Kareem Rahma: The Cost of the Attention Economy

[music]. >> The show's really about like how to be a. better man. It's about fatherhood. It's. about the American dream and it's about. immigrants. It's It's really just about. It's an American story and it's awesome. It's a fully American story. I. want my nickname to be the Arab Patriot. Could just be the Patriot, but okay. Nah, it's. There's a lot That's That sounds like a. movie with like John Krasinski shooting. people in Saudi Arabia. True. It's crazy.

how John Krasinski has now been that. character, right? >> Cuz he's buff now. Yeah, but still I'm. just like. It's funny how it like. 1 minute if you left the earth. at like the peak of The Office. >> Right. and then you came back now and. you'd be like. Jim is shooting people now? >> Yeah, that's the guy. It's It's such a He might be in a movie. called The Patriot. Yeah, maybe he is. >> Mandela effect? >> Nah, could [laughter] be. Could be. The. Arab Patriot. >> The Arab Patriot. Hmm. I don't really. want to be called that.

>> [laughter]. [music]. >> This [music] is What Now with Trevor. Noah. >> [music]. >> I I think it is weird that I walk and. eat. I don't think it's weird. I don't. see that many people walking and eating. Nobody walks and eats in I walk and eat. all the time. I did it yesterday with a. like a breakfast burrito. Nobody walks.

and eats anymore. >> Like a like a full-on Do you Do you. two-hand burrito or one-hand burrito? >> One hand, baby. >> Cuz if you two-hand burrito and you're. walking You wouldn't catch me You'd look. like a crazy person. >> can't catch me with two hands. Okay. Yeah. One-hand burrito walking. >> walking. What What is it about your life. that you are so um. unable to sit down and eat? I I feel like I'm fairly busy at the. moment. This is not like permanent. >> Oh, okay. This is not like your vibe. This is It's not like a temporary thing. It's probably been for the past like.

3 years. So, if I see Kareem in the. streets eating, I'm like, "Ah, things. are going well for him.". >> Yeah, yeah, exactly. I just got to keep. the momentum going. Do you feel really busy right now? Yeah. It seems like you're doing like a [ __ ]. ton. I see you everywhere. Yeah, thank. you. You know? Yeah, no, it's good. No, in a good in a good way. >> No, no, it's really good. It's It Well, that's what's happened. I I ran into a. guy on the train today, and he was like, "Hey, you're the guy." And I'm like, "Yeah, I'm the guy." And he was like. talking to me, and. uh. and he. talked about this He's like, "I see you. everywhere." And he's like, "I like. watching your videos when I'm on the.

train.". Which is really meta. Yeah. Like he. watches my videos on the train. Can you. ride the train? I do ride the train, and. I always get stopped, but. >> Yeah, because it's it's weird. Like how long have you been in New York? 15 years. So, I've only been in New York. for What is What are we now? 10, 26 with. 10, 20 11 maybe? 11, 12 years. >> I always found like the subway had a. simple rule, and that rule was nobody. looks at each other, nobody talks to.

each other, nobody engages. You know. what I mean? It was like it's a it's a. simple staple of the subway. And then. And then on my way here, I was thinking. about this, and I was like, "Man, it's weird. to be a celebrity of the subway because. then that means like the subway people. know you as the guy that they should be. engaging with.". >> And they do. So, people talk to you on the subway. >> It's actually pretty awful, but I'm but. I'm still not ready to like commit my. life to. Uber rides everywhere. No, no, Citi. Bike, my friend. Oh, yeah, yeah, I do. that. For sure. No, no, I'm I'm.

I have my own e-bike. Oh, wow. >> And I'm ripping cuz I live in Brooklyn, but I work in Manhattan, and I I take a. 40-minute ride every You're one of. those. [clears throat] Yeah, I rip over. there. >> your own e-bike. >> Yeah, and that's sick. >> I've always wondered who those people. are. >> That's me. [laughter]. And then And then. >> What's uh What What What is it? A Van. Moof? What is it? >> No, it's called Aventon. It's pretty. basic, yeah, but um it's fast. And it gets me to and from work. >> Every day? Yeah. Is there a temperature. that you don't ride it? Yeah, anytime it. gets cold. What what's cold? Today's good. Today I. would do.

But anything colder than this, also if. it was raining all day. Like if it was properly raining, I. wouldn't do it. >> pouring. I'm 10 degrees Celsius, that's. my cut off. Which is like 35, 40? No, I. think it's higher. 10 10 is Yeah, 10's 40s maybe. Yeah, yeah, you're right. 10's. That's That's like my cut off. So that's. what you use? Yeah. Do you take the. train ever? Almost never. Cuz you would. get stopped all the time. >> No, no, no, no, it's no one no one bugs. me on the subway. Really? >> Yeah, I'm not the subway guy.

When you look at me, you don't see the. subway guy. I see you, I see the subway. guy. >> There's no there is. You know what I. mean? There's It's a little relevant. >> No, no, no, I see you and I'm like, he's. the subway guy. He's just like God, that's awful. No, it's What do you mean? I don't think it's awful at all. I think. it's the greatest thing in the You know. what You know why? I I. Um another thing I was I was thinking I. was talking to a friend about this and I. was like. it feels like. in in the era that we live in now. your videos are almost. a dying breed of internet content.

because. Let me Let me know if this makes sense. to you. I feel like now people are. making content. to. get people to watch the content, but. they're not making the content anymore. Does this make sense? So it's like Okay, let me let me try and. explain this. Like when somebody made. Game of Thrones, they made Game of Thrones to I assume. tell a good story. And then the byproduct of the good story. is that people read it or watch it. That's the byproduct of telling a good. story.

But then I think some people with the. internet now, they make content. to get people to watch the content so. that they can just have more people so. that they can make more content. But. when you actually look at the content, you're like, what is this? Is this. content that keeps you watching. so that they keep on but it's it's not. actually good. >> No, I I I Are we recording right now? Yeah. >> Oh, amazing. I didn't even know we. started. >> Oh, yeah. Yeah. >> [laughter]. >> I thought we were having a nice chat. Oh, and then we're going to switch. I. thought we're going to be like action. I.

thought okay, we will Well, Kareem, welcome to the show. Let's see what I. said all of that other stuff. We'll. we'll figure out if I said anything bad. Um. You said the subway [ __ ] I heard you, man. I still think that. >> on the subway are trash. No, no, I. remember what I said about [laughter]. trash. Keep the subway out of your. mouth. >> [gasps]. >> To what you were saying though, I was. just drafting a little diary entry about. how I think that people should stop. making short-form unscripted vertical. video shows. Oh. >> we're at peak saturation and what I.

talked about in this little diary entry. is. you know, when I started my shows, which. is Keep the Meter Running and Subway. Takes, I did it because I thought it was a. great idea and that I would entertain. myself doing that great idea. >> Yeah. Virality literally was not even. it wasn't even the slightest sliver. I. wasn't like, "Oh, this is going to go. viral. This is a perfect, you know, equation. This is a genetically modified. organism that will go viral." Like it it. had nothing to do with that. And like.

you're saying, the outcome. was virality, but it wasn't the. intention. The intention was to make the. best entertainment possible for the. forum which I use the most, which is a. phone. So, that's I I love the phone. I use the. phone like it's television. I still. watch television. I still watch movies, but I use the phone like it's a little. television in my pocket. I wouldn't. watch a TV show. That's That's the. thing. Like. when I see people on flights watching. Yo, man. >> a full TV show or a movie.

>> people. I I would. if I could, I would have a list. of their names and I would make sure. that they never get hired in any serious. position. If you get onto a flight. and you plan to watch I've seen people. watch a full Marvel movie. Like I'm. talking like Avengers Infinity War. on a tiny little 5-in screen, but like. serious and then they clip it in front. of them.

>> That's crazy. Yeah, I'm like. >> even clip it. Sometimes they just go. like this. Yeah. They put it like this. You shouldn't be hired in any like. serious position in life. >> that's the thing is that I'm making. entertainment for the flight. Yeah, but you're making it for the. phone. >> I'm making it That's what I'm saying. That's the difference. Is that they're. Put some respect on my name. You know. what I mean? And I think that is the big. difference between. going in with an intention of making the. best work possible and entertaining. yourself and hopefully entertaining. other people.

And the big the big problem What gives. it a bad name today and I agree with it. is that so many people are jumping in. with this mindset. The intention is I'm. going to make a viral short-form show. It's not I'm I have this amazing idea I. need to get out of my body. It's I want. I want to go viral. I want to monetize. And I think the biggest perpetrators of. all of this is not like independent. people, independent comedians, independent whoever cuz everyone's. trying to like do something. Like if. you're a stand-up comedian, you start a. show, the goal for you is to gain more.

exposure so you can sell more tickets to. your live show. >> Right. There's a new crop of like little. media companies though that are popping. up and I have big problems with them cuz. they have bad contracts. They take. advantage of young people. >> I didn't even know this. This is a. thing? >> Oh, yeah, dude. Half of the Half of the. the the the feed slop you see of like. someone. Yes. Someone standing in the park, they look. like they're just like a guy with an. idea, but most of the time those are. shows funded by. these new media companies That are.

Explains it. >> creating 30 of these. >> yeah, that explains it. >> And the whole goal is get big, keep it. cheap, get big, don't worry about the. quality, don't worry about the format, don't worry about the idea, just get the. numbers up and monetize it. And and the. people that sign those contracts are. usually in really bad deals because they. get taken advantage of. They usually. like hire young kids or college people. or people just starting out in their. careers. They don't own any of the IP. Like the. company will own the IP. It's just a whole different and and I.

really I'm not saying this is like a. curmudgeon like I'm like Stop making. shows. >> I just want young people that do see my. path as a valuable path cuz it is. It's. a great career. I'm so happy. Both of my shows have like changed my. life. But they've changed my life because I. like what I'm doing. I own them. I own. the IP. I own the shows. No one can tell. me what to do. No one takes a cut of my. money with the exception of my managers. which is, you know, they do they have a. job. So they do that. But there's like.

if I want to adapt Subway Takes into a. TV show, if I want to adapt Keep the. Meter Running into a movie, that's on. me. Like it's not another company that's. controlling it. >> [snorts]. >> So I I I've been thinking about this a. lot and I do think also that the. audience is kind of sick of seeing the. same thing over and over and over. But. when they see a Subway Takes or they see. a Keep the Meter Running, it's an. original idea. It's not like at. Washington Square Park. >> Right. >> Like the rest That's another thing I. don't understand. Why are all the shows. at Washington Square Park? You know what my favorite thing is about.

those? Is the fake like catch the. person. >> yeah. Oh, hey, would you mind telling me how. how much you earn? It's crazy. How much. do you earn? Uh. about like 20 million dollars a year. What do you do? Well, I I sell chicken. feed and I Oh my god, how do we get into. that business? And you're like, yo, the. you saw the person coming, you saw the. thing set up. That's what I mean. It's. like it it's it starts to feel. like everything is a. everything's fake. That's what That's. That's what it feels like. But. everything is is trafficking in real.

Mhm. And. this is this is a take of mine that's a. little extreme, but I genuinely believe it. I think every time the public comes into. contact with fake things masquerading as. real things, it undermines the very foundation that. society is based on. Mhm. Does that make. sense? It does. Like I I feel like in. society, we're supposed to trust that. fake is fake and real is real, so that we we can all have an agreement.

about what we should or shouldn't be. thinking or experiencing or feeling. And. I think it bleeds into politics. Like if. you go. if you watch a show where there's a. husband and wife who prank each other, and you're like, "Oh, this is cool. They. always prank." And then at some point. you're like, "Wait a minute, are they. are they setting this. Uh the guy doesn't just walk into the. room and the balloon falls on his head. This is. Oh, I I think this is set up now." Yeah, yeah. Then you start going, "I don't. trust anything.". And I've seen this happen to people in. my life. I've seen this happen with me. People go, "Oh, yeah, I don't know. I.

don't Cuz that thing was fake, so this. thing's probably fake." And then you see. like a police arrest, and you're like, "I don't know. This could be staged as. well." And then you see like a couple. fighting on the train, and you see some. [ __ ] go down somewhere else, and you're. like, "Ah, it's probably one of those. fake videos.". And it's interesting. You you just start. to. you start to build like a like a. resistance to caring about anything that. could possibly be happening. I don't. know, maybe it's extreme, but you know. I I think that there is a necessary. suspension of disbelief, which we do in. fiction storytelling all the time. >> And I do think that if it's like a.

harmless act, you know, like this prank. stuff, honestly, if it's entertaining, personally, I don't really care if it's. real or fake, because it's it's hard. it's entertainment. It's like reality. television. >> Yeah. >> For years we were like, "Is it real? Is. it fake? What is real?" And we all know. that it's like kind of scripted. Like. it's like you're going to fight with. this person. This is you know. But we've. all accepted that that's okay, because. it's kind of harmless, and it's you. know, we're all engaging in the same. story. It where it gets dangerous is when it is.

uh you know, inherently political or has. some sort of covert. operation or is. it makes you believe something that's. not real, but it creates a real emotion, which is really dangerous. You know, that's Pizzagate and that's all this. other stuff that like can create a. real-world effect. So, I think I think. when it's like. I I at least for me. and I'm pretty media literate, so I can. see something and and really sit and say. like, "Damn, is this real?" And like. look at the people's faces and be like,

"Okay, it's it's staged.". And sometimes it makes me it makes me. it makes me like it a little bit less, but generally. I'm like, "It's okay. They're providing. me some entertainment." And that's But. that's just me. And maybe I'm like have. a more chill relationship with it. But. with with my shows in particular like. like for example, when I turn to someone. I say, "So, what's your take?". >> Yeah. I already know who that person is. I don't necessarily know their take and. I don't know what I'm going to say at. all. >> Okay. But I know the person. And I've.

never tried to make it seem like I do. know the person. Although some people in. the comments will be like, "Man, I wish. when this show was random people.". What is this Berenstain Bear effect? Are. you Do you know about that effect? >> No, no, no. The So, Beren- It's like the. Mandela effect. Do you know that. >> Okay. Yeah, yeah, yeah. It's the same. effect where they're like, "I miss when. this show was normal people, like random. strangers." But it was never. random strangers. It was always me booking Oh. >> book That's interesting. Yeah, it's. always been booked. >> So, now people.

>> But they go, "I miss when it was when it. was random people.". >> Okay. >> like, but I have respond, "It was never. random people.". >> [snorts]. >> Wait, but do you Do you Do you think. that that's people experiencing the What. What is a Berenstain Bear by the way? What is that? >> Because there's So, there's these. cartoons called the Berenstain Bears. >> Okay. And for as long as. >> cartoon? >> It's like when I was growing up. And. it's like about a family of bears. Hold. What are you? 86? >> 80 Yeah, I'm 86 years old. >> Okay. >> [laughter]. >> I'm surprised you didn't say 85, Hal.

