The Press Box

This week on 'Damage Control,' The Ringer’s Justin Charity and Kate Knibbs discuss the political chaos surrounding children being separated from their families and detained at the U.S.-Mexico border (1:10). They also delve into the incredibly fraught life and legacy of rapper XXXTentacion, who died on Monday (19:46). More from The Ringer: The Unsolvable Difficulty of XXXTentacion’s Death Odd Future: The Death of XXXTentacion and Rap’s Generational Crisis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer's Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker sit down to sift through the blame game regarding children being separated from their parents at the border and how the media writes about "lies" (04:15), the Justice Department seizing 'New York Times' reporter Ali Watkins's emails and cell phone data (14:00), the recent profile of ESPN's Stephen A. Smith in 'The New Yorker' (28:00), and how the media handles celebrity suicide (37:00). Credits: Hosted by: Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker Produced by: Jim Cunningham Brought to you by: The Ringer Podcast Network Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ringer editor-in-chief Sean Fennessey chats with Pixar original Brad Bird about returning to his animation roots with ‘Incredibles 2’ after making live-action movies like ‘Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol’ and ‘Tomorrowland.' Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer’s Juliet Litman and Amanda Dobbins give some background on Ariana Grande and Pete Davidson (1:00) before going deep on the timeline of their relationship leading up to their engagement (9:57). Plus, Amanda gives her two-minute review of ‘Ocean’s 8’ (29:17). Refinery29's timeline of their relationship Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ringer editor-in-chief Sean Fennessey chats with the Oscar-winning documentary filmmaker Morgan Neville about his new film, ‘Won’t You Be My Neighbor,’ about one of the world’s foremost champions of kindness and decency, Mister Rogers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer's Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker sit down to reflect on the legacy of Anthony Bourdain (02:15), conservative columnist Charles Krauthammer announcing he has weeks to live (13:45), the Showtime doc series 'The Fourth Estate' (21:00), and the 'Fire and Fury' sequel (34:00). Credits: Hosted by: Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker Produced by: Jim Cunningham Brought to you by: The Ringer Podcast Network Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ringer editor-in-chief Sean Fennessey sits down with filmmaker Ari Aster to discuss his first full-length feature, ‘Hereditary,’ and the process of crafting a deeply disturbing experience for moviegoers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer's Justin Charity and Kate Knibbs try to understand why there are so many conspiracy theories around the lack of public Melania Trump sightings (0:52) and how the first lady is different from both her family and her predecessors (4:37). They also discuss the rap beefs that are currently ruling the music world and how people remain entertained even as the public spats turn violent (17:20). More from The Ringer: Solitary Confinement: Seriously, Where—and Who—Is Melania Trump? Rap Beef Emergency: Drake vs. Pusha-T Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer's Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker run the hurry-up offense to tackle Donald Trump's issue with the Philadelphia Eagles (04:30), the Bryan Colangelo story (10:30), Bill Clinton's appearance on 'Today' (23:45), 'High Noon' with Bomani Jones and Pablo Torre (32:00), the end of 'Arrested Development' and 'Roseanne' (39:45), and LeBron James's press conference after the J.R. Smith snafu (46:45). Credits: Hosted by: Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker Produced by: Jim Cunningham Brought to you by: The Ringer Podcast Network Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ringer editor-in-chief Sean Fennessey chats with writer-director Bart Layton about his path from unconventional documentaries to his ambitious new docufiction heist movie, ‘American Animals.' Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer’s Juliet Litman and Amanda Dobbins are joined by Justin Charity to break down the current feud going on between Pusha-T and Drake, including Pusha-T’s diss track alleging Drake has a secret child (1:32) and what this will mean for the future of the rappers' careers (14:26). Then they breakdown the other feud of the weekend between Kim Kardashian West and Rhymefest over Donda’s House (29:18) and Kardashian’s trip to the White House to discuss prison reform (34:05). More from The Ringer: Pusha-T Finally Became a Star by Being a Scourge Rap Beef Emergency: Drake vs. Pusha-T Drake Lost: The Ruthlessness of Pusha-T’s Ferocious Diss Track Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer’s Sean Fennessey and David Shoemaker convene for an instant-reaction breakdown of the latest 'Star Wars' spin-off movie, ‘Solo,’ to discuss whether Alden Ehrenreich lives up to Harrison Ford’s legacy, how the story’s timelines fit together, and whether the movie actually works. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer’s Kate Knibbs and Justin Charity unpack the complicated politics and relationship between pop musician Grimes and tech billionaire Elon Musk (1:50), and then analyze the recent television ad campaigns from Facebook and Uber that vaguely acknowledge each company’s recent scandals and promise to be better (13:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer's Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker "celebrate" the one-year anniversary of Robert Mueller's investigation into Russia's possible involvement in the 2016 presidential election (02:30), examine how America consumed the royal wedding (22:30), and look at Alex Rodriguez's media makeover (35:30). Credits: Hosted by: Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker Produced by: Jim Cunningham Brought to you by: The Ringer Podcast Network Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ringer editor-in-chief Sean Fennessey sits down with legendary filmmaker Paul Schrader to discuss his powerful new film, ‘First Reformed,’ starring Ethan Hawke; his patient style of filmmaking, and his major career achievements, such as cocreating ‘Taxi Driver,’ ‘Raging Bull,’ and ‘The Last Temptation of Christ.’ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer’s Sean Fennessey and Andrew Gruttadaro digest the latest blockbuster superhero movie, ‘Deadpool 2,’ by unpacking what worked and what didn’t among the numerous meta jokes and pop culture references. They discuss the long-anticipated arrival of Josh Brolin’s "Cable," why Deadpool is so popular, and where the character and the franchise goes from here. SPOILER ALERT: This episode contains serious spoilers for the movie. Be warned! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In his first micropod, chef and Momofuku founder Dave Chang is joined by The Ringer’s Mallory Rubin to recapitulate their debate over the controversial film ‘Star Wars: The Last Jedi.’ Stay tuned for Dave’s interview with ‘Last Jedi’ director Rian Johnson and film critic Karina Longworth later this week. Subscribe to 'The Dave Chang Show' feed here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer’s Juliet Litman and Amanda Dobbins answer listener questions about Saturday’s royal wedding between Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. They cover everything from the situation with Meghan’s dad (1:21) to speculation about Prince Harry's real parents (24:57). Then they make some predictions for the event (41:31). For more reading on the royal wedding, check out the links below: The latest on the royal wedding The New Yorker’s Lauren Collins on royal romance 14 etiquette rules the royal family must always follow The New York Times on Markle’s family Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer's Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker take a look at how sports writers may be partially responsible for the Supreme Court's recent ruling on sports gambling (02:15), how the media is celebrating John McCain (21:00), and why Andrew Marchand of the 'New York Post' called out ESPN's Katie Nolan (37:45). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ringer editor-in-chief Sean Fennessey chats with comedic filmmaker Ben Falcone about ‘Life of the Party’—his new movie starring his wife, Melissa McCarthy—and what it’s like to creatively collaborate with his life partner. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ringer editor-in-chief Sean Fennessey chats with filmmaker Jason Reitman about his early box office success with movies like ‘Juno’ and ‘Up in the Air,’ the complicated nature of making movies that are not meant to be blockbusters in 2018, and his new and terrifying film about parenting, ‘Tully,’ starring Charlize Theron. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer's Justin Charity and Kate Knibbs discuss Childish Gambino's new song, "This Is America," and its controversial music video (0:29), what the qualifications are for handing out the "black genius" title (11:03), and R. Kelly potentially beginning to face consequences for his actions (19:31). More from The Ringer: When a Culture’s Fed Up Donald Glover’s Next Phase Is Here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer's Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker sit down to examine Rudy Giuliani's enlightening interview with Sean Hannity (02:00), Peter King's departure for 'Sports Illustrated' (23:00), and the confusion surrounding MSNBC's Joy Reid (38:30). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer's Juliet Litman and Amanda Dobbins discuss what led to Kanye West's latest controversial statement (2:13). Then, TMZ producer Van Lathan joins the show to discuss his confrontation with Kanye on 'TMZ Live' (15:48) and what happened after the cameras went off (30:33). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer's Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker deconstruct the media reaction Michelle Wolf's jokes (03:15), the role journalists played in bringing Bill Cosby to justice (26:00), and Mike Francesa's brief retirement and return to WFAN (28:45). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer’s Sean Fennessey and David Shoemaker take an exhaustive trip through the galaxy to break down the plot twists, character deaths, and paths forward for the Marvel Cinematic Universe after the action-packed, plot-heavy ‘Avengers: Infinity War.’ SPOILER ALERT: The second half of this episode contains serious spoilers for the movie. Be warned! