Ariana Grande's new album, and Heather O'Neill wins Canada Reads!

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 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

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

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 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

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

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. 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

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

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

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

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

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

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 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. by Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud

25 min listen

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. by Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud

26 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

BONUS: Are the changes to the Griffin Poetry prize hurting Canadian poets?: With no Canadian contenders on this year’s Griffin Poetry Prize longlist, poet and academic 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. by Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud

14 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 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. by Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud

25 min listen

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. by Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud

25 min listen

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. by Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud

25 min listen

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? by Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud

25 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

A deep dive into Beyoncé and the ambition of Cowboy Carter: With the release of Beyoncé's latest album and first country project, "Cowboy Carter," music journalists Andrea Williams and David Dennis Jr. as well as comedian Ashley Ray join host Elamin to discuss the release — and what it might say about the future of Black country music. by Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud

25 min listen

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. by Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud

28 min listen

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 Domenic Tardiff tells you about the day he spent with Quebec theatre giant Robert Lepage talking about his passion for wrestling, and his new exhibit. by Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud

37 min listen

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. by Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud

24 min listen

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. by Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud

23 min listen

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Ariana Grande's new album, and Heather O'Neill wins Canada Reads!

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