Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud

After five critically acclaimed seasons, the superhero satire series ‘The Boys’ drops its final episode today. TV critics Kaiya Shunyata and Ben Rosenstock reflect on how the show reinvigorated the superhero genre with its real-world political commentary, and whether fans will be satisfied with the finale.

This past weekend the most anticipated MMA fight happened — Ronda Rousey v. Gina Carano, two pioneers of the sport, and the first matchup of its kind to stream live on Netflix. Pablo The Don from the Those Wrestling Girls podcast joined Elamin Abdelmahmoud to explain why this fight is such a big deal, and what it means for Rousey and Carano.

Drake is the most-streamed artist in the world, but his best rap is about being an underdog. With three new albums out at once — Iceman, Maid of Honour and Habibti — Elamin Abdelmahmoud is joined by culture critics Matt Amha, Pablo The Don and We Love Hiphop podcast host Friday, to review the new releases and unpack Drake's place in music right now.

At the beginning of the new Canadian documentary ‘Modern Whore,’ Andrea Werhun asserts that sex workers have often been cast as victims or villains in pop culture. With so many examples of sex work on TV right now — from 'Hacks' and 'Margo's Got Money Troubles' to 'Euphoria' — the group chat takes stock of what's changed and how far we still have to go. Boarlord, Arabelle Raphael and Lux Alptraum...

A new movie about talking sheep who solve a murder case is making waves at the box office. Film critics Radheyan Simonpillai, Justine Smith and Kristy Puchko join Elamin Abdelmahmoud to discuss the crime comedy’s surprising buzz, plus what’s happening on the ground at the 79th Cannes Film Festival.

Once a small-scale private event for comedians, the celebrity roast has become a massive arena event live-streamed around the world on Netflix. Comedian/podcaster Ashley Ray and media personality Matt Hart talk to Elamin Abdelmahmoud about last weekend’s all-star roast of Kevin Hart and what it says about the state of comedy in 2026. Plus, a new Hallmark movie that premiered on CTV Life called 'Al...

After eight seasons, the time travel romance series 'Outlander' is coming to an end this week. Like its lead character, Outlander is stuck between two worlds: the harsh prestige TV of the last decade and on-screen romances of today. Culture critics Kathryn VanArendonk and Kayleigh Donaldson talk to Elamin Abdelmahmoud about how Outlander has stuck around despite never quite cracking the mainstream...

The Montreal Canadiens are the last Canadian team left in the NHL playoffs. But before you start calling them “Canada’s team,” let’s be clear, this is Quebec’s team. Elamin Abdelmahmoud talks with Montreal Gazette writer Brendan Kelly who wrote the book 'Habs Nation: A People's History of The Montreal Canadiens' and Biz, a rapper whose Habs anthem is everywhere right now. They’ll talk about the te...

The new musical 'It’s a Good Life If You Don’t Weaken' uses the Tragically Hip’s songbook to tell the story of an Iraqi immigrant adapting to his new home in Canada in the early 2000s in Kingston, Ontario. Globe and Mail critic Aisling Murphy and theatre historian Karen Fricker chat with Elamin Abdelmahmoud about how the Hip’s songs translate to the musical-theatre format.

The Big Five answers the most pressing question of our time: what are the “Big 5” of any given category? Not the best 5. Not the top 5. Not anyone’s favourite 5. But objectively, the Big 5. In each episode, Donovan Woods, Tom Power, and a celebrity guest tackle new topics and debate things like: what are the Big 5 farm animals? Types of hats? Slang terms for “butt”? Ways to cook a potato? In this...

Half Man, from the creator of Baby Reindeer Richard Gadd, a new adaptation of Lord Of The Flies, and a surprise capsule episode of The Bear are talking about the dark side of masculinity in really interesting ways. Culture critics Hanna Flint, Jackson Weaver and novelist Ben Purkert join Elamin Abdelmahmoud to explain how they illuminate what’s wrong with masculinity right now.

The Toronto Tempo open their season at Coca-Cola Coliseum on Friday, making history as Canada’s first team in the WNBA. Sports journalists Shireen Ahmed and Savanna Hamilton join Elamin Abdelmahmoud to break down the roster and predict who will get the honour of becoming Toronto’s rival team. Also, in the mid-2000s, the artist M.I.A. was hailed as the ultimate progressive pop star with a forward-t...

