SideTalk

Sidetalk is a comedic, one-minute, man-on-the-street Instagram show that captures the unfiltered personalities and culture of New York City. The series was created in the fall of 2019 by Trent Simonian and Jack Byrne during their freshman year as students at New York University. Simonian had prior experience hosting and producing a similar interview-style show in high school, while Byrne had interned for the online personality "The Fat Jewish".

The show's format consists of short, humorous, and sometimes surreal interviews with various individuals encountered on the streets of NYC. Episodes often begin with the iconic "bing-bong" sound of the NYC subway doors closing. Sidetalk gained significant viral traction, notably with the "Bing Bong" trend in 2021, which originated from an episode covering the New York Knicks' season opener and was later adopted by celebrities and even President Joe Biden. The duo's success led to them signing with Brillstein Entertainment Partners and WME in April 2021. They have also received multiple Streamy Awards nominations and were named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 list for Social Media in 2024.

The business operates as a digital media brand, generating revenue through collaborations and partnerships. They have worked with brands like Spotify on branded playlists and Live Nation for events. The show has featured numerous celebrity guest hosts, including Drake, Travis Scott, and Cardi B, further expanding its reach. In addition to their entertainment content, Simonian and Byrne have engaged in community initiatives, such as a holiday drive to raise money for homeless women and children in New York.

Keywords: man-on-the-street, New York City, street interviews, comedy series, digital media, social media entertainment, viral content, Instagram show, Jack Byrne, Trent Simonian, NYC culture, short-form video, content creators, WME, Brillstein Entertainment Partners, Streamy Awards, Forbes 30 Under 30, Bing Bong, viral trend, NYC characters