The Press Box

Latest Episodes:

The Democrats Win in a Texas-Sized Blowout Nov 04, 2026

Show notes

Bryan Curtis, Joel Anderson, and David Shoemaker break down the stunning 2026 midterm election, in which Democrats swept Texas’s statewide offices and scored major Senate victories in Kansas, South Carolina, North Carolina, Michigan, Ohio, and Maine. They examine the reporting and candidate failures that helped produce the wave, visit the “Fox News Funeral Parlor” to assess conservative media’s response, and check in on the still-unresolved contests in Mississippi and Alaska before trading election-night television takes.

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Hosts: Bryan Curtis, David Shoemaker, and Joel Anderson

Producers: Jon Jones, Steve Ahlman, and Ben Cruz

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Haley Stevens Turns Heel in Michigan. Plus, Our Midterms Picks! Nov 02, 2026

Show notes

Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker preview Election Day by unpacking a final wave of Democratic-friendly Senate polling and the bizarre fallout in Michigan after Haley Stevens endorsed Republican Mike Rogers, then struggled to explain her reversal to Anderson Cooper (12:52). Bryan and David rank the 10 races they’ll be watching most closely—from Michigan and Texas to Kansas, Iowa, and potential surprise states (41:02). Then Bryan offers his final predictions for control of the House and Senate before they discuss an update on Michael Wilbon’s health (53:44).

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Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker

Producers: Jon Jones, Steve Ahlman, and Ben Cruz

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Why We’ll Miss Ernie Johnson. Plus, What's Pat McAfee Upset About Now? Oct 29, 2026

Show notes

Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker celebrate Halloween by dressing as Joe Buck and Troy Aikman before reflecting on Ernie Johnson’s 37-year run as host of 'Inside the NBA,' the understated instincts that made him a uniquely beloved broadcaster, and what the show might become without him. They also dissect Pat McAfee’s escalating response to a harmless Utah student video and how his outsize presence has changed 'College GameDay'before surveying a batch of startling midterm polls in South Carolina, Kansas, Texas, Maine, and Michigan.

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Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker

Producers: Jon Jones, Steve Ahlman, and Ben Cruz

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How To Write A Detective Novel with Michael Connelly and Chris Ryan Oct 27, 2026

Show notes

Welcome to the October Issue of the Press Box. First, author Michael Connelly joins the show to talk about his years as an LA crime reporter, his Harry Bosch novels, why Bosch lives in the hills above LA, and much more. He also weighed in on the Bosch Amazon series and the current state of his old paper, the LA Times.

Then, Chris Ryan and Bryan list their all-time favorite detective novels.

Host: Bryan Curtis

Guests: Michael Connelly and Chris Ryan

Producers: Jon Jones and Steve Ahlman

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Joel’s Official Election Predictions. Plus: Farewell, to an NFL TV Glue Guy Oct 26, 2026

Show notes

Bryan Curtis and Joel Anderson make their final predictions ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, debating whether James Talarico can break Texas Democrats’ statewide drought, whether Susan Collins can survive once again in Maine, and whether Democrats will take control of the Senate (5:35). They also examine the consequences of weakened voting protections, the possibility of challenges to election results and why celebrities and athletes who align themselves with Donald Trump may face lasting backlash (24:15). Bryan also bids farewell to an unsung broadcast hero (46:00).

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Hosts: Bryan Curtis and Joel Anderson

Producers: Jon Jones, Steve Ahlman, and Ben Cruz

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Will Troy Aikman Have a TV Job Next Year? Plus, Election Madness in Ohio. Oct 22, 2026

Show notes

Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker break down CBS’s decision to elevate J.J. Watt to its top NFL broadcast team alongside Jim Nantz, assess Watt’s development as an analyst, and consider what the network shuffle could mean for Troy Aikman’s future in the booth. They also examine an increasingly ugly Ohio governor’s race, the wider midterm media narrative (16:31), and Blake Griffin’s new media-criticism show, 'The Step Back,' including whether its John Oliver-inspired format makes the best use of Griffin’s perspective as a former player (37:58).

And don't forget to subscribe to Bryan's newsletter ⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠!

Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker

Producers: Jon Jones, Steve Ahlman, and Ben Cruz

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The Times Reopens the O.J. Simpson Case. Plus, the Horror of a 24-Team College Football Playoff. Oct 19, 2026

Show notes

Today on The Press Box, Bryan and Joel kick things off by talking through more of the Joe Buck-Troy Aikman drama at ESPN (6:20).

They then get into the incredible O.J. Simpson story that the New York Times dropped over the weekend (24:47) and Katie Zacharia’s five-day tenure as White House press secretary (34:13), before closing out with thoughts on the potential 24-team college football playoff (40:17).

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Hosts: Bryan Curtis and Joel Anderson

Producers: Jon Jones and Ben Cruz

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Is the Troy Aikman Era Over at ESPN? Plus: Peter King on 40 Years on the NFL Beat. Oct 16, 2026

Show notes

Today on The Press Box, Bryan and David discuss all the reports around the tension between Joe Buck and Troy Aikman in the 'Monday Night Football' booth. They talk about how we got here and what could be next for Troy and ESPN (13:16). Then they talk about the new White House press secretary, Katie Zacharia (33:57). After that, Bryan is joined by Peter King to talk about his long career covering the NFL and his new book, 'The Game' (47:05).

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Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker

Guest: Peter King

Producers: Isaiah Blakely and Jon Jones

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The Democratic Senate Race Confidence Rankings. Plus, ESPN’s Nick Saban Doc! Oct 13, 2026

Show notes

Today on The Press Box, Bryan and Joel take a look at nine interesting Senate races and tier them in order of Democrats' confidence that they'll win (9:39). They end with talking about ESPN's new 'Saban' documentary (47:22).

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Hosts: Bryan Curtis and Joel Anderson

Producers: Isaiah Blakely and Jon Jones

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Can CNN Survive the Paramount Merger? Plus: The Next Host of ‘Inside the NBA.’ Oct 07, 2026

Show notes

Today on The Press Box, Bryan and David discuss potential retirements on 'Inside the NBA,' the Paramount–Warner Bros. deal finally going through (9:09), and potential Halloween costumes for the pod (21:34). Then Bryan is joined by Lachlan Cartwright from Breaker to talk about James and Lachlan Murdoch (27:15).

Plus, David Shoemaker Guesses the Strained-Pun Headline!

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Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker

Guest: Lachlan Cartwright

Producers: Isaiah Blakely and Jon Jones

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