Life Wide Open w/ CboysTV

Episode: Seeing $200k+ Hoonicorn Rebuild For The First Time, Sora AI Videos, Keys to YouTube Success

Date: November 18, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, the CboysTV crew—CJ, Ben, Ryan, Ken, Evan, and Dalton—share their first reactions to the $200,000+ Hoonicorn rebuild at SEMA, dive deep on the wild world of Sora AI videos, reminisce about their growth on YouTube and their creative process, and provide unfiltered stories from behind the scenes, including hilarious takes on Fortnite skins, deer hunting fails, and the “Great Wall of Ken.” The conversation jumps between tech trends, industry insights, and personal antics, maintaining the group’s laid-back, tongue-in-cheek vibe.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Sora AI Videos: The Rise of AI-Generated Memes & Fan Content

[02:13–10:59]

• The crew discusses the explosion of Sora, a new AI video generator app, and notes the absurd creativity of fans using their likenesses.
• CJ: “There’s thousands of me… it just keeps going. I don’t even have enough time to watch them all… There’s literally nothing you can do on Sora that is going to make me mad or embarrassed because it’s so obviously fake to me.” (03:33)
• Fans remix inside jokes and moments from CboysTV’s podcasts and videos into digital memes.
• The group laughs over repeated Sora hot dog jokes about Mike, noting: “Everything is just him sucking down a glizzy.” (Ben, 03:04)
• Sora’s prompts often create surreal or glitchy results, occasionally blending their features or voices: “You have to be very, like, specific with your directions to it to make it extra good.” (CJ, 05:15)
• Sora doubles as a TikTok-style platform, lowering the barrier to creating content: “You don’t even have to get out of bed. Just type it in.” (Evan, 08:15)

2. AI, YouTube, and Content Authenticity

[10:59–12:18]

• There’s a discussion on whether AI-generated content threatens YouTube creators.
• CJ: “I think there’s still a desire for original content.” (11:16)
• YouTube’s algorithm may not favor AI content, maintaining a space for real personalities.
• The group touches on AI “influencers” and how some run multiple fake channels.

3. Gaming Culture: Fortnite, Skins & Cultural Commentary

[12:18–16:08]

• CJ talks about Fortnite’s new Simpsons map, reminiscing about “Simpsons Hit & Run.”
• The conversation veers to the sexualization of game characters and its effects on younger players. The crew jokes about premium “BBL” skins.
• CJ: “It’s a slippery slope that society is going down with these AI and then the video game characters getting us ready for the robots, brother.” (15:28)

4. CboysTV’s Humble Beginnings and YouTube Growth: Lessons Learned

[18:44–25:57]

• Reflection on hitting 5 million subscribers and a look back at early, rough videos and “dumb decisions.”
• Ben: “On the last video that we just posted...I was like, holy shit. This is why we didn’t hit a million subscribers for the first five years… We were so stupid. But also it was pretty funny.” (19:24)
• CJ: “You got to have a good idea, then you got to execute it properly. Then you have to make sure the filming was done properly. And then it has to be edited properly.” (22:13)
• Emphasis on growth, learning camera/editing skills, and keeping at it: “The only thing that’s not going to get us to 10 million is stopping.” (Evan, 21:45)
• Nostalgia for the early days—living in the shop, partying, and “living like rock stars,” with the wisdom that having little money kept them from real trouble.

5. Hoonicorn $200K+ Rebuild: SEMA Stories

[27:39–32:26]

• Ken, Ryan, and others recount seeing the Hoonicorn at SEMA, emphasizing the quality and cost of the rebuild.
• “Everything they’re building is out of, like, thick aluminum and metal… splitter… did not budge at all.” (Ryan, 28:47)
• Over $200,000 invested, only roof and trunk lid remain from the original.
• Ben’s dad is a superfan, keeping him posted on progress: “You don’t know the level of detail that’s going into this thing… you will be mind blown.” (Ben, 30:57)

6. SEMA & Horsepower Rodeo: Car Culture Highlights

[32:26–35:16]

• SEMA’s growing inclusion of stunt and burnout events, staged by figures like Weston.
• “Those guys drifting those trucks was more entertaining than anything else.” (Ken, 34:32)
• Details on wild stunts: trucks on fire, tire explosions, and rodeo-style showmanship.

