Joe Santagato Enters the World of Hot Ones with New Show

Joe Santagato, creator and co-host of The Basement Yard podcast, has made a name for himself on social media platforms, where clips from his show are frequently shared online. His podcast's success has translated into a thriving touring business.

Santagato's company, Santagato Studios, is an online-forward media firm that he founded. This venture has been instrumental in propelling The Basement Yard to internet fame, solidifying its place as a popular and widely shared show.

A recent meeting between Santagato and his business partner Greg Dybec with First We Feast marked the beginning of a new chapter for Santagato's career. He has now entered the world of Hot Ones, a well-known brand that has been at the forefront of the hot sauce and interview format.

When asked about how he got involved with Hot Ones: Game Night, Santagato revealed that it all happened relatively quickly. "They wanted to start a new show where I would be hosting," he explained in an exclusive conversation with The Hollywood Reporter.

The idea was for the new show to revolve around Santagato and feature him interviewing celebrity guests through a hot sauce-fueled board game. This concept aligns perfectly with his background as co-host of The Basement Yard and his experience in creating engaging content.

Santagato has expressed that he is still learning one aspect of hosting Hot Ones: Game Night, which involves interviewing people. However, this challenge does not seem to be hindering the show's success, as it continues to attract viewers with its unique format.

The approach taken by Joe Santagato in hosting The Basement Yard's Hot Ones: Game Night differs from that of Sean Evans. Unlike Evans' more structured interviews, Santagato aims to create a conversational atmosphere where celebrities feel at ease.

Santagato believes this relaxed tone allows him to get beyond the usual scripted questions and elicit more genuine responses from his guests. He acknowledges that some research is necessary before each episode, but he strives to avoid putting too much pressure on himself or his interviewees.

The goal of Hot Ones: Game Night is not only to entertain viewers but also to showcase celebrities in a new light. By playing games and asking fun questions, Santagato hopes to reveal their personalities and create a more engaging experience for the audience.

While some might see this approach as less formal than traditional interviews, Santagato argues that it allows him to form genuine connections with his guests. He believes that by not relying on scripted questions, he can have more meaningful conversations and uncover interesting insights about each person.

The results so far have been positive, with every guest seeming to enjoy the experience. The show's unique format has attracted a loyal following, and Santagato's approach appears to be a key factor in its success.

The relaxed atmosphere of Hot Ones: Game Night also benefits from the fact that guests are not bombarded with a barrage of questions. Instead, they can focus on enjoying themselves and responding naturally to the game-like situation.

The Basement Yard's game-like format allows guests to relax and respond naturally, but before arriving on set, they often have little idea of what to expect.

This show differs significantly from traditional interview programs, where questions are typically asked in a straightforward manner without any underlying structure or competition.

Instead of a rigid Q&A session, The Basement Yard features a game that gradually gives way to more in-depth conversations, creating a unique and engaging experience for both guests and viewers.

Working with First We Feast has been an enlightening experience, as the company's professional approach and collaborative environment have provided valuable lessons for Joe Santagato's own team.

One of the key takeaways from working with First We Feast is their ability to balance productivity with a relaxed atmosphere, ensuring that deadlines are met without feeling overly pressured or rushed.

The company's attention to detail in areas such as editing and photography has also been an important aspect of what Santagato aims to replicate at his own studio, where he strives to create a similar sense of camaraderie and shared purpose among employees.

Joe Santagato's background in editing has given him a keen eye for detail, even when he's in front of the camera.

He acknowledges that his rapid career progression can be intimidating, but instead of letting imposter syndrome hold him back, he's choosing to approach each opportunity with a sense of trepidation and authenticity.

Santagato is now at a point where high-profile gigs like hosting "The Basement Yard" are flooding in, making it difficult for him to imagine himself in the role of interviewing celebrities.

His approach is to simply be himself when faced with these new challenges, rather than trying to emulate someone else's style or persona.

As his show's popularity has grown, Santagato has learned to navigate the complexities of social media and fan engagement.

The luxury that comes with years of experience is being able to scroll through social media without feeling compelled to watch every clip featuring himself.

He appreciates the effort fans put into creating their own content, whether it's on Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube channels, as long as they're not posting entire episodes.

Santagato believes that this type of fan engagement has contributed significantly to the show's massive growth over the past four years.

As a result, he takes a relaxed approach to fan-created content, allowing clips to circulate and even viewing them as a positive factor in the show's success.