Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud

Canada is only one game away from the World Cup quarter-finals. All eyes will be on their match against Morocco this weekend. On Monday, CBC’s Shireen Ahmed and Zameer Karim join guest host Radheyan Simonpillai to talk about this pivotal game for Canada, and reflect on Toronto and Vancouver’s experiences as host cities as their hosting duties officially wind down. Plus, Lainey Lui checks in her report on Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s epic all-star wedding at New York’s Madison Square Garden this past Friday: who was there, what went down, and how social media is reacting.

Music journalist Emilie Hanskamp, broadcaster Garvia Bailey, and culture writer Mel Woods join the Friday Group Chat to discuss Canada joining the Eurovision song contest; Madonna’s long-awaited new album Confessions II; and a documentary about trailblazing Canadian queer rock icon Carole Pope.

"Nirvanna the Band: A comedy about Matt and Jay, a duo unrelated to the legendary band Nirvana, who devise a ridiculous plan to build a time machine for a performance and travel back 17 years to when they first met" is the full translated title for the Korean version of the Canadian hit film "Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie." Michelle Cho talks with guest host Radheyan Simonpillai about how a Korean YouTuber brought the movie to South Korea. Plus, the acclaimed culinary drama, The Bear, just dropped its fifth and final season. Guest host Radheyan Simonpillai is joined by former line cook and TV junkie Grace Onasanya and TV critic Kathryn VanArendonk to talk about if the series serves fans a Michelin-star ending.

It's Canada Day, which means the first half of the year is over. Elamin Abdelmahmoud is joined by culture critics Jackson Weaver, Riley Yesno and Eugénie Lépine-Blondeau to look back on the Canadian artists making the biggest impact on pop culture this year so far (Hudson Williams! Drake! Charlotte Cardin! Matt Johnson! Angine de Poitrine!) and what they are most looking forward to in the next half of the year (North of North! Carly Rae Jepsen! Mico! Celine Dion! More Matt Johnson!).

Culture critics Matt Hart and Niko Stratis talk to Commotion guest host Radheyan Simonpillai about the enduring appeal of the Jackass franchise, and what it teaches us about male friendship, vulnerability, and getting older. Plus, CBC senior contributor Morgan Campbell discusses ‘Overture,’ the first new album in almost 10 years from Canadian R&B artist Glenn Lewis.

Commotion guest host Radheyan Simonpillai is joined by culture critic Sonya Ballantyne and CBC film critic Jackson Weaver to discuss 'Supergirl’ - the latest installment in James Gunn’s DC Universe franchise.Also, the newly opened Museum of Animated Film in Annecy, France includes a permanent exhibition of works created by Canada’s National Film Board—including two works by Montreal-based Oscar-nominated animator Theodore Ushev, who will discuss the significance of having his work featured in the museum, the crucial role the NFB has played in the evolution of animation, and the importance of having a museum like this as AI infiltrates creative industries. 

With the CN Tower celebrating its 50th birthday today, culture writers Michael Barclay, Niko Stratis, and Dalton Higgins reflect on the various ways—from Drake to Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie—the tower has shown up in pop culture over the years, and how it remains a potent symbol of Canadian identity even for people far outside Toronto. 

Siphe November took his final bow as principal dancer at the National Ballet of Canada in Wayne McGregor’s adaptation of MADDADDAM this past weekend. As Siphe prepares to join the Dutch National Ballet as soloist, culture critic Syrus Marcus Ware and ballet critic Martha Schabas join Elamin to talk about his meteoric rise at the National Ballet and the pressure he’s faced as the second Black dancer to be made principal at the company.Also, a public art piece featuring a floating convenience store has enchanted Torontonians and people around the world. Some have even swam and paddled up to it, hoping it might just be real. Elamin Abdelmahmoud chats with Charlene K. Lau, an art critic and public art curator, about the unexpected ways people engage with public art. 

Saint Jean Baptiste Day is the day when Quebec celebrates what makes it distinct. But this year, more young Quebecers are embracing the idea of an independent Quebec. Culture writers Eugenie Lepine Blondeau and Dominc Tardiff join Elamin Abdelmahmoud to talk about the culture that’s coming out of the sovereignty movement.Plus, Elamin is joined by pop culture academic Professor Mark Anthony Neal to look back on the 60-plus year legacy of pop music mogul Clive Davis who died this week at 94.

