Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud

At the end of last year, several prominent artists lost millions of streams from the Spotify bot crackdown including Doechii, Davido and BTS' Jimin. The move has sparked conversations online around the impact of artificial intelligence and inflated statistics. Music industry insiders Michelle Santosuosso and Kevin Amougou talk to Elamin Abdelmahmoud about what all of this means for the future of music. Angine de poitrine is a music duo from Saguenay, Quebec that's gone viral for performing in big masks, polka-dotted costumes and speaking in gibberish. Culture writer Dominic Tardiff explains why their music is such a surprising hit. 

Almost half of the Toronto Film Critics Association's members have resigned after it was revealed that actor Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers’ recent acceptance speech was edited to remove her support for Palestine. Canadian Press reporter Alex Nino Gheciu tells Elamin about the fallout. You can find more on this story, including the TFCA's full statement, here. Plus, film critics Hanna Flint and Kayleigh Donaldson join Elamin to unpack whether Maggie Gyllenhaal’s The Bride! works as a feminist take on one of horror’s most iconic but seldom explored characters: the bride of Frankenstein.

Harry Styles’ ‘Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally’ and BLACKPINK’s ‘Deadline’ are beckoning us back to the club with two very different takes on dance music. Culture critics Lucy Ford, Louise Bruton, and Michelle Cho share their thoughts with Elamin Abdelmahmoud.

Rap Essentials was a series of Canadian compilation albums released in the late '90s and early 2000s. The series gave fans access to new music, and inspired so many artists. Rap Essentials 2001 was particularly influential. To mark the 25th anniversary of that album, Elamin Abdelmahmoud is joined by Canadian music industry insider Craig "Big C" Mannix and journalist/publicist Dalton Higgins, to dig into the Rap Essentials series, and how it shaped culture. And Vulture’s Fran Hoepfner talks about what’s drawing people to the Benny Blanco and Lil Dicky’s talk show Friends Keep Secrets.

The Nova Scotia government announced they're making massive cuts to grants to arts and culture programs in the province. And for some artists and organizations these cuts will be catastrophic. Poet and culture critic El Jones and novelist Stephanie Domet join Elamin Abdelmahmoud to explain what’s on the line. And Scream 7 is the number one movie at the box office right now. Film critic Teri Hart shares her thoughts on the franchise’s latest entry and some of the controversy around the film.

Bruno Mars is one of those artists who produces hit after hit. He's the king of collabs and now he's back with a solo album 'The Romantic.' Culture critic Pablo The Don and musician/tv producer Romeo Candido dive into it and his pop legacy with Elamin Abdelmahmoud. And the Netflix documentary series ‘Formula 1: Drive to Survive’ has returned for its eighth season, taking viewers behind the scenes of Formula 1 racing. Producer and show super-fan Michelle Jobin explains why this show has kept audiences intrigued, particularly viewers who wouldn’t otherwise care about car racing.

Industry, the HBO drama set in the highest echelons of finance and power, presents a truly toxic tangle of relationships, politics and greed. As the season wraps up, culture critics Chris Murphy and Roxana Hadadi join Elamin Abdelmahmoud to reflect on the fourth season finale and what the show helps us understand about the cost of success. And Canadian films are struggling at the box office, according to a new industry report by Telefilm Canada, but the real problem isn’t a lack of talent or production, it’s a lack of visibility. Globe and Mail columnist Barry Hertz unpacks what’s behind the disconnect.

With the 50th season of ‘Survivor’ kicking off this week, guest host Amil Niazi is joined by fans Jael Richardson, Ashley Ray and former contestant Omar Zaheer to look back on the reality show’s rise, memorable moments and what its long term success might say about us.

Meta and Google’s YouTube are currently on trial in Los Angeles to face a lawsuit that claims the company’s platforms were deliberately designed to enhance their addictive qualities and get young users hooked on them. Tech-culture journalist Alyssa Mercante joins gust host Amil Niazi to explain what’s at stake in the trial, and how the outcome could transform the way we consume social media. Stan Douglas is one of Canada's most celebrated artists. His latest exhibit 'Tales of Empire,' on display now at the McMichael Canadian Art Collection, explores centuries of colonization all over the world. Writer André Alexis and culture critic Riley Yesno discuss the exhibit and reflect on Stan Douglas's life and work.

