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 Anderson
Producer: Kyle Crichton

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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 Anderson
Producer: Kyle Crichton 

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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 Shoemaker
Guest: Gustavo Arellano
Producer: Kyle Crichton

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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 Anderson
Guest: Logan Murdock
Producer: Kyle Crichton

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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 Shoemaker
Guest: Alan Siegel
Producer: Kyle Crichton

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Hello, media consumers! Bryan and Joel discuss some NBA Finals thoughts, Oklahoma City as a host city, reports of Doris Burke's uncertain future in ESPN's broadcast booth, Cam'ron the journalist, and more (2:47). Then they discuss The Washington Post's puzzling new strategy and Pablo Torre's Bill Belichick–Jordon Hudson investigation (30:05). Then they are joined by NBC's Noah Eagle to talk about the Finals, the NBA on NBC 2.0, and the future of play-by-play (48:22). Finally, Bryan and Joel close the show with some weekend book recommendations and a solemn addition to the Hall of Departed Journalists (1:22:37).

Hosts: Bryan Curtis and Joel Anderson
Guest: Noah Eagle
Producers: Kyle Crichton and Bobby Wagner

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Hello media consumers! This week, Bryan and David discuss a bevy of “now they tell us” stories, some from the NBA and some from Washington (1:00), before coining a new segment called the “Pulled Punch Effect” (26:00). Then, they share a few more listener-submitted “sliding doors” metaphors (30:00), before Bryan is joined by Mark Kriegel to discuss 'Baddest Man: The Making of Mike Tyson,' the state of the sports biography, and the present and future status of Mike Tyson in the sports and wider world (45:00).

Plus, the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week, the Media Piss Test, and David Shoemaker Guesses the Strained-Pun Headline.

Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker

Senior Producer: Bobby Wagner

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Hello, media consumers! Bryan and Joel return on this Thursday edition of the podcast to discuss the Democrats’ deliberate investment in building a liberal infrastructure of influencers, podcasters, and new media (23:00). Then, they discuss the state of podcast interviews and whether or not listeners are making distinctions between the kinds of shows that are journalistic vs. focused on entertainment (39:00). Finally, they react to the release of the Texas Monthly BBQ Top 50 (47:00).

Hosts: Bryan Curtis and Joel D. Anderson

Senior Producer: Bobby Wagner

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Hello, media consumers! Bryan and David come to you on this Press Box Monday (Tuesday) edition with some thoughts on the NBA’s gradual acceptance of the three-man announcer booth (1:30), Elon Musk’s media blitz (13:00), the coverage and criticism of the latest installment in the ‘Mission: Impossible’ franchise (24:00), more sliding doors metaphors in journalism (35:00), and more.

Plus, the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week, the Media Piss Test, and David Shoemaker Guesses the Strained-Pun Headline.

Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker

Senior Producer: Bobby Wagner

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Hello, media consumers! Bryan and Joel are back on this Press Box Thursday Edition to discuss peak sports media beef (2:00), Reggie Miller’s unique perspective on the Eastern Conference finals and Tyrese Haliburton’s choke sign (17:00), and Draymond Green being added to ‘Inside the NBA’ for the ECF (23:00). Then, they discuss another wave of pieces chronicling the end of ESPN’s ‘Around the Horn’ and what it says about ESPN’s strategy (28:00). Finally, they discuss the latest in AI nightmares trickling into the journalism and media world (44:00).

Hosts: Bryan Curtis and Joel D. Anderson

Senior Producer: Bobby Wagner

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