Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud

CBC

<p>Big 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 &amp; entertainment stories of the day, in 30 minutes or less.</p><p><br></p><p>Subscribe to <a href="https://subscriptions.cbc.ca/listmanagement/forms/podcastsnewsletter">Sounds Good: CBC's Podcasts newsletter</a> for the finest podcast recommendations and behind-the-scenes exclusives.</p>

  • 27 minutes 37 seconds
    Weekly Wrap: Harry Styles’ ‘Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally’ and BLACKPINK’s ‘Deadline’

    Harry Styles’ ‘Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally’ and BLACKPINK’s ‘Deadline’ are beckoning us back to the club with two very different takes on dance music. Culture critics Lucy Ford, Louise Bruton, and Michelle Cho share their thoughts with Elamin Abdelmahmoud.

    6 March 2026, 5:10 am
  • 25 minutes 8 seconds
    How 'Rap Essentials' changed Canadian hip hop, and why we can't stop watching Friends Keep Secrets

    Rap Essentials was a series of Canadian compilation albums released in the late '90s and early 2000s. The series gave fans access to new music, and inspired so many artists. Rap Essentials 2001 was particularly influential. To mark the 25th anniversary of that album, Elamin Abdelmahmoud is joined by Canadian music industry insider Craig "Big C" Mannix and journalist/publicist Dalton Higgins, to dig into the Rap Essentials series, and how it shaped culture. And Vulture’s Fran Hoepfner talks about what’s drawing people to the Benny Blanco and Lil Dicky’s talk show Friends Keep Secrets.

    5 March 2026, 5:10 am
  • 24 minutes 56 seconds
    Nova Scotia's proposed arts cuts hit deep, and Scream 7

    The Nova Scotia government announced they're making massive cuts to grants to arts and culture programs in the province. And for some artists and organizations these cuts will be catastrophic. Poet and culture critic El Jones and novelist Stephanie Domet join Elamin Abdelmahmoud to explain what’s on the line. And Scream 7 is the number one movie at the box office right now. Film critic Teri Hart shares her thoughts on the franchise’s latest entry and some of the controversy around the film.

    4 March 2026, 5:10 am
  • 25 minutes 23 seconds
    A new Bruno Mars album, and F1's Drive to Survive is back

    Bruno Mars is one of those artists who produces hit after hit. He's the king of collabs and now he's back with a solo album 'The Romantic.' Culture critic Pablo The Don and musician/tv producer Romeo Candido dive into it and his pop legacy with Elamin Abdelmahmoud. And the Netflix documentary series ‘Formula 1: Drive to Survive’ has returned for its eighth season, taking viewers behind the scenes of Formula 1 racing. Producer and show super-fan Michelle Jobin explains why this show has kept audiences intrigued, particularly viewers who wouldn’t otherwise care about car racing.

    3 March 2026, 5:10 am
  • 24 minutes 57 seconds
    Industry S4 finale, and why are Canadian films struggling in theatres?

    Industry, the HBO drama set in the highest echelons of finance and power, presents a truly toxic tangle of relationships, politics and greed. As the season wraps up, culture critics Chris Murphy and Roxana Hadadi join Elamin Abdelmahmoud to reflect on the fourth season finale and what the show helps us understand about the cost of success. And Canadian films are struggling at the box office, according to a new industry report by Telefilm Canada, but the real problem isn’t a lack of talent or production, it’s a lack of visibility. Globe and Mail columnist Barry Hertz unpacks what’s behind the disconnect.

    2 March 2026, 5:10 am
  • 27 minutes 13 seconds
    50 seasons of Survivor

    With the 50th season of ‘Survivor’ kicking off this week, guest host Amil Niazi is joined by fans Jael Richardson, Ashley Ray and former contestant Omar Zaheer to look back on the reality show’s rise, memorable moments and what its long term success might say about us.

    27 February 2026, 5:10 am
  • 25 minutes 11 seconds
    Social media is facing a landmark court case, and Stan Douglas's 'Tales of Empire' photo exhibit

    Meta and Google’s YouTube are currently on trial in Los Angeles to face a lawsuit that claims the company’s platforms were deliberately designed to enhance their addictive qualities and get young users hooked on them. Tech-culture journalist Alyssa Mercante joins gust host Amil Niazi to explain what’s at stake in the trial, and how the outcome could transform the way we consume social media. 


    Stan Douglas is one of Canada's most celebrated artists. His latest exhibit 'Tales of Empire,' on display now at the McMichael Canadian Art Collection, explores centuries of colonization all over the world. Writer André Alexis and culture critic Riley Yesno discuss the exhibit and reflect on Stan Douglas's life and work.

    26 February 2026, 5:10 am
  • 25 minutes 1 second
    Eric Dane's powerful final message on Famous Last Words, and A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms finale

    On the Netflix show Famous Last Words, people are interviewed about their lives knowing the conversation won't be shared until after their deaths. The second episode of the series features actor Eric Dane, whose heartfelt message to his daughters illustrates the power of a person's last words. Dr James Maskalyk and palliative care nurse Sandra Marche have witnessed many final moments, and share their thoughts on the groundbreaking series with Commotion guest host Amil Niazi.


    Plus, Canadian showrunner Ira Parker breathes new life into the Game of Thrones franchise with a hit spinoff called A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. Culture critic Meghan O’Keefe talks about why audiences are falling for the chemistry of Ser Duncan the Tall and his squire Egg, and what comes next in George R.R. Martin’s universe.

    25 February 2026, 5:10 am
  • 26 minutes 48 seconds
    In the wake of the BAFTA's controversy, what does accountability look like?

    The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) and BBC have apologized for airing a racial slur during Sunday’s BAFTA award ceremony. It happened after John Davidson, a guest with Tourette’s Syndrome, shouted offensive language at award presenters, and Sinners stars, Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo. Culture critic and activist Syrus Marcus Ware unpacks the story with host Elamin Abdelmahmoud, and discusses how it raises all kinds of questions around how we navigate race and disability.


    And, an award winning comedy called 'Puppet Regime’ has a lot to say about the state of global politics, satirizing leaders like Trump, Putin, and tech billionaires. Journalist and political scientist David Moscrop and puppeteer Kira Hall talk about how ‘Puppet Regime' balance serious world issues with a sense of humour.

    24 February 2026, 5:10 am
  • 25 minutes 15 seconds
    Olympics wrap + Space Cadets review

    The 2026 Winter Olympic Games have come to an end and it’s time to look back on golden moments, national disappointments and internet memes. Sports journalist Shireen Ahmed and culture critic Mel Woods reminisce and bid ciao to Milano Cortina with host Elamin Abdelmahmoud. Plus, Montreal’s Kid Koala says Charlie Chaplin movies inspired his debut animated feature, Space Cadet, which has no dialogue. Film critic Rachel Ho talks about this modern silent film with Elamin, and how it’s being received.

    23 February 2026, 5:10 am
  • 25 minutes 50 seconds
    Weekly Wrap: women's hockey, American vs Canadian Olympic ads, and the Wasserman fallout

    Writer/rapper Rollie Pemberton, Sirius XM host Tara Slone, and entertainment reporter Teri Hart join Elamin Abdelmahmoud to talk about the 2026 Olympic Games, including the women's Olympic gold medal hockey game. Plus, they discuss how the Epstein files scandal surrounding L.A. talent-agency mogul Casey Wasserman has reverberated through the worlds of entertainment and sports.

    20 February 2026, 5:10 am
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