The Press Box

By The Ringer

What's The Press Box about?

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

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Politico’s Burgess Everett ...

05.25.2023

Bryan is joined by Politico’s congressional bureau chief, Burgess Everett, to discuss what it’s like to cover Congress in the midst of the debt ceiling negotiations and what’s at the heart of the discussions (01:19). Then, they discuss Everett’s experience ...

The Press Box episodes:

05.25.2023 Politico’s Burgess Everett on Covering Congress During a Wild Week of Negotiations Bryan is joined by Politico’s congressional bureau chief, Burgess Everett, to discuss what it’s like to cover Congress in the midst of the debt ceiling negotiations and what’s at the heart of the discussions (01:19). Then, they discuss Everett’s experience ...
05.22.2023 Pat McAfee’s ESPN Deal, the Kevin Harlan Playoff Experience, and This Week in 2024 Bryan and David discuss Pat McAfee’s huge contract signing with ESPN, his fit with the sports media conglomerate, and the company’s shift to signing top-level talent (00:32). Then, they’re back with another segment of NBA2Day to talk about Kevin Harlan’s ...
05.16.2023 ESPN's Marc J. Spears on Melo's Arrival, a Practice Boycott, and Other Tales from the Nuggets' Locker Room Bryan is joined by ESPN’s Marc J. Spears ahead of the Western Conference finals to discuss his time as a Denver Nuggets beat writer starting back in 1999. They reflect on past moments, from players boycotting team practice to covering ...
05.15.2023 CNN’s Trump Town Hall, Stephen A. and Concussions, and How 'Succession' Got Election Night Right Bryan and David are back with another segment of NBA2Day to discuss one of the biggest stories in the NBA that focuses on Anthony Davis's recent injury (0:40). Then, they begin by breaking down the CNN town hall with former ...
05.12.2023 Lakers Announcer John Ireland on the Warriors Series, Anthony Davis’s Injury, and Memories of Shaq and Kobe Bryan is joined by Lakers radio announcer John Ireland to discuss the team’s turnaround after the trade deadline, their style of play, and Anthony Davis’s injury (01:26). They talk about Ireland’s career path from local news to talk radio to ...
05.08.2023 Profiling Elizabeth Holmes, the NBA’s Fake Injuries, and Trump Returns to CNN Bryan and David discuss what went wrong with the New York Times profile about Elizabeth Holmes (9:48). Later, they discuss Donald Trump’s town hall being broadcast on CNN and more Tucker Carlson news (35:18). Plus, the Overworked Twitter Joke of ...
05.03.2023 Writer Chris Heath on Tom Hanks, Adventures in the Magazine Trade, and the Art of the Celebrity Profile Bryan is joined by Chris Heath to discuss his new Tom Hanks profile for The Atlantic. They dive into Heath’s experience profiling Hanks (3:30), talk through Heath’s career working for magazines such as Smash Hits and GQ (11:52), and then ...
05.01.2023 Biden’s Media Cheat Sheet, “Gotcha” Questions for Giannis, and Farewell to Jerry Springer Bryan and David break down Biden’s reelection announcement and press conference cheat sheet and weigh in on the type of “Rose Garden” campaign he could be running (13:10). Then, they highlight some key takeaways from the White House Correspondents' Association ...
04.28.2023 Brian Stelter on Tucker Carlson, Don Lemon, and a Crazy Week in Cable News Bryan is joined by Brian Stelter to talk about Tucker Carlson’s departure from Fox News, what may have caused it, and what's next for Carlson. They also discuss the Fox News and Dominion Voting Systems settlement and how the network ...
04.24.2023 Tucker Carlson and Don Lemon Out, the ESPN Layoffs, and RIP BuzzFeed News Bryan and David dive into recent news that Tucker Carlson and Fox News, as well as Don Lemon and CNN, have parted ways (0:42), and discuss what this means for all parties involved. Then, they providing more details behind ESPN’s ...
04.20.2023 Jemele Hill on the ESPN Layoffs, Life After the Worldwide Leader, Tweeting in the Musk Era, and More Bryan is joined by Jemele Hill to discuss the news reported by CNBC that ESPN will be making layoffs beginning next week. Jemele reflects on the layoffs back in 2018 while she was still at the company, then discusses the ...
