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.