Podcast
Taking It Down
Hosted by Blaine Duncan, TV Analyst · EN
Edifying TV discussion from the working class South. Every episode of Taking It Down starts spoiler free and goes into specifics for analysis later: a look at both text and subtext. Join hosts Blaine, Adam, and Donovan each Tuesday morning. A part of The Alabama Take podcast family since 2019: the only working class TV podcast.
23episodes
Episodes
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Sabotage and Horror: 'Beef' and 'Widow's Bay'
May 1100:55:07Tap to summarizeThis week, host Blaine gives an overview of the podcast episode to begin (0:02). After that, he welcomes Donovan, and they both talk about brief podcast news (0:36).In the non-spoilers for TV, Blaine gives Donovan a reason why they'll no longer cover 'Euphoria' (1:14) before moving into the new episode of 'The Bear' that dropped in surprise this week titled "Gary" (3:14). They also discuss why they're interested in covering 'Lord of the Flies' on Netflix (6:12).They then give broad, spoiler-free thoughts on the second half of 'Beef' on Netflix (8:51), 'Widow's Bay' and its first three episodes on Apple TV (14:15), and 'Half Man' on HBO (17:49).After a break, they get into spoiler thoughts on 'Beef' (22:18) and 'Widow's Bay' (39:42).For the newsletter for The Alabama Take, click here.For all things related to The Alabama Take, click here for the website.
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The Best TV of 2026 Thus Far
May 500:10:08Tap to summarizeThis week, it's host Blaine by himself and he uses the alone time to give an overview of the podcast and episode (0:01) as well as make an announcement about video with The Alabama Take's podcasts (0:55).Then he gives a good suggestion on how not to rely on social media for the podcast (4:02).After that break, Blaine reveals his top five shows of the year in a random order (4:34) which includes Marvel's 'Wonder Man,' 'The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins,' and more.For more from The Alabama Take, click here.For the newsletter from The Alabama Take, click here.
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TV's Dark Corners: 'Euphoria,' 'Beef,' 'Half Man,' and More
Apr 2800:55:26Tap to summarizeIn this week's episode, host Blaine welcomes everyone with an introduction and overview of the weekly show (0:02).To begin, Blaine and co-host Donovan discuss where listeners can see Adam on tour (0:59).Then the TV discussions begin with non-spoilers on why 'Euphoria' is struggling to make a connection (2:34), yet something as dark as 'Beef' and its second season is thrilling (8:34). After that, Blaine explains without spoilers how 'Half Man' is not for the faint at heart (12:26). He and Donovan discuss the seventh episode of 'Rooster' on HBO and the new Netflix series 'This is a Gardening Show,' both of which are exciting and pleasant (16:16).To begin spoilers, they discuss 'Beef' from Netflix and its first four episodes (21:36) before wrapping with 'Rooster' and its seventh.For more, visit The Alabama Take.To sign up for the newsletter, visit the link here.
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'Euphoria' Disappoints, Promising Shows, and 'DTF St. Louis' Finale,
Apr 2100:54:34Tap to summarizeThis week as usual, Blaine gives an overview of the podcast episode to begin (0:02).From there, he and Donovan begin the non-spoiler section with Adam's absence and where to see his band Sister Ray Davies on tour in the U.K. (0:50).After those notes, the hosts discuss what has. happened to 'Euphoria' as it gets off to a bad start (2:39). Then it's a brief conversation on why sites cover reality TV and what they think of it (9:37). Then it's a list of television shows this week and next week which all sound promising, some of which they'll cover (12:47).Continuing ideas and thoughts in non-spoilers, they discuss whether they'd recommend 'DTF St. Louis' from HBO (21:42) and general thoughts on 'Rooster' and its sixth episode (26:43).In spoilers, they break down why 'DTF St. Louis' worked or didn't (28:52) as well as what made 'Rooster' and its sixth episode a decent, but not great, one (48:41).For more, visit The Alabama Take. For the newsletter from the site, click this link to sign up.
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How People Watch TV Wrong with 'DTF St. Louis,' 'Rooster,' and 'Shrinking'
Apr 1401:07:20Tap to summarizeTaking It Down is back this week! With a rundown of the episode (0:02), Blaine discusses the absence of the show (1:26). From there, they talk about Adam's upcoming tour, which stumps Blaine, and why he'll be away from the podcast (1:58). This prompts a quick talk about social media, especially TikTok, and how to contact the podcast (5:55). There, Blaine brings up the notion of how people watch TV all wrong sometimes with a brief mention of 'The Pitt' in non-spoilers (9:30). The non-spoiler section continues with an overview of 'DTF St. Louis': now that they've reached the penultimate episode, can they recommend it (15:46)? They do a midpoint check-in with the HBO series 'Rooster' (23:11) and a discussion of 'Shrinking' now that it has ended its third season (27:28). Before leaving non-spoilers, Blaine and Donovan explain why they recommend 'The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins' so often (30:48). They end the first half with ideas for next week (32:55). To begin spoilers, they start with a listener email about 'DTF St. Louis' and its surprises (35:18). Then they transition into the HBO series 'Rooster' and how it has a lot to offer from Steve Carell but even more than just him (51:41). Lastly, they close the spoilers with 'Shrinking' where they grade the ups and downs of the third season, and they determine how to weigh it as a whole season (1:01:23). For more, always check out The Alabama Take site and to support the site and its podcast, feel free to donate to the Buy Me A Coffee donation page where all proceeds go to the site.
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Steve Carell's Greatness in 'Rooster' and the Tones of 'DTF St. Louis'
Mar 2401:01:46Tap to summarizeThis week, per usual, host Blaine opens the episode with an introduction and overview of what's to come (0:02). From there with Adam and Donovan, they discuss the non-spoilers for the week. First, you have to see 'The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins' (1:02). From there, it's the big events in TV in the past week with 'The Pitt' and 'The Bachelorette,' but how do they know about this stuff (5:05)? Still in non-spoilers, the guys discuss the tones of 'DTF St. Louis' and how it achieves some specific styles of greatness (9:42). Their non-spoiler talk of the other HBO show 'Rooster' leads them to ask how great Steve Carell may be (12:48). Finally in non-spoilers, Blaine advises all to avoid both 'Imperfect Women' on Apple TV and 'Scarpetta' on Amazon Prime (20:24). This leads Donovan to reveal some news on trade paperbacks (23:30). From there, it's a short break and then the spoilers: 'DTF St Louis' specifics on how it is getting better and better (26:42). Lastly, some spoilers about the second episode of the HBO series 'Rooster': it's good, but how good (49:59)? For more, visit The Alabama Take website. To sign up for the site's newsletter rather than rely on social media, sign up here.To help both the podcast and The Alabama Take site itself, consider making a donation of any size with the link here.
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'DTF St. Louis' and Its Vibes; Steve Carell Returns to the Spotlight in 'Rooster'
Mar 1701:05:56Tap to summarizeTo help both the podcast and The Alabama Take site itself, consider making a donation of any size with the link here.In this week's episode of the TV and streaming podcast Taking It Down, Blaine welcomes and gives a quick overview of the episode (0:02) before introducing Adam and explaining Donovan's absence (1:31). From there, the two hosts are in non-spoilers and discuss a certain oddity to the series 'DTF St. Louis' found on HBO (1:31). They also discuss 'DTF St. Louis' in comparison to the new Amazon Prime series 'Scarpettta' (5:50). Then it's time to sing some praises for Steve Carell and his return to TV with the HBO series 'Rooster,' but they keep the spoilers away (9:53). After a break, they do a quick check in with 'Shrinking' to begin the spoiler section (21:20) before moving into exactly what makes 'DTF St. Louis' both strange and unique (24:14). After that, they disucss specifics of the 'Rooster' premiere and what about it gives them hope (46:18). To end spoilers, they add some thoughts on Oscar-nominated films (1:00:10) before getting a little more specific about the movie 'Hamnet' (1:01:39). For more, visit The Alabama Take website. To sign up for the site's newsletter rather than rely on social media, sign up here.