Following Canada’s resounding victory over Qatar Thursday, it’s safe to say World Cup fever has finally taken hold across the nation. In advance of this week’s match-up against Switzerland, CBC sports reporters Shireen Ahmed and Laurence Watt explain how the World Cup is resonating with Canadians at this moment, be it on the streets of the host cities or through viral social-media moments. Plus, The Globe and Mail reporter Josh O’Kane walks Elamin through the latest developments in a heist involving money that was intended to help independent Canadian musicians. While a settlement has been reached between FACTOR and Scotiabank, the thief – or thieves - are still at large.

With the release of Toy Story 5 Commotion guest host Radheyan Simonpillai is joined by CBC film critic Jackson Weaver and Mashable film editor Kristy Puchko to review this latest installment in the popular franchise -- and how it holds up amongst past releases.Is the culture really shifting away from smart phones? Are landlines becoming a thing again? Internet culture journalist Kate Lindsay joins Commotion guest host Radheyan Simonpillai to talk about the trend, and whether it has staying power.

Ahead of National Indigenous People’s Day, Cree radio producer Kaitlyn Swan, nêhiyaw musician Marek Tyler, and Anishinaabe writer Riley Yesno join the Group Chat to talk about the new album from Anishinaabe artist Zoon, and the Indigenous indie-rock artists experimenting with the noisy-yet-soothing sounds of 'moccasin gaze.' The group chat also shares their thoughts on the recently revealed Polaris Music Prize long list, and reflect on this week's passing of alt-pop star Oliver Tree and the bizarre conspiracy theories that have proliferated on the internet. 

After the New York Knicks won its first NBA championship in 53 years the city will celebrate on Thursday with a massive parade. Elamin Abdelmahmoud is joined by culture critic and New Yorker Jay Smooth to talk about what this win means to him as a fan. But also, the moment this win is landing in. Jay talks about the current political climate surrounding these big ticket sporting events, including the FIFA World Cup.Also, the finale for one of the buzziest shows on TV right now drops on Wednesday (June 17). Film & TV critic Eric Marchen talks about the first season of 'Widow's Bay,' and why audiences are so drawn to a comedy that's packed with terrifying scenes. 

Founder of the Griffin Poetry Prize Scott Griffin joins Elamin Abdelmahmoud in-studio for a feature conversation – about recent changes to the prize, elevating Canadian poets and the power of poetry at a time when writers are struggling to find an audience.Also, the CBC just announced it's getting out of the business of broadcasting NHL games. That's after the CBC was unable to agree on a new sublicensing deal with Rogers Sportsnet. The Globe and Mail's Simon Houpt talks to Elamin about the end of an era and what this new direction means for the CBC and the future of sports broadcasting in Canada. 

Rezervations for Two, hosted by Kairyn Potts and Scott Wabano, is the first ever reality dating show exclusively for Indigenous folks. With the first season set in Winnipeg and kicking off this month, culture critics Riley Yesno and Sonya Ballantyne join guest host Radheyan Simonpillai to share their thoughts on the show’s unique (read: less toxic) approach to love and dating on reality TV.Also, at a recent punk concert in Toronto, a fan wearing a banana suit found himself swarmed by fellow moshers trying to rip off his costume. They were encouraged to do this by the band onstage, who were annoyed by his presence. This odd incident sparked a widespread debate in music circles between those who believe costumes at shows are a distraction that’s disrespectful to the artists onstage, and those who believe the concertgoer was subjected to an unprovoked assault. Exclaim magazine editor Megan LaPierre talks about why the Banana Man controversy went viral -- and what this tension tells us about dressing up at shows.   

Olivia Rodrigo’s third album, You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love, begins with a love story, and ends with a break up. Music critics Melissa Vincent and Niko Stratis join guest host Amil Niazi to dig into the new record, which includes a rare feature from The Cure’s Robert Smith.Plus, Elamin is joined by culture critic and publicist Dalton Higgins to look back on the legacy of Monica Lewis aka ‘The Matriarch of Eglinton West’ and how Monica’s Beauty Supply became a culture hub in Toronto’s Little Jamaica neighbourhood, while making Canadian hip-hop history in the process.

