Nate Bargatze Opens Emmys by Joking CBS Stands for ‘Caucasian Broadcast System’ and More in ‘Inventor of Television’ Sketch

Before the monologue, Bargatze played “Philo T. Farnsworth,” the “inventor of television,” in a sketch with “Saturday Night Live” stars Bowen Yang, Mikey Day and James Austin Johnson. The bit, set 100 years in the past, was a play on Bargatze’s famous “SNL” sketch “Washington’s Dream,” as the comedian make jokes that pointed out the absurdity of the contemporary television landscape.

As Yang, Day and Johnson tinkered with a prototype of a TV, Bargatze told them, “Do not get discouraged. What we create here will one day bring the world shows that inform and educate. Shows that make us laugh, and cry!”

Related Stories

John Turturro Stars In 'Big Noon Saturday' Campaign for Fox Sports

Matthew Dowd Speaks Out After MSNBC Fired Him for Charlie Kirk Comments: Network 'Reacted' to the 'Right Wing Media Mob'

Then, in a nod to the most-nominated show this year, “Severance,” Bargatze added, “And shows about people who, when they go to work, they switch to different people in their brains who only remember what happens at work! Many people who watch it won’t, either, but by god, it will be on TV.”

“I dream that, one day, there will be a channel for every interest. The Travel Channel, for travel. The Food Network, for food. And the History Channel,” Bargatze said.

“For history!” Day said, before Bargatze corrected him: “No! For aliens.”

The host then said there also wouldn’t be learning on the Learning Channel (aka TLC). Instead: “Hoarders. People who eat couch cushions. ‘Dr. Pimple Popper.’ All of our fun stuff.”

Bargatze also envisioned a future with TV channels for everyone: “Networks like Telemundo, for Spanish speakers. And BET: Black Entertainment Television.”

What about a channel for white people? “Why, CBS, of course!” Bargatze said, referencing the network airing the Emmys. “Yes, the Caucasian Broadcast System!”

Bargatze is best known for his clean and often self-deprecating comedy that pokes fun at everyday situations and his own cluelessness. The Nashville-based comic has hosted “SNL” twice, and he had the highest-grossing comedy tour of 2024. His latest special “Your Friend, Nate Bargatze” debuted on Netflix in 2024, and he’ll make his feature acting debut in “The Breadwinner,” a comedy movie he co-wrote with Dan Lagana. Bargatze also published a memoir, “Big Dumb Eyes,” earlier this year, and with his company Nateland, he hopes to create the next Disney-sized entertainment universe.