Pop Chat

Music journalists Richie Assaly and Maura Johnston give us the morning-after report on the big winners, the surprises and snubs from the 65th annual Grammy Awards. Plus, it's been a year since the New York Times bought Wordle. Writer and game developer David Shariatmadari helps Elamin look back on the game's success as well as preview a new brain teaser for word sleuths.

Friday Wrap Panel with Rad Simonpillai & Amil Niazi: Beyoncé's announcement of a Renaissance World Tour has a Ticketmaster-sized cloud hanging over it, M. Night Shyamalan's latest film Knock at the Cabin is hitting theatres this weekend, and the latest media outlet to announce a string of layoffs this month is pop culture news site Gawker, which will shut down after relaunching just two years ago.

With the Vancouver Folk Music Festival cancelling its 2023 edition and possibly shutting down for good, Elamin checks in with two regular attendees, Lisa Christiansen and Naomi Moses, to tell us why this event is so important to the city and how it could be saved. Plus, CBC columnist and culture critic Huda Hassan joins Elamin to unpack the milestones, controversies and implications tied to the recent acquisition of Toronto legacy magazine NOW by rising media journalist Brandon Gonez and his company Gonez Media Inc.

Music journalists A. Harmony and Niko Stratis give their highlights and reactions to yesterday's Junos nominations announcement and what they might say about the state of the Canadian music industry in 2023. Plus, Bollywood has been in a slump the past couple of years — but Shah Rukh Khan's new film appears to be reviving the genre. Smashing all kinds of records since it opened last week, audiences are going wild for Pathaan. Aparita Bhandari tells Elamin why this is a comeback story worth paying attention to.

Canadian entertainment reporter Teri Hart explains how the controversy around Andrea Riseborough's Best Actress Oscar nomination for the little-known film To Leslie came to be, and what happens next. Plus, with The Last Of Us dominating our Sunday night viewing schedule, Elamin catches up with Felix Gillette and John Koblin, authors of It's Not TV: The Spectacular Rise, Revolution, and Future of HBO, to talk about what makes the streaming giant so good at getting people's attention — and keeping it.

Pamela Anderson was one of the biggest stars of the '90s. Now, she's telling her story in the Netflix documentary Pamela, a love story. Culture writers Alessa Dominguez and Kathleen Newman-Bremang join Elamin to talk about the ongoing trend of celebrities taking control of their own narratives through documentaries. Plus, Elamin reveals the nominees for Rap Album/EP of the Year category at this year's Juno Awards, and we remember American guitarist Tom Verlaine and Tyre Nichols

Introducing our new show: Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud! Every weekday, culture writer and professional fan Elamin will bring you thoughtful and vibrant discussions in just 30 minutes. With the help of superfans and experts alike, Elamin will cover the most urgent and joyful stories in arts, pop culture and entertainment. Welcome to the group chat!

Introducing our new show: Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud! The host you know and love will bring you thoughtful and vibrant discussions daily in a new 30-minute format. With the help of superfans and experts alike, Elamin will cover the most urgent and joyful stories in arts, pop culture and entertainment. Welcome to the group chat!

It's been 25 years since James Cameron's blockbuster Titanic changed filmmaking forever. Host Elamin Abdelmahmoud is joined by Amil Niazi and special guest Cameron Maitland to discuss everything Kate + Leo + iceberg. This special episode was recorded live at the Hot Docs Cinema in Toronto on November 17. Drop it in the Group Chat: 55:53

It's the end of an era. On the final episode of Pop Chat, Amil, Kevin, and Elamin reflect on their favourite moments. We also recap the year in music, from the return of Beyoncé to Kanye's anti-semitism, and share our thoughts on the best television shows of 2022. We are so grateful to everyone who listened to Pop Chat, thank you for riding with us. Warm-up question: 1:01 Year in music: 5:35 Year in movies: 32:37 Drop it in the Group Chat: 51:05

