Nate Bargatze's Hilarious George Washington Sketch On SNL: A Deep Dive Into American English Quirks
Have you ever wondered how strange American English really is when viewed through the lens of a founding father? Nate Bargatze's portrayal of George Washington on Saturday Night Live brilliantly captures this absurdity, leaving audiences in stitches while simultaneously making us question our own linguistic conventions. The comedian's deadpan delivery and impeccable timing transformed a simple sketch about Washington's "dream" for the country into one of the most memorable moments in recent SNL history.
Nate Bargatze: The Man Behind the Powdered Wig
Biography and Personal Details
Nate Bargatze is an American stand-up comedian, actor, and writer who has been making audiences laugh for over two decades. Born on March 25, 1979, in Old Hickory, Tennessee, Bargatze grew up in a family with deep roots in entertainment - his father was a clown and magician who performed at the Grand Ole Opry.
Full Name: Nathaniel Bargatze
Date of Birth: March 25, 1979
Birthplace: Old Hickory, Tennessee, USA
Profession: Stand-up Comedian, Actor, Writer
Years Active: 2000 - Present
Notable Works: "The Tennessee Kid" (Netflix Special), "The Greatest Average American" (Netflix Special), SNL appearances
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Bargatze's comedy style is characterized by his clean, observational humor and his signature deadpan delivery. He often draws from his Southern upbringing and everyday experiences, making his material relatable to a wide audience. His ability to find humor in the mundane has earned him a dedicated following and critical acclaim in the comedy world.
The "Washington's Dream" Sketch: A Cultural Phenomenon
The Premise and Setup
In this unforgettable SNL sketch, Nate Bargatze returns to the role of George Washington to explain some of the most peculiar aspects of American English and culture. The sketch opens with Washington addressing his soldiers - played by SNL regulars Kenan Thompson, Mikey Day, Bowen Yang, and James Austin Johnson - about his vision for the new nation.
Washington's first decree is both simple and absurd: "I dream that one day our great nation will have a word for the number 12." When his soldiers look confused, he elaborates, "We shall call it a dozen." The soldiers' bewildered reactions perfectly capture the audience's own thoughts about this seemingly arbitrary linguistic choice.
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The Comedy of Cultural Oddities
What makes this sketch particularly effective is how it highlights the often illogical nature of American customs and language. Bargatze's Washington doesn't stop at the "dozen" revelation. He goes on to explain other uniquely American concepts that we rarely question:
- The metric system versus imperial measurements
- The naming conventions of food items
- The peculiarities of American sports
- The strange assortment of units we use for measurement
The humor lies in the juxtaposition of Washington's serious, historical persona with the absurdity of these modern American quirks. Bargatze's deadpan delivery makes each revelation feel like a profound statement, when in reality, it's highlighting how bizarre our everyday conventions truly are.
Breaking Down the "Dozen" Bit
The "dozen" joke is particularly clever because it's something we encounter daily but rarely think about. Why do we have a special word for twelve? Why not for other numbers? Bargatze's Washington treats this as a revolutionary concept, as if he's bestowing a great gift upon his new nation.
This bit resonates with audiences because it taps into a shared experience of suddenly seeing the familiar as strange. It's the same feeling you get when you repeat a word so many times it starts to sound foreign, or when you try to explain an idiom to a non-native speaker and realize how nonsensical it sounds.
The Metric System Revelation
One of the most pointed moments in the sketch comes when Washington declares, "We shall not use the metric system like the rest of the world. Instead, we'll have our own system with inches, feet, and yards." This joke lands particularly well because it's one of those American peculiarities that baffles people from other countries and even confuses many Americans.
The sketch cleverly uses Washington's historical authority to give weight to these absurd declarations, making the audience question why we do things the way we do. It's a brilliant commentary on American exceptionalism and our tendency to do things our own way, even when it might not make logical sense.
The Impact and Reception
Viral Success and Cultural Commentary
Instagram/@nbcsnl one of the funniest sketches of the entire 50th season may be the one just dropped by Saturday Night Live. The "Washington's Dream 2" sketch quickly went viral on social media platforms, with viewers praising Bargatze's performance and the clever writing.
The sketch's success lies in its ability to make people laugh while also making them think. It's the kind of comedy that works on multiple levels - you can enjoy it purely for the laughs, or you can appreciate the deeper commentary on American culture and language.
