Toronto commuters finally get to let their TTC thoughts free.
Viral TikTok talk-show SubwayTakes is coming to Toronto in October. Hosted by Comedian Kareem Rahma, the show primarily takes place on the New York City Metro. Rahma asks celebrities, influencers, and average New Yorkers for their hot takes, then responds with an affirmation or dissent.
The show has received over a million subscribers and 800 million views across YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok. Rahma has previously travelled to Chicago, London and Berlin for the show, and now he’s taking it Toronto on TTC line one, the city’s longest subway line.
A new city means more than just a change of scenery. Toronto is known for its diverse cultures, scenery, and people. Despite its frequent shutdowns and delays, the TTC is an integral part of what makes the city unique.
The new location has many Torontonians excited for what it has to offer. Lois Aguda, ArtSci ’27, a Queen’s student born and raised in Toronto, believes that unique personalities make Toronto what it is, which means that Subway Takes has the potential to be incredibly funny.
“There are people with very different life experiences,” Aguda told The Journal. “I think it will be interesting to see everyone’s varying perspectives. I think we’ll hear a lot of bad takes.”
Toronto has always been the backdrop for TV shows and films pretending to be New York City, but for once it’s coming to the forefront.
Even those who have never seen the show on social media are still interested in what a show like this could mean for the city.
“I’ve never heard of it,” Maxwell Lynch, ArtSci ’27, said in an interview with The Journal. “But I’m excited to see how Toronto will be represented.”
In commemoration of the show coming to Toronto, The Journal asked Queen’s students about their opinions on the show, and most importantly, their hot takes.
Although blasting music in the halls is a quintessential Toronto high school experience, Aguda’s hot take is that singing out loud in public should be normalized, but only if the songs are good.
“A lot of the people here at Queen’s don’t have good taste in music, per my standards,” Aguda said. “So, I don’t want to hear what they listen to.”
Other hot takes related to the campus experience. Celine Mpora, ArtSci ’27, believes that having a campus celebrity ensures a memorable university experience.
“It’s entertaining to tell your friends who you saw and laugh about it later,” Mpora said. “It’s part of the bonding experience.”
As for special guests, students are looking forward to hearing from Toronto’s politicians. Mayor Olivia Chow would be a good fit, considering how frequently she engages with social media. Rahma also interviewed New York’s Mayor Zohran Mamdani twice.
“I’m really looking for the entertainment and the drama,” Mpora told The Journal. “I don’t care what the take is, I just want to hear what they say so I can talk about it.”
Others are hoping for celebrities like Drake and LeBron James to make an appearance.
“I feel like LeBron is a very insightful person,” Lynch said. “No matter what he’s asked he’ll always respond with a flawless answer.”
It is clear that Torontonians have no shortage of opinions. SubwayTakes is finally giving them a platform and many are ready to use it. With potential guests like restaurateur and actor Matty Matheson and Olympian Tessa Virtue, the Subway Takes will certainly take Canadian viewers on a memorable TTC trip.
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