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• How to write jokes that stay fresh without becoming outdated overnight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

In this episode of Put Your Funny Where Your Mouth Is, Vince Carone and Dobie Maxwell break down one of the most essential tools in a comedian’s arsenal—the five-minute set.

From auditions and TV spots to festival submissions and surprise guest sets, a strong five-minute chunk can open doors in comedy. But crafting one isn’t as easy as it sounds. Vince and Dobie discuss why five-minute bits are the foundation of a great act and how to write, refine, and structure them for maximum impact.

Key Points Discussed:
✅ Why every comedian needs multiple five-minute sets – and how to build them over time
✅ How to break larger bits into tight five-minute chunks for late-night, festivals, and club auditions
✅ The “Sequel & Prequel” method – a unique way to expand your material
✅ How to handle being put on the spot with five minutes of unexpected stage time
✅ Vince’s real-life story of being thrown back on stage at the Improv with five minutes to fill

Vince and Dobie also share their own struggles with writing in five-minute increments, explaining why it’s not their natural style—but why it’s a necessary skill for every comedian.

🎤 If you’ve ever struggled to cut your material down—or wondered how to structure the perfect five-minute set—this episode is a must-listen!