In a delightful new interview, comedian Nate Bargatze confessed to the shocking truth that he’s never seen HBO’s smash hit, award-winning “Succession.” He said as much during his hosting of the 77th Emmy Awards. This satirical black dramedy, which chronicles the lives of the wealthy but dysfunctional Roy family, has garnered significant attention, receiving rave reviews and extensive accolades during its four-season run.
Succession has had an undeniable impact upon the televisual landscape, evidenced by its historic 75 nominations alone at the Primetime Emmys thus far, winning 19 of those awards. The series stars a remarkable ensemble led by Kieran Culkin, Jeremy Strong, Alan Ruck and Sarah Snook. Audiences have been taken in by its quick-witted dialogue and complicated relationships between characters. Topping it all off, the finale was watched by 2.9 million people, cementing its place as a cultural phenomenon.
Despite its success, Bargatze expressed skepticism about the show’s widespread appeal. He indicated that many individuals might not have engaged with “Succession,” suggesting that “no one watched it in the grand scheme of things.”
Bargatze elaborated on this sentiment, stating, “I don’t think anybody’s even trying to make stuff for everybody.” He admitted that it was a struggle to balance artistic independence with an interest in reaching larger audiences. “Everybody’s got lives, everybody’s got kids, everybody’s got things to run off and do,” he continued, noting the fast-paced lives of today’s viewers.
He continued to lambast the television waters today, pointing out an overwhelming amount of specialty programming. “There’s got to be a balance of appreciating Succession and appreciating King of Queens. Those worlds have to exist together,” he said. Given the growing glut of Emmy-nominated shows like “Succession,” Bargatze argued that audiences deserve different flavors of entertainment.
“You know what? Maybe the Successions are a little bit easier to make because you’re making it for such a specific audience. You get the runway to make it for five, six years because it’s cool. What if no one watches? It doesn’t matter.” – Nate Bargatze
