The hottest Stand-up Substack posts right now

Comedy and satire are under strain because real events often feel stranger than fiction, but preserving the freedom to offend and laugh is important for national culture.
The government has threatened action against Iran but practical military limits have held back strikes, even though many Trump supporters would back military action in certain situations.
Antisemitic incidents are rising and some official responses and high-profile campaigns risk backfiring, making the problem harder to address effectively.

Topical, edgy jokes can provoke serious backlash and even legal threats, which shows how fragile the institution of comedy has become.
The piece celebrates raw, uncensored humor and highlights comedians sharing blunt, provocative jokes rather than safe, HR-approved lines.
Laughter is framed as necessary relief in difficult times, and there's an argument for a cultural 'right to laugh' as part of national life.

Tony Hinchcliffe's style of humor is seen as harsh and not funny. Unlike comedians like Don Rickles, he doesn't include self-deprecating jokes.
Hinchcliffe's jokes can be cringeworthy and don't seem to resonate well with audiences, especially at events like the Trump rally.
The comparison between Hinchcliffe and Rickles highlights a difference in comedic approach, where Rickles was more inclusive and warm-hearted.

Jim Gaffigan won over a young, hipster crowd by anticipating their criticisms and using them in his act.
Gaffigan shows that clean comedy can still be edgy by using meanness and hostility in his jokes.
To replace the transgressive power of profanity, Gaffigan uses hostility and sarcastic humor to keep his audience engaged and entertained.

Women in comedy benefit from supporting each other and building a positive community. When women collaborate, they can create a more inclusive and encouraging environment.
The Boulder Comedy Festival highlights diversity and women's voices in stand-up. It aims to change the male-dominated landscape by showcasing a variety of talented comedians.
There are still challenges, like sexism and discrimination, in the comedy industry. But by working together and focusing on positivity, women can overcome these obstacles and succeed.

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You can reinvent yourself at any age; be willing to become a beginner again and try new paths.
Treat failures as feedback, not final answers. Test ideas quickly, learn from flops, and keep iterating until something works.
Happiness is something you design by choosing how to spend your time and who to spend it with, and humour can help you carry pain and shrink problems.

Building a newsletter can be a journey of personal expression and growth. Being honest in your writing helps connect with your audience.
Working with other creators and communities can really help you grow your audience and improve your content. Collaboration makes things more fun and effective.
It's okay to not have everything figured out. Embrace mistakes and keep learning as you go. Just talk to people about your work and take it seriously, but also keep it light.

Comedy is meant to be fun, not a serious career path. If you're doing it just for enjoyment, that's what counts.
Taking a comedy class can be helpful, but it's not necessary. Many successful comedians never took classes at all.
The new Komedy Klass is a free resource where you can share your comedy work and get positive feedback, making it a supportive space.