Rupert Murdoch vs. the NFL, The Daily Wire’s Fade, and Spencer Pratt for L.A. Mayor
Today on The Press Box, Bryan and David start by talking stand-up comedy, specifically Bryan’s time at the Netflix Is a Joke Festival. Then they talk about what’s going on with the NFL TV rights negotiations (12:30), The Daily Wire fading away (24:33), Draymond Green vs. Charles Barkley (31:13), and much more. Then Bryan is joined by Politico’s California bureau chief, Melanie Mason, to talk about
The GOP Depth Chart With Van Lathan
Today on The Press Box, Joel is in L.A. with Bryan, and they are joined by Van Lathan Jr. He’s back this time to run through his GOP nominee depth chart. They discuss all types of potential candidates, including members of the current administration, former contenders (22:08), up-and-comers, outsiders (52:35), and more. Then, at the end, Van reveals who he thinks will most likely be the nominee (1
Remembering Ted Turner, the Man Who Owned the Media, With Jason Gay
Today on The Press Box, Bryan is joined by The Wall Street Journal’s Jason Gay to discuss Ted Turner's legacy following his death at the age of 87. They talk about the creation of CNN (8:40), what he meant in the world of sports (19:43), how his legacy will carry on (32:49), and much more.
Host: Bryan CurtisGuest: Jason GayProducers: Bruce Baldwin, Isaiah Blakely, and Sarah Reddy
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A Murdoch Eyes ‘New York,’ and the ‘Times’ Lawsuit. Plus: Bill Carter on Colbert, Kimmel, and the Last Chapter of Late Night.
Today on The Press Box, Bryan and David talk about oxpeckers in the media. They talk about the news of James Murdoch being in talks to buy parts of Vox Media and New York Magazine (11:03). Then, they talk about Trump almost giving a press conference in front of a bunch of golf reporters (26:13). They also discuss Adam Mockler vs. Scott Jennings(28:58), Tucker Carlson (32:02), some sports TV update
Reporters Vs. Influencers at the Correspondents’ Dinner, a Senate Candidate’s Old Tweets, and Katie Baker from the Musk-Altman Trial
Today on The Press Box, Bryan and David start with some follow-up stories on the Russini-Vrabel situation before talking more about the White House Correspondents' Dinner and the work reporters and influencers did at the event (13:12). They also discuss a Michigan Senate candidate's old tweets (28:33), another attempt at cancelling Jimmy Kimmel (38:42), and more. Then, Bryan is joined by Katie Bak
Anna Wintour, the Age of Magazines, and ‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’ with Amanda Dobbins
On today’s bonus episode of The Press Box, Bryan is joined by Amanda Dobbins to discuss Anna Wintour and the upcoming movie 'The Devil Wears Prada 2.' Amanda provides a spoiler-free review of the movie. Then, they discuss Wintour’s rise to power in the fashion world (18:23) and what that power looks like today (38:30.
Host: Bryan CurtisGuest: Amanda DobbinsProducers: Bruce Baldwin, Donald LoBianc
What Happened at the Correspondents’ Dinner, the 'New York Times’ Is Doing Ringer Podcasts, and the Worst Reviews of ‘Michael’
Today on The Press Box, Bryan and Joel discuss their thoughts about the shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. Then, they are joined by Washington Post reporter Kara Voght who was at the dinner and she talks about what that night was like from her perspective (26:20). Then, they talk about the reviews of the Michael Jackson biopic, Michael’ (47:14), New York Times podcast strategy (54
More on Vrabel and Russini, the FBI Investigates a Reporter, and Buying Your Way Into the Broadcast Booth
Today on The Press Box, Bryan and David are back, and they start with some newsworthy items from David's time at WrestleMania. Then they react to more photos of Dianna Russini and Mike Vrabel (8:16). They also talk about the coverage of the NFL draft (26:00), the FBI’s reported investigation of a New York Times reporter who covered Kash Patel (44:20), and much more.
Plus, David Shoemaker Guesses
Kash Patel vs. The Atlantic, Mike Vrabel Speaks, and Why NBC Wants Mike Tomlin. Plus, Jordan Ritter Conn on 'American Men.'
Today on The Press Box, Bryan and Joel start with Kash Patel’s lawsuit against The Atlantic. Then they react to New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel speaking to the media for the first time since photos of him and Dianna Russini in Arizona were released (16:41). They also discuss Mike Tomlin to NBC (23:37), NBA score bug issues (34:42), The Washington Post hiring (43:38), and much more. The
Rueben Bain Jr.’s Measurables and JD Vance’s Humiliations. Plus, Scott MacFarlane on Life After CBS.
Today on The Press Box, Bryan and Joel discuss the recent news about Rueben Bain Jr., and they discuss how much we should know about NFL draft prospects. Then, they talk about JD Vance (20:41), media sales news (27:53), and the Masters (32:25). Then, they are joined by MeidasTouch chief Washington correspondent Scott MacFarlane to talk about covering the attempted Trump assassination, his last few
Dianna Russini Resigns From The Athletic
Today on The Press Box, breaking news: Dianna Russini resigned from The Athletic. So Bryan was joined by Joel Anderson and Nora Princiotti to give their reactions to the resignation and discuss what they think could be next for Russini. Before the news broke, the trio recorded a whole other podcast about their thoughts on the Vrabel-Russini story (16:39), and they discussed what it’s like being a
Sam Altman and Trump’s War Room. Plus, ESPN Draft Guru Mel Kiper Jr.
Today on The Press Box, Bryan and Joel start by talking about two big pieces that have dropped this week. First is a story from the New York Times taking us inside the White House and how Trump led the United States into war with Iran. The second piece is from the New Yorker, about OpenAI’s CEO Sam Altman (13:00). Lastly, they discuss the news and drama surrounding pictures released of NFL insider
The April Issue: The 50th Anniversary of 'All the President’s Men' With Sean Fennessey
It’s time for the April issue! Bryan is joined by Sean Fennessey to talk about 'All the President’s Men' in honor of its 50th anniversary. They start by discussing how this movie plays in today’s climate politically and journalistically. Then they talk about all the major players that are involved in this movie—from the stars, including Robert Redford (10:56) and Dustin Hoffman (49:10), to the fil
Trump’s Iran Threats, Vanity Fair’s Chloe Fineman Cleanup, and Bryan’s Spring Break Adventures
Today on The Press Box, Bryan and David start by catching up about Bryan’s spring break trip. Then they talk about Trump’s Iran tweets (15:28), Bill Raftery’s obscure reference during the national championship (19:07), and much more. Later on, they talk about what to do with ESPN Radio (50:17) and discuss what makes a great used bookstore (57:25).
Plus, the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week, an
Bomani Jones Talks Social Media on Trial, AI Use, and the State of Hip-Hop Media
Today on a special episode of The Press Box, Joel is joined by friend of the show Bomani Jones. Joel and Bomani start by discussing the social media addiction trial in California that found Meta and Google liable (03:23). They dive into a larger conversation about social media use in 2026, and whether you can still build a following on social media like you used to (10:45). Next, the guys discuss
A Final Four Preview. Plus, the Issues With College Basketball Coverage and an All-Time UNC Starting Five With Tate Frazier
No Bryan Curtis this week, so Joel Anderson is joined by his fellow co-host from Ringer Tailgate, Tate Frazier! Joel and Tate preview this weekend’s Final Four matchups on the men’s and women’s side. Then, they get into the issues with how college basketball is covered (13:24) before the lighting round (35:18), where Tate gives his all-time North Carolina starting five, the best team to never win
The March Issue: James Talarico and the Dream of Turning Texas Blue
It’s time for the March issue! Bryan and Joel are here to examine Democratic Senate nominee James Talarico in his race to turn Texas blue. They take a look at who Talarico is, why he’s gained national recognition from other Democrats (18:49), and how Texas turned into a completely red state (36:47). Then they take a look at how the Texas Senate race has gone so far and they give reasons for optimi
Senator Chris Murphy on Trump's Iran Games, the Democrats’ 2026 Bumper Sticker, and Why He Loves ‘Andor’
Today on The Press Box, Bryan is joined by Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut! They start with Senator Murph’s breakdown of the events that led the Senate to approve a bill to fund DHS except for ICE. Then they discuss a bunch of other current events including the war in Iran (16:29), whether he’s running for president in 2028 (28:18), prediction markets (29:37), and much more.
Host: Bryan Curti
Jay-Z in GQ, Podcasting vs. a Writer’s Brain, and a Sports Media Beef Check-In
Today on The Press Box, Bryan and Joel start by discussing Jay-Z's exclusive interview with GQ and the art of celebrity interviews. Then they discuss the trending topic of whether podcasting is rotting writers' brains (21:25). Then, in the Notebook Dump, they talk about the Stephen A. Smith–Jason Whitlock and Dan Orlovsky–Pat McAfee sports media beefs (34:12), Savannah Guthrie's interview with 'To
The Evaporating Iran News, CNN’s Podcast Identity Crisis, and Sports Radio’s Wilding Period
Today on The Press Box, Bryan and David talk about the shortening news cycle under Trump, especially during wartime. Then they talk about journalists trying to get back into the Pentagon (20:19). In the Notebook Dump, they talk about Bill Raftery, Bob Woodward’s new book, sports radio fights (27:08), and more. Plus, the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week, and David Shoemaker Guesses the Strained-
Cesar Chavez, a New Doc About the Manosphere, and the World Baseball Classic
Today on The Press Box, Bryan and Joel start the show by discussing the New York Times piece about Cesar Chavez containing accounts from women who say he abused them as young girls for years (00:54). Next, the guys discuss the price of oil being the main character of world news this week (06:08) and whether the pushback on rising oil prices will be the thing that will rein in President Trump. Afte
The Mystery of Trump’s Cellphone, Washington’s Newspaper War, and the Art of Covering Congress With the New York Times’ Carl Hulse
Today on the Press Box, Bryan and David start by discussing a social media and journalism trend of screenshotting or sharing a part of an article with no attribution or sign pointing to where the article is from. Then, they discuss Trump’s cellphone (20:57), the coverage of the War in Iran (30:05), and the Washington’s new newspaper battle (35:46). They wrap up with Tales from Capitol Hill with th
The NFL Stuffs Thanksgiving, the Pentagon’s Photographer Lockout, and ‘Spotlight’ and the End of the Reporter Hero
Today on The Press Box, Bryan and Joel start the show by discussing the Pentagon barring press photographers from briefings on Iran due to “unflattering” pictures of Pete Hegseth being taken. Next, the guys give their takes on the NFL’s potential plans to add a Thanksgiving eve game to the regular-season schedule (14:06) before asking whether this is a prelude to an 18-game NFL regular season (16:
Trump’s Iran Head Fakes, a CBS News Defection, and Tales From the Lakers Locker Room With Howard Beck
Bryan and David are here to discuss another busy news week. They start with another departure at CBS News, a New York Times piece about Judy Blume (5:56), and Stephen A. Smith on Sean Hannity’s podcast (18:09). They wrap up by discussing Trump’s changing message on the war in Iran (26:01). Then in the Notebook Dump, Bryan is joined by The Ringer’s Howard Beck in another edition of Tales From the L
Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries on Iran, the Epstein Files, His Party’s 2026 Bumper Sticker, and the Best New York Rapper of All Time
Today on The Press Box, Bryan and Joel are joined by Hakeem Jeffries, the minority leader of the U.S. House of Representatives. First, Bryan and Joel ask him about what the Democrats can do to stop the war in Iran (01:46) before asking what a U.S.-Israel partnership should look like (05:13). Next, they talk about the Epstein files (11:05) and whether the Democrats can do anything to make Americans
Wolf Blitzer on Covering Mideast Wars, Monica Lewinsky, Barack Obama, and Donald Trump
Bryan went to CNN headquarters in Washington, D.C., to talk to CNN's Wolf Blitzer! Bryan has Wolf take us through his media life through the lens of five big stories. Before that, they talk about Wolf’s upbringing and playing football in the Buffalo, New York, area and what made him decide to become a journalist. Then, the first big story they discuss is covering the Pentagon for CNN during the fi
Trump’s Iran Media Rollout, the Paramount-CNN Crisis, and a Visit to Capitol Hill with Sen. Tim Kaine
Today on The Press Box, Bryan and David start the show discussing the war in Iran and where they went to get their news as the situation unfolded this past weekend. Next, the guys talk about Paramount winning the Warner Bros. Discovery sweepstakes, including what it means for the future of CNN (15:45), and what will happen with the TNT Sports catalog (27:44). The show wraps up with some stories fr
The February Issue: Why the Kennedy Dynasty Will Never End
Welcome to the February Issue. Bryan is joined by Amanda Dobbins to answer the question: Why is everyone still so interested in the Kennedys? They begin by talking about ‘Love Story,’ the newest series by Ryan Murphy about John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette (8:00). They talk about the Kennedy nostalgia and how they thought the cast performed as the Kennedys. Then they talk about people or ev
The February Editorial Meeting
Bryan, David, and Joel are back together for February’s editorial meeting! They first discuss how they’re going to watch Trump’s State of the Union (9:03). Then they move on to some news items from the Olympics, starting with Kash Patel partying with the men’s USA hockey team (18:16). They also talk about Mike Tirico’s coverage at the Olympics (28:21). They talk about more bad news at CBS News (34
Jesse Jackson’s Legacy, More on Stephen Colbert, and When College Basketball Coaches Attack
Today, Bryan and Joel come together to discuss the legacy of Reverend Jesse Jackson, who passed away this week at age 84, and Joel's written piece on the reverend (00:54). The guys continue that conversation by telling the story of a reporter revealing something Reverend Jackson said to him on background (16:25) and how that reflects on modern journalism (27:13). Next, Bryan and Joel give an updat
Barack Obama and Aliens, How to Cover Stephen A’s Quasi-Campaign, and the AI That Ate Cleveland
Bryan and David are here and they start with a story out of Cleveland about a student turning down a job because of their use of AI. They discuss whether there are acceptable ways to use AI in journalism. After that they talk about Barack Obama's podcast interview where he mentions that aliens exist (14:35). Then they discuss some news from CBS. Anderson Cooper leaving CBS News’ ‘60 minutes’ and S
Why the Nancy Guthrie Case Captivates America, Joel’s Winter Olympics Takes, and Tales From an NBA Locker Room With Logan Murdock
Bryan and Joel are back, and they start by talking about the national story of Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance (1:04). Then we get Joel’s thoughts on the Winter Olympics (13:50). They also give their final Super Bowl thoughts (26:15), and they talk through some ideas for how to fix the NBA (32:55). Then they are joined by Logan Murdock ahead of All-Star Weekend to hear his locker-room stories coveri
A Super Bowl Review, the Will Lewis Era Ends With a Thud, and the Long, Strange Journey of Tucker Carlson.
Hello, media consumers! Bryan and David are here and they start by discussing the end of the Will Lewis era at The Washington Post. Then, they recap everything about the Super Bowl (23:08), including if there were any memorable moments in the game, the halftime shows, the commercials, and the commentary. Then, Bryan talks to Jason Zengerle about his new biography about Tucker Carlson (47:23). They
The Bulwark's Tim Miller on What Can Stop Trump, JD Vance's Superpower, the Epstein Files Fallout, and More
Hello, media consumers! Bryan is joined by The Bulwark’s Tim Miller to discuss myriad topics across the political landscape. They discuss how Donald Trump’s second term has gone compared to Tim's expectations (12:35), whether there are any candidates for President that have been impressive (34:28), and why Jeff Bezos still owns the Washington Post (53:37). Later on, they talk about what Tim misses
More on the Washington Post Bloodbath, Don Lemon’s Arrest, and the ESPN-NFL Deal
Hello, media consumers! Bryan and Joel discuss the layoffs at The Washington Post this week (00:43), whether there's any reason for people to continue subscribing to the Post (12:07), and when does The Washington Post stop being The Washington Post of old (22:46). They continue by talking about what Jeff Bezos has to gain from continuing to own the newspaper (28:21), before diving into the NFL-ESP
They Tore the Heart Out of The Washington Post
Hello, media consumers. Bryan and David are here to discuss the news of mass layoffs at The Washington Post. They talk about losing your job in media in 2026 (1:47); how The Washington Post, specifically the sports section, got here; and how it could have been saved (9:30). They wrap up with a few other notes and thoughts from this major shake-up in the media landscape (34:18).
