Is there anything more synonymous with Christmas cheer than the CBS primetime schedule? Well, maybe, but CBS is certainly trying to elbow its way into the holiday spirit with a one-hour variety special hosted by comedian Nate Bargatze, filmed at Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry.
Titled with the kind of straightforwardness that suggests nobody spent too long brainstorming, “Nate Bargatze’s Nashville Christmas” is looking to deliver a blend of stand-up, musical performances, pre-taped comedy bits, and presumably some awkward banter with the Tennessee Titans.
While this marks Bargatze’s first primetime special, he’s hardly a newcomer, having earned a GRAMMY nomination for his comedic work. Now, he’s adding directing and producing to his repertoire, aiming to wrangle a diverse group of performers that could either be a delightful mix or a holiday train wreck. We’ve got mellow singer-songwriter Noah Kahan rubbing shoulders with country powerhouse Martina McBride, plus rap-rocker Jelly Roll, country mainstay Darius Rucker, and the always-present Carrie Underwood. Throw in “Saturday Night Live” cast members Mikey Day and Ashley Padilla, comedian Derrick Stroup, and a football team known more for touchdowns than punchlines, and you have a recipe for… something. Exactly what that something is, I’m not entirely sure.
Bargatze’s comedy generally steers toward the observational and relatable, often mining humor from everyday family life. How that translates to a holiday variety special format, complete with musical interludes and possibly a Titans-themed sketch, is the real question. The potential for tonal whiplash is considerable, but perhaps that’s the hook. Perhaps the sheer unpredictability of this lineup is the draw.
“Nate Bargatze’s Nashville Christmas” airs Thursday, December 19, 2024, from 9:00 PM to 10:00 PM EST on CBS and will be available for streaming on Paramount+ (live and on-demand for those with SHOWTIME, on-demand the next day for Essential subscribers).
