New Rory & MAL: Best of Rory & Mal – Week of 1/19

Release Date: January 25, 2026
Hosts: Rory, MAL, Damaris, Josh
Podcast Network: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume

Episode Overview

This week's "Best of" episode features a highlight reel of hilarious hot takes, candid conversations, and playful debates about everything from the cultural legacy of bowling to critiques of modern hip hop, double albums, and the enduring debate over the best Matt Damon and Ben Affleck movies. With sharp-witted banter and irreverent insights, Rory, MAL, and friends give listeners laughs and real opinions on relationships, music, pop culture, and life’s random hypotheticals.

Bowling Nostalgia & Debate: Is Bowling Still Cool?

[02:33 - 06:13]

• Bowling’s Cultural Decline:
  Rory shouts out a friend’s new bowling alley and reminisces about when bowling used to be a central social activity. He wonders aloud why bowling has faded from mainstream fun and muses on how people now travel more for excitement.

  “Remember when bowling alleys were a thing? Like what happened?”
  — Rory [02:57]

• Global Bowling Show Idea:
  Offers a tongue-in-cheek pitch for a show about traveling the world introducing bowling to people who’ve never bowled.

  “I would go to a bowling alley in Sweden, see how the Swedes bowl.”
  — Rory [03:11]

• Are Pro Bowlers Real Athletes?
  Rory throws shade at professional bowlers, calling them the “most trash athletes on the planet,” arguing that bowling should result in perfect scores every time since it’s repetitive and relatively unchallenging.

  “There’s no way you don’t bowl a perfect score every time... It’s your life’s work!”
  — Rory [03:36, 04:18]

• Debate Ensues:
  Josh and Damaris push back, defending the mental aspect and challenge of competitive bowling and criticizing Rory’s take as unreasonable.

  “Nobody is perfect, so you can’t [expect that].”
  — Josh [04:54]

  “You ass at bowling. Why you over here jumping?”
  — Damaris [06:13]

Dating, Bowling & First Date Etiquette

[06:16 - 10:27]

• Bowling as a Date Move:
  The group jokes about the old routine of taking someone bowling as a cheap early date, complete with innuendo and laughs about post-date hookups. Damaris lays out the female perspective, saying bowling signals “broke guy energy” unless in a relationship.

  “That child was broke. It's a cheap date.”
  — Damaris [08:00]

• Ideal Early Dates for Women:
  Damaris says she prefers gaming dates, sharing a personal anecdote about a first date at Dave & Buster’s. Rory and Josh acknowledge not all women love bowling, emphasizing the importance of doing what your date enjoys.

  “If that's the type of woman I'm dating, we're not going to Dave & Buster's. I'll just buy the bag and we'll... This would never happen.”
  — Rory [09:24]

• Connect 4 and Relationship Wagers:
  Jokes about betting on Connect 4—a playful thread about how relationship games turn competitive (including suggestive wagers), and who’s most likely to lose.

  “Losing in Connect 4 is only off neglect in, like, drunk game night...There's no way you focused and lose in Connect 4.”
  — Rory [10:34]

Sexting, Boundaries, and "Nut Videos"

[10:42 - 13:30]

• Sexting Anecdotes:
  Josh shares a story about a “loss” in Connect 4 that resulted in a sexting dare. The cast launches a candid discussion on sharing explicit videos, "edging," and post-nut clarity.

  “Editing your nut video is...the sickest thing of all.”
  — Rory [12:35]

• Reactions and Petty Moves:
  Damaris admits she'll leave men's risky videos unread to be petty or get back at someone, with the group laughing at how this could backfire.

  “And I’m a terrible person because...I’m going to leave you on red for at least an hour.”
  — Damaris [12:51] "That's evil."
  — Rory [12:57]

Kissing Styles, Passion & Public Displays

[13:53 - 17:39]

• Can You Tell If He Likes You By His Kiss?
  Josh retells feedback from a date who believed his kissing style lacked passion. This sparks a candid exchange about public tongue kissing and cultural differences, with Damaris noting, "White boys love mono."

• Passionate Kissing Mechanics:
  Rory distinguishes between early and deeply passionate kisses, describing the difference as "face touch, hand hold" and playful, intimate gestures.

  “It's a lot of testing the waters to see what she likes...Making out is not just to get to me eating your p***y. Like, we're gonna take our time here and make out.”
  — Rory [18:00]

• Public PDA:
  Damaris argues showing passion in public builds anticipation and attraction, causing more playful debate.

Music Reviews: A$AP Rocky, Big Three, and Double Albums

[18:41 - 24:28]

• A$AP Rocky’s "Don’t Be Dumb" Album:
  Damaris, Josh, and Rory discuss the album, all agreeing it’s Rocky’s best work in years, particularly praising the production and experimentation.

  "Every beat on this is better than any beat I heard all of last year."
  — Rory [20:01] "The album sounds really good...some of the best music that I've heard from Rocky in a very long time."
  — Josh [23:27]

• Rocky’s Influence & "Big Three":
  There’s back-and-forth on whether Rocky belongs in the new rap “Big Three,” with Damaris proposing Tyler, Travis Scott, and Playboi Carti, noting Rocky’s influence but thinking his time has passed.