04.17.2023 NBA Announcing’s Golden Age and Other TV Notes. Plus, a 2024 Campaign Update and Fox Trial Cheat Sheet. Bryan and David break down all the media notes from the first weekend of the NBA playoffs. They highlight LeBron and the Lakers' win, touch on Sunday’s injury reports, and discuss whether we’re in announcing’s golden age with individuals such ...
04.13.2023 NPR’s David Folkenflik on Rupert Murdoch and the Fox News–Dominion Case Bryan is joined by NPR’s David Folkenflik to discuss NPR’s decision to quit Twitter (1:30) before he then provides an expert briefing on the Fox News defamation lawsuit (6:19). They begin by breaking down what happened back in 2020 that ...
04.10.2023 The 2016 Election Is Back. Plus: Masters TV Notes and How Everything Became a “Cult Classic.” Bryan and David start the pod by reacting to the media’s coverage of last night’s episode of ‘Succession’ (00:31). After, they discuss whether the 2024 presidential election is mirroring the election in 2016 and Al Roker asking President Joe Biden ...
04.06.2023 How Trump’s Indictment Was Covered. Plus, Rethinking: “Embrace Debate” and a Reporter in a Russian Prison. Bryan and David discuss former president Donald Trump’s arrest, and dive into how reporters are covering the indictment (3:13). Later, they weigh in on the conversation between Stephen A. Smith and Dan Le Batard, on 'The Dan Le Batard Show' ...
03.30.2023 Writing (and Covering) Pro Wrestling with WWE’s Bruce Prichard and David Shoemaker Bryan and David are back ahead of ‘WrestleMania’ 39 to discuss what it’s like to cover WWE as both a fan and a journalist (0:38). Then, Bryan is joined by executive director of WWE’s creative writing team, Bruce Prichard, to ...
03.27.2023 Doubts About DeSantis, Mean Magazine Stories, and RIP Texas Observer Bryan and David touch on a few obits, starting with the Texas Observer, which may or may not be shutting down (0:43). Then they discuss the presidential campaign’s first walk-back of the season, featuring Ron DeSantis and his stance on ...
03.23.2023 Announcer Don Orsillo on Baseball With a Pitch Clock, the Padres’ Golden Age, and His Years with the Red Sox Bryan is joined by Padres announcer Don Orsillo to discuss the adjustment both broadcasters and players are experiencing due to the recent rule change introducing a pitch clock (1:41). Then, they reflect on Orsillo’s start as a broadcaster and his ...
03.20.2023 Undermining Jimmy Carter's Presidency, Donald Trump's Looming Indictment, and Quentin Tarantino's New Film Bryan and David start the pod by discussing a recent article about Jimmy Carter that some are using to discount his presidency. Next, they dive into Donald Trump's possible impending arrest, listen to Ron DeSantis's comments about it, and break ...
03.16.2023 The Madness of NFL Free Agency, and Tucker Carlson’s GOP Takeover Bryan and David are back to discuss all that’s happening throughout the NFL "legal tampering period," a.k.a. free agency (0:40), and they touch on the biggest stories involving Aaron Rodgers, trade inflation, and more! Then, they switch gears and review ...
03.13.2023 The Asteroid About to Hit Baseball, the 'Match of the Day' Controversy, and Seth Rogen vs. Critics Bryan is joined by Jason Gay to break down BBC’s response to political comments by 'Match of the Day’ host Gary Lineker. They discuss Lineker’s support from colleagues and the all-too-familiar reaction when sportscasters talk politics (1:53). Then, they weigh ...
03.10.2023 Adam Gopnik on Acting in ‘Tár,’ Writing for The New Yorker, and 50 Years of Jets Fandom Bryan is joined by New Yorker writer Adam Gopnik. They talk about his role in ‘Tár’ and what it was like to work on the movie (1:50). Then, they discuss The New Yorker and his career in journalism (14:50). Finally, ...
03.06.2023 Fox News vs. Dominion. Plus, the Oscars and the Media and Ron DeSantis's Opt-Out. Bryan and David break down the Dominion lawsuit against Fox News and discuss what we’ve learned (2:55). Later, they preview the Oscars and refer to past campaigns with the help of Michael Schulman's new book, 'Oscar Wars,' (25:03) before weighing ...
03.02.2023 Puck’s Tara Palmeri on Low-Energy Trump, Slow-Moving Biden, and the Rest of the 2024 Presidential Campaign Bryan is joined by Tara Palmeri from Puck to preview the 2024 presidential race. They discuss Trump’s current position in the polls and relationship with the media (2:00), weigh in on Ron DeSantis’s potential candidacy against Trump compared to that ...
