

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

Feb 13, 2023 • 1h 12min
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 Burkhardt's analysis, and touch on all the celebrity commercials and Rihanna’s halftime performance before wrapping things up with some pregame notes. Plus, the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week and David Shoemaker Guesses the Strained-Pun Headline.Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David ShoemakerAssociate Producer: Erika Cervantes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 8, 2023 • 57min
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 recent reunion with Mike Francesa on ‘First Take’ (1:45). Later, Bryan is joined by Sports Hub radio host Mike Felger to dive into his career covering Tom Brady and Bill Belichick, finding his niche on air, and radio’s competitive edge compared to other mediums (21:12).Host: Bryan CurtisGuests: Chris Russo and Mike FelgerAssociate Producer: Erika Cervantes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 6, 2023 • 57min
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 then break down other comparisons in media, such as Frank Gifford and Tony Romo (1:08). Later, they bid farewell to Gawker 2.0, touch on news that the National Enquirer has been sold, and ponder whether or not the Super Bowl party is doomed (36:30). Plus, the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week and Jason Gay Guesses the Strained-Pun Headline.Host: Bryan CurtisGuest: Jason GayAssociate Producer: Erika Cervantes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 1, 2023 • 40min
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 hold of Michael—then touch on his expectations for the piece, his experience talking with both Michael and Michael's friend George Koehler, and what he came prepared for. Later, they discuss the impact the piece had on his career and how it compares to features highlighting other greats such as Tiger Woods, Ted Williams, and Phil Mickelson.Host: Bryan CurtisGuest: Wright ThompsonAssociate Producer: Erika Cervantes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 30, 2023 • 57min
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 games, from the lack of replay shots to Tony Romo’s overly enthusiastic performance in the booth (19:20), before weighing in on Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett’s column in The Guardian where she discusses the cult of book ownership and why she’s giving away her books (39:46). Plus, the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week and David Shoemaker Guesses the Strained-Pun Headline.Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David ShoemakerAssociate Producer: Erika Cervantes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 27, 2023 • 1h 6min
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 of the season (1:55). Then, ‘Wall Street Journal’ columnist Jason Gay joins to remember the legendary sports announcer Billy Packer and how his career transformed college basketball (33:18).Host: Bryan CurtisGuests: Nora Princiotti and Jason GayAssociate Producer: Erika Cervantes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 23, 2023 • 47min
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 by U.S. Representative George Santos (7:17), before weighing in on Shannon Sharpe’s altercation with Memphis Grizzlies players at the L.A. Lakers game last week (26:40), and highlighting New Jersey restaurant Meemom's and their pun-y menu item “Chorizo Me Crazy” (37:06). Plus, the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week and David Shoemaker Guesses the Strained Pun Headline.Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David ShoemakerAssociate Producer: Erika Cervantes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 20, 2023 • 38min
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 and how he approaches writing columns and writing on tight deadlines. Later, they discuss his book, ‘The Rise’, about the origin story of Kobe Bryant.Host: Bryan CurtisGuest: Mike SielskiAssociate Producer: Carlos Chiriboga Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 17, 2023 • 1h 5min
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 (1:44). Later, they recap the wild-card playoff round and touch on what could have been Brady’s last game as a player and his potential future at Fox (27:40) before diving into Netflix’s newest documentary series on tennis, ‘Break Point,’ and discussing the possible impact it could have on the sport (48:38). Plus, the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week and Jason Gay Guesses the Strained-Pun Headline.Host: Bryan CurtisGuest: Jason GayAssociate Producer: Erika Cervantes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 13, 2023 • 50min
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 the players and coaches handled the situation. Later, they revisit Buck’s first year on ‘Monday Night Football,’ discuss preparation for the upcoming playoff game between Tampa Bay and the Dallas Cowboys, and recall his weekly dreams with visits from his late father.Host: Bryan CurtisGuest: Joe BuckAssociate Producer: Erika Cervantes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices


