Summary of Story Warz Episode 038: Tim Dillon, Dan Soder, & Chris Distefano | Failure

Release Date: April 25, 2025

Introduction

In Episode 038 of Story Warz, titled "Failure," hosts Big Jay Oakerson and Luis J. Gomez are joined by special guests Tim Dillon, Dan Soder, and Chris DiStefano. Filmed live at The Stand Comedy Club in New York City, the episode features a lively game of deceptive storytelling where comedians and entertainers compete to outwit each other using real and fabricated stories centered around the theme of failure.

Game Overview

At approximately [04:35], Louis J. Gomez explains the rules of "Story Warz":

• Story Submission: Each panelist submits three to five stories related to the episode's theme—Failure in this instance.
• Gameplay: Eight stories are randomly selected and read aloud by the producer, Alex.
• Objective: If the story is yours, you must convincingly deceive others into believing it’s not. If it's not yours, you must correctly identify the original storyteller.
• Scoring:
  • Fooling others with your own story earns 1 point.
  • Correctly guessing someone else's story earns 2 points.

Prize: The winner receives a limited edition copy of "The Light within the Light: Portraits of Donald Hall, Richard Wilbur, Maxine Kooman, and Stanley Kunitz" by Gene Braham, as highlighted by Chris DiStefano at [05:13].

Round Summaries and Notable Moments

Round 1: Driving License Failures
Timestamp: [06:11] – [14:29]

• Story: "I failed my written test for my driver's license because I didn't study and just assumed everything on the test was common knowledge."
• Guesses:
  • Chris DiStefano suspects Tim Dillon: "I did feel right away like this seems like an aloof thing, but I would do this." [06:23]
  • Big Jay Oakerson reveals he passed his test: "I passed my test." [07:04]
• Revelation: The story belongs to Louis J. Gomez.
  • Quote: "My 60th birthday was the written test. And then a week later, I took my driving test and I got it because I was so ready to get out of my fucking house." [07:34]

Round 2: The Fallen Father
Timestamp: [15:29] – [21:18]

• Story: "My father fell down the stairs on the way to the hospital while my mother was giving birth to me and broke both of his legs."
• Guesses:
  • Louis J. Gomez hypothesizes that it could be Tim Dillon or Chris DiStefano based on the emotional weight.
• Revelation: The story is Chris DiStefano’s.
  • Quote: "And my mother moved me to the Amish country shortly after for our safety. That's true story." [21:11]

Round 3: Toll Booth Trouble
Timestamp: [22:28] – [28:09]

• Story: "Before easy pass, I was driving with no cash and couldn't get the toll arm to raise. I caused a huge traffic jam and had to beg them to open it on the intercom while everyone was pulling."
• Guesses:
  • Dan Soder believes it's his own story: "I had to drive my driving instructor, who was also the football coach..." [08:48]
  • Others suspect Jay Oakerson or Louis Gomez based on personal anecdotes.
• Revelation: The story belongs to Dan Soder.
  • Quote: "It was off E470... I had to drive my driving instructor... I passed my test first time out." [08:48 – 27:23]

Round 4: Mock Kidnapping
Timestamp: [31:08] – [37:11]

• Story: "My best friend and I tricked his developmentally disabled aunt into thinking we were kidnapped by leaving a ransom note for her."
• Guesses:
  • Louis J. Gomez associates this with Tim Dillon: "This is the definition of Tim Dillon." [31:21]
• Revelation: The story is Tim Dillon’s.
  • Quote: "We called her Doink... she thought we had been kidnapped." [37:57]

Round 5: Student Council Treasurer
Timestamp: [43:26] – [50:38]

• Story: "I ran for student council treasurer in fifth grade and lost."
• Guesses:
  • Chris DiStefano initially suspects Louis J. Gomez.
• Revelation: The story belongs to Tim Dillon.
  • Quote: "I ran for student council treasurer in fifth grade and lost." [43:26]

