Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud

After eight seasons, the time travel romance series 'Outlander' is coming to an end this week. Like its lead character, Outlander is stuck between two worlds: the harsh prestige TV of the last decade and on-screen romances of today. Culture critics Kathryn VanArendonk and Kayleigh Donaldson talk to Elamin Abdelmahmoud about how Outlander has stuck around despite never quite cracking the mainstream.Also, video games like 'Stardew Valley' and 'Animal Crossing: New Horizons' are surging in popularity. The trend even has a name: cozy gaming. Niko Stratis joins Elamin to talk about what makes a game “cozy” and why she loves playing them.

The Montreal Canadiens are the last Canadian team left in the NHL playoffs. But before you start calling them “Canada’s team,” let’s be clear, this is Quebec’s team. Elamin Abdelmahmoud talks with Montreal Gazette writer Brendan Kelly who wrote the book 'Habs Nation: A People's History of The Montreal Canadiens' and Biz, a rapper whose Habs anthem is everywhere right now. They’ll talk about the team’s connection to the sovereignty movement, and why these playoffs are about something much bigger than hockey.And Vulture's Hershal Pandya talks about the new documentary 'Marty, Life is Short' which looks back on the decades-long career of Canadian comedian Martin Short and features all the famous friends he’s made along the way.

The new musical 'It’s a Good Life If You Don’t Weaken' uses the Tragically Hip’s songbook to tell the story of an Iraqi immigrant adapting to his new home in Canada in the early 2000s in Kingston, Ontario. Globe and Mail critic Aisling Murphy and theatre historian Karen Fricker chat with Elamin Abdelmahmoud about how the Hip’s songs translate to the musical-theatre format.

The Big Five answers the most pressing question of our time: what are the “Big 5” of any given category? Not the best 5. Not the top 5. Not anyone’s favourite 5. But objectively, the Big 5. In each episode, Donovan Woods, Tom Power, and a celebrity guest tackle new topics and debate things like: what are the Big 5 farm animals? Types of hats? Slang terms for “butt”? Ways to cook a potato? In this episode, Elamin joins in to scrap about the big five sea creatures, guys named John and email sign-offs.More episodes of The Big Five are available wherever you get your podcasts, and here: https://link.mgln.ai/TB5xCWEA

Half Man, from the creator of Baby Reindeer Richard Gadd, a new adaptation of Lord Of The Flies, and a surprise capsule episode of The Bear are talking about the dark side of masculinity in really interesting ways. Culture critics Hanna Flint, Jackson Weaver and novelist Ben Purkert join Elamin Abdelmahmoud to explain how they illuminate what’s wrong with masculinity right now.

The Toronto Tempo open their season at Coca-Cola Coliseum on Friday, making history as Canada’s first team in the WNBA. Sports journalists Shireen Ahmed and Savanna Hamilton join Elamin Abdelmahmoud to break down the roster and predict who will get the honour of becoming Toronto’s rival team.Also, in the mid-2000s, the artist M.I.A. was hailed as the ultimate progressive pop star with a forward-thinking, global-spanning sound and pointed messaging about colonialism, racism, and the refugee experience. However, in recent years, her politics have taken a noticeable turn to the right, endorsing Donald Trump and wading into conspiracy theories. This week, Kid Cudi fired M.I.A. from his tour after statements she made onstage. Music journalist Reanna Cruz explains how M.I.A. went from vanguard artist to persona non grata.

If you read headlines saying The Onion wants to take over InfoWars, Alex Jones’ far-right conspiracy talk show, no one would blame you for thinking it was all a big joke. But it’s true: last Friday, the satirical news site released its first parody of the show with new host, Tim Heidecker. The comedian did an uncanny impression of Alex Jones. Journalist Justin Ling and comedian Ashley Ray join Elamin Abdelmahmoud to discuss the ‘new’ InfoWars and whether satire can still speak to this political moment.Also, Iran just dropped out of the Venice Biennale. That's after the exhibition's entire jury resigned amid tensions over Israel and Russia. Arts reporter Kate Brown unpacks the various controversies swirling around this year's exhibition. She also profiles the artist representing Canada, Abbas Akhavan.

This year, the conversation about the Met Gala was less about looks, and more about the outrage. Billionaire Jeff Bezos and his wife Lauren Sanchez Bezos were the main sponsors and honorary chairs at this year’s ball, proving the most prestigious night in the fashion world can be bought. But can taste? Elamin Abdelmahmoud gets into it with fashion writer Joan Summers and culture writer Amil Niazi.And the film ‘Blue Heron’ by Canadian director Sophy Romvari tells the story of a family tragedy and how childhood memories of a summer can loom over one’s life. Exclaim film editor Rachel Ho shares why it's already one of her favourite movies this year.

