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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 & entertainment stories of the day, in 30 minutes or less.
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- 458 - Anne Hathaway's Idea of You, and Dua Lipa's star moment
This week on the group chat, how much does Dua Lipa reveal about herself on her new album, Radical Optimism? And in the movie The Idea of You, one of the characters is rumoured to be based on Harry Styles. But will this film satisfy audiences hungry for romance? Elamin Abdelmahmoud sits down with Suzy Exposito, Kathleen Newman-Bremang and Jennifer Wilson.
Fri, 03 May 2024 - 28min - 457 - Did Kendrick win the beef? And Seinfeld says the 'extreme left' killed comedy
Commotion regulars Dalton Higgins and David Dennis Jr. join Elamin with reaction to Kendrick Lamar’s latest diss response to Drake - ‘Euphoria’ - and the criticisms the track lobs at Drake and his credibility. Plus, Jerry Seinfeld turned 70 this week, and he's blaming wokeness for the death of comedy and bemoaning the end of the movie business, just as he releases a new film. Comedian Ali Hassan talks about why curmudgeonly Jerry is having a moment, and why he might be wrong.
Thu, 02 May 2024 - 25min - 456 - MAILBAG: The Tortured Poets Department and this moment in Taylor Swift
For Commotion's inaugural mailbag episode, host Elamin Abdelmahmoud sits down with fellow Swifties Emma Godmere and Amelia Eqbal to answer questions from listeners about everything we've learned after listening to The Tortured Poets Department on repeat for a week, and what the album says about this moment in time for the current biggest artist in the world.
Thu, 02 May 2024 - 54min - 455 - What happens to TikTok now? And the new Bon Jovi docu-series
Elamin is joined by music critics Niko Stratis and Maura Johnston to talk about the new docu-series "Thank you, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story," and whether it does justice to the band's legacy. Plus, Elamin speaks with culture writer Ana Diaz of Polygon about the so-called Tik Tok “ban” and what it means for the future of the hugely popular app.
Wed, 01 May 2024 - 25min - 454 - Why Burton Cummings is trying to stop his old band from playing his songs
Elamin sits down with Burton Cummings, the former frontman of The Guess Who, to talk about the legal action he's taking against his old band. It's aimed at preventing the current version of The Guess Who from performing the classic songs that Burton wrote while they're out on the road. Burton Cummings explains why he's taking these unprecended measures. Plus, last week the Writers Guild of Canada voted in favour of striking should its current negotiations for a new labour deal with Canadian film studios and distributors hit a stalemate. Elamin speaks with screenwriter Anthony Q. Farrell to find out what’s at stake in these negotiations.
Tue, 30 Apr 2024 - 24min - 453 - Why people can't stop thinking about Baby Reindeer, and the plight of Iranian rapper Toomaj Salehi
Stand-up comedians Ashley Ray and James Mullinger talk about the hit Netflix show Baby Reindeer, which is based on star Richard Gadd's real experiences of being stalked early in his career. Plus, Samira Mohyeddin shares the powerful story of Iranian rapper Toomaj Salehi, who was recently sentenced to death by the Iranian regime.
Mon, 29 Apr 2024 - 25min - 452 - Weinstein's court win, and Zendaya's moment in ChallengersFri, 26 Apr 2024 - 28min
- 451 - Commotion Introduces: Split Screen: Kid Nation
The controversial reality TV show known as ‘Kid Nation’, which borrowed its premise from Lord of the Flies, was cancelled shortly after its 2007 debut. Producers took 40 kids into a makeshift desert town to fend for themselves and create their own society. Was the series an opportunity to discover what kids are capable of? Or simply a ploy for ratings? With access to former ‘Kid Nation’ contestants, their families, and the show’s creators, culture journalist Josh Gwynn uncovers how this cult TV show became a lightning rod for an ongoing debate about the ethics of reality TV. Welcome to Split Screen, an examination of the utterly captivating, sometimes unsettling world of entertainment and pop culture. From reality TV gone awry, to the cult of celebrity, each season of Split Screen takes listeners on an evocative journey inside the world of showbiz. Ex-contestants, producers, and cultural critics uncover complicated truths behind TV’s carefully curated facades, and question what our entertainment reveals about us. Split Screen: sometimes reality is twisted. More episodes are available at: https://link.chtbl.com/pOex8i6P
Thu, 25 Apr 2024 - 36min - 450 - The lasting influence of soul artist Jackie Shane
A new documentary tells the extraordinary story of Jackie Shane, a trailblazing transgender singer from the south, who had a flash of fame in Toronto in the early 1960s. But just as she was about to become a star, she vanished. Rodney Diverlus and Ravyn Ariah Wngz talk about Jackie Shane's legacy, and why she still matters so much today.
