Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud

Ben Bankas is a Canadian comedian who’s selling out venues throughout North America with his hate-filled stand-up routine, including jokes about Renee Good, who was shot and killed by an ICE agent in Minneapolis last month. Commotion asked two comedians to go witness one of his gigs – Anne McMaster took us up on the challenge, and Ali Hassan did not. They join Elamin to talk about Ben Bankas – and why outrage sells.

Plus, where online Fanfiction culture used to centre around sharing make-believe narratives about famous fictional characters, a growing subset of the community is creating stories about real celebrities engaging in imagined romantic scenarios. Elamin chats with Kat Tenbarge, who has written about this for Teen Vogue.

The year might be 2026, but for fans of Canadian indie music, it’s starting to feel a lot like 2005. Wolf Parade’s “I’ll Believe in Anything” has gone viral after making a dramatic appearance on Heated Rivalry, and Broken Social Scene’s “Anthems for a Seventeen Year Old Girl” recently went gold in Canada over two decades after its release. With the key players in the 2000s Canadian indie boom set to release new records this year, writers Michael Barclay and Rosie Long Decter explain why these established bands are connecting with younger generations.

Plus, Montreal hip-hop group Muzion is being honoured with a Canadian stamp this month (February). CBC broadcaster and emcee Nantali Indongo speaks to Elamin about how the group changed Montreal hip-hop and Muzion's enduring legacy.

The new adaptation of Wuthering Heights is sexy, but Emily Bronte fans are wondering if they read the same book as director Emerald Fennell. Film critics Hanna Flint, Jackson Weaver and Alison Willmore join guest host guest host Radheyan Simonpillai to talk about the reimagined 19th century classic, the Canadian mockumentary Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie, and pay tribute to actor James Van Der Beek, who died this week at the age of 48.

With comedian Ben Palmer’s fake immigration hotline going viral on TikTok and YouTube, Commotion guest host Radheyan Simonpillai is joined by culture critic El Jones and comedian Ashley Ray. They break down the satirical clips -- done in the style of Sacha Baron Cohen -- and explain what they reveal about our political discourse and this moment America is in. Plus - with stores in Montreal, Toronto, and Ottawa, Steve’s Music has served as a destination for generations of musicians seeking out new and vintage gear. However, in response to changing market conditions spurred by the internet, Steve’s recently announced it would be closing all but one of its five locations. Veteran blues guitarist – and long-time Steve’s customer – Danny Marks explains what its loss says about the state of the music retail today.

Joan Chen played a series of iconic, beautiful women in the 80s and 90s, from Wan Jung in the Oscar-winning film 'The Last Emperor' to Josie Packard in David Lynch’s 'Twin Peaks.' Now in her 60s, the actor has been showing off her range in films like 'Didi,' 'The Wedding Banquet' and, most recently, 'Montreal, Ma Belle.' Culture critics Hoai-Tran Bui and Thomas Leblanc talk to guest host Radheyan Simonpillai about 'Montreal, ma belle,' Joan’s performance, and the slow-burn nature of the queer romance at the film’s centre.

And New York Fashion week gets underway this week – and as they always do, designers will be trying to grab your attention. Culture critic Joan Summers says the fashion world should be paying attention to the dress that Chappell Roan recently wore to the Grammys. She’ll join Commotion guest host Radheyan Simonpillai to explain why.