Anyone who knows me knows I am not one who is able to sit still for long — let alone stay focused. I never thought of myself as the intended audience for podcasts, given that there was nothing about them that kept my attention.
That was until I found “The Basement Yard” on TikTok. Hosts Joe Santagato and Frank Alvarez have no problem keeping my attention with their thoughts that flow fast as my own.
Popular musician Damiano David, known for being in the band Måneskin, said “The Basement Yard” was his favorite when asked in an interview.
“It’s two guys, and they’re so funny,” David said. “They are just very, very, very stupid in the best way possible.”
I couldn’t agree more.
I had seen many clips online, all making me laugh out loud until tears sprung from my eyes. A few turned into popular TikTok clips, some of which you may actually have seen before.
One of the first clips of theirs to go viral was of the pair discussing their favorite Pop Tart flavor, in which Joe, or Joey, asks Frank what his favorite Pop Tart flavor is and calls him basic for his initial answer: “The strawberry ones.”
This causes Frank to go on a tangent about how his favorite is actually the “Spiderman” (2002) tie-in Pop Tart, wildberry, or “spider-berry.”
There have been many more moments from their podcast that have gone viral, some including peeling bananas, the g in lasagna, Frank’s classic “Your turn,” who drinks tequila shots and the pair’s discussion about iron in foods, which even got a response from Hank Green.
One of my constant vocal stims will always be the way Joe said “twins” in one clip. It sounded so fun, and I couldn’t help but want to imitate it.
I think part of the reason their podcast is so engaging is that Joe and Frank have been friends for well over 30 years, having met in preschool. Their dynamic is a highlight of “The Basement Yard” and makes it all the more entertaining when they bring up drama and argue about something that happened 20 years ago.
When I first saw clips of their podcast, I wasn’t sure if I would like it that much, given my aversion to podcasts. I think they are generally dull, and the clips posted online are typically the only engaging part, especially when the hosts are just two men, with one or all being white.
But Joe and Frank are outliers in this narrative.
They both know their privilege on the platform and acknowledge it while also poking fun at themselves and each other. And, unlike most, when they do something wrong or make a comment that is a bit too out-of-pocket, they have no shame in apologizing, which is refreshing to see.
In general, I love watching them just because. However, this podcast holds a deeper meaning in my heart. For the majority of my life, I have struggled with high levels of anxiety and often have trouble calming down.
So, when I am stressed or feel a panic attack coming on, I open YouTube, pull up “The Basement Yard” and let the shadows clear from my brain. Joe and Frank have no trouble taking my mind off of my stresses and even manage to make me laugh through them.
Part of the reason the podcast is so successful is that they are unabashedly themselves. Both hosts throw fragile masculinity out the window and embrace their sensitive sides.
Frank has no qualms about sharing how much he loves Joe and how he wants him to miss him or say he loves him compared to Joe, who shares his experiences in therapy and has no shame in going or admitting that he goes.
It is refreshing to see two men who have no issues in embracing all parts of themselves and sharing them online without worrying about how viewers perceive or criticize them.
But besides the podcast itself, I also love their channel, Santagato Studios, which makes shorter content with challenges and games. On this channel, we get to see more of the crew behind the podcast and their studio.
Joe also has his own individual YouTube channel, Joe Santagato, which he has posted on since 2015. On this account, he reacts to many different things online, like rating Gen Z trends and reacting to stories sent in from fans or Reddit users.
Each channel posts once a week, or twice if you are a Patreon member for “The Basement Yard,” which I am, giving ample entertainment to subscribers.
This is not my first time talking about “The Basement Yard.” I actually shared my love for this podcast in my Tastemakers article last February, though I have been a fan for much longer than that.
Joe and Frank, among other Statagato Studio members, are currently on tour, bringing “The Basement Yard Experience” to a live audience. Not only are they touring in the US, but they are also going to Europe.
I hope the boys make their way to Wisconsin or Minnesota so I can snag some tickets to watch their live show.
Boggess can be reached at boggestm7197@uwec.edu.
