Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud

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.

Meghan Markle’s new cooking/ lifestyle/ talk show 'With Love, Meghan' debuts today, but there’s a ton of backlash. Etalk senior correspondent Lainey Lui and royal watcher Ellie Hall explain to Elamin Abdelmahmoud what all the fuss is about, and whether it’s warranted. And following Anora’s big night at the Oscars, Elamin checks in with writer and sex worker Andrea Werhun about her role as a consul...

Elamin Abdelmahmoud is joined by film critics Eli Glasner, Sarah-Tai Black & Rad Simonpillai to discuss the wins, snubs, surprises and highlights of the 2025 Oscars. 

With P.K. Subban’s criticisms of the NBA going viral, and Netflix releasing a new documentary and a comedy series - both centered on basketball, guest host Rad Simonpillai is joined by CBC Senior Sports Contributor Morgan Campbell, and culture critics Marlon Palmer and Andrea Williams to discuss these stories and basketball’s place in pop culture right now.

The Washington Post is known for many things, including its slogan: "Democracy Dies in Darkness." But its owner, the billionaire Jeff Bezos, wants to narrow the range of opinions it publishes. Elamin Abdelmahmoud speaks with media studies scholar Siva Vaidhyanathan about the new direction, and why it matters here in Canada. And Hanna Flint and Jovanté Anderson discuss the new period crime drama A...

Amid the rise of TikTok influencers, changing markets, and microtrends, can the runway keep up? Fashion writers Mosha Lundström Halbert and Joan Summers talk about what they are seeing during Fashion Week season. And Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s teenage son’s foray into the music business is predictably provoking the trolls. But not everyone's a cynic. Music critic Richie Assaly gives us his ta...

Film critics Hanna Flint and Adam Nayman talk about what the Amazon MGM takeover of the James Bond franchise means for the future of the iconic spy with guest host Rad Simonpillai. And University of Toronto professor Michelle Cho talks about the reports that China’s de facto ban on South Korean culture — TV, music, film, etc. — may finally be lifting after 8 years.

Tate McRae is the biggest Canadian pop artist to emerge in the 2020s. Music journalists Reanna Cruz and Rosie Long Decter join guest host Rad Simonpillai to talk about her new album, ‘So Close to What.’ And artist and illustrator Reid Southen talks about an open letter he started with other artists demanding Christie’s rethink its AI-art strategies, after the auction house announced its first all-...

Elamin Abdelmahmoud is joined by culture critics Radheyan Simonpillai, Teri Hart, and Jackson Weaver in front of a live audience to talk about the 2025 Oscars, the races that are capturing their attention and the politics of Oscar campaigns.  

For most artists, performing at the Kennedy Center is a career highlight. But after U.S. President Donald Trump fired the board and decided to take over, speakers and performers who were booked are pulling out in protest, including some Canadians. Guest host Rad Simonpillai speaks with Louise Penny and Amanda Rheaume. And culture critic Huda Hassan and filmmaker Catherine Hernandez discuss the new...

Comedian Cassie Cao and culture critic Nicole Froio talk about the premiere of The White Lotus, season three, set in Koh Samui, Thailand with guest host Rad Simonpillai. And the fierce hockey rivalry between Canada and the U.S. will be on display tomorrow as tensions between the two countries risk boiling over again on the ice. Musician, writer and hockey player Dave Bidini talks about the symboli...

‘Captain America: Brave New World’ was supposed to be an exciting new chapter in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with Anthony Mackie starring as the first Black Captain America. Podcaster Ashley Ray, and film writers Adam Nayman and Kaiya Shunyata explain why the film is receiving such a harsh response from critics, and why it seemed doomed even before production completed.

Writer and culture critic Amil Niazi and entertainment reporter Teri Hart join Elamin Abelmahmoud to share their thoughts on the new kids' movies Dog Man and Paddington in Peru. And culture critic Jeevan Sangha talks about Lilly Singh's return to YouTube.

Just in time for Valentine’s day, Hanna Flint, Mastermind and Jackson Weaver join guest host Rad Simonpillai to talk about ‘Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy’ and Drake and PartyNextDoor's new album, ‘Some Sexy Songs 4 U.’

Music journalist Ian Cohen and writer/rapper Rollie Pemberton (a.k.a. Cadence Weapon) discuss the latest series of extreme publicity stunts and antisemitic provocations from Kanye West, and the media's role in platforming his problematic views. Plus TV critic Saloni Gajjar talks about the series finale of Netflix’s comedy drama Mo, and why it was so powerful to see Mo Amer’s character return to hi...

'Bam Bam: The Sister Nancy Story' and 'Play It Loud' are two new music docs coming to TV and streaming next week. You'll hear how these two films are celebrating the legacy of Jamaican and Jamaican-Canadian music. Commotion guest host Rad Simonpillai is joined by culture critics Danae Peart and Dalton Higgins. Plus, Richard Trapunski of Billboard Canada runs down the nominations for the upcoming J...

Parenting columnist Amil Niazi and author Jen Sookfong Lee join guest host Radheyan Simonpillai to discuss Crave’s 'An Update On Our Family', a three-part docu-series about the rise and fall of an influencer family called the Stauffers. Plus, former MuchMusic veejay Michael Williams shares his thoughts on the new documentary 'Disco's Revenge', which is a deep dive into the genre's history and lega...

Culture critics Marlon Palmer, Matt Amha, and Pablo The Don join guest host Rad Simonpillai to break down Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl Halftime performance on Sunday. Also, they look at the legacy of Irv Gotti, the hip-hop producer and DJ who co-founded Murder Inc. Records. Gotti died on February 5. He was 54.

This week we’re talking about culture as a form of resistance and power against the backdrop of US tariff threats, and talk that Canada should become the 51st state. Elamin Abdelmahmoud is joined by culture critics Michelle Cho, Louise Bruton & Matt Amha to look at how places like South Korea, Ireland and Nigeria, have resisted American cultural influences, and are now cultural powerhouses exp...

Elamin Abdelmahmoud is joined by Dr. Jay De Soca Prince, culture critic Sharine Taylor, and Inuk writer and culture critic Jamesie Fournier to react to two recent song releases from Trinidad Killa (with Nicki Minaj) and Kendrick Lamar that use the same 

As tariffs still loom and Donald Trump keeps musing about Canada becoming the 51st state, what does cultural resistance look like? It’s a lot easier when you’re talking about shopping to buy Canadian and skip made-in-America. But how are we thinking about the pillars of national cultural identity: the music, movies, and TV we chose to consume? Columnist and chair of the Canada Council for the Arts...

Though the proposed tariffs on Canadian goods that were supposed to take effect on February 3 have been momentarily paused for 30 days, the threat still looms over Canadian industries bracing for their impact. The Globe and Mail’s Film and Deputy Arts Editor Barry Hertz checks in to explain how they could affect the Canadian film and television industries, from production to consumer demand. ...

ulture critic/podcaster Pablo the Don and music journalists Carl Wilson and Rosie Long Decter give us their morning-after reactions to the biggest highlights, surprises, and snubs from last night’s Grammys. 

Culture writer Reanna Cruz, comedian Marlon Palmer, and arts reporter Jackson Weaver chat with Elamin about the latest controversy around the movie Emilia Pérez and its lead actor, Karla Sofía Gascón, and they discuss The Weeknd’s new album ‘Hurry Up Tomorrow.’