The Presto Problem: Does 'SubwayTakes' Actually Get Toronto?
AI-generated image · Bay Street Wire
Opinion: While the viral NYC import brings celebrity ambitions to the TTC, I wonder if a polished formula can truly capture the specific chaos of our commute.
There is a very specific kind of misery reserved for the Toronto transit rider. It is a localized, gritty experience that defines our city's daily rhythm. So, as BlogTO first reported that the viral internet series *SubwayTakes* has officially imported its New York City formula to Toronto, I felt a mix of curiosity and skepticism.
Host and comedian Kareem Rahma has already begun planting the seeds for this expansion. As BlogTO notes, Rahma generated early buzz during the Toronto International Film Festival when he informed eTalk that a Toronto edition of the show was in the works. Now, Episode 811 has finally dropped, featuring Rahma interviewing a local content creator on the subject of first dates.
On the surface, the production has made the necessary cosmetic adjustments. BlogTO points out that the show swapped out the iconic NYC MetroCards for Presto cards to clip on the microphones, and the backdrop has shifted from New York's grey subway seats to the familiar red of the TTC.
But as someone who lives and breathes the culture of this city, I have to ask: is a change of color palette enough? The *SubwayTakes* brand is built on a 'smash-hit' formula perfected in Manhattan. While that energy is electric, Toronto's commuter chaos is a different beast entirely. There is a risk that by simply importing a successful NYC template, the show misses the nuanced, often absurd reality of navigating the TTC.
Rahma clearly has ambitions for the local series. According to BlogTO, Rahma stated in September that he intends to feature homegrown celebrities, specifically naming Mike Myers and Matty Matheson for future episodes. While the prospect of seeing these icons in a transit-based interview is appealing, it leans toward the 'polished' side of entertainment.
If *SubwayTakes* wants to truly resonate with Torontonians, it needs to move beyond the aesthetic swaps of Presto cards and red seats. The magic of the original series wasn't just the location—it was the raw, unfiltered interaction with the city's pulse. I hope Rahma's vision for Toronto involves more than just a celebrity guest list; it needs to embrace the authentic, unvarnished friction that makes the TTC what it is. Otherwise, it's just a New York show wearing a Toronto costume.