Podcast Summary: Story Warz Episode 012 – Kevin Ryan, Yannis Pappas, & Mike Finoia | The Law
Introduction
In Episode 012 of Story Warz: A Game of Deceptive Storytelling, hosted by GaS Digital Network's Big Jay Oakerson and Luis J. Gomez, the show faces initial technical glitches but proceeds enthusiastically with a stellar lineup. Kevin Ryan, Yannis Pappas, and Mike Finoia join the “Story Warriors” at The Stand Comedy Club in New York City to engage in a hilariously competitive game centered around The Law.
Guests Introduced
- Mike Fenoia: Renowned comedian from the “Are You Garbage?” podcast and a notable YouTube special.
- Kevin Ryan: Another standout from the “Are You Garbage?” podcast series.
- Yannis Pappas: Famous for “Office Hour” and his YouTube special “Mom Love Available.”
Game Mechanics Explained [02:14 – 05:13]
Big Jay Okerson lays out the rules of Story Warz:
- Submission: Each participant submits three to five true stories centered on the theme The Law.
- Presentation: The producer, Alex, randomly reads the stories aloud.
- Objective: If the story is yours, you must deceive others into believing it’s not. If the story belongs to someone else, you must identify its true author.
- Scoring:
- Deception Success: 1 point per person fooled.
- Correct Guess: 2 points.
- Unique Scoring: If a participant successfully deceives all others, they achieve a "clean sweep."
Notable Quote:
Giannis Pappas [02:22]: "Story Wars. Story War. Story War. Finn winning."
Round 1: Jury Duty [06:23 – 14:19]
Story Submission: "I have never served jury duty and I don't know why."
Discussion: Participants fiercely debate whose story it could be. Giannis and Kevin exhibit strong deflections, while Lewis J. Gomez suspects Big Jay.
Notable Quote:
Giannis Pappas [07:25]: "Lewis would know why."
Outcome: Lewis J. Gomez successfully deceives everyone into believing Big Jay authored the story, achieving a clean sweep.
Alex [14:03]: "I have Lewis in the lead with four points."
Round 2: Traffic Court Representation [14:19 – 26:38]
Story Submission: "I once had a family member who is not a lawyer represent me in traffic court."
Discussion: The panel considers various angles, with Big Jay and Yannis presenting potential biases. Giannis leans towards Kevin due to the story's premise aligning with his persona.
Notable Quote:
Kevin Ryan [16:11]: "I've never had any court appearances. You could be lying right?"
Outcome: The story is revealed to belong to Lewis, earning him additional points.
Alex [26:38]: "Lewis with 10 points and Big J with 14."
Round 3: Cop-Instructed Prostitute Interaction [27:36 – 44:21]
Story Submission: "A cop car pulled up behind me, and over his speaker instructed a prostitute to walk away from my car."
Discussion: The narrative becomes more convoluted as participants attempt to link the story to their own experiences. Mike suspects it’s related to Lewis, given their shared backgrounds.
Notable Quote:
Lewis J. Gomez [28:50]: "That's so offensive. He keeps taking Jersey."
Outcome: Big Jay successfully claims the story, adding to his lead.
Alex [44:40]: "You guys, that was eight. Clean sweep for Big J over."
Round 4: Addressing Female Judge [37:08 – 47:19]
Story Submission: "Once, while in court facing charges I nervously called the female judge 'sir' more than each time. Each time she was less forgiving and more pissed off."
Discussion: The panel debates the authenticity and relevance of each participant's past, with Giannis and Kevin attempting to distance themselves from the story.
Outcome: The story is attributed to Giannis, slightly closing the points gap.
Alex [47:19]: "Lewis with 10 points and Big J with 14."
Round 5: Helping a Friend Escape [48:40 – 60:36]
Story Submission: "I was once asked to help a friend escape."
Discussion: Participants scrutinize each other's backgrounds, with Lewis and Mike defending their innocence while Giannis accuses Big Jay of potential deceit.
Notable Quote:
Paul [56:55]: "I got him dead to rights."
Outcome: Lewis J. Gomez emerges as a frontrunner, successfully misleading the group once again.
Alex [60:36]: "Final scores. I have Giannis with six points, Mike Finoya with eight points, Kevin Ryan with 11 points, Big J with 14, and Lewis with 18."
Round 6: Fake ID Incident [64:25 – 85:07]
Story Submission: "In college, I got caught drinking with a fake ID. I panicked and snitched on my older friend who got me the ID. He later hooked up with my ex."
Discussion: The group dives deep into personal histories, with Kevin and Lewis quickly attempting to claim or deflect the story. Big Jay suspects Mike, while Giannis leans towards Lewis.
Notable Quote:
Giannis Pappas [66:19]: "I didn't really start drinking until I was close to 21 years old."
Outcome: The story is confirmed to belong to Lewis, solidifying his top position.
Round 7: Officer Harry Potter [73:09 – 105:34]
Story Submission: "I once got a ticket for being drunk and calling a young-looking rookie cop 'Officer Harry Potter.'"
Discussion: This round intensifies as participants dissect each other's mannerisms and past behaviors. Kevin and Mike vie to claim the story, with Big Jay and Lewis interpreting clues from body language and speech patterns.
Notable Quote:
Mike Fenoia [81:25]: "I've had a cop pull a gun on me."
Outcome: The story is ultimately revealed to be Lewis’s, earning him significant points.
Round 8: Cop Pulling a Gun [106:13 – 105:34]
Story Submission: "I've had a cop pull a gun on me."
Discussion: The final story prompts intense speculation, with participants analyzing each other's credibility and consistency. Giannis becomes increasingly agitated, suspecting Big Jay, while Kevin defends his innocence.
Notable Quote:
Giannis Pappas [100:33]: "I've had a couple of guns pulled on me, guys."
Outcome: The story is disclosed as belonging to Lewis J. Gomez, who triumphs with the highest score.
Final Scores
- Lewis J. Gomez: 18 points
- Big Jay Okerson: 14 points
- Kevin Ryan: 11 points
- Mike Fenoia: 8 points
- Yannis Pappas: 6 points
Conclusion
Louis J. Gomez emerges victorious, skillfully deceiving all competitors and accruing the highest points. The episode showcases sharp wit, playful deception, and humorous banter, embodying the essence of Story Warz. As the game concludes, the hosts and guests celebrate Lewis’s win, highlighting the entertaining dynamics and competitive spirit that make Story Warz a standout in the comedy podcast arena.
Notable Closing Quote:
Big J Okerson [107:12]: "Catch you guys next time on Story Wars."
Additional Highlights
- Sponsor Mentions: The episode features plugs for various podcasts and the sponsor IPVanish, integrating promotional content seamlessly into the gameplay.
- Engaging Banter: The chemistry among hosts and guests adds depth, with frequent humorous exchanges and playful accusations enhancing the listening experience.
- Interactive Gameplay: The escalating point system, including double and triple points in later rounds, intensifies the competition, keeping listeners engaged throughout.
Conclusion for New Listeners
For those unfamiliar with Story Warz, Episode 012 offers a quintessential example of the show's blend of comedy, clever storytelling, and interactive gameplay. Through the theme of The Law, listeners witness a captivating contest of deception and deduction, framed by the dynamic performances of seasoned comedians and engaging guests. Whether you're a fan of comedy podcasts or enjoy competitive storytelling games, this episode is a must-listen.