Have you watched every single show nominated for an Emmy? If you have, well, congratulations! You’ve likely spent the better part of your waking hours glued to your screen. If you haven’t, don’t worry; you could still tune in for Nate Bargatze’s hosting. Not only for some laughs—but for the chance that his wallet will take a hit that benefits the Boys and Girls Club of America. Yes, you read that right: a $100,000 donation is on the line. But there’s a twist: for every acceptance speech that exceeds 45 seconds, Bargatze will dock $1,000 per second. So, not a single “thank you” for Aunt Mildred?
Bargatze’s approach has about as much finesse as a magician who pulls a rabbit out of a hat, only for it to be a porcupine. Should the speeches go overboard, he will begrudgingly contribute less; if they stay short, perhaps he’ll get to keep some of that donation money. Can you feel the pressure already? The fate of his wallet lies in the hands of Hollywood’s biggest stars, which might take the term “star-struck” to a whole new level.
But who is Nate Bargatze? Ah, the charming 46-year-old stand-up comic from Tennessee, currently commanding the title of Billboard’s top-selling comic in America. His tour grossed a staggering $80 million last year, leaving many comedians wondering if they should start selling lemonade on the side. Bargatze’s hosting gig marks his first foray into Hollywood, much like a baby deer learning to walk on ice. Luckily, he’s received coaching from seasoned veterans like Jimmy Kimmel and Conan O’Brien – because who doesn’t need an array of opinions on how not to stumble on live TV?
Expect Bargatze to take jabs at Hollywood, but in his delightfully polite manner. Think of him as the Mr. Rogers of comedy; just don’t expect him to tackle the cringeworthy cancellation of Stephen Colbert’s late-night show head-on. Bargatze suggested he might mention it “in a fun, playful way”—because who wouldn’t want to make light of someone else’s misfortune?
Funnily enough, Bargatze’s childhood was steeped in show business—his dad was a magician and clown. So, naturally, the question arises: Did he grow up with a fear of clowns? “Did you ever get yelled at by a clown?” he quipped. The irony drips thick as he recounts the bewildering experience of being chastised by someone sporting a painted smile. If only he could channel that bewilderment into a solid set of Emmy jokes!
When the Skywalker of Stand-Up finally takes the stage, the audience, and perhaps even the sweets shop window will be waiting for surprising gems about Hollywood. “So many of us think streaming is the way forward,” he muses, “but it’s really just a snazzy way for companies to lose money.” It seems like they’re creating stars out of thin air, and even real-life murderers are getting in on the action. Ah, the magic of modern entertainment—one minute you’re binge-watching “Breaking Bad,” and the next, you’re asking yourself if you just want to watch people eat couch cushions.
In a twist of irony, the Emmys lack a permanent host, as opposed to more glamorous affairs like the Oscars which can count on dependable favorites. Bargatze describes his segments as “dumb and silly”—a sentiment that should send shivers down the spines of every highbrow attendee. Nevertheless, the comic remains undeterred, having sold over 1.2 million tickets in 2024 and even hosted “Saturday Night Live.” Talk about scalability!
So, how did the speeches fare? Surprisingly, Seth Rogen’s acceptance speech for lead actor in a comedy series was under time, pushing the donation to a delightful $106,000. “Don’t go wild, though,” Bargatze reminded them, “I’m the one paying for this!” However, the tidal wave of time soon began to spiral out of control, resulting in a donation balance so low it might as well have been negative. By the show’s conclusion, it limped to a staggering deficit of $60,000. But fear not! CBS swooped in like a cinematic superhero and pledged to add $100,000. Naturally, Bargatze decided to ante up even more, offering an additional $250,000. Who says comedy can’t save the day?
