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>

  • 31 minutes 33 seconds
    Friday Wrap: Canada Shore, Oscar noms and the Beckham family drama

    The infamous late-2000s MTV reality show ‘Jersey Shore’ gets a Canuck spin but does the hot-mess spectacle translate north of the border? Culture writers Amil Niazi, Mel Woods, and Hanna Flint join the Group Chat to share their impressions 'Canada Shore' and weigh in on the Oscar nominations and how the drama brewing inside the Beckham family is upending the typical nepo-baby narrative. 

    23 January 2026, 5:10 am
  • 30 minutes 57 seconds
    Revealing the 2026 Canada Reads books and champions

    The great Canadian book debate is back! The star-studded cast of Canada Reads 2026 is revealed on Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud, along with the five books they think all of Canada should read. The Canada Reads debates take place April 13 to 16.

    22 January 2026, 5:10 am
  • 25 minutes 10 seconds
    Why are we yearning for 2016? and Hilary Duff's comeback

    If Instagram feels like a time-machine right now, you’re not alone. A lot of people are waxing nostalgic for the lives we were living a decade ago. So why are we obsessed with 2016? Culture critics Vinson Cunningham and Madison Malone Kircher talk about the trend with host Elamin Abdelmahmoud, and what it tells us about this cultural moment. And pop culture writer Emilie Hanskamp talks about Hilary Duff's first real comeback with new music in more than a decade.

    21 January 2026, 5:10 am
  • 24 minutes 44 seconds
    The rise of Penske Media Corporation, and The Testament of Ann Lee

    With Penske Media Company’s acquisition of several key publications and award shows, Commotion guest host Radheyan Simonpillai is joined by entertainment media critics Jarrod Jenkins and Teri Hart to discuss the rise of PMC and the impact its acquisitions could have on entertainment journalism. And New York Times movie critic Alissa Wilkinson talks about why the movie musical The Testament of Ann Lee is flying under the radar.

    20 January 2026, 5:10 am
  • 23 minutes 55 seconds
    The Pitt is back, and A$AP Rocky too

    After winning lots of fans and awards in its first season, HBO’s medical drama 'The Pitt' is back for another 15-hour shift. Culture critics Nicholas Quah and Sophie Gilbert join guest host Radheyan Simonpillai to talk about how the show continues to use the ER as the setting for social commentary and whether fans will enjoy season 2. And MC and writer Rollie Pemberton gives his take on A$AP Rocky's new record, 'Don’t Be Dumb.'

    19 January 2026, 5:10 am
  • 27 minutes 20 seconds
    Friday Wrap: The Bone Temple, The Traitors, Dragon's Den patty controversy

    Elamin is joined by culture critics Marlon Palmer, Roxana Hadadi and CBC Entertainment reporter Jackson Weaver to discuss ‘28 Years Later: The Bone Temple’, season four of the hit reality series, ‘The Traitors,’ and the debates sparked by an exchange on the CBC’s ‘Dragons' Den’ about gourmet Jamaican patties.

    16 January 2026, 4:40 pm
  • 31 minutes 27 seconds
    How betting has infiltrated entertainment, and the tumultuous revamping of CBS

    While sports and betting have always gone hand-in-hand, the gambling industry has started infiltrating all corners of the entertainment world, establishing a presence in everything from Golden Globes telecasts to Roblox games. Tech culture writers Alyssa Mercante and Matthew Frank discuss how gambling is changing the way we consume arts and entertainment, and what the long-term impacts could be. 


    Plus, trouble is brewing inside CBS News in the months since Bari Weiss officially became editor in chief. Elamin talks to The Guardian’s Jeremy Barr about what’s driving the tension, and why it’s permeating beyond the network. 

    15 January 2026, 4:40 pm
  • 30 minutes 39 seconds
    The Giller jury will be booksellers this year, and remembering Grateful Dead's Bob Weir

    With The Giller Prize announcing that for the first time its jury will consist of seven booksellers and no authors, Elamin is joined by Another Story Bookshop manager Anju Gogia to react to the news, and how this new approach might shape the outcome of the prize this year.


    Plus, remembering Grateful Dead co-founder Bob Weir – with his friend Dan Kanter. They met backstage at a Justin Bieber show – Dan will tell Elamin how that encounter sparked a deep friendship, jam sessions, and a new understanding of the meaning of life. 

    14 January 2026, 4:40 pm
  • 25 minutes 11 seconds
    Why this Canadian orchestra is ditching NDAs in cases of sexual misconduct

    One of Canada’s most prestigious orchestras is facing a moment of reckoning. The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra says it will no longer use non-disclosure agreements in cases involving sexual misconduct. Elamin talks to Globe & Mail reporter Robyn Doolittle and violinist Lara St. John on how we got here, and what still needs to happen for real change inside the rigid, secretive world of classical music.

    13 January 2026, 4:40 pm
  • 25 minutes 11 seconds
    All the tea on this year's Golden Globes, and S4 of Industry

    The 83rd Golden Globes were held in Los Angeles last night, providing an early gauge as to which films and actors have the momentum heading into Oscars season. Entertainment reporters Teri Hart and Chris Murphy join Elamin to discuss the most memorable moments from last night’s telecast. 


    Plus, with the premiere of season four of the acclaimed series 'Industry’ - Elamin is joined by Guardian TV critic Hannah J Davies to discuss the show’s latest season and the series’ growing popularity.

    12 January 2026, 4:40 pm
  • 25 minutes 31 seconds
    The Heated Rivalry Obsession

    There has never been a bigger Canadian show than Heated Rivalry – and people everywhere are obsessed. Culture critics Cassandra Morann, Jason P Frank and Lainey Lui join Elamin to take stock of how the gay hockey show became such a massive global phenomenon, and where it goes from here. 

    9 January 2026, 5:10 am
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