Episode 22: How to Build a Stand-Up Hour from Scratch

In this episode of Put Your Funny Where Your Mouth Is, Vince Carone and Dobie Maxwell take you inside the messy, frustrating, and rewarding process of building a brand-new hour of comedy.Vince shares how he develops a fresh set, why not every joke makes the cut, and how he balances writing with testing material on stage. Dobie reflects on the differences between past comedy eras and today, exploring how the industry has changed from the 500-show grind of the ‘80s to the current expectation of releasing a new hour every two years.Key Points Discussed: How to shape a new hour without forcing material The importance of testing bits in front of real audiences Why comedians need to evolve their material over time How Vince learned to “write on stage” and refine his stories The difference between polishing a set vs. continuously creatingVince also reveals the working theme for his next special, discussing how he organizes ideas and chooses what fits (and what gets scrapped). Whether you’re writing your first set or working toward a full special, this episode is packed with insights, humor, and real talk about the creative process.🎤 Tune in now and learn how to turn new ideas into a killer hour of comedy!