Nate Bargatze is everywhere. Honestly, if you’ve turned on a TV or scrolled through TikTok in the last two years, you’ve seen the deadpan delivery and the "average Joe" stories about 24-hour fitness centers and the confusing nature of milk. But it was the Nate Bargatze Nashville Christmas special on CBS that really cemented his status as the king of family-friendly entertainment.
It’s kind of a weird move, if you think about it. Most comedians want the edgy Netflix hour where they can say whatever they want. Nate went the other way. He went back to the 1970s variety show format.
Think Carol Burnett or Andy Williams, but with a guy who once swept floors at Opryland.
The Grand Ole Opry Homecoming
The special, which first aired on December 19, 2024, wasn't just another stand-up set. It was a massive production filmed at the legendary Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville. For Nate, this wasn't just a cool backdrop. It was a full-circle moment. He literally used to work there as an entry-level employee. Imagine going from emptying trash cans to headlining a primetime CBS special on that same stage.
The energy in the room was different. You could tell.
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The special runs about an hour and features a mix of things we don’t see much of anymore:
- Live sketches with Saturday Night Live cast members.
- Musical performances from huge stars like Carrie Underwood and Darius Rucker.
- Pre-taped digital shorts.
- Nate’s signature "nice guy" stand-up.
Why Nate Bargatze Nashville Christmas Works
Basically, Nate realized there was a massive hole in the market. Most comedy specials today are meant to be watched on a laptop with headphones so your kids don't hear the language. Nate wanted something where the whole family could sit on the couch and not feel awkward.
He teamed up with Lorne Michaels. Yes, that Lorne Michaels. After Nate crushed his hosting gig on SNL (the "Washington's Dream" sketch is already legendary), the two realized they had a winning formula. They brought in SNL writer Streeter Seidell and cast member Mikey Day to help with the writing.
It shows.
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One of the highlights was a Nativity-themed sketch that felt very much like the "Washington's Dream" bit—taking a historical or well-known story and applying Nate’s logic-driven, slightly confused perspective to it. It’s a specific kind of "smart-dumb" humor that nobody else is doing right now.
The Guest List
Nashville showed up for him. You had Noah Kahan and Jelly Roll making appearances, which kept the special feeling modern even while it used an old-school format. Martina McBride and the Tennessee Titans also popped in. It felt like a community event, not just a celebrity vanity project.
What People Get Wrong About "Clean" Comedy
There's this idea that because Nate doesn't curse, his comedy is "soft." That’s a mistake. If you watch the Nate Bargatze Nashville Christmas, the writing is actually incredibly tight. It’s harder to be funny without the shock value of vulgarity.
One bit that stood out was his take on Christmas decorations. He joked about the people who leave their lights up until June. His logic? If you make it to July, you’ve actually won. You’re just early for next year. It’s that kind of relatable, observational stuff that makes him the "Nicest Man in Stand-Up," a title The Atlantic gave him that he seems to wear pretty comfortably.
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How to Watch It Now
If you missed the original broadcast on CBS, you aren't totally out of luck.
- Paramount+: This is the primary home for the special. If you have the "with SHOWTIME" plan, you can find it in the archives.
- On-Demand: Most cable providers still have it tucked away in the holiday or variety sections.
- Netflix (The Other Special): Don't get confused. Nate also released a traditional stand-up special called Your Friend, Nate Bargatze on Netflix on December 24, 2024. That one is pure stand-up. The CBS Nashville special is the one with the sketches and the music.
The Ratings Didn't Lie
The special was a massive hit for CBS. On its premiere night, it pulled in nearly 3 million viewers. For a holiday variety show in the age of streaming, those are huge numbers. It actually re-aired on Christmas Eve because the demand was so high.
People are hungry for this stuff. They want the nostalgia of the variety era but with a modern comedic voice that doesn't feel like it's lecturing them or trying too hard to be "important." Nate just wants to tell you about how he doesn't understand how many days are in a leap year.
What’s Next for Nate?
The success of the Nate Bargatze Nashville Christmas has basically given him a blank check. There are rumors of a "Nateland" theme park in Nashville (seriously) and he’s currently on his Big Dumb Eyes world tour, selling out arenas that usually host NBA teams.
If you’re looking for a way to get the family together without the inevitable "I shouldn't have let my kids hear that" moment, this special is the blueprint. It’s funny, it’s Nashville, and it’s genuinely heart-centered without being cheesy.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Check your Paramount+ subscription to see if you have access to the full variety special for your next family movie night.
- Look up the "Stretchy Pants" performance by Carrie Underwood from the special; it’s a weirdly catchy holiday anthem that features Nate and Darius Rucker.
- If you prefer straight stand-up, head over to Netflix to watch his latest hour, Your Friend, Nate Bargatze, which dropped just days after the CBS event.