Some of the best comedies, especially the dark ones, have little to no filter whatsoever. No subject was Taboo, no word was considered unfunny no matter how offensive it can be. However, sometimes, people often go too far. They either make fun of a high tension hot topic, one too many times or sometimes even just once is enough to turn a laughing crowd into an Angry Mob. As shown with these guys. Whether it's a Macabre Joke gone too far, slurs spoken out loud for nothing more than ironic aesops or plain old shock value or the things beyond that, in which nothing is off limits, such as shows like South Park, Rick and Morty, Simpsons and the like, dark comedy has come along way, but without it's fair share of problems.

For example. No subject is taboo. You could be the most tolerant person on the planet and yet if you thought it was funny, you'd either say a slur or make fun of a topic that normally should not be made fun of. (Again South Park had a lot of mileage with that one.) Yet while you get a good laugh, you don't read the room. Some agree and think it's funny, others don't get it and there are some who not only think the comedy is unfunny, but treat you as if you're a horrible person for saying or doing that.

Now I'm not saying this is cause to eliminate Dark Comedy. Oh no. If anything it makes us appreciate Dark Comedy more as it often relates to the most depressing moments of our lives and helps us find humour in them.

Now to be a successful Dark Comedian, without plummeting after one mistake too many, you need to follow these simple guidelines.

1. Talk fast and precise. Which applies to all forms of Comedy. If you stammer or stutter, no one would find the joke funny. The have to keep up with you for at best 5 minutes and at worst an hour.
2. As long as it feels funny, it's funny. People joke about the darkest topics, yet find some good wholesome (Yes I am using that word right.), humour in it. Mostly because we are confronted by shocking moments for the sake of laughter. The Addams Family was the Grand Monarch of this one. As everything the family said or did, was meant to make us do double takes. One shocking. One funny.
3. Use a persona. Rather than go out there yourself, create a person that befits the comedy. Even in this world of overtly sensitive people, it's been proven many times, that an audience resonates more with a character than a real person. While most light hearted comedians are the exception, the guideline is especially prominent in Dark Comedy. Character like Morticia Addams, Beetlejuice or any Stephen King Villain, have often proved to be very shocking yet very entertaining.
4. Find a quick exit after the Act. This is both for showmanship and to escape anyone you pissed off.
5. Use what you know. Sometimes the darkest of comedic moments can be summed up by past experience.
6. Read the room. It's important to know what audience you expect.
7. Have fun.

While these are guidelines I try to follow, they aren't set in stone. Everyone has their own unique comedic ways along with their own rules and guidelines. What's yours?