Check out Bryan’s
The Super Bowl of Super Bowl Story Lines With Danny Heifetz and Danny Kelly
Hello, media consumers! It’s Super Bowl media week, and Bryan is joined by Danny Heifetz and Danny Kelly of The Ringer Fantasy Football Show to discuss the biggest story lines heading into this Seahawks-Patriots Super Bowl. They start by talking about the Seattle-related story lines (14:24) and follow that up with the story lines from New England’s side (32:42). They wrap up by discussing Mike Tir
The January Issue: ‘In Cold Blood’ and the Invention of True Crime
Hello, media consumers! Welcome to the January Issue. This month, Bryan and David come together to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Truman Capote’s ‘In Cold Blood’ being published by Random House. This episode is broken into four chapters, just like the non-fiction novel. Bryan and David start Chapter 1 by discussing Truman Capote himself, and how he was the podcast guest before there were podcas
Gov. Wes Moore on ICE and Minneapolis, Democrats in 2026, the Next Black President, Jay-Z Power Rankings, and the End of the John Harbaugh Era.
Hello, media consumers! Bryan and Joel are joined today for a bonus episode by Maryland Gov. Wes Moore. The governor discusses his feelings on ICE and the shooting of Alex Pretti (02:31), whether Kristi Noem should resign as head of Homeland Security (05:43), and how Democrats can convince voters of their plan on immigration (08:49). The interview continues with a conversation about Jay-Z songs an
The Democratic Depth Chart with Van Lathan
Hello, media consumers! Today on The Press Box, we have a special episode! Bryan and Joel are joined in studio by The Ringer’s own Van Lathan to create a 2028 Democratic Nominee depth chart. The guys go through a list of potential candidates for the 2028 Democratic nomination for President, discussing the outlook and viability of each person. The list spans all the way from frontrunners like Alexa
Another Killing in Minneapolis and the Dismantling of The Washington Post
Hello, media consumers! Bryan, David, and Joel come together on today’s episode for a three-man weave. The guys start by discussing the shooting of Alex Pretti (01:58), the way the Trump administration has tried to spin the story (10:04), and the way the Minnesota Star Tribune has covered these events (29:50). After that, Bryan, Joel, and David give their thoughts on the rumored shuttering of the
Senator Mark Kelly on Trump and Greenland, ICE Raids, Combat Missions in Iraq, and His 2028 Plans
Hello, media consumers! On today’s episode, Bryan interviews Senator Mark Kelly (D-Arizona). Their conversation starts with his thoughts on Trump’s attempts to acquire Greenland (01:21), what he thinks is driving Trump’s foreign policy in his second term (03:18), and the purpose of the video he and other Congress members released about ignoring illegal military orders (07:19). Next, Bryan and Sena
Trump’s Greenland Crisis, a Sideline Reporter Runs for Senate, and Some Final Thoughts on the National Championship
Hello, media consumers! Bryan and Joel come together in person to discuss Trump's Greenland crisis (02:10). The guys listen to President Trump’s comments on Greenland (04:09), Iceland (05:30), and NATO (07:47), examining why Trump is doing what he's doing and whether it is simpler than people thought (12:49). Next, Bryan and Joel discuss Bari Weiss’s attempts at damage control following the airing
The Latest from CBS News and the Craziest Postgame in the Playoffs. Plus: the New Yorker’s Susan Glasser on Year 1 of Trump 2.
Hello, media consumers! Bryan and David discuss everything coming out of CBS News, including The New Yorker’s profile on Bari Weiss, Trump’s remarks to Tony Dokoupil, and the spiked '60 Minutes' segment finally making it to air (00:27). Next, the guys listen to some football audio from the College Football Playoff national championship (08:48) before checking in to see how Tony Romo did in the ann
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