Story Warz Episode 032: Annie Lederman, Felipe Esparza, & Kevin Ryan | Games

Hosted by: Big Jay Oakerson & Louis J. Gomez
Guests: Annie Lederman, Felipe Esparza, Kevin Ryan
Location: The Stand Comedy Club, New York City
Release Date: March 14, 2025

Introduction to the Contestants

The episode kicks off with Big Jay Oakerson and Louis J. Gomez welcoming the evening's contestants:

• Annie Lederman: Fresh from the "Annie Wood" podcast, Annie brings her sharp wit and candid humor to the panel.
• Felipe Esparza: Known for the "What's Up Fool?" podcast and his Netflix special "Raging Fool," Felipe adds a vibrant energy.
• Kevin Ryan: Representing the "Are You Garbage?" podcast and his "Route 66" comedy special on YouTube, Kevin completes the dynamic trio.

Understanding the Game: Story Wars

At [05:19], Big Jay explains the core mechanics of "Story Wars":

• Submission: Each contestant submits three to five stories centered around the theme "Games."
• Objective: Participants aim to either convince others that a story they didn't write is theirs or correctly identify the author of a presented story.
• Scoring:
  • 1 Point: For fooling another contestant into believing a story isn’t yours.
  • 2 Points: For correctly identifying the true author of a story.

As the game progresses, [40:08], the rules evolve to include double points for the final four stories, intensifying the competition.

Round-by-Round Breakdown

1. Story One: Gambling at the Racetrack
Timestamp: [06:55] - [11:23]
Story: "I was at the racetrack and was so desperate to gamble. I stood there watching and betting on televised horse races from Hong Kong and Beijing. I went by number and color because I couldn't read any of the Chinese names."

• Guessing Frenzy: Contestants debate whose gambling habits align with the story. Big Jay humorously dismisses Louis as "Philly trash," while Annie doubts Luis’s gambling propensity.
• Reveal: [10:46] Alex announces the story belongs to Felipe Esparza. Felipe humorously recounts his solitary and unsuccessful betting experience.

Notable Quote:

• Annie Lederman ([07:15]): "We could find out that Annie's had a crazy gambling addiction for all this time."

2. Story Two: Truth or Dare Gone Awry
Timestamp: [13:11] - [18:15]
Story: "I once played a game of truth or dare that ended in everyone masturbating in the same room."

• Intense Debate: The panel grapples with the awkwardness and absurdity of the scenario, with Annie expressing skepticism about her involvement.
• Reveal: [18:16] The story is revealed to be Annie Letterman's. Annie shares a humorous and cringe-worthy anecdote involving a cringe fest among friends at her mother's house.

Notable Quote:

• Big Jay Oakerson ([15:00]): "That's Annie for sure."

3. Story Three: Shady Mall Pranks
Timestamp: [22:40] - [29:48]
Story: "My friends and I invented a game where we would walk around the mall trying to look as shady as possible. When security would follow us, we would run and make them chase us."

• Competitive Jabs: The contestants accuse each other of being shadier or more convincing, leading to playful insults and mocking.
• Reveal: [27:51] Alex discloses the story belongs to Louis J. Gomez. Louis narrates his mischievous adventures causing mall security to chase them, resulting in bans from multiple malls.

Notable Quote:

• Louis J. Gomez ([28:10]): "We would just run and we’d fucking run up the escalators, down the escalators until they caught us."

4. Story Five: Obsessive Crane Game Endeavor
Timestamp: [43:19] - [55:59]
Story: "I once spent over $500 on a crane game trying to win a Teletubby."

• Humorous Speculation: The panel humorously contemplates motivations, linking them to personal quirks and past behaviors.
• Reveal: [50:42] Alex reveals Kevin Ryan as the author. Kevin humorously describes his futile attempts to win a Teletubby, intertwining it with exaggerated antics and playful self-deprecation.

Notable Quote:

• Annie Lederman ([43:28]): "This kid over here, I'll say that. Felipe or Louis."

5. Story Six: PCP-Smoking Coach's Wild Antics
Timestamp: [56:38] - [78:05]
Story: "As a kid, I had a coach who smoked PCP before the game. He went berserk during the game and ran around naked onto the field."

• Serious yet Comedic Debate: The gravity of the story juxtaposes with the panel's lighthearted banter, leading to discussions on who among them could plausibly share such a tale.
• Reveal: [62:52] The story is attributed to Felipe Esparza. Felipe vividly recounts the chaotic and inappropriate behavior of a coach, blending humor with the unsettling scenario.

Notable Quote:

• Felipe Esparza ([61:51]): "We got to go into the locker room, and we. My brother blinked. He didn't scream the N word, but we were just in a room with a bunch of people just triggering each other..."

Scoring and Competitive Dynamics

Throughout the episode, [12:14] to [81:02], the scoreboard updates reflect the ebb and flow of the competition:

• Early Rounds: Felipe gains initial points, while Annie and Louis vie for the top spots alongside Big Jay.
• Mid to Late Rounds: Double points intensify the rivalry, pushing Kevin Ryan to secure the lead.
• Final Tally: At [77:28], Kevin Ryan emerges victorious with 14 points, narrowly surpassing Felipe and Big Jay.

Notable Interactions:

• Big Jay's Sarcasm: Consistently teases and mocks contestants, e.g., [01:32] "You guys are actual warriors yourself for getting out here in this cold ass rain."
• Annie's Candidness: Shares personal stories with a blend of humor and vulnerability, fostering relatable moments.
• Felipe's Playfulness: Engages in witty banter and playful insults, adding a dynamic edge to the competition.

Notable Quote:

• Kevin Ryan ([73:03]): "He went berserk during the game and ran around naked onto the field."

Conclusion and Winner Announcement

In the climactic finale, Kevin Ryan clinches the win, earning "The Woman's Book of Creativity" by C. Diane Ely, Ph.D. The award is praised for its empowering insights into women's creative potential.

Final Scores:

• Kevin Ryan: 14 points (Winner)
• Annie Lederman: 13 points
• Big Jay Oakerson: 13 points
• Felipe Esparza: 13 points
• Louis J. Gomez: 7 points

Closing Remarks: The hosts congratulate Kevin Ryan, celebrate the competitive spirit of all contestants, and hint at exciting future episodes. The camaraderie and humor shared throughout the game underscore the show's engaging and lighthearted nature.

Notable Quote:

• Annie Lederman ([81:04]): "Congratulations, Kevin Ryan. Our newest story warrior."

Key Takeaways

• Engaging Gameplay: "Story Wars" brilliantly combines storytelling with deception, fostering lively interactions and competitive fun.
• Dynamic Hosts and Guests: The chemistry between Big Jay, Louis, Annie, Felipe, and Kevin creates a vibrant and entertaining atmosphere.
• Humorous Insights: The panel's witty banter and candid storytelling offer both laughs and relatable moments for listeners.

This episode of "Story Warz" exemplifies the show's unique blend of comedy, competition, and camaraderie, making it a standout installment for fans and newcomers alike.