Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud

Today marks ten years since The Tragically Hip bid farewell after their final concert in Kingston, Ontario. Music journalist Vish Khanna and music critic Niko Stratis join guest host Amil Niazi to reflect on the Hip’s final performance, and their legacy as one of the most prolific bands in Canadian history. Also, writer-director Jane Schoenbrun’s latest film is – Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma. The film is about an independent film director who is rebooting a slasher franchise, and becomes obsessed with casting the original film’s ‘final girl.’ The film is provocative and fantastical, and film critic Kaiya Shunyata joins guest host Amil Niazi to talk about how the film brings a new twist to the slasher genre and whether it lands. 

If you’ve noticed more celebrities wearing those AI glasses or wondered why Palantir – the software company ICE uses to help identify people for deportation – is dropping exclusive fashion items, there’s a new name for that: ‘surveillance chic’. Culture critics Cat Zhang and Kate Lindsay join guest host Amil Niazi to discuss why Big Tech has gone high fashion. Plus, Caitlin Clark is the most famous women’s basketball player in the world, and Tuesday night she made her Canadian debut against the Toronto Tempo at a sold out arena. Culture critic and professor El Jones talks about why Caitlin Clark is such an exciting player to watch and the growth of women's sports in North America.

With Sade being inducted into this year’s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Elamin is joined by Professor Mark Anthony Neal, DJ Lynnée Denise & Sade superfan Tola Ositelu to discuss the pop legacy of the band’s lead singer and why her music continues to resonate with so many fans to this day.

The group chat dives into Emily McBride's debut novel Queen Mab, a story about a new mom who becomes convinced her baby has been replaced by a changeling. Culture critics Sarah Wheeler (The Cut) and Martha Schabas (Globe and Mail) talk to guest host Amil Niazi about why the book feels so timely, especially as Lindsay Clancy's trial puts postpartum psychosis at the centre of a tough public conversation.Plus, Vogue revealed the cover for its highly-anticipated September 2026 issue featuring Kaia Gerber and Homer Gere. It's the first September issue without Anna Wintour at the helm, and critics are likening it to a "back-to-school" catalogue. Culture critic Joan Summers talks about backlash and what it says about the current state of fashion.

Anthony Bourdain was a hero of the hole in the wall. The celebrity cook and TV host reached cult status for exposing people to kitchen culture, new cuisines and a different way of seeing the world. Canadian filmmaker Matt Johnson's new biopic Tony aims to show a lesser known side of Bourdain: his first summer in the kitchen as a 19-year-old who thought he knew everything. Food writer and former line cook Ivy Knight, Globe and Mail film critic Barry Hertz and TV host Michelle Jobin join guest host Amil Niazi to discuss what director Matt Johnson’s latest film serves up.

Two new movies, One Night Only and I Want Your Sex, are generating a lot of conversation about Gen Z and sex right now. Both filmmakers, Will Gluck and Gregg Araki, say they were inspired by studies indicating that Gen Z is having less sex than previous generations. Gen Z sex educator Megan Wallace and culture critic Lux Alptraum join Commotion guest host Amil Niazi to talk about what these films are missing, and what they get right.Plus, Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, just released a lengthy 6500-word manifesto about AI. Tech and public policy expert Vass Bednar chats about the AI future that Zuckerberg is envisioning for us.

Sterling Point is a new drama from Amazon Prime about a group of teenagers spending a summer in cottage country. Culture critics CT Jones and Jackson Weaver join guest host Amil Niazi to talk about the hype around the show, why Muskoka is essential to the story and what creator Megan Park gets right about writing teenagers. Plus, the Canadian Museum of History has just implemented MUSEO, an AI-powered chatbot built on in-house data for guests to ask questions to. Ottawa Citizen journalist Michael McBean explored the museum with the chatbot and gives his review of the experience.

A sign declaring “no influencers” in a Nantucket store recently unlocked a lot of strong feelings online around influencer fatigue. Internet culture reporters Madison Malone Kircher and Kat Tenbarge join guest host Amil Niazi to talk about the reaction, and whether the age of the influencer is over.Plus, there’s been a pretty gross trend emerging at some of the biggest concerts over the past few years: fans wearing diapers, and often using them, to ensure they remain at the barricade and as close to their idols as possible. Music journalist Megan LaPierre talks about this nasty epidemic and if concert culture has really gone down the toilet.