Uh. Is that genuine laughter? >> Yeah, that is. Okay, that's a good joke. I love it. What was the joke? Come on, I. love that. That's like. >> joke thing? Where's the Never going to. laugh track in this one. But you were. born in '86, right? Okay, cool. Yeah. Now I'm just trying to figure out which. cartoons So, Bernstein Bears, what was. the What was the s So, there there there. is a entire like theory Yeah. that it. was spelt b e r n. s t e i n. >> Okay. >> Bears. Yes. And everyone's like, I.

remember it being The Berenstain Bears. >> Yeah. But I apparently it's spelt b e r. n s t a i n. Something like that. I. don't know if these are the exact. spelling. But everyone has a collective amnesia. And like you'll see all these Reddit. threads that are like, I swear. >> There was a time when it was spelt. differently. I promise you. >> And there's Reddit threads and there's. people like they switched them all out. People are like, they must have. switched, you know. >> [laughter]. >> And that's what they have with my show. Also, what is the Mandela effect? So,

the Mandela effect was. when I think it was Nelson Freeman, wasn't it? No, Morgan Freeman. Morgan. Freeman. Played Nelson Mandela. >> Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. And then yeah, yeah, Morgan Freeman played Nelson. Mandela and then people were just like. that is Nelson Mandela. And then No, I. think it's I think that. >> Wasn't that it? >> I think it's something like they think. that Morgan Freeman died. >> played a movie played a role in a movie. as as Nelson Mandela, but the movie. There is no movie. There is no movie? Exactly. >> [laughter].

>> It's also There's There's another guy. >> No, no, no. Nelson Morgan Freeman. definitely played Nelson Mandela. Then. we got to figure out what the Mandela. effect is. Can you guys check this for. us? I'm pretty certain. I'm pretty certain Morgan Freeman played. Nelson Mandela because I think I. remember him doing Nelson Mandela's. accent. That's That's the only reason I think. this happened. I don't even know about. the movie. Well, what is the Mandela. >> But I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I. I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I. I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I. I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I. I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I. I I I. >> [laughter]. >> No, this is a random thing. >> you're the co- you're like that you're. the guy.

>> If it If it is this, then clearly it got. me and it's the most powerful effect. >> Well, everyone fall It has nothing to do. with Morgan Freeman. What So, what does. the Mandela effect have to do with? Uh. okay. Reporting so, in relation to. Nelson Mandela. >> Yeah. paranormal researcher reported. having vivid and detailed memories of. news coverage of him dying. >> anti-apartheid leader President Nelson. Mandela dying in prison. Oh, okay. Yeah, I remember that. >> effect is from him dying?

Oh, I I guess now the Mandela effect is. people not knowing what the Mandela. effect is. >> [gasps and laughter]. >> Well, >> That's what the new Mandela effect is. on it's it's like a collective amnesia. where we all think this thing or like a. lot of people. >> idea of something that did not happen. >> another one that's Sinbad. That one I. know. That the the. the genie. There's no movie. Yeah, yeah, okay. That's No, but that one I know of. But do you do you remember the movie? No, I I never had that though. I always. thought it was Shaq that played um. genie. >> Shaq Shaq did. He played one Kazaam, wasn't it? What was it?

>> he was Shazam. Shazam. But he might have. been. So, Sinbad was supposed to be Shazam. And I think Shaquille O'Neal was Kazaam. >> Kazaam. Yeah, but there's no Sinbad. movie. Okay. But anyways, people think. that the show Subway Takes. >> Yeah. used to be random people. >> random people on the subway and it was. never random people on the subway. >> No. Because I set out to make a talk show. >> So, wait, what do you think happened. then? I think that some people like just. they just have this weird memory. >> No, I I'll tell you what I think. happened. Can I.

I'll pitch it at you? >> I think what happened was. at some point the algorithm decided to. push your episodes in a certain way. >> [snorts]. >> And the episodes that people started. seeing more of were the familiar faces. So, now you were going Gwyneth Paltrow. or Sterling K. Brown or and then people. went because they didn't know the other. people. You knew them when you booked. them. But, because they didn't know the other. people, they thought it was some random.

person from the subway. >> Mhm. So, they went, "Oh, this guy meets. random people on the subway and says, 'What's your take?'". >> Right. Right. Right. >> it's a celebrity. I don't like the show. Why is Jason Bateman here? And sometimes. I clap back at those people and I say, "You only get the celebrity episodes cuz. you like watching celebrity content.". >> Damn. You take it there. >> was like, "The algorithm gives you what. you watch.". >> it there. I like to clap back, but I am. taking the I have Twitter fingers and. I'm I'm I've I've given my privileges. up. So, now I'm not in the comments. anymore. Wait, really? Yeah, man. I. mean,

do you get bullied on the internet or. does everyone love you? No, I. Well, okay. I have a I have a controversial opinion. on this. Mhm. I do not necessarily believe that you. can be bullied on the internet. 100%. disagree. Well, here we go. I've been bullied on. the internet. >> I don't think you can be bullied on the. internet. Okay, I'll tell you why. I think. being bullied is something that does not. offer an option. Okay? So, when you are bullied physically, you are.

being bullied. You You do not have an. option to not be there. You do not have. an option to opt out. You do not There. There is no option. You are being. bullied, okay? When people say they're being bullied on. the internet, I go, "What you are doing. is experiencing the people who do not. like you on the internet. However, you. are ignoring all the people who do like. you on the internet. So, you're saying. that you are being bullied on the. internet, but really you're just being. tapped into everyone's brains." And. people don't like Papa John's. So, that. means every day Papa John's is being. bullied on the internet. People don't.

like United Airlines. Every day United. Airlines is being bullied. >> bully corporations. People Yeah, no Oh, you see? You see? [laughter] You You see. now? >> You can't bully a cobra. >> No, but what I mean is what I mean is. >> You can be mean to it. What what I mean. is. the bullying itself for me requires like. a power dynamic. that I don't think exists on the. internet, right? So, I do think kids. like let's say in school, I think kids. can be bullied on like little text. groups because they still go to the. school and then like the kids make fun. of them and then so I do think you can.

be digitally bullied. I'm not saying you. can't be. But when it comes to it's. internet bullying I realized the two. things that changed my life, genuinely. changed my life. So, when I first started hosting The. Daily Show. people hated me, right? I mean some. people still hate me now, but this was. like just like. huge swath of people. They were just. like why why did you kill Jon Stewart. and take his job? Then I was like Jon. Stewart is not dead, that's the Mandela. effect, right? So, I was now the host. People just every single day was just. like hate this guy, hate this guy, hate. this guy, hate this guy. Then there was.

there was like a a few people who were. particularly like hateful. And so one day. I messaged one of the people, I DM'd one. of them. And I said, "Hey man. why do you hate me so much? What did I. ever do to you?". This is fascinating. And this guy. responded. it was the craziest tone shift. It was. like, "Hey Trev! Hey man I don't hate you at all. I just. saw everyone hating you and I thought it. would be cool to jump on the bandwagon. I swear to God. I was like and I thought. it would be cool to jump on the.

bandwagon. I actually think you're. pretty funny, but I do think you're. going to fail at the job. So, anyway, nothing personal. This is welcome to the. internet." And then I went, "Wait, so. you were just you you're part of this. like mob coming after me and you don't. actually care?" And he was like, "No, I. I jump onto any train and I'm going to. do this to somebody else and it's. nothing personal at all.". That's that's that's Well, that's one. guy. >> And it was it was a guy, he was in he. was in Canada actually. And then I. I said in the DM, I said, "So, you. really think I'm not going to do well at.

this?" He said, "Yeah, you're going to. fail. He said in fact I predict in 6. months you'll be canceled. And I said. okay, let's make a deal. I said in 6. months if my show's canceled. I will publicly tweet you and say you. were right. I shouldn't have done the. show. And I said and if the show's not. canceled in 6 months promise me that. you'll be a fan of the show and you'll. just watch always. And he was like oh. easy deal, I'm in. And then we just like became Twitter. friends after this because my show. wasn't canceled. So that was the first one. It made me realize that half of the. people who are quote unquote bullying.

you. don't realize that they're they're. throwing one pebble at you and you're. experiencing a boulder. Right? The second thing I realized was I mean a. really simple one. I just went into my Twitter account. and I said disable. offensive and mean comments. and I was like wow, the internet's a. much better place. >> They love me now. They love [laughter]. me. You just don't read the comments. >> Yeah, well no, that's what I don't read. the comments. Or you fire back like you. do. >> to Well, no, I I was firing back I've.

been firing back for 3 years. Look, I'll. say the majority of the comments are. engaging in a productive and fun way. Because the show is I call it the the. stupidest show No, I call it the most. sophisticated show about the stupidest. subjects. >> Oh, I like that. And people are engaging. in a sophisticated manner about the. only gay people should be allowed to. have dogs in New York. And there are. conversations happening. Some people. taking it seriously. Some people taking.

it seriously but as a bit. Some people. full on bit. And like that's not a real. it's not a real thing. Like there's no world in which only gay. people can have. >> Right. Right. Right. have dogs in But. the but the take is is It Well, it's. hilarious. >> Yeah. But but in the comments somebody's. like okay, so for this to work there. needs to be blah blah blah and another. person's like okay, so if only gay. people have dogs let's say that's 1% of. New Yorkers. That that this many dogs. so that would reduce the number of dogs. by this much. And like people are doing.

real analysis and research, and I love. it because there's not really a place. I think in America at all to have a. civilized yet still kind of like. rambunctious conversation. In the same. way that it used to feel like you could. get a bunch of people to have dinner, and they would they would have. slightly opposing beliefs, and you would. have a good time and be like, "Man, I. love that like I loved dinner with. so-and-so.

because he's insane like he's stupid, but I love the conversation." You know, you used to be able to have that. conversation, at least I did, and now I. feel like you can't have that conver-. You're just like, "This person is. awful." Do you think you had a yearning. for that coming from an Egyptian. household? Dude, I stand in front of my. TV with my arms crossed behind my dad. back watching CNN at 7:00 a.m. Like I. have the old-school. Arab dad mentality. And so when I used.

to see my dad like interacting with his. friends, they were all so they were all. they were all always arguing. Always. >> Yes. There was never a moment where they. weren't. I'm so glad you said that. This. is This is a thing that I've been trying. to explain. to many of my like American friends who. sort of have no. um. recent immigrant family. Everyone came. here at some point, but they don't have. any recent immigrant family. And I go. one of the national pastimes of most. immigrant communities is arguing. Yeah.

But but like arguing for the sake of. arguing, but like in a really really fun. It's about football. Who's the best. footballer? Who's the best team? Who's. the best coach? And then it moves to. like but it's always benign, you know? Oh, where do you get the best hummus? What are you That's not hummus. You. can't even count that place. >> passion. >> Yeah, and then you just fight. >> a real passion. You don't know food. You. don't know food. And you get into. fights. >> Yeah, yeah, yeah. But but like that. thing, it's funny that you say that. because. I would say this to my my friends,

especially like my American friends, I. go, I sometimes feel like Americans need. to fight more seriously about things. that are less serious so that they can. just enjoy the fight. Not every fight. can be about like war in Iran. Like this. is these are big fights. This is too. big. And it's exhausting. Healthcare, yo, that's a big fight. Just fight about. small things, you know? I mean, every. once in a while I will just choose. violence and. lob uh something into the group chat. that I know is just going to piss every. Like literally sitting last night on my.

couch and I said to my wife, I go, I. think I'm going to start a little fight. in the group chat. And she goes, about. what? I was like, I'm not sure yet, but. like it's been awfully quiet. >> a family group chat? >> No, no, this is just like my closest. friends. >> Oh, just a group. Okay. They're mostly. actually white and they would. [clears throat] not know not really I. mean, I I do it all the time. I. instigate a fight and then everyone does. fight. But it's over text, but it's fine. cuz it's still a good fight. Yeah. And. then maybe one person will leave a. little bit hurt, but it's like it. doesn't matter. It already doesn't like. And and I do yeah, I miss that. I mean, I've I've said before like my favorite.

hangout is a dinner with like four to. six people. that are all smart, but maybe don't. agree on everything and just having. four hours of arguing. What did what did. you throw into the group chat? What did. you say? I don't remember. I have to. look. Oh, well, this. a recent one. This isn't yesterday's cuz. I think yesterday I got distracted and I. and she was like, don't do that. And I. was like, okay. But one time somebody. was choosing where we should go on a. bachelor party. Okay. And they chose.

what I thought was an awful place. And. everyone else went, okay, yeah, sounds. good, like great. And I go, Denver sucks. Why would we go to Denver? >> Wow. And then they were like, you can't. And then they were like, you can't do. this. Like he's on on chat. And I'm. like, the bachelor party's is not for. the bachelor. It's for [laughter] us. It's for It's for his friends. Also, as. a good friend, I want him to have a. memorable time of his life and you guys. are bad friends for letting him choose. Denver. Also, who said the bachelor gets.

to choose? The bachelor doesn't get to. choose. The bachelor gets to come, but. his friends get to choose." And so I I I. went as far as to write several emails. So, it started in the group chat. It. exploded. Everyone. >> moved into email. >> And then I moved into email cuz I wanted. to write longer arguments with the help. of, you know, editing software and, you. know, be able to use Grammarly and such. and like make sure So, I would write. these formal emails to the committee and. say, "I think this is a bad decision.". And then where did you guys end up. going? Denver. Oh, man. >> I lost. I eventually cuz somebody was.

like, "You're starting to hurt his. feelings." Like, [laughter] somebody was. like, "Hey, he's really stressed He's. really stressed out and his feelings are. starting to get hurt." And I was like, "I'll lay off." And actually we had a. great time. I don't think he was right. outside of Denver. I don't think you're. wrong though. Not about the Denver. thing, but but um. I don't think the bachelor is supposed. to choose, right? I don't think I think. it's supposed to be the best man. Isn't. that like the job of the best man is. like your job is to plan the bachelor. party and then Who was the best man? There's other guy who was going with the. flow. Oh, that's his friend.

>> The The bachelor's excuse was he was. like, "I don't want to like I don't want. to like uh trouble you guys with. traveling to like another country." I. was like, "Dude, we are dying to go. anywhere else. Like, let's not go to. Denver." What time of year was it? It. was a beautiful time of year. It was. like May, I think, or June. Huh. Yeah. But. >> Denver bachelor party. >> I mean, I I like I like that as a But, you see the the the the the more. important thing to me is the fight. Yeah, the fight was on. >> You've just got to like. You've just got to fight, man. You've. got to argue. You have to.

