Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud

A recent Dragons' Den episode where guest judge Simu Liu raised the issue of cultural appropriation with the owners of a new bubble tea-styled product has generated a lot of online backlash. Elamin chats with the Toronto Star's food reporter Karon Liu about what this moment can teach us. Plus, the Korean reality show Culinary Class Wars has upended the formula for food competition TV. Elamin chats with Michelle Cho and Roxana Hadidi about why other cooking shows should be taking notes.

The Fred Perry polo was popular in UK subcultures for decades, but, in recent years, it's become known as the de facto uniform of an extreme right-wing organization. Fred Perry's denounced its association with the Proud Boys, meanwhile a new wave of artists are reinstating the polo as a symbol of inclusivity. Elamin talks to Rollie Pemberton and Jon McCann about the evolution of the Fred Perry brand. Plus, film critic Rad Simonpillai talks about the new HBO series The Franchise, a satire about the making of a big budget superhero movie.

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of K-os’ acclaimed album ‘Joyful Rebellion,’ Elamin is joined by music critics Dalton Higgins and Susana Ferreira to reflect on its impact then and now.

Elamin is joined by film critics Rachel Ho, Radheyan Simonpillai and comedian Cassie Cao to discuss the new Apple TV+ series Disclaimer, the Netflix comedy special Ali Wong: Single Lady and the latest controversy around the upcoming Western film Rust.

Culture writer Joan Summers talks about Vice President Kamala Harris’s appearance on 'Call Her Daddy' with Alex Cooper, and what we lose and what we gain when politicians give their time to entertainment podcasts over conventional news outlets. Plus, Elamin chats with Elamin chats with TV critics Saloni Gajjar and Sophie Gilbert about the 'Slow Horses' finale, and why it's one of the best shows on TV right now.

With the recent release of The Tragically Hip docuseries ‘No Dress Rehearsal’ and a new, band-authorized coffee table book, ‘This Is Our Life,’ out this month, music journalists Michael Barclay, Vish Khanna, and Lisa Christiansen discuss how the legendary Canadian rock band is preserving their legacy, and how these new releases are changing the way we think about the Hip.

'Dunya' is the debut album from acclaimed Toronto musician Mustafa.You'll hear why his laser focus on his Regent Park community has made him one of the most important artists of his generation.

As we reflect on what happened on October 7, we ask Jewish creators how art can be of service, making sense and giving shape to a very dark day, and how their lives have changed. Elamin speaks with writer Emily Tamkin and artist Dina Goldstein. Plus, Elamin chats with Israeli filmmaker Yariv Mozer about his new Paramount+ documentary, ‘We Will Dance Again.’

The film 'Saturday Night' looks back on the origins of the long-standing sketch comedy show, created by Lorne Michaels, just as it starts its 50th season. Critics Eric Deggans, Adam Nayman and Cassie Cao discuss SNL’s legacy, and where it stands in today’s political climate.

Elamin is joined by podcasters Damian Abraham and Pablo The Don to talk about the new docuseries on Netflix, ‘Mr McMahon,’ and how it tackles the legacy of World Wrestling Entertainment and the controversy surrounding its former chairman and CEO Vince McMahon. Plus, Elamin chats with Sonya Ballantyne, the co-director of the documentary ‘The Death Tour.' It's a wrestling tour that is legendary for giving wrestling stars like Chris Jericho their start, but also highlights the intense love remote Indigenous communities have for wrestling.