<\/p>\n
He\u2019s selling out arenas, launching a game show, dreaming up a theme park \u2014 and quietly admitting that stand-up comedy might not last forever. Nate Bargatze<\/a> is on top of his game, but retirement is something he\u2019s already thinking about.<\/p>\n \u201cI love stand-up more than anything,\u201d Bargatze told PauseRewind. \u201cBut I definitely could see a moment where the space between me touring is going to become a little bit farther.\u201d<\/p>\n The \u201cBig Dumb Eyes\u201d tour has been massive, with another run already in his plans. Still, he\u2019s mindful about not stretching himself too thin as his projects expand.<\/p>\n \u201cI know how hard it is to make something great I don’t want to be spread out too thin,\u201d he explained to our entertainment reporter Courtney Tezeno. \u201cI think I’ll know. I’ll know when I know,\u201d it\u2019s time to retire from comedy.<\/p>\n It\u2019s not an immediate goodbye, but it\u2019s an evolution. As he develops new ventures, including a Nashville-based theme park concept and his upcoming film \u201cThe Breadwinner,\u201d Bargatze admits his creative energy may start shifting.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m very protective of my ideas,\u201d he said. \u201cWhen you come up with a stand-up idea, it’s like, I want it to be in stand up. And so then if you start making movies I might want to kind of send it more in that directionI don’t think it’s going to be immediate. We’re on tour right now. I plan to do another tour after this.\u201d<\/p>\n RELATED: Why Nate Bargatze HAD to film his ‘The Greatest Average American’ game show in Nashville<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Family plays a major role in those decisions. Raised by a magician father and a quick-witted mother, Bargatze says comedy was always in his DNA. \u201cMy timing kind of came from my dad, but my mom is very funny I think it was a perfect mix.\u201d The husband and father of one is adamant about raising his daughter around extended family and staying true to his hometown roots.<\/p>\n That grounded, relatable energy now fuels his latest project, \u201cThe Greatest Average American,\u201d<\/a> now airing on ABC and streaming on Hulu. Inspired by a joke he once used to describe himself, the game show celebrates everyday knowledge and relatability.<\/p>\n \u201cI would jokingly always call myself that, that I know all the average American things. And so we want to celebrate that,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n He added, \u201cI’m very invested in the state of Tennessee and Nashville And this game show is a big reason. I wanted people to come be on it Come see our citywe’re a city that’s growing very fast.\u201d<\/p>\n RELATED: Does Dolly Parton have competition? Nate Bargatze\u2019s Nashville theme park plans<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Shot in Nashville, the show invites audience participation and puts Bargatze right in the middle of the action without rehearsal.<\/p>\n \u201cI don’t know what the challenge is before we go in Don’t tell me what it is. So it can be a very real moment,\u201d Bargatze, 46, shared. \u201cMy first answer is probably going to be the dumb one. So like, let it be the dumb one.\u201d<\/p>\n One challenge proved especially humbling and it happened in front of his parents. \u201cOne in particular is real embarrassing I did not get it. I did not make it as far as I thought I would.\u201d<\/p>\n And in our \u201cBig Dumb Quiz,\u201d the comic revealed a few hilariously specific quirks, including his unusual dislike of paper napkins. \u201cI don’t love napkins a fabric napkin. I mean, that’s my dream. When it’s a paper one, I can use it to not look like an animal, but I can’t crumble it I will never crumple a napkin. It will always be flat.\u201d<\/p>\n For now, retirement is just a thought and not a concrete plan. Bargatze is still very much on the road. For tour information and tickets, go to natebargatze.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n Follow us on Instagram @WeArePauseRewind<\/a> for all your pop culture obsessions.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n