That's that's thing. I remember when I. went when I went to Egypt um. I I was lucky so I. we were in we were in Qatar for the. World Cup. And then there were like a few days. where there were no games, and then my. friends were like, "Let's just go to. Egypt. We're We're this close. We'll. never We'll never do it. Let's just. fly." And it was like a few hours. We. popped over to Egypt. And it really felt. like you know those um those old like. uh. I don't even know what those movies were. called. Comedies, but there was like. American Pie and those It was like a. road trip. Anything could happen. It was.

like that. And we just went. And then. we're like, "We got to go to the. pyramids." And then we're in the. pyramid. >> Yes. >> And then we're like, "Is that a KFC next. to the pyramid?" And we're like, "We're. going to the KFC next to the pyramids.". And then we And then we're getting. stopped by cops randomly in the middle. of the night. >> For fun? Yeah. And they They weren't. like threatening or anything. They were. just curious, I guess. >> wanted to check out the IDs. >> Yeah, yeah, just checking stuff. And. then next thing you know we're having. dinner with random people that we've. met, eating a meal at like 11:00 p.m. at. night, midnight. You know what I mean? But like But the one thing I discovered.

wherever I went in in Cairo, arguments. Yeah, just yelling. >> Just great arguments. Everyone fighting. about every single thing. At dinner, at lunch, in a hotel lobby. But in a Like a It made me feel like I. was home. Yeah. Is that what How it. feels in South Africa? >> Yeah, Africans, come on, man. It doesn't. matter where you are in Africa. >> Full on full on. As soon as things get boring, you're. hanging out with your Ghanaian friends. or Nigerians, just be like, "Who's got. the best jollof?" And then we're on. >> Yeah, just drop a little fight. Just. drop a little fight. Just Everyone needs.

that. I I remember when I I was like. inviting a bunch of people to Cairo, and. I wrote It was like an FAQ, and the last. Q. >> Yeah. >> was "Why is everyone yelling?" And the. answer I I I like I had a bunch of. questions. It was, "Why is everyone. yelling?" And I said, "We're not. yelling. This is how Just how we talk.". I like that. That's it. >> It's just loud, obnoxious, go like this. a lot. >> yeah, just just get into it. >> And everyone does Everyone does look. like this. I I will say that though. Like the one. difference I think between Well, maybe. it's cuz I'm familiar with it. I feel.

like Africans look less angry when. they're in the argument. >> They definitely do. They They look They. I I they're they're they look less angry. in general. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Arabs, for. some reason, do look I'm Arab. I. sometimes look in the mirror, I'm like, I look kind of angry. >> [laughter]. >> Not right now with this face, but like. usually I'm like if I'm. >> yeah, they they Yeah, And that's just my. thinking face. >> Yeah, that's the face. >> an angry face, but I'll [clears throat]. sit at the computer and I'm like and I'm. like, oh, sorry. Like people might think. I'm. >> Yeah, yeah, that's that's the face. She's like a little bit more angry, little more intense. >> has a little Yeah, there's a little. intensity there.

>> Yeah. Whereas like African arguments are. they they have like a big Sometimes you. even struggle to know when the person is. really angry or in like a a joyful. angry. Don't go anywhere cuz we got more What. now? After this. All right, Eugene. Let's play a little. game. You know, make something fun. Two. truths and a lie. [music] Mhm. Here we. go. One, I've had to tell a world leader. that their fly was undone. Two, when getting dressed, I don't do. sock sock shoe shoe, I do sock shoe sock.

shoe. Three, I've been a Verizon customer for. 11 years. What do you think? Mhm. Very confused. First of all, why. would a world leader own a fly? Cuz those things just come uninvited. Secondly, lying to your friends is not. cool. It's never been a game. No, Eugene, a fly is for like the zip is. what. And then it's it's it's not a lie, it's. a game where I'm trying It's like I give. you inform. Okay, I lied. [clears throat] All three.

are true, Eugene. And in case you were. thinking, you know, Verizon isn't as. expensive as you think. In fact, if you. bring in your AT&T or T-Mobile bill, they'll give you a better deal. And the reason I've been with them for. this long is just because I travel so. much. I need a network that's reliable. That's right. A better deal on the best. network with the most ways to save on. plan, streaming, and phone deals. Take. your AT&T or T-Mobile bill to your local. Verizon store today. Get your better. deal. and start saving for real. Based on Root.

Metrics best overall mobile network. performance, US second half 2025. All. rights reserved. You must provide recent. consumer mobile bill in the name of the. person redeeming the deal. Additional. terms, conditions, and restrictions. apply. So, do you understand how two truths and. do you understand it now? >> I understand that you didn't have to lie. first before telling me that Verizon is. the best. No, I wasn't lying. Eugene, it's not a lie. I wouldn't lie to. [music] you. It's a game. Okay, I'm sorry. I lied.

Ah. >> [laughter]. [music]. >> Uh before I forget the. Subway Subway hot Is it hot takes? It is. Subway takes, right? >> Yeah, Subway You see, that's a Mandela. effect. I thought it was like Subway hot. >> There's a lot of people that call it. Subway hot takes. Yeah, I don't know. why. >> I don't know why, either. I guess it's because we just think it's. a hot take. >> It's always shocking to me. Why would that? That shouldn't be. shocking. Yeah, Subway hot takes. I'm.

like, that's. That's me. So, yeah. People also call me that. They. call you Subway hot takes? >> They just go, "Oh, Subway takes." Yeah. Or this is my favorite one. "You're the. guy." I go, "Mhm.". That's it. That's the conversation. That's good, though. >> It's great. That's when you know you've. made it. You're the guy. >> Yeah. Do people do that to you? Yeah, yeah, yeah. No, no, they will. They. will. So, what will happen to me is But. I have to I have to be careful. Sometimes people will say to me, "Hey, man, are you the guy?". >> [laughter]. >> And then I I used to go,

"Which guy?" And then they would be. like, "The guy from TV." And then I'd be. like, "Which show on TV?" And then and. then it would seem like I'm trying to. pull things out of them. So, then at some point I thought, let me. just. let's expedite this conversation. Let's. Let's get it going. They go, "You're the guy." I'd be like, "Yeah, yeah, yeah, it's me." And then. they'd go, "Why did you leave CNN?" I'm. like, "Who Who do you think I am?" And then. some people would think genuinely would. think I'm Don Lemon. I've never seen the. resemblance. >> Oh, I don't see Don Lemon at all. I was. going to say the This is the first time. that I've seen a resemblance, but I.

could see The Weeknd. So, I get The. Weeknd I get The Weeknd in Europe all. the time. >> Yeah, people. People will come up to me, and then they. will go. The craziest was in Stockholm. I was there at the exact same time that. he was doing shows, I was doing shows. >> [snorts]. >> And in the streets, people. People were coming up They were just. like, "Hey, yeah. I'm so excited to come. to your show tonight." So, and I was. just like, "Yeah, man." I was like I was. like, "Damn, everyone's coming to my. show.". >> That's so funny.

>> And then like my show was sold out, luckily. But then afterwards, I found out, "Oh, The Weeknd's in town.". >> They thought you were Abel. They did. Good guy. >> They did. So, yeah. So, The Weeknd I get. um. And then sometimes from far, Bruno Mars. Like a tall one. Yeah. Well, they don't. know how tall Bruno Mars is. That's the. thing I've learned. He's a short man. Yeah, so people No, no. Bruno Bruno's. No, no. Bruno's Bruno Bruno's really. short. >> I thought. No, no. But I've I know Bruno. Mars. Bruno Mars is a short man. >> [laughter]. >> But tallness like his vibe. >> Yeah, he's a confident.

>> like you look up to Bruno when you're. standing next to him, even though he's. he's shorter than you. He radiates. But. you're going to do Subway Hot Takes in. uh. in Cairo, right? Uh yeah. I mean, here's. the thing about also about Cairo, which. I love. I was born there, and it feels. like a home to me. There's not a ton of like amazing news. There's a lot of news, there's a lot of. good news. You know, there's like. there's news. >> Okay. But I was on a panel in Cairo. And I just like lobbed it out and was.

like, "Would love to do it in Cairo.". And then the next day there were four. news articles that said you're doing it. in Cairo. >> Yes, it said, "Next stop for Subway. Takes, Cairo." And so now I am going to. go, cuz that is how I base a lot of my. life is is based on where people want me. to go. >> [laughter]. >> So, I was like, "All right, they want me. here. I'll go I guess I'll go." But it. was really fun. I was shocked the next. day. It's like, "Kareem Rama says next. stop is Cairo and I'm like. Guess I'm going to Cairo. I mean I feel. like you should do it everywhere in the. world. I've seen the ones you've done London.

I've done London. So you've done the. tube. >> I've done Paris. Oh, you've done I. didn't know you did Paris. >> I've done Berlin. You see I didn't know these things. >> Chicago. This is great. You should do You should. literally do everywhere in the world. >> I want to but some places like you like. you were saying like Japan, I don't. think they're going to like me there. because they No, I don't I think they. have a nice culture. No, I think you're. wrong actually. You know you know what. they don't you're not like allowed to do. anything on the No, no, no, no, no. That. I don't I think that's an unfair. mischaracterization of like Japanese. people.

I think they're very. um. they're very aware of like another. person's space. Mhm. You know, they're. very considerate. But when we were on like when I I've. been to Japan multiple times with my. friends and when we're on the train. talking no one's like shh. There's no. There's no like There's not people. aren't even looking at us like why are. you speaking? And obviously we also. consider it so we're not speaking extra. loud. I think you could do subway takes. in Japan. >> So it's more of like a like they are. policing themselves. Yeah, and you and.

you would. >> not going to judge you. >> Yeah, I think it's the because it's a. cultural thing like the society's doing. it. So you're the anomaly by talking. slash whatever. >> feel like this chaos agent on the train. Yeah, but I don't think you'd bring. chaos. You'd just be a guy having a. conversation in the corner. >> I know but I'm I have big body language. and. >> [laughter]. >> No, you'd be fine. >> It'll be fine. Well, I do I do want to. do Tokyo. I I've I made a concerted. effort because um every time I go to. London, I get so much love. Like it's.

crazy. I'm like I I'm like I'm a I feel. like I'm famous in London. You know that joke like I'm big I'm big. overseas. Like that's a literal reality. for London specifically. So I've like. doubled down on my commitment to that. city. So now I'm going every quarter. to to shoot episodes there. So, now it's. like that is the second home of Subway. Takes. >> That's beautiful, man. But, then I you. know, selfishly I also have not seen a. ton of the world. I've seen a good. amount of the world, but I would love to.

go back to Tokyo. >> Yeah. Haven't been to like Brazil, like. Rio would be amazing. Um there's so many. places that I want to go, even in the. US. What's the worst thing that's ever. happened to you in the subway trying to. do one of your shows? Honestly, people. are so nice. Nothing Nothing Nothing's. ever happened to you? >> No. Oh, that's Literally, people are I. mean, no. This That's really good. No, no. I mean, it's good for like It's good. for a life going in the in the right. direction. It's bad for like not having. >> for that question. Yeah, for not having. a story. >> Yeah, I don't have a story. I don't have. a good I mean, I guess one time like.

there was a little confusion as to who a. person was. that was filming us. So, there was a. there was a guy on the train filming me. >> Yeah. with another guy doing Subway. Takes. >> Okay. And then a more like a less stable. person was also on the train. >> Yeah. And he saw that guy filming and. for some reason got mad. and slammed the phone out of that guy's. hand. But, then that guy thought that the guy. the slammer.

was my bodyguard. >> [laughter]. >> And that he was like no And he was like, "Dude, I'M SO SORRY. I DIDN'T know we couldn't film. I didn't. know it was a closed set." I was like, "I don't know that guy at all.". >> [laughter]. >> And so, there was a little bit of like. Spider-Man meme. Yeah. That was probably the worst situation. where I was like, "Wait, that guy's not. with me. Is he with you?" It's like, "He's not [laughter] with me." I was. like, "Oh, and who is that guy?" He's. just a protector. I love that kind of. [ __ ] so much. >> And then he slammed the phone and then. he kicked it all the way to the other. side of the. >> [laughter]. >> train.

It was It was uh It was intense. Oh, man. I love those moments. I just I. don't even I don't even think I could. explain to you how much I love those. kinds of moments. >> You can see it in your head, right? >> Yeah, because it's it's it's To me, that's pure comedy. It's just like it's. it's it's written flawlessly. When it just happens in life. It was so. good. >> you Do you know him? No, I don't know. him. Who's the But they cuz he did the. right action for a bodyguard. >> [laughter]. >> I use aggressive bodyguard though. >> Yeah, but he still it was the right. action. Slap the phone, kick the phone. away. This is what you would think. You'd just be like, "Yo man, that Kareem.

guy Yo, he's got aggressive bodyguards, but they do their job.". >> yeah, yeah. Exactly. That's what I mean. Yeah. So, that's that's the craziest. thing that's happened. But I mean, the. other thing about the show is it's. amazing because it's it is literally the. best like and I I don't want to call it. networking, but like I feel like I have. friends so many friends. Cuz I go to. London, I meet 25, 30 new people every. single time I go. I go to Berlin, I meet. 25, 30 people. Paris like. >> Right. And at this point, I still do all. the booking. So, like it's I I DM people, I find.

them, blah blah blah. And so, I make I. feel like I have so many friends. You. know what I mean? >> That's really great, actually. >> Yeah, it's really That's like one of the. big Like people are like, "Will you ever. stop doing the show?" And I'm like, "Inevitably, yes, of course. Like. everything must end.". But I'm like, that's the thing that I'm. going to miss the most. Is like being. able to meet 20 people in 3 days or. whatever. Like 20 cool people who are. comedians or independent filmmakers or. whatever. And it's almost like speed. dating. You know what I mean? Like. >> you How do you pick them? It's like a vibes-based situation. It's.

It's not like really. It's not uh. It's definitely not quantitative at all. So, there's zero I don't look at. anyone's followers or numbers at all. That's a complete doesn't matter at all. >> Yeah. What I try to do though is I try to book. people who. feel like they deserve. a platform Okay. >> and deserve not deserve, but need. like. some exposure. Right? So, so I try to choose like.

independent comedians. I try to choose. writers and and and and authors and. filmmakers and like and then maybe. people like some nonprofits like I try. to curate this list kind of. in the same way that a magazine editor. would edit a magazine. Like I look at it. like a magazine instead of like a page. So I I try to choose people based on. like are they interesting? Do they have. something to say? And then what are they. working on? And can I be of service. essentially? Because when I was starting. out like I would have wanted to be on.

Subway Takes because it would have felt. like I was doing. Fallon or you know Conan or whatever. like I was doing stand-up on one of. those shows. And that that's what it. feels like to me is is is really. important is like are you working on. something? Could you use the additional exposure? And are you a cool nice person really? Like. that's really what it comes to. >> happens when the celebrities come on? Is. that them Is that inbound? >> Oh yeah that that one's just That one. That one's also really difficult cuz we. get I mean we get a lot of inbound like.

a ton. Yeah and all of them have been. inbound so far. And I've been. not really trying to like book anyone or. manifest anyone. Like everyone's like. who's your dream guest? And I keep. saying Ben Affleck cuz it's just a good. answer. And he is kind you know he is my dream. guest. He's amazing. I think Ben. Affleck's the best. But I haven't. reached out to him yet. But um. but choosing cuz cuz I try to keep the. DNA of the show alive. So having one. celebrity out of every like 15 to 20. guests is a very low ratio. And it.

really means you know 20 or 30. celebrities a year. And that one is just mostly based on. like who have I always wanted to meet? Okay. You know what I mean? Like if it's. like I try to do like icons you know? We. had the last interview with Jane Goodall. which is amazing before she passed away. Obviously Ethan Hawke and Spike Lee and. Jason Bateman like. kind of like legends you know like. living legends or just people who. I think are hilarious. But also what's.

the definition Now I'm rambling but like. who is a celebrity now? Like like is. Eric Andre a celebrity? Like is Eric. Andre a celebrity? >> I mean is I mean people whose success. was sort of defined before the internet. era. >> Okay, that's. >> Generally is what I mean. >> Okay, good. That's exactly I agree with. that. Exactly. >> their fame came from movies or music or. it's like. you know. Yeah. I'm I'm usually I'm just. like who do I who do I like I have an. opportunity to meet my heroes. So. >> let's pick them. Do you think you'll ever release the the.

the missing Kamala Harris one? I haven't. I'll show it to you if you want to come. over. >> I That's like That's all I want to see. Okay, I'll show you it. I have it on my. phone. Watch I get robbed after this. >> [laughter]. >> It's in the cloud, guys. It's in. It's securely protected in the cloud. Yeah, I don't think I'll ever release. it. It just seems like it's unnecessary. I mean, I could release it. W- Okay, wait. What do you mean by. unnecessary? To release it? Cuz now I'm. like what's Oh, how bad was this thing?

>> the point of releasing it? She's just a. civilian. Is she the I don't know. Just leave her. alone. >> I don't think that's how it works. Wait. >> She ran and lost. Yeah, yeah. No, no, but I don't think that just makes you a. civilian. She's a civilian now. >> Rocky lost the first movie. That didn't. make him a civilian. >> Yes, it did. No, it didn't. >> Yes, it did. If you lose, you're a. civilian. And you're. a civilian. >> No, you're a superstar now. It's like. it's a different thing. I I I guess it. doesn't provide any value for the. >> Because let's put it this way. If Kamala. Harris shows up at like a rally or says. I'm doing a thing, people will show up.

They they won't be like, "Who's this. civilian lady trying to mobilize. people?". Do you know what I mean? I know, but. that's not newsworthy. No, I don't I'm not even thinking about. the newsworthiness of it. I just go. Look, on my side, I'm just I'm just. curious. >> I'll show you. Okay, cool. >> the American public need to watch it? Do. they need to know? Some people. >> no, no. That I That I'm less I'm less. concerned about. >> have said that them I have that the. American public deserves to see it. There that's an interesting one. >> There have been comments. There have.

been some comments from some people that. are like. >> Because they go, you have this piece of. information that sort of affects. American politics and culture. And by. not releasing this that I'm technically. complicit I'm complicit in a cover-up. That's the exact words. >> You are. That's my take. Don't Don't get. me Don't get me started on that. >> in a cover-up. As a journalist, you have. an obligation I'm not a journalist. People call you that. You know that, right? >> tell them I'm not. >> No, but I think it's crazy. Some people. literally will be like, oh, the. journalist.

I I don't know when this happened. Yeah, yeah, but I don't know when this. happened. But. there's this weird thing that started. happening in American news and culture. where. the people who were tasked with doing a. certain job. then started claiming other people had. the job and then would judge them for. not doing. the job that they had given them even. though it was never their job. So I I. it first started, you know, it it became. apparent to me when when it was about. comedians.

I started seeing a lot of articles being. written about comedians, myself. included. But I would just be like oh, why aren't more comedians speaking about. the da da da da. And I was just like, wait, wait, what is happening here? A. journalist is asking why comedians are. not speaking out about whatever issue. they want them to speak out about. But I. was like, but you are a journalist. You work for a large publication that is. informing people. Why are you not. writing about it? Yeah, they're writing about you now. They're writing about the person not.

writing about it, essentially. Yeah, but. I was like. I I I don't know. And then And then I. started finding it a. I remember someone complaining about. like Mr. Beast show. and it was a journalist and they were. saying, Mr. Beast show is a a terrible. you know, it's it's like what it's the. worst of America. Why does he not show. the better sides of America? And why is. he not trying to uplift the I was like, "Well, but. what are you writing about? What are you. You are the You are the publication.". >> Mhm. Do you know what I mean?

>> Mhm. And I I I've I've seen a few with. you where people would be like they try. and put you in like journalist land. because of the level. of guest you're you're getting on. occasion. They'll be like, "Oh, but you. should be. Like how how do you how do you even. think of that How do you think of that. {quote} {unquote} pressure in that way? I just respond honestly. I'm like, "You're doing yourself a disservice by. saying this about yourself.". Cuz I'm literally just a jokester. I'm a. clown. I don't even believe in what I'm. saying. Which is really true.

Like if if I actually 100% agreed or. 100% disagreed with every opinion on the. show, >> Right. I would probably be a maniac. >> [laughter]. >> Cuz first of all, there's no such thing. as 100% on either on either of their. views. >> what makes it good. And that's the joke. That's what makes it good. That is the. point of the show. Yes, it is like, "Here's I'm have to 100% disagree. 100%. agree. And half the time I've never. thought about these things and will. never think about them. And also. forget about 100% agree or 100%. disagree. What about I literally don't.

care at all. Yeah. >> I just do not care. Whatever you just. said, you sometimes doesn't even make. sense. And then I just pick an option. and let them explain it to me. And it's just it's just funny cuz cuz I. did go to journalism school, which maybe. is a reason that some. >> Wait, wait, wait. You did? >> I did. >> This guy's burying the lead here. This. guy's a journalist. >> chose it because it was journalism. >> out here talking about another. journalist. This guy's an actual. journalist. >> thing about journalism. Yeah, but you. are qualified. Did you finish journalism. school? I finished, but I I You are a. journalist. >> No, but I with an emphasis in.

advertising. >> If we were. And I only worked in advertising. >> Wait, wait, wait. I'm sorry. Wait, what? >> Exactly. It was before Went to. journalism school with an emphasis in. advertising. >> Yes. What does that mean? I'm ahead of. the game, baby. I'm ahead of the game. I've known for a long time that we are. compromised as an as an industry. And I. said, "You know, I'm going to get ahead. of this and learn both the things." But. journalism's. easy. Wait wait wait wait, but let's go. back. >> And I'm sorry, I'm probably going to get. [ __ ] shalamayed over this. I just. said journalism's easy. I take it back.

I'm talking directly to the camera. I. take it back. >> You know you can't take it back. >> Journalism's not easy. What I meant was. it's an easy major in college. Okay. I'm. just going to let you know you can't. take it back. Timothy Chalamet He even. said in his when he said ballet and. opera and then he said, "No shots at the. ballet community." And and he tried to. take it back. You can't take it back. You said journalism's easy and that's. it. It's done. By the way, Timothy. Chalamet Timothy Chalamet wasn't wrong, by the way. I just don't think people liked the. flippancy with which he said the thing. >> They don't like the truth. No no, I.

think it's I think it's how the truth. was delivered. >> Also, I have worked in newsrooms. I know. journalism's not easy. I know that. journalism as a major is so easy. >> makes it easy? It's easy compared to all. the other majors. I never went to university, so I don't. know like what. makes it easy. >> Look how easy it is. >> [laughter]. >> This guy. It's true, man. Look, the major is easy. It is. I don't know how I can describe. it as easy other than when I went to. school and they were like, "You have to. choose a major." I was like, "What is a Like I had a friend who was. like studying to be an engineer. I had.

another friend who was studying to be a. computer scientist. Another friend who. was studying to be a [ __ ] doctor and. they were always studying." Yeah. And. then I was like, "I don't want to be. always studying. I want to be hanging. out. Like where What How can I just hang. out during college? That sounds way. better than studying." And I asked a. bunch of people and they were like, "Well, journalism is pretty easy. degree." I said, "Great. I'll just do. that." I didn't choose it cuz I'm. passionate. I chose it because it was. there. And I was a junior and I needed. to pick a major to graduate from. college. I did generals for 2 years. Generals are like when you don't have a.

major. So I spent 2 years just dabbling. in. a little bit of everything. >> Yeah, a little American history, a. little this, a little that. >> where it got you. Yeah, but none of this is related to. school, honestly. I didn't learn a damn. thing in school. I went because it was. fun. I I stand by that personally. I think most people should go to school. not to learn something per se, but to experience the community and the. vibe of all the people you wouldn't. otherwise meet. I think schools is still.

like one of the few melting pots that. exists. Well, I don't know if it'll if. it'll be for a while with the with how. they're coming after it, but um. you know, I I I genuinely think that I'm. like, "Nah, just go to school.". That's the only reason I would want. everyone to go to university and stuff. Yeah, so you go meet people that you. would you know, it's their subway. tickets. >> Yeah, yeah. You meet 20 to 30 people that you would. never know. Now you've got friends in. Berlin, friends in London, you know? Yeah, no, it's it. it like I worked at the New York Times. Maybe this is why people think I'm a. journalist. I worked at Vice, I worked.

at the New York Times, but I wasn't a. journalist at either. >> What were you doing there? Uh I was. behind the scenes. I was like doing. content development. Essentially what I. do now for myself. >> Okay. Which is thinking of new formats. and new video series ideas, and then I. would give them to a journalist or some. other entertainer, you know, and and. then Did any of them blow up or. Nothing like that I invented that. sprouted now, but I was always like in. the room. And and sometimes it was just. based on like a small project. Like I.

remember I remember one time at the. Times we had this. it was like I think it was like a. four-part series on ISIS or something. I. think. I can't recall. And they were like, "How do we get more. reach on this? Like it's super expensive. if we produce this thing." It took like. 7 months. Like what do we do? And I was. like, "I have an idea. Let's translate it into like five. languages.". And everyone was like, "That's a really good idea.". And so we did translate it into like. Arabic, Spanish, I think Portuguese or French, whatever.

As. uh and it did really well. I mean, it. got five times the viewership that an. English language video would get. Hmm. You know what I mean? It was something. as simple as that that that was like, "Now we should do this for other videos. that. are um global news.". Cuz it's global news. So, it kind of makes sense. So, So, you're working in these um. I mean, these are these are like. institutions. I know Vice was the. challenger brand. >> Mhm. You know, but the New York Times is.

like that's the New York Times. W- What What makes you leave? And And what what gives you. the goal, as they would say, "The goal, my man.". >> Or gives you the goal to think that you. can survive without The New York Times. >> [laughter]. >> Uh I had always want When I moved to New. York, I wanted to be like an. entrepreneur. Like I came here in search of I was like. when people went out west to search for. gold, >> Yeah. I did the same. I was like except.

I went east because I didn't know what I. knew one guy in New York and I was like, "That's enough. to get started.". >> Cuz you were growing up, you were in the. Midwest. >> Yeah, yeah, I was in Minnesota. Minnesota, right. And. and I remember I was inspired to leave. Minnesota cuz I went to Europe for the. first time. I went to London, I went to. Berlin, I went to Zurich randomly, and I. went to Florence, Italy. >> Why did you go to Zurich? Uh I had like. a like a my girlfriend my. ex-girlfriend's like brother-in-law. something something some random person. was there. So, we went. >> And I went on this like 3-month trip.

Or maybe it was only 2 months. And I got. back to America and I was like, "I got. to get I got to get out of Minnesota.". Shout out Minnesota. I love Minnesota, but that trip I was just like, "I don't. belong in this kind of city. I belong in. a big city.". And so, that's why I came to New York, but the intention was always to be like. a businessman or an entrepreneur. That's. what I didn't have any desire to be a. journalist or a comedian or anything. I. just want to be rich. So, I came here to. get rich. And I immediately got poor.

Poorer than I already was cuz I worked. at Vice. And and Vice wasn't even. intentional. Like I was just like where. should I work and somebody was like you. should work at Vice. I go cool, what is. that? Didn't even know what media was. Didn't understand journalism had and I. even went to journalism school but they. put me in the advertising area where I. was like yeah, I get this part like sell. things. And. you know, it after I worked at Vice. which was like getting an MBA in media.

I was with a hundred. 25 year old people. And I had zero friends. And then all of. a sudden I had at least a hundred. uh 25 year old acquaintances. Still not. friends cuz they were mean to me cuz I. was fresh off the boat. uh from Minnesota. Um. and then the Times called and they were. like. I I'd been working there for about two. and a half years and the Times was like. hey, do you want to work here? And I was. like. will you pay me more? I didn't even care that it was in New. York Times. I legitimately didn't care.

I just go will you pay me more money? And they go yes. I said I want this. number. I'll tell you what the number. was. It was a hundred thousand dollars. I like it clean. Clean. Not a. >> Six figures. >> exactly. Not a penny more. I said give. me a hundred K and I'll do it and they. go okay. Call my mom. Guess what? I make six figures. >> Hey. She's like wow, really? I'm like. yeah. Later find out that they had budgeted. like a hundred forty K for the role. Ah.

But I came in. my goal was to get a hundred K. Different six figures. But I was like whatever man, like I just. need a hundred K which I got. And so. anyways, what gave me the gall to leave. gall ga- gall to leave gall. >> the gall the gall to leave. That's how I. know it. Maybe in America it's gall, I. don't know. >> I just the gall the gall. I think it's. the gall. >> Yeah, the gall. The gall I was I was. just I felt like I was ready. I knew. enough people. That's really what it. was. The biggest thing is I knew enough. people. But it's the opposite of chasing. money though.

Yes, but Like why would you leave the. six figures to go and like make. internet videos. cuz it's not like the money was. apparent. >> Well, there there's still a time in. between that where I set out to like. start my own business which I did. It. was a media business. Still, it was. still in the same realm and that still. was the goal was still to get rich and I. did not again. So many times. >> [laughter]. >> There's also a whole history of this. going back to when I was 14. This has. been my number one priority in my life. >> get rich? >> Yes, until I had turned 33.

What did you start with at 14? Mowing lawns. Oh, very nice. >> Yeah, I used to haul this big [ __ ]. lawnmower. >> [snorts]. >> Like my dad would drive me around. I had. one client. Wait, that's it? And then and then and then I started. over. >> you get fired from mowing lawn? He just like I don't need you anymore. >> [laughter]. >> What? How do you not need someone to mow your. lawn? What happened here? I don't know, man. I I don't I don't remember. Huh. [snorts] I cannot say. Without my lawyer here, I cannot say.

>> Okay. Oh yeah, but this this one. Yeah, yeah, okay. Uh, I don't know what. happened. But I remember this old man he. was just like, yeah. I think I just did a bad job. At mowing lawn? >> Yeah. That is like the. simplest, most obvious thing. You push. the machine. Mhm. It cuts the grass. Mhm. The job is done. >> It was a huge yard. Even better. And I didn't have a. driver's license. I don't think that that there's no. correlation between those two things. I. think I was scheduling issue.

>> [laughter]. >> It was a scheduling issue. So, okay. Cutting grass. Okay, fired. >> fired. >> Yeah. And then McDonald's and then. telemarketer and then mortgages. >> Telemarketer? All of these things. What. were you selling? Furnace and duct. cleaning. Furnace and duct cleaning? >> Yeah, hello. This is Cream with Home. Place Furnace and Duct Cleaning. Do you. have an average 2,000 square foot home. or less? I do not, Cream. I'm not going to let you go. No, are you. serious?

>> [laughter]. >> And then what And then what do you try. and do? >> Well, how big is your house? Uh so okay, let's say I got 2,200 square feet. >> 2,200 square feet. Okay, so yeah, that's. about average. It's about 2,000 square. feet. And have you had your furnace and. duct cleaned before? I I don't I don't even know if my. furnace and duct gets cleaned. >> Well, you you definitely need it. There's like all the bacteria and germs. in your house, all the dead air, all the. bacteria. Like that's how things travel. You got to get it cleaned so that the. air that's circulating throughout your. home is is is clean. Oh, [ __ ]. >> Yeah, yeah. Hold on, let me get a quote. for you.

