Stay ConnectedBig laughs. Smart takes. Every day. Commotion is where you go for thoughtful and vibrant conversations about all things pop culture. Host Elamin Abdelmahmoud calls on journalists, critics, creators and friends to talk through the biggest arts & entertainment stories of the day, in 30 minutes or less.
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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.
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