

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

Apr 25, 2022 • 1h 11min
How to Watch the NFL Draft, RIP CNN+, and Who’s Afraid of ‘Winning Time’?
Bryan and David discuss the three-day-long NFL draft, starting with what we saw at the combine, the increase in media coverage, and they weigh in on prospect Kayvon Thibodeaux and the recruiting process (13:31). Later, they break down the news that Elon Musk will be buying Twitter for $44 billion, examine Jerry West’s case against the HBO producers of ‘Winning Time,’ and wrap things up with a farewell to CNN+ (35:58). 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

Apr 20, 2022 • 1h 11min
Kevin Harlan on the NBA Playoffs, His First Job, Grading His Work, and the Superglue Protest
Bryan is joined by sports announcer Kevin Harlan to discuss his journey working in the sports media industry. They touch on Kevin’s first job out of college for the Kansas City Kings, discuss the opportunities that calling an NBA game provides compared to calling other sports, talk about the importance of watching your own film, and weigh in on the first round of the 2022 NBA playoffs.Host: Bryan CurtisGuest: Kevin HarlanAssociate Producer: Erika Cervantes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 18, 2022 • 55min
NBA Playoffs Notes, the Horror of the Replay Review, and the USFL’s “Why” Problem
Bryan and David react to the first round of the NBA playoffs and discuss the Kyrie Irving drama, buzzer-beaters and replay reviews, and the play-in tournament’s impact on the sport (7:47). Then, they break down the USFL’s return, highlight another Media Piss Test, and weigh in on the Announcer Voice (35:42). 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

Apr 13, 2022 • 1h 19min
Peter Schrager on the NFL Draft, Auditioning for 'Dream Job,' and Calling in to WFAN. Plus, the LA Times' Dan Woike on Covering the Doomed Lakers.
In advance of the 2022 NFL draft, Bryan is joined by Peter Schrager to break down his career in sports media, his transition to television, the NFL draft coverage, and media draft cliches (1:38). Later, Dan Woike joins to discuss reporting on this season’s Los Angeles Lakers, from Russell Westbrook joining the team to the post-game interactions between reporters and athletes (44:02).Host: Bryan CurtisGuests: Peter Schrager and Dan WoikeAssociate Producer: Erika Cervantes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 11, 2022 • 52min
Tiger and the Masters, Instant Obits, and Luring Reporters Back to Work
Bryan and David break down Tiger Woods’s return to golf, the discourse surrounding his career, and interesting TV moments from the 2022 Masters (10:46). Later, they discuss the awful death of Dwayne Haskins, former NFL quarterback, and weigh in on Adam Schefter’s tweets that broke the news (30:44). 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

Apr 6, 2022 • 1h 12min
Ian Eagle on NBA Announcing, Being a Comedian's Son, First-Game Flop Sweat, and Going 10 Years Without a Mistake
Bryan is joined by CBS’s Ian Eagle to discuss his career as a sports play-by-play announcer. They dive into Eagle’s background growing up with a singer mother and a comedian father, discuss his experience announcing basketball at Syracuse to the professional level, touch on Marv Albert’s influence, and more!Host: Bryan CurtisGuest: Ian EagleAssociate Producer: Erika Cervantes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 4, 2022 • 55min
Covering 'WrestleMania,' ESPN Re-Signs the Insiders, and Tiger at the Masters
Bryan and David are in Fort Worth, Texas, to break down 'WrestleMania 38.' They talk about covering the event, the impact the sport has had on other forms of media, and discuss the art of wrestling (4:29). Later, they discuss the news that ESPN re-signed Adam Schefter and Woj, weigh in on the Tiger Woods tease ahead of the Masters, and touch on more sports reporting (33:05). 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

Mar 30, 2022 • 1h 2min
The WWE’s Michael Cole on ‘WrestleMania,’ His Career in News, Great Announcers of the Past, and the Art of Calling a Match
Bryan is joined by WWE announcer Michael Cole in advance of ‘WrestleMania 38.’ They discuss Cole’s former role at CBS News, his transition to announcing for WWE, the mechanics in calling matches, his relationships with former and current announcers and wrestlers, and much more!Host: Bryan CurtisGuest: Michael ColeAssociate Producer: Erika Cervantes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 28, 2022 • 37min
The Oscars Win Worst Editing. Plus, the Final Four and “Who Wants to Be an F1 Analyst?”
Bryan and David talk through the altercation between Will Smith and Chris Rock at the Oscars and discuss how the Academy handled the broadcast (3:10). Later, they break down the NCAA tournament and highlight the commoditizing of buzzer-beaters and Cinderella stories (24:58). Then they introduce a new feature, Who Wants to Be an F1 Analyst?, in which they spotlight media types who share the newfound interest in analyzing the sport (29:36). 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

Mar 25, 2022 • 35min
CNN Dives Into Streaming, Brutally Honest Oscar Ballots, and a Twitter Time Machine
Bryan and David discuss the new streaming service on the market, CNN+. They break down the content it will provide, including shows featuring Wolf Blitzer, Anderson Cooper, and more, and then address how this transition will affect the way we consume live news (0:33). Then, they touch on The Hollywood Reporter’s "Brutally Honest Oscar Ballot No.3," in which another anonymous member of the Academy has come forward to discuss their honest thoughts on the Oscar nominees (20:33). Plus, the Overworked Twitter Joke 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