Film critics Radheyan Simonpillai, Adam Nayman and Ashley Ray join Elamin Abdelmahmoud to weigh in on Steven Spielberg’s latest sci-fi epic, Disclosure Day, RuPaul’s drag action comedy Stop! That! Train!, and the controversy surrounding the Obsession art director who went viral for revealing she made less than $7,000 working the low-budget horror hit, which is expected to make over $250 million at the box office.

This year’s World Cup is the biggest in FIFA history, with 48 countries playing 104 matches across 16 cities. And for the first time ever – it’s being hosted by three countries: Canada, the United States and Mexico. And while this World Cup was supposed to represent a massive show of unity, it has become something else altogether. Soccer fan and Commotion host Elamin Abdelmahmoud is joined by three people who are part of CBC's World Cup coverage: Shireen Ahmed and John Grant in Toronto and Zameer Karim in Vancouver.

It's not often you have this kind of Cinderella story in the Canadian book world. Carley Fortune's debut novel came out in 2022. Since then, she's written four more romances and all five are bestsellers. Now her debut novel is a tv series on Prime Video. Romance fans CT Jones and Jessica Sorrentino chat with Elamin Abdelmahmoud about 'Every Year After' and how the setting of Ontario's cottage country is just as important as the love story.Plus, Anderson .Paak’s debut feature film as a director, K-Pops!, honours both his own Korean heritage and his son’s love for K-pop. The film, starring both him and his son, takes place on the set of a reality show in Seoul where teenage singers are competing to debut as K-pop idols. Khadija Morong, from the YouTube channel K-pop with Khadija, shares all her thoughts on the movie and soundtrack with Commotion host Elamin Abdelmahmoud.

Culture critic Jay Smooth joins Elamin to discuss two new docs that are out. First, HBO's Earth, Wind & Fire (To Be Celestial vs That's the Weight of the World) - plus he unpacks the new Netflix docuseries, Michael Jackson: The Verdict.Plus, the Golden State Warriors' Steph Curry announced a new 10-year endorsement deal with Chinese sportswear giant Li-Ning. While he’s not the first American athlete to partner with a Chinese company, he is the most prominent player to date to do it. Journalist and sneaker expert Aaron Dodson talks to Elamin about Curry’s new deal, and how footwear continues to shift the culture at the NBA.

An unauthorized musical parody of Heated Rivalry is taking the theatre world by storm. Theatre critic Juan Ramirez and Canadian musical theatre actor Mitch Wood join Elamin Abdelmahmoud to explain why it’s such a smash success, and they’ll weigh in on the Tony Awards – the morning after they’re handed out. Plus, Buffy the Vampire Slayer fans are mourning the passing of British actor Anthony Head, who played Rupert Giles on the hit teen series from 1997-2003. Writer Hanna Flint – author of The Unofficial Buffy the Vampire Slayer Quiz Book – explains why Anthony Head became a favourite among Buffy fans, and how other memorable roles on ‘Ted Lasso’ and ‘Little Britain’ made him one of the UK’s premier character actors. 

Film critics Corey Atad, Kaiya Shunyata, and Hanna Flint join the Group Chat to talk about the remarkable success of the low-budget horror movie ‘Obsession’ (which recently became the first film since E.T. to see its box office numbers rise week-over-week in its first three weeks), and how a new generation of YouTube-reared filmmakers are changing the Hollywood game. The panel will also discuss Apple TV+’s new reboot of the classic thriller ‘Cape Fear’ and the Carney government’s recent directive to have Canada’s broadcast regulator revisit a plan that would force US streaming services to invest 15 per cent of its Canadian revenues in Canadian film and TV production. 

With Jay-Z making his return to the concert stage at this year’s Roots Picnic and Serena Williams also announcing her return to the tennis court, Elamin is joined by culture critics Jay Smooth, Taryn Finley and Ian Kamau to react to these moments and what they might tell us about the role retirement plays in the lives of our great performers.

