

Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud
CBC
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.Subscribe to Sounds Good: CBC's Podcasts newsletter for the finest podcast recommendations and behind-the-scenes exclusives.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 4, 2025 • 25min
What makes a good road trip playlist?
If you’re making a good road trip playlist, you’re thinking about the people in the car, the mood you want to create, the places you’re driving through, and so much more. Niko Stratis and Emilie Hanskamp have logged many long hours on the road – and many more obsessing over the perfect music to drive to. They join host Elamin Abdelmahmoud to share what it is that makes the road trip soundtrack something sacred.

Aug 1, 2025 • 28min
The Sydney Sweeney jeans controversy & more!
Elamin is joined by culture critics Pablo The Don, Bee Quammie and senior CBC Entertainment writer Jackson Weaver to discuss the Sydney Sweeney/American Eagle ad backlash, recent think pieces about celebrity transparency around the cosmetic work they do to their bodies, and the latest album from Tyler The Creator.

Jul 31, 2025 • 27min
The new BTS Army documentary, and should Sean Feucht still play in Canada?
Hannah Sung and Samantha Lui review the new documentary BTS Army: Forever We Are Young, which chronicles the rise of the 7-member K-pop band as powered by its loyal global fan base. Plus, Sean Feucht is an American Christian-rock performer whose current Canadian tour has been subject to protests and revoked event permits to his MAGA affiliations and far-right, anti-LGBTQ+ views. But music journalist Carl Wilson explains why even those who find Feucht objectionable shouldn’t be celebrating the cancellation of his shows. .

Jul 30, 2025 • 25min
Why Katy Perry and Justin Trudeau's dinner date matters, and Fringe Festival standouts
Katy Perry and Justin Trudeau had dinner in Montreal this week … and it looked a lot like a date. Of course the footage goes viral, and people can’t stop talking about it. Lainey Lui and Justin Ling join Elamin to talk about why these two love the limelight, and what our reaction reveals about the moment we’re living in. Plus, Aisling Murphy, theatre reporter for the Globe and Mail, joins Elamin to talk about the new Canadian fringe plays that she thinks could be making their way to bigger stages in the near future.

Jul 29, 2025 • 25min
Why the Canadian story Washington Black is produced by Americans, and The Masterplan Show is cancelled
Culture critic El Jones and film and TV producer Floyd Kane join Elamin to talk about the new series Washington Black. Also, with the recent cancellation of ‘The Masterplan Show: Generation Next’ - Canada’s longest running hip-hop slot on community radio - Elamin is also joined by veteran culture critic Dalton Higgins to discuss the importance of the program's 30+ year legacy, and what the cancellation could signal about the future of hip-hop on Canada’s community radio airwaves.

Jul 28, 2025 • 25min
Hulk Hogan's contentious legacy
Hulk Hogan, one of the most famous American professional wrestlers and a cultural icon of the ‘80s, has died at the age of 71. He is being remembered for the way he raised the profile of the sport and his unforgettable crossover into mainstream culture at large, but also for his history of hateful behaviour. Today on Commotion, wrestling fans Pablo the Don and Damian Abraham join Elamin to unpack Hulk Hogan’s complicated legacy.

Jul 25, 2025 • 26min
The Fantastic Four is back + remembering two 80s tv icons
NPR writer Eric Deggans, entertainment reporter Teri Hart, and Mashable film editor Kristy Puchko join the Group Chat to talk about whether the new Fantastic Four movie can reverse Marvel’s recent slump; the subversive new romcom ‘Oh Hi!’, and the pop-cultural impact of Hulk Hogan and Cosby Show star Malcolm-Jamal Warner, both of whom died this week.

Jul 23, 2025 • 31min
BONUS: The legacy of Ozzy Osbourne, Prince of Darkness
Toronto rocker Danko Jones, culture critic Niko Stratis, music journalist Melissa Vincent join guest host Eli Glasner to talk about the legacy of the late Ozzy Osbourne.

Jul 23, 2025 • 25min
The end of the Giller Prize? + Colbert vs Trump vs Latenight
The executive director of the Giller Prize says that Canada’s most prestigious literary award will be forced to close if they don’t get millions of dollars from the federal government. This comes after the Gillers cut ties with its former lead sponsor because of its connection to an Israeli arms manufacturer. Marsha Lederman joins Commotion guest host Eli Glasner to talk about why it’s such a predictable outcome, and what’s at stake for CanLit. Plus, when CBS announced that 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' would be ending in 2026, the news was not taken lying down by late night TV hosts — the least of all Jon Stewart. Culture writer Devin Gordon talks to Eli about the fallout from the cancellation, and why it took Colbert getting axed to bring out late night’s fiery side again.

Jul 22, 2025 • 25min
TSITP finale + when concerts & climate change collide!
Today on Commotion, culture writers Sarah Hunter Simanson and Megan Angelo join host Elamin Abdelmahmoud to talk about the Amazon Prime Video series that has turned viewers of all generations into fans: 'The Summer I Turned Pretty.' Plus, in recent weeks, the existential threat of climate change has had tangible impacts on the live-music industry—the 2025 edition of Bonnaroo was shut down due to inclement weather, and veteran rocker Steve Miller just cancelled his summer tour due to concerns over extreme heat and storms. Variety reporter Jem Aswad discusses how the industry is adapting to this new normal.