Taking It Down (Blaine Duncan)

Come on in and give a listen to this week's episode of Taking It Down. We start with the lambasting of Jim Harbaugh and Michigan as well as other buffoons (1:10) before we talk about some of the specifics of Episode Six of the Netflix show Squid Game and how it may be great or it may not (6:17). That sets up a final discussion on Midnight Mass, where Blaine concludes that is truly great (12:38). While still in Netflix territory, Adam discusses the new Dutch film on the streaming service The Forgotten Battle, which had Adam enraptured (14:25).

Donovan and Blaine took in the new season of Curb Your Enthusiasm all the while asking if it would live up to it grandeur of its previous season, one of the best in the HBO books (17:52).

Then the guys take a shift into music by discussing the excellent new album I Don't Live Here Anymore from the band The War on Drugs (23:38). Then, a popular question off mic becomes a crowd-sourced one: should we dump Facebook? Is Instagram the place to hang (35:15)? Let us know!

Then the final segment has some wide-ranging disagreements on the Apple TV+ documentary from Todd Haynes The Velvet Underground (37:29). Listen in to hear who thinks what about the documentary now airing on the streaming service.

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This week, the hosts get to the back half of FX/Hulu's series 'Say Nothing.'

For non-spoilers, they discuss the change in the show in tone and focus (0:55). For spoilers, talk about the specifics of the impact of the narrative's pacing, starting with episode six (5:10). The conversation also touches on the real-life implications of violence and the lingering effects of trauma on individuals and communities.

If you are interested in Descript as mentioned in the show, the link to it is: https://get.descript.com/31mu8d2mia99

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After a week off, Taking It Down brings you an excellent episode. It begins with a recounting of a recent Bonny Light Horseman show in Georgia (2:11) before transitioning into whether The Alabama Take should exist at all (4:40). Then the guys talk a little about the news surrounding the new movie The Batman, including that it will be released soon on HBO Max (6:40). After the introductory chatter, it's a focused talk on the finales of Euphoria (8:42) and Somebody Somewhere (21:53) both of which are on HBO and HBO Max.

After a break with a few announcements, Taking It Down talks the mysterious and disturbing new Apple TV+ show from Ben Stiller Severance (33:46).

Subscribe, rate, review, share, and holler at us! Taking It Down is housed under all of The Alabama Take's social media accounts. Let us know what you think and what you've been watching, hearing, or reading!

The whole gang of Taking It Down is back to talk about the latest from legendary rock group Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers with their recent release of Live at the Fillmore, a twenty-night stand recorded perfectly (2:30). After the discussion, what's with the hoopla around the new Netflix series Wednesday, an extension in the classic story of The Addams Family (10:31)? After a break, Blaine and Donovan revel in the beauty and fascination of The English on Amazon Prime Video (16:29). To finish the episode, the group questions where The Guardians of the Galaxy's Christmas Special stands in the plethora of similar, holiday-themed television (34:21).

The Alabama Take brings you all the entire family of podcasts and writings -- all with no ads! Yet we still have some bills to pay. If there's nothing in the shop to interest you, feel free to make a donation: venture to Buy Me A Coffee or visit our Venmo and PayPal to help to keep the site, the writings, and podcasts going.

It's only Blaine and Donovan this week, and they sort through where everyone else is as well as the sincere intricacies of why Taking It Down didn't return for a weekly format until five weeks later (2:00). If you have mental health issues, do what you can do to ensure that you're okay. Speaking of mental health, we also talk about Twitter and its possible demise and its possible replacements if the social media giant does go under (5:18). Then Netflix could very well have a great movie on its hands with the Florence Pugh-led film The Wonder: but how good, exactly (9:05)? We answer that and pondered what it was that made Andor the best Star Wars has delivered perhaps ever (30:54).

To begin, it's a quick question on the Expats on Amazon Prime (1:27), before shifting into Masters of the Air on Apple TV+ to land on how it holds up thus far against its predecessors from HBO (4:02). The hosts ask Donovan why he watches Bluey (20:38) before Donovan and Blaine break down "Part Three" of True Detective: Night Country to uncover just how good it is at its halfway point and to question if it leans to heavily into one particular aspect the first season may have avoided (24:07).

At 5:00 p.m. CST on Tuesdays, you can watch the the weekly YouTube video segment, which has the group discussing how bad this season is of The Challenge: Battle for a New Champion as well as the dominating performance of the elimination winner.

Takeaways

• The TV show Masters of the Air has received mixed reviews, with some praising its portrayal of World War II and others finding it lacking compared to previous war-themed series.
• The animated children's show Bluey has garnered a following among both kids and adults, with its relatable characters and heartwarming stories.
• The hosts express their opinions on various TV shows and highlight the importance of personal preferences when it comes to entertainment.
• The discussion of True Detective: Night Country "Part 3: provides insights and analysis of the episode, showcasing the hosts' engagement with the series.
• The show could potentially continue as an anthology series, exploring different themes and characters in each season.
• The portrayal of women in the series is complex and highlights their strength and resilience.
• Flashbacks provide insight into characters' pasts and relationships.
• Living in darkness for extended periods can have a significant impact on mental health.
• Unresolved threads, such as the trailer and effigy, leave room for further exploration in future episodes.
• The destruction of nature by human activities may be connected to the emergence of ancient horror.

The Alabama Take brings you an entire family of podcasts and writings -- all with no ads! But we still have some bills to pay. If there's nothing in the shop to interest you, feel free to make a donation: venture to Buy Me A Coffee or visit our Venmo and PayPal to help to keep the site, the writings, and podcasts going.

Find the other podcasts in The Alabama Take network in any podcast app. Not only that, but all podcasts now appear in the YouTube channel for The Alabama Take. For Taking It Down, that includes both the audio version of the episode and the bonus footage from that week.

This week on Taking It Down: Donovan reports back from his quest to listen to the Grateful Dead truly for the first time (0:48). Then the group is all over the place on the Christopher Nolan film Tenet, which they finally watched this week and is now streaming on HBO Max (13:04). Is that movie worth your time? Lastly, Natalie Morrow joins the gang as they talked about why the third episode of the Disney+ show Loki wasn't just filler (31:43).

Taking It Down comes at you bright and early each Tuesday morning. Subscribe -- or in the case of Apple now, follow -- in your podcast app so that you don't miss an episode. Feel free to email or contact Taking It Down on social media! We would love to hear from you.

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The Alabama Take is happy to bring both the variety of podcasts and website writings with no ads, but we still have some bills to pay. If you'd like to help, you can! Venture to Buy Me A Coffee or visit our Venmo and PayPal to help with donations to keep the site and podcasts going.

This week on Taking It Down somehow or another -- though it comes as no surprise -- we start with some Tom Petty music memories (1:02). After that, Blaine, Adam, and Donovan discuss how they've avoided Covid thus far (3:58) which veers into a discussion on kitty litter (4:26).

Then it's actual pop culture talk! First up, the latest episode of WandaVision and the costumes of the 90s (5:43) before we offer up some show recommendations (19:39).

In the last segment, it's a reflection on the HBO Max from Shaka King Judas and the Black Messiah (27:35).

We'll be back next Tuesday! Subscribe to us so you don't miss a thing!

Episode Ten is big and drama filled. Host Blaine gathers with Adam Morrow in an attempt to parse out the ongoings of HBO's new masterful series Watchmen. In the second half of the podcast, Kevin Halbrook, host of Where's the Line?, sits in to discuss the infamous Tuscaloosa dive bar Egan's and what has gone wrong. You can read a bit of background on what's been happening with Egan's both here and here from Blaine and head writer Trey Irby, respectively, where both give their perspective on the recent online debacle.

Taking It Down this week begins with some tales centered on school (1:28) before explaining what exactly happened with Listener of the Week (4:19).

The gang then dissect why the Hulu movie Prey deserves better than it's "good B-movie" description (5:42). Natalie is blown away and then solves TikTok (31:00) before the entire group discusses reasons to be optimistic about the new Disney+ entry She-Hulk: Attorney at Law (31:58). Just before ending, Natalie has a Paper Girls question to pose (47:43).

All that and more in this week's episode of Taking It Down, the 128th in the bank.

There's always a lot more at The Alabama Take. 

This week, Blaine starts with an entire bundle of television. First, he lets listeners know how to leave the podcast a voice message (1:30) as well as how to sign up for The Alabama Take's newsletter (2:16). Then it's the new series from Netflix 'Baby Reindeer,' which is gaining some traction; this segment does not contain spoilers for the show (2:46).

After that, Blaine returns to the Apple TV+ show 'Sugar' to discuss a few things from the fourth episode, all without spoilers (5:28). Hulu's new series 'Under the Bridge' has his attention. He recaps some of his broad thoughts on it without spoiling any of it (6:27).

