Do Accountability Groups Work for Stand-ups? HAHAHA—Wait, Seriously?
Let’s talk about accountability groups—you know, those little huddles of hope where people gather, sip oat milk lattes, and say things like, “This week, I vow to be my best self!”
Adorable.
But do they work for stand-up comedians? Buckle up, buttercups, because I’ve got thoughts.
What Even Is an Accountability Group?
For normal people (aka not us comedians), an accountability group is a band of merry overachievers who keep each other on track toward goals. Writers have them, business types swear by them, and somewhere in L.A., a group of actors is currently manifesting an Oscar over quinoa bowls.
In theory, it’s a brilliant concept. You set a goal, you share it with the group, and they hold you to it. Miss your deadline? Someone’s texting you, “Hey, where’s that screenplay?” Cringe.
But stand-up comedians? We’re a different species.
Comedy and Structure—Like Oil and More Oil
Look, we didn’t get into comedy because we love accountability. No one chooses stand-up for the steady hours, positive feedback, or 401(k) matching. We do it because we’re broken, deeply disturbed, and think the best way to deal with childhood trauma is to turn it into a five-minute set at The Ha Ha Hole.
And that’s the issue. Comedy thrives on chaos. Structure? Responsibility? Consistency? That’s what our parents wanted for us! If we were good at that, we’d be engineers or accountants instead of standing in the back of a dingy bar at 1 a.m. hoping someone finally laughs at our new joke about gluten-free communion wafers.
The Pros of Accountability Groups for Comics
Okay, okay. Let’s play fair. Can accountability groups work for comedians? Shockingly, yes. But only under a few conditions:
Your group isn’t just a therapy circle. Comedians love to trauma-dump, and if left unchecked, your accountability group will turn into an impromptu group therapy session faster than you can say, “My dad never hugged me.” You need people who push you to actually write jokes and not just rehash the time you bombed so badly that even the bartender walked out.
Someone in the group has to be a hardass. You need one person—preferably an ex-drill sergeant or a middle-school vice principal—who will say, “Enough whining, where’s your new material?” Otherwise, it’s just a bunch of comics making excuses like, “I couldn’t write this week because Mercury was in retrograde.”
You set realistic, comic-friendly goals. A normal accountability group might say, “Let’s all finish a screenplay by next month!” A stand-up accountability group should say, “Let’s write five new minutes this week and actually perform it.” Because if the goal isn’t tied to stage time, it’s useless.
The Cons (a.k.a. Why Most Comics Will Still Procrastinate Anyway)
Let’s be real—most comedians work best under last-minute panic. Nothing gets a joke written faster than knowing you’re going onstage in 30 minutes and have literally nothing prepared.
Also, comics aren’t exactly team players. We love working alone, brooding in coffee shops, and ignoring texts. An accountability group sounds great, but the second someone messages, “Hey, did you finish your new bit?” every comedian’s first instinct is:
Lie.
Ghost the group.
Write an excuse so good it becomes a joke.
So… Do They Work?
Here’s the verdict: Yes, but only if you’re serious about getting better.
If you’re a comedian who actually wants to write more, test new material, and push yourself, an accountability group can be a great tool. If you’re just looking for an excuse to talk about comedy instead of doing comedy, congrats, you’ve started a podcast.
The bottom line? Accountability groups can help stand-ups… but only if you treat them like a gig, not a group hug.
And if all else fails? Just book yourself on a show with no prepared material. That’s the ultimate accountability group—a live audience ready to let you know if you suck.
Now go write some jokes, ya degenerates!