The crime drama Furious follows two women: a serial killer targeting powerful men from her past and the FBI agent tasked with tracking her down. TV critics Roxana Hadadi and Alison Herman join Commotion guest host Amil Niazi to discuss why this show about female rage has turned into such a hit.Plus, when a trove of art popped up at Value Village in Penticton, B.C., people quickly discovered it had been donated by the Penticton Art Gallery. It was all art that had been donated to the gallery for fundraising purposes. Art critic and curator Charlene K. Lau talks about the backlash to the gallery's decision to drop it off at Value Village where it says it would get "maximum exposure."

Commotion guest host Amil Niazi is joined by music critic Pablo The Don, and culture critics Scaachi Koul and Syrus Marcus Ware to discuss ‘Petal,’ the brand new album from Ariana Grande, along with the polarizing debate around Ariana’s body and health, and where a celebrity’s right to privacy sits within that conversation.

We've known for a while now that reading for pleasure has been on the decline. But in her essay for The Atlantic, Rose Horowitch argues that we are entering into an age of post-literacy, with enormous implications for life as we know it. Rose Horowitch joins Commotion guest host Amil Niazi to explain what she now understands about why reading matters as much as it does – and what happens when we stop. Plus, ever since the pandemic, an emerging genre of multiplayer video games has taken off: Friendslop. These are games made by small independent studios working on smaller budgets, and they focus on cooperation and socialization rather than combat. Today on Commotion, digital journalist Jonathan Ore talks with guest host Amil Niazi about Big Walk, a game that seems to be taking the genre in a different direction.

'Ted Lasso' started out strong – winning awards, massively loyal audiences, and critical acclaim. But later seasons struggled to capture the same magic. Now season 4 is here, with Ted, played by Jason Sudeikis, taking on the challenge of coaching a women's football team. Commotion guest host Amil Niazi chats with TV critic Roxana Hadadi and sports journalist Signa Butler about the legacy of 'Ted Lasso,' and if this latest season recaptures the show's glory days.Plus, BTS have decided they won’t submit their comeback album, ARIRANG, for the 2027 Grammy Awards. They released a statement that said, “We hope our music can be heard and loved for what it is, rather than being divided by region or language.” Many critics saw this as a rejection of the Grammys newest category: Best Asian Pop Music Performance. Professor Michelle Cho talks about the delicate identity politics surrounding this story, and why fans are standing behind the seven-member K-pop group.

With each summer comes the race to crown the definitive song of the season. But when you look at the songs dominating the discourse this year—from Ella Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas” to Olivia Rodrigo’s “the cure” to Charli xcx’s “SS26”—the vibe is not very fun-in-the-sun. Music journalists Emilie Hanskamp, Carl Wilson, and Reanna Cruz explain why, in the world of pop music, this summer has been a real bummer. 

There’s a month of summer vacation left, which means there’s still time for a good old Canadian road trip. Who’s in the car, where are you going and, most importantly, what audiobook are you listening to? Audiobook enthusiasts Jael Richardson, Arizona O’Neill and Nathan Maharaj share their suggestions with host Elamin Abdelmahmoud.

Film critics Rad Simonpillai and Kristy Puchko, and culture writer Maura Johnston chat with Elamin Abdelmahmoud about Tom Holland’s latest turn as Spider-Man, the return of Johnny Depp to the Hollywood spotlight after years of scandal and controversy, and the career of musician Glen Hansard who died this week at the age of 56.

It’s not often you hear someone call director Christopher Nolan’s screenwriting “abysmal.” And that’s just one of many critiques translator Emily Wilson had for Nolan’s adaptation of The Odyssey. Her review has caused quite a stir online, partly because Nolan credits her work with helping him write the adaptation. Adam Nayman and Soraya Nadia McDonald join Elamin Abdelmahmoud on Commotion to discuss what Emily Wilson’s gets right and wrong about Christopher Nolan’s work.Plus, Montreal’s Fantasia Film Festival is considered to be the largest genre festival in North America - and this year it celebrates its 30th anniversary. Elamin is joined by Montreal film critic Justine Smith - who is also one of the festival’s programmers - to briefly look back on the legacy of Fantasia Fest and some of the big Canadian films premiering at the event this year.

