Morris Cornbread is the charismatic force behind one of New York City’s most recognizable TikTok shows, Subway Oracle.
Born and raised in Queens, Cornbread began his creative journey with pranks, subway stunts, and “fortune teller” bits, all recorded with friends on YouTube. He later moved to Instagram and TikTok before returning to YouTube with the Cornbread Show, a late-night-style talk show on the train.
Cornbread’s natural humor was evident early on. David E, his best friend and now a key member of the production team, told amNewYork, “Morris is one of the funniest people I know. We joke and create every single day, not just for Oracle, but making funny concepts in general.”
As his videos gained attention, Morris’s energy and originality only grew bolder and more creative. During the pandemic, he connected with Drew Rosenthal, creative producer and co-creator of Subway Oracle, and Sol Betesh, co-founder of Fallen Media, the studio behind the show.
Rosenthal recalled, “I met Morris through a mutual friend and I just loved the content he was making. Morris is the king of subway and prank content. I really vibed with his sense of humor. His videos were everywhere online, and he was one of the top people I wanted to work with in New York.”
Betesh added, “When I saw those stunts, I was flipping out and telling all my friends. I knew there was something special.” Together, the team blended Morris’s humor and spontaneity with a polished production approach, bringing Subway Oracle to life and capturing the city’s unique energy in every episode.
Subway Oracle is deeply tied to New York, and the city itself plays a central role in the show’s energy. Betesh explains, “It’s 100% the people. New York is known worldwide. You see it in movies, TV shows, and even on TikTok feeds, people immediately recognize it. But it’s more than that. The energy here, the authenticity of New Yorkers, the excitement to contribute to content, you don’t get that anywhere else.”
E added that the subway itself is key: “The subways are great because millions of people take them every day. You encounter all types of lives and experiences, and you never know what someone’s going through. By interacting with just one person, you could make their day better. That kind of authenticity is what makes New York and the subway so special for storytelling.”
Scouting people for interviews is at the heart of Subway Oracle. When asked what he looks for, Cornbread explains, “We look for interesting people, people who just seem like they’ve got something to say. We have questions for every type of person, the white girls, the older guys, and the baddies. Whatever the question is, I’m looking for that person, the person who represents it.”
As a natural on camera, Morris’s interviews come from genuine curiosity. “I try to listen for real. When someone’s telling me something about their life, I try to relate and find a way to add to it.” This is how Cornbread balances humor with genuine connection. “I think I’m naturally funny, so the way I react on Subway Oracle is just like real life.”
Cornbread has described Subway Oracle as “controlled chaos,” and when asked what makes a great moment on camera, he explains, “A great moment is when something unexpected happens. Some of the setups are staged, but the interactions with guests are 100% organic. Sometimes someone will say something that catches me off guard, or something happens in the background. It’s those unpredictable moments that make it special.”
Rosenthal adds, “I think my favorite parts of making Subway Oracle are just doing the zany, out-of-the-box stuff. We blend the interview format with skits and improv, and when we do something truly outrageous, deranged, and funny, that’s when it really works.”
Cornbread added, “I’m a comedian, funny guy, the man, big, caring, smart… I always go the extra mile.” When asked about dream guests, he didn’t hesitate: “Dave Chappelle, Lil Uzi, and Zohan Mandani.”
Looking ahead, Morris is planning a talk show set to premiere on Netflix. For Cornbread, platforms may change, but real connection doesn’t. “Everyone keeps saying short-form content is going to take over long-term, but I don’t see that,” he says.
Whether it’s a subway seat, a TikTok feed, or a Netflix talk show, Cornbread is betting on what he’s always done the best: showing up as himself, listening for real, and turning everyday moments into something people want to watch.