When was the last time you watched a romantic comedy in theatres? Rolling Stone's CT Jones joins Elamin Abdelmahmoud to break down why studio execs are putting rom-coms on streaming platforms instead. And FIFA’s rules around what other events can be held during the tournament means organizers of summer festivals in Toronto and Vancouver have to change their plans. Dominic Lai with Dragon Boat BC explains why the Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Festival, North America’s largest dragon boat festival, is cancelled this summer.

Elamin is joined by culture critics Joan Summers, Lainey Lui and Taryn Finley to discuss ‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’, the new album 'Middle of Nowhere' from Kacey Musgraves and the online buzz around the breakup between Megan Thee Stallion and NBA player Klay Thompson.

The romance genre is booming in Canadian literature. From romantasy to sports smut to paranormal erotica, readers are flocking to romance-themed bookstores and Booktok to share their love for spice. Deborah Aarts and Nathan Maharaj join Elamin to discuss what’s driving the romance surge and how its popularity could be changing the way readers and publishers value the genre.Plus, Ella Langley’s surprise hit song 'Choosin' Texas' was at the top of both the Billboard pop and country charts for months. Country music journalist Marissa Moss explains why song is dominant.

New legislation in Ontario makes it illegal to resell tickets to concerts and sporting events above their face value. The aim is to clamp down on a lucrative resale market blamed for high ticket costs. Billboard Canada reporter Richard Trapunski and public-policy analyst Vass Bednar explain why this law is being enacted right now, what it means for the ticket-buying experience going forward and why the scourge of high ticket prices is a problem too complex for any one piece of legislation to solve. Plus, with the FIFA World Cup kicking off in just over six weeks in Canada, the U.S. and Mexico, it’s an interesting time for the BBC’s ‘Twenty Twenty Six’ to land in North America. The ‘W1A’ spin-off mockumentary series follows a team in Miami helping plan the world’s biggest soccer tournament. CBC Sports’ Shireen Ahmed chats about the satirical show.

'Yesteryear', the debut novel of Caro Claire Burke, follows a tradwife influencer who posts about her idyllic farm life to millions of followers. But when she wakes up in 1855, she learns what it's really like for women living in the past. Amil Niazi, author of 'Life After Ambition', and essayist Charlie Tyson join Elamin Abdelmahmoud to talk about how 'Yesteryear' takes on tradwives — the online trend where women dedicate themselves to the "traditional work" of wifehood on the homestead over the rat race of modern life.Plus, Charli XCX got people talking when she shared an unreleased song with British Vogue with the lyric, "I think the dance floor is dead, so now we’re making rock music.” Niko Stratis, author of 'The Dad Rock That Made Me a Woman', talks about the cultural shift to rock music and Charli XCX's decision to to put 'Brat' behind her.

With the release of 'Michael', the biopic on the King of Pop, Elamin Abdelmahmoud is joined by Black pop expert Prof. Mark Anthony Neal, film critic Sarah-Tai Black and culture critic Jay Smooth to discuss how it handles the high, lows and controversies of Michael Jackson's legacy.

Earlier this week, a giant ice sculpture appeared in the middle of downtown Toronto with the release date of Drake's new album hidden inside. It attracted a lot of gawkers, live streamers and people with pickaxes, until the fire department hosed it down. Music journalist Emilie Hanskamp, culture critic Matt Amha and comedian Marlon Palmer join Elamin Abdelmahmoud to talk about how Drake is a master at marketing and getting everyone’s attention.

After sharing her diagnosis of a rare neurological condition, it seemed possible that Celine Dion might never perform again. Now she is back with a new song, and a 16-night residency in Paris that sold out in minutes. Elamin Abdelmahmoud checks in with Eugénie Lépine-Blondeau, host of Radio-Canada's Admission générale podcast and Benjamin Locoge, editor-in-chief for Culture of Paris Match, about the buzz building around Celine's return.

Premiering in 2023, the Netflix series Beef was an instant smash hit thanks to its gripping premise about a minor road-rage incident between two strangers that snowballs into an all-consuming, back-and-forth battle. For season two, creator Lee Sung Jin introduces a new cast of characters who clash at an upscale country club. Variety TV critic Alison Herman and Vulture TV critic Roxana Hadadi talk to Elamin Abelmahmoud about whether the second season is as successful as the first.Nevon Sinclair was a Toronto-based singer, vocal coach and vocal arranger whose talents helped shape the sound of artists like Daniel Caesar, Charlotte Day Wilson, Loony and Shi Wisdom. He died recently at the age of 39. Elamin is joined by music journalist and publicist Dalton Higgins and CBC Music producer Ryan Chung to look back on Nevon Sinclair’s legacy and the role Toronto’s Black Christian music community has played in giving us some of Canada’s most successful R&B singers and musicians to date.

The memes being lobbed by the U.S. and Iran have been fueled not only by the intensity of their conflict, but also pop culture and AI. James Poniewozik, chief television critic for The New York Times, and Iranian Canadian journalist Samira Mohyeddin talk with Elamin Abdelmahmoud about how these memes have shifted our understanding of the US-Iran war.Plus, millions of people love watching zit popping videos online, a fascination that’s spawned a very popular TV show hosted by the dermatologist Dr. Sandra Lee. Zit popping enthusiast and culture critic Sarah-Tai Black explains the emotional and social reasons behind the show's popularity.

The marketing company Chaotic Good Projects has become a lightning rod of controversy in the music industry in recent weeks, after a viral essay from indie musician Eliza McLamb shed light on their claims that they can manipulate social media algorithms to boost the careers of their clients, including the rock band Geese. Music journalists Steven Hyden and Matthew Ismael Ruiz discuss whether Chaotic Good’s tactics are shady and unethical, or if they’re simply a modern update of traditional music-biz PR.Asha Bhosle, one of Bollywood's brightest stars, sang over 12,000 songs over the course of her eight-decade career. She died on April 12 at the age of 92. Culture critic and fan Aparita Bhandari talks about the many highlights of Bhosle's iconic career.

Chandler Levack’s second film, Mile End Kicks, is a nostalgic coming-of-age tale set in Montreal’s indie rock scene in 2011. Barbie Ferreira stars as Grace Pine, a Toronto music critic who impulsively moves to Montreal to write a book about Alanis Morissette and gets very distracted along the way. Montreal Gazette writer T’Cha Dunlevy, author Lux Alptraum and cutsleeve drummer Lian McMillan join Elamin to talk about the movie.

Thanks to her new memoir ‘Famesick,’ Lena Dunham is all over our feeds after being out of the spotlight for awhile. Slate’s Scaachi Koul and Vulture’s Fran Hoepfner [HOFF-ner] chat with Elamin Abdelmahmoud about how Lena Dunham became a polarizing cultural figure and the way she reflects on her past successes and failures now. 

[SPOILER ALERT]In the finale of Canada Reads 2026, the win went to the historical novel 'The Cure for Drowning' by Loghan Paylor and championed by Tegan Quin. Set during the Second World War, the novel follows a nonbinary protagonist named Kit as they navigate wartime, a love triangle and sibling rivalry on their family farm in rural Ontario.Tegan and Loghan joined Elamin Abdelmahmoud in the hours after their win to look back on the week and talk about why this book has resonated with readers across the country.

New York City rapper/producer Afrika Bambaataa was one of the most pivotal figures in the early evolution of hip-hop in the early ‘80s, thanks to an Afrofuturist aesthetic that thrust the music out from the streets of the Bronx onto dancefloors around the world. However, his reputation as a musical visionary and community leader was forever tarnished when allegations of child sexual abuse surfaced in 2016. In the wake of Bambaataa’s cancer-related death last week at the age of 68, Duke Black American Studies professor Mark Anthony Neal and hip-hop writer/broadcaster Jay Smooth grapple with the legacy of a problematic pioneer. Plus - it has been a long time since Canadian films did as well as they’re doing now at the Box Office. Globe and Mail film critic Barry Hertz joins Elamin Abdelmahmoud to explain WHY – and what it may have to do with Canadian pride. 

DTF St Louis is one of the most original shows on TV right now – Critics Michel Ghanem [MEE-shell GAH-nim] and Vinson Cunningham join Elamin Abdelmahmoud to talk about Sunday's finale and what the show reveals about male friendship in mid-life. Virtual K-pop group Plave just released their latest EP Caligo Pt. 2. It’s the follow up to last year’s Caligo Pt. 1 album that sold more than a million copies, a first for a virtual group. Michelle Cho talks with host Elamin Abdelmahmoud about Plave's success.

A lot has happened in the four years since the last season of Euphoria -- for both the show’s characters and its cast members. Vulture TV critic Roxana Hadadi [ha-DAW-dee] and OnlyFans creator Gwen Adora join Elamin to talk about where the show picks up in season three, its continued obsession with sex work and the controversies its weathered along the way. Plus - the biggest music festival in North America, Coachella, once again takes over the polo fields of Indio, California for two weekends of fun in the sun. CBC Music’s Natalie Harmsen fills us in on the buzziest performances from the event – including the long-awaited stage return of Justin Bieber.

With NASA’s first crewed mission to the moon in over 50 years coming to an end, Elamin Abdelmahmoud is joined by ‘The Nature of Things’ co-host Anthony Morgan, along with culture critics Pablo The Don and El Jones, to look back on Artemis II's big moments and how they're landing in pop culture. 

Summer House is a reality show set in the Hamptons that’s been full of drama for 10 seasons. But the scandal happening off screen is what has got fans more invested than ever. Maybe too invested? Culture critics Ashley Ray and Chris Murphy join Commotion guest host Amil Niazi to talk about what’s happening, and what it says about this moment in reality television. Plus, Mark Lee, a member of the K-Pop group NCT, recently announced he would be leaving the group and his label SM Entertainment after 10 years. Culture writer Lucy Ford talks with guest host Amil Niazi about why Mark’s exit is bombshell news for K-Pop fans.

Memes featuring convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein are all over the internet, and an online game called ‘Five Nights at Epstein’s' has gone viral with U.S. middle and high school students. Journalist Kat Tenbarge joins guest host Amil Niazi to talk about what the memeification of Epstein says about this moment we’re in. And Toronto Star's arts critic Joshua Chong talks about 'Big Mistakes.' Dan Levy co-created and stars in the show that follows siblings who get mixed up in an organized crime ring.

'The Drama' starring Robert Pattinson and Zendaya hits theatres on April 3. The movie hinges on a dark secret that's already stirred up controversy before the film's release. Film critics Bilge Ebiri and Rachel Ho talk to guest host Amil Niazi about the controversy, and why the movie still lands even if you know the spoilers.Plus, with Saskatchewan passing the Film Content Information Act that puts the onus on movie theatres to create their own content warning. Commotion guest host Amil Niazi is joined by University of Saskatchewan professor Jerry White to talk about what inspired this act and its ramifications for moviegoers in the province and Canada writ large.

Elamin is joined by CBC entertainment reporter Jackson Weaver and filmmaker Kwame Mason to discuss the new TV series ‘Hate The Player: The Ben Johnson Story’ and the film ‘Youngblood’.Plus, music/tech journalist Cam Gordon discusses his new book, ‘Track Changes: The Origin Story of Canadian Music on the Internet (1990-2010),’ and the unsung early online adopters who built the foundation of the country’s modern-day music industry. 

A new anthology series 'Bread Alone: What happens when we run out of working-class writers?' edited by Kate Pasola begs the question: who gets to have a career in writing? And how does that inform the kinds of working class narratives that get published? Niko Stratis, Deborah Dundas and Catherine Hernandez join Elamin Abdelmahmoud to chat about being a working class writer in Canada, the value of labour in creative industries, and how not to sell out while trying to make ends meet.

A new musical by the legendary Cree playwright Tomson Highway is on stage in Ottawa. Theatre critic Aisling Murphy and Alessia Passafiume with the Canadian Press, join Elamin Abdelmahmoud to talk about Rose -- and why a production that was written almost 35 years ago, feels more relevant than ever today.Plus, the Goo Goo Dolls song 'Iris' was released 28 years ago. But it has enjoyed a massive resurgence in 2026 thanks to these viral 90's nostalgia reels where people share old pictures of themselves on social media. Music journalist Annie Zaleski explains how a grubby punk band from Buffalo wound up crafting one of the definitive power ballads of our time, and what its current popularity says about how we view the ‘90s.

A play about the children’s author Roald Dahl opened to rave reviews on Broadway – it delves into his antisemitic views, which were exposed by journalist Michael Coren more than 40 years ago. Michael saw “Giant” in New York – he tells Elamin Abdelmahmoud about his original interview with Dahl, what it’s like seeing it come to life on stage, and how he treats the author’s work now.Plus, the new dark comedy miniseries ‘Bait’ imagines a world where a British Pakistani Muslim actor is up for contention as the new James Bond. Vulture’s Roxana Hadadi talks with Elamin Abdelmahmoud about why she feels this show could only have been made by Riz Ahmed, who wrote, created and stars in the series.

With the release of the groundbreaking PBS docu-series ‘Black and Jewish America: An Interwoven History,' Elamin Abdelmahmoud is joined by Professor Gayle Wald, Professor Mark Anthony Neal and culture critic Jay Smooth to unpack the ways that intertwined Black and Jewish American history has shaped pop music as we know it.

The Juno Awards, Canada’s biggest night in music, went down in Hamilton, Ontario last night. Elamin is joined by music critics Emilie Hanskamp, Alex Navarez and musician Cadence Weapon to discuss the 55th Juno Awards, including the inaugural Latin Music Recording of The Year category, Joni Mitchell receiving of the Junos Lifetime Achievement Award, and Nelly Furtado’s induction into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame.

The group chat weighs in on Robyn’s new pop album ‘Sexistential’, Jack Harlow’s controversial remarks that he “got Blacker” making his R&B album ‘Monica’, and Raye’s luscious record ‘This Music May Contain Hope.’ Culture critics Jay Smooth, Louise Bruton and Huda Hassan discuss all the music and more with Elamin Abdelmahmoud.

Last week, ABC cancelled the latest season of the Bachelorette, three days before its premiere. This came after a 2023 video surfaced of the Bachelorette, Taylor Frankie Paul, appearing to attack her former boyfriend and the father of her child. Culture critics Kathryn VanArendonk and Kat Tenbarge join Elamin Abdelmahmoud to discuss how reality television exploits domestic violence and whether the show’s decision to cast Paul will cost them the franchise.Plus, Dhurundhar:The Revenge came out last week and it’s already breaking box office records. Aparita Bhandari talks about why this franchise is appealing to a particular audience in India and beyond, how it’s not a new thing for Bollywood to veer into political propaganda, and why it probably didn’t need to be four hours. 

Hannah Montana is marking 20 years with a massive anniversary special on Disney+ . Music journalist Emilie Hanskamp and television reporter Ethan Shanfeld talk to Elamin Abdelmahmoud about Miley Cyrus’s decision to return to her Disney roots after years of outrunning it, and what it means for her fans.Plus, Lindy West is one of the most influential feminist voices of her generation. Her new memoir 'Adult Braces' is getting lots of attention, but not for the reasons she might want. Elamin sits down with writer Kate Lindsay to talk about the drama around the new memoir, and how it illuminates the perils of confessional writing.

This week, the Juno Awards touch down at Hamilton’s TD Coliseum, the newly renovated arena that’s been attracting A-list entertainers like Paul McCartney, Twice, and Cardi B to the city since it opened last fall. But just footsteps away, the city’s central library has been struggling to manage the daily influx of people experiencing addiction and homelessness, who use the library as a shelter of sorts. Justin Chandler of CBC Hamilton and musician Kojo “Easy” Damptey discuss this tale of two Hamiltons, and whether it’s possible to reconcile the city’s ambitions to be an international entertainment destination with its street-level struggles.Plus, Peaky Blinders is back, but this time as a film adaptation. Film critic Hannah Flint joins Elamin Abdelmahmoud to explain why this movie adaptation of the British crime drama is worth your time, even though she didn’t like the original.

After being on hiatus for almost four years, BTS has finally reunited to release new music. In celebration of their album 'Arirang,' the K-pop supergroup performed live on Netflix from Gwanghwamun square in the heart of Seoul. Today on Commotion, BTS fan Ann Pornel and professor Michelle Cho join host Elamin Abdelmahmoud to unpack the highly-anticipated comeback album, whether their first performance back lived up to the hype, and what it could signal for BTS in this next chapter.

Ryan Gosling stars in the space adventure movie 'Project Hail Mary,' the Turkish-Canadian thriller 'The Things You Kill' finally lands in theatres and an AI version of the late Val Kilmer will lead a new movie. Elamin Abdelmahmoud is joined by film critics Radheyan Simonpillai, Barry Hertz and Sarah-Tai Black to share their thoughts on all these stories.

People can’t stop talking about ‘Love Story,’ a Ryan Murphy dramatization about JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy. Elamin Abdelmahmoud talks to television critics Michel Ghanem and Lainey Liu about what the show gets right and wrong, the endless fascination with the couple and the risk of fictionalizing real people. Plus, the musical comedy 'Shucked' really is just about corn. The Tony Award-nominated Broadway hit is now on its first national tour, and recently made its Canadian premiere in Toronto. Theatre critic Aisling Murphy unpacks the appeal of the musical comedy.

