New Rory & MAL – "Best of Rory & Mal: Week of 10/6" (October 12, 2025)

Episode Overview

This “best of” episode of the New Rory & MAL podcast features a series of lively, irreverent discussions and hot takes from hosts Rory and Mal, with their usual crew (including Damaris and an unnamed central host/producer). The episode dives into viral news stories, gender and generational debates, music industry controversies, concert etiquette, and more, always blending humor and cultural commentary.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Mark Sanchez Road Rage Incident (02:25–11:37)

• Topic: Former NFL quarterback Mark Sanchez reportedly assaulting a 69-year-old truck driver, leading to Sanchez being stabbed in self-defense.
• Key Points:
  • Initial reaction was sympathy for Sanchez, but as details emerged, it was revealed he was the aggressor.
  • Speculation over whether Sanchez’s behavior was linked to CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy) from football.
  • Extended riff on whether it’s “weird” for a 69-year-old to drive a truck and to carry pepper spray and a knife.
  • Male ego and self-defense tools: Jokes about the “femininity” of men carrying pepper spray.

"Beating the shit out of a 69 year old is nuts."
— Main Host, (05:00)

"I was in AutoZone... they have pepper spray there, like in a bowl. I was like, nah, I feel so pussy buying pepper spray. As a man, my ego would feel really odd."
— Main Host, (05:57)

"I'm with you on that. Like, not. I'll take the ass whooping."
— Damaris, (06:49)

• Memorable Exchange:
  Spirited debate on if men should carry pepper spray, with Rory suggesting it’s reasonable for men on parole, while Damaris and the host joke about how it's "feminine."

2. Concert Etiquette and Masculinity (11:37–23:18)

• Topic: What behaviors are or aren’t acceptable for men at concerts, especially at R&B shows (e.g., recording Chris Brown, singing in harmony).
• Key Points:
  • Damaris asserts men should not record Chris Brown concerts or sing along passionately ("It's nasty for a man to record Chris Brown's concert. That is disgusting.").
  • Discussion extends to sporting events: Is it different if a man records Kobe’s last game versus a Chris Brown show?
  • Conversation about men reminiscing (jokingly deemed "not allowed").
  • Playful banter about generational differences, “the ick,” and the bro code.

“Two niggas should not be calling each other and saying, yo, we out to Chris Brown together. That's a little shaky.”
— Rory, (15:12)

“Only ones allowed to reminisce is Pete Rock and CL Smooth. All you others, just remember. Don’t reminisce.”
— Damaris, (18:21)

• Funny Moment:
  They joke about whether they’d faint or record if Michael Jackson was performing in front of them (16:00).
  “You would have fainted.” — Rory, teasing Damaris (15:56–16:19)

3. Cancel Culture, Industry Hypocrisy & Reputational Consequences (28:16–36:52)

• Topic: How the music industry and public respond to artists accused of serious wrongdoing—centering on Diddy ("Puff") and Tory Lanez.
• Key Points:
  • Examines backlash when fans see artists supporting controversial figures (case in point: Glorilla reposting a Tory Lanez song, 28:40–29:34).
  • Predicting that Tory Lanez will receive robust support upon release from jail, while Diddy won’t—despite both being connected to harming women.
  • Industry’s willingness to forgive based on relationships, public perception, and PR strategy: “How he spun that and everything he put in the media, even from jail, made people believe he didn’t shoot a woman after he apologized on a jail call.” — Main Host, (31:26)
  • Discussion of who will land the first post-jail interviews with Diddy or Tory Lanez (Kai Cenat, Aiden Ross, Gail King suggested).

“I think his [Tory Lanez’s] audience supports him... I just think it’s going to be drastically different than what we’ve seen with most people.”
— Main Host, (31:22)

“People gotta stop–just say you don’t care that he did it. You don’t care about Megan, just say that.”
— Damaris, (31:56)

• Memorable Joke:
  Speculation on Puff doing his first post-prison interview with Gail King, and Tory’s with Aiden Ross. Imagining Tory Lanez doing “Hot Ones” after release (35:44).

4. The Return of VERZUZ: Cash Money vs. No Limit (37:01–54:45)

• Topic: Complex Con’s upcoming VERZUZ battle: Cash Money vs. No Limit.
• Key Points:
  • Hosts express excitement but raise logistical and ethical questions ("Who’s going to show up? Can they play Mystikal’s records if he's in jail for serious charges?").
  • Speculates about surprise guests: Will Drake, Nikki, Wayne, or Juvenile attend? Concerns that “the further you go down the bench,” the more dominant Cash Money becomes.
  • Discussion on how real beefs and fractured relationships impact the event.
  • Reflects nostalgically on the historical significance of both record labels and wonders about potential documentaries.

“This could either be the greatest moment in hip hop or one of the worst. No in between.”
— Main Host, (37:47)

“I just don’t know what the performance of a VERZUZ looks like from these two labels.”
— Damaris, (42:47)

• Notable Quote on Master P:

  “Master P is what a lot of people think those moguls are like—direct to consumer, out the trunk to multi-millionaire status.”
  — Main Host, (54:06)

5. Gay Neighborhoods, Changing Food Scenes & Pizza Snobbery (44:58–53:11)

• Topic: The geography of gay neighborhoods ("gay capitals"), New York’s changing standing in food culture, and the proliferation of New York-branded pizza and chicken shops nationwide.
• Key Points:
  • Discovery that “Wilton Manors” near Fort Lauderdale is Florida’s "gay capital."
  • Jokes about the competitive standards set by gay men for attractiveness, and how women only care about gay compliments.
  • Riff on pizza—whether good pizza is now available everywhere or New York still reigns supreme.

“I mean, New York, we lost hip hop, we’ve lost the best restaurants, and we lost the gays. We used to be the gay capital too.”
— Main Host, (50:14)

• Pizza Snob Quote:

  “I could tell, as soon as you bring it out the oven, like, it ain’t enough cheese on that. The crust is too thick. I could just look at it.”
  — Damaris, (51:09)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Men can’t own pepper spray. That’s crazy.” — Damaris (09:27)
• “Only Pete Rock and CL Smooth are allowed to reminisce.” — Damaris (18:19)
• “Two niggas should not be calling each other and saying, yo, we out to Chris Brown together.” — Rory (15:12)
• “Master P is what a lot of people think those moguls are like—direct to consumer, out the trunk to multi-millionaire status.” — Main Host (54:06)
• “I was in AutoZone... they have pepper spray there, like in a bowl. I was like, nah, I feel so pussy buying pepper spray. As a man, my ego would feel really odd.” — Main Host, (05:57)
• “We used to be the gay capital too.” — Main Host (50:14)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Mark Sanchez incident / men & pepper spray: 02:25–11:37
• Concert etiquette, masculinity & recording at shows: 11:37–23:18
• Industry hypocrisy & cancel culture (Diddy/Tory Lanez): 28:16–36:52
• Cash Money vs No Limit VERZUZ debate: 37:01–54:45
• Gay neighborhoods, NY food culture, pizza snobs: 44:58–53:11

Tone and Language

The episode is marked by the show’s signature blend of sarcasm, self-mockery, and blunt opinions on pop culture and gender politics. Genuine insights emerge from the banter, but the tone remains playful—even when the topics get heavy.

Summary

This "best of" episode encapsulates New Rory & Mal’s appeal: snappy, unfiltered discussions about viral news, music industry drama, masculinity in pop culture, and the nuances of generational and gender divides. With memorable jokes, honest self-reflection, and rambunctious chemistry, the crew delivers both laughs and sharp cultural observations.