Kareem Rahma's 'Subway Takes' Nominated for Emmys
'Subway Takes' earns first Emmy nod after rising from low-budget subway interviews.
Subway Takes, the viral interview series filmed aboard New York City subway trains, has received its first Primetime Emmy Award nomination, marking a major milestone for the platform-born show.
The format was nominated in the category of Outstanding Short Form Comedy, Drama or Variety Series. According to reporting from The Wrap, creator and host Kareem Rahma learned of the honor in characteristically unconventional fashion—while standing on a moving New York City subway car during the filming of a new episode.
"We were shooting an episode of Subway Takes when my assistant showed me her phone and said, 'Oh my God,'" Rahma recalled. He and producing partner Andrew Kuo are reportedly considering whether to incorporate that reaction into a future episode.
From Budget Constraints to Award Recognition
Subway Takes originated from humble circumstances. Rahma and Kuo conceived the concept when they couldn't afford to record a traditional studio podcast. Instead, they transformed the subway car itself into their set—a creative constraint that ultimately became the show's defining characteristic.
Today, the show commands substantial social media followings: 1.3 million on TikTok, 1.8 million on Instagram, and 840,000 subscribers on YouTube. A higher-profile companion series called Subway Takes Uncut features extended interviews with celebrities and public figures.
Notable guests have included musician Rosalía, actress Cate Blanchett, director Spike Lee, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, and Democratic vice-presidential candidate Tim Walz.
The Signature Formula
What distinguishes Subway Takes from conventional talk shows is its distinctive structure. Every interview opens with Rahma asking, "So, what's your take?" Guests respond with often quirky or provocative answers, after which Rahma declares he is either "100% in agreement" or "100% against."
Another iconic element involves the recording apparatus: all guests speak into a small microphone attached to a MetroCard—the magnetic transit card used on New York City subways for decades, though scheduled to be phased out by the end of 2025 in favor of contactless payment systems. The fluid, improvisational storytelling style has resonated with audiences seeking alternatives to more rigid television formats.
International Expansion
Following the show's New York success, Subway Takes has expanded beyond U.S. borders, with episodes filmed in subway systems across London, Paris, and Berlin, adapting to local contexts and cultural nuances.
Rahma had previously created another successful video-interview format, Keep the Meter Running, in which he rode taxis around New York with drivers taking him to their favorite locations. However, Subway Takes has achieved broader cultural penetration and now stands among the most recognizable digital-first interview programs.
The Emmy nomination represents industry recognition for a format that began as a low-budget experiment and evolved into a beloved cultural phenomenon.