Episode 25: How to Write Topical Humor

In this episode of Put Your Funny Where Your Mouth Is, Vince Carone and Dobie Maxwell break down the art—and the challenges—of crafting topical humor that lands with an audience before the news cycle moves on.

Topical comedy can make a comedian seem sharp and in-the-moment, but it comes with risks. A joke that kills today might be irrelevant tomorrow. Vince and Dobie discuss how to write and deliver timely jokes while avoiding material that ages too quickly. They also dive into how topical humor plays differently in clubs, late-night shows, and social media.

Key Points Discussed:

• The difference between topical, observational, and evergreen comedy
• How to write jokes that stay fresh without becoming outdated overnight
• The biggest mistakes comedians make when tackling current events
• Why some topical jokes age well and others die instantly
• How late-night comedy writers approach topical humor differently than club comics

Whether you’re a comedian trying to sharpen your material or just curious about how humor reacts to the news cycle, this episode gives you the inside scoop on making topical humor work.

Listen now and learn how to make your jokes timely, sharp, and effective!

Drop your favorite (or worst) topical joke in the comments! Then hit play