Thu, 25 Apr 2024 - 24min - 449 - Unpacking the Shōgun finale, and can we Scrabble Together?
As the epic series "Shōgun" airs its final episode on Disney+ this week, TV critics Inkoo Kang and Kaiya Shunyata talk about what sets this adaptation of James Clavell’s novel apart from others before it, and how its emphasis on Japanese dialogue over English enriches our understanding of the story. Plus, Elamin is joined by Slate’s Dan Kois to discuss the backlash to ‘Scrabble Together,’ a more inclusive alternative to the iconic board game that is reportedly inspired by Gen-Z's demands for non-competitive board game options.
Wed, 24 Apr 2024 - 25min - 448 - Do true crime stories help or exploit? And unpacking Drake's new diss track
It's been ten years since the first episode of the hit podcast Serial came out, and we've been riding this wave of true crime entertainment ever since. Sarah Weinman and Karen K. Ho join Elamin to talk about how the genre has grown over the last decade, and where it still falls short. Plus, David Dennis Jr. reacts to Drake’s latest Kendrick diss track entitled ‘Taylor Made Freestyle,’ and talks about how the use of AI in this song and throughout this particular rap feud is raising new concerns about its use in pop music.
Tue, 23 Apr 2024 - 25min - 447 - How theatres are being tricked by AI, and the dark comedy The Sympathizer comes to TV
Guest host Ali Hassan speaks with theatre critic Aisling Murphy to talk about her recent article in The Toronto Star where she outlines how some theatre companies have been duped by AI-generated reviews, and what that says about the role of criticism today. Plus, Viet Thanh Nguyen wrote his novel The Sympathizer as a response to movies about the Vietnam War like Apocalypse Now, which sidelined Vietnamese voices. Ali also talks to Inverse entertainment editor Hoai-Tran Bui about how the dark comedy thriller translates to TV.
Mon, 22 Apr 2024 - 24min - 446 - Diving into Taylor Swift's The Tortured Poets DepartmentFri, 19 Apr 2024 - 27min
- 445 - An Israeli artist's statement on the world's biggest art stage
The 60th annual Venice Biennale opens this weekend, but one exhibit will be closed to the public. Ruth Patir, the artist representing Israel, is refusing to open her exhibit until “a cease-fire and hostage release agreement is reached.” Elamin speaks with Kate Brown, senior editor at Artnet News about how Ruth's protest is making waves in the art world. Plus, Elamin is joined by The Verge’s tech writer Emma Roth and music journalist Marc Masters to talk about the resurgent popularity of physical media including vinyl, CDs, DVDs and cassette tapes.
Thu, 18 Apr 2024 - 25min - 444 - Civil War is at the top of the box office, but what is it trying to say?Wed, 17 Apr 2024 - 24min
- 443 - How covering O.J. Simpson reshaped entertainment
In the wake of O.J. Simpson's death last week, writers David Dennis Jr., Jael Richardson, and Eric Harvey reflect on how O.J.'s murder trial in 1995 pushed conversations about race, privilege, domestic violence, and narcissism into the national spotlight, and how the unprecedented media hysteria over the trial set the table for the TMZ-driven, true-crime, reality-TV-obsessed world that we're living in now.
