The Press Box

Latest Episodes:

Covering Venezuela, CBS’s Anchor Du Jour, and a Pile of Football Audio Jan 07, 2026

Show notes

Hello, media consumers! Bryan is joined by Joel today to discuss the regime change in Venezuela (07:57), including CNN’s coverage of this news. Next, the guys examine the start of the Tony Dokoupil era at CBS News (26:50). They dive into who he is, why he was picked, and more. Then, Bryan and Joel take a look at CBS News’ newly released values (36:27) before giving their takes on the 60 Minutes story Bari Weiss spiked (45:03). Today’s show is rounded out by some football audio from this past weekend (49:45) and a conversation about NFL announcers’ side hustles (1:00:31).

Plus, the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week, and Joel Anderson Guesses the Strained-Pun Headline!

Hosts: Bryan Curtis and Joel Anderson

Producer: Bruce Baldwin

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The Holiday Mailbag Episode Dec 29, 2025

Show notes

Hello, media consumers! Today's episode is a special holiday mailbag episode wherein Bryan and Joel answer your questions, as well as some they have for each other. The show starts out with a discussion about what media they enjoy in their free time (02:29) before they dive into questions like “What was the most overcovered story this year?” (12:06), “What publication would you bring back from the grave?” (24:16), and “What are your favorite book finds of the last five years?” (40:45). All that and more, here on The Press Box.

Hosts: Bryan Curtis and Joel Anderson

Producer: Bruce Baldwin

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The People Who Shaped the Media in 2025 Dec 22, 2025

Show notes

Hello, media consumers! Today’s episode is a special year-end edition of The Press Box where Bryan is joined not only by David but by Joel as well! Bryan, David, and Joel come together to discuss the 12 people who shaped the media in 2025, in no particular order. The show starts out with Joel and David meeting each other for the first time, followed immediately by a dive into the first person on their list (02:47). The guys execute a three-man weave, discussing and sharing their thoughts on the 12 people they think shaped the media in 2025, including Donald Trump, Pablo Torre, and Bari Weiss. The show ends with Bryan, David, and Joel giving some 2026 predictions (1:41:58). All that and more, here on The Press Box.

No. 1 - (02:47)

No. 2 - (11:02)

No. 3 - (18:10)

No. 4 - (24:58)

No. 5 - (38:22)

No. 6 - (52:57)

No. 7 - (1:03:21)

No. 8 - (1:11:49)

No. 9 - (1:23:05)

No. 10 - (1:27:26)

No. 11 - (1:33:53)

No. 12 - (1:36:00)

Hosts: Bryan Curtis, David Shoemaker, and Joel Anderson

Producer: Bruce Baldwin

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More Susie Wiles Fallout, YouTube and the Oscars, and Another Round of Jolabokaflod Dec 18, 2025

Show notes

Hello, media consumers! Bryan and Joel come together today to celebrate Jolabokaflod! They open their Jolabokaflod gifts for each other before discussing President Donald Trump’s intense TV speech from last night (09:01). Next, Joel gets a chance to share his thoughts on Vanity Fair’s big new feature on Trump’s chief of staff, Susie Wiles (16:11). Next, the guys dive into the Sherrone Moore–Michigan saga and give their thoughts on Adam Schefter's take on the situation (29:15). Following that, Bryan and Joel examine how a video made by Senator Mark Kelly ricocheted from Stephen Miller’s X account to the Pentagon (38:16). The show ends with the guys' reactions to the Oscars' move to YouTube (46:04).

Plus, a few more Only-in-Podcasting clichés on our way out the door for the holidays.

Hosts: Bryan Curtis and Joel Anderson

Producer: Bruce Baldwin

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Trump’s Chief of Staff Speaks, Reporting on Rob Reiner’s Killing, and a Jolabokaflod Book Exchange Dec 17, 2025

Show notes

Hello, media consumers! Bryan and David come together today to celebrate Jolabokaflod! The show opens with David opening his gifts from Bryan before they dive into their thoughts on Vanity Fair’s big new feature on Trump’s chief of staff, Susie Wiles (13:03). Next, the guys listen to some of this past weekend's football audio, with a touch of some wrestling audio at the end (23:33). After that, Bryan and David examine the way the media reported on the homicide of Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner, followed by Trump’s response to Reiner's death (32:44). The show ends with today’s Notebook Dump, where they comb through mullets in journalism (47:51).

Plus, the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week, and David Shoemaker Guesses the Strained-Pun Headline!

Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker

Producer: Bruce Baldwin

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Trump and CNN’s Fate, Another Telos-Novela, and the New Diddy Documentary Dec 12, 2025

Show notes

Hello, media consumers! Bryan and Joel start the show by discussing the future of CNN, including President Trump’s possible involvement in its sale, the assurances David Ellison reportedly made to Trump if he bought it, and what an Ellison-owned CNN would look like (01:10). Next, the guys talk about the Laura Rutledge—Justin Herbert post-game situation, and Bryan explains how he would fix the post-game interview (13:25). Then, Bryan and Joel dissect Part 5 of Ryan Lizza’s Telos-Novela (29:02), before giving their takes on the media outrage towards the College Football Playoff bracket (39:46). Lastly, the show ends with Bryan and Joel diving into their thoughts on the new Diddy documentary, 'Sean Combs: The Reckoning.' (50:23)

Hosts: Bryan Curtis and Joel Anderson

Producer: Bruce Baldwin

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CNN’s Fate, Trump’s Naughty List, Being Mad at the College Football Playoff, and Only in (Podcast) Journalism Dec 09, 2025

Show notes

Hello, media consumers! Bryan and David start the show by discussing Olivia Nuzzi and Vanity Fair parting ways as her contract ends, what this means for Ryan Lizza’s Substack, and whether Nuzzi will ever get another mainstream media job. Next, the guys dive into the Warner Brothers–Netflix–Paramount situation by breaking down the possible outcomes (15:28), before asking whether CNN would be better off on its own or under the Paramount umbrella (21:02). After that, Bryan and David analyze this year’s College Football Playoff bracket and the role that ESPN’s weekly ‘College Football Rankings Show’ now plays in the sport itself (23:53). Lastly, the show ends with talk of the White House’s newly launched webpage, which shames news outlets and reporters that publish stories it disagrees with (39:54).

Plus, the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week, Only in Podcast Journalism, and David Shoemaker Guesses the Strained-Pun Headline!

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The American Canto Book Club, ESPN and Lane Kiffin, and Covering the NFL During the Holidays Dec 05, 2025

Show notes

Hello, media consumers! Bryan and Joel start the show with their thoughts on Olivia Nuzzi’s newly released book, 'American Canto,' including what they did and did not like about it. Bryan gives a short summary of the book before asking Joel questions not only about 'American Canto', but about what the future holds for Nuzzi now that the book is out. Next, Bryan and Joel dive into the Lane Kiffin—Ole Miss situation(53:45), and whether Jimmy Sexton and CAA had involvement in a certain 'College GameDay' segment this week (1:02:40). Lastly, the show rounds out with the guys’ thoughts on Paul Finebaum deciding to not run for U.S. Senate, and their takeaways from Erin Andrews’s message to sports media hopefuls (01:08:19). All that and so much more, here on the Press Box.

Hosts: Bryan Curtis and Joel Anderson

Producer: Bruce Baldwin

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The December Issue: Can The New Yorker Survive Another Century? Dec 01, 2025

Show notes

Hello, media consumers! Welcome to the first in a monthly series of special episodes in which we take an in-depth look at a single subject and then interview a guest to help us understand that subject. This month’s subject is The New Yorker magazine and our guest is its editor, David Remnick.

This month’s issue kicks off with a discussion between Bryan and David about Netflix’s new documentary on The New Yorker, ‘The New Yorker at 100,’ including what they both liked (02:54) and disliked about it (11:43). Next, they recall their first interactions with The New Yorker (16:08) and then dive into the history of the magazine (22:31). Bryan and David then contemplate some questions about the magazine, including, “If you were stuck on a desert island, whose New Yorker collected works would you pick?” (29:36), “What is your favorite New Yorker cover?” (36:31), "What movie or TV show to come out of The New Yorker would you pick?” (45:20), and more. David and Bryan finish their discussion by asking “Can The New Yorker survive another century?”(59:21). The December Issue winds down with an interview with New Yorker editor David Remnick (1:11:17). He and Bryan discuss what it was like having a documentary crew around while he worked, what kind of news outlet he wants The New Yorker to be (1:15:43), how much he wants the magazine to be about the city (1:29:45), and so much more, here on the Press Box.

Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker

Guest: David Remnick

Producer: Bruce Baldwin

Additional Production Support: Conor Nevins and Ben Cruz

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Bob Costas Remembers ... the Great NFL Pregame Wars Nov 26, 2025

Show notes

Hello, media consumers! Bryan is joined today by broadcasting legend Bob Costas to discuss the great NFL pregame wars of the 1980s and 1990s. They dive into everything, starting with him becoming the host of NBC’s pregame show in 1984. Next, they discuss Bob’s competition before turning to what made NBC’s show special (07:42). They continue by going through Bob’s pregame costars and his memories from working with them (26:042). Lastly, the show wraps up with Bob explaining why he stepped back from the pregame desk (43:36). All that and so much more, here on The Press Box.

Host: Bryan Curtis

Guest: Bob Costas

Producer: Bruce Baldwin

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