What Is The Basement Yard? The Podcast, the Hosts and the Live Shows

Some podcasts sound like they were made in a studio. The Basement Yard sounds like two old friends who never stopped talking, and that's exactly why its listeners come back every week. Here's a quick guide to the show behind our merch, for new listeners and longtime fans.

What is The Basement Yard?

The Basement Yard is a weekly comedy podcast created by Joe Santagato in 2015. Today he hosts it with Frank Alvarez, and the two lifelong friends talk about anything and everything, the way they have since they were kids. The show is presented by Santagato Studios, Joe's own video production company.

Who are the hosts?

Joe Santagato was born and raised in Astoria, Queens, in New York City. He has been making YouTube videos since 2010 and was part of the comedy collective Settle Down Kids from 2013 to 2015, before the podcast took over. Frank Alvarez is Joe's childhood friend from the same neighbourhood. He became co-host in 2020 and has been in the second chair ever since.

Has the show always been a duo?

Not quite. Comedian Danny LoPriore co-hosted from 2018 until 2020, when he left to work on other projects and Frank took over.

Does The Basement Yard play live?

Yes. Joe and Frank started taking the show on the road in 2024. That October they played two nights at Radio City Music Hall in New York as The Basement Yard Experience, and in November 2025 they brought the show to Madison Square Garden. One of our designs is a keepsake from those Radio City nights.

Why wear the merch?

Because a Basement Yard joke on your shirt is the quickest way to find the other listeners in the room, whether it's a glizzy, a mimosa or a skeleton in a purple suit.

Ready to join the crew? Shop the Basement Yard collection.