Tue, 16 Apr 2024 - 25min - 442 - Kill Tony is one of the biggest comedy shows right now, and The People's Joker is finally out
Elamin is joined by Commotion regular Matt Hart and comedian Ali Hassan to talk about how the chaotic, unapologetically crude, and competitive stand-up showcase "Kill Tony" became one of the most popular comedy podcasts in North America. Plus, Josie Riesman explains why Vera Drew’s "The People’s Joker" is the most compelling take on one of the most iconic villains in cinema.
Mon, 15 Apr 2024 - 24min - 441 - Fallout, Netflix's Ripley, and J.Cole's diss track saga and whether artist rivalries make for better art
For this week's group chat, Elamin Abdelmahmoud sits down with culture critics Niko Stratis, Rad Simonpillai, and Pablo,The Don. They respond to news of O.J. Simpson's death. Plus, they review the shows, "Fallout" and "Ripley" and talk about the backlash J.Cole is receiving after apologizing for a diss track he wrote about Kendrick Lamar.
Fri, 12 Apr 2024 - 25min - 440 - Scoop and the interview that ended Prince Andrew’s career
After a disastrous interview with the BBC in 2019 about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, Prince Andrew stepped away from royal duties and public life. The story behind how that interview came to be is the focus of “Scoop” on Netflix. Elamin speaks with UK film critic Hanna Flint and royal watcher Ellie Hall about the enduring desire to see the Royals portrayed on-screen. Plus, Elamin is joined by technology reporter Cade Metz to talk about The New York Times investigation into the length big companies like Google, Meta and Open AI are going to in order to develop the smartest artificial intelligence models.
Thu, 11 Apr 2024 - 24min - 439 - A searching conversation with Palestinian poet Mosab Abu Toha
It's been just over 6 months since Hamas attacked Israeli civilians, which led to the war in Gaza. Elamin speaks with Mosab Abu Toha - a Palestinian poet whose home in Gaza was destroyed - to talk about how he and other artists are able to keep creating in the face of destruction. Mosab Abu Toha recently wrote an essayfor The New Yorker about his harrowing journey out of Gaza.
Wed, 10 Apr 2024 - 21min - 438 - Where did all the blunt cultural criticism go?, and trouble in the small press world
Elamin is joined by culture writer Niko Stratis and Delia Cai to talk about Delia's pop up blog, Hate Read (which invites critics to write anonymous reviews of art they hate). Plus, Small Press Distribution suddenly closes up shop, leaving hundreds of independent publishers in the lurch. Jane Friedman unpacks what happened and how the world of small press is struggling in the aftermath.
Tue, 09 Apr 2024 - 24min - 437 - WrestleMania 40 was a turning point for WWEMon, 08 Apr 2024 - 25min
- 436 - Jerrod Carmichael's new show is so uncomfortable, and Dev Patel's directorial debutFri, 05 Apr 2024 - 27min
- 435 - The evolution of Kurt Cobain's legacy, and Robert Lepage's SLAM!
This week marks the 30th anniversary of Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain’s death by suicide. Since that moment, Kurt's legacy has evolved in fascinating ways. Nirvana biographer Michael Azerrad and music journalist Suzy Exposito discuss how Cobain continues to shape music and pop culture today. Plus, La Presse journalist Dominic Tardif tells you about the day he spent with Quebec theatre giant Robert Lepage talking about his passion for wrestling, and his new exhibit.
Thu, 04 Apr 2024 - 37min - 434 - How Jewish creators are navigating their work after Jonathan Glazer's Oscars speech
When Jonathan Glazer accepted his Oscar for "The Zone of Interest," he used that moment to take a stance on what's happening in Gaza. That speech prompted hundreds of Jewish creatives in Hollywood to sign an open letter, criticizing his speech. Elamin speaks with three Jewish creators — writer Emily Tamkin, musician Josh Dolgin (a.k.a. Socalled), and comedian Jess Salomon — about how they’re navigating their work amid deep divisions within the Jewish community.
