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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Canadian actor Brittany Allen gave one of The Pitt’s most heart-wrenching performances of season 2 as the terminally ill mother Roxie Hamler. So when HBO decided not to submit her for Emmy consideration, Brittany submitted herself and is now a nominee in the category of Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series. Brittany joins Elamin Abdelmahmoud to talk about her performance and why she decided to submit herself for Emmy consideration. Plus - Canadian music has a brand new prize .. and it was announced at the same time as the Polaris prize revealed its shortlist for this year. But unlike the Polaris – the Meridian prize is ONLY open to artists from the North and Western Canada. Elamim Abdelmahmoud talks with CBC music journalist Natalie Harmsen
The World Cup has a way of bringing us together, but also highlighting our divisions and the colonial histories that brought us to this moment. CBC Sports’ Shireen Ahmed joins Elamin Abdelmahmoud to talk about the racism called out at this year’s tournament, and how people are responding to it. Plus, "Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass” is the latest comedy from David Wain, who also directed the classic “Wet Hot American Summer.” Vulture writer Fran Hoepfner chats with Elamin Abdelmahmoud about why this film is best appreciated in a movie theatre, with an audience.
The wait for the movie adaptation of the bestselling YA novel, Children of Blood and Bone, is nearly over. But the author and co-screenwriter, Tomi Adeyemi, says she will not be watching when it comes out in January 2027. Authors Jael Richardson and Catherine Hernandez talk to Elamin Abdelmahmoud about the story. Plus, with Jay-Z kicking off his ‘Jay-Z-30’ tour at Yankee Stadium in New York City to celebrate the 30th anniversary of his debut album ‘Reasonable Doubt’ - Elamin is joined by culture critic Ian Kamau, who attended two of the three NYC shows - to discuss the importance of Jay-Z’s debut album and this moment in Jay-Z’s touring history, as he officially transitions from touring to promote new material to touring to celebrate his legacy.
Film critics Corey Atad, Sarah-Tai Black, and Justine Smith join the Group Chat to talk about the new Canadian indie horror film Son of Sara: Vol. 1, and why the horror genre seems to be thriving in Canada right now. They’ll also weigh in on the nominations for the Primetime Emmy Awards, and pay tribute to Quebec screen star Marc Messier, who died this week at age 78.
Little House on the Prairie has been adapted countless times, and Netflix is adding their modern retelling into the Laura Ingalls Wilder canon. TV critics Johnnie Jae and Kathryn VanArendonk join guest host Radheyan Simonpillai to talk about what Little House on the Prairie has meant to the generations who grew up with it, and how much has changed with the representation of Osage characters in showrunner Rebecca Sonnenshine’s version.
Also, Commotion guest host Rad Simonpillai is joined by Vass Bednar to discuss the criticisms around Meta’s new AI glasses campaign featuring Kylie Jenner and what the rise of wearable technology means for how we understand privacy.
Have you ever been to a friend’s house for dinner and suddenly realized they were fighting with their partner right before you walked through the door? That’s where Olivia Wilde’s latest movie, The Invite, begins and the tension never lets up - but does it deliver? Adam Nayman and Teri Hart stop by Commotion to give us their take on the new relationship comedy-drama.
Plus, CBC sports reporter Morgan Campbell checks in to discuss the two major stories coming out of the Toronto Raptors camp this week: the return of star forward Kawhi Leonard to the team after seven years, and the retirement of Kyle Lowry, who, after a half-decade playing for other teams, is re-signing a one-day deal with the Raptors so that he can officially end his career with the team.
The only large photochemical film lab in Canada is slated to close .. and film lovers are lobbying the owners to reverse their decision. Film professor Michael Yaroshevsky says that if MELS closes in Montreal – it’s not just the loss of an essential service … it’s going to weaken cinema in this country as we know it.
Plus, Playstation announced it will discontinue making video games on physical discs by 2028. Jonathan Ore and Camille Salazar Hadaway join Commotion to discuss what this means for physical media and the future of gaming.
Canada is only one game away from the World Cup quarter-finals. All eyes will be on their match against Morocco this weekend. On Monday, CBC’s Shireen Ahmed and Zameer Karim join guest host Radheyan Simonpillai to talk about this pivotal game for Canada, and reflect on Toronto and Vancouver’s experiences as host cities as their hosting duties officially wind down. Plus, Lainey Lui checks in her report on Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s epic all-star wedding at New York’s Madison Square Garden this past Friday: who was there, what went down, and how social media is reacting.
Music journalist Emilie Hanskamp, broadcaster Garvia Bailey, and culture writer Mel Woods join the Friday Group Chat to discuss Canada joining the Eurovision song contest; Madonna’s long-awaited new album Confessions II; and a documentary about trailblazing Canadian queer rock icon Carole Pope.
"Nirvanna the Band: A comedy about Matt and Jay, a duo unrelated to the legendary band Nirvana, who devise a ridiculous plan to build a time machine for a performance and travel back 17 years to when they first met" is the full translated title for the Korean version of the Canadian hit film "Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie." Michelle Cho talks with guest host Radheyan Simonpillai about how a Korean YouTuber brought the movie to South Korea. Plus, the acclaimed culinary drama, The Bear, just dropped its fifth and final season. Guest host Radheyan Simonpillai is joined by former line cook and TV junkie Grace Onasanya and TV critic Kathryn VanArendonk to talk about if the series serves fans a Michelin-star ending.
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