How did Yellowstone become the biggest show on TV? We talk about its rise and how its creator, Taylor Sheridan, became the biggest name in TV. And we talk about Glass Onion, the Knives Out sequel, and Netflix's confusing release strategy. Warm-up question: 1:02 Knives Out: 7:12 Yellowstone: 25:24 Drop it in the Group Chat: 49:29

We get into how the Taylor Swift fandom is looking to take on Ticketmaster, after the giant ticketing website left millions of fans without tickets to see Swift and in turmoil over the process. Plus, is there a horror resurgence taking place at the movies? Warm-up question: 1:45 Ticketmaster: 5:15 Horror renaissance: 17:05 Drop it in the Group Chat: 27:12

Dave Chappelle's SNL monologue addressed Kanye West's anti-Semitic tweets and Kyrie Irving's ban from the NBA. Chappelle made headlines as the comedian was accused of normalizing anti-semitism. We dissect the monologue and its fallout. And: the Black Panther has returned — we dive into the sequel and reflect on how it treats grief and the loss of Chadwick Boseman. Warm-up question: 0:52 Chappelle on SNL: 10:03 Wakanda Forever: 29:33 Drop it in the Group Chat: 44:29

On his new album, Drake seems to take shots at Serena Williams and Megan Thee Stallion. We talk about Drake's role in pop culture. And The Crown has returned for season 5 — we discuss whether the show about the British royal family goes too far. Warm-up question: 1:55 Mad about Drake: 5:10 The Crown returns: 22:35 Drop it in the Group Chat: 41:10

With the premiere of a new season of White Lotus, Ruben Ostlund's Triangle of Sadness and horror film The Menu, Pop Chat talks about the "eat the rich" fall line-up and why we love to see rich people roasted. Plus, we talk about Twitter's future under Elon Musk and whether Kevin, Amil and Elamin would pay to keep their blue check. Warm-up question: 1:02 Eat the Rich: 8:07 Elon's Twitter: 27:59 Drop It In The Group Chat: 45:01

With the stratospheric release of Midnights, we ask what's behind Taylor Swift's pop star persona PLUS, the Great British Baking Show used to be necessary comfort viewing, but audiences have gone sour on the show's offensive themes and over-the-top challenges. Warm-up question: 1:02 Taylor Swift: 5:10 GBBO: 25:11 Drop It In The Group Chat: 40:49

We get into why the Bravo universe has grown to such a degree and come to dominate television. Plus we ask why we turn to celebrities in moments of strife and upheaval and why celebs are mostly staying silent on Iran. Warm-up Question: 1:00 Bravo TV Takeover: 10:46 Iran and celebrities: 38:00 Drop it in the Group Chat: 56:52

With Trevor Noah leaving The Daily Show and James Corden, Samantha Bee and Desus and Mero off-the-air as well, we ask if the late-night genre is truly dead. Plus, Kanye West — now known as Ye — has crossed another line, but will this finally be one step too far for the controversial artist or will he get another second chance? Warm-up question: 1:00 The death of late night television: 9:58 Kanye: 30:19 Drop It In The Group Chat: 46:01

There was a lot of hype and expectation around the new gay rom-com Bros — critics loved it but audiences stayed away. We unpack why and if the idea of the “important” movie is losing steam with audiences. Plus, the new Marilyn Monroe movie Blonde is out and it's dividing audiences with its intense focus on the star's trauma. Pop Chat asks if we'll ever get the Marilyn Monroe story right? Warm Up Question - 1:07 Bros - 8:18 Blonde - 33:27 Drop It In The Group Chat - 52:23

OK, yes, we all had our fun with the Adam Levine sexting story. But the scandal involving the Maroon 5 singer tells us something bigger about how TikTok has changed the machinery of celebrity gossip. Plus: HBO's Industry is the best show on television, so how come no one is talking about it? We break down what it takes for a show to break through. Hint: Learn from Succession. Warm Up Question - 01:10 Adam Levine's sexts - 10:01 Industry - 28:46 Drop It In The Group Chat - 47:48

