One Perfect Story: Wright Thompson on Writing About Michael Jordan
1 February 2023 - 42 minsBryan is joined by Wright Thompson on the 10-year anniversary of his ESPN profile "Michael Jordan Has Not Left the Building." They begin by reflecting on the pitching process—discussing how the story came to be and how Thompson got a hold of Michael—then touch on his expectations for the piece, his experience talking with both Michael and Michael's friend George Koehler, and what he came prepared for. Later, they discuss the impact the piece had on his career and how it compares to features highlighting other greats such as Tiger Woods, Ted Williams, and Phil Mickelson.
Host: Bryan Curtis
Guest: Wright Thompson
Associate Producer: Erika Cervantes
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Series Episodes
The Democrats’ Big Night and ESPN’s New Bookie. Plus: Booger McFarland on Alabama-LSU, Playing Dirty, and More.
Hello, media consumers! Bryan and Joel discuss everything coming out of election night, including how the big news stations covered it, where Steve Kornacki has gone, how conservatives are coping, and the New York Post’s Mamdani headline. Next, Bryan and Joel dive into ESPN and DraftKings’ new partnership and ESPN Bet being no more (21:47), before talking about Drew Brees returning to the announcer booth (25:25) and Teen Vogue going by the wayside (32:52). The shows ends with the next installment of 25 for 25 as Booger McFarland joins to talk about Alabama-LSU, playing dirty, and the departure of head coach Brian Kelly (46:06). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
1 hour 21 mins
6 November Finished
Last-Minute Election Stories, Trump Goes on ‘60 Minutes,’ and (Another) White House Reporter Caper
Hello, media consumers! Bryan and a returning David discuss Dick Cheney’s death by reviewing his relationship to the press (12:20), before diving into last-minute election stories covering the final days of Zohran Mamdani’s campaign, California's Prop 50, and a fake Bill de Blasio (33:10). Next, Bryan and David talk about everything that came out of Trump’s newest interview with CBS’s ‘60 Minutes,’ what CBS chose to air, and the Bari Weiss of it all (42:24). Lastly, Bryan and David dive through some NFL audio and share their thoughts on the return of a certain football podcast (1:00:02). Plus, the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week, and David Shoemaker Guesses the Strained-Pun Headline! Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker Producer: Bruce Baldwin Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
1 hour 10 mins
4 November Finished
CBS’s Halloween "Bloodbath" and Michael Jordan as the NBA's Ombudsman. Plus: Vox’s Astead Herndon on Leaving The New York Times and the Future of the Democrats.
Hello, media consumers! Bryan and Joel discuss the layoffs at CBS News (0:51) before diving into their thoughts on Michael Jordan’s two appearances on NBC thus far (14:05), the NBA's relationship to storytelling, and what they want from these MJ appearances. Next, Bryan and Joel educate the listeners on Jennifer Welch (28:41), including where she originally grabbed the spotlight, what she does, and where she fits in the modern political media ecosystem. They end the show with the next installment of 25 for 25 as Vox’s Astead Herndon joins to talk about leaving The New York Times and the future of the Democrats (47:13). Hosts: Bryan Curtis and Joel Anderson Guest: Astead Herndon Producer: Bruce Baldwin Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
1 hour 35 mins
31 October Finished
ESPN’s Gamble, CBS and John Dickerson, and Graham Platner’s Reddit Posts
Hello, media consumers! Bryan is joined by Joel out of the bullpen to dig through everything that has come out of the NBA’s gambling scandal (0:40) before they share their thoughts on how ESPN handled the coverage of that news, who at the worldwide leader should be covering these stories, which former ESPN employees would have covered this in the past, and more. Next, Bryan and Joel discuss John Dickerson leaving ‘CBS Evening News’ and what names have been reported to replace him (24:46). Finally, Bryan and Joel break down all the news surrounding Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner (40:55). Plus, the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week, and Joel Anderson Guesses the Strained-Pun Headline! Hosts: Bryan Curtis and Joel Anderson Producer: Bruce Baldwin Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
1 hour 13 mins
29 October Finished
How Zohran Mamdani Won the Hearts and Minds of the Media (and New York City)
Bryan and Joel are together in the studio to discuss Zohran Mamdani in the 17th edition of their 25 for 25 series (2:00). They discuss Mamdani as a political phenomenon (6:12), a media phenomenon (21:03), and someone who is signaling generation change (25:55). Later they welcome Eric Lach of The New Yorker, who profiled Mamdani for the magazine. Lach discusses what he learned from Mamdani after speaking with him (34:22). Hosts: Bryan Curtis and Joel Anderson Guest: Eric Lach Producer: Brian H. Waters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
1 hour
23 October Finished
An NBA TV Mega-Preview, Good News About The Washington Post, and Your Favorite NFL Clichés
An NBA TV Mega-Preview, Good News About The Washington Post, and Your Favorite NFL Clichés Hello, media consumers! Bryan and David are back to discuss the worst response issued by the White House to a reporter's question, some good news about The Washington Post, and issues at Indiana University’s student newspaper (00:35). The two then dig into their NBA mega-preview! They talk about the return of ‘NBA on NBC Sports,’ including Mike Tirico's return to calling NBA games and the network's new broadcast format, "On the Bench," (20:00). They also get into why it’s exciting that Dirk Nowitzki is making his debut as an analyst with Amazon and that Ian Eagle finally became a no. 1 play-by-play announcer (25:34). To wrap the preview, Bryan and David wonder how ‘Inside the NBA’ will translate to ESPN and whether the network can finally develop a no. 1 announce team (31:44). They then dig into the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week before diving into some favorite NFL clichés (35:45). The two close with David's guess for this week’s Strained-Pun Headline. Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker Producer: Kyle Williams Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
57 mins
21 October Finished
