For years, The Basement Yard has built a loyal following by doing something deceptively simple: putting two lifelong friends in front of microphones and letting the conversation go wherever it wants. Joe Santagato and Frank Alvarez have turned their effortless chemistry into one of the biggest comedy podcasts around, selling out live shows, winning awards, and creating countless viral moments along the way. Here are 15 fun facts about The Basement Yard and the duo behind it.
Frank didn't join The Basement Yard until 2020
Although Joe Santagato launched The Basement Yard in 2015, Frank Alvarez didn't become his permanent co-host until 2020. The podcast originally featured Joe with a rotating lineup of guests before Frank joined full time, ushering in the era that many fans consider the show's defining chapter.
They've been friends for nearly their entire lives
Joe and Frank grew up together in Queens and have known each other since preschool. Their decades-long friendship is the foundation of the podcast's chemistry.
They almost never prepare
Unlike many podcasts that rely on detailed outlines, Joe has said the show intentionally stays loose, with very little preparation so conversations feel natural.
They've sold out some iconic venues
What began as two friends talking has grown into live tours that have filled major theaters, including Radio City Music Hall and Madison Square Garden.
They won an iHeartPodcast Award
In 2026, The Basement Yard took home the award for Best Ensemble Podcast.
People magazine readers named them the "Sexiest Podcasters"
Joe and Frank unexpectedly won PEOPLE's Readers' Choice award, beating several well known podcast competitors. The honor even became the subject of jokes during their appearance on Late Night with Seth Meyers.
Frank describes The Basement Yard in three words
When asked to sum up The Basement Yard, Frank Alvarez chose three words: chaotic, fun, and relatable. He says one of the biggest compliments the duo receives is that listening to the podcast feels like hanging out with your own friends, something he and Joe take great pride in.
Frank has always dreamed of being on Saturday Night Live
Long before The Basement Yard became a hit, Frank Alvarez dreamed of appearing on Saturday Night Live. He has said he and Joe grew up idolizing the show and comedy in general, making every milestone that brings them closer to that world feel especially meaningful.
Frank's surprisingly passionate about karaoke
Frank Alvarez has a few karaoke staples he knows he'll always enjoy performing. Among his favorites are Queen's "Fat Bottomed Girls," "My Shot" from Hamilton, and Looking Glass' "Brandy," a classic he says always gets people singing along.
He's a lifelong video game fan
When he's relaxing at home, Frank loves unwinding with video games. He's especially fond of Pokémon and MLB: The Show, often playing on his Nintendo Switch while his wife watches TV, calling it one of his favorite ways to spend an evening.
Sitcoms are Frank's comfort watch
Frank regularly rewatches sitcoms like The Office and Brooklyn Nine-Nine, but if he had to live inside one TV comedy, he'd choose Arrested Development. He imagines that he and Joe would host a podcast in the show's universe, constantly finding themselves tangled up in the Bluth family's chaos.
Joe doesn't use social media as often anymore
Joe says he used to spend far too much time posting, checking views and reading comments online, but eventually realized it wasn't healthy. These days he avoids them for the sake of his mental well-being and focuses on creating the content he enjoys making.
His dream dinner guest is Taylor Swift
Asked who he'd most like to share a meal with, Joe chose Taylor Swift.
Joe filmed videos in his mother's basement
Long before The Basement Yard became one of the biggest comedy podcasts around, Joe was filming comedy videos in his mother's basement with friends. Those early days helped inspire both the show's name and the career that followed.
Frank never planned to become a podcaster
Before joining The Basement Yard full time, Frank earned a college degree and worked a traditional job while creating podcasts about wrestling, movies, and video games on the side. What began as a hobby eventually turned into his full time career.