On the Netflix show Famous Last Words, people are interviewed about their lives knowing the conversation won't be shared until after their deaths. The second episode of the series features actor Eric Dane, whose heartfelt message to his daughters illustrates the power of a person's last words. Dr James Maskalyk and palliative care nurse Sandra Marche have witnessed many final moments, and share their thoughts on the groundbreaking series with Commotion guest host Amil Niazi.Plus, Canadian showrunner Ira Parker breathes new life into the Game of Thrones franchise with a hit spinoff called A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. Culture critic Meghan O’Keefe talks about why audiences are falling for the chemistry of Ser Duncan the Tall and his squire Egg, and what comes next in George R.R. Martin’s universe.

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) and BBC have apologized for airing a racial slur during Sunday’s BAFTA award ceremony. It happened after John Davidson, a guest with Tourette’s Syndrome, shouted offensive language at award presenters, and Sinners stars, Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo. Culture critic and activist Syrus Marcus Ware unpacks the story with host Elamin Abdelmahmoud, and discusses how it raises all kinds of questions around how we navigate race and disability.And, an award winning comedy called 'Puppet Regime’ has a lot to say about the state of global politics, satirizing leaders like Trump, Putin, and tech billionaires. Journalist and political scientist David Moscrop and puppeteer Kira Hall talk about how ‘Puppet Regime' balance serious world issues with a sense of humour.

The 2026 Winter Olympic Games have come to an end and it’s time to look back on golden moments, national disappointments and internet memes. Sports journalist Shireen Ahmed and culture critic Mel Woods reminisce and bid ciao to Milano Cortina with host Elamin Abdelmahmoud. Plus, Montreal’s Kid Koala says Charlie Chaplin movies inspired his debut animated feature, Space Cadet, which has no dialogue. Film critic Rachel Ho talks about this modern silent film with Elamin, and how it’s being received.

Writer/rapper Rollie Pemberton, Sirius XM host Tara Slone, and entertainment reporter Teri Hart join Elamin Abdelmahmoud to talk about the 2026 Olympic Games, including the women's Olympic gold medal hockey game. Plus, they discuss how the Epstein files scandal surrounding L.A. talent-agency mogul Casey Wasserman has reverberated through the worlds of entertainment and sports.

Elamin is joined by culture critics Pablo The Don, Jay Smooth and A. Harmony to discuss new albums from Jill Scott and J. Cole, and the legacy of politician and activist Reverend Jesse Jackson - and the ways Jesse Jackson’s contributions intersected with pop culture.

A new Netflix docuseries looks back at the cultural force that was America’s Next Top Model. Tyra Banks, its creator and host, sits down to face the reality show’s most controversial moments, from extreme makeovers to photoshoots in Black and brown face. Culture critics Amil Niazi, Chris Murphy and Bee Quammie join host Elamin Abdelmahmoud to talk about the legacy of America’s Next Top Model and all of its worst looks.

Ben Bankas is a Canadian comedian who’s selling out venues throughout North America with his hate-filled stand-up routine, including jokes about Renee Good, who was shot and killed by an ICE agent in Minneapolis last month. Commotion asked two comedians to go witness one of his gigs – Anne McMaster took us up on the challenge, and Ali Hassan did not. They join Elamin to talk about Ben Bankas – and why outrage sells.Plus, where online Fanfiction culture used to centre around sharing make-believe narratives about famous fictional characters, a growing subset of the community is creating stories about real celebrities engaging in imagined romantic scenarios. Elamin chats with Kat Tenbarge, who has written about this for Teen Vogue.

The year might be 2026, but for fans of Canadian indie music, it’s starting to feel a lot like 2005. Wolf Parade’s “I’ll Believe in Anything” has gone viral after making a dramatic appearance on Heated Rivalry, and Broken Social Scene’s “Anthems for a Seventeen Year Old Girl” recently went gold in Canada over two decades after its release. With the key players in the 2000s Canadian indie boom set to release new records this year, writers Michael Barclay and Rosie Long Decter explain why these established bands are connecting with younger generations. Plus, Montreal hip-hop group Muzion is being honoured with a Canadian stamp this month (February). CBC broadcaster and emcee Nantali Indongo speaks to Elamin about how the group changed Montreal hip-hop and Muzion's enduring legacy. 

The new adaptation of Wuthering Heights is sexy, but Emily Bronte fans are wondering if they read the same book as director Emerald Fennell. Film critics Hanna Flint, Jackson Weaver and Alison Willmore join guest host guest host Radheyan Simonpillai to talk about the reimagined 19th century classic, the Canadian mockumentary Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie, and pay tribute to actor James Van Der Beek, who died this week at the age of 48.

