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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This month marks the 40th anniversary of 'Do They Know It’s Christmas?' the all-star UK benefit single for Ethiopia famine relief that became a defining moment in the intersection between celebrity and charity. However, despite raising millions of dollars for Ethiopia, the song has come to be seen by many as perpetuating negative stereotypes of Africa. Culture writer Nels Abbey and music journalist Maura Johnston reflect on the song’s legacy—as well as a whole new controversy surrounding the new 40th-anniversary version of the song. Plus, Nick Newman, managing editor for The Film Stage, attended the screening of 'Rust' and joins Elamin to talk about the experience of watching a movie that’s become so intertwined with tragedy.
Movie studios are eagerly waiting to see if 'Glicked' fever sweeps the box office this weekend. Critics Hoai-Tran Bui, Rad Simonpillai and Jackson Weaver join Elamin to talk about Gladiator II and Wicked.
After taking a highly publicized break from touring for mental-health reasons in 2022, Canadian pop phenom Shawn Mendes is back with his first album in four years, 'Shawn'. Music journalists Rosie Long Decter, Natalie Harmsen, and Suzy Exposito discuss his roller coaster journey from viral teen sensation to mature adult artist, and whether his pivot toward a folkier sound bodes well for his return to the limelight.
Sarah-Tai Black and Roxana Hadadi review the new Canadian film 'My Old Ass', a tight time travelling coming-of-age dramedy with a surprising punch. Plus, with People magazine naming John Krasinski,‘Sexiest Man Alive’, Elamin is joined by culture critic and Vulture writer Nicholas Quah to discuss the online backlash to the announcement and whether these types of declarations from pop publications are still relevant.
The Giller Prize was handed out yesterday, and Anne Michaels took home the prize for her novel, ‘Held.’ Meanwhile, pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathered in Toronto outside the gala to protest the Giller Foundation and its lead sponsor, Scotiabank. Past winner Ian Williams joins Elamin to reflect on the divisions and discontent in Canadian Literature, and why conversation is key to a way forward.
Elamin is joined by Morgan Campbell from CBC Sports to react to the results of the highly anticipated fight between boxer and social media personality Jake Paul and former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson. And culture writers Séamas O'Reilly and Louise Bruton talk about the new show Say Nothing, which tackles The Troubles in Northern Ireland and the little known history of the women of the IRA.
The numbers are astronomical - the scale, totally unprecedented. There has NEVER been a tour like Taylor Swift’s Eras tour. The morning after her first Canadian date – Elamin and the Commotion group chat take stock of how Taylor changes a city
After last night’s finale of ‘The Golden Bachelorette,’ TV reporter Shivani Gonzalez and culture critic Amil Niazi reflect on the scandal-plagued first season of the latest Bachelor Nation spinoff with Elamin, and discuss whether reality TV shows are doing enough to keep their contestants safe. And internet writer CT Jones reports from the front lines of X, formerly known as Twitter, which has lost followers since the American election.
Elamin is joined by music and culture critics Pablo The Don, Reanna Cruz and Andrea Williams to discuss this year’s Grammy nominations and the new doc ‘Megan Thee Stallion: In Her Words'
Heretic is a part of a new slate of films where organized religion is the setting for a thriller. Entertainment reporter Teri Hart and podcaster Ashley Ray join guest host Rad Simonpillai to weigh in whether it works. And Sarah-Tai Black talks about the quietly comedic portrayal of small towns, grief and found family in Somebody Somewhere.
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