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer's Justin Charity and Kate Knibbs discuss Kanye West's latest deep dive into the MAGA life (1:38), how rants are his signature art form (9:37), and the parallels between him and Donald Trump (12:15). Then they break down the incel movement, which started as an innocent online community but has grown into a deadly threat (17:40). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer's Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker break down Donald Trump's infatuation with Maggie Haberman (03:00), the media's outrage regarding sideline reporter Allie LaForce's question to LeBron James (23:00), and the fallout from 'Harper's' magazine firing editor James Marcus (41:30). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ringer editor-in-chief Sean Fennessey chats with legendary filmmaker Willam Friedkin, who’s responsible for films such as 'The French Connection,' 'The Exorcist,' 'Sorcerer,' and 'To Live and Die in L.A.' Friedkin discusses his distinguished career in film and why, at 82, he decided to create a new documentary about a real-life exorcism called 'The Devil and Father Amorth.' Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ringer editor-in-chief Sean Fennessey chats with comedic actor, director, and writer Jay Chandrasekhar about returning to make a ‘Super Troopers’ sequel 17 years after the original. Chandrasekhar also discusses what it’s like being an Indian American in Hollywood, returning to his roots, and bridging the divided audiences in comedy. More from Sean Fennessey on Movies Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer's Juliet Litman and Amanda Dobbins discuss Khloe Kardashian giving birth in the midst of her boyfriend's cheating scandal (0:38), Beyoncé's Coachella takeover (22:07), and Gwyneth Paltrow's engagement party, which definitely wasn't a wedding (33:35). More from The Ringer: The Beyoncé-at-Coachella Exit Survey Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer's Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker discuss the news of Sean Hannity being Michael Cohen's third client (02:00), the "Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week" (15:015), the James Comey book tour (19:15), and the media's coverage of the missile strike on Syria (39:30). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ringer editor-in-chief Sean Fennessey chats with filmmaker Andrew Haigh about his emotionally devastating ‘Lean on Pete,’ about an orphaned boy (Charlie Plummer) and his horse, the titular Pete, and their journey from Oregon to Wyoming in search of a long-lost family member. Haigh also discusses his long career as a director and the difference between making TV shows and making movies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer’s Justin Charity and Kate Knibbs break down Mark Zuckerberg’s week testifying in front of Congress (2:04) and what the legislators questioning him were missing (14:03). Then, they discuss the backlash against the ‘Simpsons’ character Apu (18:07) and how the series decided to address the controversy this week, which caused even more outrage (20:19). More from The Ringer: A Visual Guide to the Facebook Congressional Hearing Five Pressing Questions About Facebook’s Future ‘The Simpsons’ Decides There’s No ‘Problem With Apu’ ‘The Problem With Apu’ Wonders How to Rehabilitate the Embarrassing ‘Simpsons’ Character Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer's Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker sit down to unpack 'The Atlantic' severing ties with Kevin D. Williamson (02:00), how 'The Simpsons' responded to criticism of Apu's character (25:45), and the statement that news anchors on Sinclair-owned stations read (37:30). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ringer editor-in-chief Sean Fennessey sits down with Kay Cannon, the veteran screenwriter on ‘30 Rock,' New Girl,’ and all three ‘Pitch Perfect’ movies to discuss her new R-rated studio comedy and directorial debut ‘Blockers’ and her transition from writing to directing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer's Juliet Litman and Amanda Dobbins discuss actress Allison Mack's reported involvement in the alleged sex cult called Nxivm (1:38), Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan's breakup (12:48), Chris Hemsworth and Matt Damon's budding friendship (21:43), and the possible bad blood between Taylor Swift and Karlie Kloss (28:06). You can find the official Ringer web store here: http://bit.ly/ringershop More from The Ringer: The Leonardo DiCaprio Baseball Cap Bracket Check out other podcasts from The Ringer Podcast Network On NXIVM: Here Comes The Legal Protection - Blind Gossip How ‘Smallville’ Actress Allison Mack Became a Women-Branding Cult Leader - The Daily Beast Inside a Secretive Group Where Women Are Branded - The New York Times On the Channing Tatum/Jenna Dewan breakup All the Gossip About Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan’s Divorce - The Cut Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer’s David Shoemaker and Bryan Curtis discuss President Trump and Amazon’s latest spat (2:30), ESPN’s new morning show ‘Get Up!’ (18:05), and the latest Tiger Woods tell-all biography (35:51). You can find the official Ringer web store here: http://bit.ly/ringershop Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In preparation for Steven Spielberg's ‘Ready Player One,’ The Ringer’s Sean Fennessey and Chris Ryan discuss and debate the prolific filmmaker's best movies of all time. They cover everything from ‘Jaws’ to ‘Jurassic Park,’ from the ‘Indiana Jones’ series to ‘Saving Private Ryan,’ and many, many more (1:00). And later, CEO of The Ringer Bill Simmons stops by to give his take on how terrifying 'Jaws' was and Spielberg's career (43:00). Ringer web store Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on 'Damage Control,' The Ringer’s Justin Charity and K. Austin Collins discuss the unrealistic expectations surrounding Stormy Daniels’s ‘60 Minutes’ interview (1:47), the obsession with creating nostalgia porn for millennials (18:33), and how ‘Ready Player One’ may not be as groundbreaking as gamers think (29:04). You can find the official Ringer web store here: http://bit.ly/ringershop More from The Ringer: Subscribe to 'The Recappables' The Hilarious Life And Agonizing Death of Online Comedy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ringer editor-in-chief Sean Fennessey chats with 'Wild Wild Country' directors Maclain and Chapman Way and producer Mark Duplass about the arduous process of making an in-depth documentary that features a 64,000-acre ranch in Oregon, a spiritual guru, ritualistic group sex, assassination plots, guns, drugs, and bioterrorism. You can find the official Ringer web store here: http://bit.ly/ringershop Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer’s Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker discuss the Cambridge Analytica scandal and Mark Zuckerberg’s apology tour (02:00), the news that Sports Illustrated’s parent company intends to sell the venerable magazine (21:20), and a Fox News analyst leaving the network while Breitbart hemorrhages readers (34:45). You can find the official Ringer web store here: http://bit.ly/ringershop Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer’s Juliet Litman and Amanda Dobbins break down the timeline of Ben Affleck's phoenix back tattoo now that we finally know it's real (1:52). They also discuss Cynthia Nixon's announcement that she's running for New York governor (24:21), Aubrey O'Day's alleged affair with Donald Trump Jr. (27:15), Rihanna's takedown of Snapchat (34:13), and the latest in the Reese Witherspoon/'Big Little Lies' universe (38:53). More from The Ringer: Cynthia Nixon Might Not Be the Average Celebrity Candidate The Secret Ingredient—and Best Hope—of ‘Roseanne’ Subscribe to 'The Recappables' Also: Photos of Ben Affleck's back tattoo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer's Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker examine the startling story behind John Skipper's ESPN departure (01:45), Chris Cuomo's pivot to primetime (19:30), and how cable news is staffing the White House (28:30). They wrap up the show by reflecting on some notable media moments from the NCAA Tournament (33:15). Read Bryan Curtis's article "The New Draft Gurus" here: https://t.co/8hZGuxkOmQ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer’s Sean Fennessey and Chris Ryan recap the best movies they saw at the SXSW Film Festival, including ‘Ready Player One,’ ‘A Quiet Place,’ ‘Eighth Grade,’ and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on 'Damage Control,' The Ringer’s Justin Charity and K. Austin Collins discuss critics’ confusing handling of Ava DuVernay’s ‘A Wrinkle In Time’ (1:17), why wishing for black artists to have opportunities to make mediocre work is flawed thinking (19:44), and the cultural-appropriation accusations against Bruno Mars (21:39). More from The Ringer: ‘A Wrinkle in Time’ Is a Noble Failure The ‘A Wrinkle in Time’ Exit Survey Subscribe to 'The Recappables' Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer's Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker discuss the media spectacle surrounding Donald Trump's alleged affair with porn star Stormy Daniels (03:00), the controversy following New York Times columnist Farhad Manjoo's social media experiment (22:00), and how Michael Smith's departure from 'SportsCenter' reflects ESPN's programming problem (34:30). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ringer Editor-in-chief Sean Fennessey chats with first time director Cory Finley about his film ‘Thoroughbreds’ and his transition from playwright to filmmaker. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer's Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker break down the handling of the Academy Awards (01:45), what Hope Hicks's White House departure means for the press (22:45), and the FBI vs. the University of Arizona by way of ESPN and Mark Schlabach (35:30). Read Miles Surrey's "The Winners and Losers of the 2018 Academy Awards" here: https://t.co/FR1HeJsNqi Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer’s Juliet Litman and Amanda Dobbins rejoice at the end of awards season and discuss Sunday night’s Oscars (1:21). They also talk about Barbra Streisand cloning her dogs (17:23) and the four billboards outside Palm Springs in honor of Serena Williams (22:26). More from The Ringer: 2018 Oscars coverage Subscribe to 'Bachelor Party' Related Links: Barbra Streisand Explains: Why I Cloned My Dog (New York Times) Serena Williams' four billboards (Instagram) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices