Blaine Duncan, TV Analyst

Taking It Down

Tv EN ↓ 300 episodes

Edifying TV disussion 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.

Be sure to visit the podcast's website and support the creator: www.thealabamatake.com

Author

Blaine Duncan, TV Analyst

Category

Tv

Podcast website

www.thealabamatake.com

Latest episode

Oct 18, 2026

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Episodes

Politics Invades, Netflix Plans a Correct Release, 'Stick' Continues, and 'It's Always Sunny...' Has Its Best In Years 22.07.2025

This week in the TV and streaming podcast, Blaine gives an overview (0:02) before he and Donovan discuss how politics has invaded television (1:04) with the funding for PBS (1:06). The question is: does that matter (1:08)? The other big political and TV news came from Colbert this week who had a shocking announcement (6:37). The hosts dissect how Netflix got one release date perfect (12:09) before...

In Purgatory? 'The Bear' Closes Its Recent Season; 'It's Always Sunny...' Returns; Plus, 'Stick' Swings 15.07.2025

Blaine begins the episode with a podcast overview and the generalities of this week's episode (0:02). Once Donovan joins, they discuss the return of the longest-running TV show, 'It's Always Sunny In Philadephia' and determine how its sustained its longevity (3:15). From there, they have brief discussion on the Apple TV+ series 'Stick' and its most recent episode (11:14). To conclude the non-spoil...

How 'Stick' Turns a Corner and 'The Bear' Pays Off; Plus, 'Andor' and 'Your Friends & Neighbors' 08.07.2025

Weekly host Blaine welcomes and gives an overview for the episode to begin (0:02). Once Donovan and Adam join, Blaine describes how he managed to miss the last few episodes of 'The Bear' and it has everything to do with the Disney+ series 'Andor' (2:08). Also in the non-spoiler section, the guys have an email on 'Your Friends & Neighbors' on Apple TV+ (7:42), they discuss how 'Stick' is addres...

The Questions and Answers from 'The Bear' and 'Smoke' Debuts on Apple TV 01.07.2025

This week on Taking It Down, Blaine begins with a welcome and an overview of the episode (0:02) before welcoming Adam and Donovan to discuss the big Bruce Springsteen music release which coincides with the trailer for his own biopic (1:03). Beginning the non-spoiler section properly, Blaine gives a sense of 'Smoke' from Apple TV+ and if it may be worth the time (6:09) before mentioning this week's...

Golf In 'Stick' Is Only a Game; 'Dept. Q' Played the Best with the Rules 24.06.2025

This week, Blaine has a special guest to give the overview of the weekly episode (0:02) before he brings in co-hosts Adam and Donovan. Adam finally watched an episode of 'Your Friends and Neighbors' on Apple TV+ and he keeps it going with non-spoiler ideas on if he'll continue the series (0:49). Also in the non-spoiler section is the other Apple TV+ show of the week with 'Stick,' which takes us in...

Does 'Dept. Q' Transcend the Genre? Plus, 'The Phoenician Scheme,' 'Andor,' and 'Stick' 17.06.2025

This week, Donovan begins the non-spoiler section with a brief review of 'The Phoenician Scheme,' Wes Anderson's latest (1:11). Then Blaine and Donovan discuss some non-spoiler thoughts on 'Stick' and where it is on Apple TV+ (6:14). Donovan gives his overview of 'Andor,' the Star Wars spinoff, now that it is complete (8:14). Finally to end the non-spoiler segment, Blaine and Donovan discuss the d...

Bono's 'Songs of Surrender' Presents Humanity and How Bad Is FX's 'Adults'? 10.06.2025

Blaine begins the episode with a welcome and overview (0:02) before he offers Adam and Donovan a recommendation and a nod to Apple TV's 'Stick,' featuring Owen Wilson, which has a surprising potential to charm us all—if it can manage to steer clear of its own sand traps (1:04). From there and still in the non-spoiler section, Blaine and Donovan take a hard look at FX’s 'Adults,' a show that’s tryi...

Surfing Through Life's Endings: 'Hacks,' '100 Foot Wave,' and 'The Last of Us' Finales 03.06.2025

Blaine and his sidekick begin with an announcement about the home site The Alabama Take (0:01) before getting into what the episode covers for the week (0:45). Once Adam and Donovan join, Blaine breaks down some things about Todd Chrisley (1:26) before they briefly discuss the new Wes Anderson trailer (4:09) and theater expectations gone wrong (6:27). From there, it's the usual non-spoiler section...

'The Last of Us' Theme Shift Is Closer Than Thought; Plus, Summer TV and 'The Studio' 27.05.2025

Blaine begins the episode with a quick welcome before offering an overview of the episode's discussions (0:01). Once Adam and Donovan join the podcast, the three say hello to some specific listeners (1:16). They then have a brief tangent on celebrity deaths prompted by the recent passing of George Wendt (5:13). From there, they run down a list of possible streaming television shows that could be w...

Art, Ego, Waves, and After Apocalypses: '100 Foot Wave,' 'The Studio,' and 'The Last of Us' 06.05.2025

Blaine, Adam, and Donovan reunite after a couple of weeks away from the microphones. First, Blaine welcomes listeners and discusses how listeners can now join The Alabama Take site (0:02). Adam and Donovan rave about The Alabama Take 's newsletter (1:33) before Blaine points to Adam's talents and how not only is he booming but how listeners can find him beyond the podcast (3:36). Then the podcast...

The Good, The Bad, and 'The White Lotus' Finale; Plus, a Plethora of TV 15.04.2025

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' dr...