Wed, 03 Apr 2024 - 24min - 433 - A deep dive into Beyoncé and the ambition of Cowboy CarterTue, 02 Apr 2024 - 25min
- 432 - How did the Bible become cool again?
Not only is the series The Chosen and the film Cabrini hits at the box office, Martin Scorcese is making a movie about Jesus. What's more, Mel Gibson is working on a ‘Passion of the Christ’ sequel. So, what happens when you mine the Bible for entertainment? The group chat weighs in on this moment of Christianity and pop culture.
Mon, 01 Apr 2024 - 25min - 431 - Can artists still make it in Halifax?
Halifax is renowned for its vibrant cultural scene, but it’s getting harder to make a living — and artists are having to move farther afield just to stay afloat. Musicians Maggie Andrew and Adam Baldwin, comedian Aba Amuquandoh and filmmaker Tara Thorne join Elamin at the Commotion table in Halifax to talk about what the capital of Nova Scotia has to offer artists today, and what’s at stake when artists can’t make ends meet there.
Fri, 29 Mar 2024 - 28min - 430 - A startling look at parenting influencers, and Richard Serra's legacy on the art world
For the last couple of years, journalist Fortesa Latifi has been reporting on the stories of the grown up children of parenting influencers. Her article and Cosmopolitan's documentary about it offer a startling look behind the camera — and how some sharenters are addressing the criticism or making the decision to stop using their children in content creation. Plus, CBC producer Lise Hosein pays tribute to the late American sculptor Richard Serra — who died this past Tuesday at the age of 85 — by giving her first-person account of visiting one of his more obscure site-specific works, Shift, located on a private farm north of Toronto.
Thu, 28 Mar 2024 - 24min - 429 - Without corporate title sponsors, can Canada's cultural festivals survive?
Canadian arts organisations have relied heavily on big companies to be their title sponsors: the Toronto International Film Festival had Bell, Luminato had L'Oréal, and the CONTACT Photography Festival had Scotiabank. But now, more and more of these corporate sponsors are pulling out — and no one is stepping up to fill the gap. Darcy Killeen, the CEO of CONTACT, tells host Elamin Abdelmahmoud about what it was like to lose their lead sponsor, and arts reporter Josh O’Kane explains what’s at stake for the arts in this country amidst a shifting funding landscape.
Wed, 27 Mar 2024 - 22min - 428 - A look back at the history of Freaknik, and examining Israel's entries into Eurovision
With the release of the new doc Freaknik: The Wildest Party Never Told, Elamin is joined by veteran Atlanta hip-hop journalists Sonia Murray and David Dennis Jr., for a brief look at the history of one of Atlanta’s most iconic 90s Black street parties. Plus, one of the non-european countries participating in the Eurovision Song Contest this year is Israel, which has sparked debate on its place in the competition, espeically amidst the war in Gaza. Journalist and Eurovision expert Karen Fricker talks about the contest's goal of staying apolitical, and the songs submitted by Israel for the competition: October Rain and Hurricane.
Tue, 26 Mar 2024 - 24min - 427 - Recapping the 2024 Junos — Canada's biggest night in music!Mon, 25 Mar 2024 - 25min
- 426 - Netflix’s 3 Body Problem, comedy's man of the moment Ramy Youssef and new horror flick Immaculate
The Commotion Friday Group Chat convenes to talk about this week’s biggest pop-culture stories, including Netflix’s epic new series 3 Body Problem, brought to you by the creators of Game of Thrones; the new stand-up special from comedy’s man of the moment, Ramy Youssef; and Sydney Sweeney's highly polarizing “nunsploitation flick” Immaculate. Joining Elamin are film critic Radheyan Simonpillai, comedy writer Cassie Cao and culture reporter Leila Latif.
Fri, 22 Mar 2024 - 25min - 425 - BONUS: Are the changes to the Griffin Poetry Prize hurting Canadian poets?
Two Canadian translators have made the longlist for this year's Griffin Poetry Prize. However, among the ten books that are up for the award, none of the writers are Canadian. And there are no Canadian publishers. Paul Vermeersch joins Elamin to react to the news and unpack how recent changes to the prize's criteria might impact the future visibility of Canadian poets on the international stage. It’s also the first year since those changes were implemented that none of the writers up for the award are Canadian. And there are no Canadian publishers nominated either. The longlist, however, did include two Canadian translators.
Thu, 21 Mar 2024 - 13min - 424 - Quiet on Set: how Nickelodeon failed to protect its child actors
Some say the early 2000’s was a golden age for children’s television. But in the new docuseries Quiet on Set, audiences learn that behind the scenes at Nickelodeon, it was anything but. Culture writer Scaachi Koul and former child actor Michael Seater join host Elamin to discuss the revelations from the docuseries and what it’s really like to make children’s TV.
Thu, 21 Mar 2024 - 24min - 423 - Commotion Introduces: PlayME | First Metis Man of Odesa
PlayME is transforming the way we experience theatre by turning contemporary plays into bingeable audio dramas. In this episode, First Métis Man of Odesa (Part 1), a real-life love story that spans continents, a pandemic and an invasion. Matt, a Canadian Metis playwright, falls for Mariya, a Ukrainian actor, during a theatre workshop in Kyiv. They kindle a year-long romance through emails before meeting in Toronto, igniting a whirlwind love affair. But as they face the challenges of a long-distance relationship, doubts creep in for both. Just before the pandemic hits, they receive life-altering news, testing the strength of their bond and the viability of their future together. First Metis Man of Odesa is by Matthew MacKenzie and Mariya Khomutova. More episodes of PlayME are available at: https://link.chtbl.com/5qK8Yesw
Wed, 20 Mar 2024 - 34min - 422 - What Sydney Sweeney has come to represent
Sydney Sweeney has been everywhere since her breakout performance in Euphoria. Recently, she's starred in the hit rom-com Anyone But You, the terrible superhero movie Madame Web, and now she plays a nun in the horror film Immaculate. But lately, the discourse around Sydney Sweeney hasn’t been about her acting roles. But rather, it’s been about how she breaks the unwritten rules of celebrity when it comes to politics and class. Plus, film and tv critic Rachel Ho joins Elamin to talk about why the animated show Invincible is succeeding as a live action superhero show when so many blockbusters are struggling to captivate audiences.
Wed, 20 Mar 2024 - 24min - 421 - How gang violence has impacted local musicians in Haiti
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has called the situation in Haiti a “humanitarian and security catastrophe.” With gang violence on the rise, the country’s music industry has begun to feel the impacts in a big way. Miami Herald reporter Jacqueline Charles explains how local musicians are getting caught in the middle of this conflict.
Tue, 19 Mar 2024 - 22min - 420 - Did Hollywood fail Ava DuVernay’s movie Origin? Plus, satire and Magical Negroes
FIlm and culture critics Kathleen Newman-Bremang, Sarah-Tai Black and Jackson Weaver join Elamin to discuss the new film The American Society of Magical Negroes and whether the disappointing box office performance and lack of Oscar nominations for Ava Duvernay’s latest film Origin has anything to do with reported tensions between Duvernay and Neon, the film’s distributor.
Mon, 18 Mar 2024 - 25min - 419 - Diving into queer thriller Love Lies Bleeding, the SXSW boycott and Justin Timberlake's comeback attempt, Everything I Thought It Was
The Commotion Friday Group Chat convenes to talk about this week’s biggest pop culture stories, including the queer erotic thriller Love Lies Bleeding starring Kristen Stewart; the mass band boycott of SXSW due to the event’s sponsorship ties to the U.S. military and defense industry; and pop star Justin Timberlake’s latest comeback attempt, Everything I Thought It Was. Joining Elamin for this week’s chat is culture writer Niko Stratis, Mashable film editor Kristy Puchko and music journalist Suzy Exposito.
Fri, 15 Mar 2024 - 25min - 418 - What the Kate photo says about our current information dystopia, and Grey's Anatomy debuts its 20th season!
News agencies are refusing to run the most recent photo of Kate Middleton and her kids because they could see it had been doctored. Charlie Warzel says nothing showcases the choose-your-own reality information dystopia we’re living in better than this photo blunder. Plus, Grey's Anatomy's 20th season debuts this week without its titular character (sort of). Entertainment journalists Sarah Hunter Simanson and Emily Longeretta join Elamin to talk about how this show became such an iconic staple of network TV, how it navigated so much change over the last 20 years and where it's landed now.
Thu, 14 Mar 2024 - 29min - 417 - The popularity of TikTok series "Who TF Did I Marry? and HBO's new political satire The Regime
Reesa Teesa recently blew up on TikTok with her fifty part "Who TF did I Marry?" series detailing her previous toxic marriage. CT Jones and Amanda Hess join Elamin to discuss what Teesa’s viral moment says about the platform’s growing popularity amongst 40+ audiences. Plus, TV critic Hanna Flint shares her thoughts on HBO’s new political satire, The Regime. Kate Winslet stars as an authoritarian leader in an unnamed central European country. But is the show strong enough to hold HBO’s coveted Sunday slot?
Wed, 13 Mar 2024 - 25min - 416 - The future in standup without Just for Laughs, and did Wendy Williams really consent to the docuseries about her?
Just for Laughs, the world's biggest comedy festival, is cancelled this year due to financial problems. Ali Hassan and Cassie Cao read the tea leaves and imagine a future for standup comedians like themselves without the festival. Plus, a new series about Wendy Williams – the iconic former talk show host – documents her slide into dementia. But it’s unclear whether she consented to the way she’d be portrayed. Tayo Bero calls it a voyeuristic mess and says Hollywood should know better. She’ll share her concerns with Elamin.
Tue, 12 Mar 2024 - 24min - 415 - The Oscars were last night, and here are the highlights!Mon, 11 Mar 2024 - 25min
- 414 - Ariana Grande's new album, and Heather O'Neill wins Canada Reads!
The Commotion Friday Group Chat convenes to talk about this week’s big blockbuster pop release — Ariana Grande’s Eternal Sunshine — and why some fans have turned on her. Joining Elamin this week are music journalist Maura Johnston, and culture writers Niko Stratis and Anne T. Donahue. Plus, The Future by Catherine Leroux, translated by Susan Ouriou and championed by Heather O’Neill has won Canada Reads 2024. Heather and Catherine join Elamin Abdelmahmoud to recap the week of debates and bask in the warm glow of victory.
Fri, 08 Mar 2024 - 25min - 413 - BONUS: What went into a dog actor's performance in Oscar nominated Anatomy of a Fall?
There is zero Oscars buzz about one of the best performances of the year, and that's because it's not by a human. Messi — a seven year old Border Collie — plays Snoop in Anatomy of a Fall. We’ll talk with a dog trainer about what went in to his incredible performance and why no matter how good AI gets, it will never be able to replace real animals on screen.
Fri, 08 Mar 2024 - 12min - 412 - What do we want from award show speeches?Thu, 07 Mar 2024 - 25min
- 411 - The uncertain future of Just for Laughs, and does the Love is Blind experiment actually work?
On Tuesday, the comedy world was rocked by the news that Montreal’s Just for Laughs festival was canceling its 2024 edition after financial hardships. Montreal Gazette writer T’Cha Dunlevy checks in with a local perspective on the impact JFL’s absence will have on the city, and whether the festival can bounce back. Plus, on the Netflix reality show Love is Blind, men and women get engaged before ever seeing each other in person. The show has earned Emmy nominations and more than a billion viewers – but has it proved its point? Amil Niazi and Kathryn VanArendonk join host Elamin to unpack the results of this so-called love experiment, six seasons in.
Wed, 06 Mar 2024 - 23min - 410 - Are biopics rewriting history?Tue, 05 Mar 2024 - 25min
- 409 - The appeal and the burden of the personal essay
On top of giving interviews and hosting reading events, many authors are often pressured by their publishers to write personal essays about topics related to their book for various media outlets, as a means of selling themselves to a wider audience. Writers Tajja Isen and Vivek Shraya explain why book publishers, media sites, and readers alike have become enamored with the personal-essay format and why many authors aren’t pleased about the additional work being required of them. Plus, culture writer Aparita Bhandari joins Elamin to talk about the new film Laapataa Ladies. She explains how this film makes a story set in rural India feel universal and why it's exciting to finally get a second film from Indian director and producer Kiran Rao.
Mon, 04 Mar 2024 - 25min - 408 - The JLo Cinematic Universe, and why influencers aren’t journalistsFri, 01 Mar 2024 - 25min
- 407 - Live Nation's dominance of the music industry, and where's the Princess of Wales?
Live Nation recently announced record-breaking earnings of 22.7 billion for 2023, a 36% increase over the previous year. The concert promotion conglomerate is infiltrating all aspects of the live-music experience, from ticketing to merchandising to venue ownership. Guardian reporter Adrian Horton and Toronto club-owner Shaun Bowring discuss the impact that Live Nation’s dominance is having on the music industry, on consumers, and if their dramatic growth is sustainable. Plus, where’s the Princess of Wales? The internet has a million theories. The speculation – AND the silence – says a lot about the media’s relationship with certain royals and our expectation of celebrities. Elamin gets some perspective from reporter Ellie Hall.
Thu, 29 Feb 2024 - 25min - 406 - How fans transformed Code 8 from a short film into a Netflix franchise
How does a crowdfunded indie sci-fi film make it into Netflix's top 10? Ask Canadian cousins and actors Stephen and Robbie Amell. They join host Elamin Abdelmahmoud to talk about the success of their film, Code 8 and how the fan-funded feature led to their new Netflix film, Code 8: Part II. Plus, your first impression of the past year in film might be that women dominated the box office because of Barbie. But a new study shows that the number of Hollywood films led by women is lower than it’s been in a decade. Teri Hart is on Commotion to weighs in.
Wed, 28 Feb 2024 - 25min - 405 - What Dune: Part Two gets right
Science fiction epic Dune: Part Two opens in theatres this week. Film critics Rad Simonpillai and Rachel Ho have both seen it and say it’s Denis Villeneuve’s best film yet. They’ll tell us why the movie is a must see and what it has to do with another series that’s out this week: Shogun, set in 17th century Japan.
Tue, 27 Feb 2024 - 25min - 404 - Was Shane Gillis the right choice to host Saturday Night Live?
Controversial comedian Shane Gillis hosted SNL on Saturday. Critic Kathryn VanArendonk and comedian Cassie Cao react to Gillis’ hosting debut and the backlash both he and Saturday Night Live have received because of his past racist and homophobic comments. Plus, after wrapping up its 11-season run in 2021, The Walking Dead saga is back from the dead with the premiere of new spinoff series, The Ones Who Live. Walking Dead aficionados Matt Hart and Kaiya Shunyata tell us what we can expect from this new incarnation of the show — and whether it was really necessary.
Mon, 26 Feb 2024 - 25min - 403 - Can Law & Order Toronto work? And Netflix's Avatar: The Last Airbender adaptationFri, 23 Feb 2024 - 27min
- 402 - Selena and Yolanda, and who is entitled to tell Selena's story?
Mexican-American music icon Selena was murdered in 1995. Now, a docuseries sheds new light on the beloved star, It also includes an interview with her convicted killer from prison. Culture writers Suzy Exposito and Alessa Dominguez unpack what the series adds to Selena’s legacy and whether the series goes too far. Plus, you'll hear from a gallery curator about selfie mishaps, but also the upside of capturing yourself with the art you like.
Thu, 22 Feb 2024 - 24min - 401 - True Detective Season 4 finale, and what are the potentials of new AI tech Sora?
As True Detective Season 4 is drawing to a close, Elamin is joined by film/tv critic Sarah-Tai Black to discuss the season’s Indigenous themes and where it stands against past seasons of the acclaimed franchise. Plus, it’s still hard to believe your eyes when you see what Sora — the latest AI advancement that turns text into video — can do. Sinead Bovell explains Sora’s potential — and pitfalls — and what she wants to see put in place before it’s released to the public.
Wed, 21 Feb 2024 - 21min - 400 - It's been a long time coming, but the Hollywood heartthrob is back!Tue, 20 Feb 2024 - 23min
- 399 - How Beyoncé changed the country music conversation
During the Super Bowl on Sunday, Beyoncé seized the media spotlight by releasing two new country style songs to announce her upcoming album, Act II. She’s just one of several major pop stars plotting a country crossover at the moment, so on this edition of the Commotion Friday Group Chat, we’re going to dig our boots into this phenomenon and discuss what it says about the current socio-political landscape in North America.
Fri, 16 Feb 2024 - 36min - 398 - What does One Love say about Bob Marley's legacy?Thu, 15 Feb 2024 - 24min
- 397 - Is the romantic comedy making a comeback?
After years of handwringing that the genre might be dead, the romantic comedy appears to be making a big comeback. Two romcom experts join host Elamin to talk about what makes the perfect romcom, why the genre has experienced so much turbulence over the last few years, and what the future may have in store for happily ever afters on the big screen. Plus, CBC Entertainment News reporter Jackson Weaver checks in to share his thoughts on Mr. & Mrs. Smith, Donald Glover’s TV reboot of Brangelina’s 2005 spy-themed rom-com.
Wed, 14 Feb 2024 - 28min - 396 - The Professional Women's Hockey League is making history, and is Jon Stewart still the right person to host The Daily Show?
The Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) is almost halfway through its first season. CBC reporter Karissa Donkin and TikToker goalie Sianna Gerelus celebrate this historic moment for hockey and talk about where it's headed. Plus, The Daily Show has finally found its new host — sort of. Writer Devin Gordon tells Elamin about why it’s such a surprise to see Jon Stewart back in the host chair, and why he thinks his nostalgic return is a step in the wrong direction.
Tue, 13 Feb 2024 - 25min - 395 - Usher, Beyoncé and everything that happened at Super Bowl LVIII
It is the day after the Super Bowl! Pop star Usher headlined the halftime show and Taylor Swift was in the stadium cheering on the Kansas City Chiefs, continuing her streak of giving the NFL a big bump this season. Elamin is joined by Kathleen Newman-Bremang and David Dennis Jr. for a post Super Bowl reaction, their assessment of where the NFL’s image sits in the pop realm right now and how they're feeling after Beyoncé's surprise country album announcement.
Mon, 12 Feb 2024 - 24min
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- Dragnet | Old Time Radio OTR GOLD
- The Bright Side iHeartPodcasts and Hello Sunshine
- Old Time Radio Westerns Andrew Rhynes
- Why We Eat What We Eat Blue Apron / Gimlet Creative
- Case Closed! (old time radio) RelicRadio.com
- Richard Diamond, Private Detective | Old Time Radio OTR GOLD
- كتب صوتية أبو راشد
- Sleep Sounds Sleep Sounds
- Mystery Theater Retro Entertainment | Realm
- Inner Sanctum | Old Time Radio OTR GOLD
- Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar | Old Time Radio OTR GOLD
- Old Time Radio Theater Old Time Radio Theater
- Mastering BITCOIN Bitcoin Wala
- The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins Loyal Books
- Western Stories | OTRWesterns.com Andrew Rhynes
- DEEP HOUSE LOUNGE - EXCLUSIVE DEEP HOUSE MUSIC PODCAST Bryon Stout: deep house music guru
- Suspense | Old Time Radio OTR GOLD
- Zoomer Radio's Theatre of the Mind Zoomer Podcast Network
- Tales of the Texas Rangers | OTRWesterns.com Andrew Rhynes