In this episode of Put Your Funny Where Your Mouth Is, Vince Carone and Dobie Maxwell tackle one of the trickiest parts of a comedian’s career: private shows.

From fundraisers and corporate parties to birthday gigs at Dave & Buster’s, they break down what makes private shows a whole different beast—and how to avoid the biggest mistakes comics make when taking them.

You’ll hear wild personal stories (like Vince getting booked for a mostly non-English-speaking audience and Dobie accidentally roasting a boss into a near fistfight), as well as a treasure trove of hard-earned advice on what to charge, how to prep, and how to survive the gig once you're in it.

Key Points Discussed:

• What questions to ask before you ever say yes to a private gig

• How to price your value without underselling yourself—or the industry

• Why roasting the boss can go sideways fast (and how to handle it with tact)

• • How to control the energy, introductions, and logistics of the room
  • When to say no—and how to refer gigs with good karma

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  Whether you're just starting out or you’ve done 500 of these, this episode is loaded with advice you’ll actually use. And if you’ve ever asked “should I take this gig?”—this one’s for you.

  
  

In this episode of Put Your Funny Where Your Mouth Is, Vince Carone and Dobie Maxwell dive into the wild world of comedy gimmicks—what they are, when they work, and how they’ve shaped the careers of legends and newcomers alike.

From Vince’s brutally honest pig roast gig story to Dobie’s unforgettable transformation into a wrestling-masked “Super Chuckle,” the episode mixes hilarious personal experiences with real talk about branding, persona, and marketability.

Along the way, they break down the gimmicks of comedy icons like Andrew Dice Clay, Larry the Cable Guy, Steve Martin, and Sam Kinison—revealing what stuck, what flopped, and why being memorable often matters more than being perfect.

Key Points Discussed:

• What separates a gimmick from a persona
• The highs and lows of trying to stand out in stand-up
• How Vince uses “Bad Father” as a marketable identity, not a costume
• Dobie’s fully committed alter ego, “Super Chuckle”
• The difference between being funny… and being memorable

This episode is a must-listen for comedians, performers, and anyone curious about how identity plays a role in making it on stage. Laugh, cringe, and maybe rethink your brand.

In this episode of Put Your Funny Where Your Mouth Is, Dobie Maxwell takes us behind the scenes of his brand-new Dry Bar comedy special, Worst Case Scenario—from nearly deleting the contact that booked him to standing ovations and polished packaging.

🎧 Quick heads-up: Vince’s audio is a little more distant than usual due to a mic issue during recording. Totally listenable—and Dobie comes through loud and clear. Thanks for rolling with us, because this episode is packed with gold.

Dobie shares what it takes to land and film a clean special, why attitude and attire matter, and how kindness offstage is sometimes your best tool. Vince shares a jaw-dropping story about getting assaulted by a grown man while working at a movie theater as a teenager—and how the moment changed his outlook on confrontation and control" —while Dobie kicks it off with one of the most chaotic “guest set” stories you’ll ever hear.

Key Points Discussed:

• What Dry Bar really looks for in comics (and how Dobie got booked)
• How to prep for a clean set without losing your voice
• Why presentation, timing, and professionalism make all the difference
• The unglamorous moments behind the scenes (including Utah thrift store shopping)
• Real lessons from real gigs—some of them hilariously unhinged

Whether you're a comic, a speaker, or just a fan of how the sausage gets made, this episode delivers insight, inspiration, and a few “you can’t make this up” moments.

🎧 Listen anywhere you get your podcasts

#PutYourFunnyPodcast #DryBarComedy #StandUpTips #CleanComedy #DobieMaxwell #VinceCarone

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.