'Adolecence' Is The Must-See TV Show 10.04.2025

We welcome people who listen as we normally do (0:02). We give the contents of this episode (1:06). For this special Thursday episode, it's almost all of Netflix's 'Adolescence' as it is the only series we cover -- that is, if you'll forgive some talk about where '30 Rock' lands as a comedy (2:05) As far as the Netflix, four-part miniseries has import in each scene. We start with no spoilers about...

'Good American Family' Defies Stereotypes; 'The White Lotus' Asks Its Deepest Questions Yet 08.04.2025

This week, Taking It Down begins with a welcome and how to help if you enjoy the episode (0:01). Also in the introduction is an overview of what the episode covers (1:38). From there, Blaine begins the non-spoiler section to drop in for a brief thought on the new Apple TV+ show 'The Studio' (2:21). The podcast moves into a non-spoiler presentation of the Hulu sensation 'Good American Family,' a se...

The Darker Approach of 'The White Lotus'; Plus, What News on 'The Pitt' Says for TV 01.04.2025

This week on Taking It Down, host Blaine begins with a welcome and how listeners can help the podcast (0:01). Once co-host Adam joins, the podcast begins its non-spoiler section as the two hosts question where Donovan is (1:28) before quickly getting into news about 'The Pitt' on Max and what that news tells us about TV (1:59). Also in non-spoilers is their conversation about the new Apple TV+ ser...

That First Episode of 'Adolescence' 27.03.2025

It's an extra episode this week, as we discuss the Netflix' series, 'Adolescence,' a show that's been being lauded by many. After a short welcome and a method for our audience to help the podcast if they would like (0:01), we briefly discuss some TV of late (2:15). Then we break down some of the buzz surrounding 'Adolescence' in the non-spoiler section (3:03). After the break, we discuss what make...

Resentments, Decisions, Guns: 'The White Lotus' and Ending of 'Severance' 25.03.2025

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-spoil...

Cost of Class: 'Dope Thief,' 'The White Lotus' and 'Severance' 18.03.2025

This week, Blaine gives a welcome to listeners and lays out the format for anyone new -- as well as small request (0:01). After a quick hello to Adam and Donovan, Blaine explains to them in the non-spoiler section on why 'Dope Thief' on Apple TV+ could be the next must watch piece of TV (1:11). After that, it's a few cursory thoughts on where 'The White Lotus' is at this point with no spoilers (8:...

How 'The White Lotus' Improved, The Internet Is Wrong About 'Severance,' and New Shows 11.03.2025

Taking It Down begins with host Blaine welcoming new listeners as well as a piece of homework for all interested (0:01) To kick off the non-spoiler section this week, Blaine gives Adam a list of many new shows that neither have seen to determine what would make for a good episode of the podcast (1:59). 'Celtic City' on HBO shows what good sports documentaries should do (3:05). 'Deli Boys' on Hulu...

'Zero Day' Fails, 'The White Lotus' Needs a New Template, and 'Severance' Soars 04.03.2025

This week, we begin with a welcome and small request (0:09). Then it's into the TV discussions. 'Zero Day' on Netflix may look like a thrilling ride with Robert De Niro in the lead with an all-star ensemble, but in the non-spoiler section, we begin with it and why it fails (1:11). Also in the non-spoiler section is the HBO show 'The White Lotus' and how the third season needs to change (8:53). As...

Why Watch 'The Pitt,' The Resort of Well Being in 'The White Lotus,' and Conversations in 'Severance' 25.02.2025

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). Fo...

Religion and Work: 'American Primeval' and 'Severance' 18.02.2025

This week's episode of Taking It Down opens with a welcome specific to new listeners (0:01) before a quick summary for the week (0:45). Donovan and Blaine then talk about what sticks with them throughout the fifty years of 'Saturday Night Live' (2:17) before shifting into the different Wild West of the Utah War in Netflix's series 'American Primeval' (6:59). The guys break down the show and its co...

Real or Simulated: 'Severance' and Its Fourth Episode 11.02.2025

This week, it's a quick look at 'American Primeval' on Netflix and a close look into the fourth episode of Apple TV's 'Severance.' To begin, Blaine gives some non-spoiler thoughts on the first three episodes of the Netflix Western 'American Primeval' and how it overcome an early issue (0:28). Then with Adam and Donovan, the three discuss what's on TV soon with 'The White Lotus' from HBO (6:01). St...

'Severance' Survives Mystery and Idea Explanations of 'The Brutalist' 04.02.2025

The episode begins with brief, non-spoiler thoughts on 'Silo' and its most recent season (0:52). Then the three hosts discuss the acclaimed TV series 'Severance' from Apple TV+ and if it can hold all of the mysteries it is creating (5:14). Also in the non-spoiler section, Adam and Blaine praise the very thing that could make 'The Brutalist' a turn-off to a few (10:23). After the break, the hosts g...

Your Own Innie: 'Severance' Is Back and the Impact of David Lynch 21.01.2025

This week, the Taking It Down cast reflect on the profound work of director and musician David Lynch (1:51). Then it's the much-anticipated second season of 'Severance' on Apple TV+ as it has finally arrived, and they start broad, with no spoilers, on its complexities and themes (10:30). Blaine, Donovan, and Adam then get into the spoilers of the first episode of the second season where they explo...

Bob Dylan, Vampires, and Popes: 'A Complete Unknown,' 'Nosferatu,' and 'Conclave' 14.01.2025

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 sec...

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