02.27.2023 2024 Presidential Race Check-in. Plus, Don Lemon’s Meltdown and Texas News. Bryan and David are back with some news from Texas: Chip Gaines bought Larry McMurtry’s bookstore in the “hard-scrabbled” town of Archer City, Texas (0:37). Then, they check in on the 2024 presidential race, which may or may not include ...
02.21.2023 New York Magazine's Shawn McCreesh on PR Showdowns, the Media Beat, and Working for Maureen Dowd Bryan is joined by NY Magazine features writer Shawn McCreesh to discuss his profile on crisis communications representative Risa Heller and to touch on his career at the magazine. They dive into how this story came about, which well-known clients ...
02.16.2023 Kevin Van Valkenburg on Leaving ESPN for ‘No Laying Up,’ Tiger's Late Period, and Year 2 of LIV Golf Bryan is joined by Kevin Van Valkenburg to discuss his career as an editorial director for ‘No Laying Up.’ Valkenburg dives into his transition from ESPN and his revitalized passion for the sport of golf (5:46), touches on next career ...
02.13.2023 Super Bowl Reaction Pod on the Announcers, the Ads, the Penalty, and Much More Bryan and David react to the 57th Super Bowl, which ended with the Kansas City Chiefs taking home the championship win against the Philadelphia Eagles. They begin with thoughts on the controversial fourth-quarter holding call, discuss Greg Olsen and Kevin ...
02.08.2023 The Super Bowl of Sports Radio With Chris “Mad Dog” Russo and Mike Felger Bryan is joined on Radio Row by Chris “Mad Dog” Russo of Sirius XM to talk about his career as a radio host, from the biggest media transitions throughout the year to his favorite thing about radio, and about his ...
02.06.2023 Live From Radio Row! Tom Brady vs. Greg Olsen, Farewell Gawker 2.0, and the Death of the Super Bowl Party Bryan is live from Radio Row and joined by The Wall Street Journal’s Jason Gay to discuss the news of Tom Brady’s retirement, take two. They talk through his future at Fox and his no. 1 comp, Greg Olsen, and ...
02.01.2023 One Perfect Story: Wright Thompson on Writing About Michael Jordan Bryan is joined by Wright Thompson on the 10-year anniversary of his ESPN profile "Michael Jordan Has Not Left the Building." They begin by reflecting on the pitching process—discussing how the story came to be and how Thompson got a ...
01.30.2023 Is AI Coming for Your Media Job? Plus, the Passion of Tony Romo and the Smugness of Book Collectors. Bryan and David react to the news that BuzzFeed will be utilizing artificial intelligence throughout the company and discuss how this could impact the media landscape (5:47). Then, they talk through weekend media takeaways from the NFC and AFC championship ...
01.27.2023 Nora Princiotti on the NFL, Damar Hamlin, and Tom Brady. Plus: Jason Gay Toasts Billy Packer. Bryan is joined by Nora Princiotti, a few weeks before from the Super Bowl, to unpack NFL playoff media topics, ranging from Colts owner Jim Irsay potentially hiring Jeff Saturday, to Tom Brady thanking beat writers after his last game ...
01.23.2023 The George Santos Fib-O-Meter, Shannon Sharpe, and the Chorizo Pun Mystery Bryan and David begin the week talking about the Dallas Cowboys' playoff loss against the San Francisco 49ers and discuss the role they play as a content machine (0:34). Then, they break down and rate the multitude of fibs told ...
01.20.2023 The Philadelphia Inquirer's Mike Sielski on the Year of the Eagles, Writing Columns, and Sweating Out Deadlines Bryan is joined by the Philadelphia Inquirer's Mike Sielski to talk about covering the Eagles and what it’s like to write in Philadelphia. They start by discussing the unique nature of Philadelphia sports fans. Then they talk about Mike’s career ...
01.17.2023 Prince Harry's 'Spare' Is Good. Really. Plus: Tom Brady, Mike Tirico, and Netflix's New Tennis Doc. Bryan is joined by author and Wall Street Journal columnist Jason Gay to discuss Prince Harry’s new memoir, ‘Spare.’ They weigh in on the American interest in the royals and highlight a few disclosures that stood out in the memoir ...
01.13.2023 Joe Buck on Damar Hamlin, Year 1 of ‘Monday Night Football,’ and Dreaming About His Dad Bryan is joined by ESPN’s Joe Buck to discuss his perspective on Damar Hamlin’s injury in the Bills-Bengals game. They touch on the booth’s immediate reaction to Hamlin’s injury, the responsibility of an announcer in moments of uncertainty, and how ...
01.11.2023 Michael Irvin on the 30th Anniversary of the 1992 Dallas Cowboys Bryan is joined by football Hall of Famer and NFL Network analyst Michael Irvin on the 30th anniversary of the 1992 Dallas Cowboys. They revisit that season’s NFC championship game against the San Francisco 49ers, reminisce about Dallas’s Super Bowl ...
01.09.2023 More on ESPN and Damar Hamlin, Plus the Excruciating Victory of Kevin McCarthy Bryan and David are back in the new year with positive updates regarding Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin after his sudden cardiac arrest on the field last Monday (10:27). Then, they break down Kevin McCarthy’s dramatic pursuit of and victory ...
01.07.2023 ESPN's Chris Fowler on Sportscasting During a Time of Crisis, College Football vs. the NFL, and Calling the National Championship Bryan is joined by ESPN’s Chris Fowler to discuss his career as a sports broadcaster covering both college and professional sports since 1986. They begin by remembering the unfortunate death of college basketball player Hank Gathers back in 1990, then ...
01.03.2023 How ESPN Handled Damar Hamlin’s On-Field Collapse Bryan is joined by Wall Street Journal columnist Jason Gay to discuss the Damar Hamlin incident during the Buffalo Bills–Cincinnati Bengals NFL game that has left him in critical condition. They touch on the aftermath from the perspective of the ...
12.28.2022 One Perfect Story: Stephen Rodrick on Writing About Lindsay Lohan Bryan is joined by journalist Stephen Rodrick on the 10th anniversary of his New York Times story "Here Is What Happens When You Cast Lindsay Lohan in Your Movie." They dive into Rodrick’s career writing celebrity profiles and working with ...
12.26.2022 The Takes We Had: 'The Press Box' Year in Media Bryan and David reconvene for the last time this year to discuss their takes on the major media events of 2022. They weigh in on the Times buying The Athletic, the overturn of Roe v. Wade, Will Smith slapping Chris ...
12.22.2022 Sean Fennessey on Covering Movies, Sight and Sound, and the State of the Top 10 List Bryan is joined by The Ringer's Sean Fennessey to discuss his approach to covering movies in the year 2022. They dive into media critics' top 10 year-end lists, discuss how lists reflect the current culture, weigh in on the journalistic ...
12.19.2022 Elon Musk Versus Critics, Watching an Awesome World Cup Final, and a New Doc About Robert Caro Bryan and David start off the pod by discussing a documentary revolving around the relationship of writer Robert Caro and editor Robert Gottlieb called ‘Turn Every Page’ (00:58). Then, they address all the drama with Elon Musk and Twitter and ...
12.15.2022 Katie Baker on the Sam Bankman-Fried FTX Scandal Bryan is joined by The Ringer’s Katie Baker to break down the Sam Bankman-Fried FTX scandal with the help of her dictionary, found here. They begin by diving into Fried's background, discuss what it was like covering a scandal involving ...
12.12.2022 Remembering Sportswriter Grant Wahl, Plus the NYT Strike and Sinema Purgatorio Bryan is joined by Stadio co-host Musa Okwonga to remember the life and career of sportswriter Grant Wahl (5:36). Later, David joins to dive into the announcement from Senator Krysten Sinema (I-Arizona) that she is leaving the Democratic Party (26:49), ...
12.09.2022 Covering College Football, the Playoffs, and the Transfer Portal Era With Kevin Clark Bryan is joined by Kevin Clark to break down college football news and updates ahead of upcoming playoff and bowl games. They begin by discussing the state of the Alabama football program, weigh in on the impact of the transfer ...
12.05.2022 Can Herschel Walker Run to the U.S. Senate? Plus, Epic Twitter Threads and the Power of the List Bryan and David weigh in on the media’s perspective of the runoff election in Georgia between Herschel Walker and Raphael Warnock (4:58). Then, they discuss Matt Taibbi’s Twitter thread and the argument behind free speech on the platform (27:18). Later, ...
12.02.2022 What It’s Like to Cover the World Cup With Jason Gay Bryan is joined by The Wall Street Journal’s Jason Gay to discuss the World Cup in Qatar and what it’s like to cover it. Host: Bryan Curtis Guest: Jason Gay Associate Producer: Carlos Chiriboga Learn more about your ad choices. ...

