Taking It Down

5.0 (37)
TV Reviews
Updated Weekly

Edifying TV discussion from the working class South. Every episode of Taking It Down starts spoiler free and moves into specifics for analysis after a break. It's a look at both the show and what lies underneath. 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.

1d ago

'Ted Lasso' Improves and 'Lanterns' Make a Launch

In this week's episode, Blaine gives a welcome, overview, and announcement on how you can get involved for the upcoming 300th episode by sending in a question or comment (0:02). Once all the hosts are present, they discuss why the return of 'Chad Powers' makes them excited (1:01). Also in non-spoilers, Blaine and Donovan explain why 'Furious' on Hulu is worth the time (3:04) as well as 'Ted Lasso' and its improvements (6:11) and the mixed reaction of HBO's 'Lanterns' (10:33). In spoilers, the guys detail how 'Ted Lasso' finally improved in its third episode, though not without faults (14:38) and provide examples why one of them is hesitant while the other is not on the new HBO drama 'Lanterns' (32:10). To give a question or comment for the upcoming 300th episode, submit one -- more more -- at the link here. For more, visit The Alabama Take and check out the new facelift!
Aug 16

Who Won 'House of the Dragon' and Is 'Ted Lasso' Copying Itself?

This week, after a quick overview and introduction (0:04), the hosts talk about the recent stats about the podcast, some of which are quite surprising for them (0:34). After that, the three preview 'Lanterns' and gauge their interests in the show (1:56). For non-spoilers, they determine if the season of 'House of the Dragon' was a success (7:15) and how they felt about the second episode of the new season of 'Ted Lasso' (12:25). In spoilers, the hosts dole out specific opinions about the finale of 'House of the Dragon' (16:23) as well as why some of them think that 'Ted Lasso' may be a bit of a retread (40:23). For more, visit The Alabama Take site.
Aug 9

The Silent Explosions in the Penultimate 'House of the Dragon'; Plus, The First of 'Ted Lasso' Again

This week after a quick hello and episode overview (0:04), Blaine gets Adam and Donovan to join the episode where they begin with some non-spoiler thoughts on the penultimate episode of 'House of the Dragon' (0:35). After that, they discuss the first episode return of 'Ted Lasso' in non-spoilers (7:26). Lastly in non-spoilers, it's an overview of who and who wouldn't like the new Hulu show 'Furious' (13:08). In spoilers, it's a discussion about how the explosives of the penultimate 'House of the Dragon' are more silent this time (18:48). Plus, they break down what is happening in the opening of 'Ted Lasso' and its fourth season (43:26). For more, be sure to visit The Alabama Take and its home site.
Aug 4

'House of the Dragon' and the Rule of Women; Plus, 'Cape Fear'

This week after a brief welcome (0:02), the hosts discuss the return of 'Ted Lasso': is there any excitement left (0:47)? Then Blaine makes a recommendation for the show 'Furious' on Hulu (3:35). Continuing in non-spoilers, they talk about how they felt with "Faceless Men" on 'House of the Dragon' (5:18) as well as a determination on if 'Cape Fear' is good or bad (11:07). In spoilers, it's a deep dive into 'House of the Dragon' (15:40) and a final look at what 'Cape Fear' had to say (36:45). For more, visit The Alabama Take website. If you would like to submit a question or comment for the upcoming 300th episode, you can do so here.
Jul 28

Are The Little Things Done Right? 'House of the Dragon' and 'Warfare' on HBO

This week on the podcast, Blaine gives an overview and welcome to all listeners (0:02) before inviting Adam and Donovan to discuss what they've done on the two week break (0:45). After that, Blaine explains in non-spoilers why 'Lucky' on Apple TV doesn't cut it for engaging viewing, but it may have a redeeming use (1:47). Also in non-spoilers, the hosts discuss their overall view of this season of 'House of the Dragon' (3:49) and the movie 'Warfare,' which is now streaming on HBO Max (8:04). In spoilers, they discuss how 'House of the Dragon' is getting some major, but little, things right this season (11:51) as well as what makes 'Warfare' a crucial film (47:09). For more, visit The Alabama Take site and sign up for the newsletter!
Jul 7

Dragons, Drama, and Dilemmas on 'House of the Dragon' and Its Second Episode

This week, host Blaine gives a welcome, overview, and note about next week (0:03). After that, Donovan, Adam, and Blaine begin general thoughts on the second episode of the third season of 'House of the Dragon' (1:19). After a short break, they dive into unpacking the events of the episode of 'House of the Dragon' and what that means for some of the major players (14:29). For more, visit The Alabama Take's website with the link here: https://www.thealabamatake.com
Jun 30

Back to 'House of the Dragon' and Why 'Cape Fear' Isn't What We Thought

This week, Blaine gives an overview of the episode (0:03) before he, Adam, and Donovan discuss what they want after five seasons of 'The Bear' on Hulu (0:38). From there and staying in non-spoilers, they get back into 'House of the Dragon' and its return (3:47). They also discuss that 'Cape Fear' may be a different type of show than initially suspected (12:23). After a break, they dive into spoilers for the first episode of 'House of the Dragon' on HBO (15:47) as well as spoilers to prove their points on 'Cape Fear' from Apple TV (38:41). For more, visit The Alabama Take's website: https://www.thealabamatake.com Or for the YouTube channel, click here: https://www.youtube.com/@thealabamatake
Jun 23

Where Does 'Widow's Bay' Go From Here?

In the weekly episode, host Blaine gives a quick overview of the episode (0:02) before Adam and Donovan join the episode. They discuss the return of 'House of the Dragon' on HBO to begin (0:29). After that, they have non-spoiler thoughts on 'Widow's Bay' (3:13). After the break, they unpack the finale of 'Widow's Bay' and discuss where it could go from there (8:35). For more, visit the home site of the podcast at The Alabama Take with the link here: https://www.thealabamatake.com

See All (293)

Blaine Duncan

Host
Adam Morrow

Host
Donovan Reinwald

Host
Natalie Morrow

Host

5

out of 5

37 Ratings

Focused and Great

08/10/2025

OneTaker

For a TV podcast, this one gets it right! Almost no chatter, some nonspoiler thoughts on a couple of shows, and then a breakdown of the shows later. It’s perfect for me to avoid spoilers until I catch up!
Taking it…

03/19/2025

Tim Hamilton the famous artist

…up with taking it down. I watch what they watch and I sometimes think what they think. But often I don’t think what they think so I listen to their well considered opinions! Check out Taking It Down! Don’t take it up with me! Listen to them.
Wow!

09/29/2024

Lawson___

Such a great podcast!!! Amazing job Mr. Duncan!
Great review of Netflix’s ‘Beef’.

04/30/2023

Satisfied, more than

Loved the nuance of this discussion. Always good to listen to after watching something so intense. Thanks for helping me unpack the series:-)

Edifying TV discussion from the working class South. Every episode of Taking It Down starts spoiler free and moves into specifics for analysis after a break. It's a look at both the show and what lies underneath. 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.