The Press Box

Latest Episodes:

New News About Nuzzi, and Mamdani Goes to Washington. Plus: Susan Orlean on Breaking Into The New Yorker, Working for Tina Brown, and More. Nov 25, 2025

Show notes

Hello, media consumers! Bryan and David discuss Bryan’s newest Texas barbecue adventure before diving into the most recent news in the ever-evolving Olivia Nuzzi saga, including their thoughts on Ryan Lizza’s second Substack piece and whether this story has reached the point of “feeling like you know too much” (09:49). Next, the guys dive into everything that came out of the meeting between Zohran Mamdani and President Trump in the Oval Office (24:11). Lastly, the show ends with today’s Notebook Dump, where journalist and author Susan Orlean joins the show to discuss her start at The New Yorker, working for Tina Brown, and much more (36:03). Plus, an Only in Journalism first, and David Shoemaker Guesses the Strained-Pun Headline!

Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker

Guest: Susan Orlean

Producer: Bruce Baldwin

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Trump’s “Piggy” Attack, MLB’s TV Deal, and Joel’s Nuzzi Take. Plus: Mamdani Advisor Zara Rahim Nov 21, 2025

Show notes

Hello, media consumers! Bryan and Joel discuss President Trump's recent interactions with the media, including his “piggy” comment, his meeting in the Oval Office with Mohammed bin Salman, and his comments on the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Next, the guys parse through MLB’s new media rights deal with NBC, ESPN, and Netflix (18:32). Later, Brian and Joel examine Netflix’s newly released broadcast lineup for their Christmas Day NFL games (24:16), before Joel gives his take on the whole Olivia Nuzzi situation (27:24). The show ends with the next installment of 25 for 25 as Zara Rahim joins to talk about the strategy behind Zohran Mamdani’s successful mayoral campaign, her relationship with Mamdani, and changes in democratic messaging over time (37:11).

Hosts: Bryan Curtis and Joel Anderson

Guest: Zara Rahim

Producer: Bruce Baldwin

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Olivia Nuzzi, Ryan Lizza, and the Frenzied Rollout of 'American Canto' Nov 19, 2025

Show notes

Hello, media consumers! Bryan and David dive into everything Olivia Nuzzi, starting with Jacob Bernstein’s New York Times piece, including what was said in his profile of Nuzzi and whether this is the right kind of profile for her. Next, they discuss the excerpt of Nuzzi’s book, 'American Canto,' released in Vanity Fair and whether the writing in this excerpt is “good” (25:44). Afterward, Bryan and David react to the bombshell claim by Ryan Lizza (Nuzzi’s ex- fiancé) that RFK Jr. isn't the only presidential candidate she has had a relationship with (40:40). Lastly, the show ends with the guys giving their thoughts on Marjorie Taylor Greene’s about-face on Trump (59:46).

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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The New Epstein Emails, Pat McAfee and Donald Trump, and the Nico Harrison 'Now They Tell Us.' Plus: NBC’s Cris Collinsworth. Nov 14, 2025

Show notes

Hello, media consumers! Bryan and Joel discuss what is in the newly released Jeffrey Epstein emails, how this information paints journalism, and the Michael Wolff of it all. Next, Bryan and Joel analyze President Trump’s appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, including how the show received him, the topics they covered, and how this interview reflects on the modern ESPN content ecosystem (17:02). Then, Bryan and Joel dive into Nico Harrison’s inevitable firing by the Dallas Mavericks (34:14). The show ends with the next installment of 25 for 25 as Cris Collinsworth joins to talk about the differences between Al Michaels and Mike Tirico, owning Pro Football Focus, and his time in talk radio. (47:48).

Plus, Joel brings us to J School!

Hosts: Bryan Curtis and Joel Anderson

Guest: Cris Collinsworth

Producer: Bruce Baldwin

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MSNBC’s Rebrand, ESPN’s Solitaire Scandal, and James Talarico’s Friends. Plus: The Atlantic’s Charlie Warzel Nov 11, 2025

Show notes

Hello, media consumers! Bryan and David discuss Texas Senate hopeful James Talarico’s social media scandal and how the public reaction to this type of news has changed over time. Next, Bryan and David dive into MSNBC’s rebrand as MSNOW and how effective the rebrand rollout has been (10:18). Then, Bryan and David talk about the ESPN Solitaire debacle (13:53) before discussing the layoffs at Conde Nast following a confrontation with the company’s head of human resources (20:04). Lastly, the show ends with the next installment of 25 for 25, as the Atlantic’s Charlie Warzel joins to talk about Elon Musk, public media trust, and his new podcast, Galaxy Brain (32:54).

