‘SubwayTakes’ Kareem Rahma’s Most Surprising Guest

This week’s Take Ten guest is Emmy nominee Kareem Rahma, host and co-creator of the massive hit YouTube show SubwayTakes.

On a typical workday, Rahma heads underground to the New York City subway where he will sit down with a person of note and debate their ‘take’ on something random, like ‘Who is your favorite Beatle?’ (Ethan Hawke), or ‘Good singers ruin karaoke’ (Olivia Wilde). Rahma will then either “100% agree” or “100% disagree” with said take.

In this Take Ten episode, he revealed his most surprising guest so far: Austin Butler. “I have a deep affection and love for Austin Butler,” Rahma said. “I literally fell in love with him. I’m still thinking about him. I want him to be my best friend. He has not become my best friend, but I’m sure he does think about me as much as I think about him. I miss you, Austin.”

Rahma also mused over the question, who is your bucket list guest, living or dead? His Answer: “My dream guest would be Ben Affleck, living. I think he’s the most underrated actor, writer, producer, and director of all time. I think that he doesn’t get enough credit, and he deserves the credit where it’s due. I think we need to celebrate Ben Affleck more before we regret it. And bring out the waterworks — my dad. That would be nice to see that guy one more time.”

These days, given the success of SubwayTakes, and of Rahma’s other YouTube show Keep the Meter Running, which takes place in taxi cabs, can he still ride the subway incognito?

“No, I can’t,” he said. “I actually put on the sunglasses as a disguise. Originally, I was like, ‘Oh, if I wear these sunglasses, I can be a civilian when I feel like it.’ But I think the hair gives it away, and maybe the voice. I have flat feet, and I walk kind of weird. I don’t know if you’ve noticed that because I’m sitting down all the time. But people definitely know who I am on the subway, and honestly, I don’t mind. But I take bikes a lot. No one knows that. I’m on a bike most of the time. I’ve haven’t taken the subway leisurely for a month and a half. I only take the subway for work.”

And despite the YouTube home of his shows, Rahma is still a dedicated viewer of some classic television. In fact he does an annual binge watch of Mad Men. “If I had to choose one TV show, I’d just watch that over and over again,” he said. “I think it’s the best show ever made. Sopranos is also incredible and maybe a tie with Mad Men, but I think if given the opportunity, I would watch Mad Men every fall, which I do. It takes me through the whole winter, and I encourage you to do this. Start it on Thanksgiving Day, and just go until April, and you get through winter. It’s so nice.”

To watch the full interview, click on the video above.