Clean comedy for corporate events: what it means and how to get it
What "clean" means for a corporate comedian, the guidelines worth sharing ahead of time, and why appropriate doesn't have to mean boring.
For most company events, the comedy needs to be clean. Everyone from the new hire to the CEO is in the room, often with clients and spouses. The good news: the best clean comedians are some of the sharpest writers in comedy. Appropriate doesn’t mean boring.
What “clean” usually means
- No profanity
- No sexual material or innuendo
- No crude or shock humor
- No jokes that target groups of people
Many companies also ask comedians to stay away from politics and religion, and some have topics specific to their business. Tell us what yours are; there’s no wrong answer.
Share your guidelines ahead of time
Don’t leave it to chance. Before the event, write down anything that’s off limits (layoffs, a recent merger, a competitor, a person who shouldn’t be singled out) and anything the comedian could have fun with (inside jokes, industry lingo, the team that always wins the sales contest). When you book through ComedyBookers, we send you a short questionnaire and pass your answers to the comedian, so the show fits your room.
Audience participation: decide in advance
Crowd work can be the funniest part of a show, but some audiences don’t want to be put on the spot. If your executives are fair game, or if certain people should be left alone, say so beforehand.
Watch the clips
The best way to know a comedian’s style is to watch them. Every comedian on ComedyBookers has a profile with clips and reviews. Start with our clean comedians and corporate comedians, or answer a few questions and we’ll match you.
