Nate Bargatze’s 2025 Emmys monologue pokes fun at ‘Severance’ and ‘The Bear’

Nate Bargatze Opens 2025 Emmy Awards

Nate Bargatze kicked off the 2025 Emmy Awards with a nod to his famed “Saturday Night Live” sketch, stepping back into the role of TV inventor Philo T. Farnsworth alongside “SNL” regulars Bowen Yang, Mikey Day, and Austin Johnson. The group shared some laughs about the current state of television.

In a lighthearted critique, Bargatze quipped that streaming was merely “a new way for businesses to lose money,” poking fun at several nominated shows, notably “Severance.” Day chimed in with his confusion over the show. Bargatze retorted that while many don’t get it, it somehow makes it to the screen.

Referring to the mix of genres, he joked about a show that sounded like a heavy drama yet featured a comical bear, suggesting that it’s hard to tell these days what’s truly a comedy. Yang pointed out the absurdity of the concept, leading Bargatze to address the ongoing debate within the comedy category of a Hulu series.

The comedian didn’t hold back when remarking on CBS, calling it a “network of white people,” implying that most viewers were tuning into football and “Yellowstone” instead of the nominated shows.

As the night progressed, after Seth Rogen received the first award, Bargatze took to the stage, jokingly suggesting a time limit for acceptance speeches. He proposed a 45-second limit, assuring the crowd that while he recognized their hard work, if they exceeded the time, they’d earn less for charity.

He announced a generous $100,000 donation to the Boys and Girls Club, adding a humorous twist by threatening to deduct from the donation for every second beyond 45 that acceptance speeches ran. Bargatze, ever the entertainer, added that he might boost the total if speeches were brief enough.

In a chat with Entertainment Tonight, Bargatze described his segment as potentially “stupid,” yet expressed confidence it would be “good.” Just days before the event, he emphasized a non-political tone for the ceremony, wanting to create a fun atmosphere amidst the chaos of current events.

Bargatze noted he wanted the evening to be an escape for viewers, as he recognized the stress many carry in their daily lives. He aimed to keep the vibe light, stating he didn’t want to offend celebrities and hoped everyone would enjoy themselves.

This was Bargatze’s first time hosting the Emmys, and he mentioned receiving tips from previous hosts, including Jimmy Kimmel. Their discussions had helped shape his approach, allowing him to create an engaging experience for the audience.