The Take

Gilmore Girls’ Paris Geller is many things: hyper-intelligent, laser focused, extremely intense… but she became a beloved character because as the show went on we got to peel back the layers and see Paris as less of a looming threat and more as a real person. While things always seemed to turn out great for Rory Gilmore no matter what (at least for a while), Paris was hit with some big setbacks that caused her to have to rethink her life plan. Join us in taking a deeper look at what made Paris' story so interesting and how she became such an iconic character (and why she deserved all of the praise Rory got for being The Smart Girl.) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

At first glance, The O.C.’s Marissa Cooper might seem like the epitome of the ‘poor little rich girl’ trope – she’s gorgeous, lives in a mansion in southern California, and never seems to be having a good time. But the show gave us a chance to see beyond the outer facade of Marissa’s seemingly-perfect life and into the darkness hiding beneath that beautiful surface. Marissa was a complex young woman trying to figure out who she really was in a world that was intent on telling her who she had to be. Let’s take a deeper look at Marissa’s attempts to break out of her gilded cage, find real connections, and grow. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Love bombing has been a huge topic of conversation in recent years, and if we take a closer look, we might start to notice that the TV and movie characters who we thought were so lovable and charming are actually doing this too – from self-identified “nice guys” like How I Met Your Mother’s Ted Mosby to full on bad guys like Chuck Bass from Gossip Girl and Joe Goldberg from You. But what is love bombing, what are the signs, how does it tie into narcissism, and why is this trope in so many TV shows and movies? Go to http://factormeals.com/thetake50 and use code thetake50 to get 50% off your first box and 2 free wellness shots per box while subscription is active. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nathan Fielder uses his brand of awkward, uncomfortable humor (and a hint of darkness) to flip the script on contemporary TV’s obsession with reality. From creating cringe comedy that’s achieved cult status on his shows Nathan For You and The Rehearsal to his latest hyper-real horror show with Benny Safdie, The Curse, he shines a light back on the audience, making us reflect on the less pleasant parts of human nature. That might be our awkwardness or our selfishness; or, in the Curse specifically, our obsession with looking at the lives of other people. So what is Fielder really trying to tell us about the world and ourselves? And why has he decided to do it in such a weird way? Let’s take a closer look at Nathan Fielder’s special brand of unreality. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Boy Meets World's Angela Moore (Trina McGee) quickly became one of the most influential Black teen sitcom characters of the 1990s when she joined the cast in season 5 and became one half of the show's best power couple with on-again-off-again boyfriend Shawn Hunter. But as beloved as she was, she still ran into a number of problems both on screen and behind the scenes. So let’s take a deeper look at this groundbreaking character, her lasting legacy, and why so many fans still believe she deserved better. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Annoying overachievers seem to somehow be doing everything, perfectly, all of the time which, while great for their resume, can get a little old for the more “average” people around them. But while they might make being perfect look easy, oftentimes a peek below the surface shows us that there are complex motivations that drive these ambitious figures. So let’s take a look at what’s really motivating this drive to be the best at everything and how this attitude can actually hold these perfectionists back from reaching their true potential (plus we’ll break down the weird double standard that is the reason these characters are so often women.) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gilmore Girls, the early 2000s hit following Lorelai, Rory, and their town full of quirky friends, is one of our favorite shows. We've done several videos digging into specific aspects of the show, but today we're taking a look back at the whole thing. So whether you're a long time fan who wants to enjoy a bit of nostalgia or someone who's never watched the show but always wondered what it was about, join us on this trip down memory lane through all seven seasons and the revival! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Poor Things, the new Yorgos Lanthimos film starring Emma Stone, has been racking up nominations and wins on this year’s award circuit. But it also sparked a bit of controversy thanks to one major feature of its plot… So what is the film actually about, and is it empowering or exploitative? Here’s what you need to know about Poor Things, those scenes, and the message the film is trying to convey! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Big Bang Theory's Sheldon Cooper is definitely a smart guy, but there were still some things he had to learn to have a happy life filled with strong connections. Let’s take a deeper look at Sheldon’s story and why his personal growth was such an important part of the show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’ve pulled together some of our favorite releases from this year across film and TV! This is definitely not an exhaustive list, but we wanted to share some things we loved this year with you (and hope that you'll share your favorites with us, too!) We’ve split them into ten categories, from the best performances, to the best zany comedies, to the shows that got canceled way too soon, and more. So no matter what you’re looking for, we’ve got something for you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Let’s unpack Alex Dunphy's life as the Smart Girl, what actually caused her problems, and how she overcame them (plus the real reason she and Haley were always fighting.) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After being heralded for decades, method acting has in recent years begun receiving a lot of backlash .So what’s really behind this turn? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Frasier might have been the titular character of the hit sitcom, but Niles was clearly the star of the show. Let’s take a look at what made him so hilarious (and lowkey relatable) and unpack why he provided such an important balance to the show! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How did some basically unknown director allegedly scam Netflix for over $50 million dollars? And why is Keanu Reeves involved?! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

