Why was Madonna's tribute to Prince so polarizing?

q's pop culture panel weighs in on the worthy, contentious, and mind-boggling stories from the week in arts and entertainment. Opinionated and irreverent, our panel takes pop culture seriously (but not too seriously).

Today's panellists are Rachel Giese, Randy Boyagoda, and Emily Keeler. Today:

Why was Madonna's tribute to Prince so polarizing? Even our panelists disagree about the tone and quality of the show. "This is about Madonna, not Prince," says Boyagoda, who thought the performance was weak and overly-solemn. Keeler disagrees. "Not only were they peers on the charts, they were actually friends ... she didn't hit every note, but it was beautiful." 
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Gord Downie, Tragically Hip singer, has brain cancer

9 years ago

Duration 2:48

Statement says singer 'has been fighting hard'; band plans 'one last tour' 

What can Maria Bamford's new Netflix comedy do for the stigma around mental illness? "Are we mature enough as a culture to have a laugh about it?" says Boyagoda, who says the show stirs complicated feelings in him. Giese says the show adds important layers to a person with mental illness. "She has to live a life, and this is what this life looks like." 
 

On the heels of sad news about Gord Downie, we explore Canada's affection for the frontman and his band the Tragically Hip. "There was never the sense that Canadian fame was the B choice," says Giese, adding that their decision to go on tour is powerful and affirming. Boyagoda says the band is just plain good. "There was never anything earnest about it."