Amanda. $80? Okay. So, we can have someone out there for 80. $80. How's How's tomorrow looking for. you? Damn, look at that. I've hung up on people like you all the. time. >> [laughter]. >> It was so fun. As soon as the person like says I'm from. gone. This is a different era, though. Oh, this was a different time. >> Well, this was it was kind of special. And you No one knew who was going to. call them. >> Cuz cuz they were they now they're like. kind of automated and they're they're. from other they're from like, you know, they're outsourced.

>> No, I was like I'm from Minnesota. Sitting there reading a lowrider. magazine. I'm in a room this big. with 10 other people my age who are all. making $10 for every sale that they get. Plus our minimum. >> Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. >> There was a leaderboard. It was kind of. like Boiler Room except really sad and. depressing. I like this. >> making like 80 extra dollars a week. But. this guy, Joe, close friend of mine, he was a killer. What did he What did he do differently? Dude, he was just so good. He was so. cocky.

And he treated it like a joke. And. sometimes people would like be mean to. him and then he'd just be mean right. back. He was awesome. He was my good. friend. And he was like the top of the. leaderboard. >> Yeah, he was a Man, he was such a cool. guy. >> Where's Joe now? I don't want to talk about it. Okay. Yeah. All right, we'll just move. on. He got in a bad Yeah. Oh, Joe. He's. an okay guy. He's a great guy. >> [snorts]. >> Um. Anyways, all of these things happened. and then so I failed, I failed, I. failed, I failed, I failed. My whole. life has been failures. Really, I'm I'm. like not exaggerating. It's been hard.

Yeah. And then at 33 Jesus here. I. was like I have to stop. I just had this imposter syndrome, all. right? I was like I have to stop. pretending I am a CEO. or a businessman or an entrepreneur or. that I know any of these things. Like I. have to stop trying to get rich quick. because now I'm 33. and everything has failed and I need to. try something new. And the thought of like emailing for a. living for the next 50 years was really.

scary to me, especially cuz I wasn't. good at it. Like my emails are still. bad. They're I like I email like Jeffrey. Epstein. That's probably why you lost. the Denver argument. You switched to. your weak side. No, no, cuz that one I. was using some assistants. >> Oh, okay, okay. >> using assistants on those cuz I needed. to make a really good case. Okay. But my. normal emails are really when I saw. Jeffrey Epstein's emails, I was a little. concerned. They were terrible. That's. how I type. >> was like all lower case and. >> That's how I type. Oh, man. Like if you were like, "Hey, what time.

are you coming?" I'd be like, "Soon.". That's all I'd say. >> [laughter]. >> "Did you find the place?" "No. Send. help." I have the opposite issue. My my. texting is too formal. Really? >> Yeah, my younger brother always he's. like, "Yo, man, you need to like you. need to loosen up." I don't abbreviate. anything. I don't like thank you. You. know when people just write TY? That's. what I do. No, no, no, no, no, no. You. write thank you. I write thank you. I. think about Don't tell me to do periods. Yeah, I do. I do. I put periods in. Yeah, yeah, no, I do. I put the the the. the we call it a full stop. I put a full.

stop where the full stop needs to be. I. have double spacing after a full stop. cuz you can't just like put one space. Um Journalist. No, because my mom So. when I was young, my mom ran her own. like comp- like business from home. and she would type a lot. She was like. in real estate and she would type a lot. and then I would have to type things. with her and help her. >> Oh, cool. So, she would go through the. work. So, I'd be like, "To whom it may. concern, dear sirs/madam, I would like to inform you of an issue. that has occurred." So, I couldn't like.

I couldn't be loose with things. I. couldn't You know what I mean? So, when. texting comes into my life, I'm already. like well versed in the arts of, you. know, formal conversation. >> sign off? I do. That's nice. I like. that. I do sign off, too. genuinely. Like I. Like I I So, you'll put - Trevor. Yeah, I'll put like That's cool. You know? Like a little Trevor or T or gods or, you know? And then I I have to try not. do that with people. One of my friends even said to me once, "Hey,

I know that you know it's me, so stop. using my name when you start the text, please.". Cuz I will do that. I will message you. and I'll go, "Hey, Kareem.". And then you'll go, "Yes, it's obviously. it's me. because it's my phone.". Cuz people will message me all the time. and be like, "Yo, what are you doing. this Friday?" And I'm like, "Yo who?". Yeah, yo homes. >> "Yo, you're just going to yo me?" I do. that when I call people. You do what? >> Like you would have my number and I go, "Yo, Trevor, it's Kareem." And you'd be. like, "I know." I do that all the time. and I love doing that. I think it's so.

No, cuz it's fun. >> [laughter]. >> It's fun. >> That's hilarious, actually. >> Or or or or they'll call me and I'd go. I'll go, "This is Kareem." And they'll. be like, "I called you.". >> Oh, that's brilliant. >> Yeah, no, you see that's good. That's. good. >> it's me. It's not an imposter. That's. good. I like that. >> What if it's an imposter? No, no, no, I. like that, actually. >> Yeah. I like that. Especially in the age. of AI, you need to. >> Exactly. You need to. make sure that they know that it's you. >> you need to You need to You need to. throw in a little spice just to throw. off the algorithm. I like this. I like. this. Okay. So, So, then I just I was like, I can't I. love this like total just departure from.

what we were talking about. >> [laughter]. >> And then. we both pick up exactly where we left. off. >> left off, my friend. >> at age 33. Failing at everything. No. more CEO. >> [laughter]. >> And and I was just like, I have to do. something that I think I'm actually good. at. And. like I was saying, I went to college to. hang out. And most of my life I've been. extremely good at that. It's the best. thing It's the thing that I'm best at, it's the thing that I'm most comfortable. with. I didn't play sports, I hung out.

I didn't have any college clubs, I hung. out. Everything in my life has been. geared around hanging out. >> I like this. >> So I was like, what kind of job. is a hangout job? >> Yeah. And I was like, comedians seem to. be hanging out all the time. They're. always hanging out. Like their job is to. hang out. >> Yeah. So I was like, maybe I'll do that. And so I went to Upright Citizens. Brigade. And I I I always thought I was funny. I. always felt funny. I always knew I could. do it. I always played at the top of my. intelligence, even in these like. conversations with my friends. I was.

always like, how, you know, keep the. joke elevated and play at the top of. your intelligence. But I I did comedy. school because I just felt like I wanted. to have something on my resume. Okay. Got it. >> And that would provide some legitimacy. that I could say like, I am a comedian. or. I could say that. I didn't What I didn't. want to do was like be like aspiring or. I just started. So like, I just enrolled. in school, I did all of the improv, I. did all of the stand-up, I did all of. the sketch, I did all of the writing. I. I did I did more than you're supposed to.

do, probably. But I did all the classes. I spent a ton of money. And. at the same time I was like doing the. things. Like I was doing the training, but I was also like booking shows, I was. going to shows, I was performing on. shows and just. getting a feel for what I really. liked. And eventually. like it's I just I I've always been an. internet kid. Like. from day one. It's it's it's been my. favorite thing Let's from hanging out.

So then I was like, let me make some. videos. And then from there it was like figuring. out, you know, what was. like a a repeatable thing because I. remember I did get some notoriety for. making the short film with my friend New. York Nico. We did I we did this film. together. It went to Tribeca. That was. the first time I felt like I was like, oh [ __ ] I actually did like right away. It was my first big project and it was. right away in Tribeca, right away with. this great director. I was like, oh. [ __ ] maybe I am good at this. Like that. was That was the least amount of like.

uh convincing I've had to do. And I. don't feel like an impostor at all. Like. I wrote the movie, I was in the movie, it went to Tribeca. Like I didn't fake. anything. Like it just worked. And that. gave me my first little bit of um. courage. And then right after that I did Keep the. Meter Running. And that thing just. exploded immediately. It was so. cool. And again, it came from this place. of like. emotional attachment to my father who.

passed away when I was 20, right when I. was in college. >> Because your dad was a was a taxi. driver, right? >> Yeah, my dad was a cabbie for like 5. years. So, he wasn't a cabbie forever, but when he first moved to America he. was a cabbie. I didn't even know him as. a cabbie. Right. But I found myself. seeking out wisdom from whoever was. driving me to from point A to point B. And and I think it's a very. it it is is a very common. uh experience that you get in a car ride. with a with a cabbie and they're like. almost like a sherpa or a guru or a.

monk. They've always got like this thing. and I'm like, man, these guys have the. secrets to the universe. Like how? How. are they so chill? How are they not. having road rage? Sometimes they have. road rage. But like, you know, and it. and talk about the. talk about the like hanging out with an. immigrant and talking about politics or. anything. They don't stop talking. >> No, no, there's I've never met a single. taxi driver anywhere in the world. [laughter]. who has no opinion. No, I know. It just It just doesn't. exist. Yeah. There's not No one will be. like, "Oh, I don't have an opinion on.

that.". >> Exactly. >> No. It's. >> No, they will give you an opinion. >> Yeah, about anything. Yeah. How do you. feel about Putin? It does not matter. They've got an opinion. It's and it's. awesome. >> Yeah. And. so I did that show. I did the first 20. episodes, but it was so expensive to produce. >> So, I I need to understand why cuz I. I've always read this, but I've never. understood why it was so expensive. It. It seemed It like it was It was. beautifully shot, beautifully made, and. it It was that, but. what what made the show. like so expensive that to the point that.

you couldn't do it anymore? >> Well, have you ever paid for a cabby's. meter when you tell him to take him take. me wherever you want? No, I've never. done that. Yeah, well, it's How much was. it What would it get to? Oh, dude, it. could easily get to 800. Oh, [ __ ]. >> I think I had a $1400 day once. Cuz we're just driving. and we're taking our sweet time. And. they weren't ripping me off. Like it's. not like it was. >> this is just that's the price of keeping. the meter running. Yeah, because we. would literally do these crazy things. Like one time I went from Manhattan to.

Queens, ate at this restaurant. Also, that was a big problem is I'd also cover. the meal. And Okay. >> covering the meal for me and the cabby. plus my crew Yeah, yeah, yeah. plus over. ordering a little bit for the video so. we could make sure we get all the. >> you make sure you get all the food in. it. >> stops and then also tip the restaurant. because I'm like like I show up with. cameras and. >> got a camera and you've got a crew and. you've got a whole thing and yeah, yeah, yeah. So, as as at that point I had to. experience zero success, but I was. spending like I was HBO. Yeah.

>> like, "Baby, I'm a. [ __ ] movie producer.". And it like like now I could probably. self-fund it and I'd be fine and it. would be like a loss and whatever, but. it was like $2000 an episode, which is. crazy in most parts of the world. and also like not advisable as a person. starting their career. You feel like I'm. going to lose $2000 every time I make. something. And with no plan to recuperate like to. recoup. >> Yeah. And but it was my favorite thing. I've ever done in my life. But you're. doing it again, aren't you?

>> Yes, and now it is back. 20-minute episodes. So, the first the. first iteration was 6-minute episodes. >> Got it. Now it's 20-minute episodes. They're on YouTube. And they're they're even bigger. They're. bigger they're bigger they're better. they're crazier. And it's just like I. took the short form show. >> Yeah, yeah, yeah. and I just turned it all the way up. So, it's you know, Russian Turkish bathhouse. with Eugene and Boris who's his friend. that he just brought along for some. reason. It's bowling with Norman. It's.

fishing. It's. doing stand-up comedy and recording a. flute album with Kikondra. It's. it's it's salsa dancing with Homero. It's it's it's literally traveling the. world without ever leaving the city. That's beautiful. >> And that is magical. That's what's. magical about New York and it's also. what's magical when you just tell. someone. "What do you want to do today?". And just and you and I having zero. input. And I learned so many things.

Every you know, it's like. they're like fathers to me. cuz they have all this fatherly advice. You know, as a man you still want. advice. Are your parents alive? Yeah, yeah, yeah. And and you probably call. your dad and you're like, "What do you. think I should do in this situation?". >> No, no, I call my mom, but okay. >> [laughter]. >> Cuz dad's like. bad advice. No, no, no. I think his I. think we're so different. that the advice that he would give me is. almost is just like from a random place. if that makes sense. Like my mom knows.

me so well. and we are so similar in our in our. personalities. Not not in the way we act. in the world, but we're so similar that. when my mom says something she can say. it from like the place of knowing me. If. I ask my dad for advice, he'll just say. a thing from his point of view in the. world and then I can process or not. process that. Do you do you know what I. mean? Your dad's like, "Who is this?". No, my dad is very Swiss and very You. know what I mean? Swiss German, so he's. like he's very precise. Trevor who? He's very, very precise. >> is. But he'll give me advice. Like he'll be.

like, "This is the thing. and that's how I see it.". But But I'm like, "Ah, there's no like. You need a You need a Balkan ca- cavity. >> Yeah, where's where's like the Where's. the You know what I mean? Yeah. Yeah, yeah. That makes sense. >> Where are the edges in this? Where are. the Where are the Yeah. So on on Wait, on your side. So you were very close. with your dad, I'm assuming then. I was. like not close to him and I was close to. him in the same in the way that I liked. to argue. Okay. >> Like he was an argue friend. Right. Okay. >> was a great guy and I I did Yeah, I was. close with him, but like.

it wasn't like a lovey relationship. It. was more like. >> ever be with like a an Arabic dad from. that time? From that time, no. Yeah, cuz. it feels like the the feels like there's. a there's generational like chasms that. we just have. in society with Even with most I would. say with most African kids, there's one generation where there's no. such thing as being like lovey with your. dad. >> No. You know, I remember once my one of. my favorite experiences ever was one of. my cousins. >> [laughter]. >> we were walking out of the house.

and [snorts]. my cousin was just like I don't even. know what happened and he was just like. we're leaving and then he said uh he's. like, "I love you, Dad.". And then his dad was like, "Oh, good. luck.". >> [laughter]. >> It's just like. I don't know In that one moment, I think. we both We just like, "Yeah, what were. you doing?" So funny. "What were you. doing?" It's It's So there's a You know. what I mean? So like. Middle Eastern, you know, Arabic dads, African dad There's a generation where. it was like there's no such thing as.

being like lovey Mhm. >> with your dad. Did they provide for you? Yes. Exactly. Did you respect them? Did. you do the things you were supposed to. do? Are you ready to be the man of the. house? Then you have a great. relationship. >> I was like 11 years old and I was like, "Dad, I really want like a PlayStation.". And he was like, "That's for kids.". Huh. I was like, "Dude, I am a kid." He. was like, "No, you're not." Yeah, you. were listening. You were about to be a. man. >> building my lawnmower business. >> [laughter]. >> Uh but yeah, it's it's it's like and and.

