Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud

Sarah Berman and Ashley Ray join Commotion guest host Amil Niazi to talk about the new Netflix series "Dancing for the Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult” - and why is music by women, especially racialized and trans artists, still severely underplayed on commercial Canadian radio? Jada Watson, who authored a recent report on the issue, and Desiree Dorion, a Cree country artist, weigh in on where we go from here.

Elamin is joined by Ben Ozakawa, Kevin Bourne and Teri Hart with their takes on a new Alec Baldwin reality show, whether CRTC's new policy that forces streamers like Netflix to boost their Canadian content will actually work, and reaction to Drake's feature on the song 'Wah Gwan Delilah?'

Elamin is joined by Globe and Mail reporter Josh O’Kane to talk about the Calgary Philharmonic’s decision to remove two of its musicians after an investigation looking into ‘deeply troubling comments posted online’. Then, he speaks with Canadian violinist Lara St.John about how to make music schools and orchestras safer for girls and women.

What do we do with 'Tires'? The controversial comedian Shane Gillis leans in to his persona in his new hit series set in a fictional auto repair shop. But is he making fun of his character? Or just being himself? Elamin is joined by entertainment writers Jackson Weaver and Angie Han to talk about whether something can be considered satire if the audience doesn’t get the joke. Plus .culture critic Amanda Hess explores why Kafka, a century after his death, has become so popular on TikTok.

Canadian pop star Nelly Furtado is gearing up for a major comeback in 2024: her music is being rediscovered by younger generations on TikTok, she recently entered YouTube’s billion-stream club and she’s set to release her first new album in seven years. Music journalists Suzy Exposito and Rosie Long Decter explain why Nelly’s music is connecting with new audiences now, and whether her new music can compete in today’s pop landscape. Plus, Elamin is joined by David Dennis Jr. to discuss the new Apple TV+ series The Big Cigar, which centres on Black Panther Party founder Huey P. Newton as he leverages the Hollywood machine in his attempt to flee the U.S. to Cuba.

Cassie Cao and Kevin Fallon dive into season 3 of Hacks and why its approach to cancel culture in comedy has critics calling it its strongest season yet. Plus Teri Hart gives us a recap of this year's CSA's gala.

Jen Sookfong Lee and Sarah-Tai Black join Elamin to discuss Babes, Ilana Glazer and Michelle Buteau’s new pregnancy comedy. Plus, they talk about South Park’s TV special, The End of Obesity and share some weekend recommendations.

In recent weeks, big-name acts like The Black Keys, Jennifer Lopez, and Bad Bunny have either cancelled shows or reorganized their tours reportedly due to low ticket sales. Are these merely isolated setbacks, or do they point to a more troubling future for the big-ticket concert industry in the streaming age? Music journalists Jem Aswad and Maura Johnston will explain the challenges even popular acts are facing in the current climate. Plus, film critic David Ehrlich joins Elamin to discuss the buzz surrounding the film 'Universal Language' at this year’s Cannes Film Festival.

The summer blockbuster was back last year with Barbie and Oppenheimer killing it at the box office. This year is a very different story. Culture critics Bilge Ebiri and Kristy Puchko imagine a future where theatres are full, if only studios started taking a few risks.

Elamin is joined by culture critics Jay Connor and Tayo Bero to talk about how following a bidding war, rapper 50 Cent clinches a deal with Netflix to distribute his upcoming documentary chronicling the career of beleaguered rapper Sean 'Diddy' Combs. Plus, Regina Kim talks about how Netflix and other streaming services disrupted the Korean television industry.