Seth Meyers Ribs ‘The Basement Yard’ Stars After Losing PEOPLE’s Readers’ Choice Sexiest Podcaster to Them

The hosts of the popular podcast “The Basement Yard,” Joe Santagato and Frank Alvarez, made a guest appearance on “Late Night with Seth Meyers” recently to discuss their deep-rooted friendship and the journey that led them to create a successful podcast. The episode, which aired on March 10, shed light not only on their chemistry but also on their recent recognition from PEOPLE magazine.

Amidst a lively exchange, comedian Seth Meyers pointedly referenced the recent outcome of PEOPLE’s Sexiest Man Alive Reader’s Choice Poll, in which Santagato and Alvarez were awarded the title of Sexiest Podcasters. They triumphed over notable contenders including Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers from Las Culturistas, the trio from The Lonely Island, Nick Viall of The Viall Files, and even Meyers himself, who joked about losing to the duo.

“Congratulations on your victory,” Meyers quipped, to which Alvarez playfully responded, “You know… heavy is the head that wears the crown.” The light-hearted banter continued as the host probed into how their families reacted to the news of their newly acquired title. This led to some humorous anecdotes from both podcasters.

Alvarez recounted the reaction of his father, a traditional Colombian man, who was perplexed by the notion of his son being labelled ‘sexy.’ “He called and was like, ‘So you’re sexy now?'” Alvarez chuckled. Santagato shared a similar sentiment with his own father, who exuberantly declared that his son had outshined the likes of Brad Pitt. “He was like, ‘Dude, you beat everybody!’” added Santagato, highlighting the genuine admiration from their families. “It’s because no one has called our fathers sexy in, like, 45 years,” Alvarez remarked, prompting numerous laughs from the audience.

The nomination in the Sexiest Podcasters category took both Santagato and Alvarez by surprise. Alvarez vividly remembered his disbelief upon first learning of their nomination, questioning if it was a joke. It speaks to their humble beginnings, as the two grew up in the same neighbourhood in Queens and have been close friends since childhood. Their passion for comedy blossomed early, with the duo frequently producing funny videos with their friends.

Despite their success, Alvarez remains reflective about the podcast’s trajectory, admitting to PEOPLE, “I think we’re still trying to figure it out. It’s going to hit me a ton of bricks at a certain point.” This blend of nostalgia and ambition resonates with listeners as the pair continues to grow their audience.

Their podcast has garnered them over 800,000 followers on YouTube and they hold a reputable spot as the seventh most popular podcast on Patreon. In a world saturated with different formats and themes, “The Basement Yard” stands out for focusing on relatability rather than structured content.

Alvarez described the show as akin to sitting down with an old friend and engaging in a candid conversation. “I always pitch it as you, your oldest friend, you sit down, you talk for an hour about wherever the conversation goes,” he elaborated. This natural, free-flowing discussion has clearly struck a chord with their listeners.

Both Santagato and Alvarez acknowledged that they tend not to follow conventional podcasting norms. While they occasionally touch on current events, they purposefully refrain from creating a rigid structure or adhering strictly to trending topics. “It goes into our preparation too, which is none…. so it’s very loose,” Santagato shared. This spontaneity contributes to their charm and gives fans the impression of genuine dialogue rather than a rehearsed performance.

In conclusion, the duo’s appearance on “Late Night with Seth Meyers” illustrated the strong bond between Santagato and Alvarez, as well as their effective approach to podcasting. Their lighthearted take on serious subjects and commitment to authenticity continues to resonate with audiences, reaffirming the idea that success can stem from simply being oneself.