The Press Box

Bryan and David break down news that Twitter CEO and cofounder Jack Dorsey has resigned. They discuss how Dorsey handled past incidents of misinformation circulating on Twitter, where Twitter ranks next to competitor Facebook, and how this news could affect the media landscape (4:48). Then, they weigh in on the rapidly evolving news about the new coronavirus variant, omicron, and talk through how it’s being reported (21:26). 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

Bryan is joined by author and cartoonist Jeff Kinney to discuss his career and book series 'Diary of a Wimpy Kid.’ They touch on how Kinney got a book deal at Comic-Con, how he utilizes systematic inventive thinking to help his writing process, how he balances both jokes and big ideas throughout his books, and what it’s like going on book tours for children. Host: Bryan Curtis Guest: Jeff Kinney Associate Producer: Erika Cervantes Production Assistant: Jonathan Kermah Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bryan and David discuss the new Tom Brady documentary ‘Man in the Arena,’ and break down the athlete-produced doc, the new sports memoir, and Scottie Pippen’s response to ‘The Last Dance’ in his new book (4:42). Then, they touch on commentator and writers Jonah Goldberg and Stephen Hayes quitting Fox News due to Tucker Carlson’s upcoming documentary about January 6 (22:15) before wrapping things up with another media piss test (35:34). 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

Bryan is joined by actor Jeffrey Wright to discuss his role as journalist Roebuck Wright in ‘The French Dispatch.’ They touch on the details within a Wes Anderson script, finding inspiration in the late James Baldwin, the use of Twitter, and more! Host: Bryan Curtis Guest: Jeffrey Wright Associate Producer: Erika Cervantes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bryan and David respond to The Verge’s announcement that they're changing their “on background” policy (1:00) before assessing whether or not People’s “Sexiest Man Alive” has any remaining cultural relevance (23:00). Plus, the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week and David Shoemaker Guesses the Strained-Pun Headline. Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker Producer: Bobby Wagner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bryan is joined by film director Oliver Stone to discuss his 1986 film, ‘Salvador.’ Stone talks about meeting journalist Richard Boyle, working with actors like James Woods, covering topics such as American foreign policy, filming in Mexico, and much more! Host: Bryan Curtis Guest: Oliver Stone Associate Producer: Erika Cervantes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bryan and David break down the news that Aaron Rodgers tested positive for COVID-19 and discuss the media’s fascination with Rodgers as a media figure (7:33). Then, they unpack Tucker Carlson’s new documentary, 'Patriot Purge,' about the January 6 Capitol insurrection (32:14). 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

Bryan is joined by sportswriter Bill Plaschke to discuss how he got his start as a writer (4:58), the difference between beat writing in Seattle vs. Los Angeles (12:36), his transition to a columnist (14:14), how he came across the Paradise High football team in California that was featured in his book ‘Paradise Found’ (28:13), and more! Host: Bryan Curtis Guest: Bill Plaschke Associate Producer: Erika Cervantes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bryan and David answer your Listener Mail and discuss networks making announcer trades, Halloween-themed TV studio shows, their dream choice for who would write a Ben Simmons profile, and much more. Plus the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week, and David Guesses the Strained-Pun Headline. Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker Production Assistant: Isaiah Blakely Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bryan is joined by sportswriter Ivan Maisel to discuss his book about his late son Max, ‘I Keep Trying to Catch His Eye.’ They discuss Max’s childhood and passions, the moment Maisel heard the news that his son might have died of suicide, talk through the grieving process, and touch on his decision to write this book.  This podcast contains sensitive material about suicide. If you or anyone you know has thoughts of suicide, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. Host: Bryan Curtis Guest: Ivan Maisel Associate Producer: Erika Cervantes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bryan and David talk through details of Katie Couric’s memoir such as how she withheld insensitive comments from an interview with Ruth Bader Ginsburg and how the media pitted Couric against other women in the industry (4:35). Then, they dissect Lindsey Adler’s tweet that addresses the repercussions of highlighting longform journalism and discuss how this specifically relates to sports writing (19:38). 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

In preparation for the new Wes Anderson film, Bryan is joined by Sean Fennessey to break down the ‘The French Dispatch.’ They discuss all three features portrayed in the film and touch on how it stacks up among journalism movies.  Host: Bryan Curtis Guest: Sean Fennessey Associate Producer: Erika Cervantes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bryan and David discuss the 20-year anniversary of 'Pardon the Interruption' and highlight the layout of the show, the chemistry between Michael Wilbon and Tony Kornheiser, and touch on how the show has changed the sports talk landscape (7:05). Later, they break down Nick Kristof’s decision to leave his job at The New York Times to run for governor of Oregon (32:35). 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

Bryan and David break down the recent NFL/NBA Insider controversy and touch on recent news involving Adam Schefter sharing an unpublished story with a source (0:40). Later, Bryan is joined by music critic Kelefa Sanneh to discuss how he got his start, what it’s like discovering and writing music criticism for a new genre, and what we can learn from subgenres in his new book, ‘Major Labels’ (19:06). Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker Guest: Kelefa Sanneh Associate Producer: Erika Cervantes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bryan and David break down Robert Kolker's story "Who Is the Bad Art Friend?" and weigh in on the moral arguments posed by the story (6:48). Later, they discuss how the media covered the Urban Meyer video (38:55) and answer more Listener Mail. 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

Bryan is joined by The Ringer’s Ryen Russillo to discuss his career as a sports radio host dating back to his time at 1510 The Zone in Boston (1:53), his transition from local to national radio (42:54), and the differences between hosting a radio show and hosting a podcast (52:06).  Host: Bryan Curtis Guest: Ryen Russillo Associate Producer: Erika Cervantes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bryan and David talk through the timeline of Ozy Media and touch on what led to its collapse (5:25) before discussing how the return of Jon Stewart and his new Apple TV+ show could be received in the modern media landscape (29:02). Plus: "Only in Journalism" Words, Overworked Twitter Jokes 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

Bryan is joined by journalist and author Eric Schlosser to discuss the 20th anniversary of his book ‘Fast Food Nation.’ They talk through the process of turning his magazine story into a book (2:49), discuss what it was like reporting on the fast food industry from talking to the founder of Carl's Jr. to going undercover at a slaughterhouse (30:20), and then consider how this book has aged 20 years later (1:00:35). Host: Bryan Curtis Guest: Eric Schlosser Associate Producer: Erika Cervantes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bryan and David dissect Chris Hayes’s piece in The New Yorker, "On the Internet, We’re Always Famous." They discuss how the internet has changed our social life and talk through how it's brought us to an “era of mass fame” (0:31). Then, they talk about the cult of Jen Psaki and her role as both White House press secretary and social media sensation (22:38). 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

Bryan and David open up the mailbag and answer your Listener Mail. They talk through the Gabby Petito coverage (5:15), weigh in on ESPN’s high-profile employees investing in gambling (14:00), discuss how members of the media consume content (30:35), and much more! 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