The Press Box

Hello media consumers! It’s a Monday show on a Thursday! Bryan fills David in on his Connecticut hotdog tour earlier this week (0:16), before discussing Taylor Swift’s appearance on Travis and Jason Kelce’s ‘New Heights’ podcast, and a few thoughts on Monday’s Jimmy Pitaro interview (11:23). Then they run through the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week, two new entries of Worst Question Ever Asked at the White House, rumors of Howard Stern and SirusXM parting ways, Oklahoma selling ‘postgame media access’ to fans, and loads more (38:20)! Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker Producer: Kyle Crichton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hello, media consumers! Bryan heads to the ESPN HQ in Bristol, Connecticut, to sit down with ESPN's chairman, Jimmy Pitaro. They discuss the highly anticipated launch of ESPN's direct-to-consumer app, the massive deals ESPN made with the NFL and WWE, hiring talent vs. developing talent, preparing for ESPN's first Super Bowl, the state of ESPN in 2025, and more. Host: Bryan CurtisGuest: Jimmy PitaroProducer: Kyle Crichton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hello, media consumers! Bryan and Joel start the show with J-School, discussing the new threats to the Voting Rights Act of 1965 as well as the ongoing Texas redistricting fight (01:43). Next, they dive into some headlines, starting with the deals made by ESPN this week. First, they go through all the details from the ESPN-NFL deal, including what properties ESPN acquired from the NFL, and they debate whether Donald Trump will try to interfere (13:40). After, they break down the WWE’s deal with ESPN, who acquired the rights to air all of WWE’s live premium events starting in 2026 (30:30). They then move on to how Shams Charania has affected the NBA media since Woj retired and LeBron James's dwindling power in the news cycle (35:27). Lastly, Bryan and Joel discuss the New York Post’s announcement that a sister publication will be coming out west (45:28). Hosts: Bryan Curtis and Joel AndersonProducer: Jessie Lopez Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hello, media consumers! Bryan and Davis recount their trip to Part 2 of SummerSlam last night (0:20) before tackling some headlines, including ESPN and NFL moving forward with their proposed blockbuster media deal, more heavy hitters leaving The Washington Post, and an upcoming Kamala Harris book (22:00). They also discuss Bryan's brief time in used-book heaven at the Brattle Book Shop in Boston, and offer a remembrance of his Uncle Rod (44:15). Plus, the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week and David Shoemaker Guesses the Strained-Pun Headline! Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David ShoemakerProducer: Kyle Crichton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hello, media consumers! Joel Anderson is joined by Bomani Jones to discuss a few media headlines, including ESPN's decision to part ways with Shannon Sharpe and the serious gambling allegations against Gilbert Arenas (4:09), before they look at the future (or lack thereof) of sports television, being a generalist vs. a specialist in 2025, the rise of "grifter content," and more (24:50). Finally, Joels closes the show with a lightning round of questions for Bomani (52:42). Host: Joel AndersonGuest: Bomani JonesProducer: Kyle Crichton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hello, media consumers! Bryan and David cover some headlines, including the approval of the Paramount-SkyDance merger, a discouraging new study about google searches and AI, Bill Belichick rapidly approaching his first game as a college head coach, the WaPo exodus (cont.), and more (9:45), Then, they discuss the wide-ranging obituaries of the late Hulk Hogan, "obit wars" whenever a complex figure passes away, and Hulk Hogan vs. Gawker in the early 2010s (27:15). Plus, an addition to the "Only in Journalism" vocabulary list, and David Shoemaker Guesses the Strained Pun Headline 'The Mortal Hulk Hogan' by David Shoemaker Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David ShoemakerProducer: Kyle Crichton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hello, media consumers! Bryan and Joel start the show with J-School, reexamining Zach Baron's interview on profile writing, before discussing the news of Hulk Hogan's death at the age of 71 (1:03). Next, they run through some headlines, including the possible marriage of ESPN and the NFL, what exactly is going on regarding the Epstein files, and Hunter Biden's three-plus-hour-long interview with Channel 5's Andrew Callaghan (14:07). Finally, they discuss Pat McAfee's belated apology and Jon Stewart's reaction to Paramount dropping 'The Late Show' (53:21) before making some weekend recommendations. Hosts: Bryan Curtis and Joel AndersonProducer: Kyle Crichton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hello, media consumers! Bryan and David discuss dueling theories on why Paramount decided to cancel 'The Late Show With Stephen Colbert,' NPR and PBS losing federal funding, The Wall Street Journal's Trump/Epstein scoop, and FS1's shake-up that leaves Joy Taylor out and 'Barstool Sports' in (8:42). Then, Bryan is joined by David Marchese of The New York Times to discuss his extensive history of interviewing, his preparation process, the future of the format, how podcasts changed his approach to conducting interviews, and stories from some of his favorite subjects, including Norm Macdonald, Nicolas Cage, and more (41:48). Finally, stick around for David Shoemaker Guesses the Strained Pun Headline (1:28:50). Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David ShoemakerGuest: David MarcheseProducer: Kyle Crichton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hello, media consumers! Bryan is joined by GQ’s Zach Baron to discuss every aspect of celebrity profiling: how they are “brokered”; the process of interviewing; some of his past subjects, including Martin Scorsese, Brendan Fraser, and Tilda Swinton; and more. Then Bryan asks the following question: “Is the celebrity profile dead or dying?” Host: Bryan CurtisGuest: Zach BaronProducer: Kyle Crichton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hello, media consumers! Bryan is joined by Sean Fennessey to discuss the future of owning physical media! (3:30) Magazines(17:55) Blu-Rays and DVDs(25:32) Books(34:47) Newspapers(50:11) CDs and vinyl Host: Bryan CurtisGuest: Sean FennesseyProducer: Kyle Crichton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bryan and Joel discuss the Texas flash floods, how the story hits them as parents and Texans, the slow trickle of information, defensive posturing from Texas leadership, misinformation gaining traction online, and more. Host: Bryan Curtis and Joel AndersonProducer: Kyle Crichton Texas Deserves Far Better Than This by Joel Anderson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hello media consumers! Bryan and David discuss the NYT's story on Zohran Mamdani and what the point was of running their "scoop" obtained in a hack of Columbia University records, new info on the Epstein files reports there are in fact no files, and new contenders for "Worst Question Ever Asked at the White House" (7:15), before revisiting David Foster Wallace's 2006 piece on Roger Federer entitled, 'Roger Federer as Religious Experience' (22:25). Next Bryan is joined by WSJ's Josh Dawsey to discuss his new book, '2024: How Trump Retook the White House and the Democrats Lost America' co-written with Tyler Pager and Isaac Arnsdorf (41:25). Finally David and Bryan reconnect in wake of the new 'Superman' film to discuss Clark Kent the journalist, and for David Shoemaker Guesses the Strained-Pun Headline (1:09:10)! Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker Guest: Josh Dawsey Producer: Kye Crichton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hello, media consumers! Bryan and Joel present both sides of an argument around Gavin Newsom's lawsuit against Fox News (1:29), reporters live tweeting Wednesday night's congressional session, Netflix's NFL announcer problem, and Paramount becoming the latest media company to settle a lawsuit with Donald Trump (21:53). Next, Joel is joined by Matthew Lee of the Inner City Press to discuss his coverage of the Sean "Diddy" Combs trial, stories from covering the Southern District of New York, how institutions treat new media, and more (40:54). Bryan and Joel then close the show with some weekend recommendations (1:15:35)! Hosts: Bryan Curtis and Joel AndersonGuest: Matthew LeeProducer: Kyle Crichton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hello, media consumers! Bryan and David reunite to discuss coverage of Jeff Bezos's wedding and The Washington Post's puzzling new feature (0:42), before they parse through reports about Anna Wintour (sort of) leaving her position at Vogue and the masterly, divisive NYT "100 Best Movies of the 21st Century" list (10:01). They also talk about Gavin Newsom's lawsuit against Fox News, the shifting power of the opinion columnist, another addition to the Hall of Departed Journalists, and more (22:48). Plus, the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week and David Shoemaker Guesses the Strained-Pun Headline! Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David ShoemakerProducer: Kyle Crichton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hello, media consumers! Bryan and Joel discuss some awkward NBA draft coverage, the NYC Democratic mayoral primary, and what constitutes a hit piece (10:57). Then, in another edition of 25 for 25, Bryan is joined by historian Heather Cox Richardson to talk about Donald Trump's fervent attempts at creating a narrative around the USA's air strikes on Iran; best practices to stay informed in today's media climate; Barack Obama's humble approach to his post-presidency era; the origins of her newsletter, 'Letters From an American'; and more (44:29). Finally, Joel and Bryan reconvene for a quick interview postgame and to share some weekend recommendations (1:18:07). Hosts: Bryan Curtis and Joel AndersonGuest: Heather Cox RichardsonProducer: Kyle Crichton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hello, media consumers! Joel (in for David) and Bryan put a wrap on ESPN's presentation of the NBA Finals (0:41), before discussing the Trump administration's press tour after carrying out air strikes on Iranian nuclear sites (18:00), some puzzling New York City mayoral primary coverage, Andrew Schulz's thought-provoking conversation with the NYT about interviewing newsmakers, and Chip Caray's unfortunate slip of the tongue during an MLB broadcast (34:01). Finally, they close the show with the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week, more submissions of bizarre press box behavior, and Joel Anderson Guesses the Strained-Pun Headline (1:03:18). Hosts: Bryan Curtis and Joel AndersonProducer: Kyle Crichton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hello, media consumers! On this Friday edition of the show, Bryan helps Joel wrestle with a question: "Should I subscribe to The Washington Post if it is my local paper?" (1:41). They then tackle some headlines, including the ambiguity of the USA's involvement with the Israel–Iran War and Tucker Carlson's instantly viral interview with Ted Cruz (17:18). Later, they discuss NBA Finals Game 6 coverage, Stephen A. Smith grabbing headlines again—this time by calling out the city of Memphis—how streaming affects sports fandom, and more (38:22). Finally, they close the show by selecting the Solidarity With Stephen A. contest winners, then talk weekend recommendations (1:06:22). Hosts: Bryan Curtis and Joel AndersonProducer: Kyle Crichton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hello, media consumers! Bryan and David discuss another Washington Post "reboot," this time for its opinion section (0:41). They go on to offer some low-hanging fruit for ESPN's lackluster NBA Finals coverage and discuss Stephen A. Smith, who was seen playing solitaire during Game 4; a noticeable shift in the norms of Washington, D.C., reporting; and more (10:41). Finally, Gustavo Arellano of the L.A. Times discusses covering recent protests across the greater Los Angeles area, what the national media is missing, Trump vs. California, and more (38:38). Plus, the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week and David Shoemaker Guesses the Strained-Pun Headline! Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David ShoemakerGuest: Gustavo ArellanoProducer: Kyle Crichton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hello, media consumers! Bryan and Joel tackle some leftover 'The Simpsons' vs. 'The Cosby Show' thoughts in today's J-School (0:47), before they are joined by Logan Murdock to discuss The Athletic's anonymous players survey, why the NBA keeps finding itself in the crosshairs of criticism, and ESPN's biggest mistake while broadcasting the Finals. Then they talk about Logan's new article for The Ringer, "How the Gen Z Takeover Is Changing the NBA" (10:18). Finally, Bryan and Joel discuss the Los Angeles protests, some big-picture questions, the ambiguous relationship between the press and law enforcement, and more (55:56). Hosts: Bryan Curtis and Joel AndersonGuest: Logan MurdockProducer: Kyle Crichton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hello, media consumers! Bryan and David parse through the very public Donald Trump–Elon Musk breakup (0:41) before sharing some notes on Games 1 and 2 of the NBA Finals; Warner Bros. Discovery, which is splitting into two companies; ABC's Terry Moran's suspension; and a hefty edition of "sliding doors" metaphors (15:28). Finally, The Ringer's Alan Siegel joins to discuss his new book, 'Stupid TV, Be More Funny: How the Golden Era of "The Simpsons" Changed Television—and America—Forever' (43:53). Plus, the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week and David Shoemaker Guesses the Strained-Pun Headline! Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David ShoemakerGuest: Alan SiegelProducer: Kyle Crichton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices