Podcast
Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud
Hosted by CBC · EN
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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57episodes
Episodes
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Shein buys sustainable fashion brand Everlane, and the Griffin Poetry Prize town hall
4d ago00:28:31Tap to summarizeThe big fashion story of the moment is Shein buying Everlane. The companies are total opposites: Shein is the king of ultra-fast fashion and Everlane marketed itself as an eco-conscious and ethical clothing brand. Elamin Abdelmahmoud chats with Clare Press, the host of the sustainable fashion podcast, ‘Wardrobe Crisis’ about what this acquisition says about our relationship with sustainable clothing.Plus, Canadian poets haven’t won the most prestigious prize for Canadian poetry for the past 4 years, ever since International poets became eligible to win it too. And Canadian poets are not happy. Yesterday, prize organizers held a town hall to hear all sides. Poet Paul Vermeersch was there, and he’ll share what he heard and saw with Elamin
Transcribe →The Enhanced Games is a 'love child of the manosphere,' and remembering cellist Cris Derksen
5d ago00:29:27Tap to summarizeHeld on May 24 in Las Vegas, the Enhanced Games is a rarity among international sporting competitions, in that it permits – and actively encourages – athletes to compete using performance enhancing drugs, thus earning the dubious nickname of the “Steroid Olympics.” Sports writers Morgan Campbell and Adam Skolnick discuss whether the games are just a silly spectacle, or a troubling bellwether of where sports – and wellness culture as a whole – could be heading. Plus, classical music lost a legend this month. Cris Derksen was a prolific Cree cellist and composer, who was known for defying genres. Musician Jeremy Dutcher joins Elamin Abdelmahmoud to honour his friend, Cris Derksen, who died at the age of 45.
Transcribe →The Late Show with Stephen Colbert is over. What now?
1w ago00:27:37Tap to summarizeIt’s the end of an era – when The Late Show with Stephen Colbert goes off the air (May 21). TV critic Eric Deggans, comedian Ashley Ray and political columnist Justin Ling join Elamin the morning after the finale to take stock of Colbert’s impact -- and the show that will fill his slot: Comics Unleashed.
Transcribe →Talking about revenge in I Love Boosters and Is God Is, and how women are driving F1's popularity
1w ago00:30:00Tap to summarizeWith release of ‘I Love Boosters’ from Boots Riley and ‘Is God Is’ - the debut film from Aleshea Harris, Elamin Abdelmahmoud is joined by film critic Sarah-Tai Black and culture critic Rania El Mugammar to discuss the buzz around these two releases and the different ways these two films explore themes like revenge and justice.Plus, the Canadian Grand Prix is this weekend! As Montreal gears up to welcome F1’s best drivers, TV host and F1 super-fan Michelle Jobin explains why women are growing the sport and what people can expect from Canada’s biggest race weekend.
Transcribe →The Boys series finale: Did it stick the superhero landing?
1w ago00:15:29Tap to summarizeAfter five critically acclaimed seasons, the superhero satire series ‘The Boys’ drops its final episode today. TV critics Kaiya Shunyata and Ben Rosenstock reflect on how the show reinvigorated the superhero genre with its real-world political commentary, and whether fans will be satisfied with the finale.
Transcribe →The lore behind Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano's 17-second fight
2w ago00:11:27Tap to summarizeThis past weekend the most anticipated MMA fight happened — Ronda Rousey v. Gina Carano, two pioneers of the sport, and the first matchup of its kind to stream live on Netflix. Pablo The Don from the Those Wrestling Girls podcast joined Elamin Abdelmahmoud to explain why this fight is such a big deal, and what it means for Rousey and Carano.
Transcribe →Iceman, Maid of Honour, Habibti — are we ready for a Drake summer?
2w ago00:32:15Tap to summarizeDrake is the most-streamed artist in the world, but his best rap is about being an underdog. With three new albums out at once — Iceman, Maid of Honour and Habibti — Elamin Abdelmahmoud is joined by culture critics Matt Amha, Pablo The Don and We Love Hiphop podcast host Friday, to review the new releases and unpack Drake's place in music right now.
Transcribe →What TV is getting right — and wrong — about sex work
2w ago00:34:08Tap to summarizeAt the beginning of the new Canadian documentary ‘Modern Whore,’ Andrea Werhun asserts that sex workers have often been cast as victims or villains in pop culture. With so many examples of sex work on TV right now — from 'Hacks' and 'Margo's Got Money Troubles' to 'Euphoria' — the group chat takes stock of what's changed and how far we still have to go. Boarlord, Arabelle Raphael and Lux Alptraum are all insiders of the sex industry, and join Elamin to weigh in on what's shaping sex work in pop culture.
Transcribe →Wrap: Cannes, and The Sheep Detectives
2w ago00:25:56Tap to summarizeA new movie about talking sheep who solve a murder case is making waves at the box office. Film critics Radheyan Simonpillai, Justine Smith and Kristy Puchko join Elamin Abdelmahmoud to discuss the crime comedy’s surprising buzz, plus what’s happening on the ground at the 79th Cannes Film Festival.
Transcribe →Who brought the heat to Kevin Hart’s roast? and Hallmark's mahjong whitewashing controversy
2w ago00:32:23Tap to summarizeOnce a small-scale private event for comedians, the celebrity roast has become a massive arena event live-streamed around the world on Netflix. Comedian/podcaster Ashley Ray and media personality Matt Hart talk to Elamin Abdelmahmoud about last weekend’s all-star roast of Kevin Hart and what it says about the state of comedy in 2026.Plus, a new Hallmark movie that premiered on CTV Life called 'All’s Fair in Love & Mahjong' has raised a lot of questions around Asian representation. Film critic Rachel Ho reviews the movie and unpacks the backlash.
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