With comedian Ben Palmer’s fake immigration hotline going viral on TikTok and YouTube, Commotion guest host Radheyan Simonpillai is joined by culture critic El Jones and comedian Ashley Ray. They break down the satirical clips -- done in the style of Sacha Baron Cohen -- and explain what they reveal about our political discourse and this moment America is in. Plus - with stores in Montreal, Toronto, and Ottawa, Steve’s Music has served as a destination for generations of musicians seeking out new and vintage gear. However, in response to changing market conditions spurred by the internet, Steve’s recently announced it would be closing all but one of its five locations. Veteran blues guitarist – and long-time Steve’s customer – Danny Marks explains what its loss says about the state of the music retail today. 

Joan Chen played a series of iconic, beautiful women in the 80s and 90s, from Wan Jung in the Oscar-winning film 'The Last Emperor' to Josie Packard in David Lynch’s 'Twin Peaks.' Now in her 60s, the actor has been showing off her range in films like 'Didi,' 'The Wedding Banquet' and, most recently, 'Montreal, Ma Belle.' Culture critics Hoai-Tran Bui and Thomas Leblanc talk to guest host Radheyan Simonpillai about 'Montreal, ma belle,' Joan’s performance, and the slow-burn nature of the queer romance at the film’s centre. And New York Fashion week gets underway this week – and as they always do, designers will be trying to grab your attention. Culture critic Joan Summers says the fashion world should be paying attention to the dress that Chappell Roan recently wore to the Grammys. She’ll join Commotion guest host Radheyan Simonpillai to explain why. 

Musicians like Bruce Springsteen have quickly released anti-ICE protest songs, while folk singer Jesse Welles has become a viral sensation thanks to his hastily recorded reaction songs to current events. Slate columnist Carl Wilson and podcaster Vish Khanna talk to Commotion guest host Radheyan Simonpillai about the fine line between making an effective protest song versus merely setting topical talking points to music.

With Bad Bunny making history as the first artist to headline a Spanish-speaking performance at the Super Bowl Halftime show - Commotion guest host Radheyan Simonpillai is joined by culture critics Rosa Clemente and Reanna Cruz to discuss the performance, the debate around whether Bad Bunny should have agreed to the performance at all, and where it sits in the larger history of Super Bowl Halftime shows.Plus, poet and professor El Jones joins Radheyan Simonpillai to unpack Aquakultre's latest album ‘1783.’ It’s the Halifax artist's fourth studio album, and El Jones calls it his best work to date - an album that feels like an archive, connecting the words, sounds, and history of Black Nova Scotian life, past and present. 

Brat summer is resurrected in Charli XCX’s new mockumentary The Moment, which satirizes concert films, the pop music machine and Charli XCX herself. Culture critics Sarah-Tai Black, Jackson Weaver and Joan Summers talk about the film with guest host Radheyan Simonpillai, along with the scandal surrounding the Safdie brothers and what they’re most looking forward to at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina. 

The Muppets are back, again. The 50-year-old franchise originally created by Jim Henson has tried to reboot a few times. This time Kermit and Miss Piggy have some help from executive producers Seth Rogen and Sabrina Carpenter. CBC Kids puppeteer Kira Hall and Vulture critic Kathryn VanArendonk talk about the new Muppet Show special on Disney+ with guest host Radheyan Simonpillai. Plus, Brawl in the Hall is a pro wrestling match hosted at the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra. Swampy Cree filmmaker Sonya Ballantyne reviews the event, Brawl in the Hall, and discusses whether pro wrestling and classical music amplify each other and what Brawl at the Hall offers wrestling right now. 

People can't stop talking about the TV show 'Heated Rivalry,' and specifically the fleece Team Canada jacket that Shane Hollander (played by Hudson Williams) wears. Heated Rivalry costume designer Hanna Puley talks to Elamin about the coveted fleece jacket and other iconic looks in the show, and why she wanted to make them feel distinctly Canadian. Plus, with Netflix officially offering popular podcasts like ‘The Breakfast Club’ and ‘Dear Chelsea’ available on its platform, Elamin is joined by Jay Smooth and Michelle Santosuosso to discuss the ramifications of this moment and the ways our understanding of the term podcast continue to evolve. 

LeBron James and Nike are under fire after unveiling a new sneaker meant to honour the civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. The shoe’s colour palette is inspired by the Lorraine Motel, the site of MLK.’s assassination in 1968. Elamin talked to culture critic David Dennis Jr. around the time of the shoe's unveiling about why this tribute missed the mark, and what the brand should have done instead. 

Bad Bunny wins big. KPop Demon Hunters also a big winner. Culture critics Pablo The Don and Niko Stratis to discuss the big wins, the snubs, and big surprises that happened at this year’s Grammy Awards with Elamin Abdelmahmoud.

