The Press Box CNN’s Fate, Trump’s Naughty List, Being Mad at the College Football Playoff, and Only in (Podcast) Journalism
Dec 9, 2025
Media shake-ups take center stage as the hosts discuss Olivia Nuzzi's departure from Vanity Fair and the implications for Ryan Lizza's Substack. The potential futures of CNN, whether as a standalone or under Paramount, are dissected. College Football Playoff drama unfolds, with an analysis of controversial ranking decisions and the media's perpetual frustration with the selection committee. Plus, the White House's new 'media bias' webpage raises eyebrows, all wrapped up with some lighthearted segments on podcast clichés and more!
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Nuzzi's Vanity Fair Rise And Fall
- Bryan and David discuss Olivia Nuzzi's Vanity Fair exit and how her hiring originally relied on the same controversies that later made her departure inevitable.
- They recount the New York Times reporting and Telos posts that kept the story alive and complicated her tenure.
Drama Drives Substack Traffic, Not Always Loyalty
- David and Bryan note Ryan Lizza's Telos posts boosted Substack traffic but face diminishing returns once the drama fades.
- They argue sensational revelations can grow a newsletter but sustaining subscribers needs consistent reporting beyond gossip.
Weigh CNN Independence Versus A Paramount Buy
- Consider CNN's options: remain independent within a spun-off cable company or merge under Paramount/CBS with likely layoffs.
- Weigh long-term strategic value of independence against short-term security from an acquirer.