‘Subway Takes’: How Kareem Rahma Turned Subway Conversations Into a Viral Show

Image: Collected

What started as a simple conversation on a New York City subway has become one of the internet’s most recognizable interview shows. “Subway Takes,” created and hosted by comedian Kareem Rahma, brings unusual opinions, celebrity conversations and everyday New York personalities together in a format that is both simple and unpredictable.

The concept is straightforward. Rahma meets a guest on the subway and asks a familiar question: “So, what’s your take?” The guest then presents an opinion—often unusual, provocative or humorous—and has to defend it while Rahma responds with either complete agreement or disagreement.

One of the show’s most distinctive features is its setting. Rather than using a conventional studio, Rahma conducts his interviews aboard New York’s subway trains, with the sounds, passengers and movement of the city becoming part of the programme itself.

Rahma also has a signature visual style. He frequently appears in an oversized suit and uses a microphone attached to a MetroCard, giving the interviews an intentionally unusual appearance. The combination of the formal suit, the improvised subway setting and Rahma’s playful personality has become central to the show's identity.

The guests have ranged from ordinary commuters to well-known figures from entertainment and public life. The programme has featured personalities including Olivia Wilde, Charli XCX and Cate Blanchett, allowing the same format to work with both celebrities and everyday people.

Part of the appeal of “Subway Takes” comes from the fact that the conversations are not simply about stating an opinion. Guests are encouraged to explain why they believe their take is correct, often turning a short question into an unexpectedly entertaining discussion.

The show has also benefited from the unpredictable nature of filming in a public subway. Other passengers can appear in the background, conversations can be interrupted and unexpected moments can happen at any time. Instead of removing these elements, the programme embraces them as part of its charm.

Although “Subway Takes” is built around comedy and controversial opinions, its success also comes from its focus on conversation. The format gives people an opportunity to explain how they think, even when their opinions are eccentric or difficult to defend.

From its beginnings as a short-form social media series, “Subway Takes” has grown into a major digital entertainment brand, demonstrating how a simple idea can develop into a successful modern talk-show format without the need for a traditional studio or television network.

Its success has helped establish Kareem Rahma as a distinctive voice in digital entertainment, while “Subway Takes” continues to turn ordinary subway journeys into unexpected conversations about everything from pop culture to everyday life.