Bargatze's Strengths as a Comedian
A breakout sketch for Nate Bargatze hosting on "SNL" last season was "Washington's Dream," playing to his strengths as a deadpan stand-up as he played George Washington offering up his. Bargatze's ability to deliver absurd lines with complete seriousness is what makes this sketch work so well. His background in stand-up comedy, particularly his skill in observational humor, shines through in this performance.
The comedian's Tennessee roots and Southern charm add another layer to the portrayal of Washington. There's something inherently funny about hearing these revolutionary declarations delivered in Bargatze's laid-back, almost lazy drawl.
The True Story Behind the Sketch
Bargatze's Creative Process
Nate Bargatze reveals the true story behind his legendary George Washington SNL sketch. America is definitely not afraid to do its own thing, even when its own thing is pretty weird. In interviews following the sketch's success, Bargatze has shared insights into how the idea came about.
The comedian has mentioned that he's always been fascinated by the peculiarities of American culture and language. Growing up in the South, he was exposed to unique linguistic quirks and cultural practices that made him question why things are done the way they are. This natural curiosity and ability to find humor in the mundane formed the basis for the Washington sketch.
The Writing Process
The writing process for the sketch involved a lot of brainstorming about what makes America unique. The writers and Bargatze himself contributed ideas about American oddities, from our measurement system to our food nomenclature. They wanted to create a sketch that would resonate with both American audiences and international viewers who find American customs confusing.
Ever stop to think how bizarre it is that the United States is one of the only countries to not use the metric system? This question became a central theme in the sketch, highlighting how we often accept strange practices simply because "that's how it's always been done."
The Legacy of "Washington's Dream"
Impact on Bargatze's Career
The success of the George Washington sketch has further cemented Nate Bargatze's status as one of America's premier comedians. It showcased his ability to carry a sketch and deliver nuanced, intelligent comedy that appeals to a wide audience. The viral nature of the sketch has introduced Bargatze to new fans and reminded existing fans why they love his comedy.
Cultural Significance
Beyond its entertainment value, the sketch serves as a form of cultural commentary. It encourages viewers to question the status quo and examine the arbitrary nature of many of our customs and conventions. In a way, it's a modern form of social satire, using humor to highlight the absurdities of contemporary American life.
The sketch also plays into the broader tradition of historical figures being used in comedy to comment on modern issues. By placing Washington in this absurd situation, the writers create a bridge between America's past and present, showing how some things have changed dramatically while others remain perplexingly the same.
Why This Sketch Resonates
The Universal Appeal of Observational Humor
One of the reasons "Washington's Dream" resonates so strongly with audiences is its foundation in observational humor. Everyone has had moments where they've stopped to question why we do things a certain way, even if we quickly move on without finding an answer. Bargatze's sketch gives voice to these unspoken questions.
The humor works because it's based on truth. We really do have strange naming conventions for food (why is it called "French" dressing or "Dutch" process cocoa?). We really do use a measurement system that confuses the rest of the world. By having Washington "invent" these concepts, the sketch highlights their inherent absurdity.
The Power of Historical Context
Using George Washington as the vehicle for these revelations adds another layer of comedy. Washington is such a revered figure in American history that seeing him earnestly explain the concept of a "dozen" or the imperial measurement system creates a delightful cognitive dissonance. It's the juxtaposition of the profound and the mundane that makes the sketch so effective.
Conclusion: The Lasting Impact of Bargatze's Washington
Nate Bargatze's portrayal of George Washington explaining American English and customs has become more than just a funny SNL sketch - it's a cultural touchstone that makes us laugh while also making us think. The success of "Washington's Dream" lies in its perfect blend of intelligent writing, Bargatze's impeccable comedic timing, and its ability to highlight the absurdities we often overlook in our daily lives.
As viewers, we're left with more than just a good laugh. We're given a new perspective on our own culture, encouraged to question the status quo, and reminded of the power of comedy to illuminate truth through humor. Bargatze's Washington may have been bewildered by American English, but audiences around the world have found clarity and joy in his confusion.
The sketch stands as a testament to Bargatze's skill as a comedian and SNL's continued ability to create culturally relevant, thought-provoking comedy. It's the kind of sketch that will be referenced and remembered for years to come, not just for its humor, but for its insightful commentary on the peculiarities of American life.