7. Behind-the-Scenes Antics: Vegas Recap, Deer Hunting, and “Great Wall of Ken”

[35:46–56:43]

• The crew splinters—some head to Vegas, others stay for deer season.
• Ben’s deer hunting misadventures and gaming rituals (“Fortnite got a horned up. Played Fortnite.” (Ben, 45:37)), as well as early Christmas decorating debate.
• The Great Wall of Ken: Ken’s misadventures replacing a crumbling, expensive retaining wall due to poor workmanship: “I should not have chosen the lowest bidder.” (Ken, 56:09)
• CJ’s partner, Alex, is hilariously confused by the wall's ever-changing placement.

8. Live Streams, Sleep Streams, and YouTube Gimmicks

[60:07–63:38]

• The group brainstorms about streaming Ken’s life “Big Brother” style, including a “Ken sleeping” stream—debating if it’s genius or “exceptionally creepy.”
• Ben: “If my favorite youtuber was doing a sleeping stream, I’d have to tune in. And that doesn’t make me creepy. I just want to see what’s going on.” (62:01)

9. TV, Nostalgia, and Media Evolution

[67:02–70:45]

• Discussion on MTV’s “Ridiculousness” ending; respect for Rob Dyrdek’s long run on the network.
• Talk about TV’s shift away from music videos to reality and viral content.
• The decline of traditional TV and nostalgia (including for South Park’s chaotic schedule): “They’ve done whatever they wanted for—well, ever since they started.” (CJ, 73:44)

10. Fan Mail & Running Gags:

[75:06–79:37]

• CJ opens a fan mail package containing a stolen street sign and a ChatGPT-generated letter.
• Jokes about naming roads “Penis Lane” and inside jokes about weather and driving conditions (“The roads are penis, and I’m taking the scenic route.” (Ben, 79:37))

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “There’s literally nothing you can do on Sora that is going to make me mad or embarrassed because it’s just, it’s so obviously fake to me.” —CJ (03:33)
• “We were living like rock stars, though. I feel like we…took on this lifestyle…gonna live like rock stars…It is so good that we didn’t have more money.” —CJ & Ben (24:30–24:49)
• “If my favorite youtuber was doing a sleeping stream, I'd have to tune in. That doesn’t make me creepy. I just want to see what’s going on.” —Ben (62:01)
• “You don’t know the level of detail that’s going into this thing. You’ll be mind blown.” —Ben, relaying his dad on the Hoonicorn rebuild (30:57)
• “The roads are penis, and I’m taking the scenic route.” —Ben (79:31)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Sora AI Video Discussion: 02:13–10:59
• AI & YouTube Future: 10:59–12:18
• Fortnite, Gaming, and Society: 12:18–16:08
• Early YouTube Memories & Advice: 18:44–25:57
• Hoonicorn Rebuild at SEMA: 27:39–32:26
• SEMA Burnouts & Stunt Events: 32:26–35:16
• Vegas vs. Deer Hunting, Wall of Ken: 35:46–56:43
• “Ken’s House” Live Stream Ideas: 60:07–63:38
• MTV/TV Nostalgia, South Park: 67:02–74:48
• Fan Mail, Running Jokes: 75:06–79:37

Additional Highlights

• Industry Shoutouts: Robbie Layton’s craftsmanship on the Hoonicorn. “How lucky are we?” (Ben, 31:19)
• YouTube Advice: The crew underlines perseverance and learning from mistakes—“The only thing that’s not going to get us to 10 million is stopping.” (Evan, 21:45)
• Inside Jokes: Ongoing roasts regarding glizzies (hot dogs), young deer (“button bucks”), and legendary “roads are penis” tale.
• Lifestyle: Authentic glimpses of how the YouTube “rock star” lifestyle really looked—far more Midwest party-house and broke, but full of camaraderie.

Episode Tone

Rowdy, self-deprecating, and genuine with a focus on group banter, storytelling, and candid takes on tech, cars, and personal mishaps. The episode mixes heartfelt reminiscence, sharp pop culture commentary, and the trademark CboysTV irreverence.

For New Listeners

If you’ve never tuned in, this episode is a perfect showcase of CboysTV’s blend of friendship, creative hustle, and unfiltered humor. You’ll come away with real behind-the-scenes YouTube insight, car culture stories, and enough inside jokes to make you feel part of the crew.