Weekly Wrap: Charli XCX's The Moment, the Safdie brothers controversy, and Tate McRae's Olympic ad
06/2/2026 | 27min
Brat summer is resurrected in Charli XCX’s new mockumentary The Moment, which satirizes concert films, the pop music machine and Charli XCX herself. Culture critics Sarah-Tai Black, Jackson Weaver and Joan Summers talk about the film with guest host Radheyan Simonpillai, along with the scandal surrounding the Safdie brothers and what they’re most looking forward to at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina.
The Muppets are back, and the symphony and pro-wrestling are the perfect marriage
05/2/2026 | 24min
The Muppets are back, again. The 50-year-old franchise originally created by Jim Henson has tried to reboot a few times. This time Kermit and Miss Piggy have some help from executive producers Seth Rogen and Sabrina Carpenter. CBC Kids puppeteer Kira Hall and Vulture critic Kathryn VanArendonk talk about the new Muppet Show special on Disney+ with guest host Radheyan Simonpillai.
Plus, Brawl in the Hall is a pro wrestling match hosted at the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra. Swampy Cree filmmaker Sonya Ballantyne reviews the event, Brawl in the Hall, and discusses whether pro wrestling and classical music amplify each other and what Brawl at the Hall offers wrestling right now.
Why so many people are obsessed with the Heated Rivalry fleece, and podcasts arrive on Netflix
04/2/2026 | 25min
People can't stop talking about the TV show 'Heated Rivalry,' and specifically the fleece Team Canada jacket that Shane Hollander (played by Hudson Williams) wears. Heated Rivalry costume designer Hanna Puley talks to Elamin about the coveted fleece jacket and other iconic looks in the show, and why she wanted to make them feel distinctly Canadian.
Plus, with Netflix officially offering popular podcasts like ‘The Breakfast Club’ and ‘Dear Chelsea’ available on its platform, Elamin is joined by Jay Smooth and Michelle Santosuosso to discuss the ramifications of this moment and the ways our understanding of the term podcast continue to evolve.
What Nike got wrong about its MLK tribute shoe
03/2/2026 | 10min
LeBron James and Nike are under fire after unveiling a new sneaker meant to honour the civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. The shoe’s colour palette is inspired by the Lorraine Motel, the site of MLK.’s assassination in 1968. Elamin talked to culture critic David Dennis Jr. around the time of the shoe's unveiling about why this tribute missed the mark, and what the brand should have done instead.
Bad Bunny wins big and brings politics to the Grammys
02/2/2026 | 16min
Bad Bunny wins big. KPop Demon Hunters also a big winner. Culture critics Pablo The Don and Niko Stratis to discuss the big wins, the snubs, and big surprises that happened at this year’s Grammy Awards with Elamin Abdelmahmoud.
Big laughs. Smart takes. Every day. Commotion is where you go for thoughtful and vibrant conversations about all things pop culture. Host Elamin Abdelmahmoud calls on journalists, critics, creators and friends to talk through the biggest arts & entertainment stories of the day, in 30 minutes or less.Subscribe to Sounds Good: CBC's Podcasts newsletter for the finest podcast recommendations and behind-the-scenes exclusives.