  “I always felt like the ASAP crew and Odd Future were perfect, like mirrors of the kids from those cities at that time.”
  — Rory [22:34]

Hip-Hop Labels: TI, Grand Hustle, and Missed Opportunities

[25:05 - 29:33]

• TI’s Comeback and Grand Hustle’s Potential:
  Rory hears a snippet of TI’s new song and reflects on Grand Hustle’s almost legendary run—how it could have outshined others if TI's legal troubles hadn’t derailed it. They recount how stars like Meek Mill and Travis Scott started at Grand Hustle before leaving for MMG and GOOD Music.

  “If things panned out contractually...Grand Hustle could have been one of the biggest labels of the early 2010s.”
  — Rory [25:46] “When you're an artist and you're still in your prime, it's hard to have a label and really focus and get other talent off...which is why I always praise Wayne for that.”
  — Josh [27:11]

• Why Some Labels Fail:
  The hosts discuss why it’s tough for superstar artists to simultaneously cultivate new talent, using TI and Lil Wayne as contrasting examples.

Stranded Island Hypotheticals: Would You Get Horny?

[33:39 - 39:57]

• Movie Talk Inspires Stranded Island Hypotheticals:
  After discussing Desert Island survival movies (including Rachel McAdams’ newest, "Castaway," and the classic "The Beach"), Rory asks if survival would make people more or less likely to hook up due to trauma bonding and biological drives.

  “I think I would 100% beat off...If two people of the same age...you probably end up f***ing.”
  — Rory [35:55, 38:20]

  “Once you get to the point where you know we're gonna survive...But the first initial plane goes down, second day on the island—no f***ing way. You're a maniac.”
  — Josh [38:28]

• Science Check:
  They read AI-generated answers about human sexual desire under deserted island conditions, agreeing that eventually, biology wins—but not before food and water!

  “Trauma makes you horny...Yes, I agree.”
  — Josh [37:13]

• TV References:
  Lost and Lord of the Flies come up as examples where, given time, intimacy would occur. Damaris points out that on "Lost" there was, predictably, sex among the castaways.

Matt Damon vs. Ben Affleck—Who’s Better?

[41:32 - 49:45]

• The Great Debate:
  Sparked by the new Damon/Affleck film "Rip," the hosts debate which Boston actor has had the superior career—factoring in acting chops, filmography, and cultural impact.

  “Matt...But it’s closer than people give credit. I think Ben, in the second half of his career, has caught up.”
  — Rory [42:49] “‘The Town’ is better than every Jason Bourne movie...I could watch The Town any time.”
  — Rory [47:06] “Gone Girl—underrated movie.”
  — Josh [47:45] “Me, personally, I’m taking Ben Affleck. I think Ben Affleck is a better actor.”
  — Josh [48:02]

• Classic Film Comparisons:
  They weigh "Saving Private Ryan" vs "Armageddon" and "The Town" vs "The Departed," with nuanced takes and hotly contested choices, plus jokes about which movies they’ll actually rewatch (even with commercials).

  “If a movie is really good, I’ll watch it with commercials.”
  — Josh [47:32]

• Man Crush Monday:
  Rory admits to a “man crush” on both Affleck and Damon, singing the praises of their work ethic, their roots, and their new “profit-share with the film crew” business model.

Memorable Quotes

• Rory:

  "Every beat on this [A$AP Rocky] is better than any beat I heard all of last year." [20:01] "I think professional bowlers are the most trash athletes on the planet." [03:29]

• Josh:

  "But even when it's your life's work...you're going to miss. Now, you might not miss again for another 90 shots, but you'll miss. Yeah, it happens." [05:49] “Gone Girl—underrated movie.” [47:45]

• Damaris:

  "That child was broke. It's a cheap date." [08:00] “I'm a terrible person because I get a nut video and I'm going to leave you on red for at least an hour.” [12:51]

Notable Timestamps

• Bowling nostalgia/athlete debate: 02:33 – 06:13
• Early date do's & don’ts: 06:16 – 10:27
• Sexting, edging, & post-nut debates: 10:42 – 13:30
• Kissing, PDA, & passion: 13:53 – 17:39
• A$AP Rocky "Don’t Be Dumb" review: 18:41 – 24:28
• TI/Grand Hustle/label insights: 25:05 – 29:33
• Desert Island hypotheticals: 33:39 – 39:57
• Matt Damon vs Ben Affleck movies: 41:32 – 49:45

Tone & Style

The conversation throughout is light-hearted, unfiltered, and irreverent, with plenty of jokes, partner-roasting, and cultural callouts. The hosts keep it real and relatable regardless of the topic.

Key Takeaways

• Bowling has deeper cultural roots than we remember—and is great for a cheap date, even if not everyone loves it.
• Playful competitiveness, especially on date nights, is a recurring theme in millennial relationships.
• The group feels A$AP Rocky’s new album is one of his best and recognize his outsized influence, if not “Big Three” status.
• Hip-hop labels live or die by their founders’ focus; TI’s legal issues arguably cost Grand Hustle its legacy.
• Pop culture debates are at their best when rooted in personal re-watchability and mutual respect for icons like Affleck and Damon.
• No matter the context—be it stranded on an island or just playing Connect 4—the group's answers always balance jokes with the real.

For fans new and old, this episode is packed with the trademark humor, insight, and cultural critique that defines "New Rory & MAL."