Nate Bargatze on Success in Comedy and Nateland’s Expansion
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In this special live episode of Sunday Sitdown with Willie Geist, comedian Nate Bargatze reflects on his remarkable journey from a small-town Tennessee upbringing to selling out arenas worldwide. The conversation, held at City Winery in New York City with a diverse, dedicated audience that traveled from across the U.S. and Canada, captures Bargatze’s humility, humor, and deep-rooted connection to Vanderbilt University sports. He shares pivotal moments in his career—from surviving a near-bombing of his comedy career with a water meter reading job post-9/11, to his breakthrough on Conan and Fallon, culminating in two hosting gigs on Saturday Night Live, including the iconic George Washington sketch that went viral. Bargatze emphasizes his commitment to clean, family-friendly comedy, rooted in his Southern Christian upbringing and self-deprecating style. He also discusses his vision for Nate Land, a Nashville-based entertainment company aiming to create wholesome, shareable content for families—a response to what he sees as a gap in modern media. With a new book, Big Dumb Eyes, on the way and a global tour underway, Bargatze expresses both gratitude and a desire to step back and empower the next generation of creators. The episode closes with heartfelt audience questions, affirming his authenticity, resilience, and enduring love for comedy and community.
Success in comedy comes from consistency and authenticity—Bargatze’s 20-year grind before his sudden rise proves that long-term dedication pays off.
Clean comedy is not a limitation but a strength; it allows for broader appeal and deeper connection with audiences, especially families.
Nate Land is not just a business—it’s a mission to create wholesome, shareable entertainment that fills a void in today’s media landscape.
The most powerful comedy comes from self-deprecation and vulnerability, not mockery of others.
Breakthrough moments often come from persistence: even after bombing on stage, Bargatze kept going, trusting the process.
Introduction to a Special Live Episode
Willie Geist introduces the first live episode of Sunday Sitdown, hosted at City Winery in New York City, with a warm welcome to the audience and a preview of the guest: Nate Bargatze, one of the most in-demand comedians in the world.
Nate’s Road to Stardom: From Water Meters to Stand-Up
“We stood out in our water tanks of Wilson County. This is after 9-11. Right after 9-11? What did your boss tell you after? We got to defend our water.”
The Power of Clean Comedy and Self-Deprecation
“I never wanted to embarrass them. I didn't want them to come to a show and say, go watch my son and be embarrassed.”
SNL Breakthrough and the George Washington Sketch
“I knew it would be funny because I'm so used to it. I only perform in front of live audiences. So I could tell when you're reading it and just a table read, it's like I get a ton of laughs.”
Nate Land: Building a Family-Friendly Entertainment Empire
“There's not much you... I don't think there's stuff for people to watch even as a family. Like, I mean, you have this show. You have like... That's what people are watching if they're going to watch anything together.”
“There's not much you... I don't think there's stuff for people to watch even as a family. Like, I mean, you have this show. You have like... That's what people are watching if they're going to watch anything together.”
“I never wanted to embarrass them. I didn't want them to come to a show and say, go watch my son and be embarrassed.”
“I knew it would be funny because I'm so used to it. I only perform in front of live audiences. So I could tell when you're reading it and just a table read, it's like I get a ton of laughs.”
Host
Guest
Nate Bargatze
person
Willie Geist
person
Vanderbilt University
organization
Saturday Night Live
other
George Washington Sketch
other
Nate Land
organization
City Winery
other
Christina Bargatze
person
Big Dumb Eyes
book
Applebee's
other
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