Commentary: Nate Bargatze is an odd choice to host the Emmys but he may be the night’s only real surprise

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In just a few days, the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards will be here, and as a frequent writer on the topic, I’m feeling quite excited, almost on edge – yet finding it challenging to fully grasp that excitement this year.

Despite the fact that “The Bear” should not be underestimated in comedy, there’s a strong possibility of self-congratulatory moments in the entertainment world as “The Studio” and “Hacks” battle it out. Jean Smart, with her three previous Emmys for “Hacks,” seems destined to become the new Julia Louis-Dreyfus, who earned six Emmys for “Veep.” There’s a tight race for the male drama lead category – while Gary Oldman may win for “Slow Horses,” Noah Wyle of “The Pitt” is currently the favorite. Kathy Bates appears to have sealed the deal in the female drama lead category. In the supporting acting categories, it seems like a contest between “White Lotus” and “Severance.” Lastly, both “Adolescence” and “The Penguin” are expected to share the limited series or anthology space.

As for Nate Bargatze‘s involvement, it adds an element of unpredictability. It’s not just about his two nominations for his Netflix special “Your Friend, Nate Bargatze”, but also due to him being the host.

Over a span of years, Bargatze has subtly built up his success in the comedy scene, now earning him a highly sought-after reputation. Nevertheless, his selection might seem unconventional. After all, unorthodox decisions – like the hostless Emmys in 2019 or the controversial reality show hosts in 2008 – can sometimes lead to challenges.

As a big Bargatze fan, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a tiny bit worried.

Unlike many who have come before him, Bargatze’s television involvement primarily consists of his stand-up specials, “Nashville Christmas” on CBS, and guest spots on late-night shows, even the ones hosted by former awards show hosts. However, despite his successful stint as a host for “Saturday Night Live” twice, the Emmys present a unique challenge, as it’s not an arena commonly linked with Bargatze’s style of deadpan, understated, and micro-domestic comedy.

Instead of the polished, grandiose, and distinctly Hollywood-esque demeanor often displayed by past Emmy hosts, Bargatze is a wide-eyed, puzzled slow talker who steers clear of political discussions, contemporary events, and societal trends. He prefers to ponder on marital squabbles, mishaps at the hotel breakfast buffet, and his own limited perspective of the world. As he puts it in “Your Friend, Nate Bargatze,” “Every historical movie I watch, I watch with bated breath.

Bargatze refrains from singing or dancing, and during his latest guesting on “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert,” he firmly declined any intention of performing such acts for the Emmys.

He seldom employs the common tactics like sarcasm, humor based on industry, name-dropping A-list celebrities that are typical for an awards show host. It’s likely he knows many TV legends more than I do, but it seems unlikely that he has deep, lasting relationships that could lead to public spats or jabs with well-loved stars on screen. (Although a repeat of his “SNL” George Washington character is still a possibility.)

To put it simply, like many past hosts, he has a knack for making people laugh, and they both share the common trait of being male. (It’s worth noting that only two women – Ellen DeGeneres in 2001 and 2005, and Jane Lynch in 2011 – have hosted the Emmys this century. It seems rather unusual, doesn’t it?)

A good awards show host needs a good dose of humor, and with my background hailing from a small town myself, where I used to frolic in questionable creeks and sport the most affordable imitations of fashion trends, I can’t help but appreciate Bargatze’s portrayals. He brings to light the kind of life that is often ridiculed or ignored in mainstream culture. His unique pronunciation of ‘oil’ as “ool” from Old Hickory, Tennessee feels completely natural to me.

A good awards show host should have a sense of humor, and being someone who came from a small town just like Bargatze did, I can relate to his depictions of life that are often disregarded or misrepresented in popular culture. His Old Hickory, Tennessee way of saying ‘oil’ as “ool” is familiar to me.

However, it’s important to note that the Emmys are all about celebrating excellence in television. The high-profile attendees, who will convene on Sunday at the Peacock Theater, aren’t really interested in a regular set or setup. Instead, they seek one that ties in with the nominees and the overall event.

Without a doubt, it cannot be ignored that the Emmy Awards, similar to other award ceremonies, are experiencing a decline in ratings. However, the fact that over 1 million people were willing to pay for a performance by Bargatze last year suggests there’s potential interest. CBS seems to believe enough of these viewers will tune in, significantly boosting the number of telecast viewers.

It’s quite possible that will occur. Bargatze, being versatile, is generally a reliable choice. Despite not having hosted an awards show before, he is well-accustomed to performing for both a massive live crowd and multiple cameras simultaneously.

In numerous aspects, Bargatze truly embodies the ideal comedian for today’s era. With a torrent of unrelenting anger dominating our conversations and the president even using explicit language, Bargatze’s comedy stands out as gentle, wholesome, and self-reflective. He possesses solid credibility from small-town, conservative backgrounds yet never resorts to exploiting this for divisiveness. His comedic style revolves around observing life’s common absurdities – like long-term marital woes, airport encounters, and food cravings – but he always takes aim only at himself rather than others. The name of his recently published book and ongoing global tour is “Big Dumb Eyes.

Despite some flaws, Bargatze maintains a soft and understanding sense of humor. He’s been making improvements lately – reducing weight, abstaining from alcohol, and upgrading his wardrobe – but unlike many comedians who indulge in excessive self-criticism, he embraces himself wholeheartedly, allowing his audience to do the same.

Beyond his years of persistent effort, greatly contributes to his current widespread popularity. In contrast to many aspects of culture that stir up divisive groups, Bargatze provides his audience with an agreeable and non-controversial persona. The likelihood of him uttering something offensive or attention-seeking during the Emmy ceremony is minimal. (For those anticipating a reference to the Trump administration’s conflict with Los Angeles and culture, you may want to search elsewhere.) However, it’s hard not to imagine that he won’t garner a few big laughs – I’m hoping for at least one joke about breakfast buffets, which many in the audience haven’t encountered for years.

Bargatze’s relatable image might become less distinctive as his popularity escalates, given his $82.2 million in tour earnings making him number one on Billboard’s 2024 comedy tours list by a considerable margin. However, at this point, he could offer a unique perspective, like a fish out of water, to the Emmys. This year’s awards might seem repetitive to frequent viewers, but it will be an entirely novel experience for him.

Maybe through Bargatze’s big dumb eyes even the Emmys will look new again.

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2025-09-10 13:31