

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

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

May 12, 2023 • 43min
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 being the Lakers’ play-by-play commentator (20:20). Also, they recount Kobe Bryant’s last game, power rank the L.A. sports teams, and recall memorable celebrity encounters (29:20).Host: Bryan CurtisGuest: John IrelandProducer: Eduardo Ocampo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 8, 2023 • 53min
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 the Week and David Shoemaker Guesses the Strained-Pun Headline.Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David ShoemakerProducer: Isaiah Blakely Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 3, 2023 • 47min
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 review past profiles on celebrities ranging from Robert De Niro to Donald Trump to Russell Crowe (13:38).'The Making of Tom Hanks' Host: Bryan CurtisGuest: Chris HeathProducer: Erika Cervantes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices


