The Press Box

Joe Biden will choose his running mate next week, and Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker weigh in on the pros and cons for his potential vice president nominees (3:30). They then discuss Jonathan Swan’s AXIOS interview with President Trump, and how Swan’s interview tactics worked in his favor (22:10). Then, Listener Mail, when they answer the question, “Why do sideline reporters have to wear masks but coaches and players don't?” (37:10) Plus: the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week, and David Shoemaker Guesses the Strained-Pun Headline.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As Joe Biden’s search for a running mate continues, Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker break down the media’s portrayal of the potential nominees (3:00). They then turn their attention to comedian Ellen DeGeneres, who is facing criticism after two BuzzFeed articles pulled back the curtain on her popular talk show (32:10). Then, former New York Times sportswriter Ira Berkow joins to discuss column writing, Red Smith, Isaiah Thomas, and so much more. Plus: the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week and David Shoemaker Guesses the Strained-Pun Headline. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The NBA is back! Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker give notes on the restart (3:10). Next, on Listener Mail, they answer the question “Why should I support local newspapers again?” (20:30) Then, L.A. Times writer Gustavo Arellano joins to talk about his experience with reporting, food writing, and growing up in Orange County (36:30). Plus: the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week, and David Shoemaker Guesses the Strained-Pun Headline. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker assess the professional sports comeback given recent news of players and coaches testing positive for COVID-19 (2:30). They then turn their attention to Portland, where Trump has sent federal troops to enforce “law and order.” They discuss the warlike way Trump is treating the situation and how it’s affecting his campaign. (22:35) Then sportswriter Diane K. Shah joins to talk about her new memoir, which discusses what it was like to write a sports column in the '80s (28:10). Plus: the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week, and David Guesses the Strained-Pun Headline of the Week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker break down a few recent conspiracy theories, including QAnon, the Jeffrey Epstein case, and one related to Love Connection host Chuck Woolery (1:10). Next, on Listener Mail, they answer the question “What happens when you dream about 'The Press Box'?” (16:50). Then, Ringer staff writer Jordan Ritter Conn joins to discuss his new book, The Road From Raqqa (31:30). Plus: The Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week and David Shoemaker Guesses the Strained-Pun Headline. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker dissect the interview Trump had with Fox News anchor Chris Wallace, and Wallace's unique position in reporting for 'Fox News Sunday' (2:30). Then, they talk about the strange position sports media types find themselves in as they cover the sports restart (28:10), right before talking to Sports Illustrated writer Chris Mannix from the NBA bubble (36:30). Plus: the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week, and David Shoemaker Guesses the Strained-Pun Headline. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker dive into the political battle about sending kids back to school in the fall, and what this means for the safety of kids, teachers, and their families (2:15). Then, during listener mail, they answer the question: “What do you guys think of the Bari Weiss thing?” (22:55) Then LA Times movie critic, Justin Chang, joins to discuss what it’s like to be a movie critic without movie theaters (40:00). Plus: the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week, and David Shoemaker Guesses the Strained-Pun Headline. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After U.S. Senator Josh Hawley issued a press release about the NBA’s relationship with China, ESPN NBA reporter Adrian Wojnarowski had a few words to say in reply. Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker break down Woj-gate (1:30). They then talk about the disappearance of Dr. Anthony Fauci from the media, and how the Trump administration appears to be campaigning against the expert (23:30). Then, writer Christopher Buckley joins to discuss his new novel, ‘Make Russia Great Again’ (32:00). Plus: the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week and David Shoemaker Guesses the Strained-Pun Headline. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker discuss the new book by Mary Trump, niece of Donald Trump, in which she writes about how her family "created the most dangerous man" (2:05). They then touch on the letter in Harper’s that was signed by everyone from J.K. Rowling to Matthew Yglesias and discuss what brought these people together and what the point was (20:35). Then, they respond to some listener mail and address the urgent question, “Did The NYT reuse the heavy-weight champion of celebrity-profile headlines?" (34:15) Plus: the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week and David Guesses the Strained-Pun Headline. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Trump gave two speeches during July 4 weekend, and Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker discuss how Trump's reelection campaign and how Fox News is involved (2:10). Next, Curtis and Shoemaker take a look at what sports beat writing looks like in the age of COVID-19 (20:00). Ben Widdicombe, author and former writer for the New York Post’s Page Six and TMZ, joins to discuss his career as a gossip columnist (32:50). Plus: the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week, and David Guesses the Strained-Pun Headline. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker look at the story of Russian intelligence offering bounties to the Taliban for the killing of American troops (01:30), the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week (14:45), the Dixie Chicks' new name (18:45), and listener mail (29:30). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A New York Times/Siena poll out Wednesday shows that Biden is ahead of Trump nationally. Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker discuss how the presidential race could unfold (1:20) and break down the strange story behind a Washington Post piece about a two-year-old blackface incident that got a non-famous woman fired (23:40). Then they answer the question “What do we think now about the Bubba Wallace NASCAR situation?" during Listener Mail (37:10). Plus: The Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week, and David Guesses the Strained Pun Headline.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Donald Trump had a rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on Saturday, and the subject was not George Floyd or the coronavirus; Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker break down what was said (1:15). Next, they talk about the racist incident that took place after NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace called for the ban of the Confederate flag (27:20). Lastly, Curtis and Shoemaker discuss the effects that long-term work-from-home protocols could have on the newsroom (37:00). Plus: The Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week and David Guesses the Strained-Pun Headline. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker are joined by Ringer staff writer Jordan Ritter Conn to talk about Breonna Taylor, a black woman who was killed on March 13 by Louisville police (0:45). Then, Curtis and David answer your listener mail, where they consider the question “Which White House memoir would we actually want to read?” (20:20). Then the hosts welcome Seattle Times reporter Evan Bush to talk about the Seattle protests, which have become an autonomous part of the city (38:30). Plus: the return of the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week, and David Guesses the Strained Pun Headline. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's been 49 days without a formal White House briefing about the virus. Politico reporter Dan Diamond joins to discuss where to find critical information about the coronavirus and what he anticipates the virus will look like going forward (1:10). Then, Ringer sportswriter Paolo Uggetti joins the show to break down the latest on the NBA’s return to play, the players' interest in activism, and how it could affect the return in the fall (17:30). Then the week in Trump, in which Curtis and Shoemaker touch on the latest briefings, rallies, and more (31:10). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker are joined by 'L.A. Times' columnist Erika Smith as she takes us through protests, column writing, and the future of the 'L.A. Times' (1:20). Next, 'Ringer' intern Lex Pryor joins the discussion from Washington, D.C., to talk about what it was like covering protests three days after the infamous Trump church photo-op (17:20). Finally, Curtis and Shoemaker break down the "media reckonings" that have resulted in the resignations from 'The New York Times,' 'The Philadelphia Inquirer,' and more (31:05). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bryan Curtis, David Shoemaker, and Chris Almeida are joined by Jemele Hill, host of the podcast 'Way Down in the Hole,' to discuss the effects of the protests that are now in their 14th day (0:45). Then, 'Philadelphia Inquirer' columnist Will Bunch joins to explain police unions and what they mean for reform (23:00). Finally, Curtis, Shoemaker, and Almeida discuss James Bennet's resignation from 'The New York Times.' Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After a week of protests around the country, Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker are joined by Ringer writer Tyler Tynes and Washington Post reporter Robert Klemko to discuss their perspectives from the ground of both cities, Brooklyn and Minneapolis. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Days of nationwide protests have followed the killing of George Floyd, who died while in police custody. Ringer writer Justin Charity joins Bryan Curtis, David Shoemaker, and Chris Almeida to discuss the situation unfolding before all of us. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker discuss Trump’s latest allegations against Joe Scarborough and the supporters “urging him to stop" (1:35). Then listener mail, including the question “Will we ever again get a 'DAVID…' opener from Bryan before the intro music?” (19:05). Lastly, Curtis is joined by Rob Mahoney, sports writer at The Ringer, to explore what arenas and stadiums could sound like without a crowd (33:30). Plus, the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week, and David Guesses the Strained-Pun Headline. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices