Nate Bargatze is without a doubt one of today’s hottest comedians working who’s had one of the busiest & most exceptional years in comedy to be recalled. He’s one of a few entertainers who’s managed to host Saturday Night Live twice within a single year, he’ll be releasing his third Netflix special this Christmas Eve, he’s starring in his own holiday variety special on CBS produced by Lorne Michaels, and he’ll also be releasing his first book next year.
Outside of his stand-up comedy, what most comedy fans may not know is that Bargatze is a visionary behind the scenes as a director, producer & champion of other comedians’ stand-up specials via his Nateland Company banner (the company that also hosts his popular Nateland Podcast). Under his vision, he sets out to create good clean funny that everyone can enjoy not just for other comics’ specials, but his own as well. For some good clean funny that has the Nateland touch (from his own directing chops, his guests on the Nateland Showcase, as well as guests from his podcast), here are five hilarious comedy specials we recommend checking out & putting on your queue next.
Joe Zimmerman
Comedian Joe Zimmerman made something special with Cult Classic. Directed by Nate Bargatze and filmed in Asheville, North Carolina at The Grey Eagle, Zimmerman's debut one-hour comedy special covers the story of a murderous owl, the evolutionary upside of depression, the unacknowledged courtesy of ghosting, and the strange morality of David and Goliath. Watch now so you can remember it later as the ultimate cult classic!
Greg Warren
Greg Warren has spent the past 20 years in comedy clubs making Americans happy. Prior to that, he had a career with Procter & Gamble, spreading a different kind of joy: peanut butter. Greg Warren’s The Salesman, a new comedy special from director Nate Bargatze, delivers an hour of delicious, clean comedy that finds humor in life’s most mundane details. From a not-at-all unbiased breakdown of peanut butter brands, to a deep dive on insurance cards, to the story of tricking Nikki Glaser in a Starbucks bathroom, Greg finds the funny in the familiar, revealing there’s humor everywhere we look – even in a jar.
Mike Vecchione
Mike Vecchione is a New York City based Comedian, who has been performing in the city clubs and across the country, for more than 20 years. A former special education teacher, Mike got his start in Philadelphia, before moving to the big apple where he has gained the respect of the industry, comedy clubs and his fellow comedians. Mike has a sarcastic, joke heavy style combined with sharp writing and an understated delivery that leaves audiences in stitches. In his debut one hour special, The Attractives, directed & produced by friend and fellow comedian, Nate Bargatze, Mike talks about everything from relationships to running with the bulls. Because "The Attractives," was shot in Nashville, Tennessee, it sets Mike's unique New York City style against a fun-loving, southern audience, making it one of the premiere comedy specials of 2023.
Anjelah Johnson-Reyes
Get ready for a hilarious rollercoaster of laughter with Anjelah Johnson-Reyes' sixth comedy special, Say I Won’t. Known for her viral "Nail Salon" stand-up bit that took the internet by storm, Anjelah Johnson-Reyes (a frequent guest on the Nateland Podcast) returns to her YouTube roots with an uproarious comedy hour that showcases her life, including her move from California to Nashville, coming to grips with getting older, and embracing the different stages of marriage, family & friendship.
"Say I Won't" offers fans worldwide an hour of side-splitting comedy as Johnson-Reyes takes the stage at the iconic Ryman Auditorium in her new home of Nashville, TN. This special is a true labor of love, with Johnson-Reyes financing, producing, and fully owning the production.
Jen Fulwiler
Jen Fulwiler is an Austin, Texas based stand-up comedian who sells out theaters across the country and was previously featured in an episode of The Nateland Showcase. And in her second comedy special Maternal Instinct, she sets the scene for motherhood and self proclaims she has no maternal instincts. A former computer programmer who once lived in a chic part of downtown, she now finds herself in the suburbs, driving her six children around in a minivan.
From the imposter syndrome that comes with people treating her as a respectable adult to the moment she looked at her backyard and realized her family just might be white trash, Jen shares her many mishaps as she navigates this life she loves but is not cut out for. She introduces us to the colorful characters from her world, including:
— her Ivy League husband who doesn’t want to work
— her Southern Baptist mother-in-law who uses Catholic saints to find lost car keys
— her children, who found some very unusual ways to get around internet security restrictions
Shot at The Riot Comedy Club in Houston and produced by Matthew Schuler, who has produced specials by Neal Brennan, Pete Holmes, and Mark Normand, Maternal Instinct will resonate with anyone who has ever found themselves failing their way through life.
