Episode 23: How to Handle Criticism as a Comedian

In this episode of Put Your Funny Where Your Mouth Is, Vince Carone and Dobie Maxwell tackle one of the toughest realities of stand-up comedy—handling criticism.

Whether it’s an angry audience member, a harsh review, or a troll on social media, every comedian will face negative feedback at some point. But how you handle it can make or break your career. Vince and Dobie share their best and worst experiences dealing with criticism, offering insights into when to stand your ground and when to just walk away.

Key Points Discussed:

• Why comedians fixate on the ONE audience member not laughing (even in a packed room)
• How to respond when someone tells you, "You were funny, but…"
• The reality of social media trolls & why deleting comments is often the best move
• Stories of hecklers, bad post-show interactions, and handling them with class (or not)
• When criticism is actually helpful—and when it’s just noise

Vince also plays a real-life recording of an angry audience member tearing him apart post-show, and Dobie shares how one audience member completely misinterpreted his joke—demanding he stop telling it forever.

If you’ve ever struggled with taking criticism—or want to know how to handle it better—this episode is a must-listen.