Ohio State and Barstool, the Great Film Critic Shortage, and the MS NOW Acronym Challenge. Plus: Michael M. Grynbaum on the Past and Future of Condé Nast.

The Press Box

The Ringer

Sports

4.4 • 3.1K Ratings

🗓️ 26 August 2025

⏱️ 85 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Hello, media consumers! Bryan and David open up the show by talking about Rich Eisen’s return to the 'SportsCenter' desk. Then they discuss a report that Dave Portnoy was banned from Ohio Stadium (6:17) and talk about the state of local film critics (16:50). They also check in on their MS NOW challenge (31:28) and run through the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week before Bryan is joined by Michael M. Grynbaum of The New York Times. They discuss his new book: 'Empire of the Elite: Inside Condé Nast, the Media Dynasty That Reshaped America.' They talk about the history and future of Condé Nast, the company that owns Vogue, Vanity Fair, and The New Yorker (45:54). Finally, David guesses the Strained Pun Headline of the Week (1:18:57)!Hosts: Bryan Cutis and David ShoemakerGuest: Michael M. GrynbaumProducer: Isaiah Blakely Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Okay, this is a true story.
0:03.3	I have a friend who once faked his own death so he could have more time to watch his favorite TV show.
0:11.5	In my new podcast, Truthless, I'm talking to people about the lies they tell, from forging new identities to taking their love of Game of Thrones a little too far.
0:23.0	From Spotify and the Ringer podcast network, I'm Brian Phillips.
0:27.3	Listen to Truthless on Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
0:36.6	There are some things you should always check, like the hygiene rating on your local takeaway,
0:43.4	the setting on your razor, and whether the party actually is fancy dress. The other thing you should check
0:49.5	is your Experian credit report, especially if you're looking to borrow money. It lets you understand what lenders see so you can increase your chances of getting the best deals. It's dead easy to check it and completely free. See it in seconds. Download the Experian app today.
1:09.0	David? Yes. I was having a little late August reverie last week.
1:15.5	Oh.
1:16.4	I was going back to a cherished decade in my life and yours, the 90s.
1:23.2	Sure.
1:24.9	And the occasion was Rich Eisen.
1:28.5	Yeah.
1:29.4	Sports Center anchor of the late 90s was back on the show again.
1:36.8	We've talked about how Rich Eisen is bringing his podcast slash radio show to ESPN.
1:42.7	To mark the occasion ESPN, had him come do SportsCenter one more time.
1:49.0	Yeah.
1:49.7	First time in 22 years he's been behind that desk.
1:53.6	Yep.
1:54.8	What I want to talk to you about is the language of 90s Sports Center.
2:00.0	Please.
	...

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