The Nateland Podcast - Episode #242: A Special Night (and A Little Friendship) with Nic Novicki

Release Date: March 5, 2025

Hosts: Nate Bargatze, Brian Bates, Aaron Weber, and guest Nic Novicki
Produced by: Audioboom Studios

1. Welcome and Guest Introduction

The episode begins with Brian Bates welcoming listeners and introducing the guest for the day, comedian Nic Novicki. Notably, they acknowledge the absence of Dusty Slay, who couldn't join the session.

Quote:

[00:47] Brian Bates: "Hello, folks and hey Bear. Welcome to the Natland podcast. I'm Nate Bargatzi. Brian Bates. Aaron Weber filling in for Dusty who couldn't make it today. Nick Novicki."

2. Nic Novicki’s New Special: "Born Young"

Brian enthusiastically announces Nic Novicki's latest half-hour comedy special titled "Born Young," set to premiere on March 7th. The hosts praise Nic's unique comedic style, highlighting his distinctiveness in the comedy landscape.

Quote:

[02:32] Brian Bates: "Nick Th Has a brand new half hour special from Nateland called Born Young. It will premiere on Nateland this Friday, March 7th. [...] It's just Nick's one. He's very different, which is it. But in the best way."

3. Weekend Adventures and the Vanity Fair Party

Nic shares stories from his recent trip to California, where he attended a Vanity Fair Oscars party. Accompanied by Brian, Aaron, and Nate, the group recounts their experiences navigating celebrity interactions and the unique dynamics of such high-profile events.

Key Highlights:

• Travel Tales: Nic and Brian discuss their nearly erratic travel back from California, including a humorous account of flying Spirit Airlines.

  Quote:

  [07:35] Nic Novicki: "The flight itself was fine, but when we got back to Nashville, I feel like the airport didn't treat us as well. [...] Sorry, pal."

• Celebrity Encounters: The hosts describe amusing and memorable interactions with celebrities like Halle Berry, Adrian Brody, and Leonardo DiCaprio, emphasizing the surreal nature of mingling with such stars.

  Quote:

  [38:35] Brian Bates: "Nick walks up to her, and he goes, hey, how you doing? And, like, she goes, oh, good. Yeah. [...] We have a picture of us not holding it, but he did let us hold it."

4. Nate's Unexpected Hospital Visit in Spokane

A significant portion of the episode delves into Nate Bargatze's harrowing experience during the trip. After a successful weekend of sold-out shows in Tacoma and Spokane, Nate suddenly fell severely ill, leading him to call 911 on himself.

Detailing the Incident:

• Onset of Illness: Nate describes waking up feeling debilitated, experiencing intense vomiting, and fearing he might be poisoned.

  Quote:

  [16:32] Nate Bargatze: "I wake up top, two or three sickest I've ever been in my life. Came out of nowhere, dude."

• Emergency Response: He recounts the ambulance ride to the ER, the confusing hospital procedures, and his isolation on the hospital bed.

  Quote:

  [17:13] Nick Novicki: "Do you have your phone?"

• Aftermath: Despite the support from a benevolent Uber driver, Nate had to extend his stay in Spokane, missing subsequent flights and commitments. The episode highlights the challenges of recovering from such an unexpected medical emergency while on the road.

  Quote:

  [19:18] Nate Bargatze: "And the guy came out of nowhere and got me. It was like a two dollar Uber ride for him."

5. Reflections on Friendship and Early Days

Transitioning from recent events, the hosts reminisce about their long-standing friendships and how they met. They share anecdotes from their early days in the comedy scene, living together with Dustin Chafin, and navigating the challenges of building a comedic career collectively.

Quote:

[72:53] Brian Bates: "Boston Comedy Club. Yeah. There's a club that we would do with Dustin Jaffin all the time. Dustin Chafin ran it, who was in Irvine all weekend."

6. Sponsorships and Advertisements

The episode intersperses several sponsorship messages promoting brands like Progressive Insurance, iRestore Elite, Factor Meals, and Mud Water. However, as per the podcast's format, these segments are clearly delineated and do not interfere with the main content.

7. Upcoming Shows and Special Events

Towards the end of the episode, the hosts provide updates on their upcoming performances across various cities, encouraging listeners to attend their shows. They also mention special events like the 12th Annual Easter Sales Disability Film Challenge, highlighting its significance and how to participate.

Quote:

[76:08] Aaron Weber: "We go to this other after party. We walk in, [...] And Aaron talks about the Easter Sales Disability Film Challenge."

8. Closing Remarks

The podcast concludes with a heartfelt thanks to listeners, acknowledging the tumultuous yet rewarding experiences shared during the episode. The hosts express gratitude towards their audience and tease future episodes, especially one focusing on friendship when Dusty Slay joins.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• On Nic Novicki’s Special:

  [02:32] Brian Bates: "It's a super fun one. So it's great. And I've been around Nick forever and he killed it."

• On Nate's Hospital Experience:

  [16:32] Nate Bargatze: "I wake up top, two or three sickest I've ever been in my life. Came out of nowhere, dude."

• On Interactions with Halle Berry:

  [37:33] Brian Bates: "We have a picture of us not holding it, but he did let us hold it."

• On Friendship Origins:

  [72:53] Brian Bates: "Boston Comedy Club. Yeah. There's a club that we would do with Dustin Jaffin all the time."

This episode effectively weaves together Nic Novicki's career highlights, personal anecdotes from the hosts, and reflections on enduring friendships, all while maintaining an engaging and conversational tone. Listeners gain insight into the camaraderie among the hosts and the unforeseen challenges faced while navigating the comedy circuit.