In this episode of Put Your Funny Where Your Mouth Is, Vince Carone and Dobie Maxwell break down exactly what makes a stand-up comedy show go from awkward and chaotic... to unforgettable.

Drawing on decades of experience, they share the fundamentals of a well-run comedy show—from sound and lighting to seating, stage setup, check drops, hosting, booking, and even performer etiquette. Whether you’re a new comic, an aspiring booker, or a fan of live comedy, this episode is your behind-the-scenes guide to how it all really works.

Key Points Discussed:

• Why a bad sound system can ruin even the best comic

• The ideal seating and stage setup for audience connection

• How to book and balance a lineup that builds, not competes

• What makes a great host (and why that role is often the most important)

• How long should your show actually run (hint: less is more)

• What to do when the check drop kills the vibe

• The difference between a "closer" and a "headliner"—and why it matters

• Professional prep: why comics should carry mics, batteries, and backup outfits

• How to handle rowdy crowds without derailing the night

• When to cancel a show—and how to do it the right way

#PutYourFunnyPodcast #ComedyProduction #StandUpTips #ShowRunner #ComedyBusiness

Crafting Comedy in 10 Words or Less

In this episode of Put Your Funny Where Your Mouth Is, Vince Carone and Dobie Maxwell dissect the often misunderstood tool of the one-liner—and why every comic should learn how to use them, even if they don’t rely on them as a primary style.

Dobie opens with a wild story about performing at a women’s prison, revealing how a perfect one-liner landed at the riskiest moment. Vince breaks down how he builds trust quickly during high-stakes shows like cancer benefits and corporate gigs, and how one-liners have saved him more than once. Together, they explore how quick jokes serve as palate cleansers, punch-up tools, and audience trust builders.

Whether you're a comic, speaker, or just a fan of comedy, this episode shows that sometimes the quickest line is the smartest play.

Key Points Discussed:

• When and why to use one-liners, even if you're a storyteller or ranter

• The role of one-liners in riffing, crowd work, and audience trust

• Personal stories from wild shows: prison gigs, benefit nights, and corporate returns

• Examples from legends like Rodney Dangerfield, Mitch Hedberg, and George Carlin

• Why mastering misdirection and brevity can take your act to the next level

In this episode of Put Your Funny Where Your Mouth Is, Vince Carone and Dobie Maxwell take the stage together—literally—for the very first time on video, live from Zanies Comedy Club in Rosemont. What starts as a fun Q&A quickly evolves into a revealing and hilarious look at how two very different comics found their way to the mic.

Vince opens up about using humor to fit in as a kid, battling stage fright before his graduation set, and learning to embrace ranting as his signature style. Dobie shares stories of getting kicked out of class for cracking jokes, a life-changing compliment from a heckler, and how growing up with his cold German grandmother shaped his comedic instincts.

Through laughs, reflection, and a few shared jabs, the duo delivers a backstage pass into the formative years that made them the comics they are today.

Key Points Discussed:

• Why Vince almost bailed on his comedy graduation show

• Dobie's first standing ovation from a heckler named Drugstore Bob

• How ranting styles emerged out of fear of silence

• Why comedians don’t always want to be the funny guy offstage

• The long game of comedy—and why connection now matters more than laughs

This episode is raw, funny, and filled with unexpected vulnerability. It’s perfect for anyone curious about the comedy grind, early failures, and what it really takes to stick with it long enough to find your voice.

In this episode of Put Your Funny Where Your Mouth Is, Vince Carone and Dobie Maxwell dig into the one thing every comic will face—disappointment.

Whether it’s a set that fell flat, an audience that didn’t respond, or a career milestone that didn’t happen the way you hoped, disappointment is baked into the journey. Vince opens up about how he responds to those moments in real time—and why he's learning not to let them define him. Dobie reflects on decades of unmet expectations, and how he’s learned to separate who he is from how the night goes.

Together, they unpack the emotional landmines comedians face when things don’t go as planned—and why resilience, detachment, and self-awareness are just as critical as punchlines.

Key Points Discussed:

• The mindset behind letting go of audience validation

• How to emotionally recover from a show that doesn’t go well

• Learning to be disappointed without becoming bitter

• The importance of not letting one night affect your whole week

• Why disappointment is tied to expectation

• Processing disappointment before reacting publicly

In this episode of Put Your Funny Where Your Mouth Is, Vince Carone and Dobie Maxwell pull back the curtain on one of the biggest hurdles for any performer: stage fright.

Whether you're a comic, speaker, or someone terrified of giving a work presentation, this episode will hit home. Vince shares how close he came to quitting comedy entirely just hours before his graduation set at Zanies. Dobie opens up about bombing as a child ventriloquist—and how both moments shaped their path forward.

Together, they reflect on the mental games, physical symptoms, and internal battles that come with fear of the stage—and how to overcome it with preparation, repetition, and the right mindset.

Key Points Discussed:

• The difference between nervousness and stage fright

• Why passion can override fear

• Why bringing friends to your first show is a terrible idea

• Physical tricks to calm your nerves before speaking

• The power of reframing stage time: “It’s not about you, it’s about them.”

This episode is a relatable and honest look at what it takes to push past fear and step into your spotlight—no matter what stage you’re standing on.

In this episode of Put Your Funny Where Your Mouth Is, Vince Carone and Dobie Maxwell break down what it really takes to succeed behind the scenes in comedy—from the green room to the booker's inbox.

You can crush your set… and still never get invited back. Why? Because talent alone isn't enough. This episode unpacks the unspoken rules of the business, how to build (or blow) relationships, and how to navigate the politics of comedy without losing your soul.

Vince and Dobie share real stories of comics who won—and others who self-sabotaged—based not on talent, but on how they played the game.

Key Points Discussed:

• What “comedy politics” really means

• How to handle egos, green rooms, and comedy condos

• The difference between professionalism and being a kiss-ass

• How bookers, staff, and other comics impact your career
• Real stories of mistakes, missed chances, and big wins

Whether you’re just starting out in comedy or years deep into Whether you're just starting out or have years behind the mic, this episode is your cheat code to playing the long game—and winning it.

Tune in now and learn how to master the moves that matter.

In this episode of Put Your Funny Where Your Mouth Is, Vince Carone and Dobie Maxwell tackle one of the biggest taboos in stand-up comedy—stealing material.

For comedians, joke theft isn’t just unethical—it’s a career killer. But what really counts as stealing? How do you protect your material while making sure you’re not unintentionally copying someone else? Vince and Dobie share real-life stories of joke theft, the fine line between parallel thinking and plagiarism, and how stealing can destroy a comedian’s reputation.

Key Points Discussed:

• What counts as stealing a joke—and what doesn’t?
• The difference between "parallel thinking" and straight-up joke theft
• Why audiences don’t care if a joke is stolen—but comedians do
• How to handle it if you realize you’ve accidentally used someone else’s material
• Real stories of comedians who stole jokes—and what happened to them
• How to develop a unique voice so your material can’t be easily copied

Vince and Dobie also discuss the ethics of buying jokes, how major comedians have been accused of joke theft, and whether stolen jokes can ever be taken back.

💬 Have you ever heard a comedian use a joke you KNOW came from someone else? What’s your take on joke theft?

🎧 Listen now and find out why stealing material is the ultimate comedy crime!

In this episode of Put Your Funny Where Your Mouth Is, Vince Carone and Dobie Maxwell break down the art—and the challenges—of crafting topical humor that lands with an audience before the news cycle moves on.

Topical comedy can make a comedian seem sharp and in-the-moment, but it comes with risks. A joke that kills today might be irrelevant tomorrow. Vince and Dobie discuss how to write and deliver timely jokes while avoiding material that ages too quickly. They also dive into how topical humor plays differently in clubs, late-night shows, and social media.

Key Points Discussed:

• The difference between topical, observational, and evergreen comedy
• How to write jokes that stay fresh without becoming outdated overnight
• The biggest mistakes comedians make when tackling current events
• Why some topical jokes age well and others die instantly
• How late-night comedy writers approach topical humor differently than club comics

Whether you’re a comedian trying to sharpen your material or just curious about how humor reacts to the news cycle, this episode gives you the inside scoop on making topical humor work.

Listen now and learn how to make your jokes timely, sharp, and effective!

Drop your favorite (or worst) topical joke in the comments! Then hit play