PMT DB
PMT DB
Ryen Russillo and Mark Titus on Life Episode 2, Marriage, and Career Peaks
Live from Ryen Russillo’s Japanese minimalist-inspired home in LA, the original Life crew reunited for the first time in over two years. The vibe was immediately established when Russillo revealed he’d been sending Big Cat’s children “dickhead gifts,” including a 500-piece clear jigsaw puzzle. Big Cat countered with his own transformation, noting he’s had two kids since they last recorded, leading to a breakdown of how parenting shifts your perspective on everything from free time to how much you actually care about internet trolls.
The State of the Game
While this was a "Life" episode, you can't put these four in a room without the sports takes flying. The conversation turned toward the 2021 season, specifically the Big Ten’s postseason performance and Big Cat’s continued insistence that Michigan isn't quite as tough as they look.
Big CatMichigan ducked Michigan State during the 2020-21 seasons
Michigan ducked. Michigan ducked Michigan State.
Big Cat didn't stop at Michigan, though. He doubled down on his Scott Frost era Nebraska fandom, claiming the three-win Huskers were actually a top-tier team in disguise.
Big CatNebraska would have played Georgia closer than Michigan did in the 2021-22 CFP
They [Nebraska] probably would've played Georgia within like eight points. I swear to God. I swear to God.
On the basketball front, Mark Titus and Ryen Russillo got into the weeds on how the modern game has fundamentally changed the value of certain players. Russillo, never one to shy away from a bold structural change, thinks the league needs a drastic reset to fix the current style of play.
Ryen RussilloThe NBA should get rid of the three-point line
I think they should get rid of the three really... I think much like the shot clock, where they were like enough of this... I think he should get rid of the three really.
Mark Titus agreed, noting that the specialization he once relied on to make rosters is basically extinct because 7-footers are now jabbing and stepping back from deep like they're guards.
Mark TitusThree-point specialists are dying because every player is now a shooter
Three point specialists are dying. That's what I'm saying. I'm worried about the three point specialists. When you have guys like Jabari Smith and Paolo [Banchero] and Chet Holmgren... all the guys that are that big, that are now [shooting]. It's stupid.
Best Man Speeches and Wedding Strategy
Hank joined the conversation to prep for his first-ever best man speech for his brother’s wedding. The advice from the group was a mix of practical and borderline sabotaging. Big Cat insisted that the speech needs to be a sprint, not a marathon.
Big CatBest man speeches must be five minutes or less
I think you have to keep it like five minutes or less. I think anyone who goes longer than that is... it's three to five minutes.
There was a heated debate about the use of notes. Big Cat and Mark Titus argued that the moment you pull out a piece of paper, you’ve lost the room’s respect, while PFT Commenter suggested that being in the wedding party is actually a raw deal compared to the "sweet spot" of the guest list.
Big CatThe best social standing for a friend's wedding is being the 'seventh guy on the depth chart'
The best friend zone you can be in is getting invited to the bachelor party, but not being in the wedding party. That's the best spot... if you can be like the seventh guy on a friend's depth chart, it's the best spot.
Big CatYou should never use notes for a best man speech
I think you have to speak. I think the notes make you freaked out... I think no notes is the way to go... If you're up reading notes, you lose already because everyone's like, wait, you need notes for this?
Career Longevity and The Grind
A rare serious moment broke out when Mark Titus asked the hosts if they feel they've "peaked" or if they’re still chasing the next big thing. Russillo admitted he’s still "tortured" by the fear of sucking at his job, which is why he’s up at 5:00 AM taking usage rate notes on a Monday in February. Big Cat shared a similar sentiment, admitting that while he sometimes hates the internet, the high of nailing a massive interview like the one with Chris Berman is something he’ll never be able to walk away from.
To lighten the mood, the crew shared some updated life hacks for the modern man. PFT Commenter offered a tip for corporate survival, while Big Cat broke down his strategy for social dominance at summer barbecues.
PFT CommenterUse the phrase 'My understanding was' instead of 'I thought' to sound more professional when you screw up
Instead of saying, 'I thought we were supposed to do this, this and this,' say, 'My understanding was that I was supposed to do this, this and this.' It's a great way of saying the exact same thing, but also making it like halfway seem like you have your shit together because you had an understanding.
Big CatBeing the 'Cooler Guy' is a better social strategy than being the 'Grill Guy'
Be the cooler guy, not the grill guy. That's a big one. The grill guy in any outing or barbecue or anything sucks... Cooler guy gets to control the beer. Also, if you can keep everything cold, everyone's going to be like, oh my God, you did a great job.
As the sun set over Manhattan Beach, Russillo closed the loop on his connection to Los Angeles, explaining why the city’s relationship with its biggest icons is different than anywhere else in the world.
Ryen RussilloKobe Bryant has the strongest connection to his city of any modern athlete
I guess you could say Jeter, but that doesn't feel as tight as the Kobe thing. It feels like 1990 degree Mickey Mantle shit... There's not five people in modern sports that are more connected to the way a city loves them than Kobe and LA.
If you take one thing away from Life Episode 2, let it be that you should never, ever show up to a bachelor party without enough ice or a plan to leave early on Sunday morning.
