Signs Your Comedy Career Is Toxic and What to Do About It

So, you’ve been doing stand-up for a while now. You tell your friends, “I’m a comedian!” and they beam with pride, only to awkwardly laugh when you say something absolutely ridiculous on stage. Somewhere between the guy who forgot he wasn’t at an open mic and the gal who thinks every joke about her cat can fill a one-hour special, you might start sensing that your comedy career feels less like a jazzy nightclub and more like a locked basement reserved for bad decisions and second-hand smoke. If this resonates with you, it’s time for a comedic intervention.

No one wants to face the cold, harsh truth — like realizing that your favorite comfort food is actually stuffed with preservatives and sadness. But as it turns out, some comedy careers can become toxic. Yes, that’s right. Like a bad diet, a toxic comedy career can lead to burnout and depression, and we all know the last thing a comedian needs is more reasons to cry in a corner. Here are 11 signs that your relationship with your comedy career is anything but healthy.

1. Your Jokes Are Staler Than Bread Left Out for a Month

If a joke starts with “A priest and a rabbi walk into a bar…” and ends with “Isn’t that funny?” then it’s time to step back and reassess. If you find yourself telling the same tired jokes over and over—stale as a loaf of bread left to fend for itself on a kitchen counter—you’re not just out of material; you’re marinating in mediocrity. If you can’t even Anagram your jokes into something fresh, you might need to give yourself a creative enema. Try writing down your best ideas at least once a week, because balance is important—even if you’re just balancing your humor.

2. You Spend More Time Watching Comedians Than Performing

There’s absolutely no shame in being a comedy fan, but if you’re spending more time watching Netflix specials than you are on stage, you might have developed a toxic relationship with your craft. Holding a remote control doesn’t count as “working on your material.” If your friends are suggesting that you quit your day job and become a full-time spectator, it’s time for an intervention. Drop the popcorn and grab a mic—unless you’re at a bar with a karaoke night, in which case, that might be the perfect compromise.

3. You’re Secretly Jealous of Every Comedian You See

Remember when you were thrilled about stand-up? When every comedy show felt like a family reunion with your hilarious cousins? Now, it feels more like a high-stakes poker game where every successful comedian is rolling in chips while you’re left clutching your empty coffee cup. Jealousy is a slippery slope that can lead you to forget that you’re all in this together. You can still have a snack on your self-doubt—with a twist of appreciation for those enjoying success. If jealousy is turning you into a bitter cactus, consider focusing on your unique voice rather than everyone else’s act.

4. Your “Friends” Are Only There for Free Drinks

Ah, the joy of the comedy community—everyone swarming around you for your open mic night, while you barely finish your set before they disappear into the ether. If you’re starting to suspect that most of your peers consider your friendship a free pass to a local bar, it’s time to cut ties with negativity. Those who don’t support you when you bomb may not be worth your time. True friends will lift you up (even if you bomb), so surround yourself with genuine support—preferably not just the free-drinks crew.

5. Your ‘Fanbase’ Is Just Your Mom and Her Book Club

Hey, there’s nothing wrong with mom cheering you on from the front row! However, if your strongest audience consists of a handful of enthusiastic friends and your mother’s book club has seen your entire catalog (and still cringes)—you might want to rethink your strategy. You may be one riveting bit away from a breakout moment, but it could just as easily be time to expand your “fanbase.” Do some crowd work that’s less focused on Mark and Ellen from Buzzkill Junction. Not everyone needs to know about your family members’ embarrassing moments. Turn to open mics or even online platforms to find fresh supporters. Share your comedy responsibly—like it’s an NFT, only way less complicated.

6. You Complain Far More Than You Create

Ah, the art of complaint—truly, the finest stand-up tradition since the dawn of time. If your Twitter reflects more grumbling than giggling, your voice is drowning in negativity. Complaining about how hard the industry is while doing nothing to change your craft is a slight variant of doing the same thing and expecting different results. Take a moment to reevaluate and combat the negativity monster haunting your feeds. Instead, use that energy for a book of punchlines or a few rounds at open mic night. It’s time for constructive criticism—not a never-ending rant about the “sadder” parts of your performance.

7. You’ve Started Telling Jokes Just to Be “Woke”

Wokeness isn’t inherently bad—after all, awareness is a key component of human life, much like knowing when to stop eating kale chips. However, if your jokes have morphed into a delicate dance around topics just to fit the latest “woke” criteria, it can feel like you’ve stumbled into a minefield. Then you plan a punchline and ooze out tiny cringes with a side of social media backlash. It’s okay to be socially aware and still get laughs, just remember: authenticity is key. Lean into your experiences and speak from your heart, not a half-hearted attempt to be everything to everyone.

8. Burnout Is Your New Best Friend

Speaking of everything being just peachy, nothing signals a toxic relationship with comedy more than feeling burned out. If the thought of stepping on stage makes your heart race, and not in a good way, it’s time for a break. Sure, some comedians thrive on the grind, but if you find yourself counting the minutes until you can escape, consider stepping back. Give your brain a break or treat yourself to a mini-vacation—where more awkward family conversations than punchlines occur. Trust me; fresh material springs from still waters, not overextended comedians.

9. You’ve Been Substituting “Comedy” for “Anger”

Let’s face it; rage can be a great motivator, just like a lunch buffet brings out all sorts of interesting conversations. But jokes fueled by anger usually miss the mark, leaving the audience pondering whether to laugh or flee. If your act consists of hitting the crowd with frustrations more than funny tales, the energy may become toxic for both you and them. Shift gears; think about what’s causing the anger. Learn to laugh it off—not just shout about it with fury. Find the moments in daily life that can light a hilarity bonfire from those frustrating moments that seemed unbearably serious earlier.

10. You’ve ‘Gone Off Script’ Way Too Often

When you first started, getting off script might have felt exhilarating—like jumping off a cliff into a pool of laughter. But if you’ve gone ‘off script’ so many times that you’ve completely forgotten what your set was about, it can become an instrumental part of a comedy quarantine series—yes, where disasters breed disasters. As a comedian, structure is essential. While spontaneity is great, finding a balance is key. If the crowd can no longer follow your train of thought, you’ve abandoned ship—remember, a steady ship attracts steady audiences.

11. You Find No Joy in Performing

Finally, the most significant red flag—if performing feels more like drudgery than unadulterated joy, it might be time to reevaluate whether comedy is really your calling. The laughter should remind you of those childhood days before school became all-consuming. When you leave the stage feeling like you just trudged through a foot of mud, it’s time for some serious soul-searching. Seek what initially sparked your love for the craft, and dive back into it. If it serves to inspire light instead of darkness, embrace it—because, at the end of the day, laughter is the best medicine (unless you’re allergic to it, then it’s probably time for a doctor).

In conclusion, if you recognized yourself in any of these signs, do not worry; it means you still have time to save your comedy career from the dark abyss of toxically bad humor. After all, recognizing the problem is the first step, and seeking support from fellow comedians, taking breaks, and ultimately committed to genuine self-expression is essential. And as with most things in life, remember: laughter is, generally, the best medicine—so make sure you’re enjoying the comedic journey, not stuck in a toxic feedback loop. Just like your comedy career, embrace the funny side of life, and who knows? You might just land your Netflix special sooner than you think—hopefully, without your mom’s Book Club in the background.