Nate Bargatze has already established himself as one of the biggest names in comedy, selling more than 1.2 million tickets to his The Be Funny Tour last year and earning the title of the highest-grossing comedian in the country. Now the 46-year-old Tennessee native is preparing to take on perhaps his biggest challenge yet: hosting the 77th Emmy Awards live on CBS. For a comedian who has spent decades honing his unique style on stage, stepping into the glitz and pressure of a major awards show marks an exciting new chapter.

Speaking with CBS Mornings, Bargatze admitted that his preparation for the Emmys didn’t start months in advance but only became real in the days leading up to the broadcast. “This is the first I’m thinking about it, was this week,” he joked, underscoring his laid-back personality. He explained that his approach to comedy at the event would remain true to who he is as a performer: lighthearted, fun, and free of cruelty. There will be jokes about the shows and nominees, of course, but delivered in a way that avoids the harshness of a traditional roast. “Even we’ve had stuff written that I think was a little more roast stuff,” he said. “After you think about it a couple of days, I’m like, ‘nah, let’s go back another way.’ We have some fun stuff though that’s planned.”

The comedian’s style has always leaned toward observational humor and a clean, self-deprecating wit, which sets him apart in a world where edginess often dominates. That approach has resonated with audiences across the country and explains his success as a touring act. Hosting the Emmys, however, brings an entirely different kind of audience—one filled with celebrities, creators, and industry heavyweights watching from the room and millions tuning in from home. Bargatze acknowledged that dynamic, noting that while he’s used to performing live, this particular audience feels different. “I’m used to performing in front of live people, not an audience like this of all the people that you know,” he explained. Still, he looks forward to stepping on stage, landing that first joke, hearing the first laugh, and then letting momentum carry him forward.

For Bargatze, the opportunity to host such a prestigious ceremony is both humbling and thrilling. “You kind of dream of like hosting some kind of award show … it’s very flattering to even get asked to do it,” he shared. The Emmys have long been one of television’s marquee nights, and being selected to guide the evening reflects not only his popularity with audiences but also the respect he has earned within the entertainment industry. The role requires balancing humor with diplomacy—keeping the room laughing while respecting the achievements of those being honored—and Bargatze seems eager to take on that balancing act.

In preparing for the job, Bargatze has reached out to some of the most influential figures in comedy and television for advice. He said he spoke with Conan O’Brien, Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Fallon, and even longtime Saturday Night Live producer Lorne Michaels, gathering thoughts on how best to approach the challenge. The advice, though varied in delivery, ultimately boiled down to a single theme: be yourself. “Everybody is just kind of like you just have to do you,” Bargatze said. “It’s hard to take exact advice, but you just kind of take it all in … but it all comes back to like just do you. Do what you know to do.”

That mantra—“just do you”—fits perfectly with the comedic identity Bargatze has built. His brand of humor is not built on shock value or cutting critiques but on relatability, authenticity, and an easygoing charm. As he takes the stage to host the Emmys, fans and industry watchers alike will be curious to see how that translates to the grandeur of one of television’s biggest nights. If his track record is any indication, Bargatze will lean into what has always worked for him: staying true to his style, finding humor in universal experiences, and making the audience laugh without tearing anyone down. In a room filled with some of the most powerful names in entertainment, his reminder to simply “do you” may prove to be the winning formula.