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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What is considered to be a Canadian literary classic? Has that changed? Has it remained the same? Authors Jael Richardson and David A. Robertson, and bookseller and publisher Martha Sharpe chat with Elamin Abdelmahmoud about updating the Can Lit canon.
Culture critics Michelle Cho and Nicholas Quah join guest host Rad Simonpillai to talk about the final season of Squid Game, and whether its satire of capitalism is as potent the third time around. And the new Pixar movie Elio got good reviews when it opened a few weeks ago but it’s bombing at the box office. Teri Hart explains why the problem with Elio is the problem with all original kids movies: kids just don’t want original stuff on the big screen.
You may also like: Why Squid Game: The Challenge is must-watch TV
Culture writer Niko Stratis, podcaster Vish Khanna, and music journalist Carl Wilson join the Group Chat to discuss the mammoth new seven-disc Bruce Springsteen box set ‘Tracks II: The Lost Albums’, the new intensely personal comeback album from New Zealand pop queen Lorde, and the musical legacy of Quebecois rock legend Serge Fiori, who passed away recently at age 73.
Elamin Abdelmahmoud is joined by real life line cook and tv junkie Grace Onasanya and tv/film critic Rachel Ho to talk about the latest season of ‘The Bear.’ Plus, Mel Woods joins Elamin to talk about their new Xtra podcast, Get Queer, which explores how queer folks turned reality TV into a global phenomenon.
The very real showdown between protesters in LA and immigration agents is being re-enacted in the virtual world. Roblox — a video game used by 85 million people every day — has become a hotbed for virtual political activism among kids. Alyssa Mercante and Kieran Press-Reynolds join Elamin Abdelmahmoud to talk about it.
It takes years of dedication to become a conductor for a world-class orchestra. But this week in Toronto, a wealthy businessman has rented both the storied Roy Thomson Hall and the Toronto Symphony Orchestra in order to try his hand at one of the hardest roles — and pieces — in the classical music world. Globe and Mail reporter Josh O’Kane explains why all eyes are on the Mandle Philharmonic’s performance of Mahler’s Symphony No. 2.
There are two celebrity art shows on right now that are getting a lot of buzz — but not necessarily for the right reasons. Elamin Abdelmahmoud talks to art critics Annie Armstrong and Eddy Frankel about the reaction to, and the quality of, Adrien Brody’s art show in New York City and Robbie Williams’ show in London.
Also, with a new book out, and a tribute album and documentary on the way, the late Toronto new-wave icon Nash the Slash is enjoying a renaissance 11 years after his death. Music journalist and podcaster Paul Myers explains how the mysterious musician – best known for concealing his face behind mummy-like bandages and sunglasses – developed a cult following and why his music and DIY philosophy still resonate today.
Culture critics Syrus Marcus Ware and Tobin Ng join Elamin Abdelmahmoud to talk about the new doc 'Parade,' which explores the history of Pride parades — as protest and party — in Canada.
Plus, New Yorker writer Jennifer Wilson learns how to be an intimacy coordinator, a consultant who supervises sex scenes on film sets, in order to understand why there seems to be a backlash to the role in post-#MeToo Hollywood.
Music to close the show: Beside Me by Zochi.
After years in the Internet trenches, Scaachi Koul is no stranger to a good fight — but her latest essay collection is all about knowing when to walk away. In Sucker Punch, Scaachi examines her recent divorce with her signature ruthless humour, picking apart what the end of her marriage made her realize about her self-worth, upbringing and love of conflict. Scaachi joins Bookends host Mattea Roach to talk about divorce in the public eye, challenging her previous work and why her mother is at the centre of the new book.
When the book ends, the conversation begins. On Bookends, Mattea Roach speaks with writers who have something to say about their work, the world and our place in it. You’ll always walk away with big questions to ponder and new books to read.
More episodes of Bookends are available here: https://link.mgln.ai/hKs1KK
SiriusXM host/producer Kim Wheeler, culture writer Riley Yesno and music journalist Emilie Hanskamp join Elamin Abdelmahmoud to discuss new albums from Oji-Cree singer/songwriter Aysanabee, California pop sister act Haim, and Juno Award-winning electronic producer BAMBII.
Elamin Abdelmahmoud is joined by Marek Tyler and Susan Blight to discuss the rise of AI in pop culture and the possibilities and concerns it raises for Indigenous communities.
Plus, it's been over two decades since '28 Days Later,' the horror film that reimagined what a zombie thriller could be. Now, the franchise is back with a third installment – but in a post-Brexit, post-COVID world, are fans ready to return to a survival story about a rage virus spreading across the U.K.? Alison Willmore joins host Elamin Abdelmahmoud to talk about the new film, '28 Years Later.'
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