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.
Subscribe to Sounds Good: CBC’s Podcasts newsletter for the finest podcast recommendations and behind-the-scenes exclusives.
Copyright: Copyright © CBC 2024
The morning after the season finale of Love Island USA, we get into why it’s bringing people together like nothing else on TV. Etalk senior correspondent Lainey Lui, comedian Marlon Palmer and CBC producer Amelia Eqbal join Elamin Abdelmahmoud to recap an event that’s become the Superbowl of live reality TV.
Clipse, the cult-favourite rap duo, are back with their first album in 16 years. Plus, both Drake and Kanye West are onstage this weekend — for very different reasons. Culture critics Pablo The Don, Huda Hassan, Matt Amha weigh in on all these stories with host Elamin Abdelmahmoud.
Just like 'Girls', Lena Dunham draws on her real life for the new romantic comedy 'Too Much,' this time set in London, U.K. Kathryn Van Arendonk and Hanna Flint join Elamin Abdelmahmoud to talk about this transatlantic comedy, and whether it fixes some of what was wrong with 'Girls.'
Plus, Prada recently apologized after its runway models wore sandals that looked like traditional Indian Kolhapuri sandals without acknowledging the footwear’s origins. Joyita Sengupta talks with Elamin Abdelmahmoud about how Prada’s “sandal scandal” reflects a long history of South Asian fashion being appropriated by the west.
With the release of ‘40 Acres,’ the highly-anticipated feature film debut of Canadian director R.T. Thorne, Elamin Abdelmahmoud is joined by culture critic El Jones and film critic Jesse Wente to discuss the film, its Black-Indigenous themes, and what it could mean for indie Canadian filmmaking moving forward.
Plus, songs from the animated Netflix movie 'KPop Demon Hunters' are taking over the music charts. Michelle Cho chats with Elamin Abdelmahmoud about why the film has been such a big hit, not just with K-pop fans.
TV critic Saloni Gajjar and culture critic Nicole Froio join guest host Rad Simonpillai to talk about why this year’s raft of "eat the rich" television is falling short of our expectations from the genre that brought us 'Succession,' 'The White Lotus' and 'Squid Game.'
Plus, Maura Johnston discusses the new album from Kesha, 'Period,' and how it reflects her newfound freedom as an artist. This comes after a decade-long legal battle against her former producer and label head, Dr. Luke, whom she accused of sexual and emotional abuse.
Ten years ago, 'Hamilton' the musical premiered on Broadway — and altered the course of musical theatre history forever. The revolutionary hit show about the founding of America has been wildly successful and lauded around the world, making stars out of many in its original cast. But the show has always had its critics too. Guest host Rad Simonpillai reflects on its legacy with culture critics Jackson Weaver, James McMaster and Karen Fricker.
Film critics Rachel Ho, Alison Wilmore, and Jackson Weaver join guest host Rad Simonpillai to discuss Sorry, Baby, the latest instalment in the Jurassic World franchise, and the politically themed Idris Alba and John Cena action comedy Heads of State.
Anna Wintour changed fashion during her almost 40 years at the helm of Vogue Magazine. But she also changed our relationship with celebrity. Anna Wintour’s biographer Amy Odell and fashion writer Danya Issawi join guest host Rad Simonpillai to debate her legacy, what’s next for the magazine, and why this is so much more than a fashion story.
With the verdict in on the Sean "Diddy" Combs case, Commotion guest host Rad Simonpillai is joined by Refinery29 reporter Taryn Finley and NYC culture critic Jay Smooth to react to the news, to the discourse around the case, and what it all might mean for Diddy’s pop legacy moving forward. And Sarah-Tai Black talks about Canadian icon and transgender elder Beverly Glenn-Copeland, who is releasing the pilot of his children’s show, Caring Cabin.
With the public backlash to superstar producer Timbaland’s public support for AI-integrated music, guest host Rad Simonpillai is joined by music journalist Dylan Green and critic Michelle Santosuosso to discuss the backlash and how it might inform the discourse between artists, their audiences, and the music industry, moving forward. And the Globe and Mail’s Barry Hertz joins Rad Simonpillai to talk about whether F1 delivers on its promise of adrenaline-fuelled action.
Our TOPPODCAST Picks 