I like that tough love sometimes cuz. honestly, you know, I'll get in a cab and the. guy's like, "How are you?" And I'm like, "Honestly, I'm not that good." And he's. like, "What's wrong?" And I'm like, that. cuz that's how Also, that's how the. other thing about how cab cab rides. start. Yeah. You get in, he says, "How. are you?" Most of the time you go, "I'm. good." And you look at your phone and. then it's over. But if you decide to. say, "Honestly, I'm a little bad. My wife is like a. little bored with me and she thinks I'm. annoying.". That cabby is about to give you a hell. of a lot of romantic advice on how to.

fix your marriage. And. it's good. It's actually good advice. But so I look at these guys like. fathers. Like there's a bunch of. different I have so many different. fathers now. >> And they've kind of And that is like the. emotional engine of the show is that I'm. meeting a dad. It's But it's not a. setup. It's not like. you know, you might see an internet show. that's like, "I don't have a dad, so I'm going to. find one in a cab.". >> It's just like the feeling of. >> Yes. like that a Bourdain would just. have when he goes into a city. Like,

"I'm curious and I want some knowledge.". And so that's what I do and I just like. let whatever happens happens. And. yeah, it's my favorite thing in the. world. Uh and I'm so glad to be doing it. again. And I'm so glad that. you know, that I hope people like it. Don't press anything. We've got more. What Now after this. This message is a paid partnership with. Apple Card. Imagine this. You're at a checkout. counter. You're ready to pay when you.

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is you know what every transaction is. You know like sometimes you're like, "What did I spend this month?" Apple. card will show you. One month, I had. spent an obscene amount of money. ordering videos online. Just videos? They were just videos. What kind of. videos? That's not the point. Sure. The. point is I knew that I didn't want to. order those videos anymore cuz I'd spent. too much money on it. It was videos on how to not spend money. online. >> [laughter]. >> I felt like I'd been duped. Point is Apple showed me what I was. spending my money on, and I was able to.

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>> I think one of my favorite things about. the show, and I'm sure people will like. it, is. >> [snorts]. >> it's crazy to say this, but it reminded. me. to see people not only as you meet them, but like assuming that they are as you. are. And what I mean by that is. I definitely know that I've been guilty. in my life of seeing some people in the. way that I just see them when I meet. them. So, like the the taxi driver, they'll just be a like a taxi driver. Sometimes we'll connect because the guy. is from an African country somewhere.

Now we're talking about like Sadio Mané. Oh, yeah, remember that World Cup and. remember this thing in Africa Cup of. Nations. That's different. And And now, we sort of But it But it's when you. would meet a stranger, you confine them to the reality that you. know them in, but you never think to the. yourself that they're bowling or. recording albums or You just go like, "They're a taxi driver.". >> Mhm. And you're like, "Yeah, but what do. they What do they do for fun? Who do. they love? What makes them laugh? How do they". And And I I don't know, man. I think.

especially when when we live in a world. where we're all being flattened. Doesn't. matter who we are, we are all being. flattened down to one idea of ourselves. and one idea of others. I do think it's. beautiful to have an example of. of something that goes like, "Oh, no, no, no, no, no. The person happens to. drive a taxi. >> Yes. But this is who they are.". >> Yes. There's a difference. You know what. I mean? And it is it's so Every time, I'm just shocked at how. like they're they're you know, even if.

they're not millennials, and some of. them are millennials, like you know how. Yeah, you're like, "I have a podcast. I. have a TV show. I'm a writer. I'm a. this." And then, they're also like that. >> Yeah, they're exactly like that. >> But But you know, I don't think we think. in general of like blue-collar workers. or people as like having multiple side. hustles or like they're they're. literally trying to get by just like we. are. And they have dreams. Like. Kakondra, dude, this guy has written two. memoirs, and they're pretty [ __ ]. good. One of them is his own life story.

He grew up in like a mountain village in. Nepal with no shoes and had to beg to. get his first pen from like a Swiss. tourist who gave him it as a gift as a. little boy. And now, he has a memoir. He has another. book of um. like just stories about his passengers. So, he's He's interviewed 700 of his. passengers. >> man. >> Dude, it's crazy. And he also plays the. wooden flute. And his dream is to do stand-up and I'm.

like, man, this guy's incredible. He's. really incredible. And I had the best. time with him. You know, I had so much. fun. And the episode turned out amazing. and it's you just forget. And then like. Irish John. Irish John's incredible. Irish John has. been a cabby for 40 years. He's just. retired now. He has a one-man show. called Off the Meter which is about his. 40 years driving a cab in New York City. That must be fascinating. So funny. So.

many funny stories. He was also involved in politics. Like. he would cuz he was he's Irish. >> Yeah. So he was involved with like the. IRA. >> Uh-huh. during the period when that was. happening. Damn. And he has all these. stories about his involvement with the. IRA and. just an amazing one-man show which is. why when I heard the story that he has. this one-man show, I was like, let's. make it a special. And release it as part of Keep the Meter.

Running. >> And so we're they produced this one-man. show. >> about to ask you if you if you if you. see any future where you're going to. help produce some of these ideas that. you're bumping into with these people. who wouldn't otherwise be able to Yeah, yeah, yeah. No, >> No, I think so. I mean, they've all like. many of them have. Yeah, whether so you know, I don't want. to do anything unless someone asks me. >> Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, okay. This. is not a charity. Right. And I'm saying. that because sometimes they're like, I. don't need help. And I'm like, great. But if somebody says, I need help. with money. I would help figure out a way with.

money. I've done a couple GoFundMe's. >> I've seen you do yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. And then if somebody's. like, hey, I want to produce this. one-man show, then I'm like, great. That. let's film it. Like and it let's film it. because it deserves to be documented. Yeah. You know, like like. It it it's it's it's this little bite of. the American dream which I feel like I. have been able to. so far achieve I feel like I've done it. I was born in Cairo. My parents are both. immigrants and I feel like my dad did. not achieve it. My mom didn't. I mean.

and and maybe they did achieve it. through having a successful son. Yeah, I. would argue they did. You know, they. never achieved theirs but they did. achieve a version of it which is that I. have I'm able to do what I want to do. >> Right. Support my family and make a name. for myself. And so if I can help other. people achieve their. just a nugget, you know, or just a bite. of apple. that is more than enough for me. Like. that feels good, you know. And.

the show's really about like yeah, it's. about it's about how to be a better man. It's about fatherhood. It's about uh the. American dream and it's about. immigrants. It's It's really just about. it's an American story. And it's awesome. It's a fully American story. I. want my nickname to be the Arab Patriot. Could just be the Patriot but okay. Nah, that's. There's a lot that's that sounds like a. movie with like John Krasinski shooting. people in Saudi Arabia. This is true.

It's crazy how John Krasinski has now. been that guy, right? Cuz he's buff now. Yeah, but still I'm just like. it's funny how it like. one minute if if you left the Earth. at like the peak of The Office. >> Right. and then you came back now and. you'd be like. Jim is shooting people now? >> Yeah, that's the guy. He's It's such a He might be in a movie. called The Patriot. Yeah, maybe he is. >> Mandela effect. >> Yeah, could be. Could be. [laughter]. The Arab Patriot. >> The Arab Patriot. Hmm. I don't really.

want to be called that. >> [laughter]. >> But. I guess if I was. going to be a patriot I don't want to be. the Arab Patriot. >> No, I like that. >> Just cuz it's a little it's also like a. little um. divisive. To. to the proper patriots. >> Okay. Okay. Okay. I'm like I love. America but I'm an Arab and then they're. like damn. Damn it. He does doesn't he? He does love America. and he is there [ __ ] Like it doesn't. work with their their model of like.

being a proud American. >> Yes, yeah, yeah. Cuz they have an idea. of what the person is supposed to look. like and be like and. >> To be a proud American. I'm like what if. I am proud of the version America that. I'm working on. One of the biggest. fights I got into. It was like a fun fight but there was a. I was doing shows I was on the road this. was many years ago and uh. one of the people in the audience said. to me he said something I made a joke. about America and this one guy was like. shut up you can't you know don't make. jokes about America what and I was like. why not? And then he said cuz you're not.

American. And I said to him I said yeah. I said in fact I think I should I have. more right to make this joke because. I've chosen America. I was like you. didn't choose it. I was like you your mom just shat you. out and then you're American. I chose. this country. Can you say the same? And. then he was like. >> [laughter]. >> And I was I was obviously joking with. him but I was like but. but it was interesting because he said. after this and he wasn't an [ __ ] at. all. We were just having we were having.

a good natured fight and then the guy. said to me after this he's like man I. never thought of it like that. He's like. I never thought to myself that these. people are like choosing America. You. know what I mean? They're choosing to. make money and they're choosing to make. something of themselves and. yeah they're choosing America and he's. like I never chose America. You know and I even said to him I was. like have you what are you choosing it. based on? Have you been to other places? You're saying it's the best but have you. gone somewhere else to I've been other. places and then I'll be like yeah and. I'm choosing it. What now? You know and.

the guy was like. and then and we laughed and we had fun. cuz I find that's that's the biggest. thing I find. going back to the bullying and the. internet I find like in real life. is is people are yeah I mean people are. a lot more. I don't know. They're just They're more. more human. That but that's like also a great. example of the kind of. because you can. it's not even change minds, but you can. like. have someone see a different way. Like. he he might not even have his mind.

changed. He might just be like, "You've. got a good point." And then that point. he thinks about that point for a while. longer and then maybe he sees other. points or he sees immigrants in a. different way. Like maybe he's still a. prick. Maybe he's not. >> He He wasn't even to be honest That's. why I say like he was. good-natured heckling. I I enjoyed it. It was a good like he wasn't being an. [ __ ] in any way. He was just like we. were going at it and it was fun. That is. fun. But I I feel like some. >> But I don't think it would have been. funny if it was on on the internet. That's Yeah, it probably wouldn't. because you can't read the tone. And. there's other people. Mhm. You know, so.

I find when you share a physical space. with other human beings, you are less. likely to think of them as other because. you're sharing the same space already. We've both chosen to be in this comedy. club. We've both chosen to engage in. this moment. We've both chosen We've. both chosen Do you Do you get what I'm. saying? >> Mhm. And then inadvertently you become. more the same than you would have been. otherwise. >> Which is why. being around people is important. That's I think one of the things I love. most about your work is.

it. I I don't know how to articulate this. properly, but it's like there are some. things on the internet that do not feel. like they're about people. even though they involve people. And then your show like Okay, so let's. say like subway takes. I'm I'm pretty certain I'm not the only. person who feels this. It makes me want. to speak to people on the subway because. I feel like they might have an opinion. or an idea on the world, right? The same. thing with Keep the Meter Running. it made me want to talk to taxi drivers.

cuz I was like, "I wonder what this. person thinks. I wonder what that person. But it But it But it it it connects you. to a side of humanity that I think a lot. of the time the internet doesn't. A lot. of the time the internet I feel treats. people as objects. You can do a thing to a person. You can. play a prank on them. You can, you know, make them angry. You can scare them. You. can But they themselves. are just, you know, a device that gets you to your. end goal. They aren't part of it. Right. Does that. make sense? And your work for the most.

part feels Yeah, yeah, they're props. But with you I go. your work wouldn't survive without like. the people in a good way. >> For sure. Yeah, I I mean, it's it's. really. >> [sighs]. >> like it's it's about having fun, honestly, in the real world. Like. obviously, it's on video, but. >> Yeah, yeah, yeah. I am having fun. That's good, man. That's the best way. >> It's really amazing. I'm And I I am so. like grateful and fortunate and happy. and excited that I get to have fun. As.

It's literally what I set out to do. Like hang out. And now I'm hanging out. full-time for a living. And it just. couldn't have gone any better. And I I. I'm I'm really lucky that that people. love the shows. Like I said, it was. never about going viral. It was about. let me try to do what I think is cool. and what I think is fun and what I think. will work. And hopefully people like it. But I remember before So so Keep the. meter running when on hiatus and then I. was like, okay, I need to find an idea. while this is on pause. to do because I was like I had this.

ambition of making a TV show and. you know, pitching and blah blah blah. And like obviously, Hollywood is. not chill at the moment. So [laughter]. So I, you know, it was like when on. hiatus and while I was on hiatus. Hollywood is not chill. I mean, I had a. baby. I I did my whole life changed. And. then eventually Hollywood is not chill. at the moment. >> It's really not. >> [laughter]. >> It's really not. That's That's we're.

here. Oh, man. And uh. You know what's ironic though is is the. machine is going to come for you cuz. this this is what I find happens all the. time. is. people. people are rejected by the machine. Then there are some. who beg the machine to welcome them in. Then there are others like yourself who. go, "I'm just going to build my own. machine. I'm just going to do my own. thing.". And then. because of the success of that the.

machine goes Ah, Kareem. >> [laughter]. >> Yes, we've always believed in you. >> I know. I've always been a big fan of. your work, Kareem. Please, we'd love to. produce this. We'd love it. We love it. Keep the meter running. Let's do it. together. But instead of taxi drivers, private jets. Yes. Yes. Instead of New. York, we do it in Switzerland. Yes, Kareem. Imagine this. Yes, and now it. You know what I mean? And then they they. slowly take your idea and they just like. twist it and and stretch and whoop and.

then by the end of it you're like, "Wait, this is this is not keep the. meter running.". >> tell you in the pitches. they were like um is there you know, could we make it a competition show? And. I'm like, "You want them to compete?". >> Ah, you see. Squid Games. You want to do. Squid Games. You want blue-collar. working-class people who I think are. heroes, all of them. You want them to. compete on television for what? [ __ ]. off, man. Literally [ __ ] off. And. it was all these things that I was just.

like I couldn't find a home for this. I. want to keep it pure. And I also think, you know, with the success of Subway. Takes, the reason I like I know this. project is pure at heart because I could. be doing literally anything and I'm. choosing 4 years later to go back to. where it all started and do the same. thing that I was doing 4 years ago with. no celebrities and no money, still in. the cars, like still driving around, like it's still hard work. I still don't. have a place to piss. I still have no. studio. They don't have a place to piss. either. Uh and and it's just like it's still.

gritty. Like it's nothing's changed 4. years later. >> And the version for TV. and I'm you know, I don't hate. Hollywood. I love going to the movie. theater still. I see movies. I see. blockbusters. I see regular movies. I. see Indies. I watch TV. I think like the. top of our conversation, there is a. place for this. Yeah. And there's a place for like come over. and watch a movie. >> Yeah, yeah, yeah, definitely. And and I I wish they would like learn. is really it. You know when you see. someone like like a teen if you had a. son and he was a teenager and he was.

like smoking weed and like skipping. school, you'd be like you're doing bad. things. You're hurt hurting yourself. That's what I feel like about Hollywood. As I feel like it's smoking weed. It's. getting drunk. It's not doing what it's. supposed to do. And I just want it to. succeed, but they're not succeeding. And. that's okay. They can they will. eventually somebody maybe will realize. something or the industry will change or. there will be new industries like there. are every day, you know, like. >> Yeah. I I think there are three things. that I spent a lot of time trying to.

understand the failings of Hollywood. And. there are three things that that that. always stick out to me. One is what what my manager said to me. very very long ago when I was. when I was even like trying to go into. Hollywood. I was I was like this is not. my thing. I like stand-up comedy. I. still love stand-up comedy more than. anything. >> Mhm. And. one day I was like why does it feel like. everyone's making the same show or. everyone's trying to do the same thing. or and he said you have to understand. this about Hollywood. In Hollywood everyone's in a mad dash to.

be second. >> [laughter]. >> That's so good. >> And so he said you will spend all your. time trying to convince people in. Hollywood that something's a good idea. They won't see it. They won't accept it. But let it become big somewhere, you. will see everyone now try to do it. So. you look at a show like. The Office. Mhm. Right? Before The. Office, mockumentaries aren't really a. thing in that way. You know, they they. they aren't like. network television. Yeah, they're like. niche. Yeah, they are niche. The Office. comes in, blows and then you you.

literally now could not stop counting. the shows that are mockumentary. You. know, Parks and Rec, Modern Family, you. name it. Like they everyone was like, "Do they look at the camera and. with a quirky expression? Well, we'll take it.". Everyone starts doing it, right? You go, "Oh, we'll make an old show. We'll make the Oh, no, no, no." Game of. Thrones, the period after Game of. Thrones where people were making old. shows where, you know, it's just like, "I My brother would never stand for this. and will die for Valhalla." Everyone's.

making it. So, that was the first thing that that. that stuck with. >> to be second is crazy. Like the. >> is in a mad dash to be second in. Hollywood. So, one Marvel movie will mean. everyone's now going to make them. Everyone's going to make a superhero. something. The second thing was told to me by. somebody who works inside like the. studios and stuff and he said, "Do not take for granted how everyone in. this business is just trying to not get. fired.".

