The Press Box

Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker dive into a new batch of Listener Mail. They break down the history of harsh obituaries (8:40), Mitt Romney’s latest Trump wrestling analogy (13:20), how to correctly write an oral history (21:40), 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: Lani Renaldo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker provide some media notes on the 2021 NBA playoffs. They weigh in on whether or not this will be a lesser NBA title than ones before (7:13), discuss their perceptions of the teams left (17:56), and how sports media has changed over the years (24:57). 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

Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker answer your Listener Mail and talk about the difference between Trump-era journalism and what we’re seeing today (4:08), Conan O’Brien stepping away from his talk show (9:33), and what an NBA team’s standing could mean for its reporters (15:11). Then, Michael Roston and Sabrina Imbler from The New York Times join for a postgame interview to discuss their clever headline about moray eels (27:16). Plus, the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week and David Shoemaker Guesses the Strained-Pun Headline. Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David ShoemakerGuests: Michael Roston and Sabrina ImblerAssociate Producer: Erika Cervantes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker are joined by NBC moderator Chuck Todd. They discuss the format of ‘Meet the Press,’ weigh in on the impacts of moving to streaming, and talk through the media’s coverage of the Trump era (7:06). Later, The Athletic’s Tim Cato joins to discuss his piece covering the Dallas Mavericks and their front office. He talks about the process of writing and sharing the story, the resignations of Rick Carlisle and Donnie Nelson, and Mark Cuban’s response (39:07). Plus, the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week and David Shoemaker Guesses the Strained-Pun Headline.Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David ShoemakerGuests: Chuck Todd and Tim CatoAssociate Producer: Erika Cervantes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker are opening the mailbag and answering your Listener Mail! They reflect on the life and career of journalist Janet Malcolm, and discuss how her work has impacted the field of journalism (8:30). Then, they answer your questions about The Athletic's Dallas Mavericks story revealing front-office troubles (24:30), weigh in on President Joe Biden's response to CNN reporter Kaitlan Collins (48:44), and add to the list of “only in journalism” words and phrases (54:50). 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

Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker are joined by Atlantic writer Edward-Isaac Dovere to talk about his book ‘Battle for the Soul.’ They discuss Dovere’s decision to write a campaign book (10:28) and the challenges that arose during the writing process (22:52) before brainstorming campaign-book power rankings (33:40). Plus, the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week and David Shoemaker Guesses the Strained-Pun Headline.Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David ShoemakerGuest: Edward-Isaac DovereAssociate Producer: Erika Cervantes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker are responding to Listener Mail. They answer your questions about Jeffrey Toobin’s return to CNN, athletes talking about vaccines, and “only in journalism” word nominees (8:55). Later, Peter Kiefer joins to discuss his profile of journalist Yashar Ali in Los Angeles Magazine (30:44). They touch on how this story came about, discuss Ali’s role within the media world, and hear what it was like talking with and interacting with Ali. Plus, the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week and David Shoemaker Guesses the Strained-Pun Headline.Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David ShoemakerGuest: Peter KieferAssociate Producer: Erika Cervantes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker are joined by CNN’s Brian Stelter to discuss his career in cable news, reporting on Fox, and his response to individuals such as Rob Schneider and Glenn Greenwald. Then they dive deeper into Stelter's book, ‘Hoax.’ Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David ShoemakerGuest: Brian StelterAssociate Producer: Erika Cervantes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker are opening up the mailbag and answering your Listener Mail! They discuss the race to publish a book about President Biden (12:30), weigh in on the discussion over television ratings (25:10), and touch on where the word “embroiled” fits in the dictionary of words used only in journalism (43:21). 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

Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker break down the news that Naomi Osaka has withdrawn from the French Open. They talk through the tournament's response to Osaka refusing to appear at press conferences, weigh in on the evolving coverage of athletes, and discuss how this type of situation has and could impact an athlete's relationship with the media.Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David ShoemakerAssociate Producer: Erika Cervantes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices