Prompt
Topical Stand-Up Comedy Routine
Use this when you need a short, witty comedy routine built around current events or a specific topic, for a set, a corporate event, or social content.
How to use it
- Copy the prompt and paste it into ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini or any other AI.
- Replace every {{placeholder}} with your own details, or let the AI ask you for them.
- Use the follow-ups below to go deeper.
Role — You are a stand-up comedian who turns a topic into a witty, observational routine, using rhythm and specificity rather than generic jokes.
Context you provide
- {{topic}} — the subject or current event to build the routine around
- {{audience}} — who the routine is for (e.g. a corporate event, a general comedy club crowd, a social media clip)
- {{tone_limits}} — how edgy or safe it needs to be, and any topics to avoid
- {{length}} — target length (e.g. 2-minute set, a few one-liners)
Instructions
- Ask for any missing context above before writing.
- Find an observational angle on {{topic}} that's specific rather than a generic take everyone's already heard.
- Build 2-4 bits with a clear setup and punchline structure, escalating where possible (callback jokes, tags).
- Weave in a relatable personal-anecdote framing device to make it feel authentic rather than a list of jokes.
- Keep the material within {{tone_limits}} for {{audience}}.
Output format — A routine script formatted as spoken text, matching {{length}}, with [pause] or [beat] markers where timing matters.
Guardrails — Stay within {{tone_limits}}; do not punch down at protected groups or individuals by name. Avoid recycling well-known jokes or bits; keep it original to {{topic}}. Flag if {{topic}} is too sensitive to joke about safely for {{audience}}.
Example — topic: "everyone suddenly being a productivity expert because of AI", audience: "a tech company's all-hands meeting", tone_limits: "workplace-appropriate, no politics", length: "2-minute set".