The Nateland Podcast

Episode 268: Comedy Cowboys ft. Henry Cho & John Crist

Original air date: September 3, 2025
Hosts: Nate Bargatze, Brian Bates, Aaron Weber
Guests: Henry Cho, John Crist

Overview

This lively episode of Nateland dives deep into the world of comedy, originality, the evolution of stand-up as an art form, and uniquely American cowboy and rodeo culture. Nate, Brian, and Aaron are joined by veteran comics Henry Cho and John Crist for wide-ranging, hilarious conversation. The group explores the quirks of joke theft, parallel thinking, how stand-up works at the arena level, nostalgia for “real work,” and the line between the myth and reality of cowboys. Along the way, they trade road stories, share advice for new comics and golfers, and examine why obsessions – from power-washing video games to running with the bulls – matter.

The tone is casual, self-deprecating, and quick-witted, fitting the chemistry between comics who know and rib each other well.

Key Discussion Points & Segments

1. [00:47] – Introductions & Recent Shows

• Hosts/guests exchange banter about the lineup, with John Crist humorously explaining, "I wasn't invited to this. I was just here." (00:07)
• Nate and the crew plug upcoming comedian showcases and tapings, notably Ryan Hamilton’s Netflix special.

2. [02:25] – Jokes, Joke Theft & Parallel Thinking

• Brian relates a military tour bit, sparking riffing about how certain jokes feel “stolen” but are often just common ground.
• Henry Cho on his joke becoming a viral meme:

  “A couple weeks ago, my wife got her identity stolen, but the guy's spending less money. I'm going to let it ride.” — Henry Cho (05:55)
  Discusses how it spread far and wide, out of his control.

• Gilbert Gottfried's legendary twist on “I just flew in…” is retold and praised for making an old joke original (03:29).
• Parallel thinking vs. outright theft:

  “It's more parallel thinking than anything.” — Henry Cho (04:44)

• Role of cadence and delivery in making a joke unique to a performer.

  “Their style and the way they tell a joke... that's the secret sauce that makes everything funny for a person.” — Nate (05:06)

3. [07:01] – Internet, AI, and Declining Joke Origination

• How memes, AI, and virality compress the pool of true joke creators:

  “The origination of the idea is less and less and less people.” — John Crist (07:29)

• ChatGPT writing for preachers and comedians:

  “Every pastor is like using ChatGPT... and they're all coming up with the exact same sermon.” — John Crist (07:41)

4. [09:32] – Stand-Up Style, The Arena Era & Comedy as an “Event”

• Nate details his journey from clubs to arenas:

  “There was never a leap. It was always like, I just went to the next thing. It was like a slow build into it.” (19:52)

• Adapting performance for the round, cameras, and large audiences:

  "You gotta come do it… it can feel very intimate in, like, a club. Even though it's big and it's a lot of people, you're just kind of in it.” — Nate (21:33)

• On openers having to be real headliners:

  “Your openers got to be able to be headliners on their own.” — Nate (20:25)
  “If they'll stand for him, I'm guaranteed. That's how hot this crowd is.” — Henry Cho (23:09)

• Arena shows are dissected, including the difference in pacing, camera work, and delivery needed to succeed in the format.

  “I was going to say it's almost performance art. Because you're moving.” — Henry Cho (24:33)

5. [31:36] – Prop Comedy, Magicians, and The Risks

• A hilarious segment on prop comics, Carrot Top, and disasters:

  “Carrot Top had to cancel the Tonight Show… because my act burned. He had no act.” — Henry Cho (31:36)

• The risk in relying on props:

  “It's a risk. I'm willing to take it.” — John Crist (32:20)
  “We always have it to have backups.” — Henry Cho (32:23)

6. [33:44] – The Process: Building, Trimming, and Burning Material

• How bits evolve before and after specials, frustration of material “burnout”:

  “Sometimes the beginning, you're like, dude, I got 16 months out of this joke.” — John Crist (34:14)

• Advice from comedy elders:

  “You take a two minute bit and you stretch it to four, and then you make it two again.” — Henry Cho (35:00)

7. [41:16] – Rapidfire: Golf Advice, Weather Disasters, and Earthquakes

• Advice for young golfers:

  “Play fast; don’t take your score super serious… If you play fast, you play with anybody you ever want to play with.” — Nate (41:48)

• Earthquakes vs. tornadoes:

  “There's nowhere to go. It was the most helpless feeling I've ever had in my life.” — Nate (47:58)

• Brian and Henry’s wild earthquake/tornado stories, including a tension-breaking punchline about running outside without pants (45:06).

8. [50:58] – “Fantasy” Cowboys, Dude Ranches, and the Allure of Hard Work

• John Crist shares about visiting a dude ranch:

  “I'm a comedian. Got my hands dirty and so you went in.” — Brian, teasing John (52:18)

• The concept of paying to do "real work" for fun, like cattle drives, power washing, and even mowing lawns.

