Everyone has a different version of clean. For me, it’s pretty much don’t say the f word or talk about bodily fluids and various forms of penetration. When I get a show that says “Be clean!”, I kind of cringe. That said, any asshole can be dirty, so the clean shows pay a lot more. I remember when I first started a really vile comic did a comedy contest. His closer involved a purple strap-on dildo, so that’s all you really need to know. Post-show, he told me he landed a corporate gig. Me: “What? Where?” Him: “For my co-workers.” Me: “Oh, so it’s not a corporate gig. How much are they paying you?” Him: “Nothing. It’s a free show.” Me: “OK. That makes sense because you offend me and I am a piece of shit.” Corporate gig my foot! (See how I cleaned it up there?)
Despite all that, I have worked clean a lot. It’s usually pretty subtle as in I don’t curse and cut out the sex jokes, mostly. Once I did a casino show at a place that presidents have vacationed at for a hundred years. Surprisingly, their white trash radar didn’t blow up when I walked in. I had to wear a suit and tie, but it went great. I was very excited until I realized I didn’t get to stay in this palatial estate. “Where’s my room?” “Oh, I am sorry sir, your room is at the Red Roof Inn. Ten miles from here.” That’s more like it. Time to pound Busch Lights in my hilljack hotel alone again and listen to Skid Row and the people in the next room have sex!