It's been 20 years since Kelly Clarkson won American Idol. We talk about the enduring celebrity of the pop star including how she's poised to take over Ellen's coveted afternoon talk show slot. Plus, despite shocking allegations against Ezra Miller, DC and Warner Bros are pushing ahead with a 2023 release of The Flash. We get into the claims against the star and if superhero movies are too big to fail. Warm Up Question - 01:20 Kelly Clarkson - 06:50 Ezra Miller's troubles - 25:48 Drop It In The Group Chat - 37:29

Lea Michele's Funny Girl debut on Broadway. Plus: Bros, The Whale, and a preview of fall's biggest films set to take over awards season. Warm Up Question - 01:04 Funny Girl - 10:17 TIFF picks - 25:36 Drop It In The Group Chat - 39:11

Olivia Wilde's new feature film is already steeped in rumours, gossip and drama before it's even hit the theatres. We talk about what's happening behind the scenes with Wilde, Harry Styles and Florence Pugh. Plus, House of Dragons and Lord of the Rings compete to be fall's biggest fantasy show — do they succeed? Warm Up Question - 00:01:29 Don't Worry Darling Drama - 00:09:24 Diversity Hits Middle Earth - 00:27:20 Drop It In The Group Chat - 00:43:28

Buffy Sainte-Marie is one of the most prolific singer-songwriters of the past century. For 60 years her music has quietly reverberated throughout pop culture, and provided a touchstone for Indigenous resistance. In this five-part series, Mohawk and Tuscarora writer Falen Johnson explores how Buffy's life and legacy is essential to understanding Indigenous resilience. More episodes are available at hyperurl.co/buffy

From kids shows like Bluey, to Only Murders in the Building season 2 and Jordan Peele's Nope, we share the movies and TV series we're excited about this summer. Warm Up Question - 00:1:30 Children's Entertainment / Bluey - 00:9:15 Movies, TV Series & Music of the Summer - 00:29:00 Drop It In The Group Chat - 00:55:40

The FIRST EVER Pop Chat live show!! From chunky sneakers to wide leg denim and Britney Spears, the style and the celebrities of the late '90s and early 2000s are everywhere. We look closely at what's making us yearn for this era. And the iconic compilation album Big Shiny Tunes 2 turns 25 this year. We invite Canadian music and culture legend George Stroumboulopoulos to dissect the legacy of Big Shiny Tunes and how it shaped our cultural landscape. The Return of 90s/Y2K Fashion - 00:11:40 90s/Y2K Revisionist History - 00:19:00 Drop It In The Group Chat - 00:35:45 George Stroumboulopoulos and Big Shiny Tunes 2 - 00:39:50

Adam Sandler is back with a new Netflix film — Hustle topped the streamer's charts, and it is a hit with critics. But even in failure, Sandler is beloved. How does Adam Sandler churn out so many hits even if critics aren't always on board? And Barry is the best show on TV. The season 3 finale had so many people in shock. However, for some, this is the first time they've ever heard of the show starring Bill Hader. If Barry is so good, why is it so under-watched?

Nearly 40 years later, Tom Cruise has given us a sequel to Top Gun, and the movie keeps breaking box office records. We get into the mystical, unearthly abilities of Tom Cruise to entertain and carry a movie. And Fire Island is a new sweet gay romcom that gay and straight audiences are loving. We discuss the unreasonable pressures that get placed on a movie from a marginalized community, and whether Fire Island needs to be everything to everyone. Segments Warm Up Question - 00:03:30 Top Gun/Tom Cruise - 00:11:40 Fire Island - 00:35:35 Drop It In The Group Chat - 00:56:55

