Episode 35: How to Work Private Shows

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

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.