Improvised street interviews have become the internet’s favorite way to take a city’s temperature. Now, Kansas City has its own version.
Launched in January, KC Streetcar Takes is a video series that borrows the spirit of viral social formats like New York’s SubwayTakes while showcasing what makes this city so special: its people.
The project’s team is an impressive dock of creative local talent. There’s Matt Keck, the on-camera host and a comedian who ran the Wendy’s Twitter account for a decade. Keck is also known for creating the viral video “I’m a Snake,” racking up 35 million views before Instagram algorithms even existed. These days, Keck works for actor Ryan Reynolds’ production company Maximum Effort but calls Independence home. David Henderson handles production and videography, and Patrick Moore co-produces and manages guest bookings alongside his audio work.
Keck says he wants the world to understand why everyone here loves Kansas City. For him, this project is different from his usual comedy work. “This is the realest project you’ll get from me,” he says. “This is entirely unscripted, out in the real world, talking to people I might never have the chance to otherwise.”
The concept of the series is simple: Ride the streetcar, strike up conversations, and capture the hot takes riders want to share. Episodes feature a mix of invited guest hosts (local business owners, creatives and community leaders) and impromptu conversations with everyday riders. The goal, according to Moore, is to “highlight local business owners, maybe have some people from some charities that people don’t know about. Just highlight people in the community.”
Moore says early guests have included Adam Roberts, owner of Screenland Armour, and local comedian Brittany Tilander. The team is already dreaming big, though, and has “The Big Slick” major players on its wish list. (Looking at you, Jason Sudeikis).
The series launch coincides with a major turning point for the streetcar itself. Last October, the streetcar’s $352 million Main Street extension opened to riders, adding 3.5 miles of track and ultimately connecting River Market to UMKC. It was the first time streetcars had gone south of Pershing Road since 1957. The streetcar has become a central artery for the city.
The breakthrough idea for KC Streetcar Takes came when the production crew connected with Donna Mandelbaum, the KC Streetcar Authority’s marketing and communications coordinator. A New York native herself, she immediately saw the potential and helped coordinate the efforts.
What makes Streetcar Takes work is Keck’s commitment to the improvised nature of it all. He doesn’t want to see questions or discussion topics beforehand. “I want people to get the true natural reaction to the things we’re talking about,” he says. “I’m going to be funny, but it’s also going to be real. We need a little more reality going around these days.”
Moore says they’re planning to record in bulk to streamline production. And the timing couldn’t be better with KC gearing up to host World Cup matches and continuing its growth as a destination city. “I think the streetcar could be a great option for that,” Henderson says, “and also a way to lean into helping people see what other people in town are doing.”
Catch the series on Instagram, YouTube and TikTok via the KC Streetcar Takes (@kcstreetcartakes) and KC Streetcar (@kcstreetcar) accounts.
