Why readers love Sarah J. Maas' romantasy novels, and what music festival posters can tell us about the state of the music industry

Highlights from the Grammy Awards — music's biggest night!: Music journalists Reanna Cruz and Maria Sherman give us a morning-after report on the big winners, the surprises, the snubs and performance highlights from the 66th Grammy Awards. by Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud

24 min listen

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. by Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud

24 min listen

Can Law & Order Toronto work? And Netflix's Avatar: The Last Airbender adaptation: Amil Niazi, Syrus Marcus Ware and Michelle Cho join Elamin Abdelmahmoud to share their first impressions of Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent, and Netflix’s new live action adaptation of the beloved fantasy series Avatar: The Last Airbender. by Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud

27 min listen

Benefits with Friends tackle topics best friends never touch, and a new show about clay art: Do you and your best friends have to like the same movies, music and shows? What happens if you don’t? Comedians Mae Martin and Sabrina Jalees are best friends and their new show Benefits with Friends is out through Audible Originals — where they tackle topics so many friends never touch. Plus, there’s a whole new kind of throw down coming to a TV near you. Host Elamin Abdelmahmoud chats with ceramic sculptor Susannah Montague about The Great Canadian Pottery Throw Down, a new reality competition series centered around the art of working with clay. by Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud

30 min listen

Why readers love Sarah J. Maas' romantasy novels, and what music festival posters can tell us about the state of the music industry: Novelist Sarah J. Maas sits atop the ever-popular romantasy genre — a mix of fantasy and romance — that's dominating social media. With her new book House of Flame and Shadow, Heather O'Neill, Kathryn VanArendonk and Makda Mulatu discuss why Maas attracts such a large fanbase. Plus, the inherently hierarchical structure of festival posters – between the artists in large font and the ones at the bottom in tiny lettering – serves as a lens to analyze the current state of the music industry. With all the big summer festivals getting announced, Stereogum writer Tom Breihan explains what the posters from this year’s big summer festivals can tell us. by Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud

27 min listen

Taylor Swift at the Super Bowl, and Tracy Chapman's post-Grammys newfound popularity: The Commotion Group Chat weighs in on this week’s big pop-culture stories. The Taylor Swift effect on this weekend’s Super Bowl and the post-Grammys celebration of Tracy Chapman among fans new and old. by Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud

26 min listen

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. by Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud

28 min listen

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. by Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud

22 min listen

The JLo Cinematic Universe, and why influencers aren’t journalists: Culture critics Lainey Lui, Jackson Weaver and Julianne Escobedo Shepherd join Elamin to unpack the confusion and reaction to J-Lo’s latest multi-format project and weigh in on the tensions between influencers and entertainment journalists. by Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud

25 min listen

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. by Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud

25 min listen

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. by Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud

23 min listen

The personal essay is back...and authors are sick of writing them: 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. by Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud

25 min listen

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. by Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud

25 min listen

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. by Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud

36 min listen

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. by Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud

25 min listen

It's been a long time coming, but the Hollywood heartthrob is back!: For years, the quintessential heartthrob has been missing from the roster of beautiful young celebrities in Hollywood. But now he’s back! We’ll get in to why he's reappeared and why it matters, with Manuel Betancourt, Lainey Lui and Jen Sookfong Lee. by Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud

24 min listen

The legacy of Indigenous categories at the Junos, and why fashion week front rows are full of Gen Z influencers: To recognize the 30th anniversary of the inclusion of Indigenous categories to the Juno Awards, Elamin is joined by Alan Greyeyes, Tristan Grant and Susan Blight for a brief look at the legacy of the Indigenous categories at the Junos and the contentious history around who gets to claim Indigeneity as musicians. Plus, New York fashion week kicks off Friday and the front rows of Haute Couture shows are filled mostly with Gen Z influencers — which has some fashion insiders feeling less than impressed. Fashion journalist Gianluca Russo gets in to the drama. by Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud

27 min listen

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. by Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud

25 min listen

Are biopics rewriting history?: Film and culture critics Bilge Ebiri, Rad Simonpillai and Niko Stratis join Elamin to discuss biopics and what it means when they are seen as more fact than fiction, and families and estates are involved in making them. by Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud

25 min listen

What does One Love say about Bob Marley's legacy?: The highly anticipated Bob Marley biopic One Love was released yesterday. Elamin is joined by Marlon Palmer, Danae Peart and Dalton Higgins to review the film and discuss what it says about the legacy of the late Marley. by Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud

25 min listen

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. by Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud

24 min listen

What do we want out from award show speeches?: Ahead of the Oscars this weekend, writers Hunter Harris, Kathleen Newman-Bremang and Omar El Akkad join Elamin to talk about the greatest acceptance speeches of all time and why more people aren’t taking advantage of the platform to amplify the causes they care about. by Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud

25 min listen

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. by Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud

13 min listen

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. by Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud

29 min listen

Why were The American Society of Magical Negroes and Ava Duvernay's Origin flops at the box office?: 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. by Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud

25 min listen

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. by Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud

25 min listen

The Oscars were last night, and here are the highlights!: Following two Hollywood strikes and an exciting year for film, the 96th Academy Awards have finally arrived. Entertainment journalists Eli Glasner, Rachel Ho and Johnnie Jae join host Elamin to unpack the highs and lows of this year’s Oscars. by Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud

25 min listen

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. by Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud

25 min listen

Recapping the 2024 Junos — Canada's biggest night in music!: Elamin is joined by artists and culture critics Cadence Weapon, Tristan Grant and Haligonian music journalist Morgan Mullen to react to the 2024 Juno Awards. They'll also unpack Maestro Fresh Wes' induction into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame. by Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud

25 min listen

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. by Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud

25 min listen

Discover this podcast and so much more

Why readers love Sarah J. Maas' romantasy novels, and what music festival posters can tell us about the state of the music industry

Description

Titles in the series (63)

More Episodes from Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud

Related podcast episodes