Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud

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.

2025 was a big year on and off the runway. Fashion writers Danya Issawi, Tashira Halyard and Mosha Lundström Halbert look back on a year in fashion that was full of change, with Anna Wintour stepping down at Vogue, the death of Giorgio Armani and a new crop of designers taking over at places like Dior, Givenchy and Chanel. 

Coming into 2025, the phrases '6-7,' 'Italian brainrot,' 'Coldplay kiss-cam' and 'astronaut Katy Perry' were not commonly used expressions, but thanks to the unpredictable tides of pop culture, they have become permanent parts of a shared lexicon. On this episode of Commotion, writers Amil Niazi, Niko Stratis, and Jackson Weaver reflect on the most memorable pop-cultural moments of 2025 – some of which, we’d rather forget. 

The phrase 'girl power' was coined by Bikini Kill in the early 1990s, but its meaning was watered down later in the decade when angry radical women in music were followed by younger, less opinionated pop stars.Sophie Gilbert dives into 1990s and 2000s pop culture in her latest book, Girl on Girl: How Pop Culture Turned a Generation of Women Against Themselves, to figure out what happened.

Culture writer Rebecca Jennings, tech/public-policy expert Vass Bednar, and media-studies professor Siva Vaidhyanathan discuss how shrinking attention spans in the social-media age are impacting the way that literature, film, and music are produced and consumed. 

Elamin is joined by culture critics Pablo The Don and Michael Blackmon, along with Juno nominated singer Tanika Charles to discuss ‘Here For It All’ - the new album from Mariah Carey, and why she remains one of the most iconic singer/songwriters of our time.

For almost 20 years, NPR's Tiny Desk Concerts have given the internet a chance to see some of the biggest artists and promising upcoming talents in an incredibly intimate, live setting that has made for unforgettable moments. At the same time, the series has become a crucial and trusted hub for Black pop music. At the inaugural Departures festival in Toronto, Elamin sat down with Bobby Carter, the host and series producer for NPR's Tiny Desk Concerts.

This year, on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, the group chat gathered to talk about Kent Monkman, Kent Monkman is having a profound impact on the way we understand Canada’s past – and the histories of Indigenous peoples.  Riley Yesno, Susan Blight and Marion Newman celebrated Kent Monkman, whose gender-fluid alter ego, Miss Chief Eagle Testickle is now the subject of an opera in development. They spoke with Elamin around the time parts of that opera were being performed in Montreal.  

Elamin is joined by film critics Jesse Wente, Sarah-Ta Black & Jackson Weaver to discuss ‘Avatar: Fire & Ash’ - the latest installment in James Cameron’s sci-action blockbuster franchise and react to Disney’s new agreement with OpenAI that will give the public access to some of Disney’s most beloved characters via OpenAI’s popular Sora app.

Pretty much every best-of-2025 music list of note has featured Brooklyn band Geese’s third album, Getting Killed, at or near the top – a remarkable feat for an indie rock band whose members are still in their early 20s, and whose music is wilfully idiosyncratic, if not downright polarizing. Music journalist Emilie Hanskamp explains how Geese took the music world by storm this year, while CBC’s Lisa Christiansen explains why she just doesn't get the hype. Plus, ‘Tis the season of the Christmas album - a wildly oversaturated market that keeps on getting more crowded. Emilie Hanskamp and CBC Music’s Natalie Harmsen dig into what’s new and what remains a classic after all this time.

Today, we remember Rob Reiner’s amazing Hollywood legacy, and a look back at some of the shows and films that may have flown under your radar. Elamin Abdelmahmoud chats with critics Roxana Hadadi, Rachel Ho, and Radheyan Simonpillai about their favourite Rob Reiner movies, and the best things they watched this year that didn’t get enough love.

Michael Healey’s new play 'Rogers V. Rogers: The Battle for Control Over Canada's Telecom Empire,' reveals a lot about the power structures that exist inside Canada. Elamin talks to journalist and author Paul Wells and The Globe and Mail’s Aisling Murphy about the success of the show, and how a story about a dysfunctional family and a corporate struggle make for perfect theatre.

With a hot debate raging between prominent Toronto content creators Marlon Palmer and City Boy JJ about the right and wrong ways to use the Toronto accent as a comedic tool to gain online popularity, Commotion guest host Radheyan Simonpillai is joined by culture critics Sandy Hudson and Matt Amha to discuss why conversations around who gets to celebrate and monetize local culture are more complicated than we might think.Sophie Kinsella, the author behind the popular Shopaholic series, sold more than 50 million copies of her books, and has left an indelible mark on pop culture. Rolling Stone writer CT Jones was one of her many fans. They join Commotion guest host Radheyan Simonpillai to pay tribute to Sophie, and talk about how she combined humour and the pressures of modern life in her writing, and touched so many readers. 

Critics Roxana Hadadi, Angelo Muredda and Jackson Weaver chat with guest host Radheyan Simonpillai about the new Knives Out movie 'Wake Up Dead Man,’ Quentin Tarantino talking trash about Paul Dano’s acting, and all the elaborate marketing tactics movie studios are using to get you to come to the theatre again. 

CBC Music’s Natalie Harmsen, culture writer Riley Yesno, and Walrus writer Erin Macleod reflect on the big albums, trends, and challenges that defined Canadian music in 2025.

Remembering Frank Gehry – one of the most famous architects of the last half-century, who had an improbable path to global stardom. Elamin Abdelmahmoud sits down with architect and designer Lukasz Kos and architecture critc Alex Bozikovic to talk about how Frank's love of the arts gave rise to buildings that were works of art on their own – and what his lessons will be, for architects coming up today.With the release of season two of the award-winning CBC series ‘For The Culture with Amanda Parris,’ Elamin is joined by culture critic Matt Amha to discuss the show’s episode on the growing Black tourist economy, and how its impacting the local tourism industries in Ghana and Jamaica. 

Club Chalamet is a Timothée Chalamet fan club started by Simone Cromer. Elamin is joined by pop culture writers Kayleigh Donaldson and CT Jones to dig into the business behind Club Chalamet, what it reveals about the current state of fandom, and whether the parasocial obsession with Timothée Chalamet has gone too far.Plus, with iHeartMedia announcing its "Guaranteed Human" pledge, Elamin is joined by music industry insider Michelle Santosuosso to get reaction to the initiative and what it could mean for the future of human and AI music on commercial radio.

With the Netflix release of the Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs docu-series ‘The Reckoning,’ executive produced by 50 Cent - Elamin is joined by entertainment reporter Taryn Finley and New York culture critic Jay Smooth to discuss the series and its approach to the Diddy scandal. Plus, Canada has a new Heritage Minister – the seventh in fewer than 10 years. The Globe and Mail’s deputy arts and film editor Barry Hertz calls it a revolving door and says it’s bad for Canadian culture workers. He explains why. 

Three new movies illuminate what it means to be an absent father: Joachim Trier's movie 'Sentimental Value,' Chloé Zhao’s film 'Hamnet,' and Noah Baumbach’s movie 'Jay Kelly.' The Friday group chat gathers to talk about a new kind of Dad movie. 

Zacharias Kunuk’s films are legendary for the way they show the beauty of Canada’s North and the richness of Inuit culture. His latest film 'Uiksaringitara (Wrong Husband)' is an epic love story, set four thousand years ago. Two artists from Igloolik, filmmaker Nyla Innuksuk and actor Zorga Qaunaq talk to Elamin Abdelmahmoud about the film and how Zacharias Kunuk’s movies have influenced Inuit storytelling in film.Theatre critic Glenn Sumi discusses the new pro-shot film version of the Stephen Sondheim musical ‘Merrily We Roll Along’ opening in movie theatres this week, and whether these cinematic versions of Broadway productions are a legitimate substitute for the live theatre experience.