In this episode of Put Your Funny Where Your Mouth Is, Vince Carone and Dobie Maxwell tackle one of comedy’s most loaded questions: what happens when free speech meets the stage? Using the recent Jimmy Kimmel controversy as a springboard, they dig into the long history of censorship in comedy, from Lenny Bruce getting arrested for obscenity to George Carlin’s infamous “Seven Dirty Words” Supreme Court battle.

But this isn’t just a history lesson. Vince and Dobie share raw personal stories of being censored on the road, from getting banned at clubs to being cut off mid-show, and even losing radio and tour opportunities because of a single joke.

Together, they explore the fine line between freedom of expression and real-world consequences, why some comics thrive by pushing boundaries, and how audiences’ expectations shape what’s acceptable on stage.

Key Points Discussed:

• Why censorship has always existed in comedy, from vaudeville to today
• The impact of Lenny Bruce and George Carlin on free speech in stand-up
• Vince’s stories of getting censored at clubs and shows
• Dobie’s Tuscaloosa story and getting banned from Bob & Tom
• How “dirty,” “clean,” and “filthy” are often audience and venue expectations
• The difference between free speech and freedom from consequences

This episode is part history, part confession, and all comedy, a reminder that every laugh comes with a line, and it’s the comic’s job to find it.

In this episode of Put Your Funny Where Your Mouth Is, Vince Carone and Dobie Maxwell break down one of the most overlooked keys to success in stand-up: the order of your set. Whether it’s comedy, boxing, baseball, or music, structure determines whether the audience feels the flow — or senses something’s off.

Vince opens up about the discipline behind preparing his eighth special (It’s Not All Peaches), including what it takes to cut material you love and why his earlier special No Complaints became an editing nightmare because of order mistakes. Dobie brings the mentor’s perspective, explaining how newer comics often throw everything into five minutes without realizing how placement affects laughs.

Together, they show how order turns a collection of jokes into a cohesive ride that builds trust, momentum, and impact — and why the audience can always feel it, even if they can’t explain why.

Key Points Discussed:

• Why order matters as much as the jokes themselves
• How Vince cut down his hour for MGM and built in “buffer time”
• Lessons learned from No Complaints and other specials
• How to avoid continuity mistakes that kill flow
• Why openers and closers aren’t enough — the middle matters
• Using boxing, baseball, and music as guides for structuring a set
• Why audiences feel when it’s wrong, even if they don’t know why

In this episode of Put Your Funny Where Your Mouth Is, Vince Carone rings in his 43rd birthday with rants, reflections, and the kind of honesty only a comic can bring. From getting older as a dad and performer to looking back on what’s changed — and what hasn’t — Vince doesn’t hold back on how it feels to be grinding through your forties.

Joined by Dobie Maxwell, the two comics use Vince’s birthday as a springboard to talk about comedy longevity, midlife realities, and finding humor in the chaos of family, aging, and career. It’s personal, funny, and raw — just like every birthday should be.

Key Points Discussed:

• What turning 43 feels like as a comic, dad, and husband
• Why aging changes your perspective on time, health, and priorities
• How comedy evolves as life responsibilities stack up
• Balancing nostalgia for the past with energy for what’s ahead
• Finding humor in midlife chaos, from family to career to self-reflection

In part two of this corporate comedy deep dive, Vince Carone and Dobie Maxwell shift from the business to the performance. With the contract signed and the gig on the books, Vince walks through the nerves, prep, and delivery of a high-stakes corporate keynote. From slide decks and index cards to rehearsing with family at home, he reveals the behind-the-scenes work that goes into pulling off a polished event.

Dobie connects the dots between Vince’s detailed prep and the bigger truth of comedy: professionalism, resilience, and planting seeds for future opportunities. Together, they show not just how to land a corporate show, but how to crush it in the room and turn one gig into many.

Key Points Discussed:

• Preparing for a corporate set vs. a comedy club set

• Balancing jokes with business-friendly messaging

• Using video to showcase recovery and resilience

• The value of networking before and after the performance

• Why thank-you notes and follow-ups go further than you think

• How one show can become years of repeat business

In this episode of Put Your Funny Where Your Mouth Is, Vince Carone and Dobie Maxwell open up the playbook on how to land a corporate comedy gig. From the first inquiry to the signed contract, Vince breaks down the business side of comedy: covering proposals, deposits, pricing, and the fine print most comics never consider until it’s too late.

Dobie brings his veteran perspective to the table, steering the conversation toward the bigger lessons in professionalism and negotiation, while Vince shares the trial-by-fire experiences that taught him how to protect himself and his work.

Key Points Discussed:

• Why corporate gigs pay more—and demand more

• How to vet an inquiry before saying yes

• Structuring proposals and pricing options

• Why contracts, deposits, and cancellation clauses matter

• The difference between invoices and contracts

• How to control your marketing and promotional materials

In this early episode of Put Your Funny Where Your Mouth Is, Vince Carone and Dobie Maxwell tackle one of the biggest questions comedians face: “How do you prepare to be funny?” The answer is a lot more complicated, and a lot more interesting, than most audiences realize.

Vince shares how he started out as a meticulous word-for-word writer, memorizing every beat like lyrics to a song, before a chance rant about Jared from Subway unlocked his true style. Dobie opens up about his own journey, from early open mics to his Dry Bar special, and why he can’t stand watching himself even after decades in the game. Together, they explore how preparation evolves over years, why style matters, and how comics walk the line between structure and spontaneity.

Key Points Discussed:

• The difference between being “page funny” and “stage funny”
• Why early comics over-prepare—and why they should
• The moment Vince discovered his ranting style
• Dobie’s reflections on Dry Bar and why editing drives comics crazy
• How set lists, callbacks, and show order affect performance
• Why preparation matters—but can never replace live experience

In this episode of Put Your Funny Where Your Mouth Is, Vince Carone and Dobie Maxwell relive a gig that went completely off the rails, where every twist, turn, and mishap seemed determined to derail the night. From a venue setup that defied logic to a crowd that kept them guessing, this was the kind of gig that tests a comic’s patience, professionalism, and punchlines.

Vince and Dobie break down the night beat-by-beat, sharing what it’s like to stay funny when the odds are stacked against you, and why these chaotic shows often become the best stories in a comic’s arsenal. It’s part comedy survival guide, part road diary, and 100% proof that when things go wrong in stand-up, the laughs can get even bigger.

Key Points Discussed:

• How a seemingly normal gig unraveled from the moment they walked in
• The hidden challenges comics face that audiences never see
• Why staying adaptable is the real secret weapon on stage
• The mental game of laughing at a disaster while you’re still in it
• Why “off the rails” nights can be career gold later on

• 
  

  Drop us a comment with your favorite part or a show that went off the rails for you!

In this episode of Put Your Funny Where Your Mouth Is, Dobie Maxwell takes us inside a full week working the comedy scene in Reno, The Biggest Little City in the World. From smoky casinos to unpredictable crowds, Dobie paints a vivid picture of what life on the road is really like for a veteran comic.

Vince Carone plays the perfect wingman, steering the conversation through tales of travel headaches, room quirks, and the unique energy of Reno’s entertainment crowd. Along the way, the two share laughs, war stories, and nuggets of truth about why comics keep chasing the stage, no matter how far from home it takes them.

Whether you’ve never been to Reno or you’ve got slot machine receipts in your pocket, this episode will make you feel like you’re riding shotgun on the trip.

Key Points Discussed:

• The travel grind and what makes Reno different from other comedy markets
• Dobie’s stories from a week of casino shows
• How audiences in a gambling town can surprise you
• The balancing act between comedy, the road, and downtime
• Why working veteran comics still chase the thrill of the next show