If you read headlines saying The Onion wants to take over InfoWars, Alex Jones’ far-right conspiracy talk show, no one would blame you for thinking it was all a big joke. But it’s true: last Friday, the satirical news site released its first parody of the show with new host, Tim Heidecker. The comedian did an uncanny impression of Alex Jones. Journalist Justin Ling and comedian Ashley Ray join Ela...

This year, the conversation about the Met Gala was less about looks, and more about the outrage. Billionaire Jeff Bezos and his wife Lauren Sanchez Bezos were the main sponsors and honorary chairs at this year’s ball, proving the most prestigious night in the fashion world can be bought. But can taste? Elamin Abdelmahmoud gets into it with fashion writer Joan Summers and culture writer Amil Niazi....

When was the last time you watched a romantic comedy in theatres? Rolling Stone's CT Jones joins Elamin Abdelmahmoud to break down why studio execs are putting rom-coms on streaming platforms instead. And FIFA’s rules around what other events can be held during the tournament means organizers of summer festivals in Toronto and Vancouver have to change their plans. Dominic Lai with Dragon Boat BC e...

Elamin is joined by culture critics Joan Summers, Lainey Lui and Taryn Finley to discuss ‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’, the new album 'Middle of Nowhere' from Kacey Musgraves and the online buzz around the breakup between Megan Thee Stallion and NBA player Klay Thompson.

The romance genre is booming in Canadian literature. From romantasy to sports smut to paranormal erotica, readers are flocking to romance-themed bookstores and Booktok to share their love for spice. Deborah Aarts and Nathan Maharaj join Elamin to discuss what’s driving the romance surge and how its popularity could be changing the way readers and publishers value the genre. Plus, Ella Langley’s su...

New legislation in Ontario makes it illegal to resell tickets to concerts and sporting events above their face value. The aim is to clamp down on a lucrative resale market blamed for high ticket costs. Billboard Canada reporter Richard Trapunski and public-policy analyst Vass Bednar explain why this law is being enacted right now, what it means for the ticket-buying experience going forward and wh...

'Yesteryear', the debut novel of Caro Claire Burke, follows a tradwife influencer who posts about her idyllic farm life to millions of followers. But when she wakes up in 1855, she learns what it's really like for women living in the past. Amil Niazi, author of 'Life After Ambition', and essayist Charlie Tyson join Elamin Abdelmahmoud to talk about how 'Yesteryear' takes on tradwives — the online...

With the release of 'Michael', the biopic on the King of Pop, Elamin Abdelmahmoud is joined by Black pop expert Prof. Mark Anthony Neal, film critic Sarah-Tai Black and culture critic Jay Smooth to discuss how it handles the high, lows and controversies of Michael Jackson's legacy.

Earlier this week, a giant ice sculpture appeared in the middle of downtown Toronto with the release date of Drake's new album hidden inside. It attracted a lot of gawkers, live streamers and people with pickaxes, until the fire department hosed it down. Music journalist Emilie Hanskamp, culture critic Matt Amha and comedian Marlon Palmer join Elamin Abdelmahmoud to talk about how Drake is a...

After sharing her diagnosis of a rare neurological condition, it seemed possible that Celine Dion might never perform again. Now she is back with a new song, and a 16-night residency in Paris that sold out in minutes. Elamin Abdelmahmoud checks in with Eugénie Lépine-Blondeau, host of Radio-Canada's Admission générale podcast and Benjamin Locoge, editor-in-chief for Culture of Paris Match, about t...

Premiering in 2023, the Netflix series Beef was an instant smash hit thanks to its gripping premise about a minor road-rage incident between two strangers that snowballs into an all-consuming, back-and-forth battle. For season two, creator Lee Sung Jin introduces a new cast of characters who clash at an upscale country club. Variety TV critic Alison Herman and Vulture TV critic Roxana Hadadi talk...

The memes being lobbed by the U.S. and Iran have been fueled not only by the intensity of their conflict, but also pop culture and AI. James Poniewozik, chief television critic for The New York Times, and Iranian Canadian journalist Samira Mohyeddin talk with Elamin Abdelmahmoud about how these memes have shifted our understanding of the US-Iran war. Plus, millions of people love watching zit popp...

The marketing company Chaotic Good Projects has become a lightning rod of controversy in the music industry in recent weeks, after a viral essay from indie musician Eliza McLamb shed light on their claims that they can manipulate social media algorithms to boost the careers of their clients, including the rock band Geese. Music journalists Steven Hyden and Matthew Ismael Ruiz discuss whether Chaot...