Episode 8: Where Do You Get Your Material?

  



CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE

In the latest episode of Put Your Funny Where Your Mouth Is, Dobie Maxwell and I (Vince Carone) take on one of the questions every comedian gets: “Where do you get your material?” If you’ve ever wondered how we turn the quirks of daily life into laughs on stage, this episode gives you a behind-the-scenes look at the journey from observation to punchline.

Everyday Life: Mining the Ordinary for Laughs

It may sound simple, but some of the best material comes from the ordinary moments that people overlook. We talk about how comedians see the world a bit differently, always watching and listening for situations, reactions, or phrases that might inspire a joke. As Dobie likes to put it, there’s comedy gold in the half-witted moments of daily life—if you know how to find it.

Rants, Raves, and the Power of Frustration

For me, a lot of my comedy comes from life’s annoyances, frustrations, and things that just don’t make sense. Rants are my comedic “fastball,” where I let loose about the things that really bug me. In this episode, I share how turning those rants into crafted material has helped me find my voice on stage. There’s something relatable about poking fun at life’s frustrations, and I think that’s why this style connects so well with audiences.

The Michelangelo Approach: Sculpting the Perfect Joke

Great jokes don’t just pop out fully formed; they’re carefully crafted, chipped away like a sculpture until only the funniest parts remain. I compare joke-writing to being Michelangelo—you have to chip away the extra stuff to reveal the funny. Dobie and I talk about how we refine our material, polishing each bit until it hits just right. This process can take weeks, months, or even years, but the payoff is a joke that resonates with audiences every time.

Finding Your Comedic Voice

Every comedian has a unique perspective, and part of developing that perspective is finding what makes your voice stand out. In this episode, we explore how each of us found our comedic voices—Dobie through his observational humor and me through rants that tap into universal frustrations. We discuss the importance of identifying what makes your humor unique and how to lean into that for maximum impact.

Refining Material Through Repetition

Comedy is as much about refining as it is about creating. Both Dobie and I share stories about trying out material in front of different audiences, seeing what lands and what doesn’t, and then making adjustments. It’s like testing a product; each performance reveals something new, helping us mold our jokes into something polished and reliably funny.

How to Handle Personal Stories

When should comedians share personal stories? In this episode, we touch on the delicate art of using personal experiences as material. Not every story is meant for the stage, but with the right touch, personal anecdotes can be some of the most impactful parts of a performance. We discuss how to gauge whether a personal story will connect with an audience and how to handle vulnerability in a way that still gets laughs.

The Art of Finding the Funny in Life

Creating comedy is a craft that goes beyond telling jokes. It’s about seeing humor where others don’t, turning frustrations into laughs, and refining material until it resonates with everyone in the room. We hope this episode gives you a deeper appreciation for the process of joke-making and, maybe, a laugh or two along the way.

Give this episode a listen if you’ve ever been curious about how comedians think and what goes into building a set. Whether you’re an aspiring comedian or just a fan of stand-up, there’s something here for everyone.


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