Hi Dave – I have one question. As a new comedian does my material have to be clean? – J.N.
Have a decision to make!
Hey J.N. — you’re not alone. This question comes up all the time, and new comedians ask it for a good reason: it matters.
Here’s the short answer upfront (because I’m rarely accused of giving one):
There is no right or wrong answer.
Comedy is both a creative art and a business, but before either of those things matter, there’s one primary goal:
Be funny.
How you get there is completely up to you.
A very famous comedian once told me (and I included this in my book How To Be A Working Comic):
“If you swear in real life, you’re going to swear on stage.”
That makes sense. If those words are already part of who you are, they’ll naturally show up in your act. But if they aren’t—don’t add them because you think they’ll make you funny. Audiences can smell that a mile away, and “trying to be edgy” is never as funny as being honest.
There’s a market for everything. Whether you choose to work clean or adult is a personal decision.
But since you asked – and once again, I’ve never been known for short answers – let’s look at this from a different angle.
We’ll call it…
Your Audience
But will they laugh?
You specifically said new comedian, so let’s start there.
When you’re beginning, your job is simple:
Get stage time. Learn how to write. Learn how to perform. Learn how audiences respond.
Along the way, you’ll encounter different rooms, different crowds, and very different expectations.
- Some comedians love late-night, beer-soaked club crowds.
Others prefer corporate events, colleges, or private functions. - Right now, it’s probably too early to know which lane you’ll ultimately choose—and that’s okay. But eventually, this becomes both a creative and business decision, because different markets hire different kinds of comics.
So here’s the real question behind your question:
Who do you want your audience to be?
Every entertainer has to answer that—not just comedians. As a creative artist, who do you want to make laugh? And as a businessperson (yes, that’s you), how will you build an audience that supports your work?
When you’re starting out, that audience could be anyone: open mics, bar shows, fundraisers, showcases. What matters most is experience. You don’t become a working comic by rehearsing in your living room or performing for the family dog.
You get better by getting on stage.
- If they laugh, it works.
- If they don’t, it doesn’t.
Audiences are honest that way—which is why stage time is priceless.
Know the Room
Would your audience want clean material or adult material?
That’s not a moral question. It’s a practical one.
I’ve coached Born Again Christian comics and the most X-rated acts you can imagine. I don’t care which direction someone chooses—as long as they’re clear about it and performing for the right audience.
- But make no mistake: there are rules in this business.
- And those rules are made by the people who hire comedians.
- You can’t do X-rated material on network television. Cable and satellite radio allow more freedom—but even then, context matters. The Disney Channel and The Howard Stern Show aren’t fighting over the same talent pool.
So ask yourself:
- Where do you want to perform?
- Who do you want laughing?
- Which markets excite you?
You can work dirty—just don’t do it in front of grandparents who brought their grandkids for a fun night out. And don’t expect your clean, church-friendly material to crush in a late-night dive bar full of people upset that the bartender turned off cage-match wrestling for a comedy show.
Get the picture?
Experience Changes Everything
Many experienced comics can work both clean and adult. Why? Because their jokes are funny on their own—not because of an F-bomb. They can adjust based on the room.
A perfect example: cruise ship comics.
They perform family-friendly shows before and after dinner, then switch gears later that night for adult-only crowds. Same comedian. Same brain. Two very different sets—sometimes just hours apart.
That kind of flexibility comes from experience.
And one more thing to keep in mind…
The people who hire comics for corporate events, banquets, and private functions pay far more than the beer-soaked guy booking a bar show. That’s why many working comics love corporate gigs.
On the other hand, an uncensored Netflix special or becoming a regular guest on a show like Stern can launch a career just as fast.
Different paths. Same requirement.
So… Clean or Dirty?
As a new comedian, here’s my advice:
Focus on writing funny material—material that works with or without a few choice words. Develop jokes that stand on their own. Learn how to adjust your delivery depending on the room.
Then ask yourself:
- Would I rather perform at a business luncheon—or a late-night dive bar?
Neither answer is wrong. But knowing your audience will help you find the right one.
And that’s where real comedy careers begin.
Thanks for reading and as always – keep laughing!
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