The New Year is a great time to audit your life. It’s an even better time to audit your joke notebook.
If you’re still telling jokes about the 2024 election or that one viral meme from March, it’s time to purge. Comedy moves fast. Here is how to refresh your act for 2026.
The “Keep, Tweak, Trash” Method
Go through your set list.
- Keep: The evergreen stuff. Jokes about family, death, and love usually age well.
- Tweak: That bit about technology? Update the references. If you’re referencing an app that nobody uses anymore, the joke dies.
- Trash: Topical humor has a shelf life of milk. Throw it out. It hurts, but it’s necessary.
Hunt for New Premises
Force yourself to write about something you’ve never touched before.
- Never written about your job? Try it.
- Never written about your physical appearance? Try it.
- Step out of your comfort zone. That’s where the growth happens.
Need Inspiration?
Watch the “New Material” nights on Mint. Even the legends have to bring notes on stage sometimes. Watch them stumble and find the funny. It’s the best education you can get.
Ready to turn that fresh 2026 material into more bookings? Master the art of the industry-ready reel with our cornerstone guide, Showcase Your Funny: Building a Killer Portfolio of Comedy Content.