Recruitment in the Canadian Armed Forces is seeing a bit of a boom right now. It’s at a 30-year high. That could be because of a new sense of nationalism or the economy. But another part of this equation could be the Forces’ new recruitment videos. Fast-paced and action-packed, the videos are heavily coded with gaming culture and Hollywood movies. Writer Kawika Guillermo talks to Elamin Abdelmahmoud about how these videos pull on pop culture – and how the real-life call of duty is intertwined with video games.Pop Culture Jeopardy! crowns a new champion this week. The game show is like regular Jeopardy without the science, history and serious stuff. Elamin Abdelmahmoud asks real life quiz master Jessica Sorrentino what goes into crafting a Jeopardy spin-off, and why the pace of pop-culture news adds a whole new dimension. 

The literary world is in an uproar after a prize-winning short story was accused of being AI-generated. But was it? How easy is it really to tell if a piece of creative writing is AI? Writers Innocent Chizaram Ilo and Jen Sookfong Lee join host Elamin Abdelmahmoud to talk about the environment of fear and paranoia around AI in the writing world. Plus, the new Bell Fibe 1 TV series ‘Destination: Oshawa’ presents a humorous portrait of an eager city worker’s attempt to transform the beleaguered Toronto satellite city into a hip tourist destination. Musician and Oshawa's own Wayne Petti discusses what makes the show successful as both a satire of and love letter to the city. 

Heated Rivalry wins big at the Canadian Screen Awards, taking home 16 awards. Elamin is joined by film critic Radheyan Simonpillai and filmmaker/culture critic Sonya Ballantyne to talk about the wins, losses and surprises from the 2026 Canadian Screen Awards and what this year’s broadcast might say about the state of film and television in Canada right now.Plus, when Kane Parson was 16, his short horror film ‘The Backrooms (Found Footage),’ went viral not too long after it was posted to YouTube. About a year later, he was brought on by A24 to direct ‘Backrooms,’ a new film anticipated to have the studio’s biggest opening weekend ever. But the idea of the backrooms isn't new, it traces its roots to user-generated images and stories shared across forums and subreddits. Today, journalist Andrew Lloyd joins Elamin to talk about the film, and the eerie online phenomenon that led to it. 

The vibe shift around Artificial Intelligence is happening. The Pope released his manifesto warning that AI poses a threat to humanity. Meanwhile, our social feeds are filled with graduates booing mentions of AI at their commencement speeches. And more celebrities are speaking up. Elamin Abdelmahmoud talks with culture writer Amil Niazi and religious studies professor Judith Ellen Brunton about the cultural reset that seems to be well and truly underway.

t’s happening all over again -- a hockey romance based on a Canadian book series is taking over television. Off Campus is the number one show on Amazon Prime and it’s based on Toronto author Elle Kennedy’s romantic comedy novels. Gillian McKercher and Steve Dangle Glynn join guest host Amil Niazi to dive into the new series, and discuss how hockey’s place in pop culture is changing today.Plus, after five seasons, HBO’s Hacks is getting its curtain call. One of the smartest and funniest shows on TV, the comedy-drama follows the friendship between an older stand-up comedian and her younger comedy writer as they navigate the entertainment industry. But it's also a show that criticizes the current practices of big entertainment companies. Discovery. Pop culture writer Kevin Fallon is here to talk about its final season with guest host Amil Niazi. 

Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed is a new AppleTV comedy-thriller starring Canadian actor Tatiana Maslany. Commotion guest host Amil Niazi is joined by film critic Radheyan Simonpillai and culture critic C.T. Jones to talk about the new series and why it's so polarizing for some audiences.Plus, over the past week, videos of an Olivia Rodrigo performance in Barcelona have gone viral largely due to her choice of outfit: the babydoll dress. What was once seen as a symbol of feminist fashion in the ‘90s (think Courtney Love), the dress has taken on a much more problematic, infantalizing dimension for younger women raised in the shadow of #MeToo and the Epstein files. Music journalist Brittany Spanos explains how the babydoll dress has come to represent dramatically different things to different generations, and how Rodrigo’s use of it blurs the line between these varying interpretations.

