Pop 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