Podcast Summary: "The Interview": Nate Bargatzi Doesn’t Mind if You Think He’s an Idiot
Podcast Information:
- Title: The Daily
- Host/Author: The New York Times
- Episode: 'The Interview': Nate Bargatzi Doesn’t Mind if You Think He’s an Idiot
- Release Date: April 19, 2025
- Host of Episode: David Marchese
1. Introduction to Nate Bargatzi and His Comedy Style
In this engaging episode of The Daily, David Marchese interviews comedian Nate Bargatzi, whose approachable and clean comedic style has resonated with a broad audience. Bargatzi distinguishes himself in a comedy landscape often dominated by transgressive and edgy humor by focusing on relatable stories about family life, modern confusion, and self-deprecating humor.
Notable Insight:
"Bargatzi has captured the zeitgeist in a friendlier way. He's low key and clean and his comedy traffics in highly relatable stories about the foibles of family life, his confusion with modern living and his own lack of smarts." (00:04)
2. Authenticity and Relatability in Entertainment
Bargatzi emphasizes the importance of authenticity in his work. He believes that audiences crave genuine and relatable content rather than the hyperbolic characters often portrayed in mainstream media.
Key Quote:
"You need to be able to come and trust that you're going to get the entertainment that I am showing you that I'm selling you." (02:01)
He contrasts his approach with blockbuster movies, highlighting a gap in the market for relatable, everyday characters.
3. Family Influence and Material
Family is a central theme in Bargatzi’s comedy. He draws inspiration from his own life, particularly his interactions with his wife and daughter, ensuring that his material remains authentic and respectful.
Discussion Highlights:
- Bargatzi discusses the balance between using family as material and protecting their privacy.
- He shares how his audience appreciates jokes about family dynamics, as it makes his humor more accessible and heartfelt.
Notable Quote:
"I've had a lot of grandmothers come to my shows, and they love me. I do really good with grandmothers, and I always love that because I don't think there's much being made that they could go to." (20:27)
4. Competitive Influences from His Father
Nate’s father, a comedian and magician, played a significant role in shaping his comedic career. Growing up with a parent in the entertainment industry fostered both inspiration and healthy competition.
Key Points:
- Nate recounts performing alongside his father in arenas, highlighting their competitive yet supportive relationship.
- He reflects on how his father’s choices, such as staying in Nashville rather than moving to Las Vegas, influenced his own career path.
Notable Quote:
"He was a clown at the beginning and then he did magic. He's a magician and I mean he'll tell me like jokes and stuff and say, well you didn't say this and say that." (08:15)
5. Physical and Personal Changes for Career Advancement
Over the past several years, Bargatzi has undergone notable physical transformations, including a change in appearance and lifestyle adjustments, to better position himself in the competitive comedy industry.
Discussion Highlights:
- He credits both personal motivation and professional necessity for his changes, such as getting fitter and adopting a more polished look.
- Bargatzi shares his journey of giving up alcohol in 2018 to enhance his performance and focus.
Notable Quote:
"I stopped drinking in like 2018 because I knew if I wanted to get where I wanted to get as a comic, this was going to be in the way." (11:19)
6. Upcoming Book and Material Highlights
Nate is expanding his repertoire with the upcoming book Big Dumb Stories from a Simpler Mind. The book mirrors his comedic persona, blending self-deprecation with insightful storytelling.
Key Points:
- He humorously admits his limited reading habits, integrating this trait into his book’s theme.
- Bargatzi hints at including personal anecdotes and reflections that parallel his stand-up material.
Notable Quote:
"I think that's the goal. I'm trying to be only grandmothers. Shows are at 8:30am that's the late show." (31:47)
7. Ambitions Beyond Comedy: Nateland Theme Park
Bargatzi reveals his ambitious plans to create Nateland, a family-friendly amusement park aimed at providing inclusive entertainment for all ages.
Discussion Highlights:
- He identifies a gap in Nashville’s entertainment offerings for families, inspiring his vision for Nateland.
- Nate envisions a space where children, grandparents, and parents can enjoy activities together, fostering communal experiences.
Notable Quote:
"I want to build something in that aspect where people can. It's a big one." (17:32)
8. Reflections on Comedy Genres and Political Material
Bargatzi discusses his approach to comedy in contrast to peers like Marc Maron, highlighting his preference for non-political, clean humor. He appreciates the challenge of subverting expectations in his material.
Key Points:
- Nate acknowledges the value in different comedy styles and the spaces they occupy.
- He enjoys creating jokes that go against the grain, such as his nuanced takes on political topics like Donald Trump and peanut allergies.
Notable Quote:
"I wanted to say the opposite of what everybody else was saying. So if I have an idea and I can do that, I will do that. I do like that challenge." (23:36)
9. Motivations and Future Plans
At the heart of Bargatzi’s career is a desire to create meaningful, family-oriented entertainment. He expresses a commitment to evolving beyond stand-up, aiming to introduce innovative ventures like Nateland while ensuring his work remains accessible and enjoyable for diverse audiences.
Discussion Highlights:
- Nate plans to eventually step away from stand-up to focus on broader projects.
- He emphasizes serving his audience and fostering an inclusive environment in all his endeavors.
Notable Quote:
"I want to be for everybody." (20:24)
Closing Insight: Bargatzi envisions a future where his efforts contribute to a more inclusive and family-friendly entertainment landscape, underscoring his dedication to creating lasting, positive experiences for his audience.
Conclusion
Nate Bargatzi stands out in the comedy world for his clean, relatable humor and his unwavering commitment to family-centric entertainment. Through his stand-up, forthcoming book, and ambitious plans for Nateland, Bargatzi is shaping a career that prioritizes authenticity, inclusivity, and meaningful connections with his audience. This interview provides a comprehensive look into his motivations, challenges, and the heartfelt drive behind his comedic journey.
Production Credits:
- Producer: Seth Kelly
- Editor: Annabelle Bacon
- Mixing: Sonia Herrero
- Original Music: Dan Powell, Diane Wong, Marian Lozano
- Photography: Devin Yalkin
- Senior Booker: Priya Matthew
- Producer: Wyatt Orme
- Executive Producer: Alison Benedikt
- Special Thanks: Max Carpenter, Rory Walsh, Renan Borelli, Jeffrey Miranda, Matty Masiello, Jake Silverstein, Paula Schumann, Sam Dolnick
Follow & Subscribe: Stay updated with The Interview by following or subscribing wherever you get your podcasts. Visit nytimes.com/theinterview or email anytime@theinterviewnytimes.com for more conversations.
Next Week: Guest host Gilbert Cruz, editor of the New York Times Book Review, interviews acclaimed author Isabel Allende.