

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

Oct 28, 2021 • 48min
Sportswriter Ivan Maisel on His Son Max, Fatherhood, and Loss
Bryan is joined by sportswriter Ivan Maisel to discuss his book about his late son Max, ‘I Keep Trying to Catch His Eye.’ They discuss Max’s childhood and passions, the moment Maisel heard the news that his son might have died of suicide, talk through the grieving process, and touch on his decision to write this book. This podcast contains sensitive material about suicide. If you or anyone you know has thoughts of suicide, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.Host: Bryan CurtisGuest: Ivan MaiselAssociate Producer: Erika Cervantes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 25, 2021 • 39min
Katie Couric and the Cult of Sports Longform
Bryan and David talk through details of Katie Couric’s memoir such as how she withheld insensitive comments from an interview with Ruth Bader Ginsburg and how the media pitted Couric against other women in the industry (4:35). Then, they dissect Lindsey Adler’s tweet that addresses the repercussions of highlighting longform journalism and discuss how this specifically relates to sports writing (19:38). 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

Oct 21, 2021 • 50min
Media Movies: ‘The French Dispatch’ With Sean Fennessey
In preparation for the new Wes Anderson film, Bryan is joined by Sean Fennessey to break down the ‘The French Dispatch.’ They discuss all three features portrayed in the film and touch on how it stacks up among journalism movies. Host: Bryan CurtisGuest: Sean FennesseyAssociate Producer: Erika Cervantes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 18, 2021 • 55min
Twenty Years of ‘PTI’ and Nick Kristof Is Running for Governor?
Bryan and David discuss the 20-year anniversary of 'Pardon the Interruption' and highlight the layout of the show, the chemistry between Michael Wilbon and Tony Kornheiser, and touch on how the show has changed the sports talk landscape (7:05). Later, they break down Nick Kristof’s decision to leave his job at The New York Times to run for governor of Oregon (32:35). 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

Oct 15, 2021 • 1h 23min
How to be a Music Critic With The New Yorker’s Kelefa Sanneh
Bryan and David break down the recent NFL/NBA Insider controversy and touch on recent news involving Adam Schefter sharing an unpublished story with a source (0:40). Later, Bryan is joined by music critic Kelefa Sanneh to discuss how he got his start, what it’s like discovering and writing music criticism for a new genre, and what we can learn from subgenres in his new book, ‘Major Labels’ (19:06).Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David ShoemakerGuest: Kelefa SannehAssociate Producer: Erika Cervantes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 11, 2021 • 59min
The Bad Art Friend and Covering Urban Meyer
Bryan and David break down Robert Kolker's story "Who Is the Bad Art Friend?" and weigh in on the moral arguments posed by the story (6:48). Later, they discuss how the media covered the Urban Meyer video (38:55) and answer more Listener Mail. 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

Oct 8, 2021 • 1h 8min
How to Be a Sports Radio Host With Ryen Russillo
Bryan is joined by The Ringer’s Ryen Russillo to discuss his career as a sports radio host dating back to his time at 1510 The Zone in Boston (1:53), his transition from local to national radio (42:54), and the differences between hosting a radio show and hosting a podcast (52:06). Host: Bryan CurtisGuest: Ryen RussilloAssociate Producer: Erika Cervantes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 4, 2021 • 1h 4min
The Fall of Ozy and the Return of Jon Stewart
Bryan and David talk through the timeline of Ozy Media and touch on what led to its collapse (5:25) before discussing how the return of Jon Stewart and his new Apple TV+ show could be received in the modern media landscape (29:02). Plus: "Only in Journalism" Words, Overworked Twitter Jokes 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

Oct 1, 2021 • 1h 10min
Eric Schlosser on the 20th Anniversary of 'Fast Food Nation'
Bryan is joined by journalist and author Eric Schlosser to discuss the 20th anniversary of his book ‘Fast Food Nation.’ They talk through the process of turning his magazine story into a book (2:49), discuss what it was like reporting on the fast food industry from talking to the founder of Carl's Jr. to going undercover at a slaughterhouse (30:20), and then consider how this book has aged 20 years later (1:00:35).Host: Bryan CurtisGuest: Eric SchlosserAssociate Producer: Erika Cervantes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 27, 2021 • 46min
The Cult of Jen Psaki and the Era of Mass Fame
Bryan and David dissect Chris Hayes’s piece in The New Yorker, "On the Internet, We’re Always Famous." They discuss how the internet has changed our social life and talk through how it's brought us to an “era of mass fame” (0:31). Then, they talk about the cult of Jen Psaki and her role as both White House press secretary and social media sensation (22:38). 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