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

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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

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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

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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

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For the ‘Press Box’: Final Edition, Bryan is joined by Joel Anderson of Slate. They discuss Aaron Rodgers’s comments about Jimmy Kimmel and Pat McAfee’s response (1:44). Then, Joel shares a story of being called into the office for a tweet he liked during his time at ESPN (25:51). They discuss many memes in college football and how the national championship game may be the all-time nobody-believed-in-us game (30:04). Later, they talk about how debates have become politics’ in-season tournament (40:51). Lastly, they close with Bryan’s new rules for sports documentaries after watching the new Barry Sanders documentary (43:43).

Host: Bryan Curtis

Guest: Joel Anderson

Producer: Brian H. Waters

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Happy New Year! Bryan and David start the show by recapping Bryan’s experience in the press box at the Sugar Bowl to see his beloved Texas Longhorns. (00:47) Then in weekend audio, they discuss Rece Davis and Pat McAfee creating the funniest TV moment (23:41). Later, they discuss Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen’s New Year’s Eve drinkathon (39:50). Plus, the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week, David Shoemaker Guesses the Strained-Pun Headline, and the introduction of a new segment comes to ‘Press Box!’

Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker

Producer: Brian H. Waters

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For the ‘Press Box’: Final Edition, Bryan and David hand out some year-end awards! They cover many categories, including the Media Company Makeover of the Year (4:20), the Erratic Executive of the Year(15:01), and the Newsroom Intruder of the Year (40:23). Then, they close the show with one final strained pun of 2023 (1:03:09).

Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker

Producer: Brian H. Waters

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Bryan and David kick off the show with a media memorial service for HBO’s ‘Real Sports,’ which will air its final episode after 29 seasons (0:33); then they get into how to win a campaign news cycle (4:17) and James Bennet’s piece criticizing The New York Times (16:49). Later, in the Notebook Dump, they discuss Al Michaels, who's sitting out the playoffs, and who NBC will have in his place (27:30). 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

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For the 'Press Box: Final Edition,' Bryan is joined by Washington Bureau Chief at Semafor, Benjy Sarlin. One month out from the Iowa Caucuses, they discuss Nikki Haley pulling in front of Ron DeSantis in the polls (2:21), and the low ratings for the campaign debates (19:49). Later, they react to Draymond Green’s latest flagrant foul that got him suspended indefinitely, and his apology to Jusuf Nurkić  (31:34). Next, they react to Bill Belichick’s response to a reporter asking him about his future in New England (38:25). They close the show with Bryan asking Benjy who does he read and watch that makes him feel smarter during a campaign (43:10).

Host: Bryan Curtis

Guest: Benjy Sarlin

Producer: Brian H. Waters

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Bryan and David start the show discussing Shohei Ohtani’s blockbuster deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers and how it was the first spoiler-free signing since Adrian Wojnarowski joined X. (00:30) Then they discuss the Washington Post union staff’s walkout (9:16). Later in weekend audio, they react to Patrick Mahomes's meltdown after an offensive offsides takes the game-winning play off the board—and the media reaction to that  (25:50). Bryan shares a Time magazine person-of-the-year update and discusses the amount of presales the magazine has garnered (33:30). 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

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