There is an alternate reality in which Nate Bargatze has been working in Hollywood for more than a decade already. In that reality, one of the many, semi-autobiographical sitcoms that he spent years pitching around town in the 2010s was greenlit. Maybe it even led to other opportunities in front of the camera.

In this reality, Hollywood had little interest in Bargatze or his ideas. It was “pass” after “pass” after “pass.” That is, until very recently. As his comedian friend and collaborator Julian McCullough put it, “Everything was a no for so long, and now, it’s crazy, everything is a yes.”

As it turns out, Bargatze didn’t need the traditional gatekeepers to muscle in. Rather, THR ‘s cover star built the top-grossing touring business in the world, and now he’s parlaying that everyma

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