The big fashion story of the moment is Shein buying Everlane. The companies are total opposites: Shein is the king of ultra-fast fashion and Everlane marketed itself as an eco-conscious and ethical clothing brand. Elamin Abdelmahmoud chats with Clare Press, the host of the sustainable fashion podcast, ‘Wardrobe Crisis’ about what this acquisition says about our relationship with sustainable clothing.Plus, Canadian poets haven’t won the most prestigious prize for Canadian poetry for the past 4 years, ever since International poets became eligible to win it too. And Canadian poets are not happy. Yesterday, prize organizers held a town hall to hear all sides. Poet Paul Vermeersch was there, and he’ll share what he heard and saw with Elamin

Held on May 24 in Las Vegas, the Enhanced Games is a rarity among international sporting competitions, in that it permits – and actively encourages – athletes to compete using performance enhancing drugs, thus earning the dubious nickname of the “Steroid Olympics.” Sports writers Morgan Campbell and Adam Skolnick discuss whether the games are just a silly spectacle, or a troubling bellwether of where sports – and wellness culture as a whole – could be heading. Plus, classical music lost a legend this month. Cris Derksen was a prolific Cree cellist and composer, who was known for defying genres. Musician Jeremy Dutcher joins Elamin Abdelmahmoud to honour his friend, Cris Derksen, who died at the age of 45. 

It’s the end of an era – when The Late Show with Stephen Colbert goes off the air (May 21). TV critic Eric Deggans, comedian Ashley Ray and political columnist Justin Ling join Elamin the morning after the finale to take stock of Colbert’s impact -- and the show that will fill his slot: Comics Unleashed.

With release of ‘I Love Boosters’ from Boots Riley and ‘Is God Is’ - the debut film from Aleshea Harris, Elamin Abdelmahmoud is joined by film critic Sarah-Tai Black and culture critic Rania El Mugammar to discuss the buzz around these two releases and the different ways these two films explore themes like revenge and justice.Plus, the Canadian Grand Prix is this weekend! As Montreal gears up to welcome F1’s best drivers, TV host and F1 super-fan Michelle Jobin explains why women are growing the sport and what people can expect from Canada’s biggest race weekend. 

After five critically acclaimed seasons, the superhero satire series ‘The Boys’ drops its final episode today. TV critics Kaiya Shunyata and Ben Rosenstock reflect on how the show reinvigorated the superhero genre with its real-world political commentary, and whether fans will be satisfied with the finale.

Drake is the most-streamed artist in the world, but his best rap is about being an underdog. With three new albums out at once — Iceman, Maid of Honour and Habibti — Elamin Abdelmahmoud is joined by culture critics Matt Amha, Pablo The Don and We Love Hiphop podcast host Friday, to review the new releases and unpack Drake's place in music right now.

This past weekend the most anticipated MMA fight happened — Ronda Rousey v. Gina Carano, two pioneers of the sport, and the first matchup of its kind to stream live on Netflix. Pablo The Don from the Those Wrestling Girls podcast joined Elamin Abdelmahmoud to explain why this fight is such a big deal, and what it means for Rousey and Carano.

At the beginning of the new Canadian documentary ‘Modern Whore,’ Andrea Werhun asserts that sex workers have often been cast as victims or villains in pop culture. With so many examples of sex work on TV right now — from 'Hacks' and 'Margo's Got Money Troubles' to 'Euphoria' — the group chat takes stock of what's changed and how far we still have to go. Boarlord, Arabelle Raphael and Lux Alptraum are all insiders of the sex industry, and join Elamin to weigh in on what's shaping sex work in pop culture.

A new movie about talking sheep who solve a murder case is making waves at the box office. Film critics Radheyan Simonpillai, Justine Smith and Kristy Puchko join Elamin Abdelmahmoud to discuss the crime comedy’s surprising buzz, plus what’s happening on the ground at the 79th Cannes Film Festival.

Once a small-scale private event for comedians, the celebrity roast has become a massive arena event live-streamed around the world on Netflix. Comedian/podcaster Ashley Ray and media personality Matt Hart talk to Elamin Abdelmahmoud about last weekend’s all-star roast of Kevin Hart and what it says about the state of comedy in 2026.Plus, a new Hallmark movie that premiered on CTV Life called 'All’s Fair in Love & Mahjong' has raised a lot of questions around Asian representation. Film critic Rachel Ho reviews the movie and unpacks the backlash.

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.