Taylor’d Takes

You’re telling me The Odyssey isn’t based on true events? If I wasn’t already confused, just keep adding A-list actors and Greek gods until I have absolutely no idea what’s happening. And yet... I’m LOCKED. THE. F. IN. Ryan joins me this week to break down our takes on The Odyssey, why we’re fully captivated for all 172 minutes, our one big gripe with Christopher Nolan, and why we’re begging Hollywood to give us some fresh faces... although when it comes to Robert Pattinson…. keep doing you. Am I the only one calling what I think Devin Booker’s real play is with Kendall Jenner? Him being spotted with Irina Shayk can’t be a coincidence... or maybe it is. Either way, let me know your theories, because my University of Kentucky roots will always have me rooting for Devin and Kendall.And finally, I'm climbing onto my soapbox for my girl Morgan Stewart McGraw. Because if DeuxMoi won't do it.. I WILL.As always, let us know your takes! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit taylordtakes.substack.com

We’re getting into Alix Earle opening up about online hate and why it feels like we’ve hit a point where people are way too comfortable tearing strangers apart on the internet. Then we dive into the Paige Lorenze “NO INFLUENCERS” controversy, because it has officially taken the internet by storm.And now for the main event… we have to unpack In the City Reunion Part 2. We’re breaking down whether Lindsay Hubbard is carrying the show or just playing the reality TV game better than everyone else, comparing Amanda Batula’s Summer House reunion performance to In the City and why it’s VERY telling, questioning whether the Danielle/Lindsay friendship was ever as deep as we thought, and West Wilson rage baiting the internet. And of course, we discuss Amanda and Kyle’s relationship and beat that dead horse one. more. time. And we’re making our plea to production: what needs to change before Season 2, and who we’d actually want to see take over for Andy Cohen one day.As always, let us know your takes!Follow Chi Chi’s Substack, Seedy Studio, where she delivers weekly observations that are sharp, stylish, occasionally ruthless, and somehow always correct. She’s going to tell you what she thinks whether you asked or not. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit taylordtakes.substack.com

The In the City reunion left me with one major question: when will Amanda Batula actually get it? Chi Chi and I are breaking down the apologies that worked (and the ones that definitely didn’t), Kyle Cooke taking the high road while revealing who really betrayed him, Amanda’s “cool girl” performance is slipping, why Amanda still can’t answer if she is in love with West Wilson, Kenny vs. Lindsay and Lindsay maybe meeting her match, Lexi’s questionable moves, single Kyle and Amanda’s deep rooted jealousy. I said what I said! Plus, we had to talk about the Real Housewives of New York City trailer… because Carole Radziwill is back, and she has a LOT to answer for.As always, let us know your takes! Follow Chi Chi’s Substack, Seedy Studio, where she delivers weekly observations that are sharp, stylish, occasionally ruthless, and somehow always correct. She’s going to tell you what she thinks whether you asked or not. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit taylordtakes.substack.com

Just give us something to talk about… and we will!!! I went from saying “not much happened” to analyzing every conversation like it was a crime scene. We get into: * Whether In the City is actually too mature for Bravo* Why outgrowing friendships can feel like grieving a breakup* Kyle Cooke choosing peace while Craig Conover chose violence* Whitney and Kenny holding their own (damnit!!!) * Amanda Batula being mentally checked out all season - and whether Kyle just had his best Bravo season yet* Paige DeSorbo’s Italy trip and engagement rumors* The new Summer House cast is here!!!!* THE TikTok …As always, let us know your takes!Follow Chi Chi’s Substack, Seedy Studio, where she delivers weekly observations that are sharp, stylish, occasionally ruthless, and somehow always correct. She’s going to tell you what she thinks whether you asked or not. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit taylordtakes.substack.com

Another week, another In the City recap. We get into: * Room-gate and whether Lindsay and Georgina deserved the primary suite or group trip etiquette. Don’t ask Ramona Singer or Sonja Morgan for what to do…* Whitney’s “single mom card” comment and why it became a much bigger conversation than just a room assignment.* Amanda and Kyle’s bunk room era.* Kyle Cooke being absolutely ALL TIME, yet again.* The Lindsay vs. Yvonne conversation. WARNING: Chi Chi and I didn’t see eye to eye on this one and that. is. okay. COMMENT YOUR TAKE!!!!* Kenny and Gavin quietly becoming one of the most important dynamics on In the City and giving us something we’ve never really gotten from Summer House.* Whether I may be blinded by Mother Hubbard and more!Then we switch gears to recap JUST&T MARRIED aka Taylor Swift & Travis Kelce’s wedding at Madison Square Garden… and our revelation for the Swifties: it’s okay not to like the wedding.Speaking of crazy fandoms, go read Chi Chi’s latest Substack on the Biebs. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit taylordtakes.substack.com

This week I’m chatting with Sara Gretzky as she gears up for the launch of her brand-new podcast, While I Have You, dropping Tuesday, July 7.Sara and I first connected years ago when we were both launching our podcasts, and since then we’ve both rebranded, pivoted, questioned ourselves, and evolved. Looking back, every chapter, every name change, and every pivot was leading us exactly where we’re supposed to be. Because maybe starting something new isn’t really starting over… it’s building on everything you’ve already done.We talk about how this is the Year of the Horse and why Sara said “okay, it’s time” and launched a podcast that’s fully hers. After years of podcasting with co-hosts, she’s spent the last year learning to trust herself and now she’s just doing the damn thing - on her own terms, as her own boss.We get into what that shift actually looks like: making decisions solo, figuring out how much of yourself to share online, redefining success, and learning to celebrate your wins just as loudly as you obsess over your losses.We also talk about:* Why a pivot doesn’t always mean something went wrong* Overcoming self-doubt and trusting your decisions * Manifestation, astrology, and why being a little delulu might actually be a superpower* Posting like it’s still 2016 (“get it on the grid!”)* Her approach to sharing her children online* What listeners can expect from While I Have You that they haven’t heard from Sara before* The full-circle moment when I bring up something Sara forgot she ever said - and how it lands in this next chapterSara is fully riding the Year of the Horse bareback at this point… and honestly? I left this conversation ready to run through a wall. I. AM. FIRED. UP.Follow and subscribe to While I Have You with Sara Gretzky, launching tomorrow, July 7!Subscribe to Taylor’d Takes for weekly episodes. Coming this week: Recap of In the City, Taylor Swift’s wedding, and everything on my mind right now. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit taylordtakes.substack.com

I leave for ONE vacation and Taylor Swift is getting married at Madison Square Garden, West and Amanda are out of Summer House and somehow in my backyard (Lake Geneva, Wisconsin), and Gavin has officially pushed us to our absolute limit.ENOUGH ALREADY.Chi Chi joins me to recap In the City and break down:* The Taylor Swift & Travis Kelce wedding rumors and why we are very much not Swifties* YouRowKelsey, ocean fear, and whatever that conversation turned into* West Wilson and Amanda Batula leaving Summer House - fired, mutual, or wedding-season? * Bravo editors finally seeming to turn on Amanda Batula* The Lake Geneva tea that somehow made Wisconsin the center of the Bravo universe* A full thesis on why Gavin is actively trying to distract us from HIM* WHY WE LOVE KENNY MARTIN* A church choir story that fully sent usAs always, we turned three conversations into thirty. Let’s get into it.Follow Chi Chi’s Substack, Seedy Studio, where she delivers weekly observations that are sharp, stylish, occasionally ruthless, and somehow always correct. She’s going to tell you what she thinks whether you asked or not. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit taylordtakes.substack.com

This week my cousin Regooooo joins me to recap her 21st birthday in Nashville, which we’re officially calling “A Series of VERY Fortunate Events.” From accidentally booking the trip during CMA Fest, immediately losing the birthday girl’s luggage, to run-ins with Shaboozey and Big Mike, we spent the entire weekend just trying to keep up with whatever Nashville was throwing at us. Every redirection felt like it was meant for us, and you’ll see why as we break down our chaotic 48 hours. Follow Regan on TikTok and comment what she should make her first video as just being Regoooooo! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit taylordtakes.substack.com

We’re a couple days late because your girl is packing for a friend’s wedding in Kentucky and a trip to Cape Cod, but there was NO way we could go another day without discussing SUMMER HOUSE: THE AFTERMATH.Since Bravo refuses to give us the unedited, uncut footage, we’re doing the next best thing: giving you our completely, UNEDITED, unfiltered takes. Consider this our official petition for Bravo to get its integrity back and release the tapes, because there are still way too many missing pieces, unanswered questions, and conversations that simply aren’t adding up.These post-reunion sit-downs were supposed to give us clarity. Instead, they left us with even more questions and again… WE. ARE. OFFICIALLY. TIRED.So grab your detective hats because Detective Chi Chi and Tay Tay are back on the case, breaking down every contradiction, every convenient omission, and why we’re still not buying what Bravo is selling.And let us know: are you as frustrated as we are with Bravo’s apparent mission to protect Amanda? 👀Follow Chi Chi’s Substack, Seedy Studio, where she delivers weekly observations that are sharp, stylish, occasionally ruthless, and somehow always correct. She’s going to tell you what she thinks whether you asked or not. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit taylordtakes.substack.com

I’m reporting from vacation and Chi Chi had to leave NYC because she is SICK OF AMANDA & WEST. PERIOD. But Summer House Reunion Part Three waits for no one!!!!!And somehow... after three reunion episodes, leaked audio, Bravo sleuths, timeline investigations, Peacock bonus scenes, and enough conspiracy theories to fill an FBI evidence board... we still have questions and WE. ARE. OFFICIALLY. TIRED. Buuuut let’s get into it. * The beta blocker question heard around Bravo... and what we think is sitting on the editing room floor* Kyle Cooke being the voice of reason * West somehow managed to make himself look even worse than he did last week. Which honestly deserves its own award.* Whether Amanda is trapped, checked out, protecting herself... or all three* West admitting he’s been unclear with “a zillion” women and somehow thinking that helps his defense* Our comparison of West to Jax Taylor... and why West WISHES he was Jax. At least Jax owns being the villain.* Amanda refusing to watch the season back and why that tells us EVERYTHING* The “fabulous” comment that sent both of us into immediate cardiac arrest* And my completely unexpected Shaboozey x Summer House crossover moment in Nashville that proves you can never escape BravoSubscribe and join us next week for SUMMER HOUSE: THE AFTERMATH. And trust us... we are GIDDY.Follow Chi Chi’s Substack, Seedy Studio, where she delivers weekly observations that are sharp, stylish, occasionally ruthless, and somehow always correct. She’s going to tell you what she thinks whether you asked or not. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit taylordtakes.substack.com