The podcast, The Basement Yard, hosted by Joe Santagato and Frank Alvarez, thrives on a complete lack of structure. While they occasionally plan topics in advance, they often veer off course, and their ad reads are known for their charmingly haphazard nature—one memorable instance being Santagato’s mix-up of Shopify with Spotify, which became a beloved joke among fans. They don’t position themselves as experts on any subject, nor do they make such claims.
Remarkably, they’ve achieved the 7th spot among the most popular podcasts on the Patreon platform, boasting 830,000 subscribers on YouTube. This week, they’re set to perform in front of a sold-out audience at the iconic Radio City Music Hall.
Joe Santagato and Frank Alvarez celebrate their podcast’s success at Radio City Music Hall, achieving a milestone they’ve dreamed of since childhood
At 32, both Santagato and Alvarez are still coming to terms with the enormity of their success, which once felt like a distant dream from their childhood. Having grown up just blocks apart in Queens and been friends since preschool, they began creating comedic videos with friends at an early age.
“Honestly, we’re still figuring things out,” Alvarez shared with PEOPLE regarding the evolution of their show. “It’s going to hit me really hard at some point.” For Santagato, who began posting YouTube videos over ten years ago and gained fame with his “People of Walmart” series, reaching this level was always the goal, though the realization is still overwhelming.
“I never anticipated it would reveal like this,” he reflects. After spending four years cohosting The Basement Yard, the duo launched their inaugural tour in January 2024.
What commenced with a few shows on the East Coast quickly expanded into nationwide tour dates, culminating in a landmark performance at Radio City on October 1. After the first show sold out rapidly, they added a second performance for October 2.
“It’s extraordinary that we’re doing Radio City without having 25 live shows behind us,” Santagato remarked. “However, I believe we’ve put in a lot of effort to hone our craft with the shows we’ve done so far.”
In a crowded podcasting landscape, The Basement Yard stands out distinctly. Unlike many others, Santagato and Alvarez don’t offer advice, delve into social issues, or share specific information. Their appeal lies in their relaxed approach to conversation, which resonates with their audience.
“When people ask about our show, I always describe it as sitting down with your oldest friend for an hour of conversation about anything and everything,” Alvarez explains. “This relatable concept reflects how many of us have similar interactions with our own friends.”
Santagato adds, “Our listeners appreciate that we don’t try to tackle the same topics as others. If a news story breaks, we might touch on it, but often, we don’t. The lack of preparation contributes to our loose format, allowing it to feel like just two people having a conversation.”
Though The Basement Yard might appear to be an overnight sensation, its success has been nearly a decade in the making. Santagato originally started the podcast in 2015 as a solo venture and later welcomed comedian Danny LoPriore as a cohost, with Alvarez frequently appearing as a guest alongside other friends and family members.
When LoPriore departed to chase other opportunities, Santagato immediately thought of bringing Alvarez on board. “It wasn’t even a question,” he recalls. “I knew there was no one else who could replicate the special rapport Danny and I had.”
Alvarez, who was juggling a full-time job after earning his Master’s degree, felt certain he would seize the opportunity but initially feared he wouldn’t measure up to LoPriore.
“I was anxious about needing to match Danny’s level of humor, wit, and quickness,” Alvarez shares. “I owe a lot to my wife, who reminded me that Joe wasn’t bringing me in for that reason.”
He continues, “Then Joe and I talked, and he said the same thing: he wanted me to be myself. That’s what formed our relationship and history. It clicked that I didn’t have to be anyone other than who I already was.”
Alvarez expresses contentment with his life: “I have everything I’ve ever wanted. I’m pursuing my dreams with the person I’ve always wanted to work with and have a family at home. That’s all I could ever ask for.”
Santagato adds, “As long as there’s an audience for us, we’ll keep going. If it ever feels like our time has passed and we can step away gracefully, we would. But that seems like a long way off.”
