4 Things to Know about Nate Bargatze’s Life, Faith and Career

Back in the era of black-and-white TV, comedy was largely family-friendly, with beloved shows such as I Love Lucy and The Andy Griffith Show capturing the hearts of Americans along with high ratings. However, as Hollywood loosened its content restrictions and the counterculture movement gained momentum, comedy took a shift towards R-rated material, filled with crude jokes, profanity, and shock tactics. Nowadays, parents often scramble for the remote when a comedian comes on screen.

Enter Bargatze, a comedian who harks back to the clean humor of the past. His comedy sets are devoid of explicit language and suggestive remarks, offering a dry, self-deprecating style that resonates with everyday experiences like air travel, awkward conversations, and family idiosyncrasies. Audiences have embraced his approach, making him the top-grossing touring comedian in 2024, boosted by appearances on Saturday Night Live and a Netflix special. His widely-shared Washington’s Dream SNL skit, a rare G-rated segment on the show, has garnered 22 million views on YouTube.

“I grew up on clean comedy. When I started, I wanted my parents to come watch me. Even now as a parent myself, I still have that mindset,” Bargatze shared with Vulture. “I aim to be a clean comic without drawing attention to it. The best compliment for me would be, ‘I didn’t even realize you were clean.’ That’s my goal.”

He admitted that clean comedy is challenging, especially in a landscape where edgier material often prevails. “Most of the comics I was around were completely different from what I was doing,” he told The New York Times. “I had to figure out how to perform in those environments without compromising my style. It’s a balancing act to maintain a clean act in late-night settings when the audience is in a different frame of mind. You have to finesse it, because if you overtly state, ‘I’m clean,’ you risk being seen as uncool.”

Bargatze occasionally brings his daughter on stage to introduce him to the audience, showcasing a personal touch to his performances.