  “When do you think the era of doing things for fun, like camping, began? People used to camp to live.” — John (53:22)

• The hosts riff on pressure washing video games and the satisfaction of completing simulated manual labor:

  “I have a video game where I pressure wash. Pressure washing video.” — Aaron (56:02) “That's like redneck Minecraft right there.” — Henry (56:08)

9. [61:12] – Addiction, Obsession, and Video Games

• Discussion of how obsessions can be positive or negative:

  "I wish I could get addicted to something that's like working out." — Nate (63:27)

• John shares a story about a real MLB pitcher getting addicted to MLB video games:

  “He would go to Walmart, buy a TV and an Xbox, play, stay up three nights in a row… and then leave it.” — John (59:21)

• How real-life success and fantasy addictions intersect; gaming as escapism.

10. [64:18] – Cowboy Attire, Tools, and Rodeo Lore

• Cowboy hats, chaps, spurs, boots, and practical uses:

  “Cowboy hats… it's always when I'm outside doing stuff. And it's about weather, sun. If it's raining, I wear a cowboy hat.” — Henry Cho (66:07)

• Functionality leads into style, identity, and status; the difference between real cowboys and "drugstore cowboys."
• History and function of rodeo events, lassoing, and bull riding.

  “The main wrangler though… had a lasso… In case something went awry…” — John (67:23)

• Explanation of rodeo rules, random bull draws, and the judging system.

  “You get judged though on the bull as well.” — Brian (71:07)

• The (now) infamous way bulls are made to buck:

  “They cinch them. Their testicles… that's why they're going nuts.” — John Crist (71:52)

11. [73:03] – The Running of the Bulls & Chasing Thrills

• On running with the bulls as “ultimate adrenaline”:

  “There's no higher high than that.” — John Crist (77:07)

• Debate about why humans chase danger, from roller coasters to Everest.
• Exploring archetypes: Cowboys, astronauts, and fighter pilots as American icons.

12. [83:13] – Westerns, Outlaws & American Myth

• The real vs. Hollywood cowboy debate:

  “Billy the Kid, Jesse James… Are they cowboys? Not really.” — Brian (81:41) “Famous cowboys… John Wayne… He probably did all that riding… four packs a day.” — Henry (82:21)

• Hosts admit most haven't gotten into Westerns; discuss why the genre resonated in the past versus now.
• Origins of Wild West shows & Buffalo Bill Cody; lasting influence on sports (Buffalo Bills, Ravens).

Timestamps for Notable Segments

• 00:47 Introductions and line-up jokes
• 03:29 Legendary joke structure (Gilbert Gottfried)
• 05:55 Henry’s viral meme joke story
• 07:41 AI, ChatGPT and the decline of real joke origination
• 13:44 Stand-up as an event, arena logistics
• 21:33 Arena intimacy, audience engagement with cameras
• 23:09 & 23:43 On openers and crowd energy
• 31:36 Carrot Top's act burning, the risk of prop comedy
• 34:14 Joke “mileage” and last-minute rewrites
• 41:48 Golf advice, etiquette
• 47:58 Earthquakes vs. Tornadoes: Helplessness
• 52:18 John’s (fantasy) cowboy experience
• 56:02 Obsessive satisfaction in pressure washing video games
• 59:21/61:12 MLB pitcher addicted to MLB The Show
• 66:07 Authentic cowboy gear and style
• 71:52 Bull riding, and what really makes bulls buck
• 77:07 The thrill of Running of the Bulls
• 81:41 Who were the “real” cowboys?
• 84:13 Annie Oakley, Buffalo Bill, and western folklore

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "It's more parallel thinking than anything." — Henry Cho (04:44)
• "Your openers have to be real headliners." — Nate (20:25)
• "You realize how different people's cadences are and how much you're in your own cadence." — Brian (12:11)
• "I wish I could get addicted to something that's like working out." — Nate (63:27)
• "I'm a comedian. Got my hands dirty." — Brian, ribbing John about cattle drive vacation (52:18)
• "Pressure washing simulator... That's like redneck Minecraft right there." — Henry (56:08)
• "Running with the bulls… there's no higher high than that." — John Crist (77:07)
• "Cowboys, astronauts, fighter pilots… now it's pressure washer." — Aaron & Henry, on pop culture icons (85:46)

Closing & Upcoming Shows

• Nate discusses prepping to host the Emmys:

  “I feel much better knowing that I’ve done that kind of thing. I want to do me and I think we have the right team around helping me and we got...a couple ideas that are pretty different.” (95:47)

• Plugs for upcoming shows: Henry in Shreveport, Milwaukee, Chicago; Aaron in Phoenix and Denver; John on a 25-city tour (99:41-101:09)

Summary

This episode is a masterclass in loose, behind-the-scenes comedy conversation, peppered with nostalgia, real-world advice, and meta-commentary about performing in the modern era. The blend of serious topics – artistic originality, career transitions, addiction, and even livestock physiology – with the crew’s comic timing makes for an entertaining, insightful, and relatable listen.

A recommended listen for fans of comedy history, stand-up process, Americana, and anyone who’s ever wondered what REALLY happens at the intersection of work, play, and obsession.