Story Warz Episode 051: Brian Redban, Kurt Metzger & Tommy Pope | Money

Release Date: July 25, 2025

Welcome to Story Warz, a captivating and comedic game of deceptive storytelling hosted by Big Jay Oakerson and Luis J. Gomez. In Episode 051, live from The Stand Comedy Club in New York City, the hosts are joined by notable guests Brian Redban, Kurt Metzger, and Tommy Pope to compete over the intriguing subject of Money.

Introduction to Story Wars

At the onset (02:20), Big Jay Oakerson and Luis J. Gomez kick off the show with lively banter, immediately establishing a dynamic and energetic atmosphere. They introduce their guests—Brian Redban, known from Kill Tony and the Sunset Strip Comedy Club; Tommy Pope from the Stuff Island podcast and Netflix; and Emmy award-winning writer Kurt Metzger. The hosts emphasize the competitive spirit of Story Wars, where each participant submits personal stories related to the designated topic—in this episode, Money.

Game Mechanics Explained

Luis J. Gomez succinctly explains the rules (07:53):

"Story Wars is a very simple game that sounds very complicated. All five of us on this panel, including Lewis and I, have submitted three to five stories on one particular subject. Tonight's subject, Money."

The participants' objective is to read eight stories anonymously. They must convincingly portray their own submission while attempting to identify others' stories. Points are awarded both for accurately guessing another's story and for successfully deceiving the panel into believing your story isn't yours.

Round-by-Round Breakdown

Round 1: Family Banking Practices (13:34)

Tommy Pope kicks off with a story about his family's unconventional banking habits:

"My family never had a bank account and did all the banking and bill payments at a check-cashing place."

The panel immediately debates the authenticity, with Big Jay expressing skepticism:

"Well, we are very excited about today's show. It's gonna be a great one."

After tumultuous discussions about who might have submitted the story, it’s revealed that Big Jay Oakerson submitted it, earning him four points (26:18).

Round 2: Abortion and Financial Scams (28:10)

Tommy Pope presents a gripping tale:

"I sold my entire comic collection to pay for an abortion. She joined AA years later and called me out of the blue to tell me she was never pregnant and the money was for meth."

The story sparks intense debate, with participants dissecting the details to determine its origin. Ultimately, Brian Redban admits to crafting the story, placing Big Jay in the lead with eight points (25:04).

Round 3: Stealing from Strangers (35:13)

Tommy Pope narrates:

"I stole money out of a stranger's car and weaponized my friends to an amusement park with it."

The storytelling becomes more heated, with accusations flying back and forth. The revelation that Luis J. Gomez submitted this story propels him into the lead with twelve points (35:29).

Round 4: Publisher's Clearinghouse Scam (46:28)

A complex story unfolds about a fraudulent millionaire scam involving Publisher's Clearinghouse. The panel struggles to associate the narrative with any specific guest until Brian Redban claims the tale, further tightening the competition (70:14).

Round 5: Sneaker Theft Operation (65:30)

Big Jay Oakerson shares a detailed account of orchestrated sneaker thefts, showcasing strategic planning and involvement with a local pizzeria owner. The story's specificity leads peers to suspect Big Jay, solidifying his position with more points (66:26).

Round 6: Credit Card Scam (70:27)

Tommy Pope recounts his experience with a credit card scam:

"I had a guy use a credit card scam to pay a crazy high cell phone bill I had. He guaranteed it would work. It caused me financial and legal trouble for years."

This story's emotional depth and personal impact resonate with the panel, making it a pivotal moment in the game (85:05).

Round 7: Receipt Return Scam (74:03)

Tommy Pope explains:

"I used to find receipts in the supermarket parking lot and then I would go to the store and return unpurchased items on the receipt for money."

The straightforwardness of this scam leads others to question its authenticity, but Big Jay identifies it correctly, further leading the scoreboard (75:00).

Round 8: Final Scam Revelation (84:49)

In the final round, Tommy Pope shares a tale about returning items based on found receipts, tying together the competitive threads of the game. This climactic story forces the panel to make their final guesses amidst a flurry of comedic exchanges (85:09).

Key Interactions and Highlights

Throughout the episode, the chemistry between Big Jay and Luis J. Gomez is palpable, with frequent exchanges that blend humor with competitive tension. For instance, Luis jests:

"Great news, everybody. Story Wars merch store now up and functioning. Everyone get your goddamn merch right now." (00:35)

Meanwhile, Big Jay frequently challenges and teases his guests, enhancing the show's lively dynamic:

"Fuck you, lady." (03:37)

The inclusion of sponsor segments, though initially prominent, are expertly woven into the fabric of the show, maintaining engagement without overshadowing the main content.

A standout moment occurs when Luis J. Gomez passionately promotes the Texas Department of Tourism's cookbook, reflecting both the competitive stakes and the hosts' flair for promotion:

"It's gonna get pretty heated in here...the best and basic and easy recipe of Texas cooking." (11:36)

Conclusion and Winner Announcement

As the game progresses, the scoreboard intensifies the competition. Luis J. Gomez emerges as the clear frontrunner, leveraging both his storytelling prowess and strategic guessing. By the final round, Luis secures victory with a total of 18 points, outpacing Big Jay Oakerson and other competitors.

Luis concludes the episode with a triumphant celebration of his win and a heartfelt acknowledgment of his fellow participants:

"Louisofs.com is a website...we have thousands of hours of content available just for Gas digital subscribers." (54:35)

The episode wraps up with a blend of camaraderie and comedic relief, leaving listeners eagerly anticipating the next installment of Story Warz.

Notable Quotes

• Big Jay Oakerson (07:56): "Look, here's the thing. Two of you guys have never played before. Kurt, Brian, it's a fun game, but we are not playing for fun."

• Luis J. Gomez (11:36): "Every week here on Story Wars, we're playing for a book from the Story Wars library."

• Kurt Metzger (23:08): "I've been digging into part of the problem. It starts playing after my last video sometime."

• Brian Redban (25:57): "Jimmy has the magic dollar, you take clear."

• Luis J. Gomez (85:09): "Tommy, did you vamp like I asked?"

Final Thoughts

Episode 051 of Story Warz masterfully blends humor, competition, and storytelling, providing listeners with an engaging and entertaining experience. The dynamic interplay between hosts and guests, coupled with sharp wit and strategic gameplay, makes this episode a standout installment in the Story Warz series. Whether you're a longtime fan or a newcomer, this episode offers a rich tapestry of comedic brilliance and compelling narratives centered around the universal theme of money.

Note: Advertisements, intros, outros, and non-content sections have been omitted to focus solely on the episode's main content.