Catherine O'Hara is one of Canada's most beloved stars. She’s known for her roles in Schitt's Creek, Home Alone, The Studio, Beetlejuice, and also her comedy on SCTV. Podcaster and writer Paul Myers, comedian and actor Jennifer Whalen (Baroness von Sketch, Small Achievable Goals), and TV and film producer Andrew Barnsley discuss the life and legacy of the iconic Canadian comedian and actor who died on January 30 at the age of 71. 

Culture critics Radheyan Simonpillai, Emilie Hanskamp and Ashley Ray join the group chat to discuss the new Rachel McAdams thriller ‘Send Help,’ Kanye West’s apology for his long history of antisemitic comments and problematic behaviour, and the recently announced nominations for the 2026 Juno Awards.

Season 4 of Bridgerton is here, with a Cinderella storyline and its first East Asian lead. And there are two new spinoff shows from the worlds of Star Trek and Game of Thrones, ‘A Knight of The Seven Kingdoms' and ‘Starfleet Academy’ respectively. And both shows seem to be taking those franchises in new directions. Elamin Abdelmahmoud is joined by senior writer at CBC entertainment Jackson Weaver, Vulture writer Roxana Hadadi and University of Toronto professor and pop culture critic Michelle Cho, to talk about these new shows and how they’re landing with fans.

Along with the images of the anti-ICE protests in Minnesota, this George Orwell quote is popping up everywhere, “The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command.” People are turning to Orwell’s seminal dystopian novel ‘1984’ to understand this moment. Culture critics Jay Smooth, El Jones and author Lyz Lenz join Elamin to talk about the clashes between ICE agents and protestors that have resulted in two deaths, and the cultural touchstones that help us process.

It’s awards season and stylists are working overtime to make sure their A-list clients pull off career-defining looks, but that hasn’t always been the case. Elamin chats with fashion critic Jarrod Jenkins and fashion podcaster Avery Trufelman about the rise of celebrity stylists and their ability to make or break their clients’ careers. And Natalie Harmsen talks about the rising stars of jazz-pop, including Olivia Dean and Laufey, and why they’re giving us the perfect soundtrack for 2026. 

Pablo The Don, Matt Amha and Ivy Prosper join Elamin Abdelmahmoud to discuss the buzz around iShowSpeed’s African tour, and the successes and controversies that have underpinned his journey to becoming one of the biggest streamers in the world.

The infamous late-2000s MTV reality show ‘Jersey Shore’ gets a Canuck spin but does the hot-mess spectacle translate north of the border? Culture writers Amil Niazi, Mel Woods, and Hanna Flint join the Group Chat to share their impressions 'Canada Shore' and weigh in on the Oscar nominations and how the drama brewing inside the Beckham family is upending the typical nepo-baby narrative. 

The great Canadian book debate is back! The star-studded cast of Canada Reads 2026 is revealed on Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud, along with the five books they think all of Canada should read. The Canada Reads debates take place April 13 to 16.

If Instagram feels like a time-machine right now, you’re not alone. A lot of people are waxing nostalgic for the lives we were living a decade ago. So why are we obsessed with 2016? Culture critics Vinson Cunningham and Madison Malone Kircher talk about the trend with host Elamin Abdelmahmoud, and what it tells us about this cultural moment. And pop culture writer Emilie Hanskamp talks about Hilary Duff's first real comeback with new music in more than a decade.

With Penske Media Company’s acquisition of several key publications and award shows, Commotion guest host Radheyan Simonpillai is joined by entertainment media critics Jarrod Jenkins and Teri Hart to discuss the rise of PMC and the impact its acquisitions could have on entertainment journalism. And New York Times movie critic Alissa Wilkinson talks about why the movie musical The Testament of Ann Lee is flying under the radar.

After winning lots of fans and awards in its first season, HBO’s medical drama 'The Pitt' is back for another 15-hour shift. Culture critics Nicholas Quah and Sophie Gilbert join guest host Radheyan Simonpillai to talk about how the show continues to use the ER as the setting for social commentary and whether fans will enjoy season 2. And MC and writer Rollie Pemberton gives his take on A$AP Rocky's new record, 'Don’t Be Dumb.'

Elamin is joined by culture critics Marlon Palmer, Roxana Hadadi and CBC Entertainment reporter Jackson Weaver to discuss ‘28 Years Later: The Bone Temple’, season four of the hit reality series, ‘The Traitors,’ and the debates sparked by an exchange on the CBC’s ‘Dragons' Den’ about gourmet Jamaican patties.