Older episodes

The Press Box

What's The Press Box about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

The Press Box episodes:

Politico’s Burgess Everett on Covering Congress During a Wild Week of Negotiations

Pat McAfee’s ESPN Deal, the Kevin Harlan Playoff Experience, and This Week in 2024

ESPN's Marc J. Spears on Melo's Arrival, a Practice Boycott, and Other Tales from the Nuggets' Locker Room

CNN’s Trump Town Hall, Stephen A. and Concussions, and How 'Succession' Got Election Night Right

Lakers Announcer John Ireland on the Warriors Series, Anthony Davis’s Injury, and Memories of Shaq and Kobe

Profiling Elizabeth Holmes, the NBA’s Fake Injuries, and Trump Returns to CNN

Writer Chris Heath on Tom Hanks, Adventures in the Magazine Trade, and the Art of the Celebrity Profile

Biden’s Media Cheat Sheet, “Gotcha” Questions for Giannis, and Farewell to Jerry Springer

Brian Stelter on Tucker Carlson, Don Lemon, and a Crazy Week in Cable News

Tucker Carlson and Don Lemon Out, the ESPN Layoffs, and RIP BuzzFeed News

Jemele Hill on the ESPN Layoffs, Life After the Worldwide Leader, Tweeting in the Musk Era, and More

NBA Announcing’s Golden Age and Other TV Notes. Plus, a 2024 Campaign Update and Fox Trial Cheat Sheet.

NPR’s David Folkenflik on Rupert Murdoch and the Fox News–Dominion Case

The 2016 Election Is Back. Plus: Masters TV Notes and How Everything Became a “Cult Classic.”

How Trump’s Indictment Was Covered. Plus, Rethinking: “Embrace Debate” and a Reporter in a Russian Prison.

Writing (and Covering) Pro Wrestling with WWE’s Bruce Prichard and David Shoemaker

Doubts About DeSantis, Mean Magazine Stories, and RIP Texas Observer

Announcer Don Orsillo on Baseball With a Pitch Clock, the Padres’ Golden Age, and His Years with the Red Sox

Undermining Jimmy Carter's Presidency, Donald Trump's Looming Indictment, and Quentin Tarantino's New Film

The Madness of NFL Free Agency, and Tucker Carlson’s GOP Takeover

The Asteroid About to Hit Baseball, the 'Match of the Day' Controversy, and Seth Rogen vs. Critics

Adam Gopnik on Acting in ‘Tár,’ Writing for The New Yorker, and 50 Years of Jets Fandom

Fox News vs. Dominion. Plus, the Oscars and the Media and Ron DeSantis's Opt-Out.

Puck’s Tara Palmeri on Low-Energy Trump, Slow-Moving Biden, and the Rest of the 2024 Presidential Campaign

2024 Presidential Race Check-in. Plus, Don Lemon’s Meltdown and Texas News.

New York Magazine's Shawn McCreesh on PR Showdowns, the Media Beat, and Working for Maureen Dowd

Kevin Van Valkenburg on Leaving ESPN for ‘No Laying Up,’ Tiger's Late Period, and Year 2 of LIV Golf

Super Bowl Reaction Pod on the Announcers, the Ads, the Penalty, and Much More

The Super Bowl of Sports Radio With Chris “Mad Dog” Russo and Mike Felger

Live From Radio Row! Tom Brady vs. Greg Olsen, Farewell Gawker 2.0, and the Death of the Super Bowl Party

One Perfect Story: Wright Thompson on Writing About Michael Jordan

Is AI Coming for Your Media Job? Plus, the Passion of Tony Romo and the Smugness of Book Collectors.

Nora Princiotti on the NFL, Damar Hamlin, and Tom Brady. Plus: Jason Gay Toasts Billy Packer.

The George Santos Fib-O-Meter, Shannon Sharpe, and the Chorizo Pun Mystery

The Philadelphia Inquirer's Mike Sielski on the Year of the Eagles, Writing Columns, and Sweating Out Deadlines

Prince Harry's 'Spare' Is Good. Really. Plus: Tom Brady, Mike Tirico, and Netflix's New Tennis Doc.

Joe Buck on Damar Hamlin, Year 1 of ‘Monday Night Football,’ and Dreaming About His Dad

Michael Irvin on the 30th Anniversary of the 1992 Dallas Cowboys

More on ESPN and Damar Hamlin, Plus the Excruciating Victory of Kevin McCarthy

ESPN's Chris Fowler on Sportscasting During a Time of Crisis, College Football vs. the NFL, and Calling the National Championship

How ESPN Handled Damar Hamlin’s On-Field Collapse

One Perfect Story: Stephen Rodrick on Writing About Lindsay Lohan

The Takes We Had: 'The Press Box' Year in Media

Sean Fennessey on Covering Movies, Sight and Sound, and the State of the Top 10 List

Elon Musk Versus Critics, Watching an Awesome World Cup Final, and a New Doc About Robert Caro

Katie Baker on the Sam Bankman-Fried FTX Scandal

Remembering Sportswriter Grant Wahl, Plus the NYT Strike and Sinema Purgatorio

Covering College Football, the Playoffs, and the Transfer Portal Era With Kevin Clark

Can Herschel Walker Run to the U.S. Senate? Plus, Epic Twitter Threads and the Power of the List

What It’s Like to Cover the World Cup With Jason Gay