They are handrail against things that irritate them.
In the popular Instagram and TikTok series “Subway Takes,” comedian Kareem Rahma discusses various random topics with prominent New Yorkers, friends, and acquaintances while riding the subway.
“I love New York and the setting makes this show very New York,” Lafma, 37, of Bedford-Stuyvesant, told the Post. “I think the subway atmosphere makes people’s beliefs more aggressive.”
Rahma, who previously worked as a producer at Vice and The New York Times, began the series in March 2023 but left the network shortly after.
“It literally started right away,” he said. “Everyone is on their phones during the ride and this show is a way to get involved again.”
He has released over 100 episodes, typically 1-2 minutes long, @SubwayTakes 144,000 followers on Instagram and 307,000 followers on TikTok.
Individual articles regularly attract millions of views.
Big name guests also participate Pop star Charli XCX (His passionate opinion was that “music is not important”) Gavin Rossdale, lead singer of Bush (Angel hair pasta was banned due to its mushy tastelessness.) brooklyn nets players (One of them inexplicably claimed that “subways don’t exist”) and actress olivia wilde (Who told Lafuma that good singers shouldn’t do karaoke).
Agents and talent managers sometimes contact him to book clients on their shows, and sometimes celebrities themselves want to appear.
“Olivia Wilde actually asked me to do it,” he said. “I didn’t even throw it to her. She just said, ‘This is my favorite show and she wants to be on it.’
Some of the most popular episodes feature lesser-known up-and-coming comedians.
But the opinions they express…America has become softer “Since I stopped drinking whole milk,” “If I have to go order, I don’t tip.” and “Everyone in New York.” I want to date “I’m not a cool girl, I’m an ‘outspoken girlfriend'” — a belief that is widely held but rarely voiced.
Rahma holds her MTA card like a microphone during the interview. Two photographers capture the fun with their Sony cameras.
He considers passengers who happen to catch his show on their commute to work to be a “live studio audience.”
“Everyone around us is always reacting or laughing,” he said. “And I think that forces people to be funny and honest and sharp about what they say.”
The host, who also has a popular taxi-driver series called “Keep the Meter Running,” often nods enthusiastically to his guests’ opinions.
He recently strongly agreed that all businesses in New York City should be required to have public restrooms.
However, he cannot support all opinions.
When a guest said, “Taylor Swift is one of the greatest lyricists of all time,” he responded, “100% I don’t think so.”
Rahma, who also runs a podcast production company, calls the business a “labor of love” and has not yet made a dime.
However, he is currently working with creative agency Recess Studios on a feature-length version of the show called The Last Stop. In the 30-minute episode, a panel of on-board experts scrutinizes notable footage from the subway.
“The subway is a very communal space and a great place to people-watch,” Rama said. “I often sit there and think, ‘What is that person thinking? Where is that person going? What is that person coming back from?’ .”
