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

From Shogun to Shadows: Our Top Picks of 2024 Revealed 24.12.2024

Join the host Blaine Duncan as he introduces the premise of show "Taking I Down" as the one podcast to hear get your knowledgek of hosts join for their favorite moments from 2024, which from television, movies, books, and music that brought them joy. The conversation kicks off with a spirited discussion of the standout series "Shogun" and the impressive finale of "What We Do In The Shadows." They...

Final Farewell: Grief and Growth on 'Somebody Somewhere'; If 'Silo' Now Sucks; Prepping for Another End 17.12.2024

This week on Taking It Down, the hosts get into the emotional finale of HBO's 'Somebody Somewhere,' in broad ways in the non-spoiler section to begin the episode (1:08). Additionally, they discuss the second season of Apple TV+'s 'Silo,' as they now have mixed feelings on the show (5:48). For the weekly spoiler section, they recount 'Somebody Somewhere' and its run on HBO with talk about its poign...

'Say Nothing' Challenges Good and Evil 10.12.2024

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 co...

Is 'Shrinking'Good? Thanksgiving with 'Somebody, Somewhere.' More on 'Say Nothing' 03.12.2024

This week's episode begins, as usual, with the non-spoiler section. First up, Adam returns and is eager to talk about 'Say Nothing' (0:07). They also talk about 'Shrinking' in the non-spoiler section (7:25). And then give a recommendation or not on the movie on Apple TV+ 'Blitz' (10:41). As the episode moves into spoilers, the crew discuss the vital Thanksgiving episode of 'Somebody, Somewhere' an...

The IRA,Vampires, and Hope in 'Say Nothing,' 'What We Do In The Shadows,' and 'Somebody, Somewhere' 26.11.2024

This week's episode begins with some basics on Thanksgiving (0:03) before Blaine and Donovan welcome new listeners who may be from the Bluesky app (2:44). After that, they begin the non-spoiler section for judgements on the TV shows 'Say Nothing' on FX/Hulu which presents a grounded story on the Troubles in Ireland (3:23). Then they explain why 'What We Do In The Shadows' on FX/Hulu still works af...

What Is Dad TV and Is That What 'Silo' Is? How Good Was 'The Penguin' In The End? 19.11.2024

Easily the best episode to date! This week on Taking It Down, Blaine, Adam, and Donovan start with the debacle of 'Paul vs. Tyson' on Netflix, which somehow results in what social media is of late (0:04). For the non-spoiler section that begins each episode, they shift into the premiere of the second season of the Apple TV+ serires 'Silo' and determine if it fits the mold of "Dad TV" (4:39). What...

True Heartland and Big Emotions: 'Somebody, Somewhere' and 'My Old Ass'; Plus, 'Janet Planet' on Max 12.11.2024

The weekly TV podcast begins with Adam, Donovan, and Blaine revealing the listener survey results, which had surprises on what people like and how they watch TV (1:30). In the non-spoiler section of the podcast, they all determine that shows like 'Somebody, Somewhere' are great and have a pertinence in today's landscape (4:39). Blaine recounts generalized ideas about 'Janet Planet,' now streaming...

From Marvel to Mental Health: 'Agatha All Along' Finale and 'Shrinking' with T.D. Wood 05.11.2024

This week, Blaine begins with an introduction for anyone listening on Election Day in the United States (0:01) before moving into non-spoiler thoughts on the Disney+ series 'Agatha All Along' (1:17). Its season finale coincided with Halloween, but did it have anything else going for besides fan service? Then host of 'Takin' On Sports,' TD Wood, joins the show where they discuss the evolving dynami...

Unpacking a South: 'TrueSouth' in Jasper and 'Road Diary' with Springsteen's Working Journey 29.10.2024

This week, Blaine announces a survey with a chance to win for listeners (1:35). From there, it's a lot of TV to choose from. What do you pick (1:46)? Then he recounts the journey of a particular Southern landscape of Jasper via 'TrueSouth' and its most recent episode on the SEC Network and Hulu without spoiling the latest from the show (3:32). Also in the non-spoiler section, he offers recommendat...

Beavers, Penguins, Challenges, and Disclaimers! 22.10.2024

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...

Shenanigans of 'Bad Monkey' Are Top Notch! Pitting 'Penguin' Against 'Agatha,' and What Threads Says 15.10.2024

This week on the TV and streaming podcast, Blaine offers a quick introduction (0:01) and finds out that Threads offers plenty of ideas on what not to do (2:19)! Then Blaine and Donovan dive into the intriguing worlds of 'Bad Monkey' as the beginning of the nonspoiler section of the podcast (3:20). Blaine pits 'The Penguin' against 'Agatha All Along' and finds a clear winner in 'The Penguin' withou...