The Polygamist is a new Zulu-language show that follows the life of a wealthy married couple in South Africa as they deal with the pressures of infidelity. It’s currently one of Netflix’s most watched shows. You’ll hear why it has captivated audiences around the world and the conversations it has opened up with culture critics Tayo Bero in Lagos, Nigeria and Zanele Mji in Johannesburg, South Africa.Plus, stand up comedian Mary Beth Barone is known for her dead pan humour, her podcast Ride with comedian Benito Skinner, and her leading role on the college comedy, Overcompensating. Now, her new standup special, Galaxy Brain, is out. Comedian Ashley Ray joins Commotion to discuss if Barone’s Netflix debut lives up to the hype. 

With the passing of legendary Canadian jazz pianist Oliver Jones, Elamin Abdelmahmoud is joined by principal Montreal Jazz Festival programmer Modibo Keita, jazz educator DJ Andy Williams, and Juno-award winning singer Molly Johnson to look back on Oliver Jones’ legacy and where they see it living on in today’s landscape.

Restaurant Impossible aired for 22 seasons on the Food Network before it was cancelled in 2023. Now it’s back, with Toronto restaurateur Jen Agg and celebrity chef Aarón Sánchez helping struggling restaurants across North America makeover their spaces and menus. Line cook Grace Onasanya and Michelle Jobin, former host of Toronto Dining, chat with Elamin Abdelmahmoud about how this restaurant reality show reboot lands during a time when the food industry landscape has changed so much because of the pandemic.Plus, when Tyla’s single Water came out in 2023, she rose to fame globally, and was credited with introducing many fans to amapiano, a style of South African electronic music. Now, she’s just released a new album. It’s called A*Pop. Elamin is joined by culture critic Matt Amha to discuss the new album and the discourse surrounding Tyla’s rise in North America.

CBC Music correspondent Natalie Harmsen, Exclaim editor Megan LaPierre, and culture writer Joan Summers join Elamin Abdelmahmoud for a group chat digging into the highly anticipated new albums from the queen of Canadian country – Shania Twain, pop provocateur Charli XCX, and indie-sleaze icons The Strokes!

Climate change isn't a new subject for Canadian musicians to sing about, going back to Neil Young and Bruce Cockburn all the way up to Tanya Tagaq, The Weather Station, Kaeley Jade and many others. In the face of forest fires raging across the country, what is the place of music right now? Culture critic Riley Yesno and musician Tamara Lindeman AKA The Weather Station join Elamin Abdelmahmoud to discuss.

Esther Perel has built an empire around helping people navigate relationships through her podcast and bestselling books. She recently served as a consultant on Olivia Wilde's couple's comedy The Invite, and was even a major inspiration for Penelope Cruz's character in the film. Culture writers Rebecca Jennings and Marisa Meltzer join Elamin Abdelmahmoud to discuss how a couple's therapist infiltrated pop culture and why her ideas are resonating so widely today.Director Clement Virgo says his latest film Steal Away is his most ambitious yet. Film critic Sarah-Tai Black talks about how the movie applies many different genre lenses -- Afrofuturism, horror and political allegory -- on a story rooted in Black Canadian history.

Thanks to popular social-media accounts like Track Star, to be a music fan online these days is to be inundated with quick-hit clips of musicians being quizzed on their music knowledge, or being asked to name their Top 10 albums. Music critics Emilie Hanskamp and Rollie Pemberton a.k.a. Cadence Weapon chat about the rise of this content with Elamin Abdelmahmoud.Plus, Variety TV critic Aramide Tinubu shares her thoughts on Anya Taylor Joy's new thriller ‘Lucky’ on Apple TV. Based on a bestselling novel by Toronto author Marissa Stapley, the show follows the highly resourceful con-woman Lucky who is constantly on the run from FBI agents, mob bosses and her father's criminal legacy.

The 2026 World Cup is over. It took over five weeks, 48 countries and we finally have a winner! Who were the heroes and villains of this World Cup? And what kind of legacy does this tournament leave for Canadian soccer? CBC Sports contributors Shireen Ahmed and Morgan Campbell, and culture critic Matt Amha join Elamin Abdelmahmoud for a look back at this year’s World Cup.

Film critics Hanna Flint, David Ehrlich and Radheyan Simonpillai join host Elamin Abdelmahmoud to review Christopher Nolan’s epic adaptation of The Odyssey.