From there, Donovan and Adam join the show, and Donovan gives his recommendation on the new HBO series 'The Sympathizer' in the spoiler-free section (9:36). It's full spoilers from that point as all three are eager to talk about the penultimate episode of 'Shōgun,' "Crimson Sky" (15:18).

Then it's more in-depth with the first episode of 'The Sympathizer' as Blaine and Donvoan talk about its blend of comedy and gravitas and if that's sustainable (35:15).

Find a lot more at TheAlabamaTake.com as well as the YouTube channel for The Alabama Take.

Apple TV+ has some quality shows, and we have recommendations almost solely from that streaming app, including Hijack (1:37), City On Fire (3:04), and Silo (5:04) all with spoiler-free discussions. Then it's a brief note on the current season of The Righteous Gemstones and why it's not quite as good, yet, as previous seasons (8:11). After the break, it's a short discussion on the details that Secret Invasion is adding to its show that make it a little better than other Disney+ and MCU shows have been (11:32).

For a transcript of this week's episode, see the website. For bonus footage, watch the video in YouTube for The Alabama Take. 

The Alabama Take brings you an entire family of podcasts and writings -- all with no ads! But we still have some bills to pay. If there's nothing in the shop to interest you, feel free to make a donation: venture to Buy Me A Coffee or visit our Venmo and PayPal to help to keep the site, the writings, and podcasts going.

Find the other podcasts in The Alabama Take network in any podcast app. 

It's the thirty-second episode of Taking It Down, and host Blaine Duncan is joined by co-host Adam Morrow and Donovan Reinwald. We're here this week to give you our thoughts on the new HBO series Perry Mason (4:08) and why, perhaps, it may be worth your time. Also, we discuss the other new HBO show that's caught our eye: I May Destroy You (24:50). At the end of the show, we break down what we liked and didn't like with the new Spike Lee joint Da 5 Bloods (36:26), which is now on Netflix. 

This week's episode begins with the hypothesis that Apple TV+ has taken the crown from HBO for quality TV shows (2:37). Then, the group give spoiler-free thoughts on why The Changeling from the same streamer feels so special (9:28). After a short break aboutThe Alabama Take, it's a breakdown of what happened -- and where it could lead -- on the most recent episode of The Challenge: USA (14:03).

If you're a fan of video podcasts, the YouTube channel for The Alabama Take has an extended version the episode with some wilder discussions on recent discourses around Martin Short and Ahsoka, particularly how Twitter has driven them. And you'll get some medical ideas on cysts! Yes, cysts! The extra footage is always in the video version of the show for the first few minutes.

The Alabama Take brings you an entire family of podcasts and writings -- all with no ads! But we still have some bills to pay. If there's nothing in the shop to interest you, feel free to make a donation: venture to Buy Me A Coffee or visit our Venmo and PayPal to help to keep the site, the writings, and podcasts going.

Ted Lasso is in its third and likely final season, and we answer if it is suffering without former show runner Bill Lawrence, and if so, how much (1:32). After that discussion, it's an analysis on how Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania was awful (13:56).

The Alabama Take brings you an entire family of podcasts and writings -- all with no ads! Yet we still have some bills to pay. If there's nothing in the shop to interest you, feel free to make a donation: venture to Buy Me A Coffee or visit our Venmo and PayPal to help to keep the site, the writings, and podcasts going.

Find the other podcasts in The Alabama Take network in any podcast app.

This week, we respond to the reviews of Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2:38) before some thoughts on what James Gunn taking over the DC Universe means for those franchises (9:01). After the break, we discuss something that's been very funny: the BBC2 and Netflix series Cunk on Earth (13:44).

The Alabama Take brings you all the entire family of podcasts and writings -- all with no ads! Yet we still have some bills to pay. If there's nothing in the shop to interest you, feel free to make a donation: venture to Buy Me A Coffee or visit our Venmo and PayPal to help to keep the site, the writings, and podcasts going.

Find the other podcasts in The Alabama Take's network in any podcast app.

For Episode Six, host Blaine Duncan is joined by host of Where Is the Line? podcast Kevin Halbrook. They talk about the life, music, and art of Daniel Johnston (1:00), who recently passed away, as well as the documentary The Devil and Daniel Johnston.

In the back half of the podcast, head writer from The Alabama Take T.D. Wood helps host Blaine wrestle with the glut of fall television: What's worth watching? What seems interesting? What will we certainly avoid? Find out in this episode (33:40). 

Host: Blaine Duncan

Guests: Kevin Halbrook and T.D. Wood

As cohost Adam Morrow is on the road, host of Taking It Down Blaine Duncan sits down with special friend of the pod Kelly Duncan to discuss the finale of Big Little Lies and the season that was (1:00). Later, Blaine is joined by The Alabama Take host Corey Hannah to break down the big Phase 4 announcements that Marvel made over the weekend at the San Diego Comic Con (23:02). 

Host: Blaine Duncan

Guests: Kelly Duncan and Corey Hannah from The Alabama Take Podcast

We had another week off, but that means we're back to our regularly scheduled programming! This week, it's just Donovan and Blaine, and they begin with some thoughts on two trailers from Disney+: the first from the much anticipated Star Wars veteran Obi-Wan Kenobi (1:39). The newest, released this week, was the trailer for the MCU's Ms. Marvel (10:58).

From there, Donovan gives a completely spoiler-free set of impressions from The Batman, which is still in theaters but set to hit HBO Max on April 19 (15:32). Speaking of HBO Max, they both dissect the new comedy Our Flag Means Death while avoiding spoilers on that show (20:03).

After a quick break of announcements, the guys debate the best introductions of television, and even award the crown to one in particular (26:58). Then they do a deep dive and offer speculations into the mysterious Apple TV+ show Severance (31:12)

Subscribe, rate, review, share, and holler at us! Taking It Down is housed under all of The Alabama Take's social media accounts. Let us know what you think and what you've been watching, hearing, or reading!

Head writer from The Alabama Take T.D. Wood sits down to give thoughts and question motives behind Sony taking their Spider-Man ball and going home (1:09), the upcoming movie The Joker (10:50), and HBO's new Danny McBride show The Righteous Gemstones (15:51). In the second half of the podcast, we welcome back host of Where's the Line? podcast Kevin Halbrook as host Blaine Duncan and Kevin give their final thoughts on the second season of the Netflix show Mindhunter (30:05). 

Host: Blaine Duncan

Guests: T.D. Wood and Kevin Halbrook

Taking It Down is back in its usual Tuesday slot for you and all your entertainment digesting needs!

For Episode Twenty-One, Blaine checks in with co-host Adam Morrow on the Morrow Movie Marathon and how that's proceeded during the coronavirus self-quarantine (3:18). Then they talk extensively about the surprise release from Bob Dylan, the epic song "Murder Most Foul" (8:04).

After the break, it's t.v. time: they talk about HBO's The Plot Against America (22:56), the Netflix phenom Tiger King (39:30), the future of the podcast (41:52), and FX on Hulu's Dave (43:24).

It's another Tuesday and another episode of Taking It Down! This week, Donovan Reinwald joins the two usual losers for the first half of the show where they talk about general pop culture musings (1:16) before they discuss the new HBO series I Know This Much Is True (7:20), which is based on the novel by Wally Lamb, and they close out their love affair with the Hulu show Normal People (12:54). Beware: bad Irish accents abound!

In the second half, Adam and Blaine discuss what the HBO show Run as done of late (41:52) and the new Hulu show The Great (45:16). Then it's a sad goodbye to The Last Dance, which helped fill a sports void (47:30). 

It's an odd week as Blaine trudges it alone. He discusses the end of the COVID-19 segment (1:24) before he gives his takes on the new Hulu movie Plan B, which is directed by Natalie Morales and stars newcomers Kuhoo Verma and Victoria Moroles (1:57).

After the break, Blaine talks about mental health (6:29).

Taking It Down releases every Tuesday morning. Subscribe in your podcast app so that you don't miss an episode. Feel free to email or contact Taking It Down on social media!

After a week away, there are lots of television shows and movies to cover, and we somehow manage to squeeze in more than a few. We first talk about Obama's birthday party (0:58) before discussing COVID-19 once again (2:55). Then it's more into pop culture with two of Apple TV+ shows: Mr. Corman (10:50) and Ted Lasso (19:24).

After the break, Adam and Blaine give some introductory thoughts on the first episode of the new season of The Challenge: Spies, Lies & Allies (30:19). Blaine happened to catch the buzziest movie of the week, CODA (35:22). Then Natalie joins the gang to talk about the recent Disney+ show Marvel's What If...? (36:50) and the HBO Max movie from the DC Universe The Suicide Squad (44:45).

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This week on the show, it's another Listener of the Week to begin (2:39)! After the award, Adam breaks down some of the new HBO documentary Tony Hawk: Until the Wheels Fall Off (4:12) and all three hosts then talk about the second episode of the Disney+ series Moon Knight (9:50).