The Haunting Light of 'I Saw the TV Glow' and the Second Episode of 'The Penguin' 08.10.2024

This week's episode begins with how to help out the podcast if you wanted (0:58) before moving into some brief thoughts on the new trailer for season two of 'The Last of Us' from HBO (2:51). In the nonspoiler section, Blaine and Donovan discuss the visually captivating film 'I Saw the TV Glow' and the latest episode of 'The Penguin' (4:35). As they shift to a deeper analysis and spoilers, listener...

Is 'Bad Monkey' Vince Vaughn's Best Role? Plus, First Episode of 'The Penguin' and 'Agatha All Along' 01.10.2024

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...

Unexpected Brilliance of 'Bad Monkey' and Hollow Magic of 'Agatha All Along' 24.09.2024

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 detai...

Why You Should Watch 'Bad Monkey' and 'English Teacher' Is Good 17.09.2024

It's the weekly episode with Blaine beginning things on how he came to DIRECTV and it almost got bad (1:36). Blaine then recounts not just how he came to enjoy the FX/Hulu show 'English Teacher' but what about it was the turning point -- all without spoilers (3:03). Then Blaine and Donovan decide that 'The Old Man' from FX/Hulu will deserve their attention again (7:38). What does it mean to binge...

What Does 'Ripley' Say About Today's America, Art, and Class? 03.09.2024

How to avoid some social media problems? The introduction this week of Taking It Down makes its case (0:01). Blaine begins with a thanks to many listeners and friends which leads to thoughts on evolution (1:11). Blaine gets Donovan into the show by talking general TV, including 'Bad Monkey,' 'Ripley,' and those two shows' relationships to what happened on TV this weekend with college football (2:1...

TV for the Fall and the End of Alabama Slam; Plus 'The Challenge' 27.08.2024

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 '...

Why 'Lady in the Lake' Sinks, How 'Ripley' Transports, and 'The Challenge' Turns 40 20.08.2024

The podcast comes out of its yearly August break with TV you should miss and TV you can't miss! Adam's short movie marathon during the break included the perplexing ' Kneecap ' and the ADHD-fueled ' Deadpool and Wolverine ,' but it all leaves Blaine bewildered and Adam twitchy (5:56). No spoilers! The hosts dive into 'Lady in the Lake' from Apple TV+, 'Ripley' on Netflix, and 'The Challenge: Battl...

The Third Season of 'The Bear' Had Hits and Misses, a Sweet Review of 'IF,' and Reading On Tour 01.08.2024

This this short episode from Taking It Down, Adam discusses what books are perfect if a musician is on tour (2:42) and the whole crew discusses the hits and misses of the third season of 'The Bear' (4:53). In the last bit, Blaine welcomes back his special guest for a quick review of 'IF,' a movie now streaming on Paramount+ (11:08). Taking It Down will take a two-week break and will return on Augu...

Marvel's Scared Money, 'Presumed Innocent' Finale, New Netflix Series 'The Decameron,' and More 30.07.2024

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 disc...

What Halts 'House of the Dragon,' Plus 'Presumed Innocent' and 'The Bear' 23.07.2024

This week, Blaine begins with why you should be watching 'Presumed Innocent' as it winds down for the finale this week (1:52) before he gets into spoilers for the show penultimate episode (3:04). From there, it's episodes five and six of this season of 'House of the Dragon' with spoilers (7:27) before he brings in a special co-host for a brief trip into Disney+ (19:08). To end, it's a wrap on the...

Family Warfare and Dysfunction in 'House of the Dragon' and 'The Bear' 16.07.2024

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...

Sympathetic Villains in 'House of the Dragon' and Fear in 'The Bear' 09.07.2024

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...

Daemon Is The Trump of 'House of the Dragon,' The Horror of the Finale of 'Dark Matter,' and More 02.07.2024

It's a stellar episode this week as Blaine welcomes any new listeners, of which there are several these days (0:01). Plus, there's the newsletter, and Blaine explains why it exists (0:51) as well as what's new in the store (1:54). Apple TV+ cancels 'The Big Door Prize' and he explains why that's both sad and worrisome (2:13). Blaine previews next week (3:28) before getting into the week of TV with...

'Hit Man' Dresses Up Netflix, 'Bodkin' Podcasts Murders, and Identity Crisis in 'Dark Matter' 28.06.2024

It's a bonus episode this week! For episode 201, Blaine Duncan begins with a few odd stats with the podcast (1:43) before giving very brief and non-spoiler thoughts the Netflix show 'Eric' (2:19) and the Apple TV+ series 'Presumed Innocent,' which could be the show of the summer (3:17). And since he's had time to wrap up '3 Body Problem' on Netflix, he offers his final thoughts without spoilers on...

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