New Conversations on the LA Commute

A fresh concept is gaining traction during commutes in Los Angeles.

The well-known social media series “Subway Takes” from New York City is now making its debut in Los Angeles, rebranded as “Transit Takes.”

This parody shifts the focus from a bustling subway platform to a classic Los Angeles traffic jam, taking place at one of the city’s notable locations.

Instead of following subway riders, host Chris Choolakian leans out of car windows, chatting with backseat passengers as they’re dropped off. The conversations revolve around life in the City of Angels.

One common complaint from drivers in Southern California is about how “everyone forgets how to drive after just a little rain.”

The sketches humorously address various transportation issues in Los Angeles, such as the Orange Line, the challenging concept of “transfers,” and the recent expansions of the Metro D Line.

A recurring joke highlights the experience of driving from Silver Lake to Mid-Wilshire, likening it to a trip from Bushwick to Midtown in New York—a cheeky reminder of Los Angeles’ vastness.

The parody also critiques the long and costly $9.7 billion project for the D Line, the inconsistent train arrivals, and the city’s struggle with effective transportation planning, interspersing humor about lengthy trips to sites like LACMA and the ongoing rivalry between East and West LA.

At one point, just as traffic seemed ready to begin moving, Choolakian urged a driver, “Get into this alley!”

This was abruptly interrupted by another frustrated driver who shouted, “Turn around!…Come on!”

Shortly after being posted on Instagram, the sketch generated a flurry of reactions online. One viewer remarked, “This is an outrageous opinion. Beautiful art in a 90-minute Hollywood blockbuster has been lost,” referring to frustrations with the movie schedule amid the chaos.

Overall, the parody captured attention by blending the vibrant energy of New York’s subway culture with an experience that feels specific to Los Angeles.