Well, the verdict is in. Amil, Kevin and Elamin react live to the jury's ruling in the Johnny Depp and Amber Heard defamation trial, and consider its impact going forward. Plus: After a three-year absence, Netflix's massively popular signature series Stranger Things is back for a fourth season, and fans are incredibly thrilled. This new season comes with a massive budget — $30 million per episode — and the story takes us outside of the familiar territory. But is the show trying to do too much? Warm Up Question - 00:03:15 Depp/Heard Verdict - 00:09:00 Stranger Things - 00:30:45 Drop It In The Group Chat - 00:51:15

This Is Us, the hit series that got famous for reliably making everyone cry, just wrapped up its final season. We discuss why it might be the last network drama of its kind. Plus: Saturday Night Live just said goodbye to three of its biggest stars. Kate McKinnon, Pete Davidson and Aidy Bryant have left the show. We discuss how SNL's role as a launching pad has changed, and where these stars go from here. Segments Warm Up Question - 00:01:40 SNL Departures - 00:06:55 This Is Us - 00:31:00 Drop It In The Group Chat - 00:53:00

The world was ready to say goodbye to the Kardashians at the end of their E! reality show. But less than a year later, their new reality spinoff marked Hulu's biggest premiere in U.S. history — and boy have they turned it up a notch. This week, we interrogate how the Kardashians have managed to be more relevant than ever. Plus: HBO Max's The Flight Attendant is back for a second season. We consider how the show has evolved to give us one of the most searing portrayals of addiction and sobriety in recent memory. And finally an update on the Amber Heard and Johnny Depp trial — and what it reveals about the crude terms in which the culture understands domestic violence. Depp/Heard Trial - 00:01:30 The Kardashians - 00:11:45 The Flight Attendant - 00:33:00 Drop It In The Group Chat - 00:52:30

After abortion rights came under attack in the U.S., celebrities spoke out in droves. Musician Phoebe Bridgers shared her abortion story, while Olivia Rodrigo paused a concert to address the issue. Saturday Night Live dedicated many segments to discuss the overturning of Roe V Wade. But does celebrity action matter? And HBO's The Staircase is the talk of the town. The drama based on the legendary true crime documentary has everyone's attention, and it's forcing us to ask some hard questions. Namely: what is it that we want out of true crime? And have we taken it too far? Plus in Drop It In The Group Chat: We Own This City, Happening, and Moonfall.

Indie film Everything Everywhere All At Once is a word-of-mouth sleeper success! We talk about why the movie is breaking records and what it says about intergenerational trauma and motherhood. PLUS, Heartstopper and Crush herald in a new wave of joyful, romantic and sweet gay teen rom-coms. Why is this new genre so important right now? Then in Drop It In The Group Chat: I Love That For You, Bluey and John Waters' new book. Segments Warm Up Question (Met Gala fails) - 00:02:05 Everything Everywhere All At Once - 00:10:20 Heartstopper and teen LGBTQ+ rom-coms - 00:28:00 Drop It In The Group Chat - 00:49:35

In the last two weeks alone, over 100 new seasons of TV have premiered. From Netflix to HBO to Apple TV+, we talk about the consequences of being flooded with too much TV. Plus: Johnny Depp and Amber Heard are currently engaged in a very public, very ugly court battle — and the internet can't stop watching. We talk about the trial as public performance, and unpack the damage it's doing. Segments Warm Up Question (Elon Musk bought Twitter?) - 00:01:45 Too Much TV - 00:06:35 Amber Heard / Johnny Depp Trial - 00:33:55 Drop It In The Group Chat - 00:48:44

The new Fantastic Beasts movie bombed. The franchise has been plagued with crises, from Ezra Miller's arrest, to JK Rowling's statements about gender and Johnny Depp's legal battle with his ex Amber Heard. But with a new box office low, is the Harry Potter universe finally losing its power? Plus: the Housewives may get all the headlines but Below Deck is Bravo's biggest hit. How did a show about a yachting become the most popular reality TV show by a long shot? Related: do you also wish Captain Lee was your dad? Segments Warm Up Question - 00:01:45 Harry Potter - 00:06:55 Below Deck - 00:35:25 Drop It In The Group Chat - 00:57:35

From the drama of Colby and Madlyn, to the potential of Jake and Rae, Netflix's newest reality show The Ultimatum is the talk of the internet. It seems like everyone is weighing in, and a lot of people are calling it toxic. We discuss how reality TV has turned marriage into a spectacle. And romance is BACK. From Sandra Bullock's new movie The Lost City, to Nancy Meyers' come back, we get into the return of the rom-com and talk about how the genre has always been overlooked. Plus on Drop It In The Group Chat: Slow Horses, Aline and How Email Took Over the World. Segments Warm Up Question (Bennifer) - 00:01:45 Rom-Coms Return - 00:07:68 The Ultimatum - 00:29:25 Drop It In The Group Chat - 00:49:30

Abbott Elementary is pulling numbers comparable to Modern Family. Audiences and critics are obsessed with this show. How did a network sitcom become TV's biggest surprise? And: From Will Smith and the Slap to a Grammys show that featured brilliant performances but very few actual Grammys handed out, we ask: what do we want from award shows now? Segments Warm Up Question (most iconic 2022 Grammy performances) - 00:01:45 Award Shows - 00:08:05 Abbott Elementary - 00:26:15 Drop It In The Group Chat - 00:47:35

It's been a few days since Will Smith slapped Chris Rock at the Oscars. Since then, Smith has apologized while others have called for him to be stripped of his Best Actor award. We process The Slap, and how it complicates Will Smith's win and legacy. Plus: Bridgerton is back! We discuss what makes the show work, and how Netflix is so successful at making it the buzziest show out right now. Segments Warm Up Question - 00:01:30 Will Smith Slap Aftermath - 00:12:20 Bridgerton - 00:35:20 Drop It In The Group Chat - 00:52:45

Immediately following last night's Oscars whirlwind, culture writers Amil Niazi, Kevin Fallon, and Elamin Abdelmahmoud took to Twitter to process THAT moment. Will Smith made Oscars history at the 2022 Academy Awards after he charged the stage and slapped Chris Rock in response to a joke the comedian made about Jada Pinkett Smith. AND THEN Smith went on to apologize for the event in his emotional speech for Best Actor, which he won later in the night. Catch real-time reactions from the Pop Chat team in this special bonus episode.

The Oscars are pulling out all the stops to get the audience back. Three comedians to host? Check. Cutting eight awards from the televised program? Check. DJ Khaled to present…check? Who are the Oscars for, and who is the audience they're trying to woo. We discuss that and the most watched races. And Apple TV's new series, Severance, is a hit. The show, directed by Ben Stiller and starring Adam Scott, is about the separation of your work self and your non-work self. What does it have to say about how work has changed us? Plus on Drop It In The Group Chat: Life & Beth, A.P. Bio and Charli XCX's new album. Segments Warm Up Question - 00:01:50 Oscars - 00:09:40 Severance - 00:34:50 Drop It In The Group Chat - 00:54:45

Disney's latest film, Turning Red, is proof that the House of Mouse is succeeding in its effort to tell more diverse stories. But Disney is also coming under criticism for staying silent about an anti-gay bill. And with The Dropout, WeCrashed, and Super Pumped: The Battle for Uber, Hollywood finally sets its eyes on the entrepreneur. What do these shows have to say about the mythology of the tech CEO? Plus on this week's Group Chat: The Founder, Severance and The Lost City. Segments Warm Up Question (favourite 2000s boy band) - 00:02:00 Turning Red / Disney - 00:07:10 Tech CEO TV - 00:32:40 Drop It In The Group Chat - 00:48:30

The new Batman, played by Robert Pattinson, is the third iteration of the character in just 10 years. Yet despite the Batman overload, audiences are clamouring to see it. Are studios getting more conservative with their releases because of the superhero supremacy at the box office? Will the superhero movie bubble ever burst? And the new season of the Masked Singer made headlines for inviting Rudy Giuliani. Do reality shows invite controversial figures on for ratings? Or is it a legitimate play for redemption?