Round 6: Summer School Scares
Timestamp: [52:37] – [61:34]

• Story: "One year I failed a class and had to go to summer school. Then I had to switch summer schools because I was violently threatened on the first day."
• Guesses:
  • Panelists debate between Chris DiStefano and Dan Soder, eventually concluding it's Dan Soder’s.
  • Quote: "That story belongs to Dan Soder." [56:44]

Round 7: Tickling in the Bar
Timestamp: [62:53] – [70:11]

• Story: "I was doing a bar show and I thought I saw one of my friends in the back of the room. I snuck through the crowd and surprised him by running up and tickling him. It wasn't my friend Chrissy D."
• Guesses:
  • Dan Soder claims it’s his own: "I took a shot at love Jay..." [68:03]
• Revelation: The story is Dan Soder’s.
  • Quote: "I ran through the crowd and got tickles off... I have a picture of me and the dude in my phone." [68:15]

Round 8: Roller Coaster Mishap
Timestamp: [71:44] – [75:11]

• Story: "I tried to kiss someone on a roller coaster and went in at the wrong moment. We hit a bump and accidentally butted heads, breaking their nose."
• Guesses:
  • Chris DiStefano suspects Dan Soder, but it's revealed to be Chris DiStefano’s own story.
• Revelation: The story belongs to Chris DiStefano.
  • Quote: "I went to summer school... I ran for student council... my head slammed to her head and she covered in blood." [75:05 – 75:11]

Final Scores and Winner

At the end of the game, Dan Soder emerges victorious with 18 points, earning him the coveted copy of "The Light within the Light."

• Final Tally:
  • Dan Soder: 18 points
  • Tim Dillon: 16 points
  • Chris DiStefano: 15 points
  • Big Jay Oakerson: 12 points
  • Louis J. Gomez: 10 points

Winner’s Quote:
Dan Soder: "My father fought in Vietnam, but he couldn't win that war. I had to win this one." [78:37]

Highlights and Notable Quotes

• Chris DiStefano expresses frustration over being deceived:
  "This is why Lewis doesn't trust men." [48:41]

• Tim Dillon reflects on his authenticity and strategic plays:
  "I haven't lied one time on the show." [34:16]

• Luis J. Gomez humorously accuses Tim Dillon of deceptive strategies:
  "This is the definition of Tim Dillon." [31:21]

• Big Jay Oakerson shares personal anecdotes and interacts playfully with guests:
  "I passed my test." [07:04]

Conclusion

Episode 038 of Story Warz delivers a blend of competitive storytelling, sharp humor, and candid interactions among seasoned comedians and hosts. The dynamic banter and strategic deception keep listeners engaged as each participant navigates the fine line between truth and fabrication under the theme of failure. Dan Soder's win underscores his prowess in crafting believable stories, while the episode as a whole celebrates the art of comedic storytelling.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

1. Chris DiStefano: "I wish it was mine because I actually studied and I passed, which makes me a loser." [06:23]
2. Tim Dillon: "She was really stupid and she thought we had been kidnapped." [37:52]
3. Dan Soder: "I had to drive my driving instructor, who was also the football coach..." [08:48]
4. Chris DiStefano: "This is why Lewis doesn't trust men." [48:41]
5. Luis J. Gomez: "This is the definition of Tim Dillon." [31:21]
6. Dan Soder: "I took a shot at love Jay..." [68:03]
7. Tim Dillon: "I haven't lied one time on the show." [34:16]
8. Dan Soder: "My father fought in Vietnam, but he couldn't win that war. I had to win this one." [78:37]

Final Thoughts

"Story Warz" Episode 038 successfully marries competitive gameplay with comedy, allowing panelists to share personal stories while engaging in witty exchanges. The episode not only entertains but also offers insight into the personalities of each participant, making it a must-listen for fans of comedic storytelling and interactive game shows.