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

Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker

Guest: Charlie Warzel

Producer: Bruce Baldwin

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The Democrats’ Big Night and ESPN’s New Bookie. Plus: Booger McFarland on Alabama-LSU, Playing Dirty, and More. Nov 06, 2025

Show notes

Hello, media consumers! Bryan and Joel discuss everything coming out of election night, including how the big news stations covered it, where Steve Kornacki has gone, how conservatives are coping, and the New York Post’s Mamdani headline. Next, Bryan and Joel dive into ESPN and DraftKings’ new partnership and ESPN Bet being no more (21:47), before talking about Drew Brees returning to the announcer booth (25:25) and Teen Vogue going by the wayside (32:52). The shows ends with the next installment of 25 for 25 as Booger McFarland joins to talk about Alabama-LSU, playing dirty, and the departure of head coach Brian Kelly (46:06).

Hosts: Bryan Curtis and Joel Anderson

Guest: Booger McFarland

Producer: Bruce Baldwin

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Last-Minute Election Stories, Trump Goes on ‘60 Minutes,’ and (Another) White House Reporter Caper Nov 04, 2025

Show notes

Hello, media consumers! Bryan and a returning David discuss Dick Cheney’s death by reviewing his relationship to the press (12:20), before diving into last-minute election stories covering the final days of Zohran Mamdani’s campaign, California's Prop 50, and a fake Bill de Blasio (33:10). Next, Bryan and David talk about everything that came out of Trump’s newest interview with CBS’s ‘60 Minutes,’ what CBS chose to air, and the Bari Weiss of it all (42:24). Lastly, Bryan and David dive through some NFL audio and share their thoughts on the return of a certain football podcast (1:00:02).

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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CBS’s Halloween "Bloodbath" and Michael Jordan as the NBA's Ombudsman. Plus: Vox’s Astead Herndon on Leaving The New York Times and the Future of the Democrats. Oct 31, 2025

Show notes

Hello, media consumers! Bryan and Joel discuss the layoffs at CBS News (0:51) before diving into their thoughts on Michael Jordan’s two appearances on NBC thus far (14:05), the NBA's relationship to storytelling, and what they want from these MJ appearances. Next, Bryan and Joel educate the listeners on Jennifer Welch (28:41), including where she originally grabbed the spotlight, what she does, and where she fits in the modern political media ecosystem. They end the show with the next installment of 25 for 25 as Vox’s Astead Herndon joins to talk about leaving The New York Times and the future of the Democrats (47:13).

Hosts: Bryan Curtis and Joel Anderson

Guest: Astead Herndon

Producer: Bruce Baldwin

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ESPN’s Gamble, CBS and John Dickerson, and Graham Platner’s Reddit Posts Oct 29, 2025

Show notes

Hello, media consumers! Bryan is joined by Joel out of the bullpen to dig through everything that has come out of the NBA’s gambling scandal (0:40) before they share their thoughts on how ESPN handled the coverage of that news, who at the worldwide leader should be covering these stories, which former ESPN employees would have covered this in the past, and more. Next, Bryan and Joel discuss John Dickerson leaving ‘CBS Evening News’ and what names have been reported to replace him (24:46). Finally, Bryan and Joel break down all the news surrounding Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner (40:55).

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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How Zohran Mamdani Won the Hearts and Minds of the Media (and New York City) Oct 23, 2025

Show notes

Bryan and Joel are together in the studio to discuss Zohran Mamdani in the 17th edition of their 25 for 25 series (2:00). They discuss Mamdani as a political phenomenon (6:12), a media phenomenon (21:03), and someone who is signaling generation change (25:55). Later they welcome Eric Lach of The New Yorker, who profiled Mamdani for the magazine. Lach discusses what he learned from Mamdani after speaking with him (34:22).

Hosts: Bryan Curtis and Joel Anderson

Guest: Eric Lach

Producer: Brian H. Waters

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