Blaine Duncan

Blaine Duncan

Editor-In-Chief, Host of Taking It Down

Editor-In-Chief of The Alabama Take as well as host of the podcast Taking It Down

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Taking Bets | Weeks Like This, Shit Happens | Week Ten

Taking Bets | Weeks Like This, Shit Happens | Week Ten

Week Ten does not offer a particularly attractive set of games, but that is when things tend to happen.

Taking Bets | Hello Playoffs, Goodbye Playoffs | Week Nine

Taking Bets | Hello Playoffs, Goodbye Playoffs | Week Nine

Week Nine takes us deep into the season where there's no elite team but a lot of great games.

Taking on 'The Challenge: Battle of the Eras' | "A New Era"

Taking on 'The Challenge: Battle of the Eras' | "A New Era"

A ghost of episodes past haunts this week!

Taking Bets | An October Surprise | Week Eight

Taking Bets | An October Surprise | Week Eight

What awaits for an October surprise?

Taking on 'The Challenge: Battle of the Eras' | "An Era of One"

Taking on 'The Challenge: Battle of the Eras' | "An Era of One"

A big win helps one player take all the power this week.

Taking Bets | Fire Every Coach! | Week Seven

Taking Bets | Fire Every Coach! | Week Seven

It's probably time to fire every coach and start all over

Taking on 'The Challenge: Battle of the Eras' | "The Era of the Gladiator"

Taking on 'The Challenge: Battle of the Eras' | "The Era of the Gladiator"

Bodies get slammed in this week's episode!

Taking Bets | The Aftermath of Insanity | Week Five

Taking Bets | The Aftermath of Insanity | Week Five

Last weekend was huge. Now what?

Taking on 'The Challenge: Battle of the Eras' | "Trust In Your Era"

Taking on 'The Challenge: Battle of the Eras' | "Trust In Your Era"

All is fair in 'The Challenge'

Taking Bets | Any Big Games This Weekend? | Week Five

Taking Bets | Any Big Games This Weekend? | Week Five

Are there any big games in Week Five?

Taking Bets | Will the Seminoles Ever Win? | Week Four

Taking Bets | Will the Seminoles Ever Win? | Week Four

With Week Four, It's Time For Some Teams To Win

Taking Bets | Saban Still Hates Penalties | Week Three

Taking Bets | Saban Still Hates Penalties | Week Three

Week Three and Catching Up

Taking Bets | Dabo Seems Chill | Week Two

Taking Bets | Dabo Seems Chill | Week Two

Week Two Showdowns Include a Big One In Ann Arbor

Taking Bets | Back At It Plus One | Week One

Taking Bets | Back At It Plus One | Week One

We Convinced Greg To Join!

Taking On 'The Challenge: Battle of the Eras' | "The Era Invitational: Part One"

Taking On 'The Challenge: Battle of the Eras' | "The Era Invitational: Part One"

'The Challenge' Returns and So Does Our Weekly Coverage!

Takin' On 'The Challenge: All Stars': "Lone Star"

Takin' On 'The Challenge: All Stars': "Lone Star"

Fire, Feuds, and Final Showdowns: Inside 'The Challenge: All Stars' Lackluster Finale

Takin' On 'The Challenge: All Stars': "Live Free or Die Starred"

Takin' On 'The Challenge: All Stars': "Live Free or Die Starred"

The Best Daily Challenge Ever For Someone

Takin' On 'The Challenge: All Stars': "It Was a Good Jay"

Takin' On 'The Challenge: All Stars': "It Was a Good Jay"

One redemption, one goodbye

Takin' On 'The Challenge: All Stars': "Waiting For A Star To Fall"

Takin' On 'The Challenge: All Stars': "Waiting For A Star To Fall"

Players get into one another's heads for both good and bad; a promise is broken

Book Review: 'Goyhood' by Reuven Foster

Book Review: 'Goyhood' by Reuven Foster

Fenton writes with the wit of Charles Portis while maintaining his eye on the larger question of who we are.

Takin' On 'The Challenge: All Stars': "The Queen's Gambit"

Takin' On 'The Challenge: All Stars': "The Queen's Gambit"

It's a queen who runs the show this week. But for how long? 

Review: 'you look just like someone i knew in a past life' from thenheturnedaround

Review: 'you look just like someone i knew in a past life' from thenheturnedaround

It's peak existentialism with thenheturnedaround's album 'you look just like someone i knew in a past life'

Takin' On 'The Challenge: All Stars': "Catch a Falling Star"

Takin' On 'The Challenge: All Stars': "Catch a Falling Star"

Fly away to the trivia game

Takin' On 'The Challenge: All Stars': "Karma Maria"

Takin' On 'The Challenge: All Stars': "Karma Maria"

Someone took control!

Takin' On 'The Challenge: All Stars': "The Way You Make Me Steal"

Takin' On 'The Challenge: All Stars': "The Way You Make Me Steal"

Zoom down the mountain this week!

Takin' On 'The Challenge: All Stars': "Starget"

Takin' On 'The Challenge: All Stars': "Starget"

"Starget" sets up things to come, but little else

Takin' On 'The Challenge: All Stars': True Colors

Takin' On 'The Challenge: All Stars': True Colors

Someone's fate was sealed since last week!

Takin' on 'The Challenge: All Stars': A Sky Full of Stars and You Won't Break My Soul

Takin' on 'The Challenge: All Stars': A Sky Full of Stars and You Won't Break My Soul

We see the new cast, get an elimination, and Ayanna immediately grates the nerves

Takin' on 'The Challenge': Only One Gets The Crown

Takin' on 'The Challenge': Only One Gets The Crown

Weekly coverage of The Challenge is here every Thursday!

Takin' on 'The Challenge': Feel The Bern

Takin' on 'The Challenge': Feel The Bern

Weekly coverage of The Challenge is here every Thursday!

Takin' on 'The Challenge': Family Knows Best

Takin' on 'The Challenge': Family Knows Best

Weekly coverage of The Challenge is here every Thursday!

Takin' On 'The Challenge': Welcome to Conquest!

Takin' On 'The Challenge': Welcome to Conquest!

Season 39 of The Alabama Take’s favorite thing — next to college football — continues with   Battle For a New Champi...

Takin' on 'The Challenge': Don't Let T.J. Decide

Takin' on 'The Challenge': Don't Let T.J. Decide

Weekly coverage of The Challenge is here every Thursday!

Takin' on 'The Challenge': A Legend Returns

Takin' on 'The Challenge': A Legend Returns

Weekly coverage of The Challenge is here every Thursday!

Takin' on 'The Challenge': My Own Worst Frenemy

Takin' on 'The Challenge': My Own Worst Frenemy

Weekly coverage of The Challenge is here every Thursday!

Takin' on 'The Challenge': Feeling Used

Takin' on 'The Challenge': Feeling Used

Weekly coverage of The Challenge is here every Thursday!

Takin' on 'The Challenge': A Banana Split

Takin' on 'The Challenge': A Banana Split

Weekly coverage of The Challenge is here every Thursday!

Takin' on 'The Challenge': Struggling to Hold It Together

Takin' on 'The Challenge': Struggling to Hold It Together

Weekly coverage of The Challenge is here every Thursday!

Taking Bets | Crown The Champs | Week Fourteen

Taking Bets | Crown The Champs | Week Fourteen

It's our weekly predictions of college and NFL football against the spread!

Takin' on 'The Challenge': So Flip Floppy

Takin' on 'The Challenge': So Flip Floppy

Weekly coverage of The Challenge is here every Thursday!

Taking Bets | Rivals! | Week Thirteen

Taking Bets | Rivals! | Week Thirteen

It's our weekly predictions of college and NFL football against the spread!

Takin' on 'The Challenge': The Big Mistake

Takin' on 'The Challenge': The Big Mistake

Weekly coverage of The Challenge is here every Thursday!

Taking Bets | The Weird Week | Week Twelve

Taking Bets | The Weird Week | Week Twelve

It's our weekly predictions of college and NFL football against the spread!

Taking Bets | Don't Believe The Hype! | Week Eleven

Taking Bets | Don't Believe The Hype! | Week Eleven

It's our weekly predictions of college and NFL football against the spread!

Taking Bets | Apologies, But We Have To Pick | Week Eight

Taking Bets | Apologies, But We Have To Pick | Week Eight

It's our weekly predictions of college and NFL football against the spread!

Taking Bets | Plenty To Pick | Week Seven

Taking Bets | Plenty To Pick | Week Seven

It's our weekly predictions of college and NFL football against the spread!

Taking Bets | A Fluke or No? | Week Six

Taking Bets | A Fluke or No? | Week Six

It's our weekly predictions of college and NFL football against the spread!

Taking Bets | A Big Winner | Week Five

Taking Bets | A Big Winner | Week Five

It's our weekly predictions of college and NFL football against the spread!

Taking Bets | Week Four | Upsets, Maybe

Taking Bets | Week Four | Upsets, Maybe

It's our weekly predictions of college and NFL football against the spread!

Taking Bets | Week Three | It's the Hope!

Taking Bets | Week Three | It's the Hope!

It's our weekly predictions of college and NFL football against the spread!

Taking Bets | Week Two | One of Us Gets It

Taking Bets | Week Two | One of Us Gets It

It's our weekly predictions of college and NFL football against the spread!

Taking Bets | Week One | Let the (Real) Games Begin!

Taking Bets | Week One | Let the (Real) Games Begin!

It's our weekly predictions of college and NFL football against the spread!

The Old Library

The Old Library

The loss of a building in a small town

The Opportunity of Crimes

The Opportunity of Crimes

How politicians are shaping education's future in light of school shootings

A Review of the Star-Filled 'Extrapolations' From Apple TV+

A Review of the Star-Filled 'Extrapolations' From Apple TV+

Spoiler-free review of Apple TV+'s new series

Takin' on 'The Challenge': The End of the Ride

Takin' on 'The Challenge': The End of the Ride

Weekly coverage of The Challenge is here every Thursday!

Takin' on 'The Challenge': The Hours

Takin' on 'The Challenge': The Hours

Weekly coverage of The Challenge is here every Thursday!

Takin' on 'The Challenge': Riders on the Storm

Takin' on 'The Challenge': Riders on the Storm

We have finally arrived at The Challenge final. We got part one this week, and said goodbye to Horacio & Olivia due to injury. It's a...

Takin' on 'The Challenge': Friends or Froze

Takin' on 'The Challenge': Friends or Froze

Much of the episode's dialogue revolved around who should be sent into elimination, athletic favorites Fessy & Moriah or 7-time champ...

Takin' on 'The Challenge': Knot a Problem

Takin' on 'The Challenge': Knot a Problem

As we inch ever so closer to the final, we said goodbye to two teams this week. Kaycee & Kenny fell to Jordan & Aneesa in the fin...

Takin' on 'The Challenge': Terrorist of Love

Takin' on 'The Challenge': Terrorist of Love

The final is inching ever closer, and tensions are rising on The Challenge. Despite Chauncey quitting and earning a shaming from T.J., Fe...

Takin' on 'The Challenge': Blind Faith

Takin' on 'The Challenge': Blind Faith

A week after Team Moriah finally broke through to win a daily challenge, they failed to keep their momentum going, losing a lead over Tea...

Top Television of 2022

Top Television of 2022

The best of TV in 2022

Takin' on 'The Challenge': Frenemy of the State

Takin' on 'The Challenge': Frenemy of the State

The Underdogs win! The Underdogs win! This week Team Moriah finally broke through to win the daily challenge. They responded by s...

Takin' on 'The Challenge': Nelly: Ride (or Die) Wit Me

Takin' on 'The Challenge': Nelly: Ride (or Die) Wit Me

This week's episode featured T.J.'s favorite challenge: trivia. As per tradition, the contestants embarrass themselves on questions a sec...

Without You, Twitter, What Will We Become?

Without You, Twitter, What Will We Become?

Who are we without the social media site?

Takin' on 'The Challenge': Dancing on My Own

Takin' on 'The Challenge': Dancing on My Own

Our first episode post-split gave us a physical daily where, unsurprisingly, Team Faysal won easily. However, cracks began to show when i...

Takin' on 'The Challenge': Split Decision

Takin' on 'The Challenge': Split Decision

This week's episode brought us a mini-final and a major shakeup in the season's format. After Faysal & Moriah dominated the daily -- ...

Taking Bets: Championship Week - For the Good Times

Taking Bets: Championship Week - For the Good Times

It's our weekly predictions of college and NFL football against the spread!

Takin' on 'The Challenge': Deep Web

Takin' on 'The Challenge': Deep Web

The drama certainly kicked up a notch this week, Takers. We’ve hit the point in the season where alliances become more cemented, an...

Taking Bets: Week 12 - Professionals Now

Taking Bets: Week 12 - Professionals Now

It's our weekly predictions of college and NFL football against the spread!

Takin' on 'The Challenge': Come Michele or High Water

Takin' on 'The Challenge': Come Michele or High Water

We are back with our much-beloved recaps of MTV's seminal reality show, The Challenge.

Taking Bets: Week 11 - You Lose Some, You Lose Some

Taking Bets: Week 11 - You Lose Some, You Lose Some

It's our weekly predictions of college and NFL football against the spread!

Takin' on 'The Challenge': Get Rich or Ride or Die Tryin'

Takin' on 'The Challenge': Get Rich or Ride or Die Tryin'

We are back with our much-beloved recaps of MTV's seminal reality show, The Challenge.

Taking Bets: Week 10 - One Step Up, Two Steps Back

Taking Bets: Week 10 - One Step Up, Two Steps Back

It's our weekly predictions of college and NFL football against the spread!

Takin' on 'The Challenge': O'liv'n On The Edge

Takin' on 'The Challenge': O'liv'n On The Edge

We are back with our much-beloved recaps of MTV's seminal reality show, The Challenge.

Taking Bets: Week 9 - Looking Better All The Time

Taking Bets: Week 9 - Looking Better All The Time

It's our weekly predictions of college and NFL football against the spread!

Takin' on 'The Challenge': A Bumpy Ride

Takin' on 'The Challenge': A Bumpy Ride

We are back with our much-beloved recaps of MTV's seminal reality show, The Challenge.

Gallows Hill: Scarily Bad

Gallows Hill: Scarily Bad

No, not this one.

Taking Bets: Week 8

Taking Bets: Week 8

It's our weekly predictions of college and N.F.L. football against the spread!

Taking Bets: Week 7 - Clash of the Unbeatens

Taking Bets: Week 7 - Clash of the Unbeatens

It's our weekly predictions of college and N.F.L. football against the spread!

Taking Bets: Week 6 - Big SEC Lines

Taking Bets: Week 6 - Big SEC Lines

It's our weekly predictions of college and N.F.L. football against the spread!

Taking Bets: Week 5 - Steer Into the Skid

Taking Bets: Week 5 - Steer Into the Skid

It's our weekly predictions of college and N.F.L. football against the spread!

Taking Bets: Week 4 - Down to Earth

Taking Bets: Week 4 - Down to Earth

It's our weekly predictions of college and NFL football against the spread!

Taking Bets: Week 3 - Anything Below the Gutter?

Taking Bets: Week 3 - Anything Below the Gutter?

It's our weekly predictions of college football against the spread!

Taking Bets: Week 2 - Pile It On

Taking Bets: Week 2 - Pile It On

It's our weekly predictions of college football against the spread!

Taking Bets: Week 1

It's our weekly predictions of college football against the spread!

Short Takes: Organizer Camille Bennett

Short Takes: Organizer Camille Bennett

Short Takes with Camille Bennett

From the Vault: The Alabama Take Original Podcast 6 - Beloved Author Caleb R. Johnson

From the Vault: The Alabama Take Original Podcast 6 - Beloved Author Caleb R. Johnson

From the Vault: The Original Alabama Take Podcast Episodes

On Changing Fandom

On Changing Fandom

What happens when you change?

The 2022 Summer Movie Preview

The 2022 Summer Movie Preview

Will movies make a big return?

Best of 2021: Top 10 Television

Best of 2021: Top 10 Television

The best of TV in 2021

Spies, Lies & Allies Recap: The Decision

Spies, Lies & Allies Recap: The Decision

This week's coverage of The Challenge!

Spies, Lies & Allies Recap: Night of Mistakes

Spies, Lies & Allies Recap: Night of Mistakes

This week's coverage of The Challenge!

The End of the Championship Week.

The End of the Championship Week.

It's our weekly coverage of college football against the spread!

Spies, Lies & Allies Recap: Drop Dead

Spies, Lies & Allies Recap: Drop Dead

This week's coverage of The Challenge!

Takes on College Football: Against the Spread, Week Thirteen, Rivalry Week

Takes on College Football: Against the Spread, Week Thirteen, Rivalry Week

It's our weekly coverage of college football against the spread!

Spies, Lies & Allies Recap: Riverdance

Spies, Lies & Allies Recap: Riverdance

This week we spent more time on the Tori/Devin drama, for some damn reason. We also saw what a million dollars actually looks like, and i...

Takes on College Football: Against the Spread, Week Twelve

Takes on College Football: Against the Spread, Week Twelve

It's our weekly coverage of college football against the spread!

Spies, Lies & Allies Recap: The Cave of the Wolf

Spies, Lies & Allies Recap: The Cave of the Wolf

It’s the weekly coverage of The Challenge!

Takes on College Football: Against the Spread, Week Eleven

Takes on College Football: Against the Spread, Week Eleven

It's our weekly coverage of college football against the spread!

Spies, Lies & Allies Recap: Mavericks

Spies, Lies & Allies Recap: Mavericks

It’s the weekly coverage of The Challenge!

Takes on College Football: Against the Spread, Week Ten

Takes on College Football: Against the Spread, Week Ten

It's our weekly coverage of college football against the spread!

Spies, Lies & Allies Recap: Titanic

Spies, Lies & Allies Recap: Titanic

It’s the weekly coverage of The Challenge!

Takes on College Football: Against the Spread, Week Nine

Takes on College Football: Against the Spread, Week Nine

It's our weekly coverage of college football against the spread!

Spies, Lies & Allies Recap: 500

Spies, Lies & Allies Recap: 500

It’s the weekly coverage of The Challenge!

Takes on College Football: Against the Spread, Week Eight

Takes on College Football: Against the Spread, Week Eight

It's our weekly coverage of college football against the spread!

Spies, Lies & Allies Recap: Mucus Plug

Spies, Lies & Allies Recap: Mucus Plug

It’s the weekly coverage of The Challenge!

What Else? The Problem with Jon Stewart

What Else? The Problem with Jon Stewart

As it turns out, we did need this.

Takes on College Football: Against the Spread, Week Seven

Takes on College Football: Against the Spread, Week Seven

It's our weekly coverage of college football against the spread!

Spies, Lies & Allies Recap: Precious Stones

Spies, Lies & Allies Recap: Precious Stones

It’s the weekly coverage of The Challenge!

Takes on College Football: Against the Spread, Week Six

Takes on College Football: Against the Spread, Week Six

It's our weekly coverage of college football against the spread!

Short Takes: Musician Beth Hataway Veres of Electric Blue Yonder

Short Takes: Musician Beth Hataway Veres of Electric Blue Yonder

Short Takes with Beth from Electric Blue Yonder

Spies, Lies & Allies Recap: The War

Spies, Lies & Allies Recap: The War

It’s the weekly coverage of The Challenge!

Takes on College Football: Against the Spread, Week Five

Takes on College Football: Against the Spread, Week Five

It's our weekly coverage of college football against the spread!

Spies, Lies & Allies Recap: The Threat

Spies, Lies & Allies Recap: The Threat

The weekly coverage of The Challenge continues here

Takes on College Football: Against the Spread, Week Four

Takes on College Football: Against the Spread, Week Four

It's our weekly coverage of college football against the spread!

Spies, Lies & Allies Recap: Uncle CT

Spies, Lies & Allies Recap: Uncle CT

Prepared for a shorter episode this week, we dove right back into the Josh/Fessy and Amber/Esther drama, which ended with hugs because fr...

Takes on College Football: Against the Spread, Week Three

Takes on College Football: Against the Spread, Week Three

It's our weekly coverage of college football against the spread!

Short Takes: Surfer Garrett McNamara

Short Takes: Surfer Garrett McNamara

Short Takes with Garrett McNamara

Spies, Lies & Allies Recap: Alien

Spies, Lies & Allies Recap: Alien

It's the weekly coverage of The Challenge!

Takes on College Football: Against the Spread, Week Two

Takes on College Football: Against the Spread, Week Two

It's our weekly coverage of college football against the spread!

Spies, Lies & Allies Recap: Good Vibes and Gladiator

Spies, Lies & Allies Recap: Good Vibes and Gladiator

Our crew weighs in on another episode of The Challenge. answering all the hardest questions.

Takes on College Football: Against the Spread, Week One

Takes on College Football: Against the Spread, Week One

It's our weekly coverage of college football against the spread!

Spies, Lies & Allies Recap: Messy

Spies, Lies & Allies Recap: Messy

The fourth episode of "Spies, Lies & Allies" was high on action and drama, giving us a lot to look at in this week's recap.

Spies, Lies & Allies Recap: Truce or Dare

Spies, Lies & Allies Recap: Truce or Dare

The third episode of The Challenge was quite an action-packed affair. We had drama in the house and in competition. We said goodbye to ye...

Spies, Lies & Allies Recap: Bertha

Spies, Lies & Allies Recap: Bertha

Spies, Lies & Allies Recap: Bertha

Spies, Lies & Allies Recap: The List

Spies, Lies & Allies Recap: The List

The List

Review: Leah Blevins' 'First Time Feeling,' Pure and Magical Country Music

Review: Leah Blevins' 'First Time Feeling,' Pure and Magical Country Music

A country album that adheres to roots and plays with the genre

Review: Andrea von Kampen's Beautiful 'That Spell'

Review: Andrea von Kampen's Beautiful 'That Spell'

'That Spell' by Andrea von Kampen

Bob Dylan's Shadow Kingdom

Bob Dylan's Shadow Kingdom

Dylan brings the haunted and the beauty together again

What Else? Breeders

What Else? Breeders

Breeders second season doesn't disappoint

Takin' on Sports: Looks like we're expanding the CFP

Takin' on Sports: Looks like we're expanding the CFP

TD answers some questions about the report that the CFP will announce an expansion in the near future.

The Challenge: All Stars - You're the Best Around

The Challenge: All Stars - You're the Best Around

You're the Best Around

The Challenge: All Stars - What About Your Friends

The Challenge: All Stars - What About Your Friends

It's the Big Easy show

The Challenge: All Stars - Nuthin' But an OG Thang

The Challenge: All Stars - Nuthin' But an OG Thang

Um, Alton? You okay?

Book Review: Shaking the Gates of Hell

Book Review: Shaking the Gates of Hell

A riveting reflection of melancholy and growth

Double Agents - Finale, part deux

Double Agents - Finale, part deux

Ladies and gentlemen, your season 36 champions: CT and Amber B. After last season, we proclaimed Johnny Bananas the Challenge GOA...

The Challenge: All Stars- I've Got The Power

The Challenge: All Stars- I've Got The Power

I've Got the Power

Double Agents - Finale, part 1

Double Agents - Finale, part 1

Looks like MTV is gonna make us wait to see how the final plays out, as this week we only got the opening stage of the big event. ...

The Challenge: All Stars - Leaving It Behind

The Challenge: All Stars - Leaving It Behind

The Challenge: All Stars Episode 2

Double Agents - FINALly there

Double Agents - FINALly there

There was no shortage of drama this week, as we found out which four teams will run T.J.'s final.

Double Agents - Sparkle!

Double Agents - Sparkle!

Ladies and gentlemen, the Queen is gone. Although never gone from our hearts, we had to say goodbye to Big T on this week's episo...

Book Review: gods with a little g

Book Review: gods with a little g

Good enough doesn't work for the gods

Double Agents - DANGER ZONE

Double Agents - DANGER ZONE

We're inching closer and close to the final, but there's some business to attend to before then.

Double Agents - Oh so close

Double Agents - Oh so close

We have hit the time in the season where we expect our fearless leader T.J. to announce the final any moment now. That moment did not com...

Double Agents - You still owe us 30 minutes, MTV.

Double Agents - You still owe us 30 minutes, MTV.

Things are heating up in Iceland as we get closer and closer to the final

Double Agents - All in the Game, Yo, All in the Game

Double Agents - All in the Game, Yo, All in the Game

This week CT made a move that toppled a few dominoes and ruffled a few feathers, but isn't that what this show is all about?

Double Agents - Left Hanging

Double Agents - Left Hanging

MTV gave us a cliffhanger ending, but not before building a lot of drama heading into next week.

Double Agents - Nut up or shut up

Double Agents - Nut up or shut up

This week's episode gave us an all-time blunder from a rookie

Double Agents - Trivia Time!

Double Agents - Trivia Time!

TJ Lavin's favorite game of every season brought us a lot of laughs and a big move from a rookie

Double Agents - Down the Stretch They Come

Double Agents - Down the Stretch They Come

As the famous line from legendary professional wrestling announcer Jim Ross goes: “Business is about to pick up.” Aft...

What Else? Your Honor

What Else? Your Honor

Sometimes there isn't enough time on the Taking It Down podcast to get to all of pop culture. With "What Else?" Blaine Duncan covers some...

Double Agents - Reap What You Sow

Double Agents - Reap What You Sow

This week's episode was all about the fallout from Theresa and Jay's big move last week

Double Agents - All-in

Double Agents - All-in

After finishing this week's episode, I found myself asking the same question I've asked a hundred times before over the 36 seasons of wat...

Double Agents - All Hail Queen Big T, Long May She Reign

Double Agents - All Hail Queen Big T, Long May She Reign

As a great poet once said (sort of): Come at the Queen, best not miss.

Takin' on Double Agents - Messy Fessy

Takin' on Double Agents - Messy Fessy

Another pretty forgettable episode from The Challenge, but it was saved by some late drama.

Top Three: Worst Television of 2020

Top Three: Worst Television of 2020

There are always the bad ones.

Top Ten: Best Television of 2020

Top Ten: Best Television of 2020

In these (final?) days of Peak TV, shows reach far and wide, from streaming to on demand. Here, I offer the best shows -- or at least the o...

Takin' on Double Agents - The Adventures of Bunny & Hawk

Takin' on Double Agents - The Adventures of Bunny & Hawk

After last week's blockbuster episode, it was only natural that this week's episode came back down to Earth. Not that it was a bad episod...

Takin' on Double Agents - Don't be skurred

Takin' on Double Agents - Don't be skurred

The second episode of the season delivered big time, fleshing out the format and givings us a few more twists

Takin' on Double Agents - Coming in Hot

Takin' on Double Agents - Coming in Hot

The Challenge is back, baby!

What Else? Stateless on Netflix

What Else? Stateless on Netflix

Every so often, there isn't enough time on the Taking It Down podcast to get to all of pop culture. With "What Else?" Blaine Duncan cover...

Review: American Dirt

Review: American Dirt

Jeanine Cummins, author of American Dirt Ignore the controversy . Ignore the writer's background, ignore ...

The Instagram Joy of Mike Campbell

The Instagram Joy of Mike Campbell

There's a magnificent solace happening on Instagram. Since the pandemic forced people into their homes, musicians and artists alike have ta...

The Challenge, Episode 16: The Final

The Challenge, Episode 16: The Final

All hail Bananas and Jenny! We have come to the end of a strange, sometimes tame, sometimes outrageous, mostly entertaining seaso...

The Challenge, Episode 15: The Time Has Come

The Challenge, Episode 15: The Time Has Come

  The finals have arrived on The Challenge. At the end of this week's episode (which was excellent ), T.J. told the cast...

The Challenge, Episode 14: Seeing Red

The Challenge, Episode 14: Seeing Red

We've arrived. No, not at the final, but at the part of the Challenge season where every single thing matters. After the smoke cleared th...

The Challenge, Episode 13: Almost There

The Challenge, Episode 13: Almost There

In all honesty, this week's episode wasn't particularly interesting (besides, I guess, whatever is going on with Kaycee and Nany that mad...

The Challenge, Episode 12: Pressure Mounting

The Challenge, Episode 12: Pressure Mounting

Things get back to whatever passes for normal this week on The Challenge , as we get a full episode (we still got a card before the episo...

The Challenge, Episodes 10 and 11: Big Time Drama

The Challenge, Episodes 10 and 11: Big Time Drama

I suppose we should start with Dee Nguyen. She got fired this week for saying a bunch of dumb shit online regarding Black Lives Matter. I...

The Challenge, Episode 9: What are you made of?

The Challenge, Episode 9: What are you made of?

We have reached the point in The Challenge where the competitors’ true selves are revealed, and, oh boy, did we learn a lot this we...

The Challenge Episode 8: Tick Tock

The Challenge Episode 8: Tick Tock

We have reached the meat of this season of  The Challenge.  T.J. Lavin has been telling the contestants they need to get off thei...

The Challenge, Episode 7: Dr. Noodles, or How I Learned to Stop Taking It Personally and Love Purgatory

The Challenge, Episode 7: Dr. Noodles, or How I Learned to Stop Taking It Personally and Love Purgatory

In a bit of a curveball, this week's episode of  The Challenge  focused almost entirely on the Purgatory elimination challenge. L...

The Challenge, Episode 6: The Relationship Episode

The Challenge, Episode 6: The Relationship Episode

Perhaps that's what makes this show so compelling: the connection between relationship and competition.

The Challenge, Episode 5: They Still Don't Get It

The Challenge, Episode 5: They Still Don't Get It

The more things change, the more they stay the same in The Challenge house.

I Needed Dave

I Needed Dave

The FX on Hulu show brought me deep thoughts and joy in quarantine

The Challenge, episode 4: Ashley vs. the House

The Challenge, episode 4: Ashley vs. the House

The champions are falling, my friends. Last week, Challenge legend and defending champion CT was upset in Purgatory by rookie Jay, ending h...

The Alabama Take Weekly Challenge Recap

The Alabama Take Weekly Challenge Recap

There is no need to bury the lede here, folks, this week's episode had a few big happenings, but none bigger than the monumental upset that...

Miss Egan's? You Can Dance If You Want To

Miss Egan's? You Can Dance If You Want To

No need to sit and worry!

Bob Dylan's New Surprise is Murder

Bob Dylan's New Surprise is Murder

It's all happening again

Fleishman Is In Trouble: A Review

Fleishman Is In Trouble: A Review

Taffy Brodesser-Anker's debut is wonderful!

Talking to Strangers? We're Doing It Wrong

Talking to Strangers? We're Doing It Wrong

What happens when strangers meet? Ask Gladwell.

In Praise of Warmhearted Anthologies

In Praise of Warmhearted Anthologies

Shows that care

HBO's McMillion$ is a Blast

HBO's McMillion$ is a Blast

Flashy and fun, this documentary series is a must-see

What Happened, Entertainment Weekly?

What Happened, Entertainment Weekly?

The mighty EW needs a fix.

Politics Are Sports

Politics Are Sports

Time to vote, not stick to a side

The Twists of Lights Out with David Spade

The Twists of Lights Out with David Spade

Don't look now, but Lights Out is pretty good

Top Ten Season: Worst Television of 2019

Top Ten Season: Worst Television of 2019

There are always the bad ones.

Top Ten Season: Best Television of 2019, Part Two

Top Ten Season: Best Television of 2019, Part Two

The top shows of the year!

An Alabama Take's Star Wars Rankings

An Alabama Take's Star Wars Rankings

Before the final movie, our writers rank the rest from worst to best

The Decade: For Better or For Worse

The Decade: For Better or For Worse

Snippets of a decade in hindsight

The Decade: TV and TV and TV

The Decade: TV and TV and TV

Peak TV saved us from one thing, at least.

Takes on College Football: Against the Spread, Championship Week

Takes on College Football: Against the Spread, Championship Week

We aren't the champions, my friends. Well, Blaine's picks haven't been shabby. TD? Lord a mercy!

Takes on College Football: Against the Spread, Rivalry Week

Takes on College Football: Against the Spread, Rivalry Week

Rivals will go down, rivals will win.

Takes on College Football: Against the Spread, Week Thirteen

Not much amongst the awful games...but we're getting too close to the end now.

Takes on College Football: Against the Spread, Week Twelve

Takes on College Football: Against the Spread, Week Twelve

Is it really almost over?

Takes on College Football: Against the Spread, Week Eleven

Takes on College Football: Against the Spread, Week Eleven

The biggest games of the year: here's what we think are worth betting.

Egan's Nail is in the Coffin

Egan's Nail is in the Coffin

The Egan's of old is truly dead now

Takes on College Football: Against the Spread, Week Ten

Takes on College Football: Against the Spread, Week Ten

A lull in colossal games means nothing to the bettors on The Alabama Take.

Takes on College Football: Against the Spread, Week Nine

Takes on College Football: Against the Spread, Week Nine

Week Nine gives you a plethora of games to bet. Now which shall you chose?

Takes on College Football: Against the Spread, Week Eight

Takes on College Football: Against the Spread, Week Eight

Our two most unqualified writers give some more picks against the spread in Week Eight of college football!

Takes on College Football: Against the Spread, Week Seven

Takes on College Football: Against the Spread, Week Seven

In the throes of the season comes more conference play where the true contenders make their moves towards championships.

David Pollack: Fox Sports is Calling for You

David Pollack: Fox Sports is Calling for You

Figuring out that David Pollack is sort of a douche took a while, but now that the realization's here, he can move on out.

Takes on College Football: Against the Spread, Week Six

Takes on College Football: Against the Spread, Week Six

Week Six: the bye weeks begin to take bite out of quantity, but the overall quality? It's a good-looking slate. Here we present to you two ...

Takes on College Football: Against the Spread, Week Five

Takes on College Football: Against the Spread, Week Five

It's Week Five in the blessed college football season. The season is blowing right through nap time .  As you now know, two of the mos...

Takes on College Football: Against the Spread, Week Four

Takes on College Football: Against the Spread, Week Four

Week Four! College football is full steam ahead! Each week two of the most unqualified writers at  The Alabama Take will give our agai...

Takes on College Football: Against the Spread, Week Three

Takes on College Football: Against the Spread, Week Three

Week Three is here and there may be an idea of what each team is for the first half of the season. Don't forget that each week, two of the ...

Takes on College Football: Against the Spread, Week Two

Takes on College Football: Against the Spread, Week Two

Week Two is in full swing! Each week, two of the most unqualified writers at  The Alabama Take will give our picks for the college foo...

Takes on College Football: Against the Spread, Week One

Takes on College Football: Against the Spread, Week One

We are back at it for the 2019 season! Each week, two of the most unqualified writers at  The Alabama Take will give our picks for the...

College Football Predictions 2019: The Hated SEC and Our College Football Playoffs Predictions

College Football Predictions 2019: The Hated SEC and Our College Football Playoffs Predictions

We ultimately get to the SEC, the conference everyone loves to hate, as well as our picks on the College Football Playoffs for 2019. And le...

College Football Predictions 2019: The Little Big Ten and a One-Team ACC

College Football Predictions 2019: The Little Big Ten and a One-Team ACC

The Big Ten doesn't show a lot of promise unless Ohio State wins out or there's a surprise lurking elsewhere. The ACC is another of those t...

College Football Predictions 2019: An Obvious Big 12 and a Baffling PAC-12

College Football Predictions 2019: An Obvious Big 12 and a Baffling PAC-12

Finally, it's here: the first, full week of the college football season! (Please, for now, disregard Week 0 that's the new fashion.) And al...

Where Did Black Summer Come From?

Where Did Black Summer Come From?

Zombie movies -- and now, zombie television shows -- are as ubiquitous as McDonald's. And if you're counting the writing on Fear the Walkin...

Review: Furious Hours is Quite the Document

Review: Furious Hours is Quite the Document

No one will claim that Casey Cep doesn't do her research. In her first book Furious Hours: Murder, Fraud, and the Last Trial of Harper Lee ...

Happy 4th of July, I Guess

Happy 4th of July, I Guess

It’s no secret that I harbor a ton of unpopular opinions. Here: the 4th of July is the worst of all holidays. While it's not utterly,...

What's Summer Without Spider-Man?

What's Summer Without Spider-Man?

After relishing in the magic of  Avengers: Endgame , I wondered what more the Marvel Cinematic Universe could offer. That seemed like ...

Sally Rooney's Second Novel 'Normal People' Finds Beauty

Sally Rooney's Second Novel 'Normal People' Finds Beauty

Normal People , Sally Rooney's second novel, doesn't sound magical or special in summary: Connell is the popular high school boy, Mariann...

Martin Scorsese's Netflix Story on Rolling Thunder Blasts The Past

Martin Scorsese's Netflix Story on Rolling Thunder Blasts The Past

There's a chapter in Harper Lee's seminal work To Kill a Mockingbird where innocent narrator Scout loses one more aspect of that innocence ...

The Dreamers: Like Sleep, Rich and Beautiful

The Dreamers: Like Sleep, Rich and Beautiful

How often is it that we hear, even from ourselves, the longing for more rest, more sleep? In my house alone, it's once a day. In Karen Thom...

The 2019 Summer Movie Preview

The 2019 Summer Movie Preview

The Alabama Take's Summer Movie Preview: I'm there, I'm curious, and I'm out!

Second Take: Deadwood - Series Finale - Tell Him Something Pretty

Second Take: Deadwood - Series Finale - Tell Him Something Pretty

Season Three, Episode Twelve: "Tell Him Something Pretty" Note: each writing will spoil the episode in review but will not discuss any futu...

Second Take: Deadwood - The Catbird Seat

Second Take: Deadwood - The Catbird Seat

Season Three, Episode Eleven: "The Catbird Seat" Note: each writing will spoil the episode in review but will not discuss any future episod...

It's the Biggest Weekend of the Year (So Far)

It's the Biggest Weekend of the Year (So Far)

The rut of bad movies are done. Summer is almost here. Music is in the air. People are already looking for some beach reads. And some of th...

Second Take: Deadwood - A Constant Throb

Second Take: Deadwood - A Constant Throb

Season Three, Episode Ten: "A Constant Throb" Note: each writing will spoil the episode in review but will not discuss any future episodes....

Second Take: Deadwood - Amateur Night

Second Take: Deadwood - Amateur Night

Season Three, Episode Nine: "Amateur Night" Note: each writing will spoil the episode in review but will not discuss any future episodes. T...

Second Take: Deadwood - Leviathan Smiles

Second Take: Deadwood - Leviathan Smiles

Wyatt Earp comes to camp in a tense Deadwood. Read our review on The Alabama Take. #Deadwood #HBO

Second Take: Deadwood - Unauthorized Cinnamon

Second Take: Deadwood - Unauthorized Cinnamon

Season Three, Episode Seven: "Unauthorized Cinnamon" Note: each writing will spoil the episode in review but will not discuss any future ep...

Second Take: Deadwood - A Rich Find

Second Take: Deadwood - A Rich Find

Season Three, Episode Six: "A Rich Find" Note: each writing will spoil the episode in review but will not discuss any future episodes. The ...

Second Take: Deadwood - A Two-Headed Beast

Second Take: Deadwood - A Two-Headed Beast

Season Three, Episode Five: "A Two-Headed Beast" Note: each writing will spoil the episode in review but will not discuss any future episod...

Second Take: Deadwood - Full Faith and Credit

Second Take: Deadwood - Full Faith and Credit

Season Three, Episode Four: "Full Faith and Credit" Note: each writing will spoil the episode in review but will not discuss any future epi...

Second Take: Deadwood - True Colors

Second Take: Deadwood - True Colors

Season Three, Episode Three: "True Colors" Note: each writing will spoil the episode in review but will not discuss any future episodes. "T...

Second Take: Deadwood - I Am Not the Fine Man You Take Me For

Second Take: Deadwood - I Am Not the Fine Man You Take Me For

Season Three, Episode Two: "I Am Not the Fine Make You Take Me For" Note: each writing will spoil the episode in review but will not discus...

Second Take: Deadwood - Season Premiere - Tell Your God to Ready for Blood

Second Take: Deadwood - Season Premiere - Tell Your God to Ready for Blood

Season Three, Episode One: "Tell Your God to Ready for Blood" Note: each writing will spoil the episode in review but will not discuss any ...

Second Take: Deadwood - Season Finale -  Boy-the-Earth-Talks-To

Second Take: Deadwood - Season Finale - Boy-the-Earth-Talks-To

Season Two, Episode Twelve: "Boy-the-Earth-Talks-To" Note: each writing will spoil the episode in review but will not discuss any future ep...

Engaging and Concerning - A Review of Education: A Memoir

Engaging and Concerning - A Review of Education: A Memoir

Two things strike immediate concern with Tara Westover's highly lauded  Educated: A Memoir : author J.D. Vance  offers the first ...

Second Take: Deadwood - The Whores Can Come

Second Take: Deadwood - The Whores Can Come

Season Two, Episode Eleven: "The Whores Can Come" Note: each writing will spoil the episode in review but will not discuss any future episo...

Second Take: Deadwood - Advances, None Miraculous

Second Take: Deadwood - Advances, None Miraculous

Season Two, Episode Ten: "Advances, None Miraculous" Note: each writing will spoil the episode in review but will not discuss any future ep...

Second Take: Deadwood - Amalgamation and Capital

Second Take: Deadwood - Amalgamation and Capital

Season Two, Episode Nine: "Amalgamation and Capital" Note: each writing will spoil the episode in review but will not discuss any future ep...

Second Take: Deadwood - Childish Things

Second Take: Deadwood - Childish Things

Season Two, Episode Eight: "Childish Things" Note: each writing will spoil the episode in review but will not discuss any future episodes. ...

Second Take: Deadwood - E.B. Was Left Out

Second Take: Deadwood - E.B. Was Left Out

Season Two, Episode Seven: "E.B. Was Left Out" Note: each writing will spoil the episode in review but will not discuss any future episodes...

Second Take: Deadwood - Something Very Expensive

Second Take: Deadwood - Something Very Expensive

Season Two, Episode Six: "Something Very Expensive" Note: each writing will spoil the episode in review but will not discuss any future epi...

Second Take: Deadwood - Complications

Second Take: Deadwood - Complications

Season Two, Episode Five: "Complications" Note: each writing will spoil the episode in review but will not discuss any future episodes. The...

Second Take: Deadwood - Requiem for a Gleet

Second Take: Deadwood - Requiem for a Gleet

Season Two, Episode Four: "Requiem for a Gleet" Note: each writing will spoil the episode in review but will not discuss any future episode...

Second Take: Deadwood - New Money

Second Take: Deadwood - New Money

Season Two, Episode Three: "New Money" Note: each writing will spoil the episode in review but will not discuss any future episodes. New mo...

Second Take: Deadwood - A Lie Agreed Upon: Part II

Second Take: Deadwood - A Lie Agreed Upon: Part II

Season Two, Episode Two: "A Lie Agreed Upon: Part II" Note: each writing will spoil the episode in review but will not discuss any future e...

Second Take: Deadwood - A Lie Agreed Upon: Part I - Season Premiere

Second Take: Deadwood - A Lie Agreed Upon: Part I - Season Premiere

Love, anger, and trickery develop in Deadwood in the first episode of Season Two. Read our review here. #Deadwood #HBO

Second Take: Deadwood - Sold Under Sin - Season Finale

Second Take: Deadwood - Sold Under Sin - Season Finale

Season One, Episode Twelve: "Sold Under Sin" (Season Finale)  Note: each writing will spoil the episode in review but will not discuss...

Second Take: Deadwood - Jewel's Boot Is Made for Walking

Second Take: Deadwood - Jewel's Boot Is Made for Walking

Viewers know exactly who Al Swearengen is by the end of "Jewel's Boot Is Made For Walking," the first season's penultimate episode. #Deadwo...

Second Take: Deadwood - Mister Wu

Second Take: Deadwood - Mister Wu

It's doing what's wrong even when it's what's right in the tenth episode, a crowd favorite. #Deadwood #HBO

Second Take: Deadwood - No Other Sons or Daughters

Second Take: Deadwood - No Other Sons or Daughters

Season One, Episode Nine: "No Other Sons or Daughters" Note: each writing will spoil the episode in review but will not discuss any future ...

Second Take: Deadwood - Suffer the Little Children

Second Take: Deadwood - Suffer the Little Children

Everyone's God's child, and many are suffering, in Deadwood's eighth episode. #Deadwood #HBO

Second Take: Deadwood - Bullock Returns to the Camp

Second Take: Deadwood - Bullock Returns to the Camp

Season One, Episode Seven: "Bullock Returns to the Camp" Note: each writing will spoil the episode in review but will not discuss any futur...

Review: The Electric Woman is a Memoir for the Ages

Review: The Electric Woman is a Memoir for the Ages

There's a moment in Tessa Fontaine's extraordinary memoir  The Electric Woman: A Memoir in Death-Defying Acts  where the owner of...

Second Take: Deadwood - Plague

Second Take: Deadwood - Plague

Season One, Episode Six: "Plague" Note: each writing will spoil the episode in review but will not discuss any future episodes. "Plague" op...

Second Take: Deadwood - The Trial of Jack McCall

Second Take: Deadwood - The Trial of Jack McCall

Season One, Episode Five: "The Trial of Jack McCall" Note: each writing will spoil the episode in review but will not discuss any future ep...

Second Take: Deadwood - Here Was a Man

Second Take: Deadwood - Here Was a Man

Season One, Episode Four: "Here Was a Man" Note: each writing will spoil the episode in review but will not discuss any future episodes. Al...

Second Take: Deadwood - Reconnoitering the Rim

Second Take: Deadwood - Reconnoitering the Rim

Season One, Episode Three: "Reconnoitering the Rim" Note: each writing will spoil the episode in review but will not discuss any future epi...

Second Take: Deadwood - Deep Water

Second Take: Deadwood - Deep Water

Season One, Episode Two: "Deep Water" Note: each writing will spoil the episode in review but will not discuss any future episodes. Gem Sal...

Second Take: Deadwood - Pilot

Second Take: Deadwood - Pilot

Season One, Episode One: "Deadwood" Note: each writing will spoil the episode in review but will not discuss any future episodes. The pilot...

Top Ten Season: My Favorite Television Shows of 2018, Part Two

Top Ten Season: My Favorite Television Shows of 2018, Part Two

To see my choices 6--10 of the favorite shows of the year, click here.  It may be prudent once again to note that much like last year ...

The Magic of Springsteen on Broadway

The Magic of Springsteen on Broadway

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1xDzgob1JI How fitting that Bruce Springsteen's undervalued 2007 album is called  Magic . One of the ...

Takes on College Football: Against the Spread, Championship Week

Takes on College Football: Against the Spread, Championship Week

We are not experts (though our percentages are better than some of the experts, god dammit). If you go by these picks, you're bound to be l...

Takes on College Football: Against the Spread, Week Thirteen (Rivalry Week)!

Takes on College Football: Against the Spread, Week Thirteen (Rivalry Week)!

We are not experts (though our percentages are better than some of the experts, god dammit). If you go by these picks, you're bound to be l...

Takes on College Football: Against the Spread, Week Twelve

Takes on College Football: Against the Spread, Week Twelve

We are not experts (though our percentages are better than some of the experts). If you go by these picks, you're bound to be lose money. T...

Takes on College Football: Against the Spread, Week Eleven

Takes on College Football: Against the Spread, Week Eleven

We are not experts (though our percentages are better than some of the experts). If you go by these picks, you're bound to be lose money. T...

Takes on College Football: Against the Spread, Week Ten

Takes on College Football: Against the Spread, Week Ten

We are not experts. If you go by these picks, you're bound to be lose money. But you know what?! It's entirely possible that you'll finally...

Takes on College Football: Against the Spread, Week Nine

Takes on College Football: Against the Spread, Week Nine

We are not experts. If you go by these picks, you're bound to be lose money. But you know what?! It's entirely possible that you'll finally...

Takes on College Football: Against the Spread, Week Eight

Takes on College Football: Against the Spread, Week Eight

We are not experts. If you go by these picks, you're bound to be lose money, though it's entirely possible that you'll finally be able to p...

Review: The Cabin at the End of the World is a Excellent Novel for Halloween

Review: The Cabin at the End of the World is a Excellent Novel for Halloween

The horror genre often works at its best when the characters are not only people that are believable but also fictional beings that cause r...

Takes on College Football: Against the Spread, Week Seven

Takes on College Football: Against the Spread, Week Seven

We are not experts. If you go by these picks, you're bound to be lose money or it's possible that you'll finally be able to pay off all tho...

Takes on College Football: Against the Spread, Week Six

Takes on College Football: Against the Spread, Week Six

Let's be clear: we are not experts. If you go by these picks, you're bound to be lose money or it's possible that you'll finally be able to...

Takes on College Football: Against the Spread, Week Five

Takes on College Football: Against the Spread, Week Five

Let's be clear: we are not experts. If you go by these picks, you're bound to be lose money or maybe you'll be able to pay off all those st...

Takes on College Football: Against the Spread, Week Four

Takes on College Football: Against the Spread, Week Four

Let's be clear: we are not experts. If you go by these picks, you're bound to be upset or maybe you'll be able to pay off all those student...

Takes on College Football: Against the Spread, Week Three

Takes on College Football: Against the Spread, Week Three

Let's be clear: we are not experts. If you go by these, you could lose a lot of money or you could win some major cheese! You never know! E...

Takes on College Football: Against the Spread, Week Two

Takes on College Football: Against the Spread, Week Two

Let's be clear: we are not experts. If you go by these, you're bound to lose money, maybe a lot. But who knows? Each week, a few writers at...

Book Review: Black Klansman: Race, Hate, and the Undercover Investigation of a Lifetime

Book Review: Black Klansman: Race, Hate, and the Undercover Investigation of a Lifetime

Wow, does Ron Stallworth have a story. Lucky for readers, he divulges exactly how it all came to be in Black Klansman: Race, Hate, and the ...

Takes on College Football: Against the Spread, Week One

Takes on College Football: Against the Spread, Week One

Let's be clear: we are not experts. If you go by these, you're bound to lose a lot of money. But who knows? Each week, a few writers at The...

College Football Predictions 2018: The Big, Bad SEC and the Playoff Contenders

College Football Predictions 2018: The Big, Bad SEC and the Playoff Contenders

Finally, we here at The Alabama Take get to sink our teeth into the mighty SEC as well as the College Football Playoff contenders. Who will...

College Football Predictions 2018: The Smashmouth Big Ten and the Up-in-the-Air PAC-12

College Football Predictions 2018: The Smashmouth Big Ten and the Up-in-the-Air PAC-12

We at The Alabama Take  have more to say about the upcoming college football season. Who has the best chance at struttin' that ass int...

College Football Predictions 2018: The Top Heavy ACC and the Wild West Big 12

College Football Predictions 2018: The Top Heavy ACC and the Wild West Big 12

College Football looms in the background and haunts each day of every year for those of us at The Alabama Take . We couldn't wait to give o...

Eighth Grade is a Movie For Everyone

Eighth Grade is a Movie For Everyone

In the director's seat, Burnham creates a beautiful portrait

The Importance of Being Ant-Man: The Summer Movie

The Importance of Being Ant-Man: The Summer Movie

Ant-Man and the Wasp felt like a movie in the MCU than one could skip. That's not the case.

A Perfect Balm: 'Won't You Be My Neighbor?' is One of the Best Documentaries Ever

A Perfect Balm: 'Won't You Be My Neighbor?' is One of the Best Documentaries Ever

It sounds hyperbolic, but Won't You Be My Neighbor? is the most important film released in recent times.

Treeborne: An Amazing Debut

Treeborne: An Amazing Debut

Treeborne is a novel that forebodes a future while prodding the past.

Review: Little Fires Everywhere

Review: Little Fires Everywhere

As a serious drama, Little Fires Everywhere has depth that works, but not to its full potential.

The War on Drugs: The Most Vital Band in America

The War on Drugs: The Most Vital Band in America

The most vital band in the United States could also be its most unlikely: the War on Drugs

Not This Again: Greta Van Fleet Aren't the Saviors of Rock

Not This Again: Greta Van Fleet Aren't the Saviors of Rock

And here we are all over again: Greta Van Fleet seem wholly manufactured for you, rock lover.

The 2018 Summer Movie Preview

The 2018 Summer Movie Preview

The Alabama Take's Summer Movie Preview: I'm there, I'm curious, and I'm out!

'A.P. Bio': Broadcast TV Tries Another Sitcom with Excellent Results

'A.P. Bio': Broadcast TV Tries Another Sitcom with Excellent Results

There's still a lot of comedy to be mined in school, which 'A.P. Bio' does in spades.

A Soothing Departure: 'Exit West'

A Soothing Departure: 'Exit West'

What does it mean to "be" from a place? 'Exit West' is a brilliant examination of that and more.

As Must-Reads Go, 'I'll Be Gone in the Dark' is One of the Best

As Must-Reads Go, 'I'll Be Gone in the Dark' is One of the Best

This isn't just true crime.

Not Everything Sucks With Netflix's Newest

Not Everything Sucks With Netflix's Newest

Netflix takes us through some serious 90's nostalgia with Everything Sucks!, which doesn't totally suck.

The Finality of 'The Largesse of the Sea Maiden'

The Finality of 'The Largesse of the Sea Maiden'

The near beauty of Denis Johnson's recent, and final, work.

Southerners and Northerners: Can We Stop?

Southerners and Northerners: Can We Stop?

It's the plight of mankind in the snow and how we can all stop being stupid in one way.

The Best of the Social Media Apps

The Best of the Social Media Apps

The most useful and benign social media app could just encourage you to be a little smarter or at least more well read.

Getting off the Fence with The Last Jedi

Getting off the Fence with The Last Jedi

One author is ready to make a decision on The Last Jedi.

The Worst Shows of 2017

The Worst Shows of 2017

There were a ton of shows to watch this year, and some were just bad. I tried (in some cases repeatedly) to give each of these shows the be...

Top 10 Favorite Shows of 2017, Part Two

Top 10 Favorite Shows of 2017, Part Two

To see the bottom half of my favorite shows of the year and to see the shows that barely got cut, click  here .  It may be pruden...