HBO’s The Gilded Age initially got off to a pretty rocky start, but even with all of its faults, there was just something about the show that kept viewers coming back. So what is the show's true magic? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Saltburn, the new film from writer-director Emerald Fennell, was initially hailed as a shocking eat-the-rich psychological thriller, but upon its release, audiences have found that while it’s definitely a fun ride, it ends up lacking much of the promised bite. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A24 has become known for producing deep, introspective indie films that feel different from Hollywood’s usual fare. What's their secret? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the first four episodes of The Crown season 6, the show paints a touching, insightful picture of the weeks leading up to Diana's passing. So let's analyze this portrayal of her relationship with Dodi and the loss the world felt at large. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How close are May December's portrayals to the real Mary Kay Letourneau and Vili Fualaau? Let’s unpack the true story behind the film, and what the film's really trying to say. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why exactly was Sex and The City so different from what came before, and why did it have the impact it did? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Whether she's a sweet innocent or an alluring vixen, let's take a deeper look at the blue-eyed girl, analyze her two main types, and explore what really drives the blue eye obsession. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’re unpacking the show’s deeper messages, taking a look at why the show works so well, and exploring where a possible season 3 could take our favorite pirates! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After seemingly falling out of fashion for a while, it looks like sex scenes are making a comeback in one arena: prestige indie films. So what’s really going on here, and what does it mean for films (and audiences?) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why are people really mad at Justin Timberlake now post-Britney book release, and where do these changing attitudes fit into the larger societal shifts we’ve seen since the early 2000s? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Let’s break down how Gen V flips Gen Z tropes, unpack all of those shocking twists, take a deeper look at what everyone’s pain secretly represents, and explore what those surprise cameos could mean for The Boys Season 4! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From Margot Robbie starting a production company to Ryan Reynolds becoming incredibly wealthy by hawking… well, a little bit of everything ,let’s take a dive into the world of the “actor-preneur” and unpack what’s really driving this trend. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Matthew Perry was most well known for his iconic turn as Chandler Bing on Friends, but his real life was of course much more complex, and unfortunately much darker, than the sitcom character he became synonymous with. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

While horror films are rife with peril of all kinds, one dark thread is the brutality with which female victims are slain. The female victims usually fall into one of five categories, so let’s unpack each one and take a look at what they really represent. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What drives the stage mom to push her kid towards fame, even at their own expense? And why does she seem to keep evolving with the times, but never in a way that’s better for kids? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

While Killers of the Flower Moon might seem far from Scorsese’s usual fare, if we look closer, we see that his dark cinematic cannon actually prepared him to bring this story to the big screen in a number of surprising ways. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, we’re taking a look at the new Frasier reboot so far, why it’s caused such a split in opinions, and unpacking if it really has a chance of holding a candle to the original. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the world of Succession, Logan Roy was a larger-than-life captain of industry that clawed his way to the top with no remorse and reveled in keeping an iron grip on that power until the very end. So how did Logan grow beyond this initial sprout of real world connection and develop into one of the most iconic antiheroes of the modern era? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When a man puts himself first, without worrying about what society thinks, he’s an aspirational character. But give those same attributes to a woman, and she becomes difficult. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The job market, like so many things nowadays, is total chaos. But some young people have found a surprising solution: getting paid to be… stay at home children. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The “weird girl” used to be the black sheep of society on screen and in real life, but in recent years she’s started taking center stage. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’re fascinated with Carmela Soprano. So today, we’re peeling back her many layers to reveal the truth that lies underneath. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is one of those movies that stays in your head - which is fitting for a film that comes out vehemently against the virtues of forgetting. So what exactly makes this film as memorable to viewers as Clem and Joel are to each other, compared to plenty of other stories that faded from consciousness? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mean Girls has solidified its place as one of the most iconic teen comedies of all time – but what is it about this movie that makes it so enduring? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trinity, in order to leave the Matrix again, has to abandon her three children. So what does Trinity’s choice, and the fact that she was trapped with this choice to begin with, tell us about what it means to be a woman in society? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Bridezilla is everywhere on screen, throwing tantrums and making threats – she’s posited as the exemplification of everything bad about brides to be. But if we look just a little bit closer, much of her rage starts to make a lot of sense. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Boho Woman, Hippie Chick, Earth Mama, Granola Girl – this character type has been popping up in our favorite movies and shows for decades. Carefree and quirky, she's gone from a kooky sidekick to a beloved character type by dancing to the beat of her own drum. Here’s our Take on where the Boho Woman came from, who she really is, and how she found her own place in the spotlight. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Wire’s Howard “Bunny” Colvin represents the force for positive community change – like very few others in this ecosystem, he tries to “F with the program”. So what can we learn from Bunny and his dogged drive to make things better – is it even worth it, or possible? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jimmy Fallon is the latest seemingly-nice media figure to be outed as a terrible boss. So what allegedly went down, and why does it seem like so many dream media jobs are actually nightmares? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Parks and Recreation is celebrated as a relentlessly optimistic, kindness-centered show, but that’s not how it treats one of its main characters: poor Jerry Gergich. Here’s our take on why the persecution of Jerry is one thing that hasn’t aged so well about Parks and Recreation, and if it secretly revealed a flaw in the show’s attitude. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Don't miss our new on what makes a Greta Gerwig movie a Greta Gerwig movie, why many people connect so deeply with her characters, & fandom's surprising impact on her career. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Barbie has struck the hearts of movie goers, and women in particular, worldwide. But why? What do the film’s themes say about being a real, "ordinary" woman? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Sopranos’ Adriana La Cerva was beautiful, smart and an early 2000s fashion icon - but above all else, she's remembered for her tragic story. So what is it about her that we love – and that in turn, makes her the perfect tragic character? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When Pixar’s Elemental premiered, it was branded a total flop. But then, somehow, everything seemed to turn around... So what’s the truth about Elemental – is it a boring misfire or a heartwarming success? (& What even went wrong to begin with?!) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Bear delivers a masterful Season 2, and if you look (and listen) closer, a big part of what makes it work so well has to do with what we’re hearing. Here's our take on the skillful way the show uses this technique of overlapping dialogue (and noise in general) and how it serves the narrative. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Many of the qualities that made Phoebe Buffay the best Friend would have also made her a great mom - so maybe her shift to wanting to be a soccer mom in the later seasons wasn't really so surprising after all! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices