

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

Sep 24, 2021 • 40min
Gabby Petito Coverage, ESPN and Gambling, and a Terrible Emmys Question
Bryan and David open up the mailbag and answer your Listener Mail. They talk through the Gabby Petito coverage (5:15), weigh in on ESPN’s high-profile employees investing in gambling (14:00), discuss how members of the media consume content (30:35), and much more! 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

Sep 20, 2021 • 52min
How Does Bob Woodward Do It? Plus: Politico and “Off the Record.”
David Shoemaker is a married man! After discussing the nuptials, Bryan and David touch on ‘Peril,’ the latest Bob Woodward book, co-authored by Robert Costa (6:00). Then they dive into Politico’s "OFF THE RECORD" debacle (25:30) and charging a fee to be on podcasts (34:22). Plus, the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week and David Shoemaker Guesses the Strained-Pun Headline.Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker Associate Producer: Lani Renaldo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 17, 2021 • 45min
Listener Mail on the Rules of Journalism, Elizabeth Holmes’s Trial, and an In-Season ‘Hard Knocks’
Bryan and David answer your Listener Mail and discuss how the rules of journalism are approached (0:36), react to the reporting about the “concerned citizen” at Elizabeth Holmes’s trial (21:42), touch on what an in-season version of 'Hard Knocks' could look like (29:21), and much more! 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

Sep 14, 2021 • 41min
Peyton and Eli Manning Do 'Monday Night Football'
Bryan is joined by The Ringer's Kevin Clark to break down Peyton and Eli Manning's 'Monday Night Football' broadcast. They discuss the chemistry between the brothers, talk through which elements were a hit or miss, and predict how this type of broadcast could impact broadcast television moving forward. Host: Bryan CurtisGuest: Kevin ClarkAssociate Producer: Erika Cervantes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 13, 2021 • 42min
NFL Media Overreactions? Plus, Listener Mail on Newscaster Pronunciations and Overused Headlines.
Bryan and David recap Week 1 NFL media reactions and address the self-aware overreactions (5:23). Then they answer more Listener Mail and discuss newscaster pronunciations (22:10), overused headlines (25:06), and the transition to digital edition covers in journalism (33:21). 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

Sep 10, 2021 • 57min
Listener Mail on Hatchet Jobs, Trump’s Sports Commentary, and the NFL Network Adding Rachel Bonnetta and Gambling
Bryan and David answer your Listener Mail and talk through the piece “The Dying Art of the Hatchet Job” (0:35), touch on former president Trump providing an alternate audio feed for the Holyfield-Belfort fight (40:12), and discuss the news that Rachel Bonnetta will join the NFL Network and focus on legalized sports betting content (43:29). 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

Sep 2, 2021 • 1h 11min
James B. Stewart and Tom Junod on Writing About 9/11
Twenty years have passed since 9/11. Writers Tom Junod and James B. Stewart stop by to remember and reflect on the events of that day. Bryan talks with Stewart to discuss his 2002 New Yorker piece, "The Real Heroes Are Dead," which follows Rick Rescorla—former soldier, officer, security specialist, and hero who helped save thousands of lives on 9/11—through his love story with his wife, Susan (0:53). Later, Tom Junod stops by to talk through his 2003 Esquire piece that focuses on the infamous picture of "The Falling Man." They discuss how the story came about, why finding the identity of the man in the photo was important, and how the story is received years later (27:40)."The Real Heroes Are Dead" https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2002/02/11/the-real-heroes-are-dead"The Falling Man" https://www.esquire.com/news-politics/a48031/the-falling-man-tom-junod/Host: Bryan CurtisGuests: James B. Stewart and Tom JunodAssociate Producer: Erika Cervantes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 30, 2021 • 33min
Covering Hurricane Ida
Bryan and David break down the ongoing coverage of Hurricane Ida as they discuss how social media and new technology are being used to relay footage and enhance reporting. Then, they weigh in on how these clips and updates are circulating throughout the news. Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David ShoemakerAssociate Producer: Erika Cervantes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 27, 2021 • 55min
Listener Mail on Rachel Nichols, Stephen A. Smith, and the Future of Sports Coverage
Bryan and David open up the mailbag and answer your Listener Mail. They discuss the removal of Rachel Nichols from NBA programming (0:38), talk through Stephen A. Smith’s vision for ESPN (8:55), weigh in on 'Monday Night Football' coverage for the upcoming season (22:20), and more!Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David ShoemakerAssociate Producer: Erika Cervantes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 24, 2021 • 47min
When Will Sports TV Start Sounding More Like a Podcast?
Bryan and David discuss the question: When will sports TV start to sound more like a podcast? They weigh in on the difference between the television and podcast art forms and the difference between the spheres of fame on both platforms. Then they talk through the evolution of television. Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David ShoemakerAssociate Producer: Erika Cervantes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices