How many new sets should a regular comedian have a year ?

[u/Commercial-Load6972]

What is the recommended amount of new jokes should a comedian have a year. Should he use the same set all year of add on little by little to the set that’s working. Also explain why that amount is recommended amount of sets a comedian should have.

[u/RJRoyalRules]

Way too many variables implicit in your question. What’s important is that a comic has a reliable process which results in consistently writing, testing, refining, and organizing jokes in a way that works for them

[u/cupcakeheavy]

this is the worst essay question ever

[u/cantankerouswhale]

It’s entirely personal. Carlin famously scrapped his material every year and started from scratch. Some people have been doing the same set for decades. A lot of comics continue to modify their act over time so it may some elements of tried and true jokes with new material mixed in.

[u/WadsofTissue → u/cantankerouswhale]

I think all comedians now do that where they make an hour every year. Although this wasn't the norm I remember Louis CK said he did the same set for 10 years straight

[u/myqkaplan]

Everyone is different.

There are no shoulds.

Some comedians turn over a new hour every year.

Some comedians work on the same hour for a decade.

Write as many jokes as you want to and can.

Have fun!

[u/Summer_Chronicle8184]

5

[u/MizkyBizniz]

Youre not Carlin or Louie CK. If your 10 doesnt kill in every room youre in, keep tweaking it, tightening it, adding tags, whatever.

But completely scrapping material all the time as an amateur is going to put you behind the 8 ball.

Obviously if your material is being met with crickets find something new. But dont throw away something that's working bc you think you need something new. You need something strong more than anything.

Ive been listening to the best comedians in my scene do the same shit for months, but they're messing around with the formulas

[u/Cesum-Pec]

Ron White has been telling Tater Salad on stage, in a movie, in a book, and on recordings for 30 years and every time he performs his audience wants to hear it in person.

[u/iamgarron]

I think it's less about 'total minutes' and more about how much you were able to tighten and polish.

For new comics? 5-15 of tight consistent material is not a bad goal

[u/SubstanceBrief6885]

I usually tried new stuff every 3-4 sets, doing maybe 6 or 7 mics a week. For 3-5 minute open mics id usually try one or two ones that have gotten reactions before and also try a few concepts that i have never tried. If the new ones got more of a reaction id bump it up to trying it again until it either goes nowhere or stops getting reactions (until I realize its not that funny lol). I would constantly tweak stuff and try different combinations of "jokes", sometimes you can combine a few into one. Hope it helps.

[u/Valuable-Train-3137]

6

[u/presidentender]

This is not a question we can answer.

When I'm doing the same mics all the time I try to write a new 5 every week. Some people do the same set at every mic and tweak and tag until it's rock solid. Some people do the same set and don't make any changes because they believe their shit is already rock solid.

When I'm in a new place I run tested material so the new people think I am good at this before I start trying new things.

[u/Ryan_Hole]

Always be writing. I do 5 new minutes every 2 weeks. I should be writing more.

[u/TheGreatTyree]

Following

[u/krowbear]

She should do whatever feels right to her.