Clean Comedian Dishes On Creating His First Primetime TV Program

Published: December 30, 2024

Clean Comedian Dishes On Creating His First Primetime TV Program

By Movieguide® Contributor

Nate Bargatze continues to focus on clean comedy, and he is excited about his newest special, NATE BARGATZE NASHVILLE CHRISTMAS, which released on Dec. 19.

“…the Christmas special was, it was just, man, it was like buzzing that night,” he told Relevant Magazine. “We did it at the Grand Ole Opry. It’s kind of a throwback, variety-type show. And so, it was just everybody there. I just think there’s people [who haven’t] really seen something like that, especially if they’re younger. They haven’t seen any type of variety show versus, you know, they used to do them. And so, it was just…super exciting, welcoming.”

He said in September that he wanted the show to be something the whole family could enjoy.

“What makes a variety show different from typical standup is the mix of performances. Bargatze does standup, of course, but also sketch comedy, pre-taped skits and musical acts. It was done in collaboration with SNL writers Mikey Day and Streeter Seidell, who worked with him before on the SNL sketch ‘Washington’s Dream,’ which went viral in 2023,” Parade said.

His appearances on SNL prepared him well for the variety show.

“I knew, you know, doing this, even doing it twice now with the sketches. You know, that’s another one that I got very excited with doing,” Bargatze explained. “The sketches on SNL were that. So, like doing the sketches, and this was so much fun. And like…I’m very excited about the sketches because it’s just something that I’m not, you know, I just do stand-up. So it’s something very different.”

The special was filmed back in November and can now be viewed on Paramount +. USA TODAY reported, “Produced with SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE creator Lorne Michaels, the collaboration marks Bargatze’s first primetime TV program. The hour-long special follows Bargatze’s two hosting stints on ‘SNL’ in 2023 and 2024.”

Carrie Underwood, Noah Kahan, Jelly Roll and Darius Rucker joined Bargazte for the show.

“Had so much fun with @NateBargatze on his @cbstv Christmas variety special!” Underwood posted on Instagram. “Here’s an exclusive first-ever live bonus performance of #StretchyPants, featuring Nate and @dariusrucker too!”