The Press Box

Latest Episodes:

Listener Mail on LeBron Takes, Biden Books, and Media Tours Jun 04, 2021

Show notes

Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker are opening up the mailbag and answering your Listener Mail! They discuss the race to publish a book about President Biden (12:30), weigh in on the discussion over television ratings (25:10), and touch on where the word “embroiled” fits in the dictionary of words used only in journalism (43:21). Plus, the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week and David Shoemaker Guesses the Strained-Pun Headline.

Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker

Associate Producer: Erika Cervantes

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

Naomi Osaka Doesn’t Need to Talk Jun 02, 2021

Show notes

Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker break down the news that Naomi Osaka has withdrawn from the French Open. They talk through the tournament's response to Osaka refusing to appear at press conferences, weigh in on the evolving coverage of athletes, and discuss how this type of situation has and could impact an athlete's relationship with the media.

Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker

Associate Producer: Erika Cervantes

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

Listener Mail. Plus, Gideon Lewis-Kraus on Covering UFOs. May 28, 2021

Show notes

Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker are answering your Listener Mail! They touch on The New York Times’ interest in acquiring The Athletic, discuss Bob Garfield getting fired for violating anti-bullying policies, and answer which Texas food dish they miss most since leaving the state (4:00). Later, Gideon Lewis-Kraus joins to talk about his piece in The New Yorker, “How the Pentagon Started Taking U.F.O.s Seriously.” (32:06) They talk through how this story came about, how the pandemic affected the writing process, and the response to the piece. Plus, the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week and David Shoemaker Guesses the Strained-Pun Headline of the Week.

Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker

Guest: Gideon Lewis-Kraus

Associate Producer: Erika Cervantes

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

Why the AP Fired Emily Wilder, Plus John Gonzalez on the Future of NBA Studio Shows May 24, 2021

Show notes

Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker break down news of the Associated Press firing staffer Emily Wilder. They discuss how this affects journalists, how "cancel culture" was involved, and how the Associated Press is justifying the firing (3:08). Then, The Ringer’s John Gonzalez joins to talk about NBA studio shows and what we can expect from sports television in 2021 (22:18). Plus, the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week and David Shoemaker and John Gonzalez Guess the Strained-Pun Headline.

Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker

Guest: John Gonzalez

Associate Producer: Erika Cervantes

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

Listener Mail. Plus, Author Jeff Guinn on His Book ‘War on the Border.’ May 21, 2021

Show notes

Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker are opening up the mailbag and answering your Listener Mail! They answer questions about Chris Cuomo (3:40), the ‘Friends’ reunion (19:14), NBA play-in games (28:05), and who could be the heir to the Dale Hansen throne (31:30). Later, Jeff Guinn joins to discuss his new book, ‘War on the Border,’ and his career as a writer (42:17).

Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker

Guest: Jeff Guinn

Associate Producer: Erika Cervantes

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

Masks Off. Now What? Plus, Sebastian Junger on His New Book. May 17, 2021

Show notes

Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker discuss the new CDC guidelines that state fully vaccinated people can stop wearing masks in most situations. They touch on the impact the new guidelines have had, and weigh in on this new phase of the pandemic (4:42). Later, Sebastian Junger joins to talk about his new book, ‘Freedom,’ and his journey to uncover what the word “freedom” really means (29:13). Plus, the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week and David Shoemaker Guesses the Strained-Pun Headline.

Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker

Guest: Sebastian Junger

Associate Producer: Erika Cervantes

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

Listener Mail on Liz Cheney and the NFL Schedule Release, Plus NASCAR Announcer Jeff Gordon May 13, 2021

Show notes

Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker answer your Listener Mail! They discuss Liz Cheney’s removal from her position as House GOP conference chair, the spectacle that is the NFL’s schedule release, and which book given by a first date would make you get up and leave (2:10). Later, NASCAR announcer Jeff Gordon joins to discuss his experience transitioning to the booth, working alongside Clint Bowyer, and what he has planned for the future (26:40). Plus, the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week and David Shoemaker Guesses the Strained-Pun Headline.

Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker

Guest: Jeff Gordon

Associate Producer: Erika Cervantes

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

Do I Have to Go Back to the Newsroom? Plus, Bloomberg’s Justin Sink on the Jobs Report. May 10, 2021

Show notes

Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker discuss The Washington Post's op-ed piece written by the CEO of Washingtonian Media, Cathy Merrill. They discuss the pros and cons of going back into an office versus working remotely, and further break down how Merrill approached the topic (4:20). Then, last week CNN released a job's report citing far fewer jobs were added last month than expected. White House correspondent for Bloomberg, Justin Sink, joins to help break down what we saw (31:01). Plus, the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week and David Shoemaker Guesses the Strained-Pun Headline.

Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker

Guest: Justin Sink

Associate Producer: Erika Cervantes

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

How to Write About Mask-Wearing. Plus, Listener Mail! May 06, 2021

Show notes

David Shoemaker is joined by Ringer writer Claire McNear to break down the Atlantic story "The Liberal Who Can't Quit Lockdown." They discuss readers' reactions to the piece, how it was reported, and touch on the related news about herd immunity (3:40). Then, Listener Mail, in which they answer questions about the audio-book process, who would make the best 'Jeopardy!' host, and Mike Greenberg hosting ESPN's NFL draft night (28:22). Plus, the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week!

Host: David Shoemaker

Guest: Claire McNear

Associate Producer: Erika Cervantes

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

Listener Mail and the NFL Draft Devil’s Dictionary With Danny Heifetz Apr 29, 2021

Show notes

Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker answer your questions about Joe Rogan and the vaccine, a New York Post Kamala Harris controversy, and The New York Times losing the term “op-ed” for “guest essays” (2:50). Then, Danny Heifetz joins for the Devil’s Dictionary of NFL Draft Clichés to go through three rounds of top picks (23:12). Plus, the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week and David Shoemaker and Danny Heifetz Guess the Strained-Pun Headline.

Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker

Guest: Danny Heifetz

Associate Producer: Erika Cervantes

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

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected