Taking It Down

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)?

For more, head to The Alabama Take website.

If you wish to help the podcast, feel free to leave a one-time donation: https://taking-it-down.captivate.fm/support

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.

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 a show and did you know what the research says (8:35)? They determine their preference before moving into some basics of the new season of the 'Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power' Amazon series without ruining any plot points because Donovan just can't hold his tongue (11:56).

Blaine explains to Donovan why he and audiences will like 'English Teacher' but he gives no spoilers on it for those who may wonder if the show is for them (13:42).

They give an overview of 'Bad Monkey' on Apple TV+ (21:22) before a deep dive into why it works so damn well, which will have spoilers for the first two episodes (26:05).

Finally, Donovan and Blaine offer up some ideas for the next episode (45:17). Find them online or comment on The Alabama Take site to cast your vote.

This podcast is an Alabama Take production and part of The Alabama Take's network of podcasts. Each episode begins with no spoilers about TV and movies that are streaming.

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 (2:19).

Donovan offers up his recommendation without spoilers on the Netflix series 'Ripley' (9:48). From there, the hosts then dig deeply into back half of 'Ripley' and its themes of identity, ambition, and class (10:43). They explore the character of Tom Ripley and his complex relationships with other characters, as well as the use of art and symbolism throughout the show, including interpretations on those aspects and more. Expect spoilers in the back half after that ten minute mark.

To end, it's a tease of what to come next week and why Donovan reads the newsletter (41:01).

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).

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: Battle of the Eras' on MTV—find out which shows made the cut and why (16:04).

Spoilers ahead! The hosts unleash on 'Lady in the Lake,' calling it not just bad, but a total disaster—Blaine even watched it twice to make sure (19:56). From there, the hosts discover the haunting beauty of Netflix's 'Ripley' and what sets it apart from other versions, including a transportation into its eerie world (28:46). Finally, it's Adam’s passionate take on 'The Challenge: Battle of the Eras,' which will convince you it’s the show to watch all season long as well as some insights you may have missed (44:37).

Taking It Down is part of The Alabama Take's podcast network.

Mentioned in the episode is the music of SemiAthletic, which can be found here: https://www.semiathletic.com/

The Seddy Bimco, Part Two, The Revenge podcast can be found here: https://www.seddy-bimco-part-2-the-revenge.com/

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 August 20th. Subscribe or follow so that you don't miss any episodes of the podcast. Find a lot more, including a whole podcast network, on The Alabama Take.

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.

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 season of 'The Bear': episodes nine and ten plus overall thoughts (21:21).

To find more, visit The Alabama Take, the site's writings, and family of podcasts.

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).