8 Mar
10:53
Why Independent Comedy Clubs Are Opening Everywhere
Stand-up comedy is having a bit of a moment. In cities all over the world, new comedy clubs are appearing. Some are proper venues, others…
Reporter
Tracy Spungeon
Tracy Spungeon covers the practical and cultural side of stand-up: how comedians actually build a set and get booked, independent clubs and the cities where comedy is growing, and the legal and tech questions comics increasingly run into. Tips, corrections, and counter-arguments welcome at tracy@opencomedy.com
The running order
5 Mar
12:57
Comedy Cities: Where Stand-Up Comedy Is Exploding
For decades, stand-up comedy revolved around a handful of cities. New York, Los Angeles, and London were where you moved if you wanted a career.…
2 Mar
15:12
How Independent Comedians Are Outgrowing Traditional Platforms
For a long time, the goal in stand-up was simple: get noticed by a big platform. TV appearances, network specials, and streaming deals were the…
21 Feb
16:44
Comedy Mental Health: Stand-Up as Medical Prescription
Comedy has always helped people process difficult experiences. But recently, the idea that stand-up might support mental wellbeing has started to move beyond comedy clubs.…
10 Feb
12:32
Why to get comedy bookings: Why Some Comedians Get Booked Constantly (And It’s Not Just Their Jokes)
You’ve probably noticed it at some point. The same comedians keep appearing on lineups. Different venues. Different cities. Different promoters. Meanwhile, other comics with equally…
2 Feb
17:24
Why Short Comedy Sets Are Winning in 2026 (And What That Means for Open Mics)
Short comedy sets are becoming the standard at open mic nights and small stand-up gigs in 2026. If you perform regularly or run comedy nights,…
12 Sep
16:04
Edinburgh Fringe 2024: The Funniest Jokes That Had Everyone Talking
The 2024 Edinburgh Fringe Festival delivered more than wild theater performances and bizarre street acts. As always, it was the breeding ground for some of…
23 May
04:03
Comedy Copyright Law: The Baby Reindeer Lawsuit: What Comedians Should Learn About Using Real People in Their Material
In June 2024, Fiona Harvey filed a $170 million lawsuit against Netflix over the hit series Baby Reindeer. She claims she’s the real person behind…
21 Oct
00:10
TikTok Stand-Up Comedy: What’s Actually Happening
TikTok didn’t ask permission before it changed stand-up comedy. It just did it. And whether you think that’s brilliant or terrifying probably depends on how…
22 Sep
05:04
How to technology comedy: How Technology Is Actually Changing Stand-Up Comedy (For Better and Worse)
Stand-up comedy used to run on word of mouth, dodgy phone calls to venue managers, and hoping someone in the audience knew someone who knew…