So, they don't want to make the wrong. choice. They don't want to do the wrong thing. They do whatever they think their boss. thinks is right. They don't want to. shake anything up because all they don't. want to do is get fired. They're not trying to make the most. beautiful thing. Even if they want to, by the way. I'm not even like slamming. them. But, they are so afraid of losing. the job that they just don't They don't. move. Mhm. That was the second thing. And then the third one I think is more. institutional. I think you can draw a direct line Like.

let's say just in the movie business. You can draw a direct line between the. monopolization of movie theaters. and studios with the decreasing quality. of films that we get. All right? One of. my favorite stories is. the story of Back to the Future. Mhm. Back to the Future is one of the most. successful movies ever made, like box. office-wise. But that movie didn't start as number. one. Didn't didn't start as number two. Didn't You know what I mean? If you watch its its earnings at the box. office, it does the opposite of every.

movie today. It starts here. and then it slowly creeps up, creeps up, and it just keeps going up. And then when I was reading why, one of. the big things was. movie houses, like, you know, cineplexes. were owned independently. And a lot of the people who owned them. just loved movies, and they were like, "What is this story? That looks. interesting. We'll take it.". >> Mhm. And they just put it in. It was like a random shot in the dark. It wasn't part of a franchise. It wasn't. part of a. And then word of mouth grew it, and they.

had space in the cinema, and they let it. grow. And then it becomes one of Now. it's an obvious story. >> Mhm. But look Just go to a cinema or look at. any When was the last time you saw them. taking a chance in that way? They don't. Mhm. But it's because it's. all like part of the AMC chain, and part. of the Regal chain, and part of the You. know what I mean? So, I think when you. when you put those three things. together, you see why Hollywood isn't exactly in a. place to make It's the antithesis of. art. >> Right. Total totally. And it's it's just.

I'm I'm like an optimist, you know what. I mean? I go into life being like. May maybe that original. vision won't come back, and maybe what's. here now won't stay, Yeah. but something. will replace it. And it might be. smaller, might be different. I don't. know what it's going to be, but I see it. happening now with with so many people. being like, "Well, I'm going to do it. myself. I'm going to put it on YouTube. I'm just going to grow my Like exactly. what you're saying. I'm going to build. my own thing." And if if if Hollywood.

does come a-knocking and says like, "Hey, we love this idea. What else you. got Do you have a competition show?" I. might go, "Yeah, I do have a competition. show. It's not this one. cuz it's not a competition show, but I. might have one. Like it doesn't like I'm. I'm like platform agnostic. You know. what I mean? I think of it all. as different audiences, different. formats, different There's different. reasons. Like I I made micro-budget. indie feature film that I wrote, produced, and starred in. And it's now.

streaming on movie. Why? Because I just felt like I wanted. to. Like I felt like that wasn't a thing. that I wanted to do. >> Oh, I like that. Yeah, it's a nice. little film. It's like a walk-and-talk. It was super low-budget. And I just was. like, I want to make a movie. I want to. like I've never done that before. Like. let's make a movie. Huh. >> And so I figured out how to make a. movie. And it was awesome. And I would. love to make another movie, but I don't. want to write it cuz it's so much work. >> [laughter]. >> Writing is. >> want to hang. >> Dude, that is so true. Like. writing is not hanging out.

>> not. It's the opposite of hanging out. >> Mary Neely, which made the whole thing a. lot easier. Because you know how we. wrote the movie? She'd come over. We'd hang out for a. day. We'd write 10 pages. And then we'd see each other again in. like 3 weeks. Hang out another 10 pages. >> Yeah, and it but it was hanging out. I. I forced it into becoming hanging out. But me writing alone, dude, I can barely. It's a terrible experience. >> I mean I don't that's like you're a. stand up I don't know how.

>> a terrible experience. I I've never done. that. But you write stand up jokes. I write I write them on on stage. Oh. Yeah, I've almost never written anything. I've never written anything down. >> Wow. I've never I write on stage. >> You're a freestyler. No, I No, no, no. It's It's more that I I have ideas in my. head. >> Mhm. And then when I get to the stage, I. go, all right. Let's now That's what the. comedy club is for. Is let's now see. which ingredients work better or don't. work. This word did not work. That. sentence did not work. That idea worked.

Let's move the sentence around. Let's. move the words around. Let's do it. again. Let's do it again. Let's do it. again. That's That's how I do it, but I. don't. I. I The only It's not like a fancy thing. It's because my writing is too formal. So, once I start writing. Don't love me cream. Have you tried Have. you tried writing stand-up jokes? >> I've even tried like journaling. You. know when people go, "You should. journal." I get stuck in like the. grammar. So, like my journal will start. will be like It'll be like journal. entry. I'll put like the date, and then. I'll go like.

So, another day. another thought. Here we are. And then. I'm like, "What are you doing?" I'm. like, "You never You don't think like. this." But when I when I start writing, my brain goes to like, "Well, this is. how it should be, and there's a. structure, and the So, I can't I can't. write anything and be chill. When I was. at The Daily Show, I developed a system. where I would just like talk the things, and then we'd put that down. Because as. soon as I got to like a keyboard. Nah, man. >> like you were working at the UN You were. sending a UN correspondence. >> no, no, no.

>> what? Have you Have you ever read The. Artist's Way? The Artist's Way? No. It's a pretty good. book, and it has like a series of. workshops in it. >> Uh-huh. And one of the things that might. be helpful for you is that they're like, "Write these pages every morning, three. pages of whatever you want. It doesn't. have to be jokes. >> Yeah, yeah, yeah. It doesn't have to be. diary. It doesn't have to be anything. You can just write the same word. >> Yes. And then throw it away. And it it is it is supposed to help you. get away from. I I don't know if everyone has that.

problem, but it's supposed to get you. away from the idea that writing is meant. to be read. Yeah, I I don't I don't think I have. that issue. I don't think of people. having to read it. It's like I've been. trained so much in a particular thing. When I tell you. I think I think you can break the habit, man. Okay, but your habit has to Your habit. has to surpass like how many years you. did the thing for. >> [gasps]. >> I wrote thousands and thousands of. letters as a child. This was like part of my like part-time.

jobbing. There are sentences and there are. structures that are in my brain when I. see it written down. I can't I can't. This is so funny to me. It's like it's. like I was I was doing gymnastics from. the age of 11 and now you're saying like. let me teach you how to just randomly. fall. I can't fall. I balance. This is. what I do. Oh. Well, maybe there's no help. I'll try. I'll. try. I'll try. >> Don't try. No, I'll try. I'll try for. the sake of You could if you want to.

No, no, I'll try. because I because I want to see what. will happen. >> want to I wanted you to jot something. down. I want you to look read all of. Jeffrey Epstein's emails. and [laughter] be like, I can do this. I can do this. It's really. frees you. It frees you. Yes, maybe if. he focused on the grammar, he would have. been a better man. Maybe. >> Maybe that's the first step. >> Maybe. If you if you know where the. period should be, maybe you would stop. Maybe that's what it is.

godliness is next to godliness. There it. is. I'm just thankful that you're not an. all lowercase guy. No, I'm not. You know any all lowercase. guys? I do. Yeah, I do. How old are. they? Uh 20. Okay, I have a friend who's like 43. No. >> And has a kid. No. >> And he's all lowercase and I. this might be the first time that he. knows about this, but. brother, you got to Yeah, that's not. You're you're you're an adult man. It's time to use proper caps lock at the.

very least. No, no, no. At the beginning. of a sentence at least. Yeah, you don't. have to use periods or No, no, no, but. just start just start it off as if you. knew the sentence was beginning. >> There's a real tone when it's all. lowercase. It's a real like, I'm a. little [ __ ] It's just It's just like. >> [laughter]. >> at an at an age it's wrong. It's really. It's. >> Yeah, if you're young, it's like, I do. not care for the constraints that. society has created for me. Yes. But when you're old, you're just like, what what happened? Did you forget? Did. you never know? Yeah. No, no, I think.

you need to. >> You're not punk. You should go into the. group chat and you should say this. I I. I I I he has thin skin. He has really thin skin. I'm just. kidding, you don't have thin skin. >> [laughter]. >> I don't want to offend you. And I have I. have I have told him. I have told him. I. just think that at certain point. You know what? I switched from all. lowercase to regular caps lock and look. at me. 33. Here you are now. >> Same Finally [snorts] successful. >> Exactly. And I think it might have had. something to do with it.

>> Changed everything. >> It changed everything. >> Yeah, now now you're Now your daughter. will be proud. Dress for the job you. want. >> Yeah, how's that going by the way? How's. How's fatherhood treating you? >> It's honestly the the most amazing thing. I've ever done in my life. >> Don't say that cuz everyone says that. >> I'm not. >> That's boring. >> At first I didn't say that. I would be. on podcast and people would be like, you. have a kid and I'd be like, yeah, it's. all right. Literally. >> Oh, okay, great. >> say that. >> Okay. You know, up to up until about a. year, when I really genuinely was. honest, I was like, it's good. Wait, wait, wait, wait. So, what what. changed?

I think with men or maybe just my. experience. >> Yeah. you know, the mom and the baby have a. relationship. Oh, yeah, yeah. Okay, no, no, this is real. I think this is. completely. >> months, I mean, it's not paying rent, but it's living in her stomach. >> No, no, no, this is this I can agree. with you on. >> they have a feeling and they feel each. other's heartbeat, they feel each. other's bodies and then it comes out and. they are bonded. And then it looks at me. and [clears throat] I go, "Kind of weird looking. Why is the head. look like that? Is the head not. perfect?" Like I'm just like, I want a. perfect head. And it's just crying, it.

doesn't care about me cuz I don't. provide milk. I don't provide I don't. provide anything. I don't even provide. barely any warmth. Big guy, but you. know, why would you want to hug me when. you could hug her mom? So, all of these. things make it feel like like almost. like there's a stranger. in the house. Okay. And of course I. loved her, right? Like I loved her. I. felt deep love for her. But, when she started treating me. like I was a human. You know what I. mean? It's almost like we when we. started seeing the human in each other.

>> Right. Right. that's when it became like. it is a cliché because it's true. It. became something that is like so. I don't know. It's weird, man. It's. really weird. I It's shocking how much I. love her. I've never loved anyone more. than her. >> That's beautiful. >> Yeah, it's the best thing I've ever. done. That's really, really beautiful. >> It's really unbelievable. And honestly. like. I'm grateful it's a girl. cuz. it's it's just I don't know, dude. Being. a girl dad is cool.

But you don't know what the alternative. is. Well. I'm happy for you. >> imagine. No, no, no, but I'm happy I'm. not I'm not saying I'm I'm not happy, but I'm saying you Yeah, but the. relation I don't know that. >> you you would be There's another. universe where you're sitting opposite. me being like, "Oh, and I'm glad it's a. boy because, man, being a boy dad is. >> just playing devil's advocate. But. everyone knows a girl dad is a special. thing. Ask Kobe. No, I'm I'm not I'm not. That's a crazy one to say ask, but. >> [laughter]. >> I'll ask Bearman of Bio. That's who I. will ask.

>> No, no, no. I think I think um I hear. what you're saying, but I think all of. them are special because they just You. know what I mean? So, I think I think. there's a world. But I I you know, it's funny. I I want. to talk to an like an expert about this. cuz I I know we had Audisee Brooks on. the podcast and. he talked about small things that we. take for granted in relationships. One. of them being for instance that um. women I think receive more oxytocin from. eye contact than men do. And then it made me wonder like with. babies, maybe there's something there.

Mhm. where when women are like looking. at a baby, they're actually getting. something that maybe men aren't in the. same way. >> Mhm. And maybe we're not designed to get. it because of like back in the day we're. supposed to be like running out and and. going and fighting and something so that. you can't have that feel I don't know. Or you look someone in the eyes it means. you want to fight. Oh, yeah, this is. true. Now you like got to fight my baby. No, but when I look like it's also just. weird to like look when I look at her in. the eyes and I do now say I'm like. >> so weird cuz like I can see myself. It's.

just really weird to like look at It's a. weird It's just a weird. >> at a version of you. >> Yeah, it's a weird thing that you can't. experience unless it happens, you know. what I mean? >> Yeah, yeah, yeah. I never actually even. really wanted kids. I was always like if. it happens it happens That was my whole. vibe and. and then I had one and I was like this. is the coolest thing that's ever. happened to me. But I was I was never. like a baby crazy guy. Um and I never was like [clears throat]. I need to be a dad. I have friends that. are like want to be a dad. >> Yeah, yeah, yeah. and I was like I could. take it or leave it. But now that I've. had one I do want more.

And I would love in an ideal world to. have a bunch, but I think it's because. it's not an ideal world it's impossible. to have a bunch for me. But. how many does your partner want? I think we're both going to go for like. she's cool with one more. Okay. >> I'm cool with one more. Do you have any? >> It's crazy that No, I don't. But this is. crazy that it was like. there's a time when it was just like. six. I would love that. You would? >> I would love it. >> what would you What would you love about. it? How many how many siblings are you. Are you in the Are you. >> I have a brother and sister. Okay, so.

you wanted three. Oldest, youngest, middle? I'm oldest. Okay. How are you? I'm oldest of three boys. Okay. >> Yeah, when we're like huge gap 10 years. 10 years. Wow. Yeah. So it's like. complete generational. >> Yeah. Yeah. So our parents were like. we'll get around to it. So I was we I'm. from. my dad and my mom and then the two of. them have a different dad. Yeah. But. it's it's What's crazy is when you have. such a big gap it's almost like you're. all single kids. >> Mhm. You just have your own you know, there was never like a toy issue, there. was never a you're all doing your own.

thing, you're not even at the same. schools at the same time, you're not in. high school at the same time, you're not. in You know what I mean? >> Yeah, and the difference between 20 and. 10 is crazy. >> Yeah, yeah, yeah, no, it's it's. completely Okay. My my brother and. sister we're all like very close in age. Um and I I don't know. It's not I don't. even look at it from like I want them to. have siblings. I look at it as like I. want a bunch of little kids hugging my. legs. Like and then I also fast. >> go be a mall Santa. >> [laughter]. >> You know that That's a much cheaper way. to achieve your dream. And but then the. fast forward part when I'm like 70 Yeah.

