The Press Box

Latest Episodes:

What Do the ESPN Layoffs Tell Us About ESPN’s Future? Plus: Trump vs. The New York Times, Tom Brady and WWE, and Bryan’s Broadway Notes. Jul 21, 2026

Show notes

Today on The Press Box, Bryan and David start by talking about Bryan's vacation in New York. Then they discuss the layoffs at ESPN (13:02), Trump's battle with The New York Times (59:11), and Tom Brady's newest endeavor (01:04:08).

Plus, the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week!

Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker

Producers: Isaiah Blakely and Jon Jones

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bomani Jones on Our Post-Literate Society, Who to Root for in the World Cup, the LeBron-Industrial Complex, and Jay-Z (Again) Jul 16, 2026

Show notes

Today on The Press Box, Bryan is out, but Joel Anderson is here, and he's joined by Bomani Jones. They discuss myriad topics, including the literacy crisis (04:07), Bomani's time at summer league (45:14), LeBron's decision (50:49), the Jay-Z concerts (01:00:52), and much more.

Host: Joel Anderson
Guest: Bomani Jones

Producers: Isaiah Blakely and Jon Jones

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Mitch McConnell Photo and the ‘Death’ of Reading. Plus: Comics Legend Frank Miller! Jul 14, 2026

Show notes

Today on The Press Box, Bryan and David start by looking back at the life of political cartoonist Pat Oliphant. Then they discuss the Mitch McConnell hospital photo and the conspiracy theories surrounding it (8:15). Next they talk about the death of Lindsey Graham (18:54), the "death" of reading, and some Trump news. Finally, Bryan is joined by comic book creator Frank Miller to talk about how he got into comics, writing ‘Sin City’, ‘Batman’, and so much more (53:43).

Plus, David Shoemaker Guesses the Strained-Pun Headline!

Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker
Guest: Frank Miller
Producers: Isaiah Blakely and Jon Jones

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The End of the Platner Campaign, Where's Mitch McConnell, and the Future of Youth Sports in America. Jul 09, 2026

Show notes

Today on The Press Box, Bryan Curtis and Joel Anderson discuss the end of Graham Platner's campaign for the U.S. Senate seat in Maine. Then they talk about Mitch McConnell's whereabouts and health before checking in on the Texas Senate race. Plus, they react to the New York Times' competition with AI slop and Alexi Lalas's take on youth soccer in America.

(00:00) Intro
(01:13) The end of the Platner campaign
(09:44) Where’s Mitch McConnell?
(21:38) Checking in on the Texas Senate race
(27:34) The New York Times trying to outrun AI slop is fascinating
(39:46) Alexi Lalas on youth soccer in America
Hosts: Bryan Curtis and Joel Anderson
Producer: Tucker Tashjian

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The New Yorker’s Richard Brody on Movie Critics, the Complaints About Hollywood, and the Future of the Written Review. Plus, His Five Politically-Relevant Summer Movies. Jul 08, 2026

Show notes

Today on The Press Box, Bryan sits down with New Yorker film critic Richard Brody. The duo discuss Brody’s career reviewing movies, being a filmmaker in the early ’90s (while also working at a detective agency), and how exactly he shifted careers and got hired at The New Yorker.

The guys also talk through the main complaints consumers have about movies these days and how warranted they are.

To close things out, Brody gives his “Five Politically Relevant Summer Movies.”

Host: Bryan Curtis

Guest: Richard Brody

Producer: Ben Cruz

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The American Men's Soccer Bust, Graham Platner’s Media Refuge, and the Return of LeBron’s Free Agent Spotlight Jul 07, 2026

Show notes

Today on The Press Box, Bryan and David recap their experiences watching Team USA’s run at the World Cup come to an end. Then they discuss Politico's story about Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner (14:30). They also talk about LeBron James taking his time with the latest version of "The Decision" (36:50) and the guest list at the Taylor Swift–Travis Kelce wedding (43:14).

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

Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker
Producer: Isaiah Blakely

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Why Democrats Fell in Love With Jon Ossoff. Plus: NPR’s Supreme Court Botch, and The Athletic Vs. The New York Times. Jul 03, 2026

Show notes

Today on The Press Box, Bryan and Joel have a Senate race check-in. They take a look at multiple high-profile senate races in different states and provide their thoughts. Then, they check back in on the World Cup after the U.S. beat Bosnia-Herzegovina to advance to the Round of 16 (35:18). They also discuss the New York Times piece about Dianna Russini (40:38), NPR’s Supreme Court mishap (59:20), and more.

Hosts: Bryan Curtis and Joel Anderson
Producers: Isaiah Blakely and Jamie Yukich

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro on His Party’s Path, JD Vance’s Lectures, and Life as a Point Guard Jun 30, 2026

Show notes

Today on The Press Box, the Press Box primaries roll on with Bryan and Joel being joined by Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro. They discuss the potential ideological shift in the Democratic Party, the through line for voters that vote for Trump and Shapiro (19:08), lessons from Meek Mill (34:25), and much more.

Hosts: Bryan Curtis and Joel Anderson
Guest: Josh Shapiro
Producers: Isaiah Blakely and Jamie Yukich

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The June Issue: LeBron’s Final Decision With Brian Windhorst Jun 25, 2026

Show notes

Today on The Press Box, it's the June Issue! Ahead of what could be LeBron James's last free agency decision, Bryan is joined by ESPN's Brian Windhorst to look back at LeBron's past decisions and how they were covered by the media.

Host: Bryan Curtis
Guest: Brian Windhorst
Producers: Isaiah Blakely and Sarah Reddy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nuggets From the Haberman-Swan Trump Book, the Best Announcer at the World Cup, and a Mark Singer Syllabus Jun 24, 2026

Show notes

Today on The Press Box, Bryan and David start by updating the list of announcers with no fans that Bryan made with Joel last week. Then Bryan shares his big takeaways from Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan’s book, ‘Regime Change.’(14:56) Then they talk about longtime ESPN anchor Linda Cohn retiring, discuss a Nancy Guthrie update, and say farewell to The New Yorker’s Mark Singer (47:33).

Plus, David Shoemaker Guesses the Strained-Pun Headline.

Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker
Producers: Isaiah Blakely and Sarah Reddy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected