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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With tensions between Canada and the U.S. making headlines, Come From Away feels more relevant than ever. Artistic director Jillian Keiley and performer Darrell Morris Jr. join Elamin Abdelmahmoud to discuss the message of unity behind the musical's upcoming production in Gander, N.L.
Plus, the new medical drama The Pitt is making headlines for one very realistic birthing scene. Television critic Kathryn VanArendonk talks about why that moment matters and what The Pitt does to the medical drama format in a post-pandemic world.
'Top Chef: Destination Canada' is here and this year, 15 new chefs are cooking up across the country. How will the show represent our country’s cuisine amidst the trade war? And, can the long-standing show, in its 22nd season, remain fresh among new food competition favourites? Elamin chats with Niko Stratis and Ivy Knight about the new season.
Guest host Rad Simonpillai talks to film critics Teri Hart and Barry Hertz about a bunch of new films: Sandra Oh's new sci-fi feature Can I Get a Witness?, Netflix's $320 million gamble The Electric State, and Canadian filmmaker/provocateur Matt Johnson's SXSW entry Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie. Plus, the group chat reflects on the five year anniversary of the pandemic, and asks themselves, are we finally ready to watch pandemic stories?
“Algospeak” is a kind of Internet language where people replace words like porn and suicide with seemingly innocuous words and emojis as a way to avoid being censored by the algorithm. Rebecca Jennings and Noelle Perdue explain this phenomenon and what it means for free speech.
Plus, film critic Rachel Ho explains how the Chinese fantasy feature ‘Ne Zha 2’ just surpassed ‘Inside Out 2’ to become the highest-grossing animated film of all time.
After all the attention Bong Joon Ho received with 'Parasite,' many are curious about the director's latest film 'Mickey 17.' Michelle Cho and Jackson Weaver talk with Elamin Abdelmahmoud about the sci-fi allegory starring Robert Pattinson.
Plus, illustrator Michael DeForge looks at how 'Law & Order Toronto' turned real-life encampment evictions and homelessness into crime drama, and what that means or the way these issues are represented.
With Tory Lanez dropping his new album ‘Peterson’ a project he recorded from prison where he is currently serving time for shooting Megan Thee Stallion in the feet, Elamin is joined by culture critics Matt Amha and Pablo Da Don to discuss the album and the ethical questions raised by where and when it was recorded. Plus, Anne Victoria Clark reviews Sid Meier’s Civilization VII, a highly-anticipated update in the video game franchise.
Nêhiyaw drummer Marek Tyler and Anishinaabe and Mohawk radio host Kim Wheeler share their reaction to the news that the Juno Awards and Polaris Music Prize have rescinded the awards they’ve given to Buffy Sainte-Marie in light of her recent confirmation that she’s an American citizen.
Culture writers Joan Summers, Liisa Ladouceur, and Alessa Dominguez join the Group Chat to discuss Lady Gaga’s first new album in five years, Mayhem, and how it holds up against the current generation of pop provocateurs.
How do we turn this unprecedented moment into something more than cheerleading for Canadian culture? How does that patriotism become a force for good instead of leading us down the darker path we’ve seen come from nationalism in the past? And what is the role of artists right now? Elamin speaks with two people who are making art to meet the moment: Shad Kabango and Jay Baruchel.
Catherine Hernandez and Teri Hart share their thoughts with Elamin Abdelmahmoud about the new CBC Gem sitcom about menopause, ‘Small Achievable Goals’. And BIGBANG’s G-DRAGON returns with a new solo album after 7 years, Bina Lee talks about the k-pop star’s latest comeback.
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