Joe Santagato Hosts New Hot Ones Spinoff Game Night

Joe Santagato, a name that has become ubiquitous on social media feeds through clips of his podcast The Basement Yard, is expanding his creative reach. Alongside co-host Frank Alvarez, Santagato has built a significant online following that has translated into a robust touring business. Now, the founder of Santagato Studios is venturing into a new format by hosting and executive producing Hot Ones: Game Night, a spinoff of the popular First We Feast series.

The opportunity arose when Santagato’s business partner, Greg Dybec, received an approach from First We Feast. The meeting led to a rapid development process where the network decided to build a new show specifically around Santagato’s persona. According to Santagato, the producers wanted to involve his team creatively and center the format on his conversational style rather than a traditional interview structure.

The new series combines the signature hot sauce element of the original Hot Ones franchise with a board game mechanic. Santagato interviews celebrity guests while they play a game together. While the format is familiar to viewers of the parent show, Santagato notes that his approach differs significantly from that of the original host, Sean Evans. He acknowledges that he is still relatively new to the specific craft of interviewing, describing himself as someone who gabs for a living but approaches the interaction differently.

Santagato explains that the goal of the show is to create a more relaxed and conversational atmosphere. The production team conducted research to ensure he was not completely blind to his guests, but the primary vibe is intended to feel like two people hanging out. By integrating game questions and allowing for offshoot conversations, the format aims to reveal different facets of a celebrity’s personality compared to standard press tours.

The host notes that the initial awkwardness of the concept often dissipates quickly once guests buy into the game. Since the show is already available for viewing, new participants arrive with a clearer understanding of what to expect, which has smoothed the process. Santagato emphasizes that the loose structure means the episodes do not read or feel like traditional interviews, offering a fresh perspective for both the guests and the audience.

Working with First We Feast has also provided Santagato with valuable professional insights. He describes the company’s operation as highly professional and efficient, noting that while nothing is late, the environment is not overly pressured. He appreciates the collaborative and friendly atmosphere on set, which he aims to emulate back at his own studio. He finds it encouraging to see that the methods he uses to build his brand can scale effectively within a larger production framework.

Reflecting on his career trajectory, Santagato admits that this role represents his biggest opportunity to date. He has chosen to embrace the challenge despite feeling a degree of imposter syndrome, focusing on showing up and being himself. He believes that by doing the work, he can later evaluate the results objectively. While he remains critical of his own performance, he is pleased with the final edits and the positive reactions to the show so far.

Santagato also addressed the viral nature of his content on platforms like TikTok and Instagram. He has adopted a lenient approach toward fans and creators who clip his podcast for social media promotion. As long as they are not posting entire episodes, he is happy to let them share the content. He views these clips as a significant factor in the show’s massive growth over the past four years and is appreciative of the free marketing that comes with his and Alvarez’s faces going viral.