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 ..read more

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 ..read more

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 ..read more

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 ..read more

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 ..read more

We get into why the Bravo Universe has grown to such a degree and come to dominate television. Plus we ask why 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 ..read more

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 ..read more

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 ..read more

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 ..read more

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 ..read more