The back half of this week's podcast then discusses in depth the season finale of the Apple TV+ show Severance, which could be one of the best finales of the year (25:33). Find out why.

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Talk to you all next week!

This week the gang have a time dissecting the first episode of the new season of Loki (1:20). They also discuss the impact of Wes Anderson and his new short film on Netflix The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar (20:30). To wrap the show, the gang narrows down what's in store for the next episode since there are a lot of choices as well as ask for a favor (43:48).

If you prefer video podcasts, the YouTube channel for The Alabama Take has an extended version the episode with discussions this week about what to watch and read for Halloween and The Challenge: USA thoughts!

The Alabama Take brings you an entire family of podcasts and writings -- all with no ads! But we still have some bills to pay. If there's nothing in the shop to interest you, feel free to make a donation: venture to Buy Me A Coffee or visit our Venmo and PayPal to help to keep the site, the writings, and podcasts going.

Find the other podcasts in The Alabama Take network in any podcast app. 

This week! Big finishes and strong beginnings. WTF happened at the end of The Curse (1:58)? And some questions as well as praises for the end of Fargo (26:16). Lastly, True Detective: Night Country was as strong as ever for a first episode and we explain why (39:33).

Taking It Down is the The Alabama Take's TV and streaming podcast for listeners who have time for the TV, but not time for much else. From us, you'll get the mundane and absurd, the complex and the simple, the easy and the hard all with zero Hollywood b.s.

For extra footage, the YouTube channel for The Alabama Take has even more from Taking It Down. 

The Alabama Take brings you an entire family of podcasts and writings -- all with no ads! But we still have some bills to pay. If there's nothing in the shop to interest you, feel free to make a donation: venture to Buy Me A Coffee or visit our Venmo and PayPal to help to keep the site, the writings, and podcasts going.

Find the other podcasts in The Alabama Take network in any podcast app or here on the site. Not only that, but all podcasts now appear in the YouTube channel for The Alabama Take. For Taking It Down, that includes both the audio version of the episode and the bonus footage from that week.

For Taking It Down's 99th (!) episode, Blaine, Adam, And Donovan start with some adamant talk about both the SEC Championship Game and the dissection of the Alabama fanbase (1:25). We also celebrate our winners of the inaugural College Football Pick 'Em (8:48). Should we do the Bowl Pick 'Em? Let us know!

Natalie joins the show and helps dissect what's right with the most recent episode of Hawkeye from Disney+ and what's wrong with it (13:22). She also offers up her worries about the upcoming movie Spider-Man: No Way Home (27:24).

After the break, Adam is back to point out some of the more granular aspects of the documentary series The Beatles: Get Back and discusses why it's a fantastic show (32:48).

The next episode of Taking It Down will be the 100th show! For that episode, we want you to help celebrate and be part of the process! We'll take as many listener questions as possible about TV, movies, music, books, and well beyond! Get those to us in any social media account or simply email TheAlabamaTake@gmail.com.

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Subscribe, rate, review, and share the show with others! Next Tuesday, Taking It Down will be back with more from movies, television, music, or books!

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The Alabama Take is happy to bring both the variety of podcasts and website writings with no ads, but we still have some bills to pay. If there's nothing in the shop to interest you, feel free to make a donation: venture to Buy Me A Coffee or visit our Venmo and PayPal to help to keep the site and podcasts going.

On Taking It Down, the episode begins with a thanks to the city and residents of Florence, specifically some who may listen to the episode (1:20) before moving into a boiling feud with fellow Alabama Take podcast We Are A Star War (4:26). Then we determine perhaps what's missing from Welcome To Wrexham: a unique voice (5:30). After a break, we get oiled up to talk about the most recent episode and elimination on The Challenge: USA (25:15).

If you're a fan of video podcasts, the YouTube channel for The Alabama Take has an extended version the episode, found below, with discussions about seeing Beyonce live!

The Alabama Take brings you an entire family of podcasts and writings -- all with no ads! But we still have some bills to pay. If there's nothing in the shop to interest you, feel free to make a donation: venture to Buy Me A Coffee or visit our Venmo and PayPal to help to keep the site, the writings, and podcasts going.

Find the other podcasts in The Alabama Take network in any podcast app. 

Blaine begins the week with a welcome and quick summary of the episode this week (0:01).

After getting Adam into the co-host's chair, Blaine begins the non-spoiler section and tries to convince him that 'The Pitt' is one of the best and most different medical dramas on TV, but is Adam sold on it (1:44)? The two also talk about the return of 'The White Lotus' on HBO for its third season (13:49).

For the spoiler section, the hosts unpack all the characters of the new third season of 'The White Lotus' from its first episode (23:39).

After 'The White Lotus,' they continue coverage of 'Severance': what do the pairs of the sixth episode have to hint for the back half of the second season (43:41)?

As always, visit The Alabama Take for more podcasts and writings.

It's all here and a little more in this week's Taking It Down! We'll certainly return to all movies, television, and music next week, but we couldn't help but talk about the upcoming football seasons. 

We called in the calvary, and they instead sent TD Wood to help with our football preview special. First, we talk COVID-19 because it won't go away (1:46). Then it's a brief discussion on how the newest from Marvel -- both Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings and Marvel's What If...? -- haven't gotten much of our interest (2:55). After that, we begin the football talk with all the changes and possible changes in college football (7:17) before we talk about how people really don't like picking games against the spread (24:57). Everyone gives a prediction for all the major college conferences (25:00) before we give some tepid NFL Super Bowl thoughts (56:42).

Blaine laments his illness of Covid (2:09) which makes him have time for a little college football TV antics before he dissects what's possibly worth everyone's time this coming Fall on TV. Find some shows, watch along, and we may cover those after covering 'Ripley' on Netflix (5:08) and 'Bad Monkey' from Apple TV+ (6:35).

Towards the middle Blaine is joined by Corey Hannah (12:42), host of both 'Alabama Slam' and 'We Are A Star War' to talk about one of the podcast that has to go to everyone's surprise. 'Alabama Slam' ends, but Blaine gets Corey to look back on the show, which episodes were best, which surprised, and what will happen next (19:41).

There, Corey brought the heat on a player on 'The Challenge' whom he has grown tired of hearing. Who could it be (24:04)? And the guys end with ideas on the current season of 'The Challenge: Battle for the Eras' (26:22).

This week begins with no spoilers but some thoughts on how 'Presumed Innocent' came to its ending (1:27).

Once Adam and Donovan join the conversation, talk turns to that big Olympics opening and question why Blaine hates the competitions (4:29) before catching their breaths over the huge Comic Con news from Marvel (13:09). Or was it as big as the MCU thinks? Is Marvel playing scared?

The guys discuss all the trailers from the previous weeks, including thoughts and ideas on 'A Complete Unknown,' 'The Penguin,' 'Joker: Folie à Deux,' and 'Gladiator 2' (23:12).

Does 'House of the Dragon' continue to fly? Is the magic truly back? If not, what's grounding it (33:10)?

Lastly, they introduce the new Netflix series 'The Decameron' from the ancient text of the same name, yet this is a comedy about the Black Death. Does it work, and who's it for (37:35)? Spoilers for the show's first episode begins later (46:54).

Join the show each Tuesday morning and find more podcasts in The Alabama Take's network of podcasts.

Blaine, Adam, and Donovan are back, and they get off to a rollicking start by taking down the year that almost is in college football, particularly the LSU at Florida game that created more questions than it answered (1:04). From there, it's a scathing review from two out of three of the crew about ESPN's flagship GameDay (4:49).

What does the HBO Max and Warner Brothers' movie announcement for 2021 mean for the common man and the theater business (10:03)? Of course, it would be hard not to talk about the big Disney news from Thursday (18:01) which is a perfect segue into the penultimate episode of this season's The Mandalorian on Disney Plus (24:07).

As a special Christmas treat, Donovan is new to The Challenge and to hear him tell it, there is a lot of similarities to the MTV staple and the world of comic books, but special guest Natalie Morrow is here to help introduce him to all the lore (27:59).

Lastly, after the break, the guys share their favorite bits of the holiday season (41:02) -- come for the recommendations, stay for the classic and personal Christmas story that no one will want to miss (55:08).

Taking It Down begins as is custom with the Done Up Real Good Listener of the Week (2:28) who is sure to receive her prize! Then, it's a house divided on the finale of the Disney+ series Obi-Wan Kenobi (6:18) and the gang likes and doesn't like Dr. Strange and the Multiverse of Madness (17:46).

A quick note: Taking It Down will be off next Tuesday but will return on July 12. Have a safe summer and holiday!

As with every episode, listeners can find it in any podcast app, including Spotify, or listen with the embedded player above.

Don't forget: normally, the podcast Taking It Down releases weekly on Tuesday mornings. Check out the site TheAlabamaTake.com for a lot more, including the online shop where you can find all kinds of shirts, mugs, and bags with many different shows logos!

In Episode 162 of Taking It Down, the crew begin with the secret recipe of the second season of The Bear as they discus the first three episodes of the new season on Hulu (1:37). After the break, it's a talk on how there are potentials within the first episode of the Disney+ series Secret Invasion (18:21).

Find the other podcasts in The Alabama Take network in any podcast app.

For the final show of the year, we recap the year that was (2:47). We give thoughts on such pop culture b.s. as Twitter, crypto, and NFTs (3:56) before getting into what we liked about the year (7:58).

After the break, host Blaine previews his top ten television shows of the year (25:55).

The Alabama Take brings you all the entire family of podcasts and writings -- all with no ads! Yet we still have some bills to pay. If there's nothing in the shop to interest you, feel free to make a donation: venture to Buy Me A Coffee or visit our Venmo and PayPal to help to keep the site, the writings, and podcasts going.

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The gang tries to decipher if Rhode Island is a tennis state to begin (1:07) before discussing the usual COVID-19 segment (2:43). After that, it's a discussion on the latest album from James McMurtry, The Horses and the Hounds (4:26).

After the break, Blaine revokes his fandom of the Dallas Cowboys, which opens the door for other franchises to take their place (15:37). To end the show, they talk about if Reservation Dogs on FX/Hulu is worth the time (18:58).

Subscribe to Taking It Down, which is out each Tuesday, and visit The Alabama Take!

This week on Taking It Down, Blaine recounts a moment in his own home that usually is reserved for television shows or movies as he and the wife were catching up on The Righteous Gemstones (2:09). After that, the three hosts talk briefly on the future of The Alabama Take in general (4:02).

Then in the main segments, Adam helps break down what makes the new Big Thief album -- Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe In You -- such a masterpiece (8:21). After the break, it's a long talk on the comedown of the sixth episode of Euphoria (29:58).

A programing note: Taking It Down will be off on March 1st, but will return to its weekly format after the break.

Subscribe, rate, review, share, and holler at us! Taking It Down is housed under all of The Alabama Take's social media accounts. Let us know what you think and what you've been watching, hearing, or reading!

The latest episode of Taking It Down has the hosts hitting on four noteworthy TV shows this week all of which are all currently streaming. First, they begin with nonspoiler related thoughts on "Bad Monkey," "The Penguin," 'The Challenge: Battle of the Eras," and "Agatha All Along" (2:00).

After the overview and recommendations, they discuss the seventh and eighth episodes of "Bad Monkey" on Apple TV+, noting Vince Vaughn's standout performance and the show's balance of humor and intrigue, despite some uneven episodes (13:01). They then turn their attention to "The Penguin" on Max, where Colin Farrell's portrayal of Oswald Cobblepot - well, Cobb - is lauded for its odd humor and depth, although the show's overall worth is still up for debate (21:56). The conversation shifts to "The Challenge: Battle of the Eras" on MTV, where the Adam and Blaine debate whether the format truly serves the legendary competitors effectively (34:36). Lastly, Natalie returns to the podcast and she and Blaine talk "Agatha All Along" on Disney+. How does the blend of playful spookiness and adult humor work (48:44)?

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It's jam packed for Taking It Down this week! Adam and Blaine check back in with the Morrow Movie Marathon to start (3:10) and then discuss how to make a record from home, which includes a sneak preview of a new Della Ray tune (14:50). After that, the guys stay in music mode and discuss the new Fiona Apple album Fetch the Bolt Cutters (24:53). 

Everyone in America seems to have watched The Last Dance about the Chicago Bulls and Michael Jordan, and Adam and Blaine are no different (30:25). To wind down the show, they give their analysis on the new HBO show Run (42:33), the finale to the Hulu show Devs (52:14), the final episode of the Netflix series I Am Not Okay With This (1:05:12), and the most recent episode of MTV's The Challenge, which had huge consequences (1:11:26). 

On the weekly episode of the TV podcast, there are so many choices (0:38)!

To begin the non-spoiler section, Adam returns as he and hosts Blaine and Donovan try to unpack the quirky world of movie 'Hundreds of Beavers,' which truly exemplifies unconventional storytelling (0:59). The trio also explores the audience for 'Disclaimer,' a new series on Apple TV+, without any spoilers (7:57). The three dissect some of its themes and complexities while pondering who would appreciate it. Continuing in the early, non-spoiler part of the podcast, they talk about how 'The Penguin' and its third episode enhances the series as a whole (10:46).

As the spoiler section begins, they get into the competitive realm of 'The Challenge: Battle of the Eras,' where Adam shares what he's learned about certain dynamics (12:44). Donovan and Blaine try on 'Disclaimer' and its first two episodes: what's it about, those big choices, and the directing (21:11). To end, they discuss specifics of the third episode of 'The Penguin' and how it helped the show turn a corner well away from 'The Sopranos' (41:41).

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On this week's episode of Taking It Down, Blaine and Adam check in on the Morrow Movie Marathon and this week it's Tolkien that's on deck (5:29). Then they talk deeply about the middle episodes of Hulu's Normal People (12:06) as well as ESPN's seventh and eight episodes of the documentary series The Last Dance (44:54) and MTV's The Challenge (1:04:18). 

It's a great week on Taking It Down -- that is always the case when special co-host Natalie Morrow joins the podcast! This week, we discuss things that are on the pop culture horizon in television and film, particularly things we may cover in the coming weeks (1:49). There's a bit of a divergence as Blaine rants about pop culture websites (3:19) before coming back around to the list of possibly good shows and movies (5:11). From there, Adam and Natalie assess the movie Spencer, which stars Kristen Stewart and documents a brief time with the late Princess Diana (11:37). Before the break, we all give our thoughts on the newly released Paramount+ season of The Challenge: All Stars: do we need it now (21:37)? We all get back into the Marvel Cinematic -- and television -- Universe by discussing Marvel's What If...? (39:22). Plus, we all finally get around to watching the Marvel film Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings as it made its Disney+ debut over the weekend (43:27). After disregarding it at first, did we like it at all?

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This week, Blaine recommends 'Presumed Innocent' on Apple TV+ with no spoilers (1:57) before getting into the specifics of what makes it worth watching (4:37).

Once Adam and Donovan join, they reveal some random TV they normally don't discuss on the podcast (11:43) before the entire crew dig into the third episode of 'House of the Dragon,' titled "The Burning Mill" (14:58).

After a break, Donovan and Blaine unpack the first four episodes of 'The Bear,' including all the fear on the screen that simmers (37:19).

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It's been a long summer, and we're still not done with Covid-19 (2:21). The guys at Taking It Down discuss their love of the Cohen brothers (6:32) before complaining about what streaming services get wrong (10:28). 

Blaine asks why does everyone recommend that we watch Umbrella Academy and Donovan tries to answer (15:43). And Adam and Blaine give what could be some final thoughts on the possible drift of the show I May Destroy You on HBO (18:35). 

Then the big conversation begins: what album artwork perfectly alludes to the music inside (24:28)? After the break, the guys discuss that Perry Mason finale and why it may be a signature HBO show for years (42:09). 

During the break, the point is made that you can now support the podcast and The Alabama Take website by visiting BuyMeACoffee.com/TheAlabamaTake. This will help keep the site and the site's various podcasts up and running! It's like Patreon, but more fun.

This week, we dive deep into emotional waters of our podcast as we first dedicate the episode to the memory of Lauren Beck, a vibrant young writer whose spirit and words brightened our community (0:01).

To begin, we touch base on 'Dope Thief' from Apple TV+ and its third episode, but it's covered in the non-spoiler section for those who are still deciding about the series (3:14).

Also in non-spoilers, we cover quick thoughts on 'The White Lotus' and its fifth episode (04:48) and 'Severance,' with its final episode of the season (7:23).

After the break, 'The White Lotus' gives us plenty to discuss about emotions, resentments, and revelations in the fifth episode (10:23. With 'Severance,' it's even more as we reflect humor, heartbreak, and the season as a whole (31:06).

If you like what you hear and want more, there's always The Alabama Take site.

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Let not your eyes nor ears deceive you! Taking It Down is out on an unscheduled Monday in order to talk a bit about the college football national championship game, which is how we begin this week (0:55). After football, it's all about the top shows from 2021 (10:19), our favorite movies from last year (18:56), and what we consider the best in music from 2021 (21:14).

After a short break, we discuss the second episode The Book of Boba Fett, which was an improvement from the first (27:49). We then talk about how the finale of Landscapers on HBO was a big disappointment (35:22). Lastly, we cover the movies, music, and television we look forward to this year (46:13).

New episodes appear every Tuesday morning usually so subscribe to the podcast to hear them each week.

After the break on what's happening on the site, the three folks applaud -- finally! -- an episode of The Book of Boba Fett, which really looks a lot like another show, at least for one episode (26:26).

Let us know what you're watching, what you think, and where you listen! We're on all social media platforms under The Alabama Take banner, so find us and say hello. Subscribe, rate, review, and share!

You won't want to miss this episode as the guys do a breakdown of some of the happenings in the new Charlie Kaufman movie I'm Thinking Of Ending Things, which is on Netflix (11:52). You can listen to that segment without spoilers until the 16:16 mark in the podcast. They also discuss the 2019 film Blow The Man Down, which is on Amazon Prime (39:49). The spoilers for Blow The Man Down don't begin until the 41:03 mark.

The guys also talk about some important announcements related to the show and the website (0:23), the football hijinks in the world of Covid (4:09), the trailer for The Mandalorian and why they don't care too much (6:54), the more promising season of Fargo (9:41), and a shoutout to a new listener (39:26). Jump in and have fun!

Don't forget about the upcoming book club episode on October 27th where we'll have read the literary horror piece The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones.

And don't miss out! Coming soon is the first question-and-answer episode of Taking It Down where you, the avid listener, can email or submit online your pop culture (or beyond) questions to the crew; they'll answer, and you'll get a shout out. Email us here or find us on social media to send in any ideas.

This week, it's Blaine and Donovan discussing the varied plot threads throughout the second season of Perry Mason as they break down the third episode, "Chapter Eleven" (2:42). After a short break, they talk about how The Mandalorian is good, but has big problems (22:48). Lastly, they dissect the pilot episode of Lucky Hank, which stars Bob Odenkirk and airs on AMC each Sunday (34:02).

The Alabama Take brings you all the entire family of podcasts and writings -- all with no ads! Yet we still have some bills to pay. If there's nothing in the shop to interest you, feel free to make a donation: venture to Buy Me A Coffee or visit our Venmo and PayPal to help to keep the site, the writings, and podcasts going.

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Here's a hot one! We've got some things going on in this episode of Taking It Down. First off, Adam Morrow lets listeners in on the glory of Pluto TV (1:40) before he and Blaine wrap up a brief, spoiler-free discussion on the Netflix show Messiah (4:54). After that, they do a deep dive into the first two episodes of the new HBO thriller The Outsider which is currently airing (7:39). Keep in mind that the talk will spoil those first two episodes of The Outsider.

After the break, Blaine sits down with Donovan Reinwald and they talk about the Sam Mendes film 1917 (33:40) that's currently in theaters. At the end of their discussions, they give some cursory thoughts on the Best Picture nominations for this year's Academy Awards (55:06).

In Taking It Down this week, Blaine and Adam are joined by Donovan Reinwald to mourn the death of the great John Prine and discuss his music (1:17). After the break, Adam and Blaine break down the ideas in the Netflix show Unorthodox (32:16), discuss the penultimate episode of the Hulu show Devs (45:00), explain how MTV's The Challenge will be covered on the website (54:09), and wrap with the very fun Netflix series I Am Not Okay With This (58:59). 

Tune in and share with someone!

We hope our podcast helps finding things to watch and things to do a lot easier for you.

In episode eight of Taking It Down, Blaine is joined by Kelly Duncan to discuss the ins and outs of the latest DC Universe (sort of?) movie Joker (01:10) and in the second half of the podcast Donovan Reinwald returns to debate the Netflix addition to Breaking Bad, the movie El Camino (21:45). Like, subscribe, and review!

Host: Blaine Duncan

Guests: Kelly Duncan, Donovan Reinwald

There are plenty of things to talk about this week, but we at Taking It Down managed to narrow it down somewhat. First, we each give some brief thoughts on the upcoming season of The Challenge and how soon it's approaching (1:29)! After some speculation, we discuss the finale of the MCU and Disney+ hit Loki (5:23). But how good was it? We keep things grounded in the Marvel as we go from Loki into the movie Black Widow, which we seemed to like more than other fans (16:57).

After the break, we discuss two shows, one stellar and the other promising: The White Lotus which is now airing on HBO and HBO Max (27:55) and then the new Hulu original from Rick Rubin and Sir Paul McCartney, McCartney 3, 2, 1 (38:26).

Let us know if you watched and what you think!

Taking It Down is one day later than usual, but no less show for you! Adam and Blaine are back to talk about the previous week's episode of the The Challenge and mourn the loss of a great competitor from this season (2:12). They briefly talk some news, including the infamous Snyder Cut version of Justice League (14:04) as well as the upcoming HBO show Perry Mason (18:20). Then they do a deep dive into the first two episodes of the powerful, new drama I Know This Much Is True (19:16). 

After the break, it's a lighter fare with Hulu's excellent new show The Great, which stars Elle Fanning and Nicholas Hoult (35:54). 

Give it a listen, rate it, review it, and share it!

This is where Taking It Down draws a line. Blaine, Adam, and Donovan regroup to briefly discuss Covid (1:23), though they don't know why. After that, it's a more positive note as they discuss the metamorphosis of the HBO show Perry Mason (3:24). After the break, the three of them talk about the middle episodes of the Netflix docu-series Last Chance U and how it could be the show's finest set of hours (28:02). Lastly, things get heated -- and for good reason -- as they break down the truths laid within the revealing Netflix documentary series Immigration Nation, which is a top title for Netflix within the United States (42:22). 

In this episode of the podcast, Donovan mentions an organization that helps with refugees seeking safety and care in the United States. To help with that organization, you can visit and donate here at IrisCT.org. 

During the break, the point is made that you can now support the podcast and The Alabama Take website by visiting BuyMeACoffee.com/TheAlabamaTake. This will help keep the site and the site's various podcasts up and running! It's like Patreon, but more fun. 

This week, the hosts of Taking It Down begin with thoughts on the death of Cormac McCarthy, his work as both a Southerner and a Southwesterner, and an adaptation request on one of his novels (2:07). The hosts then give brief expectations on the upcoming Marvel and Disney+ series Secret Invasion (9:18). After the break, everyone explains how the new season of Black Mirror, with its first episode, "Joan Is Awful," does not live up to the show's standard (13:41). To end the weekly analysis, they explain how Smartless: On The Road works as well as if not better than the podcast itself (28:05).

Find any of the podcasts in The Alabama Take family of podcasts by visiting the site or searching them out in your favorite app!

The Alabama Take brings you an entire family of podcasts and writings -- all with no ads! But we still have some bills to pay. If there's nothing in the shop to interest you, feel free to make a donation: venture to Buy Me A Coffee or visit our Venmo and PayPal to help to keep the site, the writings, and podcasts going.

This week on Taking It Down, we question how much snow is enough (0:59) before unpacking the first episode of The Investigation, the new Danish import now airing on HBO and HBO Max (5:02).

Just before the break, we tease what's to come with a new project on The Alabama Take. Hear the first ad for our new podcast This Song Sucks (26:14).

After the break, we talk about the solemn beauty of the film Nomadland, which is now streaming on Hulu (31:09).

The show begins with a movie recommendation since Ty is back on the show (1:37). After that, it's a breakdown of the fifth episode of the HBO show Barry and how many of its shots and scenes are worth a rewatch (2:23). We tell what to watch for and why.

After the break, it's a discussion of the first two episodes of HBO's miniseries White House Plumbers and explain how it maintains its hilarity through its display of history (26:40).

Find a transcript of the show on The Alabama Take website. 

The Alabama Take brings you an entire family of podcasts and writings -- all with no ads! Yet we still have some bills to pay. If there's nothing in the shop to interest you, feel free to make a donation: venture to Buy Me A Coffee or visit our Venmo and PayPal to help to keep the site, the writings, and podcasts going.

Find the other podcasts in The Alabama Take network in any podcast app.

As Taking It Down begins this week, the guys give the final COVID-19 segment -- hopefully -- with some first-hand accounting of playing live music after a year off (1:46). How did it go? Does it feel safe?

Then it's a discussion of the Amazon Prime show The Underground Railroad and how the important, but hard, series displays the incredible work of the master Barry Jenkins (11:38). After the break, it's a brief set of predictions on The Challenge: All Stars before talk on the shocking fifth episode of the HBO show Mare of Easttown, which was titled "Illusions" (38:04).

Taking It Down releases every Tuesday morning. Subscribe in your podcast app so that you don't miss an episode. Feel free to email or contact Taking It Down on social media!

It's the weekly pop culture discussion podcast from The Alabama Take, and this week it all begins with COVID booster shots (1:15). Hear some first-hand accounts of what the booster shots were like. The guys then sift through a little bit of college football (3:50) before everyone gives his final assessment of Midnight Mass from Netflix (6:26). And since most of the gang has now conquered Squid Game, they give some resting thoughts on the Korean phenomena (13:38).

In one of the first of two primary segments, it's an in-depth discussion of the first three episodes of Netflix's great drama Maid (16:14). After briefly considering a little bit of new music (34:23), everyone gives his opinion on the most recent update to Rolling Stone magazine's 500 Greatest Songs (36:23). What does the list get right and wrong? We've got opinions.

