Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud

The Big Five answers the most pressing question of our time: what are the “Big 5” of any given category? Not the best 5. Not the top 5. Not anyone’s favourite 5. But objectively, the Big 5. In each episode, Donovan Woods, Tom Power, and a celebrity guest tackle new topics and debate things like: what are the Big 5 farm animals? Types of hats? Slang terms for “butt”? Ways to cook a potato? In this episode, Elamin joins in to scrap about the big five sea creatures, guys named John and email sign-offs.

More episodes of The Big Five are available wherever you get your podcasts, and here: https://link.mgln.ai/TB5xCWEA

Half Man, from the creator of Baby Reindeer Richard Gadd, a new adaptation of Lord Of The Flies, and a surprise capsule episode of The Bear are talking about the dark side of masculinity in really interesting ways. Culture critics Hanna Flint, Jackson Weaver and novelist Ben Purkert join Elamin Abdelmahmoud to explain how they illuminate what’s wrong with masculinity right now.

The Toronto Tempo open their season at Coca-Cola Coliseum on Friday, making history as Canada’s first team in the WNBA. Sports journalists Shireen Ahmed and Savanna Hamilton join Elamin Abdelmahmoud to break down the roster and predict who will get the honour of becoming Toronto’s rival team.

Also, in the mid-2000s, the artist M.I.A. was hailed as the ultimate progressive pop star with a forward-thinking, global-spanning sound and pointed messaging about colonialism, racism, and the refugee experience. However, in recent years, her politics have taken a noticeable turn to the right, endorsing Donald Trump and wading into conspiracy theories. This week, Kid Cudi fired M.I.A. from his tour after statements she made onstage. Music journalist Reanna Cruz explains how M.I.A. went from vanguard artist to persona non grata.

If you read headlines saying The Onion wants to take over InfoWars, Alex Jones’ far-right conspiracy talk show, no one would blame you for thinking it was all a big joke. But it’s true: last Friday, the satirical news site released its first parody of the show with new host, Tim Heidecker. The comedian did an uncanny impression of Alex Jones. Journalist Justin Ling and comedian Ashley Ray join Elamin Abdelmahmoud to discuss the ‘new’ InfoWars and whether satire can still speak to this political moment.

Also, Iran just dropped out of the Venice Biennale. That's after the exhibition's entire jury resigned amid tensions over Israel and Russia. Arts reporter Kate Brown unpacks the various controversies swirling around this year's exhibition. She also profiles the artist representing Canada, Abbas Akhavan.

This year, the conversation about the Met Gala was less about looks, and more about the outrage. Billionaire Jeff Bezos and his wife Lauren Sanchez Bezos were the main sponsors and honorary chairs at this year’s ball, proving the most prestigious night in the fashion world can be bought. But can taste? Elamin Abdelmahmoud gets into it with fashion writer Joan Summers and culture writer Amil Niazi.

And the film ‘Blue Heron’ by Canadian director Sophy Romvari tells the story of a family tragedy and how childhood memories of a summer can loom over one’s life. Exclaim film editor Rachel Ho shares why it's already one of her favourite movies this year.