Reuters reported last week that they discovered the true identity of the world famous street artist, Banksy. Culture critic Hanna Flint and 'Monumnetal Graffiti' author Rafael Schacter join Commotion to discuss whether the public has a right to Banksy’s identity and the value of anonymity. Plus, South African gaming studio Nyamakop released the heist game ‘Relooted’. Players are tasked to reclaim real African artifacts from Western museums. Oscar Michael Esio joins Elamin Abdelmahmoud to talk about the divided reaction to ‘Relooted’ from the African gaming community, and whether he thinks the game is a success.

Understanding the growing popularity of online influencers who present a toxic view of masculinity, promoting misogyny and putting down others is the focus of the new Netflix documentary 'Inside the Manosphere' by journalist Louis Theroux. Critics Amil Niazi and J. Kelly Nestruck discuss the documentary with Elamin Abdelmahmoud, and how its an interesting companion to the fictional Netflix series, 'Adolescence.'Plus, 'Undertone' is a new horror film about a paranormal podcast host who stumbles on some cursed recordings, while taking care of her ailing mother. Directed by Canadian filmmaker Ian Tuason in his childhood home, the film enters a beloved canon of movies that use modern technology in sinister and haunting ways. Film critic Eric Marchen joins Elamin Abdelmahmoud to talk about why 'Undertone' is worth the watch.

At the 2026 Academy Awards, Paul Thomas Anderson finally won his Oscars, everybody cheered for Michael B. Jordan's best actor win and a big night for the Canadian talent behind 'Kpop Demon Hunters' and 'Frankenstein.' Entertainment reporter Teri Hart, Vulture film critic Bilge Ebiri and comedian Ashley Ray recap the big night with host Elamin Abdelmahmoud.

Sinners and One Battle After Another are dominating the most exciting Oscar race in years. Plus, the best actor field is wildly competitive between Michael B. Jordan, Leonardo DiCaprio and Wagner Moura. But maybe Ethan Hawke pulls out a dark horse win? Film critics Rad Simonpillai, Adrian Horton and Jackson Weaver join Elamin Abdelmahmoud with their Academy Award hopes and predictions.

A recent case brought forward by the U.S. Department of Justice claims the ‘concert industry is broken’ and that Live Nation and Ticketmaster are to blame. Policy expert Vass Bednar and musician Rollie Pemberton join Elamin Abdelmahmoud to discuss the case, proposed settlement and what this means for the price of your concert tickets.The President’s Cake, a debut film from Hasan Hadi, takes place in the 1990s in Iraq during Saddam Hussein’s regime. It follows a nine-year-old girl tasked with baking a cake for the dictator's birthday. Film critic Dalia Al-Dujaili talks to Elamin Abdelmahmoud about what makes this film important and its impact on the Iraqi film industry.

Last fall, Alberta’s education minister ordered schools across the province to remove books containing explicit depictions of a sexual act from their libraries and classrooms. Over 150 titles have been removed from shelves, including the graphic novel version of Margaret Atwood’s 'The Handmaid’s Tale' and George Orwell’s '1984.' Ira Wells, author of the book 'On Book Banning' and the president of PEN Canada, talks with host Elamin Abdelmahmoud about why we’re seeing more book bans in schools in Canada and the U.S. right now.Plus, Timothée Chalamet is taking heat for comments he made about the relevance of opera and ballet. Hunter Harris and Ariella Garmaise talks about what it could mean for his shot at the Oscar and why the world suddenly seems to be turning on Hollywood’s golden boy.

At the end of last year, several prominent artists lost millions of streams from the Spotify bot crackdown including Doechii, Davido and BTS' Jimin. The move has sparked conversations online around the impact of artificial intelligence and inflated statistics. Music industry insiders Michelle Santosuosso and Kevin Amougou talk to Elamin Abdelmahmoud about what all of this means for the future of music. Angine de poitrine is a music duo from Saguenay, Quebec that's gone viral for performing in big masks, polka-dotted costumes and speaking in gibberish. Culture writer Dominic Tardiff explains why their music is such a surprising hit. 

Almost half of the Toronto Film Critics Association's members have resigned after it was revealed that actor Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers’ recent acceptance speech was edited to remove her support for Palestine. Canadian Press reporter Alex Nino Gheciu tells Elamin about the fallout. You can find more on this story, including the TFCA's full statement, here. Plus, film critics Hanna Flint and Kayleigh Donaldson join Elamin to unpack whether Maggie Gyllenhaal’s The Bride! works as a feminist take on one of horror’s most iconic but seldom explored characters: the bride of Frankenstein.