Commotion 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.


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Recent Episodes
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Recent Reviews
  • Et c'est parti.
    A new favorite
    I listen daily. I’ve appreciated learning about new goings on in the culture and Elamin is a fantastic host.
  • ss2367
    Great conversations about pop culture
    Love this format for discussing pop culture! The guests are insightful and provide diverse viewpoints which keeps it engaging. The episodes covering the Oscars were especially excellent. I wish we had more critique of celebrity in pop culture podcasts, along with all the fandom, and this podcast keeps that in the conversation.
  • mspassell
    7653577 stars!!!
    Need more Sam Sanders in your life? This show feels like Into It. It's great! I'm into it!
  • funier
    Best podcast ever
    The best. Go back and listen to all the previous episodes. The best hosts guests, and culture.
  • CaroleACline
    What happened to sex on TV?
    Are you kidding? Has anyone seen Euphoria? How about Industry? Sex is alive and well on streaming. That said, I enjoy this group and enjoy listening to their take on pop culture.
  • TrayEsq
    Must listen!
    Great podcast with good insight, great guests, and entertaining discussion of entertainment!
  • kyahorahai
    Sad to see you go!
    Loved this show so much and am gonna miss listening to their convos. True to form, the final segment of the final formal show made me cry when Kevin spoke of surviving cancer. Thx for sharing of yourselves.
  • luciagalen
    Don't go! 😣
    This has been one of my top five shows of the past year or two. Full parasocial relationship with these three, and i'll miss having you guys around. Please reunite often!
  • Tanya Bezreh
    Love this show!!
    My favorite gang of people to listen to; I love their chemistry <3 and insights
  • Yelena Alvarez McCoy
    I’m so sad the show ended!
    I didn’t know the show was ending. Got so sad when I heard that at the beginning of the episode today. I looked forward to this show every week. You three made me laugh, cry, rethink things and rejoice in your joys. I will truly miss this show. Good luck in your new projects and please come back from time to time.
  • rabeereviews
    Best Pop Culture podcast
    Incredible summaries of the latest in pop culture, insightful commentary, and a variety recommendations in the group chat!
  • CS 147x
    Smart and Accessible
    As a listener in an older (60+) demographic, this is a great discussion. I started listening so that I could understand pop culture better. I stayed because the hosts are so good at informing without condescending. And even when I totally disagree, I come away with some new insights. Well done!!!
  • 1800walmart
    Arrogant hosts
    The hosts on this show are so arrogant and judgmental they think they are better than everyone else. This podcast takes all the fun out of pop culture. The worst is that Emil Niazi. Keep it light this is awful
  • ftyjiooomkj
    The self-righteousness gets grating.
    The constant sub text of this show is that the general viewing public is stupid, vapid, and occasionally vile. This came through glaringly I the Amber Heard discussions, where anyone who was on Johnny Drop’s side was cast as a villain. Only the hosts are deep enough to appreciate what’s going on, the rest of us are problematic and stupid
  • ChopSusie
    Just Bad
    The post Oscar was the worst.
  • NastKhosh
    Happy but Smart Break from the Doom Scroll
    Amil is hilarious and Kevin is very sharp! Always love his perspective. They always talk about the exact content I’m consuming. Fun listen that always makes me laugh and feel represented. Amil & Kevin should be full time hosts.
  • Mmorri19
    Keeps me in the know!
    I love Pop Chat. The hosts discuss current pop culture in a really nuanced way. They challenge each other and really get into some deep conversations about how we consume media. They are super fun to listen to and always bring an high level of intelligence to each episode.
  • KylieG
    I love Canadians
    I am so happy to hear Canadians talk about pop culture. I sort of feel like all of the American pop culture shows are the same. It’s great to get a fresh take from a diverse group of people. I feel like I’m hanging with a group of my friends just talking about life.
  • angrylf
    Lacks complexity and nuance
    This show demonstrates perfectly why people throw up their hands and walk away from legacy media. Isn’t there even 1 producer that understands the difference between information and dogma??!!?? So frustrating.
  • DecemberKid
    Intelligent Takes on Pop Culture
    It’s tough to find intelligent takes on pop culture because it’s so easy to concentrate on the frivolous and the salacious.I really like the fact that this podcast doesn’t concentrate on who’s dating who, but on how pop culture happenings reflect and inform larger narratives on our culture. The host and guests give intelligent and interesting observations that I don’t get on other podcasts on this topic.
  • An Excellent Reviewer
    Pop culture without the cringe
    Must-listen pop culture commentary. The host and guests avoid the twee of other celebrity news podcasts. Feels like asking your coolest and most honest friends for their opinion about tabloid headlines and current events.
  • zencapopoca
    Arrogant is not cool
    This is one of the worst podcasts I have ever listened to. The host is the kind of person who would have been a bad guy in a 1980's ski movie. He should stop talking.
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