

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

Jun 14, 2023 • 1h 1min
Live From the U.S. Open With Kevin Van Valkenburg and NBC's John Wood
Bryan is live from the U.S. Open and dives into news of the LIV Golf–PGA Tour merger with Kevin Van Valkenburg (2:07). They discuss how the story broke, what the relationship is like between both entities, and what it’s like as a golf writer during these events. Later, NBC’s John Wood joins to talk about his experience as an on-course reporter, including inspecting the course, talking with the audience, and grabbing exclusive bits for the viewers (31:02).Host: Bryan CurtisGuests: Kevin Van Valkenburg and John WoodProducer: Erika Cervantes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 12, 2023 • 47min
Flushing Out the Trump Indictment, LIV-PGA, and CNN’s Cloudy Future
Bryan and David talk through CNN’s future and possible restructure (0:40), before jumping into the news of yet another indictment for former president Donald Trump (13:34). Later, they discuss the LIV Golf and PGA Tour merger and how it all unfolded in the media (31:02), and then touch on newspapers' role in the story of Ted Kaczynski, a.k.a. the Unabomber, back in the 1990s (39:58). Plus, the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week and David Shoemaker Guesses the Strained-Pun Headline.Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David ShoemakerProducer: Erika Cervantes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 9, 2023 • 55min
Ryen Russillo on Covering the NBA Finals, Explaining Jokic’s Greatness, and Getting the Sports TV We Want
Bryan is joined by Ryen Russillo to discuss Jokic’s impressive performance in the Finals and the media’s response to the Denver Nuggets. Then, they talk through Russillo’s theory on how we all get what we want from the media and how one prepares for the draft.Host: Bryan CurtisGuest: Ryen RussilloProducer: Erika Cervantes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 5, 2023 • 52min
Shannon Sharpe, Chuck Todd, and the CNN Meltdown for Dummies
Bryan and David talk through the pronunciation of presidential candidate Ron DeSantis’s last name (0:41) before jumping into media news involving Chuck Todd leaving ‘Meet the Press’ (9:48) and Shannon Sharpe leaving FS1’s ‘Undisputed’ (21:02). Then, they dive into Tim Alberta’s piece about CNN’s Chris Licht and provide their top three takeaways (31:48). Plus, the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week and David Shoemaker Guesses the Strained-Pun Headline.Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David ShoemakerProducer: Erika Cervantes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 2, 2023 • 48min
Game 1 Garbage Time, the Cult of Kevin Harlan, and Other Media Takes With Tyler Parker
Bryan is joined by The Ringer’s Tyler Parker to discuss Game 1 of the NBA Finals, how ABC’s commentary crew handled Denver’s blowout win and their praise of Nikola Jokic (02:43). Then, they discuss the media’s lack of coverage towards the Nuggets this season (12:08). After, they offer their praise to Kevin Harlan, discuss LeBron James’s retirement comments, their favorite postgame moment of the playoffs, and more (24:26).Host: Bryan CurtisGuest: Tyler ParkerProducer: Eduardo Ocampo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 30, 2023 • 50min
Ron DeSantis’s False Start, Game 7 Audio, and NBA Take Whiplash
Bryan and David start the pod talking about why discussing the NBA Finals TV ratings doesn’t matter (00:39). Then, they discuss Gov. Ron DeSantis’s presidential campaign launch on Twitter, its technical difficulties, and why the approach backfired on him (05:42). Then, they’re back with another segment of NBA2Day to discuss some of the best sound bites from Game 7, TNT’s cutting to commercial break during a pivotal foul review in Game 6, and LeBron’s retirement comments (26:48). Plus, the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week and David Shoemaker Guesses the Strained-Pun Headline.Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David ShoemakerProducer: Eduardo Ocampo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

4 snips
May 25, 2023 • 38min
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 working on the congressional beat, including his approach to getting politicians to talk, the kind of shoes he has to wear, and why the beat is so rewarding to him (14:28).Host: Bryan CurtisGuest: Burgess EverettProducer: Eduardo Ocampo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 22, 2023 • 51min
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 performance during the playoffs, Michael Malone’s “Nobody believes in us” comments, and more (17:06). After, they give the latest updates on the 2024 election, including Senator Tim Scott’s announcement speech for president, Ron DeSantis bypassing the “mainstream media” for his presidential run, and former vice president Mike Pence plagiarizing bits from a Donald Trump speech (29:58). Plus, the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week and David Shoemaker Guesses the Strained-Pun Headline.Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David ShoemakerProducer: Eduardo Ocampo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 16, 2023 • 54min
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 the Columbia Space Shuttle tragedy while in town for work, to Carmelo Anthony being drafted third overall, and more!Host: Bryan CurtisGuest: Marc J. SpearsProducer: Erika Cervantes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 15, 2023 • 58min
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 president Donald Trump and the strife that ensued, before touching on Ron DeSantis in Iowa, and bidding farewell to MTV News (10:57). Later, former senior White House media spokesman Eric Schultz joins Bryan to discuss his role in ‘Succession.’ He talks about being approached by the show, the scenes that required his expertise, and then ranks his favorite political shows (32:40). Plus, the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week and David Shoemaker Guesses the Strained-Pun Headline.Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David ShoemakerGuest: Eric SchultzProducer: Erika Cervantes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices