The Press Box

Bryan and Joel discuss the whirlwind of coverage around the killing of Charlie Kirk (1:13) before they give updates on the Trump vs. The Wall Street Journal saga (23:32), the extension for ESPN's 'Pardon the Interruption' (29:59), Rupert Murdoch's succession plan  (38:54), the reporter caught in the middle of the college football AP poll outrage (44:50), and Adam Silver's puzzling comments about NBA viewers (53:52). Hosts: Bryan Curtis and Joel AndersonProducer: Kyle Crichton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hello, media consumers! Bryan and David discuss news from CBS News, including more issues with edited interviews and Bari Weiss’s reported arrival (0:20). Then, they get into a tense moment on ‘Get Up!’ between Ryan Clark and Peter Schrager, some audio from NFL Week 1, J.J. Watt’s broadcast debut, and more (12:28). They also share their thoughts on the new Peacock series ‘The Paper’, a puzzling news story about the Treasury Secretary, and more (37:33). Plus, the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week, and David Shoemaker Guesses the Strained-Pun Headline! Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David ShoemakerProducer: Kyle Crichton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hello media consumers! Joel and Bryan discuss some of their many takeaways from the Eagles-Cowboys NFL opener (5:35), and a NFL TV preview covering Mike Tirico's first Super Bowl, the RedZone ad crisis, Tom Brady's second year at FOX, and J.J. Watt moving to the CBS booth (22:44). Then in a new edition of 25 for '25, Joel talks with Domonique Foxworth about the future of player media! They discuss Domonique's career path from player to sports business to sports media, the changing relationship with current players and journalists/media members, the "nerdification" of football coverage, what he has learned about debate shows, and more (40:18). Finally, Bryan and Joel close the show by reconnecting for a brief interview postgame (1:35:37). Hosts: Bryan Curtis and Joel AndersonProducer: Kyle Crichton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hello, media consumers! Bryan and David share some notes from Lee Corso's emotional 'College GameDay' sign-off and a new edition of "Manning face" (0:20), before they react to some sounds from the weekend in college football, including Florida State's upset win over Alabama and Bill Belichick and UNC's blowout loss to TCU. They also get into Charles Barkley's important questions about 'Inside the NBA' on ESPN, Cam Newton vs. Stephen A. and introduce a new segment that aims to follow the many Democrats who could run for president in 2028 (7:40). Finally, they discuss Jerry Jones's decision to trade Micah Parsons away from the Dallas Cowboys before seemingly forgetting his name, a final Cracker Barrel update, a Media Piss Test, and some more tortured acronym nominations (32:15). Plus, the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week and David Shoemaker Guesses the Strained-Pun Headline! Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker Producer: Kyle Crichton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adc

Hello, media consumers! Bryan and Joel begin today’s show with J-School, talking about Cam Newton’s new expanded role at ESPN and some criticisms of the Cowboys documentary. Then they dive into the headlines, discussing Doris Burke’s demotion at ESPN (13:58), a mega college football TV preview (21:51), and much more.Hosts: Bryan Curtis and Joel AndersonProducer: Isaiah Blakely Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hello, media consumers! Bryan and David open up the show by talking about Rich Eisen’s return to the 'SportsCenter' desk. Then they discuss a report that Dave Portnoy was banned from Ohio Stadium (6:17) and talk about the state of local film critics (16:50). They also check in on their MS NOW challenge (31:28) and run through the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week before Bryan is joined by Michael M. Grynbaum of The New York Times. They discuss his new book: 'Empire of the Elite: Inside Condé Nast, the Media Dynasty That Reshaped America.' They talk about the history and future of Condé Nast, the company that owns Vogue, Vanity Fair, and The New Yorker (45:54). Finally, David guesses the Strained Pun Headline of the Week (1:18:57)!Hosts: Bryan Cutis and David ShoemakerGuest: Michael M. GrynbaumProducer: Isaiah Blakely Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hello, media consumers! Ahead of Lee Corso's final appearance on College Gameday, Bryan and Joel briefly talk about the history of College Gameday and what has made Corso such a special figure for almost 40 years. Then, Bryan is joined by Kirk Herbstreit to talk about how he got on College Gameday, what his relationship with Corso has been like over the years, and so much more (9:44). Later, Bryan and Joel wrap up with some more thoughts on what Herbstreit said, and they talk about how Gameday became the show we know it as today. Hosts: Bryan Curtis and Joel AndersonGuest: Kirk HerbstreitProducers: Isaiah Blakely and Kyle Crichton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hello, media consumers! Bryan and Joel start this Dallas Cowboys–centric show with their thoughts on Netflix’s ‘America’s Team’ documentary. They reminisce about the ’90s era of football and the media landscape then, discuss people’s affection for the Cowboys, and talk about why the documentary works. Next, Bryan and Joel welcome longtime reporter Ed Werder to discuss what it was like covering the Cowboys in the ’90s. They talk about how competitive the Cowboys beat was, how Jerry thought about reporters, and Werder's most memorable moment with Charles Haley (23:30). Finally, Bryan and Joel close the show with their reporting war stories about Michael Irvin and Emmitt Smith (1:08:33). Hosts: Bryan Curtis and Joel Anderson Guest: Ed Werder Producer: Kyle Williams Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hello, media consumers! Bryan and David discuss the end of summer and showing pop culture treasures from their youth to their children. Then they tackle the headlines, starting with the MSNBC rebrand (8:30), before talking about a Rolling Stone article about the death of the narrative podcast (26:28). Then in the notebook dump, they talk about what’s been going on with Gavin Newsom’s Twitter account (40:20), the UFC deal (46:49), sheep puns, and David guesses the strained pun headline of the week. Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David ShoemakerProducer: Isaiah BlakelyAdditional Music: Epidemic Sound, Anna Landström, Anna Dager, and Hanna Ekström Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hello media consumers! It’s a Monday show on a Thursday! Bryan fills David in on his Connecticut hotdog tour earlier this week (0:16), before discussing Taylor Swift’s appearance on Travis and Jason Kelce’s ‘New Heights’ podcast, and a few thoughts on Monday’s Jimmy Pitaro interview (11:23). Then they run through the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week, two new entries of Worst Question Ever Asked at the White House, rumors of Howard Stern and SirusXM parting ways, Oklahoma selling ‘postgame media access’ to fans, and loads more (38:20)! Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker Producer: Kyle Crichton  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hello, media consumers! Bryan heads to the ESPN HQ in Bristol, Connecticut, to sit down with ESPN's chairman, Jimmy Pitaro. They discuss the highly anticipated launch of ESPN's direct-to-consumer app, the massive deals ESPN made with the NFL and WWE, hiring talent vs. developing talent, preparing for ESPN's first Super Bowl, the state of ESPN in 2025, and more. Host: Bryan CurtisGuest: Jimmy PitaroProducer: Kyle Crichton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hello, media consumers! Bryan and Joel start the show with J-School, discussing the new threats to the Voting Rights Act of 1965 as well as the ongoing Texas redistricting fight (01:43). Next, they dive into some headlines, starting with the deals made by ESPN this week. First, they go through all the details from the ESPN-NFL deal, including what properties ESPN acquired from the NFL, and they debate whether Donald Trump will try to interfere (13:40). After, they break down the WWE’s deal with ESPN, who acquired the rights to air all of WWE’s live premium events starting in 2026 (30:30). They then move on to how Shams Charania has affected the NBA media since Woj retired and LeBron James's dwindling power in the news cycle (35:27). Lastly, Bryan and Joel discuss the New York Post’s announcement that a sister publication will be coming out west (45:28). Hosts: Bryan Curtis and Joel AndersonProducer: Jessie Lopez Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hello, media consumers! Bryan and Davis recount their trip to Part 2 of SummerSlam last night (0:20) before tackling some headlines, including ESPN and NFL moving forward with their proposed blockbuster media deal, more heavy hitters leaving The Washington Post, and an upcoming Kamala Harris book (22:00). They also discuss Bryan's brief time in used-book heaven at the Brattle Book Shop in Boston, and offer a remembrance of his Uncle Rod (44:15). Plus, the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week and David Shoemaker Guesses the Strained-Pun Headline! Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David ShoemakerProducer: Kyle Crichton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hello, media consumers! Joel Anderson is joined by Bomani Jones to discuss a few media headlines, including ESPN's decision to part ways with Shannon Sharpe and the serious gambling allegations against Gilbert Arenas (4:09), before they look at the future (or lack thereof) of sports television, being a generalist vs. a specialist in 2025, the rise of "grifter content," and more (24:50). Finally, Joels closes the show with a lightning round of questions for Bomani (52:42). Host: Joel AndersonGuest: Bomani JonesProducer: Kyle Crichton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hello, media consumers! Bryan and David cover some headlines, including the approval of the Paramount-SkyDance merger, a discouraging new study about google searches and AI, Bill Belichick rapidly approaching his first game as a college head coach, the WaPo exodus (cont.), and more (9:45), Then, they discuss the wide-ranging obituaries of the late Hulk Hogan, "obit wars" whenever a complex figure passes away, and Hulk Hogan vs. Gawker in the early 2010s (27:15). Plus, an addition to the "Only in Journalism" vocabulary list, and David Shoemaker Guesses the Strained Pun Headline 'The Mortal Hulk Hogan' by David Shoemaker Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David ShoemakerProducer: Kyle Crichton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hello, media consumers! Bryan and Joel start the show with J-School, reexamining Zach Baron's interview on profile writing, before discussing the news of Hulk Hogan's death at the age of 71 (1:03). Next, they run through some headlines, including the possible marriage of ESPN and the NFL, what exactly is going on regarding the Epstein files, and Hunter Biden's three-plus-hour-long interview with Channel 5's Andrew Callaghan (14:07). Finally, they discuss Pat McAfee's belated apology and Jon Stewart's reaction to Paramount dropping 'The Late Show' (53:21) before making some weekend recommendations. Hosts: Bryan Curtis and Joel AndersonProducer: Kyle Crichton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hello, media consumers! Bryan and David discuss dueling theories on why Paramount decided to cancel 'The Late Show With Stephen Colbert,' NPR and PBS losing federal funding, The Wall Street Journal's Trump/Epstein scoop, and FS1's shake-up that leaves Joy Taylor out and 'Barstool Sports' in (8:42). Then, Bryan is joined by David Marchese of The New York Times to discuss his extensive history of interviewing, his preparation process, the future of the format, how podcasts changed his approach to conducting interviews, and stories from some of his favorite subjects, including Norm Macdonald, Nicolas Cage, and more (41:48). Finally, stick around for David Shoemaker Guesses the Strained Pun Headline (1:28:50). Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David ShoemakerGuest: David MarcheseProducer: Kyle Crichton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hello, media consumers! Bryan is joined by GQ’s Zach Baron to discuss every aspect of celebrity profiling: how they are “brokered”; the process of interviewing; some of his past subjects, including Martin Scorsese, Brendan Fraser, and Tilda Swinton; and more. Then Bryan asks the following question: “Is the celebrity profile dead or dying?” Host: Bryan CurtisGuest: Zach BaronProducer: Kyle Crichton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hello, media consumers! Bryan is joined by Sean Fennessey to discuss the future of owning physical media! (3:30) Magazines(17:55) Blu-Rays and DVDs(25:32) Books(34:47) Newspapers(50:11) CDs and vinyl Host: Bryan CurtisGuest: Sean FennesseyProducer: Kyle Crichton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bryan and Joel discuss the Texas flash floods, how the story hits them as parents and Texans, the slow trickle of information, defensive posturing from Texas leadership, misinformation gaining traction online, and more. Host: Bryan Curtis and Joel AndersonProducer: Kyle Crichton Texas Deserves Far Better Than This by Joel Anderson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices