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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Elamin is joined by New York Times theatre critic Michael Paulson, longtime theatre critic Glenn Sumi, and CBC entertainment reporter Jackson Weaver to discuss U.S. President Trump’s takeover of The Kennedy Center and what it could signal for the culture of theatre in that country, and Denzel Washington in ‘Othello’ becoming the highest grossing non-musical Broadway show ever and what its high ticket prices says about the future of accessible productions in that world.
The Juno Awards were held in Vancouver last night at a time when national pride is surging. So did last night’s show make us proud to be Canadian? Elamin is joined by music journalist Lisa Christiansen.
On the eve of a U.S. tour, Tamara Lindeman – a.k.a. indie-folk artist The Weather Station – talks about traveling to the States in this tense political moment, and why Canadian musicians can’t so easily participate in cultural boycotts when so much of their livelihood is dependent on U.S. touring. Then, musician and author Dave Bidini talks about how Canadian musicians can navigate these turbulent times by refocusing their efforts back home.
With the Canadian government proposing additional counter-tariffs on U.S. goods that could potentially include U.S. books coming into Canada, Elamin is joined by reporter Josh O’Kane to explain why this has Canadian book stakeholders concerned. Plus, Anne Murray gets a Juno for Lifetime Achievement on Sunday. More than a decade ago, Family Guy aired an episode where baby Stewie becomes obsessed with Anne Murray, and it introduced a new generation of fans to her music. Elamin speaks with one of them – the music journalist Tony Le Calvez.
Book lovers Arizona O’Neill and Lu Aburawi talk about the new Hunger Games prequel, 'Sunrise on the Reaping,' and the cultural impact of Suzanne Collins’ popular series. Plus, Elamin talks to Matt Carey, documentary editor at Deadline.com, about the latest headlines involving this year’s Oscar winner for best documentary feature ‘No Other Land’ - including the recent detainment and release of co-director Hamdan Ballal by the Israeli military.
TV critic Angie Han and entertainment reporter Teri Hart discuss Seth Rogen’s new Apple TV+, ‘The Studio,' a satirical look at the inner workings of the movie industry and the perpetual tension between art and commerce in Hollywood. Plus, The Cut’s Emily Gould reviews the bestselling memoir, 'The Tell' by Amy Griffin, where the businesswoman shares her path to healing after MDMA-assisted therapy unearthed a long-hidden childhood trauma.
TV critics Kathryn VanArendonk and Jackson Weaver join Elamin to talk about the season finale of Severance, the genius of The White Lotus and how character actors on both shows are becoming the talk of the town.
Culture critics Cristina Escobar and Adam Nayman join guest host Rad Simonpillai to discuss the live action remake of Disney’s Snow White, from its rocky production, to the casting of Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot, and why the film has sparked so much debate.
Plus, the winners of Canada Reads 2025, champion Shayla Stonechild and author Ma-Nee Chacaby, join Elamin Abdelmahmoud for an interview about their victory.
The Bay’s days may be numbered as Canada's oldest company looks to close its stores as early as this week. Mark Harrison, Mosha Lundström Halbert and Teri Hart join Elamin to talk about the Hudson Bay Company’s complicated history.
TV critic Aramide Tinubu and culture writer Amil Niazi discuss the new Netflix miniseries Adolescence, a harrowing portrait of a 13-year-old British boy accused of murdering a female schoolmate, and the online culture of toxic masculinity that’s shaping the worldview of teens today.
Plus, the fashion industry is once again shaking things up. Loewe’s creative director Jonathan Anderson is leaving the brand at the height of its success, and designer Demna is leaving Balenciaga to take over the top spot at Gucci. Mosha Lundström Halbert explains why we’re seeing so much change in fashion’s upper echelons.
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