And are you still digging the new logo? Make sure to visit the online shop and get your own t-shirt, coffee mug, or more to let everyone know you love Taking It Down!

Subscribe, rate, review, and share the show with others! Next Tuesday, Taking It Down will be back with more from movies, television, music, or books!

This week, we get right to the point: is Napoleon a good movie? It sure could've been with some of these fixes (2:03). After the break, we discuss how Fargo returns, checks some boxes, but gets back to form (21:18).

If you're a fan of video podcasts, the YouTube channel for The Alabama Take has extra footage different from the audio episode, found below, but we need a name. Chime in! Win prizes!

The Alabama Take brings you an entire family of podcasts and writings -- all with no ads! But we still have some bills to pay. If there's nothing in the shop to interest you, feel free to make a donation: venture to Buy Me A Coffee or visit our Venmo and PayPal to help to keep the site, the writings, and podcasts going.

Find the other podcasts in The Alabama Take network in any podcast app. Not only that, but all podcasts now appear in the YouTube channel for The Alabama Take.

Taking It Down is back for Episode Thirteen. Co-host Adam Morrow and host Blaine Duncan talk about the best music (3:06) and books (41:33) of the entire decade. In the second half, they break down their thoughts on the finale of the HBO series Watchmen (55:46). There will be spoilers for Watchmen, so if you're not caught up on the final episode, we advise that you view it before listening.

For this week's Taking It Down, it's a brief thought on the 4th of July (1:36) before talking about Juvenile's Tiny Desk Concert on NPR (2:23). Then the rest of the episode is dedicated to the back half of the current season of The Bear, particularly what the characters' actions tell us about the series (4:15).

The Alabama Take brings you an entire family of podcasts and writings -- all with no ads! But we still have some bills to pay. If there's nothing in the shop to interest you, feel free to make a donation: venture to Buy Me A Coffee or visit our Venmo and PayPal to help to keep the site, the writings, and podcasts going.

Find the other podcasts in The Alabama Take network in any podcast app. Not only that, but all podcasts now appear in the YouTube channel for The Alabama Take. For Taking It Down, that includes an audio-only version and a video version with bonus content!

In this week's episode of Taking It Down, the gang begins with the question: what the hell happened in soccer last week? Adam helps break down why the Premier League explosion was a good one (1:17). Since someone asked, we make sure that co-host Donovan is doing well after he got the Johnson & Johnson vaccine (6:39). Then Donovan helps listeners determine if Amazon Prime's new horror anthology series is right for them (8:17) and if it's not, he has another suggestion instead (12:42). Then it's a breakdown of why the new HBO limited series Mare of Easttown is so good (15:52).

After the break, the guys bemoan the absence of co-host Natalie Morrow, but at least she left some notes, which help guide them all for the finale of the Disney+ show Falcon and the Winter Soldier (32:48).

All this, plus a special announcement for Friday, April 30th!

Subscribe to the podcast and don't miss an episode. Taking It Down comes to you every Tuesday morning!

Taking It Down begins with a fan review (1:49) before discussing how the HBO show Barry comes to an end: somehow it subverts expectations without veering from the story it was always telling (3:24). After a break, we answer how good the new season of the Netflix series I Think You Should Leave is as well as what makes it great comedy (25:25).

The Alabama Take brings you an entire family of podcasts and writings -- all with no ads! But we still have some bills to pay. If there's nothing in the shop to interest you, feel free to make a donation: venture to Buy Me A Coffee or visit our Venmo and PayPal to help to keep the site, the writings, and podcasts going.

Find the other podcasts in The Alabama Take network in any podcast app.

Blaine flies solo this week, but not without a lot to say. This week's episode begins with some of the latest from The Alabama Take (0:16) before he gives brief and non-spoiler thoughts on the fourth episode of 'The Sympathizer' (1:15). He ponders the news on 'Shōgun' (1:44), recommends 'Dark Matter' on Apple TV+ (2:53), and explains what '3 Body Problem' needs to do if he's to continue its path (3:56).

The big topic, though, is spoilers: they should be handled with care and respect for the creators and viewers, and Blaine uses a particular one at the culture site Vulture and author Kathryn VanArendonk (4:46). It will leave you fired up or feeling sorry for the critic. You can judge!

Be sure to subscribe to The Alabama Take's newsletter at https://thealabamatake.com/newsletter and find many more essays and thoughts on The Alabama Take site.

It's Taking It Down!

We start this week's show with brief thoughts on the COVID-19 vaccines (2:11) before moving into the disappointment of Paramount Plus (5:21).

Then we bring in our resident MCU expert, Natalie Morrow, to break down the finale of the Disney Plus show WandaVision (9:43). There was serious drama on the most recent episode of The Challenge, but with Adam's help, we discuss the CT-centric entry of the MTV staple (27:25).

After the break, the guys discuss how Coming 2 America stands in the pantheon of comedy movies (41:57). That sequel is now streaming on Amazon Prime Video.

Lastly, Adam manages to sneak in some music recommendations for the almost-spring season that is (53:19). All that and a bit more from Taking It Down.

It all boils down to family and dysfunction this week on Taking It Down. Blaine begins with his weekly thoughts on 'Presumed Innocent' which will have spoilers (1:18).

Adam and Donovan join to talk about the dragon warfare and political drama of the fourth episode of 'House of the Dragon,' titled "The Red Dragon and the Gold" (5:15).

In the second segment, they discuss episodes five through eight of the new, third season of 'The Bear' which is streaming on Hulu (32:25).

The gang is divided on two topics of recent interest: that third episode of The Last of Us (2:51) and the newly streaming Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (19:47).

The Alabama Take brings you all the entire family of podcasts and writings -- all with no ads! Yet we still have some bills to pay. If there's nothing in the shop to interest you, feel free to make a donation: venture to Buy Me A Coffee or visit our Venmo and PayPal to help to keep the site, the writings, and podcasts going.

Find the other podcasts in the podcast network in any podcast app or directly from the site.

It's a packed Taking It Down this week, so let's review: we're not sure that we have any more thoughts on COVID-19 (2:45) so we immediately move into the drama on this week's episode of The Challenge (4:40). From there, it's a short talk on Dwayne Johnson and his new series on NBC Young Rock (19:17) before we talk about the interest level we have for The Real World Homecoming (26:13).

During the break, we'll give you another chance to hear a tease of the new podcast from The Alabama Take (32:17). Then we offer some short thoughts on This Song Sucks (33:47).

To cover the Disney+ show WandaVision, we bring in our favorite guest and resident Marvel expert, Natalie Morrow (34:38). To wrap, we check in withe Danish HBO show The Investigation (53:35).

There's a little something for everyone in today's episode! And if not, we'll be back next week to tell you what's worth watching and why.

If there's only one podcast you listen to this week about Justice League, you probably don't want it to be this one.

For today's episode, there's a bit of vaccine talk and what that means for us (1:19) before we get into the big, beefy Snyder cut of Justice League which is now streaming on HBO Max (4:55).

Before more comic book talk, there's a brief venture into the world of basketball as Netflix has dropped the newest season of Last Chance U (26:54).

After the break, we're joined by Natalie and it's all about the new show for the MCU airing on Disney Plus, Falcon and the Winter Soldier (36:27).

Thanks for joining us and come back each Tuesday morning!

For this week's episode of Taking It Down, Natalie joins Blaine and Donovan for a full episode, and they begin with sports -- or lack thereof -- and immediately land on their thoughts on live mascots (1:36). From there, in lieu of any more sports, they break down the finale of The Challenge: All Stars from Paramount+ (4:11). It's hard to understand how Taking It Down doesn't discuss the HBO shows The Righteous Gemstones or Euphoria, so Natalie and Donovan attempt to explain that oversight (13:35) before they all give their thoughts on the first episode of the HBO Max show Peacemaker starring John Cena (15:37).

After a short break, everyone breaks down why The Book of Boba Fett just isn't working (29:05).

New episodes appear every Tuesday morning usually so subscribe to the podcast to hear them each week.

The sole focus of the audio this week is the new Netflix film Leave the World Behind. One of the crew loved it, one hated it, and another believes he comes to like it.

Summary The conversation revolves around the movie 'Leave the World Behind' on Netflix. The hosts discuss various aspects of the film, including the similarity between actors, the dizzying camera work, cinematography preferences, expectations from the director, and a comparison with the TV show 'Mr. Robot'. They conclude with closing remarks and announcements for future episodes.

Main Points The similarity between actors can be distracting for viewers. Dizzying camera work can be a polarizing aspect the movie. Knowing the director's style and expectations can influence one's perception of a film. Comparisons with other works can provide insights into the strengths and weaknesses of Leave the World Behind.

Episode 182 Chapters 3:23 - The cinematography of Leave the World Behind 6:41 - The plot of the film with no spoilers 7:54 - Spoilers begin for Leave the World Behind 8:47 - Why the editing does work more than the camera work 16:54 - The final scene of the movie 27:44 - Next week on the podcast and beyond

The Alabama Take brings you an entire family of podcasts and writings -- all with no ads! But we still have some bills to pay. If there's nothing in the shop to interest you, feel free to make a donation: venture to Buy Me A Coffee or visit our Venmo and PayPal to help to keep the site, the writings, and podcasts going.

Find the other podcasts in The Alabama Take network in any podcast app or on the site. 

The TV and streaming from The Alabama Take family of podcasts returns! This week, Taking It Down begins with a new introduction from host Blaine (0:00), which also includes a few non-spoiler thoughts about the Netflix series The Gentlemen starring Theo James and created by Guy Ritchie (4:20). The co-hosts then join the discussion: can they recommend the new series Shōgun on FX/Hulu (7:55)? After the suggestions for listeners, it's a deep dive into spoilers of the show that account for why Shōgun is as good as it is (12:37). Welcome back!

This week's episode features an ad from our friends at the podcast Polyphonic Press, a show for music fans of all stripes where each week the hosts review a classic album from a list of over one-thousand releases from all genres of music. The twist? They have no idea what album will spin! Join them on Tuesdays for a new classic album and listen along to rediscover (or discover) the best in music.

Find and talk to Taking It Down on Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky.

As always, the YouTube channel for The Alabama Take features all episodes of this podcast and the rest of the family of podcasts.

It's this week's episode of Taking It Down, the pop culture podcast from the gang at The Alabama Take! On today's episode, it's an exciting one! Blaine and Adam are joined by frequent guest Donovan Reinwald. In the first half of the podcast, it's more and more about that rascally covid (3:02). They get into a kind review left for the podcast from a gracious user (7:18) before they begin a deep dive into Bob Dylan's new masterpiece Rough and Rowdy Ways (14:26). 

During the break, the guys point out that you can now support the podcast financially by visiting BuyMeACoffee.com/TheAlabamaTake which will help keep the site and various podcasts up and running! And don't forget that we have t-shirts and face masks in the Shop section of the website until Friday, August 7th so hurry!

In the back half of the podcast, the guys talk about the amazing Netflix docu-series Last Chance U and how it shines a light on so many socio-economic problems in American life without getting preachy (1:01:51). It's about a lot more than just junior college football. 

Taking It Down is back with some thoughts and opinions from host Blaine Duncan and co-host Adam Morrow! First up, it's how The Outsider is proceeding on HBO (1:26). Then they do a deep dive into the world of David Lynch, specifically the new Netflix movie titled What Did Jack Do? (13:50). 

After the break, Blaine is joined by Kelly Duncan and first-time guest Jaimee Hannah converge for a discussion about the new Netflix docu-series Cheer (34.10). 

Welcome back, Taking It Downers! This week, it's some brief banter about sports, namely college football (2:47) before some heady and serious discussions begin centered around the film Blonde, which was recently released on Netflix (6:27). Keeping with the Netflix motif, the hosts briefly discuss what watching Dahmer says about us as a culture (21:23).

After a break, it's a quick check-in with the Disney+ show Andor (28:06) and it's just too fun not to talk about House of the Dragon, which has the hosts talking about the sixth episode of that HBO show (36:03).

The Alabama Take brings everyone the entire family of podcasts and writings -- all with no ads! Yet we still have some bills to pay. If there's nothing in the shop to interest you, feel free to make a donation: venture to Buy Me A Coffee or visit our Venmo and PayPal to help to keep the site, the writings, and podcasts going.

Does the new stand-up special Baby J from John Mulaney live up to his previous work (1:40)? We explain why Somebody Somewhere on HBO is well done normcore television (15:54).

After the break, we have a quick audience question (28:26) before we dissect how Perry Mason does mystery right (28:56).

The TV and streaming podcast for The Alabama Take returns from its winter break, which means it's time for movies. It's a set of three films, and every episode begins with some broad and non-spoiler thoughts to begin, and in this case, it's the Bob Dylan movie 'A Complete Unknown' (0:59). The crew then answers if 'Nosferatu' is worth the theater experience (7:34). Then they end the non-spoiler section with high praise for the streaming movie 'Conclave' on Peacock (15:34).

In the spoiler section, it's politics and identity with 'A Complete Unknown,' as well as some of what's fact and fiction from the film (21:59). They then tackle the eerie reimagining of 'Nosferatu,' where the gothic horror evokes a certain vibe (44:37). Lastly in spoilers, 'Conclave' really is a must-see movie as it offers a new and gripping story in the secretive world of papal elections where the guys discuss even more identity and politics (54:54).

This week's episode ends with a short vote on what other Dylan eras are worthy of film (1:21:53).

Check out a lot more from this podcast and the podcast family on The Alabama Take.

This week's ad comes from the podcast Seddy Bimco Part Two The Revenge, which you can discover in this link.

In this episode, 'Taking It Down' kicks off by asking the audience for their input on podcast chatter (0:48) before diving into a spoiler-free comparison of Disney+ 'Agatha All Along' and Max's 'The Penguin' (2:22). Next, Donovan joins the show and the two hosts share recommendations for 'Bad Monkey' on Apple TV+ with no spoilers to begin (12:33) before covering Episodes Three through Six in detail and with spoilers (15:24). In it, the two analyze these episodes' plot developments, character arcs, standout moments, and why its so funny.

For this podcast and more, visit The Alabama Take site.

Everyone is back this week for Taking It Down as we first start out with some ethereal thoughts on Dylan and the Dead (0:49) before transitioning into the Netflix movie Army of the Dead, which begins with a debate on Dave Bautista and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson (3:23).

After the break, the crew discusses what they're looking forward to in the theaters this summer (30:14). Finally, they wrap up all of their thoughts on the Mare of Easttown finale from HBO (40:22).

Taking It Down releases every Tuesday morning. Subscribe in your podcast app so that you don't miss an episode. Feel free to email or contact Taking It Down on social media!

For this week's episode, the crew start with some quick Substack shoutouts that are worthy of your time (1:24) before looking back on Loki without any spoilers now that the second season has ended (3:06). After that, it's a debate on if The Curse from Nathan Fielder and Showtime is funny or any good at all (5:33). The final segment after the break has Donovan and Blaine breaking down the specifics of the third episode of this fifth season of Fargo on FX and Hulu (22:01).

If you're a fan of video podcasts, the YouTube channel for The Alabama Take has extra footage different from the audio episode. 

The Alabama Take brings you an entire family of podcasts and writings -- all with no ads! But we still have some bills to pay. If there's nothing in the shop to interest you, feel free to make a donation: venture to Buy Me A Coffee or visit our Venmo and PayPal to help to keep the site, the writings, and podcasts going.

Find the other podcasts in The Alabama Take network in any podcast app. Not only that, but all podcasts now appear in the YouTube channel for The Alabama Take.

It's the best time: the season almost closes and only a few teams seem as though they're able to conquer TJ's final. Lucky for you, Taking It Down is back this week to break down the season that almost is. On deck, we have head writer for The Alabama Take and Challenge extraordinaire, TD Wood. Also as a very special guest is writer, photographer, and podcaster for AL.com, Mr. Ben Flanagan. As always, the show has Blaine Duncan and Adam Morrow to think through the seas that are Icelandic cold to analyze what we've seen and what's to come on the end of The Challenge: Double Agents!

In this episode, we talk the season as a whole, the best of the rookies, some of the eliminations (and their repetitions), some predictions, lots of Fessy hate, and even the candy that is The Challenge: All Stars -- different vibe, but still as sweet. Lastly, we make the call to give us the true champions season, MTV!

The folks at Taking It Down morn the loss of Tom Verlaine and reflect on his music to begin the podcast (1:02). From there, it's a discussion on what makes Everything Everywhere All At Once worthy of its eleven nominations but a sign of modern culture (4:23). After the break, everyone gives some quick thoughts on Bob Dylan's seventeenth Bootleg Series release, Fragments, which came out last Friday (29:42) before getting into what The Last of Us may need to do to change things up from its second episode (35:25).

The Alabama Take brings you all the entire family of podcasts and writings -- all with no ads! Yet we still have some bills to pay. If there's nothing in the shop to interest you, feel free to make a donation: venture to Buy Me A Coffee or visit our Venmo and PayPal to help to keep the site, the writings, and podcasts going.

Find the other podcasts in the podcast network in any podcast app or on the site.

This week, the show opens with some behind-the-scenes secrets of Taking It Down (1:17) before discussing HBO renewed shows and thoughts on the fourth episode of Euphoria (2:59). From there, the guys give brief notes on the show Somebody, Somewhere (13:18). Donovan and Blaine then discuss the problems with the Hulu series Pam & Tommy -- both in the show and beyond it (14:14).

After the break, it's all about the latest episode of The Book of Boba Fett that everyone is talking about (26:47).

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Subscribe, rate, review, and share the show with others! Next Tuesday, Taking It Down will be back with more from movies, television, music, or books!

The Alabama Take is happy to bring both the variety of podcasts and website writings with no ads, but we still have some bills to pay. If there's nothing in the shop to interest you, feel free to make a donation: venture to Buy Me A Coffee or visit our Venmo and PayPal to help to keep the site and podcasts going.

Host Blaine Duncan sits down with special guest Kelly Duncan to talk about the latest Quentin Tarantino masterpiece Once Upon a Time in...Hollywood (0:30).  A little later in the pod, cohost Adam Morrow returns from being on the road to discuss Netflix's football documentary Last Chance U (14:40) as well as wrap up some comments on the ending of the HBO show Years and Years (42:40). 

Host: Blaine Duncan

Guests: Kelly Duncan and cohost Adam Morrow

An Alabama Take podcast

We start this week with another Done Up Real Good Listener of the Week, and this time, it's someone with a big announcement (1:42). Then the guys talk trailers, particularly two: House of the Dragon (2:10) and Obi-Wan Kenobi (6:21). One of the two has the guys feeling more excited than the other.

Natalie then joins the cast as they lay out how they all feel about Moon Knight and why the finale disappointed -- as well as where it fits as a MCU show (12:29). Blaine then offers some very quick, very vague, and very spoiler-free thoughts on Dr. Strange and the Multiverse of Madness (26:02). After that, Donovan and Blaine go deep into the first two episodes of the new HBO and David Simon show We Own This City as well as the show's connections to The Wire (27:33).

Keep in touch! We have plenty to see and hear at The Alabama Take!

Talk to you next week!

On Taking It Down this week, the gang starts with the noise online with boygenius (2:26) before moving on to discuss the joy of the Apple TV+ show Shrinking and why you should watch the first season (4:49). After a break, Blaine and Donovan continue the Perry Mason investigation and bring some clues together that fans may have missed with episode four of its second season (27:25). To end, it's the AMC series Lucky Hank and why it may have to walk back some ideas from that second episode (39:48).

The Alabama Take brings you all the entire family of podcasts and writings -- all with no ads! Yet we still have some bills to pay. If there's nothing in the shop to interest you, feel free to make a donation: venture to Buy Me A Coffee or visit our Venmo and PayPal to help to keep the site, the writings, and podcasts going.

Find the other podcasts from The Alabama Take in any podcast app or directly from the site. 

This week for the audio episode of the podcast, Donovan and Blaine discuss some new options with the audio and video versions of Taking It Down (1:45) before moving into the sad news of Matthew Perry's death (3:20). Then it's a wrap on the final four episodes of the Netflix series The Fall Of The House Of Usher (7:54). Was it worth it? Does it answer all of its questions?

If you're a fan of video podcasts, the YouTube channel for The Alabama Take has extra footage from the audio episode, found below, with some thoughts on the Tuscaloosa Chukker reunion and what to make of the new season of The Challenge, its thirty-ninth installment of the series.

The Alabama Take brings you an entire family of podcasts and writings -- all with no ads! But we still have some bills to pay. If there's nothing in the shop to interest you, feel free to make a donation: venture to Buy Me A Coffee or visit our Venmo and PayPal to help to keep the site, the writings, and podcasts going.

Find the other podcasts in The Alabama Take network in any podcast app. Not only that, but all podcasts now appear in the YouTube channel for The Alabama Take. For Taking It Down, a bonus footage version is on YouTube. 

Taking It Down is back from a week off and we have plenty to say! First, we have the correct pronunciation of Godzilla (2:10) before we discuss how we are now a superteam due to being vaccinated (3:34). Not only that, there are plenty of shows that we could discuss, and we rattle off some possibilities for future installments of the podcast (6:13).

Then the pop culture discussions really kick off as Natalie joins the squad to give her thoughts on Falcon and The Winter Soldier from Disney+ (8:16) and the HBO Max movie Godzilla vs. Kong (19:07). Is it any good? We'll let you know!

After an announcement on an upcoming series from The Alabama Take, which you'll find soon enough on the YouTube channel for the site, the guys break down why the HBO Max show Made For Love is so dark and so funny (31:40).

Join us and remember to subscribe to the show in your podcast app so you don't miss an episode! We are out every Tuesday morning, bright and early.

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We are happy to bring both the podcasts and website writings with no ads, but we still have some bills to pay. If you'd like to help, you can! Venture to Buy Me A Coffee or visit our Venmo and PayPal to help with donations to keep the site and podcasts going.

Blaine, Adam, and Donovan gather together again before a week off.

As always, the episode begins with a section devoted to non-spoilers: Blaine offers a welcome and some episode notes for the week (0:02). After Adam and Donovan join, the three discuss the deluge of television choices that seem high quality and how you could easily see Adam in person in a few months (2:13). Though 'Black Mirror' dropped a new season this weekend, the hosts ponder if its time has come and gone (4:09). Blaine asks Donovan about the lingering images of 'Adolescence' without spoilers as well as the news about it being a part of education (5:46). In a funny moment, Adam admits that the new Apple TV+ show 'The Studio' fills him with anxiety (8:53). Donovan and Adam give ideas on why they enjoy 'Hacks' on Max so much as it returns for its new season (12:49). It's an easy sell, but Blaine hooks the two co-hosts on the other new Apple TV+ series, 'Your Friends and Neighbors,' starring Jon Hamm (16:57). Lastly in the opening segment, they touch on 'The White Lotus' and its recent season (22:39).

After a break, Blaine has a quick question on 'Hacks' that could be a spoiler (26:28) before they complete a character-by-character critique of 'The White Lotus' and its third season as well as a quick ranking of the three seasons (27:22).

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We've got what you want to hear on this week's Taking It Down! We talk about the disheartening intersection of Covid-19 and immigration (1:16), a bit of college football (3:39), the Drive-by Truckers' latest album The New OK (6:31), the new set of episodes in Netflix's scary Haunting series, The Haunting of Bly Manor, (15:52), and the thoughtful Netflix documentary Dick Johnson Is Dead (21:06).

After the break, it's a different football with Apple TV+ series Ted Lasso (47:00) as well as suggestions if you're new to Apple TV+ (59:10).

Lest you forget: the book club episode drops on October 27th. Taking It Down will discuss The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones.

Taking It Down starts with Adam convincing Donovan to start summer as a Grateful Dead devotee (0:46) before the entire group talks about the news of the upcoming Beatles documentary from Peter Jackson (2:40) and everyone gives their favorite new music, all included in a playlist found by clicking the link to Spotify here (6:08)! Then Natalie joins the crew to discuss the second episode of Loki (27:19). 

This week, Blaine begins with a few non-spoiler thoughts on the Netflix sensation 'Baby Reindeer' (0:42) before he laments all the shows that seem worth watching, from 'The Sympathizer,' 'Under the Bridge,' 'The Big Door Prize,' all the way down to 'Manhunt' (2:26). What should be next?

From there, the entire crew join in to talk without spoilers on 'Shōgun' (4:42) before breaking down the incredible finale in depth with spoilers (7:21).

To end the episode, Donovan and Blaine discuss the first four episodes of 'Baby Reindeer' in more depth (28:25).

As always, check out the site TheAlabamaTake.com for more and hop on the newsletter by visiting https://thealabamatake.com/newsletter -- this week only, it comes with a fun quiz!

Look at TV from a different angle: Taking It Down is the The Alabama Take's TV and streaming podcast from irrelevant Southern thinkers. Audio podcast is out every Tuesday morning and can be streamed above or with the links at the bottom of the page. The video component of the podcast airs on Tuesday evenings at 5:00 p.m. CST.

For this week, it takes a full episode to dig into the mysteries of "Part Two" of the captivating True Detective: North Country. After a brief discussion on some co-hosts' whereabouts and a quick story about Bob Dylan (2:33), Donovan and Blaine begin to unravel the second episode of the HBO series (3:23).

In this week's episode of Taking It Down, we start with the bane of Daylight Savings Time (1:39) before we suss out if we are seeing a legitimate return of live music sooner than later (2:32).

Then on to serious business: in a segment we've titled "The Lord's coming back real soon," we dare to ask WTF are NFTs (11:46)?

Finally, we talk TV with the first two episodes of the revealing show The Real World Homecoming on Paramount Plus and how the series allows viewers to review themselves (17:38); as well as the HBO Max series Genera+ion, which dropped its first three episodes on Thursday and just may be bad television (32:21).

All this and more this week! Taking It Down has a new episode every Tuesday! Subscribe and let us know what you think.

Host and editor-in-chief of The Alabama Take Blaine Duncan talks with Adam Morrow about the first two episodes of Netflix's Stranger Things third season (0:20) and the first two episodes of the odd HBO show Years and Years (26:10).

For even more, such as articles and links to other podcasts, visit The Alabama Take online or across all social media platforms.

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