While sports and betting have always gone hand-in-hand, the gambling industry has started infiltrating all corners of the entertainment world, establishing a presence in everything from Golden Globes telecasts to Roblox games. Tech culture writers Alyssa Mercante and Matthew Frank discuss how gambling is changing the way we consume arts and entertainment, and what the long-term impacts could be. Plus, trouble is brewing inside CBS News in the months since Bari Weiss officially became editor in chief. Elamin talks to The Guardian’s Jeremy Barr about what’s driving the tension, and why it’s permeating beyond the network. 

With The Giller Prize announcing that for the first time its jury will consist of seven booksellers and no authors, Elamin is joined by Another Story Bookshop manager Anju Gogia to react to the news, and how this new approach might shape the outcome of the prize this year.Plus, remembering Grateful Dead co-founder Bob Weir – with his friend Dan Kanter. They met backstage at a Justin Bieber show – Dan will tell Elamin how that encounter sparked a deep friendship, jam sessions, and a new understanding of the meaning of life. 

One of Canada’s most prestigious orchestras is facing a moment of reckoning. The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra says it will no longer use non-disclosure agreements in cases involving sexual misconduct. Elamin talks to Globe & Mail reporter Robyn Doolittle and violinist Lara St. John on how we got here, and what still needs to happen for real change inside the rigid, secretive world of classical music.

The 83rd Golden Globes were held in Los Angeles last night, providing an early gauge as to which films and actors have the momentum heading into Oscars season. Entertainment reporters Teri Hart and Chris Murphy join Elamin to discuss the most memorable moments from last night’s telecast. Plus, with the premiere of season four of the acclaimed series 'Industry’ - Elamin is joined by Guardian TV critic Hannah J Davies to discuss the show’s latest season and the series’ growing popularity.

There has never been a bigger Canadian show than Heated Rivalry – and people everywhere are obsessed. Culture critics Cassandra Morann, Jason P Frank and Lainey Lui join Elamin to take stock of how the gay hockey show became such a massive global phenomenon, and where it goes from here. 

Are we in an era of insufferable TV dialogue? Screenwriter and show-runner Anthony Q. Farrell and culture writer Kathryn VanArendonk talk to Elamin about why writers are dumbing down dialogue, and what impact it’s having on storytelling and the viewing experience. Plus, from the late ‘70s into the ‘80s, the free-form Toronto radio station CFNY was a crucial incubator of alternative music that introduced trailblazing British bands like The Cure and New Order to North American audiences, while nurturing Canada’s own indie-music culture. A new TVO documentary explores CFNY’s groundbreaking impact and eventual absorption into the commercial corporate-radio system, and music journalist Liisa Ladouceur explains how the documentary reflects her own experiences as an avid listener, and why the CFNY story still resonates today. 

The new year kicked off with some big stories from the world of hip hop. There's the petition to have Nicki Minaj deported to Trinidad, Drake is facing a lawsuit over an alleged gambling scheme, and the controversy surrounding comments made by Adin Ross towards Doechii. Culture critics Pablo The Don, Jay Smooth and El Jones join Elamin Abdelmahoud to dig into this week’s biggest stories.

Millions of people are encountering the crisis in Venezuela right now through memes – from Nicolás Maduro's 'viral dance' that reportedly angered U.S. President Donald Trump to the Nike track suit he wore on the flight to New York City, which sold out in hours. Elamin Abdelmahmoud talks with New York Times technology reporter Mike Isaac about how our responses to a complex crisis are different when memes shape our understanding.Plus, forty years on, Jim Henson's Labyrinth still feels like nothing else - an 80s dark fantasy that gets under your skin. The film returns to cinemas this week to mark the big anniversary. Culture writers Kayleigh Donaldson and Roxana Hadadi get into why this movie has become a cult classic. The re-release comes during another anniversary - ten years since the death of David Bowie who was at his peak as the Goblin King. 

AI has already transformed what we read, watch, and listen to .. and some people are already fed up. So .. are we in for a cultural reset this year? And how has AI changed our relationship with authenticity, and what we want from the arts? Elamin Abdelmahmoud sits down with culture critics Kate Lindsay, Joshua Rothman and Niko Stratis. 

There are so many big albums to look forward to in 2026, and there are so many industry trends, like the rise of AI in music. What should we pay attention to? And what can we expect? Music journalists Emilie Hanskamp, Richie Assaly, and Reanna Cruz join Elamin to discuss.

Critics Kathryn VanArendonk and Saloni Gajjar chat with Elamin Abdelmahmoud about the new and returning TV shows they’re excited about for the new year. And Jackson Weaver shares some Canadian movies to look out for in 2026.