The Press Box

Latest Episodes:

Writing (and Covering) Pro Wrestling with WWE’s Bruce Prichard and David Shoemaker Mar 30, 2023

Show notes

Bryan and David are back ahead of ‘WrestleMania’ 39 to discuss what it’s like to cover WWE as both a fan and a journalist (0:38). Then, Bryan is joined by executive director of WWE’s creative writing team, Bruce Prichard, to discuss the start of his career, talk through the process of writing for stars like The Rock, Hulk Hogan, and Steve Austin, and then decide which play-by-play announcer he’d like to call a wrestling match (17:00).

Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker

Guest: Bruce Prichard

Producer: Erika Cervantes

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Doubts About DeSantis, Mean Magazine Stories, and RIP Texas Observer Mar 27, 2023

Show notes

Bryan and David touch on a few obits, starting with the Texas Observer, which may or may not be shutting down (0:43). Then they discuss the presidential campaign’s first walk-back of the season, featuring Ron DeSantis and his stance on the invasion of Ukraine (12:08). Later, they dive into the Wired profile of popular fantasy author Brandon Sanderson and discuss the writer’s approach and the backlash to the piece (30:12). Plus, the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week and David Shoemaker Guesses the Strained-Pun Headline.

Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker

Producer: Erika Cervantes

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Announcer Don Orsillo on Baseball With a Pitch Clock, the Padres’ Golden Age, and His Years with the Red Sox Mar 23, 2023

Show notes

Bryan is joined by Padres announcer Don Orsillo to discuss the adjustment both broadcasters and players are experiencing due to the recent rule change introducing a pitch clock (1:41). Then, they reflect on Orsillo’s start as a broadcaster and his blueprint to the Major Leagues, starting with the Red Sox and eventually transitioning to the Padres after 20 years (10:11). Plus, a conversation about Orsillo’s favorite hobbies: cooking and fishing.

Host: Bryan Curtis

Guest: Don Orsillo

Producer: Erika Cervantes

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Undermining Jimmy Carter's Presidency, Donald Trump's Looming Indictment, and Quentin Tarantino's New Film Mar 20, 2023

Show notes

Bryan and David start the pod by discussing a recent article about Jimmy Carter that some are using to discount his presidency. Next, they dive into Donald Trump's possibleimpending arrest, listen to Ron DeSantis's comments about it, and break down the logistical complications of indicting a former president and what this might do for Trump's reelection campaign (6:11). After the break, they discuss FDU's upset over Purdue in the NCAA tournament, the rumors around Quentin Tarantino's upcoming film, and the life of film critic Pauline Kael (27:09). David ends the pod by trying to guess this week's Strained-Pun Headline (38:30).

Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker

Associate Producer: Chris Sutton

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The Madness of NFL Free Agency, and Tucker Carlson’s GOP Takeover Mar 16, 2023

Show notes

Bryan and David are back to discuss all that’s happening throughout the NFL "legal tampering period," a.k.a. free agency (0:40), and they touch on the biggest stories involving Aaron Rodgers, trade inflation, and more! Then, they switch gears and review Tucker Carlson’s media position while more information is released from the Dominion lawsuit (22:24). Plus, David Shoemaker Guesses the Strained-Pun Headline.

Host: Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker

Producer: Erika Cervantes

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The Asteroid About to Hit Baseball, the 'Match of the Day' Controversy, and Seth Rogen vs. Critics Mar 13, 2023

Show notes

Bryan is joined by Jason Gay to break down BBC’s response to political comments by 'Match of the Day’ host Gary Lineker. They discuss Lineker’s support from colleagues and the all-too-familiar reaction when sportscasters talk politics (1:53). Then, they weigh in on Diamond Sports' bankruptcy and how this will affect the sport of baseball if it's forced to be broadcast locally (10:56). Later, they touch on Seth Rogen’s commentary about film critics on the 'Diary of a CEO' podcast (24:40) before diving into JJ Redick's response to shows like 'First Take' (33:12) and then Aaron Rodgers’s potential with the Jets and New York media (38:43). Plus, the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week and Jason Gay Guesses the Strained-Pun Headline.

Host: Bryan Curtis

Guest: Jason Gay

Producer: Erika Cervantes

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Adam Gopnik on Acting in ‘Tár,’ Writing for The New Yorker, and 50 Years of Jets Fandom Mar 10, 2023

Show notes

Bryan is joined by New Yorker writer Adam Gopnik. They talk about his role in ‘Tár’ and what it was like to work on the movie (1:50). Then, they discuss The New Yorker and his career in journalism (14:50). Finally, they get into his relationship with sports and sports media (26:00).

Host: Bryan Curtis

Guest: Adam Gopnik

Associate Producer: Carlos Chiriboga

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Fox News vs. Dominion. Plus, the Oscars and the Media and Ron DeSantis's Opt-Out. Mar 06, 2023

Show notes

Bryan and David break down the Dominion lawsuit against Fox News and discuss what we’ve learned (2:55). Later, they preview the Oscars and refer to past campaigns with the help of Michael Schulman's new book, 'Oscar Wars,' (25:03) before weighing in on Ron DeSantis’s media strategy that doesn't involve mainstream media (40:18). Plus, the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week and David Shoemaker Guesses the Strained-Pun Headline.

Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker

Producer: Erika Cervantes

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Puck’s Tara Palmeri on Low-Energy Trump, Slow-Moving Biden, and the Rest of the 2024 Presidential Campaign Mar 02, 2023

Show notes

Bryan is joined by Tara Palmeri from Puck to preview the 2024 presidential race. They discuss Trump’s current position in the polls and relationship with the media (2:00), weigh in on Ron DeSantis’s potential candidacy against Trump compared to that of other Republican candidates (10:22), and then review President Biden’s potential for reelection with VP Kamala Harris (20:28).

Host: Bryan Curtis

Guest: Tara Palmeri

Producer: Erika Cervantes

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2024 Presidential Race Check-in. Plus, Don Lemon’s Meltdown and Texas News. Feb 27, 2023

Show notes

Bryan and David are back with some news from Texas: Chip Gaines bought Larry McMurtry’s bookstore in the “hard-scrabbled” town of Archer City, Texas (0:37). Then, they check in on the 2024 presidential race, which may or may not include President Joe Biden, and discuss the handful of Republican candidates who would be tasked with running against fellow party candidate Donald Trump (11:31). Later, they discuss Don Lemon’s recent misogynistic comments (29:31) before touching on media news, including Jen Psaki’s new television program and A.O. Scott moving to The New York Times Book Review (33:25). Plus, the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week and David Shoemaker Guesses the Strained-Pun Headline.

Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker

Producer: Erika Cervantes

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