Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud

Ten years ago, 'Hamilton' the musical premiered on Broadway — and altered the course of musical theatre history forever. The revolutionary hit show about the founding of America has been wildly successful and lauded around the world, making stars out of many in its original cast. But the show has always had its critics too. Guest host Rad Simonpillai reflects on its legacy with culture critics Jackson Weaver, James McMaster and Karen Fricker.

Film critics Rachel Ho, Alison Wilmore, and Jackson Weaver join guest host Rad Simonpillai to discuss Sorry, Baby, the latest instalment in the Jurassic World franchise, and the politically themed Idris Alba and John Cena action comedy Heads of State.

With the verdict in on the Sean "Diddy" Combs case, Commotion guest host Rad Simonpillai is joined by Refinery29 reporter Taryn Finley and NYC culture critic Jay Smooth to react to the news, to the discourse around the case, and what it all might mean for Diddy’s pop legacy moving forward. And Sarah-Tai Black talks about Canadian icon and transgender elder Beverly Glenn-Copeland, who is releasing the pilot of his children’s show, Caring Cabin.

Anna Wintour changed fashion during her almost 40 years at the helm of Vogue Magazine. But she also changed our relationship with celebrity. Anna Wintour’s biographer Amy Odell and fashion writer Danya Issawi join guest host Rad Simonpillai to debate her legacy, what’s next for the magazine, and why this is so much more than a fashion story.

With the public backlash to superstar producer Timbaland’s public support for AI-integrated music, guest host Rad Simonpillai is joined by music journalist Dylan Green and critic Michelle Santosuosso to discuss the backlash and how it might inform the discourse between artists, their audiences, and the music industry, moving forward. And the Globe and Mail’s Barry Hertz joins Rad Simonpillai to talk about whether F1 delivers on its promise of adrenaline-fuelled action.

What is considered to be a Canadian literary classic? Has that changed? Has it remained the same? Authors Jael Richardson and David A. Robertson, and bookseller and publisher Martha Sharpe chat with Elamin Abdelmahmoud about updating the Can Lit canon.

Culture critics Michelle Cho and Nicholas Quah join guest host Rad Simonpillai to talk about the final season of Squid Game, and whether its satire of capitalism is as potent the third time around. And the new Pixar movie Elio got good reviews when it opened a few weeks ago but it’s bombing at the box office. Teri Hart explains why the problem with Elio is the problem with all original kids movies: kids just don’t want original stuff on the big screen.You may also like: Why Squid Game: The Challenge is must-watch TV

Culture writer Niko Stratis, podcaster Vish Khanna, and music journalist Carl Wilson join the Group Chat to discuss the mammoth new seven-disc Bruce Springsteen box set ‘Tracks II: The Lost Albums’, the new intensely personal comeback album from New Zealand pop queen Lorde, and the musical legacy of Quebecois rock legend Serge Fiori, who passed away recently at age 73.

Elamin Abdelmahmoud is joined by real life line cook and tv junkie Grace Onasanya and tv/film critic Rachel Ho to talk about the latest season of ‘The Bear.’ Plus, Mel Woods joins Elamin to talk about their new Xtra podcast, Get Queer, which explores how queer folks turned reality TV into a global phenomenon.

The very real showdown between protesters in LA and immigration agents is being re-enacted in the virtual world. Roblox — a video game used by 85 million people every day — has become a hotbed for virtual political activism among kids. Alyssa Mercante and Kieran Press-Reynolds join Elamin Abdelmahmoud to talk about it.It takes years of dedication to become a conductor for a world-class orchestra. But this week in Toronto, a wealthy businessman has rented both the storied Roy Thomson Hall and the Toronto Symphony Orchestra in order to try his hand at one of the hardest roles — and pieces — in the classical music world. Globe and Mail reporter Josh O’Kane explains why all eyes are on the Mandle Philharmonic’s performance of Mahler’s Symphony No. 2.