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Unraveling 'DTF St. Louis' and 'Shrinking' Does Its Best
Mar 1000:53:09Tap to summarizeIn the weekly episode, Blaine introduces the show with a welcome and overview as well as the topics of the week (0:03). When Donovan and Adam join Blaine, Blaine gives a special thank you to someone who helped with the fundraising for the host site and podcasts (1:23). In the non-spoiler section, the hosts introduce the the new series on HBO 'DTF St. Louis' and hint that it may be better than most critics would say (2:23). After that, they discuss without spoilers how 'Shrinking' may have aired its best episode yet (11:40). In the spoilers, they get into why 'DTF St. Louis' is so good (15:32) as well as how 'Shrinking' pulled out an excellent episode in a season that has not been as good (42:04). For more, visit The Alabama Take website. To sign up for the site's newsletter rather than rely on social media, sign up here.To help both the podcast and The Alabama Take site itself, consider making a donation of any size with the link here.
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How 'A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms' and 'How to Get to Heaven From Belfast' Get It Right!
Mar 300:56:37Tap to summarizeTo help with funding, which is only asked for once every four years or so, click here. On this fine week of Taking It Down, Blaine introduces the show as well as explains how listeners can help both the show and the website The Alabama Take (0:03). They could use the help!After the introductions, there are a few thank yous to be said to those who have donated to help the podcasts and site, which leads to the Madness of March, somehow (1:49). Plus, Blaine reads a comment from the site about the podcast and asks for help with an Irish term (3:42). Continuing the non-spoiler talk, it's high praise for 'A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms' (6:16), a nod to a slight improvement from 'Shrinking' (10:31), and some broad love for 'How to Get to Heaven From Belfast' (13:02). After a break, the hosts discuss the specifics of why the finale of 'A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms' had a perfect ending, which actually included no dongs (19:50). They spoil the most recent episode of 'Shrinking' to talk about some minor improvements for this season (28:08). Finally, the hosts discuss how 'How to Get to Heaven From Belfast' had resonance and depth perhaps missed upon first viewing (35:22). For more, visit The Alabama Take website. To sign up for the site's newsletter rather than rely on social media, sign up here.To help both the podcast and The Alabama Take site itself even long after the fundraiser, consider making a donation of any size with the link here.
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An XL Episode From Rewatches to 'A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms' to 'How to Get to Heaven from Belfast'!
Feb 2401:27:44Tap to summarizeTo help this podcast continue and the website The Alabama Take keep going, click this link to donate as much or as little as you wish. Every bit helps. Thank you!They're back after a hiatus that lasted too long! And it's with a plus-sized episode!This week, Blaine begins with how to make a donation for The Alabama Take, why it's important, and how the funds will be used (0:02) Blaine then gives an overview of the episode (1:47).In the non-spoilers, which begin every episode, Blaine, Adam, and Donovan thank those who have helped the site and podcasts thus far (2:44). The episode kicks off in earnest with shows they repeatedly watch and what makes that a must (5:04): included is the series 'Band of Brothers,' which Adam claims to be HBO's best series (5:29) and Blaine found 'Lonesome Dove' a must after hearing of the death of Robert Duvall (11:34). Plus, he throws in the brilliance of comedian Dusty Slay as well as his Alabama connection (13:56). Continuing with non-spoilers, Blaine explains in general how 'Wonder Man' is easily Marvel's greatest television series and its best attempt at anything in many years (15:08). From there, it's non-spoilers for shows that will appear in the spoiler section; the first of which is 'A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms,' what could be the best of the George R.R. Martin universe of shows on HBO (17:19). Blaine and Adam then discuss how Apple TV's 'Shrinking' is stinking and a little bit of why (21:33). Lastly in the non-spoiler section is the new Netflix series 'How to Get to Heaven from Belfast,' which has all three hosts intrigued (22:39).After a short break, they get into the meat of the episode, pondering how goods HBO's 'A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms' truly is and if what appears in the penultimate episode is fully needed (31:06). From there, it's the specifics on Apple TV's 'Shrinking' and why it now sucks (52:47). In the final spoiler conversation, all three hosts have full attention to Netflix's new show 'How to Get to Heaven from Belfast' (1:08:35) because of how quickly it lets the viewer in, which has a lot to do with aging.For more, visit The Alabama Take website.To sign up for the site's newsletter and not rely on social media, sign up here.To help both the podcast and The Alabama Take site itself, consider making a donation of any size with the link here.
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