I like and I look at a table of my kids. I'm imagining that it feels as good as. when I see my baby. You know what I. mean? Oh, yeah. Okay. >> like seeing the adults, you're like. damn, I did this. Like they're all happy. and like hopefully, you know, like Do. you ever wonder what happens to the. people where like all their kids hate. them? Yeah, or if your kids are uncool and you. hate them. I don't think your kids can I. think if your kids are uncool, this is a. complete reflection on you. You don't. think there's parents out there that are.

like my kid's a loser and I don't like. that kid? >> Yeah, but I think it's on you. I I. That's my take. It's completely on you. Like 100% on you. Because here's the. thing. I You cannot make the human. being, but you have almost complete control as. to what that human being interacts with. So, what movies are they first watching. as a child? What books are they reading? What games are they playing? Where are. they going? What clothes are they. wearing? What Like this is all you. putting in raw materials. The world is. going to have an impact, but I don't. know if if there's any parent who's like.

my kid's a loser, I'm like, "Yeah, you. made a loser." [laughter]. I'm not saying they're not a loser. I'm. saying you made a loser. That That's. That's happening. Yeah, but I'm saying. you made a loser. >> Right. You made a loser. It's It's on. the It's on the parents. It's on the. parents. You made a loser, man. Do you. want Do you want to get kids? Yeah, I'm. like you. I'm agnostic. I'm You're like. if it happens, it happens. >> it happens, it happens. If it doesn't, it doesn't. And I'm just like, you know, because sometimes I meet kids and I'm. like. these things are beautiful and. wonderful. And then sometimes I meet. them and I'm like, this is like the. spawn of Satan. I don't wish for this in. my life. >> always super ambivalent. I was always.

like, "Meh." Yeah. >> You know what I mean? I was like, "Whatever. I don't care." Like people. will be like, "Look at my baby." I'll be. like, "Cool.". Very cool. Babies are boring to be. honest with They are. They are. I never. understand why people are like, "Look at. my baby." Yeah. >> The worst is when they show you pictures. of a baby and you're like, "Every baby. looks a version of the same." They're. like, "No, it's cute. My one is extra. cute." It's like, "It's not. It's really. not." Yeah. I've I've It's like when you. get a dog, I've like then you start. noticing other people's dogs. Oh, yeah. So, now that I have a baby, I'm like. >> Now you see. >> I see other I see You now have baby. eyes. >> Dude, it's so weird. I'll be like in the.

airport and I'll be like, "Oh, look at. that cute little kid." Which is so. weird. You know what [laughter] I mean? I'll be like I'll I'll like notice. little kids and like be like, "Oh, that. one's so cute." Yeah, it's But it. And And when Karina, my my wife was. pregnant, like I started noticing. >> Is it Kareem and Karina? Yeah. Wow. >> Yeah. Damn. Pretty nice. Okay. But then. I started noticing pregnant people. >> It's nice until people are like trying. to call you in a house or in a space. So, like how many times do people shout. one and then you both respond? Karina! Kareen! It's No, not all the. time. It's not ideal. But yeah, I I had.

a funny prank about naming the kid. Karima. That would be good. It's a good prank. >> You see, now that's good. >> [laughter]. >> That's confusing. >> That's fantastic. >> Kareem, Karima, and Karina. >> No, you see, now that That's worth. having a kid for. And if it's ideally I would time it to. the next leap year. So, it could also have a funny birthday. Jesus. >> [laughter]. >> So, Karima born on leap year. And it's.

like, "What's your name?" "My name's. Karima." "When's your birthday?" "Oh, it. only happens once every 4 years.". >> 29th of February. >> Like that's a sad life. That's actually the greatest life, by. the way. Leap year baby? Uh anything. [laughter] anything weird baby. Birthmark? Cool birthmark? >> No, like they they just say you know, your name, your anything, it just. creates some resistance in life that. will add a little spice to your. existence. It It won't be easy. necessarily, but it'll be like, "What's your name?".

"Karima." "I'm sorry?". Already you've engaged somebody. Right. You already. >> name?" John. John. We move on with our. lives. There's no pause. There's no. nothing. "Uh what's your date of birth?". 29th of February. "29th of February? Wait. You're a leap year baby?". They've made friends. >> Right. Spice of life. Spice of life. >> Just to have parents that are evil. Yeah. You've got to have parents who are. willing to like just Do you know what I. mean? Push the limit a little bit. >> Just give you a little Give you a little. edge. Okay. But you didn't go with the. prank name. No. I went with like a. beautiful name that I.

really love. Yeah. Okay. But I'm already. thinking of names for the next one. All. right. Good intention, but you know, whatever. Yeah. Are you going to come on. the show? Which show? My show. Yeah. Which one? Subway Sex. Oh. I thought. >> Unless you want to come on the cab ride. >> Keep the meter running. >> also take you on a cab ride. >> I would actually love to go on a cab. ride. >> I'm sure I can find a. >> of my favorite favorite favorite I was. actually when I was thinking of your. show, I was going, "I hope you do a. London version." London cabbies might be. my favorite cabbies. in the whole world. >> They're unbelievable. >> Have you seen what they have to do to. become cabbies in London? It's called.

the knowledge. Yeah. >> Yeah. And it is truly the knowledge. >> Yeah. It's human AI contained in a tiny. little beautiful black box that has a. turning circle that no vehicle should. possess. >> These guys know. everything. Every time I'm in London in a taxi, I. will ask them for a recommendation for. food, for a show, for and they'll just. they'll just go off. >> They know everything. They just know. everything. >> cuz you go, "It's on the corner of Oh, yeah. Yeah. Yeah. No. It's on the corner. of Middle Ditch and High Street.

>> Is that next to the fish and chip shop? >> [laughter]. >> And then you're like, "Yeah.". >> right then." Yeah. And then they're just. >> And then they just And then they're off. >> It's so magical. Yeah. They have to. memorize every You know they have to. >> Every They have to memorize every. street. >> Yes. Every single street. Isn't that. crazy? And you know how they do it? >> is that because of that, I feel like. they also have this ability to recall. That's what I mean. They'll tell me. about passengers who really loved a. thing. And so they go They're like a. like a real human aggregates of. information and they'll say to you, they'll be like, "Well, a lot of people.

have been talking." They were talking. through the glass backwards at you. through the speaker. So, it's like they. shout things. "A lot of people have been saying it's a. really great experience. You got to go. there. You got You A lot of people. loving it. You got You got to get out. there. WELL, I DON'T I'VE never been, but a lot of the I A lot of my. passengers have been saying it's great.". And every time I pick up someone, they. said they're great. And you're like, "Oh, [ __ ] Okay." Yeah. They're amazing. They are truly, truly amazing. >> No, they're they're incredible. Yeah, yeah, yeah. No, I I love that. So, I. would I would do it. Would I come on. Subway Takes? I I would, but I'm Okay, let me ask you this. How how would you.

And actually, how do you insulate people. from sort of coming on to try and have a. take? Like, what do you mean? I can only assume some people come on. Subway Takes thinking like, "Yeah, I'm. going to say this because it'll get a. response." And then you probably have to. step in and be like, "Uh-uh. That's That's not what we're doing. here." How do you How do you keep it. authentic for lack of a better word? >> I I I like have a little bit of a.

process. So, my. producer Ramy, he's a young man, young. Ramy. That's his nickname. I give. everyone a Trump nickname now, but. usually nice. So, like young Ramy. Young. Ramy. Yeah, and he is young. He's so. young. So young. You know. Doesn't look that young when you meet. him, but he's a young man. Young man. Young Ramy. Wow. He's going to like. that. He's going to like this clip. He's going to like this clip cuz he is. young. He's a young stand-up. So, he.

synthesizes the takes. He receives them. He's the first to receive them. He. checks for duplicates. Oh, so no one has. a take that another person has. I like. this already. He checks for duplicates. He also like gets clarity if somebody's. like boo boo boo boo boo boo boo boo boo. boo boo boo boo boo boo boo boo boo boo. Okay. >> "What does that mean?". >> Okay. Okay. >> means nothing, he's like get a new one. And if it means something, he's like, "Okay, that is interesting." Ah. >> So, so he kind of vets the takes and has. this little process of elimination where.

cuz some people come on and they're over. prepared. That's what I mean. Which is awful. Yeah, that's what I mean. Okay, okay, this is what I mean. Yeah, I I don't. like when someone's cuz if if they send. if it's like Ramy's getting the take and. it's like this long, >> Okay. I'm like, "Over prepared.". >> Okay, got it. >> That's you're coming on to do a bit. Every once in a while. we'll like plan a bit or something. Somebody will be like, "I have this idea. I want to do this thing on your show.". >> And then I'll be like, "Okay, that's a. funny idea. It's never been done before. Let's do it.". Um so, that's really it. It's just like. a little process of that. And then when. we meet in real life, I'm like, "So,

what is it?" And you're like, "Blah blah. blah." And I'm like, "Okay, great." And. then we just do it. Ah, okay. I'll join. you. >> you have a bit, No, I don't I don't want to do a bit. You don't want to? No, no, I I. definitely don't want to do a bit. I'm. so bitted out. You're done. I'm bitted. out, my friend. >> from bits. Yeah, I'm just like. There's nothing to be. bitting about. No, it's not it's not. even that. It's just I I uh. I'm I'm I'm in a stage of my life where. I am in the pursuit of. of um. the least bitty things possible.

Do you know what I mean? But still funny. Yeah, yeah, yeah, but I. but not like bits. I don't want I don't. want to Yeah, I'm just liking the. >> a bit phase. Ah, I like this. >> bits. >> No, no, bits I mean they are great when. you're in the mood for them. It's a great bit. Yeah, but when you're. not when you're bitless, Yeah, you're just not feeling the bit. I think I'm just bitted out. I mean, you. know when you do like late night so many. years, every day of the of the week is a. bit. It's like, "What's the bit? What. bit are we doing here? What's a bit? Do. we have a bit for this guest? Do we have. a bit for that? Do we have a bit for. that thing? You got to do a bit for.

this. Oh, we got to needs to be a bit. Needs to be a bit. This is just like too. many bits.". That's my dream meeting. Yeah, I know. What you just described. No, no, I would. love to sit in a meeting and say that. No, hey, man. You you're welcome, but after after. many, many, many, many years of doing it. every single day of the week, you go. like I. Have you ever talked to people who like. work at like a KFC? Yes. Yeah. [laughter]. Have you asked them whether they like. want to eat KFC? Right. They they don't. >> You just go like That's so sad.

>> Yeah, it's like it's not about the. chicken itself. It's just you man. I've. I've. I've. I've I'm done. That's so funny. >> I'm done for now. Right. Yes, so for now. in my life I'm I'm. >> you see a great bit. do you do you still say do you still say. that's a great bit? >> No, I love it. So I mean cuz funny is. funny, good is good. I I I don't have. that. But I do think I've been a little. desensitized. So I might do that. unfortunately. I'll be like, hm, that. was a good bit. >> [laughter]. >> Well executed bit. >> Well, I'm not going to do a bit if. you're not going to do a bit. No, no, no, no. I'm just saying. I'll just say. that is a good when I see a bit I'll.

just go that is a good bit. >> You deliver it in a neutral tone. I find I no longer have the like the the. thing that comes out of me spontaneously. because I'm I'm constantly monitoring. for the bit to occur. You say it how you. would type it. Yeah, I go that is a good bit. >> That is a good bit. >> That is a fantastic bit. This happens to. stand-up comedians all the time. If you. look at like stand-ups who've been. stand-up for a very long time, at some. point they don't laugh at most things. They go that's funny. That's a good. joke. >> They'll be like yo, that was yo that was. >> That's funny. Yeah, I've seen people do.

that. They go that's funny. >> [ __ ] Yo, that's a good joke. No laughter. Yeah. So then the laugh. actually starts to come from where it. wouldn't have come like if you if you. watch comedians in the back of a comedy. club watching comedians. they laugh when the audience isn't. laughing. Like they they you know what I. mean? They're laughing in the in the. >> laughing on the one and three. Audience. is laughing, you know, on the two and. four. >> Yes. And comedians will just like laugh. at a random thing. And you know when a. comedian's watching cuz they'll laugh. at a moment when no one else is. laughing. You know? So Yeah, I love.

that. >> come. I'll come. I'll I'll do it. >> Yeah, come on. Don't do don't do a bit. I'll I'll Maybe we'll do a bit. No. >> Maybe you will reignite my love and my. passion for bits. >> You're a bit guy. You can't say you. don't want. >> but I only want to do a bit with someone. who wants to, but I won't make you do a. bit. No, no, you won't make me. You. could inspire me to do a bit. >> you do anything. You could inspire me to. do a bit. Wouldn't that be an amazing story? The. comeback of the bit. Huh? Trevor Noah comes in. >> a documentary at Tribeca. And he's like, I thought bits were over. in my life. And then I met this guy,

Kareem. And let me tell you something. >> good of voices. [laughter]. Let me tell you something. He got me. doing bits again, that guy, Kareem. Oh, he got me back in the bits. It could be the beginning. >> [sighs]. >> This has been great, man. Thank you so much for having me. Thank. you very much. Great bit. >> [laughter]. >> Is the bit over? >> [gasps]. >> Uh, this is great. That's it? Yeah. Okay, great. No, man, thank you for. real. >> Thank you, thank you so much. That was. so fun.

>> This is too much fun. Crazy that you. didn't tell me that we were recording. I mean, we we roll. Kind of nice. Cuz. otherwise it's you see, that's another. thing I don't I don't want someone to. like go like. that thing. [music] Yeah, sure. No, it's. really cool to roll into it like that. I've actually that's never happened to. me before. I appreciate it. Yeah. Yeah. I mean, just roll. And then if someone. goes like, oh, I don't include them, we. don't include. It's it's not a it's not. a trick or anything. >> lot of fun. I just don't want someone. Yeah, yeah, just [music] start. Cuz I've. seen people do that. So, you go like, are we ready? Let's begin. And then I. watch them change their posture.

>> what you're talking about. And then they. go, well, Trevor. Aw, [ __ ]. >> the camera comes out, that's when. I freak out. Well, Trevor, it's funny. you ask me that. Thank you so much for watching the. episode. If you enjoyed it, pass it on. to a friend. If you didn't enjoy it, pass it on to your friend still. Let them suffer for a change. And don't. forget to engage with us in the. comments. If you want to suggest a. guest, maybe there's [music] questions. you want, maybe there's ideas that you. have, you can chat to us. We will read. through the comments and we'll get into.

[music] it. Either way, I appreciate you. taking the time. Thank you for hanging. out with us on What Now. And remember, we do this for you, [music] so we would. like to hear from you. Till next time. Thank you.