Wildfires, heatwaves, and flood risks are becoming increasingly more common across Canada, and many arts and culture festivals are being forced to adapt and prepare for multi-level climate emergencies. Festival organizers Julie Fowler, Troy Greencorn and Adi Winterbourne join Elamin to describe the challenges festivals are facing, and the types of changes they’ve had to make.

Canadian actor Brittany Allen gave one of The Pitt’s most heart-wrenching performances of season 2 as the terminally ill mother Roxie Hamler. So when HBO decided not to submit her for Emmy consideration, Brittany submitted herself and is now a nominee in the category of Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series. Brittany joins Elamin Abdelmahmoud to talk about her performance and why she decided to submit herself for Emmy consideration. Plus - Canadian music has a brand new prize .. and it was announced at the same time as the Polaris prize revealed its shortlist for this year. But unlike the Polaris – the Meridian prize is ONLY open to artists from the North and Western Canada. Elamim Abdelmahmoud talks with CBC music journalist Natalie Harmsen

The World Cup has a way of bringing us together, but also highlighting our divisions and the colonial histories that brought us to this moment. CBC Sports’ Shireen Ahmed joins Elamin Abdelmahmoud to talk about the racism called out at this year’s tournament, and how people are responding to it. Plus, "Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass” is the latest comedy from David Wain, who also directed the classic “Wet Hot American Summer.” Vulture writer Fran Hoepfner chats with Elamin Abdelmahmoud about why this film is best appreciated in a movie theatre, with an audience.

The wait for the movie adaptation of the bestselling YA novel, Children of Blood and Bone, is nearly over. But the author and co-screenwriter, Tomi Adeyemi, says she will not be watching when it comes out in January 2027. Authors Jael Richardson and Catherine Hernandez talk to Elamin Abdelmahmoud about the story. Plus, with Jay-Z kicking off his ‘Jay-Z-30’ tour at Yankee Stadium in New York City to celebrate the 30th anniversary of his debut album ‘Reasonable Doubt’ - Elamin is joined by culture critic Ian Kamau, who attended two of the three NYC shows - to discuss the importance of Jay-Z’s debut album and this moment in Jay-Z’s touring history, as he officially transitions from touring to promote new material to touring to celebrate his legacy.

Film critics Corey Atad, Sarah-Tai Black, and Justine Smith join the Group Chat to talk about the new Canadian indie horror film Son of Sara: Vol. 1, and why the horror genre seems to be thriving in Canada right now. They’ll also weigh in on the nominations for the Primetime Emmy Awards, and pay tribute to Quebec screen star Marc Messier, who died this week at age 78.

Little House on the Prairie has been adapted countless times, and Netflix is adding their modern retelling into the Laura Ingalls Wilder canon. TV critics Johnnie Jae and Kathryn VanArendonk join guest host Radheyan Simonpillai to talk about what Little House on the Prairie has meant to the generations who grew up with it, and how much has changed with the representation of Osage characters in showrunner Rebecca Sonnenshine’s version.Also, Commotion guest host Rad Simonpillai is joined by Vass Bednar to discuss the criticisms around Meta’s new AI glasses campaign featuring Kylie Jenner and what the rise of wearable technology means for how we understand privacy.

Have you ever been to a friend’s house for dinner and suddenly realized they were fighting with their partner right before you walked through the door? That’s where Olivia Wilde’s latest movie, The Invite, begins and the tension never lets up - but does it deliver? Adam Nayman and Teri Hart stop by Commotion to give us their take on the new relationship comedy-drama.Plus, CBC sports reporter Morgan Campbell checks in to discuss the two major stories coming out of the Toronto Raptors camp this week: the return of star forward Kawhi Leonard to the team after seven years, and the retirement of Kyle Lowry, who, after a half-decade playing for other teams, is re-signing a one-day deal with the Raptors so that he can officially end his career with the team. 

The only large photochemical film lab in Canada is slated to close .. and film lovers are lobbying the owners to reverse their decision. Film professor Michael Yaroshevsky says that if MELS closes in Montreal – it’s not just the loss of an essential service … it’s going to weaken cinema in this country as we know it. Plus, Playstation announced it will discontinue making video games on physical discs by 2028. Jonathan Ore and Camille Salazar Hadaway join Commotion to discuss what this means for physical media and the future of gaming.

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.