
The Press Box
The Ringer’s Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker catch you up on the biggest media stories, from sports to politics and everything in between.
Latest episodes

Nov 11, 2024 • 1h 7min
Democratic Postmortems, the Media's Non-Predictive Powers, and WaPo Editors Say: ‘Back to Work!’
In this lively discussion, the hosts tackle the Washington Post's shifts back to office life and the implications for journalism. They humorously ponder Stephen A. Smith's potential presidential bid and the evolving landscape of media as podcasts merge with traditional outlets. NFL commentary gets a comedic twist, and the hosts analyze the complexities of political narratives as the next election looms. Plus, they share the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week and engage in witty banter about journalism's unique challenges.

Nov 7, 2024 • 51min
How Donald Trump Won With Semafor’s David Weigel
David Weigel, a Semafor journalist known for his insights on presidential candidates, dives into the dynamics of Trump's victory. They discuss how Twitter became a pro-Trump platform and its role in shaping campaign narratives. The conversation touches on the missed opportunities for Kamala Harris and the significance of podcast appearances in modern campaigning. Weigel emphasizes the need for Democrats to adapt their media strategies to engage effectively with voters in this evolving political landscape.

Nov 6, 2024 • 46min
The Day-After-the-Election Podcast: Donald Trump Will Be President Again
A fresh voice joins the discussion as the hosts tackle the aftermath of Donald Trump's unexpected reelection. They explore the psychological impact of political division on voters and delve into the complexities of election analysis, contrasting anecdotal evidence with hard data. The conversation expands to the future of resistance movements against Trump's influence and examines how his presidency might reshape media subscriptions. Additionally, they critique the evolving relationship between politicians and the media, highlighting challenges in accountability and voter engagement.

Nov 6, 2024 • 38min
The Inconclusive Election Night Pod
Bryan and David dive into the chaotic atmosphere of an inconclusive election night. They discuss the impact of the Harris campaign and the shifting narratives around Trump and key battleground states. A lively critique of election coverage highlights the challenges and quirks of live reporting and viewer engagement. The hosts navigate confusing election terminology while making comparisons to sports commentary. Plus, there's a lighthearted look at media personalities' outfit choices that adds a dash of humor to the serious themes.

7 snips
Nov 4, 2024 • 1h 10min
The Election Day Eve Pod: The Selzer Poll, Pre-Recriminations, and a Wave of Democratic Despair Became Overconfidence
As Election Day approaches, the hosts discuss the predictions from the Selzer Poll and the wild emotional landscape of political fervor. They dive into intriguing pre-recriminations about Democratic figures and highlight the chaos of media responses, including a significant subscriber drop for a major outlet. The impact of endorsements gets a humorous twist as they explore celebrity influences and the complexities of political theater, with a nod to Trump's wrestling-like approach to campaigning.

8 snips
Oct 31, 2024 • 49min
Astead Herndon on Kamala Harris’s Closing Argument, Donald Trump’s Madison Square Garden Rally, and The Washington Post’s Non-endorsement
Hello, media consumers! As we are five days from the election, Bryan welcomes back Astead Herndon of The New York Times to discuss the following:
How the Democrats feel with five days left (1:14)
Donald Trump’s MSG rally (8:48)
The number of vibes stories during this election (12:20)
The Washington Post's decision not to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris (36:57)
Plus, David Shoemaker Guesses the Strained-Pun Headline.Host: Bryan CurtisGuest: Astead HerndonProducer: Brian H. Waters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 28, 2024 • 1h 1min
A Stunning Non-Endorsement, World Series Walk-Off Calls, and a Visit to the Set of ‘Good Morning Football’
The hosts dive deep into the surprising decision by prominent newspapers to withhold endorsements in the presidential race, stirring debates on media integrity. They explore Kamala Harris's star-studded campaign event in Houston and analyze Trump's controversial Madison Square Garden rally. Baseball fans get excited as the best Dodgers World Series walk-off calls are revisited. Plus, there’s an entertaining behind-the-scenes glimpse of the 'Good Morning Football' set, highlighting the camaraderie that makes sports commentary come alive.

Oct 24, 2024 • 50min
Chris Ryan on Election News, the Campaign As a TV Show, and Growing Up to Be a Critic
Hello, media consumers! Bryan welcomes Chris Ryan, host of The Ringer’s 'The Watch' and 'The Rewatchables,' to the show! They discuss how they are consuming election news in the final stretch (0:46). They also react to Mark Halperin’s claim of a scoop that could change the election (8:12) and Tucker Carlson comparing Donald Trump to America’s Dad (9:35).Later they get into some ways this election seems like a television show (14:50).They close the show with Chris’s background in journalism, growing up with a dad who was a film critic and transitioning into podcasting (29:35).Plus, David Shoemaker Guesses the Strained-Pun Headline of the Week.Host: Bryan CurtisGuest: Chris Ryan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 22, 2024 • 1h 6min
The Campaign’s Final Stretch, the Tom Brady Rules, and New York Times Flexes
Tune in for a lively recap of the Texas-Georgia football game and the vibrant culture surrounding college football. Hear insights on the final stretch of the presidential race between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, with a focus on quirky campaign strategies. Dive into media challenges, featuring discussions on Olivia Nuzzi's latest updates and the impact of Tom Brady on sports commentary. Plus, enjoy humorous takes on the evolving landscape of journalism and the creative norms of wearing sports jerseys.

Oct 17, 2024 • 44min
Kamala Harris Vs. Bret Baier, Who Will Run the Next Administration, and Being a Campaign Embed With NOTUS’s Jasmine Wright
Dive into the intriguing dynamics of Kamala Harris's campaign as she faces off against Donald Trump. Explore her recent interview and how she navigates confrontational media settings while tackling unique challenges as a Black woman in politics. Discover the stealthy planning of her transition team and the strategic maneuvers designed to win over undecided voters. Plus, hear insights on the journey into political journalism from an embedded reporter, complete with tales of fast-paced reporting and the importance of fostering genuine source relationships.